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THE     STUDENT'S 

Chaucer 


BEING 


^   Com^fete   dS^ition   of  ^ib   Worftfi 

EDITED 

F/?OM  NUMEROUS  MANUSCRIPTS 
BY  THE 

REV.    WALTER    W.    SKEAT 

I.ITT.D.,  LL.D.,  PH.D.,  M.A. 

ELRINGTON    AND    BOSWORTH    PROFESSOR   OF  ANGLO-SAXON    IN   THE 

UNIVERSITY   OF   CAMBRIDGE 


MACMILLAN    AND    CO. 

AND     LONDON 

1895 
All  rights  reserved 


Copyright,  1894, 
By  MACMILLAN  AND  CO. 


Norfajoob  Urrsa : 

J.  S.  Gushing^  &  Co.  —  Berwick  &  Smith. 

Boston,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


AMPLISSIMO  PHILOSOPHORVM 

ACADEMIAE   FRIDERICIANAE    HALENSIS 

CVM  VITEBERGENSI  CONSOCIATAE  ORDTNl 

CVIVS   EX  DECRETO 

DIE   III.   M.   AVGVSTI    A.   MDCCCXCIV 

QVO   DIE   SACRA    BISAECVLARIA   VNIVERSITATIS 

SOLEMNITER    PERAGEBANTVR 

AD  GRADVM  DOCTORIS  HONORIS  CAVSA 

PROVECTVS   SVM 

HVNC  LIBRVM   GRATO  ANIMO 

D.  D. 


fR 


CONTENTS 


Introduction  :  —  page 

Life  of  Chaucer vii 

Writings  of  Chaucer  and  Early  Editions xii 

Brief  Account  of  the  Grammar,  Metre,  Versification,  and  Pro- 
nunciation        xiv 

Romaunt  of  the  Rose  :    Fragment  A i 

"                       "             Fragment  B i8 

"                       "             Fragment  C         ........  59 

The  Minor  Poems:  — 

I.    An  A.  B.  C 79 

II.     The  Compleynte  unto  Pite 81 

III.  The  Book  of  the  Duchesse 83 

IV.  The  Compleynt  of  Mars 97 

V.     The  Parlement  of  Foules 101 

VI.     A  Conipleint  to  his  Lady iii 

VII.     Anelida  and  Arcite 113 

VIII.     Chaucers  Wordes  unto  Adam  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .118 

IX.     The  Former  Age 118 

X.     Fortune 119 

XI.     Merciles  Beaufe 121 

XII.     To  Rosemounde :  A  Balade 121 

XIII.  Truth 122 

XIV.  Gentilesse 122 

XV.     Lak  of  Stedfastnesse 123 

XVI.     Lenvoy  de  Chaucer  a  Scogan 123 

XVII.     Lenvoy  de  Chaucer  a  Bukton 124 

XVIII.     The  Compleynt  of  Venus 125 

XIX.     The  Compleint  of  Chaucer  to  his  Empty  Purse         .         .         .         .126 

XX.     Proverbs 126 

XXI.     Against  Women  Unconstant 127 

XXII.     An  Amorous  Compleint  (Compleint  Damours)         .         .         .         ■  127 

XXIII.  A  Balade  of  Compleynt 129 

XXIV.  Womanly  Noblesse 129 


VI 


^Contents. 


BOETHIUS   DE   CONSOLATIONE   PHILOSOPHI.^ 
TROILfS   AND   CRISEVOK         .... 


The  Hous  ok  Fame 


The  Lege.ni)  of  Good  Women 


A  Treatise  on  the  Astrolabe 


The  Canterbury  Tales:  — 


Group  A. 


Group  B. 


The  Prologue 
The  Knightes  Tale 
The  Miller's  Prologue 
The  Milleres  Tale  . 
The  Reeve's  Prologue 
The  Reves  Tale 
The  Cook's  Prologue 
The  Cokes  Tale 


OGUE 


Introduction  to  the  Man  of  Law's  Proi 

The  Prologue  of  the  Mamies  Tale  of  Lawe 

The  Tale  of  the  Man  of  Lawe 

The  Shipman's  Prologue 

The  Shipmannes  Tale    . 

The  Prioress's  Prologue 

The  Prioresses  Tale 

Prologue  to  Sir  Thopas 

Sir  Thopas 

Prologue  to  Melibeus     . 

The  Tale  of  Melibeus    . 

The  Monk's  Prologue    . 

The  Monkes  Tale: — Lucifer.  Adam.  Sampson.  Hercules 
Nabugodonosor.  Balthasar.  Cenobia.  De  Petro  rege 
Ispannie.  De  Petro  Rege  de  Cipro.  De  Barnabo  de  Lum- 
bardia.  De  Hugelino.  Nero.  De  Oloferno.  De  Rege 
Anthiocho.     De  Alexandre.     De  I  alio  Cesare.    Cresus 

The  Prologue  of  the  Nonne  Presfes  Tale 

The  Nonne  Preestes  Tale 543 

Epilogue  to  the  Nonne  Preestes  Tale 551 


PACK 

130 


206 


326 


349 


396 


419 
430 
457 
459 
467 
468 
474 
474 


475 
476 

477 
492 
492 
498 
498 
502 
502 
505 
505 
530 


531 

542 


Group  C.    The  Phisiciens  Tale 551 

The  Prologue  of  the  Pardoneres  Tale  ......     556 

The  Pardoneres  Tale 558 


Contents.  vii 

PAGE 

Group  D.   The  Wife  of  Bath's  Prologue 565 

The  Tale  of  the  Wyf  of  Bathe 576 

The  Friar's  Prologue 581 

The  Freres  Tale     ..........  582 

The  Somnour's  Prologue        ........  587 

The  Somnours  Tale 588 

Group  E.    The  Clerk's  Prologue 596 

The  Clerkes  Tale 597 

The  Merchant's  Prologue 612 

The  Marchantes  Tale     . 613 

Epilogue  to  the  Marchantes  Tale 627 

Group  F.    The  Squieres  Tale 628 

The  Wordes  of  the  Franklin 636 

The  Franklin's  Prologue        ........  637 

The  Frankeleyns  Tale    . 637 

Group  G.    The  Seconde  Nonnes  Tale 649 

The  Canon's  Yeoman's  Prologue 657 

The  Chanouns  Yemannes  Tale      .......  659 

Group  H.    The  Manciple's  Prologue 669 

The  Maunciples  Tale     . .  670 

Group  I.    The  Parson's  Prologue 674 

The  Persones  Tale 675 

APPENDIX:  Variations  and  Emendations 719 


Glossary  to  Chaucer's  Works i 

Glossary  'po  Fragme.nts  B  and  C  of  the  Romaunt  of  the  Rose        .    133 


INTRODUCTION. 


LIFE    OF    CHAUCER. 

Geoffrey  Chaucer  was  born  in  London,  about  1340  (not  1328,  as  was  formerly 
said).  His  father  was  John  Chaucer,  citizen  and  vintner  of  London,  and  his  mother's 
name  was  Agnes.  His  grandfather  was  Robert  Chaucer,  of  Ipswich  and  London,  who 
married  a  widow  named  Maria  Heyroun,  with  a  son  Thomas  Heyroun.  John 
Chaucer's  house  stood  in  Upper  Thames  Street,  beside  Walbrook,  just  where  that 
street  is  now  crossed  by  the  South-Eastern  Railway  from  Cannon-street  Station.  Here 
it  was  that  the  poet  spent  his  earliest  days,  and  in  an  interesting  passage  in  his  Par- 
doneres  Tale  (lines  549-572),  he  incidentally  displays  his  knowledge  of  various  wines 
and  the  ways  of  mixing  them  together. 

John  Chaucer,  the  poet's  father,  was  in  attendance  on  Edward  III.  in  1338, and  this 
connexion  with  the  court  led  to  his  son's  employment  there,  some  years  afterwards,  as 
a  page  in  the  household  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Lionel,  duke  of  Clarence,  the  third  son  of 
Edward  III.  In  the  household  accounts  of  this  princess,  mention  is  made  of  various 
articles  of  clothing  and  other  necessaries  purchased  for  '  Geoffrey  Chaucer'  in  April, 
May,  and  December,  1357,  when  he  was  about  seventeen  years  old.  In  1359  he  joined 
the  army  of  Edward  III.  when  that  king  invaded  France,  and  was  there  taken  pris- 
oner. In  May,  1360,  the  peace  of  Bretigny  (near  Charfres)  was  concluded  between  the 
French  and  English  kings.  Chaucer  had  been  set  at  liberty  in  March,  when  Edward 
paid  16/.  towards  his  ransom. 

1367.  We  can  only  conjecture  the  manner  in  which  he  spent  his  life  from  hints 
given  us  in  his  own  works,  and  from  various  notices  of  him  in  official  records.  To 
consider  the  latter  first,  we  find,  from  the  Issue  Rolls  of  the  Exchequer,  that  a  life-pen- 
sion of  20  marks  was  granted  by  the  king  to  Chaucer  in  1367,  in  consideration  of  his 
services,  as  being  one  of  the  valets  of  the  king's  household.  During  1368  and  part  of 
1369  he  was  in  London,  and  received  his  pension  in  person.  In  October,  1368,  his 
patron,  Prince  Lionel,  died,  and  it  appears  that  Chaucer's  services  were  consequently 
transferred  to  the  next  brother,  John  of  Gaunt,  duke  of  Lancaster. 

1369.  In  the  autumn  of  1369,  the  year  of  the  third  great  pestilence  of  Edward's 
reign,  Blanche,  the  first  wife  of  John  of  Gaunt,  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-nine. 
Chaucer  did  honour  to  her  memory  in  one  of  his  earliest  poems,  entitled  '  The  Deth  of 
Blaunche  the  Duchesse." 

1370-1373.  From  1370  to  1386,  Chaucer  was  attached  to  the  court,  and  employed 
in  frequent  diplomatic  services. 

In  December,  1372,  being  employed  in  the  king's  service,  he  left  England  for  Genoa, 
Pisa,  and  Florence,  and  remained  in  Italy  for  nearly  eleven  months,  but  we  again  find 


X  lEntrotJUction. 

him  in  London  on  November  22, 1373.  This  visit  of  his  to  Italy  is  of  great  importance, 
as  it  exercised  a  marked  influence  on  his  writings,  and  enables  us  to  understand  the 
development  of  his  genius. 

1374.  His  conduct  during  this  mission  to  Italy  met  with  the  full  approval  of  the 
king,  who,  on  the  celebration  of  the  great  festival  at  Windsor  on  St.  George's  day 
(April  23)  in  1374,  granted  our  poet  a  pitcher  of  wine  daily,  to  be  received  from  the 
king's  butler.  On  May  10  of  the  same  year,  Chaucer  took  a  lease  of  a  house  in  Aid- 
gate,  for  the  term  of  his  life,  from  the  Corporation  of  London  ;  but  he  afterwards  gave 
it  up  to  a  friend  in  October,  1386 ;  and  it  is  probable  that  he  had  ceased  to  reside  in  it 
for  a  year  or  more  previously.  On  June  8,  1374,  he  was  appointed  to  the  important 
office  of  Comptroller  of  the  Customs  and  Subsidy  of  Wools,  Skins,  and  Leather,  for 
the  port  of  London;  and  a  few  days  later  (June  13)  received  a  life-pension  of  10/. 
from  the  duke  of  Lancaster  for  the  good  service  rendered  by  him  and  his  wife  Philippa 
to  the  said  Duke,  to  his  consort,  and  to  his  mother  the  Queen.  This  is  the  first 
mention  of  Philippa  Chaucer  as  Geoffrey's  wife,  though  a  Philippa  Chaucer  is  men- 
tioned as  one  of  the  Ladies  of  the  Chamber  to  Queen  Philippa,  on  September  12, 
1366,  and  subsequently.  It  has  been  conjectured  that  Chaucer  was  not  married 
till  1374,  and  that  he  married  a  relative,  or  at  least  some  one  bearing  the  same  name 
as  himself ;  but  this  supposition  is  needless  and  improbable;  there  is  no  reason  why 
the  Philippa  Chaucer  mentioned  in  1366  may  not  have  been  already  married  to  the 
poet,  who  was  then  at  least  26  years  of  age. 

1375.  In  1375  his  income  was  increased  by  receiving  from  the  Crown  (Novem- 
ber 8)  the  custody  of  the  lands  and  person  of  one  Edmond  Staplegate,  of  Kent.  This 
he  retained  for  three  years,  during  which  he  received  104/. ;  together  with  some  smaller 
sums  from  another  source. 

1376.  On  July  12,  1376,  the  king  granted  Chaucer  the  sum  of  71/.  4s.  6rf.,  being  the 
value  of  a  fine  paid  by  one  John  Kent  for  shipping  wool  without  paying  the  duty 
thereon.  Towards  the  end  of  this  year.  Sir  John  Burley  and  Geoffrey  Chaucer  were 
employed  upon  some  secret  service,  for  which  the  latter  received  6/.  I3r.  ^d. 

1377.  In  February,  1377,  Chaucer  was  employed  on  a  secret  mission  to  Flanders, 
and  received  for  it,  in  all,  the  sum  of  30/.  In  April  he  was  sent  to  France,  to  treat 
for  peace  with  king  Charles  V. ;  for  this  service  he  received,  in  all,  the  sum  of 
48/.  ly.  4d.  On  June  21,  king  Edward  III.  died,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson, 
Richard  II. 

1378.  In  January,  Chaucer  seems  to  have  been  employed  in  France.  Soon  after- 
wards, he  was  again  sent  to  Italy,  from  May  28  to  September  19,  being  employed  on 
a  mission  to  Lombardy,  to  treat  with  Bernabo  Visconti,  duke  of  Milan;  to  whose 
death  (in  1385)  the  poet  alludes  in  his  Monkes  Tale  (II.  3589-3596) ,  where  he  describes 
him  as  — 

'  Of  Melan  grete  Barnabo  Viscounte, 
God  of  delyt,  and  scourge  of  Lumbardye.' 

Before  leaving  England  on  this  business,  Chaucer  appointed  his  friend  John  Gower, 
the  poet,  as  one  of  his  agents  to  represent  him  in  his  absence. 

1380.  By  deed  of  May  i,  1380,  one  Cecilia  Chaumpayne  released  Chaucer  fi-om  a 
charge  which  she  had  brought  against  him,  '  de  raptu  meo.'  We  have  no  means  of 
ascertaining  either  the  nature  of  the  charge,  or  the  circumstances  of  the  case. 

1382.  We  have  seen  that  Chaucer  had  been  appointed  Comptroller  of  the  Wool 


iLife  of  Chancer.  xi 

Customs  in  1374.     Wliilst  still  retaining  this  office,  he  was  now  also  appointed  Comp- 
troller of  the  Petty  Customs  (May  8,  1382). 

1385.  In  February,  1385,  he  was  allowed  the  great  privilege  of  nominating  a  per- 
manent deputy  to  perform  his  duties  as  Comptroller.  It  is  highly  probable  that  he 
owed  this  favour  to  '  the  good  queen  Anne,'  first  wife  of  king  Richard  II. ;  for,  in  the 
Prologue  to  the  Legend  of  Good  Women,  probably  written  during  this  period  of  his 
newly-acquired  freedom  from  irksome  duties,  he  expresses  himself  most  gratefully 
towards  her. 

If  we  may  trust  the  description  of  his  house  and  garden  in  the  Prologue  to  the 
Legend  of  Good  Women,  probably  composed  in  the  spring  of  1385,  it  would  appear 
that  he  was  then  living  in  the  country,  and  had  already  given  up  his  house  over  the 
city  gate  at  Aldgate  to  Richard  Forster,  who  obtained  a  formal  lease  of  it  from  the  Cor- 
poration of  London  in  October,  1386.  We  learn  incidentally,  from  a  note  to  the 
Envoy  to  Scogan,  1.  45,  that  he  was  living  at  Greenwich  at  the  time  when  he  wrote  that 
poem  (probably  in  1393).  And  it  is  highly  probable  that  Chaucer's  residence  at  Green- 
wich extended  from  1385  to  the  end  of  1399,  when  he  took  a  new  house  at  Westminster. 
This  supposition  agrees  well  with  various  hints  that  we  obtain  from  other  notices. 
Thus,  in  1390,  he  was  appointed  (with  five  others)  to  superintend  the  repairing  of  the 
banks  of  the  Thames  between  Woolwich  and  Greenwich.  In  the  same  year  he  was 
robbed  at  Hatcham  (as  we  shall  see  below),  which  is  near  Deptford  and  Greenwich. 
And  we  find  the  singular  reference  in  the  Canterbury  Tales  (A  3907),  where  the  Host 
suddenly  exclaims  — '  Lo  !  Grenewich,  ther  many  a  shrewe  is  inne  ' ;  which  looks  like 
a  sly  insinuation,  on  the  Host's  part,  that  Greenwich  at  that  time  contained  many 
'  shrews  '  or  rascals.  Few  places  would  serve  better  than  Greenwich  for  frequent  obser- 
vation of  Canterbury  pilgrims. 

1386.  In  this  year  Chaucer  was  elected  a  knight  of  the  shire  for  Kent,  in  the 
Parliament  held  at  Westminster.  In  August,  his  patron  John  of  Gaunt  went  to  Spain  ; 
and  during  his  absence,  his  brother  Thomas,  duke  of  Gloucester,  contrived  to  deprive 
the  king  of  all  power,  by  appointing  a  regency  of  eleven  persons,  himself  being  at 
the  head  of  them.  As  the  duke  of  Gloucester  was  ill  disposed  towards  his  brother 
John,  it  is  probable  that  we  can  thus  account  for  the  fact  that,  in  December  of 
this  year,  Chaucer  was  dismissed  from  both  his  offices,  of  Comptroller  of  Wool  and 
Comptroller  of  Petty  Customs,  others  being  appointed  in  his  place.  This  sudden 
and  great  loss  reduced  the  poet  from  comparative  wealth  to  poverty;  he  was 
compelled  to  raise  money  upon  his  pensions,  which  were  assigned  to  John  Scalby  on 
May  I,  1388. 

In  October  of  this  year  (1386),  there  was  a  famous  trial  between  Richard  Lord 
Scrope  and  Sir  Thomas  Grosvenor,  during  which  Chaucer  deposed  that  he  was  '  forty 
years  of  age  and  upwards,  and  had  borne  arms  for  twenty-seven  years.'  He  was,  in 
fact,  about  forty-six  years  old,  having  been  born,  as  said  above,  about  1340.  More- 
over, it  is  probable  that  he  first  bore  arms  in  1359,  when  he  went  with  the  invading 
army  to  France.    This  exactly  tallies  with  his  own  statement. 

1387.  In  this  year  died  Chaucer's  wife,  Philippa;  to  this  loss  he  alludes  in  his 
Envoy  to  Bukton.  It  must  have  been  about  this  time  that  he  was  composing  portions 
of  his  greatest  poem,  the  Canterbury  Tales. 

1389.  On  May  3,  Richard  II.  suddenly  took  the  government  into  his  own  hands. 
John  of  Gaunt  returned  to  England  soon  afterwards,  and  effected  an  outward  recon- 
ciliation between  the  king  and  the  duke  of  Gloucester.     The  Lancastrian  party  was 


xii  Jntrotiuction. 

now  once  more  in  power,  and  Chaucer  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  King's  Works  at 
Westminster  on  July  12,  at  a  salary  of  2J.  a  day  (more  than  i/.  of  our  present  money, 
at  the  least). 

1390.  In  this  year,  Chaucer  was  also  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Works  at  St. 
George's  Chapel  at  Windsor,  and  was  put  on  a  Commission  to  repair  the  banks 
of  the  Thames  between  Woolwich  and  Greenwich.  In  a  writ,  dated  July  i  in  this 
year,  he  was  allowed  the  costs  of  putting  up  Scaffolds  in  Smithfield  for  the  King 
and  Queen  to  view  the  tournament  which  had  taken  place  there  in  May.  This 
helps  to  explain  the  minute  account  of  the  method  of  conducting  a  tournament 
which  we  meet  with  in  the  Knight's  Tale.  In  the  preceding  month  he  had  been 
appointed,  by  the  Earl  of  March,  joint  Forester  (with  Richard  Brittle)  of  North 
Petherton  Park  in  Somerset.  In  September,  he  was  twice  robbed  of  some  of  the 
king's  money;  once,  at  Westminster,  of  10/.;  and  again,  near  the  '  foule  ok'  (foul 
oak)  at  Hatcham,  Surrey,  of  9/.  y.  8ci.\  but  the  repayment  of  these  sums  was  forgiven 
him. 

1391.  This  is  the  date  given  by  Chaucer  to  his  prose  Treatise  on  the  Astrolabe, 
which  he  compiled  for  the  use  of  his  '  little  son '  Lewis,  of  whom  nothing  more  is 
known ;  and  it  is  supposed  that  he  died  at  an  early  age.  At  this  time,  for  some 
unknown  reason,  the  poet  unfortunately  lost  his  appointment  as  Clerk  of  the  Works. 

1394.  In  February  of  this  year,  Chaucer  received  a  grant  from  the  king  of  20/. 
a  year  for  life ;  nevertheless,  he  seems  to  have  been  in  want  of  money,  as  we  .nnd  him 
making  applications  for  the  advancement  of  money  from  his  pension. 

1398.  In  this  year  or  the  preceding,  Chaucer  was  made  sole  Forester  of  North 
Petherton  Park,  instead  of  joint  Forester,  as  in  1390.  In  the  Easter  Term,  he  was  sued 
for  a  debt  of  14/.  is.  iid.  In  October,  the  king  granted  him  a  tun  of  wine  yearly,  for 
his  life-time. 

1399.  On  September  30,  Henry  IV.  became  king  of  England,  and  Chaucer  ad- 
dressed to  him  a  complaint  regarding  his  poverty,  called  a  '  Compleynt  to  his  Purs,' 
in  response  to  which,  only  four  days  afterwards,  Henry  granted  that  the  poet's  pension 
of  twenty  marks  (13/.  6s.  8d.)  should  be  doubled,  in  addition  to  the  20/.  a  year  which 
had  been  granted  to  him  in  1394. 

On  Christmas  eve  of  this  year,  Chaucer  took  a  long  lease  of  a  house  in  the  garden 
of  the  Chapel  of  St.  Mary,  Westminster;  this  house  stood  near  tlie  spot  now  occupied 
by  King  Henry  the  Seventh's  Chapel.  The  lease  is  in  the  Muniment  Room  of  West- 
minster Abbey  (Historical  MSS.  Commission,  i.  95), 

1400.  The  traditional  date  of  Chaucer's  death  is  October  25,  1400 ;  in  the  second 
year  of  Henry  IV.  His  death  doubtless  took  place  in  his  newly-acquired  house  at 
Westminster  ;  and  he  attained  to  the  age  of  about  sixty  years.  Of  his  family, 
nothing  is  known.  His  '  little  son'  Lewis  probably  died  young;  and  there  is  no  evi- 
dence earlier  than  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  that  the  Thomas  Chaucer  whose  great- 
grandson,  John  de  la  Pole,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  was  declared  heir  to  the  throne  by  his 
uncle,  Richard  III.,  in  1484,  was  Chaucer's  son.  As  Thomas  Chaucer  was  a  man  of 
great  wealth,  and  of  some  mark,  we  should  have  expected  to  find  early  and  undoubted 
evidence  as  to  his  parentage.  We  find,  however,  that  Thomas  Gascoigne,  who  wrote 
a  Theological  Dictionary,  and  died  in  1458,  refers  lo  the  poet  in  these  words: — '  Fuit 
idem  Chawserus  pater  Thomae  Chawserus,  armigeri,  qui  Thomas  sepelitur  in  Nuhelm 
iuxta  Oxoniam.'  Gascoigne  was  in  a  position  to  know  the  truth,  since  he  was  Chan- 
cellor of  Oxford,  and  Thomas   Chaucer   had   held   the   manor  of  Ewelme,  at  no 


Cl^aractcr  of  Sfjaucer.  xiii 

great  distance,  till  his  death  in  1434.  If  this  information  be  correct,  it  then 
becomes  highly  probable  that  Chaucer's  wife  Philippa  was  Philippa  Roet,  sister 
of  the  Katharine  de  Roet  of  Hainaulf,  who  married  Sir  John  Swynford,  and  after- 
wards became  the  mistress,  and  in  1396  the  third  wife  of  John  of  Gaunt.  This 
has  been  inferred  from  the  fact  that  Thomas  Chaucer's  arms  contain  three  wheels, 
supposed  to  represent  the  name  of  Roet;  since  the  Old  French  roei  means  'a  little 
wheel.'  Those  who  accept  this  inference  see  good  reasons  for  explaining  the 
favours  extended  to  Chaucer  both  by  John  of  Gaunt  himself  and  his  son  King 
Henry  IV. 

CHARACTER  OF  CHAUCER. 

There  is  no  space  here  for  exhibiting  fully  the  revelation  of  Chaucer's  character 
as  expressed  by  numerous  passages  in  his  works.  We  easily  recognise  in  them 
a  man  of  cheerful  and  genial  nature,  with  great  powers  of  originality,  full  of 
freshness  and  humour,  a  keen  observer  of  men,  and  at  the  same  time  an  en- 
thusiastic and  untiring  student  of  books.  He  tells  a  story  excellently  and  sets  his 
characters  before  us  with  dramatic  clearness ;  and  he  has  also  an  exquisite  ear  for 
music  and  pays  great  attention  to  the  melodious  flow  of  his  verse.  Except  in  his 
prose  tales,  he  frequently  affects,  in  his  Canterbury  Tales,  an  air  of  simplicity 
which  sits  upon  him  gracefully  enough.  In  his  Prologue  to  Sir  Thopas,  he  describes 
himself  as  a  '  large,'  i.  e.  a  somewhat  corpulent  man,  and  no  '  poppet '  to  embrace, 
that  is,  not  slender  in  the  waist ;  as  having  an  '  elvish '  or  abstracted  look,  often 
staring  on  the  ground  '  as  if  he  would  find  a  hare,'  and  '  doing  no  dalliance '  to  any 
man,  i.  e.  not  entering  briskly  into  casual  conversation.  His  numerous  references 
and  quotations  show  that  he  was  deeply  read  in  all  medieval  learning,  and  well 
acquainted  with  Latin,  French  (both  of  England  and  of  the  continent),  and  Italian, 
besides  being  a  master  of  the  East-midland  dialect  of  English.  A  passage  in  the 
Reves  Tale  imitates  some  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  Northumbrian  dialect  with 
much  fidelity.  On  the  other  hand,  he  occasionally  introduces  forms  into  his  poems 
that  are  peculiarly  Kentish;  owing,  as  I  am  inclined  to  suggest,  to  his  residence 
for  some  years  at  Greenwich.  In  his  Hous  0/  Fame,  he  tells  us  how  he  had  '  set  his 
wit  to  make  books,  songs,  and  ditties  in  rime,'  and  often  '  made  his  head  ache  at 
night  with  writing  in  his  study.'  For,  when  he  had  done  his  official  work  for  the 
day,  and  '  made  his  reckonings,'  he  used  to  go  home  and  become  wholly  absorbed 
in  his  books,  '  hearing  neither  this  nor  that ' ;  and,  '  in  stead  of  rest  and  new 
things '  (recreation),  he  used  '  to  sit  at  a  book,  as  dumb  as  a  stone,  till  his  look  was 
dased ' ;  and  thus  did  he  '  live  as  a  hermit,  though  (unlike  a  hermit)  his  abstinence 
was  but  little.'  So  great  (as  he  tells  us  in  the  Prologue  to  The  Legend  of  Good 
Women)  was  his  love  of  nature,  that.  '  when  the  month  of  May  is  come,  and  I  hear 
the  birds  sing,  and  see  the  flowers  springing  up,  farewell  then  to  my  book  and 
to  my  devotion '  to  reading.  In  many  passages  he  insists  on  the  value  of  the 
purity  of  womanhood  and  the  nobility  of  manhood,  taking  the  latter  to  be  de- 
pendent upon  good  feeling  and  courtesy.  As  he  says  in  The  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale, 
'  the  man  who  is  always  the  most  virtuous,  and  most  endeavours  to  be  constant  in  the 
performance  of  gentle  deeds,  is  to  be  taken  to  be  the  greatest  gentleman.  Christ 
desires  that  we  should  derive  our  gentleness  from  Him,  and  not  from  our  ancestors, 
however  rich.' 


xiv  Jlntrotiurtlon. 


WRITINGS   OF   CHAUCER. 

Other  notices  of  Chaucer  must  be  gathered  from  his  writings  and  from  what  we 
know  about  them.  It  is  advisable  to  date  his  various  works,  where  possible,  as  well  as 
we  can,  and  to  consider  the  result. 

Chaucer's  works  fall  (as  shewn  by  Ten  Brink)  into  three  periods.  During  the 
first  of  these,  he  imitated  French  models,  particularly  the  famous  and  very  long  poem 
entitled  Le  Roman  de  la  Rose,  of  which,  as  he  himself  tells  us,  he  made  a  translation. 
It  so  happens  that  there  exist  what  are  apparently  two,  but  are  really  three  frag- 
ments of  translations  of  two  different  parts  of  this  poem ;  they  are  found  in  a 
MS.  at  Glasgow,  written  out  about  A.D.  1430-40,  and  in  the  early  printed  editions. 
These  three  fragments,  marked  A,  B,  C  in  the  present  volume,  appear  to  be  by 
different  hands ;  and  only  the  first  of  them  can  be  reconciled  with  Chaucer's  usual 
diction  and  grammar.  We  must  regretfully  infer  that  the  major  part  of  Chaucer's 
own  translation  is  irrecoverably  lost.  The  poems  of  this  First  Period  were  written 
before  he  set  out  on  his  Italian  travels  in  1372,  and  there  is  no  trace  in  them  of  any 
Italian  influence. 

The  poems  of  the  Second  Period  (1373-1384)  clearly  shew  the  influence  of  Italian 
literature,  especially  of  Dante's  Divina  Commedia,  and  of  Boccaccio's  poems  entitled 
11  Teseide  and  II  Filostrato.  Curiously  enough,  there  is  nothing  to  shew  that 
Chaucer  was  acquainted,  at  first-hand,  with  Boccaccio's  Decamerone. 

The  poems  of  the  Third  Period  are  chiefly  remarkable  for  a  larger  share  of  origi- 
nality, and  are  considered  as  beginning  with  the  Legend  of  Good  Women,  the  first 
poem  in  which  the  poet  employed  what  is  now  known  as  the  'heroic'  couplet, which 
he  adapted  from  Guillaume  de  Machault. 

The  following  list  is  arranged,  conjecturally,  in  chronological  order. 

Origenes  upon  the  M"  adeleyne  {lost). 

Book  of  the  Leoun  ylcst). 

Ceys  and  Alcioun ;  afterwards  (probably)  partly  preserved  in  the  Book  of  the 
Duchesse. 

The  Romaunt  of  the  Rose.  (Fragment  A  (11.  1-1705)  is  all  that  can  fairly  be 
claimed  as  Chaucer's  work.  Fragment  B  is  written  in  a  dialect  approximating  to  that 
of  Lincolnshire.    The  author  of  Fragment  C,  like  that  of  B,  remains  unknown.) 

A.  B.  C.  —  Minor  Poems,  I. 

1369.  Book  of  the  Duchesse.  —  M.  P.  III. 

Lyf  of  St.  Cecyle  (afterwards  adapted  to  become  the  Second  Nonnes  Tale). 

Monkes  Tale  (parts  of) ;  lines  3365-3652  clearly  belong  to  a  later  period. 

About  1372-3.     Clerkes  Tale ;  except  E  995-1008,  and  the  Envoy. 

Palamonand  Arcite  ;  of  which  some  scraps  are  preserved  in  other  poems.  It  was 
also  used  as  the  basis  of  the  Knightes  Tale. 

Compleint  to  his  Lady.  —  M.  P.  VI. 

An  Amorous  Compleint,  made  at  Windsor.  —  M.  P.  XXII. 

Womanly  Noblesse.—  M.  P.  XXIV. 

Compleint  unto  Pit6.  —  M.  P.  II. 

Anelida  and  Arcite  (containing  ten  stanzas  from  Palamon).  —  M.  P.  VII. 

The  Tale  of  Melibeus  (in  its  original  form) ;  partly  translated  from  Albertano  of 
Brescia. 

The  Persones  Tale  (in  its  original  form)  ;  partly  translated  from  Fr6re  Lorens. 


3Et)itian2  of  Chancer.  xv 

Of  the  Wretched  Engendring  of  Mankind;  mentioned  in  the  Legend,  Text  A, 
1.  414;  and  partly  preserved  in  scraps  occurring  in  the  Man  of  Lawes  Tale,  B  99-121, 

421-7,  771-7.  925-931.  1135-41- 

Man  of  Lawes  Tale  (in  its  original  form)  ;  partly  translated  from  Nicholas  Trivet. 

1377-81.  Translation  of  Boethius. 

1379?  Complaint  of  Mars.  —  M.  P.  IV. 

1379-83.  Troilus  and  Criseyde;  (partly  from  Boccaccio's  II  Filostrato  and  Guido 
delle  Colonne's  Historia  Troiae;  containing  three  stanzas  from  Palamon). 

Wordes  to  Adam  (concerning  Boethius  and  Troilus).  —  M.  P.  VIII. 

The  Former  Age;  chiefly  from  Boethius,  Book  II.  met.  V.  —  M.  P.  IX. 

Fortune  ;  containing  hints  from  Boethius.  —  M.  P.  X. 

1382.  Parlement  of  Foules  (containing  six  stanzas  from  Palamon).  —  M.  P.  V. 

1383-4.  House  of  Fame;  containing  hints  from  Dante;  unfinished. 

1385-6.  Legend  of  Good  Women ;   unfinished. 

1386.  Canterbury  Tales  begun. 

1387-8.  Central  period  of  the  Canterbury  Tales. 

1389,  &c.   The  Tales  continued. 

1391.  Treatise  on  the  Astrolabe  ;  chiefly  from  Messahala ;  unfinished. 

1393?  Compleint  of  Venus.  —  M.  P.  XVIII. 

1393.  Lenvoy  to  Scogan.  —  M.  P.  XVI. 

1396.  Lenvoy  to  Bukton.  —  M.  P.  XVII. 

1399.  Envoy  to  Compleint  to  his  Purse.  —  M.  P.  XIX. 

The  following  occasional  triple  roundel  and  balades  7Hay  have  been  composed 
between  1380  and  1396  :  —  Merciless  Beautfe.  —  M.  P.  XI.  Balade  to  Rosemounde. — 
M.  P.  XII.  Against  Women  Unconstaunt.  —  M.  P.  XXI.  Compleint  to  his  Purse 
(except  the  Envoy).  —  M.  P.  XIX.  Lak  of  Stedfastnesse.  —  ■  M.  P.  XV.  Gentilesse. — 
M.  P.  XIV.     Truth.— M.  P.  XIII.     Proverbes  of  Chaucer.--^ M.  P.  XX. 

EDITIONS   OF   CHAUCER. 

Several  of  Chaucer's  Poems  were  printed  at  various  times  by  Caxton  and  others, 
but  the  first  collected  edition  of  his  works  was  that  edited  by  W.  Thynne  in  1532. 
This  was  reprinted,  with  the  addition  of  the  spurious  Plowman's  Tale,  in  1542;  and 
again,  about  1550.  Later  editions  appeared  in  1561  (with  large  additions  by  John 
Siowe) ;  in  1598  (re-edited  by  Thomas  Speght),  second  edition,  1602,  and  reprinted  in 
1687.  Still  later  editions  were  the  very  bad  one  by  Urry,  in  1721,  and  the  excellent  one 
by  Tyrwhitt,  of  the  Canterbury  Tales  only,  in  1775-8.  These  editions,  excepting 
'I'yrwhitt's,  have  done  much  to  confuse  the  public  as  to  the  genuine  works  of  Chaucer, 
because  in  them  a  large  number  of  poems,  some  known  (even  by  the  editors)  to  be  by 
Lydgate,  Gower,  Hoccleve,  and  Scogan,  together  with  others  obviously  spurious,  were 
carelessly  added  to  works  by  Chaucer  himself  ;  and  many  erroneous  notions  have 
been  deduced  from  the  study  of  this  incongruous  mixture. 

It  must  suffice  to  say  here  that  most  of  the  later  editions,  since  the  publication  of 
Tyrwhitt's  remarks  on  the  subject,  reject  many  of  these  additional  pieces,  but  still 
unadvisedly  admit  the  poems  entitled  The  Court  0/  Love,  The  Complaint  0/  the  Black 
Knight,  Chaucer's  Dream,  /he  Flower  and  the  Leaf,  and  The  Cuckoo  and  the  Nightin- 
gale.  Of  these.  The  Complaint  0/  the  Black  Knight  is  now  known  to  be  by  Lydgate; 
J'he  Flower  and  the  Leaf  cannot  be  earlier  tiian  1450,  and  was  probably  written,  as  it 


xvi  Jintrotjuction. 

purports  to  be,  by  a  lady ;  whilst  The  Court  of  Love  can  hardly  be  earlier  than  1500, 
and  Chaucer's  Dream  (so  called)  is  of  still  later  date.  Nothing  but  a  complete  igno- 
rance of  the  history  of  the  English  language  can  connect  these  fifteenth-century  and 
sixteenth-century  poems  with  Chaucer.  The  only  poem,  in  the  above  set,  which  can 
possibly  be  as  old  as  the  fourteenth  century,  is  The  Cuckoo  and  the  Nightingale.  There 
is  no  evidence  of  any  kind  to  connect  it  with  Chaucer;  and  Professor  Lounsbury 
decisively  rejects  it,  on  the  internal  evidence.  It  admits  a  few  rimes  (see  p.  xxii)  such 
as  Chaucer  nowhere  employs. 


GRAMMATICAL   HINTS. 

The  following  brief  hints  contain  but  a  minimum  of  information,  and  include 
nothing  that  should  not  be  extremely  familiar  to  the  student. 

Observe  that,  in  Chaucer's  English,  the  final  syllables  -e,  -ed,  -en,  -es,  almost  always 
form  a  distinct  and  separate  syllable,  so  that  a  large  number  of  words  had  then  a 
syllable  more  than  they  have  now.  Unless  this  rule  be  observed,  no  progress  in  the 
study  is  possible.  In  particular,  always  sound  this  final  -e  (like  the  a  in  China)  at  the 
end  of  a  line. 

Final  -e  is  elided,  or  slurred  over,  when  the  next  word  begins  w^ith  a  vowel,  or  is  one 
of  certain  words  beginning  with  h,  viz.  (i)  a  pronoun,  as  he ;  (2)  part  of  the  verb 
have  ;  (3)  the  adverbs  heer,  how  ;  (4)  mute  h  in  honour,  hourc.  In  a  similar  position, 
final  -er,  -en,  -el,  -y  are  slurred  over  likewise ;  thus,^^/-^«  is  really  ^<?/'«  in  1.  291I. 

V'\r\2i.\-e'K  sometimes  dropped  in  a  few  common  words,  such  as  were,VieTe,  hadde, 
had,  wolde,  would. 

Middle  -e-  is  also  sometimes  dropped,  as  in  havencs,  pronounced  (haavnez),  1.  407. 
Bui  trew-e-ly  (481)  is  trisyllabic. 

The  reasons  for  sounding  the  final  -e,  -en,  -es,  as  distinct  syllables,  are  grammatical. 
These  endings  represent  older  inflexions,  mostly  Anglo-Saxon ;  and  were  onct,  in 
fact,  essential.  But,  in  Chaucer's  time,  they  were  beginning  to  disappear,  and  many 
are  now  lost  altogether. 

Final  -e.  The  various  sources  of  the  M.E.  (i.  e.  Middle- English)  final  -e  are, 
chiefly,  these  following. 

1.  The  A.S.  (Anglo-Saxon)  sb.  ended  in  a  vowel.  Thus  A.S.  har-a,  a  hare,  became 
M.E.  har-e  (191). 

2.  The  A.F.  (Anglo-French)  sb.  ended  in  a  vow-el  which  was  formerly  sounded. 
Thus  A.F.  melodi-e  (four  syllables)  is  M.E.  melody-e  (four  syllables,  9). 

3.  The  dative  case  often  ends  in  -e,  especially  after  the  prepositions  at,  by,  for,  in,  of, 
on,  to.  Thus  rot-e  (2)  is  the  dative  case  of  root,  a  root.  We  even  find  tne  form  of  an 
oblique  case  used  as  a  nom.  case,  owing  to  confusion.  Thus  A.S.  hwelp,  a  whelp, 
makes  the  dat.  hwelp-e  ;  Chaucer  has  whelp-e  as  a  nominative  (257). 

4.  The  forms  hell-e  (so  in  A.S.) ,  sonn-c  (A.S.  sunn-an)  are  genitives  ;  see  Book  Duch. 
171 ;  A  1051.    Similarly  -y  represents  a  genitive  suffix  in  lad-y,  88,  695. 

5.  The  definite  form  of  the  adjective  (i.  e.  the  form  used  when  the  def.  art.  the  or  a 
possessive  or  demonstrative  pronoun  precedes  it)  ends  in  -e.     Ex. :  the  yong-e,  7. 

6.  The  adj.  pi.  ends  in  -e  ;  as  smal-e,  9. 

'  The  numbers  refer  to  the  lines  of  The  Prologue  to  the  Canterbury  Tales;   see  p.  419. 


(grammatical  l^iuts.  xvii 

7.  Even  the  adj.  sing,  may  end  in  -e  ;  as  swet-e  (5),  from  A.S.  swete,  sweet,  in  which 
the  final  -e  is  essential.     So  also  tre-iOe,  from  A.S.  treowe  ;  531. 

8.  Verbs :  the  infinitive  and  gerund  (with  to)  end  in  -en  or  -e  ;  as  bigitm-e,  42 ;  for 
to  rys-e,  33. 

9.  Strong  verbs  :  the  pp.  (past  participle)  ends  in  -en  or  -e  ;  3.%  y-ronn-e,  8. 

10.  Weak  verbs  :  the  pt.  t.  (past  tense)  ends  in  -ede,  -de,  -te,-e  ;  as  say-de,  70.  Some- 
times in  -ed,  aspiov-ed,  547.    Observe  lakk-e-de,  756;  lov'de,  97;  wet-ie,  129;  weni-e,ji. 

11.  Verbs:  various  other  inflexions  in -^«  or -^ .  Thus  slep-en,  3  p.  pr.  pi.,  10; 
wer-en,  i  p.  pt.  pi.,  29 ;  gess-e,  i  p.  pr.  s.,  82 ;  smert-e,  3  p.  pr.  s.  subj.,  230,  &c. 

12.  Adverbs  and  prepositions  may  end  in  -en  or  -e  ;  as  abov-en,  53 ;  about-e,  prep. 
158,  adv.  488. 

Final  -en.  The  suffix  -en  usually  denotes  either  (i)  the  pi.  sb.,  as  hos-en,  \<^6\ 
(2)  the  infin.  or  gerundial  infin.  of  a  verb,  as  to  wend-en,  21 ;  (3)  the  pp.  of  a  strong 
verb,  as  holp-en,  18;  (4)  the  pi.  of  any  tense  of  a  verb,  as  wer-en,  i  p.  pt.  pi.,  29;  (5) 
a  prep,  or  adverb,  as  abov-en,  53. 

Final  -es.  The  final  -es  denotes  either  (i)  the  gen.  sing.,  as  lord-es,  47;  (2)  the 
pi.  sb.,  as  shour-es,  i;  or  (3)  an  adverb,  as  thry-es,  562.  But  the  gen.  of  lady  is  lady  ; 
and  oi  fader  \s  fader.     And  the  plural  may  end  in  -s,  as  va.  palmers,  13. 

The  student  should  endeavour  to  make  out,  in  every  case,  the  reason  for  the  use  of 
final  -c,  -en,  or  -es.  He  will  thus  acquire  the  grammar.  The  above  hints  explain  most 
cases  that  can  arise. 

Further  notes.  Some  neuter  sbs.  do  not  change  in  the  plural,  as  hors.  pi. 
hors,    74.     So  also  neet,  sheep,  szuyn,  yeer. 

Comparatives  end  in  -er,  as  grett-er,  adj.,  197;  or  -re,  as  fer-re,  adv.,  48.  Super- 
latives, in  -est,  occasional  def.  form  -est-e,  as  best-e,  252.  Pronouns :  tho,  those ;  this, 
pi.  thise,  these ;  thilke,  that ;  ilke,  same.  Atte,  for  at  the.  Ye,  nom. ;  yow,  dat.  and 
ace,  you.  i7/r,  their  (also  her) ;  hem,  \hGm.  ///j,  his,  its.  H''.*/c/4^,  what  sort  of,  40 ; 
what,  i.  e.  'why,'  184;  That  .  .  .  he,  who,  44,  45;  whd  so,  whoever,  741.  Afen,  one, 
with  a  sing,  verb,  as  men  smoot,  one  smote,  149. 

Verbs.  Verbs  are  distinguished  as  being  weak  or  strong.  In  the  former,  the  pp. 
ends  in  -ed,  -d,  or  -/,•  in  the  latter,  in  -en,  or  -e. 

A  simple  rule  is  this.  In  weak  verbs,  the  pt.  t.  ends  in  -ede  (rarely  -ed),  -de,  -te,  -e, 
so  that  the  final  -e  is  here  extremely  common,  but  it  does  not  appear  in  the  pp. ; 
conversely,  in  strong  verbs,  it  is  the  pp.  that  ends  in  -en  or  -e,  which  never  appears  in 
the  first  or  third  person  singular  of  the  past  tense.  Ex.  went-e,  3  p.  pt.  s.,  78,  is 
a  weak  past  tense;  cla-d,  103,  is  a  weak  pp.  Conversely,  y-ronn-e,  8,  is  a  strong  pp.; 
sleep,  98,  is  a  strong  pt.  t.  The  prefix  y-  (A.S.  ge-)  can  be  prefixed  to  a?iy  pp.,  and 
makes  no  difference. 

Strong  verbs  usually  shew  vowel-change;  thus  bigan  (44)  is  the  pt.  t.  of  biginneu. 
But  note  that  this  is  not  a  sure  guide;  for  raugh-te  (136)  is  the  pt.  t.  of  rcch-en,  to 
reach,  and  is  weak.     Slep-en,  to  sleep,  pt.  t.  sleep,  is  strong. 

In  strong  verbs,  the  vowel  of  the  past  tense  is  changed,  sometimes,  in  the  plural. 
Thus  the  pt.  t.  sing,  of  ryd-en,  to  ride,  is  rood,  169 ;  but  the  pi.  is  r'td-en,  825.  The  pp. 
is  also  r'td-en,  48. 

The  usual  formulae  for  the  conjugation  of  verbs  are  as  follows. 

Present  tense.    Sing,  -e,  -est,  -eth  {-th)  ;  pi.  -en  or  -e. 

Past  tense  ;  weak  verbs,  ^'mg.-ede  {-de  or  -ed),  -de,-te,  -e  (in  persons  land  3); 
-edest,  -dest,  -test,  -est  (2  person).     Plural,  -eden,  -ede,  -de,  -den,  -ten,  -te,  -e  (all  persons). 

b 


xviii  Jintrolmctiou. 

Past  tense  ;  strong  verbs.  Sing,  indie,  no  suffix  (in  persons  i  and  3) ;  -e,  occa- 
sionally (2  person).     Sing.  subj.  -e  (all  persons).     Plural  of  both  moods:  -eti,  -e. 

Imperative.  Sing.  2  person:  no  suffix  (usually);  -«  (in  some  weak  verbs). 
Plural,  2  person:  -eth,-th;  (sometimes-.?). 

Infinitive :  -en,  -e.  The  gerundial  infinitive  has  to  or  for  to  prefixed,  and  often 
denotes  purpose. 

Participles.  Present :  -ing,  often  -inge  at  the  end  of  a  line.  Pp.  of  weak  verbs  : 
-ed,  -d,  -t.     Pp.  of  strong  verbs  :  -en,  -e. 

N.B.   We  find  the  contracted  form  bit,  for  biddeth,  in  the  3  p.  pr.  s.  indicative,  187. 

Similar  contractions  are  common  ;  hence  ////  means  '  hideth  ' ;  rit  means  '  rideth  ' ; 
sit, '  sitteth  ' ;  Ut, '  leadeth,"  B  1496  ;  &c. 

Formation  of  Past  Tenses.  The  form  of  the  pt.  t.  of  a  weak  verb  depends  on 
the  form  of  its  stem.     There  are  three  classes  of  such  verbs. 

1.  Infin. -/>«;  pU -ede  {-de) ,  or -ed.  Thus  tov-ien,  to  love;  pt.i.  tov-ede  (pronounced 
luvda),  or  lov-ed  (luved).     Compare  lakk-e-de,  756;  though  the  infin.  is  lakk-en. 

2.  Infin. -^«;  pt.  t. -de, -te,  or  sometimes  (after  d  or  t) -e ;  without  vowel-change, 
except  such  as  is  due  to  contraction.  Ex.  ker-en,  to  hear,  pt.  t.  her-de ;  k'ep-en,  to 
keep,  pt.  t.  kep-te  :  lid-en,  to  lead,  pt.  t.  lad-de  (short  for  Iged-de).     Cf.  went-e,  went. 

3.  Infin.  -en,  with  a  modified  vowel  in  the  infinitive,  the  root-vowel  appearing  in 
the  pt.  t.  and  pp.  Thus  the  root  SOK  (cf.  Gothic  sokjan,  to  seek)  appears  in  the 
A.S.  pt.  t.  sbh-te,  pp.  soh-t,  M.E.  soght-e,  sogh-t ;  but  the  d  becomes  e  (as  in  A.S. /St, 
foot,  pi. /^/,  feet)  in  the  infin.  sec-an,  M.E.  sek-en,  E.  seek.  Cf.  tell-en,  pt.  t.  tol-de ; 
tech-en,  pt.  t.  taugh-te. 

N.B.  The  pp.  of  a  weak  verb  results  from  the  pt.  t.  by  dropping  -e  (unless  it  has 
been  dropped  already) ;  thus  pt.  t.  tol-de  gives  pp.  tol-d. 

Strong  verbs.  The  seven  conjugations  of  strong  verbs  are  given  in  my  Princi- 
ples of  Etymology.  I  take  as  representative  verbs  the  following :  fall,  shake,  bear,  give, 
drink,  drive,  choose.  A  more  usual  order  (though  it  makes  no  real  difference)  is 
I.  drive,  2.  choose,  3.  drink,  4.  bear,  5.  give,  6.  shake,  7.  fall. 

The  '  principal  parts '  are  :  (a)  the  infinitive ;  (b)  the  past  tense,  singular ;  (c)  the 
pt.  t.  pi. ;   (d)  the  pp. 

1.  'Drive.'  Here  Chaucer  has:  (a)  ryd-cn,  to  ride;  (b)  rood;  (c)  r'td-en ;  (d) 
r'td-en.  So  also  byt-cn,  bite,  rys-en,  rise,  shyn-en,  shine,  shryv-eti,  shrive,  smyt-en,  smite, 
7vryt-en,  write  1.     I  here  write  ^'  to  denote  long  /. 

2.  'Choose.'    As:   (a)  j^M-^//,  to  seethe ;   {h)  seeth ;  {c,  d)  sod-en. 

3.  'Drink,'  As:  (a)  biginn-en ;  (b)  bigan  ;  (c)  bigonnen  ;  (d)  bigonncn.  So  also 
■drinken,  ginnen,  rinnen,  to  run,  singen,  springen,  swinken,  to  toil,  winnen,  delven, 
fighten  (pt.  t.  s.  faught) ,  helpen,  kerven,  thresshen. 

4.  '  Bear."  As:  (a)  ber-en  ;  (b)  bar;  (c)  ber-en  ;  (d)  bor-en.  So  aho  breken,  sheren, 
stelen.     Comenhzs:   {b)'com;  (c)   cbm-en ;  (d)  com-en. 

5.  'Give.'  As:  (a.)  yev-en,yiv-en  ;  (b)  yaf;  (c)  yev-en  ;  (d)  yiv-en.  So  a.\so  geten 
{pp.  geten);  speken  {pp.  spoken) . 

6.  'Shake.'  As:  (a)  bak-en ;  (b)  book;  (c)  bbk-en ;  (d)  bak-en.  So  a\%o  drawen, 
shaken,  shaven,  stonden  (pt.  t.  stood),  taken,  sweren  (pp.  swor-e). 

7.  'Fall.'     As:  {a)  fall-en;   {h)  fl ;   {c)  fill-en  ;   {d)  fall-en.     So  holden,  p\.  I.  held ; 

'  Chaucer's  Prologue  does  not  contain  specimens  of  all  the  parts  of  the  verbs  mentioned. 
'I'hus  si-then  only  occurs  in  the  infinitive  (383) ;  however,  the  pi.  t.  seei/i  occurs  elsewhere,  viz.  in 
the  Clerkes  Tale,   E  227. 


IKetre.  xix 

let-en,  pt.  t.  leet ;  slep-en,  pt.  t.  sleep;  blowen,  groiven,  know-en,  pt.  t.  bk'M,  &c. ;  wcp-en, 
pt.  t.  weep ;  goon,  pp.  y-goon,  y-go,  286.  Compare  the  complete  list  of  strong  M.E. 
verbs,  in  Specimens  of  English,  ed.  Morris  and  Skeat,  pt.  i. 

Anomalous  Verbs.  Among  these  note  the  following.  Been,  ben,  are.  Imper. 
pi.  beet/i,  beth,  be  ye.     Pp.  been,  ben,  been. 

Can,  I  know;  pi.  connen ;  pt.  t.  coiide,  knew,  could:  pp.  couth,  known.  Dar, 
I  dare;  pt.  t.  dorste.  May,  I  may;  pi.  mowen ;  subjunctive,  mowe,  pi.  moweii.  Moot, 
I  must,  I  may,  he  must,  he  may ;  pi.  moten,  mole  ;  pt.  t.  mosle.  Og/ite,  ought.  Ska/, 
pi.  shullen,  shut;  pt.  t.  sholde.  Witen,  to  know;  woot,  wot,  I  know,  he  knows  ;  pi. 
witeii  (correctly;  but  Chaucer  also  has  ye  woot);  pt.  t.  wiste,  knew;  pp.  wist.  Wil, 
wol,  wole,  will;  pi.  wolen,  wilen ;  pt.  t.  wolde.     Thar,  needs;  pt.  t.  thurte. 

Negatives.  Nan,  for  ne  am,  am  not;  nis,  for  ne  is,  is  not;  nas,  was  not;  nere, 
were  not ;  naddc,  had  not ;  ////,  will  not ;  nolde,  would  not ;  noot,  I  know  not,  he 
knows  not;  niste,  knew  not;  ne  .  .  .  ne,  neither  .  .  .  nor,  603.  Double  negatives, 
70,  71,  Sec. 

Adverbs.  End  in  -e,  as  dcp-e,  deeply ;  or  -ly,  as  subtil-ly  ;  or  -e-ly,  as  trew-e-ly, 
truly  ;  or  -en,  -e,  as  bifor-en,  bifor-e  ;  or  in  -es,  as  thry-es,  thrice.  Ther,  where,  547  ; 
ther  as,  where  that,  34. 

Prepositions.  End  in  -en,  -e,  -es ;  &c.  Til,  for  to,  before  a  vowel.  With  adjoins 
its  verb;  791. 

METRE. 

Chaucer  was  our  first  great  metrist,  and  enriched  our  literature  with  several 
forms  of  metre  which  had  not  been  previously  employed  in  English.  These  he 
borrowed  chiefly  from  Guillaume  de  Machault,  who  made  use  of  stanzas  of  seven, 
eight,  and  nine  lines,  and  even  wrote  at  least  one  Compleint  in  the  '  heroic ' 
couplet. 

The  metre  of  four  accents,  in  rimed  couplets,  had  been  in  use  in  English  long 
before  Chaucer's  time ;  and  he  adopted  it  in  translating  Le  Roman  de  la  Rose  (the 
original  being  in  the  same  metre),  in  the  Book  of  the  Duchesse,  and  in  the  House  of 
Fame. 

The  ballad-metre,  as  employed  in  the  Tale  of  Sir  Thopas,  is  also  older  than  his 
time.     In  fact,  this  Tale  is  a  burlesque  imitation  of  some  of  the  old  Romances. 

The  four-line  stanza,  in  the  Proverbes,  was  likewise  nothing  new. 

But  he  employed  the  following  metres,  in  English,  for  the  first  time. 

1.  The  8-line  stanza,  with  the  rimes  arranged  in  the  order  ababbcbc ;  i.  e.  with  the 
first  line  (a)  riming  with  the  third  {a),  and  so  on.  Exx.  A.B.C. ;  The  Monkes  Tale; 
The  Former  Age ;  Lenvoy  to  Bukton. 

\b.  The  same,  thrice  repeated,  with  a  refrain.  Ex.  (part  of)  Fortune;  Compleint 
to  Venus;  Balade  to  Rosemounde. 

2.  The  7-line  stanza,  with  the  rimes  ababbcc ;  a  favourite  metre.  Exx.  Lyf  of 
SeintCecyle;  Clerkes  Tale  ;  Palamon  and  Arcite  ;  (part  of)  Compleint  to  his  Lady  ; 
An  Amorous  Compleint ;  Compleint  to  Pit6 ;  (part  of)  Anelida ;  Tlie  Wretched 
Engendring  of  Mankind  ;  The  Man  of  LawesTale  ;  (part  of)  The  Compleint  of  Mars  ; 
Troilus  and  Criseyde ;  Wordes  to  Adam  ;  (part  of)  The  Parlement  of  Foules ;  (parts 
of)  The  Canterbury  Tales  ;  Lenvoy  to  Scogan. 

2  b.  The  same  7-line  stanza,  thrice  repeated,  with  a  refrain.     Exx.  Against  Women 

b  2 


XX  3:ntrot)nftion. 

Unconstaunt;  Compleint  to  his  Purse;  Lak  of  Stedfastnesse ;  Gentilesse;  Truth.  Also 
in  the  Legend  of  Good  Women,  249-269. 

2  c.  The  7-line  stanza,  with  the  rimes  ababbab.     Ex.  (part  of)  Fortune. 

3.  Terza  Rima.     Only  a  few  lines;  in  the  Compleint  to  his  Lady. 

4.  The  ID-line  stanza,  aabaabcddc.     In  the  Compleint  to  his  Lady. 

5.  The  9-line  stanza,  aabaabbab.     Only  in  Anelida. 

5  b.  The  same,  with  internal  rimes.     Only  in  Anelida. 

5  c.  The  same  as  5,  but  thrice  repeated.     Only  in  Womanly  Noblesse. 

6.  Two  stanzas  of  16  lines  each;  with  the  rimes  aaabaaab  ■  bbbabbba.  Only  in 
Anelida. 

7.  The  9-line  stanza,  aabaabbcc.     Only  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Compleint  of  Mars. 

8.  The  roundel.     In  the  Parlement  of  Foules ;  and  Merciless  Beauts. 

9.  The  heroic  couplet.  In  the  Legend  of  Good  Women  and  parts  of  the  Canter- 
bury Tales. 

10.  A  6-line  stanza,  repeated  six  times ;  with  the  rimes  ababcb.  Only  in  the  Envoy 
to  the  Clerkes  Tale. 

11.  A  lo-line  stanza,  aabaabbaab.     Only  in  the  Envoy  to  the  Compleint  of  Venus. 

12.  A  6-line  stanza,  ababaa.     Only  in  the  Envoy  to  Womanly  Noblesse. 

13.  A  5-line  stanza,  aabba.     Only  in  the  Envoy  to  Compleint  to  his  Purse. 

The  following  pieces  are  in  prose.  The  Tale  of  Melibeus.  The  Persones  Tale. 
The  translation  of  Boethius,  De  Consolatione  Philosophiae.  The  Treatise  on  the 
Astrolabe. 

VERSIFICATION. 

Some  lines  drop  the  first  syllable,  and  the  first  foot  contains  otu  syllable  only; 
as :  Ging  I  len  in,  &c.  170. 

Many  rimes  are  double,  as  cloistre,  oistre,  181 ;  Rom-e,  td  me,  671 ;  non-es,  noon  is,  523. 
Always  sound  final  -e  at  the  end  of  a  line.  Rimes  may  be  treble,  as  apothec-dr-t-es. 
letu-dr-i-cs,  425 ;  so  at  11.  207,  513,  709.     Compare  the  Grammatical  Hints. 

Caestira.  The  caesura,  or  middle  pause,  allows  extra  syllables  to  be  preserved. 
Thus,  at  1.  293,  we  have  :  — 

For  him  was  16ver  —  hav'  it  his  b6ddes  h6ed. 

The  pause  gives  time  for  the  -er,  of  lev-er.     Similarly,  we  may  preserve  the  -er  of 
deliv-er,  84;  -e  in  mor-e,  98;  -e  in  curteisy-e,  132;  -ie  (  =  >')  in  car-ie,  130. 
Compare  also :  — 

With-6ut-e  bak-e  met-e  —  was  nev'r  his  hous ;     343. 
Thit  I  no  dr6p-e  —  ne  fill'  upon  hir  brest;    131. 

The  syllables  -er,  -en,  -el,  -ed,  before  a  vowel,  or  h  (in  he,  &c.),  are  light,  and  do  not 
always  count  in  scansion ;  see  11.  84,  291,  296,  334,  &c.  Cf.  ma  \  ny  a  breem  \  ;  350. 
Read  the  lines  deliberately,  and  remember  the  old  pronunciation. 

Accent.  Variable,  in  some  words ;  cf.  miller,  545,  with  the  archaic  trisyllabic 
viil-ler-e,  541.  Also,  in  French  words,  we  have  honour,  582 ;  but  the  archaic  honour, 
46.     Cf.  licour,  3  ;   vertii,  4. 

PRONUNCIATION. 

The  M.E.  pronunciation  was  widely  different  from  the  present,  especially  in  the 
vowel-sounds.    The  sounds  of  the   vowels   were   nearly   as   in    French   and    Italian. 


Piommctattcin.  xxi 

They  can  be  denoted  by  phonetic  invariable  symbols,  enclosed  within  marks  of 
parenthesis.     Convenient  phonetic  symbols  are  these  following. 

VO'wels.  (aa),  as  a  in  father;  (a)  short,  as  a  in  aha!  (ae),  open  long  e,  as  a  in 
Mary  ;  (e),  open  short  e,  as  e  in  b^d  ;  (ee),  close  long  e,  as  e  in  vril ;  (i)  short,  as  F.  i 
in  iini,  or  (nearly)  as  E.  i  in  m ;  (ii),  as  ee  in  d^-ifp ;  (ao),  open  long  o,  as  aw  in  saw  ; 
(o)  open  short  o,  as  o  in  noi;  (oo),  close  long  o,  as  o  in  nt?te,  or  o  in  German  'so'; 
(u),  as  u  in  iu\\\  (uu),  as  oo  in  ioo\;  (ii),  as  F.  «<  in  F.  '6c«';  (ii'),  as  long  G.  it  in  G. 
'gr«n.'     Also  {s),  as  final  a  in  Ciiina. 

Diphthongs,  (ai),  asj'in  fiy;  (au),  as  owin  n<77<//  (ei) ,  as  f/' in  v«l ;  (oi),aso/in 
bo/1. 

Consonants  (special),  (k),  as  ^  in  trat;  (s),as  c  in  city;  (ch),  as  in  i/mrch; 
(tch),  as  in  C3.tch  ;  (th),  as  th  in  //zin  ;  (dh),  as  th  in  //zen.  Also  (h),  when  not  initial, 
to  denote  a  guttural  sound,  like  G.  c/i  in  Nac/4t,  hicAt,  but  weaker,  and  varying  with 
the  preceding  vowel. 

An  accent  is  denoted  by  (•),  as  in  M.E.  name  (naa'ma). 

By  help  of  these  symbols,  it  is  possible  to  explain  the  meaning  of  the  M.E.  symbols 
employed  by  the  scribes  in  Chaucer's  Tales.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  sounds 
they  denote.  The  letters  in  thick  type  are  the  letters  actually  employed ;  the  letters 
within  parenthesis  denote  the  sounds,  as  above. 

Observe  that  long  '  o,'  also  written  '  6,'  means  the  same  as  (ao)  ;  and  long  '  ^'  also 
written  '  6,"  means  the  same  as  (ae). 

a  short,  (a).  Ex.  al  (al)  ;  as  (az).  N.B.  The  modern  a  in  cat  (kret)  is  denoted  by 
(as),  and  does  not  occur  in  Chaucer. 

a  long,  (aa).  (i)  at  the  end  of  a  syllable;  as  age  (aa*J9)  ;  (2)  before  s  or  ce ;  as 
cas  {kdidis) ,  face  (faa'sa). 

ai,  ay  (ei),  originally  perhaps  (ai)  ;  but  ai  and  ei,  both  being  pronounced  as  (ei), 
had  already  been  confused,  and  invariably  rime  together  in  Chaucer.  Ci.  K.gay, 
prey. 

au,  aw  (au).     Ex.  avaunt  (avau'nt) ;  awe  (au'a). 

c,  as  (k),  except  before  e  and  //  as  (s),  before  e  and  /'. 

ch  (ch) ;  cch  (tch). 

e  short,  (e).     'Ex.  fetheres  (fedh'rez) ;  middle  e  dropped. 

e  final,  (a)  ;  and  often  dropped  or  elided  or  very  lightly  touched. 

e  long  and  open,  (ae).     Sometimes  denoted  by  '^'  or  '  e^.'     Ex.  dene  (klae'na). 

e  long  and  close,  (ee).     Ex.  szoete  (swee'ta)  ;  weep  (weep). 

ei,  ey  (ei).     Ex.  streit  (streit)  ;  wey  (wei). 

g  hard,  i.e.  (g), except  beforehand/ ,•  (j) ,  before  *  and ?'.   Ex-.^'-o  (gao)  ;  a^e  {si^-'p) . 

gh  (h),G.  <:.*.  Ex.  lig/it  {\\\\\\).  The  vowel  was  at  first  short,  then  half-long  (as 
probably  in  Chaucer),  then  wholly  long,  when  the  (h)  dropped  out.  Later,  (ii)  became 
(ei)  and  is  now  (ai). 

gn  (n),  with  long  preceding  vowel;  as  digne  (dii'na). 

i  short,  (i).  As  F.  /  in  iini;  but  often  as  E.  /  in  in ;  the  latter  is  near  enough.  So 
also  y,  when  short,  as  in  many  (man'i). 

1,  y  long,  (ii).     Ex.  /  (ii)  ;  melodye  (m61'odii"3). 

ie  (ee),  the  same  as  ee.     Ex.  mischief  (mischeef). 

I  consonantal,  (j).  Ex.  lay  (jei)  ;  luge  (jii'ja).  So  in  the  MSS.;  but  here  printed 
'  j,"  as  \wjay  (jei). 

le,  often  vocalic  (1),  as  in  E.  temple  (temp'l).     But  note  stables  (staa'blez). 


xxii  Introtiuction. 

ng  (ngg);  always  as  in  E. ////^^r.     Ex.  fAif/^  (th'mgg). 

o  short,  (o),  as  in  0/  (ov).  But  as  (pu)  before  ^^.  And  «c/<?  particulatly,  that  it  is 
always  (u),  i.  e.  as  «  in  f«ll,  wherever  it  has  a  sound  like  u  in  mod.  E.,  as  in  company, 
sof/,  monk,  cousin,  &c.     Ex.  sonne  fsun-ns),  monk  (mungk),  moche  (mucha). 

o  long  and  open,  (ao).  Sometimes  denoted  by'p'  or  'pp.'  Ex.  go  (gao) ;  stoon 
(staon). 

O  long  and  close,  (00).     Ex.  sote  (soo"t9)  ;  hood  (hood). 

oi,  oy  (oi). 

ou,  ow  (uu)  ;  as  '\njiour  (fluur)  ;  now  (nuu).     Rarely  (pu),  as  in  soule  (spub). 

ogh  (puh),  with  open  0,  as  in  E.  not,  followed  by  short  (u). 

ough  (uuh)  ;  with  uu  as  in  E.  fool  (fuul);  or  as  Ogh. 

r  is  always  strongly  trilled.     SSh  (shsh),  as  \t\  fresshe  (freslrsha). 

u  short,  (u)  ;  French  ;  as  mjust  (jiist).     Rarely  (u),  as  in  cut  (kut)  ;  English. 

U  long,  (ii'),  as  in  nature  (nafii'ra)  ;  French. 

"we  final,  (wa),  but  often  merely  (u).  Ex.  arwes  (arwez)  ;  bowe  (baou"3,  bpu'3)  ; 
mor-ive  (moru)  ;  so  blew  (blee'u). 

N.B.  Open  long  e  (ae)  often  arises  from  A.S.  7b,  ea,  or  lengthening  of  e.  Ex.  were 
(waera) ,  A.S.  wUron  ;  eek  (aek) ,  A.S.  eac  ;  spekcn  (spaekan),  A.S.  sprecan.  Open  long  * 
(ao)  often  arises  from  A.S.  ii,  or  lengthening  of  0.  Ex./o  (fao),  A.S.  fH ;  open,  A.S. 
open.  Chaucer  refrains  from  riming  open  long  e  (ae),  when  arising  from  A.S.  ea,  or 
lengthening  of  e,  with  the  close  e  arising  from  A.S.  e  or  eo.  But  there  is  some  uncer- 
tainty about  the  quality  of  the  e  arising  from  A.S.  a,  or  from  mutation. 

The  occurrence  of  rimes  such  as  Chaucer  nez'er  employs  furnishes  an  easy  test  for 
poems  which  have  been  supposed  to  be  his  on  insufficient  grounds.  Thus,  in  The 
Cuckoo  and  the  Nightingale,  stanza  ij,  green  rimes  with^<f^«;  whereas  the  form  green 
never  occurs  in  Chaucer,  who  always  employs  gren-e  (gree'na)  as  a  dissyllable,  im 
accordance  with  its  etymology  from  A.S.  grene.  In  flie  same  poem,  upon  rimes  with 
man,  a  man  (stanza  17)  ;  but  Ciiaucer  knows  nothing  of  such  a  form  as  man. 

Non-Chaucerian  rimes  occur  in  large  numbers  in  Fragment  B  of  the  Romaunt  of 
the  Rose. 


ERRATA. 

P.  135.  col.  2.  1.  206;  for  coniuracion  read  conjuracion. 
P.  215.  1.  684.     Delete  the  comma  at  the  end  of  the  line. 
P.  216. 1.  766.     Alter  the  note  of  interrogation  to  a  comma. 
P.  226.  1.  358.     Delete  the  comma  at  the  end  of  the  line. 
P.  290. 1.  1 171 ;  for  wrong,  and  seyde  /-*<k/ wronge,  and  seyd. 
P.  592.  1.  2076 ;  for  But  if  read  But-if. 


THE   ROMAUNT   OF  THE   ROSE. 


Words  and  syllables  enclosed  within  square  brackets  are  supplied  by  the  Editor. 
Reading's  marked  with  an  obehis  (f )  are  doubttlxl,  and  are  accounted  for  in  the 
Appendix. 

lOnJy  three  Fragments  of  this  translation  have  come  down  to  \is.  Of  these,  Fragment  A 
is  by  Chaucer ;  Fragment  B  is  hy  a  Northerner,  and  has  many  corrupt  re.adinys :  whilst 
Fragment  C  is  of  doubtful  origin,  and  I  do  not  feel  sure  that  it  is  Chaucei-'s.] 


FRAGMENT  A. 


Many  men  seyn  that  in  sweveninges 
Ther  nis  but  fables  and  lesinges  ; 
But  men  may  sommc  fswevenes  seen, 
Which  hardely  "f-ne  false  been, 
But  afterward  ben  apjiaraunte. 
This  may  I  drawe  to  waraunte 
An  aiithour,  that  hight  Macrobes, 
That  halt  not  dremes  false  ne  lees, 
But  undoth  ns  the  avisioun 
That  whylom  mette  king  Cipioun. 

And  who-so  sayth,  or  weneth  it  be 
A  jape,  or  elles  [a]  nycetee 
To  wene  that  dremes  after  falle, 
Let  who-so  liste  a  fool  me  calle. 
For  this  trowe  I,  and  say  for  me, 
That  dremes  signifiaunce  be 
Of  good  and  harme  to  many  wightes, 
That  dremen  in  her  slope  a-nightes 
Ful  many  thinges  covertly, 
That  fallen  after  al  openly. 
The  Dream. 

Within  my  twenty  yore  of  age, 
Wlian  that  Love  takcth  his  corage 
Of  3'onge  folk,  I  wente  sone 
To  bedde,  as  I  was  wont  to  done, 
And  fast  I  fsleep  ;  and  in  sleping. 
Me  mette  swiche  a  swevening, 


That  lykede  me  wonders  wel ; 

But  in  that  sweven  is  never  a  del 

That  it  nis  afterward  befalle. 

Right  as  this  dreem  wol  telle  us  alle.     ; 

Now  this  dreem  wol  I  rjTne  aright. 

To  make  your  hertes  gaye  and  light  ; 

For  Love  it  prayeth,  and  also 

Commaundeth  me  that  it  be  so. 

And  if  ther  any  aske  me,  ; 

Wliether  that  it  be  he  or  she, 

How  [that]  this  book  [the]  which  is  here 

Shall  t  bote,  that  I  rede  you  here  ; 

It  is  the  Romance  of  the  Rose, 

In  which  al  the  art  of  love  I  close. 

The  mater  fair  is  of  to  make  ; 
God  graunte  in  g^ee  that  she  it  take 
For  whoni  tliat  it  begonnen  is  ! 
And  that  is  she  that  hath,  y-wis. 
So  mochel  piys  ;  and  ther-to  she 
So  worthy  is  biloved  be. 
That  she  wel  oughte,  of  prys  and  right, 
Be  cleped  Rose  of  every  wight. 

That  it  was  May  me  thoughto  tlio. 
It  is  fyve  yere  or  more  ago  ;  ', 

That  it  was  May,  thus  dremed  me, 
In  tyme  of  love  and  jolitee, 
That  al  thing  ginueth  waxen  gay, 


40 


4,=^ 


B 


C6e  (Uomaunf  of  f^e  (Uo6C. 


[Fragment  A 


For  ther  is  neither  busk  nor  bay 

In  May,  tbat  it  nil  sbrouded  been,  55 

And  it  with  newe  leves  wreen. 

These  wodes  eek  recoveren  greno, 

That  drye  in  ^vinte^  been  to  sene  ; 

And  th'  erthe  wexeth  proud  withalle, 

For  swote  dewes  that  on  it  falle,  60 

And  [al]  the  pore  estat  forget 

In  wliicb  that  winter  hadde  it  set : 

And  than  bicometh  the  ground  so  jiroud 

That  it  wol  have  a  newe  shroud. 

And  maketh  so  queynt  his  rf>be  antl  fayr65 

That  it  f  hath  hewes  an  hundred  payr 

Of  gras  and  floures,  inde  and  pers, 

And  many  hewes  ful  dj'vers  : 

That  is  the  robe  I  mene,  y-wis, 

Through  whicli  the  ground  topreisenis.70 

The  briddes,  that  ban  left  hir  song, 
Wbyl  they  ban  sufFred  cold  so  strong 
In  wedres  grille,  and  derk  to  sighte, 
Ben  in  May,  for  the  sonne  brigbte, 
So  glade,  that  they  sliewe  in  singing,     75 
That  in  liir  herte  is  swich  lyking, 
Tliat  they  mote  singer,  and  bo  light. 
Than  doth  the  nightingale  hir  might 
To  make  noyse,  and  singen  blj-the. 
Than  is  blisful,  many  a  sythe,  80 

The  ehelaundre  and  the  papingay. 
Than  yonge  folk  entenden  ay 
For  to  ben  gay  and  amorous. 
The  tyme  is  than  so  savorous. 
Hard  is  liis  herte  tbat  loveth  nouglit     85 
In  5Iay,  whan  al  this  mirth  is  wrought  ; 
Whan  he  may  on  these  braunches  here 
The  smale  briddes  singen  clero 
Hir  blisful  swete  song  pitous  ; 
And  in  this  sesoun  delitous,  90 

Whan  love  affrayetb  alio  thing, 
Me  thoughte  a-night,  in  my  sloping, 
Right  in  my  bed,  ful  redily, 
That  it  was  by  the  morowc  erly. 
And  uj)  I  roos,  and  gan  me  clothe ;  95 

Anoon  I  wissh  myn  hondcs  bothe  ; 
A  sylvre  nedle  forth  I  drogh 
Out  of  an  aguiler  queynt  y-nogb, 
And  gan  this  nedle  threde  anon  ; 
For  out  of  toun  me  list  to  gon  100 

The  sowne  of  briddes  for  to  here, 
That  on  thise  +busshes  singen  clera 
And  in  the  swete  sesoun  tbat  leef  is, 
With  a  threde  basting  my  slevis, 


Aloon  I  wente  in  my  playing,  105 

The  smale  foules  song  harkning  ; 

That  pej-ned  hem  ful  many  a  payre 

To  singe  on  bowes  blosmed  fayre. 

Jolif  and  gay,  ful  of  gladnesse. 

Toward  a  river  f  I  gan  me  dressc,  no 

That  I  herde  renne  faste  by  ; 

For  fairer  playing  non  satigh  I 

Than  playen  me  by  that  riveer. 

For  from  an  hille  that  stood  ther  neer 

Cam  doun  the  streem  ful  stif  and  bold,   115 

Cleer  was  the  water,  and  as  cold 

As  any  welle  is,  sooth  to  sejoie  ; 

And  somdel  lasse  it  was  than  Seine, 

But  it  was  straighter  wel  away. 

And  never  saugli  I,  er  that  day,  uo 

The  water  that  so  wel  lyked  me  ; 

And  wonder  glad  was  I  to  see 

That  lusty  place,  and  that  riveer ; 

And  with  that  water  that  ran  so  cleer 

My  face  I  wissii.     Tbo  saugh  I  wel        i-'5 

The  botnie  paved  everydel 

With  gravel,  ful  of  stones  shone. 

The  medewo  softe,  swote,  and  grene. 

Beet  right  on  the  water-syde. 

Ful  cleer  was  than  the  morow-tyde,      130 

And  ful  attempre,  out  of  dredc. 

Tbo  gan  I  walke  through  the  mede, 

Doun  ward  ay  in  my  ploying, 

The  river-syde  costeying. 

The  Garden. 

And  whan  I  liad  a  wbylo  goon,  135 

I  saugli  a  Gardin  right  anoon, 
Fitl  long  and  brood,  and  evorj'del 
tEnclos  it  was,  and  walled  wel. 
With  hj-o  walles  embatailled. 
Portrayed  without,  and  wel  entailled  140 
With  many  riche  portraitures  : 
And  bothe  images  and  peyntures 
Gan  I  biholde  bisily. 
And  I  wol  telle  j'ou,  redily. 
Of  tliilko  images  the  semblauuce,  145 

As  fer  as  I  have  remembraunce. 
Hate. 

A-middc  saugh  I  Hate  stonde. 
That  for  hir  wrathe,  ire,  and  onde, 
Semed  to  been  a  f  moveresse, 
An  angrj-  wight,  a  chideresse  ;  150 

And  ful  of  gyle,  and  fcl  corage. 
By  semblaunt  was  tbat  ilke  image. 
And  she  was  no-thing  wel  arrayed, 


Fkagmext  a.] 


ZU  (^omaunf  of  tU  (Roe^. 


But  lyk  a  Avood  wonxman  afraj'ed ; 
Y-f'rounced  foule  was  liir  visage,  155 

And  gremiiiig  fov  dispitous  rage  ; 
Hir  nose  snorted  up  for  tene. 
Fill  liidous  was  she  for  to  sene, 
Ful  foiil  and  rustj-  was  she,  this. 
Hir  heed  y-writhen  was,  y-wis,  160 

Fill  grimlj'  with  a  greet  towayle. 
Felonye. 

An  imago  of  another  entayle, 
A  lift  half,  was  hir  faste  hy  : 
Hir  name  above  hir  heed  saugh  I, 
And  she  was  called  Felonye.  165 

Vilanye. 

Another  image,  that  Vilanye 
Y-cleped  was,  saiigh  I  and  fond 
Upon  the  walle  on  hir  right  bond. 
Vilanj-e  was  Ij-k  somdel 
That  other  image  ;  and,  trusteth  wel,   1 70 
She  semed  a  wikked  creature. 
By  countenauncc,  in  portraji;ure, 
She  semed  be  ful  despitous. 
And  eek  ful  proud  and  outrageous. 
Wel  coude  he  poynte,  I  undertake,        175 
That  swiehe  image  coude  make. 
Ful  foul  and  cherlish  semed  she, 
And  eek  vilaynous  for  to  be. 
And  litcl  coude  of  noi-ture. 
To  worshipe  any  creature.  180 

Coveityse. 

And  next  was  peyntod  Coveityse, 
That  eggeth  folk,  in  many  gysc. 
To  take  and  yeve  right  nought  ageyn, 
And  grete  trcsours  up  to  leya. 
And  that  is  she  that  for  usure  185 

Lenetli  to  many  a  creature 
The  lasse  for  the  more  winning. 
So  coveitous  is  her  brenning. 
And  that  is  she,  for  penyes  fcle. 
That  techeth  for  to  robbe  and  stele       190 
These  theves,  and  these  smale  harlotes  ; 
And  that  is  routhe,  for  by  hir  throtes 
Ful  many  oon  hangeth  at  the  laste. 
She  maketh  folic  compasse  and  caste 
To  taken  other  folkes  thing,  195 

Through  robberie,  or  •[miscounting. 
And  that  is  she  that  maketh  treohoures  ; 
And  she  [that]  maketh  false  plcdourcs. 
That  with  hir  termos  and  hir  domes 
Doon  maydens,  children,  and  eek  gromes 
Hir  heritage  to  forgo.  201 


Ful  croked  were  hir  hondes  two  ; 
For  Coveityse  is  ever  wood 
To  gi-ypen  other  folkes  good. 
Coveityse,  for  hir  winning,  205 

Ful  leef  hath  other  mennes  thing. 
Avarice. 
Another  image  set  saugh  I 
Next  Coveityse  faste  by, 
And  she  was  cleped  Avarice. 
Ful  foul  in  peynting  was  that  vice;      210 
Ful  sad  and  caytif  was  she  eek, 
And  al-so  grene  as  any  leek. 
So  yvel  hewed  was  hir  colour, 
Hir  semed  have  lived  in  langour. 
She  was  lyk  thing  for  hungre  deed,      215 
That  ladde  hir  lyf  only  by  breed 
Kneden  with  eisel  strong  and  egre  ; 
And  therto  she  was  lene  and  megre. 
And  she  was  clad  ful  povrely, 
Al  in  an  old  torn  fcovirtepy,  220 

As  she  v/ere  al  with  dogges  torn  ; 
And  botho  bihinde  and  eek  biforn 
Clouted  was  she  beggarly. 
A  mantel  heng  hir  faste  by. 
Upon  a  perche,  weyke  and  smalle  ;        225 
A  burnet  cote  heng  therwithalle, 
Furred  with  no  menivere. 
But  with  a  fuixe  rough  of  here. 
Of  lambe-skinnes  hevy  and  blake  ; 
It  was  ful  old,  I  undertake.  230 

For  Avarice  to  clothe  hir  wel 
Ne  hasteth  hir,  never  a  del ; 
For  certejiily  it  were  hir  loth 
To  weren  ofte  that  ilke  cloth  ; 
And  if  it  were  forwered,  she  235 

Wolde  have  i'ul  greet  necessitee 
Of  clothing,  er  she  boughte  hir  newe, 
Al  were  it  bad  of  wolle  and  hewc. 
This  Avarice  held  in  hir  hande 
A  purs,  that  heng  [doun]  by  a  bando  ;    240 
And  tliat  she  liidde  and  bond  so  strongo, 
Men  must  abyde  wonder  longo 
Out  of  that  purs  er  ther  come  ought, 
For  that  ne  cometh  not  in  hir  thought ; 
It  was  not,  certein,  hir  entente  245 

That  fro  that  purs  a  peny  wento. 
Envye. 
And  by  that  image,  nygh  y-nough. 
Was  fpejait  Envve,  that  never  lough, 
Nor  never  wel  in  herte  ferdo 
But-if  she  outher  saugh  or  herdo  250 


B  2 


ZU  (Bomarxnt  of  f0e  (Roee. 


[Fragment  A. 


Som  greet  mischaunce,  or  greet  disese. 
No-thing  may  so  moch  liir  plese 
As  misclief  and  misa venture  ; 
Or  whan  she  seeth  discomfittire 
fOn  any  worthy  man  [to]  falle,  255 

Than  lyketh  hir  [fnl]  wel  withalle. 
She  is  ful  glad  in  hir  corage, 
If  she  see  any  greet  linage 
Be  brought  to  nought  in  shamful  wyse. 
And  if  a  man  in  honour  ryse,  260 

Or  by  his  witte,  or  by  prowesse, 
Of  that  hath  she  gret  he\'inesse  ; 
For,  trusteth  wel,  she  goth  nigh  wood 
When  any  chaunce  happeth  good. 
Envye  is  of  swich  crueltee,  265 

That  feith  ne  trouthe  holdeth  she 
To  freend  ne  felawe,  bad  or  good. 
Ne  she  hath  kin  noon  of  hir  blood, 
That  she  nis  ful  hir  enemy  ; 
She  nolde,  I  dar  sej-n  hardely,  270 

Hir  owne  fader  ferde  wel. 
And  sore  abyeth  she  eveiydel 
Hir  malice,  and  hir  maltalent : 
For  she  is  in  so  greet  turment 
And   hath    such    [wo],    whan    folk    doth 
good,  275 

That  nigh  she  melteth  for  pure  wood  ; 
Hir  lierte  ker\-eth  and  -[to-breketh 
That  god  the  peple  wel  awreketh. 
Envj'e,  y-wis,  shal  never  lotte 
Som  blame  upon  the  folk  to  scttc.         280 
I  trowc  that  if  En^'ye,  y-wis, 
Rnewe  the  beste  man  that  is 
On  this  syde  or  bij-ond  the  see, 
Yit  somwhat  lakken  him  woldo  she. 
And  if  he  were  so  hende  and  wys,  285 

Tliat  she  ne  mighte  al  abate  his  prys, 
Yit  wolde  she  blame  his  worthinesse, 
Or  by  hir  wordes  make  it  lesse. 
I  saugh  En^•J•e,  in  that  peynting, 
Hadde  a  w<jnderful  loking  ;  290 

For  she  ne  lokod  but  awry, 
Or  overthwart,  al  baggingly. 
And  she  hadde  [eek]  a  foul  usage  ; 
She  mighto  loke  in  no  visage 
Of  man  or  womman  forth-right  pleyn,  295 
But  shette  oon  ye  for  disdeyn  ; 
So  for  envye  brenned  she 
Whan  she  mighte  any  man  [y]-sce. 
That  fair,  or  wortliy  were,  or  wys. 
Or  elles  stood  in  folkes  prys.  3<x) 


Sorowe. 

SoROWE  was  peynted  next  Envye 
Upon  that  walle  of  masonrye. 
But  wel  was  seen  in  hir  colour 
That  she  hadde  lived  in  langour ; 
Hir  semed  have  the  Jaunyce.  305 

Nought  half  so  ijale  was  Avaryce, 
Nor  no-thing  lyk,  [as]  of  lenesse  ; 
For  sorowe,  thought,  and  greet  distresse. 
That  she  hadde  suifred  das*  and  night 
Made  hir  ful  yelwe,  and  no-thing  bright, 
Ful  fade,  pale,  and  megre  also.  311 

^Vas  never  wight  yit  half  so  wo 
As  that  hir  semed  for  to  be. 
Nor  so  fulfilled  of  ire  as  she. 
I  trowe  that  no  -wight  mighte  hir  plese, 3 15 
Nor  do  that  thing  that  mighte  hir  ese  ; 
Nor  she  ne  wolde  hir  sorowe  slake, 
Nor  comfort  noon  i\nto  hir  take  ; 
So  depe  was  hir  wo  bigonnen. 
And  eek  hir  herte  in  angre  ronnen,      320 
A  sorowful  thing  wel  semed  she. 
Nor  she  hadde  no-thing  slowe  be 
For  to  forcracchen  al  hir  face. 
And  for  to  f  rende  in  many  place 
Hir  clothes,  and  for  to  tere  hir  swire,   325 
As  she  that  was  fulfilled  of  ire  ; 
And  al  to-torn  lay  eek  hir  here 
Aboute  hir  shuldres,  here  and  there, 
As  she  that  hadde  it  al  to-rent 
For  angre  and  for  maltalent.  331) 

And  eek  I  telle  you  certeynly 
How  that  she  weep  ful  tenderly. 
In  world  nis  wight  so  hard  of  herte 
That  hadde  seen  hir  sorowes  smerte, 
That  nolde  have  had  of  hir  pitee,  335 

So  wo-bigoon  a  thmg  was  she. 
She  al  to-dasshte  hir-self  for  wo, 
And  smoot  togider  hir  handes  two. 
To  sorwe  was  she  fxil  entontj-f, 
That  woful  recchelees  caityf ;  340 

Hir  roughte  Litel  of  pleying. 
Or  of  clipping  or  [of]  kissing  ; 
For  who-so  sorweful  is  in  herte 
Him  liste  not  to  pleye  ne  sterte, 
Nor  for  to  daimsen,  ne  to  singe,  345 

Ne  may  his  herte  in  temper  bringe 
To  make  joye  on  even  or  morowo  ; 
For  joye  is  contraire  unto  sorowe. 
Elde. 

Elde  was  peynted  after  this, 


Fragment  A.] 


ZU  <^omannt  of  iU  (Kose. 


That  shorter  was  a  foot,  y-wis,  350 

Than  she  was  wont  in  her  yonghede. 
Unnethe  hir-self  she  mighte  fede  ; 
So  feble  and  eek  so  old  was  she 
That  faded  was  al  hir  beatitee. 
Fnl  salowo  was  waxen  hir  colour,  355 

Hir  heed  for-hoor  was,  whyt  as  flour. 
Y-wis,  gret  qualm  ne  were  it  noon, 
Ne  sinne,  although  hir  lyf  were  gon. 
Al  woxen  was  hir  body  unwelde. 
And  drye,  and  dwyned  al  for  elde.        360 
A  foul  forwelked  thing  was  she 
That  whylom  round  and  softe  had  be. 
Hir  eres  shoken  fast  withalle. 
As  froni  her  heed  they  wolde  falle. 
Hir  face  frounced  and  forpjmed,  365 

And  bothe  hir  hondes  lorn,  fordwyned. 
So  old  she  was  that  she  ne  wente 
A  foot,  but  it  were  by  i)otento. 
Time. 
The  Tyjik,  that  jjasseth  night  and  day. 
And  restelees  travayleth  ay,  370 

And  steleth  from  us  so  prively. 
That  to  lis  semeth  sikerly 
That  it  in  oon  point  dwelleth  ever. 
And  certes,  it  ne  resteth  never, 
But  goth  so  faste,  and  passeth  ay,      ..   375 
That  ther  nis  man  that  thinke  may 
What  tyme  that  now  present  is  : 
Asketh  at  these  clerkes  this  ; 
For  [er]  men  thinke  it  redily, 
Three  tymea  been  y-passed  by.  380 

The  tyme,  that  may  not  sojourne, 
But  goth,  and  f  never  may  retourne, 
As  water  that  doun  renneth  ay. 
But  never  drope  retourne  may  ; 
Ther  may  no-thing  as  tyme  endiare,      385 
Metal,  nor  erthely  creature  ; 
For  alle  thing  it  fret,  and  shal  : 
The  tyme  eek,  that  chaungeth  al. 
And  al  doth  waxe  and  fostred  be, 
.\nd  alle  thing  distroyeth  he  :  390 

.he  tjine,  that  eldeth  our  auncessours 
And  eldeth  kinges  and  emiierours, 
And  that  us  alle  shal  overcomen 
Er  that  deeth  us  shal  have  nomen  : 
The  tjone,  that  hath  al  in  welde  395 

To  elden  folk,  had  maad  hir  eldo 
So  inly,  that,  to  my  witing, 
She  mighte  helpo  hir-self  no-thing. 
But  turned  ageyn  unto  childhede  ; 


She  had  no-thing  hir-self  to  lede,  400 

Ne  wit  ne  pith  in[with]  hir  holde 
More  than  a  child  of  two  yeer  olde. 
But  nathelcs,  I  trowe  that  she 
Was  fair  sumtyme,  and  fresh  to  see. 
Whan  she  was  in  hir  rightful  age  :       405 
But  she  was  past  al  that  passage 
And  was  a  doted  thing  bicomen. 
A  furred  cope  on  had  she  nomen  ; 
Wei  had  she  clad  hir-self  and  warm. 
For  cold  mighte  elles  doon  hir  harm.  410 
These  olde  lolk  have  alwey  colde, 
Hir    kind    is    swiche,    whan    they    ben 
olde. 

Pope-holy. 
Another  thing  was  doon  ther  write. 
That  semede  lyk  an  ipocrite. 
And  it  was  cleped  Pope-holy.  415 

Tliat  ilke  is  she  that  prively 
Ne  spareth  never  a  wikked  dede, 
Whan  men  of  hir  taken  non  hede  ; 
And  maketh  hir  outward  precious, 
With  pale  visage  and  pitous,  421) 

And  semeth  a-  simple  creature  ; 
But  ther  nis  no  niisaventiire 
That  she  ne  thenketh  in  hir  corage. 
Ful  lyk  to  hir  was  that  image, 
That  maked  was  lyk  hir  semlilaunce.    425 
She  was  ful  simple  of  countenance, 
And  she  was  clothed  and  eek  shod, 
As  she  were,  for  the  love  of  god, 
Yolden  to  religioun, 

Swich  semed  hir  devocioun.  430 

A  saviter  held  she  faste  in  honde, 
And  bisily  she  gan  to  fonde 
To  make  many  a  fejTit  prayers 
To  god,  and  to  his  seyntes  dere. 
Ne  she  was  gay,  fresh,  ne  jolyf,  435 

But  semed  bo  ful  ententyf 
To  gode  werkes,  and  to  faire. 
And  therto  she  had  on  an  haire. 
Ne  certes,  slie  was  fat  no-thing, 
But  semed  wery  for  fasting  ;  440 

Of  colour  pale  and  deed  was  she. 
From  hir  the  gate  f  shal  werned  be 
Of  paradys,  that  blislul  i)laco  ; 
For  swich  folk  maketh  lene  hir  -ffacc, 
As  Crist  seith  in  his  evangjde,  445 

To  gete  hem  prys  in  toun  a  whyle  ; 
And  for  a  litel  glorio  veine 
They  lesen  god  and  eek  his  reine. 


Z^t  (Romaunt  of  tU  ^ost. 


[Fraomest  a. 


Poverty 

And  alderlast  of  everichoon, 
Was  peynted  Povert  al  nloon,  450 

That  not  a  peny  hadde  in  wolde, 
Al-tliough  [that]  she  hir  clothes  solde, 
And  though  she  shulde  anhonged  he; 
For  naked  as  a  worm  was  she. 
And  if  the  weder  stormy  ■were,  455 

For  colde  she  shulde  have  deyed  there 
She  nadde  on  but  a  streit  okl  sak, 
And  many  a  clout  on  it  ther  stak  ; 
This  was  hir  cote  and  hir  mantel, 
No  more  was  there,  never  a  del,  460 

To  clothe  her  with  ;  I  undertake, 
Gret  leyser  hadde  she  to  quake. 
And  she  was  piit,  that  I  of  talke, 
Fer  fro  these  other,  up  in  an  halke ; 
There  lurked  and  there  coiired  she ;     465 
For  po^Te  thing,  wher-so  it  he. 
Is  shamfast,  and  despysed  ay. 
Acursed  may  wel  be  that  day, 
That  povre  man  conceyved  is  ; 
For  god  wot,  al  to  selde,  y-wis,  470 

Is  any  povre  man  wel  fed. 
Or  wel  arayed  or  y-cled, 
Or  wel  biloved,  in  swich  wyse 
In  honf)ur  that  he  may  aryse. 

Alle  these  thinges,  wel  avysed,  475 

As  I  have  you  er  this  devysed, 
With  gold  and  asure  over  alle 
Depej-nted  were  upon  the  walle. 
Sqn.ir  was  the  wal,  and  high  somdel ; 
Enclosed,  and  y-barred  wel,  480 

In  stede  of  hegge,  was  that  gardin  ; 
Com  never  shcpherde  therin. 
Into  that  gardyn,  wel  [y-]wTought, 
Wlio-so  that  me  coude  have  brought. 
By  +laddre,  or  cllcs  by  deg^ree,  4S5 

It  wolde  wel  have  lyked  me. 
For  swich  solace,  swich  joye,  and  play, 
I  trowe  that  never  man  ne  say. 
As  in  that  place  delitous. 
The  gardin  was  not  daungerous  490 

To  horberwe  briddes  many  oon. 
So  riche  a  -fyerd  was  never  noon 
Of  briddes  songe,  and  braunches  grene. 
Therin  were  briddes  mo,  I  wene. 
Than  been  in  alle  the  rewme  of  Frannce. 
Ful  blisful  was  tlio  accordaunce  496 

Of  swete  and  pitous  sorge  they  made. 
For  al  this  world  it  oughte  glade. 


And  I  my-self  so  mery  ferde, 
Wlian  I  hir  blisful  songes  herde,  50.) 

That  for  an  hundred  pound  f  nolde  I, — 
If  that  the  passage  openly 
Hadde  been  unto  me  free — 
That  I  nolde  entren  for  to  see 
Thivssemblee,  god  fit  kepe  and  were !     505 
Of  briddes,  whiche  therinne  were. 
That  songen,  through  hir  mery  throtes, 
Daunces  of  love,  and  mcrj-  notes. 

Wlian  I  thus  herde  foules  singe, 
I  fel  faste  in  a  weymentinge,  510 

By  which  art,  or  by  what  engyn 
I  mighte  come  in  that  gardj-n  ; 
But  way  I  couthe  finde  noon 
Into  that  gardin  for  to  goon. 
Ne  nought  wiste  I  if  that  ther  were     515 
Eyther  liole  or  place  [o]-where. 
By  which  I  mighte  have  entree  ; 
Ne  ther  was  noon  to  techc  me  ; 
For  I  was  al  aloon,  y-wis, 
fFul  wo  and  anguissous  of  this.  520 

Til  atte  last  bithoughte  I  me. 
That  by  no  weye  ne  mighte  it  be  ; 
That  ther  nas  Laddre  or  wey  to  passe. 
Or  hole,  into  so  fair  a  place. 

Tho  gan  I  go  a  ful  grot  pas  525 

En\-j-roning  even  in  compas 
Tlie  closing  of  the  square  wal, 
Til  that  I  fond  a  wiket  smal 
So  shet,  that  I  ne  mighte  in  goon, 
And  other  entree  was  ther  noon.  530 

The  Door. 

I'pon  this  dore  I  gan  to  smyte, 
Tliat  was  [so]  fetys  and  so  lyte  ; 
For  other  wey  coude  I  not  seke. 
Ful  long  I  shoof,  and  knokked  eke. 
And  stood  ful  long  and  of[t]  herkning  535 
If  tliat  I  herde  +a  wight  coming  ; 
Til  that  the  dore  of  tliilke  entree 
A  mayden  curteys  opened  me. 

Ydelnesse. 
Hir  beer  was  as  yelowe  of  hewe 
As  any  basin  scoured  newe.  540 

Hir  flesh  [as]  tendre  as  is  a  chikc. 
With  bente  browes,  smothe  and  slikc; 
And  by  mesure  large  were 
The  fipening  of  hir  yen  clere. 
Hir  nose  of  good  proporcioun,  545 

Hir  yen  greye  as  a  faucoun, 
AA'itli  swete  breeth  and  wel  savotired. 


Fragment  A.] 


ZH  (Rotnaunf  of  t^t  (Roee. 


Hir  face  whyt  and  wel  coloured, 

With  litel  mouth,  and  round  to  see  ; 

A  clo-"e  chin  eek  hadde  she.  550 

Hir  nekke  was  of  g^ood  fasoun 

In  lengthe  and  gretnesse,  by  resoun, 

Witlioute  bleyne,  scabbe,  or  royne. 

Fro  Jerusalem  unto  Burgoyne 

Ther  nis  a  fairer  nekke,  y-wis,  555 

To  fele  how  smothe  and  softe  it  is 

Hir  throte,  al-so  whyt  of  hewe 

As  snow  on  braunche  snowed  newe. 

Of  body  ful  wel  wrought  was  slio  ; 

Men  neded  not,  in  no  cuntree,  560 

A  fairer  body  for  to  seke. 

And  of  fyn  orfrays  had  she  eke 

A  chapelet  :  so  semly  con 

Ne  wered  never  mayde  upon  ;  ,  .  .  . 

And  faire  above  that  chapelet  565 

A  rose  garland  had  she  set. 

Slie  liadde  [in  honde]  a  gay  miroiir. 

And  with  a  riche  gold  tressour 

Hir  heed  was  tressed  queyntely  ; 

Hir  sieves  sewed  fetisly.  570 

And  for  to  kepe  hir  hondes  faire 

Of  gloves  whyte  she  hadde  a  paire. 

And  she  hadde  on  a  cote  of  grene 

Of  cloth  of  Gaunt ;  withouten  wene, 

Wel  semed  by  hir  apparayle  575 

Slie  was  not  wont  to  greet  travayle. 

For  whan  she  kempt  was  fetisly. 

And  wel  arayed  and  richely, 

Thanne  had  she  doon  al  hir  journce  ; 

For  mery  and  wel  bigoon  was  she.         580 

She  ladde  a  lusty  lyf  in  May, 

She  hadde  no  thought,  by  night  ne  day. 

Of  no-thing,  but  it  were  oonly 

To  graythe  hir  wel  and  imcoiithly. 

Whan  that  this  dore  hadde  ojiened  mo 
This  fmayden,  semely  for  to  see,  586 

I  thanked  liir  as  I  best  mighte, 
And  axede  hir  how  that  she  hightc. 
And  what  she  was,  I  axede  eke. 
And  slie  to  me  was  nought  unmeke,     590 
No  of  hir  answer  daungerous, 
Bnt  faire  answerde,  and  seide  thus  : — ■ 
'  Lo,  sir,  my  name  is  Ydelnessk  ; 
Si  >  clepo  men  me,  more  and  lesse. 
Ful  mighty  and  ful  riche  am  I,  595 

And  that  of  oon  thing,  namely  ; 
For  I  entende  to  no-thing 
But  to  mj^  joye,  and  my  ploying. 


And  for  to  kembe  and  tresse  me. 

Aqueynted  am  I,  and  privee  600 

With  Mirthe,  lord  of  this  gardyn. 

That  fro  tlie  lande  fAlexandrjTi 

Made  the  trees  fhe  hider  fet, 

That  in  this  gardin  been  y-set.  604 

And  when  the  trees  were  woxon  on  highte, 

This  wal,  that  stant  here  in  thy  sighte, 

Dido  Mirthe  enclosen  al  aboute  ; 

And  these  images,  al  withoute. 

Ho  dide  hem  bothe  entailo  and  peynte. 

That  neither  ben  jolj-f  ne  que,\iite,        610 

But  tliey  ben  ful  ofsorowe  and  wo, 

As  thoii  hast  seen  a  whyle  ago. 

'  And  ofte  tyme,  him  to  solace, 
Sir  Mirthe  cometh  into  this  place, 
And  eek  with  him  cometh  his  meynee. 
That  liven  in  lust  and  jolitee.  ('nft 

And  now  is  Mirthe  therin,  to  here 
The  briddes,  how  they  singon  clere, 
Tlie  mavis  and  the  nightingale, 
And  otlier  joly  briddes  smale.  62(1 

And  thus  he  walketh  to  solace 
Him  and  his  folk  ;  for  swetter  place 
To  pleyen  in  he  may  not  finde, 
Althoiigh  he  soughte  oon  in-til  Inde. 
The  alther-fairest  folk  to  see  625 

That  in  this  world  may  foi^nde  be 
Hath  Jlirthe  with  him  in  his  route, 
Tliat  folowon  him  alwayes  aboute.' 

When  Ydelnesse  had  told  al  this. 
And  I  liadde  herkned  wel,  y-wis,  630 

Tlian  seide  I  to  dame  Ydelnesse, 
'  Now  al-so  wisly  god  me  blesse, 
Sith  Mirthe,  that  is  so  fair  and  free. 
Is  in  this  yerde  with  his  meynee, 
Fro  thilke  assemblee,  if  I  may,  635 

Shal  no  man  werne  me  to-day. 
That  I  this  night  ne  mote  it  see. 
For,  wel  wene  I,  ther  with  him  be 
A  fair  and  joly  companyo 
Fulfilled  of  alle  curtesyc.'  640 

And  forth,  without  wordcs  mo. 
In  at  the  wiket  wente  I  tho, 
That  Ydelnesse  hadde  opened  me, 
Into  tliat  giu'din  iair  to  see. 
The  Garden. 

And  whan  I  was  [therjin,  y-wis,         645 
Myn  herte  was  ful  glad  of  this. 
For  wol  wondo  I  ful  sikerly 
Have  been  in  paradys  erth[e]ly  ; 


ZH  ($iomannt  of  tU  (Jleee. 


[Fragment  A. 


So  fair  it  was,  that,  triisteth  wel, 

It  seined  a  x^laco  cspiritiiel.  650 

For  certes,  as  at  my  de's'j-s, 

Tlier  is  no  place  in  paradys 

So  good  in  for  to  dwelle  or  be 

As  in  that  Gardin,  thoughte  me  ; 

For  there  was  many  a  brid  singing,      6~,$ 

Throughout  the  yerde  al  thringing. 

In  many  places  were  nightingales, 

Alpes,  finches,  and  wodewales. 

That  in  her  swete  song  delyten 

In  thilke  tplace  as  they  habyten.  660 

Ther  mighte  men  see  many  flokkes 

Of  turtles  and  [of]  laverokkes. 

Chalaundres  fele  saw  I  there, 

That  werj',  nigh  forsongen  were. 

And  thrustles,  terins,  and  ma\->-s,         665 

Tliat  songen  for  to  winne  hem  prys. 

And  eek  to  sormoiinte  in  hir  song 

fThese  other  briddes  hem  among. 

By  note  made  fair  ser\-yse 

These  briddes,  that  I  you  devyse  ;  670 

They  songe  hir  song  as  faire  and  wel 

As  angels  doon  espirituel. 

And,  trusteth  wel,  whan  I  hem  herde, 

Full  lustily  and  wel  I  ferdc  ; 

For  never  yit  swich  melodye  675 

Was  herd  of  man  that  mighte  dye. 

Swich  swete  song  was  hem  among, 

That  me  thoughte  it  no  briddes  song, 

But  it  was  wonder  lyk  to  be 

Song  of  mcrmaydens  of  the  see  ;  680 

Tliat,  for  her  singing  is  so  clore. 

Though  we  mermaydens  clepo  hem  here 

In  English,  as  in  our  usaunce. 

Men  clepe[n]  hem  serejnis  in  Fraunce. 

Entontif  weren  for  to  singe  685 

These  briddes  that  nought  unkunninge 
Were  of  hir  craft,  and  apprentys, 
But  of  [hir]  song  sotjd  and  wys. 
And  certes,  whan  I  herde  hir  song. 
And  saw  the  grene  place  among,  690 

In  herte  I  wex  so  wonder  gay, 
Tliat  I  was  never  erst,  er  that  day, 
So  jolj'f,  nor  so  wel  bigo, 
Ne  merj'  in  herte,  as  I  was  tho. 
And  than  wisto  I,  and  saw  ful  wel,       61)^ 
That  Ydelnesse  me  served  wel, 
That  me  putte  in  swich  jolitee. 
Hir  freend  wel  oughte  I  for  to  be, 
Sith  she  the  dore  of  that  gardyu 


Hadde  opened,  and  me  leten  in.  7(x) 

From  hennesforth  how  that  I  wroughte, 
I  shal  you  tellen,  as  me  thoughte. 
First,  whereof  Mirthe  gerv'ed  there, 
And  eek  what  folk  ther  with  him  were, 
Without[e]  fable  I  wol  descrj^-e.  71)5 

And  of  that  gardin  eek  as  blj-ve 
I  wol  you  tellen  after  this. 
The  I'aire  fasoun  al,  y-wis. 
That  wel  [y-]wrought  was  for  the  nones, 
I  may  not  telle  you  al  at  ones  :  710 

But  as  I  may  and  can,  I  shal 
By  ordre  tellen  you  it  al. 

Ful  fair  servyse  and  eek  ful  swete 
These  briddes  maden  as  they  sete. 
Layes  of  love,  ful  wel  sowning  715 

They  songen  in  hir  jargoning  ; 
Summe  highe  and  siimnie  eek  lowe  songe 
Upon  the  bravinches  grene  y-spronge. 
Tlie  sweetnesse  of  hir  melodj-e 
Made  al  myn  herte  in  i  reverdye.  720 

And  whan  that  I  hadde  herd,  I  trowe, 
These  briddes  singing  on  a  rowe. 
Than  mighte  I  not  withholde  me 
That  I  ne  wente  in  for  to  see 
Sir  Mirthe  ;  for  my  desiring  ■;2-; 

Was  him  to  seen,  over  alle  thing. 
His  countenaunce  and  his  manere  : 
That  sighte  was  to  me  ful  dere. 
Sir  Mirthe. 

Tho  wente  I  forth  on  m.v'  right  hontl 
Doun  by  a  litel  path  I  fond  730 

Of  mentes  ful,  and  fenel  grene  ; 
And  faste  by,  withoute  wene. 
SiK  MiRTHK  I  fond  ;  and  right  anoon 
Unto  sir  Mirthe  gan  I  goon, 
Thor-as  he  was,  him  to  solace.  7,^5 

And  with  him,  in  that  liTsty  place. 
So  fair  folk  and  so  fresh  hadde  he, 
That  whan  I  saw,  I  wondred  me 
Fro  whennes  swich  folk  miglite  come. 
So  faire  they  weren,  alle  and  some  ;     740 
For  they  were  lyk,  as  to  my  sighte, 
To  angels,  that  ben  fethered  brighte. 
Gladnesse. 

Tliis  folk,  of  which  I  telle  you  so, 
Upon  a  Carole  wenten  tlio. 
A  lady  caroled  hem,  that  highto  745 

Gladsksse,  [the]  blisful,  the  lighte  ; 
Wel  ooude  she  singe  and  lustily, 
Non  half  so  wel  and  semelj-, 


Fkac.mext  a.] 


Z()i.  (Kowaunf  of  tU  (Boee. 


And  make  in  song  swich  refreininge, 

It  sat  liir  wonder  wel  to  singe.  750 

Hir  vois  ful  cleer  was  and  ful  swete. 

She  was  nonght  rnde  ne  nnmete, 

But  coutlie  y-now  of  swich  doing 

As  longeth  unto  caroling  : 

For  she  was  wont  in  every  place  755 

To  singen  first,  folk  to  solace  ; 

For  singing  most  she  gaf  hir  to  ; 

No  craft  had  she  so  leaf  to  do. 

Tho  mightest  thou  caroles  seen, 
And  folk  [ther]  daunce  and  mery  been,  760 
And  -fmake  many  a  fair  tourning 
Uj)on  the  grene  gras  springing. 
Ther  mightest  thou  see  these  floutours, 
Minstrales,  and  eek  jogelours. 
That  wel  to  singe  dide  hir  peyne.  765 

Somme  songe  songes  of  Loreyne  ; 
For  in  Loreyne  hir  notes  be 
Ful  swetter  than  in  this  contree. 
Ther  was  many  a  timbestere, 
And  saylours,  that  I  dar  wel  swere        770 
Couthe  hir  cratt  ful  parfitly. 
The  timbres  up  ful  sotilly 
They  caste,  and  hente[n  hem]  ful  ofte 
Upon  a  finger  faire  and  softe. 
That  they  [ne]  fayled  never-mo.  775 

Ful  fetis  damiselles  two. 
Right  yonge,  and  fuUe  of  semlihede. 
In  kirtles,  and  non  other  wede. 
And  faire  tressed  every  tresse, 
Had  Mirthe  doon,  for  his  noblesse,        7.S0 
Amidde  the  carole  for  to  davince  ; 
But  her-of  lyth  no  remembraunce. 
How  that  they  datinced  queyntely. 
That  oon  wolde  come  al  prively 
Agayn  that  other  :  and  whan  they  were 
Togidro  almost,  they  threwo  y-fere        786 
Hir  mouthes  so,  that  through  hir  play 
It  semed  as  they  kiste  alway  ; 
To  dauncen  wel  eoudc  they  tho  gyso  ; 
What  shulde  I  more  to  you  devysc  V      790 
Ne  fbede  I  never  thennes  go, 
Wliyles  that  I  saw  liom  daunce  so. 
Curtesye. 

I'pon  the  oarole  wonder  faste 
I  gan  liiholde  ;  til  atto  laste 
A  lady  gan  mo  for  to  cspye,  795 

And  she  was  clepcd  Curtesye, 
Tlio  worshipful,  the  dcbonaire  ; 
I  pray  god  ever  fallc  hir  faire  ! 

B 


Ful  curteisly  she  called  me, 
'  Wliat   do   ye  there,    beaii   sire  ? '    quod 
she,  800 

'  Come  [neer],  and  if  it  lyke  yow 
To  dauncen,  daunceth  with  us  now.' 
And  I,  withoiite  tai-j-ing, 
Wente  into  the  caroling. 
I  was  abasshed  never  a  del,  805 

But  it  me  lykede  right  wel 
That  Curtesye  me  cleped  so, 
And  bad  me  on  the  daunce  go. 
For  if  I  hadde  dvirst,  certeyn 
I  wolde  have  caroled  right  fayn,  810 

As  man  that  was  to  daunce  blythe. 
Than  gan  I  loken  ofte  sythe 
The  sha]i,  the  bodies,  and  the  cheres, 
Tho  countenaunce  and  the  maneres 
Of  alle  the  folk  that  daunced  there,      815 
And  I  shal  telle  what  they  were. 
Mirthe. 

Ful  fair  was  Mirthe,  ful   ong  and  high  ; 
A  fairer  man  I  never  sigh. 
As  round  as  appel  was  his  face, 
Ful  rody  and  whyt  in  every  place.        82(1 
Fetys  he  was  and  wel  beseye. 
With  metely  mouth  and  yen  greye  ; 
His  nose  by  mesure  wrought  ful  right ; 
Crisp  was  his  heer,  and  eek  ful  bright. 
His  shuldres  of  a  large  brede,  825 

And  smalish  in  the  girdilstede. 
He  semed  lyk  a  portraiture. 
So  noble  he  was  of  his  stature, 
So  fair,  so  joly,  and  so  fetys. 
With  limes  wroiTght  at  poynt  de\'ys,    S30 
Deliver,  smert,  and  of  gret  might  ; 
Ne  sawe  thou  never  man  so  light. 
Of  berde  unnethe  hadde  ho  no-thing, 
For  it  was  in  the  firste  spring. 
Ful  yong  he  was,  and  mcry  of  thought. 
And  in  samyt,  with  briddos  wroixgh'^    836 
And  with  gold  beten  fetisl.y. 
His  body  was  clad  ful  richely. 
Wrought  was  his  robe  in  straungo  gysc. 
And  al  to-slitered  for  queyntyse  840 

In  many  a  place,  lowe  and  hyo. 
And  shod  he  was  with  greet  maistrye. 
With  shoon  decoped,  and  with  laas. 
By  drueryc,  and  by  solas. 
His  leef  a  roscn  chapelct  845 

Had  majid,  and  on  his  heed  it  set. 

And  wite  ye  who  was  his  leef? 


t-U  (Komaunt  of  tU  (Hoee. 


[Fragment  A. 


Gladnesse. 
Diime  Gladxes  ther  was  him  so  loef, 
That  sJngeth  so  wel  with  glad  corage, 
That  from  she  was  twelve  yeer  of  age,  850 
She  of  hir  love  graunt  him  made. 
Sir  Mirthe  hir  by  the  finger  hadde 
[In]  datmsing,  and  she  him  also  ; 
Gret  love  was  atwixe  hem  two. 
Bothe  were  they  faire  and  brighte  of  hewe; 
She  semede  lyk  a  rose  newe  856 

Of  colour,  and  hir  flesh  so  tendre, 
That  with  a  brere  smale  and  slendro 
Men  miglite  it  cleve,  I  dar  wel  f  sayn 
Hir  forhced,  frounceles  al  f  playn.         86u 
Bente  were  hir  browes  two, 
Hir  yen  groye,  and  gladde  also, 
That  laughede  ay  in  hir  semblannt. 
First  or  the  month,  by  covenaunt. 
I  fnoot  what  of  hir  nose  descrJ'^'e  ;       865 
So  fair  hath  no  womman  alyve  .... 
Hir  heer  was  yelowe,  and  cleer  shyning, 
I  wot  no  lady  so  lyking. 
Of  orfrays  fresh  was  hir  gerland  ; 
I,  whiche  seen  have  a  thousand,  S-o 

Saugh  never,  y-wis,  no  gerlond  yit, 
So  wel  [y]-wrought  of  silk  as  it. 
And  in  an  over-gilt  samyt 
Clad  she  was,  by  gi'et  delyt. 
Of  which  hir  leef  a  robe  werde,  875 

The  myrier  she  in  herte  ferde. 
Cupide. 

And  next  hir  wente,  on  hir  other  syde, 
Tlie  god  of  Love,  that  can  devyde 
Love,  fas  him  lyketh  it  [to]  be. 
But  he  can  cherles  daunten,  he,  880 

And  niaken  folkes  pryde  fallen. 
And  ho  can  wel  these  lordes  thrallon, 
And  ladies  putto  at  lowe  degree. 
Whan  he  may  hem  to  proude  see. 

This  God  of  Love  of  his  fasoun  8S5 

Was  lyk  no  knave,  ne  quistroun  ; 
His  beautce  gi'etly  was  to  pryse. 
But  of  his  robe  to  de^'yse 
I  drede  encombred  for  to  be. 
For  nought  y-clad  in  silk  was  lie,  8(;<j 

But  al  in  floures  and  flourettes, 
Y-paintod  al  with  amorettes  ; 
And  witli  losonges  and  seochonns, 
With  briddes,  libardes,  and  lyouns. 
And  other  beestcs  wrought  ful  wel.       895 
His  garnement  was  everydel 


Y-portreyd  and  y-wrought  with  floiires. 
By  dj'^-ers  metlling  of  coloiires. 
Floures  ther  were  of  many  gj'se 
Y-set  by  compas  in  assyse  ;  gcxj 

Tlior  lakked  no  flour,  to  my  dome, 
Ne  nouglit  so  muche  as  flour  of  brome, 
Ne  viidete,  no  cek  pervenke, 
Ne  flour  non,  that  man  can  on  thenke  ; 
And  many  a  rose-leef  fill  long  905 

Was  entermedled  ther-among  : 
And  also  on  his  heed  was  set 
Of  roses  rede  a  chapelet. 
But  nightingales,  a  fnl  gret  roiite, 
That  flyen  over  his  heed  aboute,  910 

The  leves  felden  as  they  flyen  ; 
And  he  was  al  with  briddes  wryen, 
With  popinjay,  with  nightingale. 
With  chalaundre,  and  with  wodewale. 
With  finch, with  lark,andwith  archaungel. 
He  semede  as  he  were  an  aungel  916 

That  doun  were  comen  fro  hevene  clere. 
Swete-Loking. 
Love  hadde  with  him  a  bachelere. 
That  he  made  alweyes  with  him  be  ; 
SwETE-LoKiKG  cleped  was  lie.  yjo 

This  bachelere  stood  biholding 
The  daunee,  and  in  his  houde  holding 
•[Turke  bowes  two  hadde  he. 
That  oon  of  hem  was  of  a  tree 
That  beretli  a  fruyt  of  savour  wikke  ;  925 
Ful  crokcd  was  that  foulo  stikke, 
And  knotty  liero  and  there  also, 
And  blak  as  beiy,  or  any  slo. 
Tliat  other  bowe  was  of  a  plante 
Without  wem,  I  dar  warante,  930 

Ful  even,  and  by  proporcioun 
Tret.vs  and  long,  of  good  fasoun. 
And  it  was  poynted  wel  and  thwiten, 
,\nd  over-al  diapred  and  writen 
With  ladies  and  with  baehelcres,  9,^5 

Ful  lightsom  and  [ful]  glad  of  chores. 
Those  bowes  two  held  Sweto-Loking, 
Tliat  semed  lyk  no  gadding. 
And  ten  brode  arowes  held  he  there, 
Of  which  five  in  his  right  bond  were.  940 
But  thoy  wore  shaven  wel  and  dight, 
Nokked  and  fethcred  a-right  ; 
And  al  tlioy  were  with  gold  bigoon, 
And  strongo  poynted  everichoon, 
And  sharpe  for  to  kerven  wccL  945 

But  iron  was  ther  noon  ne  steel ; 


Fragment  A.] 


ZU  (Kotnaunf  of  tU  (Koee. 


For  al  was  gold,  men  mighte  it  see, 
Out-take  the  fetheres  and  the  tree. 
Beautee. 

The  swiftest  of  these  arowes  fy-ve 
Out  of  a  howe  for  to  dryve,  950 

And  best  [y]-fethered  for  to  flee, 
And  fairest  eelc,  was  cleped  Beautee. 

Simplesse. 
That  other  arowe,  that  hurteth  lesse, 
Was  cleiied,  as  I  trowe,  Simplesse. 

Fraunchyse. 
The  thridde  cleped  was  Fraunchyse,     955 
That  fethered  was,  in  noble  wyse, 
With  valour  and  with  curtesye. 

Companye. 
The  foiirthe  was  cleped  Companye, 
That  hevy  for  to  fshoten  is  ; 
But  who-so  sheteth  right,  y-wis,  960 

May  therwith  doon  gret  harm  and  wo. 

Fair-Semblaunt. 
The  fifte  of  these,  and  laste  also, 
Fair-Se.mulaunt  men  that  arowe  calle, 
The  leeste  grevou.s  of  hem  alle  ; 
Yit  can  it  make  a  ful  gret  wouude,       965 
But  he  may  hope  his  sores  soundo. 
That  hi^rt  is  with  that  arowe,  y-wis  ; 
His  wo  the  bet  bistowed  is. 
For  he  may  soner  have  gladnesse, 
His  langour  onghte  be  the  lesse.  970 

Fyve  arowes  were  of  other  gyse, 
That  been  ful  foule  to  devyse  ; 
For  shaft  and  ende,  sooth  to  telle. 
Were  al-so  blak  as  ieend  in  helle. 
Pryde. 

The  first  of  hem  is  called  Puvde  ;       975 
Vilanye. 
That  other  arowe  next  him  bisyde, 
It  was  [y]-cleped  Vilanye  ; 
That  arowe  was  as  with  fehmye 
Envenimed,  and  with  spitous  blame. 

Shame. 
The  thridde  of  hem  was  clejied  Shame.  980 

Wanhope. 
The  fourtho,  Wanhope  cleped  is, 

Newe-Thought. 
The  fifte,  the  NKWE-THout;irr,  y-wis. 

These  arowes  that  I  speke  of  here. 
Were  alle  fyve  fof  oon  manere, 
And  alle  were  they  reseml]lable.  985 

To  hem  was  wcl  sitting  and  able 
The  foule  croked  bowe  hidous, 


That  knotty  was,  and  al  roynous. 
That  howe  semede  wel  to  shete 
These  arowes  fyve,  that  been  unmete,  990 
Contrarie  to  that  other  iyve. 
But  though  I  telle  not  as  blyve 
Of  hir  power,  ne  of  hir  might, 
Her-after  shal  I  tellen  right 
The  sothe,  and  eek  sigiiifiavmcc,  995 

As  fer  as  I  have  remembraunce  : 
Al  shal  be  seid,  I  undertake, 
Er  of  this  boke  an  ende  I  make. 
Now  come  I  to  my  tale  ageyn. 
But  alderfirst,  I  wol  you  seyn  kxk) 

The  fasoun  and  the  countenaunces 
Of  al  the  folk  that  on  the  daunce  is. 
The  God  of  Love,  jolyf  and  light, 
Ladde  on  his  honde  a  lady  bright, 
Of  high  prys,  and  of  greet  degree.        1005 

Beautee. 
This  lady  called  was  Beautee, 
+  As  was  an  arowe,  of  which  I  tolde. 
Ful  wel  [y]-thewed  was  she  holde  ; 
Ne  she  was  derk  ne  broun,  but  bright, 
And  cleer  as  [is]  the  mone-light,  loio 

Ageyn  whom  alle  the  sterres  semen 
But  smale  candels,  as  we  demen. 
Hir  flesh  was  tendre  as  dewe  of  flour, 
Hir  chere  was  simple  as  byrde  in  hour  ; 
As  whyt  as  lilie  or  rose  in  rys  1015 

Hir  face,  gentil  and  tretys. 
Fetys  she  was,  and  smal  to  see  ; 
No  fwindred  browes  hadde  she, 
Ne  poi^ped  hir,  for  it  neded  nought 
To  windre  hir,  or  to  peynte  hir  ought.  lo.'o 
Hir  tresses  yelowe  and  longe  straugliten, 
Unto  hir  heles  doun  they  raughten  : 
Hir  nose,  hir  month,  and  ej^e  and  cheke 
Wel  wrought,  and  al  the  remenai\nt  eke. 
A  ful  gret  savoui'  and  a  swote  1025 

Me  -j-thinketh  in  myn  herte  rote, 
As  heli^e  me  god,  whan  I  remembre 
Of  the  fasoun  of  every  membro  ! 
In  world  is  noon  so  fair  a  wight  ; 
For  yong  she  was,  and  hewed  bright,    1030 
fWys,  plesaunt,  and  fetys  withalle, 
Gcnte,  and  in  hir  niiddel  smalle. 

Richesse. 
Bisyde  Beaute  ycdo  IIichesse, 
f  An  high  lady  of  greet  noblesse. 
And  greet  of  pi-ys  in  cveiy  place.  1035 

But  who-so  durste  to  hir  trespace, 


»5 


ZU  (Rowauni  of  tU  (^ost. 


[Fhagment  a. 


Or  til  hir  folk,  in  fworde  or  dede, 

He  wore  ful  liardy,  out  of  drede  ; 

For  bothe  she  lielpe  and  hindre  may  : 

And  that  is  nought  of  yisterday  1040 

That  riclie  folk  have  ful  gret  might 

To  helpe,  and  eek  to  greve  a  wight. 

The  bestc  and  grettest  of  valour 

Diden  Richesse  ful  gret  honour, 

And  besy  weren  liir  to  sei'v-e  ;  1045 

For  that  they  wolde  hir  love  deserve, 

They  cleped  hir  '  Lady,'  grete  and  smalle  ; 

Tliis  wj-de  world  hir  dredeth  alle  ; 

Tliis  world  is  al  in  hir  daungere. 

Hir  court  hath  many  a  losengere,        1050 

And  many  a  traytour  envious, 

That  been  ful  besy  and  curious 

For  to  dispreisen,  and  to  blame 

That  best  deserven  love  and  name. 

Bifore  the  folk,  heni  to  bigylen,  T055 

These  losengeres  hem  preyse,  and  smylen, 

And  thus  the  world  with  word  anoynten  ; 

But  afterward  they  -j-prikke  and  poynten 

The  folk  right  to  the  bare  boon, 

Bihinde  her  bak  whan  they  ben  goon, 

And  foule  abate  the  folkes  prys.  1061 

Ful  many  a  worthy  man  and  a\ts, 

An  hundred,  have  [they]  don  to  dye. 

These  losengeres,  through  flaterv-e  ; 

And  maketh  folk  ful  straunge  be,        1065 

Ther-as  hem  oughte  be  prive. 

Wei  yvel  inoto  they  tlirj-^-e  and  thee. 

And  yycl  ary^'ed  mote  they  be. 

These  losengeres,  ful  of  en\'j'e  ! 

No  good  man  loveth  hir  companye.     1070 

Richesse  a  robe  of  pui-pre  on  hadde, 
Ne  trowe  not  that  I  lye  or  madde  ; 
For  in  this  world  is  noon  it  liche, 
Ne  by  a  thousand  deel  so  riche, 
Ne  noon  so  fair  ;  lor  it  ful  wel  1075 

With  orfrays  leyd  was  everydel, 
And  portrayed  in  the  ribaninges 
Of  dukes  stories,  and  of  kinges. 
And  with  a  bend  of  gold  tasseled, 
And  knf)ppes  fyne  of  gold  fameled.    1080 
Aboute  hir  nekke  of  gentil  entaile 
Was  shet  the  riche  chevesaile, 
In  which  ther  was  ful  gret  plentee 
Of  stones  clere  .and  bright  to  see. 

Rj-cliosse  a  girdol  hadde  upon,  1085 

The  bokcl  of  it  was  of  a  stoon 
Of  vertu  greet,  and  mochel  of  might ; 


For  who-so  bar  the  stoon  so  bright. 
Of  venim  -j-thurte  him  no-thing  doute, 
.While  he  the  stoon  hadde  him  aboute. 
That  stoon  was  greetly  for  to  love,      1091 
And  til  a  riche  mannes  bihove 
Worth  al  the  gold  in  Rome  and  Fryse. 
The  moiirdaiint,  wought  in  noble  wyse, 
Was  of  a  stoon  ful  precious,  1095 

That  was  so  fyn  and  vertuous. 
That  liool  a  man  it  coiide  make 
Of  palasye,  and  of  tootli-ake. 
And  yit  the  stoon  hadde  suche  a  grace, 
That  he  was  siker  in  every  place,         1100 
Al  thilke  day,  not  blind  to  been, 
That  fasting  mighte  that  stoon  seen. 
The  barres  were  of  gold  ful  fyne, 
Upon  a  tissu  of  satj'ne, 
Ful  he\">%  greet,  and  nij-thing  light,    1105 
In  everieh  was  a  besaunt-wight. 

Upon  the  tresses  of  Richesse 
Was  set  a  cercle,  for  noblesse. 
Of  brend  gold,  that  ful  lighte  shoon  ; 
So  fair,  trowe  I,  was  never  noon.  11 10 

But  he  were  cunning,  for  the  nones, 
That  coude  devysen  alle  the  stones 
That  in  that  cercle  sheweu  clere ; 
It  is  a  wonder  thing  to  here. 
For  no  man  coude  preyse  or  gosse        1 1 15 
Of  hem  the  valewe  or  richesse. 
Rubyes  there  were,  saphj'res,  fjagounces, 
And  cmoraudes,  more  than  two  ounces. 
But  al  bifore,  ful  sotilly, 
A  f;\Ti  carboucle  set  saugh  I.  1120 

The  stoon  so  cleer  was  and  so  bright, 
Tliat,  al-so  sone  as  it  was  night, 
Men  mighte  seen  to  go,  for  nede, 
A  myle  or  two,  in  lengthe  and  brede. 
Swich  light  [tho]  sprang  out  of  the  stoon, 
That  Richesse  wonder  brighte  shoon,  iij6 
Bothe  hir  heed,  and  al  hir  face, 
And  eke  aboute  hir  al  the  place. 

Dame  Richesse  on  hir  hond  gan  lede 


A  j'ong  man  ful  of  semelihedc, 
That  she  best  loved  of  an.v  thing  ; 
His  lust  was  muche  in  housholding. 
In  clothing  was  he  ful  fetys. 
And  lovedo  wel  have  hors  of  prj-s. 
He  wcnde  to  have  reproved  be 
Of  thefte  or  mordre,  if  that  he 
Hadde  in  his  stable  an  hakeney. 
And  thcrfore  he  desyred  ay 


1 130 


"35 


Fragment  A.] 


ZU  (Romaunf  of  t^i.  (Hoec. 


To  been  aqueynted  with  Eichesse  ; 
For  al  his  purpos,  as  I  gesse,  1140 

Was  for  to  make  greet  dispense, 
Withoute  werning  or  defence. 
And  Eichesse  might  it  wel  sustene, 
And  liir  dis23enses  wel  majnitene, 
And  him  alwey  swich  plentee  sende    1145 
Of  gokl  and  silver  for  to  spende 
Withoute  lakking  or  daungere, 
As  it  were  x^oured  in  a  garnere. 
Largesse. 

And  after  on  the  daunce  wente 
Lakgessk.  that  sette  al  hir  entente      1150 
For  to  bo  honourable  and  free  ; 
Of  Alexandres  kin  was  she  ; 
Hir  nioste  joye  was,  y-wis. 
Whan  that  she  yaf,  and  seide  '  have  this.' 
Not  Avarice,  the  foule  captyf,  1 155 

Was  half  to  grj'pe  so  ententyf. 
As  Largesse  is  to  yeve  and  spende. 
And  god  y-uough  alwey  hir  sende. 
So  that  the  more  she  yaf  awey. 
The  more,  y-wis,  she  hadde  alwey.       1160 
Gret  loos  hath  Largesse,  and  gret  prys  ; 
For  bothe  wys  folk  and  unwys 
Were  hoolly  to  hir  baundon  brought, 
So  wel  with  yiftes  hath  she  wrought. 
And  if  she  hadde  an  enemy,  1165 

I  trowe,  that  she  cou.de  craftily 
Make  him  ful  sone  hir  freend  to  be, 
So  large  of  yift  and  free  was  she  ; 
Therfore  she  stood  in  love  and  grace 
Of  riche  and  povre  in  every  place.       11 70 
A  ful  gret  fool  is  he,  y-wis. 
That  bothe  riche  and  nigard  is. 
A  lord  may  have  no  nianer  vice 
That  greveth  more  than  avarice. 
For  nigard  never  with  strengthe  of  hond 
May  winne  him  greet  lordship  or  lond. 
For  freendes  al  to  fewc  hath  ho  1 177 

To  doon  his  wil  i^erfourmed  be. 
And  who-so  wol  have  freendes  here, 
He  may  not  holde  his  tresour  dere.     1180 
For  ))y  ensamisle  I  telle  this, 
Eiglit  as  an  adamaunt,  y-wis. 
Can  drawen  to  hini  sotilly 
The  yren,  that  is  leyd  thereby. 
So  draweth  folkes  hertcs,  y-wis,  1185 

Silver  and  gold  that  yeven  is. 

Largesse  hadde  on  a  robe  fresshe 
Of  riche  purpiu-  -|  Sarsinesshe. 


Wel  fourmed  was  hir  face  and  clere. 
And  ojjened  had  she  hir  colore  ;  1190 

For  she  right  there  hadde  in  present 
Unto  a  lady  maad  present 
Of  a  gold  broche,  ful  wel  wrought. 
And  certes,  it  missat  hir  nought ; 
For  through  hir  smokke,  wrought  with 
silk,  1195 

The  flesh  was  seen,  as  whyt  as  milk. 
Largesse,  that  worthy  was  and  wys, 
Held  by  the  honde  a  knight  of  prys, 
Was  sib  to  Arthour  of  Bretaigne. 
And  that  was  he  that  bar  the  enseig^e 
Of  worship,  and  the  fgonfanoun,  1201 

And  yit  he  is  of  swich  renoun. 
That  men  of  him  soye  faire  thinges 
Bifore  barouns,  erles,  and  kinges. 
This  knight  was  comen  al  newely        1205 
Fro  tourneyinge  faste  by  ; 
Ther  hadde  he  doon  gret  chivalrye 
Through  his  vertu  and  his  maistrye  ; 
And  for  the  love  of  his  lemman 
f  Had  cast  doun  many  a  dovightyman.  12 10 
Fraunchyse. 
And  next  him  daunced  dame  Fuaun- 

CHYSE, 

Arrayed  in  ful  noble  gyse. 

She  was  not  broun  ne  dun  of  liewe. 

But  whyt  as  snowe  y-fallen  uewe. 

Hir  nose  was  wrought  at  poynt  devys,i2i5 

For  it  was  gentil  and  tretys  ; 

With  eyen  gladde,  and  browes  bente  ; 

Hir  heer  doun  to  hir  helcs  wente. 

And  she  was  simple  as  dowve  on  tree, 

Ful  debonaire  of  herte  was  she.  1220 

She  diirste  never  sej'n  ne  do 

But  that  [thing]  that  hir  longed  to. 

And  if  a  man  were  in  distresse. 

And  for  hir  love  in  hevinesse, 

Hir  herte  wolde  have  ful  greet  iiitee,  1225 

She  was  so  amiable  and  free. 

For  were  a  man  for  hir  bistad. 

She  wolde  ben  right  sore  adi'ad 

That  she  dide  over  greet  outrage. 

But  she  him  holpo  his  harm  to  aswage ; 


Hir  thoughte  it  clles  a  vilanye. 
And  she  hadde  on  a  sukkonye. 
That  not  of  -j-hempen  hordes  was  ; 
So  fair  was  noon  in  alle  Arras. 
Lord,  it  was  rideled  fetysly  ! 
Ther  nas  nat  f  00  poynt,  trewely, 


-'3' 


1-235 


14 


ZU  (Komaunt  of  tU  (Hoee. 


[Fragment  A. 


That  it  lias  in  li  is  right  assyse. 

Fill  wel  y-clothed  was  Fraunchyse  ; 

For  ther  is  no  cloth  sitteth  hot 

On  daniiselle,  than  doth  roket.  1240 

A  womman  wel  rnore  fetys  is 

In  roket  than  in  cote,  y-wis. 

The  whyte  roket,  rideled  fairo, 

tBitokened,  that  ful  debonairo 

And  swete  was  she  that  it  here.  1245 

By  hir  daiinced  a  bachelerc  ; 
I  can  not  telle  you  wliat  he  highte, 
But  fair  he  was,  and  of  good  highte, 
Al  hadde  he  he,  I  sey  no  more. 
The  lordes  sone  of  Windesore.  1250 

Curtesye. 

And  next  that  daunced  Curtesye, 
That  preised  was  of  lowe  and  hye. 
For  neither  proud  ne  fool  was  she. 
She  for  to  daunce  called  me, 
(I  pray  god  yeve  hir  right  good  grace  !)  1255 
Whan  I  com  first  into  the  place. 
She  was  not  nyce,  ne  outrageous. 
But  wj's  and  war,  and  vertuous. 
Of  faire  speche,  and  faire  answere  ; 
Was  never  wight  misseid  of  here  ;       1260 
She  bar  no  rancour  to  no  wight. 
Cleer  broun  she  was,  and  therto  bright 
Of  face,  of  body  avenaunt  ; 
I  wot  no  lady  so  plesaunt. 
She  were  worthy  for  to  bene  1265 

An  emperesse  or  crouned  quone. 

And  by  hir  wente  a  knight  dauncing 
That  worthy  was  and  wel  speking, 
And  ful  wel  coudo  he  doon  honour. 
The  knight  was  fair  and  stif  in  stour,  1270 
And  in  armure  a  somely  man. 
And  wel  biloved  of  his  lemman. 
Ydelnesse. 

Fair  Ydelnksse  than  saugh  I, 
That  alwey  was  nao  i'aste  by. 
Of  hir  have  I,  withouten  fayle,  1275 

Told  yow  the  shap  and  aparaylo  ; 
For  (as  I  seide)  lo,  that  was  sho 
That  dide  me  so  groat  bountee. 
That  she  the  gate  of  the  gardin 
I'ndide,  and  leet  me  passen  in.  1280 

Youthe. 

And  after  daunced,  as  I  gesse, 
+YouTnK,  fulfild  of  lustinesse. 
That  nas  not  yit  twelve  yeer  of  age. 
With  herte  wilde,  and  thought  volage; 


Nyce  she  was,  biit  she  ne  mente  1285 

Noon  harm  ne  slight  in  hir  entente, 

But  only  lust  and  jolitee. 

For  yongo  folk,  wel  witen  ye, 

Have  litel  thought  but  on  h  ir  play. 

Hir  lemman  was  bisyde  alway,  1290 

In  swich  a  gyse,  that  he  hir  kiste 

At  alle  tymes  that  him  liste. 

That  al  the  daunce  mighte  it  see  ; 

They  make  no  force  of  privetee  ; 

For  who  spak  of  hem  j-\'el  or  wel,         1295 

They  were  ashamed  never-a-del. 

But  men  mighte  seen  hem  kisse  there, 

As  it  two  yonge  douves  were. 

For  yong  was  thilke  bachelere, 

Of  beaute  wot  I  noon  his  pere  ;  1300 

And  he  was  right  of  swich  an  age 

As  Youthe  his  leef,  and  swich  corage. 

The  lusty  folk  f  thus  daiinced  there, 
And  also  other  that  with  heni  were, 
That  weren  alle  of  hir  meynee  ;  1305 

Ful  hende  folk,  and  wj's,  and  free, 
And  folk  of  fair  port,  trewely, 
Ther  weren  alle  comunly. 

W^lan  I  hadde  seen  the  countenannces 
Of  hem  that  ladden  thws  these  daunces. 
Than  hadde  I  wil  to  goon  and  see         131 1 
The  gardin  that  so  lykod  me. 
And  loken  on  these  faire  floreres, 
On  p>ni-trees,  cedros,  an<l  oliveres. 
The  daunces  than  fy-cndcd  were  ;         1315 
For  many  of  hem  that  daunced  there 
Were  with  hir  loves  went  awey 
I'nder  the  trees  to  have  hir  pley. 

A,  lord  !  they  lived  histily  ! 
A  gret  fool  were  he,  sikerly,  1320 

That  nolde,  his  thankes,  swich  lyf  lede  ! 
For  this  dar  I  sejm,  out  of  dredc. 
That  who-so  mighte  so  wel  fare, 
For  lietter  lyf  f  thurte  him  not  care  ; 
For  ther  nis  so  good  paradys  1325 

As  have  a  love  at  his  de%ys. 

Out  of  tliat  place  wente  I  tho, 
And  in  that  gardin  gan  I  go, 
Pleying  along  ful  merily. 
The  Grod  of  Love  ful  hastely  1330 

Unto  him  Swctc-Loking  clepte. 
No  lenger  wolde  lie  that  -f-lio  kepte 
His  bowo  of  golde,  that  shoon  so  bright. 
Ho  i  bad  liim  bendo  it  anon-right  ; 
And  he  ful  sone  [it]  sette  f  on  eiide,     1335 


Fragment  A.] 


ZU  (Rowaunf  of  tU  (S^oei. 


15 


And  at  a  braid  he  gan  it  bendo, 
And  took  him  of  his  arowes  fy\'e, 
Fill  sharpe  and  redy  for  to  dryve. 
Now  god  that  sit  in  magestee 
Fro  deedly  woundes  kepe  me,  'H" 

If  so  be  that  he  ■f-wol  me  shete  ; 
For  if  I  with  his  arowe  mete, 
It  f  wol  me  greven  sore,  y-wis  ! 
But  I,  that  no-thing  wiste  of  this, 
Wente  up  and  doun  ful  many  a  wey,   1345 
And  he  me  folwed  faste  alvvey ; 
But  no-wher  wolde  I  reste  me. 
Til  I  hadde  al  the  f  yerde  in  be. 
The  gardin  was,  by  mesuring. 
Right  even  and  squar  in  compassing ;  1350 
It  was  as  long  as  it  was  large. 

The  Trees. 
Of  fnij't  hadde  every  tree  his  charge. 
But  it  were  any  hidous  tree 
Of  which  ther  were  two  or  three. 
Ther  were,  and  that  wot  I  ful  wel,       1355 
Of  pomgarnettes  a  ful  gret  del  ; 
That  is  a  fruj-t  ful  wel  to  lyke. 
Namely  to  folk  whan  they  ben  syke. 
And  trees  ther  were,  greet  foisoun. 
That  baren  notes  in  hir  sesonn,  1361) 

Such  as  men  notemigges  calle. 
That  swote  of  savoiir  been  withalle. 
And  alemandres  greet  plenteo, 
Figes,  and  many  a  date-tree 
Ther  weren,  if  men  hadde  nede,  1365 

Throvigh  the  fyerd  in  length  and  brede. 
Ther  was  eek  wexing  many  a  spyce. 
As  clow-gelofre,  and  licorj-ce, 
Gingere,  and  greyn  de  -fparadj-s, 
Canelle,  and  setewale  of  prys,  1370 

And  many  a  spyce  delitable, 
To  cten  whan  men  ryse  fro  table. 
And  many  hoomly  trees  ther  were. 
That  peches,  coynes,  and  apples  here, 
Medlers,  ploumes,  peres,  chesteynes,    1375 
Cheryse,  of  whiche  manj'  on  faj-n  is. 
Notes,  aleys,  and  bolas, 
That  for  to  seen  it  was  solas  ; 
With  many  high  lorer  and  pj-n 
Was  renged  clene  al  that  gaidyn  ;       1380 
With  cijares,  and  with  olivcres. 
Of  which  that  nigh  no  plente  here  is. 
Ther  were  elmes  grete  and  stronge. 
Maples,  asShe,  00k,  ash,  planes  longe, 
Fyn  ew,  popler,  and  lindes  faire,  1385 


And  others  trees  ful  many  a  payre. 

What  sholde  I  telle  you  more  of  it  V 
Ther  were  so  many  trees  yit. 
That  I  sholde  al  encombred  be 
Er  I  had  rekened  every  tree.  i3i>o 

These  trees  were  set,  that  I  devyse, 
Oon  from  another,  in  assyse, 
Five  fadome  or  sixe,  I  trowe  so. 
But  they  were  hye  and  grete  also  : 
And  for  to  kepe  out  wel  the  sonne,      1395 
The  croppes  were  so  thikke  j'-ronne, 
And  every  braunch  in  other  -fknet. 
And  ful  of  grene  leves  fset. 
That  Sonne  niighte  noon  descende. 
Lest  [it]  the  tendrc  grasses  shende.      1400 
Ther  mighte  men  does  and  roes  y-see. 
And  of  squirels  ful  greet  plentee. 
From  bough  to  bough  alwey  leping. 
Conies  ther  were  also  playing, 
That  comen  out  of  hir  claperes  1405 

Of  son  dry  colours  and  maneres, 
And  niaden  many  a  turuej'ing 
Upon  the  fresshe  gras  si)ringing. 
The  Welles. 

In  places  saw  I  welles  there. 
In  wliiche  ther  no  frogges  were,  1410 

And  fair  in  shadwe  was  every  welle  ; 
But  I  ne  can  the  nombre  telle 
Of  stremes  smale,  that  bj'  devys 
Mirthe  had  don  come  through  condj'S. 
Of  which  the  water,  in  renning,  1415 

Gan  make  a  noyse  ful  lyking. 

About  the  brinkes  of  thiso  welles, 
And  liy  the  stremes  over-al  elles 
Sprang  up  the  gras,  as  thikke  y-set 
And  softe  as  any  veluet,  1420 

On  which  men  mighte  his  lemman  leye. 
As  on  a  fetherbed,  to  pleye. 
For  th'erthe  was  ful  softe  and  swete. 
Through  moisture  of  the  welle  wete 
Sprang  uj}  the  sote  grene  gras,  1425 

As  fair,  as  thikke,  as  mister  was. 
But  muche  amended  it  the  place, 
That  th'erthe  was  of  swich  a  grace 
That  it  of  floures  had  i)loiite, 
That  both  in  somer  and  winter  be.       1430 

Ther  sprang  the  violctc  al  newe. 
And  fresshe  pervinke,  richo  of  hewe, 
And  flonres  yelowe,  whyte,  and  rede  ; 
Swich  plentee  grow  ther  never  in  mede. 
Ful  gay  was  al  the  ground,  and  queynt. 


i6 


Z^t  (Rowautit  of  iU  (Roee. 


[Fragment  A. 


And  poudred,  as  men  bad  it  peynt,     1436 
With  many  a  fresh  and  sondiy  flour, 
That  casteii  iip  ful  good  savour. 

I  wol  iKjt  longe  hokle  you  in  fable 
Of  al  this  gardin  fdolitable.  144" 

I  moot  my  touge  stinten  nede, 
For  I  ne  may,  withoutcii  drede. 
Naught  tellen  you  the  beautee  al, 
Ne  half  the  bountee  therewithal. 

I  wente  on  right  honde  and  on  left  1445 
Aboute  the  place  ;  it  was  not  left. 
Til  I  hadde  al  the  +yerde  in  been. 
In  the  festres  that  men  mighte  seen. 
And  thus  whyle  I  wente  in  my  pley, 
The  God  of  Love  me  folowed  ay,  •45'> 

Right  as  an  hunter  can  abyde 
The  beste,  til  he  seeth  his  tyde 
To  fshete,  at  good  mes,  to  the  dere, 
Whan  that  him  nedeth  go  no  nere. 

And  so  befil,  I  rested  me  1455 

Besyde  a  welle,  under  a  tree. 
Which  tree  in  Fraunce  men  call  a  pyn. 
But,  sith  the  tyme  of  king  Pepyn, 
Ne  grew  ther  tree  in  mannes  sightc 
So  fair,  ne  so  wel  woxe  in  highte  ;       1460 
In  al  that  yerde  so  high  was  noon. 
And  springing  in  a  marlde-stoon 
Had  nature  set,  the  sothe  to  telle, 
Under  that  pyn-tree  a  welle. 
And  on  the  border,  al  withovite,  1465 

Was  writen,  in  the  stone  aboute, 
Lettres  smale,  that  seyden  thus, 
'  Here  starf  the  faire  Narcisus.' 
Narcisus. 

Narcisus  was  a  bacholcre. 
That  Love  had  caught  in  liis  daungcre. 
And  in  his  net  gan  him  so  streyne,      1471 
And  dide  him  so  to  wepe  and  plejme. 
That  nede  him  musto  his  lyf  forgo. 
For  a  fair  lady,  higlit  Echo, 
Him  loved  over  any  creature,  1475 

And  gan  for  him  swich  po,>aie  endiu'e, 
That  on  a  tyme  she  him  tolde, 
Thiit,  if  he  hir  loven  nolde. 
That  liir  behoved  nodes  dye, 
Ther  lay  non  other  remedye.  1480 

But  nat holes,  for  his  beautee. 
So  fiers  and  daungerous  was  he, 
That  he  nolde  grauntcn  hir  asking, 
For  weping,  no  lor  fair  praying. 
And  whan  she  herde  him  wernc  hir  so, 


She  hadde  in  herte  so  gret  wo,  i486 

And  took  it  in  so  gret  disjayt, 
That  she,  withoute  more  respyt, 
Was  deed  anoon.     But,  er  she  deyde, 
Ful  pitously  to  god  she  preyde,  i4<)o 

That  proude-herted  Narcisus, 
That  was  in  love  so  daungerous, 
Mighte  on  a  day  ben  hampred  so 
For  love,  and  been  so  hoot  for  wo, 
That  never  he  mighte  joye  attejTie  ;   1495 
Than  shulde  he  fele  in  every  veyne 
What  sorowe  trewe  lovers  maken. 
That  been  so  f  vilaynsly  forsaken. 

This  prayer  was  but  rasonable, 
Therfor  god  hold  it  ferme  and  stable :  i^tx) 
For  Narcisus,  shortly  to  telle. 
By  aventure  com  to  that  welle 
To  reste  him  in  that  shadowing 
A  day,  whan  he  coni  fro  hunting. 
This  Narcisus  had  suffred  paynes        1505 
For  renning  alday  in  the  playnes, 
And  was  for  thurst  in  greet  distresse 
Of  hete,  and  of  his  werinesse 
That  hadde  his  breeth  almost  binomert 
Whan  he  was  to  that  wollc  y-comen,   1510 
That  shadwed  was  with  bratinches  grene. 
He  thoughto  of  thilke  water  shone 
To  drinke  and  fresshe  him  wel  withalle  : 
And  doun  on  knees  he  giin  to  falle. 
And    forth    his    heed    antl    nekko    out- 
straughto  15 15 

To  drinkon  of  that  welle  a  draughte. 
And  in  the  water  anoon  was  senc 
His  nose,  his  mouth,  his  yi'n  shene. 
And  he  ther-of  was  al  abasshed  ; 
His  owno  shadowo  had  liim  Jntrasshed. 
For  wol  wende  he  the  forme  see  i5_m 

Of  a  child  of  greet  beautoc. 
Wol  couthe  Lovo  him  wroko  tho 
Of  daunger  and  of  pryde  also 
That  Narcisus  somtymo  him  bore.        1525 
He  quitte  him  wel  his  guerdon  there  ; 
For  he  fso  musede  in  the  welle, 
That,  shortlj'  al  the  sothe  to  telle, 
Ho  lovodo  his  owne  shadowe  so, 
That  atto  laste  lie  starf  for  wo.  i5_vj 

For  whan  he  saugli  that  he  his  wille 
Mighte  in  no  manor  wey  fulfille. 
And  that  he  was  so  faste  caught 
That  he  him  couthe  comfort  naught. 
Ho  losto  his  wit  right  in  that  place,    1535 


Fragment  A. 


ZU  (Uowaunf  of  t^  (Koee. 


17 


And  deyde  witliin  a  litel  space. 
And  thus  his  warisoim  he  took 
For  the  lady  that  he  forsook. 

Ladyes,  I  preye  ensample  taketh, 
Ye  that  ayeins  your  love  mistaketh  :  1540 
For  if  hir  deeth  be  yow  to  wj'te, 
God  can  ful  wel  your  whyle  quyte. 

"WTian  that  this  lettre,  of  whiche  I  telle, 
Had  taught  mo  that  it  was  the  welle 
Of  Karcisus  in  his  beautee,  1545 

I  gan  anoon  withdrawe  me, 
WTian  it  fel  in  my  remembraunce, 
That  him  bitidde  swich  mischaunce. 

The  Welle. 
But  at  the  laste  than  thoughte  I, 
That  scatheles,  ful  sikerly,  1550 

I  mighte  unto  The  Welle  go. 
Wlierof  shulde  I  abasshen  so  ? 
Unto  the  welle  than  wente  I  me, 
And  doun  I  louted  for  to  sec 
The  clere  water  in  the  stoon,  1555 

And  eek  the  gravel,  which  that  shoon 
Down  in  the  botme,  as  silver  fyn  ; 
For  of  the  welle,  this  is  the  fvn. 
In  world  is  noon  so  cleer  of  hewe. 
The  water  is  ever  fresh  and  nowe         1560 
That  welmeth  up  in  wawes  brighte 
The  mountance  of  two  finger  highte. 
Abouten  it  is  gras  springing, 
For  moiste  so  thikke  and  wel  lyking. 
That  it  ne  may  in  winter  dye,  1-65 

No  more  than  may  the  see  be  drye. 

Do\\ai  at  the  botme  set  saw  I 
Two  (distal  stones  craftely 
In  thilko  fresshe  and  faire  welle. 
But  o  thing  soothly  dar  I  telle,  1570 

That  ye  wol  holde  a  greet  mcrvayle 
Wlian  it  is  told,  withoiiten  fayle. 
For  whan  the  sonne,  cleer  in  sighte, 
Cast  in  that  welle  his  hemes  brighte, 
And  that  the  heet  descended  is,  1575 

Than  taketh  the  cristal  stoon,  y-wis, 
Agaj-n  the  sonne  an  hiindred  hewes, 
Blewe,  yelowe,  and  rede,  that  fresh  and 

newe  is. 
Yit  hath  the  merveilous  cristal  1579 

Swich  strengthe,  that  the  place  overal, 
Bothe  fowl  and  tree,  and  leves  grene. 
And  al  the  yerd  in  it  is  sene. 
And  for  to  doon  you  understonde, 
To  make  ensample  wol  I  foude  ; 


Eight  as  a  mirour  openly  1585 

Sheweth  al  thing  that  stant  tlierby. 
As  wel  the  colour  as  the  figure, 
Withouten  any  coverture  ; 
Right  so  the  cristal  stoon,  shyning, 
Withouten  any  disceyving,  1590 

The  f  estres  of  the  yerde  accuseth 
To  him  that  in  the  water  niuseth  ; 
For  ever,  in  which  half  that  -f-he  be, 
•f  He  may  wel  half  the  gardin  see  ; 
And  if  he  turne,  he  may  right  wol       1595 
Seen  the  remenaunt  everydel. 
For  ther  is  noon  so  litel  thing 
So  hid,  ne  closed  with  shitting, 
That  it  ue  is  sene,  as  though  it  were 
Peynted  in  the  cristal  there.  i6oo 

This  is  the  mirour  perilous. 
In  which  the  provide  Narcisus 
Saw  al  his  face  fair  and  bright, 
That  made  him  sith  to  Ij-e  iipright. 
For  who-so  loke  in  that  mirour,  1605 

Ther  may  no-thing  ben  his  socour 
That  ho  no  shal  thor  seen  soni  thing 
That  shal  him  ledo  into  -f-loving. 
Ful  many  a  worthy  man  hath  it 
Y-blent  ;  for  folk  of  grettest  wit  1610 

Ben  sone  caught  here  and  awaj-ted  ; 
Withouten  respyt  been  they  baj-ted. 
Heer  comth  to  folk  of-newe  rage, 
Heer  chaungeth  niany  wight  corage  ; 
Heer  lyth  no  reed  ne  wit  therto  ;  1615 

For  Venus  sone,  daun  Cupido, 
Hath  sowen  there  of  love  the  seed, 
That  help  ne  lyth  ther  noon,  ne  reed, 
So  cercleth  it  the  welle  abouto. 
His  ginnes  hath  he  set  withoute  1620 

Right  for  to  cacche  in  his  panteres 
Those  damoysels  and  bacheleres. 
Love  will  noon  other  bridde  cacche. 
Though  he  sette  either  net  or  lacche.  i6-'4 
And  for  the  seed  that  heer  was  sowen. 
This  welle  is  doped,  as  wel  is  knowen, 
Tlie  Welle  of  Love,  of  verray  right. 
Of  which  ther  hath  ful  many  a  wight 
Sjioke  in  bokes  dy^•ersely. 
But  thoy  shulle  never  so  verily  1630 

Descripcioun  of  the  welle  here, 
No  eek  the  sothe  of  this  matere, 
As  ye  shulle,  whan  I  have  undo 
The  craft  that  hir  bilongoth  to. 

Alway  nio  lyked  for  to  dwelle,  1635 


i8 


Z^t  (Romaunf  of  (^  (Koee. 


[Praomext  a. 


To  seen  the  cristal  in  the  welle, 
That  shewed  me  ful  openly 
A  thousand  thinges  faste  by. 
Bnt  I  may  save,  in  sory  houre 
Stood  I  to  loken  or  to  poiire  ;  1640 

For  sithen  [have]  I  sore  -f  syked, 
That  mirour  hath  me  now  entrvkcd. 
But  hadde  I  first  knowen  in  my  wit 
The  vertue  and  [the]  fstrengthe  of  it, 
I  nohle  not  have  mused  there  ;  1645 

Me  hadde  bet  ben  elles-where  ; 
For  in  the  snare  I  fel  anoon, 
Tliat  hath  f  bitraisshed  many  oon. 
The  Roser. 
In  thilke  mirour  saw  I  tho, 
Among  a  thousand  thinges  mo,  1650 

A  uosKR  charged  ful  of  roses, 
That  with  an  hegge  aboi^te  enclos  is. 
Tho  had  I  swich  lust  and  envye, 
That,  for  Parys  ne  for  Pavye, 
Nolde  I  have  left  to  goon  and  see         1655 
Tlier  grettest  hepe  of  roses  be. 
\Vlian  I  was  with  this  rage  hent. 
That  caught  hath  many  a  man  and  shent, 
Toward  the  roser  gan  I  go. 
And  whan  I  was  not  fer  therfro,  :6fio 

The  savour  of  the  roses  swote 
Me  smoot  right  to  the  herte  rote, 
As  I  hadde  al  embawmed  -|-be. 
And  if  I  ne  hadde  endouted  me 
To  have  ben  hated  or  assailed,  1665 

My  thankes,  -f-wolde  I  not  have  failed 
To  puUe  a  rose  of  al  that  route 
To  bere[n]  in  myn  honde  aboute, 
And  smellen  to  it  wher  I  wento  ; 
But  ever  I  dredde  me  to  repente,         1670 


And  lest  it  greved  or  for-thoughte 
The  lord  that  thilke  gardyn  wroughte. 
Of  roses  were  ther  gret  woon, 
So  faire  f  wexe  never  in  roon. 
Of  knoppes  clos,  some  saw  I  there,       1675 
And  some  wel  beter  woxen  were  ; 
And  some  ther  been  of  other  moysoim, 
That  drowe  nigh  to  hir  sesoun, 
And  spedde  hem  faste  for  to  sprede  ; 
I  love  wel  swiche  roses  rede  ;  16X0 

For  brode  roses,  and  open  also, 
Ben  passed  in  a  day  or  two  ; 
But  knoppes  wilen  fresshe  be 
Two  dayes  atte  leest,  or  three. 
The  knoppes  gretly  lyked  me,  10X5 

For  fairer  may  ther  no  man  see. 
Who-so  mighte  have[n]  oon  of  alle, 
It  oughte  him  been  ful  leef  withalle. 
Mighte  I  [a]  gerlond  of  Iiem  geten, 
For  no  richesse  I  wolde  it  leten.  if>()<i 

The  Knoppe. 
Among  THE  kxoppes  I  chees  oon 
So  fair,  that  of  the  remenaunt  noon 
Ne  preyse  I  half  so  wel  as  it, 
Whan  I  a\'yse  it  in  my  wit. 
For  it  so  wel  was  enlumyned  iO(i5 

With  colour  reed,  as  wel  [y]-f;\niod 
As  nature  couthe  it  make  iaire. 
And  it  fhad  leves  wel  foure  paire, 
That  Kinde  had  set  through  his  knowing 
About  tho  rede  +rose  springing.  17011 

The  stalke  was  as  risshe  right, 
And  theron  stood  the  knoppe  upriglit. 
That  it  ne  bowed  upon  no  syde. 
Tlie  swote  smelle  sprong  so  wydo 
That  it  dide  al  the  place  aboiite —       1705 


FRAGMENT    B. 


[T.inc   1705  is  inromplefe,  ns  the.  sentence  has  no  verh.     Here  the  (lemdne  portion  enils 
Line  1706  (jivcs  a  false  rime,  and  is  by  another  hand.] 


Whan  T  had  smelled  the  savour  swote. 
No  willo  liaddo  I  fro  thens  yit  go, 
But  .soindel  neer  it  wento  I  tho 
To  take  it ;  but  myn  bond,  for  drede, 
Ne  dorste  I  to  the  rose  bede,  17 

For  thistels  sharpe,  of  many  maneres, 
Netles,  thornes,  and  hokcd  breres  ; 


f  Ful  muche  they  distourbled  me, 
For  sore  I  draddo  to  harmed  be. 

The  God  of  Love,  with  bowe  bent. 
Tliat  al  day  set  hadde  his  talent 
To  pursuen  and  to  spyen  me. 
Was  stonding  by  a  fige-tree. 
And  whan  he  sawe  how  that  I 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (Romaunf  of  t^  (Uoee. 


19 


Had  chosen  so  ententifly  i;2() 

The  -t-botoun,  more  unto  my  pay 
Than  any  other  that  I  say, 
He  took  an  arowe  inl  sharply  whet, 
And  in  his  bowe  whan  it  was  set, 
He  streight  up  to  his  ere  drough  1725 

The  stronge  bowe,  that  was  so  tough, 
And  shet  at  me  so  wonder  smerte. 
That  through  myn  eye  unto  myn  herte 
The  takel  smoot,  and  depe  it  wente. 
And  ther-with-al  such  cokl  me  hente. 
That,  under  clothes  warme  and  solte,  1731 
f  Sith  that  day  I  have  chevered  ofte. 

Wlian  I  was  hurt  thus  in  [that]  stounde, 
I  fel  doun  plat  unto  the  grounde. 
Myn  herte  failed  and  feynted  ay,  1735 

And  long  tyme  [ther]  a-swone  I  lay. 
But  whan  I  com  out  of  swoning, 
And  hadde  wit,  and  my  feling, 
I  was  al  maat,  and  wende  ful  wel 
Of  blood  have  loren  a  ful  gret  del.        1 740 
But  certes,  the  arowe  that  in  me  stood 
Of  me  ne  drew  no  drope  of  blood, 
For-why  I  found  my  wounde  al  dreye. 
Than  took  I  with  mjii  hondis  twoye 
The  arowe,  and  ful  fast  out  it  plight,  1745 
And  in  the  pulling  sore  I  sight. 
So  at  the  last  the  shaft  of  tree 
I  drotigh  out,  with  the  fethers  three. 
But  yet  the  hoked  heed,  y-wis. 
The  whiclie  Beautee  callid  is,  1750 

Gan  so  depe  in  myn  herte  passe, 
That  I  it  mighte  nought  arace  ; 
But  in  myn  herte  stille  it  stood, 
Al  bledde  I  not  a  drope  of  blood. 
I  was  bothe  anguissous  and  trouble     1755 
For  the  peril  that  I  saw  double  ; 
I  niste  what  to  seye  or  do, 
Ne  gete  a  leche  my  woundis  "f-to  ; 
For  licit hir  thurgli  gras  ne  rote, 
Ne  hadde  I  help  of  hope  ne  bote.  1760 

But  to  the  botoun  ever-mo 
Myn  herte  drew  ;  for  al  my  wo, 
My  thought  was  in  non  other  thing. 
For  hadde  it  been  in  my  keping. 
It  wolde  have  brought  my  lyf  agayn.  1765 
For  fcerteinly,  I  dar  wel  seyn. 
The  sight  only,  and  the  savoiir, 
Alegged  muchc  of  my  langour. 

Than  gan  I  for  to  drawe  me 
Toward  the  botoun  fair  to  see  :  17-0 


And  Love  hadde  gete  him,  in  "l-a  throwe, 

Another  arowe  into  his  bowe. 

And  for  to  sheto  gan  him  dresse  ; 

Tlic  arowis  name  was  Sim^jlesse. 

And  whan  that  Love  gan  n3'ghe  me  nere, 

He  drow  it  up,  withouten  were,  1776 

And  shet  at  lue  with  al  his  might, 

So  that  this  arowe  anon-right 

Thourghout  [myn]  eigh,  as  it  was  founde. 

Into  myn  herte  hath  maad  a  wounde. 

Thanne  I  anoon  dide  al  my  crafte       1781 

For  to  draw  en  out  the  shafte. 

And  ther-with-al  I  sighed  eft. 

But  in  myn  herte  the  heed  was  left, 

Wliich  ay  encresid  niy  desyre,  1 7.S5 

Unto  the  botoun  drawe  nere  ; 

And  ever,  mo  that  me  was  "\vo. 

The  more  desyr  hadde  I  to  go 

Unto  the  roser,  where  that  grew 

The  fresshe  botoun  so  bi-ight  of  hewe.  1790 

Betir  me  were  have  leten  bo  ; 

But  it  bihovcd  nedes  mo 

To  don  right  as  myn  herte  bad. 

For  over  the  body  must  bo  lad 

Aftir  the  herte  ;  in  wele  and  wo,  1795 

Of  force  togidre  they  must  go. 

But  never  this  archer  wolde  fyne 

To  shete  at  me  with  all  his  pyne. 

And  for  to  make  me  to  him  mote. 

The  thridde  arowe  he  gan  to  sliete  i8tx> 
Wlian  best  his  tyme  he  mighte  espye, 
The  which  was  named  Curtesye  ; 
Inte  myn  herte  it  dide  avalo. 
A-swone  I  fel,  bothe  deed  and  pale  ; 
Long  tyme  I  lay,  and  stircd  nought,  1805 
Til  I  abraid  out  of  my  thought. 
And  faste  than  I  a\'ysed  me 
To  drawe[n]  out  the  shafte  of  tree  ; 
But  ever  the  heed  was  left  bihindo 
For  ought  I  couthe  pulle  or  winde,      iSid 
So  sore  it  stikid  whan  I  was  hit. 
That  by  no  craft  I  might  it  flit ; 
But  anguissoiis  and  ful  of  thought, 
I  f  felte  such  wo,  my  wounde  ay  wrought. 
That  somoned  me  alway  to  go  1815 

Toward  the  rose,  that  pleased  mo  so  ; 
But  I  ne  durste  in  no  manere, 
Bicauso  the  archer  was  so  nere. 
For  evermore  ghidly,  as  I  rede, 
Brent  child  of  fyr  hath  muche  drede.  1820 
And,  certis  yit,  for  al  my  peyne, 


ZU  (Homaunf  of  iU  (^oet. 


[Fraomest  B. 


Thongh  that  I  sigh  yit  arwis  reyne, 

And  groundo  quarols  sharpe  of  stele, 

Ne  for  no  pajaie  that  I  might  fele, 

Yit  might  I  not  my-silf  with-holde      1825 

Tlie  faire  roser  to  bihokle  ; 

For  Love  me  yaf  sich  hardement 

For  to  fuliille  his  commaundement. 

Upon  mj'  feet  I  roos  up  than 

Feble,  as  a  forwoundid  man  ;  1830 

And  forth  to  gon  [my]  might  I  setto, 

And  for  the  archer  nokle  I  lette. 

Toward  the  roser  fast  I  drow  ; 

But  thornes  sharjae  mo  than  y-now 

Ther  were,  and  also  thistels  thikke,     1S35 

And  hreres,  brimme  for  to  prikke, 

That  I  ne  mighte  gete  grace 

The  rowe  thornes  for  to  passe. 

To  sene  the  roses  fresshe  of  hewe, 

I  must  abide,  though  it  me  rewo,         1S40 

The  hegge  aboute  so  thikke  was. 

That  closid  the  roses  in  compas. 

But  o  thing  lyked  me  right  ^vele  ; 
I  was  so  nygh,  I  mighto  fele 
Of  the  botoun  tlie  swote  odour,  1845 

And  also  see  the  fresshe  colour  ; 
And  that  right  gretly  lyked  me. 
That  I  so  neer  fit  mighte  see. 
Sich  joye  anoon  therof  hadde  I, 
That  I  forgat  my  malady.  1S50 

To  sene  fit  hadde  I  sich  dolyt, 
Of  sorwe  and  angre  I  was  al  quit. 
And  of  my  woundes  that  I  had  f  thar ; 
For  nothing  lyken  me  might  f  mar 
Than  dwellcn  by  the  roser  ay,  1855 

And  then  lies  never  to  passe  away. 

But  whau  a  whyle  I  had  be  thar, 
The  God  of  Ijove,  which  al  to-shar 
Myn  herto  with  his  arwis  kene, 
f  Caste  him  to  yeve  mo  woundis  grene. 
Ho  shet  at  mo  ful  hastily  1861 

An  arwe  named  Company, 
Tlie  whiche  takel  is  ful  able 
To  make  these  ladies  mcrciable. 
Tluvn  I  anoon  gan  chaungcn  hewo      1865 
For  grevaunco  of  my  woundo  newe, 
That  I  agayn  fel  in  swoning. 
And  sighed  sore  in  compleyning. 
Sore  I  compleyned  that  my  sore 
On  mo  gan  greven  more  and  more.      1870 
I  had  non  hope  of  allegeaunco  ; 
So  nigh  I  drow  to  desperaunce, 


1875 


I  rought  of  dothe  ne  of  lyf, 

Whither  that  love  wolde  me  dryf. 

If  me  a  martir  wolde  he  make, 

I  might  his  power  nought  forsake. 

And  wliyl  for  anger  thus  I  w^ook, 

The  God  of  Love  an  arowe  took  ; 

Ful  sharp  it  was  and  [ful]  pugnaunt, 

Aiid  it  was  callid  Fair-Semblaunt,       1880 

The  which  in  no  wys  wol  consente, 

That  any  lover  him  repente 

To  ser^'e  his  love  with  herte  and  alle, 

For  any  peril  that  may  bifalle. 

But  thovtgh  this  arwe  was  kene  grounde 

As  any  rasour  that  is  founde,  1886 

To  cutte  and  kerve,  at  the  poyut. 

The  God  of  Love  it  hadde  anoynt 

With  a  precious  oyiiement, 

Somdel  to  yeve  aleggement  1890 

L^pon  the  woundes  that  he  had 

Through  the  body  in  my  herte  maad, 

To  helpe  hir  sores,  and  to  cure. 

And  that  they  may  the  bet  endure. 

But  yit  this  arwe,  withoute  more,        1895 

Made  in  myn  herte  a  large  sore. 

That  in  ful  grot  peyne  I  abood. 

But  ay  the  oynement  wente  abrood  ; 

Throughout  my  woundes  large  and  wyde 

It  spredde  aboute  in  eveiy  syde  ;  1900 

Through  whos  vertu  and  whos  might 

Myn  herte  joyful  was  and  light. 

I  had  been  deed  and  al  to-shent 

But  for  the  precious  oynement. 

The  shaft  I  drow  out  of  the  arwe,        1905 

Iioking  for  wo  right  wondir  narwe  ; 

But  the  heed  which  made  me  sinerte, 

Lefte  biliinde  in  myn  herte 

With  other  foure,  I  dar  well  say, 

That  never  wol  be  take  away;  1910 

But  the  oynement  haljj  mo  wele. 

And  yit  sich  sorwe  dido  I  fele 

f  Of  my  woundes  fresshe  and  newe. 

That  al-day  I  chaunged  hewe, 

As  men  might  see  in  my  visage. 

The  arwis  were  so  fullo  of  rage. 

So  variaunt  of  diversitee, 

That  men  in  everich  mighte  see 

Both  gret  anoy  and  eek  swetnesse, 

And  joye  mejoit  with  bittirnesse, 

Xow  wore  they  esy,  n>w  where  thoy  wood, 

In  hem  I  felte  both  harm  and  good  ; 

Now  sore  without  aleggement, 


«9'5 


I92f> 


FKAGMEIfT  B.] 


ZU  (Rotnaunf  of  fU  (Roee. 


Now  fsoftening  with  oynement  ; 

It  softned  here,  and  fprikked  there,  1925 

Thus  eso  and  anger  togider  were. 

The  God  of  Love  deliverly 
Com  lepand  to  me  hastily, 
And  seide  to  me,  in  gret  rape, 
'  Yeld  thee,  for  thou  may  not  escape  !  1930 
May  no  defence  availe  thee  here  ; 
Therfore  I  rede  mak  no  daungere. 
If  thou  wolt  yekle  thee  hastily. 
Thou  shalt  [the]  rather  have  mercy. 
He  is  a  fool  in  sikernosse,  1935 

That  with  daunger  or  stoutnesse 
Eebellith  ther  that  he  shulde  plese  ; 
In  such  folye  is  litel  ese. 
Be  meek,  wher  thou  must  nedis  bowe  ; 
To  strj^-e  ageyn  is  nought  thy  prowo. 
Come  at  ones,  and  have  y-do,  1941 

For  I  wol  that  it  be  so. 
Than  j-eld  thee  here  debonairly.' 
And  I  answerid  ful  humbly, 
'Gladly,  sir  ;    at  your  bidding,  1945 

I  wol  me  yelde  in  alle  thing. 
To  your  ser\-yse  I  wol  me  take  ; 
For  god  defende  that  I  shvilde  make 
Ageyn  your  bidding  resistence  : 
I  wol  not  doon  so  gret  offence  ;  1950 

For  if  I  dide,  it  were  no  skile. 
Ye  may  do  with  me  what  ye  wile. 
Save  or  spille,  and  also  sloo  ; 
F'ro  you  in  no  wyse  maj'  I  go. 
My  lyf,  my  deth,  is  in  your  honde,      1955 
I  may  not  laste  out  of  your  bonde. 
Pleyn  at  your  list  I  yelde  me, 
Hoping  in  hcrte,  that  svimtyme  j'e 
Comfort  and  ese  shulle  me  sende  ; 
Or  ellis  shortly,  this  is  the  ende,         i960 
Withouten  helthe  I  moot  ay  dure, 
Biit-if  ye  take  me  to  your  cure. 
Comfort  or  helthe  how  shuld  I  have, 
Sith  ye  me  hurte,  btit  ye  me  save  ? 
The  helthe  of  flovers  moot  be  founde 
Wlier-as  they  token  tirste  hir  woimde. 
And  if  ye  list  of  me  to  make  1067 

Your  prisoner,  I  wol  it  take 
Of  herto  and  wil,  fully  at  gree. 
Hoolly  and  pleyn  I  yelde  me,  19-0 

Withoute  feyning  or  fe.^Tltyse, 
To  be  governed  by  yoiir  empryse. 
Of  you  I  here  so  much  prys, 
I  wol  ben  hool  at  your  devys 


For  to  fulfille  your  lyking  1975 

And  repente  for  no-thing, 

Hoping  to  have  yit  in  soni  tyde 

Mercy,  of  that  [that]  I  abyde.' 

And  with  that  covenaunt  yeld  I  me, 

Anoon  doun  kneling  upon  my  knee,  1980 

Profering  for  to  kisse  his  feet ; 

But  for  no-thing  he  wolde  me  lete, 

And  seide,  '  I  love  thee  bothe  and  preyse, 

Sen  that  th5ai  answer  doth  me  ese. 

For  thou  answerid  so  curteisly.  1985 

For  now  I  wot  wel  uttirlj^. 

That  thou  art  gentil,  by  thy  speche. 

For  though  a  man  fer  wolde  seche. 

He  shulde  not  finden,  in  certeyn. 

No  sich  answer  of  no  vileyn  ;  1990 

For  sich  a  word  ne  mighte  nought 

Isse  out  of  a  vilayns  thoiight. 

Thou  shalt  not  lesen  of  thy  siicclie, 

For  [to]  thy  helping  wol  I  eche, 

And  eek  encresen  that  I  may.  1995 

But  first  I  wol  that  thou  obay 

Fully,  for  thyn  avavintage. 

Anon  to  do  me  here  homage. 

And  sithe[n]  kisse  thou  shalt  my  mouth. 

Which  to  no  vilayn  was  never  couth  jooo 

For  to  aproche  it,  ne  for  to  touche  ; 

For  sauf  f  to  cherlis  I  ne  vouche 

That  they  shulle  never  neigh  it  nere. 

For  curteys,  and  of  fair  manere, 

Wel  taught,  and  ful  of  gcntilnesso      2005 

He  muste  ben,  that  shal  me  kisse. 

And  also  of  ful  high  fraitnchyse. 

That  shal  attojnie  to  that  cmprj-so. 

'  And  first  of  o  thing  warnc  I  thee. 
That  pejTie  and  gret  adversitee  201a 

He  mot  endure,  and  eek  travaile, 
That  shal  me  serve,  withoute  faile. 
But  ther-ageyns,  thee  to  comforte. 
And  with  thy  scrvise  to  desporte. 
Thou  mayst  ful  glad  and  joyful  bo      2015 
So  good  a  maister  to  have  as  me. 
And  lord  of  so  high  renoun. 
I  here  of  Love  the  gonfanoun, 
Of  Curtesyo  the  banere  ; 
For  I  am  of  the  silf  manere,  2020 

Gentil,  curteys,  meek  and  free  ; 
That  who  [so]  ever  ententif  bo 
Me  to  honouro,  douto,  and  servo. 
And  also  that  lie  him  observe 
Fro  trespas  and  fro  vilanyo,  2025 


tU  (B«wauttf  of  t^t  (Hoee. 


[Fraomekt  B. 


2035 


And  him  goveme  in  curtesj-e 
With  wil  and  with  entencioun  , 
For  whan  he  first  in  my  prisoun 
Is  caught,  than  muste  he  uttirlj', 
Fro  thennes-forth  fol  bisily, 
Caste  him  gentil  for  to  be, 
If  he  desjTe  helpe  of  me.' 

Anoon  withouten  more  delay, 
Withouten  daunger  or  affray, 
I  bicom  his  man  anoon. 
And  gave  him  thankes  many  a  oon, 
And  kneled  doun  with  hondis  joynt, 
And  made  it  in  my  port  ful  -t-quojiit  ; 
The  joye  wente  to  myn  herte  rote. 
AMian  I  had  kissed  his  moiith  so  swote, 
I  had  sich  mirthe  and  sich  lyking,      2041 
It  cured  me  of  languisshing. 
He  askid  of  me  than  hostages  : — 
'  I  have,'  he  seide,  '  -f-tan  fele  homages 
Of  oon  and  other,  where  I  have  been  2045 
+Disceyved  ofte,  withouten  wene. 
These  felouns,  fuUe  of  falsitee, 
Ha%'e  many  sji:hes  bigyled  rae. 
And  through  falshede  hir  lust  acheved, 
Wherof  I  repente  and  am  ag^eved.      2050 
And  I  hem  gete  in  my  daungere, 
Hir  falshed  shulle  they  bye  ful  dere. 
But  for  I  love  thee,  I  seye  thee  plejni, 
I  wol  of  thee  be  raore  certejTi  ; 
For  thee  so  sore  I  wol  now  bindo,        2055 
That  thou  away  ne  shalt  not  ■winde 
For  to  denyen  the  covenaunt, 
Or  doon  that  is  not  avenaunt. 
That  thou  were  fals  it  were  greet  retithe, 
Sith  thou  scmest  so  ful  of  treuthe.'     2060 

'  Sire,  if  thee  list  to  undirstande, 
I  merveile  thee  asking  this  demande. 
For-why  or  wherfore  shulde  ye 
Ostages  or  borwis  aske  of  me. 
Or  any  other  sikimesse, 
Sith  ye  wote,  in  sothfastnesse. 
That  ye  have  me  ■f-surprysed  so. 
And  hool  myn  herte  f  tan  me  fro, 
Tliat  it  wol  do  for  me  no-thing 
But-if  it  be  at  your  bidding  ? 
M>-n  herte  is  yours,  and  mjTi  riglit  nought, 
As  it  bihovetb,  in  dede  and  thought, 
Rody  in  alle  to  worche  your  willo, 
Whether  so  [it]  tume  to  good  or  ille. 
So  sore  it  lustith  you  to  plese,  2075 

No  man  therof  may  you  "t-disseise. 


206.'; 


2070 


2080 


2085 


Ye  have  theron  set  sich  justise. 
That  it  is  werreyd  in  many  wise. 
And  if  ye  doute  it  nolde  obeye, 
Ye  may  therof  do  make  a  keye, 
And  holde  it  with  you  for  ostage.' 
'  Now  oertis,  this  is  noon  outrage,' 
Quoth  Love,  '  and  fully  I  accord  ; 
For  of  the  body  he  is  ful  lord 
That  hath  the  herte  in  his  tresor  ; 
Outrage  it  were  to  asken  more.' 

Than  of  his  aumener  he  drough 
A  litel  keye,  fetys  y-no\igh, 
Wliich  was  of  gold  polisshed  clere, 
And  seide  to  me,  '  With  this  keye  here 
Thyn  herte  to  me  now  wol  I  shette  ;  2091 
For  al  my  jowellis  loke  and  knette 
I  binde  under  this  litel  keye. 
That  no  wight  may  carye  aweye  ; 
This  keye  is  ful  of  gret  poosto.'  2095 

With  which  anoon  he  touchid  me 
Undir  the  syde  ful  softely. 
That  he  myn  herte  sodej-nly 
Without  [al]  anoy  had  spered, 
That  yit  right  nought  it  hath  me  dered. 
MHian  he  had  doon  his  wil  al-out,       2101 
And  I  had  put  him  out  of  dout, 
'  Sire,'  I  seide,  '  I  have  right  gret  wille 
Your  lust  and  plesaunce  to  fullille. 
Loke  ye  my  serv'ise  take  at  gree,  2105 

By  thilke  feith  ye  owe  to  me. 
I  seye  nought  for  recreaundyse. 
For  I  nought  doute  of  your  servyse. 
But  tlie  ser\'aunt  traveileth  in  vaj-ne, 
That  for  to  serven  doth  his  payne        2110 
Unto  that  lord,  which  in  no  wj-se 
Can  him  no  thank  for  his  servyse.' 

Love  seide,  '  Dismayo  thee  nought, 
Sin  thou  for  sucour  hast  me  sought. 
In  thank  thy  ser\-ise  wol  I  take,  21 15 

And  liigh  of  f  gree  I  wol  thee  make, 
If  wikkidnesse  ne  hindre  thee  ; 
But,  as  I  hope,  it  shal  nought  be. 
To  worship  no  wight  Ity  aventurc 
May  come,  but-if  he  peyne  endure.      2i2i> 
Abyde  and  suffre  thy  distresse  ; 
That  hurtith  now,  it  shal  be  lesse  ; 
I  wot  my-silf  what  naay  thee  save, 
What  medicyne  thou  woldist  have. 
And  if  thy  trouthe  to  me  thou  kepe,   2125 
I  shal  unto  thyia  helping  eke, 
To  cure  thy  woundes  and  make  hem  dene. 


Fkagment  B.] 


ZU  (SioYAami  of  iU  (Hoee. 


AVher-so  they  be  olde  or  gi-ene  ; 

Thou  shalt  be  holpen,  at  wordis  fewe. 

For  ceiteynly  thou  shalt  wel  shewe     2130 

\Vlier  that  thou  servest  with  good  wille, 

For  to  complisshen  and  fulfiUe 

My  comaiindementis,  day  and  night, 

'\\liiche  I  to  lovers  yeve  of  right.' 

'  Ah,  sire,  for  goddis  love,'  said  I,     2135 
'  Er  ye  passe  hens,  ententifly 
Youi'  comaundementis  to  me  ye  say, 
And  I  shal  kepe  hem,  if  I  may  ; 
For  hem  to  kepen  is  al  my  thought. 
And  if  so  be  I  wot  them  noiight,         2140 
Than  may  I  [sinne]  unwitingly. 
Wherfore  I  pray  yoii  enterely, 
With  al  myn  herte,  me  to  lere, 
That  I  trespasse  in  no  manere.' 

The  god  of  love  than  chargid  me      2145 
Anoon,  as  ye  shal  here  and  see, 
^\'ord  bj-  word,  by  right  empryse, 
So  as  the  Eomanee  shal  do\-j-se. 

The  maister  lesith  his  tj-me  to  lere. 
Whan  the  disciple  wol  not  here.  2150 

It  is  but  veyn  on  hini  to  swinke, 

That  on  his  lerning  wol  not  thinke. 

Who-so  lust  love,  let  him  entende, 

For  now  the  Romance  f  ginneth  amende. 

Now  is  good  to  here,  in  fay,  2155 

If  any  be  that  can  it  say, 

And  poynte  it  as  the  resoiin  is 

Set  ;  for  other-gate,  y-wis. 

It  shal  nought  wel  in  alle  thing 

Be  brought  to  good  undirstonding  :    2160 

For  a  reder  that  poyntith  ille 

A  good  sentence  may  ofte  spille. 

The  book  is  good  at  the  ending, 

Maad  of  newe  and  lusty  thing  ; 

For  who-so  wol  the  ending  here,  2165 

The  crafte  of  love  he  shal  now  lere, 

If  that  he  wol  so  long  abyde, 

Til  I  this  Romance  may  unhyde, 

And  undo  the  signifiaunce 

Of  this  dremc  into  Romaunce.  217D 

The  .sothfastnesse,  that  now  is  hid. 

Without  coverture  slial  be  kid, 

■mian  I  undon  have  this  dreming, 

Wlierin  no  word  is  of  lesing. 

'  Vilany,  at  the  biginning,  2175 

I  wol,'  -f  sayd  Love,  '  over  alle  thing. 

Thou  love,  if  thou  wolt  [not]  bo 

Fals,  and  trespasse  ageynes  me. 


I  curse  and  blanie  generallj' 

Alle  hem  that  loven  \'ilany  ;  21S0 

For  vilany  makith  vilayn, 

And  by  his  dedis  a  cherle  is  seyn. 

Thise  vilayns  am  withoiit  pitee, 

Frendshipe,  love,  and  al  bounte. 

I  nil  receyve  "fto  my  servyse  2185 

Hem  that  ben  vilajais  of  empryse. 

'  But  undirstonde  in  thyn  entent. 
That  this  is  not  myn  entendement, 
To  clepe  no  wight  in  no  ages 
Only  gentil  for  his  linages.  2190 

But  who-so  [that]  is  vortuous. 
And  in  his  port  nought  oiitrageous, 
\Mian  sich  oon  thou  seest  thee  biforn. 
Though  he  be  not  gentil  born. 
Thou  mayst  wel  seyn,  this  is  -fa  soth,  2195 
That  he  is  gentil,  bicause  he  doth 
As  longeth  to  a  gentilman  ; 
Of  hem  non  other  deme  I  can. 
For  certeynly,  withouten  drcde, 
A  cherle  is  denied  by  his  dedo,  2200 

Of  hye  or  lowe,  as  ye  may  see, 
Or  of  what  kinrede  that  he  be. 
Ne  say  nought,  for  noon  yvel  wille, 
Thing  that  is  to  holden  stille  ; 
It  is  no  worshiiJ  to  misseye.  2205 

Thou  mayst  ensample  take  of  Keje, 
That  was  somtyme,  for  misseying. 
Hated  bothe  of  olde  and  yiug  ; 
As  fer  as  Gawej-n,  the  worthy. 
Was  preysed  for  his  curtesy,  2210 

Keye  was  hated,  for  he  was  fel, 
Of  word  dispitous  and  cruel. 
Wherfore  be  wyso  and  aquoyntablo. 
Goodly  of  word,  and  resonable 
Bothe  to  lesso  and  cek  to  mar.  2215 

And  whan  thou  comest  ther  men  ar, 
Loke  that  thou  have  in  custom  ay 
First  to  salue  hem,  if  thou  may  : 
And  if  it  falle,  that  of  heni  som 
Salue  thee  first,  be  not  dom,  2220 

But  quj-te  him  curteisly  anoon 
Without  abiiling,  er  they  goon. 

'  For  no-tliing  eek  tliy  tunge  applye 
To  speke  wordis  of  riljaudye. 
To  vilayn  speche  in  no  degree  2225 

Lat  never  thy  lippe  ixnbounden  be. 
For  I  nought  holde  him,  in  good  feith, 
Curteys,  that  i'oiile  wordis  seith. 
And  alle  wimmen  serve  and  jireyse, 


24 


^0e-(Uontaunf  of  tU  (Jtoee. 


[Fkaomkxt  B. 


2245 


2250 


And  to  tliy  power  bir  liononr  royse.    22,^1; 
And  if  that  any  missayerc 
Dispyse  winimen,  that  thou  mayst  here, 
Blame  him,  and  bidde  him  holde  him  stille. 
And  set  thy  might  and  al  thy  wille 
Wimmen  and  ladies  for  to  plesc,  2235 

And  to  do  thing  that  may  hem  ese, 
Tliat  they  ever  spoke  good  of  thee, 
For  so  thou  mayst  best  preysed  be. 

'  Loke  fro  prj'de  thou  kepe  thee  wele  ; 
For  thou  mayst  bothc  perceyve  and  fele, 
That  i)ryde  is  bothe  foly  and  sinne  ;    2241 
And  he  that  pryde  hath,  him  withinne, 
Ne  may  his  herte,  in  no  wyse, 
Meken  ne  souplen  to  servyse. 
For  jiryde  is  founde,  in  every  part, 
Contrarie  imto  Loves  art. 
And  he  that  lovcth  trewely 
Shiildc  him  contene  jolily, 
Withouten  prj-de  in  sondry  ■wyse, 
And  him  disgysen  in  qiieyntyse. 
For  qucynt  array,  withouten  drede. 
Is  no-thing  proud,  who  takith  hede  ; 
For  fresh  array,  as  men  may  see, 
Withouten  pryde  may  ofte  be. 

'  Maj-ntene  thy-silf  aftir  thy  rent,    2255 
Of  robe  and  cek  of  garnement ; 
For  many  sythe  fair  clothing 
A  man  amondith  in  mich  thing. 
And  loke  alwcj'  that  thoy  be  shape, 
Wliat  garnement  that  thoii  shalt  make, 
Of  him  that  can  [hem]  beste  do,  2261 

With  al  that  perteyneth  therto. 
Poyntis  and  sieves  be  wel  sittand, 
Eight  and  streight  fupcm  the  hand. 
Of  shoon  and  botes,  newe  and  faire,    2265 
Loke  at  the  leest  thou  have  a  paire  ; 
And  that  they  sitte  so  fetisly. 
That  these  rndc  may  uttirly 
Merveyle,  sith  that  they  sitte  so  pleyn. 
How  they  come  on  or  of  agej-n.  2270 

Were  streitc  gloves,  with  •j-aumenere 
Of  silk  ;  and  alwoy  with  good  chere 
Thou  yeve,  if  thou  have  richesse  ; 
And  if  thou  have  nought,  spend  thelesse. 
Alwey  be  merry,  if  thou  maj-,  22,-5 

But  waste  not  thy  good  alway. 
Have  hat  of  flf>ures  fresh  as  May, 
Chapelet  of  roses  of  Whitsonday  ; 
For  sich  array  ne  fcost  but  Ij-te. 
Thyn  hondis  wash,  thy  teeth  make  whytc. 


22S1; 


2290 


2295 


And  let  no  filtlic  upon  thee  be.  2281 

Thy  nailes  lilak  if  thou  mayst  see, 

Voide  it  awey  deliverly. 

And  kembe  thyn  heed  right  jolily. 

■j-Fard  not  thy  visage  in  no  wyse. 

For  that  of  love  is  not  th'empryse  ; 

For  love  doth  haten,  as  I  finde, 

A  beaute  that  cometh  not  of  kinde. 

Alwey  in  herte  I  redo  thee 

Crlad  and  mery  for  to  be. 

And  be  as  joyful  as  thou  can  : 

Love  hath  no  joye  of  sorowful  man. 

That  yvel  is  ful  of  curtesye 

That  -jlauhwith  in  his  maladye  ; 

For  ever  of  love  the  siknesse 

Is  meynd  with  swete  and  bitternesse. 

The  sore  of  love  is  merveilous  ; 

For  now  the  lover  [is]  joyous, 

Now  can  he  jilovne,  now  can  he  grone, 

Now  can  he  singen,  now^  maken  mone. 

To-day  he  iileyneth  for  hevinesse,        2301 

To-morowe  he  f  pleyeth  for  jolynesse. 

The  lyf  of  love  is  ful  contrarie, 

Wliich  stoundemele  can  ofte  varie. 

But  if  thou  canst  [som]  mirthis  make,  2305 

That  men  in  gree  wole  gladly  take, 

Do  it  goodly,  I  comauude  thee  ; 

For  men  sholdc,  wher-so-ever  thoy  be. 

Do  thing  that  hem  [best]  sitting  is. 

For  therof  cometh  good  loos  and  pris.  2310 

Wher-of  that  thoti  be  vertuous, 

Ne  be  not  straunge  ne  daungerous. 

For  if  that  thou  good  rider  be, 

Prike  gladly,  that  men  may  se. 

In  armes  also  if  thou  conne. 

Pursue,  til  thou  a  name  hast  wonne. 

And  if  thy  voice  be  fair  and  clere. 

Thou  shalt  maken  no  grot  daungore 

\Mian  to  singe  they  goodly  preyc  ; 

It  is  thy  worship  for  to  obeye. 

Also  to  you  it  longith  ay 

To  harpe  and  gitorne,  daunce  and  play  ; 

For  if  he  can  wel  foote  and  daunce. 

It  may  him  grcotly  do  avaunce. 

Among  eek,  for  thj'  lady  sake,        .      2325 

Songes  and  complayntos  that  thou  make  ; 

For  that  wol  f  move  [hem]  in  liLr  herte, 

WHian  they  rodcn  of  thy  smerte. 

Loke  that  no  man  for  scarce  thee  holde, 

For  that  may  grove  thee  many-folde.  2330 

Rcsoun  wol  that  a  lover  be 


2315 


2320 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (Romauni  of  tU  (Hoee. 


25 


In  his  yiftes  more  large  and  free 

Than  cherles  that  been  not  of  loving, 

For  who  ther-of  can  any  thing, 

He  shal  be  leef  ay  for  to  yeve,  2335 

In  -f- Loves  lore  who  so  wolde  leve ; 

For  he  that,  through  a  sodeyn  sight, 

Or  for  a  kissing,  anon-right 

Yaf  hool  his  herte  in  wille  and  thought. 

And  to  him-silf  kepith  right  nought,  2340 

Aftir  "f-swich  yift,  is  good  resoun. 

He  yeve  his  good  in  abandoun. 

'  Xow  wol  I  shortly  here  reherce, 
Of  that  [that]  I  have  seid  in  verse, 
Al  the  sentence  by  and  by,  2345 

In  wordis  fewe  compendiouslj'. 
That  thou  the  bet  mayst  on  hem  thinke, 
Whether-so  it  be  thou  wake  or  winke  ; 
For  [that]  the  wordis  litel  greve 
A  man  to  kepe,  whanne  it  is  breve.     2350 

•  'NMio-so  with  Love  wol  goon  or  ryde 
He  mot  be  curteys,  and  void  of  pryde, 
Mejy  and  fuUe  of  jolite, 
And  of  largesse  ahjsed  be. 

'  First  I  joj-ne  thee,  here  in  penaunce, 
That  ever,  withoute  repentaunce,        2356 
Thou  set  thy  thought  in  thy  loving. 
To  laste  withoiite  repenting  ; 
And  thenke  u^jon  thy  mirthis  swete. 
That  shal  folowe  aftir  whan  ye  mete.  2360 

'  And  for  thou  trewe  to  love  shalt  be, 
I  wol,  and  [eek]  comaunde  thee, 
That  in  00  place  thou  sette,  al  hool, 
Thyn  herte,  withouten  halfen  dool. 
For  trecherie,  fin  sikemcsse  ;  2365 

For  I  lo^-ede  never  doublenesse. 
To  many  his  herte  that  wol  depart, 
Everiche  shal  have  but  litel  part. 
But  of  him  drede  I  me  right  nought. 
That  in  00  place  settith  his  thought.  2371) 
Therfore  in  00  place  it  sette, 
And  let  it  never  thennes  flette. 
For  if  thou  yevest  it  in  lening, 
I  holde  it  bvit  a  wrecchid  thing  : 
Therfore  yeve  it  hool  and  quyte,  2375 

And  thou  shalt  have  the  more  merite. 
If  it  be  lent,  than  .aftir  soon. 
The  bountee  and  the  thank  is  doon  ; 
But,  in  love,  free  yeven  thing 
Requyrith  a  gret  guerdoning.  2380 

Yeve  it  in  3'ift  al  quit  fully. 
And  make  thy  yift  debonairly  ; 


For  men  that  yift  [wol]  holde  more  dere 

That  yeven  is  with  gladsome  chere. 

That  yiit  notight  to  preisen  is  2385 

That  man  yeveth,  maugre  his. 

Whan  thou  hast  yeven  thyn  herte,  as  I 

Have  seid  thee  here  [al]  openly, 

Than  aventiires  shuUe  thee  falle, 

Wliich  harde  and  hevy  been  withalle.  2390 

For  ofte  whan  than  bithenkist  thee 

Of  thy  loving,  wher-so  thou  be. 

Fro  folk  thou  must  depart  in  hy. 

That  noon  percej'^'e  thy  malady. 

But  hyde  thyn  harm  thou  must  alone,2395 

And  go  forth  sole,  and  make  thy  mone. 

Thou  shalt  no  whyl  be  in  00  stat. 

But  whylom  cold  and  whylom  hat ; 

Now  reed  as  rose,  now  yelowe  and  fade. 

Such  sorowe,  I  trowe,  thou  never  hade  ; 

Cotidien,  ne  [yit]  quarteyne,  2401 

It  is  nat  so  ful  of  peyne. 

For  ofte  tymes  it  shal  falle 

In  love,  among  thy  pejTies  alle. 

That  thou  thy-self,  al  hoolly,  2405 

Foi-j'eten  shalt  so  utterly. 

That  many  tymes  thou  shalt  be 

Stille  as  an  image  of  tree, 

Dom  as  a  stoon,  without  stering 

Of  foot  or  hond,  without  speking  ;       2410 

Than,  sone  after  al  thy  peyne. 

To  memorie  shalt  thou  come  ageyn, 

A[s]  man  abasshed  wondre  sore. 

And  after  sighen  more  and  more. 

For  wit  thou  wel,  withouten  wene,      2415 

In  swioh  astat  ful  oft  have  been 

That  have  the  j'vel  of  love  assaj'd, 

Wher-through  thou  art  so  dismayd. 

'  After,  a  thought  shal  take  thee  so, 
That  thy  love  is  to  fer  thee  fro  :  2420 

Thou  shalt  say,  "  God,  what  may  this  be, 
That  I  ne  may  my  lady  see  ? 
Mj-ne  herte  aloon  is  to  her  go, 
And  I  abyde  al  sole  in  wo, 
Departctl  fro  myn  owne  thought,         2425 
And  with  mJ^le  eyen  see  right  noiight. 
Alas,  myn  eyen  fsende  I  ne  may. 
My  careful  herte  to  convay  ! 
Myn  hertes  gydo  but  they  bo, 
I  praise  no-thing  what  ever  they  sec.  24311 
Shul  thej'  abj-do  thanne?  nay  ; 
But  goon  fvisyto  without  delay 
That  myn  herte  desj-reth  so. 


ZU  (S^omaunt  of  tU  (F<>0^- 


[Fkagment  B. 


For  certeynly,  but-if  they  go, 

A  fool  my-self  I  may  wel  holde,  2435 

Whan  I  ne  see  what  myn  herte  wolde. 

Wherfore  I  wol  gon  her  to  seen, 

Or  osecl  shal  I  never  been, 

But  I  have  som  tokening." 

Then  gost  thou  forth  without  dwelling  ; 

But  otte  thou  faylost  of  thy  desyre,     2441 

Er  thou  mayst  come  hir  anj'  nere, 

And  wastest  in  vayn  thy  passage. 

Than  fallest  thou  in  a  newe  rage  ; 

For  wante  of  sight  thou  ginnest  morne, 

And  homward  pensif  dost  retorne.      2446 

In  greet  mischeef  than  shalt  thou  be. 

For  than  agayn  shal  come  to  thee 

Sighes  and  pleyntes,  with  newe  w^o, 

That  no  icching  prikketh  so.  2450 

Who  wot  it  nought,  he  may  go  lore 

Of  hem  that  byen  love  so  dere. 

'  Xo-thing  thyn  herte  appesen  may, 
That  oft  thou  wolt  goon  and  assay. 
If  thou  mayst  seen,  by  aventure,  2455 

Thy  Ij^'es  joy,  thyn  hertis  cure  ; 
80  that,  by  grace  if  thou  might 
Atteyne  of  hir  to  have  a  sight. 
Than  shalt  thou  doon  non  other  dede 
But  with  that  sight  thj-n  e.ycn  fede.  2460 
That  faire  fresh  whan  thou  mayst  see, 
Th3-n  herte  shal  so  ravisshed  be. 
That  never  thou  woldest,  thy  thankis,  leto, 
Xo  remove,  for  to  see  that  swcte. 
The  more  thou  scest  in  sothfastnesse,  2465 
Tlie  more  thou  fcoveytest  of  that  swet- 

nesso  ; 
The  more  thyn  herte  brenneth  in  fyr. 
The  more  thyn  herte  is  in  desyr. 
For  who  considreth  every  del, 
It  may  be  lykned  wondir  wel,  2470 

The  peyne  of  love,  unto  a  fere  ; 
For  ever  [the]  more  thou  neighest  nere 
f  Thought,  or  who-so  that  it  be. 
For  verray  sothe  I  telle  it  thee, 
The  hatter  ever  shal  thou  brenne,        2475 
As  experience  shal  thee  kenne. 
\V'her-so  [thou]  comest  in  any  cost. 
Who  is  next  fyr,  he  brenneth  most. 
And  yit  forsothc,  for  al  thj-n  hete. 
Though  thou  for  love  swelte  and  swete. 
No  for  no-thing  thou  felon  may,  24S1 

Thou  shalt  not  willen  to  passe  away. 
And  though  thou  go,  yet  must  thee  nedo 


Thenke  al-day  on  hir  fairhcdo, 

Whom  thou  bihelde  with  so  good  wille  : 

And  holde  thyself  bigyled  ille,  2486 

That  thou  ne  haddest  non  hardement 

To  shewe  hir  ought  of  thj-n  entent. 

Thjni  herte  ful  sore  thoti  wolt  dispyse, 

And  cek  repreve  of  cowardysc,  249*^ 

That  thou,  so  dulle  in  every  thing. 

Were  dom  for  drede,  without  speking, 

Thou  shalt  eek  thenke  thoii  didest  foly, 

That  thoii  wert  hir  so  faste  by, 

And  durst  not  auntre  thee  to  say        2495 

Som-thing,  er  thou  cam  away  ; 

For  thou  haddist  no  more  wonne. 

To  speke  of  hir  whan  thoai  bigonnc  : 

But  fyif  she  wolde,  for  thj'  sake. 

In  armes  goodly  thee  have  take,  250(1 

It  shulde  have  be  more  worth  to  thee 

Than  of  tresour  greet  plentee. 

'  Thus  shalt  thou  morne  and  eek  com- 
plej-n. 
And  gete  enehesoun  to  goon  agcyn 
Unto  thy  walk,  or  to  thy  place,  2505 

Where  thou  biheld  hir  fleshly  fiice. 
And  never,  for  fals  susiieccioun. 
Thou  woldest  finde  occasioun 
For  to  gon  unto  hir  hoias. 
So  art  thou  thanne  desirous  2510 

A  sight  of  hir  for  to  have. 
If  thou  thine  honour  mightest  save. 
Or  any  crand  mightist  make 
Thider,  for  thy  loves  sake  ; 
Ful  fayn  thou  woldist,  but  for  drede  2515 
Thou  gost  not,  lest  that  men  take  hede. 
Wlierfore  I  rede,  in  thy  going. 
And  also  in  thyn  ageyn-coming, 
Tliou  be  wel  war  that  men  no  wit ; 
Foync  thee  other  cause  than  it  2520 

To  go  tliat  weye,  or  faste  by  ; 
Til  hole  wol  is  no  folye. 
And  if  so  be  it  hajjpe  thee 
That  thou  thy  love  ther  mayst  see, 
In  silver  wyse  thou  hir  salewe,  2^:~ 

Wherwith  thy  colour  wol  transmewe, 
And  eke  thy  blood  shal  al  to-qiiake, 
Thy  hewe  eek  chaungen  for  hir  Sake. 
But  word  and  wit,  with  chore  ful  pale, 
Shul  wanto  for  to  telle  thy  tale.  2530 

And  if  thou  mayst  so  for-forth  winne. 
That  thou  [thy]  resoun  durst  biginne, 
And  woldist  seyn  three  thingis  or  mo, 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (Rontaunf  of  tU  (S^oeL 


27 


Thou  slialt  fill  scarsly  seyn  the  two. 
Though  thou  bithenke  thee  never  so  wel, 
Thou  shalt  foryete  yit  somdel,  2536 

Biit-if  thou  dele  with  trecherye. 
For  fals  lovers  mowe  al  folye 
Seyn,  what  hem  lust,  withonten  drede, 
They  be  so  double  in  hir  falshede  ;      2540 
For  they  in  lierte  ciinne  thenke  a  thing 
And  seyn  another,  in  hir  speking. 
And  whan  thy  speche  is  endid  al, 
Right  thus  to  thee  it  shal  bifal ; 
If  any  word  than  come  to  minde,         2545 
That  thou  to  seye  hast  left  bihinde, 
Tlian  thou  shalt  brenne  in  greet  martyr  ; 
]-''<>r  thou  shalt  brenne  as  any  fj-r. 
This  is  the  stryf  and  eke  the  affray, 
And  the  batail  that  lastith  ay.  2550 

This  bargeyn  endo  may  never  take, 
But-if  that  she  thy  pees  wil  make. 

'  And  whan  the  night  is  comen,  nnon 
A  thousand  angres  shal  come  upon. 
To  bedde  as  fast  thou  wolt  thee  dight,  2555 
WTiere  thou  shalt  have  but  smal  delyt ; 
For  whan  thou  wenest  for  to  slepe. 
So  fill  of  pejnie  shalt  thou  crepe, 
Sterte  in  thy  bedde  aboute  fill  wyde, 
And  turne  ful  otte  on  every  syde  ;       2560 
Now  downward  grotfe,  and  now  upright, 
And  walowe  in  wo  the  Lnige  night ; 
Thyne  armis  shalt  thou  spredo  abrede, 
As  man  in  werre  were  "j-forwerreyd. 
Than  shal  thee  come  a  remembraunce 
Of  hir  shape  and  hir  semblaunce         2566 
Wherto  non  other  may  be  pere. 
And  wite  thou  wel,  withoiite  were. 
That  thee  shal  f  seme,  somtyme  that  night. 
That  thou  liast  hir,  that  is  so  bright,  2570 
Naked  bitwene  thyn  armes  there, 
Al  sothfastnesse  as  though  it  were. 
Thou  shalt  make  castels  than  in  SpajTio, 
And  dreme  of  joye,  al  but  in  vayno, 
And  thee  del j^ en  of  right  nought,        2575 
Whj'l  thou  so  slomrest  in  that  thought, 
Tliat  is  so  swete  and  delitable. 
The  which,  in  soth,  nis  but  a  fable. 
For  it  ne  shal  no  whyle  laste. 
Than  shalt  thou  sighe  and  wepe  faste,  2580 
And  say,  "  Dere  god,  what  thing  is  this  ? 
My  drome  is  turned  al  amis. 
Which  was  ful  swete  and  apparent. 
But  now  I  wake,  it  is  al  shent 


Now  yede  this  mery  thought  away  I     25S5 

Twenty  tymes  upon  a  day 

I  wolde  this  thought  wolde  come  ageyn. 

For  it  alleggith  %vel  my  pcyn. 

It  makith  me  ful  of  joyful  thought. 

It  sleeth  me,  that  it  lastith  noglit.       2590 

A,  lord  !  why  nil  j^e  me  socoure, 

The  joye,  I  trowe,  that  I  langoure  ? 

The  deth  I  wolde  me  shiilde  slo 

Whyl  I  lye  in  hir  armes  two. 

Myn  harm  is  hard,  withouten  wene,  2595 

My  greet  unese  ful  ofte  I  mone. 

But  wolde  Love  do  so  I  might 

Have  fully  joye  of  hir  so  bright, 

My  peyne  were  quit  me  richely. 

Alias,  to  greet  a  thing  aske  I  !  2600 

It  is  but  folj',  and  wrong  wcning, 

To  aske  so  outrageous  a  thing. 

And  who-so  askith  folily, 

He  moot  be  warned  hastily  ; 

And  I  ne  wot  what  I  may  say,  2605 

1  am  so  fer  out  of  the  way  ; 

For  I  wolde  have  ful  gret  lyking 

And  fill  gret  joye  of  lasse  thing. 

For  wolde  she,  of  hir  gentilnesse, 

Withouten  more,  me  onis  kesse,  2610 

It  were  to  me  a  greet  guerdoun, 

Relees  of  al  my  passioun. 

But  it  is  hard  to  come  therto  ; 

Al  is  but  foly  that  I  do. 

So  high  I  have  myn  herte  set,  2615 

Where  I  may  no  comfort  get. 

fl  noot  wher  I  sey  wel  or  nought  ; 

But  this  I  wot  wel  in  my  thought, 

That  it  were  fbet  of  hir  aloon. 

For  to  stinte  my  wo  and  moon,  2620 

A  loke  on  -j-me  y-cast  goodly, 

i  Than  for  to  have,  al  utterly. 

Of  another  al  hool  the  ploy. 

A  I  lord  !  wher  I  shal  bydc  the  daj' 

That  ever  she  shal  my  lady  be  ?  2^125 

He  is  fill  cured  that  may  hir  see. 

A  !  god  !  whan  shal  the  dawning  spring  ? 

To  fly  thus  is  an  angry  thing  ; 

I  have  no  joye  thus  here  to  Ij' 

Whan  that  my  love  is  not  mo  by.        2().^o 

A  man  to  lyen  hath  gret  discse. 

Which  may  not  slepe  ne  reste  in  ose. 

I  wolde  it  dawod,  .and  were  now  day, 

And  that  the  night  were  went  away  ; 

For  were  it  day,  I  wolde  upryse  26^5 


28 


ZU  (Romaunt  of  tU  (Roee. 


[Feagment  B. 


A  !  slowe  Sonne,  shew  thyn  enpryse  ! 
Speed  thee  to  sprede  thy  hemis  bright, 
And  chace  the  derknesse  of  the  night, 
To  putte  away  the  stoiindes  stronge, 
Which  in  me  lasten  al  to  longe."        2640 

'  The  niglit  slialt  thoii  contene  so, 
Withoute  rest,  in  peyne  and  wo  ; 
If  ever  thou  knewe  of  love  distresse. 
Thou  shalt  mowe  lerne  in  that  siknesse. 
And  thus  enduring  shalt  thou  Ij-,         2645 
And  ryse  on  morwe  iijj  erly 
Out  of  thy  bedde,  and  harneys  thee 
Er  ever  dawning  thou  niayst  see. 
Al  privily  than  shalt  thou  goon. 
What  fweder  it  he,  thy-silf  aloon,       2650 
For  reyn,  or  hayl,  for  snow,  for  slete, 
Tliider  she  dwellith  that  is  so  swete. 
The  which  may  falle  aslepe  bo. 
And  thenkith  but  litel  upon  thee. 
Than  shalt  thoii  goon,  ful  foule  aferd  ;  2655 
Loke  if  the  gate  be  unsperd, 
And  waite  without  in  wo  and  peyn, 
Ful  j'A-el  a-colde  in  winde  and  reyn. 
Than  shal  thou  go  the  dore  bifore, 
If  thou  maist  fynde  any  score,  2660 

Or  hole,  or  reft,  what  ever  it  were  ; 
Than  shalt  thou  stoupe,  and  lay  to  ere. 
If  they  within  a-slepe  be  ; 
I  mene,  alle  save  tliy  lady  free. 
Whom  waking  if  thou  mayst  aspye,    2665 
(to  put  thy-silf  in  jupartye. 
To  aske  grace,  and  thee  bimcne. 
That  she  may  wite,  withouten  wene, 
That  thou  [a]night  no  rest  hast  had, 
So  sore  for  hir  thou  were  bistad.  2670 

Womnicn  wel  ought  pite  to  take 
Of  hem  that  sorwon  for  hir  sake. 
And  loke,  for  love  of  that  rolyke, 
That  tliou  thenke  non  otlier  lyke, 
For  -f-whom  thou  hast  so  greet  annoy,  2675 
i  Shal  kisse  thee  er  thou  go  away. 
And  hold  that  in  ful  gret  deyntee. 
And,  for  that  no  man  shal  thee  see 
Bifore  the  hoiis,  ne  in  tlio  way, 
Loke  thou  be  goon  ageyn  er  day.  2680 

Suche  coining,  and  such  going, 
Such  hevinesse,  and  such  walking, 
Makith  lovers,  withouten  wene, 
f^ndor  hir  clothes  pale  and  lene, 
For  liove  levetli  colour  ne  oleornesse  ;  2685 
Who  loveth  trewe  hath  no  fatnesse. 


Thou  shalt  wel  by  thy-selfe  see 
That  thou  must  nedis  assayed  be. 
For  men  that  shape  hem  other  wey 
Falsly  her  ladies  to  bitray,  2690 

It  is  no  wonder  though  they  be  fat  ; 
With  false  othes  hir  loves  they  gat ; 
For  oft  I  see  suche  losengeours 
Fatter  than  ablxitis  or  priovirs. 

'  Yet  with  o  thing  I  thee  charge,      2695 
That  is  to  seye,  that  thou  be  large 
Unto  the  mayd  that  hir  doth  serve, 
So  best  hir  thank  thou  shalt  deserve. 
Yeve  hir  yiftes,  and  get  hir  grace, 
For  so  thou  may  [hir]  thank  purchace,27oo 
That  she  thee  worthy  holdo  and  free, 
Thy  lady,  and  alle  that  may  thee  see. 
Also  hir  servauntes  worshipo  ay. 
And  plese  as  muche  as  thou  may  ; 
Gret  good  through  hem  may  come  to  thee, 
Bicause  with  hir  they  been  prive.         2706 
They  shal  hir  telle  how  they  thee  fand 
Curteis  and  wys,  and  wel  doand. 
And  she  shal  preyse  [thee]  wel  the  ■f-mare. 
Loke  out  of  londe  thou  be  not  ffare  ;  2710 
And  if  such  cause  thou  have,  that  thee 
Bihoveth  f  gon  out  of  contree, 
Love  liool  tliyn  herte  in  hostage, 
Til  thou  agej-n  make  thy  passage. 
Thenk  long  to  see  the  swete  thing       2715 
That  hath  thj-n  herte  in  hir  keping. 

'  Now  have  I  told  thee,  in  what  wyse 
A  lover  shal  do  me  ser^'J•se. 
Do  it  than,  if  thou  wolt  have 
The  mede  that  thou  aftir  crave.'  2720 

Wlian  Love  al  this  had  boden  me, 
I  seide  him  : — '  Sire,  how  may  it  be 
That  lovers  may  in  such  manere 
Endure  the  peyne  ye  have  seid  here  ? 
I  merveyle  me  wonder  faste,  2725 

How  any  man  may  live  or  lasto 
In  such  peyne,  and  siudi  brenning. 
In  sorwe  and  thought,  and  such  sighing. 
Ay  iinrelesed  wo  to  make. 
Whether  so  it  be  they  slepe  or  wake.  2730 
In  such  annoy  continuely, 
As  helpe  me  god,  this  merveile  I, 
How  man,  but  he  were  maad  of  stele, 
Might  live  a  month,  such  peynes  to  fele.' 

The  God  of  Love  than  seide  me,         2735 
'  Freend,  hy  the  feith  I  owe  to  thee. 
May  no  man  have  good,  but  he  it  by. 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (B^wauttt  of  t^i  (Ro0e. 


A  man  loveth  more  tendirly 

The  thing  that  he  hath  bought  most  dere. 

For  wite  thou  wel,  withouten  were,     2740 

In  thank  that  thing  is  taken  more, 

For  which  a  man  hath  suffred  sore. 

Certis,  no  wo  ne  may  atteyne 

Unto  the  sore  of  loves  peyne. 

Non  yvel  therto  ne  may  anaounte,        2745 

No  more  than  a  man  [may]  counte 

The  dropes  that  of  the  water  be. 

For  drye  as  wel  the  grete  see 

Thou  mightist,  as  the  harmes  telle 

Of  hem  that  with  Love  dwelle  2750 

In  servj'se  ;  for  jjeyne  hem  sleoth, 

And  that  ech  man  wolde  flee  the  deeth, 

And  trowe  they  shulde  never  escape, 

Nere  that  hope  couthe  hem  make 

Glad  as  man  in  prisoun  set,  2755 

And  may  not  geten  for  to  et 

But  barly-breed,  and  watir  pure. 

And  lyeth  in  vermin  and  in  ordure  ; 

With  alle  this,  yit  can  he  live. 

Good  hope  such  comfort  hath  him  yive. 

Which  maketh  wene  that  he  shal  be  2761 

Delivered  and  come  to  liberte  ; 

In  fortune  is  [his]  fulle  trust. 

Though  he  lye  in  strawe  or  dust. 

In  hope  is  al  his  susteyning.  2765 

And  so  for  lovers,  in  hir  waning, 

WTiiche  Love  hath  shit  in  his  prisoun  ; 

Good-Hope  is  hir  salvacioun. 

Good-Hope,  how  sore  that  they  smerte, 

Yeveth  hem  botho  wUle  and  lierte       2770 

To  prof  re  hir  body  to  martyre  ; 

For  Hope  so  sore  doth  hem  desyre 

To  suffre  ech  harm  that  men  devyse, 

For  joye  that  -[aftir  shal  aryse. 

'  Hope,  in  desire  [to]  cacche  victorie  ; 
In  Hope,  of  love  is  al  the  glorie,  2776 

For  Hope  is  al  that  love  may  yive  ; 
Nere  Hope,  ther  shulde  no  lover  live. 
Blessid  be  Hope,  which  with  desyre 
Avauncotli  lovers  in  such  manere.       2780 
Good-Hope  is  curteis  for  to  i)lese, 
T(j  kcpo  lovers  i'rom  al  disese. 
Hope  kcpith  his  lond,  and  wol  abyde, 
For  any  peril  that  may  betyde  ; 
For  Hope  to  lovers,  as  most  chcof,        27S5 
Doth  hem  endure[n]  al  mischeef ; 
Hope  is  her  help,  whan  mister  is. 
And  I  shal  yeve  thee  eek,  y-wis, 


Three  other  thingis,  that  greet  solas 
Doth  to  hem  that  be  in  my  las.  2790 

'  The  first[e]  good  that  may  be  founde, 
To  hem  that  in  my  lace  be  bounde, 
Is  Swete-Thought,  for  to  recorde 
Thing  wherwith  thou  canst  accorde 
Best  in  thyn  herte,  wher  she  be ;  2795 

"t  Thought  in  absence  is  good  to  thee. 
Whan  any  lover  doth  compleyne. 
And  liveth  in  distresse  and  peyne, 
Than  Swete-Thought  shal  come,  as  bljTe, 
Awey  his  angi'e  for  to  dryve.  2800 

It  makith  lovers  have  remembraunce 
Of  comfort,  and  of  high  plesannce, 
That  Hope  hath  hight  him  for  to  winne 
For  Thought  anoon  than  shal  biginne, 
As  fer,  god  wot,  as  he  can  finde,  2805 

To  make  a  mirrour  of  his  minde  ; 
For  to  biholde  he  wol  not  lette. 
Hir  person  he  shal  afore  him  sette, 
Hir  laughing  eyen,  persaunt  and  clere, 
Hir  shape,  hir  fourme,  hir  goodly  chere, 
Hir  mouth  that  is  so  gracious,  281 1 

So  swete,  and  eek  so  savorous  ; 
Of  alle  hir  fetures  he  shal  take  hede, 
His  eyen  with  alle  hir  limes  fcde. 

'  Thus  Swete-Tlienking  shal  aswage  2815 
The  peyne  of  lovers,  and  hir  rage. 
Thy  joye  shal  double,  withoute  gesse, 
Whan  thou  thenkist  on  hir  semlinesse, 
Or  of  hir  laughing,  or  of  hir  chere, 
That  to  thee  made  thy  lady  dere.         2820 
This  comfort  wol  I  that  thou  take ; 
And  if  the  next  thou  wolt  forsake 
Which  is  not  lesse  saverous, 
Thoii  shuldist  fbeen  to  daungerous. 

'  The  secounde  shal  be  Sweto-Speche, 
That  hath  to  many  oon  be  leche,         2826 
To  bringe  hem  out  of  wo  and  were, 
And  helpe  many  a  bachilere  ; 
And  many  a  lady  sent  socoure. 
That  have  loved  par-annmr,  2831) 

Tlirough   speking,    whan   they    mightcn 

here 
Of  hir  lovers,  to  hem  so  dere. 
To  f  hem  it  voidith  al  hir  smerte, 
The  which  is  closed  in  hir  hertc. 
In  hei-tc  it  makith  hem  glad  and  light, 
Speche,  whan  they  mowo  have  sight.  28:?6 
Anil  thcrfore  now  it  oomcth  to  mindo 
In  oldc  dawes,  as  I  finde, 


3° 


ZU  (Homaunf  of  t^e  (Koae. 


[Fkaqment  B. 


That  clerkis  ^^Titen  that  hir  knewe, 

Thcr  was  a  lady  fresh  of  hewe,  2840 

Which  of  hir  love  made  a  song, 

On  him  for  to  remembre  among, 

In  which  she  scido,  "  Whan  that  I  here 

Spoken  of  liini  that  is  so  dero. 

To  me  it  voidith  al  [my]  smerte,  2845 

Y-wis,  he  sit  so  iiere  mjTi  herte. 

To  speke  of  him,  at  eve  or  morwe, 

It  curetli  me  of  al  my  sorwe. 

To  me  is  noon  so  high  plesaunce 

As  of  his  persone  daliaiince."  2850 

She  wist  fulwol  that  Swete-Speking 

Comfortith  in  ful  naiiche  thing. 

Hir  love  she  had  ful  wel  assayed, 

Of  him  she  was  ful  wel  apayed  ; 

To  speke  of  him  liir  joye  was  set.  2855 

Therfore  I  rede  thee  that  thou  get 

A  felowe  that  can  wel  concele 

And  kepe  thy  counsel,  and  wel  hele, 

To  whom  go  showe  hoolly  thyn  herte, 

Bothe  welo  and  wo,  joye  and  smerte  :  2860 

Ti )  gete  comfort  to  him  thou  go, 

Anil  privily,  between  yow  two. 

Ye  shal  speke  of  that  goodly  thing. 

That  liath  thyn  herte  in  hir  kcping  ; 

Of  hir  beauto  and  hir  scmblaunco,       2865 

And  of  hir  goodly  countenaunce. 

Of  al  thy  state  thou  shalt  him  sey, 

And  aske  him  counseil  how  thou  may 

Do  any  thing  that  inay  hir  plese  ; 

For  it  to  thco  shal  do  gret  eso,  2870 

That  he  may  wite  thou  trust  hini  so, 

Bothe  of  thy  wolc  and  of  thy  wo. 

And  if  his  herte  to  love  be  set. 

His  companye  is  niuche  the  bet, 

For  resoun  wol,  he  shewe  to  thee         3875 

Al  uttirly  his  privite  ; 

And  what  .she  is  he  lovcth  so, 

To  thee  pleynly  ho  shal  undo, 

Withoute  drede  of  any  shame, 

Bothe  telle  hir  renoun  and  hir  name.  2880 

Than  shal  he  forther,  fcrre  and  nero, 

And  namely  to  tliy  ladj'  dero, 

In  siker  wyse  ;  ye,  every  other 

Shal  helpen  as  his  owno  brother. 

In  troutho  withoute  doublenesse,         2885 

And'kcpen  cloos  in  sikornesse. 

For  it  is  noble  thing,  in  fay. 

To  have  a  man  tliou  darst  say 

Thj-  prive  counsel  every  del ; 


For  that  wol  comfort  thee  right  wel,  2890 
And  thou  shalt  holde  thee  wel  apayetl, 
Whan  such  a  freend  thou  hast  assa.ved. 

'  The  thridde  good  of  greet  comfort 
That  yeveth  to  lovers  most  dispoi^t, 
Comitli  of  sight  and  biholding,  2895 

That  clepid  is  Swete-Loking, 
The  whiche  may  noon  eso  do, 
Wlian  thou  art  fer  thy  lady  fro ; 
Wherfore  thou  prese  alwey  to  be 
In  place,  where  thou  mayst  hir  se.      2900 
For  it  is  thing  most  amerous, 
Most  delitable  and  saverous. 
For  to  aswage  a  mannes  sorowe, 
To  sene  his  lady  bj'  the  morowe. 
For  it  is  a  ful  noble  tliingo  2905 

Whan  thyn  eyen  have  meting 
With  that  relyke  precious, 
\^Tierof  they  be  so  desirous. 
But  al  day  after,  soth  it  is. 
They  have  no  drede  to  faren  amis,      2910 
They  dreden  neither  wind  ne  reyn. 
No  [j'it]  non  other  maner  peyn. 
For  whan  thyn  eyen  were  thus  in  blis, 
Yit  of  hir  curtesye,  y-wis, 
Aloon  thoy  can  not  have  liir  joye,        2913 
Biit  to  the  herte  they  [it]  convoyo  ; 
Part  of  hir  blis  to  him  ■)  they  sende, 
Of  al  this  harm  to  make  an  endo. 
The  eye  is  a  good  messangere 
Which  can  to  the  herte  in  such  manere 
Tidyngis  sende,  that  [he]  hath  seen,    2921 
To  voido  him  of  his  pej-nes  cleen. 
Wherof  the  herte  reioj'seth  so 
That  a  gret  party  of  his  wo 
Is  voided,  and  put  awey  to  flight.        2925 
Eight  as  the  derkncsse  of  the  night 
Is  chased  with  clerenesse  of  the  mono. 
Eight  so  is  al  his  wo  ful  sone 
Devoided  clone,  whan  that  the  sight 
Biholdon  may  that  fresshe  wight        2930 
That  the  herte  desyreth  so, 
That  al  his  derknesse  is  ago  ; 
For  than  the  herte  is  al  at  ese. 
Whan  they  seen  that  [that]  may  hem  plese. 

'  Now  have  I  f  thee  declared  al-out,  29,55 
Of  that  thou  wore  in  drede  and  dout  ; 
For  I  have  told  thee  I'eithfuUy 
What  thee  may  curen  utterly, 
And  alio  lovers  that  wole  be 
Feithl'ul,  and  ful  of  stabilite.  2940 


Fragmknt  B.] 


ZU  (Bom&unt  of  tU  (B'Oet. 


31 


G-ood-Hopo  alwey  kepe  by  thy  syde, 
And  Swete-Thought  make  eek  abj^de, 
Swete-Loking  and  Swete-Speche ; 
Of  alle  th.yn  harmes  they  shal  be  leche. 
Of  every  thou  shalt  have  greet  xjlesaunce  ; 
If  thou  canst  byde  in  sufleraunce,       2946 
And  serve  wel  without  feyntyse, 
Thou  shalt  be  quit  of  thyii  empryse, 
With  more  guerdoun,  if  that  thou  live  ; 
But  al  this  tyme  this  I  thee  yive.'        2950 

The  God  of  Love  whan  al  the  day 
Had  taught  me,  as  ye  have  herd  say, 
And  cnfourmed  compendiou^sly, 
Ho  vanished  awey  al  sodejoily, 
And  I  alone  lefte,  al  sole,  2955 

So  ful  of  compleynt  and  of  dole, 
For  I  saw  no  other  man  ther  me  by. 
My  woundes  me  greved  wondirly  ; 
Me  for  to  curcn  no-thing  I  knew, 
Save  the  botoun  bright  of  hew,  2960 

Wheron  was  sot  hooUy  my  thought  ; 
Of  other  comfort  knew  I  nought. 
But  it  were  through  the  God  of  Love  ; 
I  knew  nat  clles  to  my  bihove 
That  might  mo  ese  or  comfort  gete,    2965 
But-if  ho  woldo  him  entermeto. 

The  roser  was,  withoute  doute, 
Closed  with  an  hegge  withoute. 
As  ye  to-forn  have  herd  me  seyn  ; 
And  fast  I  bisied,  and  wolde  fayn        2970 
Have  passed  the  haye,  if  I  might 
Have  geten  in  by  any  slight 
L'^nto  the  botonn  so  fair  to  see. 
But  ever  I  draddo  blamed  to  be, 
If  men  ^\■oldo  liave  susiieccioun  2975 

That  I  wolde  of  entencioun 
Have  stole  the  roses  that  ther  were  ; 
Therfore  to  entre  I  was  in  fere. 
But  at  the  last,  as  I  bithought 
Whether  I  sholdc  passe  or  nought,      29S0 
I  saw  com  with  a  gladde  chore 
To  me,  a  lusty  bachelere. 
Of  good  stature,  and  of  good  higlit, 
And  Bialacoil  forsothe  he  hight. 
Sone  ho  was  to  Curtesy,  2985 

And  he  me  graunted  ful  gladly 
The  passage  of  the  outer  hay. 
And  soide  : — '  Sir,  how  that  ye  may 
Passe,  if  [it]  your  willo  be, 
Tlie  fresshe  roser  for  to  see,  2990 

And  ye  the  swete  savour  fele. 


Your  j-  warrant  may  [I  be]  right  wele  ; 

So  thou  thee  kepe  fro  folye, 

Shal  no  man  do  thee  vilanye. 

If  I  may  helpe  you  in  ought,  2995 

I  shal  not  feyne,  dredeth  nought  ; 

For  I  am  bounde  to  your  servyse, 

Fully  devoide  of  feyntyse.' 

Than  unto  Bialacoil  saide  I, 

'  I  thank  you,  sir,  ful  hertelj',  3000 

And  your  biheest  [I]  take  at  gree, 

That  ye  so  goodly  profer  me  ; 

To  you  it  Cometh  of  greet  fraunchysc, 

That  j^e  mo  profer  your  servyse.' 

Than  aftir,  ful  deliverlj-,  3005 

Throiigh  the  breres  anoon  wente  I, 

Wherof  encombred  was  the  haj-. 

I  was  wel  plesed,  the  soth  to  say. 

To  see  the  botoun  lair  and  swoto. 

So  fresshe  spronge  out  of  the  rote.       3010 

And  Bialacoil  me  served  wel, 
Whan  I  so  nygh  me  mighte  felo 
Of  the  botoun  the  swete  odour, 
And  so  lusty  hewed  of  colour. 
But  than  a  cherl  (foulc  him  bityde  !)  3015 
Bisyde  the  roses  gan  him  liydc, 
To  kepe  the  roses  of  that  roser, 
Of  whom  the  name  was  Daunger. 
This  cherl  was  hid  there  in  the  greves, 
Covered  with  grasse  and  with  leves,    3020 
To  spye  and  take  whom  that  ho  fond 
Unto  that  roser  jjutte  an  bond. 
He  was  not  sole,  for  ther  was  nio  ;• 
For  with  him  were  other  two 
Of  wikked  maners,  and  j-vel  fame.       30J5 
That  oon  was  clepid,  by  his  name, 
Wikked-Tonge,  god  yeve  him  sorwc  ! 
For  neither  at  eve,  no  at  naorwe, 
He  can  of  no  man  [no]  good  spoke  , 
On  many  a  just  man  doth  he  wrckc.   3030 
Ther  was  a  womman  eek,  that  hight 
Shame,  that,  who  can  reken  right, 
Trespas  was  hir  fadir  name, 
Hir  moder  Eesoun  ;  and  thus  was  Shame 
[On  lyve]  brought  of  these  ilk  two.       3035 
And  yet  bad  Trespas  never  ado 
With  Resoun,  no  never  ley  hir  by, 
Ho  was  so  liidous  and  ugly, 
I  mene,  this  that  Tres})as  hight  ; 
But  Eesoun  conceyveth,  of  a  sight,     3040 
Shame,  of  that  I  spak  aforn. 
And  whan  that  Shame  was  thus  born. 


3- 


ZU  (Romaunt  of  tU  (Hoee. 


[Fraomext  B. 


It  was  ordeyned,  that  Chastitee 

Shulde  of  the  roser  lady  be, 

Wliicli,  of  the  botouns  more  and  las,  3045 

With  sondry  folk  assailed  was. 

That  she  ne  wiste  what  to  do. 

For  Venus  hir  assailith  so. 

That  night  and  day  from  hir  she  stal 

Botouns  and  roses  over-al.  3050 

To  Eesoun  than  prayeth  Chastitee, 

"Wliom  Venus  "t-flemed  over  the  see, 

That  she  hir  doughter  wolde  hir  lene, 

To  kepe  the  roser  fresh  and  grene. 

Anoon  Resoun  to  Chastitee  3055 

Is  fully  assented  that  it  be, 

And  grauntid  hir,  at  hir  request. 

That  Shame,  bicause  she  is  honest, 

Shal  keper  of  the  roser  be. 

And  thus  to  kepe  it  ther  were  three,  3060 

That  noon  shulde  hardy  be  ne  bold 

(Were  he  yong,  or  were  he  old) 

Ageyn  hir  wille  awey  to  here 

Botouns  ne  roses,  that  ther  were. 

I  had  wel  sped,  had  I  not  been  3065 

Awayted  ■n-ith  these  three,  and  seen. 

For  Bialacoil,  that  was  so  fair, 

So  gracious  and  debonair, 

Quitte  him  to  me  ful  curteisly. 

And,  me  to  plese,  bad  that  I  3070 

Sliuld  drawe  me  to  the  botoun  nere  ; 

Prese  in,  to  touche  the  rosere 

Which  bar  the  roses,  he  yaf  me  leve  ; 

This  gi'aunt  ne  might  but  litel  greve. 

And  for  he  saw  it  lyked  me,  3075 

Right  nygh  the  botoun  pullede  he 

A  lecf  al  greno,  and  yaf  me  that, 

The  which  ful  nygh  the  botoun  sat ; 

I  made  [me]  of  that  Icef  ful  qucynt. 

And  whan  I  felte  I  was  aqueynt  3080 

With  Bialacoil,  and  so  prive, 

I  wende  al  at  my  wille  had  be. 

Then  wex  I  hardy  for  to  tel 

To  Bialacoil  how  me  bifel 

Of  Love,  that  took  and  wounded  me,  3085 

And  seide  :  '  Sir,  so  mote  I  thee, 

I  may  no  joyo  have  in  no  ^vyse. 

Upon  no  syde,  but  it  ryso  ; 

For  sithe  (if  I  slial  not  fp.^-ne) 

In  horto  I  have  had  so  gret  peyne,      3090 

So  grct  annoy,  and  such  affray. 

That  I  no  wot  what  I  shal  say  ; 

I  drede  your  wrath  to  disserve. 


Lever  me  were,  that  knyves  kerve 

My  body  shulde  in  pecis  smalle,  3095 

Than  in  any  wyse  it  shulde  falle 

That  j-e  -v^Tatthed  shulde  been  with  me." 

'  Sey  boldely  thy  wille,'  quod  he, 

'  I  nil  be  wroth,  if  th.at  I  may,  3099 

For  nought  that  thou  shalt  to  me  say.' 

Thanne  seide  I,  '  Sir,  not  you  displese 
To  knowen  of  my  greet  unese. 
In  which  only  love  hath  me  brought ; 
For  peynes  greet,  disese  and  thought, 
Fro  day  to  day  he  doth  me  drye  ;         3105 
Supposeth  not,  sir,  that  I  lye. 
In  me  fj've  woundes  dide  he  make, 
Tlie  sore  of  whiche  shal  never  slake 
But  ye  the  botoun  graiinte  me. 
Which  is  most  passaunt  of  beautee,    3110 
My  Ij-f,  my  deth,  and  my  martyre. 
And  tresour  that  I  most  desyre.' 

Than  Bialacoil,  aflfrayed  all, 
Seyde,  '  Sir,  it  may  not  fall ; 
That  ye  desire,  it  may  not  fryse.  3:15 

What  ?  wolde  ye  shende  me  in  this  wyse  ? 
A  mochel  foole  than  I  were, 
If  I  sufFrid  you  awey  to  here 
The  fresh  botoun,  so  fair  of  sight. 
For  it  were  neither  skile  ne  right        3120 
Of  the  roser  ye  broke  the  rind. 
Or  take  the  rose  aforn  his  kind  ; 
Ye  ar  not  courteys  to  aske  it. 
Lat  it  stil  on  the  roser  sit, 
And  fgrowc  til  it  amended  be,  3125 

And  parfitly  come  to  beaute. 
I  nolde  not  that  it  pulled  wer 
Fro  the  roser  that  it  her, 
To  me  it  is  so  leef  and  dcre.' 

With  that  sterto  out  anoon  Daungere, 
Out  of  the  place  where  he  was  hid.      3131 
His  malice  in  his  chere  was  kid  ; 
Ful  g^reet  he  was,  and  blak  of  hewe. 
Sturdy  and  hidous,  who-so  him  knewe  ; 
Like  sharp  urchouns  his  here  was  growe, 
His  eyes  f  rede  as  the  fire-glow  ;  3136 

His  nose  frounced  ful  kirkcd  stood, 
He  com  criand  as  he  were  wood, 
And  seide,  '  Bialacoil,  tol  me  why 
Thou  bringest  hidor  so  boldly  3140 

Him  that  so  nygh  [is]  the  roser  ? 
Thou  worchist  in  a  wrong  manor ; 
He  thenkith  to  dishonoiir  thee, 
Thou  art  wel  worthy  to  have  maugree 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (Botttaun^  of  tU  (Fo«^^« 


To  late  him  of  the  roser  wit  ;  3145 

Who  ser\-eth  a  feloun  is  yvel  quit. 

Thou  -woldist  have  doon  greet  bountee, 

And  he  with  shame  wolde  quyte  thee. 

Flee  hennes,  felowe  !   I  rede  thee  go  ! 

It  wanteth  litel  fl  wol  thee  slo  ;  3150 

For  Bialacoil  ne  knew  thee  nought, 

■VSlian  thee  to  serve  he  sette  his  thought  ; 

For  thou  wolt  shame  him,  if  thou  might, 

Bothe  ageyii  resoun  and  right. 

I  wol  no  more  in  thee  affye,  3155 

That  comest  so  slyghly  for  tespye  ; 

For  it  preveth  wonder  wel, 

Thy  slight  and  t resoun  every  del.' 

I  durst  no  more  ther  make  abode. 
For  the  chcrl,  he  was  so  wode  ;  3160 

So  gan  he  tliroten  and  manace, 
And  thurgh  the  haye  he  did  me  chace. 
For  feer  of  him  I  tremblid  and  quook. 
So  cherlishly  his  heed  he  shook  ; 
And  seide,  if  eft  he  miglit  me  take,     3165 
I  shulde  not  from  his  hondis  scape. 

Than  Bialacoil  is  fled  and  mate. 
And  I  al  sole,  disconsolate. 
Was  left  aloon  in  pejaio  and  thought ; 
For  shame,  to  detli  I  was  nygh  brought. 
Than  thought  I  on  myn  high  foly,       3 171 
How  that  my  body,  utterly. 
Was  yeve  to  pejnie  and  to  martyre  ; 
And  therto  hadde  I  so  gret  yre. 
That  I  ne  durst  the  haj'es  passe  ;         3175 
There  was  non  hope,  there  was  no  grace. 
I  trowe  never  man  wiste  of  peyne, 
But  he  were  laced  in  Loves  chejTie  ; 
Ne  no  man  [wot],  and  sooth  it  is, 
But-if  he  love,  what  anger  is.  3180 

Love  holdith  his  heest  to  me  right  wele, 
Whan  peyne  he  seide  I  shiilde  fele. 
Non  herte  may  thenke,  ne  tunge  seyne, 
A  quarter  of  my  wo  and  peyne. 
I  might  not  with  the  anger  laste  ;       3185 
:Myn  herte  in  pojTit  was  for  to  braste. 
Whan  I  thought  on  the  rose,  that  so 
Was  through  Daunger  cast  me  fro. 
A  long  wliyl  stood  I  in  that  state. 
Til  tliat  me  saugh  so  mad  and  mate    3190 
The  lady  of  the  highe  ward. 
Which  from  hir  tour  lokid  thiderward. 
Resoun  men  clepe  that  lady, 
Wliich  from  hir  tour  deliverly 
Come  douu  to  me  ■\vithouteu  more.       3195 


But  she  was  neither  yong,  ne  hore, 

Ne  high  ne  low,  ne  fat  ne  lene. 

But  best,  as  it  were  in  a  meno. 

Hir  eyen  two  were  cleer  and  light 

As  any  candel  that  brenneth  bright  ;  3200 

And  on  hir  heed  she  hadde  a  crown. 

Hir  semede  wel  an  high  persoun  ; 

For  rounde  enviroun,  hir  crownet 

Was  ful  of  riche  stonis  fret. 

Hir  goodly  semblaunt,  by  devys,  3205 

I  trowe  were  niaad  in  paradys  ; 

f  Nature  had  never  such  a  grace, 

To  forge  a  werk  of  such  compace. 

For  certeyn,  fbut  the  letter  lye, 

God  him-silf,  that  is  so  high,  3210 

Made  hir  aftir  his  image. 

And  yaf  hir  sith  sieh  avauntago, 

That  she  hath  might  and  seignorye 

To  kepe  men  from  al  folye  ; 

Who-so  wole  trowe  hir  lore,  3215 

Ne  may  offenden  nevermore. 

And  whyl  I  stood  thus  derk  and  pale, 
Resoun  bigan  to  me  hir  tale  ; 
She  seide  :  '  Al  hayl,  my  swete  frend  ! 
Foly  and  childhood  wol  thee  shend,    3220 
'Wliich  thee  have  put  in  greet  affray  ; 
Thou  hast  boiight  dere  the  tyme  of  May, 
That  made  thyn  herte  mery  to  be. 
In  yvel  tyme  thou  wentist  to  see 
The  gardin,  wherof  Ydilnesse  3225 

Bar  the  keye,  and  was  maistresse 
Whan  thou  yedest  in  the  daunce 
With  hir,  and  hadde[st]  aqueyntaunce  : 
Hir  aquejaitaunce  is  perilous. 
First  softe,  and  aftir[ward]  noyous  ;     3230 
She  hath  [thee]  trasshed,  witlioute  ween  ; 
The  God  of  Love  had  thee  not  seen, 
Ne  hadde  Ydilnesse  thee  conveyed 
In  the  verger  where  Mirthe  him  pleyed. 
If  Foly  have  siipprised  thee,  3235 

Do  so  that  it  recovered  be  ; 
And  be  wel  war  to  take  no  more 
Counsel,  that  greveth  aftir  sore  ; 
He  is  wj's  that  wol  himsilf  chastj'se. 
And  though  a  young  man  in  any  wyse 
Trespace  among,  and  do  f<)ly,  3241 

Lat  him  not  tarye,  but  hastily 
Lat  liim  amende  what  so  be  mis. 
And  eek  I  counseile  thee,  y-wis, 
The  God  of  Love  hoolly  foryet,  3245 

That  hath  thee  in  sich  peyne  set, 


ZH  (IPiomavini  of  tU  (^ost. 


[Fragment  B. 


And  thee  in  herte  tormented  so. 

I  can  nat  seen  how  thou  niayst  go 

Other  weyes  to  garisoun  ; 

For  Daunger,  that  is  so  felonn,  3250 

Felly  puriiosith  thee  to  werrey, 

AMiich  is  ful  cniel,  the  soth  to  sej'. 

'  And  yit  of  Daunger  cometh  no  blame, 
In  reward  of  mj-  doughter  Shame, 
AVliich  hath  the  roses  in  hir  warde,     3255 
As  she  that  may  be  no  mnsarde. 
And  Wikked-Tunge  is  with  these  two, 
That  sufFrith  no  man  thider  go  ; 
For  er  a  thing  be  do,  he  shal, 
AVliere  that  he  cometh,  over-al,  3260 

In  fourty  places,  if  it  be  sought, 
Seye    thing    that    never    was    doon    ne 

wrouglit  ; 
S<i  moche  tresoun  is  in  his  male, 
Of  falsnesse  for  to  ffeyne  a  tale. 
Thou  delest  with  angry  folk,  y--wis ;    3265 
TVherfor  to  thee  [it]  bettir  is 
From  these  folk  awey  to  fare. 
For  they  wol  make  thee  live  in  care. 
This  is  the  .^-vel  that  Love  they  calle, 
Wherin  ther  is  but  foly  alle,  3270 

F<;ir  love  is  foly  everj-del ; 
"VVlio  loveth,  in  no  wyse  may  do  wel, 
Ne  sette  his  thought  on  no  good  werk. 
His  scole  he  lesith,  if  he  fbe  clerk  ; 
Of  other  craft  eek  if  he  be,  3275 

He  shal  not  thryve  therin  ;  for  he 
In  love  shal  liave  more  passioun 
Than  monke,  hermyte,  or  chanoun. 
The  iieyne  is  hard,  out  of  mesure. 
The  j<)ye  may  eek  no  whyl  endure  ;     3280 
And  in  the  possessioun 
Is  muche  tribulacioun  ; 
The  joye  it  is  so  short-lasting. 
And  but  in  happe  is  the  geting  ; 
For  I  see  ther  many  in  travaille,  3285 

That  attc  laste  foule  fayle. 
I  was  no-thing  thy  counseler, 
Whan  thou  were  maad  the  homager 
Of  God  of  Love  to  hastily  ; 
Ther  was  no  wisdom,  but  foly.  32<)t> 

Tliyn  lierto  was  joly,  but  not  sage, 
Whan  thou  were  brought  in  sich  a  rage, 
To  yelde  thee  so  redily, 
And  to  Love,  of  his  gret  maistry. 

'  I  rede  thee  Love  awey  to  dryve,      3295 
That  makith  thee  recche  not  of  thy  lyve. 


The  foly  more  fro  day  to  day 

Shal  growe,  but  thou  it  putte  away. 

Take  with  thy  teeth  the  bridol  fastc. 

To  daunte  thjTi  herte  ;  and  eek  thee  caste. 

If  that  thou  mayst,  to  gete  -[defence  3301 

For  to  redresse  thy  first  offence. 

AMio-so  his  herte  alwey  wol  leve, 

Shal  finde  among  that  shal  him  greve.' 

Whan  I  hir  herd  thus  me  chastj-se,  3305 
I  answerd  in  ful  angry  wyse. 
I  prayed  hir  cessen  of  hir  speche, 
Outlier  to  chastyse  me  or  teche, 
To  bidde  me  my  thought  refreyne, 
Which    Love    hath    caught    in    his   de- 
nieyne  : —  3310 

'  AVliat  ?  Avene  ye  Love  wol  consent. 
That  me  assailith  \\^th  bowe  bent, 
To  draw  myn  herte  out  of  his  hondo, 
Wliich  is  so  quikly  in  his  bonde  ? 
That  ye  counsayle,  may  never  be  ;        3315 
For  whan  he  first  arested  mo. 
He  took  myn  herte  so  hool  him  til, 
Tliat  it  is  no-thing  at  my  wil ; 
He  ftaughte  it  so  him  for  to  obey. 
That  he  it  sjiarred  with  a  key.  3320 

I  pray  yow  lat  me  be  al  stille. 
For  yo  may  wel,  if  that  ye  wille. 
Your  wordis  waste  in  idilnesse  ; 
For  iitterly,  ■\\dthouten  gesse, 
Al  that  ye  sejTi  is  but  in  veyne.  3325 

Me  were  lever  dye  in  the  peyne. 
Than  Love  to  mo-ward  shulde  arette 
Falsheed,  or  tresoun  on  mo  sette. 
I  wol  me  gete  prys  or  blame. 
And  love  trewe,  to  save  my  name  ;      33.30 
■j-AMio  nie  ohastysith,  I  him  hate.' 

Witli  that  word  Kesoun  wente  hir  gate, 
Whan  she  saugh  i'or  no  sormoning 
She  might  me  fro  my  foly  bring. 
Than  dismayed,  I  lefte  al  sool,  3335 

Forvvery,  forwandred  as  a  fool, 
For  I  ne  knew  no  fehevisaunce. 
Than  fel  into  my  remembraunce, 
How  Love  bade  me  to  purveye 
A  felowe,  to  whom  I  mighte  seye         .^340 
My  counsel  and  my  ])rivete. 
For  that  shulilo  muche  availe  me. 
With  that  bithought  I  me,  that  I 
Hadde  a  felowe  faste  by, 
Trewe  and  siker,  curteys,  and  hend,    3345 
And  he  was  called  by  name  a  Freend  ; 


Fragmest  B.] 


Z2>t  (Kowaunf  of  t^t  (Roee. 


35 


A  trewer  felowe  was  no-wher  noon. 

In  haste  to  him  I  wente  anoon, 

And  to  him  al  my  wo  I  tolde, 

Fro  him  right  nought  I  wold  withholde. 

I  tolde  him  al  withoute  were,  3551 

And  made  my  comjilejTit  on  Daungere, 

How  for  to  see  he  was  hidous, 

And  to-me-ward  eimti-arious ; 

The  whiche  through  his  ciiielte  3355 

Was  in  poynt  to  have  mcygned  me  ; 

With  Bialacoil  whan  he  me  sey 

Within  the  gardyn  walke  and  pley, 

Fro  me  he  made  him  for  to  go, 

And  I  hilefte  aloon  in  wo  ;  3360 

I  durst  no  lenger  with  him  speke, 

For  Daunger  seide  he  wolde  he  wreke, 

Whan  that  ho  sawe  how  I  wente 

The  fresshe  botoun  for  to  hente. 

If  I  were  hardy  to  come  near  3365 

Bitwene  the  hay  and  the  roser. 

This   Frecnd,    whan   he   wiste   of   my 
thought, 
He  discomforted  me  right  nought. 
But  seide,  '  Felowe,  be  not  so  mad, 
Ne  so  abaysshed  nor  bistad.  3370 

My-silf  I  knowe  ful  wel  Daungere, 
And  how  he  is  feers  of  his  chere. 
At  prime  temps.  Love  to  manace  ; 
Ful  ofte  I  have  ben  in  his  caas. 
A  feloun  first  though  that  he  be,  3375 

Aftir  thou  shalt  him  souple  see. 
Of  long  passed  I  knew  him  wele  ; 
Ungoodly  first  though  men  him  fele, 
He  wol  meek  aftir,  in  his  bering, 
Been,  for  ser\'ice  and  obeysshing.        3380 
I  shal  thee  telle  what  thou  shalt  do  : — 
Mekely  I  rede  thou  go  him  to. 
Of  herte  pray  him  specialy 
Of  thy  trespace  to  have  mercy. 
And  bote  him  wel, [him]  here  to  jilese,  3385 
Tliat  thou  shalt  nevermore  him  displcse. 
WHio  can  best  serve  of  flatcry, 
Shal  plese  Daunger  most  uttirly.' 

My  Freend  hath  seid  to  me  so  wel. 
That  he  me  esid  hath  somdel,  3300 

And  eek  allegged  of  my  torment  ; 
For  throiigh  him  had  I  hardement 
Agayn  to  Dai^nger  for  to  go. 
To  preve  if  I  might  moke  liim  so. 

To  Daunger  cam  I,  al  ashamed,       3395 
The  which  aforn  me  hadde  Warned, 


Desyring  for  to  pese  my  wo  ; 

But  over  hegge  durst  I  not  go, 

For  he  f  forbad  me  the  passage. 

I  fond  him  cruel  in  his  rage,  3400 

And  in  his  bond  a  gret  burdoun. 

To  him  I  knelid  lowe  adoiin, 

Ful  meke  of  port,  and  simple  of  chere, 

And  seide,  '  Sir,  I  am  comen  here 

Only  to  aske  of  you  mercy.  34<'5 

That  greveth  me,  [sir],  ful  gretly 

That  ever  my  lyf  I  wratthed  j'on, 

But  for  to  amende  I  am  come  now. 

With  al  my  might,  bothe  loiido  and  stille. 

To  doon  right  at  yoiir  owne  wille  ;      3410 

For  Love  made  me  for  to  do 

That  I  have  trespassed  hidirto  ; 

Fro   whom   I   ne   may   withdrawe    myn 

herte  ; 
Yit  shal  I  never,  for  joj'  ne  smerte, 
WHiat  so  bifalle,  good  or  ille,  3415 

OfFende  more  ageyn  your  wille. 
Lever  I  have  endure  disese 
Than  do  that  shulde  you  displese. 

'  I  you  require  and  pray,  that  j'c 
Of  me  have  mercy  and  pitee,  34-'!' 

To  stinte  your  yre  that  greveth  so. 
That  I  wol  swere  for  evermo 
To  be  redressid  at  your  lyking. 
If  I  trespasse  in  any  thing  ; 
Save  that  I  pray  thee  grai^nto  me        3425 
A  tiling  that  may  nat  warned  be, 
That  I  may  love,  al  only  ; 
Noji  other  thing  of  yoii  aske  I. 
I  shal  doon  elles  wel,  y-wis, 
If  of  your  grace  ye  graunte  me  this.   3430 
And  ye  [ne]  may  not  letten  me, 
For  wol  wot  ye  that  love  is  free. 
And  I  shal  loven,  -|  sith  that  I  wil, 
Who-ever  lyke  it  wel  or  il ; 
And  .yit  ne  wold  I,  for  al  Frauncc,      3435 
Do  thing  to  do  you  displesaunce.' 

Than  Daunger  fil  in  his  entent 
For  to  fi)ryeve  his  maltalcnt  ; 
But  al  his  wratthe  .vit  at  laste 
He  hath  relesed,  I  preyde  so  faste  :     3440 
Shortly  he  seide,  '  Thy  request 
Is  not  to  mochel  dishonest ; 
Xc  I  wol  not  werno  it  thee. 
For  yit  no-thing  engrevoth  me. 
For  though  thou  love  thus  evermore,  3445 
T<j  me  is  neither  softe  ne  sore. 


36 


ZU  (Howauttf  of  tU  (Ro0$. 


[FnAGMEXT  B. 


Love  f  w'lier  thee  list ;  what  recchith  me, 

So  [thou]  fer  fro  my  roses  he  ? 

Trust  not  on  me,  for  noon  assay. 

In  any  tyme  to  passe  the  hay.'  345° 

Thus  liath  he  grauntecl  my  prayere. 

Than  wente  I  forth,  withouten  were. 
Unto  my  Freend,  and  toldo  him  al. 
Which  was  right  joyful  of  my  tale. 
Heseide,  'Nowgothwelthyn  affaire,    3455 
He  shal  to  thee  he  dehonaire. 
Though  he  aforn  was  dispitous, 
He  shal  heeraftir  be  gracioixs. 
If  he  wore  touchid  on  som  good  veyne, 
He  shuld  yit  rewen  on  thy  peyne.       3460 
Suffrc,  I  rede,  and  no  boost  make. 
Til  thou  at  good  mes  mayst  him  take. 
By  suffraunce,  and  [by]  wordis  softe, 
A  man  may  overcome[n]  ofte 
Him  that  aforn  he  hadde  in  drede,     3465 
In  bookis  sothly  as  I  rede.' 

Thus  hath  my  Freend  with  gret  com- 
fort 
Avaunccd  me  with  high  disport, 
Which  wolde  me  good  as  mich  as  I. 
And  thanne  anoon  fill  sodc.\nily  3470 

I  took  my  leve,  and  streight  I  went 
Unto  the  hay ;  for  giet  talent 
I  had  to  seen  the  fresli  botoun, 
Wherin  lay  my  salvacioun  ; 
And  Daunger  took  kepe,  if  that  I        3475 
Kepe  hini  covenaunt  trewly. 
So  sore  I  dradde  his  manasing, 
I  durst  not  brcke[n]  his  bidding ; 
For,  lest  that  I  were  of  him  shcnt, 
I  brak  not  his  comaiindemont,  3480 

For  to  purchase  his  good  wil. 
It  was  [hard]  for  to  come  ther-til. 
His  niorcy  was  to  fer  bihinde  ; 
I  wcpte,  for  T  ne  might  it  finde. 
I  complcyned  and  sighed  sore,  3485 

And  languisshed  evermore, 
For  I  durst  not  over  go 
Unto  tlio  rose  I  loved  so. 
Thurghout  my  doming  outerly, 
-|-Tlian  had  ho  knowlege  ccrteinlj',       3490 
f  That  Love  me  laddo  in  sich  a  wyse, 
That  in  mo  ther  was  no  feyntyse, 
Falshced,  ne  no  trecherye. 
And  yit  he,  ful  of  vilanye, 
Of  disdeyne,  and  cruelte,  3495 

On  me  ne  wolde  have  pite, 


His  cruel  wil  for  to  refreyne. 

Though  I  wepe  alwey,  and  fcompleyne. 

And  while  I  was  in  this  torment. 
Were  come  of  grace,  by  god  sent,         35(X) 
Fraunchyse,  and  with  hir  Pite 
Fulfild  the  botoun  of  bountee 
They  go  to  Daunger  anon-right 
To  forther  me  with  al  hir  might, 
And  helpe  in  worde  and  in  dede,         3505 
For  wel  they  saugh  that  it  was  nede. 
First,  of  hir  grace,  dame  Fraunchyse 
Hath  taken  [word]  of  this  empryse  : 
She  seide,  '  Daunger,  gret  vtrong  ye  do 
To  worche  this  man  so  muche  wo,       3510 
Or  i)j-nen  him  so  angerly ; 
It  is  to  you  gret  vilany. 
I  can  not  see  why,  ne  how, 
That  he  hath  trespassed  ageyn  yon. 
Save  that  he  loveth  ;  wherfore  ye  shulde 
The  more  in  cherete  of  him  holde.       3516 
The  force  of  love  makith  him  do  this  ; 
■Wlio  wolde  him  blame  he  dide  amis  ? 
He  leseth  more  than  ye  Jnay  do ; 
His  pej'ne  is  hard,  ye  may  see,  lo !       3520 
And  Love  in  no  Nvyse  wolde  consente 
That  f  he  have  power  to  reponte  ; 
For  though  that  quik  ye  wolde  him  sloo, 
Fro  Love  his  herte  may  not  go. 
Now,  swete  sir,  -j-is  it  your  ese  3525 

Him  for  to  angre  or  disese  ? 
Alias,  what  may  it  you  avaunce 
To  doon  to  him  so  greet  grevaunce  ? 
What  worship  is  it  agajTi  him  take, 
Or  on  j'our  man  a  werro  make,  3530 

Sith  he  so  lowly  every  wyse 
Is  redy,  as  ye  lust  dev;\"se? 
If  Love  hath  caught  him  in  his  lace, 
You  for  t'obeye  in  every  caas. 
And  been  ,your  suget  at  your  wille,      3535 
Shixldc  ye  therfore  willen  him  ille? 
Ye  shulde  him  spare  more,  al-out, 
Than  him  that  is  botho  proud  and  stout. 
Cnrtesye  wcjI  that  ye  socour 
Hem  that  ben  meke  undir  your  cure.  3540 
His  herte  is  hard,  that  wole  not  meke, 
Whan  men  of  mekenesse  him  biseke.' 

'  That  is  certeyn,'  seide  Pite  ; 
'  We  see  ofte  that  humilitee 
Bothe  ire,  and  also  folonye  3545 

Venquissheth,  and  also  melancolye  ; 
To  stonde  forth  in  such  duresse, 


Fragmekt  B.] 


Z^i^  (Komaunf  of  i^i  (Roee. 


37 


Tliis  cnieltee  and  wikkeclnesse. 

Wlierfore  I  pray  yoit,  sir  Daungere, 

For  to  mayntene  no  lenger  here  3550 

Such  cruel  werre  agayn  your  man, 

As  hoolly  youres  as  ever  he  can  ; 

Nor  that  ye  worchen  no  more  wo 

i-On  this  caytif  that  langiiisshith  so, 

Which  wol  no  more  to  you  trespasse,  3555 

But  put  him  hoolly  in  your  grace. 

His  offense  ne  was  but  lyte  ; 

The  God  of  Love  it  was  to  wyte. 

That  he  your  thral  so  gretly  is, 

And  if  ye  harm  him,  ye  doon  amis  ;   3560 

For  he  hath  had  ful  hard  penaimce, 

Sith  that  ye  rette  him  th'aqueyntaunce 

Of  Bialacoil,  his  moste  joye, 

Wliich  alle  his  peynes  might  acoye. 

He  was  hiforn  anoyed  sore,  3565 

But  than  ye  doubled  him  wel  more  ; 

For  he  of  blis  hath  ben  ful  bare, 

Sith  Bialacoil  was  fro  him  fare. 

Love  hath  to  him  do  greet  distresse. 

He  hath  no  nede  of  more  duresse.        3570 

Voideth  from  him  your  ire,  I  rede  ; 

Ye  may  not  winnen  in  this  dede. 

Maketh  Bialacoil  rejieire  ageyn, 

And  haveth  pite  iipon  his  peyn  ; 

For  Fraunchiso  wol,  and  I,  Pite,  35-5 

That  merciful  to  him  ye  be  ; 

And  sith  that  she  and  I  accorde, 

Have  iipon  him  misericorde  ; 

For  I  you  pray,  and  eek  moneste, 

Nouglit  to  refusen  our  requeste  ;  3580 

For  he  is  hard  and  fel  of  thought. 

That  for  us  two  wol  do  right  nought.' 

Daunger  ne  might  no  more  endure, 
He  meked  him  unto  mesure. 

'  I  wol  in  no  wyse,'  seith  Daungere,  3585 
'  Denye  that  ye  have  aslced  here  ; 
It  were  to  greet  uncurtosye. 
I  wol  j-e  have  the  comx>anye 
Of  Bialacoil,  as  ye  devyse  ; 
I  wol  him  lettefn]  in  no  wyse.'  .35<)<> 

To  Bialacoil  than  wento  in  hy 
Fraunchyse,  and  seide  ful  curteisly  : — 
'  Ye  have  to  longe  be  deignous 
Unto  this  lover,  and  daungerous. 
Fro  him  to  withdrawe  your  presence,  3595 
Wliich  hath  do  to  him  gretc  offence. 
That  ye  not  wolde  upon  him  see  ; 
Wlierfore  a  sorowful  man  is  he. 


Shape  ye  to  paye  him,  and  to  plese. 
Of  my  love  if  ye  wol  have  eso.  3600 

Fulfil  his  wil,  sith  that  ye  knowe 
Daunger  is  daiinted  and  brought  lowe 
Thurgli  help  of  me  and  of  Pite  ; 
You  fthar  no  more  afered  be.' 

'  I  shal  do  right  as  ye  wil,'  3605 

Saith  Bialacoil,  '  for  it  is  skil, 
Sith  Daunger  wol  that  it  so  be.' 
Than  Fraunchise  hath  him  sent  to  me. 

Bialacoil  at  the  biginning 
Salued  me  in  his  coming.  3610 

No  straungenes  was  in  him  seen. 
No  more  than  he  ne  had  wrathed  been. 
As  faire  semblaunt  than  shewed  he  me. 
And  goodly,  as  aforn  did  he  ; 
And  by  the  honde,  withouten  doute,  3615 
Within  the  haye,  right  al  aboute 
He  ladde  me,  with  right  good  chere, 
Al  environ  the  vergere, 
That  Daunger  had  me  chased  fro. 
Now  have  I  leve  over-al  to  go  ;  36211 

Now  am  I  raised,  at  my  devys, 
Fro  helle  unto  paradys. 
Thus  Bialacoil,  of  gentilnesse, 
Witli  alle  his  peyne  luid  besinesse, 
Hath  shewed  me,  only  of  grace,  3625 

The  estres  of  the  swote  place. 

I  saw  the  rose,  whan  I  was  nigh. 
Was  gretter  woxen,  and  more  high. 
Fresh,  rody,  and  fair  of  hewe. 
Of  colour  ever  yliclie  newe.  3630 

And  whan  I  had  it  longe  seen, 
I  saugh  that  through  the  leves  grene 
The  rose  spredde  to  spanishing  ; 
To  sene  it  was  a  goodly  thing. 
But  it  ne  was  so  spred  on  brede,  3635 

That  men  within  might  knowe  the  sede  ; 
For  it  covert  was  and  [en]close 
Bothe  with  the  leves  and  with  the  rose. 
The  stalk  was  even  and  grene  upriglit. 
It  was  theron  a  goodly  sight  ;  3f>4<> 

And  wel  the  better,  withouten  wene. 
For  the  seed  was  not  [y]-sene. 
Ful  faire  it  spradde,  fgod  it  blesse  ! 
For  suche  another,  as  I  gesso, 
Aforn  ne  was,  ne  more  vermayle.        3645 
I  was  abawed  for  merveylo. 
For  ever,  the  fairer  that  it  was, 
The  more  I  am  bounden  in  Loves  laas. 

Longe  I  abood  there,  soth  to  saye. 


38 


Z^t  (Rornaunt  of  t^  (Koee. 


[Fragmekt  B. 


Til  Bialacoil  I  gan  to  praye,  3650 

^^^lan  that  I  saw  him  in  no  wj-se 

To  me  wamen  his  servysc, 

Tliat  he  me  woLle  graunte  a  thing, 

Wliich  to  rememhre  is  wol  sitting  ; 

This  is  to  sajTie,  that  of  his  grace        3655 

He  wolde  me  yeve  leyser  and  siiace 

To  me  that  was  so  desirous 

To  have  a  kissing  precious 

Of  the  goodly  freshe  rose, 

That  fswetely  smelleth  in  mj'  nose  ;  3660 

'  For  if  it  you  displesed  nought, 

I  wolde  gladlj-,  as  I  have  sought. 

Have  a  cos  therof  freely 

Ofj-ouryeft;  for  certainly 

I  wol  non  have  hut  by  your  leve,         3665 

So  loth  me  were  you  for  to  greve.' 

He  sayde,  '  Trend,  so  god  me  spede, 
Of  Chastite  I  have  suche  drede. 
Thou  shuldest  not  warned  be  for  me, 
But  I  dar  not,  for  Chastite.  3670 

AgajTi  hir  dar  I  not  misdo, 
For  alwey  biddetli  she  me  so 
To  yeve  no  lover  leve  to  kisse  ; 
For  who  therto  may  winnen,  y'-wis. 
He  of  the  surplus  of  the  pray  3675 

May  live  in  hope  to  get  som  day. 
For  who  so  kissing  may  attajTie, 
Of  loves  pejTie  hath,  soth  to  sayne. 
The  beste  and  most  avenaunt. 
And  omest  of  the  remenaunt.'  3680 

Of  his  answere  I  syghed  sore  ; 
I  durst  assaye  him  tho  no  more, 
I  had  such  drede  to  greve  him  ay. 
A  man  shulde  not  to  muche  assaj-e 
To  chafe  his  frond  out  of  mesure,        3685 
Nor  put  his  lyf  in  aventure  ; 
For  no  man  at  the  firsto  stroke 
Xe  may  nat  fello  doun  an  oke  ; 
Nor  of  the  rcisins  have  the  ■wjaic, 
Ti  I  grapes  frypo  and  wel  afyae  3690 

Be  sore  ompressid,  I  you  ensure. 
And  drawen  out  of  the  pressure. 
But  I,  fo^lleJ^lcd  wonder  stronge, 
■j  Thought  that  I  abood  right  longe 
Aftir  the  kis,  in  peyne  and  wo,  3695 

Sith  I  to  kis  desyred  so  : 
Til  that,  -Irewing  on  my  distresse, 
Ther  i  to  me  Venus  the  goddesse, 
\\'hich  ay  werreyeth  Chastite, 
Came  of  hir  grace,  to  socotire  me,        3700 


^^1los  might  is  knowe  fer  and  wj'dc, 

For  she  is  modir  of  Cupyde, 

The  God  of  Love,  blinde  as  stoon. 

That  heli^ith  lovers  many  oon. 

This  lady  brought  in  hir  right  houd   3705 

Of  brenning  fjT  a  bl.".sing  brond  ; 

'V\Tierof  the  flawme  and  bote  fyr 

Hath  many  a  lady  in  desyr 

Of  love  brought,  and  sore  bet. 

And  in  hir  servise  hir  -j-hertos  set.       3710 

This  lady  was  of  good  entayle. 

Right  wondirfiil  of  apparayle  ; 

By  hir  atyre  so  bright  and  shene, 

Men  might  percej'\'e  wel,  and  seen. 

She  was  not  of  religioun.  3715 

Nor  I  nil  make  mencioun 

Nor  of  [hir]  robe,  nor  of  tresour. 

Of  broche,  fnor  of  hir  riche  attour  ; 

Ne  of  hir  girdil  aboute  hir  syde. 

For  that  I  nil  not  long  abyde.  3720 

But  knowith  wel,  that  certeynly 

She  was  arayed  richely. 

Devoyd  of  prj'de  certeyn  she  was  ; 

To  Bialacoil  she  wente  a  pas, 

And  to  him  shortly,  in  a  clause,  3725 

She  seide  :  '  Sir,  what  is  the  cause 

Ye  been  of  port  so  daungerous 

Unto  this  lover,  and  deyuous. 

To  graunte  him  no-thing  but  a  kis  ? 

To  werne  it  him  ye  doon  amis  ;  3730 

Sith  wel  ye  wote,  how  that  he 

Is  Loves  servaunt,  as  ye  may  see, 

And  hath  beaute,  wher-through  [he]  is 

Worthj-  of  love  to  have  the  blis. 

How  he  is  semely,  biholde  and  see,      3735 

How  he  is  fair,  how  he  is  free, 

How  he  is  swote  and  debonair, 

Of  age  youg,  lusty,  and  fair. 

Ther  is  no  lady  so  hauteyne, 

Duchesse,  countesse,  ne  chastelcj-ne,  3740 

Tliat  I  nolde  holde  hir  ungoodly 

For  to  refuse  him  outerlj'. 

His  breeth  is  also  good  and  swete, 

And  eke  his  lippis  rody,  and  mete 

Oijlj-  to  f  pleyen,  and  to  kisse.  3745 

Graunte  him  a  kis,  of  gentilnesse  ! 

His  teeth  am  also  whyte  and  clene  ; 

Me  thinkith  wrong,  withouten  wene. 

If  ye  now  wemo  him,  trustith  me, 

To  graunte  that  a  kis  have  he  ;  375f> 

The  lasse  fto  helpe  him  that  ye  haste, 


Fraoment  B. 


ZU  (Romaunf  of  t^  (Koee. 


39 


The  more  tyme  sliul  ye  waste.' 

Wlian  the  flawme  of  the  veiTy  brond, 
That  Veniis  brought  in  hir  right  hoiid, 
Had  Bialacoil  with  hete  smete,  3755 

Anoon  he  fbad,  withouteii  lette, 
Graunte  to  me  the  rose  kisse. 
Than  of  my  pejnie  I  gan  to  lisse, 
And  to  the  rose  anoon  wente  I, 
And  kissid  it  fnl  feithfnlly.  3760 

Thar  no  man  aske  if  I  was  blythe, 
"Wlian  the  savour  soft  and  lji:he 
Strook  to  myn  herte  withoute  more, 
And  me  alegged  of  my  sore, 
So  was  I  ful  of  joye  and  blisse.  3765 

It  is  fair  sich  a  flour  to  kisse. 
It  was  so  swote  and  savorous. 
I  might  not  Tic  so  anguisshous, 
That  I  mote  glad  and  joly  be, 
Whan  that  I  remembre  me.  3770 

Yit  ever  among,  sothly  to  seyn, 
I  suffro  noye  and  moche  peyn. 

The  see  may  never  be  so  stil, 
That  with  a  litel  winde  it  "l-nil 
Overwhehne  and  turne  also,  3775 

As  it  were  wood,  in  wawis  go. 
Aftir  the  calm  the  trouble  sone 
Mot  folowe,  and  chaunge  as  the  mono. 
Eight  so  fareth  Love,  that  selde  in  oon 
Holdith  his  anker  ;  for  right  anoon    37S0 
^\^lan  they  in  cse  wene  best  to  live, 
They  been  with  tempest  al  fordrive. 
A^^io  servoth  Love,  can  telle  of  wo  ; 
The  stoundemele  joye  mot  overgo. 
Now  he  hurteth,  and  now  he  cureth,  3785 
For  selde  in  00  poynt  Love  endureth. 

Now  is  it  right  me  to  procede. 
How  Shame  gan  medle  and  take  hede, 
Thurgh  whom  telle  angres  I  have  had  ; 
And  how  the  stronge  wal  was  maad,    3790 
And  the  castell  of  brede  and  lengthe. 
That  God  of  Love  wan  with  his  strengthc. 
Al  this  in  romance  wil  I  sette. 
And  for  no-thing  ne  wil  I  lette. 
So  that  it  lyking  to  hir  be,  3795 

That  is  the  flour  of  beautc  ; 
For  she  maj'  best  my  labour  quj'te. 
That  I  for  hir  love  shal  endyto. 

Wikkid-Tunge,  that  the  covyne 
Of  every  Ljver  can  dovyne  3S(x) 

Worst,  and  addith  more  somdel, 
(For  Wikkid-Tunge  scith  never  wel), 


To  me-ward  bar  he  right  gret  hate, 
Espying  me  erly  and  late. 
Til  he  hath  seen  the  grct[e]  chere        3S05 
Of  Bialacoil  and  me  y-fere. 
Ho  mighte  not  his  tunge  withstondo 
Worse  to  reporte  than  he  fonde. 
He  was  so  ful  of  cursed  rage  ; 
It  sat  him  wel  of  his  linage,  3810 

For  him  an  Irish  womman  bar. 
His  tvmge  was  fyled  sharp,  and  squar, 
Poignaunt  and  right  kerving. 
And  wonder  bitter  in  sjpekiug. 
For  whan  that  he  me  gan  espye,  3815 

He  swoor,  afferming  sikirlj-, 
Bitwene  Bialacoil  and  me 
Was  j'vel  aquayntannco  and  priveo. 
Ho  spak  therof  so  folily. 
That  he  awakid  Jelousy  ;  3820 

Which,  al  afrayed  in  his  rysing. 
Whan  that  he  herde  [him]  jangling, 
He  ran  anoon,  as  he  were  wood. 
To  Bialacoil  ther  that  he  stood  ; 
Which  liadde  lever  in  this  caas  3825 

Have  been  at  Reynes  or  Amyas  ; 
For  foot-hoot,  in  his  felonyo 
To  hini  thus  seide  Jelousye  : — 
'  Why  hast  thou  been  so  necligent. 
To  kepen,  whan  I  was  absent,  3830 

This  verger  here  left  in  thy  ward  ? 
To  me  thou  haddist  no  reward, 
To  truste  (to  thy  confusionn) 
Him  thus,  to  whom  suspeccioiin 
I  have  right  greet,  for  it  is  nede  ;        3835 
It  is  wel  shewed  by  the  dedo. 
Greet  faute  in  thee  now  have  I  founde  ; 
By  god,  anoon  thou  shalt  be  bovmdo, 
And  faste  lokcn  in  a  tour, 
Withoute  refuyt  or  socour.  3S40 

For  Shame  to  long  hath  be  thee  fro  ; 
Over  sone  she  was  ago. 
Wlian  thou  hast  lost  bothe  dredo  and  fere, 
It  seined  wel  she  was  not  here. 
She  was  [not]  bisy,  in  no  wyso,  3S45 

To  kepo  thee  and  [to]  chastyse, 
And  for  to  helpen  Chastiteo 
To  kepe  the  roser,  as  thinkitli  me. 
For  than  this  boy-knave  so  boldely 
Ne  sholde  not  have  be  hardy,  3850 

[No]  in  tliis  f  verger  bad  such  game, 
Which  now  mo  turneth  to  gret  shame.' 
Bialacoil  nist  what  to  sey  ; 


40 


Z^t  (Komaunt  of  tU  (S^oet. 


[Fragmest  B. 


Ful  fayn  he  woLle  have  fled  awey, 

For  fere  han  hid,  nere  than  he  3855 

Al  sodeynly  took  him  with  me. 

And  whan  I  saugh  he  hadde  so, 

This  Jelousye,  take  us  two, 

I  was  astoned,  and  knew  no  rede. 

But  fledde  awey  for  verrey  drede.        3860 

Than  Shame  cam  forth  ful  simply  ; 
She  wende  have  trespaced  ful  gretly  ; 
Humble  of  hir  port,  and  made  it  simple, 
Wering  a  vayle  in  stede  of  wimple, 
As  nonnis  doon  in  hir  abbey.  3865 

Bicause  hir  herte  was  in  affray. 
She  gan  to  speke,  within  a  throwe, 
To  Jelousye,  right  wonder  lowe. 
First  of  his  grace  she  bisought, 
And  seide  : — '  Sire,  ne  leveth  nought  3870 
Wikkid-Tunge,  that  fals  espj^e. 
Which  is  so  glad  to  feyne  and  lye. 
He  hath  you  maad,  thurgh  flatering, 
On  Bialacoil  a  fals  lesing. 
His  falsnesse  is  not  now  anew,  3875 

It  is  to  long  that  he  him  knew. 
This  is  not  the  firste  day  ; 
For  Wikkid-Tunge  hath  custom  ay 
Yonge  folkis  to  bewreye, 
And  false  lesinges  on  hem  -f-leye.         3880 

'  Yit  nevertheles  I  see  among. 
That  the  loigne  it  is  so  longe 
Of  Bialacoil,  hertis  to  lure. 
In  Loves  servise  for  to  endure. 
Drawing  suche  folk  him  to,  3885 

That  he  had  no-thing  with  to  do  ; 
But  in  sothnesse  I  trowe  noiight. 
That  Bialacoil  hadde  ever  in  thought 
To  do  trcspaco  or  vilanye  ; 
But,  for  his  modir  Curtesye  3S90 

Hath  taught  him  ever  [for]  to  bo 
Good  of  aqueyntaunce  and  privee  ; 
For  he  loveth  non  hevinesse. 
But  mirthe  and  pley,  and  al  gladnesse ; 


He  hatcth  alle  ■f-trecherous, 

Soleyn  folk  and  envious  ; 

For  [wel]  ye  witen  how  that  he 

Wol  ever  glad  and  joyful  be 

Honestly  with  folk  to  pley. 

I  have  be  negligent,  in  good  fey. 

To  chastise  him  ;  therfore  now  I 

Of  herte  ferj-e  you  here  mercy, 

That  I  have  been  so  rocheles 

To  tamen  him,  withouten  lees. 


3895 


3900 


Of  my  foly  I  me  repente  ;  3905 

Now  wol  I  hool  sette  myn  entente 
To  kepe,  bothe  -floude  and  stille, 
Bialacoil  to  do  your  wille.' 

'  Shame,  Shame,'  seyde  Jelousy, 
'  To  be  bitrasshed  gret  drede  have  I.  3910 
Lecherye  hath  clombe  so  hye, 
That  almost  blered  is  myn  ye  ; 
No  wonder  is,  if  that  drede  have  I. 
Over-al  regnith  Lechery, 
Whos  might  [yit]  growith  night  and  day. 
Bothe  in  cloistre  and  in  abbey  3916 

Chastite  is  werreyed  over-al. 
Therfore  I  wol  with  siker  wal 
Close  bothe  roses  and  roser. 
I  have  to  longe  in  this  maner  39J0 

Left  hem  unclosid  wilfully  ; 
^Vlierfore  I  am  right  inwardly 
Sorowful  and  repente  me. 
But  now  they  shal  no  lenger  be 
Unclosid  ;  and  yit  I  drede  sore,  3925 

I  shal  repente  ferthermore. 
For  the  game  goth  al  amis. 
Counsel  I  fnaot  [take]  newe,  y-wis. 
I  liave  to  longe  tristed  thee. 
But  now  it  shal  no  lenger  be  ;  3930 

For  he  may  best,  in  every  cost, 
Disceyve,  that  men  tristen  most. 
I  see  wel  that  I  am  nygh  shent, 
But-if  I  sette  my  ful  entent 
Remedye  to  purveye.  3935 

Therfore  close  I  shal  the  weye 
Fro  hem  that  wol  the  rose  espye, 
And  come  to  wayte  me  vilanye, 
For,  in  good  feith  and  in  trouthe, 
I  wol  not  lette,  for  no  slouthe,  3940 

To  live  the  more  in  sikirnesse, 
f  To  make  anoon  a  fortercsse, 
f  To  enclose  the  roses  of  good  savour. 
In  middis  shal  I  make  a  tour 
To  putte  Bialacoil  in  prisoun,  3945 

For  ever  I  dredo  me  of  tresoun. 
I  trowe  I  shal  him  kepe  so. 
That  ho  shal  have  no  might  to  go 
Aboute  to  make  companj-e 
To  hem  that  thcnke  of  vilanye  ;  3950 

Ne  to  no  such  as  hath  ben  here 
Aforn,  and  founde  in  him  good  chore, 
■\\liich  ban  assailed  him  to  shende, 
And  with  hir  trowandyse  to  blonde. 
A  fool  is  eyth  [for]  to  bigyle  ;  3955 


FUAGMENT  B.] 


ZU  (Uomaunf  of  t^^  (Roe^. 


41 


But  maj'  I  ly\'e  a  litel  -while, 

He  shal  forthenke  bis  fair  seniblaunt.' 

And  witli  that  word  cam  Drede  tivannt, 
Which  was  abasshed,  and  in  gret  fere, 
Whan  he  wistc  Jelousye  was  there.    3960 
He  was  for  drede  in  such  affraj-, 
Tliat  not  a  word  durste  he  say, 
Bnt  quaking  stood  ful  stille  aloon. 
Til  Jeloiisj'e  his  wey  was  goon. 
Save  Shame,  that  him  not  forso(jk  ;    3965 
Bothe  Drede  and  she  ful  sore  quook  ; 
[Til]  that  at  laste  Drede  abreydo, 
And  to  his  cosin  Shame  seyde  : 
'  Shame,'  he  seide,  '  in  sothfastnesse, 
To  me  it  is  grot  hevinesse,  397° 

That  the  noyse  so  fer  is  go. 
And  the  sclaundre  of  us  two. 
But  sith  that  it  is  [so]  bifalle. 
We  may  it  not  agej-n  [do]  calle. 
Whan  onis  sprongen  is  a  fame.  3975 

-For  many  a  yeer  withouten  blame 
We  ban  been,  and  many  a  day  ; 
For  many  an  April  and  many  a  May 
Wo  ban  [j']-passed,  not  [a]shamed. 
Til  Jelousye  hath  us  blamed  3980 

Of  mistrust  and  suspccioun 
Causeles,  withouten  enchesoun. 
Go  we  to  Daunger  hastily, 
And  late  us  shewe  him  openly, 
That  he  hath  not  aright  [y]-wrougbt,  3985 
Whan  that  he  sette  nought  his  thought 
To  kcpe  better  the  purprj'se  ; 
In  his  doing  he  is  not  wysc. 
He  hath  to  us  [y]-do  gret  wrong, 
That  hath  sutfred  now  so  long  399<> 

Bialacoil  to  have  his  wille, 
AUe  his  lustes  to  fulfille. 
He  miast  amende  it  iitterly, 
Or  ellis  shal  ho  ■[  vila3aisly 
Exylod  be  out  of  this  londe  ;  3995 

For  he  the  werrc  may  not  withstonde 
Of  Jelousye,  nor  the  greef, 
Sith  Bi;ilac<>il  is  at  mischeef.' 

To  Daunger,  Shame  and  Drede  anoon 
The  righto  wey  ben  [bothe  a]-goon.    4cxx) 
The  cherl  they  founden  hem  aforn 
Ligging  undir  an  hawethorn. 
Undir  his  heed  no  pilowc  was, 
But  in  the  stede  a  trusse  of  gras. 
He  slombred,  and  a  nappe  he  took,     4<x)5 
Til  Shame  jiitously  hina  shook, 


And  greet  manace  on  him  gan  make. 
'Why  slepist  thou  whan  thou  shuld  wake?' 
Quod  Shame  ;  '  thou  dost  us  vilanye  ! 
Who  tristith  thee,  he  doth  tblye,         4010 
To  kepe  roses  or  botouns, 
Whan  they  ben  faire  in  liir  sesoims. 
Thou  art  woxe  to  familiero 
Where  thou  shulde  be  straunge  of  chere. 
Stout  of  thy  port,  redy  to  greve.  401  ^ 

Thou  dost  gret  foly  for  to  leve 
Bialacoil  here-in,  to  callo 
The  yonder  man  to  shenden  us  alle. 
Though  that  thou  sleije,  we  may  here 
Of  Jelousie  gret  noyse  here.  4020 

Art  thou  now  late  ?  ryse  up  fin  by. 
And  stoppe  sone  and  deliverly 
Alle  the  gappis  of  the  hay  ; 
Do  no  favour,  I  thee  pray. 
It  fallith  no-thing  to  thy  name  4025 

f  Make  fair  semblaunt,  where  thou  maist 
blame. 

'  If  Bialacoil  be  swete  and  free. 
Dogged  and  fel  thou  shuldist  be  ; 
Fro  ward  and  outrageous,  y-wis  ; 
A  cherl  chaungeth  that  curteis  is.      4030 
This  have  I  herd  ofte  in  seying. 
That  man  [ne]  may,  for  no  daunting, 
Make  a  sperhaiike  of  a  bosarde. 
Alle  men  wole  holde  thee  for  musarde. 
That  debonair  have  founden  thee  ;      4035 
It  sit  thee  nought  curteis  to  be  ; 
To  do  men  plesaunce  or  servyse, 
In  tliee  it  is  reereaitndyso. 
Let  thy  werkis,  fer  and  nore. 
Be  lyke  thy  nanie,  which  is  Daungere.' 

Than,  al  abawid  in  shewing,  4041 

Anoon  sjjak  Dreed,  right  thus  seying, 
And  seide,  '  Daunger,  I  drede  me 
That  thou  ne  wolt  [not]  bisy  be 
To  kepe  that  thou  hast  to  kepe  ;  4»45 

Whan  lliou  shuldist wakc,thou art  aslepe. 
Thoii  shalt  be  greved  certejTilj', 
If  tliee  aspye  Jelousj^, 
Or  if  he  finde  thee  in  blame. 
He  hath  to-day  assailed  Shame,  4'\S^' 

And  chased  awey,  with  gret  manace, 
Bialacoil  out  of  this  place, 
And  swcreth  shoi-tly  that  ho  shul 
Enclose  him  in  a  sturdy  wal  ; 
And  al  is  for  thy  wikkednesse,  4055 

For  that  thee  laileth  straungenesse. 


C3 


42 


ZU  (Romauni  of  tU  (Roee. 


[Fragmest  B. 


Thyn  herte,  I  trowe,  be  failed  al ; 

Thou  shalt  repente  in  special, 

If  Jelousye  the  sothe  knewe  ; 

Thou  shalt  forthenke,  and  sore  rewe.'4o6o 

With  that  the  clierl  his  clubbe  gan  shake, 
Frouning  his  eyeu  gan  to  make, 
And  liidous  chere  ;  as  man  in  rage, 
For  ire  he  brente  in  his  visage. 
AVhan  that  he  herde  him  blamed  so,  4065 
He  seide,  '  Out  of  my  wit  I  go  ; 
To  be  discomfit  I  have  gret  wrong. 
Certis,  I  have  now  lived  to  long, 
Sith  I  may  not  this  closer  kepe  ; 
Al  quik  I  wolde  be  dolven  depe,  4070 

If  any  man  shal  more  repeire 
Into  this  garden,  for  foule  or  faire. 
Myn  herte  for  ire  goth  a-fere, 
That  I  lete  any  entre  here. 
I  have  do  foly,  now  I  see,  4075 

But  now  it  shal  amended  be. 
'WTio  settith  foot  liere  any  more, 
Tnily,  he  shal  reiiente  it  sore  ; 
For  no  man  mo  into  this  place 
Of  me  to  entre  shal  have  grace.  40S0 

Lever  I  hadde,  with  swerdis  tweyne, 
Thurgh-out  myn  herte,  in  every  veyne 
Perced  to  be,  with  many  a  wounde, 
Than  slouthe  shulde  in  me  be  founde. 
From  hennesforth,  by  night  or  day,  4085 
I  shal  defende  it,  if  I  may, 
Withouten  any  excepcioun 
Of  cell  maner  condicioun  ; 
And  if  I  f  any  man  it  graunte, 
Holdeth  me  for  rccreaiuite.'  4090 

Than  Daunger  on  his  feet  gan  stondc, 
And  hente  a  burdoun  in  his  honde. 
Wroth  in  his  ire,  ne  lefte  ho  nought, 
IBut  thurgh  the  verger  he  hatli  sought. 
If  he  might  fiude  hole  or  trace,  4i)g5 

Wlier-thurgh  tliat  me[n]  mot  forthby  pace. 
Or  any  gappe,  he  dide  it  close. 
That  no  man  miglito  touche  a  rose 
Of  the  roser  al  abouto  ; 
He  shitteth  every  man  withoute.         4i(xj 

Thus  day  by  day  Daunger  is  wers, 
More  wondirful  and  more  divers. 
And  feller  eek  than  ever  he  was ; 
For  him  ful  oft  I  singe  '  alias  ! ' 
For  I  ne  may  nought,  thurgh  his  ire,  4105 
llecover  that  I  most  desire. 
Myn  herte,  alias,  wol  brest  a-two, 


For  Bialacoil  I  \vTatthed  so. 

For  certeynly,  in  every  membre 

I  quake,  whan  I  me  remembre  4  no 

Of  the  botoun,  which  [that]  I  wolde 

Fulle  ofte  a  day  seen  and  biholde. 

And  whan  I  thenke  upon  the  kisse, 

And  how  muche  joye  and  blisse 

I  hadde  thurgh  the  savour  swete,        4115 

For  wante  of  it  I  grone  and  grete. 

Me  thenkith  I  fele  yit  in  my  nose 

The  swete  savour  of  the  rose. 

And  now  I  woot  that  I  mot  go 

So  fer  the  fresshe  floures  fro,  4120 

To  me  ful  welcome  were  the  deeth  ; 

Absens  therof,  alias,  me  sleeth  ! 

For  whylom  with  this  rose,  alias, 

I  touched  nose,  motith,  and  face  ; 

But  now  the  deeth  I  must  abyde.        4125 

But  Love  consente,  another  tyde. 

That  onis  I  touche  may  and  kisse, 

I  trowe  my  peyne  shal  never  lisse, 

Thoron  is  al  my  coveityse. 

Which  brent  myn  herte  in  many  wyse. 

Now  shalrepaire  agayn  sighinge,         4131 

Long  wacche  on  nightis,  and  no  slepinge; 

Thought  in  wisshing,  torment,  and  wo, 

With  many  a  turning  to  and  fro, 

That  half  my  peyne  I  can  not  telle.     4135 

For  I  am  fallen  into  helle 

From  paradys  and  welthe,  the  more 

My  turment  greveth  ;  more  and  more 

Anoyeth  now  the  bittirnesse. 

That  I  toforn  have  felt  swetnesse.       4141: 

And  Wikkiil-Tunge,  thurgh  his  falshede, 

Causeth  al  my  wo  and  drede. 

On  me  he  leyeth  a  pitous  charge, 

Bicause  his  tunge  was  to  large. 

Now  it  is  tyme,  shortly  that  I  4145 

Telle  you  som-thing  of  Jelousy, 
That  was  in  gret  suspecioun. 
Aboute  him  lefte  he  no  masoun. 
That  stoon  coude  leyc,  ne  querrour  ; 
He  hired  hem  to  make  a  tour.  4 '50 

And  first,  the  roses  for  to  kepe, 
Aboute  hem  made  he  a  diche  dope, 
Eight  wondir  large,  and  also  brood  ; 
Upon  the  whiche  also  stood 
Of  squared  stoon  a  sturdy  wal,  4155 

A^niich  on  a  cragge  was  founded  al, 
And  right  gret  thikkencsse  eek  it  bar. 
Abouten,  it  was  founded  squar, 


Fragment  B.] 


ZH  (Uoiwaunf  of  t^t  (Rcee. 


An  hundred  fadorae  on  every  syde, 

It  was  al  liche  longe  and  wyde.  4160 

Lest  any  tyme  it  were  assayled, 

Ful  wel  aboute  it  was  batayled  ; 

And  rounde  enviroun  eek  were  set 

Ful  many  a  riche  and  fair  touret. 

At  every  corner  of  this  wal  4165 

Was  set  a  toiir  ful  principal ; 

And  everich  hadde,  withoute  fable, 

A  porte-colys  defensable 

To  kepe  of  enemies,  and  to  greve. 

That  there  hir  force  wolde  preve.         4170 

And  eek  amidde  this  purpryse 

Was  maad  a  tour  of  gret  maistryse  ; 

A  fairer  saugh  no  man  with  sight. 

Large  and  wyde,  and  of  gret  might. 

They  [ne]  dredde  noon  assaut  4175 

Of  ginne,  gunne,  nor  skaifaut. 

[For]  the  temprure  of  the  mortere 

Was  maad  of  licour  wonder  dere  ; 

Of  quikke  lyme  persant  and  egre, 

The  which  was  tempred  with  vinegre. 

The  stoon  was  hard  fas  ademant,        4181 

Wherof  they  made  the  foundement. 

The  tour  was  rounde,  maad  in  compas  ; 

In  al  this  world  no  richer  was, 

Ne  better  ordeigned  therwithal.  41 85 

Aboute  the  tour  was  maad  a  wal, 

So  that,  bitwixt  that  and  the  tour, 

•j-Eosers  were  set  of  swete  savour. 

With  many  roses  that  they  here. 

And  eek  within  the  castel  were  4190 

Springoldes,  gunnes,  bows,  archers  ; 

And  eek  above,  atte  corners, 

Men  seyn  over  the  walle  stonde 

Grete  engynes,  -j-whiche  were  nigh  honde  ; 

And  in  the  kernels,  here  and  there,    4195 

Of  arblasters  gret  plentee  were. 

Noon    armure   might    hir    stroke    with- 

stonde, 
It  were  foly  to  prece  to  honde. 
Without  the  diche  were  listes  made. 
With  waUes  batayled  large  and  bradc,42oo 
For  men  and  hors  shulde  not  atteyno 
To  neigh  the  diche  over  the  pleyne. 
Thus  Jelousye  hath  enviroun 
Set  aboute  his  garnisoun 
With  walles  rounde,  and  diche  depe,  4205 
Only  the  roser  for  to  kcpe. 
And  Daunger  [eek],  erly  and  late 
The  keyes  kepte  of  the  utter  gate. 


The  which  openeth  toward  the  eest. 
And  he  hadde  with  him  atte  leest       4210 
Thritty  servauntes,  echon  by  name. 

That  other  gate  kepte  Shame, 
Which  openede,  as  it  was  couth, 
Toward  the  parte  of  the  soutli, 
Sergeauntes  assigned  were  hir  to         4215 
Ful  many,  hir  wille  for  to  do. 

Than  Drede  hadde  in  hir  baillye 
The  keping  of  the  conestablerj-e, 
Toward  the  north,  I  undirstoude. 
That  opened  upion  the  left  honde,        4220 
The  which  for  no-thing  maj'  be  sure, 
But-if  she  do  [hir]  bisy  cure 
Erly  on  morowe  and  also  late. 
Strongly  to  shette  and  barre  the  gate. 
Of  every  thing  that  she  may  see  4225 

Drede  is  aferd,  wher-so  she  be  ; 
For  with  a  puff  of  litel  winde 
Drede  is  astonied  in  hir  minde. 
Therfore,  for  stelinge  of  the  rose, 
I  rede  hir  nought  the  yate  unclose.     4230 
A  foulis  flight  wol  make  hir  flee. 
And  eek  a  shadowe,  if  she  it  see, 

Thanne  Wikked-Tunge,  ful  of  envye. 
With  soudiours  of  Norman  dye. 
As  he  that  causeth  al  the  bate,  4235 

Was  keper  of  the  fourthe  gate. 
And  also  to  the  tother  three 
He  went  ful  ofte,  for  to  see. 
Whan  his  lot  was  to  wake  a-night, 
His  instrumentis  wolde  he  dight,        4240 
For  to  blowe  and  make  soun, 
Ofter  than  he  hath  enchesoun  ; 
And  walken  oft  vipon  the  wal, 
Corners  and  wilcettis  over-al 
Ful  narwe  serchen  and  espye  ;  4245 

Though  he  nought  fond,  yit  wolde  he  lye. 
Discordaunt  ever  fro  armonye. 
And  distoiicd  from  melodye, 
Controve  he  wolde,  and  foulo  fayle. 
With  horupjTses  of  Cornewayle.  4251) 

In  floytes  made  he  discordaunce, 
And  in  his  musik,  with  mischaunce. 
He  wolde  seyn,  with  notes  newe. 
That  he  [ne]  fond  no  womman  trewe, 
Ne  that  he  saugh  never,  in  his  lyf,      4255 
Unto  hir  husbonde  a  trewe  wyf ; 
No  noon  so  ful  of  honestce. 
That  she  nil  lauglio  and  mery  be 
Wlian  that  she  hereth,  or  may  espye, 


C  5 


44 


ZU  (Homauttf  of  tU  (Koee. 


[Fkagmest  B. 


A  man  speken  of  lecherye.  4260 

Evcricli  of  hem  hath  sonime  vyce  ; 

Oon  is  dishonest,  another  is  nyce  ; 

If  oon  ho  ful  of  vihinj-e, 

Another  hath  a  likerous  ye  ; 

If  oon  be  fal  of  wantonesse,  4265 

Another  is  a  chideresse. 

Tlins    Wikked-Tunge    (god    yeve   him 
shame  !) 
Oaii  piitte  hem  everichone  in  blame 
Withoute  desert  and  canseles  ; 
He  Ijeth,  though  they  been  giltles.      4270 
I  have  pite  to  seen  the  sorwe, 
That  "j-waketh  bothe  eve  and  morwe, 
To  innocents  doth  such  grevaunce  ; 
I  pray  god  yeve  him  evel  chaunce, 
That  he  ever  so  bisy  is 
Of  any  womman  to  seyn  amis  ! 

Eek  Jelousye  god  confounde, 
That  hath  [y]-maad  a  tovir  so  rounde, 
And  made  aboute  a  garisoun 
To  sotte  Bialacoil  in  prisoun  ; 
The  which  is  shet  there  in  the  tour, 
Ful  longe  to  holde  there  sojour, 
There  for  to  live[n]  in  penaunee. 
And  for  to  do  him  more  grevaunce, 
■f-Ther  hath  ordeyned  Jelo^^sye 
An  olde  vekke,  for  to  espye 
The  manor  of  his  governaunce  ; 
The  whiche  devel,  in  hir  enfaunce, 
Had  lerned  [muche]  of  Loves  art, 
.Ajid  of  his  pleyes  took  hir  part  ; 
She  was  fexpert  in  his  sei-vyse. 
She  knew  ech  wrenche  and  everj'  gyse 
Of  love,  and  every  [loveres]  Avyle, 
It  was  [the]  harder  hir  to  gyle. 
Of  Bialacoil  she  took  ay  hodo. 
That  ever  he  liveth  in  wo  and  dredc. 
He  kepte  him  coy  and  eek  privee, 
Lest  in  him  she  hadde  see 
Any  foly  countcnaunco. 
For  she  knew  al  tlio  olde  daunce. 
And  aftir  this,  wlian  Jeloiisye 
Had  Bialacoil  in  his  baillye, 
And  sliotte  him  up  that  was  so  free, 
For  senre  of  him  lie  wolde  be. 
He  tnisteth  sore  in  his  castel ; 
Tlie  stronge  werk  him  lyketh  wel. 
He  dradde  nat  that  no  glotouns 
Shuldo  stele  his  roses  or  botouns. 
The  roses  weren  assured  aUe, 


4275 


4280 


4285 


4290 


4295 


43«> 


4305 


Defenced  with  the  stronge  walle. 
Now  Jelousye  ful  wel  naay  be 
Of  drede  devoid,  in  libertee, 
Wliether  that  he  slepe  or  wake  ; 
For  of  his  roses  may  noon  be  take. 

But  I,  alias,  now  morne  shal ; 
Bicause  I  was  without  the  w^al, 
Ful  nioche  dole  and  moue  I  made. 
Who  hadde  wist  what  wo  I  hadde, 
I  trowe  he  wolde  have  had  pitee. 
Love  to  deere  had  sold  to  me 
The  good  that  of  his  love  hadde  I. 
I  "fwende  a  bought  it  al  queyntly  ; 
But  now,  thurgli  doiibling  of  my  peyn, 
I  see  he  wolde  it  selle  agejTi, 
And  me  a  newe  bargeyn  lere. 
The  which  al-out  the  more  is  dere. 
For  the  solace  that  I  have  lorn, 
Tlian  I  hadde  it  never  afom. 
Certayn  I  am  ful  lyk,  indeed. 
To  him  that  cast  in  erthe  his  seed  ; 
And  hath  joie  of  the  newe  spring. 
Whan  it  greneth  in  the  ginning. 
And  is  also  fair  and  fresh  of  flour. 
Lusty  to  seen,  swote  of  odour  ; 
But  er  he  it  in  sheves  sliero. 
May  falle  a  weder  that  shal  it  dere. 
And  make[n]  it  to  fade  and  falle. 
The  stalk,  the  groj-n,  ar,d  floures  alle  ; 
That  to  the  -f-tilier  is  fordone 
The  hope  that  he  hadde  to  sonc. 
I  drede,  certeyn,  that  so  fare  I ; 
For  hope  and  travaile  sikerly 
Ben  me  biraft  al  with  a  storm  ; 
The  floure  nil  seden  of  my  corn. 
For  Love  hath  so  avaunced  me, 
Wlian  I  bigan  my  privitee 
To  Bialacoil  al  for  to  telle, 
Wliona  I  ne  fond  froward  ne  felle 
But  took  a-gree  al  hool  my  play. 
But  Love  is  of  so  hard  assay. 
That  al  at  on  is  he  reved  mo. 
Whan  I  f  wend  best  aboven  have  be. 
It  is  of  Love,  as  of  Fortune, 
That  chaungeth  ofte,  .and  nil  contune  ; 
Wliich  wliylom  wol  on  folko  smyle,     4355 
And  gloumbe  on  hem  another  whyle  ; 
Now  freend,  now  foo,  [thou]  shalt  hir  fele. 
For  [in]  a  twinkling  tourneth  hir  wheel. 
She  can  wrj'the  hir  heed  awey. 
This  is  the  concours  of  liir  pley  ;  4360 


43'" 


4315 


43-0 


4325 


433" 


4335 


4340 


4345 


4350 


Fragment  B.] 


^0e  (Romaunf  of  <0e  (Roee. 


45 


She  can  areyse  that  doth  morne, 

And  whirle  adown,  and  overturne 

Wlio  sittith  hieghst,  fal  as  hir  flist  ; 

A  fool  is  he  that  wol  hir  trist. 

For  it  -f-am  I  that  am  com  doun  4365 

Thnrgh  -f-change  and  revoUicionn  ! 

Sith  Bialacoil  mot  fro  me  twinne, 

Shet  in  the  prisoun  yond  withinne, 

His  absence  at  myn  herte  I  fele  ; 

For  al  Tny  joye  and  al  nijni  hele  437o 

Was  in  him  and  in  the  rose, 

That  but  yon  fwal,  which  him  doth  close, 

Open,  that  I  may  him  see, 

Love  nil  not  that  I  cured  be 

Of  the  pej^nes  that  I  endure,  4375 

Xor  of  my  cruel  aventure. 

A,  Bialacoil,  myn  owne  dere  ! 
Though  thou  be  now  a  prisonere, 
Kepe  atte  leste  thyn  herte  to  me. 
And  suffre  not  tliat  it  daunted  be  ;      4380 
Xo  lat  not  Jelousye,  in  his  rage, 
Putten  thyn  herte  in  no  servage. 
Although  he  chastice  thee  withoute, 
And  make  thy  bodj'  unto  him  loute, 
Have  herte  as  hard  as  dyamaunt,         4385 
Stedefast,  and  nought  ijliaunt ; 
In  prisoun  though  thy  body  be, 
At  large  kepe  tliyn  herte  free. 
A  trowe  herte  wol  not  plye 
For  no  manace  that  it  may  drye.         4390 
If  Jelousye  doth  thee  payne, 
Quytc  him  his  whyle  thus  agayne, 
To  venge  thee,  atte  leest  in  thought, 
If  other  way  thou  mayest  nought  ; 
And  in  this  wyse  sotilly  4395 

Worchc,  and  winne  the  maistry. 
Rut  j-it  I  am  in  gret  affray 
Lest  thou  do  not  as  I  say  ; 
I  drede  thou  canst  me  greet  maugree. 
That  thou  cmprisoned  art  for  me  ;      4400 
But  that  [is]  not  for  my  trespas, 
For  thnrgh  me  never  discovered  was 
Yit  thing  that  oiaghte  be  secree. 
Wei  more  anoy  [ther]  is  in  me, 
Than  is  in  thee,  of  this  mischauncc  ;  4405 
For  I  endure  more  hard  penaunce 
Than  any  [man]  can  sej-n  or  thinke. 
That  for  the  sorwo  almost  I  sinke. 
Whan  I  remembre  me  of  my  wo, 
Ful  nygh  out  of  my  wit  I  go.  4410 

Inward  myn  herte  I  fele  blcdo. 


For  comfortles  the  deeth  I  drede. 
Ow  I  not  wel  to  have  distresse, 
^Vllan  false,  thnrgh  hir  wikkednesso. 
And  traitours,  that  arn  en\'3-ous,  4415 

To  noyen  me  be  so  eoragious  ? 

A,  Bialacoil !  ful  wel  I  see, 
That  they  hem  shape  to  disceyvc  thee, 
To  make  thee  buxom  to  hir  lawc, 
And  with  hir  corde  thee  to  drawc        44^0 
\\nier-so  hem  lust,  right  at  hir  wil  ; 
I  drede  they  have  thee  brought  thertil. 
Withoute  comfort,  thought  me  slceth  ; 
This  game  wol  bringe  me  to  my  deeth. 
For  if  your  fgode  wille  I  lese,  4425 

I  mote  be  deed  ;  I  may  not  ehese. 
And  if  that  thou  foryete  me, 
Myn  herte  shal  never  in  lyking  be  ; 
Nor  elles-where  iinde  solace, 
If  I  be  put  out  of  your  grace,  4430 

As  it  shal  never  been,  I  hope  ; 
Than  shrdde  I  faUe[n]  in  wanhope. 

[Jlere^  at  1.  4o;<'  0/  the  French  text, 
ends  the  uork  of  G.  de  Lorris  ;  <i7i<l 
begins  the  ivork  of  Jean  de  Menu.] 

Alias,  in  wanhope  ? — nay,  pardee  ! 
For  I  wol  never  dispeired  be. 
If  Hope  me  faile,  than  am  I  4435 

Ungracious  and  unworthy  ; 
In  Hope  I  wol  comforted  be. 
For  Love,  whan  he  bitaiight  hir  me, 
Seide,  that  Hope,  wher-so  I  go, 
Shulde  ay  be  relees  to  my  wo.  4440 

But  what  and  she  my  balls  bete. 
And  be  to  me  curtois  and  swetc  ? 
She  is  in  no-thing  ful  certeyn. 
Lovers  she  put  in  ful  gret  peyn. 
And  makith  hem  with  wo  to  dele.       4445 
Hir  fair  l)iheest  disceyveth  fele. 
For  she  wol  bihote,  sikirly, 
And  failen  aftir  outrely. 
A  !  that  is  a  ful  noyous  thing  ! 
For  many  a  lover,  in  loving,  445" 

Hangoth  upon  hir,  and  trusteth  fast, 
Whicho  lese  hir  travel  at  the  last. 
Of  thing  to  comen  she  woot  right  nouglit  ; 
Therfore,  if  it  be  wysly  sought, 
Hir  counseille,  foly  is  to  take.  4455 

For  many  tymes,  whan  she  wol  make 
A  ful  good  silogisme,  I  drede 


46 


ZU  (Homaunf  of  t^  (Hoee. 


[Fragmest  B. 


That  aftirward  tlier  shal  in  clede 

Folwe  an  evel  conohisionn  ; 

This  put  mo  in  confusioun.  4460 

For  many  tj-nies  I  have  it  seen, 

That  many  have  bigyled  been, 

For  trust  that  they  have  set  in  Hope, 

AVliich  f'el  hem  aftirward  a-slope. 

But  natheles  yit,  gladly  she  wolde,  4465 
That  lie,  that  wol  him  with  hir  holde, 
Hadde  alle  tymes  -f-his  purpos  clere, 
Withoute  deceyte,  or  any  were. 
That  she  desireth  sikirly  ; 
Wlian  I  hir  blamed,  I  did  foly.  447o 

But  what  avayleth  hir  good  wUle, 
Wlian  she  ne  may  staunche  my  stounde 

ille? 
That  helpith  litel,  that  she  may  do, 
Outake  biheest  unto  my  wo. 
And  heeste  certejTi,  in  no  wyse,  4475 

Withoute  yift,  is  not  to  -f-prj^se. 

T\nian  heest  and  deed  a-sundir  varie, 
They  doon  [me  have]  a  gret  contrarie. 
Thus  am  I  possed  up  and  doun 
\^'ith  dool,  thought,  and  confusioun ;  4480 
Of  my  disese  ther  is  no  noumbre. 
Daunger  and  Shame  me  encumbre, 
Drede  also,  and  Jelousye, 
And  Wikked-Tunge,  ful  of  envye, 
Of  whicho  the  sharj'©  arid  cruel  ire     4485 
Ful  oft  me  put  in  gret  martire. 
They  han  my  joye  fully  let, 
Sith  Bialacoil  they  have  bishet 
Fro  me  in  prisoun  wikkidly, 
■\Vlioni  I  love  so  cntierly,  4490 

That  it  wol  my  bane  he, 
But  I  the  sonor  may  him  see. 
And  yit  moreover,  wurst  of  alle, 
Ther  is  set  to  kepe,  foule  hir  bifalle  ! 
A  rimpled  vekke,  fer  ronne  in  age,      4495 
Frowning  and  yelowe  in  hir  visage, 
Wliich  in  awayte  Ij-th  day  and  night. 
That  noon  of  hem  may  have  a  sight. 
Now  moot  my  sorwe  enforced  be  ; 
Ful  sotli  it  is,  that  Love  yaf  mo  45'>o 

Three  wonder  yiftcs  of  his  grace. 
Which  I  have  lorn  now  in  this  place, 
Sith  they  no  may,  withoute  drede, 
Hclpen  but  litel,  who  taketh  hedo. 
For  here  availeth  no  Swete-Th ought,  4505 
And  Swete-Speche  helpith  right  nought. 
The  thridde  was  called  Swete-Loking, 


That  now  is  lorn,  without  lesing. 

[The]  yiftes  were  fair,  Imt  not  forthy 

They  lielpe  me  but  simp[Ll]ly,  4510 

But  Bialacoil  [may]  loosed  be. 

To  gon  at  large  and  to  be  free. 

For  him  my  lyf  lyth  al  in  doiit, 

But-if  he  come  the  rather  out. 

Alias  !  1  trowe  it  wol  not  been  !  4515 

For  how  shuld  I  evermore  him  seen  ? 

He  may  not  oiit,  and  that  is  wrong, 

Bicause  the  tour  is  so  strong. 

How  shulde  he  out  ?  by  whos  prowesse, 

Out  of  so  strong  a  forteresse  ?  4520 

By  me,  certeyn,  it  nil  be  do  ; 

God  woot,  I  have  no  wit  therto  ! 

But  wel  I  woot  I  was  in  rage, 

Whan  I  to  Love  dide  homage. 

'NVTio  was  in  cause,  in  sothfastnesse,   4525 

But  hir-silf,  dame  Idelnesse, 

Which  me  conveyed,  thurgh  fair  prayere. 

To  entre  into  that  fair  vergere  ? 

She  was  to  blame  me  to  leve. 

The  which  now  doth  me  sore  greve.    45311 

A  foolis  word  is  nought  to  trowe, 

Ne  worth  an  appol  for  to  lowe  ; 

Men  shulde  him  snibbe  bittirly, 

At  pryme  temps  of  his  foly. 

I  was  a  fool,  and  she  rue  leved,  4535 

Thurgh  whom  I  am  right  nought  releved. 

She  accomplisshed  al  my  wil. 

That  now  me  grevetli  wondir  il. 

Resoun  me  seide  what  shvilde  falle. 

A  fool  my-silf  I  may  wel  callo,  4540 

That  love  asyde  I  had  not  loydo. 

And  trowed  that  dame  Resoun  seyde. 

Resoun  had  bothc  skile  and  right. 

Whan  she  me  blamed,  with  al  hir  might. 

To  medle  of  love,  that  hath  me  shent ; 

But  certesn  now  I  wol  repent.  4546 

'  And  shulde  I  repent  ?     Nay,  pardo  ! 
A  fals  traitour  than  shulde  I  be. 
The  develles  cngins  wolde  me  take. 
If  I  my  florde  wolde  forsake,  4550 

Or  Bialacoil  falsly  bitrayc. 
Shulde  I  at  mischeef  hate  him  ?  nay, 
Sith  he  now,  for  his  curtesye, 
Is  in  prisoun  of  Jelousye. 
Curtesj'e  certeyn  dide  he  me,  4555 

So  f  muche,  it  may  not  yolden  be, 
Whan  he  the  hay  passen  me  lete. 
To  kisse  the  rose,  faire  and  swete  : 


Fragmekt  B.] 


ZU  dPiomaunt  of  i^  (Rose. 


47 


Shulde  I  therfore  cunne  him  maugree  ? 

Nay,  certeynly,  it  shal  not  be  ;  4560 

For  Love  shal  never,  -fit  god  wil, 

Here  of  me,  thiirgh  word  or  wil, 

Offence  or  complaynt,  more  or  lesse, 

Neither  of  Hope  nor  Idilnesse  ; 

For  certis,  it  were  wrong  that  I  4565 

Hated  hem  for  hir  curtesye. 

Ther  is  not  ellis,  but  suffre  and  thinke. 

And  waken  whan  I  shulde  winke  ; 

Abj-de  in  hope,  til  Love,  thurgh  chaunce, 

Sende  me  socour  or  allegeaunce,  4570 

Expectant  ay  til  I  may  raete 

To  geten  mercy  of  that  swete. 

'  Whylom  I  thinke  how  Love  to  me 
Seyde  he  wolde  take[n]  att[e]  gree 
My  servise,  if  unpacience  4575 

Caused  me  to  doon  offence. 
He  seyde,  "  In  thank  I  shal  it  take, 
And  high  maister  eek  thee  make, 
If  wikkednesse  ne  reve  it  thee  ; 
But  sone,  I  trowe,  that  shal  not  be."  4580 
These  were  his  wordis  by  and  by  ; 
It  semed  he  loved  me  trewly. 
Now  is  ther  not  biit  serve  him  wele, 
If  that  I  thinke  his  thank  to  fele. 
My  good,  mjTi  harm,  lyth  hool  in  me  ; 
In  Love  rna3'  no  defavite  be  ;  45S6 

For  trewe  Love  ffailid  never  man. 
Sothly,  the  faute  mot  nedis  than 
(As  God  forbede  !)  be  founde  in  me, 
And  how  it  cometli,  I  can  not  see.      4590 
Now  lat  it  goon  as  it  may  go  ; 
"^^Tiether  Love  wol  socoure  me  or  slo. 
He  may  do  hool  on  me  his  wiL 
I  am  so  sore  bounde  him  til, 
From  his  ser\'yse  I  may  not  fleen  ;      4595 
For  Ij-f  and  deth,  withouten  wene, 
Is  in  his  hand  ;  I  may  not  chese  ; 
He  may  me  do  bothe  winne  and  lese. 
And  sith  so  sore  he  doth  me  greve, 
Yit,  if  my  lust  he  wolde  acheve  4600 

To  Bialacoil  goodly  to  be, 
I  yeve  no  force  what  felle  on  me. 
For  though  I  dj-e,  as  I  mot  nede, 
I  praye  Love,  of  his  goodlihede. 
To  Bialacoil  do  gentilnesse,  4605 

For  whom  I  live  in  such  distresse, 
That  I  mote  deyen  for  penaunce. 
But  first,  withoute  repentaunce, 
I  wol  me  confesse  in  good  entent. 


And  make  in  haste  my  testament,      4610 
As  lovers  doon  that  felen  smerte  : — 
To  Bialacoil  leve  I  myn  herte 
Al  hool,  withovite  departing. 
Or  doublenesse  of  repenting.' 

Coment  Eaisoun  vient  a  L'amant. 

Thus  as  I  made  my  passage  4615 

In  complejTit,  and  in  criiel  rage, 
And  I  "t-nist  wher  to  finde  a  leche 
That  couthe  unto  mj-n  helping  eche, 
Sodejmly  agaj-n  conaen  doun 
Out  of  hir  tour  I  saugh  Eesoun,  4620 

Discrete  and  wys,  and  ful  plesaunt. 
And  of  hir  porte  ful  avenaunt. 
Tlie  righte  wey  she  took  to  me, 
'Uliich  stood  in  greet  perplexito. 
That  was  posshed  in  every  side,  4625 

That  I  nist  where  I  might  abyde, 
Til  she,  demurely  sad  of  chere, 
Seide  to  me  as  she  com  nere  : — 

'  Mynowne  freend,  art  thou  yit  greved? 
How  is  this  quarel  yit  aclieved  463*' 

Of  Loves  syde  ?     Anoon  me  telle  ; 
Hast  thou  not  yit  of  love  thy  fille  ? 
Art  thou  not  wery  of  thy  ser\-3-se 
That  thee  hath  [pyned]  in  sich  wyse  ? 
Wliat  joye  hast  thou  in  thy  loving  ?  4635 
Is  it  swete  or  bitter  thing  ? 
Canst  thou  j^it  chese,  lat  me  see. 
What  best  thy  socoixr  mighte  be  ? 

'  Thou  servest  a  ful  noble  lord, 
Tliat  maketh  thee  thral  for  thy  reward, 
WHiich  ay  reuewith  thy  turment,        4641 
With  foly  so  he  hath  thee  blent. 
Thou  felle  in  mischeef  thilke  day. 
Whan  thou  didest,  the  sothe  to  say, 
Obeysaunce  and  eek  homage  ;  4645 

Tliou  wroughtest  no-thing  as  the  sage. 
"Wlian  thou  bicam  his  liege  man, 
Thou  didist  a  gret  foly  than  ; 
Thou  wistest  not  what  fel  therto. 
With  what  lord  thou  haddist  to  do.    4650 
If  thou  haddist  him  wel  knowe. 
Thou  haddist  nought  be  brought  so  lowe  ; 
For  if  thou  wistest  what  it  were. 
Thou  noldist  serve  him  half  a  yeer. 
Not  a  weke,  nor  half  a  day,  4655 

Ne  yit  an  hour  withoute  delay, 
Ne  never  fhan  loved  paramours. 


48 


ZU  (Uotnaunf  of  t^  (Jloee. 


[Fkagment  B. 


His  lordship  is  so  ful  of  shonres. 
Knowcst  him  onght  ? ' 

L'Anuiunt.  '  Ye,  dame,  parde  ! ' 

Raisoun.     '  Nay,  nay.' 

L'Amatinf.       '  Yes,  I.' 

Raisoun.  '  Wlierof,  lat  see  ? '  4660 

L'Amaunf.     '  Of  that  he  seyde  I  shiilde 
be 
Glad  to  liave  sich  lord  as  he, 
And  maister  of  sich  seignory.' 

Raisoun.     '  Knowist  him  no  more  ?  ' 

L'Amatinf.  '  Nay,  certis,  I, 

Save  that  he  yaf  me  rewles  there,       4665 
And  wente  his  wey,  I  niste  where, 
And  I  abood  bounde  in  balaunce.' 

Rai.'iot/n.    '  Lo,  there  <a  noble  conisaunce ! 
But  I  wil  that  thoii  knowe  him  now 
Ginning  and  ende,  sith  that  thou       4670 
Art  so  angn^iisshoiis  and  mate, 
Disfigured  out  of  astate  ; 
Ther  may  no  wrecche  have  more  of  wo, 
Xe  caitif  noon  enduren  so. 
It  were  to  every  man  sitting  4675 

Of  his  lord  have  knowleohing. 
For  if  thovi  knewe  him,  out  of  dout, 
Lightly  thou  shulde  escapen  out 
Of  the  prisoun  that  marreth  thee.' 

L'Amatint.     'Ye,  dame!  sith  my  lord 
is  he,  4680 

And  I  his  man,  maad  with  myn  honde, 
I  wolde  right  fayn  undirstonde 
To  knovvefn]  of  what  kindo  lie  bo, 
If  any  woldo  cnfonne  mc.' 

Raisoim.     '  I  wolde,'  seid  Resoun,  '  thee 
lere,  4685 

Sith  thrm  to  Icrno  hast  sich  desire, 
And  shewo  thee,  withouten  fable, 
A  thing  that  is  not  demonstrable. 
TIiou  shalt  [hero  lerne]  without  science. 
And  knowe,  withonto  experience,       4690 
The  thhig  that  may  not  knowcn  be, 
Ne  wist  no  sliewid  in  no  degree. 
Tliou  mayst  the  .<;otlio  of  it  not  ■witen, 
Thougli  in  thee  it  were  writen. 
Thou  shalt  not  knowe  thcrof  more     4695 
M^hyle  thou  art  reulod  by  his  lore  ; 
But  unto  him  that  love  wol  flee, 
The  knotto  may  unclosed  be, 
Which  hath  to  thee,  as  it  is  founde. 
So  long  be  knet  and  not  unlx)unde.    4700 
Now  sctte  wel  thyn  entencioun, 


To  hero  of  lovo  discripcioun. 

'  Love,  it  is  an  hateful  pees, 
A  free  acquitaunce,  without  relees, 
f  A  trouthe,  fret  fiill  of  falshede,  47'>5 

A  sikernesse,  al  set  in  drede  ; 
In  herte  is  a  dispeiring  hope. 
And  fulle  of  hope,  it  is  wanhope  ; 
Wyse  woodnesse,  and  wood  resoun, 
A  swete  peril,  in  to  droune,  47i<> 

An  hevy  birthen,  light  to  here, 
A  wikked  wawe  awey  to  were. 
It  is  Caribdis  perilous, 
Disagreable  and  gracious. 
It  is  discordaunce  that  can  accorde,    4715 
And  accordaunce  to  discorde. 
It  is  cunning  withoute  science. 
Wisdom  withoute  sapience. 
Wit  withoute  discrecioun, 
Havoir,  withoute  possessioun.  47-<^ 

It  is  f  sike  hele  and  hool  siknesse, 
A  f thrust  drowned  fin  dronkenesse, 
•j-An  helthe  ful  of  maladye, 
And  charitoe  ful  of  Gn\'5-e, 
fAn  hungor  ful  of  habundaunco,  47^5 

And  a  gredy  suffisaunce  ; 
Delyt  right  ful  of  hevinesse. 
And  dreri[h]ed  ful  of  gladnesse  ; 
Bitter  swetnesse  and  swete  errour. 
Right  evel  savoured  good  savour  :       4730 
fSinne  that  pardoun  hath  withinnc. 
And    pardoun     sjwtted    without     [witlij 

sinne  ; 
A  pejTie  also  it  is,  joyous, 
And  felonye  right  pitous  ; 
Also  pley  that  selde  is  stable,  47^5 

And  stcdofast  [stat],  right  movable  ; 
A  strengthe,  weyked  to  stondo  upright. 
And  feblenesse,  ful  of  might ; 
Wit  unavysod,  sage  folj-e. 
And  joye  ful  of  turmentrye  ;  4740 

A  laughter  it  is,  wcping  ay. 
Rest,  that  travpyletli  night  and  day  ; 
Also  a  swete  liclle  it  is, 
And  a  sorowful  Paradys  ; 
A  plesaunt  gayl  and  esy  prisoun,         4745 
And,  ful  of  froste,  somer  sesoun  ; 
Prymo  temps,  ful  of  frostes  whyte. 
And  May,  devoide  of  al  delyte. 
With  seer  braunches,  blossoms  ungreno  ; 
And  newe  fruyt,  fillid  with  winter  tene. 
It  is  a  slowe,  may  not  forbere  4751 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (Kowaun^  of  tU  (S^oet. 


49 


Eagges,  ribancd  with  gold,  to  were ; 

For  al-so  wel  wol  love  be  set 

Under  ragges  as  riclie  rochet  ; 

And  eek  as  wel  f  bo  amourettes  4755 

In  monrning  blak,  as  bright  burnettes. 

For  noon  is  of  so  mocbel  prys, 

Ne  no  man  founden  [is]  so  wys, 

Ne  noon  so  high  is  of  parage, 

Ne  no  man  fonnde  of  wit  so  sage,        4760 

No  man  so  hardy  ne  so  wight, 

Ne  no  man  of  so  mochel  might. 

Noon  so  fulfilled  of  bounte, 

f  But  he  with  love  may  daunted  be. 

Al  the  world  holdith  this  way  ;  4765 

Ijove  makith  alle  to  goon  miswey. 

But  it  be  they  of  j'vcl  lyf, 

Whom  Genius  cursith,  man  and  wyf, 

That  ^vTongly  werke  ageyn  nature. 

Noon  sucho  I  love,  ne  have  no  cure     4770 

Of  suche  as  Loves  servaunts  been. 

And  wol  not  by  my  coimsel  fleen. 

For  I  ne  preyse  that  loving, 

Wher-thurgli  man,  at  the  laste  ending, 

Shal  calle  hem  wrecchis  fuUe  of  wo,    4775 

Love  grevetli  hem  and  shendith  so. 

But  if  thou  wolt  wel  Love  eschewe, 

For  to  escape  oiTt  of  his  mewe. 

And  make  al  hool  thy  sorwe  to  slake, 

No  bettir  counsel  mayst  thou  take,     4780 

Than  thinke  to  fleen  wel,  y-wis  ; 

May  nought  helpc  elles  ;    for  wite  thou 

this  :— 
If  thou  flee  it,  it  shal  flee  thee  ; 
Folowe  it,  and  folowen  shal  it  thee.' 
L'Amaiint.      Whan    I   haddo    herd    al 

Ilesonn  seyn,  4785 

Wliicli  haddo  spilt  hir  speche  in  veyn  : 
'  Dame,'  seyde  I,  '  I  dar  wel  sey 
Of  this  avaunt  me  wel  I  may 
That  from  your  scole  so  doviaiint 
I  am,  that  never  the  more  avaunt      471)0 
Rightnoughtam  I,  thurgh  your  doctryno ; 
I  duUe  under  your  discipl.yne  ; 
I  wot  no  more  than  [I]  wist  "for, 
To  nio  so  contrario  and  so  fer 
Is  every  thing  that  ye  mo  lere  ;  4795 

And  yit  I  can  it  al  fparcuere. 
■Myn  herte  forj'etith  thorof  right  nought. 
It  is  so  writen  in  my  thoiight ; 
And  dope  fgravon  it  is  so  tendir 
That  al  by  hertc  I  can  it  rcndrc,         4800 


And  rede  it  over  comunely  ; 
But  to  my-silf  lewedist  am  I. 

'  But  sith  ye  love  discreven  so. 
And  lakke  and  preise  it,  bothe  two, 
Defyneth  it  into  this  letter,  4805 

That  I  may  thenke  on  it  the  better 
For  I  horde  never  f  diffyno  it  ere, 
And  wilfully  I  wolde  it  lore.' 

Kaisoun.     '  If  love  bo  serched  wel  and 

soiight. 
It  is  a  sykenesse  of  the  thought  4810 

Annexed  and  f  knet  bitwixe  tweyne, 
f  Which  male  and  female,  with  00  cheyne, 
So  frely  byndith,  that  thej'  nil  twinne, 
Wliether  so  therof  they  lese  or  winne. 
The  rooto  springith,  thtirgh  lioot  bren- 

ning,  4815 

Into  disordinat  desiring 
For  to  kissen  and  enbrace, 
And  at  her  lust  them  to  solace. 
Of  otlior  thing  love  recchith  nought, 
But  setteth  hir  herte  and  al  hir  thought 
More  for  delectacioun  48 ji 

Than  any  procreacioiin 
Of  other  fruyt  by  fengondring  ; 
Whicli  love  to  god  is  not  plesing  ; 
For  of  hir  body  fruyt  to  get  4825 

They  yeve  no  force,  they  are  so  set 
Upon  delyt,  to  pley  in-fore. 
And  somme  have  also  this  manere, 
To  feynen  hem  for  love  soke  ; 
Sich  love  I  preise  not  at  a  leke.  48,^0 

For  paramours  they  do  but  feyne  ; 
To  lovo  truly  they  disdeync. 
They  falsen  ladies  traitoursly. 
And  sweren  hem  othes  uttcrlj-, 
With  many  a  losing,  and  many  a  fable, 
And  al  they  findon  deceyvable.  48.30 

And,  whanne  they  flier  lust  han  geten. 
The  hoote  ernes  they  al  foryotcn. 
Wimmen,  the  harni  they  byen  ful  sore  ; 
But  men  this  thonkon  evermore,        48^0 
That  lasse  harm  is,  so  mote  I  thee, 
Disccyvo  them,  than  discoyved  be  ; 
And  namely,  wher  they  ne  may 
Findo  non  other  mene  wey. 
For  I  wot  wel,  in  sothfastncsse,  4845 

That  f  who  doth  now  his  bi-tiyncsso 
With  any  womman  for  to  dele, 
For  any  lust  that  ho  may  felo, 
But-if  it  be  for  cngendruro, 


5° 


ZU  (Rowaunf  of  tU  (Sioet. 


[Fkagmekt  B. 


He  doth  trespasse,  I  you  ensure.  4850 

For  he  shulde  setten  al  his  wil 

To  geten  a  likly  thing  him  til, 

And  to  sustene[n],  if  he  might, 

And  hepe  forth,  by  kindes  right. 

His  owne  lyknesse  and  semblable,       4855 

For  bicause  al  is  corumpable, 

And  faile  shulde  successioun, 

Xc  were  -f-ther  generacioun 

Our  sect  is  strene  for  to  save. 

Whan  fader  or  moder  am  in  grave,   4860 

Hir  children  shulde,  whan  they  ben  deede, 

Ful  diligent  ben,  in  hir  steede, 

To  use  that  werke  on  such  a  wyse. 

That  oon  may  thurgh  another  ryse. 

Therfore  set  Kinde  therin  delj-t,  4865 

For  men  therin  shulde  hem  delyte, 

And  of  that  dede  be  not  erke, 

But  ofte  sythes  haunt  that  werke. 

For  noon  wolde  drawe  therof  a  draught 

Ne  were  delji;,  which  hath  him  caught. 

This  hadde  sotil  dame  Nature  ;  4871 

For  noon  goth  right,  I  thee  ensure, 

Ne  hath  entent  hool  ne  parfyt ; 

For  hir  desir  is  for  delyt, 

The  which  fortened  crece  and  eke       4875 

The  pley  of  love  for-ofte  seke, 

And  thralle  hem-silf,  they  be  so  nyce, 

Unto  the  prince  of  every  v-yce. 

For  of  ech  sinne  it  is  the  rote, 

Unlefulle  lust,  though  it  be  sote,         4880 

And  of  al  yvel  the  racyne. 

As  TuUius  can  determyne, 

■\Aniich  in  his  tyme  was  ful  sage, 

In  a  boke  ho  made  of  Age, 

AMier  that  more  he  preyseth  Elde,      4885 

Tliough  he  be  croked  and  unwelde. 

And  more  of  commendacioun, 

Than  Youthe  in  his  discripcioun. 

For  Youthe  set  bothe  man  and  wyf 

In  al  perel  of  soule  and  lyf ;  4890 

And  perel  is,  but  men  have  grace, 

The  "f-tyme  of  youtlie  for  to  pace, 

Withoute  any  deth  or  distresse, 

It  is  so  ful  of  wildenesse  ; 

So  ofte  it  doth  shame  or  damage         4895 

To  him  or  to  his  linage. 

It  leditli  man  now  up,  now  doun, 

In  mochel  dissolucioun. 

And  makith  him  love  j"\-el  companj'. 

And  lede  his  lyf  disrewlily,  4900 


And  halt  him  payed  with  noon  estate. 

Within  him-silf  is  such  debate. 

He  chaungith  purpos  and  entent, 

And  yalt  [him]  into  som  covent, 

To  liven  aftir  her  empryse,  4905 

And  lesith  fredom  and  fraunchyse, 

That  Nature  in  him  hadde  set. 

The  which  ageyn  he  may  not  get, 

If  he  there  make  his  mansioun 

For  to  abyde  professioun.  4910 

Though  for  a  tyme  his  herte  absente, 

It  may  not  fayle,  he  shal  repente. 

And  eke  abyde  thilke  day 

To  leve  his  abit,  and  goon  his  way. 

And  lesith  his  worship  and  his  name, 

And  dar  not  come  ageyn  for  shame  ;  4916 

But  al  his  lyf  he  doth  so  mourne, 

Bicause  he  dar  not  hoom  retournc. 

Fredom  of  kinde  so  lost  hath  he 

That  never  may  recured  be,  4920 

f  But-if  that  god  him  graunte  grace 

That  he  may,  er  he  hennes  pace, 

Conte,\nie  undir  obedience 

Thurgh  the  vertu  of  pacience. 

For  Youthe  set  man  in  al  folye,  4925 

In  unthrift  and  in  ribaudye. 

In  leccherye,  and  in  outrage. 

So  ofte  it  chaungith  of  corage. 

Youthe  ginneth  ofte  sicli  bargeyn, 

That  may  not  ende  withouten  peyn.  4930 

In  gret  perel  is  set  youth-hede,    ■ 

Del>-t  so  doth  his  >)ridil  lede. 

Delj-t  f  thus  hangith,  drede  thee  nought, 

Bothe  mannis  body  and  his  thought. 

Only  thurgli  f  Youthe,  his  chamberere, 

Tliat  to  don  yvel  is  customere,  4936 

And  of  nought  elles  taketh  hede 

But  only  folkes  for  to  lede 

Into  disporte  and  wildenesse, 

So  is  [she]  froward  from  sadnesse.       4940 

'  But  Elde  drawith  hem  therfro  ; 
Wlio  wot  it  nought,  he  may  wel  go 
f  Demand  of  hem  that  now  am  oldc, 
Tliat  whylom  Youthe  hadde  in  holde, 
Which  yit  •f-rcmembro  of  tendir  age,  4945 
How  it  hem  brought  in  many  a  rage. 
And  man  J'  a  foly  therin  wrought. 
But  now  that  Elde  hath  fhem  thurgh- 

sought. 
They  repente  hem  of  her  folye. 
That  Youthe  hem  putte  in  jupardye,   4950 


I 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (Kowaunf  of  tU  (B«e^- 


5-1 


In  perel  and  in  mticlie  wo, 
And  made  hem  ofte  amis  to  do, 
And  suen  y^'el  companye, 
Eiot  and  avoutery-e. 

'  But  Elde  fcan  ageyn  restreyne      4955 
From  suche  foly,  and  refreyne, 
And  set  men,  by  hir  ordinaunce, 
In  good  reiUe  and  in  governannce. 
Biit  yvel  she  spendith  hir  servyse, 
For  no  man  wol  hir  love,  fne  pryse ;  4960 
She  is  hated,  this  wot  I  welc. 
Hir  acqiieyntaunce  wolde  no  man  fele, 
Ne  han  of  Elde  companye. 
Men  hate  to  be  of  hir  alye. 
For  no  man  ■\volde  bicomen  olde,         4965 
Ne  dye,  whan  he  is  yong  and  bolde. 
And  Elde  nier\-eilith  right  gretly, 
WTian  they  remembre  hem  inwardly 
Of  many  a  perelous  empryse, 
■^Miiche   that   they  wrought   in    sondry 
wyse,  4970 

How  ever  they  might,  withoute  blame. 
Escape  awey  withoute  shame, 
In  youthe,  withonte[n]  damage 
Or  repreef  of  her  linage, 
Losse  of  membre,  sheding  of  blode,     4975 
Perel  of  deth,  or  losse  of  good. 

'  Wost    thoii    nought    where     Youthe 
abit, 
That  men  so  preisen  in  her  wit  ? 
With  Delyt  she  halt  sojour. 
For  bothe  they  dwellen  in  00  tour.     4980 
As  longe  as  Youthe  is  in  sesoun, 
They  dwellen  in  oon  mansioun. 
Delyt  of  Youthe  wol  have  servyse 
To  do  what  so  he  wol  de\'yse  ; 
And  Youthe  is  redy  evermore  4985 

For  to  obey,  for  smerte  of  sore, 
ITnto  Delyt,  and  him  to  yive 
Hir  servise,  whyl  that  she  may  live. 

■  Where  Elde  abit,  I  wol  thee  telle 
Shortly,  and  no  whyle  dwelle,  4990 

For  thidcr  bihoveth  thee  to  go. 
If  Deth  in  youthe  thee  not  slo, 
Of  this  journey  thou  maist  not  faUc. 
With  hir  Labour  and  Travailo 
Logged  been,  with  Sorwo  and  Wo,      4995 
That  never  out  of  hir  courte  go. 
Peyne  and  Distresse,  Syknesse  and  Ire, 
And  Malencoly,  that  angry  sire, 
Ben  of  hir  paleys  senatours  ; 


Groning     and    Grucching,    hir    herber- 
geours,  5000 

The  day  and  night,  hir  to  turment, 
With  cruel  Deth  they  hir  present, 
And  tellen  hir,  erliche  and  late, 
That  Deth  f  stant  armed  at  hir  gate. 
Than  bringe  the5'  to  hir  remembraunce 
The  foly  dedis  of  hir  infaunce,  5006 

"W^iich  causen  hir  to  mourne  in  wo 
That  Yoiithe  hath  hir  bigiled  so, 
Wliich  sodejTily  awey  is  hasted. 
She   fwepeth   the   tyme   that   she   hatli 
wasted,  5010 

Compleyning  of  the  preterit, 
And  the  present,  that  not  abit, 
And  of  hir  olde  vanitee, 
That,  but  aforn  hir  she  may  see 
In  the  future  som  socour,  5015 

To  leggen  hir  of  hir  dolour. 
To  graunt  hir  tyme  of  repentaunce, 
For  hir  sinnes  to  do  penaunce. 
And  at  the  laste  so  hir  govorne 
To  winne  the  joy  that  is  eterne,  5020 

Fro  which  go  bakward  Youthe  -f-hir  made. 
In  vanitee  to  droune  and  wade. 
For  present  tyme  abidith  nought, 
It  is  more  swift  than  any  thought ; 
So  litel  whyle  it  doth  endure  5025 

That  ther  nis  compte  ne  mesure. 

'  But  how  that  ever  the  game  go. 
Who  list  -j  have  joye  and  mirth  also 
Of  love,  be  it  he  or  she. 
High  or  lowe,  who[so]  it  be,  5030 

In  fruyt  they  shulde  hem  delyte  ; 
Her  jiart  they  may  not  elles  qujrte, 
To  save  hem-silf  in  honestee. 
And  yit  ful  many  oon  I  see 
Of  wimmen,  sothly  for  to  seyne,  5035 

That  [ay]  desire  and  wolde  fayne 
The  pley  of  love,  they  be  so  wilde. 
And  not  coveite  to  go  with  childe. 
And  if  with  child  they  be  ijerchaunce, 
They  wole  it  holde  a  gret  mischaunce  ; 
But  what-som-ever  wo  they  fele,  5041 

They  wol  not  pleyne,  but  concele  ; 
But-if  it  be  any  fool  or  nyce, 
In  whom  that  shame  liatli  no  justyce. 
For  to  delyt  echon  they  drawe,  5045 

That  haunte  this  work,  bothe  high  and 

lawe. 
Save  sich  that  ar[e]n  worth  right  nought. 


ZU  (Rowaunf  of  tU  (jPioet, 


[Fragment  B. 


That  for  money  wol  be  bought. 

Such  love  I  preise  in  no  wyse, 

AVhan  it  is  f  given  for  coveitise.  5050 

Ipreisenowomnian,  though  fshebe'wood, 

That  yoveth  hir-silf  for  any  good. 

For  litel  shnldc  a  man  telle 

Of  hir,  that  wol  hir  body  selle, 

Be  she  mayde,  be  she  wyf,  5055 

That  quik  ■wol  selle  hir,  by  hir  lyf. 

How  faire  chere  that  ever  she  make, 

He  is  a  wrecche,  I  undirtake, 

Tliat  floveth  such  one,  for  swete  or  sour, 

Though  she  him  calle  hir  paramour,  5060 

And  laiigheth  on  him,  and  makith  him 

feesto. 
For  certoynly  no  snche  [a]  beeste 
To  be  loved  is  not  worthy. 
Or  here  the  name  of  dru[e]ry. 
Noon  shulde  hir  please,  but  he  were  wood, 
That  wol  dispoile  him  of  his  good.      5066 
Yit  nevertheles,  I  wol  not  sey 
•f-But  she,  for  solace  and  for  pley, 
May  a  jewel  or  other  thing 
Take  of  her  loves  free  yeving  ;  5<V> 

But  that  she  aske  it  in  no  wyse, 
For  drede  of  shame  of  coveityse. 
And  she  of  hirs  may  him,  certeyn, 
Withoute  sclaundre,  ycven  agej'n. 
And  joyne  her  hertes  togidre  so  5075 

In  love,  and  take  and  yeve  also. 
Trowe  not  that  I  wolde  hem  twinne, 
Wlian  in  her  love  ther  is  no  sinno  ; 
I  wol  that  they  togedre  go, 
And  doon  al  that  they  ban  ado,  5080 

As  cnrteis  shuhlo  and  dobonaire, 
And  in  her  love  beren  licm  faire, 
Withoute  •syce,  bothe  he  and  she  ; 
So  that  alwey,  in  honestee. 
Fro  foly  love  ftbey  kepe  hem  clero    5085 
That  brenneth  hcrtis  with  his  fere  ; 
And  that  her  love,  in  any  wyse. 
Be  devoid  of  coveityse. 
Good  love  shuldo  engendrid  bo 
Of  trewe  herto,  just,  and  secree,  5090 

And  not  of  such  as  sette  lior  tliought 
To  have  lier  lust,  and  oUis  nought. 
So  arc  they  caught  in  Loves  lace, 
Truly,  for  bodily  solace. 
Fleslily  delj't  is  so  present  ^og^ 

With  thee,  that  sette  id  thyn  entent, 
Withoute  more  (what  shulde  I  glose  ?) 


For  to  gete  and  have  the  Hose  ; 

Which  makith  thee  so  mate  and  wood 

That  thou  desirest  noon  other  good.  5100 

But  thou  art  not  an  inche  the  nerre, 

Bi\t  ever  abydest  in  sorwe  and  werre, 

As  in  thy  face  it  is  sene  ; 

It  m.akith  thee  bothe  pale  and  lene  ; 

Thy  might,  thy  vertu  goth  away.        5105 

A  sory  gest,  in  goodo  fay. 

Thou  fherberedest  than  in  thyn  inne. 

The  God  of  Love  whan  thou  lot  inne  ! 

MHierfore  I  rede,  thou  shette  him  out. 

Or  ho  shal  greve  thee,  out  of  doute  ;   51 10 

For  to  thy  profit  it  wol  turne. 

If  he  nomore  with  thee  sojoiirne. 

In  gret  mischeef  and  sorwe  sonken 

Ben  hertis,  that  of  love  arn  dronken. 

As  thou  peraventure  knowen  shal,       5115 

Whiin  thoii  hast  lost  f  thy  tjTne  al. 

And  spent  tthy  youthe  in  ydilnesse, 

In  waste,  and  woful  lustinesse ; 

If  thou  maist  live  the  tyme  to  see 

Of  love  for  to  delivered  be,  5120 

Thy  tjnne  thou  shalt  biwepe  sore 

The  whiche  never  thou  maist  restore. 

(For  tjTiie  lost,  as  men  may  see. 

For  no-thing  may  recurod  be). 

And  if  thou  scape  yit,  atte  laste,  5rJ5 

Fro  Love,  that  hath  thee  so  faste 

Knit  and  bounden  in  his  lace, 

Certejni,  I  holde  it  but  a  grace. 

For  inany  oon,  as  it  is  seyn. 

Have  lost,  and  spent  also  in  ve>Ti,       5i.v> 

In  his  sorvyse,  withoute  socour. 

Body  and  soule,  good,  and  tresour. 

Wit,  and  strongthe,  and  eck  richesse, 

Of  which  tliey  hadde  never  redresse.' 

Thus  tauglit  and  preched  hathEesoun, 
But  Love  spilte  hir  sermoun,  ^1^6 

That  was  so  imped  in  my  thought, 
Tliat  hir  doctrine  I  sette  at  nought. 
And  yit  no  seide  she  never  a  dele, 
That  I  ne  understode  it  wele,  5140 

Word  by  word,  the  mater  al. 
But  unto  Love  I  was  so  thral. 
Which  cidlitli  <>vcr-al  liis  pray, 
He  chasith  so  my  thought  falway. 
And  holdith  mj-n  herte  undir  his  sele. 
As  trust  and  trew  as  any  stele  ;  5i4<> 

So  that  no  devoeioun 
Xe  hadde  I  in  the  sermoun 


Fkagment  B.j 


ZU  (Uomaunt  of  tU  (S^ou. 


53 


Of  dame  Rcsoiin,  ne  of  hir  rede  ; 

It  toke  no  sojour  in  mjni  hede.  5150 

For  alle  yede  out  at  oon  ere 

That  in  that  other  she  dide  lere  ; 

Fully  on  me  she  lost  hir  lore, 

Hir  speche  me  greved  woudir  sore. 

fThan  unto  hir  for  ire  I  seide,  5155 

For  anger,  as  I  dide  abraide  : 
•  Dame,  and  is  it  your  wille  algate. 
That  I  not  love,  but  that  I  hate 
Alle  men,  as  ye  me  teche  ? 
For  if  I  do  aftir  your  speche,  5160 

Sith  that  j-e  seyn  love  is  not  good. 
Than  must  I  nedis  say  with  mood, 
If  I  it  leve,  in  hatrede  ay 
Liven,  and  voide  love  away 
From  me,  [and  been]  a  sinful  wrecche. 
Hated  of  aU  that  [love  that]  teccho.     5166 
I  may  not  go  noon  other  gate, 
For  cither  must  I  love  or  hate. 
And  if  I  hate  men  of-newe 
More  than  love,  it  wol  me  rewe,  5170 

As  by  j-our  preching  semeth  mo. 
For  Love  no-thing  ne  preisith  thee. 
Ye  yeve  good  counseU,  sikirly. 
That  prechith  me  al-day,  that  I 
Shulde  not  Loves  lore  alowe  ;  5175 

He  were  a  fool,  wolde  you  not  trowe  ! 
In  speche  also  ye  han  me  taught 
Another  love,  that  knowen  is  naught, 
\^^lich  I  have  herd  you  not  reprevc. 
To  love  ech  other  ;  by  yoiir  leve,  5180 

If  ye  wolde  diffyne  it  me, 
I  wolde  gladly  here,  to  see. 
At  the  leest,  if  I  may  lere 
Of  sondry  loves  the  manere.' 

liaison.     'Certis,     freend,    a    fool    art 
thou  5185 

Wlian  that  thou  no-thing  W(jlt  allowe 
That  I  [thee]  for  thy  profit  say. 
Yit  wol  I  sey  thee  more,  in  fay  ; 
For  I  am  redj%  at  the  Icste, 
To  accomplisshe  thy  requeste,  5190 

But  I  not  wher  it  wol  avayle  ; 
In  veyne,  perauntre,  I  shal  travayle. 
Love  ther  is  in  sondry  -wyse, 
As  I  shal  thee  here  devyse. 
For  som  love  leful  is  and  good  ;  5195 

I  mene  not  that  which  makith  thee  wood. 
And  bringith  thee  in  many  a  fit. 
And  ravisshith  fro  thee  al  thy  wit, 


It  is  so  merveilous  and  queynt ; 

With  such  love  be  no  more  aquej-nt.  5201) 

Comment  Raisoun  diffinist 
+Amistie. 

'  Love  of  Frendshipe  also  ther  is. 
Which  makith  no  man  doon  amis. 
Of  wille  knit  bitwixe  two. 
That  wol  not  lireke  for  wele  ne  wo  ; 
Which  long  is  Ij'kly  to  contune,  5205 

Whan  wille  and  goodis  ben  in  comune  ; 
Grounded  by  goddis  ordinaunoe, 
Hool,  withoute  discordaunce ; 
With  hem  holding  comunteo 
Of  al  her  goode  in  charitee,  5210 

That  ther  be  noon  excepcioun 
Thurgh  chaunging  of  entencioun  ; 
That  ech  hclpe  other  at  hir  noede, 
And  wysly  hale  bothe  word  and  dede  ; 
Trewe  of  mcning,  devoid  of  slouthe,    5215 
For  wit  is  nought  withoute  troutlie  ; 
So  that  the  ton  dar  al  his  thought 
Seyn  to  his  freend,  and  spare  nought, 
As  to  him-silf,  without  dreding 
To  be  discovered  by  wreying.  5220 

For  glad  is  that  conjunccioun, 
Whan  ther  is  noon  suspecioim 
[Ne  lak  in  hem],  whom  they  wolde  prove 
That  trew  and  parfit  weren  in  love. 
For  no  man  may  be  amiable,  5225 

But-if  he  be  so  ferme  and  stable. 
That  fortune  chaunge  him  not,  ne  blinde. 
But  that  his  freend  alwey  him  finde, 
Bothe  pore  and  riche,  in  oo[n]  [e]statc. 
For  if  his  freend,  thurgh  any  gate,      5230 
Wol  compleyne  of  his  povertee, 
He  shulde  not  byde  so  long,  til  ho 
Of  his  helping  him  requere  ; 
For  good  deed,  dou  [but]  thurgh  prayere, 
Is  sold,  and  bought  to  dere,  y-wis,       5235 
To  hert  that  of  gret  valour  is. 
For  hert  fulfilled  of  gentilnesse 
Can  yvel  demene  his  distresse. 
And  man  that  worthy  is  of  name 
To  asken  often  hath  gret  shame.  5240 

A  good  man  brenneth  in  his  thought 
For  shame,  whan  he  axcth  ought. 
He  hath  gret  thought,  and  dredith  ay 
For  his  disese,  whan  ho  shal  pray 
His  freend,  lest  that  he  warned  be,     5245 


54 


ZU  (Siomaunt  of  tU  (Hoe^. 


[Fraqmest  B. 


Til  that  lie  preve  his  stabiltee. 

But  whan  that  he  hath  founden  oon 

That  trusty  is  and  trew  as  stone, 

And  [hath]  assayed  him  at  al, 

And  found  him  stedefast  as  a  wal,      5250 

And  of  his  freendship  he  certeyne, 

He  shal  him  shewe  bothe  jo3'e  and  peyne, 

And  al  that  [he]  dar  thinke  or  sey, 

Withoute  shame,  as  he  wel  may. 

For  how  shulde  he  ashamed  be  5255 

Of  sich  oon  as  I  tolde  thee  ? 

For  whan  he  woot  his  secree  thought. 

The   thridde   shal   knowe   ther-of    right 

nought ; 
For  tweyn  in  nombre  is  bet  than  three 
In  every  counsel  and  secree.  5260 

Eepreve  he  dredeth  never  a  del, 
Who  that  biset  his  wordis  wel ; 
For  every-  wj^s  man,  out  of  drede. 
Can  kepe  his  tunge  til  he  see  nede ; 
And  fooles  can  not  holde  hir  tunge  ;  5265 
A  fooles  belle  is  sone  runge. 
Yit  shal  a  trewe  freend  do  more 
To  helpe  his  felowe  of  his  sore. 

And  socoure  him,  whan  he  hath  nede, 
In  al  that  he  raay  doon  in  dede  ;  5270 

And  gladder  [be]  that  he  him  plesith 

Than  [is]  his  felowe  that  he  esith. 

And  if  he  do  not  his  requeste. 

He  shal  <as  mochel  him  moleste 

As  his  felow,  for  that  he  5275 

May  not  fulfille  his  voluntee 

[As]  fully  as  he  hath  requered. 

If  -j-bothe  hertis  Love  hath  fered, 

Joy  and  wo  they  shul  depart. 

And  take  evenly  ech  his  part.  5280 

Half  his  anoy  he  shal  have  ay, 

And  comfort  [him]  what  that  he  may  ; 

And  of  -f-his  blisse  parte  shal  he. 

If  love  wol  departed  be. 

'  And  whilom  of  this  famitce  5285 

Spak  Tullius  in  a  ditee  ; 

■f"  A  man  shulde  maken  his  request 

Unto  his  freend,  that  is  honest  ; 

And  he  goodly  shulde  it  fulfille. 

But  it  the  more  were  out  of  skile,        5290 

And  otherwise  not  graunt  therto. 

Except  only  in  -j-cases  two  : 

If  men  his  freend  to  deth  wolde  dryve, 

Lat  him  be  bisy  to  save  his  lyve. 

Also  if  men  wolcn  him  assaylo,  5295 


Of  his  wurship  to  make  him  faile, 

And  hiudren  him  of  his  renoun, 

Lat  him,  with  ful  entencioun, 

His  dever  doon  in  ech  degree 

That  his  freend  ne  shamed  be,  5300 

In  this  two  -f-cases  with  his  might, 

Taking  no  kepe  to  skile  nor  right, 

As  ferre  as  love  may  him  excuse  ; 

This  oughte  no  man  to  refuse." 

This  love  that  I  have  told  to  thee        5305 

Is  no-thing  contrarie  to  me  ; 

This  wol  I  that  thou  folowe  wel, 

And  leve  the  tother  everydel. 

This  love  to  vertu  al  attendith,  5309 

The  tothir  fooles  blent  and  shendith. 

'  Another  love  also  there  is. 
That  is  contrarie  unto  this. 
Which  desjTe  is  so  constreyned 
That  [it]  is  but  wiUe  feyned  ; 
Awey  fro  trouthe  it  doth  so  varie,        5315 
That  to  good  love  it  is  contrarie ; 
For  it  maymeth,  in  many  wyse, 
Syke  hertis  with  coveityse  ; 
Al  in  winning  and  in  profji; 
Sich  love  settith  his  delj-t.  5320 

This  love  so  hangeth  in  balaunce 
That,  if  it  lese  his  hope,  perchaunce. 
Of  lucre,  that  he  is  set  upon. 
It  wol  faile,  and  quenche  anon  ; 
For  no  man  may  be  amorous,  5325 

Ne  in  his  living  vertuous, 
But-[if  ]  he  love  more,  in  mood. 
Men  for  hem-silf  than  for  hir  good. 
For  love  that  profit  doth  abyde 
Is  fals,  and  bit  not  in  no  tyde.  5330 

[This]  love  cometh  of  dame  Fortune, 
That  litel  whyle  wol  contune  ; 
For  it  shal  chaungen  wonder  sone, 
And  take  eclips  right  as  the  mone. 
Whan  fshe  is  from  us  [y]-let  5335 

Thurgh  erthe,  that  bitwixe  is  set 
The  Sonne  and  hir,  as  it  may  faile, 
Be  it  in  party,  or  in  alle  ; 
Tlie  shadowe  maketh  her  bemis  merke. 
And  hir  homes  to  shewe  derke,  5340 

That  part  where  she  hath  lost  -f-the  lyght 
Of  Pliebus  fully,  and  the  sight ; 
Til,  whan  the  shadowe  is  overpast. 
She  is  enlumined  ageyn  as  faste,         5344 
f  Thurgh  brightnesse  of  the  sonne  hemes 
That  yeveth  to  hir  ageyn  hir  lemes. 


Fragment  B.] 


tU  (Hontaunf  of  iU  (Kcee. 


55 


That  love  is  right  of  sicli  nature  ; 

Now  is  [it]  fair,  and  now  obscure, 

Now  bright,  now  clipsy  of  naanerc. 

And  whylom  dim,  and  whylom  clere.  5350 

As  sone  as  Poverte  ginneth  take, 

With  mantel  and  [with]  wedis  blake 

[It]  hidith  of  Love  the  light  awey, 

That  into  night  it  turneth  day ; 

It  may  not  see  Eichesse  shyne  5355 

Til  the  blakke  shadowes  fyne. 

For,  whan  Eichesse  shyneth  bright, 

Love  recovereth  ageyn  his  light ; 

And  whan  it  failith,  he  wol  flit. 

And  as  she  -j-groweth,  so  groweth  it.  5360 

'  Of  this  love,  here  what  I  sey  : — 
The  riche  men  are  loved  ay. 
And  namely  tho  that  sparand  bene. 
That  wol  not  wasshe  hir  hertes  clene 
Of  the  filthe,  nor  of  the  vyce  5365 

Of  gredy  brenning  avaryce. 
The  riche  man  ful  fond  is,  y-wis, 
That  weneth  that  he  loved  is. 
If  that  his  herte  it  undirstood, 
It  is  not  he,  it  is  his  good  ;  5370 

He  may  wel  witen  in  his  thought. 
His  good  is  loved,  and  he  right  nought. 
For  if  he  be  a  nigard  eke, 
Men  wole  not  sette  by  him  a  leke, 
But  haten  him  ;  this  is  the  soth.  5375 

Lo,  what  profit  his  catel  doth  ! 
Of  every  man  that  may  him  see. 
It  geteth  him  nought  but  enmitee. 
But  he  amende  "l-him  of  that  vyce. 
And  knowe  him-silf,  he  is  not  wys.      5380 

'  Certis,  he  shulde  ay  freendly  be, 
To  gete  him  love  also  ben  free, 
Or  ellis  he  is  not  wyse  ne  sage 
No  more  than  is  a  gote  ramage. 
That  he  not  loveth,  his  dede  proveth. 
Whan  he  his  richesse  so  wel  loveth,  5386 
That  he  wol  hyde  it  ay  and  spare, 
His  pore  freendis  seen  forfare  ; 
To  kepe  fit  ay  is  his  purpose, 
Til  for  drede  his  eyen  close,  5390 

And  til  a  wikked  deth  him  take  ; 
Him  haddc  lever  asondre  shake. 
And  late  f  his  limes  asondre  ryve, 
Than  leve  his  richesse  in  his  lyve. 
He  thenkith  parte  it  with  no  man  ;    5395 
Certayn,  no  love  is  in  him  than. 
How  shulde  love  within  him  be. 


Whan  in  his  herte  is  no  pite  ? 

That  he  trespasseth,  wel  I  wat, 

For  ech  man  knowith  his  estat ;  5400 

For  wel  him  foughte  be  reproved 

That  loveth  nought,  ne  is  not  loved. 

'  But  sith  we  arn  to  Fortune  comen, 
And  fhan  our  sermoun  of  hir  nomen, 
A  wondir  wil  I  telle  thee  now,  5405 

Thou  herdist  never  sicli  oon,  I  trow. 
I  not  wher  thou  me  leven  shal. 
Though  sothfastnesse  it  be  fin  al, 
As  it  is  writen,  and  is  sooth. 
That  unto  men  more  profit  doth  54it> 

The  froward  Fortune  and  contraire, 
Than  the  swote  and  debonaire  : 
And  if  thee  thinke  it  is  doutable, 
It  is  thurgh  argument  p)rovable. 
For  the  debonaire  and  softe  5415 

Falsith  and  bigylith  ofte  ; 
For  liche  a  raoder  she  can  cherishe 
And  milken  as  doth  a  norys  ; 
And  of  hir  goode  to  f  hem  deles. 
And  yeveth  f  hem  part  of  her  joweles. 
With  grete  richesse  and  digiiitee  ;      5421 
And  hem  she  hotetli  stabilitee 
In  a  state  that  is  not  stable. 
But  chaunging  ay  and  variable  ; 
And  fedith  f  hem  with  glorie  veyne,    5425 
And  worldly  blisse  noncerteync. 
Wlian  she  f  hem  settith  on  hir  whele. 
Than  wene  they  to  be  right  wcle, 
And  in  so  stable  state  withalle, 
That  never  they  wene  for  to  falle.       5430 
And  whan  they  set  so  high[e]  be, 
They  wene  to  have  in  certeintee 
Of  hertly  f rendis  f  so  gret  noumbre. 
That  no-thing  mighte  her  stat  eucombre  ; 
They  truste  hem  so  on  every  syde,       5435 
Wening  with  f  hem  they  wolde  abyde 
In  every  perel  and  mischaunce, 
Withoute  chaunge  or  variaunce, 
Bothc  of  catel  and  of  gwnl  ; 
And  also  for  to  spendc  hir  blood  544u 

And  alle  hir  membris  for  to  spille, 
Only  to  fulfille  hir  wille. 
They  maken  it  hole  in  many  wyse, 
And  hoten  hem  hir  ful  servyso, 
How  sore  that  it  do  hem  smerte,  5445 

Into  hir  very  naked  sherte  ! 
Herto  and  al,  so  hole  they  yeve, 
For  the  tymo  that  they  may  live, 


56 


ZU  (Homaunt  of  tU  (Roee. 


[FUAGMEKT  B. 


5450 


5455 


So  that,  with  her  flaterj-e, 

They  niakcn  fnolis  glorifye 

Of  hir  wordis  [greet]  speking, 

And  hail  fthore-of  a  rejoysing, 

And  trowo  hem  as  the  Evangyle  ; 

And  it  is  al  falsheed  and  gyle, 

As  they  shal  afterwarde[s]  see, 

Whan  they  am  falle  in  poverteo, 

And  been  of  good  and  catel  hare  ; 

Tlian    shulde    they    seen    who    freendis 

ware. 
For  of  an  hundred,  certeynly, 
Nor  of  ,1  thousand  ful  scarsl.^-,  5460 

Ne  shal  they  fynde  unncthis  0011, 
AVlian  povertee  is  conien  upon. 
For  fthis  Fortune  that  I  of  telle. 
With  men  whan  hir  lust  to  dwellc, 
Makith  hem  to  lese  hir  conisaunce,    5465 
And  nourishith  hem  in  ignoraunce. 

'  But  froward  Fortune  and  perverse, 
Whan  high  estatis  she  doth  reverse. 
And  malveth  hem  to  tumble  douii 
Of  hir  whele,  with  sodej'U  tourn,  5470 

And  from  hir  richesse  doth  hem  flee, 
And  jjlongeth  hem  in  povertee. 
As  a  stopmoder  cnvyous. 
And  leyetli  a  piastre  dolorous 
Unto  her  hertis,  wounded  egre,  5475 

'\^'^lich  is  not  tcmprcd  with  vinegre, 
But  with  poverte  and  indigence, 
-j-Sho  shcweth,  by  exporicnco, 
That  she  is  Fortune  verely 
In  whom  no  man  shulde  affy,  54S'> 

Nor  in  hir  yeftis  liave  fiaimce. 
She  is  so  ful  of  variaunco. 
Tlius  can  she  makcn  high  and  lowo. 
Whan  they  from  richesse  ar[e]n  throwc, 
Fully  to  knowen,  withouten  were,       5485 
Freend  of  f  effect,  and  frecnd  of  chere  ; 
And  which  in  love  weren  trcw  and  stable, 
And  whicho  also  weren  variable, 
After  Fortune,  liir  goddesso, 
In  poverte,  oiither  in  richesse  ;  549^' 

For  al  fshe  yeveth,  out  of  drcde, 
Unhappe  bcrevoth  it  in  dede  ; 
For  In  fortune  -flat  not  oon 
Of  freendis,  whan  Fortune  is  goon  ; 
I  mene  tho  freendis  that  wol  floe         5495 
Anoon  as  entreth  povertee. 
And  yit  they  wol  not  leve  hem  so. 
But  in  ech  place  where  thej'  go 


They  ealle  hem  "  wrecche,"  scorne  and 

blame. 
And  of  hir  niisliappe  hem  diffame,      55<x) 
And,  namely,  siclie  as  in  richesse 
Pretendith  most  of  stablenesse. 
Whan  that  they  sawe  him  set  onlofto. 
And  weren  of  him  socoured  ofte, 
And  most  y-holpe  in  al  hir  nedo  :        5505 
But  now  they  take  no  maner  hede, 
But  sej-n,  in  voice  of  flateryo. 
That  now  apperith  hir  folye, 
Over-al  where-so  thoy  fare, 
And  singe,  "  Go,  farewel  feldefare."    5510 
AUe  suche  freendis  I  beshrewe, 
For  of  [the]  trewe  ther  be  to  fewe  ; 
But  sothfast  freendis,  what  .so  bityde. 
In  every  fortune  wolen  abyde  ; 
They  ban  hir  hertis  in  suche  noblesse 
That  tliey  nil  love  for  no  richesse  ;      5516 
Nor,  for  that  Fortune  may  hem  sendo, 
They  wolen  hem  socoure  and  defeude  ; 
And  chaunge  for  softe  ne  for  sore. 
For  who  is  freend,  loveth  evermore.    55^0 
Though  men  drawe  sword  his  freend  to  slo. 
Ho  may  not  hcwo  hir  love  atwo. 
But,  in  [the]  case  that  I  shal  sey, 
For  pride  and  ire  lose  it  he  nia3', 
And  for  reprove  by  nj^cetec,  5525 

And  discovering  of  priviteo, 
With  tonge  wounding,  as  feloun, 
Thurgh  venomous  detraccioun. 
Frond  in  this  case  wol  gon  his  wa,^-, 
For  no-thing  grevo  him  more  no  may  ; 
And  for  nought  cUis  wol  he  floe,  55,^1 

If  that  he  love  in  stabilitec. 
And  certeyn,  he  is  wol  bigoon 
Am<mg  a  thousand  that  tyndith  oon. 
For  ther  may  be  no  richesse,  55^5 

Ageyns  frendship,  of  worthinesse; 
For  it  no  maj'  so  high  atteigne 
As  may  the  valoure,  sooth  to  se^Tie, 
Of  him  that  loveth  trow  and  wel  ; 
Frendship  is  more  than  is  catel.  554" 

For  freend  in  court  ay  better  is 
Than  peny  in  [his]  purs,  certis  ; 
And  Fortune,  mishapping, 
Whan  iipon  men  she  is  f  falling, 
Thurgh  misturning  of  hir  chaunce,    5545 
And  fcasteth  hem  onto  of  balaunce, 
She  makith,  thurgh  hir  adversitee, 
Men  ful  cleerly  for  to  see 


Fragment  B.] 


ZU  (^omaunf  of  iU  (Ho^^- 


57 


Him  that  is  freend  in  existence 

From  him  that  is  by  apparence.  5550 

For  Infortiine  makith  anoon 

To  knowe  thy  freendis  fro  thj'  foon, 

By  experience,  right  as  it  is  ; 

The  "which  is  more  to  preyse,  y-wis, 

Than  f  is  miche  richesse  and  tresour  ; 

For  more  f  doth  profit  and  valour        5556 

Poverte,  and  such  adversitee, 

Bifore  tlian  dotli  prosperitee  ; 

For  the  toon  yeveth  conisaunce, 

And  the  tother  ignoraunce.  5560 

'  And  thus  in  poverte  is  in  dede 
Trouthe  declared  fro  falsehede  ; 
For  feynte  frendis  it  wol  declare, 
And  trewe  also,  what  wey  they  fare. 
For  whan  he  was  in  his  richesse,  5565 

These  freendis,  ful  of  dotiblenesse, 
Offrid  him  in  many  wj'se 
Hert  and  body,  and  servyse. 
What   wolde   he   than   ha   -j-yeve   to   ha 

bought 
To  knowen  openly  her  thought,  5570 

That  ho  now  hath  so  clerly  seen  ? 
The  lasse  bigylcd  he  sholde  have  been 
And  he  hadde  than  percej'ved  it. 
But  richesse  nold  not  late  him  wit. 
Wei  more  avauntage  doth  him  than,  5575 
Sith  that  it  makith  him  a  wys  man. 
The  greet  mischeef  that  he  ■freceyveth. 
Than  doth  richesse  that  him  dcceyveth. 
Richesse  riche  ne  makith  nought 
Him  that  on  treaoiir  set  his  thov^ght  ; 
For  richesse  stont  in  siiffisaunce  5581 

And  no-thing  in  habundaunce  ; 
For  suffisaunce  al-only 
Makith  men  to  live  richely. 
For  he  that  hath  [but]  miches  tweyne, 
Ne  [more]  value  in  his  demeigne,  5586 

Liveth  more  at  ese,  and  more  is  riche. 
Than  doth  he  that  is  [so]  chiche. 
And  in  his  hern  hath,  soth  to  seyn, 
An  hundred  fmuwis  of  whete  greyn,  5590 
Though  he  be  chapman  or  marchaunt. 
And  have  of  golde  many  besaunt. 
For  in  the  geting  he  hath  such  wo. 
And  in  the  kei^ing  drede  also, 
And  set  evermore  his  bisynesse  5595 

For  to  encrese,  and  not  to  losse, 
For  to  augment  and  multiply. 
And  though  on  hejiis  fit  lyo  him  by, 


Yit  never  shal  make  his  richesse 

Asseth  unto  his  gredinesse.  56a) 

But  the  povre  that  recchith  nought. 

Save  of  his  lyflode,  in  his  thought, 

Which  that  he  getith  with  his  travaile, 

He  dredith  nought  that  it  shal  faile, 

Though  he  have  lytel  worldis  good,    5605 

Mete  and  drinke,  and  esy  food, 

Upon  his  travel  and  living, 

And  also  suffisaunt  clothing. 

Or  if  in  syknesse  that  he  falle, 

And  lothe  mete  and  drink  withalle,    501(1 

Though  he  have  notight,  his  mete  to  )jy. 

He  shal  bithinke  him  hastcly. 

To  putte  him  out  of  al  daimger. 

That  ho  of  mete  hath  no  mister  ; 

Or  that  he  may  with  litel  eke  5615 

Be  founden,  whyl  that  he  is  soke  ; 

Or  that  men  shul  hina  fbere  in  hast, 

To  live,  til  his  syknesse  be  past. 

To  somme  maysondewe  bisyde  ;  5619 

He  cast  nought  what  shal  him  bityde. 

He  thenkith  nought  that  ever  he  shal 

Into  any  syknesse  falle. 

'  And  though  it  falle,  as  it  may  be, 
That  al  betyme  spare  shal  he 
As  mocliel  as  shal  to  him  suiTyce,        5625 
Whyl  ho  is  syke  in  any  wyso, 
He  doth  [it],  for  that  he  wol  be 
Content  with  his  povertee 
Withoi\te  nede  of  any  naan. 
So  miche  in  litel  have  he  can,  5630 

He  is  upayed  with  his  fortune  ; 
And  for  he  nil  be  importune 
Unto  no  wight,  ne  onerous. 
Nor  of  hir  goodes  coveitotis  ; 
Therfore  he  spareth,  it  may  wel  been, 
His  pore  estat  for  to  sustene.  5636 

'  Or  if  him  lust  not  for  to  spare. 
But  suffrith  forth,  as  nought  ne  ware, 
Atte  last  it  hapneth,  as  it  may. 
Eight  unto  his  laste  day,  5(140 

And  ftaketh  the  world  as  it  wolde  be  ; 
For  ever  in  herto  thenkith  he. 
The  soner  that  [the]  deeth  him  slo, 
To  paradys  the  soner  go 
He  shal,  there  for  to  live  in  blissc,       5645 
\Vhcrc  that  ho  shal  no  good  missc. 
Thider  he  hopith  god  shal  him  sende 
Aftir  his  wrccchid  Ij'ves  ende. 
Pictagoras  himsilf  rchcrses, 


58 


ZU  (Romauttf  of  tU  (Hoee. 


[Fkaomest  B. 


In  a  book  that  the  Golden  Verses        5650 
Is  clepid,  for  tlie  nobilitee 
Of  the  honourable  ditee  : — 
"  Than,  whan  thou  gost  thy  body  fro, 
Free  in  the  eir  thou  shalt  up  go, 
And  Icven  al  hiimanitee,  5655 

And  purely  live  in  deitee." — 
He  is  a  fool,  withouten  were. 
That  trowith  have  his  countre  here. 
"  In  erthe  is  not  our  countree," 
That  may  these  clerkis  seyn  and  see  5660 
In  Boece  of  Consolacioun, 
Where  it  is  maked  mencioun 
Of  our  countree  pleyn  at  the  eye. 
By  teehing  of  philosophye. 
Where  lewid  men  might  lere  wit,       5665 
Who-so  that  wolde  translaten  it. 
If  he  be  sich  that  can  wel  live 
Aftir  his  rente  may  him  yive, 
And  not  desjTeth  more  to  have, 
That  may  fro  povertee  hina  save  :        5670 
A  wys  man  seide,  as  we  niay  seen. 
Is  no  man  wrecched,  but  he  it  wene, 
Be  he  king,  knight,  or  riband. 
And  many  a  ribaud  is  mery  and  baud, 
That  swinkith,  and  berith,  bothe  day  and 
night,  5675 

Many  a  burthen  of  gret  might, 
The  whiche  doth  him  lasse  oifense. 
For  he  suffrith  in  pacience. 
They  laugh  and  daunce,  trippe  and  singo. 
And  le.v  not  up  for  her  living,  5680 

But  in  the  tavern  al  dispendith 
The  winning  that  god  hem  sendith. 
Than  goth  he,  fardels  for  to  bero, 
M'ith  as  good  chere  as  he  dide  ere  ; 
To  swinke  and  traveile  he  not  feynith, 
For  for  to  robben  he  disde.^mith  ;         5686 
But  right  anoon,  aftir  his  swinke. 
He  goth  to  tavern  for  to  drinke. 
Alle  these  ar  riche  in  abundauncc. 
That  can  thus  have  suffisaunce  5690 

Wel  more  than  can  an  usurere. 
As  god  wel  knowitli,  withoute  were. 
For  an  usurer,  so  god  mo  see, 
Shal  never  for  richesse  riche  bee, 
But  evermore  pore  and  indigent,         5695 
Scarce,  and  gredy  in  his  cntont. 

'  For  soth  it  is,  whom  it  displese, 
Ther  may  no  marchaunt  live  at  ese ; 
His  herte  in  sich  a  fwere  is  set, 


That  it  qiiik  brcnneth  [more]  to  get,   5700 

Xe  never  shal  f  enough  have  goten  ; 

Though  he  have  gold  in  gerners  yeten, 

For  to  be  nedj'  he  dredith  sore. 

Wherfore  to  geten  more  and  more 

He  set  his  herte  and  his  desire  ;  5705 

So  hote  he  brennith  in  the  fire 

Of  coveitise,  that  makith  him  wood 

To  purchase  other  mennes  good. 

He  undirfongith  a  gret  pejTie, 

That  undirtakith  to  drinke  up  Seyne  ; 

For  the  more  he  drinkith,  ay  571 1 

Tlie  more  he  leveth,  the  soth  to  say. 

f  This  is  the  thurst  of  fals  geting, 

That  last  ever  in  coveiting. 

And  the  anguisshe  and  distresse  5715 

With  the  fire  of  gredinesse. 

She  fighteth  with  him  ay,  and  strjrveth. 

That  his  herte  asondre  i-yveth  ; 

Such  gredinesse  him  assaj-lith. 

That  whan  he  most  hath,  most  he  faylith. 

'  Phisiciens  and  advocates  57-' i 

Gon  right  bj-  the  same  j-ates  ; 
They  selle  hir  science  for  ■winning, 
And  haunte  hir  crafte  for  greet  geting. 
Hir  winning  is  of  such  swetnesse,        5725 
That  if  a  man  falle  in  sikenesse. 
They  are  ful  glad,  for  hir  encrese  ; 
For  by  hir  wille,  withoute  lees, 
Everiche  man  shulde  be  seke,  5729 

And  though  they  dye,  they  set  not  a  leke. 
After,  whan  they  the  gold  have  take, 
Ful  litel  care  for  hem  they  make. 
They  wolde  that  fourty  were  seke  at  onis. 
Ye,  two  hundred,  in  flesh  and  bonis. 
And  yit  two  thousand,  as  I  gesso,         5735 
For  to  encresen  her  richesse. 
They  ■wol  not  worchen,  in  no  ^v>•se, 
But  for  lucre  and  coveitj'se  ; 
For  fysyk  ginneth  first  byy>/, 
The  fysycien  also  sothely  ;  5740 

And  sithen  it  goth  iro  fij  to  \sy  ; 
To  trustc  on  hem,  it  is  foly  ; 
For  they  nil,  in  no  manor  gree. 
Do  right  nought  for  charitee. 

'  Eke  in  the  same  secte  are  set  5745 

Alle  tho  that  prechen  for  to  get 
Worshipes,  honour,  and  richesse. 
Her  hertis  am  in  greet  distresse, 
That  folk  [ne]  live  not  holily. 
But  alx>ven  al,  specialy,  5750 


Fkagmknt  B.] 


ZU  (Komauni  of  tU  (^ioet. 


59 


Sicli  as  precheii  [for]  veynglorie, 

And  toward  god  have  no  memoric, 

Bnt  forth  as  ypijcrites  trace, 

And  to  her  soules  deth  purchace, 

And  ontward  f shewen  holj-nesse,         5755 

Though  they  be  fnlle  of  cursidnesse. 

Not  liche  to  the  apostles  twelve, 

They  deceyve  other  and  hem-selve  ; 

Bigyled  is  the  gyler  than. 

For  preching  of  a  cursed  man,  5760 

Though  [it]  to  other  niay  profjiie, 

Hinisilf  availeth  not  a  ni^'yH^e  ; 

For  oit  good  prcdicacioun 

Cometh  of  evel  entencioun. 

To  him  not  vailith  his  preching,  5765 

Al  lielpe  he  other  with  his  teching  ; 

For  where  they  good  ensaumple  take, 

There  is  he  with  veynglorie  shake. 

'  But  lat  us  leven  these  prechoures, 
And  speke  of  hem  that  in  her  toures  5770 
Hepe  up  her  gold,  and  faste  shette, 
And  sore  theron  her  herte  sette. 
They  neither  love  god,  ne  drede 
They  kepe  more  than  it  is  nede, 
And  in  her  bagges  sore  it  bindo,  5775 

Out  of  the  Sonne,  and  of  the  winde  ; 
They  putte  up  more  than  nede  ware, 
Whan  they  seen  pore  folk  forfare. 
For  hunger  dye,  and  for  cold  quake  ; 
God  can  wel  vengeaunce  therof  take.  5780 
fThree  grot  mischeves  hem  assailith, 
And  thus  in  gadring  ay  travaylith  ; 


With  moche  peyne  they  winne  richesse  ; 

And  drede  hem  holdith  in  distresse, 

To  kepe  that  they  gadre  faste  ;  5785 

With  sorwe  they  leve  it  at  the  laste  ; 

With  sorwe  they  bothe  dye  and  live, 

That  f  to  richesse  her  hertis  yive. 

And  in  defaute  of  love  it  is, 

As  it  shewith  ful  wel,  y-wis.  5750 

For  if  these  gredy,  the  sothe  to  scyn, 

Loveden,  and  were  loved  ageyn, 

And  good  love  regned  over-allo. 

Such  wikkidnesse  ue  shulde  fallo  ; 

But  he  shiilde  j-eve  that  most  good  had 

To  hem  that  weren  in  nede  bistad,      5796 

And  live  withoute  fals  usure, 

For  charitee  ful  clene  and  ptirc. 

If  they  hem  yeve  to  goodnesso, 

Defending  hem  from  j-delnesse,  5800 

In  al  this  world  than  pore  noon 

We  shulde  finde,  I  trowe,  not  oon. 

But  chaunged  is  this  world  unstable  ; 

For  love  is  over-al  vendalde. 

We  see  that,  no  man  loveth  now  5805 

But  for  winning  and  for  prow  ; 

And  love  is  thralled  in  servage 

Whan  it  is  sold  for  avauntage  ; 

Yit  wommen  wol  hir  bodies  selle  ;      5809 

Suche  soules  goth  to  the  devcl  of  helle.' 

[Here  ends  1.  5170  of  the  F.  text.  A 
great  gap  folloivs.  The  next  line  an- 
swers to  1.  10717  of  the  sam!\] 


PKAGMENT  C. 


Whan  Love  had  told  hem  his  entente. 

The  baronage  to  coiuicel  wente  ; 

In  many  sentences  thej'  fille. 

And  dyversly  they  seide  hir  willc  : 

But  aftir  discord  they  accorded,  5815 

And  hir  accord  to  Love  recorded. 

'  Sir,'  seiden  they,  '  we  been  at  oon, 

B.v  even  accord  of  everichoon, 

Out-take  Ilichosse  al-only. 

That  sworen  hath  fvil  hautejaily,  5820 

That  she  the  castel  f  nil  assaile, 

Ne  smyte  a  stroke  in  this  batailo. 

With  dart,  ne  mace,  spere,  ne  knyf. 


For  man  that  speketh  or  bereth  the  lyf, 

And  blameth  your  emprysc,  y-wis,      5825 

And  from  our  boost  departed  is, 

(At  leeste  wey,  as  in  this  plyto,) 

So  hath  she  this  man  in  dispyte  ; 

For  she  seith  he  ne  loved  hir  never, 

And  therfor  she  wol  hate  him  ever. 

For  he  wol  gadre  no  tresorc. 

Ho  hath  hir  wrath  for  evermore. 

He  agilte  hir  never  in  other  caas, 

Lo,  hero  al  hooUy  his  trespas  ! 

She  seith  wel,  that  this  other  day 

He  asked  hir  leve  to  goon  the  way 


5S.^o 


583s 


6o 


ZU  (Romaunt  of  tU  (S^oet. 


[Fraomevt  C. 


That  is  clepid  To-moche-Yeving, 

And  spak  ful  faire  in  his  praying  ; 

Unt  whan  he  prayde  liir,  pore  was  he, 

Therfore  she  warned  him  the  entree.  5840 

Ne  j-it  is  he  not  thriven  so 

Tliat  he  hath  geten  a  peny  or  two, 

Tliat  qnitly  is  his  owne  in  hold. 

Thus  hath  Richesse  ns  alle  told  ; 

And  whan  Richesse  us  this  recorded,  5845 

Withouten  hir  we  been  accorded. 

'  And  we  finde  in  our  accordaunce, 
Tliat  False-Semblant  and  Abstinaunce, 
With  alle  the  folk  of  hir  bataile, 
Shulle  at  the  hinder  gate  assayle,        5850 
Tliat  Wikkid-Tunge  hath  in  keping, 
With  his  Normans,  fulle  of  jangling. 
And  with  hem  Curtesie  and  Largesse, 
That  shulle  shcwe  hir  hardinesse 
To  the  olde  wyf  that  f  kepeth  so  harde 
Fair- Welcoming  within  her  warde.     5856 
Than  shal  Delj-te  and  Wel-Helinge 
Fonde  Shame  adoun  to  bringe  ; 
With  al  hir  boost,  erly  and  late, 
Tliey  shulle  assailen  fthilke  gate.        5S60 
Agajaies  Drede  shal  Hardinesse 
Assayle,  and  also  Sikernesse, 
With  al  the  folk  of  hir  Icding, 
That  never  wist  what  was  fleing. 

'  Fraunchyse  shal  fighte,  and  eek  Pitee, 
With  Daunger  ful  of  crueltee.  5866 

Thus  is  your  boost  ordej-ned  wel  ; 
Doun  shal  the  castel  every  del, 
If  evoriche  do  bis  entente. 
So  that  Venus  be  presente,  5870 

Your  modor,  ful  of  vassalage. 
That  can  y-nougb  of  such  usage  ; 
Withouten  hir  may  no  wight  spede 
This  work,  neither  for  word  ne  dede. 
Therfore  is  good  ye  for  hir  sende,        5875 
For  thurgh  hir  may  this  werk  amende.' 

Amour.     '  Lordinges,   my    moder,    the 
goddesse, 
Tliat  is  my  lady,  and  my  maistrcsse, 
Nis  not  [at]  al  at  my  willing, 
Ne  dotli  not  al  my  desyring.  5880 

Yit  can  she  som-tyme  doon  labour. 
Whan  that  liir  lust,  in  my  socour, 
•f-Al  my  nedes  for  to  acheve. 
But  now  I  thenke  hir  not  to  greve. 
My  moder  is  she,  and  of  childhode      5885 
I  bothe  worshipe  hir,  and  eek  drede  ; 


For  who  that  dredeth  sire  ne  dame 

Shal  it  abye  in  body  or  name. 

And,  natbelcs,  yit  cunne  wo 

Sende  after  hir,  if  nede  be  ;  5890 

And  were  she  nigh,  she  comcn  wolde, 

I  trowe  that  no-thing  might  hir  holde. 

'  My  moder  is  of  greet  prowesse  ; 
She  hath  tan  many  a  forteresse. 
That  cost  hath  many  a  pound  er  this,  5895 
Ther  I  nas  not  present,  y-wis  ; 
And  yit  men  seide  it  was  my  dede  ; 
But  I  come  never  in  that  stede  ; 
Ne  me  ne  Ij'keth,  so  mote  I  thee, 
Such  f  toures  take  withoute  me.  5900 

For-why  me  thenketh  that,  in  no  wyse. 
It  may  ben  cleped  but  marchandise. 

'  Go  bye  a  courser,  blak  or  whyte. 
And  pay  therfor  ;  than  art  thou  quyte. 
The  marchaunt  owetli  thee  right  nought. 
Ne  thou  him,  whan  thou  [hast]  it  bought. 
I  wol  not  selling  clepe  yeviiig,  5907 

For  selling  axeth  no  guerdoning  ; 
Here  lytli  no  thank,  ne  no  meryte, 
That  oon  goth  from  that  other  al  quyte. 
But  this  selling  is  not  semblable  :        591 1 
For,  whan  his  hors  is  in  the  stable, 
He  may  it  selle  agejTi,  pardee. 
And  winne  on  it,  such  hap  may  be  ; 
Al  may  the  man  not  lese,  y-wis,  5915 

For  at  the  leest  the  skin  is  his. 
Or  eUes,  if  it  so  bitydo 
Tliat  he  wol  kepe  his  hors  to  ryde, 
Yit  is  ho  lord  ay  of  his  hors. 
But  thilke  chaflFare  is  wel  wors,  5920 

There  Venus  entremetetli  nought ; 
For  wlio-so  such  cliaffare  hath  bought, 
He  shal  not  worchen  so  wysly, 
That  lie  ne  shal  lose  al  outerly 
Bothe  his  money  and  his  chaffare  ;      5925 
But  the  seller  of  the  ware 
The  prys  and  profit  have  shal. 
Certcyn,  the  byer  shal  lese  al ; 
For  he  ne  can  so  dorc  it  bye 
To  have  lordshiji  and  ful  maistrye,      5930 
Ne  have  power  to  make  letting 
Neither  for  yift  no  for  preching. 
That  of  his  chaffare,  maugre  his. 
Another  shal  have  as  moche,  y-wis. 
If  he  wol  yeve  as  moche  as  he,  5935 

Of  what  controy  so  that  he  be  ; 
Or  for  right  nought,  so  liappe  may, 


Fragment  C] 


ZU  (Kotnaunt  of  t^  (Uoee. 


6i 


If  he  can  flater  hir  to  hir  pay. 

Ben  than  stiohe  marchannts  wyse  ? 

No,  but  fooles  in  every  wyse,  594o 

Whan  they  bye  stich  thing  wilfully, 

Ther-as  they  lese  her  good  ffully. 

But  natheles,  this  dar  I  saye, 

My  moder  is  not  wont  to  paye, 

For  she  is  neither  so  fool  ne  nyce,       5945 

To  entremete  hir  of  sich  \'yce. 

But  truste  wel,  he  shal  paye  al, 

That  repente  of  his  bargeyn  shal, 

Whan  Poverte  put  him  in  distresse, 

Al  were  he  scoler  to  Eichesse,  5950 

That  is  for  me  in  gret  yerning, 

Whan  she  assenteth  to  my  willing. 

'  But,  [by]  my  moder  seint  Venus, 
And  by  hir  fader  Saturnus, 
That  hir  engendrid  by  his  lyf,  5955 

But  not  upon  his  wedded  wyf ! 
Yit  wol  I  more  unto  you  swere. 
To  make  this  thing  the  seurere  ; 
Now  by  that  feith,  and  that  fleautee 
■f-I  owe  to  alle  my  brethren  free,  5960 

Of  which  ther  nis  wight  under  heven 
That  can  her  fadres  names  neven, 
So  dy  vers  and  so  many  ther  be 
That  with  my  moder  have  be  privee  ! 
Yit  wolde  I  swere,  for  sikernesse,        5965 
The  pole  of  helle  to  my  witnesse. 
Now  drinke  I  not  this  yeer  clarree, 
If  that  I  lye,  or  forsworn  be  ! 
(For  of  the  goddes  the  usage  is, 
That  who-so  him  forswereth  amis,       5970 
Shal  that  yeer  drinke  no  clarree). 
Now  have  I  sworn  y-nough,  pardee  ; 
If  I  forswere  me,  than  am  I  lorn, 
But  I  wol  never  be  forsworn. 
Sith  Richesse  hath  me  failed  here,       5975 
She  shal  abye  that  trespas  f  dere. 
At  leeste  wey,  but  [she]  hir  arnie 
With  swerd,  or  sparth,  or  gisarme. 
For  certes,  sith  she  loveth  not  me, 
Fro  thilke  tyme  that  she  may  see        5980 
The  castel  and  the  tour  to-shake, 
In  sory  tyme  she  shal  awake. 
If  I  may  gryi^e  a  riche  man, 
I  shal  so  i)ullo  him,  if  I  can, 
That  he  shal,  in  a  fewe  stoundes,         5985 
Lese  alle  his  markes  and  his  poundes. 
I  shal  him  make  his  pens  outslinge, 
But-[if]  they  in  his  gerner  springe  ; 


Our  maydens  shal  eek  plukke  him  so. 
That  him  shal  neden  fetheres  mo,       5990 
And  make  him  selle  his  lond  to  spende, 
But  he  the  bet  cunne  him  defende. 

'  Pore  men  han  maad  hir  lord  of  me  ; 
Although  they  not  so  mighty  be. 
That  they  may  fede  me  in  delyt,  5995 

I  wol  not  have  hem  in  despyt. 
No  good  man  hateth  hem,  as  I  gesse  ; 
For  chinche  and  feloim  is  Richesse, 
That  so  can  chase  hem  and  dispj'se. 
And  hem  defoule  in  sondry  wyse.        6000 
They  loven  ful  bet,  so  god  me  spede. 
Than  doth  the  riche,  chinchy  fgnede, 
And  been,  in  good  feith,  more  stable 
And  trewer,  and  more  serviable  ; 
And  therfore  it  sufFyseth  me  6005 

Hir  goode  herte,  and  hir  fleautee. 
They  han  on  me  set  al  hir  thought. 
And  therfore  I  forgete  hem  nought. 
I  -f-wolde  hem  bringe  in  greet  noblesse. 
If  that  I  were  god  of  Richesse,  6010 

As  I  am  god  of  Love,  sothlj', 
Such  routhe  upon  hir  plejTit  have  I. 
Therfore  I  must  his  socour  be. 
That  pejTieth  him  to  serven  me  ; 
For  if  he  deyde  for  love  of  this,  6015 

Than  semeth  in  me  no  love  ther  is.' 

'  Sir,'  seide  they,  '  sooth  is,  every  del. 
That  ye  reherce,  and  we  wot  wel 
Thilk  oth  to  holde  is  resonable  ; 
For  it  is  good  and  covenable,  6020 

That  ye  on  riche  men  hau  sworn. 
For,  sir,  this  wot  we  wel  biforn  ; 
If  riche  men  doon  j-oi\  homage, 
That  is  as  fooles  doon  outrage  ; 
But  ye  shul  not  forsworen  be,  6025 

Ne  let  therfore  to  drinke  clarree. 
Or  pinient  maked  fresh  and  newe. 
Ladyes  sliulle  hem  such  pepir  brewe. 
If  that  they  falle  into  hir  laas, 
That  they  for  wo  mowe  seyn  '  Alias  ! ' 
Ladyes  shuln  ever  so  curteis  be,  6031 

Tliat  they  shal  quyte  your  oth  al  free. 
No  seketh  never  other  vieaire. 
For  they  shal  speke  with  hem  so  faire 
That  ye  shal  holde  you  payed  fvil  wel, 
Thougli  ye  you  medle  never  a  del.      6036 
Lat  ladies  worche  with  hir  thinges, 
They  shal  hem  telle  so  fele  tydinges, 
And  moeve  hem  eke  so  many  requestis 


62 


ZU  (Komauni  of  tU  (Fo0«. 


[Fkagmejjt  C. 


By  flatery,  that  not  honest  is,  6040 

And  therto  yeve  hem  such  thankinges, 
WHiat  with  kissing,  and  with  talkinges. 
That  certes,  if  they  trowed  be, 
Shal  never  leve  hem  lond  ne  fee 
That  it  nil  as  the  moeble  fare,  6045 

Of  which  they  first  delivered  are. 
Now  may  ye  telle  us  al  your  wille, 
And  we  your  hestes  shal  fnlfille. 

'  But  Fals-Semblant  dar  not,  for  drede 
Of  you,  sir,  medle  him  of  this  dede,   6050 
For  he  seith  that  ye  been  his  fo  ; 
He  not,  if  ye  wol  worche  him  wo. 
Wherfore  we  pray  you  alle,  beau-sire, 
That  ye  forgive  him  now  your  ire, 
And  that  he  may  dwelle,  as  your  man. 
With  Abstinence,  his  dere  lemman  ;  6056 
This  our  accord  and  our  wil  now.' 

'  Parfay,'  seide  Love,  '  I  graunte  it  yow  ; 
I  wol  wol  holde  him  for  my  man  ;       6059 
Now  lat  him  come  : '  and  he  forth  ran. 
'  Fals-Somblant,'  quod  Love,  '  in  this  wyse 
I  take  thee  here  to  my  ser'vyse. 
That  thou  our  freendis  helpc  alway. 
And  fhindre  hem  neither  night  nc  day, 
But  do  thy  might  hem  to  releve,  6065 

And  eek  our  enemies  that  thou  greve. 
Tliyn  he  this  might,  I  graunt  it  thee, 
My  king  of  harlotes  shalt  thou  be  ; 
We  wol  that  than  have  such  honour. 
Certeyn,  tliou  art  a  fals  traitour,        6070 
And  eek  a  theof ;  sith  thou  were  born, 
A  thoiisand  tyme  thou  art  forsworn. 
But,  natheles,  in  our  hering, 
To  putte  our  folk  out  of  douting, 
I  bid  thee  techc  hem,  ■wostow  how  ?    6075 
By  somme  general  signe  now, 
In  what  j>lace  thou  shalt  founden  bo, 
If  that  men  had  mister  of  thee  ; 
,A.nd  how  men  shal  thee  best  espye, 
For  thee  to  knowe  is  greet  maistrj'c  ;  fioSo 
Tol  in  what  place  is  thyn  haunting.' 

F.  Sein.   'Sir,  I  have  felo  dyvers  woning, 
That  I  kejio  not  rehersed  be. 
So  that  ye  wolde  respj^ten  me. 
For  if  that  I  telle  you  the  sothe,         60S5 
I  may  have  harm  and  shame  bothe. 
If  that  my  felowes  wisten  it, 
My  tales  shulden  me  be  quit ; 
For  certeyn,  they  wolde  hate  me, 
If  ever  I  knewc  hir  cruelte  :  Oooo 


For  they  wolde  over-al  holde  hem  stille 

Of  trouthe  that  is  ageyn  hir  willc  ; 

Suche  tales  kepen  they  not  here. 

I  might  eftsone  bye  it  ful  dere, 

If  I  seide  of  hem  any  thing,  61)95 

That  ought  displeseth  to  hir  hering. 

For  whatword  that  hem  prikke  orbjiieth. 

In  that  word  noon  of  hem  delyteth, 

Al  were  it  gospel,  the  evangyle, 

That  wolde  reprove  hem  of  hir  gyle,  6i(X) 

For  they  are  cruel  and  hauteyn. 

And  this  thing  wot  I  wel,  certeyn. 

If  I  spoke  ought  to  peire  hir  loos. 

Your  court  shal  not  so  wel  be  cloos. 

That  they  ne  shal  wite  it  atte  last.     6105 

Of  good  men  ana  I  nought  agast, 

For  they  wol  taken  on  hem  no-thing, 

Whan  that  they  knowe  al  my  mening  : 

But  he  that  wol  it  on  him  take. 

He  wol  himself  suspecious  make,        6110 

Tliat  he  his  lyf  let  covertly, 

In  Gyle  and  in  Ipocrisy, 

That  me  engendrod  and  yaf  fostring.' 

'  They  made  a  ful  good  engendring,' 
Quod  Love,  '  for  who-so  soothlj-  telle,  61 15 
They  engendred  the  devel  of  helle  ! 

'  But  nedely,  how-so-ever  it  be,' 
Quod  Love,  '  I  wol  and  charge  thee, 
To  telle  anoou  thy  woning-j)laces, 
Hering  ech  wight  that  in  this  place  is  ; 
And  what  Ij'f  that  tliou  livest  also,     6121 
Hyde  it  no  longer  now  ;  wherto  ? 
Thou  most  discover  al  thy  wurching, 
How  thou  servest,  and  of  what  thing, 
Tliough  that  thou  shuldest  for  thy  soth- 
sawe  61J5 

Ben  al  to-boten  and  to-drawe  ; 
And  yit  art  thou  not  wont,  pardee. 
But  natheles,  though  thou  beten  be. 
Thou  shalt  not  be  the  first,  that  so 
Hath  for  soth-sawe  suffred  wo.'  6130 

F.   Sem.  *  Sir,  sith  that  it  may  lyken 

Though  that  I  shuldo  be  slayn  right  now, 

I  shal  don  your  comaiindement, 

For  therto  have  I  gret  talent.'  6134 

Withouten  wordes  mo,  right  than, 
Fals-Semblant  his  sermon  bigan. 
And  seido  hem  thus  in  audience  : — 
'  Barouns,  tak  hede  of  my  sentence  ! 
That  wight  that  list  to  have  knowing 


Fragment  C] 


ZU  (Homaunf  of  <6^  (Koee. 


63 


Of  Fals-Semblant,  ful  of  flatering,      6140 
He  must  in  worldly  folk  him  seke, 
And,  certes,  in  the  cloistres  eke  ; 
I  wone  no-where  hut  in  hem  tweye  ; 
But  not  lyk  even,  sooth  to  seye  ; 
Shortly,  I  wol  herherwe  me  6145 

There  I  hope  best  to  hulstred  he  ; 
And  certeynlj',  sikerest  hyding 
Is  underneth  humblest  clothing. 

'  Religioiis  folk  ben  fnl  covert  ; 
Seculer  folk  ben  more  appert.  6150 

But  natheles,  I  wol  not  blame 
Religious  folk,  ne  hem  diffame, 
In  what  habit  that  ever  they  go  : 
Religioun  humble,  and  trewe  also, 
Wol  I  not  blame,  no  dispyse,  6155 

Bvit  1  nil  love  it,  in  no  wyse. 
I  mene  of  fals  religious. 
That  stoute  ben,  and  malicious  ; 
That  wolen  in  an  abit  go, 
And  setten  not  hir  herte  therto.  6i6o 

'  Religious  folk  ben  al  pitous  ; 
Thou  shalt  not  seen  oon  dispitous. 
They  loven  no  pryde,  ne  no  stryf. 
But  humbly  they  wol  lede  hir  lyf ; 
With  -t-swich  folk  wol  I  never  be.        6165 
And  if  I  dwelle,  I  feyne  me 
I  may  wel  in  her  abit  go  ; 
But  me  were  lever  my  nekke  atwo, 
Than  flete  a  purjiose  that  I  take, 
Wliat  covenaunt  that  ever  I  make.     6170 
I  dwoUe  with  hem  that  proude  be. 
And  fulle  of  wylos  and  sulstelte  ; 
That  worship  of  this  world  covej'ten, 
And  grete  -f-nedes  cunno  espleyten  ;    6174 
And  goon  and  gadren  greet  pitaunces. 
And  purchace  hem  the  acqueyntaunces 
Of  men  that  mighty  lyf  may  leden  ; 
And  feyne  hem  pore,  and  hem-self  feden 
With  godo  morcels  delicious. 
And  drinken  good  wj^n  precious,         C180 
And  prcche  us  povert  and  distresse. 
And  fisshen  hem-self  greet  richosse 
With  wyly  nettis  that  they  caste  ; 
It  wol  come  foul  out  at  the  laste. 
Tliey  ben  fro  clene  religioun  went  ;     6185 
They  make  the  world  an  argument 
That  hath  a  foul  conclusioun. 
"  I  have  a  robe  of  religioun. 
Than  am  I  al  religious  : " 
This  argument  is  al  roignous  ;  6190 


It  is  not  worth  a  croked  brere  ; 
Habit  ne  maketh  *f-monk  ne  frere. 
But  clene  lyf  and  devocioun 
Maketh  gode  men  of  religioim. 
Nathelesse,  ther  can  noon  answere,    619,=; 
How  high  that  ever  his  heed  he  shere 
With  rasour  whetted  never  so  kene, 
That  Gj'le  in  braunches  cut  thrittene ; 
Ther  can  no  -wight  distincte  it  so, 
That  he  dar  sey  a  word  therto.  6200 

'  But  what  herberwc  that  ever  I  take, 
Or  what  semblant  that  ever  I  make, 
I  mene  but  gjle,  and  folowe  that  ; 
For  right  no  mo  than  Gibbe  our  cat 
[f  Fro  myce  and  rattes  went  his  wjde], 
Ne  entende  I  [not]  but  to  f  begyle  ;      6206 
Ne  no  wight  may,  by  my  clothing, 
Wite  with  what  folk  is  my  dwelling , 
Ne  by  my  wordis  yet,  pardee. 
So  softe  and  so  plesaunt  they  be.  62:0 

Bihold  tlie  dedes  that  I  do  ; 
But  thou  be  blind,  thou  oiightest  so  ; 
For,  varie  hir  wordis  fro  hir  dede, 
They  thenke  on  gyle,  without[en]  drede, 
What  maner  clothing  that  they  were, 
Or  what  estat  that  ever  they  here,      6216 
Lered  or  lewd,  lord  or  lady. 
Knight,  squier,  burgeis,  or  bayly.' 

Right   thus   whyl   Fals-Semblant    ser- 
monetli, 
Eftsones  Love  hini  aresoneth,  6220 

And  brak  his  tale  in  the  speking 
As  though  he  had  him  told  lesing  ; 
And  seide  :  '  What,  dcvel,  is  that  I  here  ? 
What  folk  hast  thoxi  us  nempned  here  ? 
May  men  finde  religioun  6225 

In  worldly  habitacioun  ?  ' 

F.  Sem.  '  Ye,  sir  ;  it  foloweth  not  that 
they 
Shulde  lede  a  wikked  lyf,  parfey, 
Ne  not  therfore  her  soiiles  lese, 
That  hem  to  worldly  clothes  chese  ;    6230 
For,  certes,  it  were  gret  pitee. 
Men  may  in  seculer  clothes  see 
Florisshen  holy  religioun. 
Ful  many  a  seynt  in  feeld  and  toun, 
With  many  a  virgin  glorious,  62^15 

Devout,  and  ful  religious, 
Had  deyed,  that  fcomun  clothe  ay  beren, 
Yit  seyntes  never-the-les  they  weren 
I  coude  reken  you  many  a  ten  ; 


64 


ZU  (Hotnauttf  of  tU  (B^ee. 


[Fragment  C. 


Ye,  wel  nigh  alle  these  holj'  wimmen, 
That  men  in  chirches  herie  and  seke,  6241 
Bothe  maj'dens,  and  these  wy^'es  eke, 
That  baren  f  many  a  fair  child  here, 
Wered  alvvey  clothis  seculere. 
And  in  the  same  dyden  they,  6245 

That  seyntes  weren,  and  been  alwey. 
The  eleven  thousand  maydens  dere, 
That  beren  in  heven  hir  cierges  clere, 
Of  which  men  rede  in  chirche,  and  singe. 
Were  take  in  seculer  clothing,  6250 

AVhan  they  resseyved  martirdom, 
And  wonnen  heven  unto  her  hoom. 
Good  herte  maketh  the  gode  thought  ; 
The  clothing  yeveth  ne  reveth  nought. 
The  gode  thought  and  the  worching,  6255 
That  maketh  freligioun  flowring, 
Ther  lyth  the  good  religioun 
After  the  right  entencioun. 

'  "Wlio-so  toke  a  wethers  skin, 
And  wrapped  a  gxedy  wolf  therin,       6260 
For  he  shulde  go  with  lambes  whj-te, 
Wenest  thou  not  he  wolde  hem  bj-te  ? 
Yis  !  never-the-las,  as  he  were  wood, 
Ho   wolde   hem   wery,   and    drinke    the 

blood  ; 
And  wel  the  rather  hem  disceyve,       6265 
For,  sith  they  coude  not  perceyve 
His  treget  and  his  crueltee. 
They  wolde  him  folowe,  al  wolde  he  flee. 

•  If  ther  be  wolves  of  sicli  hewe 
Amonges  these  apostlis  newe,  6270 

Thou,  holy  chirche,  thou  mayst  be  wayled! 
Sith  that  thy  citee  is  assajded 
Thourgh  kuightes  of  thyn  owne  table, 
God  wot  thy  lordship  is  doutable  ! 
If  they  enforce  [hem]  it  to  winne,        6275 
That  shulde  defende  it  fro  withinne. 
Who  might  defence  ayens  hem  make  ? 
Without[en]  stroke  it  mot  be  take 
Of  trepeget  or  mangonel ; 
Without  displaying  of  penseL  6280 

And  if  god  nil  don  it  socour. 
But  lat  [hem]  renne  in  this  colour. 
Thou  moost  thyn  heestes  laten  bo. 
Than  is  ther  nought,  but  yelde  thee, 
Or  yeve  liem  tribute,  doutelees,  6285 

Arul  holde  it  of  hem  to  have  pees  : 
But  gretter  harm  bityde  thee, 
Tliat  they  al  raaistcr  of  it  be. 
Wel  conne  they  scorue  thee  withal  ; 


By  day  stuffen  they  the  wal,  6290 

And  al  the  night  they  mynen  there. 
Xay,  thou  fniost  planten  elleswhere 
Thyn  impes,  if  thou  wolt  fruyt  have  ; 
Ab5'd  not  there  thj--self  to  save. 

'  But  now  pees  !  here  I  turne  agejni  ; 
I  wol  no  more  of  this  thing  •f'seyn,      6296 
If  I  may  passen  me  herby  ; 
I  mighte  maken  you  wery. 
But  I  wol  heten  you  alway 
To  helpe  your  freendes  what  I  may,    63CXJ 
So  they  wollen  my  company  ; 
For  they  be  shent  al-outerly 
But-if  so  falle,  that  I  be 
Oft  with  hem,  and  they  with  me. 
And  eek  my  lemman  mot  they  serve,  6305 
Or  they  shul  not  my  love  deserve. 
Forsothe,  I  am  a  fals  traitour  ; 
God  jugged  me  for  a  theef  trichour  ; 
Forsworn  I  am,  but  wel  nygh  non 
Wot  of  my  gyle,  til  it  be  don.  6310 

'  Thourgh   me    hath    many  oon    deth 
ressej'ved. 
That  my  treget  never  aperceyved  ; 
And  yit  ressey\'eth,  and  shal  resseyve, 
That  my  falsnesse  fnever  aperceyve  : 
But  who-so  doth,  if  he  wys  be,  6315 

Him  is  right  good  be  war  of  me. 
But  so  sligh  is  the  [f  deceyving 
That  to  hard  is  the]  apercey^ang. 
For  Protheus,  that  coude  him  chaunge 
In  every  shap,  hoomly  and  straunge,  6320 
Coude  never  sich  gyle  ne  tresoun 
As  I ;  for  I  com  never  in  toun 
Ther-as  I  mighte  knowen  be. 
Though  men  me  bothe  might  here  and  see. 
Ful  wel  I  can  my  clothes  chaunge,      6325 
Take  oon,  and  make  another  straunge. 
Now  am  I  knight,  now  chasteleyn  ; 
Now  prelat,  and  now  chapeleyn  ; 
Now  prest,  now  clerk,  and  now  forstere  ; 
Now  am  I  maister,  now  scolere  ;  6}y> 

Now  monk,  now  chanoun,  now  baily  ; 
Wliat-ovor  mister  man  am  I. 
Now  am  I  prince,  now  am  I  page. 
And  can  by  herte  cverj'  langage. 
Som-tj-me  am  I  lioor  and  old  ;  6335 

Now  am  I  yong,  [and]  stout,  and  bold  ; 
Now  am  I  Robert,  now  Kobyn  ; 
Now  frere  Menour,  now  lacobyn  ; 
And  with  me  folweth  my  loteby, 


Fragment  C] 


Z^t  (Hotnauttf  of  t^t  (Tloee. 


65 


To  don  me  solas  and  company,  6340 

Tliat  hight  dame  f  Abstinence-Streyned, 

In  many  a  qne.ynt  array  |j-]-feyned. 

Eight  as  it  cometh  to  liir  lyking, 

I  fulfille  al  hir  desiring. 

Somtj-me  a  wommans  cloth  take  I  ;     6345 

Now  am  I  mayde,  now  lady. 

Somtyme  I  am  religions  ; 

Now  lyk  an  anker  in  an  hons. 

Somtyme  am  I  prioresse, 

And  now  a  nonne,  and  now  abbesse  ;  b.^^so 

And  go  thurgh  alle  regioims, 

Seking  alle  religioiuis. 

Biit  to  what  ordre  that  I  am  sworn, 

I  take  the  strawe,  and  f  lete  the  corn  ; 

To  f  blynde  folk  [ther]  I  enhabite,         6355 

I  axe  no-more  but  hir  abite. 

What  wol  ye  more  ?  in  every  wyse, 

Eight  as  me  list,  I  me  disgyse. 

Wei  can  I  here  me  under  weed  ; 

Unlyk  is  my  word  to  my  deed.  6360 

Tlius  make  I  in  my  trappes  falle, 

Thurgh  my  pr\"^ileges,  alle 

That  ben  in  Cristendom  alyve. 

I  may  assoile,  and  I  may  shry-ve, 

That  no  prelat  may  lette  me,  6365 

Al  folk,  wher-ever  they  founde  be  : 

I  noot  no  prelat  maj'  don  so. 

But  it  the  pope  be,  and  no  mo. 

That  made  thUk  establisshing. 

Now  is  not  this  a  projire  thing  ?  6370 

But,  were  my  sleightes  aperceyved, 

[f  Ne  shulde  I  more  been  recej'\'ed] 

As  I  was  wont ;  and  wostow  why  ? 

!f  or  I  dide  hem  a  tregotry  ; 

But  therof  yeve  I  litel  tale,  6375 

I  have  the  silver  and  the  male  ; 

So  have  I  preched  and  eek  shriven. 

So  have  I  take,  so  have  f  me  yiven, 

Thiirgh  hir  foly,  hiisbond  and  wyf. 

That  I  lede  right  a  joly  Ij-f,  6380 

Thurgh  simplesse  of  the  prclacye  ; 

They  know  not  al  my  tregetryo. 

'  But  for  as  moche  as  man  and  wyf 
Shuld  shewe  hir  paroclie-prest  hir  lyf 
Ones  a  yeer,  as  seith  tlic  book,  6385 

Er  any  wight  his  housel  took. 
Than  have  I  prj'vileges  large. 
That  may  of  moche  thing  discharge  ; 
For  he  may  seye  right  thus,  pardee  : — 
"  Sir  Freest,  in  shrilt  1  telle  it  thee,  6390 


That  he,  to  whom  that  I  am  shriven, 

Hath  me  assoiled,  and  me  yiven 

Penannce  soothlj-,  for  my  sinne. 

Which  that  I  fond  me  giltj-  inne  ; 

Ne  I  ne  have  never  entencioun  6395 

To  make  double  confessiouu, 

Ne  reherce  eft  my  shrift  to  thee  : 

0  shrift  is  right  y-nongh  to  me. 
Tliis  oughte  thee  snfFyce  wel, 

Ne  be  not  rebel  never-a-del ;  6400 

For  certes,  though  tlion  haddest  it  sworn, 

1  Wot  no  prest  ne  prelat  born 

That  may  to  shrift  eft  me  constrejTie. 

And  if  they  don,  I  wol  me  pleyne  ; 

For  I  wot  where  to  plejTie  wel.  6405 

Thou  shalt  not  streyne  me  a  del, 

Ne  enforce  me,  ne  fyit  me  trouble, 

To  make  my  confessionn  double. 

Ne  I  have  none  afifeccioiin 

To  have  double  absolucioun.  6411) 

The  firste  is  right  y-nough  to  mo  , 

This  latter  assoiling  ix^^yte  I  thee. 

I  am  unboimde  ;  what  mayst  thou  fmde 

More  of  my  sinnes  me  to  nnbinde  ? 

For  he,  that  might  hath  in  his  honil,  6415 

Of  alle  my  sinnes  me  unbond. 

And  if  thou  wolt  me  thus  coustreyne, 

That  me  mot  nedis  on  thee  plejoie, 

There  shal  no  jugge  imperial, 

Ne  bisshop,  ne  official,  6^.20 

Don  jugement  on  me  ;  for  I 

Shal  gon  and  pleyne  me  oiJenlj- 

Unto  my  shritt-fader  newe, 

(That  hight  not  Frere  Wolf  untrewe  !) 

And  he  shal  f  chevise  him  for  me,        6425 

For  I  trowc  he  can  hampre  thee. 

But,  lord  !  he  wolde  be  Avrooth  withalle, 

If  men  him  wolde  Frere  W^olf  calle  ! 

For  he  wolde  have  no  pacience, 

But  don  al  cruel  vengeaunce  !  O430 

He  wolde  his  might  don  at  the  leest, 

[Ne]  no-thing  spare  for  goddes  hcest. 

And,  goil  so  wis  be  my  socour, 

But  thou  j-eve  me  mj-  Saviour 

At  Ester,  whan  it  Ijketh  me,  6435 

Withoute  presing  more  on  thee, 

I  wol  forth,  and  to  him  goon. 

And  he  shal  housel  me  anoon, 

For  I  am  out  of  thy  grixcching  ; 

I  kepe  not  dele  with  thee  no-thing."  6440 

Thus  may  he  shryve  him,  that  forsaketli 


66 


ZU  (Fotnauttt  of  iU  (Uoee. 


[Feagment  C. 


His  paroclie-prest,  and  to  mo  taketh. 

And  if  tlie  prest  wol  him  refuse, 

I  am  ful  redy  him  to  accuse, 

And  him  jiunisshe  and  hampre  so,      6445 

That  lie  his  chirche  shal  forgo. 

'  But  who-so  hath  in  his  feling 
The  consequence  of  such  shrjn^ing, 
Slialsecu  that  prest  maj'  never  have  might 
To  knowe  the  conscience  aright  6450 

Of  him  that  is  under  his  cure. 
And  this  agejTis  holy  scripture, 
Tliat  biddeth  every  herde  honeste 
Have  verry  knowing  of  his  beste. 
But  pore  folk  that  goon  by  stretc,        6455 
That  have  no  gold,  ne  sommes  grete. 
Hem  wolde  I  late  to  hir  prelates. 
Or  lete  hir  prestes  knowe  hir  states, 
For  to  me  right  nought  yeve  they.' 

Amour.   '  And  why  fis  it  ?  ' 

F.  Sem.  '  For  they  ne  may.    6460 

They  ben  so  bare,  I  take  no  keep  ; 
But  I  wol  have  the  fatte  sheep  ;— 
Lat  parish  prestes  have  the  lene, 
I  yeve  not  of  hir  harna  a  bene  ! 
And  if  that  prelats  grucchen  it,  6465 

That  oughten  f  wroth  be  in  hir  wit. 
To  lese  her  fatte  bestes  so, 
I  shal  yeve  horn  a  stroke  or  two. 
That  they  shal  lesen  with  [the]  force. 
Ye,  botho  hir  mytre  and  hir  croce.      6470 
Thus  jape  I  hem,  and  have  do  longe, 
M,v  privoleges  been  so  stronge.' 

Fals-Semblant  wolde  have  stinted  hero. 
But  Love  ne  made  him  no  such  chero 
That  he  was  wory  of  his  sawe  ;  6475 

But  for  to  make  him  glad  and  fawe, 
He  seide  : — '  Tel  on  more  spccialy, 
How  that  thou  scrvest  untrcwlj-. 
Tel  forth,  and  shame  thco  never  a  del ; 
For  as  thyn  abit  shewith  wel,  6480 

Thou  fsemest  an  holy  heremji;e.' 

F.  Sem.   '  Soth  is,  but  I  am  an  ypocryte.' 

Amottr.   '  Thou  gost  and  prechest  pover- 
tee?' 

F.  Sem.    '  Ye,    sir ;    but   richesse   hath 
poustee.' 

Amour.     '  Thou     prechest     abstinence 
also  ? '  6485 

F.  Sem.   '  Sir,  I  wol  lillon,  so  mote  I  go, 
My  pauncho  of  gode  mete  and  wjiie, 
As  shulde  a  maister  of  divj'ne  ; 


For  how  that  I  me  pover  feyne, 

Yit  alle  pore  folk  I  disdejiie.  6490 

'  I  love  fbet  the  acqueyntaunce 
Ten  tymes,  of  the  king  of  Fraunce, 
Than  of  i  pore  man  of  mylde  mode, 
Though  that  his  soule  be  also  gode. 
For  whan  I  see  beggers  quaking,         6495 
Naked  on  mixons  al  stinking, 
For  liungre  crye,  and  eek  for  care, 
I  entremete  not  of  hir  fare. 
They  been  so  pore,  and  iiil  of  pyne, 
They  might  not  ones  yeve  me  fdyne,  6^00 
For  they  have  no-thing  but  hir  Ij-f ; 
What  shulde  he  j-eve  that  likketh  his 

kiiji:"? 
It  is  but  foly  to  entremete, 
To  seke  in  houndes  nest  fat  mete. 
Let  here  hem  to  the  spitel  anoon,         6505 
But,  for  me,  comfort  gete  they  noon. 
But  a  riche  sike  usurere 
Wolde  I  visyte  and  drawe  nere  ; 
Him  wol  I  comforte  and  rehete, 
For  I  hope  of  his  gold  to  gete.  6510 

And  if  that  wikked  deth  him  have, 
I  wol  go  with  him  to  his  grave. 
And  if  ther  any  reprove  me, 
Why  that  I  lete  the  pore  be, 
Wostow  how  I  f  mot  ascape '?  6515 

I  sej',  and  swere  him  ful  rape. 
That  riche  men  han  more  tecches 
Of  sinne,  than  han  pore  wrecches, 
And  han  of  counseil  more  mister  ; 
And  therfore  I  wol  drawe  hem  ner.     6520 
But  as  gret  hurt,  it  may  so  be, 
Hath  f  soul  in  right  gret  poverte, 
As  soul  in  gret  richesse,  forsolhe, 
Al-be-it  that  they  hurten  botho. 
For  richesse  and  mendicitees  6525 

Ben  cleped  two  extremitees ; 
The  mene  is  cleped  suffisaunce, 
Ther  Ij'th  of  vertu  the  aboiindaunce. 
For  Salamon,  ful  wel  I  woot. 
In  his  Parables  us  wroot,  6530 

As  it  is  knowe  of  many  a  wight, 
In  his  fthrittethc  chapitre  right  : 
"  Ood,  thou  me  kepe,  for  thy  poustee, 
Fro  richesse  and  niondicitee  ; 
For  if  a  riche  man  him  dresse  6535 

To  thenke  to  nioche  on  [his]  richesse, 
His  hcrte  on  that  so  fer  is  set, 
That  he  his  creatour  foryet ; 


Fragment  C] 


Z^t  (Kotnaunf  of  tU  (Koee. 


67 


And  him,  that  fbegging  wol  ay  greve, 

How  shulde  I  by  his  word  liim  leve  ?  6540 

Unneche  that  he  nis  a  micher, 

Forsworn,  or  elles  f  god  is  Iyer." 

Thus  seith  Salamon[es]  sawes  ; 

Ne  we  finde  writen  in  no  lawes. 

And  namely  in  our  Cristen  lay —         6545 

(Who  seith  '  ye,'  I  dar  sey  '  nay  ') — 

That  Crist,  ne  his  apostles  dere, 

Wiiyl  that  they  walketle  in  erthe  here, 

Were  never  seen  her  bred  begging, 

For  they  nolde  beggen  for  no-thing.    6550 

And  right  thus  were  men  wont  to  teclie  ; 

And  in  this  wyse  wolde  it  preche 

The  maistres  of  divinitee 

Somtymo  in  Paris  the  citee. 

'  And  if  men  wolde  ther-gejni  appose 
The  naked  text,  and  lete  the  glose,      6556 
It  mighte  sone  assoiled  be  ; 
For  men  may  wel  the  sothe  see, 
That,  parde,  they  mighte  axe  a  tiling 
Pleynly  forth,  without  begging.  6560 

For  they  weren  goddes  herdes  dere, 
And  cure  of  soules  hadden  here. 
They  nolde  no-thing  begge  hir  fode  ; 
For  after  Crist  was  don  on  rode. 
With  -fhir  propre  hondes  they  wrought. 
And  with  travel,  and  elles  noiight,      6566 
They  wonnen  all  hir  siastenaunce, 
And  liveden  forth  in  hir  penaimce, 
And  the  remenaunt  fyeve  awey 
To  other  pore  i  folk  alwej-.  6570 

They  neither  bilden  tour  ne  halle, 
But  tleye  in  houses  smale  withalle. 
A  mighty  man,  that  can  and  may, 
ShuMe  with  his  honde  and  body  alway 
Winne  him  his  food  in  laboring,  6575 

If  he  ne  have  rent  or  sich  a  thing. 
Although  he  be  religious. 
And  god  to  sers'en  curious. 
Thus  mote  he  don,  or  do  trespas, 
But-if  it  be  in  certeyn  cas,  6580 

That  I  can  reherce,  if  mister  be, 
Eight  wel,  whan  the  tyme  I  see. 

'  Seke  the  book  of  Seynt  Austin, 
Be  it  in  paper  or  perchemin,  65S4 

There-as  he  writ  of  these  worchinges, 
Thou  shalt  seen  that  non  excusinges 
A  parfit  man  ne  shulde  seke 
By  wordes,  ne  by  dedes  eke, 
Although  he  be  religioiis, 


And  god  to  serven  curious,  6590 

That  he  ne  shal,  so  mote  I  go, 

With  propre  hondes  and  body  also, 

Gete  his  food  in  laboring, 

If  he  ne  have  propretee  of  thing, 

Yit  shulde  he  sella  al  his  substaunce,  6595 

And  with  his  swink  have  sustenaunce, 

If  he  bo  parfit  in  bountee. 

Thus  han  tho  bookes  tolde  me  : 

For  he  that  wol  gon  ydilly, 

And  useth  it  ay  besily  6600 

To  haunten  other  mennes  table. 

He  is  a  trechoiir,  ful  of  fable  ; 

Ne  he  ne  may,  by  gode  resoun, 

E.xcuse  him  by  his  orisoun. 

For  men  bihoveth,  in  som  gyse,  6605 

fSom-tymo  leven  goddes  servyse 

To  gon  and  purchasen  her  nede. 

Men  mote  eten,  that  is  no  drede. 

And  slepe,  and  eek  do  other  thing  ; 

So  longe  may  they  leve  praying.  66io 

So  may  they  eek  hir  prayer  blinne, 

Wliile  that  they  werke,  hir  mete  to  winne. 

Seynt  Austin  wol  therto  accorde, 

In  thilke  book  that  I  recorde. 

Justinian  eek,  that  made  lawes,  6615 

Hath  thus  forboden,  by  olde  dawes, 

"  No  man,  up  peyne  to  be  deed. 

Mighty  of  body,  to  begge  his  breed. 

If  he  may  swinke,  it  for  to  gete  ; 

Men  shulde  him  rather  mayme  or  bete, 

Or  doon  of  him  apert  justice,  662 1 

Than  suffren  him  in  such  malice." 

They  don  not  wel,  so  mote  I  go, 

That  taken  such  almesse  so. 

But  if  they  have  som  privelege,  6625 

That  of  the  peyne  hem  wol  allege. 

But  how  that  is,  can  I  not  see, 

BiTt-if  the  jirince  dissej^ed  be  ; 

Ne  I  ne  wene  not,  sikerly. 

That  they  may  have  it  rightfully.        66,v> 

But  I  wol  not  determync 

Of  princes  power,  ne  defjnie, 

Ne  by  my  word  comprende,  y-wis. 

If  it  so  fer  may  strecche  in  this. 

I  wol  not  entromoto  a  del ;  6635 

But  I  trowo  that  tho  book  seith  wel, 

Wlio  that  taketli  almesses,  that  be 

Dewe  to  folk  that  men  may  see 

Lame,  feble,  wery,  and  bare, 

Pore,  or  in  such  manor  care,  6640 


D    2 


68 


ZH  (^omannt  of  tU  Q^oe^. 


[PUAGMENT  C. 


(That  coiine  winiie  hem  iievenno, 

For  they  have  no  power  therto), 

He  eteth  his  owiie  dampning, 

Bnt-if  he  lye,  that  made  al  thing. 

And  if  ye  such  a  truaunt  finde,  (^645 

Chastise  him  wel,  if  ye  he  kinde. 

But  they  woLle  hate  you,  percas, 

And,  if  ye  fillen  in  liir  laas, 

They  wokie  eftsones  do  you  scathe, 

If  that  they  miglite,  hvte  or  rathe  ;      6650 

For  they  he  not  ful  pacient, 

That  han  the  -world  thus  foule  blent. 

And  witeth  wel,  [wlier]  that  god  had 

The  good  man  selle  al  that  lie  had. 

And  folowe  him,  and  to  pore  it  ^'ive,  6655 

He  wolde  not  therfore  that  he  live 

To  serven  him  in  mendience. 

For  it  was  never  his  sentence  ; 

But  he  bad  wirken  whan  that  iiede  is, 

And  folwe  hina  in  goode  dedes.  6660 

Seyiit  Poule,  that  loved  al  holy  chirche. 

He  bade  th'apostles  for  to  wirche. 

And  winnen  hir  lyflode  in  that  wyse, 

And  heni  defended  truaundyse,  6664 

And  seide,  '"Wirketh  witliyour  honden  ;  " 

Thus  slmlde  the  thing  be  understonden. 

He  nolde,  .y-wis,  fbidde  hem  begging, 

Ne  sellen  gospel,  ne  preching. 

Lest  they  berafte,  with  hir  asking, 

Folk  of  hir  catel  or  of  hir  thing.  6670 

For  in  this  world  is  many  a  man 

That  yeveth  his  good,  for  he  ne  can 

Werne  it  for  shame,  or  elles  he 

Wolde  of  the  asker  delivered  be  ; 

And,  for  he  him  encombreth  so,  6675 

He  yeveth  him  good  to  late  him  go  : 

But  it  can  him  no-thing  profyte. 

They  lose  the  yift  and  the  meryte. 

The  goode  folk,  that  Ponlo  to  preched, 

Profred  him  ofte,  whan  ho  hem  teched, 

Som  of  hir  good  in  charite  ;  6681 

But  therof  right  no-thing  took  he  ; 

But  of  his  hondwerk  wolde  he  gete 

Clothes  to  wryen  him,  and  his  mete-' 

Amour.   '  Tel  mo  than  how  a  man  may 
liven,  6685 

That  al  his  good  to  pore  hath  yiven. 
And  wol  but  only  biddc  his  bedes, 
And  never  with  fhond  laboure  his  nedes : 
May  he  do  so  ?  ' 

F.  Setn.  '  Ye,  sir.' 


Amott):  ■  And  how  ?  ' 

1\  Sem.   '  Sir,  I  wol  gladly  telle  yow  :— 
Seynt  Austin  seith,  a  man  may  be       6691 
In  houses  that  han  propretee. 
As  templers  and  hospitelers. 
And  as  these  ehanouns  regulers. 
Or  whyte  monkes,  or  these  blake —     6695 
(I  wolo  no  mo  ensamples  make) — 
And  take  therof  his  siistening. 
For  therinne  Ij-ili  no  begging  ; 
But  other-wej-es  not,  .y-wis, 
fYif  Austin  gabheth  not  of  this.  6700 

And  yit  ful  many  a  monk  laboureth. 
That  god  in  holy  chirche  honoureth  ; 
For  whan  hir  swinking  is  agoon. 
They  rede  and  singe  in  chirche  anoon. 

'  And  for  ther  hath  ben  greet  discord. 
As  many  a  wight  may  here  record,      6706 
Upon  the  estate  of  f  mendience, 
I  wol  shortly,  in  your  presence. 
Telle  how  a  man  may  begge  at  nede. 
That  hath  not  wherwith  him  to  fede,  6710 
Maugre  his  felones  jangelinges. 
For  sothfastnesse  wol  non  hidinges  ; 
And  yit,  percas,  I  may  abeye 
That  I  to  yow  sothly  thiis  seye 

'  Lo,  here  the  caas  especial  :  0715 

If  a  man  be  so  bestial 
Tliat  he  of  no  craft  hath  science, 
And  nought  desyroth  ignorence. 
Than  may  he  go  a-begging  yenie. 
Til  ho  som  maner  cralt  can  lorne,        6720 
Thiirgh  which,  without[e]  tritaunding. 
He  may  in  trouthe  have  his  living. 
Or  if  he  may  don  no  labour, 
For  elde,  or  syknesse,  or  langonr, 
Or  lor  his  tendre  age  also,  O725 

Than  may  ho  yit  a-begging  go. 
'  Or  if  ho  have,  pcraventure, 
Thurgh  usage  of  his  noriture. 
Lived  over  doliciously. 
Than  oughtcn  good  folk  comunly         6730 
Han  of  his  mischcef  som  pitee, 
And  suffren  him  also,  that  he 
May  gon  aboutc  and  begge  his  breed, 
That  he  bo  not  for  liungur  deed. 
Or  if  he  have  of  craft  cunning,  6735 

And  strengthe  also,  and  desiring 
To  wirken,  as  he  liadde  what. 
But  he  finde  neither  this  ne  that, 
Than  may  he  begge,  til  that  he 


Fragment  C] 


ZU  (Romaunf  of  f0e  (Rose. 


69 


Have  geten  his  necessitee.  6740 

'  Or  if  his  winning  be  so  lyte, 
That  his  labour  wol  not  acqnyte 
Sufficiantly  al  his  living, 
Yit  may  he  go  his  breed  begging  ; 
Fro  dore  to  dore  he  may  go  trace,        6745 
Til  he  the  remenaunt  may  piirchace. 
Or  if  a  man  wolde  undertake 
Any  empryse  for  to  make, 
In  the  rescous  of  our  lay. 
And  it  defenden  as  he  ma,y,  6750 

Be  it  with  armes  or  lettrnre, 
Or  other  covenable  cure, 
If  it  be  so  he  pore  be. 
Than  may  he  begge,  til  that  he 
May  finde  in  trouthe  for  to  swinke,     6755 
And  gete  him  clothe[s],  mete,  and  drinke. 
Swinke  he  with  hondes  corporel. 
And  not  with  hondes  espirituel. 

'  In  al  this[e]  caas,  and  in  semblables, 
If  that  ther  ben  mo  resonables,  6760 

He  may  begge,  as  I  telle  you  here. 
And  elles  nought,  iii  no  manere  ; 
As  William  Sejait  Amour  wolde  preclie, 
Aiid  ofte  wolde  dispute  and  teche 
Of  this  matere  alle  openly  6765 

At  Paris  ful  solemp[ne]ly. 
And  al-so  god  my  soule  blesse, 
As  he  had,  in  this  stedfastnesse, 
The  accord  of  the  iiniversitee. 
And  of  the  puple,  as  semeth  me.  6770 

'  No  good  man  oughte  it  to  refuse, 
Ne  onghte  him  tlierof  to  excuse, 
Be  wrooth  or  blythe  who-so  be  ; 
For  I  wol  speke,  and  telle  it  thee, 
Al  shulde  I  dye,  and  be  put  doun,        6775 
As  was  seynt  Poul,  in  derk  jarisoun  ; 
Or  be  exiled  in  this  caas 
With  wrong,  as  maister  William  was. 
That  my  moder  Ypocrisye 
Banisshed  for  hir  greet  envye.  6780 

'  My  moder  flemed  him,  Seynt  Amour  : 
This  noble  dide  such  labour 
To  susteyne  ever  the  loyaltee. 
That  he  to  moche  agilte  me. 
He  made  a  book,  and  leet  it  wrytc,     6785 
Wherin  his  lyf  he  dide  al  wryte. 
And  wolde  icli  reneyed  begging. 
And  lived  by  my  traveyling. 
If  I  ne  had  rent  ne  other  good. 
Wliat  ?  wened  he  that  I  were  wood  ?  6790 


For  labour  might  me  never  plese, 

I  have  more  wil  to  been  at  ese  ; 

And  have  wel  lever,  sooth  to  sej', 

Bifore  the  piiple  patre  and  prey, 

And  wrye  me  in  my  foxerye  6795 

Under  a  cope  of  papelardye.' 

Qiiod  Love,  '  What  devel  is  this  I  here? 
What  wordes  tellest  thoii  me  here  ? ' 

F.  Sem.  '  Wliat,  sir  ?  ' 

Amovr.  '  Falsnesse,  that  apert  is  ; 

Than  dredest  thoit  not  god  ?  ' 

F.  Sem.  No,  certes  :    6800 

For  selde  in  greet  thing  shal  he  spede. 
In  this  world,  that  god  wol  drede. 
For  folk  that  hem  to  vertu  yiven, 
And  truly  on  her  owne  liven. 
And  hem  in  goodnesse  ay  contene,      6805 
On  hem  is  litel  thrift  y-sene  ; 
Such  folk  drinken  gret  misese  ; 
That  lyf  [ne]  may  me  never  plese. 
But  see  what  gold  han  usurers. 
And  silver  eek  in  [hir]  garners,  68io 

Taylagiers,  and  these  monyours, 
Bailifs,  bedels,  provost,  coiintou.rs  ; 
These  liven  wel  nj-gli  by  ravyne ; 
The  smale  piiple  hem  mote  enclyne, 
And  they  as  wolves  wol  hem  eten.       6S15 
Upon  the  pore  folk  they  geten 
Ful  moche  of  that  they  spende  or  kepe  ; 
Nis  none  of  hem  that  he  nil  strepe, 
And  fwryen  him-self  wel  atto  fulle  ; 
Without[e]  scalding  thej'  hem  puUe.  6820 
The  stronge  the  feble  overgoth  ; 
But  I,  that  were  my  simple  cloth, 
Robbe  botlie  f  robbed  and  robbours, 
And  gyle  f  gyled  and  gylours. 
By  my  treget,  I  gadre  and  threste       6825 
The  greet  tresour  into  my  cheste, 
That  Ij'th  with  me  so  faste  bounde. 
Myn  highe  paleys  do  I  founde, 
And  my  delytes  I  fulfille 
With  wyne  at  feestes  at  my  wille,       6830 
And  tables  fulle  of  entremees  ; 
I  wol  no  Ij'f,  bi\t  ese  and  pees, 
And  winne  gold  to  spende  also. 
For  whan  the  grete  bagge  is  go, 
It  cometh  right  [eft]  with  my  japes.    6835 
Make  I  not  wel  tumble  myn  apes  i? 
To  winne  is  alwey  mj-n  entent ; 
My  pvirchas  is  better  than  my  rent ; 
For  though  T  shulde  beten  be. 


7° 


Z^t  (Kowauttf  of  tU  (^O0e. 


[Fragment  C. 


Over-al  I  entremete  me  ;  6840 

Without[e]  me  may  no  wiglit  dure. 

I  walke  soules  for  to  cure. 

Of  al  the  worlde  cure  have  I 

In  brede  and  lengthe  ;  boldely 

I  wol  bothe  preche  and  eek  counceilen  ; 

With  houdes  wille  I  not  traveilen,     6846 

For  of  the  pope  I  have  the  bulle  ; 

I  ne  holde  not  my  wittes  dulle. 

I  wol  not  stinteu,  in  mj'  lyve, 

These  emperoures  for  to  shrj-ve,  6050 

Or  kynges,  dukes,  and  lordes  grete  ; 

But  pore  folk  al  quyte  I  lete. 

I  love  no  such  shrj-ving,  pardee, 

But  it  for  other  cause  be. 

I  rekke  not  of  pore  men,  (^855 

Hir  astate  is  not  worth  an  hen. 

Where  fj-ndest  thou  a  swinker  of  labour 

Have  me  unto  his  confessour  ? 

But  emperesses,  and  duchesses, 

Tiiise  queues,  and  eek  [thise]  countesses, 

Thise  abbesses,  and  eek  Bigyns,  6S6i 

These  grete  ladyos  palasjms. 

These  joly  knightes,  and  baillyves, 

Thise  nonnes,  and  tliise  burgois  wx^-es, 

Tliat  riche  been,  and  eek  plesing,        6865 

And  thise  maidens  welfaring, 

Wher-so  they  clad  or  naked  be, 

L'ncounceiled  goth  ther  noon  fro  me. 

And,  for  her  soules  savetee. 

At  lord  and  lady,  and  hir  meynee,      6870 

1  axe,  whan  they  hem  to  me  shryve, 

The  propretee  of  al  hir  lyve, 

And  make  hem  trowe,  bothe  meest  and 

leest, 
Hir  paroch-prest  nis  but  a  beest 
Ayens  me  and  my  comi)any,  6875 

That  shrewes  been  as  greet  as  I ; 
For  whiche  I  wol  not  hyde  in  hold 
No  privetce  that  me  is  told, 
Tliat  I  by  word  or  signe,  y-wis, 
fNil  make  hem  knowe  what  it  is,       6880 
And  they  wolen  also  tellen  me  ; 
Tliey  hcle  fro  me  no  privitee. 
And  for  to  make  yow  hem  perceyven, 
That  usen  folk  thus  to  disceyven, 
I  w<jl  you  seyn,  withouten  drede,        6885 
What  men  may  in  the  gospel  rede 
Of  Seynt  Mathew,  the  gospclere, 
That  scitli,  as  I  shal  you  scy  here. 
'  l'p<jn  the  chaire  of  Moyses — 


Thus  is  it  glosed,  douteles  :  68qo 

That  is  the  olde  testament. 

For  therby  is  the  chaire  ment- 

Sitte  Scribes  and  Pharis[i]en  ; — 

That  is  to  seyn,  the  cursed  men 

Whicho  that  we  ji^ocrites  calle —        6895 

Doth  that  they  preche,  I  rede  you  alle, 

But  doth  not  as  they  don  a  del, 

That  been  not  wery  to  sej'e  wel, 

But  to  do  wel,  no  wille  Tiave  they  ; 

And  they  wolde  binde  on  folk  alwey. 

That  ben  to  [be]  begyled  able,  6901 

f  Burdens  that  ben  importable  ; 

On  folkes  shuldres  thinges  they  couchen 

That  thej-  nil  with  her  fingres  touchen.' 

Amour.  '  And  why  wol  they  not  touche 
it?' 

F.  Sein.  'Why?  6905 

For  hem  ne  list  not,  sikerly  ; 
For  sadde  fburdens  that  men  taken 
Make  folkes  shuldres  aken. 
And  if  they  do  ought  that  good  be. 
That  is  for  folk  it  shulde  see  :  6910 

Her  -f-borders  larger  maken  they, 
And  make  hir  hemmes  wyde  alwey. 
And  loven  setes  at  the  table» 
The  firsto  and  most  honourable  ; 
And  for  to  han  the  first  chaieres  6915 

In  sj-nagoges,  to  hem  iul  dere  is  ; 
And  willen  that  folk  hem  loute  and  grete, 
Whan  tliat  they  jiassen  thurgli  the  strete, 
And  wolen  be  clcped  '  Maister  '  also. 
But  they  ne  shulde  not  willen  so  ;      6920 
The  gospel  is  thor-apreyns,  I  gesse  : 
That  sheweth  wel  hir  wikkidnessa 

'  Another  custom  xise  we  : — 
Of  hem  that  wol  ayens  us  be, 
We  hate  i-liem  deedly  everichoon,       6925 
And  we  wol  worry  -fhem,  as  oon. 
Him  that  oon  hateth,  hate  we  alle, 
And  conjecte  how  to  doon  him  falle. 
And  if  we  seen  him  winne  honour, 
Kichesse  or  preys,  thurgh  his  valour,  6930 
I'rovende,  rent,  or  dignitee, 
Ful  fast,  y-\vis,  compasscn  we 
By  what  ladder  he  is  clomben  so  ; 
And  for  to  maken  him  doun  to  go, 
With  traisoun  we  wole  him  defame,  6935 
And  doon  him  leso  his  gode  name. 
Thus  from  his  ladder  we  him  take. 
And  thus  his  freendes  foes  we  make  ; 


FRACiMEXT  C] 


Z^t  (Rowaunf  of  t^t  (Koae. 


71 


But  word  ne  wite  shal  lie  noon, 

Til  alle  his  freendes  been  his  foon.      6940 

For  if  we  dide  it  openly, 

We  might  have  blame  redily  ; 

For  hadde  he  wist  of  our  malyce, 

He  hailde  him  kept,  liut  he  were  nyce. 

'  Another  is  this,  that,  if  so  falle     6945 
That  ther  be  oon  am<ing  us  alle 
That  doth  a  good  turn,  out  of  drede, 
We  seyn  it  is  our  alder  dede. 
Ye,  sikerly,  though  he  it  fejTied, 
Or  that  him  list,  or  that  him  deyned  6950 
A  man  thurgh  him  avaunced  be  ; 
Therof  alle  parceners  be  we. 
And  tellen  folk,  wher-so  we  go. 
That  man  thurgh  lis  is  sprongen  so. 
And  for  to  have  of  men  preysing,        6955 
We  purchace,  thurgh  our  flatering, 
Of  riche  men,  of  gret  poustee, 
Lettres,  to  witnesse  our  bountee  ; 
So  that  man  weneth,  that  maj-  us  see, 
That  alle  vertu  in  us  be.  6960 

And  alwey  p<jre  we  us  feyne  ; 
But  how  so  that  we  begge  or  iDlejTie, 
We  ben  the  folk,  without  lesing, 
Tliat  al  thing  have  without  having. 
Thus  be  we  dred  of  the  puple,  y-wis.  6965 
And  gladly  my  purpos  is  this  :  — 
I  dele  with  no  wight,  but  he 
Have  gold  and  tresour  gret  plentee  ; 
Hir  acqxieyntaunce  wel  love  I ; 
This  is  moche  my  desyr,  shortly.         6070 
I  entremete  me  of  brocages, 
I  make  pees  and  mariages, 
I  am  gladly  executour. 
And  many  tymes  procuratour ; 
I  am  somtyme  messager  ;  6975 

Tliat  falleth  not  to  my  mister. 
And  many  tymes  I  make  enquestes  ; 
For  me  that  office  not  honest  is  ; 
To  dele  with  other  mennes  thing, 
That  is  to  me  a  gret  lyking.  6980 

And  if  that  ye  have  ought  to  do 
In  place  that  I  repeire  to, 
I  shal  it  speden  thurgh  my  wit, 
As  sone  as  ye  have  told  me  it. 
So  that  j'e  serve  me  to  pay,  rioSs 

My  servise  shal  be  your  alway. 
But  who-so  wol  chastyse  me, 
Anoon  my  love  lost  hath  he  ; 
For  I  love  no  man  in  no  gj'se, 


That  wol  me  repreve  or  chastyse  ;       6990 
But  I  wolde  al  folic  imdertake, 
Aiid  of  no  wight  no  teching  take  ; 
For  I,  that  other  folk  chastye, 
Wol  not  be  taught  fro  my  folve. 

'  I  love  noon  hermitage  more  ;  6995 

Alle  desertes,  and  lioltes  hore. 
And  grete  wodes  everichoon, 
I  lete  hem  to  the  Baptist  lohan. 
I  quethe  him  qviyte,  and  him  relesse 
Of  Egipt  al  the  wildirnesse  ;  7000 

To  fer  were  alle  my  niansiouns 
Fro  alle  citees  and  goode  toiines. 
My  paleis  and  nijii  hoiis  make  I 
There  men  may  renne  in  openly. 
And  sey  that  I  the  world  forsake.        7005 
But  al  amidde  I  bilde  and  make 
My  hous,  and  swimme  and  pley  therinne 
Bet  than  a  fish  doth  with  his  finne. 

'  Of  Antecristes  men  am  I, 
Of  whiche  that  Crist  seith  openly,       7010 
They  havo  abit  of  holinesse. 
And  liven  in  such  wikkednesse. 
Outward,  lambren  Scriicii  v.-c, 
Fulle  of  goodnesse  and  of  pitee. 
And  inward  we,  withouten  fable,         7015 
Ben  gredy  wolves  ravisable. 
We  enviroune  bothe  londe  and  see  ; 
With  al  the  world  f  werreyen  we  ; 
We  wol  ordejnie  of  alle  thing. 
Of  folkes  good,  and  her  living.  70^0 

'  If  ther  be  castel  or  citee 
'Wherin  that  any  boiigerons  be. 
Although  that  they  of  MilajTie  were, 
For  ther-of  ben  they  blamed  there  : 
Or  if  a  wight,  out  of  mesure,  7025 

Wolde  lene  his  gold,  and  take  usure. 
For  that  he  is  so  coveitous  : 
Or  if  he  be  to  leccherous, 
Or  fthefe,  or  haunte  simonye  ; 
Or  provost,  ful  of  trecherye,  7030 

Or  prelat,  living  jolily. 
Or  prest  that  halt  his  queue  him  by  ; 
Or  olde  hores  hostilers, 
Or  other  bawdes  or  bordillers, 
Or  elles  blamed  of  any  vyce,  7o.vt; 

Of  whiche  men  shulden  doon  justyce : 
By  alle  the  scjTites  that  we  pray, 
But  they  defende  fhem  with  lamprey, 
With  luce,  with  eles,  with  samouns. 
With  tendro  gees,  an<l  with  capoiins,  7040 


72 


tU  (Rowaunf  of  t^  (Koee. 


[Fragment  C. 


With  tartes,  or  with  -fcheses  fat, 
With  deyiite  flawiies,  brode  and  flat, 
With  caleweys,  or  with  pnllaille, 
With  couiiiges,  or  with  t'jii  vitaille, 
That  we,  iTuder  our  clothes  "svydo,        7045 
Maken  thiirgh  oiir  golet  glyde  : 
Or  but  lie  wol  do  come  in  haste 
Roo-venisoun,  [y]-bake  in  paste  : 
Whether  so  that  he  loure  or  g^oine, 
He  shal  have  of  a  cordo  a  loigne,         7050 
With  whiche  men  shal  him  binde  and 

lede, 
To  brenne  him  for  his  sinful  dede, 
Tliat  unen  shuUe  here  him  crj^e  and  rore 
A  myle-wey  aboute,  and  more. 
Or  elles  he  shal  in  prisoun  dj-e,  7055 

But-if  he  wol  [our]  frendship  bye, 
Or  smerten  that  that  he  hath  do, 
More  than  his  gilt  amount  etli  to. 
But,  and  he  coutlic  thurgli  his  sleight 
Do  maken  \vp  a  tour  of  height,  7060 

Nought  roiTghte  I  whether  of  stone  or  tree, 
Or  ertlie,  or  turves  though  it  be. 
Though  it  were  of  no  vounde  stone 
Wrought  with  squyre  and  scantilone, 
So  that  the  tour  were  stuffed  wel         7065 
With  alle  richesse  temporel  ; 
And  thanne,  that  he  wolde  updresse 
Engjnis,  bothe  more  and  lesse. 
To  caste  at  us,  by  every  syde — 
To  here  his  goode  name  wyde —  7070 

Such  sleightes  [as]  I  shal  j-ow  nevene, 
Barelles  of  wjnie,  by  sixe  or  sevene. 
Or  gold  in  sakkes  gret  plente. 
He  shiilde  sonc  delivered  be 
And  if  he  have  noon  sich  pitaunces,    7075 
Late  him  study  in  oquipolences. 
And  leto  Ij-cs  and  fallaces. 
If  that  he  wolde  deserve  our  graces  ; 
Or  we  shal  here  hina  such  witnesse 
Of  sinnc,  and  of  his  wrocchidnesse,     7080 
And  doon  his  loos  so  wyde  renne, 
That  al  quik  we  shiildo  hini  brenne, 
Or  elles  yevo  him  suehe  penaunce, 
That  is  wel  wors  than  the  pitaunce. 

'  For  thou  shalt  never,  for  no-thing, 
Con  knowen  aright  by  her  clothing     7086 
The  traitours  fuUe  of  trecherye, 
But  thou  her  werlces  can  aspj'o. 
And  ne  hadde  the  good  keping  be 
Whylom  of  the  imiversitee,  7090 


That  kepeth  the  ke.y  of  Cristendome, 

fThey  had  beenturmented,  alle  and  some. 

Suclie  been  the  stinking  [fals]  prophetis  ; 

Nis  non  of  hem,  that  gooil  prophete  is  ; 

For  thoy,  thurgh  wikked  entencioun,  7(kj5 

The  yeer  of  the  incarnacioi^n 

A  thoiisand  and  two  hundred  yeer, 

Fyve  and  fifty,  ferther  ne  ncr, 

Broughten  a  book,  with  sory  grace, 

To  yeven  ensample  in  comune  place,  7100 

That  seide  thus,  though  it  were  fable  : — 

'•  This  is  tlie  Gospel  Perdurable, 

That  fro  the  Holy  Goost  is  sent." 

Wel  were  it  worth  to  ben  [y]-brent ! 

Entitled  was  in  such  nianere  7105 

This  book,  of  which  I  telle  here. 

Ther  nas  no  wight  in  al  Parys, 

Biforn  Our  Lad.^-,  at  par\ys, 

•f-That  [he]  ne  mighte  bj-e  the  book, 

fTo  copy,  if  him  talent  took.  7110 

Ther  might  he  see,  by  greet  tresouu, 

Ful  many  fals  comparisoitn  : — 

"  As  moche  as,  tliurgh  his  grete  niight. 

Be  it  of  hete,  or  of  light. 

The  sunne  sttrmounteth  the  mone,       71 15 

That  troubler  is,  and  chaungeth  sone. 

And  the  note-kernel  the  shelle — 

(I  scorne  nat  that  I  yow  telle) — 

Right  so,  withoitten  any  g;\"le, 

Surmoitnteth  this  noble  Evangyle        7tJO 

The  word  of  any  evangelist." 

And  to  her  title  they  token  Christ ; 

And  many  such  comparisoun. 

Of  which  I  make  no  mencioun. 

Might  men  in  that  bokc  findc,  7125 

Who-so  coude  of  hem  have  mintle. 

'  Th'  itniversitee,  tliat  tlio  was  aslepe, 
Gan  for  to  braide,  and  taken  kepe  ; 
And  at  the  noys  the  heed  mvcaste, 
Xe  never  sithen  sleptc  it  faste,  7130 

Bitt  up  it  stcrte.  and  armos  took 
Ayens  tliis  fals  horrible  book, 
Al  redy  batail  for  to  make. 
And  to  the  juge  the  book  to  take. 
But  they  that  broughten  the  book  there 
Hente  it  anoon  awey,  for  fere  ;  7136 

Thoy  nolde  shewe  it  more  a  del, 
But  tlienne  it  keptc,  and  kepen  wil, 
Til  sitch  a  tyme  that  they  may  sec 
That  they  so  stronge  woxen  be,  7140 

That  no  wight  may  hem  wel  withstonde  ; 


Fkagment  C.  I 


Z^t  (^owaun^  of  tU  (Koee. 


73 


For  by  that  book  tliey  dtirst  not  stoiulc 

Away  they  gonne  it  for  to  bere, 

For  they  ne  thirste  not  answere 

By  exposicioun  +ne  glose  7145 

To  that  that  clerkes  wole  appose 

Ayens  the  ciirsednesse,  y-wis, 

That  in  that  boke  writen  is. 

Now  wot  I  not,  ne  I  can  not  see 

What  nianer  ende  that  there  shal  be  7150 

Of  al  this  [boke]  that  they  hyde  ; 

But  yit  algate  they  shal  abyde 

Til  that  they  may  it  bet  defeude  ; 

This  trowe  I  best,  wol  be  hir  ende. 

'  Thiis  Autecrist  abyden  we,  7155 

For  we  ben  alle  of  his  meynee  ; 
And  what  man  that  wol  not  be  so, 
Right  sone  he  shal  his  lyf  forgo. 
We  wol  a  puple  f  on  him  areyse, 
And  thurgh  our  gyle  doou  him  seise,   7160 
And  him  on  sharpe  speres  ryve. 
Or  other-weyes  bringe  him  fro  lyve, 
But-if  that  he  wol  folowe,  y-wis, 
That  in  our  boke  writen  is. 
Tlius  moche  wol  our  book  signifye,      7165 
That  whyl  [that]  Peter  hath  maistrye. 
May  never  Johan  shewe  wel  his  might. 

'  Now  have  I  you  declared  right 
The  mening  of  the  bark  and  rinde 
That  niakelh  the  entenciouns  blinde.  7170 
But  now  at  erst  I  wol  biginne 
To  expowne  yui\  the  pith  withinne  : — 
[f  And  first,  by  Peter,  as  I  weuu. 
The  Pope  himself  we  wolden  mene,] 
And  [eek]  the  seculers  comprehende,   7175 
That  Cristes  lawe  wol  defende, 
And  shulde  it  kepen  and  majoitenen 
Ayeines  hem  that  al  susteneu. 
Anil  falsly  to  the  puple  techen. 
•[•And  Johan  bitokeneth  hem  -[-that  pre- 
chen,  7180 

That  ther  nis  lawe  covenable 
But  thilke  Gospel  Perdurable, 
That  fro  the  Holy  Gost  was  sent 
To  turne  lolk  that  been  luiswent. 
The  strengthe  of  Johan  they  iindirstonde 
The    grace    in    which,    they    seye,    they 
Stoude,  7186 

That  doth  the  sinful  folk  converte, 
And  hem  to  Jesus  Crist  revorte. 

'  Ful  many  another  horriblete 
May  men  in  that  boke  see,  7190 


That  ben  comaunded,  douteles, 

Ayens  the  lawe  of  Rome  cxpres  ; 

And  alle  with  Antecrist  they  holden, 

As  men  may  in  the  book  biholden. 

And  than  comaiinden  they  to  sleen     7195 

Alle  tho  that  with  Peter  been  ; 

But  they  shal  nevere  have  that  might. 

And,  god  toforn,  for  stryf  to  fight. 

That  they  ne  shal  y-uough  [men]  finde 

That  Peters  lawe  shal  have  in  minde,  7200 

And  ever  holde,  and  so  niayntene. 

That  at  the  last  it  shal  be  sene. 

That  they  shal  alle  come  therto. 

For  ought  that  they  can  speke  or  do. 

And  thilke  lawe  shal  not  stonde,  7205 

That  they  by  Johan  have  tmdirstonde  ; 

But,  maugre  hem,  it  shal  atloun. 

And  been  brought  to  confusioun. 

But  I  wol  stinte  of  this  matere. 

For  it  is  wonder  long  to  here  ;  7210 

But  hadde  that  ilke  book  endured, 

Of  better  estate  I  were  ensured  ; 

And  freendes  have  I  yit,  pardee. 

That  han  me  set  in  greet  degree. 

'  Of  al  this  world  is  empero\ir  7215 

Gyle  my  fader,  the  trechour. 
And  emp[c]resse  my  moder  is, 
Maugre  the  Holy  Gost,  y-wis. 
Our  mighty  linage  and  our  roiite 
Regneth  in  every  regne  aboiite  ;  7220 

And  wcl  is  'Iworth  we  maistres  be, 
For  al  this  world  governe  we. 
And  can  the  folk  so  wel  disceyve, 
That  noon  our  gyle  can  perceyve  ; 
And   though   they   doon,    they   dar    not 

saye ;  7225 

The  sothe  dar  no  wight  biwreye. 
But  he  in  Ci-istis  wrath  him  ledeth, 
That  more  than  Crist  my  bretheren  dre- 

deth. 
He  nis  no  ful  good  champiomi, 
That  dredeth  such  siniUacioun  ■-  72,50 

Nor  that  for  peyne  wolo  refusen 
Us  to  correcten  and  accusen. 
He  wol  not  entremete  by  right, 
Ne  have  god  in  his  eye-sight, 
And  therfore  god  shal  him  punyce  ;     7235 
But  me  ne  rekketh  of  no  vyce, 
Sithen  men  us  loven  comunably. 
And  holden  us  for  so  worthy. 
That  we  may  folk  reprove  ochoou, 


D  3 


74 


ZU  (Komaunt  of  tU  (Hoee. 


[Fraomekt  C. 


And  we  uil  have  repref  of  noou.  7240 

Wliom  shuldeu  folk  -svorshipen  so 
But  ns,  that  stmten  never  mo 
To  patreu  whyl  that  folk  us  see, 
Though  it  not  so  bihiude  hem  be  ? 

'  And  where  is  more  wood  folye,       7245 
Than  to  enhauuce  chivalrye, 
And  love  noble  men  and  gay, 
That  jolj'  clothes  weren  alway  ? 
If  they  be  sich  folk  as  they  semen. 
So  clene,  as  men  her  clothes  demen,    7350 
And  that  her  wordes  folowe  her  dede, 
It  is  gret  pite,  oiat  of  dre^le, 
For  they  wol  be  noon  ypocrites  ! 
Of  hem,  me  thiuketh  [it]  gret  spite  is  ; 
I  can  not  love  hem  on  no  syde.  7255 

But  Beggers  with  these  hodes  wyde. 
With  sleighe  and  pale  faces  lene, 
And  gi'eye  clothes  not  ful  clene. 
But  fretted  ful  of  tatarwagges. 
And  highe  shoes,  kuopped  with  dagges. 
That  frouncen  Ij'ke  a  quaile-pype,        7261 
Or  botes  riveling  as  a  gype  ; 
To  such  folk  as  I  you  devj-se 
Shulde  princes  and  these  lordes  wyse 
Take  alle  her  londes  and  her  thinges,   7265 
Bothe  werre  and  pees,  in  governinges  ; 
To  such  folk  shulile  a  prince  him  jave, 
That  wolde  his  Ij-f  in  honour  live. 
And  if  they  be  not  as  they  seme, 
That  ser^-en  thus  the  world  to  queme,  7270 
There  wolde  I  dwelle,  to  disceyve 
The  folk,  for  they  shal  not  XJercej-ve. 

'  But  I  ne  speke  in  no  such  wj-se, 
That  men  shuMe  humble  abit  disijyse, 
So  that  no  pryde  ther-under  be.  7275 

No  nian  shulde  hate,  as  thinketh  me. 
The  pore  man  in  sich  clothing. 
But  god  ne  preiseth  him  no-thing. 
That  seith  he  hath  the  world  forsake. 
And  hath  to  worldly  glorie  him  take,  7280 
And  wol  of  siche  delyces  use  ; 
WTio  may  that  Begger  wel  excuse  ? 
That  papelard,  that  him  yeldeth  so, 
And  wol  to  worldlj-  ese  go. 
And  seith  that  he  the  worUl  hath  left. 
And  giedily  it  grj-jjcth  eft,  7286 

He  is  the  hound,  shame  is  to  sej^i, 
Tliat  to  his  casting  goth  agej-n, 

'  But  unto  you  dar  I  not  lye  : 
But  mighte  I  felen  or  aspye  7290 


That  ye  percej-vod  it  no-thing, 
Ye  shulde[n]  have  a  stark  lesing 
Eight  in  yovir  bond  thus,  to  biginne, 
I  nolde  it  lette  for  no  sinne.' 

The  god  lough  at  the  wonder  tho,    7295 
And  every  wight  gan  laiigbe  also. 
And  seide  : — '  Lo  here  a  man  aright 
For  to  be  trusty  to  every  wdght ! ' 

'  Fals  Semblant,'  quod  Love,  '  sey  to  me, 
Sith  I  thus  have  avaiuiced  thee,  7300 

That  in  my  court  is  thy  dwelling, 
And  of  ribaudes  shalt  be  my  king, 
Wolt  thou  wel  holden  my  forwardes?  ' 

F.   Sem.     •  Ye,   sir,  from   hennes   fore- 
wardes  ; 
Hadde  never  your  fader  here-bifom    7305 
Servaunt  so  trewe,  sith  he  was  bom.' 

Amoui:     '  That  is  ayeines  al  nature.' 

F.  Sem.     '  Sir,  put  you  in  that  aven- 
ture  ; 
For  though  ye  borowes  take  of  me, 
The  sikerer  shal  ye  never  be  7310 

For  ostages,  ne  sikirnesse. 
Or  chartres,  for  to  bere  witnesse. 
I  take  your-self  to  record  here. 
That  men  ne  maj',  in  no  manere, 
Teren  the  w-olf  out  of  his  hyde,  7315 

Til  he  be  fflayn,  bak  and  syde, 
Though  men  him  bete  and  al  defyle  ; 
Wliat  ?  wene  ye  that  I  wole  bigyle  ? 
For  I  am  clothed  mekely, 
Ther-under  is  al  my  trechery  ;  7320 

Myn  herte  chaiingeth  never  the  mo 
For  noon  abit,  in  which  I  go. 
Though  I  have  chere  of  simplenesse, 
I  am  not  wery  of  shrewednesse. 
Mj'  lemman,  Strej'ned-Abstinence,       7325 
Hath  mister  of  my  purveauncc  ; 
She  hadde  ful  longe  ago  be  deed, 
Nere  my  councel  and  my  reed  ; 
Lete  hir  allone,  and  yon  and  me.' 

And  Love  answerde,  '  I  trustc  thee  7330 
Without[e]  borowe,  for  I  wol  noon.' 
And  Fals-Semblant,  the  theef,  anoon, 
Eight  in  that  ilke  same  place, 
That  hadde  of  tresoun  al  his  face  7334 

Eight  blak  withuine,  and  whyt  withoute, 
Thanketh  him,  gan  on  his  knees  loute. 

Than  was  ther  nought,  but  '  Every  man 
Now  to  assaut,  that  sailen  can,' 
Quod  Love,  '  and  that  ful  hardily.' 


Fragment  C] 


ZH  (Kotnaunf  of  (U  (Ko0e. 


75 


Thau  armed  they  hem  communly        7340 

Of  sich  armour  as  to  heni  fel. 

Whan  they  were  armed,  fers  and  fel, 

They  wente  hem  forth,  alle  in  a  route. 

And  sette  the  castel  al  aboute  ; 

They  wil  nought  away,  for  no  drede,  7345 

Til  it  so  be  that  they  ben  dede, 

Or  til  they  have  the  castel  take. 

And  foure  batels  they  gan  make, 

And  parted  hem  in  foure  auoon, 

And  toke  her  way,  and  forth  they  goon, 

The  foure  gates  for  to  assaile,  7351 

Of  whiche  the  kepers  wol  not  faile  ; 

For  they  ben  neither  syke  ne  dede^ 

But  hardy  folk,  and  stronge  in  dede. 

Now  Avole  I  sejTi  the  countenaunce  7355 
Of  Fals-Semblant,  and  Abstinaunce, 
That  ben  to  Wikkid-Tonge  went. 
But  first  they  helde  her  parlement, 
Wliether  it  to  done  were 
To  maken  hem  be  knowen  there,         7360 
Or  elles  walken  forth  disgysed. 
But  at  the  laste  thej^  dey\-sed. 
That  they  wold  goon  in  tapinage. 
As  it  were  in  a  pilgrimage, 
Lyk  good  and  holy  folk  unfeyned.        7365 
And  Dame  Abstinence-Streyned 
Took  on  a  robe  of  camelyne. 
And  gan  hir  fgraithe  as  a  Begyne. 
A  large  coverchief  of  threde 
She  wrapijed  al  aboute  hir  hede,  7370 

But  she  forgat  not  hir  sautere  ; 
A  peire  of  bedes  eek  she  here 
Upon  a  lace,  al  of  whyt  threde. 
On  which  that  she  hir  bedes  bede  ; 
But  she  ne  boughte  hem  never  a  del,  7375 
For  they  were  geven  her,  I  wot  wel, 
God  wot,  of  a  ful  holy  frere. 
That  seide  he  was  hir  fader  dere. 
To  whom  she  hadde  ofter  went 
Than  any  frere  of  his  covent.  7380 

And  he  visyted  hir  also. 
And  many  a  sermoun  seide  hir  to  ; 
He  nolde  lette,  tor  man  on  lyve, 
That  he  ne  wolde  hir  ofte  shryve. 
And  with  so  gret  devocion  7385 

They  made[u]  her  confession, 
That  they  had  ofte,  for  the  nones, 
Two  hedes  in  one  hood  at  ones. 

Of  fair  shape  I  fdevj'se  her  thee, 
But  pale  of  face  somtjTae  was  she  ;      7390 


That  false  traitouresse  untrewe 

\^'as  lyk  that  salowe  hors  of  hewe. 

That  in  the  Apocalips  is  shewed, 

That  signifveth  ftho  folk  beshrewed. 

That  been  al  ful  of  trecherye,  7395 

And  pale,  thurgh  hyi^ocrisye  ; 

For  on  that  hors  no  colour  is, 

But  only  deed  and  pale,  y-wis. 

Of  suche  a  colour  enlangoured 

AVas  Abstinence,  y-wis,  coloured  ;       7400 

Of  her  estat  she  her  repented, 

As  her  visage  represented. 

She  had  a  burdoun  al  of  Thefte, 
That  Gyle  had  yeve  her  of  his  yefte  ; 
And  a  scrippe  of  Fainte  Distresse,       7405 
That  ful  was  of  elengenesse. 
And  forth  she  walked  sobrely : 
And  False-Semblant  saynt,  ie  vons  dy, 
■fHad,  as  it  were  for  such  mistere, 
Don  on  the  cope  of  a  frere.  7410 

"With  chere  simjile,  and  ful  pitous  ; 
His  looking  was  not  disdeinous, 
Ne  jjroiid,  but  meke  and  ful  pesible. 
Aljout  his  nekke  he  bar  a  bible. 
And  squierly  forth  gan  he  gon  ;  7415 

And,  for  to  reste  his  limmes  upon, 
He  had  of  Treson  a  potente  ; 
As  he  were  feble,  his  way  he  wente. 
But  in  his  sieve  he  gan  to  thringe 
A  rasour  sharp,  and  wcl  bytinge,         742<. 
That  was  forged  in  a  forge. 
Which  that  men  clepen  Coupe-gorge. 

So  longe  forth  hir  way  they  nomen. 
Til  they  to  Wicked-Tonge  comen, 
That  at  his  gate  was  sitting,  7425 

And  saw  folk  in  the  way  passing. 
The  pilgrimes  saw  he  faste  by, 
That  beren  hem  ful  mekely. 
And  fhumblely  they  with  him  mette. 
Dame  Abstinence  first  him  grotte,       7430 
And  sith  him  False-Semblant  salued, 
.\nd  he  hem  ;  but  he  not  f  remued. 
For  he  ne  dredde  hem  not  a-del. 
For  when  he  saw  hir  faces  wel, 
Alway  in  lierto  him  thoughte  so,  7435 

He  shulde  knowe  hem  bothe  two  ; 
For  wel  he  knew  Dame  Abstinaunce, 
But  he  no  knew  not  Constreynaunce. 
He  knew  nat  that  she  was  constrayned, 
Ne  of  her  thoves  lyfo  fcyned,  744" 

But  wendo  she  com  of  wil  al  free  ; 

.5 


76 


ZU  (^omaunt  of  t^t  (Uoee. 


[Fragment  C. 


But  she  com  in  another  degree  ; 
And  if  of  good  wil  she  began, 
That  wil  was  lailed  her  [as]  than. 

And  Fals-Semblant  had  he  seyn  als, 
But  ho  knew  nat  that  he  was  fals.       7446 
Yet  fals  was  he,  but  his  falsnesse 
Ne  coude  he  not  espye,  nor  gesse  ; 
Fijr  Semblant  was  so  slye  wrouglit. 
That  falsnesse  he  ne  espyed  nought.    7450 
But  haddest  thoii  knowen  him  beforu. 
Thou  woldest  on  a  boke  have  sworn, 
Wlian  th<ni  him  saugh  in  thilke  aray 
That  ho,  that  whjiom  was  so  gay, 
And  of  the  daiince  Joly  Robm,  7455 

Was  tho  become  a  Jacobin. 
But  sothely,  what  so  men  him  calle, 
Frere[s]  Prechoi^rs  been  good  men  alle  ; 
Hir  order  wickedly  they  beren, 
Suche  niinstrelles  if  [that]  they  wereu. 
So  been  Augustins  and  Cordileres,       7461 
And  Carmes,  and  eek  Sakked  Freres, 
And  alle  freres,  shodde  and  bare, 
(Thovigh    some    of   hem   ben   grete   and 

square) 
Fill  holy  men,  as  I  hem  deme  ;  7465 

Everich  of  hem  wolde  good  man  seme. 
But  shalt  thou  never  of  aijparence 
Seen  conclude  good  consequence 
In  none  argument,  y-wis. 
If  existence  al  failed  is.  7470 

For  men  may  finde  alway  sophyine 
The  consofiuenco  to  envenyme, 
Who-so  that  "tliath  tho  subtcltee 
The  double  sentence  lor  to  see. 

Whan  the  pilgrymes  common  were  7475 
To  Wickod-Tonge,  that  dwelled  there, 
Hir  liarneis  nigh  hem  was  algato  ; 
By  Wicked-Tonge  adoun  thoy  sate, 
That  bad  hem  nor  him  for  to  come. 
And  of  tydinges  telle  him  some,  7480 

And    sayde    hem  :— ■  What  cas  maketh 

yow 
To  come  into  this  place  now  ?  ' 
'Sir,'  seyde  Straincd-Ahstinaunce, 
'  We,  for  to  drye  our  penaunce. 
With  hertes  pitoiis  and  devouto,  7485 

Are  common,  aspilgrimes  gon  aboute  ; 
Wei  nigh  on  fote  alway  we  go  : 
IHil  fdusty  been  our  holes  two  ; 
And  thus  bothe  we  ben  sent 
Thurghout  this  world  that  is  miswent, 


To  ycve  ensamplo,  and  preche  also.     7491 

To  fisshen  sinl'ul  men  we  go. 

For  other  fisshing  ne  fisshe  we. 

And,  sir,  for  that  charitoe, 

As  wo  1)6  wont,  herberwe  we  crave,     7495 

Your  lyt'  to  amende  ;  Crist  it  save  ! 

And,  so  it  shulde  you  nat  displese, 

We  wolden,  if  it  were  your  ese, 

A  short  sermoun  unto  you  seyn.' 

And  Wikked-Tonge  answerde  ageyn, 

'  The  hoiis,'  quod  he,  '  such  as  ye  see,    7501 

Shal  nat  be  warned  you  for  me, 

Sey  what  j'ou  list,  and  I  wol  here.' 

'  Graunt  mercj',  swete  sire  dei'e  ! ' 

Quod  alderiirst  Dame  Abstinence,        7505 

And  thus  began  she  hir  sentence  : 

Const.  Abstinence.  '  Sir,  the  first  vertue, 
certeyn, 
The  gretest,  and  most  sovere.yn 
That  may  be  founde  in  any  man, 
For  having,  or  for  wit  he  can,  7510 

That  is,  his  tonge  to  refreyne  ; 
Therto  ought  every  wight  him  peyne. 
For  it  is  better  stille  be 
Than  for  to  spoken  harm,  pardee  ! 
And  he  that  herkeneth  it  gladly,  7515 

He  is  no  gootl  man,  sikerly. 
And,  sir,  aboven  al  other  sinne, 
In  that  art  thou  most  gilty  inne 
Thou  spake  a  jape  not  long  ago, 
(And,  sir,  that  was  right  yvel  do)         7520 
Of  a  yong  man  that  here  repaired, 
And  never  yet  this  place  apaired. 
Tliou  seydest  he  awaited  nothing 
But  to  disceyve  Fair- Welcoming. 
Ye  seyde  nothing  sooth  of  that ;  7525 

But,  sir,  ye  lye  ;  I  tell  you  plat ; 
He  ne  conieth  no  more,  ne  goth,  pardee  ! 
I  trow  ye  shal  him  never  see. 
Fair- Welcoming  in  prison  is, 
That  ofte  hath  ployed  with  you,  er  this, 
Tlie  fairest  games  that  he  coude,  7531 

Withoute  filthe,  stille  or  loude  ; 
Now  dar  -j-he  nat  himself  solace. 
Ye  han  also  tho  man  do  chace, 
That  he  dar  neither  come  ne  go.  7535 

What  mevetli  you  to  hate  him  so 
But  properly  your  wikked  thought, 
That  many  a  fals  losing  hath  thought  ? 
That  meveth  your  foole  eloquence. 
That  jangleth  ever  in  audience,  7540 


( 


Fragment  C] 


^^e  (Uomaunf  of  iU  (^iou. 


77 


And  on  the  folk  areyseth  blame, 

And  doth  hem  dishonour  and  shame, 

For  thing  that  may  have  no  proving, 

But  lyklinesse,  and  contriving. 

For  I  dar  seyn,  that  Eeson  demeth,    7545 

It  is  not  al  sooth  thing  that  semeth 

And  it  is  sinne  to  controve 

Thing  that  is  [for]  to  reprove  ; 

This  wot  ye  wel ;  and,  sir,  therefore 

Ye  arn  to  blame  [wel]  the  more.  7550 

And,  nathelesse,  he  rekketh  lyte  ; 

He  yeveth  nat  now  thereof  a  myte  ; 

For  if  ho  thoughte  harm,  parfay. 

He  wolde  come  and  gon  al  day  ; 

He  coude  him-selfe  nat  abstene.  7555 

Now  Cometh  he  nat,  and  that  is  sene. 

For  he  ne  taketli  of  it  no  cure, 

But-if  it  be  through  aventure. 

And  lasse  than  other  folk,  algate. 

And  thou  here  watchest  at  the  gate,   7560 

With  spere  in  thyne  arest  alway  ; 

There  muse,  nausard,  al  the  day. 

Thou  wakest  night  and  day  for  thought  ; 

Y-wis,  thy  traveyl  is  for  nought. 

And  Jelousye,  withouten  faile,  7565 

Shal  never  quyte  thee  thy  travaile. 

And  scathe  is,  that  Fair-Welcoming, 

Without[en]  any  trespassing, 

Shal  wrongl'ully  in  prison  be, 

Ther  wepeth  and  languissheth  he.       7570 

And  thotigh  thou  never  yet,  y-wis, 

Agiltest  man  no  more  but  this, 

(Take  not  a-greef )  it  were  worthy 

To  putte  theo  out  of  this  baily, 

And  afterward  in  prison  lye,  7575 

And  fettre  thee  til  that  thou  dye  ; 

For  thou  shalt  for  this  sinne  dwelle 

Right  in  the  devils  ers  of  helle, 

Biit-if  that  thou  repente  thee.'  7579 

'  Ma  fay,  thou  Ij^est  falsly  ! '  quod  he. 
'  Wliat  ?  welcome  with  raischaunce  now  ! 
Have  I  therfore  herbered  you 
To  seye  me  shame,  and  eek  reprove  ? 
With  sory  happe,  to  your  bihove. 
Am  I  to-day  your  herbergere  !  75.S5 

Go,  herber  you  elleswhere  than  here. 
That  han  a  Iyer  called  mo  ! 
Two  tregetours  art  thou  and  he. 
That  in  myn  hous  do  me  this  shame, 
And  for  my  soth-sawe  ye  nio  blame.   7590 
Is  this  the  sermoun  that  ye  make  ? 


To  alle  the  develles  I  me  take. 

Or  elles,  god,  thou  me  confoiinde  . 

But  er  men  diden  this  castel  founde. 

It  passeth  not  ten  dayes  or  twelve,      7595 

But  it  was  told  right  to  my-selve, 

And  as  they  seide,  right  so  tolde  I, 

He  kiste  the  Rose  privily  ! 

Thus  soide  I  now,  and  have  seid  yore  ; 

I  not  wher  he  dide  any  more.  7600 

Why  shiildo  men  soy  me  stich  a  thing. 

If  it  hadde  been  gabbing? 

Eight  so  seide  I,  and  wol  seye  yit ; 

I  trowo,  I  lyed  not  of  it ; 

And  with  my  hemes  I  wol  blowe  7605 

To  alle  noighboris  a-rowe. 

How  he  hath  botho  comen  and  gon.' 

Tho  spak  Fais-Semblant  right  anon, 
'  Al  is  not  gospel,  out  of  doi\te. 
That  men  seyn  in  the  toune  aboute  ;  7610 
Ley  no  deef  ere  to  my  spoking  ; 
I  swore  yow,  sir,  it  is  gabbing  ! 
I  trowe  ye  wot  wel  corteynly. 
That  no  man  lovoth  him.  tenderly 
That  soith  him  harm,  if  he  wot  it,      7615 
Al  be  he  never  so  pore  of  wit. 
And  sooth  is  also  sikorly, 
(This  knowe  ye,  sir,  as  wel  as  I), 
That  lovers  gladly  wol  visyten 
The  places  ther  hir  loves  habyten,      7620 
This  man  you  loveth  and  eek  honoureth  ; 
This  man  to  serve  you  laboureth  ; 
And  clepeth  you  his  freend  so  dero. 
And  this  man  maketh  you  good  chere. 
And  evory-wher  that  [he]  you  metoth. 
He  you  saleweth,  and  he  you  greteth.  7626 
Ho  proseth  not  so  ofto,  that  ye 
Ought  of  his  come  encombred  be  ; 
Ther  presen  other  folk  on  yow 
Ful  offer  than  [that]  he  doth  now.      7630 
And  if  his  herte  him  streyned  so 
Unto  the  Rose  for  to  go. 
Ye  shulde  him  seen  so  ofte  nede. 
That  ye  shulde  take  him  with  tho  dode. 
Ho  coudo  his  coming  not  forbore,        7635 
Though  ye  him  thrilled  with  a  spere  ; 
It  nere  not  thanne  as  it  is  now. 
But  trustoth  wel,  I  swore  it  yow. 
That  it  is  clone  out  of  his  thought. 
Sir,  certes,  he  no  thenkcth  it  nought ; 
No  more  ne  doth  Fair- Welcoming,     7641 
That  soro  abyptli  al  tliis  thing. 


78 


ZH  (B<5»w<*w«^  of  tU  (Rose. 


[PRACfMENT  C. 


And  if  they  were  of  oon  assent, 

Ful  sone  were  the  Eose  hent  ; 

The  maugre  yotires  wohle  be.  7645 

And  sir,  of  o  thing  herkeneth  me  : — 

Sith  ye  this  man,  that  loveth  yow, 

Han  seid  such  harm  and  shame  now, 

Witeth  wel,  if  he  gessed  it. 

Ye  may  wel  demen  in  yonr  wit,  7650 

He  nolde  no-thing  love  you  so, 

Ne  callen  yoii  his  fi-eend  also. 

But  night  and  day  he  f  wolde  wake. 

The  castel  to  destroye  and  take, 

If  it  were  sooth  as  ye  devyse  ;  7655 

Or  som  man  in  som  maner  ■wyse 

Might  it  warne  him  everydel. 

Or  by  him-self  perceyv'en  wel  ; 

For  sith  he  might  not  come  and  gon 

As  he  was  whylom  wont  to  don,  7660 

He  might  it  sone  wite  and  see  ; 

But  now  al  other-wj'se  ■f-doth  he. 

Than  have  fye,  sir,  al-outerly 

Deserved  belle,  and  jolj-ly 

The  deth  of  belle,  douteles,  7665 

That  tbrallen  folk  so  gilteles.' 

Fals-Semblant  proveth  so  this  thing 
That  he  can  noon  answering, 
And  seeth  alwey  siTch  apparaunce. 
That  nygh  he  fel  in  repentaunco,        7670 
And  seide  him  : — '  Sir,  it  may  wel  be. 


Semblant,  a  good  man  semen  ye  ; 
And,  Abstinence,  fill  wyse  ye  seme  ; 
Of  o  talent  you  bothe  I  deme.  7674 

What  counceil  wole  ye  to  me  yeven  ?' 
F.  Sem.  '  Eight  here  anoon  thon  shalt 
be  shriven. 
And  sey  thy  sinne  withoute  niore  ; 
Of  this  shalt  thou  repente  sore  ; 
For  I  am  preest,  and  have  poustee 
To  shryve  folk  of  most  dignitee  7680 

That  been,  as  wyde  as  world  may  dure. 
Of  al  this  world  I  have  the  cure, 
And  that  had  never  yit  persoun, 
Xo  viearie  of  no  maner  toun. 
And,  god  wot,  I  have  of  thee  7685 

A  thoiisand  tymes  more  pitee 
Than  hath  thy  preest  parochial. 
Though  he  thy  freend  be  special. 
I  have  avaiintage,  in  o  wyse, 
That  your  prelates  ben  not  so  wyse    7690 
Ne  half  so  lettred  as  am  I. 
I  am  licenced  boldely 
In  divinitee  to  rede. 
And  to  confessen,  out  of  drede. 
If  ye  wol  j'ou  now  confesse,  7695 

And  leve  your  sinnes  more  and  lesse, 
Without  abood,  knele  doun  anon, 
And  you  shal  have  absolucion.'  7698 


Explicit. 


THE    MINOR   POEMS. 


I.     AN  A.  B.  C. 


Incipit  carm&n  secundum  ordincm  literarum  Alphabet:. 


Ai.MiGHTT  and  al  mereialsle  quene, 

To  whom,  that  al  this  world  fleeth  foi' 

socoiir, 
To  have  relees  of  sinne,  sorwe  and  tene, 
Glorious  virginc,  of  alle  floures  flovir, 
To  thee  I  flee,  confounded  in  errour  !       5 
Help  and  releve,  thou  mighty  debonaire, 
Have  mercy  on  my  perilous  langour  ! 
Venquisshed  ni'  liath  my  cruel  adversaire. 

Bountee  so  fix  hath  in  thyu  herte  his 

tente, 
That  wel  I  wot  thou  wolt  my  socour  he,  10 
Thou  canst  not  warne  him  that,  with 

good  entente, 
Axeth  thj-n  help.  Thjai  herte  is  ay  so  free. 
Thou  art  largesse  of  pleyn  felicitee, 
Haven  of  refut,  of  quiete  and  of  reste. 
Lo,  how  that  theves  seven  chasen  me  !  15 
Help,  lady  bright,   er  that  my  ship  to- 

breste  ! 

Comfort  is  noon,  but  in  yow,  lady  dere ; 
For  lo,  mj'  sinne  and  my  confusioun, 
Wliich  oughten  not  in  thy  presence  ap- 

pere, 
Han  take  on  me  a  grevous  accioun  20 

Of  verrey  right  and  desperacioun  ; 
And,  as  by  right,  they  mighten  wel  sus- 

tene 
That  I  were  worthy  my  dampnacioun, 
Nere  mercy  of  you,  blisful  lievcnc  quene. 


Doute  is  ther  noon,  thou  qxieen  of  miseri- 

corde,  25 

That  thou  n'art  cause  of  grace  and  mercy 

here  ; 
God  voiiched  sauf  thurgh  thee  with  iis 

t'acorde. 
For  certes,  Cristes  blisful  moder  dere, 
Were  now  the  bowe  bent  in  swich  manere. 
As  it  was  first,  of  jvistice  and  of  yre,       30 
The  rightful  God  nolde  of  no  mercy  here; 
But  thurgh  thee  han  we  grace,  as  we 

desyre. 

Ever  hath  mjii  hope  of  refut  been  in  thee, 
For  heer-biforn  ful  ofte,  in  many  a  wyse, 
Hast  thou  to  misericorde  receyved  me.  35 
But  mercy,  lady,  at  the  grete  assyse. 
Whan  we  shul  come  bifore  the  hye  jus- 

tyse  ! 
So  litel  fruit  shal  thanne  in  me  be  founde, 
That,    but   thou   cr   tliat   day   me   •[•  wel 

chastyse. 
Of  verrey  right  my  werk  me  wol  con- 

founde.  40 

Fleeing,  I  flee  for  socour  to  thy  tente 
Me  for  to  hyde  from  tempest  ful  of  drede, 
Biseching  you  that  ye  you  not  absente, 
Th<  >ugh  I  be  wikkc.  O  help  y it  at  t  his  nede  I 
Al  have  I  been  a  beste  in  wille  and  dede, 
Yit,  lady,  thou  me  clothe  with  thy  grace. 
Thyn  enemy  and  myn  (lady,  tak  hede)  47 
Un-to  my  deetli  in  poynt  is  me  to  chace. 


8o 


^Oe  QTlmot  (poeme. 


Glorions  mayde  and  moder,  which  that 

never 
Were  bitter,  neither  in  crthenor  in  sec,  50 
Biit  ful  of  swetnesse  and  of  mercy  ever, 
Help  that  my  lader  he  not  wroth  with  me ! 
Spek  thou,  for  T  ne  dar  not  him  y-sec. 
So  have  I  doon  in  erthe,  alias  ther-whvlo  ! 
That  certes,  but-if  thoii  my  socour  he,   55 
To  stink  eteme  he  wol  my  gost  exyle. 

He  vouched  sauf,  tel  him,  as  was  his  wille, 
Bicome  a  man,  to  have  our  alliaunce, 
And  with  his  precious  Mood  he  wroot  the 

bille 
Up-on  the  crois,  as  general  acquitaunce, 
To  every  penitent  in  fill  creaunce  ;         61 
And   therfor,   lady  bright,   thou  for   us 

praye. 
Than  shalt  thou  Iwthe  stinte  al  his  grev- 

aunce, 
And  make  our  foo  to  failen  of  his  ]5raye 

I  wot  it  wel,  thou  wolt  ben  our  socour,  65 
Thou  art  so  ful  of  hountee,  in  certeyn. 
For,  whan  a  soule  falleth  in  errour, 
Tliy  pitee  goth  and  haleth  him  ayeyn. 
Than   makest   thou    his  pees   with    his 

sovereyn. 
And  bringest   him   out   of   the   crooked 

strete.  70 

Who-so  thee  loveth  he  shal  not  love  in 

veyn, 
That  shal  he  finde,  as  he  the  Ij^f  shal  lete. 

Kalenderes  enlumined  ben  they 

That  in  this  world  ben  lighted  with  thy 

name. 
And  who-so  goth  to  you  the  righte  wey,  75 
Him  thar  not  drede  in  soule  to  be  lame. 
Now,  queen  of  comfort,  sith  thou  art  that 

same 
To  whom  I  seche  for  my  modicj'ne, 
Lat  not  mj'  foo  no  more  my  wounde  en- 
tame, 
Myn  hele  in-to  thj-n  hand  al  I  resigne.  80 

Lady,  thy  sorwo  can  I  not  portreye 
Under  the  cros,  ne  his  {jrevous  penaunce. 
But,  for  your  bothos  peyncs,  I  yo>i  preye, 
Lat  not  our  alder  foo  make  his  bobaunce. 
That  he  hath  in  his  listos  of  mischaunco  85 
Convict  that  yc  bothe  have  bought  so 
dere. 


As  I  seide  erst,  thoii  ground  of  our  sub- 

staunce, 
Continue  on  us  thy  pitous  eyen  clere  ! 

Moises,  that  saugh  the  bush  with  flaumes 

rede 
Brenninge,  of  which  ther  never  a  stikke 

brende,  go 

Was  sigue  of  th.\Ti  uuwemmed  maideu- 

hede. 
Thovi  art  the  bush  on  which  ther  gan 

descende 
The  Holy  Gost,   the  which  that  Moises 

wende 
Had  ben  a-fjT  ;  and  this  was  in  figure. 
Now  lady,  from  the  fyr  thou  us  defende  95 
Which  that  in  helle  eternally  shal  dxire. 

Tfoble  princesse,  that  never  haddest  pere, 

Certes,  if  any  comfort  in  us  be. 

That  Cometh  of  thee,  thou  Cristes  moder 

dere, 
We  han  non  other  melodye  or  glee      hkj 
Us  to  rejoyse  in  our  adversitee, 
N'  advocat  noon  that  wol  and  dar  so  preye 
For  us,  and  that  for  litel  liyre  as  ye. 
That  helpen  for  an  Ave-Mario  or  twe.\-o, 

O  verrey  light  of  eyen  that  ben  blinde,  105 
O  verrey  lust  of  labour  and  distresse, 
O  tresorere  of  bountee  to  mank'nde, 
Thee   whom    God    chees   to   moder    for 

humblesse  ! 
From  his  ancille  he  made  thee  maistresse 
Of  hevene  and  erthe,  our  bille  up  for  to 

bede.  1 1'> 

Tliis  world  awaiteth   ever  on   thy  good- 

nesse, 
For  thou  ne  failest  never  wight  at  nede. 

Purpos  I  have  sum  tyme  for  t'enquero, 
^^^le^fb^e  and  why  the  Holy  Gost  thee 

soughte, 
^^^lan  Gabrlelles  vois  cam.  to  thyn  ere.  1 15 
He   not   to    werre    iis    swich    a    womler 

wroughte. 
But  for  to  save  us  that  lie  sithen  boughte. 
Than  nedeth  us  110  wepen  us  for  to  save, 
But  only  ther  we  did  not,  as  us  oughte. 
Do  penitence,  and  mercy  a.xe  and  have.  120 

Qitecn  of  comfort,  yit  whan  I  me  bithink 
That  I  agilt  have  bothe.  him  and  thee, 


I 


II.    Z()t  tomipk^rxU  unto  (piU. 


8i 


And  that  my  sovile  is  worthy  for  to  sinke, 
Alias,  I,  caitif,  whider  may  I  flee  ? 
Who  shal  un-ti)  thy  sone  my  mene  be?  125 
Who,  biit  thy-self,  that  art  of  pitee  welle  ? 
Thou  hast  more  reuthe  ou  our  adversitee 
Than  in  t  his  world  mighte  any  tunge  telle. 

Redresse  me,  moder,  and  me  chastyse. 
For,  certeynly,  my  fadres  chastisinge  130 
That  dar  I  nought  abyden  in  no  wj-se  : 
So  hidous  is  his  rightful  rekeninge. 
Moder,  of  whom  our  mercy  gan  to  springe, 
Beth  ye  my  juge  and  eek  mj'  soules  leche  ; 
For  ever  in  you  is  pitee  haboundinge    135 
To  ecli  that  wol  of  pitee  you  biseche. 

Soth  is,  that  God  ne  graunteth  no  pitee 
With-oute  thee ;  for  God,  of  his  goodnesse, 
Forj-iveth  noon,  but  it  lyke  iin-to  thee. 
He  hath  thee  maked  vicaire  and  mais- 
tresse  140 

Of  al  the  world,  and  eek  governeresse 
Of  luvene,  and  he  represseth  his  justyse 
After  thy  wille,  and  therefore  in  witnesse 
He  hath  thee  crouned  in  so  ryal  wyse. 

Temple  devout,  ther  god  hath  his  won- 
iiige,  145 

Fro  which  these  misbileved  prj-ved  been, 
To  you  my  soule  penitent  I  bringe. 
Receyve  me  !  I  can  no  ferther  fleen  ! 
With  thornes  venimous,  O  heyene  queen, 
For  which  the  erthe  acursed  was  ful  yore, 
I  am  so  wounded,  as  ye  may  wel  seen,  151 
That  I  am  lost  almost ; — it  smert  so  sore. 

Virgine,  that  art  so  noble  of  apparaUe, 
And  ledest  us  in-to  the  hye  tour  154 


Of  Paradys,  thou  me  wisse  and  counsaile, 
How  I  may  have  thy  grace  and  thy  socour ; 
Al  have  I  been  in  filthe  and  in  erroiir. 
Lady,  un-to  that  court  thou  me  ajouriie 
That  eloped  is  thy  bench,  O  fresshe  flmir  ! 
Ther-as  that  mercy  ever  shal  sojourne.  160 

Xristus,    thy   sone,   that   in   this   world 

alighte, 
Up-on  the  cros  to  suffre  his  passioun. 
And  f  eek,  that  Longius  his  herte  pighte, 
And  made  his  herte  blood  to  renneadoun  ; 
And  al  was  this  for  my  salvacioun  ;      165 
And  I  to  hini  am  fals  and  eek  unkinde. 
And  yit  he  wol  not  my  dampnacioun — 
This  thanke  I  you,  socour  of  al  manlcinde. 

Ysaac  was  figure  of  his  deeth,  certeyn. 
That  so  fer-forth  his  fader  wolde  obeye  170 
That  him  ne  roughte  no-thing  to  be  slajTi ; 
Eiglit  so  thy  sone  list,  as  a  lamb,  to  deye. 
Now  lady,  ful  of  mercy,  I  you  preye, 
Sith  he  his  mercy  mesured  so  large, 
Be  ye  not  skant  ;  for  alle  we  singe  and 
seye  175 

That  ye  ben  from  vengeaunce  a3'our  targe. 

Zacharie  you  clepeth  the  open  welle 
To  wasshe  sinfiil  soiile  out  of  his  gilt. 
Therfore  this  lessovin  oughte  I  wel  to  telle 
That,  nere  thy  tender  herte,   we  wcrcn 

spilt.  iU> 

Now  lady  brighte,  sith  thou  canst  and  wilt 
Ben  to  the  seed  of  Adam  merciable, 
So  bring  us  to  that  palais  that  is  bilt 
To  penitents  that    ben   to  mercy  able. 

Amen.  184 


Explicit  carmen. 


II.     THE   COMPLEYNTE   UNTO   PITE. 


PrrK,  that  I  have  sought  so  yore  ago. 
With  herte  sore,  and  ful  of  besy  peyne, 
Tliat  in  this  world  was  never  wight  so  wo 
With-oute  dethe  ;  and,  if  I  shal  not  feyne, 
My  purpos  was,  to  Pite  to  compleyne       5 
Upon  the  cnteltee  and  tirannye 
Of  Love,  that  for  my  trout  he  doth  me  dye. 


And  when  that  I,  by  lengthe  of  certeyn 

yeres. 
Had  ever  in  oon  a  tyme  sought  to  speke, 
To  Pite  ran  I,  al  besprej-nt  with  teres,   10 
To  preyen  hir  on  Crueltee  m'  awreko. 
But,  er   I  might  with  any  worde  out- 

breke. 


82 


^6e  (minor  (poetne. 


Or  tellen  any  of  my  jieynes  smerte, 

I  I'ond  hir  deed,  and  buried  in  an  lierte. 

Adoim  I  fel,  when  that  I  saugh  the  herse, 
Deed  as  a  stoon,  whyl  that  the  swogh  me 

laste ;  ,g 

But  up  I  roos,  with  colour  ful  diverse. 
And  pitously  on  hir  myn  yen  caste,  - 

And  ner  the  corps  I  gau  to  presen  faste, 
And  for  the   soiile   I   shoop   me  for  to 

Preye  ;  20 

I  fnas  hut  lorn  ;  ther  +nas  no  more  to 

seye. 

Thus  am  I  slajni,  sith  that  Pite  is  deed  ; 
Alias  !   that  day !    that  ever  hit  shiilde 

falle  ! 
"VMiat  maner  man  dar  now  holde  up  his 

heed  ? 
To  whom  shal  any  sorwful  herte  calle  ?  2:; 
Now  Crueltee  hath  cast  to  sleen  us  alle, " 
In  ydel  hope,  folk  redelees  of  peyne— 
Sith  she  is  deed— to  whom  shul  we  com- 

pleyne  ? 

But  yet  encreseth  me  this  wonder  newe. 
That  no  M-ight  woot  that  she  is  deed,  but  I; 
So  many  men  as  in  hir  tyme  hir  knewe, ' 
And  yet  she  dyed  not  so  sodeynly  ;  32 
For  I  have  sought  hir  ever  ful  besily 
Sith  first  I  hadde  wit  or  mannes  minde  ; 
But  she  was  deed,  er  that  I  coude  hir 
finde.  ,. 

Aboute  hir  horse  ther  stoden  lustily, 
Withouten  any  wo,  as  thoughte  me,' 
Bountee  parfit,  wel  armed  and  richob'. 
And  frcssho  Beautee,  Lust,  and  Jolitee, 
Assured  Maner,  Youthe.  and  Honestee,  '40 
Wisdom,   Estaat,   [and]  Dreed,   and  G<>- 

vernaunce, 
Confedred  bothe  bj-  bonde  and  alliauuce. 

A  compleynt  haddo   T,   writen,   in  myn 

hond. 
For  to  have  put  to  Pite  as  a  bille. 
But  whan  I  al  this  companye  ther  fond, 
Tliat  rather  wolden  al  my  cause  spillo  46 
Than  do  me  help,  I  held  my  pleynte  stille ; 
For  to  that  folk,  withouten  any  faile, 
Withoute  Pite  may  no  bille  avaUe. 

Then  leve  I  al  thise  virtues,  sauf  Pite,   50 
Keping  the  corps,as  ye  liave  lierd  me  sejai, 


Confedred  aUe  by  bonde  of  Crueltee, 
And  been  assented  that  I  shal  be  sleyn. 
And  I  have  put  my  complej-nt  up  ageyn  ; 
For  to  my  foos  my  bille  I  dar  not  shewe.' 
Theffect  of  which  seith  tlins.  in  wordes 
fewe  : —  ,- 

5" 

The  Bille. 
^  '  Humblest  of  herte,  hyest  of  reverenc:  , 
Benigne  flour,  coroune  of  vertues  alle, 
Sheweth  unto  your  rial  excellence 
Your  servaimt,  if  I  durste  me  so  calle,  *«. 
His  mortal  harm,  in  which  he  is  y-faUe. 
And  noght  al  only  for  his  evel  fare. 
But  for  your  renoun,  as  he  shal  declare. 

'  Hit     stondeth    thus  :    your     contraire. 

Crueltee, 
A.llyed  is  ageynst  your  regalye  (,;; 

Under  colour  of  womanly  Beautee. 
For    men    [nej    shiild     not    knowp    hir 

tirannye, 
With  Bountee,  Gentilesse,  and  Cnrtesye, 
And  hath  depry^-ed  you  now  of  your  place 
That    hight    "Beautee.    apertenant     to 

Grace." 

/" 

'  ^•'r  kindly,  by  your  heritage  right. 

Ye  been  annexed  ever  unto  Bountee  : 

And  verrayly  ye  oughte  do  yoiu-  might 

To  helpe  Trouthe  in  his  adversitee. 

Ye  been  also  the  coroune  of  Beautee  ;    7^ 

And  certes.  if  ye  wanten  in  thise  tweyne, 

The  world  is  lore  ;  ther  fnis  no  more  to 

seyne. 

"I  'Eek  what  availetli   Maner  and  (ien- 

tilesse 
Withoute  you,  benigne  creature  y 
Shal  Crueltee  l)e  your  governeresse  :-      ,s. . 
Alias  !  wliat  herte  may  hit  longe  endure  ? 
Wlaerfor,  but  ye  the  rather  take  cure 
To  breke  that  perilous  alliaunce. 
Ye  sleen  hem  that  ben  in  your  obeisaunce. 
'  And  further  over,  if  ye  suffre  this,        «:; 
Your  renoun  is  fordo  than  in  a  throwe  ; 
Ther  shal  no  man  wite  wel  what  Pite  is. 
Alias !  that  your  renoun  shuJd  be  so  lowe ! 
Ye  be  than  fro  your  heritage  y-throwe 
By  Crueltee.  that  oecupieth  your  place  ;  90 
And  we  despeired,  that   seken   to   your 

grace. 


III.    ZH  (§00^  of  t^t  ©uc^eeee. 


83 


'  Have  mercy  on  me,  thou  Herenus  quene, 
That  you  have  sought  so  tenderly  and 

yore  ; 
Let  somstreem  ofj'ovir  light  on  me  be  sene 
That  love  and  drede  you,  ay  lenger  the 

more.  95 

For,  sothly  for  to  seyne,  I  here  the  sore. 
And,   though   I  be  not   cunning   for  to 

ple5Tie, 
For  goddes  love,  have  mercy  on  my  peyne ! 

^  '  My  peyne  is  this,  that  what  so  I  desire 
That  have  I  not,  ne  no-thing  lyk  therto  ; 
And  ever  set  Desire  myn  herte  on  fire  ; 
Eek  on  that  other  syde,  wher-so  I  go,  102 
What  maner  thing  that  may  encrese  wo 
That  have  I  redy,  vinsoght,  everywhere  ; 
Me  [ne]  lakketh  but  my  deth,  and  than 
my  here.  105 


'  What  nedeth   to   shewe  parcel   of  my 

peyne  ? 
Sith  every  wo  that  herte  may  bethinke 
I  suifre,  and  yet  I  dar  not  to  yoii  pleyne  ; 
For   wel   I   woot,    al-though    I   wake   or 

winke, 
Ye  rekke  not  whether  I  flete  or  sinke.  1 10 
But  natheles,  my  trouthc  I  shal  sustene 
Unto   my  deeth,  and   that  shal   wel   bo 

sene. 

'  This  is  to  seyne,  I  wol  be  youres  ever  ; 
Though  ye  me  slee  bj^  Cnieltee,  your  fo, 
Algate  my  spirit  shal  never  dissever     115 
Fro  your  servj'se,  for  any  peyne  or  wo. 
Sith  ye  be  deed — alias  !  that  hit  is  so  ! — 
Thus  for  your  deth  I  may  wel  wepe  and 
plejnie  i 1 8 

With  herte  sore  and  ful  of  besy  peyne,' 


Here  endeth  the  exclamacion  of  the  Deth  of  Pi/te. 


III.     THE   BOOK   OF   THE   DUCHESSE. 


The  Proem. 

I  HAVE  gret  wonder,  by  this  lighte, 
How  that  I  live,  for  day  ne  nighte 
I  may  nat  slepe  wel  nigh  noght ; 
I  have  so  many  an  ydel  thoght 
Purely  for  defaute  of  slepe. 
That,  by  my  trouthe,  I  take  '(-kepe 
Of  no-thing,  how  hit  cometh  or  goth, 
Ne  me  nis  no-thing  leef  nor  loth. 
Al  is  y-liche  good  to  me  — 
Joye  or  sorowe,  wherso  hit  be — 
For  I  have  feling  in  no-thing, 
But,  as  it  were,  a  mased  thing, 
Alway  in  point  to  falle  a-doun  ; 
For  tsory  imaginacioun 
Is  alway  hooUy  in  my  minde. 

And  wel  .vo  woot,  agaynes  kinde 
Hit  were  to  liven  in  this  wyse  ; 
For  nature  wolde  nat  suifyse 
To  noon  erthelj'  creature 
Not  longe  tyme  to  endure 


Withoute  slepe,  and  be[en]  in  sorwe  ; 
And  I  ne  may,  ne  night  ne  morwe, 
Slepe;   and  fthiis  melancolye, 
And  dreed  I  have  for  to  dye, 
Defaute  of  slepe,  and  hevinesso 
Hath  sleyn  my  spirit  of  quiknesse, 
That  I  have  lost  al  lustihede. 
Suche  fantasyes  ben  in  myn  liede 
So  I  not  what  is  best  to  do. 

But  men  mighte  axe  me,  why  so 
I  may  not  slepe,  and  what  me  is? 
But  natheles,  who  askc  this 
Leseth  his  asking  trewcly. 
Mj'-selven  can  not  telle  why 
The  sooth  ;  but  trewcly,  as  I  gesse, 
I  holde  hit  be  a  siknesso 
That  I  have  sufFred  this  eight  yere, 
And  yet  my  bote  is  never  the  nerc  ; 
For  ther  is  phisicien  but  oon, 
That  may  me  hele  ;  but  that  is  doon. 
Passe  we  over  until  elt  ; 
That  wil  not  be,  moot  nede  be  left ; 


84 


ZU  QUmer  (poimo. 


Oiir  first  matere  is  good  to  kepe. 

So  whan  I  saw  I  might  not  slepe, 
Til  now  late,  this  other  night,  45 

Upon  my  hedde  I  sat  upright, 
And  bad  oon  reehe  me  a  book, 
A  romaunce,  and  he  hit  me  took 
To  rede  and  diyve  the  night  away  ; 
Ff)r  me  thoghte  it  better  play  50 

Tlien  playe[n]  either  at  chesse  or  tables. 

And  in  this  boke  ■were  writen  fables 
Tliat  clerkes  hadde,  in  olde  tyme, 
And  other  poets,  iiut  in  ryme 
To  rede,  and  for  to  be  in  minde  55 

Whyl  men  loved  the  lawe  of  kinde. 
This  book  ne  spak  but  of  such  thinges, 
Of  queues  lj-\-es,  and  of  kinges. 
And  many  othere  thinges  smale. 
Amonge  al  this  I  fond  a  tale  60 

That  me  thoughte  a  wonder  thing. 

This  was  the  tale  :  Ther  was  a  king 
That  higlite  Seys,  and  hadde  a  wyf, 
The  beste  that  mighte  here  lyf ; 
And  this  queno  highte  Alcyone.  65 

So  hit  befel,  therafter  sone, 
Tliis  king  wolde  wenden  over  see. 
To  tellen  shortly,  whan  that  he 
Was  in  the  see,  thus  in  this  wyse, 
Soche  a  tempest  gan  to  ryse  70 

Tliat  brak  hir  mast,  and  made  it  falle. 
And  clefte  hir  ship,  and  dreinte  hem  alle, 
That  never  was  founden.  as  it  telles, 
Bord  ne  man,  ne  nothing  elles. 
Right  thus  this  king  Seys  loste  his  lyf.  75 

Now  "i  for  to  Sleeken  of  his  wyf  : — 
Tliis  Lady,  that  was  left  at  home. 
Hath  wonder,  that  the  king  ne  come 
Hoom,  for  hit  was  a  longe  terme. 
Anon  her  herte  +gan  to  erme  ;  80 

And  for  that  hir  thoughte  evermo 
Hit  was  not  wel  fhe  dwelte  so. 
She  longed  so  after  the  king 
Tliat  certes,  hit  were  a  iiitous  thing 
Tf>  telle  hir  hertely  sorwful  lyf  85 

That  f  hadde,  alas  !  this  noble  wyf; 
For  him  she  loved  alderbest. 
Anon  she  sente  bothe  eest  and  west 
To  seke  him,  but  they  foundo  nought. 

'  Alas  I '  qnoth  she,  '  that  I  was  wrought ! 
And  wlier  my  lord,  my  love,  be  deed  ?   91 
Certes,  I  nil  never  ete  breed, 
I  make  a-vowe  to  my  god  here, 


But  I  mowe  of  my  lorde  here  ! ' 

Such  sorwe  this  lady  to  her  took  95 

That  trewely  I,  which  made  this  book, 

Had  swich  pite  and  swich  rowthe 

To  rede  hir  sorwe,  that,  by  my  trowthe, 

I  ferde  the  worse  al  the  morwe 

After,  to  thenken  on  her  sorwe.  i<x> 

So  whan  fshe  coude  here  no  word 
That  no  man  mighte  finde  hir  lord, 
Ful  oft  she  swouned,  and  seide  '  alas  ! ' 
For  sorwe  ful  nigh  wood  she  was, 
Ne  she  coude  no  reed  but  oon  ;  105 

But  doun  on  knees  she  sat  anoon, 
And  fweep,  that  pite  was  to  here. 

'  A  !  mercy  !  swete  lady  dere  ! ' 
Quod  she  to  Juno,  hir  goddesse  ; 
'  Help  me  out  of  this  distresse,  no 

And  yeve  me  grace  my  lord  to  see 
Sone,  or  wite  wher-so  he  be. 
Or  how  he  fareth,  or  in  what  wyse, 
And  I  shal  make  you  sacrifyse, 
And  hooUy  youres  become  I  shal  115 

With  good  wil,  body,  herte,  and  al ; 
And  but  thou  wilt  this,  lady  swete. 
Send  me  grace  to  slepe,  and  mete 
In  my  slepe  soni  certeyn  sweven, 
Wher-through  that  I  may  knoweu  even 
Wliether  my  lord  be  quik  or  deed.'        121 
With  that  word  she  heng  doun  the  heed. 
And  fil  a-swown  as  cold  as  ston  ; 
Hir  women  caughte  her  up  anon. 
And  broghten  hir  in  bed  al  naked,        125 
And  she,  forweped  and  forwaked, 
Was  wery,  and  thus  the  dede  sleep 
Fil  on  her,  or  she  toke  keep, 
Tlirough  .Tuno,  that  had  herd  hir  bone, 
That  made  hir  [for]  to  slepe  sone  ;  130 

For  as  she  praj-de,  fso  was  don, 
In  dede  ;  for  .luno,  right  anon, 
Called  thus  her  messagere 
To  do  her  erande,  and  he  com  nere. 
AVlian  he  was  come,  she  bad  him  thus  :  135 
'  G-o  bet,'  quod  Juno,  '  to  Morpheus, 
Thou  knowest  him  wel,  the  god  of  sleep  ; 
Now  undcrstond  wel,  and  tak  keep. 
Sey  thus  on  my  halfe,  that  he 
Go  faste  into  the  grete  sec,  140 

And  bid  him  that,  on  alle  thing. 
He  take  itp  Seys  body  the  king. 
That  Ij^h  ful  pale  and  no-thing  rody. 
Bid  him  crepe  into  the  body. 


III.    Z^t  (gooft  of  t^e  ®uc6e00e. 


85 


And  do  it  goon  to  Alcyone  145 

The  quene,  tlier  she  Ij'th  alone, 
And  sbewe  hir  shortly,  hit  is  no  nay. 
How  hit  was  dreynt  this  other  day  ; 
And  do  the  bodj-  speke  i  so 
Right  as  hit  was  wont  to  do,  150 

The  whyles  that  hit  was  on  lyve. 
Go  now  faste,  and  hy  thee  bljTe  ! ' 

This  messager  took  leve  and  wente 
Upon  his  wey,  and  never  ne  stente 
Til  he  com  to  the  derke  valeye  155 

That  stant  bytwene  roches  tweye, 
Ther  never  yet  grew  corn  ne  gras, 
Ne  tree,  ne  f  nothing  that  ought  was, 
Beste,  ne  man,  ne  ■f-nothing  elles. 
Save  ther  were  a  fewe  welles  160 

Came  renning  fro  the  cliffes  adoun, 
That  made  a  deedly  sleping  soun, 
And  ronnen  doun  right  by  a  cave 
That  was  under  a  rokke  y-grave 
Amid  the  valey,  wonder  depe.  165 

Ther  thise  goddes  laye  and  slepe, 
Morpheus,  and  Eclympasteyre, 
That  was  the  god  of  slepes  heyre, 
That  slepe  and  did  non  other  werk. 

This  cave  was  also  as  dei-k  1 70 

As  helle  pit  over-al  aboute  ; 
They  had  good  leyser  for  to  route 
To  env3'e,  who  might  slepe  beste  ; 
Some  henge  hir  chin  upon  hir  breste 
And  f  slepe  iipright,  hir  heed  y-lied,     175 
And  some  lay[e]  naked  in  hir  bed. 
And  slepe  whyles  the  dayes  laste. 

This  messager  com  flying  faste. 
And  cryed,  '  O  ho  !  awak  anon  ! '  179 

Hit  was  for  noght ;  ther  herde  him  non. 
'  Awak  ! '  quod  he,  '  who  is,  lyth  there  ?  ' 
And  blew  his  horn  right  in  hir  ere. 
And  cryed  '  awaketh  ! '  wonder  hye. 
This  god  of  slepe,  with  his  oon  ye 
Cast  up,  faxed,  '  who  clepeth  there?'  185 
'  Hit  am  I,'  quod  this  messager e  ; 
'  Juno  bad  thou  shuldest  goon  ' — 
And  tolde  him  what  he  shulde  doon 
As  I  have  told  yow  here-toibre  ; 
Hit  is  no  need  reherse  hit  more  ;  190 

And  wente  his  wey,  whan  he  had  sayd. 

Anon  this  god  of  slepe  a-brayd 
Out  of  his  slepe,  and  gan  to  goon. 
And  did  as  ho  had  bede  him  doon  ; 
Took  up  the  dreynte  body  sone,  195 


And  bar  hit  forth  to  Alcyone, 

His  wyf  the  quene,  ther-as  she  lay. 

Right  even  a  quarter  before  day. 

And  stood  right  at  hir  beddes  fete, 

And  called  hir,  right  as  she  hete,  200 

By  name,  and  seyde,  '  my  swete  wyf, 

Awak  !  let  be  your  sorwful  lyf ! 

For  in  your  sorwe  ther  Ij'th  no  reed  ; 

For  certes,  swete,  I  f  nam  but  deed  ; 

Ye  shul  me  never  on  lyve  y-see.  205 

But  good  swete  herte,  [look]  that  ye 

Bury  my  body,  fat  whiche  a  tyde 

Ye  mowe  hit  finde  the  see  besyde  ; 

And  far-wel,  swete,  my  worldes  blisse  ! 

I  praye  god  your  sorwe  lisse  ;  210 

To  litel  whyl  our  blisse  lasteth  ! ' 

With  that  hir  eyen  up  she  casteth, 
And  saw  noght  ;    '  f  A  ! '    quod   she,  '  lor 

sorwe  ! ' 
And  deyed  within  the  thridde  morwe. 
But  what  she  sayde  more  in  that  swow 
I  may  not  telle  yow  as  now,  ji6 

Hit  were  to  louge  for  to  dwelle  ; 
My  first  matere  I  wil  yow  telle, 
Wlierfor  I  have  told  this  thing 
Of  Alcione  and  Sej's  the  king.  2->() 

For  thus  moche  dar  I  say[ej  wel, 
I  had  be  dolven  everydel. 
And  deed,  right  through  defaute  of  sleep. 
If  I  nad  red  and  take[u]  keep 
Of  this  tale  next  before  :  jj^ 

And  I  wol  telle  yow  wherfore  ; 
For  I  ne  might,  for  bote  lie  bale, 
Slepe,  or  I  had  red  this  tale 
Of  this  dreynte  Seys  the  king. 
And  of  the  goddes  of  sleping.  230 

Whan  I  had  red  this  tale  wel. 
And  over-loked  hit  everydel. 
Me  thoughte  wonder  if  hit  were  so  ; 
For  I  had  never  herd  speke,  or  tho. 
Of  no  goddes  that  coude  make  2^5 

Men  [for]  to  slejie,  ne  for  to  wake  ; 
For  I  ne  knew  never  goil  but  oon. 
And  in  my  game  I  sayde  anoon — 
And  yet  me  list  right  evel  to  pleye — 
'  Rather  then  that  I  shulde  deye  240 

Through  tlelaute  of  sleping  thus, 
I  wolde  yive  thilke  Mon'heus, 
Or  his  goddesse,  dame  Juno, 
Or  som  wight  clles,  I  ne  roghte  who— 
To  make  me  slepe  and  have  som  rcsto — 


86 


ZU  dUtnov  (poeme. 


I  wil  yive  liim  the  alder-beste  246 

Yift  that  ever  he  abood  his  lyve. 

And  here  on  warde,  right  now,  as  bl-s-^-e  ; 

If  he  wol  make  me  slepe  a  lyto, 

Of  downe  of  pure  dow'ves  whyte  250 

I  wil  j-ive  him  a  fether-bed, 

Eayed  with  golde,  and  right  wel  cled 

In  f;\Ti  blak  satin  dontremere, 

And  many  a  pilow,  and  every  here 

Of  clothe  of  Eeynes,  to  slepe  softe  ;       255 

Him  thar  not  nede  to  turnen  ofte. 

And  I  wol  yive  him  al  that  falles 

To  a  chambre  ;  and  al  his  halles 

I  wol  do  pej-nte  with  pure  golde, 

And  tapite  hem  ful  many  folde  260 

Of  00  sute  ;  this  shal  he  have. 

If  I  wiste  wher  were  his  cave, 

If  he  can  make  me  slepe  sons, 

As  did  the  goddesse  f  Alcione. 

And  thus  this  ilke  god,  Morjiheus,        265 

May  winne  of  me  mo  fees  thus 

Tlian  ever  he  wan  ;  and  to  Jiino, 

That  is  his  goddesse,  I  shal  so  do, 

I  trow  that  she  shal  holde  her  payd.' 

I  hadde  unneth  that  word  y-saj-d      270 
Eight  thvis  as  I  have  told  hit  yow, 
Tliat  sodeJ^lly,  I  niste  how, 
Swicli  a  lust  anoon  me  took 
To  slepe,  that  right  upon  my  book 
I  fil  aslepe,  and  therwith  even  275 

Me  mette  so  inly  swete  a  sweven. 
So  wonderful,  that  never  jrit 
I  trowe  no  man  hadde  the  wit 
To  connc  wel  my  swe'ven  rede  ; 
No,  not  Joscpli,  withoute  drede,  280 

Of  Egipte,  he  that  redde  so 
Tlie  kinges  meting  Pharao, 
No  more  than  coude  the  leste  of  us  ; 
Ne  nat  scarsly  Macrobeus, 
(He  that  WToot  al  th'avisioun  285 

That  he  mette,  king  Scipioiin. 
The  noble  man,  the  Affrican — 
Swiche  mervayles  fortuned  than) 
I  trowe,  a-rede  my  dremcs  even. 
Lo,  thus  hit  was,  this  was  my  sweven.  290 

Tlie  Dream. 

Mk  thoughts  thus  : — that  hit  was  May, 

And  in  the  dawniing  ther  I  lay, 

Me  mette  thus,  in  my  bed  al  naked  : — 


+1  loked  forth,  for  I  was  waked 
With  smale  fonles  a  gret  hepe,  205 

That  had  affrayed  me  out  of  fslcpe 
Through  noyse  and  swetnesse  of  hir  song  ; 
And,  as  me  mette,  thej^  sate  among. 
Upon  my  chambre-roof  withoiite, 
Upon  the  tyles,  f  al  a-boute,  30;) 

And  songen,  everich  in  his  'wyse, 
The  moste  solempne  ser\7se 
By  note,  that  ever  man,  I  trowe. 
Had  herd  ;  for  som  of  hem  song  lowe, 
Som  hye,  and  al  of  oon  acorde.  305 

To  telle  shortly,  at  00  worde, 
Was  never  y-herd  so  swete  a  Steven, 
But  hit  had  be  a  thing  of  heven  ; — 
So  mery  a  soun,  so  swete  entunes. 
That  certes,  for  the  toune  of  Tewnes,   310 
I  nolde  but  I  had  herd  hem  singe  : 
For  al  my  chambre  gan  to  ringe 
Through  singing  of  hir  armonye. 
For  instrument  nor  melodj'e 
Was  nowher  herd  yet  half  so  swete,      315 
Nor  of  acorde  half  so  mete  ; 
For  ther  was  noon  of  hem  that  feyned 
To  singe,  for  ech  of  hem  him  peyned 
To  finde  out  mery  crafty  notes  ; 
They  ne  spared  not  hir  throtes.  320 

And,  sooth  to  seyn,  my  chambre  was 
Ful  wel  depeynted,  and  with  glas 
Were  al  the  windowes  wel  y-ghised, 
Fu.1  clere,  and  nat  an  hole  y-crased. 
That  to  beholde  hit  was  gret  joye.         325 
For  hoolly  al  the  storie  of  Troye 
Was  in  the  glasing  y-wroght  thus. 
Of  Ector  and  -f-king  Priamus, 
Of  Achilles  and  f  Lamedon, 
Of  f  Medea  and  of  Jason,  330 

Of  Paris,  Eloj-ne,  and  La\-yne. 
And  f  alle  the  walles  with  colours  fyne 
Were  pej-nted,  bothe  text  and  glose, 
f  Of  al  the  Romaunce  of  the  Rose. 
Jly  windowes  Averen  shet  echon,  335 

And  through  the  glas  the  snnne  shon 
Upon  my  bed  with  brighte  hemes. 
With  many  glade  gilden  stremes  ; 
And  eek  the  welkcn  was  so  fair. 
Blew,  bright,  clere  was  the  air,  340 

And  ful  atempre,  for  sothe,  hit  was  ; 
For  nother  f  cold  nor  hoot  hit  nas, 
Ne  in  <al  the  welkcn  was  a  cloude. 
And  as  I  lay  thus,  wonder  loude 


III.    ZU  (^ooft  of  tU  ®uc6e00e. 


87 


Me  thouglite  I  herde  an  liimte  blowe   345 
T'  assaye  liis  horn,  and  for  to  knowe 
Wlietlior  hit  were  clere  or  hors  of  sovine. 

fl  herde  goinge,  up  and  donue, 
Men,  hors,  houudes,  and  other  thing  ; 
And  al  men  speken  of  hunting,  350 

How  tliey    wolde     slee    the    hert    with 

strengthe. 
And  how  tlie  hert  had,  upon  lengthe, 
So  moche  embosed,  I  not  now  what. 
Anon-right,  whan  I  herde  that. 
How  that  they  wokle  on  httnting  goon, 
I  was  right  glad,  and  up  anoon  ;  356 

[IJ  took  my  hors,  and  forth  I  wente 
Out  of  my  chanibre  ;  I  never  stente 
Til  I  com  to  the  feld  withoute. 
Ther  overtook  I  a  gret  route  360 

Of  huntes  and  eek  of  foresteres, 
With  many  relayes  and  lymeres, 
,\nd  hyed  hem  to  the  forest  faste, 
And  I  with  hem  ; — so  at  the  laste 
I  asked  oon,  ladde  a  lymere  : — ■  365 

'  Say,  felow,  who  shal  hitnte[n]  here  ? ' 
Quod  I ;  and  he  answerde  ageyn, 
'  Sir,  th'emperour  Octovien,' 
Quod  he,  '  and  is  heer  faste  by.'      . 
'  A  goddes  halfe,  in  good  tj-nie,'  quod  I, 
'  Go  we  faste  ! '  and  gan  to  ryde.  371 

^^^^an  we  came  to  the  forest-syde, 
Every  man  dide,  right  anoon, 
As  to  hunting  fil  to  doon. 
The  mayster-hitnte  anoon,  fot-hoot,      375 
With  a  gret  home  blew  three  moot 
At  the  uncoitpling  of  his  houndes. 
Within  a  whj-1  the  hert  [y]-founde  is, 
Y-halowed,  and  rechased  faste 
Longe  tj-me  ;  and  -fat  the  laste,  380 

This  hert  rused  and  stal  away 
Fro  alle  the  houndes  a  pre^y  way. 
The  houndes  hadovershote  hem.  alle, 
And  were  on  a  defaute  y-falle ; 
Therwith  the  htiute  wonder  faste  385 

Blew  a  forloyn  at  the  laste. 

T  was  go  walked  fro  my  tree. 
And  as  I  wente,  ther  cam  by  me 
A  whelp,  that  fanned  me  as  I  stood, 
That  hadde  y-f<:ilowed,  and  coude  no  good. 
Hit  com  and  creep  to  me  as  lowe,  391 

Right  as  hit  liaddc  me  y-knowe, 
Hild  doun  his  heed  and  joyned  his  eres, 
And  leyde  al  smothe  doun  his  heres. 


I  wolde  lian  caught  hit,  and  anoon       395 

Hit  fledde,  and  was  fro  me  goon  ; 

And  I  him  folwed,  and  hit  forth  wente 

Doun  by  a  floury  grene  wente 

Ful  thikke  of  gras,  ful  softe  and  swete. 

With  fioures  fele,  faire  tinder  fete,       4(X) 

And  litel  ttsed,  hit  seemed  thus  ; 

For  bothe  Flora  and  Zephirtts, 

They  two  that  make  fioures  growe, 

Had  mad  hir  dwelling  ther,  I  trowe  ; 

For  hit  was,  on  to  beholde,  405 

As  thogh  the  erthe  en^ye  wolde 

To  bo  gayer  than  the  heven, 

To  have  mo  flottres,  swiche  seven 

As  in  the  welken  sterres  be. 

Hit  had  forgete  the  povertee  410 

That  winter,  through  his  colde  morwes. 

Had  mad  hit  suffre[n],  and  his  sorwes  ; 

Al  was  forgeten,  and  that  was  sene. 

For  al  the  wode  was  waxen  grene, 

'Swetnesse  of  dewe  had  mad  it  waxe,     415 

Hit  is  no  need  eek  for  to  axe 
Wlier  ther  were  many  grene  groves, 
Or  thikke  of  trees,  so  ful  of  leves  ; 
And  every  tree  stood  by  him-selvc 
Fro  other  wel  ten  foot  or  twelve,  420 

So  grete  trees,  so  huge  of  strengthe. 
Of  fotirty  or  lilty  fadme  lengthe, 
Clene  withoute  bough  or  stikke. 
With  croppes  brode,  and  eek  as  thikke — 
They  were  nat  an  inche  a-sondcr —      425 
That  hit  was  shadwe  over-al  ttnder  ; 
And  many  an  hert  and  many  an  hindc 
Was  both  before  me  and  bihindc. 
Of  founes,  soures,  bttkkes,  does 
Was  ful  the  wode,  and  manj-  roes,        4311 
And  many  squirelles,  that  sete 
Ful  hye  ttpon  the  trees,  and  ete, 
And  in  hir  maner  made  festes. 
Shortly,  hit  was  so  ful  of  bestes. 
That  thogh  Argtis,  the  noble  countour, 
Sete  to  rekene  in  his  countottr,  436 

And  rekene[d]  with  his  figttres  ten — 
For  by  tlio  figures  mowc  al  ken. 
If  they  be  crafty,  rekene  and  noumbre, 
And  telle  of  every  thing  the  nottmbrc — 
Yet  shulde  he  faylo  to  rekene  oven      441 
The  wondres,  me  mette  in  my  sweven. 

But  forth  they  romed  f  wonder  faste 
Doun  the  wode  ;  so  at  the  laste 
I  was  war  of  a  man  in  blak,  44s 


Z^t  Qllinot  (poem0. 


45*> 


455 


465 


That  sat  and  had  y-turned  his  hak 

To  an  oke,  an  huge  tree. 

'  Lord,'  thoghte  I,  '  who  may  that  he  ? 

What  ayleth  him  to  sitten  here  ? ' 

Anoon-right  I  'wente  nere  ; 

Tlian  fond  I  sitte  even  upright 

A  wonder  wel-faringe  knight — 

By  the  maner  me  thonghte  so — 

Of  good  mochel,  and  f  yong  therto, 

Of  the  age  of  four  and  twenty  j-eer 

Upon  his  berde  but  litel  beer, 

And  he  was  clothed  al  in  blakke. 

I  stalked  even  unto  bis  bakke, 

And  ther  I  stood  as  stille  as  oiight, 

That,  sooth  to  saye,  he  saw  me  nought, 

For-why  he  heng  his  heed  adoune.        461 

And  with  a  deedly  sor^vful  soune 

He  made  of  ryme  ten  vers  or  twelve. 

Of  a  complejnit  to  bim-selve. 

The  moste  pite,  the  moste  rowthe, 

Tliat  ever  I  berde  ;  for,  by  my  tro^vthe, 

Hit  was  RTet  wonder  that  nature 

Might  suffre[n]  any  creature 

To  have  swich  sorvve,  and  be  not  deed. 

Fill  pitf)us,  pale,  and  nothing  reed,       470 

He  sayde  a  lay,  a  maner  song, 

Withoute  note,  Avitboute  song. 

And  hit  was  this  ;  for  -f-wel  I  can 

Roherse  hit ;  right  thus  bit  began. — 

^'  I  have  of  sorwe  so  gret  woon,  475 

That  joye  gete  I  never  noon, 

Now  that  I  see  my  lady  bright, 

Which  I  have  Im-ed  with  al  my  might. 
Is  fro  me  deed,  and  is  a-goon.f  479 

•■Alias,  [o]  deeth  !  what  ayleth  thee,    481 
That  thou  noblest  have  taken  mo, 

■Wlian  tliat  thou  toko  my  lady  swete  ? 
That  was  so  fayr,  so  fresh,  so  free, 
So  good,  that  men  may  wel  [.y]-see         485 

Of  al  goodnesse  she  had  no  mete  ! ' — 
^Vllan  be  bad  mad  thiis  his  complaj-nte, 
His  sorowfiil  berte  gan  faste  faynte. 
And  bis  spirites  wexen  dede  ; 
The  blood  was  fled,  for  pure  drede,       490 
Doun  to  his  lierte,  to  make  him  warm — 
For  wel  hit  feled  the  berte  bad  harm — 
To  wite  eek  why  bit  was  a-drad 
By  kinde,  and  for  to  make  bit  glad  ; 
For  hit  is  membre  principal  495 

Of  the  body  ;  and  that  made  al 
His  hewe  chaunge  and  wexe  grene 


And  pale,  for  fno  blood  was  sene 
In  no  maner  lime  of  his. 

Anoon  therwith  whan  I  saw  this,      .six) 
He  ferde  thus  evel  ther  be  sete. 
I  wente  and  stood  right  at  his  fete. 
And  grette  him,  but  he  spak  noght, 
But  argued  with  his  owne  thoght. 
And  in  his  witte  disputed  faste  505 

Why  and  bow  his  lyf  might  laste  : 
Him  thougbte  his  sor\ves  were  so  smerte 
And  lay  so  colde  upon  his  berte  : 
So,  through  bis  sorwe  and  be\'y  thoght, 
Made  him  that  be  ne  berde  me  noght ; 
For  be  had  wel  nigh  lost  his  minde.      511 
Thogb  Pan,  that  men  clepe  god  of  kinde, 
Were  for  bis  sorwes  never  so  wrootb. 

But  at  the  laste,  to  sayu  right  sooth, 
He  was  war  of  me,  how  I  stood  515 

Before  him,  and  dide  of  myn  hood. 
And  Tgrette  him,  as  I  best  coude. 
Debonairly,  and  no-thing  loude, 
He  sayde,  '  I  prey  thee,  be  not  \\Tooth, 
I  herde  thee  not,  to  sayn  the  sooth.       .sjo 
Ne  I  saw  thee  not,  sir,  trewely.' 

'  A  !  goode  sir,  no  fors,'  quod  I. 
'  I  am  right  sory  if  I  have  ought 
Destroubled  yow  out  of  your  thought  : 
For-yive  me  if  I  have  mis-take.'  5^5 

'  Yis,  th'  amendes  is  light  to  make,' 
Quod  be,  '  for  ther  lyth  noon  tber-to  ; 
Ther  is  no-thing  naissayd  nor  do." 

Lo  !  how  gootU3'  spak  this  knigln. 
As  it  had  been  another  wight  ;  530 

He  made  it  novither  toitgh  ne  queynte. 
And  I  saw  that,  and  gan  me  aqueyntc 
With  him.  and  fond  him  so  tretable. 
Right  wonder  skilful  and  resonablo. 
As  me  thoghte,  Ibr  al  his  bale.  5.^5 

Anoon-right  I  gan  finde  a  tale 
To  him,  to  loke  wher  I  miglit  ought 
Have  more  knowing  of  his  tliought. 

'  Sir,'  qtiod  I,  '  this  game  is  doon  ; 
I  holde  that  this  hert  be  goon  :  540 

Thise  huntes  conne  him  nowher  see.' 

'  I  do  no  fors  therof,'  quod  be, 
•  Mj-  thought  is  ther-on  never  a  del.' 

'  By  our  lord."  (juod  I,  '  I  trow  yow  wel, 
Right  so  me  thinketh  by  your  chore.    545 
But,  sir,  00  thing  wol  ye  here  ? 
Me  thinketh.  in  gret  sorwe  I  yow  see 
But  certes,  [good]  sir,  yif  that  ye 


III.    ZU  (^ooft  ©f  ^U  ®uc3e00e. 


89 


Wolde  ought  discure  me  youi-  wo, 

I  wolde,  as  wis  god  helpe  me  so,  550 

Amende  hit,  yif  I  can  or  may  ; 

Ye  niowe  preve  hit  by  assay. 

For,  by  my  trouthe,  to  make  yow  hool, 

I  wol  do  al  my  power  hool ; 

And  telleth  me  of  yoiir  sorwes  smerte, 

Paraventiire  hit  may  ese  your  herte,    556 

That  semetli  ful  seke  under  your  syde.' 

^^"ith  that  he  loked  on  me  asyde. 
As  who  saj'tli,  '  nay,  that  wol  not  be.' 
'  Graunt  mercy,  gode  freuil,"  quod  he, 
'  I  thanke  thee  that  thou  woldest  so,    561 
But  hit  may  never  the  rather  be  do. 
No  man  may  my  sorwe  glade. 
That    maketh    my    hewe    to    falle    and 

fade. 
And  hath  myn  imderstonding  lorn,      565 
That  me  is  wo  that  I  was  l>orn  ! 
May  noght  make  my  sorwes  slyde, 
Nought  the  remedies  of  Ovyde  ; 
Ne  Orpheus,  god  of  melodye, 
Ne  Dcdalus,  with  f  playes  slye  ;  570 

Ne  hele  me  may  fphisicien, 
Noght  Ipocras,  ne  Galien  ; 
Me  is  wo  that  I  live  houres  twelve  ; 
Bitt  who  so  wol  assaye  him-selve 
Whether  his  herte  can  have  pite  575 

Of  any  sorwe,  lat  him  see  me. 
I  wreccho,  that  deeth  hath  mad  al  naked 
Of  alle  blisse  that  was  ever  maked, 
Y-worthe  worste  of  alle  wightes, 
Tliat  hate  my  dayes  and  mj'  nightes  ;  580 
My  lyf,  my  lustes  be  mo  lothe. 
For  al  welfare  and  I  be  wrothe. 
Tlie  pure  deeth  is  so  fmy  fo, 
f  Thogli  I  wolde  deye,  hit  wolde  not  so  ; 
For  whan  I  folwe  hit,  hit  wol  flee  ;       585 
I  wolde  have  fhit,  hit  nil  not  me. 
This  is  my  pej^ne  withoute  reed, 
.\.lway  deying,  and  be  not  deed. 
That  f  Sesiphus,  that  lyth  in  helle, 
May  not  of  more  sorwe  telle.  590 

.\nd  who  so  wiste  al,  by  my  trouthe, 
J[y  sorwe,  but  he  hadde  routhe 
And  pite  of  my  sorwes  smerte, 
That  man  hath  a  fcendly  herto. 
For  who  so  seeth  nie  first  on  morwe     595 
May  seyn,  he  hath  [y]-met  with  sorwe  ; 
For  T  am  sorwe  and  sorwe  is  I, 

■  All.as  !  ;in<l  T  wol  telle  the  why  ; 


My  "fsong  is  turned  to  pleyning, 

And  al  my  laughter  to  weping,  600 

My  glade  thoghtes  to  hevinesse. 

In  travaile  is  myii  ydelnesse 

And  eek  my  reste  ;  my  wele  is  wo. 

My  good  is  harm,  and  ever-mo 

In  wrathe  is  tttrned  my  pleying,  605 

And  my  delyt  in-to  sorwing. 

Mjai  hole  is  tttrned  into  seeknesse. 

In  drede  is  al  my  sikernesse. 

To  derke  is  turned  al  my  light. 

My  wit  is  foly,  my  day  is  night,  610 

My  love  is  hate,  my  sleep  waking. 

My  mirthe  and  meles  is  fasting. 

My  countenaunce  is  nycete. 

And  al  abaved  wher-so  I  be, 

My  pees,  in  x^leding  and  in  werre  ;         615 

Alias  !  how  mighte  I  fare  werre  ? 

'  My  boldnesse  is  turned  to  shame. 
For  fals  Fortitne  hath  pleyd  a  game 
Atte  dies  with  me,  alias  !  the  whyle  ! 
The  trayteresse  fals  and  ful  of  g.^■le,      620 
That  al  behoteth  and  n<vtlnng  lialt, 
She  gi>th  upright  and  yet  she  halt. 
That  baggeth  foule  and  loketh  faire, 
The  ilispitouse  debonaire. 
That  scorneth  many  a  creature  1  625 

An  ydole  of  fals  portraiture 
Is  she,  for  she  wil  sone  wryen  ; 
She  is  the  monstres  heed  y-wryen, 
As  filth  over  y-strawed  with  fl(iures  ; 
Hir  moste  worship  and  hir  -f-flour  is     630 
To  lyen,  for  that  is  hir  nature  ; 
^^'itlloute  feyth,  lavve,  or  mesiirc 
She  is  fals  ;  and  ever  laughinge 
With  oon  eye,  and  that  other  wepinge. 
That  is  broght  tip,  she  set  al  doun.        635 
I  lykne  hir  to  the  scoi-pioun. 
That  is  a  fals  flatering  beste  ; 
For  with  his  hede  he  maketh  teste,    . 
But  al  amid  his  flateringo 
With  liis  tayle  he  wol  stinge,  040 

And  envenyme  ;  and  so  wol  sbc 
She  is  th'  onvyous  charite 
That  is  ay  fals,  and  semcth  wele  ; 
So  tttrneth  she  hir  I'alse  whole 
Aboute,  for  it  is  no-thing  stable,  645 

Now  by  the  i'yre,  imw  at  table  ; 
Fitl  many  oon  hatli  she  thus  y-l)lent. 
She  is  pley  of  enehauntement, 
That  semeth  oon  and  is  nat  so, 


ZU  (rtlinor  (poeine. 


Tlie  false  theef !  what  hath  she  do,       650 
Trowest  thoii  ?    by  onr  lord,  I  wol  thee 

seye. 
Atte  ches  with  me  she  gan  to  pleye  : 
With  hir  false  dratightes  divers 
She  stal  on  me,  and  took  my  fers 
And  -vvhan  I  saw  my  fers  aweye,  655 

Alas  !  I  coiithe  no  lenger  pleye, 
But  seyde,  ''fai-wel,  swete,  y-wis. 
And  farwel  al  that  ever  ther  is  !  " 
Therwith  Fortune  seyde  "  chek  here  !  " 
And   "  mate  !  "    in   fniid  pointe   of  the 

chekkere  660 

With  a  poune  erraunt,  alias  ! 
Ful  craftier  to  pley  she  was 
Than  Athalns,  that  made  the  gauie 
First  of  the'  ches  :  so  was  his  name. 
Btat  god  wolde  I  had  ones  or  twyes       665 
Y-koud  and  knowe  the  jeupardyes 
That  conde  the  Grek  Pithagores  ! 
I  shnlde  have  pleyd  the  bet  at  ches, 
And  kept  my  fers  the  bet  therby ; 
And  thogh  wherto  ?  for  trewely  670 

I  hold  that  wish  nat  worth  a  stree  i 
Hit  had  be  never  the  bet  for  me. 
For  Fortune  can  so  many  a  wjde, 
Ther  be  but  fewe  can  hir  begyle, 
And  eek  she  is  the  las  to  blame  ;  Oys 

My-self  I  wolde  have  do  the  same. 
Before  god,  hadde  I  been  as  she  ; 
She  oghte  the  more  excused  be. 
For  this  I  say  yet  more  therto, 
Hadde  I  be  god  and  mighte  have  do     680 
5Iy  wille,  whan  imy  fers  she  caughte, 
I  wolde  have  drawe  the  same  draughte. 
For,  also  wis  god  yive  me  reste, 
I  dar  wel  swere  she  took  the  beste  ! 

'But    through  that   draughte   I   have 

lorn  Ms 

My  hlisse  ;  alias  !  that  I  was  born  ! 
For  evermore,  I  trowe  trewly. 
For  al  my  wil,  my  lust  hoolly 
Is  turned  ;  but  yet,  what  to  done  ? 
By  our  lord,  hit  is  to  deye  sone  !  690 

For  no-thing  I  [ne]  leve  it  noght. 
But  live  and  deye  right  in  this  thoght. 
-|Tlicr  nis  planete  in  firmament, 
Ne  in  air,  ne  in  erthe,  noon  element. 
That  they  ne  yive  me  a  j-ift  echoon       695 
Of  weping,  whan  I  am  aloon. 
For  whan  that  I  avyse  me  wel, 


And  bethenke  me  every-del. 

How  that  ther  lyth  in  rekening. 

In  mj'  soirvve,  for  no-thing  ;  71X) 

And  how  ther  leveth  no  gladnesse 

May  gladde  me  of  my  distresse, 

And  liow  I  have  lost  suffisance. 

And  therto  I  have  no  plesance. 

Than  may  I  say,  I  have  right  noght.     705 

And  whan  al  this  falleth  in  my  thoght. 

Alias  !  than  am  I  overcome  ! 

For  that  is  doon  is  not  to  come  ! 

I  have  more  sorowe  than  Tantale.' 

And  whan  I  herde  him  telle  this  tale 
Thus  pitously,  as  I  yow  telle,  71 1 

Unnethe  mighte  I  lenger  dwelle, 
Hit  dide  myn  herte  so  moche  wo. 

'  A  !  good  sir  I '  qtiod  I.  '  say  not  so  1 
Have  som  pite  on  your  nature  715 

That  formed  yow  to  creature  ; 
Eemembre  yow  of  Socrates  ; 
For  he  ne  counted  nat  three  strees 
Of  noght  that  Fortune  coude  do.' 

'  No,'  quod  he,  '  I  can  not  so.'  7J0 

'  Why  so  ?  good  sir  I  f  parde  ! '  quod  I ; 
'  Ne  say  noght  so.  for  trewely, 
Thogh  ye  had  lost  the  ferses  twelve, 
And  ye  for  sorwe  mordred  yovir-selve, 
Ye  sholde  be  dampned  in  this  cas  725 

By  as  good  right  as  Medea  was. 
That  slow  hir  children  for  .Jason  : 
And  Phyllis  fals  for  Demophon 
Heng  hir-self,  so  weylaway  ! 
For  he  had  broke  his  terme-day  7,v) 

To  come  to  hir.     Another  rage 
Had  Dydo,  fquene  eek  of  Cartage. 
That  slow  hir-self,  for  Eneas 
Was  fals  ;  [a  !]  whiche  a  fool  she  was  ! 
And  Ecquo  dyed  for  Xarcisus  7.?5 

Nolde  nat  love  hir  ;  and  right  thus 
Hath  many  another  foly  don. 
And  for  Dalida  dyed  Sampson, 
That  slow  him-self  with  a  pilere. 
But  ther  is  i  noon  a-lys-e  here  741  > 

Wolde  for  a  fers  make[n]  this  wo  ! ' 

'  Why  so  ?  '  quod  he  ;  '  hit  is  nat  so  ; 
Thou  wost  ful  litel  what  thou  menest  : 
I  have  lost  more  than  thou  wenest.' 
'  Lo,  •fsir,  how  may  tliat  be  ?  '  quod  I ;  745 
'  Good  sir,  tel  me  al  hoolly 
In  what  -w-yse,  how,  why,  an<l  wherfore 
That  ye  have  thus  your  blisse  lore." 


III.    Z^t  (^ooft  of  f^e  ©uc^e00e. 


91 


'  Blji:hly,'  quod  lie,  '  com  sit  adoiin  ; 
I  telle  thee  np  condicioun  750 

That  thcu  f  hoolly,  with  al  thy  wit, 
Do  thjTi  entent  to  herkene  hit.' 
'  Yis,  sir,'     '  Swere  thy  trouthe  tlier-to.' 
'  Gladly.'     '  Do  than  holde  her-to  ! ' 
'  I  shal  right  blythly,  so  god  me  save,   755 
Hoolly,  with  al  the  witte  I  have, 
Here  yow,  as  wel  as  I  can.' 

'  Agoddes  half! '  quod  he,  and  began  : — 
'  Sir,'  quod  he,  '  sith  first  I  couthe 
Have  any  maner  wit  fro  youthe,  760 

Or  kindely  understonding 
To  comprehende,  in  any  thing. 
What  love  was,  in  myn  owne  wit, 
Dredeles,  I  have  ever  yit 
Be  tributary,  and  yiven  rente  765 

To  love  hoolly  with  godo  entente. 
And  through  plesaunce  become  his  thral. 
With  good  wil,  body,  herte,  and  al. 
Al  this  I  putte  in  his  servage. 
As  to  my  lorde,  and  dide  homage  ;        770 
And  ful  devoutly  -|  jirayde  him  to, 
He  shvilde  besette  myn  herte  so. 
That  it  plesaunce  to  him  were. 
And  worship  to  my  lady  dere. 

'  And  this  was  longe,  and  many  a  yeer 
Or  that  myn  herte  was  set  o-wher,        776 
That  I  did  thus,  and  niste  why  ; 
I  trowe  hit  cam  me  kindely. 
Paraunter  I  was  therto  fable 
As  a  whyt  wal  or  a  table  ;  780 

JM>r  hit  is  redy  to  cacche  and  take 
Al  that  men  wil  therin  make, 
Wher-so  men  wol  portreye  or  peynte. 
Be  the  werkes  never  so  queynte. 

'  And  thilke  tyme  I  ferde  f  so  785 

I  was  able  to  have  lemed  tho. 
And  to  have  coud  as  wel  or  better, 
Paraunter,  other  art  or  letter. 
But  for  love  cam  first  in  ray  thought, 
Therfbre  I  forgat  it  nought.  790 

1  chees  love  to  luy  firste  craft, 
Therfor  hit  is  with  me  [y]-laft. 
Forwhy  I  took  hit  of  so  yong  age, 
That  malice  hadde  my  corage 
Nat  that  tyme  turned  to  no-tliing         795 
Through  to  mochel  knowleching. 
For  that  tyme  Youthe,  my  maistresse. 
Governed  me  in  ydelnesse  ; 
For  hit  was  in  my  firste  youthe, 


And  tho  ful  lit  el  good  I  couthe  ;  800 

For  al  my  werkes  were  flittinge, 

■j-And  al  my  thoghtes  varyinge  ; 

Al  were  to  me  y-liche  good. 

That  I  knew  tho  ;  but  thus  hit  stood. 

'  Hit  happed  that  I  cam  fa  day  805 

Into  a  place,  ther  ■]  I  say, 
Trewly,  the  fayrest  companyg 
Of  ladies,  that  ever  man  with  ye 
Had  seen  togedres  in  00  place. 
Shal  I  clepe  hit  hap  other  grace  8n) 

That  broghte  me  ther  ?  nay,  but  Fortune, 
That  is  to  lyen  ful  comune. 
The  false  trayteresse,  x^ervers, 
God  wolde  I  coude  clepe  hir  wers  ! 
For  now  she  worcheth  me  ful  wo,  815 

And  I  wol  telle  sone  why  so. 

'  Among  thise  ladies  thus  echoon, 
Soth  to  seyn,  I  saw  [ther]  oon 
That  was  lyk  noon  of  [al]  the  route  ; 
For  I  dar  swere,  withoute  doute,  820 

That  as  the  someres  sonne  bright 
Is  fairer,  clerer,  and  hath  more  light 
Than  any  f  planete,  [is]  in  licven. 
The  mone,  or  the  sterres  seven. 
For  al  the  worlde,  so  had  she  825 

Surniounted  hem  alio  of  beaute. 
Of  maner  and  of  conilinessc. 
Of  stature  and  f  wel  set  gladnesse, 
Of  goodliliede  f  so  wel  beseye — 
Shortly,  what  shal  I  more  seye?  83a 

By  god,  and  by  his  halwcs  twelve, 
It  was  my  swete,  right  as  hir-selve  ! 
She  had  so  stedfast  coiintenaunce, 
So  nolde  port  and  mej-ntenauncc. 
And  Love,  that  had  herd  my  bone,       835 
Had  espyed  me  thus  sone, 
That  she  ful  sone,  in  my  thoght, 
As  helpe  me  god,  so  was  y-caught 
So  sodenly,  tliat  I  ne  took 
No  maner  freed  but  at  hir  look  840 

And  at  myn  herte  ;  for-why  hir  eyen 
So  gladly,  I  trow,  myn  herte  seyen, 
That  purely  tho  myn  o^^'ne  thoght 
Seyde  hit  were  fbet  serve  hir  for  noght 
Than  with  another  to  be  wel.  845 

And  hit  was  sooth,  for,  everydel, 
I  wil  anoon-right  telle  thee  why. 

'  I  saw  hir  daunce  so  comlily, 
Carole  and  singe  so  swetely, 
Langhe  and  pleye  so  womanlj-,  850 


92 


^'6e  (niinor  Cpoem0. 


And  loke  so  debonairly. 

So  goodly  speke  and  so  frendly, 

Tliat  certes,  I  trow,  that  evemiore 

Nas  sejTi  so  Misfiil  a  tresore. 

For  every  heer  [upjon  hir  liede.  855 

Sotli  to  sejni,  hit  was  not  rede, 

Ne  nonther  yelw,  ne  broun  hit  nas  : 

Me  tlioghte,  most  lyk  gold  hit  was. 

And  whiclie  eyen  nij-  lady  hadde  ! 

Debonair,  goode,  glade,  and  sadde,       860 

Simple,  of  good  mochel,  noght  to  wyde  ; 

Tlierto  liir  look  nas  not  a-syde, 

Xe  overt hwert,  bnt  beset  so  wel, 

Hit  drew  and  took  np,  everydel, 

Alle  that  on  hir  gan  beholde.  865 

Hir  even  semed  anoon  she  woldo 

Have  mercy  ;  fooles  wenden  so  : 

But  hit  was  never  the  rather  do. 

Hit  nas  no  covintrefeted  thing. 

It  was  hir  owne  pure  loking,  870 

Tliat  the  goddesse,  dame  Xature, 

Had  made  hem  opene  by  mesiire. 

And  close  ;  for,  were  she  never  so  glad, 

Hir  loking  was  not  foly  sprad, 

Ne  wildcly,  thogh  that  she  plcyde  ;       875 

Bnt  ever,  me  tlioghte,  hir  eyen  seyde, 

"  By  god,  my  wrathe  is  al  for-yive  !  " 

'  Therwith  hir  liste  so  wel  to  live. 
That  dulnesse  was  of  hir  a-drad. 
She  nas  to  sobre  nc  to  glad  ;  880 

In  alle  thinges  more  mesnre 
Had  never,  I  trowe,  creature. 
But  many  oon  with  hir  loke  she  herte, 
And  that  sat  hir  ful  Ij-te  at  herte. 
For  she  knew  no-thing  of  hir  thoght  ;  885 
But  whether  she  knew,  or  knew  hit  noght, 
Algate  .she  ne  roglitc  of  hem  a  stree  ! 
To  gete  hir  love  no  ner  nas  he 
That  woned  at  home,  than  he  in  Inde  ; 
The  formcst  was  alway  behinde.  890 

But  gode  folk,  ov(>r  al  other, 
She  loved  as  man  may  do  his  brother  ; 
Of  whiclie  love  she  was  wonder  large. 
In  skilful  places  that  here  charge. 

'  f  Which  a  visage  had  she  ther-to  !  895 
Alias  !  mjm  herte  is  wonder  wo 
That  I  ne  can  discrj-^-on  hit  ! 
Me  lakketh  botlio  English  and  wit 
For  to  undo  hit  at  the  fulle  ; 
And  eek  mj-  spirits  be  so  dulle  900 

So  greet  a  thing  for  to  de\'yse. 


I  have  no  wit  that  can  sufFj-se 

To  comprehende[n]  hir  beaute  ; 

But  thvis  moche  dar  I  seyn,  that  she 

Was  f  rody,  fresh,  and  l.-r\-ely  hewed  ;  905 

And  every  day  hir  beaute  newed. 

And  negli  hir  face  was  alder-best : 

For  certes.  Nature  had  swich  lest 

To  make  that  fair,  that  trewly  she 

Was  hir  cheef  patron  of  beautee,  910 

And  cheef  ensample  of  al  hir  werke. 

And  moustre  ;  for,  be  hit  never  so  derkc. 

Me  thinketh  I  see  hir  ever-mo. 

And  yet  more-over,  thogh  alle  tlm 

That  ever  lived  were  now  a-lys^e,  915 

[They]  ne  sholde  have  founde  to  discryve 

In  al  hir  face  fi  wikked  signe  ; 

For  hit  was  sad,  simple,  and  benignc 

'  And  which  a  goodly  softe  spec  he 
Had  that  swete,  my  lyv^es  leclie  I  920 

So  frendly,  and  so  wel  y-grounded, 
Up  al  resoun  so  wel  y-founded. 
And  so  tretable  to  alle  gode, 
That  I  dar  swere  f  by  the  rode. 
Of  eloquence  was  never  founde  925 

So  swete  a  sowninge  facounde, 
Ne  trewer  tonged,  ne  scorned  lasse, 
Ne  bet  coude  hele  ;  that,  by  the  masse 
I  durste  swere,  thogh  the  pope  hit  s<mge, 
That  ther  was  never  fthrough  hir  tonge 
Man  ne  woman  gretly  harmed  ;  931 

As  for  hir,  [ther]  was  al  harm  hid  ; 
Ne  lasse  flatering  in  hir  worde. 
That  purely,  hir  simple  recorde 
Was  founde  as  trewe  as  any  bonde,      935 
Or  trouthe  of  any  mannes  honde. 
Ne  cliyde  she  coude  never  a  del. 
That  knoweth  al  the  ^vorld  ful  wel. 

'  But  swich  a  fairnessc  of  a  nekke  ^ 
Had  that  swete,  that  bni)n  nor  brekke 
Nas  ther  non  senc,  that  mis-sat.  941 

Hit  was  wliyt,  smothe,  streglit,  and  fflat, 
Withoiiten  hole  ;  fand  canel-boon, 
As  by  seming,  had  she  noon. 
Hir  throte,  as  I  have  now  memoire,     945 
Semed  a  round  tour  of  j-voire, 
Of  good  gretnesse,  and  noght  to  grete. 

'  And  gode  faire  WiivrE  she  hote, 
That  was  my  lady  name  right. 
She  was  bothe  fair  and  bright,  t)v> 

She  hadde  not  hir  name  -wrong. 
Right  faire- shnldres,  and  body  long 


III.    Z^t  (gooft  of  f^c  ©uc^eeee. 


93 


She  hadde,  and  armes,  every  lith 
Fattish,  flesshy,  not  greet  therwith  ; 
Right  whyte  handes,  and  nayles  rede,  955 
Eonnde  brestes  ;  and  of  good  brede 
Hir  hippes  were,  a  streight  flat  bak. 
I  knew  on  hir  non  other  lak 
That  al  hir  linimes  nere  -f-sewing. 
In  as  fer  as  I  had  knowing.  960 

'  Therto  she  coude  so  wel  pleye, 
Whan  that  hir  liste,  that  I  dar  seye, 
That  she  was  lyk  to  torche  bright, 
That  everj-  man  may  take  of  light 
Ynogh,  and  hit  hath  never  the  lesse.  965 

'  Of  maner  and  of  comlinesse 
Eight  so  ferde  my  lady  dere  ; 
For  every  wight  of  hir  manere 
Might  cacche  ynogh,  if  that  he  wolde, 
If  he  had  eyen  hir  to  beholde.  970 

For  I  dar  f  sweren,  if  that  she 
Had  among  ten  thousand  be. 
She  wolde  have  be,  at  the  leste, 
A  cheef  mirour  of  al  tlie  feste, 
Thogh  they  had  stonden  in  a  rowe,      975 
To  meflues  ej-en  that  conde  have  knowe. 
For  wher-so  men  had  pleyd  or  waked. 
Me  thoghte  the  felawship  as  naked 
Withoiiten  hir,  that  saw  I  ones, 
As  a  coronno  withoute  stones.  9.S0 

Trewely  she  was,  to  mjai  j-e, 
The  solej-n  fenix  of  Arabye, 
For  ther  liveth  never  but  oon  ; 
Xe  swich  as  she  ne  knew  I  noon. 

'  To  speke  of  goodnesse  ;  trewly  she  9S5 
Had  as  moche  debonairte 
As  ever  had  Hester  in  the  bible, 
And  more,  if  more  were  possible. 
And,  soth  to  seyne,  therwith-al 
She  had  a  wit  so  general,  990 

So  hool  enclyned  to  alle  gode, 
That  al  hir  wit  was  set,  by  the  rode, 
Withoute  malice,  upon  gladnesse  ; 
■f-Therto  I  saw  never  yet  a  lesse 
Harmful,  than  she  was  in  doing.  995 

I  sey  nat  that  she  ne  had  knowing 
MTiat  -fwas  harm  ;  or  olles  slie 
Had  coud  no  good,  so  thinketh  me. 

'  And  trewly,  for  to  speke  of  trouthe. 
But  she  had  had,  hit  had  be  routhe.   hxxj 
Therof  she  had  so  moche  hir  del — 
And  I  dar  seyn  and  swerc  liit  wel — 
That  Trouthe  him-fself,  over  al  and  al. 


Had  chose  his  raaner  principal 

In  hir,  that  was  his  resting-place.       1005 

Ther-to  she  hadde  the  moste  grace. 

To  have  stedfast  perseveraunce. 

And  esy,  atempre  governaunce. 

That  ever  I  knew  or  wiste  yit  ; 

So  pure  suffraunt  was  hir  wit.  loio 

And  reson  gladly  she  understood. 

Hit  folowed  wel  she  coude  good. 

.She  used  gladlj'  to  do  wel ; 

These  were  hir  mauers  every-del. 

'  Therwitli  she  loved  so  wel  right,    1015 
She  wrong  do  wolde  to  no  wight ; 
X<^  wight  might  do  hir  no  shame, 
She  loved  so  wel  hir  owne  name. 
Hir  luste  to  holde  no  wight  in  honde  ; 
Ne,  be  thou  siker,  she  -f-nolde  fonde    1020 
To  holde  no  wight  in  balaunce, 
By  half  word  ne  by  countenavuice, 
But -if  men  wolde  upon  hir  lye  ; 
Ne  sende  men  in-to  Walakye, 
To  Pruyse  and  in-to  Tartarye,  1025 

To  Alisaundre,  ne  in-to  Turkye, 
And  bidde  him  faste,  anoon  that  he 
Go  hoodies  fto  the  drye  see, 
And  come  hoom  by  the  Carrenare  ; 
And  seye,  "  Sir,  be  now  right  ware      1030 
That  I  may  of  yow  here  seyn 
Worshij^,  or  that  ye  come  ageyn  !  " 
She  ne  iised  no  suche  knakkes  smale. 

'  Bixt  wherfor  that  I  telle  my  tale  ? 
Right  on  tliis  same,  as  I  have  seyd,     1035 
Was  hoolly  al  my  love  leyd  ; 
For  certes,  she  was,  that  swete  wyf, 
My  suffisauuce,  my  lust,  my  lyf, 
M>'n  hap,  myn  hele,  and  al  my  blisse, 
Mj'  worldes  welfare  and  my  f  lisse,     1040 
And  I  hirs  hoolly,  everydel.' 

'  B.\-  our  lord,'  quod  I, '  I  trowe  yow  wel! 
Hardely,  your  love  was  wel  beset, 
I  not  how  ye  mighte  have  do  bet.' 
'  Bet?  ne  no  wight  so  wel ! '  quod  ho.  1045 
'  I  trowe  hit,  sir,'  quod  I,  '  parde  ! ' 
'  Nay,  leve  hit  wel ! '    '  Sir,  so  do  I ; 
I  leve  yow  wel,  that  trewely 
Yow  thoghte,  that  she  was  the  besto, 
And  to  boholde  the  aldorfaireste,         1050 
'Wlio  so  had  loked  -j-with  your  eyen.' 

'  With  myn  ?  nay,  alio  that  hir  seyen 
Seyde,  and  swore[n]  hit  was  so. 
And  thogh  they  ne  hadde,  I  woIdc  tho 


94 


Z^t  (minor  (poem0. 


Have  loved  best  my  lady  fre,  1055 

Thogh  I  had  had  al  the  heautee 

That  ever  had  Alcipyades, 

And  al  the  streugthe  of  Ercules, 

And  therto  had  the  worthinesso 

Of  Alisaundre,  and  al  the  richesse      1060 

That  ever  was  in  Babiloyne, 

In  Cartage,  or  in  ilacedoj-ne, 

Or  in  Rome,  or  in  Xinive  ; 

And  therto  al-so  hardy  be 

As  was  Ector,  so  have  I  joye,  1065 

That  Achilles  slov.-  at  Troye — 

And  therfor  was  he  slayn  also 

In  a  temple,  for  bothe  two 

Were  slaj-n,  he  and  f  Autilogns, 

And  so  seytli  Dares  Frigius,  1070 

For  love  of  [hir]  Polixena — 

Or  been  as  wys  as  Minerva, 

I  wolde  ever,  withoute  drede. 

Have  loved  hir,  for  I  moste  nede  ! 

"  Nede  !  "  nay,  -f-I  gabbe  now,  1075 

Noglit  "  nede,"  and  I  wol  telle  how. 

For  of  good  wille  myn  herte  hit  wolde, 

And  eek  to  love  hir  I  was  liolde 

As  for  the  fairest  and  the  beste. 

'  She  was  as  good,  so  have  I  reste,   1080 
As  ever  was  Penelope  of  Grece, 
Or  as  the  noble  wyf  Lticrece, 
That  was  the  beste — he  telleth  thus, 
The  Romain  Tytus  Livius — 
She  was  as  good,  and  no-thing  Ij'ke,  1085 
Thogh  hir  stories  be  autentyke  ; 
Algatc  she  was  as  trewe  as  she. 

'  But  wherfor  that  I  telle  thee 
■Wlian  I  first  my  lady  sey  ? 
I  was  right  yong,  [the]  sooth  to  sey,   uxjo 
And  ful  gret  need  I  hadde  to  leme  ; 
^Vhan  my  herte  wolde  yorne 
To  lo%'e,  it  was  a  greet  empryse. 
But  as  my  wit  coude  best  suflfyse, 
After  my  yonge  childly  wit,  1095 

Withoute  drede,  I  Vjesette  hit 
To  love  hir  in  my  beste  wyse, 
To  do  hir  worship  and  ser%-yse 
That  I  ftho  coude,  by  mj-  troutho, 
Withoute  feyning  outlier  slouthe  ;      1100 
For  wonder  fayn  I  wolde  hir  see. 
So  inochel  hit  amendeil  me, 
That,  whan  I  saw  hir  first  a-morwo, 
I  was  warished  of  al  my  sorvve 
Of  al  day  after,  til  hit  were  eve  ;  1 105 


Me  thoghte  no-thing  mighte  me  greve. 
Were  my  sorwes  never  so  smerte. 
And  yit  she  sit  so  in  myn  herte. 
That,  by  my  trouthe,  I  nolde  noght, 
For  al  this  worlde,  out  of  my  thoglit  1 1 10 
Leve  my  lady  ;  no,  trewly  ! ' 

'  Now,  by  m5^  trouthe,  sir,'  quod  I, 
'  Me  thinketh  ye  have  such  a  chaunce 
As  shrift  withoute  repentaunce.' 

'  Eepentaunce  !  nay  fy,'  qiiod  he  ;     11 15 
'  Shulde  I  now  repente  me 
To  love  ?  nay,  certes,  than  were  I  wel 
Wers  than  was  Achitofel, 
Or  Anthenor,  so  have  I  joye. 
The  traji:our  that  betraysed  Troye,     1120 
Or  the  folse  Genelon, 
He  that  purchased  the  treson 
Of  Rowland  and  of  Olivere. 
Nay,  whyl  I  am  a-lj-ve  here 
I  nil  foryete  hir  never-mo.'  1125 

'  Now,  gode  sir,'  quod  I  [right]  tho, 
'  Ye  han  wel  told  me  her-belore. 
It  is  no  need  reherse  hit  more 
How  ye  sawe  hir  first,  and  where  { 
But  wolde  ye  telle  me  the  manere,      1130 
To  hir  which  was  your  firste  si)eche — 
Therof  I  wolde  yow  be-seche — 
And  how  she  knewe  first  your  thoglit, 
"Wliether  ye  loved  hir  or  noght. 
And  telleth  me  eek  what  ye  have  lore  ; 
I  herde  yow  telle  her-bcfore.'  1156 

'  Yc,'  sej-de  he,  '  thou  nost  what  thou 
mouest ; 
I  have  lost  more  than  thou  wenest.' 

'  What  los  is  that,  [sir]  ?  '  quod  I  tho  ; 
'  Nil  she  not  love  yow  ?  is  hit  so  ?        1 140 
Or  have  ye  oght  [j--]doon  amis, 
That  she  hath  left  yow  ?  is  hit  this  ? 
For  goddes  love,  tel  me  al.' 

'  Before  god,'  quod  he,  '  and  I  shaL 
I  sa.yo  right  as  I  have  seyd,  1 145 

On  hir  was  al  my  love  leyd  ; 
And  yet  she  niste  hit  fnever  a  del 
Noght  longe  tyme,  leve  hit  weL 
For  be  right  siker,  I  durste  noght       1149 
For  al  this  worlde  telle  hir  my  thoght, 
Ne  I  wolde  have  wrattlied  hir,  trewly. 
For  wostow  why  ?  she  was  lady 
Of  the  body  ;  she  had  the  herte. 
And  who  hath  that,  may  not  astorte. 

'  But,  for  to  kepe  me  fro  ydelnesse,  1 155 


III.    ZU  (^ooft  of  t^t  ©uc^eeee. 


95 


Trewly  I  did  my  besinesse 

To  make  songes,  as  I  best  coude, 

And  ofte  tyvae  I  song  hem  loude  ; 

And  made  songes  a  gret  del, 

Al-thogh  I  coude  not  make  so  wel        1160 

Songes,  ne  knowe  the  art  al. 

As  coude  Lamekes  sone  Tubal, 

That  fond  out  first  the  art  of  songe  ; 

For,  as  his  brothers  hamers  rouge 

Upon  his  anvelt  up  and  dotin,  1165 

Tlierof  he  took  the  firste  soiin ; 

But  Grekes  sejii,  Pictagoras, 

That  he  the  firste  finder  was 

Of  the  art  ;  Aurora  telleth  so, 

But  therof  no  fors,  of  hem  two.  1170 

Algates  songes  thus  I  made 

Of  my  feling,  myn  herte  to  glade  ; 

And  lo  !  this  was  [the]  alther-flrste, 

I  not  wher  [that]  hit  were  the  werste. — 

*^  "  Lord,  hit  maketh  myn  herte  light, 

Whan  I  thenke  on  that  swete  wight  1176 

Tliat  is  so  semely  on  to  see  ; 

And  wisshe  to  god  hit  might  so  bo, 
That  she  wolde  holde  me  for  hir  knight, 
My  lady,  that  is  so  fair  and  bright  !  " — • 

•  Now  have  I  told  thee,  sooth  to  saye, 
My  firste  song.     Upon  a  daye  1182 
I  bethoghte  me  what  wo 

And  sorwe  that  I  suffred  tho 

For  hir,  and  yet  she  wiste  hit  noght,  1185 

Ne  telle  hir  durste  I  nat  my  thoght. 

"  Alias  ! "  thoghto  I,  "  I  can  no  reed  ; 

And,  but  I  telle  hir,  I  f  nam  but  deed  ; 

And  if  I  telle  hir,  to  seye  f  sooth, 

I  am  a-dred  she  wol  be  ■vvrooth  ;  11 90 

Alias  !  what  shal  I  thaune  do?" 

'  In  this  debat  I  was  so  wo, 
Me  thoghte  myn  herte  braste  a-tweyn  ! 
So  atte  laste,  soth  to  seyn, 
I  me  bethoghte  that  nature  1195 

Kc  formed  never  in  creature 
So  moche  beaute,  trewely. 
And  bounte,  withouten  mercy. 

•  In  hope  of  that,  my  tale  I  tolde 
With  sorwe,  as  that  I  never  sholde,    1200 
For  nedc!  ;  and,  maugree  mj^  heed, 

I  moste  have  told  hir  or  be  deed. 

I  not  wel  how  that  I  began, 

Fnl  evel  reherse[n]  hit  I  can  ; 

And  eek,  as  helpe  me  god  with-al,       1205 

I  trowe  hit  was  in  the  disnial. 


That  was  the  ten  woundes  of  Egi^jte  ; 

For  many  a  word  I  over-skipte 

In  my  tale,  for  pure  fere 

Lest  my  wordes  mis-set  were.  1210 

With  sorweful  herte,  and  woundes  dede, 

Softe  and  quaking  for  pure  drede 

And  shame,  and  stinting  in  my  tale 

For  ferde,  and  myn  liewe  al  pale, 

Ful  ofte  I  wex  botlie  pale  and  reed  ;     1215 

Bowing  to  hir,  I  heng  the  heed  ; 

I  durste  nat  ones  loke  hir  on, 

For  wit,  manere,  and  al  was  gon. 

I  seyde  "  mercy  !  "  and  no  more  ; 

Hit  nas  no  game,  hit  sat  me  sore         1220 

'  So  atte  laste,  sooth  to  seyn, 
Wlian  that  myn  herte  was  come  agejm. 
To  telle  shortly  al  my  speche. 
With  hool  herte  I  gan  hir  beseche 
That  she  wolde  be  my  lady  swete  ;       1225 
And  swor,  and  gan  hir  hertely  hete 
Ever  to  be  stedfast  and  trewe. 
And  love  hir  aUvey  freshly  nowe. 
And  never  other  lady  have. 
And  al  hir  worship  for  to  save  1230 

As  I  best  coude  ;  I  swor  hir  this — 
"  For  youres  is  al  that  ever  ther  is 
For  evermore,  myn  herte  swete  ! 
And  never  -f  false  yow,  but  I  mete, 
I  nil,  as  wis  god  helpe  me  so  !  "  1235 

'  Ajid  whan  I  had  my  tale  y-do, 
God  wot,  she  acounted  nat  a  stree 
Of  al  my  tale,  so  thoghte  me. 
To  telle  shortly  fas  hit  is, 
Trewly  hir  answore,  hit  was  this  ;       i-'4o 
I  can  not  now  wel  counteriete 
Hir  wordes,  but  this  was  tho  grete 
Of  hir  answere  ;  she  sayde,  "  nay" 
Al-outerly.     Alias  !  that  day 
The  sorwe  I  suffred,  and  tho  wo  !         1245 
That  trewly  Cassandra,  that  so 
Bewayled  the  destruccioun 
Of  Troye  and  of  Ilioun, 
Had  never  swich  sorwe  as  I  tho. 
I  durste  no  more  say  therto  1250 

For  pure  fere,  biit  stal  away  ; 
And  thi\s  I  lived  ful  many  a  da;)'  : 
That  trewely,  T  hadile  no  need 
Fcrther  than  my  beddes  heed 
Never  a  day  to  seche  sorwe  ;  1255 

I  fond  hit  redy  every  morwe, 
For-why  I  loved  hir  in  no  gore. 


96 


Z^i.  (minor  (Pome. 


1270 


I -'75 


'  So  hit  befel,  another  yere, 
I  thoughte  ones  I  wolde  fonde 
To  do  hir  knowe  and  nnderstonde       i.'ho 
My  wo  ;  and  she  wel  understood 
That  I  ne  wilned  thing  but  good, 
And  worship,  and  to  kepe  hir  name 
Over  f  al  thing,  and  drede  hir  shame, 
And  was  so  besy  liir  to  serve  ; —  1265 

And  pite  were  I  shiilde  sterve, 
Sith  that  I  wilned  noon  harm,  j'-wis. 
So  wlian  my  lady  knew  al  this, 
My  lady  yaf  me  al  hoolly 
The  noble  yift  of  hir  mercy, 
Saving  hir  worship,  by  al  weyes  ; 
Dredles,  I  mene  noon  other  weyes. 
And  therwith  she  yaf  nie  a  ring  ; 
I  trowe  hit  was  the  firste  thing  ; 
But  if  myn  herte  was  y-waxe 
Glad,  that  is  no  need  to  axe  ! 
As  helpe  me  god,  1  was  as  blyve, 
Keysed,  as  fro  dethe  to  lyve. 
Of  alle  happes  the  alder-beste. 
The  gladdest  and  the  moste  at  reste.   1280 
For  trewely,  that  swete  wight. 
Whan  I  had  wrong  and  she  the  right. 
She  wolde  alwey  so  goodely 
For-yeve  me  so  debonairlj-. 
In  alle  my  youthe,  in  alle  chaunce,     1285 
She  took  me  in  hir  governaunce. 

'  Thorwitli  she  was  alway  so  trewe, 
Our  joye  was  over  y-liche  nowe  ; 
Our  hertes  wern  so  even  a  payre. 
That  never  nas  that  oon  contrayre 
To  that  other,  for  no  wo. 
For  sothe,  y-liche  they  suffred  tho 
Oo  blisse  and  eek  00  sorwe  bothe  ; 
Y-liche    they    were    bothe    gladdo    and 

wi-othe  ; 
Al  was  us  oon,  withoute  were.  1295 

And  thus  we  lived  ful  many  a  yerc 


1290 


So  wel'^  I  can  nat  telle  how.' 

'  Sir,'  quod  I,  '  wher  is  she  now?  " 
'  Now  ! '  quod  he,  and  stinte  anoon. 

Therwith  he  wex  as  deed  as  stocm.  i.^ikj 
And  seyde,  '  alias  !  that  I  was  bore  I 
That  was  the  los,  that  hcr-before 
I  toldo  thee,  that  I  had  lorn. 
Bethenk  how  I  seyde  her-beforn.  i.V'4 

"  Thou  wost  ful  litel  what  thou  menest ; 
I  have  lost  more  than  thou  wenest  " — 
God  wot,  alias  !  right  that  was  she  ! ' 

'  Alias  !  sir,  how  ?  what  may  that  be  ? ' 
'  She    is    deed  ! '    '  Nay  ! '    '  Yis,    by   my 

trouthe  ! ' 
'  Is  that  your  los  ?  by  god,  hit  is  routlit-  ! ' 

And  with  that  worde,  right  anoon,  i,ui 
They  gan  to  strake  forth  ;  al  was  doon, 
For  that  tyme,  the  hert-hunting. 

With  that,  me  thoghte,  that  this  king 
Gan  [quikly]  hoomward  for  to  ryde     H15 
Unto  a  place  f  ther  besyde, 
Which  was  from  us  biit  a  lyte. 
A  long  castel  with  walles  whyte. 
By  sejnit  Johan  !  on  a  riche  hil, 
As  me  mette  ;  but  thus  it  fil.  1  ^20 

Eight  thus  me  mette,  as  I  ynw  telle, 
That  in  the  castel  fwas  a  belle, 
As  hit  had  smiten  houres  twelve. — 

Therwith  I  awook  my-selve. 
And  fond  me  lying  in  my  bed  ;  1325 

And  the  book  that  I  had  red. 
Of  Alcyone  and  Seys  the  king. 
And  of  the  goddes  of  sleping, 
I  fond  it  in  myn  honde  ful  even. 

Thoghte  I,  '  this  is  so  queynt  a  sweven, 
That  I  wol,  by  jn-oeesse  of  tyme,  i^v 

Fonde  to  putte  this  sweven  in  ryme 
As  I  can  best  :  and  that  anoon.' — 
This  was  my  sweven  :  now  hit  is  doon.  1  ^34 


Explicit  the  Boke  of  the  Duchesse. 


TV.    ZU  tompk^^nt  of  (Tltatre. 


97 


IV.     THE   COMPLEYNT   OF  MARS. 


The  Proem 

'  Gladeth,  ye  foules,  of  the  morowgray, 
Lo  !  Venus  risen  among  yon  rowes  rede  ! 
And   floures  fresshe,  honoureth   ye  this 

day  ; 
For  when  the  Sonne  uprist,  then  wol  ye 

sprede. 
But  ye  lovers,  that  lye  in  any  drede,        5 
Fleeth,  lest  wikked  tonges  yow  espye  ; 
Lo !  yond  the  sonne,  the  candel  of  jelosye! 

With  teres  blewe,  and  with  a  wounded 

herte 
Taketh  your  leve  ;  and,  with  seynt  John 

to  borow, 
Apeseth  somwhat  of  your  sorowes  smerte, 
Tymo  Cometh  eft,   that   cese  shal   your 

sorow  ;  1 1 

The    glade    night    is    worth    an     hevy 

morow  ! ' — 
(Seynt  Valentyne  !  a    foi\l  thus  herde  I 

singe 
Upon  thy  day,  er  sonne  gan  up-springe). — 

Yet  sang  this  fo\il — '  I  rede  yow  al  a- wake, 
And  ye,  that  han  not  chosen  in  humble 

wyse,  16 

Without    repenting    cheseth    yow    your 

make. 
And  ye,  that  han  ful  chosen  as  I  devyse. 
Yet  at  the  leste  renoveleth  your  ser^-yse  ; 
Confermeth  it  perpetuely  to  dure,  20 

And  paciently  taketh  your  aventure. 

And  for  the  worship  of  this  hye  feste. 
Yet  wol  I,  in  my  briddes  wyse,  singe 
The  sentence  of  the  complejTit,   at  the 

leste. 
That  woful  Mars  made  atte  departinge  25 
Fro  fresshe  Venus  in  a  morwcninge, 
WHian  Phebus,  with  his  I'yry  torches  rede, 
Ransaked  every  lover  in  his  drede. 

The  Story. 
IT  Whylom    the    thridde    hevenes    lord 

above. 
As  wcl  by  hevenish  revolucioun  30 


As  by  desert,  hath  wonne  Venus  his  love, 
And  she  hath  take  him  in  subjeccioun. 
And   as   a   maistresse    taught    him    his 

lessoun, 
Comaunding  him  that  never,  in  hir  ser- 

vyse. 
He  nere  so  bold  no  lover  to  desjjyse.       35 

For  she  forbad  him  jelosye  at  alle, 
And  cruelte,  and  host,  and  tirannye  ; 
She  made  him  at  hir  lust  so  humble  and 

talle, 
That  when  hir  deyned  caste  on  him  hii*  ye. 
He  took  in  pacience  to  live  or  dye  ;        40 
And  thus  she  brydeleth  him  in  hir  man- 

ere, 
With  no-thing  but  with  scourging  of  hir 

chere. 

Who  regneth  now  in  blisse  but  Veniis, 
That  hath  this  worthy  knight  in  govern- 

aiince  ? 
Who  singeth  now  but  Mars,  that  serveth 

thus  45 

The  faire  Veniis,  causer  of  plesaiince  ? 
He  bj'nt  him  to  perpetual  obeisaunce, 
And  she  bynt  hir  to  loven  him  for  ever. 
But  so  be  that  his  trespas  hit  dissever. 

Thus  be  they  knit,  and  regnen  as  in  heven 
By  lolcing  most  ;  til  hit  fil,  on  a  tyde,  51 
That  by  hir  bothe  assent  was  set  a  steven. 
That  Mars  shal  entre,  as  faste  as  he  may 

Into  hir  nexte  paleys,  to  abj'de. 
Walking  his  cours  til  she  had  him  a-take. 
And  he  preyde  hir  to  haste  hir  for  his 
sake.  56 

Then  seyde  he  thus — "  myn  hcrtes  lady 

swete. 
Ye  knowe  wel  my  mischef  in  that  place  ; 
For  sikerly,  til  that  I  with  yow  mete,    59 
My  Ij'f  stant  ther  in  aventure  and  grace  ; 
But  when  I  see  the  beauto  of  your  face, 
Ther  is  no  dreed  of  decth  may  do  me 

smerte, 
For  al  your  lust  is  ese  to  myn  herte." 


98 


ZH  QlXinor  (poeme. 


Sholiatli  sogret  compassion  of  liir  knight, 
That  dwelleth  in  solitudo  til  she  come  ;  65 
For  hit  stood  so,  that  ilke  t yme,  no  wight 
Coiinseyled  him,  ne  seyde  to  him  welcome, 
That  nigh  hir  wit  for  wo  was  overcome  ; 
Wlierfore  she  spedde  hir  as  faste  in  hir 

weye, 
Almost  in  con  day,  as  he  dide  in  tweye.  70 

The  grete  joye  that  was  betwix  hem  two, 
Whan  they  be  met,  ther  may  no  tunge 

telle, 
Ther  is  no  more,  bnt  unto  bed  they  go. 
And  thus  in  joye  and  blisse  I  lete  hem 

dwelle  ; 
This  worthy  Mars,  that  is  of  knighthod 

welle,  75 

The  flour  of  fairncs  lappeth  in  his  armes. 
And  Venus  kisseth  Mars,  the  god  of  armes. 

Sojourned  hath  this  Mars,  of  which  I  rede, 

In  chambre  amid  the  paleys  prively 

A  certeyn  tyme,  til  him  fel  a  drede.       So 

Through  Phebus,  that  was  comen  hastely 

Within  the  paleys-yates  sturdely. 

With   torche    in   honde,    of  which    the 

stremes  brighte 
On  Venus  chambre  knokkedon  ful  lighte. 

The  chambre,   ther  as  laj'  this  fresshe 

quenc,  85 

Depeyntcd  was  with  whyte  boles  grete. 
And  by  the  light  she  knew,  that  shoon 

so  shenc, 
That  Phebus  cam  to  brenne  hem  with  his 

hete  ; 
This  sely  Venus,  fdreynt  in  teres  wete, 
Enbraceth  Mars,  and  scylo,  "  alas !  I  dye  ! 
The  torch  is  come,  that  al  this  world  wol 

wrye."  91 

Up  sterte  Mars,  him  listo  not  to  slepe, 
W^lan  he  his  lady  herdc  so  complej'ne  ; 
But,  for  his  nature  was  not  for  to  wcpe. 
In  stcdc  of  teres,  fro  his  eycn  twcyno     95 
The  fyry  sj)arkes  broston  out  for  peyno  ; 
And  hentc  his  hauberk,  that  lay  him  be- 

syde  ; 
Flee  woldc  he  not,  no  mighto  him-selvcn 

hyde. 

He  throweth  on  his  helm  of  Imge  wighto. 

And  girt  liim  with  his  swerde  ;  and  in 

his  honde  joo 


His  niiglity  spere,    as   he   was   wont   to 

fighte. 
He  shaketh  so  that  almost  it  to-wonde  : 
Ful  hovy  lie  was  to  walken  over  londe  ; 
Ho  may  not  holdc  with  Venus  companye. 
But  bad  hir  fleen,  lest  Phebus  hir  espye. 

O  woful  Mars  !  alas  !  what  mayst  thou 
seyn,  106 

That  in  the  paleys  of  thy  disturbaunco 
Art  left  behinde,  in  peril  to  be  sleyn  ? 
And  yet  ther-to  is  double  thy  penauncp, 
For  she,  that  hath  thyn  herte  in  govern- 
auuce,  no 

Is  passed  halfe  the  stremes  of  thyn  yen  : 
That   thoii  nere  swift,   wel  mayst  thoii 
wepe  and  cryen. 

Now  fleeth  Venus  un-to  C5'lenius  tour. 
With  voide  cours,  for  fere  of  Phebus  liglit. 
Alas  !  and  ther  ne  hath  she  no  'socour,  1 15 
For  she  ne  fond  ne  saw  no  maner  wight  ; 
And  eek  as  ther  she  had  but  litil  might ; 
Wher-for,  hir-selven  for  to  hj-de  and  save, 
Within  the  gate  she  fledde  into  a  cave. 

Derk  was  this  cave,  and  smoking  as  the 
helle,  120 

Not  but  two  pas  witliin  the  gate  hit  stood  ; 

A  naturel  day  in  derk  I  leto  hir  dwelle. 

Now  Wol  I  spoke  of  Mars,  furious  and 
wood  ; 

For  sorow  he  wolde  have  seen  his  herte 
blood  ; 

Sitli  that  he  mighte  -f-hir  don  no  com- 
panye, i-'5 

He  ne  roghte  not  a  mj^;e  for  to  dye. 

So  feble  ho  wox,  for  hete  and  for  liis  wo. 
That  nigh  he  swelt,  he  mighte  xinnethc 

endure ; 
Ho  passeth  but  00  stcjTe  in  daj^es  two, 
But  ner  the  les,  for  al  his  hevy  armurc,  130 
Ho  foloweth  hir  that  is  his  lyves  cure  ; 
For  wlios  departing  he  t<iok  grotter  yre 
Thanno  for  al  his  brenning  in  the  fyre. 

After  he  walketh  softely  a  pas, 
Conipleyning,  tliat  hit  pite  was  to  here.  135 
Ho  seydo,  '•  O  lady  bright,  Venus  !  alas  ! 
That  ever  so  wj-de  a  compas  is  my  spore  ! 
Alas  !  whan  shal  I  mete  yow,  herte  dere. 
This  twelfte  day  of  April  I  endure. 
Through  jelous  Phebus,  this  nusaventuxe." 


IV.    ZU  ^omipk^nt  of  (Wave. 


99 


Now  "j-helpe  god  sely  Venus  allone  !      141 
But,  as  god  wolde,  hit  happed  foi-  to  he, 
That,  -whyl  that  Venus  weping  made  hir 

mone, 
Cjdenius,  ryding  in  his  chevauche,       144 
Fro  Venus  valance  niighte  his  paleys  see. 
And  Venus  he  sahieth,  and  maketh  chere. 
And  hir  reeeyv^eth  as  his  frend  ful  dere. 

Mars  dwelleth  forth  in  his  adversitee, 
Compleyning  ever  on  hir  departinge  ; 
And  what   his   compleynt   was,   remem- 

breth  me  ;  150 

And  therfore,  in  this  histy  morweninge. 
As  I  best  can,  I  wol  hit  seyn  and  singe, 
And  after  that  I  wol  my  leve  take  ; 
And  god  ycve  every  wight  joye  of  his 

niake  ! 

The  Compleynt  of  Mars. 

The  Proem  of  the  Compleynt. 

H  The  ordre  of  compleynt  requireth  skil- 
fully, 155 
That  if  a  wight  shal  pleyne  pitously, 
Ther  mot  be  caitse  wherfor  that  men 
pleyne  ; 
Or  men  may  demo  ho  pleyneth  folily 
And  causeles  ;  alas  !  that  am  not  I  ! 
Wlierfor  the  ground  and  cause  of  al 
my  peyne,                                         160 
So  as  my  troubled  wit  may  hit  ateync, 
I  wol  reherse  ;  not  for  to  have  redrcsse. 
But  to  declare  my  ground  of  hevinesse. 

Devotion. 

1i  The  firste  tyme,  alas  !  that  I  was  wroglit. 
And  for  cortoyn  effoctes  hider  broght  165 

By  him  that  lordeth  cell  intelligence, 
I  yaf  my  trewe  servise  and  my  thoght, 
For    evermore — how    dere    I    have    hit 
boght !— 
To  hir,  that  is  of  so  gret  excellence. 
That  what  wight  that  first  sheweth  his 
presence,  170 

When  she  is  wroth  and  taketh  of  him  no 

cure. 
He  may  not  longe  in  joye  of  love  endure. 

This  is  no  feyned  mater  that  I  telle  ; 
My  lady  is  the  verrey  sours  and  welle 


Of  beaute,   lust,   fredom,    and   gentil- 

nesse,  1 75 

Of  riche  aray — how  dere  men  hit  selle  ! — 

Of  al  disj)ort  in  which  menfrendlj'dwelle, 

Of  love  and  pley,  and  of  benigne  huin- 

blesse, 

Of  soune  of  instruments  of  al  swetnesse ; 

And  therto  so  wel  fortuned  and  thewed, 

That  throiigh  the  world  hir  goodnesse  is 

y-shewed.  iSi 

Wliat  wonder  is  then,  thogh  that  I  be- 

setto 

My  serviso  on  suche  oon,  that  may  me 

knetto 

To  wele  or  wo,   sith  hit  l.ytli   in   hir 

might?  icS4 

Therfor  my  herte  for  ever  I  to  hir  hette  ; 

Ne  trewly,  for  my  dethe,  I  shal  not  lette 

To  ben  hir  trewest  servaunt  and  hir 

knight. 
I   flater  noght,   that  may   wite  every 
wight ; 
For  this  day  in  hir  serviso  shal  I  ilye  ; 
But  grace  be,  I  see  hir  never  with  yo.    190 

A  Lady  in  fear  and  tvoe. 

°J  To  whom  shal  I  than  plejaio  of  my  dis- 

tresse '? 
Wlio  may  mo  helpe,  who  may  my  harm 
rodresso  ? 
Shal  I  compleyne  unto  my  lady  free  ? 
Nay,  certes  !  for  she  hath  such  hevinesse, 
For  fere  and  eek  for  wo,  that,  as  I  gosse. 
In  litil  tymo  hit  wol  hir  bane  be.       196 
But  wore  she  sauf,  hit  wer  no  fors  of  mo. 
Alas  !  that  ever  lovers  mote  endure. 
For  love,  so  many  a  i^erilous  aventuro  ! 

For  thogh  so  be  that  lovers  bo  astrewoiix) 
As  any  metal  that  is  forged  ncwe. 

In  many  a  cas  hem  tydeth  ofto  sorowe. 

Somtynie  hir  ladies  will  not  on  liom  rewe, 

Somtyme,  yif  that  jelosyo  hit  knewo. 

They  mighten  lightly  leyo  hir  heed  to 

borowe ;  205 

Somtyme  envyous  foike    with    tungcs 

horowe 

Depraven  hem  ;  alas  !    whom   may   they 

plose  ? 
But  lie  be  fals,  no  lover  hath  his  cso. 


E   2 


ZU  (niinor  (potmc. 


But  -w-liat  availetli  suclie  a  long  sermoun 
Of  aventures  of  love,  up  and  doun  ?      210 

I  wol  returne  and  spelten  of  my  peyne  ; 
The  point  is  tliis  of  my  destruccioun, 
lly  riglite  lady,  my  salvacioun. 

Is  in  affray,  and  not  to  -whona  to  pleyne. 

O  herte  swete,  O  lady  sovereyne  !       215 
For  your  disese,  wel  oghte  I  swoune  and 

swelte, 
Thogli  I  non  other  harta  ne  drede  felte. 

Instability  vf  Happiness. 
%  To  what  fyn  made  the  god  that  sit  so 

tye, 
Benethen  him,  love  other  companye, 
And  streyneth  folk  to  love,  malgre  hir 
hede  ?  220 

And  then  hir  joye,  for  oght  I  can  espye, 
Ne  lasteth  not  the  twinkeling  of  an  ye. 
And  somme  han  never  jcye  til  they  he 

dede. 
"\^niat  meneth  this  ?  what  is  this  misti- 
hede  ? 
"^ATierto  constreyneth  he  his  folk  so  faste 
Thing  to  desyrc,  hut  hit  shulde  laste  ?  226 
And  thogh  he  made  a  lover  love  a  thing, 
Andmaketh  hit  seme  stedfast  and  during, 
Yet  putteth  he  in  hit  such  misaventure, 
That  reste  nis  ther  noon  in  his  yeviug.  230 
And  that  is  wonder,  that  so  just  a  king 
Doth  such  hardnesse  to  his  creature. 
Thus,  whether  love  breke  or  elles  dure, 
Algates  he  that  hath  with  love  to  done 
Hath  ofter  wo  then  changed  is  the  mone. 
Hit  semeth  he  hath  to  lovers  enmite,  236 
And  lyk  a  fissher,  as  men  alday  may  see, 
Baiteth  his  angle-hook  with  som  ples- 
aunce. 
Til  mony  a  fish  is  wood  til  that  he  be  239 
Sesed  ther-with  ;  and  then  at  erst  hath  he 
Al  his   desyr,   and   ther-with   al   niis- 

chaunce ; 
And    thogh  the   Ijaie   brekc,    lie    hath 
penaunce ; 
For  with  the  hoke  he  wounded  is  so  sore, 
That  he  his  wages  hath  for  ever-more. 

The  Brooch  of  Thebes. 
ir  The  broche  of  Thebes  was  of  suche  a 
kinde,  245 

So  ful  of  rubies  and  of  stones  lude, 


That  every  wight,  that  sette  on  hit  an 

He   wende   anon   to   worthe  out   of  his 

niinde  ; 
So  sore  the  beaute  wolde  his  herte  binde. 
Til  he  hit  hadde,  him  thoghte  he  moste 

dye  ;  250 

And  whan  that  hit  was  his,  than  shulde 

he  drj-e 
Such  wo  for  drede,  ay  whyl  that  he  hit 

hadde. 
That   welnigh    for   the   fere   he    shulde 

madde. 

And  whan  hit  was  fro  his  i^ossessioun. 
Than  had  he  double  wo  and  passioun   255 

For  he  so  fair  a  tresor  had  forgo  ; 
But  j-et  this  broche,  as  in  conclusioun. 
Was  not  the  cause  of  this  coufusioun  ; 

But  he  that  wroghte  hit  enfortuned  hit 
so, 

That  every  wight  that  had  hit  shuld 
have  wo  ;  260 

And  therfor  in  the  worcher  was  the  vyce, 
And  in  the  covetour  that  was  so  nyce. 

So  fareth  hit  by  lovers  and  bj'  me  ; 
For  thogh  mj'  lady  have  so  gret  beaute, 
That   I  was  mad   til  I  had   gete   hir 
grace,  265 

She  was  not  cause  of  mj-n  adversitee, 
But   he   that   wroghte   hir,   also    mot   I 
thee, 
That  putte  suche  a  beaute  in  hir  face. 
That  made  me  to  covete  and  purchace 
MjTi    owne    deth ;    him   wyte   I   that    I 
<iye,  270 

And  myn   unwit,  that  ever  I  clomb  so 
hye 

An  Appeal  for  Sympathy. 

^  But  to  .yow,  hardy  knightes  of  renoun. 
Sin  that  ye  be  of  my  divisioun, 

Al  be  I  not  worthy  i  so  grete  a  name, 
Yet,  seyn  these  clerkes,  I  am  your  pa- 
troun  ;  275 

Ther-for  j-e  oghte  have  som  compassioun 

Of  my  disese,  and  take  it  noght  a-game. 

The  proudest  of  yow  may  be  mad  ful 
tame  ; 
^^^lerfor  I  prey  yow,  of  your  gentilesse. 
That  ye  compleyne  for  myn  heviuesse.  280 


V.    tU  (})arfemenf  of  ^ouf^e. 


lOI 


And  ye,  my  ladies,  that  ben  trewe  and 

stable, 
By  way  of  kinde,  ye  ogliten  to  be  able 

To  have  pite  of  folk  that  be  in  pejiie  : 
Now  have  ye  cause  to  clothe  yow  in  sable  ; 
Sith  that  your  emperice,  the  honorable. 
Is  desolat,  wel  oghte  ye  to  pleyne  ;    286 
Now  shuld  your  holy  teres  falle  and 
reyne. 
Alas  !  your  honour  and  your  emperice. 
Nigh   deed  for   drede,   ne   can    liir    not 
chevise. 


Compleyneth  eek,  ye  lovers,  al  in-fere,  290 
For  hir  that,  with  unfeyned  hvimble  chere, 

Was  ever  redy  to  do  yow  socotir  ; 
Compleyneth  hir  that  ever  hath  had  yow 

dere  ; 
Compleyneth  beaute,  fredom,  and  manere  ; 
Compleyneth  hir  that  endeth  your  la- 
bour ;  295 
Compleyneth   thilke    ensamj)le    of   al 
honour. 
That  never  dide  btit  al  gentilesse  ;        297 
Kytheth  therfor  on  hir  som  kindenesse.' 


V.     THE   PAELEMENT   OF   FOULES. 


ITie  Proem. 

The  Ij'f  so  short,  the  craft  so  long  to  lerne, 
Tli'assay  so  hard,  so  sharp  the  conquering, 
The  dredful  joye,  that  alwey  slit  so  yeme, 
Al  this  mene  I  by  love,  that  my  feling  4 
Astonycth  with  his  wonderfvil  worching 
So  sore  y-wis,  that  whan  I  on  him  thinke, 
Nat  wot  I  wel  wher  that  I  wake  or  winke. 

For  al  be  that  I  knowe  not  love  in  dede, 
Ne  wot  how  that  he  quyteth  folk  hir  hyre, 
Yet  happeth  me  itil  ofte  in  bokes  rede  10 
Of  his  miracles,  and  his  cruel  yre  ; 
Ther  rede  I  wel  he  wol  be  lord  and  syre, 
I  dar  not  sc.yn,  his  strokes  been  so  sore. 
But  god  save  swich   a  lord  !   I  can  no 
more. 

Of  usage,  what  for  luste  what  for  lore,  15 
On  bokes  rede  I  olte,  as  I  yow  tolde. 
But  wherfor  that  I  speke  al  this?  not  yore 
Agon,  hit  happed  mo  for  to  beholde 
Upon  a  boke,  was  write  with  lettres  olde  ; 
And  thcr-upon,acerteyn  thing  to  lerne,2() 
The  longe  day  ful  fasto  I  radde  and  yerne. 

For  out  of  olde  feldes,  as  men  seith, 
Cometli  al  this  ncwe  corn  fro  yeer  to  yere  ; 
And  out  of  olde  bokes,  in  good  feith, 
Cometh  al  this  newe  science  that  men 
lore.  2=; 


But  now  to  purpos  as  of  this  matere — 
To  rede  forth  hit  gan  me  so  delyte, 
That  al  the  day  me  thoughte  but  a  lyte. 

This  book  of  which  I  make  mencioun. 
Entitled  was  al  thus,  as  I  shal  telle,       31) 
'  Tullius  of  the  dreme  of  Scipioun  '  ; 
Chapitres  seven  hit  hadde,  of  heveneand 

helle, 
And    erthe,    and    soules    that    therinno 

dwelle. 
Of  whiche,  as  shortly  as  I  can  liit  trete,  34 
Of  his  sentence  I  wol  you  seyii  the  grete. 

First  telleth  hit,  whan  Scipioun  was  come 
In  Afrik,  how  he  mette  Massinisse, 
Tliat  him  for  joye  in  armes  hath  y-nome. 
Than  telleth  -f-hit  hir  specho  and  al  the 

blisse 
That  was  betwix   hem,  til  the  day  gan 

niisse  ;  40 

And  how  his  auncestre,  African  so  dere, 
Gan  in  his  slepe  that  night  to  him  appere. 

Than  telleth  hit  that,  fro  a  sterry  jjlace, 
How  African  hath  him  Cartage  shewed, 
And  warned  him  before  of  al  his  grace,  45 
And  seyde  him,  what  man,  lered  other 

lewed. 
That  loveth  comun  profit,  wel  y-the'wed. 
He  shal  unto  a  blisful  place  wende, 
Ther  as  joye  is  that  last  withouten  ende. 


Z(>t  (Tlltnor  (pome. 


Than  asked  he,  if  folk  that  heer  be  dede 
Have  l>-f  and  dwellingin  another  jilace ;  51 
And  African  seyde,  '  ye,  ^^•ithoute  drcde,' 
And  that  our  present  worldes  lyves  space 
Nis  but  a  maner  deth,  what  way  we  trace. 
And  rightful  folk  slial  go,  after  the3-  dye, 
To  lieven ;  and  shewed  him  the  galaxye.  56 

Than  shewed  he  him  the  litel  erthe,  that 

heer  is. 
At  regard  of  the  hevenes  quantite  ; 
And  after  shewed  lie  him  the  nyne  si^eres, 
And  after  that  the  melodye  herde  he     60 
That  cometh  of  thilke  speres  thryes  three, 
That  welle  is  of  musyke  and  melodye 
In  this  world  heer,  and  cause  of  armouye. 

Than  bad  he  him,  sin  erthe  was  so  lyte. 
And  ful  of  torment  and  of  harde  grace,  65 
That  he   ne  shulde  him  in  the  world 

delyte. 
Than  tolde  he  him,  in  certeyn  yeres  space, 
That  every  steiTe  shulde  come  into  his 

place 
Ther  hit  was  first ;  and  al  shulde  out  of 

niinde  69 

That  in  this  worlde  is  don  of  al  mankinde. 

Than  prayde  him  Scipioun  to  telle  him  al 
Tlie  wey  to  come  un-to  that  hcvene  blisse  ; 
And  he  seyde,  'know  thy-self  first  im- 
mortal, 
And  loke  ay  besily  thou  werke  and  wisse 
To  comun  profit,  and  thou  shalt  nat  uiisse 
To  comen  swiftly  to  that  place  dere,  76 
That  ful  of  blisse  is  and  of  soules  clere. 

But  brekers  of  the  lawe,  soth  to  sej-ne, 
And  lecherous  folk,  after  that  they  be 

dedo,  79 

S  h  ul  al  wey  whirle  aboute  th'erthe  in  peyne, 
Til  many  a  world  be  passed,  out  of  drede. 
And  than,  for-yeven  alle  hir  wikked  dede. 
Than  shul  they  come  unto  that  blisful 

jilace. 
To  which  to  comen  god  thee  sende  his 

grace ! ' — 

The  day  gaii  fallen,  and  the  derke  night. 
That  revetli  bestes  from  hir  besinesse,    S6 
Berafte  me  mj'  Ixiok  for  lakke  of  light, 
And  to  my  bedde  I  gan  me  for  to  dresse, 
I'ulfild  of  thought  and  besy  hevinesse  ; 


For  bothe  I  liadde  thing  which  that  I 
nolde,  90 

And  eek  I  ne  hadde  that  thing  that  I 
wolde. 

But  fyually  my  spirit,  at  the  laste, 
For-wery  of  my  labour  al  the  daj'. 
Took  rest,  that  made  me  to  slepc  faste, 
And  in  my  slepe  I  mette,  as  I  lay,  95 

How  African,  right  in  that  selfe  aray 
That     Scipioiui    him    saw    before    that 

tyde, 
"Was  comen,  and  stood  right  at  mybeddes 

syde. 

The  wery  hunter,  slepinge  in  Lis  bed, 
To  wode  ayein  his  minde  gotli  anoon  ;  100 
The  juge    dremeth    how  Lis  plees   ben 

sped ; 
The  carter  dremeth  how  his  cartes  goon  ; 
The  riche,  of  gold  ;  the  knight  fight  with 

his'foon. 
The  seke  met  he  drinketh  of  the  tonne  ; 
The  lover  met  he  hath  his  lady  wonne.  105 

Can  I  nat  seyn  if  that  the  cause  were 

For  I  had  red  of  African  beforn, 

That   made   me  to  mete  that  he  stood 

there  ; 
But  thus  seyde  he,   '  thou  hast  thee  so 

wel  born 
In  lokiug  of  mj-ii  olde  book  to-torn,     no 
Of  which  Maerobie  roghte  nat  a  lyte. 
That    somdel    of   thy    labour    wolde    I 

quyte  ! ' — 

Citherea  !  thou  blisful  lady  swete, 
That  with  thy  fyr-brand  dauntest  whom 

thee  lest, 
And  madest  me  this  sweven  for  to  mete, 
Be  thou  my  help  in  this,  for  thou  mayst 

best;  116 

As  wisly  as  I  saw  thee  north-north-west, 
A^Hien  I  began  my  sweven  for  to  wr\-te. 
So  yif  me  might  to  ryme  hit  and  cndyte  ! 

'Die  Story. 
This  forseid  African  me  hente  anoon,  120 
And  fortli  with  him  unto  a  gate  broghte 
lUght  of  a  parke,  walled  with  grene  stooii; 
And   over   the  gate,   with   lettres   large 

j--wroghte, 
Ther  weren  vers  y-writen,  as  me  thoglite, 


V.    ZU  ^avkmtni  of  §ouk6. 


103 


On  ej-ther  halfe,  of  ful  gret  difference,  125 
Of  -vvhicli  I  shal  yow  sey  the  iileyn  sen- 
tence. 

'  Thorgli  me  men  goon  in-to  that  blisful 

place 
Of  hertes  hele  and  dedly  woundes  ciire  ; 
Thoi'gh  me  men  goon  unto  the  welle  of 

Grace, 
Ther  grene   and    lusty   May   shal    ever 

endure ;  130 

This  is  the  wey  to  al  good  aventure  ; 
Be  glad,  thou  reder,  and  thy  sorwe  of- 

caste, 
Al   open   am   I  ;    passe   in,   and    hy   the 

faste ! ' 

•  Thorgh  me  men  goon,'  than  spak  that 

other  syde, 
'  Untii  the  mortal  strokes  of  the  spere,  135 
Of  vhich  Disdayn  and  Daunger  is  the 

Thcr  ti'ce  shal  never  fruit  ne  leves  here. 
This  streem  you  ledeth  to  the  sorwful 

were, 
Ther  as  the  fish  in  prison  is  al  drye  ; 
Th'eschewiug  is  only  the  remedye.'      140 

Thiscvers  of  gold  and  blak  y-writen  were. 
The  whiche  I  gan  a  stounde  to  beholde. 
For  with  that  oon  encresed  ay  my  fere. 
And  with  that  other  gan  myn  herte  holde ; 
That  oon  mie  hette,  that  other  did  me 
colde,  145 

No  wit  had  I,  for  errour,  for  to  chese, 
To  entre  or  flee,  or  me  to  save  or  lese. 

Eight  as,  betwixen  adamauntes  two 
Of  even  might,  a  pece  of  iren  y-set,      149 
That  hath  no  might  to  meve  to  ne  fro — 
For  what  that  on  may  hale,  that  other 

let— 
Ferde  I,  that  niste  whether  me  was  bet, 
To  entre  or  leve,  til  African  my  gyde 
Me    hente,  and   shoof   in    at   the   gates 

wyde, 

And  seyde,  '  hit  stondeth  writcn  in  thy 
face,  155 

Tliyn  errour,  though  thou  telle  it  not  to 
me ; 

But  dred  thee  nat  to  come  in-t<j  this 
place. 


For  this  wryting  is   no-thing  meut  by 

thee, 
Ne  by  noon,  biit  he  Loves  servant  bo  ; 
For  thou  of  love  hast  lost  thj'  tast,   I 

gesse,  160 

As  seek  man  hath  of  swete  and  bitter- 

nesse. 

But    natheles,    al-though   that   thou   be 

dulle, 
Yit  that  thou  canst  not  do,  yit  mayst 

thoti  see  ; 
For  many  a  man  that  may  not  stonde 

a  p\\lle, 
Yit   lyketh    him    at    the    wrastling   for 

to  be,  165 

And  demeth  yit  wher  he  do  bet  or  he  ; 
And  if  thou  haddest  cunning  for  t'endyte, 
I  shal  thee  shewen  mater  of  to  wryte.' 

With  that  my  bond  in  his  he  took  anoon, 
Of  which  I  comfort  caixghte,  and  wente 

in  faste  ;  170 

But  lord  !  so  I  was  glad  and  wel  bogoon  ! 
For  over-al,  wher  that  I  myn  eyen  caste, 
Were  trees  clad  with  leves  that  ay  shal 

laste, 
Eche  in  his  kinde,  of  colour  fresh  and 

grene 
As  emeraude,  that  joye  was  to  scnc.      175 

The  bilder  00k,  and  eek  the  hardy  asshe  ; 
The  piler  elm,  the  cofre  unto  carejaie  ; 
The    boxtree    piper ;    holm    to    whippes 

lasshe  ; 
The    sayling    firr ;    the   cipres,    doth   to 

jdeyne  ;  i79 

The  sheter  ew,  the  asp  for  shaftes  ployne  ; 
The  olyve  of  x'ees,  and  eek  the  drunken 

vyne. 
The  victor  palm,  the  laurer  to  devyne. 

A  garden  saw  I,  ful  of  blosmy  bowes. 
Upon  a  river,  in  a  grene  mede,  184 

Ther  as  that  swetnesse  evermore  y-now  is, 
With  floures  whyte,  blewe,  yelowc,  and 

redo  ; 
And  colde  welle-stremes,  no-thing  dede, 
That  swommen  ful  of  smalo  fisshcs  lighte, 
Withfmnes  rede  and  scales  silver-brighte. 

On  every  bough  the  briddes  herde  I  singe. 
With  voys  of  auugel  in  hir  armonye,  191 


104 


Z^t  (minot  (j)oem0. 


Soni   besyed   hem   hir   briddes   forth,   to 

bringe  ; 
The  litel  conyes  to  hir  pley  gfiinne  hye, 
And  further  al  aboute  I  gan  esjiye 
The  dredfiil  roo,  the  buk,  the  herb  and 

hinde,  195 

Squerels,  and  bestes  smale  of  gentil  kinds. 

Of  instruments  of  strenges  in  aeord 
Herde  I  so  pleye  a  ravisshing  swetnesse, 
That  god,  that  maker  is  of  al  and  lord, 
Ne  herde  never  better,  as  I  gesse  ;         200 
Therwith  a  wind,  unnethe  hit  might  be 

lesse. 
Made  in  the  leves  grene  a  noise  softe 
Acordant  to  the  foules  songe  on-lofte. 

The  air  of  that  place  so  attempre  was 
That  never  was  grevaunce   of  hoot  ne 

cold  ;  205 

Tlier  wex  eek  every  holsom  spyce   and 

gras, 
Ne  no  man  may  ther  wexe  seek  ne  old  ; 
Yet  was  ther  joye  more  a  thousand  fold 
Then  man  can  telle ;  ne  never  wolde  it 

nighte, 
But  ay  cleer  day  to  any  mannes  sighte. 

Under  a  tree,  besyde  a  welle,  I  say        211 
Cupyde  our  lord  his  arwes  forge  and  fyle  ; 
And  at  his  fete  his  bowe  al  redy  lay, 
And  wol  his  doghter  tempred  al  the  whyle 
The  hedes  in  the  welle,   and   with   hir 

yv^le  215 

She  coiiched  hem  after  as  they  shulde 

serve, 
Som  for  to  sice,  and  som  to  wounde  and 

kerve, 

Tho  was  I  war  of  Plcsaunce  anon-right. 
And  of  Aray,  and  Lust,  and  Curtesye  ; 
And  of  the  Craft  that  can  and  hath  the 

might  220 

To  doon  by  force  a  wight  to  do  folye — 
Disfigurat  was  she,  I  nil  not  lye  ; 
And  by  him-self,  under  an  oke,  I  gesse, 
Sawe  I   Delyt,   that  stood  with  Gentil- 

nesse. 

I  saw  Beautee,  withouten  any  atj-r,      225 
And  Youthe,  ful  of  game  and  lolytc, 
Fool-hardinesse,  Flatery,  and  Desyr, 
Messagerye,  and  Mode,  and  other  three — 

II  ir  names  shul  noght  here  be  told  forme — 


And  upon  pilers  grete  of  jasper  longe  230 
I  saw  a  temple  of  bras  y-founded  stronge. 

Aboute  the  temple  daunceden  alway 
Wommen  y-nowe,  of  whiche  somme  ther 

were 
Faire  of  hem-self,   and   somme   of  hem 

were  gay  ; 
In    kirtels,    al    disshevele,    wente    they 

there —  235 

That  was  hir  office  alwey,  yeer  by  yere — 
And  on  the  temple,  of  doves  whyte  and 

faire 
Saw  I  sittings  many  a  hundred  paire 

Before  the  temple-dore  ful  soberly 
Dame  Pees  sat,  with  a  curteyn  in  hir 

bond :  240 

And  hir  besyde,  wonder  discretly. 
Dame  Pacience  sitting  ther  I  fond 
With  face  pale,  upon  an  hille  of  sond  ; 
And   alder-next,  within   and   eek   with- 

oute,  244 

Behest  and  Art,  and  of  hir  folke  a  route. 

Within  the  temple,  of  syghes  hote  as  fyr 
I  herde  a  swogh  that  gan  aboute  renne  ; 
Which  syghes  were  engendred  with  desyr. 
That  maden  every  auter  for  to  brenne 
Of  newe  flaume  ;  and  wel  aspyed  I  thenne 
That  al  the  cause  of  sorwes  that  they 
drye  251 

Com  of  the  bitter  goddesse  Jalousye. 

The  god  Priapus  saw  I,  as  I  wente. 
Within   the  temple,   in   soverayn   place 

stonde. 
In   swich   aray   as  whan   the   asse  him 

shente  255 

With  crj'e  by  night,  and  with  his  ceptre 

in  honde ; 
Ful  besily  men  gunne  assaye  and  fonde 
Upon  his  hedo  to  sette,  of  sondry  hewe, 
Garlondes  ful  of  frcsshe  fioures  newe. 

And  in  a  privee  comer,  in  disporte,     260 
Fond  I  Venus  and  hir  porter  Richesse, 
That  was  ful  noble  and  hauteyn  of  hir 

porte  ; 
Derk  was  that  place,  but  afterward  light- 

nesse 
I  saw  a  Ij-te,  unnethe  hit  might  be  lesse, 
And  on  a  bed  of  golde  she  lay  to  reste,  265 
Til  that  the  hote  sonne  gan  to  weste. 


V.    Z^t  ^avkmtnt  of  ^ouke. 


105 


Hir  gilte  lieres  with  a  golden  threde 
Y-bounden  were,  iintressed  as  she  lay, 
And  naked  fro  the  breste  unto  the  hede 
Men  might  hir  see  ;  and,  sothly  for  to 
say,  270 

The  remenant  wel  kevered  to  my  pay 
Eight  with  a  subtil  kerchef  of  Valence, 
Ther  was   no   thikker   cloth   of   no   de- 
fence. 

The  place  yaf  a  thousand  savours  swote. 
And  Bachus,  god  of  wj-n,  sat  hir  besyde, 
And   Ceres    next,   that   doth   of  hunger 

bote  ;  276 

And,  as  I  seide,  amiddes  lay  Cipryde, 
To   whom    on    knees   two   yonge   folkes 

crj'de 
To  ben  hir  help  ;  but  thus  I  leet  hir  lye. 
And  farther  in  the  temple  I  gan  espye 

That,  in  dispj'te  of  Diane  the  chaste,  281 
Ful  many  a  bowe  y-broke  heng  on  the 

wal 
Of  maydeus,  suche  as  gunne  hir  tymes 

waste 
In  hir  scrvyse  ;  and  peynted  over  al 
Of  many  a  stor5',  of  which  I  touche  shal 
A  fewe,  as  of  Calixte  and  Athalaunte,  286 
And  many  a  mayde,  of  which  the  name  I 

wante  ; 

Semyramus,  Candace,  and  Ercules, 
Biblis,  Dido,  Tisbe  and  Piramus, 
Tristram,  Isoude,  Paris,  and  Achilles,  290 
Eleyne,  Cleopatre,  and  Troilus, 
Silla,  and  eek  the  modcr  of  Romulus — 
Alle  these  were  peynted  on  that  other 

syde, 
And  al  hir  love,  and  in  what  plyte  they 

dyde. 

Whan  I  was  come  ayen  into  the  place  295 
That  I  of  spak,  that  was  so  swote  and 

grene, 
Forth  welk  I  tho,  my-selven  to  solace. 
Tho   was   I   war   wher  that   ther  sat   a 

quene 
That,  as  of  light  tho  somer-sonne  shene 
Passeth  tho  sterre,  riglit  so  over  mesu.re 
She  fairer  was  than  any  creature.         301 

And  in  a  launde,  upon  an  hille  of  floures, 
Was  set  this  noble  goddesse  Nature  ; 


Of  braunches  were  hir  halles   and   hir 

boures, 
Y-wrought  after  hir  craft  and  hirmesiu-e  ; 
Ne   ther   nas   foul   that    cometh   of    en- 

gendrure,  306 

That  they  ne  were  prest  in  hir  presence. 
To  take  hir  doom  and  yeve  hir  audience. 

For  this  was  on  seynt  Valentynes  day. 
Whan  every  foul  cometh  ther  to  chese 

his  make,  310 

Of  every  kinde,  that  men  thenke  may  ; 
And    that    so    huge    a   noyse   gan   they 

make. 
That  erthe  and  see,  and  tree,  and  every 

lake 
So  ful  was,  that  unnethe  was  ther  space 
For  me  to  stonde,  so  ful  was  al  the  place. 

And   right  as  Aleyn,   in  the   Plej^nt   of 
Kinde,  316 

Devyseth  Natiire  of  aray  and  face, 
In  swich  aray  men  might  e[n]  hir  ther 

fiude. 
This  noble  emperesse,  ful  of  grace. 
Bad  every  foul  to  take  his  owne  place,  320 
As   they  were   wont   alwey  fro   yeer   to 

yere, 
Seynt  Valentynes  day,  to  stonden  there. 

That  is  to  sey,  the  foules  of  ravyne 
Were   hj'est   set ;    and   than   the   foules 

smale, 
That  eten  as  hem  nature  wolde  enclj'ne. 
As  worm,  or  thing  of  whiche  I  telle  no 

tale  ;  326 

But  water-foul  sat  lowest  in  the  dale  ; 
And  foul  that  liveth  by  seed  sat  on  the 

grene, 
And   that   so   fele,   that  wonder  was  to 

sene. 

Ther  mighte  men  the  royal  egle  finde, 
That  with   his  shai-pe  look  perceth  the 

Sonne  ;  331 

And  other  egles  of  a  lower  kinde. 
Of  which  that  clerkes  wel  devyson  conne. 
Ther  was  tho  tyraunt  with  his  fcthres 

donne 
And  greye,   I   mene  the   goshauk,    that 

doth  pyne  335 

To  briddes  for  his  outrageous  ravyne. 


K3 


io6 


tU  QUtner  (poente. 


The   gentil   faucon,    that   with    his   feet 

distreyneth 
The  kinges  hond  ;  the  hardy  sperhauk 

eke, 
The  qtiayles  foo  ;  the  merlion  that  peyneth 
Him-self  ft\l  ofte,  the  larke  for  to  sake  ; 
Ther    was    the    douve,    with    hir    eyen 

meke ;  341 

The  jalous  swan,   ayens   his   deth    that 

singeth  ; 
The   oule   eek,    that   of  dethe   the   bode 

bringeth  ; 

The  crane  the  geaunt,  with  his  trompes 
soune ; 

The  theef,  the  chogh  ;  and  eek  the  jang- 
ling pye  ;  345 

The  scorning  jay ;  the  eles  foo,  the 
heroune  ; 

The  false  lapwing,  ful  of  trecherye  ; 

The  stare,  that  the  counseyl  can  bewrye  ; 

The  tanae  ruddok  ;  and  the  coward  kj-te  ; 

The  cok,  that  orloge  is  of  thorpes  lyte  ;  350 

The  sparow,  Venus  sone  ;  the  nightin- 
gale, 

That  clepeth  forth  the  fresshe  leves  newe  ; 

The  swalow,  mordrer  of  the  flj'es  sniale 

That  niaken  hony  of  floures  fresshe  of 
hewe ; 

The  wedded  ttirtel,  with  hir  herte  trewe  ; 

The  pecok,  with  his  aungels  fethres 
bright  e  ;  356 

The  fesaunt,  scorner  of  the  cok  by  nighte  ; 

The  waker  goos  ;   the  cukkow  ever  iin- 

kinde  ; 
The  popinjay,  ful  of  delicasye  ; 
The  drake,  stroyer  of  his  owne  kinde  ;  360 
The  stork,  the  wreker  of  avouterye  ; 
The  bote  cormeraunt  of  glotonye  ; 
The  raven  wys,   the  crow  with  vois   of 

care  ; 
The  throstel  olde  ;  the  frosty  feldefare. 

What  shulde  I  seyn  ?  of  foules  every 
kinde  365 

That  in  this  worlde  ban  fethres  and 
stature. 

Men  mighten  in  that  place  assembled 
finde 

Before  the  noble  goddesse  Nature. 

And  everich  of  hem  did  his  besy  cure 


Benignely  to  cbese  or  for  to  take,  370 

By  hir  acord,  his  formel  or  his  make. 

But  to  the  poynt — Nature  held  on  hir 

bonde 
A  formel  egle,  of  shap  the  gentileste 
That  ever  she  among  hir  werkes  fonde, 
The  most  benigne  and  the  goodlieste  ; 
In  hir  was  every  vertu  at  his  reste,       376 
So   ferforth,   that    Nature    hir-self   had 

blisse 
To  loke  on  hir,  and  ofte  hir  bek  to  kisse. 

Nature,  the  vicaire  of  th'almyghty  lorde, 
That  hoot,  cold,  bevy,  light,  [and]  moist 

and  dreye  380 

Hath  knit  by  even  noumbre  of  acorde, 
In  esy  vois  began  to  speke  and  seye, 
'  Foules,   tak   hede   of   my    sentence,    I 

preye. 
And,  for  your  ese,  in  furthering  of  your 

nede,  384 

As  faste  as  I  raay  speke,  I  wol  me  spede. 

Ye  know  wel  how,  sejTit  Valentynes  day. 
By  my   statut  and  through   my   gover- 

naunce, 
Ye  come  for  to  chese — and  flee  your  way — 
Your  makes,  as  I  prik  yow  with  plesaunce. 
But  natheles,  my  rightful  ordenaunce  390 
May  I  not  lete,  for  al  this  world  to  winne, 
That  he  that  most  is  worthy  shal  beginne. 

The  tercel  egle,  as  that  ye  knowen  wel, 
The  foul  royal  above  yow  in  degree, 
The  wyso  and  worthy,  secree,  trewe  as 
stel,  395 

The  which  I  f  formed  have,  as  ye  may  see, 
In  every  part  as  hit  best  lyketh  me, 
Hit  nedeth  nogbt  bis  shap  yow  to  devyse, 
He  sbal  first  chese  and  speken  in  his 

And  after  him,  by  order  shul  ye  chese,  400 
After  your  kiniio,  everich  as  yow  lyketh, 
And,  as  your  hap  is,  shul  ye  winne  or 

lese ; 
But  which  of  yow  that  love   most  en- 

tryketh, 
God  sende  him  hir  that  sorest  for  him 

syketh.' 
And  therwith-al  the  tercel  gan  she  calle. 
And  seyde,   '  my  sone,   the  choys   is   to 

thee  falle.  406 


V.    ZU  ^ntkmtnt  of  §o\kk6. 


107 


But  natheles,  in  this  condicioun 
Mot  be  the  choys  of  everich  that  is  here, 
That  she  agree  to  his  eleccioun,  409 

Who-so  he  be  that  shulde  been  hir  fere  ; 
This  is  our  usage  alwey,  fro  yeer  to  yere  ; 
And  who  so  may  at  this  time  have  his 

grace, 
In  blisful  tyme  he  com  in-to  this  place.' 

With  hed  enclyned  and  with  fvil  hiimble 

chere 
Tliis  royal  tercel  spak  and  taried  nought  ; 
'  Unto  my  sovereyn  lady,  and  noght  my 

fere,  416 

I  chese,  and  chese  with  wille  and  herte 

and  thought. 
The   formel    on    your    bond    so    wel   y- 

wrought, 
\Vlaos  I  am  al  and  ever  wol  hir  serve, 
Do  what  hir  list,  to  do  me  live  or  sterve. 

Beseching  hir  of  mercy  and  of  grace,  421 
As  she  that  is  my  lady  sovereyne  ; 
Or  let  me  dye  present  in  this  place. 
For  certes,  long  may  I  not  live  in  peyne  ; 
For  in  myn  herte  is  corven  every  veyne  ; 
Having  reward  [al]  only  to  my  trouthe,  426 
My  dere  herte,  have  on  my  wo  som 
routhe. 

And  if  that  I  to  hir  be  founde  untrewe, 
Disobeysaunt,  or  wilful  negligent, 
Avauntour,  or  in  proces  love  a  newe,   430 
I  pray  to  you  this  be  my  jugement, 
Tliat  with  these  foides  I  be  al  to-rent, 
That  ilke  day  that  ever  she  me  finde 
To  hir  untrewe,  or  in  my  gilte  unkinde. 

And  sin  that  noon  loveth  hir  so  wel  as  I, 
Al  be  she  never  of  love  me  behette,  436 
Than   oghte   she   be   myn    thourgh    hir 

mercy. 
For  other  bond  can  I  noon  on  hir  knette. 
For  never,  for  no  wo,  ne  shal  I  lette  439 
To  serven  hir,  how  fer  so  that  she  wende  ; 
Sey  what  yow  list,  my  tale  is  at  an  ende.' 

Eight  as  the  fresshe,  rede  rose  newe 
Ayen  the  somer-sonne  coloured  is. 
Right  so  for  shame   al  wexen  gan  the 

hewe 
Of  this  formel,  whan  she  herde  al  this  ; 
She  neyther  answerde   '  wel,'    ne   seyde 

amis.  446 


So  sore  abasshed  was  she,  til  that  Nature 
Seyde,  '  doghter,  drede  yow  noght,  I  yow 
assure. ' 

Another  tercel  egle  spak  anoon 

Of  lower  kinde,  and  seyde,    '  that   shal 

not  be  ;  45" 

I  love  hir  bet  than  ye  do,  by  seynt  John, 
Or  atte  leste  I  love  hir  as  wel  as  j'e  ; 
And  lenger  have  ser\'ed  hir,  in  my  degree. 
And  if  she  shulde  have  loved  for  long 

loving,  454 

To  me  allone  had  been  the  guerdoning. 

I  dar  eek  seye,  if  she  me  finde  fals, 
Unkinde,  jangler,  or  rebel  any  wyse. 
Or  jalous,  do  me  hongen  by  the  hals  ! 
And  but  I  bere  me  in  hir  servyse 
As  wel  as  that  my  wit  can  me  suffyse,  460 
Fro  poynt  to  poynt,  hir  honour  for  to 

save, 
Tak  she  my  lyf,  and  al  the  good  I  have.' 

The  thridde  tercel  egle  answerde  tho, 
'  Now,  sirs,  ye  seen  the  litel  leyser  here  ; 
For  every  foul  cryeth  out  to  been  a-go  465 
Forth  with  his  make,  or  with  his  lady 

dere ; 
And  eek  Nature  hir-self  ne  wol  nought 

here. 
For  tarying  here,  noght  half  that  I  wolde 

seye  ; 
And  but  I  speke,  I  mot  for  sorwe  deye. 

Of  long  servyse  avaunte  I  me  no-thing, 
But  as  possible  is  me  to  dye  to-day  471 
For  wo,  as  he  that  hath  ben  languisshing 
Thise  twenty  winter,  and  wel  happen  may 
A  man  may  serven  bet  and  more  to  pay 
In  half  a  yere,al-though  hit  were  no  more, 
Than  som  man  doth  that  hath  served  ful 
yore,  47^ 

I  ne  say  not  this  by  me,  for  I  ne  can 
Do  no  servyse  that  may  my  lady  plese  ; 
But  I  dar  seyn,  I  am  hir  trewest  man 
As  to  my  dome,  and  feynest  wolde  hir  ese  ; 
At  shorte  wordes,  til  that  deth  mo  scso,  481 
I  wol  ben  hires,  whether  I  wake  or  winke, 
And  trewe  in  al  that  herte  may  bethinke.' 

Of  al  my  lyf,  sin  that  day  I  was  born, 
So  gentil  plee  in  love  or  other  thing    485 
Ne  herdo  never  no  man  me  befom, 


E  5 


io8 


Z^t  (minor  (poeme. 


Who-[so]  that  liadde  lej'ser  and  cunning 
For  to  relierse  liir  cliere  and  hir  speking  ; 
And  from  the  morwe  gan  this  speche  laste 
Til  dounwarddrowthe  sonnewonderfaste. 

The  noyse  of  foules  for  to  hen  delivered  491 

So  loiide  rong,  '  have  d  >on  and  let  us 
wende ! ' 

That  wel  wende  I  tlie  wode  had  al  to- 
shivered. 

'  Come  of  ! '  they  cryde,  '  alias  !  ye  wil  us 
shende ! 

Wlian  shal  your  cursed  pleding  have  an 
cnde  ?  495 

How  shulde  a  juge  cji:her  party  leve, 

For  yee  or  nay,  with-outen  any  preve  ?  ' 

The  goos,  the  cokkow,  and  the  doke  also 
So  cryden  '  liek,  kek  ! '  '  kukkow ! '  '  quek, 

quek  ! '  hye, 
That  thorgh  mj-n  eresthe  noyse  wente  tho. 
The  goos  seyde,  '  al  this  iiis  not  worth  a 

flye !  501 

But  I  can  shape  hereof  a  remedye, 
And  I  wol  sey  ray  verdit  faire  and  swythe 
For    water-foul,    who-so    he    vTooth    or 

hlythe. ' 

'  And  I  for  worm-foul, '  seyde  the  fool 
cukkow,  505 

'  For  I  wol,  of  myn  owne  auctorite. 
For  comune  spede,  take  tlie  charge  now. 
For  to  delivere  us  is  gret  charite. ' 
'  Ye  may  ahj-de  a  whyle  yet,  pardc  ! ' 
Seide  the  turtel,  '  if  hit  he  your  wille  510 
A  wight  may  speke,  him  were  as  good  he 
stille. 

I  am  a  seed-foul,  oon  the  unworthiestc, 
That  wot  I  wel,  and  litel  of  kunninge  ; 
But  bet  is  that  a  wightos  tonge  reste 
Than  cntrcmeten  him  of  such  doinge  515 
Of  which  he  neyther  rode  can  nor  singe. 
And  who-so  doth,  ful  foule  himself  acloy- 

eth, 
For  office  uncommitted  ofte  anoyeth. ' 
Nature,  which  that  alway  had  an  ere 
To  naurmour  of  the  lewodnes  hchinde,  520 
With    facound    voys    seide,    '  hold    your 

tonges  there  ! 
.^.nd  I  shal  sone,  I  hope,  a  counseyl  finde 
You  to  delivere,  and  fro  this  noyse  un- 

hinde  ; 


I  juge,  of  every  folk  men  shal  oon  calle 
To  seyn  the  verdit  for  you  foules  alle.'525 

Assented  were  to  this  conclusioun 
The  hriddes  alle  ;  and  foules  of  ravj-ne 
Han  chosen  first,  by  pleyn  eleccioun, 
The  tercelet  of  the  faucon,  to  diifyne  529 
Al  hir  sentence,  and  as  him  list,  termyne ; 
And  to  Xature  him  gonnen  to  presente. 
And  she  accepteth  him  with  glad  entente. 

The  tercelet  seide  than  in  this  manere  : 
'  Ful  hard  were  hit  to  preve  hit  by  resoun 
"Who  loveth  best  this  gentil  formel  here  ; 
For  everich  hath  swich  replicacioun,   536 
That    noon    by   skilles    may   be    broght 

a-doun  ; 
I  can  not  seen  that  argpaments  avayle  ; 
Than  semeth  hit  ther  moste  be  batayle, ' 

'  Al  redy  !  '  quod  these  egles  tercels  tho. 
'  Nay,  sirs  !  '  quod  he,  '  if  that  I  dorste  it 

seye,  541 

Ye  doon  me  wrong,  my  tale  is  not  y-do  ! 
For  sirs,  ne  taketh  noght  a-gref,  I  preye. 
It  maj'  noght  gon,  as  ye  wolde,  in  this 

weye  ; 
Oure  is  the  voj-s  that  han  the  charge  in 

honde,  545 

And  to  the  ji^ges  dome  ye  moten  stonde  ; 

And  therfor  pees  !  I  seye,  as  to  my  wit. 
Me  wolde  thinke  how  that  the  worthieste 
Of  knighthode,  and  lengest  hath  used  hit, 
Moste  of  estat,  of  blode  the  gentileste,  550 
Were  sittingest  for  hir,  if  that  hir  leste; 
And  of  these  tliree  showot  hir-self,  Itrowe, 
WTiich  that  he  be,  for  hit  is  light  to 
knowe. ' 

The  water-foules  han  her  hedes  loyd 
Togcdcr,  and  of  short  avysement,  555 

Whan  everich  had  his  large  golee  seyd, 
They  sej'dcn  sothly,  al  by  oon  assent, 
How  that  '  the  goos,  with  hir  facounde 

gent. 
That  so  desyreth  to  pronounce  our  nede, 
Shal  telle  our  tale,'  and  preyde  'god  hir 

spede. '  560 

And  for  these  water-foules  tho  began 
The  goos  to  speke,  and  in  hir  cakelinge 
She  seyde,   '  pees  !  now   tak  kepe  every 


V.    ■^^e  (pavkmtnt  of  ^ouke. 


109 


And   herkeneth   -which    a    reson    I  shal 

hringe  ; 
My  vit  is  sharp,  I  love  no  taryinge  ;     565 
I  seye,  I  rede  him,  thoiigh  he  were  my 

brother, 
But    she    wol    love    him,    lat    him   love 

another ! ' 

'  Lo  here  !  a  parfit  reson  of  a  goos  !  ' 
Quod  the  spcrhauk  ;  '  never  mot  she  thee ! 
Lo,  swich  hit  is  to  have  a  tonge  loos  !  570 
Now  parde,  fool,   yet   were   hit   bet   for 

thee 
Have   holdo  thy  pees,  than  shewed  thy 

nycete ! 
Hit  Ij-th  not  in  his  wit  nor  in  his  wille. 
But  sooth  is  seyd,  "  a  fool  can  noght  be 

stille."  ' 

The  laughter  aroos  of  gentil  foules  alle, 

And  right  anoon  the  seed-foul  chosen 
hadde  576 

The  turtel  trewe,  and  gunne  hir  to  hem 
calle, 

And  preyden  hir  to  seye  the  sothe  sadde 

Of  this  matere,  ami  asked  what  she  radde ; 

And  she  answerde,  that  pleynly  hir  en- 
tente 580 

She  wolde  shewe,  and  sothly  what  she 
mente. 

'Naj',  godforbede  alovershnldechaunge  ! ' 
The  turtel  seyde,  and  wex  for  shame  al 

reed  ; 
'  Thogh    that    his     lady     ever-more     be 

straunge,  584 

Yet  let  him  serve  hir  ever,  til  he  be  deed  ; 
For  sothe,  I  preyse  noght  the  gooses  reed  ; 
For  thogh  she  deyed,  I  wolde  non  other 

make, 
I  wol  ben  hires,  til  that  the  deth  mo  take. ' 

'  Wei  bourded  !  '  quod  the  doke,  '  by  my 
hat !  589 

That  men  shuldo  alwey  loven,  causcles, 

Wlio  can  a  reson  finde  or  wit  in  that  ? 

Daunceth  ho  mury  that  is  mirtheles  ? 

Wlio  sluilde  reecho  of  that  is  reccheles  ? 

Ye,  quok  !  '  yit  quod  tlio  doke,  ful  wel  and 
faire, 

'  There  been  mo  sterres,  god  wot,  tlian  a 
paire  !  '  595 


'  Now  fy,  cherl !  '  quod  the  gentil  tercelet, 
'  Oiit  of  the  dunghil  com  that  word  ful 

right. 
Thou  canst  noght  see  which  thing  is  wel 

be-set  : 
Thou  farest  by  love  as  oules  doon  by  light, 
The  day  hem  blent,  ful  wel  they  see  by 

night  ;  600 

Thy  kind  is  of  so  lowe  a  wrechednesse, 
Tliat  M'hat  love  is,  thou  canst  nat  see  ne 

gesse. ' 

Tho  gan  the  cukkow  putte  him  fortli  in 

preos 
For  foul  tliat  eteth  worm,  and  seide  blyve, 
'  So  I,'  quod  he,  '  may  have  my  make  in 

pees,  605 

I  recche  not  how  longe  that  ye  stryve  ; 
Lat  ech  of  hem  be  soleyn  al  hir  lyve. 
This  is  my  reed,  sin  they  may  not  acordo  ; 
This  shorte  lesson  nedeth  noght  recorde. ' 

'  Ye  !   have  the  glotoun   fild   ynogh   his 

paunche,  610 

Than  are  we  wel !  '  seyde  the  merlioun  ; 
'  Thoii  mordrer  of  the  heysuggo  on  the 

braunche 
That  broghte  thee  forth,  thou  f  rewthelees 

glotoun  ! 
Live  tliou  solejTi,  wormes  corrupcioun  ! 
For  no  fors  is  of  lakke  of  thy  nature  ;  615 
Go,  lewed  bo  thou,  whyl  the  world  may 

dure ! ' 

'Now  pees,'  quod  Nature,  'I  comaunde 

here  ; 
For  I  have  herd  al  yoiir  opinioun. 
And  in  etFect  yet  bo  wo  never  the  iicre  ; 
But  fynally,  this  is  my  conclusioun,     Ojo 
That  she  hir-solf  shal  han  the  eleccioun 
Of  whom  hir  list,  who-so  bo  wrooth  or 

bl^'the. 
Him  that  she  choest,  ho  shal  hir  have  as 

swj'the. 

For  sith  hit  may  not  here  discussed  bo 
Who  loveth  hir  best,  as  seide  tho  tercelet, 
Than  wol  I  doon  hir  this  favour,  that 

she  626 

Shal  have  right  him  <m  whom  liir  herto 

is  set. 
And  he  hir  that  his  herto  hatli   on  liir 

knet. 


I  10 


ZU  Qllmor  $oem0. 


This  juge  I,  Xature,  for  I  may  not  lye  ; 
To  noon  estat  I  have  non  other  y6.       630 

But  as  for  counseyl  for  to  chese  a  make, 
If  hit  were  reson,  certes,  than  wolde  I 
Counseyle  yow  the  royal  tercel  take, 
As  seide  the  tercelet  ful  skilfully, 
As  for  the  gentilest  and  most  worthy,  635 
Which  I  have  wroght  so  wel  to  my  ples- 

aunce ; 
That  to  yow  oghte  been  a  suffisaunce. ' 

With    dredful  vols    the    formel   hir  an- 

swerde, 
'  My  rightful  lady,  goddesse  of  Xature, 
Soth  is  that  I  am  ever  under  your  yerde, 
Lyk  as  is  everiche  other  creature,         641 
And  moot  he  youres  whyl  my  lyf  may 

dure  ; 
And  therfor  graunteth  me  my  firste  bone. 
And  myn  entente  I  wol  yow  sey  right 

soue.' 

•  I  graunte  it  you,'  quod  she ;  and  right 
anoon  645 

This  formel  egle  spak  in  this  degree, 

■  Almighty  quene,  unto  this  yeer  be  doon 

I  aske  respit  for  to  avysen  me. 

And  after  that  to  have  my  choys  al 
free  ; 

This  al  and  som,  that  I  wolde  speke  and 
seye ;  650 

Ye  gete  no  more,  al-though  ye  do  me  deye. 

I  wol  noght  serven  Venus  ne  Cupyde 
For  sothe  as  yet,  by  no  manero  wey.' 
'  Now  sin  it  may  non  other  wyse  betyde,' 
Quod  tho  Nature,  '  here  is  no  more  to 

sey ;  655 

Than  wolde  I  that  these  foules  were  a-wey 
Ech  with  his  make,  for  tarying  lenger 

here  ' — 
And  seyde  hem  thus,  as  ye  shul  after  here. 

'To  j-ou    speke    I,    ye    tercelets,'  quod 

Xature, 
'  Beth   of  good   herte   and   serveth,    alle 

three ;  660 

A  j-eer  is  not  so  longe  to  endure. 
And  ech  of  yow  pej-ne  him,  in  his  degree, 
For  to  do  wel ;  for,  god  wot,  quit  is  she      1 


Fro  yow  this  yeer ;  what  after  so  befalle, 
This  entremes  is  dressed  for  you  alle.'  665 

And  whan  this  werk  al  broght  was  to  an 

ende, 
To  every  foule  Xature  yaf  his  make 
By  even  acorde,   and  on   hir  wey  they 

wende. 
A !   lord  !   the  blisse  and  joye  that  they 

make !  669 

For  ech  of  hem  gan  other  in  winges  take. 
And  with  hir  nekkes  ech  gan  other  winde. 
Thanking  alwey  the   noble  goddesse  of 

kinde. 

But  first  were  chosen  foules  for  to  singe. 
As  yeer  by  yere  was  alwey  hir  usaunce 
To  singe  a  roundel  at  hir  departinge,  675 
To  do  Xature  honour  and  plesaunce. 
The  note,  I  trowe,  maked  was  in  Fraunce  ; 
The  wordes  were  swich  as  ye  may  heer 

finde. 
The  nexte  vers,  as  I  now  have  in  minde. 

Qui  bien  aime  a  tard  ouhlie. 
'Now  welcom  'somer,    with    thy   sonne 
softe,  680 

That  hast  this  wintres  weders  over-shake, 
And  driven  awey  the  longe  nightes  blake ! 
Seynt   Valentyn,    that    art    ful    hy    on- 

lofte  ;— 
Thus  singen  smale  foules  for  tliy  sake — 
Note  icelconi  somer,  icith  thy  sonne  softe,  685 
That  hast  this  icintres  weders  over-shake. 

Wel  han  they  cause  for  to  gladen  ofte, 
Sith  ech  of  hem  recovered  hath  his  make  ; 
Ful  blisful  may  they  singen  whan  they 
■wake  ; 
Now  toelcom  somer,  tfith  thy  sonne  softe,  690 
That  hast  this  icintres  iceders  over-shake, 
And  driven  atcey  the  longe  nightes  blake.' 

And  with  the  showting,  whan  hir  song 

was  do, 
Tliat  foules  maden  at  hir  flight  a-way, 
I  wook,  and  other  bokes  took  me  to     695 
To  rede  upon,  and  yet  I  rede  alway  ; 
I  hope,  y-wis,  to  rede  so  som  day 
That  I  shal  mete  som  thing  for  to  fare  698 
The  bet ;  and  thus  to  rede  I  nil  not  spare. 


Explicit  tractatus  de  congregacione  Volucrum  die  sancti  Valentini. 


VI.    Si  tamipUmt  ia  %\fi  Baij. 


VI.     A   COMPLEINT   TO   HIS   LADY. 


I.     {In  seven-line  stanzas.) 

The  longe  night,  whan  every  creature 
Shulde  have  hir  rest  in  somwhat,  as  by 
kinde, 
Or  elles  ne  may  hir  lyf  nat  long  endure, 
Hit  falleth  most  in-to  my  woful  minde 
How  I  so  fer  have  broght  niy-self  be- 
hinde,  5 

That,  sauf  the  deeth,  ther  may  no-thing 

me  lisse, 
So  desespaired  I  am  from  alle  blisse. 

This   same    thoght    me    lasteth  til    the 

morwe. 

And  from  the  morwe  forth  til  hit  be  eve; 

Ther  nedeth  me  no  care  for  to  borwe,    lo 

For  bothe  I  have  good  leyser  and  good 

leva  ; 
Ther  is  no  wight  that  wol  me  wo  bereve 
To  wepe  y-nogli,  and  wailen  al  my  fille  ; 
The  sore  spark  of  peyne  "f-doth  me  spille. 

II.  {In  Tersa  Bima  ;  imperfect.) 

[f  The  sore  spark  of  peyne  doth  me  spille ;] 

This  Love  hath  [eek]  me  set  in  swich  a 

place  1 6 

That  my  desyr  [he]  never  wol  fulflUe  ; 

For  neither  pitee,  mercy,  neither  grace 

Can  I  nat  finds  ;  and  -f-fro  my  sorwful 

herte. 
For  to  be  deed,  I  can  hit  nat  arace.    20 
The  more  I  love,  the  more  she  doth  me 
smertc  ; 
Through  which  I  see,  with-oute  remedye, 
That  from  the  deeth  I  may  no  wyse 
astei'te ; 
[fFor  this  day  in  hir  ser\'ise  shal  I  dye], 

III.  {In  Terza  Rima ;  imperfect.) 

[fThus  am  I  slain,  with  sorwes  ful  dy- 

verse  ;  25 

Ful  longe  agoon  I  oghte  have  taken 
hede]. 


Now  sothly,  what  she  hight  I  wol  re- 
herse  ; 
Hir  name  is  Bountee,  set  in  womanhede, 
Sadnesse  in  youthe,  and  Beautee  pryde- 

lees. 
And  Plesaunce,  under  govemaunce  and 
drede  ;  30 

Hir  surname  eek  is  Faire  Rewthelees, 
The  Wyse,  y-knit  un-to  Good  Aventure, 
That,  for  I  love  hir,  -[sleeth  me  giltelees. 
Hir   love  I  best,  and  shal,  whyl  I  may 
dure. 
Bet  than  my-self  an  hundred  thousand 
deel,  35 

Than  al  this  worldes  richesse  or  crea- 
ture. 
Now  hath  nat  Love  me  bestowed  weel 
To  love,  ther  I  never  shal  have  part  ? 
Alias  !  right  thus  is  turned  me  the  wheel, 
Thus  am  I  slayn  with  loves  fyry  dart.    40 
I  can  but  love  hir  best,  my  swete  fo  ; 
Love  hath  me  taught  no  raore  of  his  art 
But  serve  alwey,  and  stinte  for  no  wo. 

IV.     {In  ten-line  stanzas.) 

[With]-in  my  trewe  careful  herte  ther  is 
So  moche  wo,  and  [eek]  so  litel  blis,       45 

That  wo  is  me  that  ever  I  was  bore  ; 
For  al  that  thing  which  I  desyre  I  mis. 
And  al  that  ever  I  wolde  nat,  I-wis, 

That  finde  I  redy  to  me  evermore  ; 
And  of  al  this  I  not  to  whom  me  pleyno.  50 

For  she  that  mighte  me  out  of  this 
bringe 

Ne  reccheth  nat  whether  I  wepe  or 
singe  ; 
So  litel  rewthe  hath  she  upon  my  peyne. 

Alias !  whan  sleping-time  is,  than  I  wake. 
Whan  I  shulde  daunce,  for  fere  than  I 
quake ;  55 

[fYow  rekketh  never  wher  I  floto  or 
sinke  ;] 
Tliis  hevy  lyf  I  lede  for  your  sake, 
Thogh  ye  ther-of  in  no  wyse  hede  take, 


ZU  (Tlltnor  (poms. 


[fFor  on  my  wo  yow  cleynetli  not  to 
thinke.]  59 

My  hertes  lady,  antl  hool  my  ly\-es  quene  ! 
For  trewly  dorste  I  seye,  as  that  I  fele, 
Me  semeth  that  your  swete  herte  of  stele 

Is  whetted  now  ageynes  me  to  kene. 

My  dere  herte,  and  hest  beloved  fo, 
Why  lyketh  yow  to  do  me  al  this  wo,    65 
AVhat  have  I  doon  that  greveth  yow,  or 
sayd. 
But  for  I  serve  and  love  yow  and  no  mo? 
And  whylst  I  live,  I  wol  i  do  ever  so  ; 
And  therfor,   swete,   ne  heth  nat  evil 
apayd. 
For  so  good  and  so  fair  as  [that]  ye  he,  70 
Hit  were  [a]  right  gret  wonder  bnt  ye 

hadde 
Of  alle  servants,  bothe  goode  and  hadde  ; 
And  leest  worthy  of  alle  hem,  I  am  he. 

Bat  never-the-les,  my  righte  lady  swete, 
Thogh  that  I  be  iinconning  and  immcte  75 

To  ser\-e  as  I  best  coude  ay  your  hy- 
nesse, 
Yit  is  ther  fayner  noon,  that  wolde  I  hete, 
Than  I,  to  do  iyow  cse,  or  elles  bete 

What-so  I  wiste  were  to  fyow  distresso. 
And  hadde  I  might  as  good  as  Ihave  wille, 

Than  shnlde  ye  fele  wher  it  wer  so  or 
noon  ;  81 

For  fin  this  worlde  living  is  ther  noon 
That  fayner  wolde  your  hertes  wil  fulfille. 

For  bothe  I  love,  and  eek  dreed  yow  so 

sore. 
And  algates  moot,  and  have  doon  yow, 
fill  yore,  85 

That  bet  loved  is  noon,  ne  never  shal ; 
And  yit  I  wolde  bescche  yow  of  no  more 
But  leveth  wel,  and  be  nat  wrooth  ther- 
forc, 
And  lat  me  serve  yow  forth  ;    lo  !   this 
is  al. 
For  I  am  nat  so  hardy  ne  so  wood  90 

For  to  desire  that  ye  shnldo  love  me  ; 
For  wel  I  wot,  alias  !  that  may  nat  be  ; 
I  am  so  litel  worthy,  and  ye  so  good 

For  ye  ho  oon  the  worthiest  on-ljrve, 
And  I  the  most  imlykly  for  to  thrj-\'e  ;  95 
Yit,  for  al  this,  [now]  witeth  yo  right 
wele. 


That  ye  ne  shiil  me  frona  your  service 

dryve 
That  I  nil  ay,  with  alle  my  wittes  fyve. 

Serve  yow  trewly,  what  wo  so  that  I  fele. 

For  I  am  set  on  yow  in  swich  mancrc  kh) 

That,  thogh  ye  never  wil  upon  me  rewe. 

I  moste  yow  love,  and  fever  been  as 

trewc 

As  any  can  or  may  on-lyve  [here]. 

f  The  more  that  I  love  yow,  goodly  free, 
The  lasse  finde  I  that  ye  loven  me  ;       105 

Alias  !   whan   shal  that  harde  wit  a- 
mende  ? 
Wher  is  now  al  your  wommanly  pitee, 
Your  gentilesse  and  your  debonairtee, 

Wil    ye   no    thing    ther-of   upon    me 
spende  ? 
And  so  hool,  swete,  as  I  am  youres  al,  1 10 

And  so  g^et  wil  as  I  have  yow  to  ser\-o, 

Xow,  certes,  and  ye  lete  me  thus  sterve, 
Yit  have  ye  wonne  ther-on  but  a  smal. 

For,   at  my   knowing,    I    do    fno-thing 

why. 
And  this  I  wol  beseche  yow  hertely,     1 15 

That,  ther  ever  ye  finde,  whyl  ye  live, 
A  trewer  servant  to  yow  than  am  I, 
Leveth    [me]    thanne,    and    sleetli    me 
hardely, 
And  I  my  deeth  to  you  wol  al  forgive. 
And  if  ye  finde  no  trewer  f  man  than  me. 
[Why]  will  ye  sufFro  than  that  I  thus 
spillo,  I-' 

And  for  no  maner  gilt  but  my  good 
wille  ? 
As  good  wer  thanne  nntrewe  as  trcwo 
to  be. 

But  I,  my  lyf  and  deeth,  to  yow  obeye, 
And   with  right   buxom   herte  hoolly  I 
preye,  1-25 

As  [is]  your  moste  plesure,  so  doth  by  me ; 
f  Wel  lever  is  me  lyken  yow  and  deye 
Than  for  to  anj'  thing  or  thinke  or  seye 
That  f  mighte  yow  offende  in  any  tyme. 
And  therfor,  swete,  rewe  on  my  peynes 
smerte,  130 

And   of  your  grace  granteth  me  som 

drope ; 
For  elles  may  me  laste  i  blis  ne  hope, 
Ne  f  dwellen  in  my  trouble  careful  herte. 


VII.    ilnefiia  anb  Mvcitt. 


113 


VIL     ANELIDA   AND   ARCITE. 


The  Compleynt  of  feire  Anelida 
and  fals  Arcite. 

Proem. 
Thou  ferse  god  of  armes,  Mars  the  rede, 
That  in  the  frosty  conntry  called  Trace, 
Within  thy  grisly  temple  fill  of  dredo 
Honoured  art,  as  patroiin  of  that  place  ! 
With  thy  Bollona,  Pallas,  ful  of  grace,    5 
Be  present,  and  my  song  continue  and 

gye; 
At  my  beginning  thus  to  thee  I  crye. 

For  hit  ful  depe  is  sonken  in  my  minde, 
With  pitous  herte  in  English  for  t'endyte 
This  olde  storie,  in  Latin  which  I  finde,  10 
Of  queue  Anelida  and  fals  Arcite, 
That  elde,  -which  that  al  can  frete  and 

byte, 
As  hit  hath  freten  mony  a  noble  storie. 
Hath  nigli  devoured  out  of  our  memorie. 

Be  favorable  eek,  thou  Pf^lymnia,  15 

On  Pamaso  that,  with  thy  sustres  glade. 
By  Elicon,  not  fer  from  Cirrea, 
Singest  with  vois  memorial  in  the  sliade, 
Under  the   laurer  which   that  may  not 

fade. 
And  do  that  I  my  ship  to  haven  winne  ;  20 
First    folow    I    Stace,    and    after    him 

Corinne. 

rJie  Story. 

lamque  tlumos patria.s,  <fr.  ;  Statii  Thehais, 

xii.  519. 

Wlian  Theseus,  with  werres  longe  and 

grete. 
The  aspre  folk  of  Cithc  had  over-come. 
With  laurer  crouned,  in  his  char  gold- 
bete, 
Hoom  to  his  contrc-houses  is  y-come  ; —  25 
For  which  the  peplc  blisful,  al  andsomme. 
So  cryden,that  unto  the  sterres  hitwente. 
And  him   to  lionouren   dide   al  hir  en- 
tente ; — 


Beforn  this  duk,  in  signe  of  hy  victorie, 
The  trompes  come,  and  in  his  baner  large 
The   image   of  Mars ;  and,    in  token  of 

glorie,  31 

Men   mighten    seen    of    tresor   many  a 

charge, 
Many  a  bright  helm,  and  many  a  spere 

and  targe. 
Many  a  fresh  knight,  and  many  a  blisful 

route. 
On  hors,  on  fote,  in  al  the  feldo  aboute.  35 

Ipolita  his  wyf,  the  hardy  queue 
Of  Cithia,  that  he  conquered  hadde. 
With  Emelye,  hir  yonge  suster  shene, 
Faire  in  a  char  of  goldc  he  with  him  ladde. 
That  al the  ground  aboute  hir  char  she 

spradde  40 

With  brightnesse  of  the  beautee  in  hir 

face, 
Fulfild  of  largesse  and  of  alle  grace. 

With  his  triumphe  and   laurer-crouned 

thus. 
In  al  the  floure  of  fortunes  yevinge, 
Lete  I  this  noble  prince  Theseus  45 

Toward  Athenes  in  his  wcy  rydingo, 
And  founde  I  wol  in  shortly  for  to  bringo 
The  slye  wey  of  that  I  gan  to  wrjH:e, 
Of  queno  Anelida  and  fals  Arcite. 

Mars,    which   that    through    his    furious 

course  of  yre,  51  > 

The  olde  wrath  of  Juno  to  fulfille. 
Hath  set  the  peples  hertes  bothe  on  fyrc 
Of  Thebes  and  Grece,    everich  otlier  to 

killc 
With  blody  speres,  ne  rested  never  stille, 
But  throng  now  her,  now  ther,  among 

hem  bothe,  5:; 

Tliat  everich  other  slough,   so  wer  they 

wrotlie. 

For  whan  Amphiorax  and  Tydciis, 
Iliomodon,  Parthonopco  also 
Were  dcdo,  and  slayn  [was]  proud  Cam- 
panous. 


114 


^0e  QUt'nor  (j>oew6. 


And  wlian  the  \\-recches  Thebans,  breth- 
eren  two,  60 

Were  slayn,  and  king  Adrastiis  boom 
a-go, 

So  desolat  stood  Thebes  and  so  bare, 

That  no  wight  coude  remedie  of  his  care. 

Aiid  whan  the  olde  Creon  gan  espye 
How   that   the  blood    roial   was   broght 

adoun,  65 

He  held  the  cite  by  his  tirannye. 
And  did  the  gentils  of  that  regioun 
To  been  his  frendes,  and  dwellen  in  the 

toun. 
So  what  for  love  of  him,  and  what  for  awe, 
The  noble  folk  wer  to  the  toune  y-drawe. 

Among  al  these,  Anelida  the  quene        71 
Of  Ermony  was  in  that  toun  dwellinge, 
That  fairer  was  then  is  the  sonne  shene  ; 
Through-owt  the  world  so  gan  hir  name 

springe. 
That  hir  to  seen  had  every  wight  lykinge  ; 
For,  as  of  trouthe,  is  ther  noon  hir  liche,  76 
Of  al  the  women  in  this  worlde  riche. 

Yong  was  this  quene,  of  twenty  yeer  of 

elde. 
Of  midel  stature,  and  of  swich  fairnesse. 
That  nature  had  a  joye  hir  to  behelde  ;    80 
And  for  to  speken  of  hir  stedfastnesse, 
She  passed  hath  Penelope  and  Lucresse, 
And  shortly,  if  she  shal  be  comprehended, 
In  hir  ne  mighte  no-thing  been  amended. 

This  Theban  knight  [Arcite]  eek,  sooth  to 

seyn,  85 

Was  yong,  and  ther-with-al  a  lusty  knight, 

But  he  was  double  in  love  and  no-thing 

pleyn. 
And  subtil  in  that  crafte  over  any  wight. 
And   with   his  cunning  wan    this  lady 

bright  ; 
For  so  ferforth  he  gan  hir  trouthe  assure, 
That  she  him  -j-trust  over  any  creature.  91 

AMiat  shuld  I  seyn  ?  she  loved  Arcite  so, 
That,whan  that  he  was  absent  any  throwe, 
Anon  hir  thoghto  hir  herte  brast  a-two  ; 
For  in  hir  sight  to  liir  he  bar  him  lowe,  95 
So  that  she  wendo    have  al  his   herte 

y-knowe  ; 
But  he  was  fals  ;  it  nas  but  feyned  chere, 
As  nedeth  not  to  men  such  craft  to  lere. 


But  never-the-les  fnl  mikel  besinesse 
Had  he,  er  that  he  mighte  his  lady  winne. 
And  swoor  he  wolde  dyen  for  distresse,ioi 
Or  from  his  wit  he  seyde  he  wolde  twinne. 
Alas,  the  whyle  !  for  hit  was  routhe  and 

sinne, 
That  she  upon  his  sorowes  wolde  rewe, 
But  no-thing  thenketh  the  fals  as  doth 

the  trewe.  105 

Hir  fredom  fond  Arcite  in  swich  manere. 
That  al  was  his  that  she  hath,  moche  or 

lyte, 
Ne  to  no  creature  made  she  chere 
Ferther  than  that  hit  lyked  to  Arcite  ; 
Ther  was  no  lak  with  which  he  mighte 

hir  Avyte,  no 

She  was  so  ferforth  yeven  him  to  plese, 
That  al  that  lyked  him,  hit  did  hir  ese. 

Ther  nas  to  hir  no  maner  lettre  y-sent 
That    touched    love,    from    any    maner 

wight, 
That  she  ne  shewed  hit  him,  er  hit  was 

brent ;  1 15 

So  pleyn  she  was,  and  did  hir  fulle  miglit, 
That  she  nil  hyden   nothing   from   hir 

knight. 
Lest  he  of  any  untrouthe  hir  iipbreyde  ; 
Withouten  bode  his  heste  she  oboyde. 

And  eek  he  made  him  jelous  over  here,  120 
That,  what  that  any  man  had  to  hir  seyd, 
Anoon  he  wolde  preyen  hir  to  swere 
What  was  that  word,  or  make  him  evel 

ajjayd  ; 
Than  wonde  she  out  of  hirwit  have  brayd ; 
But  al  this  nas  but  sleight  and  flaterye, 
Withouten  love  he  fejTied  jelosye.         116 

And  al  this  took  she  so  debonerly. 
That  al  his  wille,  hir  thoghte  hit  skilful 

thing. 
And  ever  the  lenger  f  loved  him  tenderly. 
And  did  him  honour  as  he  were  a  king.  130 
Hir  herte  was  wedded  to  him  with  a  ring ; 
So  ferforth  upon  trouthe  is  hir  entente. 
That  wher  he  goth,  hir  herto  with  him 

wente. 

Whan  she   shal  ete,   on   him  is   so  hir 

thoght,  134 

That  wel  unnethe  of  mete  took  she  keep  ; 


VII.    dRneftia  anb  ^vciU. 


And  whan   that    she  was    to   hir   reste 

broght, 
On  hini  she  thoghte  alwey  til  that  she 

sleep  ; 
\^^lan  he  was  absent,  prevely  she  weep  ; 
Thus  liveth  fair  Anelida  the  qitene       139 
For  fals  Arcite,  that  did  hir  al  this  tene. 

Tills  fals  Arcite,  of  his  new-fangelnesse, 
For  she  to  him  so  lowly  was  and  trewe, 
Took  lesse  deyntee  for  hir  stedfastnesse, 
And  saw  another  ladj',  proud  and  newe, 
And  right  anon  he  cladde  him  in  hir 

hewe —  145 

Wot  I  not  whether  in  whyte,  rede,   or 

grene — 
And  falsed  fair  Anelida  the  quene. 

But  never-the-les,   gret  wonder  was  hit 

noon 
Thogh  he  wer  fals,  for  hit  is  kinde  of 

man,  149 

Sith  Lamek  was,  that  is  so  longe  agoon. 
To  been  in  love  as  fals  as  ever  he  can  ; 
He  was  the  firste  fader  that  began 
To  loven  two,  and  was  in  bigamye  ; 
And  he  found  tentes  first,  but-if  men  lye. 

This  fals  Arcite  snmwhat  moste  he  feyne, 
^Vhan   he  wex  fals,   to  covere  his  trai- 

torye,  156 

Right  as  an  hors,  that  can  both  bj^e  and 

plej-ne  ; 
For  he  bar  hir  on  honde  of  trecherye, 
And    swoor   he    coude    hir    doublenesse 

espye, 
And  al  was  falsnes  that  she  to  him  mente  ; 
Thus  swoor  this  theef,  and  forth  his  way 

he  wente.  161 

Alas  !  what  herte  might  enduren  hit. 
For  ronthe  or  wo,  hir  sorow  for  to  telle  ? 
Or  what  man  hath  the  cunning  or  the 

wit? 
Or  what  man  might  with-in  the  chambre 

dwelle,  165 

If  I  to  him  rehersen  shal  the  belle, 
That  suffreth  fair  Anelida  the  quene 
For  fals  Arcite,  that  did  hir  al  this  tene? 

She  wepeth,  waileth,  swowneth  pitously, 
To  grounde  deed  she  falleth  as  a  stoon  ; 
Al  crampissheth  hir  limes  crokedly,     171 
She  speketh  as  hir  wit  were  al  agoon  ; 


Other  colour  then  asshen  hath  she  noon. 
Noon  other  word  -fshe  speketh  nioche  or 

Ij-te, 
But '  mercy,  criiel  herte  myn,  Arcite  ! '  1 75 

And  thus  endureth,  til  that  she  was  so 

mate 
That  she  ne  hath  foot  on  which  she  may 

sustene  ; 
But  forth  langiiisshing  ever  in  this  estate, 
Of  which  Arcite  hath  nother  roiithe  ne 

tene  ; 
His    herte  was    elles-where,    newe    and 

grene,  180 

That  on  hir  wo  ne  deyneth  him  not  to 

thinke, 
Him   rekketh   never   wher   she   flote    or 

sinke. 

His  newe  lady  holdeth  him  so  narowe 
Up  by  the  brydel,  at  the  staves  ende, 
That   every  word,  he  dradde  hit  as  an 

arowe ;  185 

Hir  daunger  made  him  botlie  bowe  and 

bende, 
And  as  hir  liste,   made   him   turne    or 

wcnde ; 
For  she  no  graunted  him  in  hir  livinge 
No  grace,  why  that  he  hath  lust  to  singe; 

But  drof  him  forth,    unnotho  liste  hir 

knowe  190 

That  he  was  servaunt  f  to  hir  ladyshippe, 

But  lest  that  he  wer  proude,  she  held 

him  lowe  ; 
Thus  serveth  he,  withouten  fee  or  shipe. 
She  sent  him    now    to   londe,    now    to 
shippe ;  194 

And  for  she  yaf  him  daunger  al  his  fille, 
Therfor  she  had  him  at  hir  owne  wille. 

Ensample  of  this,  ye  thrifty  wimmen  alle, 
Take  here  Anelida  and  fals  Arcite, 
That  for  hir  liste  him  '  dere  herte  '  calle, 
And  was  so  meek,  therfor  he  loved  hir 

lyte ;  200 

The  kinde  of  niannes  herte  is  to  delj'te 
In  thing  that  straunge  is,  also  god  mo 

save  ! 
For  wliat  he  may  not  gete,  that  wolde  ho 

have. 

Now  turne  we  to  Anelida  ageyn, 

That  i)j-neth  day  by  day  in  languisshing ; 


ii6 


ZU  Qlltnor  (J^ome. 


Bvit  whan  she  saw  that  hir  ne  gat  no 
geyn,  206 

Upon  a  day,  ful  sorowfully  weping, 
She  casto  hir  for  to  make  a  compleyning, 
And  with  hir  owne  honde  she  gan  hit 

wryte  ; 
And   sente   hit    to   hir    Tlieban    knight 
Areite.  210 

The  Compleynt  of  Anelida  the  quene 
upon  fals  Areite. 

Proem. 

So  thirleth  with  the  poynt  of  remem- 

brannce, 
The  swerd   of  sorowe,  y-whet  with  fals 
plesaunce, 
Myn    herte,   hare  of  blis  and  blak   of 
hewe, 
That  turned  is  in  quaking  al  my  dannce, 
My  suretee  in  a-whapedcountenaunce ;  215 
Sith  hit  availeth  not  for  to  ben  trewe  ; 
For  who-so  trewest   is,    hit    shal    hir 
rewe, 
Tliat  serveth  love  and  doth  hir  obsers-- 
annce 
Alwey  to  oon,  and  chaungeth  for  no 
newe. 

(Strophe.) 

1. 

I  wot  my-self  as  wel  as  any  wight ;       220 
For  I  loved  oon  with  al  my  herte  and 
might 
More  then  my-self,  an  hundrecl  thou- 
•sand  sythe, 
And  called  him  my  hertes  lyf,  my  knight. 
And  was  al  his,  as  fer  as  hit  was  right ; 
And  whan  that  he  was  glad,  than  was 
I  blj-the,  225 

And  his  disese  was  my  death  as  swy^the  ; 
And  he  ayein  his  tronthe  me  had  plight 
For  ever-more,  his  lady  me  to  kythe. 


Now  is  he  fals,  alas  !  and  canseles, 
And  of  my  wo  he  is  so  routheles,  230 

That  with  a  worde  him  list  not  ones 
deyne 
To  bring  ayein  my  sorowful  herte  in  pees. 
For  he  is  caught  np  in  a-nother  lees. 


Right  as  him  list,  he  laugheth  at  my 

peyne,  234 

And  I  ne  can  myn  herte  not  restreyne. 

That  I  ne  love  him  alwey,  never-thc-les  ; 

And  of  rtl  this  I  not  to  whom  me  pleyne. 

3. 

And    shal    I    pleyne — alas !    the    harde 

stounde — 
Un-to  my  foo  that  yaf  my  herte  a  wonmle. 

And  yet  desyreth  that  myn  harm  be 
more  ?  240 

Nay,  certes  !  ferther  wol  I  never  ffounilo 
Non  other  help,  my  sores  for  to  soundo. 

My  destinee  hath  shapen  it  ful  yore  ; 

I  wil  non  other  medecyne  ne  lore  ; 
I  wil  ben  ay  tlier  I  was  ones  bounde,   245 

Tliat  I  have  seid,  be  seid  for  ever-more  ! 

4. 

Alas  !  wher  is  become  yotir  gentilesse  ! 
Your  wordes  fulle  of  plesaunce  and  hum- 
blesse  ? 

Your  observaunces  in  so  low  manere. 
And  your  awayting  and  your  besinesse  250 
Upon  me,  that  ye  calden  your  maistresso. 

Your  soverej-n  ladj-in  this  worlde  here? 

Alas  !  and  is  ther  nother  word  ne  ehere 
Ye  vouchesauf  upon  myn  he\'inesse  ? 

Alas  !  your  love,  I  bye  hit  al  to  derc.  255 

5. 

Now  certes,  swete,  thogh  that  yo 
Thus  causelcs  the  cause  be 
Of  my  dedly  adversitee. 

Your  manly  reson  oghtc  it  to  respyte 
To  slee  yotir  frend,  and  namely  me,  260 
That  never  yet  in  no  degree 
Offended  yow,  as  wisly  he, 

That  al  wot,  out  of  wo  my  soule  quyte  ! 
ly  But  for  I  shewed  yow,  Areite, 
Al  that  men  woldo  to  me  wryte,        26^^ 
And  was  so  bcsj',  yow  to  delj^e — 

My  honour  save — meke,  kinde,  and  free, 
Therfor  ye  putte  on  nie  the  wyte. 
And  of  me  recche  not  a  myte, 
Thogli  that  the  swerd  of  sorow  byte  270 

My  wolul  herte  through  your  crueltee. 

6. 

My  swete  foo,     why  do  ye  so,     for  shameV 
And  thenke  ye    that  farthered  be    your 
name, 


VII.    ilneft^a  ant  J^vdU. 


117 


To  love  a  uewe,     and  been  untrewe  ? 
nay  ! 
And  piitte  yovr     in  sclaunder  now      and 
blame,  275 

And  do  to  me     adversitee     and  grame, 
That  love  yow  most,         god,  wel  thou 

west !      alway  ? 
Yet  turn  ayejm,     and  be  al  pleyn     som 

day, 
And  than  shal  this     that  now  is  mis     be 
game,  279 

And  al  for-yive,    whyl  that  I  live    may. 

(Antistro2)1ie.) 

1. 

Lo  !  herte  myn,  al  this  is  for  to  scyne. 
As  whether  shal  I  preye  or  elles  pleyne  ? 

Whiche  is  the  way  to  doon  yow  to  be 

trewe  ? 

For  either  mot  I  have  y<jw  in  my  cheyne, 

Or  with   the   dethe  ye   mot  departe  us 

tweyne ;  285 

Ther  ben  non  other  mene  weyes  uewe  ; 

For  god  so  wisly  on  my  soule  rewe. 
As  verily  ye  sleen  me  with  the  pejTie  ; 

That  may  ye  see  unfeyned  of  mj'n  hewe. 

2. 

For  thus   ferforth   have  I  my  deth  [y]- 
soght,  290 

My-self  I  mordre  with  my  prevy  thoght ; 
For  sorow  and  routhe  of  your  unkinde- 
nesse 
I  wepe,  I  wake,  I  faste  ;  al  helpeth  noght ; 
I  wej've  joyc  that  is  to  speke  of  oght, 
I  voyde  companye,  I  flee  gladnesse  ;  295 
Who  may  avaunte  hir  bet  of  hevinesse 
Then  I  ?    and  to  this  pljto  have  ye  me 
broght, 
Withoute  gilt ;  me  nedcth  no  witnesse. 


And  sholde  I  preye,  and  wej've  woman- 

hede  ? 
Nay  !  rather  deth  then  do  so  foul  a  dcde. 
And  axe  mercy  gilteles  !  what  nede  ?  301 
And  if  I  pleyne  what  lyf  that  I  lede, 
Yow  rekketh  not ;  that  know  I,  out  of 
drede  ; 
And  if  I  unto  yow  myn  othes  bedo 


For  myn  excuse,  a  scorn  shal  be  my 

mede ;  3",S 

Your  chere  floureth,  biit  hit  wol  not  sede  ; 

Ful  longe  agoon  I  oghte  have  take  hede, 


For  thogh  I  hadde  yow  to-morow  ageyn, 
I  might  as  wel  liolde  Averill  fro  rejm. 

As  holde  yow,  to  make  yow  stedfast.  310 
Almighty  god,  of  trovithe  sovereyn, 
Wher  is  the  trouthe  of  man  ?  who  hath 
hit  slejTi  ? 

Who  that  hem  lovetli  shal  hem  fynde 
as  fast 

As  in  a  tempest  is  a  roten  mast. 
Is  that  a  tame  best  that  is  ay  feyn         315 

To  renne  away,  when  he  is  leest  agast  ? 


Now  mercy,  swete,  if  I  naisseye. 
Have  I  seyd  oght  amis,  I  preye  ? 
I  not ;  my  wit  is  al  aweye. 

I  fare  as  doth  the  song  of  Chaunte-pleure. 
For  now  I  pleyne,  and  now  I  pleye,  321 
I  am  so  mased  that  I  deyo, 
Arcite  hath  born  awey  the  keye 

Of  al  my  worlde,  and  my  good  aventure  ! 
H  For  in  this  worlde  nis  creature      325 
Wakinge,  in  more  discomfiture 
Then  I,  ne  more  sorow  endure  ; 

And  if  I  slepe  a  furlong  wey  or  tweye, 
Than  thinketh  me,  that  your  figure 
Before  me  stant,  clad  in  asure,  330 

To  profren  eft  a  newe  assure 

For  to  be  trewe,  and  mercy  me  to  prej-e. 

6. 

The  longe  night       this  wonder  sight      I 

drye. 
And  on  the  day     for  this  afray    I  dye,  334 
And  of  al  this     right  noght,  y-wis,     ye 
recche. 
Ne  never  mo     myn  yen  two     bo  drye. 
And  to  your  routhe     and  to  your  trouthe 
I  crye. 
But  welawoy  !   to  fer  be  they  to  i'ecche ; 
Thus    holdeth   me       my   destince      a 
wrecche.  339 

But  me  to  rede     out  of  this  drede     or  gj-o 
Ne  may  my  wit,      so  weyk  is  hit,      not 
strecche. 


ii8 


ZU  Qlltnor  QJoetne. 


C'onclusio7i. 

Than  ende   I  thus,  sith  I  raay  do    no 

more, 
I  yeve  hit  up  for  now  and  ever-more  ; 

For  I  shal  never  eft  putten  in  balaunce 

My     sekemes,     ne    lerne    of    love    the 

lore.  345 

But  as  the  swan,  I  have  herd  seyd  ful 

yore, 

Ayeins    his    detli    shal    singe    in    his 

penaunce, 
So  singe  I  here  my  destiny  or  chaunce, 


How  that  Arcite  Anelida  so  sore 

Hath  thirled  with  the  poynt  of  remem- 
braunce !  351) 

TTie  story  continued. 
Whan  that  Anelida  this  woful  quene 
Hath  of  hir  hande  writen  in  this  wj'se, 
With  face  deed,  betwixe  pale  and  grene, 
She  fel  a-swowe  ;  and  sith  she  gan  to  ryse, 
And  unto  Mars  avoweth  sacrifyse         355 
With-in    the    temple,    with    a    sorowfol 

chero, 
That  shapen  was  as  ye  shal  after  here.  357 


{Unfinished.) 


YIII.     CHAUCEES  WOEDES   UNTO  ADAM, 
HIS   OWNE   SCEIVEYN. 


Adam  scriveyn,  if  ever  it  thee  bifalle 
Boece  or  Troilus  to  wryten  newe. 
Under  thy  lokkes  thou  most  have  the 

scalle, 
But  after  my  making  thon  •myte  trewe. 


So  ofte  a  daye  I  mot  thy  werk  renewe,     5 
Hit  to  corrects  and  eek  to  rubbe  and 

scrape  ; 
And  al  is  through  thy  negligence  and 

rape. 


IX.     THE   FOEMEE   AGE. 


A  ni.isFUL  lyf,  a  paisible  and  a  sweto 

Ledden  the  ppples  in  the  former  age  ; 

They  helde  hem  payed  +of  fruites,  that 
they  ete,        ^cjnyj)"^ 

Wliich  that  the  fel'des  yave  hem  by  usage  ; 

They  ne  were  nat  forpampred  with  out- 
rage •,t>fOt>/y  5 

Unknowen  was  the  quern  and  eek  the 
melle  ; 

They  eten  mast,  hawes,  and  swich  poun- 
age, 

And  dronken  water  of  the  colde  wella 


Yit  nas  the  ground  nat  wounded  with 

the  plough, 
But  corn  up-sprong,  unsowo  of  mannes 

hond,  II) 

The  which  they  fgniden,  and  eete  nat 

halfy-nough.      '^'^^  "^^ 

No  man  yit  knew  the  forwes  of  his  lond  ; 
No   man   the    fyr  out    of   the    flint  yit 

fond; 
Un-korven  and  un-grobbed  lay  the  vyne  ; 
No  man  yit  in  the  morter  spyces  grond  15 
To  clarre,  ne  to  sause  of  galantyne. 


VIII.   (^orbee  unto  ilbam.— x.  ^^trfune. 


119 


No  mader,  welde,  or  wood  no  litestere 
Ne  knew  ;    the  flees  was  of  his  former 

hewe;  ^>,T^i 

No  flesh  ne  wiste  offence  of  egge  or  spere  ; 
No  coyn  ne  knew  man  which  was  fals  or 

trewe ;  20 

No  ship  yit  karf  the  wawes  grene  and 

blewe  ; 
No   marchaunt  yit  ne  fette   outlandish 

ware  ;. .,  ,,-,,■,  r^ 
No  f  trompes  for  the  werres  folk  ne  knewe, 
No   toures  heye,   and  walles  rounde  or 

square. 

What  sholde  it  han  avayled  to  werreye  ?  25 
Ther  lay  no  profit,  ther  was  no  richesse, 
But  cursed  was  the  tyme,  I  dar  wel  seye, 
That  men  first  dide  hir  swety  bysinesse 
To  grobbe  up  metal,  lurkinge  in  dark- 

nesse, 
And  in  the  rivcres  first  gemmes  soghte.  30 
Alias  !  than  sprong  up  al  the  cursednesse 
Of  covetyse,  that  first  our  sorwe  broghte  ! 

Thise  tyraunts  putte  hem  gladly  nat  in 

pres,  ,,^f.  ixjjuiyi 

No  f  wildnesse,  ne  no  busshes  for  to  winne 
Ther  poverte  is,  as  seitli  Diogenes,  35 

Ther  as  vitaile  is  eek  so  skars  and  thinne 
That  noght  but  mast  or  apples  is  ther- 

inne. 
But,  ther  a§^  bagges  been  and  fat  vitaile, 
Ther  woltney  gon,  and  spare  for  no  sinne 
With  al  hir  pst  the  cite  for  t'assaile.      40 


Yit  were   no   paleis-chaumbres,   ne  non 

halles  ; 
In  caves  and  [in]  wodes  softe  and  swete 
Slepten  this  blissed  folk  with-oute  walles, 
On  gras  or  leves  in  parfit  f  quiete. 
No    doun    of    fetheres,    ne    no    bleched 

shete  45 

Was  kid  to   hem,   but  in   seurtee   they 

slepte  ; 
Hir  hortes  were  al  oon,  with-oiite  galles, 
Everich  of  hem  his  feith  to  other  kepte. 

Unforged  was  the  hauberk  and  the  plate  ; 
The  lambish  peple,  voyd  of  alle  vyce,     50 
Hadden  no  fantasye  to  debate, 
Biit  ech  of  hem  wolde  other  wel  cheryce  ; 
No  pryde,  norLenvye,  non  avaryce, 
No  lord,  no  taylageby  no  tyrannye  ; 
Humblesse  and  pees,  good  feith,  the  em- 
perice,  55 

[f  Fulfilled  erthe  of  olde  curtesye.j 

Yit  was  not  .Jupiter  the  likerous. 
That  first  was  fader  of  delicacye. 
Come  in   this  world ;    ne  Nembrot,   de- 
sirous 

To    reynen,    had    nat   maad    his   toures 

hye.  61 ) 

Alias,   alias  !    now   may  men  wepe   and 

crye  ! 
For  in  our  dayes  nis  but  covetyse 
[And]  doublenesse,  and  tresoun  andenvye, 
Poysoun,   manslauhtre,   and  mordre   in 
sondry  wyse.  64 


Finit  Etas  prima.    Chancers. 


X.     FOETUNE. 


Balad£8  de  visage  sans  peinture. 

I.    Le  Pleintif  countre  Fortune. 

This  wrecched  worldes  transmutacioun. 
As  wele   or    wo,   now    povre    and    now 

honour, 
With-outen  ordro  or  wys  discrecioun 
Governed  is  by  Fortunes  errour  ; 
But  natheles,  the  lak  of  hir  favour  5 


Ne  may  nat  don  me  singen,  though  I  dye, 
'  lay  tout  perdu  mun  temps  et  mon  labour  ;' 
For  fynally.  Fortune,  I  thee  defye  ! 

Yit  is  me  left  the  liglit  of  my  resoun, 
To  knowen  frond  fro  fo  in  thy  mirour.  ic 
So  muche  hath  yit  thy  whirling  up  an<1 

doun 
Y-taught  me  for  to  knowen  in  an  hour. 
But  trewely,  no  force  of  thy  reddour 


I20 


ZH  dUinor  (poeme. 


To  him  that  over  him-self  hath  the  mays- 

trye  ! 
My  suffisaunce  shal  be  my  socour  :  15 

For  fynally,  Fortune,  I  thee  defye  ! 

0  Socrates,  thou  stedfast  champioun. 
She  never  mighte  he  thy  tormentour  ; 
Thou  never  dreddest  hir  oppressioun, 
Ne  in  hir  chare  founde  thou  no  savour.  20 
Thou  knewe  wel  deceit  of  hir  colour, 
And  that  hir  nioste  worships  is  to  lye. 

1  knowe  hir  eek  a  fals  dissimulour  : 
Ft>r  fynally,  Fortune,  I  thee  defye  ! 

II.   La  respouDse  de  Fortune  au  Pleintif. 

No  naan  is  wrecched,  hut  him-self  hit 
■wene,  25 

And  he  that  hath  him-self  hath  suf- 
fisaunce. 

VThy  seystow  thanne  I  am  to  thee  so 
kene. 

That  liast  thy-self  out  of  mygovernaunce? 

Sey  thus  :  '  Graunt  mercy  of  thyn  ha- 
houndaunce 

That  thou  hast  lent  or  this.'  Why  wolt 
thou  strj^e?  30 

What  wostow  yit,  how  I  thee  wol 
avaunce  ? 

And  ock  thou  hast  thy  heste  frend  alj'\'e  ! 

I  have  thee  taught  divisioun  bi-twene 
Frend   of  effect,  and  frend  of  counten- 

aunce ; 
Thee    nedeth    nat    the    galle    of    noon 

hyene,  35 

That  cureth  eyen  derkc  fro  hir  penaunce  ; 
Now  seestow  cleer,  that  were  in  ignor- 

aunce. 
Yit  halt  thyn  anere,  and  yit  thou  mayst 

arryve 
Ther  hountee  berth  the  keyo  of  mj-  sub- 

staunee  :  3  > 

And  eek  thou  hast  thy  beste  frend  alyve. 

How  many  have  I  refused  to  sustone, 
Sin  I  tliee  fostrcd  have  in  thy  plesaunce  ! 
Woltow  than  make  a  statut  on  thy  quene 
That  I  slial  been  ay  at  thyn  ordinaunce  ? 
Thou  born  art  in  my  regne  of  variaunce. 


Aboute  the  wheel  with  other  most  thou 
d^y^'e.  46 

My  lore  is  bet  than  wikke  is  thy  grev- 
auuce, 

And  eek  thou  hast  thy  heste  frend  alyve. 


ni. 


La  respounse  du  Pleintif 
countre  Fortune. 


Thy  lore  I  dami^ne,  hit  is  adversitee. 
My  frend  maystow  nat  reven,  blind  god- 

desse !  50 

That  I  thy  frendes  knowe,  I  thanke  hit 

thee. 
Tak  hem  agayn,  lat  hem  go  lye  on  presse  ! 
The  negardye  in  keping  hir  richesse 
Prenostik  is  thou  wolt  hir  tour  assayle  ; 
Wikke  appetyt  comth  ay  before  seknesse : 
In  general,  this  reule  may  nat  fayle.      56 

La  respounse  de  Fortune  countre 
le  Pleintif. 

Tlioii  pincliest  at  mj'  mutabilitee. 
For  I  thee  leute  a  drope  of  my  I'ichesse, 
And  now  me  lyketh  to  with-drawe  me. 
^^^ly  sholdestow  my  realtee  oppresse  ?  60 
The  see  may  ebbe  and  flowen  more  or  lesse  ; 
The  welkne  hath  might  to  shyue,  reyne, 

or  hayle  ; 
Eight  so  mot  I  kythen  my  brotelnesse. 
In  general,  this  reule  may  nat  fayle. 

Lo,  th'execucion  of  the  niagestee  65 

Tliat  al  purveyeth  of  his  rightwisnesse. 
That  same  thing  '  Fortune '  clepen  ye. 
Ye  blinde  bestes,  ful  of  lewednesse  ! 
Tlie  hevene  hath  propi-etee  of  sikernesse, 
Tiiis  world  hath  ever  resteles  travayle  ;  70 
Tlij'  laste  day  is  endo  of  myn  intresse  : 
In  general,  this  reule  may  nat  fayle. 

Lenvoy  de  Fortune. 

Princes,  I  prey  yf>u  of  your  gcntilesse, 
Lat  nat  this  man  on  me  thus  crj'e  and 

ployne. 
And  I  shal  quyte  you  your  bisinesse       75 
At  my  rcqueste.  as  three  of  you  or  tweyne ; 
And,  but  you  list  releve  him  of  his  pejme, 
Preyeth  his  beste  frend,  of  his  noblesse. 
That  to  som  beter  estat  he  mayatteyne.  79 


Explicit. 


XI.    QUerctfee  (§tauU.      xii.  Zo  (Koeemounie.         121 


XI.     MERCILES   BEAUTE:    A   TEIPLE   ROUNDEL. 


I.  Captivity. 

Your  yen  two  wol  slee  me  sodenly, 
I  may  the  beaute  of  hem  not  sustene, 
So  wonndeth  hit  through-out  my  herte 
kene. 

And  but  your  word  wol  helen  hastily 
My  hertes  wounde,  whyl  that  hit  is  grene, 
Your  yen  two  wol  slee  me  sodenly,  6 

I  may  the  beauts  of  hem  not  sustene. 

Upon  my  trouthe  I  sey  yow  feithfully, 

That  ye  ben  ofmy  lyf  and  deetli  the  queue  ; 

For  with  my  deeth  the  troiithe  shal  be  sene. 

Your  yen  tioo  wol  slee  me  sodenly,  1 1 

1 7nay  the  beautd  of  hem  not  sustene. 

So  icoundeth  hit  through-out  m  y  herte  kene. 

II.  Bejection. 

So  hath  your  beautfe  fro  your  herte  chaced 

Pitee,  that  me  ne  availeth  not  to  pleyne  ; 

For  Daiinger   halt    your    mercy   in   his 

cheyne.  i6 

Giltles  my  deeth  thus  han  ye  me  pur- 

chaced ; 
I  sey  yow  sooth,  me  nedeth  not  to  feyne  ; 


<5o  hath  your  beautd  fro  your  herte  chaced 
Pitee,  that  me  ne  availeth  not  to  pleyne.  20 

Alias!   that   nature    hath   in   yow   com- 
passed 
So  greet  beauts,  that  no  man  may  attoj-ne 
To  mercy,  though  he  sterve  for  tlie  peyne. 
So  hath  your  beautd  fro  your  herte  chaced 
Pitee,  that  me  ne  availeth  not  to  pleyne;  25 
For  Daunger  halt  your  mercy  in  his  cheyne. 

III.     Escape. 
Sin  I  fro  Love  escaped  am  so  fb.t, 
I  never  thenk  to  ben  in  his  prison  lene ; 
Sin  I  am  free,  I  counte  him  not  a  bene. 

He  may  answere,  and  seye  this  or  that ;  311 
I  do  no  fors,  I  speke  right  as  I  mene. 
Sin  I  fro  Love  escaped  am  so  fat, 
I  never  thenk  to  ben  in  his  prison  lene. 

Love  hath  my  name  y-strike  out  of  liis 

sclat, 
And  he  is  strike  out  of  my  bokes  clone  35 
For  evcr-mo  ;  -f-ther  is  non  other  mene. 
Sin  I  fro  Love  escaped  am  so  fat, 
I  never  thenk  to  ben  in  his  prison  lene ; 
Sin  I  am  free,  I  counte  him  not  a  bene.  39 


Explicit. 


XII.     TO   ROSEMOUNDE.     A   BALADE. 


Madame,  ye  ben  of  al  beauts  shryne 
As  fer  as  cercled  is  the  mappemoundo  ; 
For  as  the  cristal  glorious  ye  shyne, 
And  Ij'ke  ruby  ben  your  chekes  roundo. 
Tlierwith  ye  ben  so  mery  and  so  jocoiande, 
That  at  a  revel  whan   that   I  see  you 
daunce,  6 

It  is  an  oynement  i\nto  my  wounde, 
Thogh  ye  to  me  ne  do  no  daliaunce. 


For  thogh  I  wepe  of  teres  ful  a  tyne, 
Yet  may  that  wo  myn  herte  nat  con- 

founde ;  i<> 

Your  fseemly  voys  that  ye  so  -f-smal  out- 

twyne 
Maketh    my    tlioght   in    joj'o   and    blis 

habotinde. 
So  curteisly  I  go,  with  love  bounde, 
That  to  my-self  I  sey,  in  my  penaunce, 


ZU  QUtnor  (poeme. 


.Suffysetli  mc  to  love  yoti,  Eoseniounde,   15      That  I  am  trewe  Tristam  the  secounde.  20 


Thogh  ye  to  me  ne  do  no  daliaunce, 

Nas  never  pyk  -wahved  in  galauntjaie 
As  I  in  love  am  walwed  and  y-wounde  ; 
For  which  fill  ofte  I  of  my-self  di^yne 

Tregentil. 


My  love  may  not  refreyd  be  nor  afounde  ; 
I  brenne  ay  in  an  amorous  plesannce. 
Do  what  you  list,  I  val  your  thral  be 

founde, 
Thogh  ye  to  me  ne  do  no  daliaunce.       24 

Chaucer. 


XIII.     TEUTH. 


Balade  de  bon  conseyl. 

Flee  fro  the  prees,  and  dwelle  with  soth- 

fastnesso, 
Suffyce    unto    thy   good,  though  hit  be 

snial ; 
For  hord  hath  hate,  and  climbing  tikel- 

nesse, 
Prees  hath  en^'j'e,  and  wele  blent  overal ; 
Savour  no  more  than  tliee  bihove  shal ;  5 
Wcrk  wel  thy-self,  that  other  folk  canst 

rede  ; 
And  trouthe  shal  delivere,  hit  is  no  drede. 

Tempest  thee  noght  al  croked  to  redresse, 
In  trust  of  hir  that  turneth  as  a  bal  : 
Gret  reste  stant  in  litel  bcsinesse  ;  10 

And  eek  be  war  to  sporne  ageyn  an  al ; 
Strys-e  noght,  as  doth  the  crokke  with 

the  wal. 
Daunte   thy-self,    that  daiintost   otheres 

dede  : 
And  trouthe  shal  dolivere,  hit  is  no  drede. 


That  thee  is  sent,  receyve  in  buxumnesse, 
The  Avrastling  for  this   worlde  axeth  a 

fal.  16 

Her  nis  uon  hoona,  her  nis  but  wilder- 

nesse  : 
Forth,  pilgrim,  forth  !     Forth,  beste,  ont 

of  thy  stal ! 
Know  thy  contree,  look  up,  thank  God 

ofal'; 
Hold  the  hj'e  wcy,  and  lat  thy  gost  thee 

lede  :  20  ' 

And  trouthe  shal  delivere,  hit  is  no  drede. 

Envoy. 

Therfore,    thou    vache,    leve    thyn     old 

wrecchednesse 
Unto  the  worlde  ;  leve  now  to  be  thral ; 
Crye  him  mercy,  that  of  his  hy  goodnesso 
Made  thee  of  noght,  and  in  especial       25 
Draw  nnto  him,  and  pray  in  general 
For  thee,  and  eek  for  other,  hevenlic'h 

niede  ;  27 

And  trouthe  shal  delivere,  hit  is  no  drede. 


Explicit  Le  bon  counseill  de  G.  Chaucer. 


XIV.     GENTILESSE. 


Moral  Balade  of  Chaucer. 

The  firste  stok,  fader  of  gentilcsse — 
\\Tmt  man  that  claymeth  gentil  for  to  be, 
Must  folowe  his  trace,  and  alle  his  wittes 

dresse 
Vertu  to  sewe,  and  vyces  for  to  flee. 
For  unto  vertu  longeth  dignitec,  5 


And  noght  the  revers,  saufly  dar  I  deme, 
Al  were  he  mytre,  croune,  or  diademe. 

This  firste  stok  was  ful  of  right  wisnesse, 
Trewe  of  his    word,  sobre,  iiitous,   and 

free, 
Clene  of  his  goste,  and  loved  besinesse,    10 
Ageinst  the  %'yce  of  slouthc,  in  honestee  ; 


XIII.  Zvut^.—xrvi.  Benvop  a  ^co^an. 


12.3 


And,  but  his  lieir  love  vertu,  as  dide  he, 
He  is  noght  gentil,  thogh  he  riche  seme, 
Al  were  he  mji^re,  croime,  or  diadenie. 

Vyce  may  wel  he  heir  to  old  richesse  ;    15 
But  ther  may  no  man,  as  men  may  wel  see. 


Beqtiethe  his  heir  his  vertnons  noblesse 
That  is  appropred  nnto  no  degree, 
But  to  the  firste  fader  in  magestee. 
That  fmaketh  him  his  heir,  that  can  him 
queme,  21 : 

Al  were  he  mytre,  crouue,  or  diademe. 


XV.     LAK   OF   STEDFASTNESSE. 


Balade. 

SoJi  tyme  this  world  was  so  stedfast  and 

stable, 
That  mannes  word  was  obligacioun. 
And  now  hit  is  so  fals  and  deceivable. 
That  word  and  deed,  as  in  conclusioun, 
Ben  no-thing  lyk,  for  turned  up  so  doun  5 
Is  al  this  world  for  niede  and  wilfulnesse, 
That  al  is  lost  for  lak  of  stedfastnesse. 

What  maketh  thisworld  to  be  so  variable. 
But  lust  that  folk  have  in  dissensioun  ? 
Among  us  now  a  man  is  holde  unable,   10 
But-if  ho  can,  by  sum  collusioun, 
Don  his  neiglibotir  %vTong  or  oppressioun. 
What  causeth  this,  but  wilful  wrecched- 

nesse. 
That  al  is  lost,  for  lak  of  stedfastnesse  ? 


Troiitlie  is  put  doun,  resoiin  is  holden 
fable ;  15 

Vertu  hath  now  no  dominacioun, 

Pitee  exyled,  no  man  is  merciable. 

Through  covetyse  is  blent  diserecioun  ; 

The  world  hath  mad  a  permutaci(jun 

Fro  right  to  wrong,  fro  trouthe  to  iikel- 
nesse,  20 

That  al  is  lost,  for  lak  of  stedfastnesse. 

Lenvoy  to  King  Richard. 
O  prince,  desyre  to  be  lionourable. 
Cherish  tliy  folk  and  hate  extorcioun  ! 
SufFre  no  thing,  that  maj"^  be  reprevable 
To  thjTi  estat,  don  in  thy  regioun.  25 

Shew  forth  thy  swerd  of  castigacioun, 
DredGod,dolaw,  love  trouthe  and  worthi- 
nesse,  27 

And  wed  thy  folk  agein  to  stedfastnesse. 


Explicit. 


XVI.     LENVOY   DE   CHAUCEK  A   SCOGAN. 


To-RROKF.s  been  the  statutshye  in  hevene 
That  creat  were  eternally  to  dure, 
Sith  that  I  see  the  brighte  goddes  sevene 
Mow  wepe  and  Avayle,  and  passioun  en- 
dure. 
As  may  in  erthc  a  mortal  creature.  5 

Alias,  fro  whennes  may  this  thing  pro- 
cede? 
Of  whiche  errour  I  deye  almost  for  drede. 


By  wordc  cterne  wliylom  w.as  hit  shape 
Tliat  fro  the  litte  cercle,  in  no  manero, 
Ne   inighte    a   drope  of    teres   doun   es- 
cape. 10 
Biit  i^ow  so  wepeth  Ventis  in  hir  spere. 
That  with  hir  teres  she  wol  drenche  us 

here. 
Alias,  Scogan  !  this  is  for  thyn  oifence .' 
Thou  causest  this  deluge  of  pestilence 


124 


ZU  QlXtttor  (pome. 


Hast  thou  not  sej-d,  in  blaspheme  of  this 

goddes,  15 

Through   pryde,    or   through    thy  grete 

rakelnesse, 
Swich  thing  as  in  the  lawe  of  love  for- 

bode  is  ? 
That,  for  thy  lady  saw  nat  thy  distresse, 
Therfor  thou  yave  hir  up  at  Michelmesse  ! 
Alias,  Scogan  !  of  olde  folk  ne  yonge     20 
Was  never  erst  Scogan  blamed  for  his 

tonge ! 

Thou  drowe  in  scorn  Cnpyde  eek  to  record 

Of  thilke  rebel  word  that  thou  hast  spoken, 
For  which  he  wol  no  Jenger  be  thy  lord. 
And,   Scogan,   thogh   his    bowe   be    nat 
broken,  25 

He  wol  nat  with  his  arwes  been  y-wroken 
On  thee,  ne  me,  ne  noon  of  our  figure  ; 
Weshulof  him  have  neyther  hurt  ne  cure. 

Now  certes,  frend,  I  drede  of  thyn  un- 
happe. 

Lest  for  thy  gilt  the  wreche  of  Love  pro- 
cede  30 

On  alle  hem  that  ben  bore  and  rounde  of 
shape, 


That  ben  so  lykly  folk  in  love  to  spede. 
Than  shvil  we  for  our  labour  ban  no  mede  : 
But  wel  I  wot,  thou  wilt  answere  and  seye : 
'  Lo  !  olde  Grisel  list  to  ryme  and  pleye  I  ' 

Xay,  Scogan,  sey  not  so,  for  I  m'excnse,  36 
God  help  me  so  !  in  no  rym,  doutelees, 
Ne  thinke  I  never  of  slepe  wak  my  muse, 
Tliat  rusteth  in  my  shethe  stille  in  pees. 
Whyl  I  was  yong,  I  putte  hir  forth  in 
prees,  40 

But  al  shal  passe  that  men  prose  or  rj-me  ; 
Take  every  man  his  turn,  as  for  his  tyme. 

Envoy. 

Scogan,  that  knelest  at  the  stremes  heed  ' 
Of  grace,  of  alle  honour  and  worthinesse, 
In  th'ende  of  which  streme  -  I  am  dul  as 

deed,  45 

Forget  e  in  solitarie  wildemesse  ; 
Yet,   Scogan,   thenke  on   Tullius  kinde- 

nesse, 
Minne  thy  frend,  ther  it  may  fructifye  ! 
Far-wel,   and  lok   thou   never  eft   Love 

defye !  40 

1  I.e.  Windesore.  ^  I.e.  Grenewich. 


XYII.  LEXYOY  DE  CHAUCER  A  BUKTON. 


The  counseil  of  Chaucer  touching 
Mariage,  which  was  sent  to  Bukton. 

Mv  maister  Bukton,  whan  of  Criste  our 

kinge 
Was  axed,  what  is  trouthe  or  sothfast- 

nesse, 
He  nat  a  word  answerde  to  that  axinge. 
As   who   saith  :    'no   man  is   al   trewe,' 

I  gesse. 
And  therfor,  thogh  I  highte  to  expresse 
The  sorwe  and  wo  that  is  in  mariage,      6 
I  dar  not  wryte  of  hit  no  wikkednesse, 
Lest  I  my-self  fallc  eft  in  swich  dotage. 

I  wol  nat  seyn,  how  that  hit  is  the  cheyne 
Of  Sathanas,  onwhichhe  gnawethever,  lo 


But  I  dar  seyn,  were  he  out  of  Ids  peyne. 
As   by   his    wille,   he  wolde   be    bonnde 

never. 
But  thUke  doted  fool  that  eft  hath  lever 
Y-cheyned  be  than  out  of  prisoun  crepe, 
God  lete  him  never  fro  his  wo  dissever,  15 
Ne  no  man  him  bewayle,  though  he  wepe. 

But  yit,  lest  thou  do  worse,  tak  a  wyf ; 
Bet  is  to  wedde,  than  brenne  in  worse 

wyse. 
But  thou  shalt  have  sorwe  on  thj-  flesh, 

thy  lyf, 
And  been  thy  -w-yves  thral,  as  seyn  these 

•n-yse ;  ^'> 

And  if  that  holy  wTit  may  nat  suffyse, 
Experience  shal  thee  teche,  so  mayhappe. 


XVIII.    ZU  Compk^nt  of  (I>enu6. 


i2ri 


That  thee  were  lever  to  be  take  in  Fryse 
Than  eft  to  falle  of  wedding  in  the  trappe. 


Envoy. 

This  litel  writ,  proverbes,  or  figure 
I  sende  you,  tak  kepe  of  hit,  I  rede  : 


25 


Unwya  is  he  that  can  no  wele  endure. 
If  thou  be  siker,  put  thee  nat  in  drede. 
The  \N'yf  of  Bathe  I  pray  you  that  ye  rede 
Of  this  niatere  that  we  have  on  honde.  30 
God  graiinte  you  your  lyf  frely  to  lede 
In  fredom ;  for  ful  hard  is  to  be  bonde. 


Explicit. 


XVIII.     THE   COMPLEYNT    OF  VENUS. 


I.    (The  Lover's  worthiness.) 

Ther  nis  so  hy  comfort  to  my  plesaunce, 
Whan  that  I  am  in  any  hevinesse, 
As  for  to  have  leyser  of  remenibraunce 
Upon  the  nianhod  and  the  worthinesse, 
Vpon  tlie  troutlie,  and  on  the  stedfastnesse 
Of  him  whos  I  am  al,  wliyl  I  may  dure  ;  6 
Ther  oghte  blame  me  no  creature, 
For  every  wight  preiseth  his  geutilesse. 

In  him  is  bountee,  wisdom,  govemaunce 
Wei  more  then  any  mannes  wit  can  gesse ; 
For  grace   hath   wold   so    ferforth   him 
avaunce  u 

That  of  knighthode  he  is  parfit  richesse. 
Honour  honoureth  him  for  his  noblesse  ; 
Therto  so  wel  hath  formed  liim  Nature, 
That  I  am  his  for  ever,  I  him  assure,       15 
For  every  wight  x^reiseth  his  gentilesse. 

And  not-withstanding  al  his  suffisaimce. 
His  gentil  herte  is  of  so  greet  liumblesse 
To  me  in  worde,  in  werke,  incontenaunce. 
And  me  to  serve  is  al  his  besinesse,  20 
That  I  am  set  in  verrey  sikernesse. 
Thus  oghte  I  blesse  wel  myn  aventure, 
Sith  that  liim  list  me  serven  and  honoure ; 
For  every  wight  preiseth  his  gentilesse. 

II.     {Disquietude  caused  by  Jealousy.) 

Now  certes.  Love,  hit  is  right  covenablo 
That  men  i'ul  dere  bye  thy  noble  thing,  26 
As  wake  a-bedde,  and  fasten  at  the  table, 
Weping  to  laughe,   and   singe   in   coni- 

pleyning. 
And  doun  to  caste  visage  and  loking, 


Often  to  chaungen  hewe  and  contenaunce, 
fPle.yne  in  sleping,  and  dremen  at  the 
daunce,  31 

Al  the  re  vers  of  any  glad  feling. 

Jalousye  be  hanged  by  a  cable  ! 
She  wolde  al  knowe  through  liir  espying; 
Ther  doth  no  wight  no-thing  so  resonable. 
That  al  nis  harni  in  hir  iniagening.        36 
Thus  dere  abought  is  lovij,  in  yeving. 
Which  ofte  he  yiveth  with-oute  ordin- 

aunce, 
As  sorow  ynogh,  and  litel  of  plesaunce, 
Al  the  revers  of  any  glad  feling.  40 

A  litel  tyme  his  yift  is  agreable. 
But  ful  encomberous  is  the  using  ; 
For  sotel  Jalousye,  the  deceyvable, 
Ful  often-tyme  causeth  dcstourbing. 
Thus  be  we  ever  in  drede  and  suffering. 
In  nouncerteyn  we  langulsshe  in    pen- 

aunce,  46 

And  han  ful  often  many  an  hard  mes- 

chaunce, 
Al  the  revers  of  any  glad  feling. 

III.     {Satisfaction  in  Constancy.) 

But  certes,  Love,  I  sey  nat  in  such  wyse 
That  for  t'escape  out  of  your  lace  I  mente ; 
For  I  so  longe  have  been  in  yourser\'yse  51 
That  for  to  lete  of  wol  I  never  asscnto  ; 
No  ibrce  thogh  Jalousye  mo  tormente  ; 
Suffyceth  nie  to  see  him  whan  I  may,    54 
And  therfore  certes,  to  myn  ending-day 
To  love  him  best  ne  shal  I  never  rcpente. 

And  certes.  Love,  whan  I  me  wel  avyse 
On  any  estat  that  man  may  represeute, 


iz6 


ZU  Qltinor  (poeme. 


Than  have  ye  maked  me,  through  your 

franchj-se, 
Chese  the  best  that  ever  on  erthe  wente. 
Now  love  wel,  herte,  and  look  thou  never 

stente ;  6i 

And  let  the  jelous  putte  hit  in  as^ay 
That,  for  no  peync  wol  I  nat  sey  nay  ; 
To  love  him  best  ne  shal  I  never  repente. 

Herte,  to  thoe  hit  oghte  y-nogh  suffyse  65 
That  Love  so  hj'  a  grace  to  thee  sente, 
To  fhese  the  worthiest  in  alle  wj-se 
And  most  agi'cahlo  imto  myn  entente. 
Seche  no  ferther,  neyther  wey  ne  wente, 
Sith  I  have  suffisauncc  unto  ray  pay.     70 
Thus  wol  I  ende  this  compleynt  or  lay  ; 
To  love  him  best  ne  shal  I  never  repente. 


Lenvoy. 

Princess,    receyveth    this    compleynt    in 

gree. 
Unto  your  excellent  benignitee 

Direct  after  my  litel  suffisaunce.  75 

For  eld,  that  in  my  spirit  dulleth  me. 
Hath  of  endyting  al  the  soteltee 

"Wel    ny   bereft    out    of    my    remem- 

braunce ; 
And   eek   to   me   hit   is   a  greet  pen- 
aunce, 
Sith  rym  in  English  hath  swich  scarsitee. 
To  folowe  word  by  word  the  curiositee  f  i 
Of  Graiinson,  flour  of  hem  that  make 
in  Fraunce. 


XIX.     THE   COMPLEIXT   OF  CHAUCER  TO   HIS 
EMPTY   PURSE. 


To  yoti,  my  purse,  and  to  non  other  wight 
Compleyno  T,  for  ye  be  my  lady  dere  ! 
I  am  so  sory,  now  tliat  ye  be  light  ; 
For  certes,  but  ye  make  me  hevy  chere, 
Me  were  as  leef  be  leyd  up-on  my  here  ;  5 
For  whiche  tin-to  your  mercy  thus  I  crye  : 
Beth  ho\-y  agejni,  or  elles  mot  I  dye  ! 

Now  voucheth  sauf  this  day,  or  hit  be 

night, 
Tliat  I  of  you  the  blisful  soun  may  liere. 
Or  see  your  colour  lyk  the  sonne  bright, 
Tliat  of  yelownesse  hadde  never  pere.    1 1 
Ye  be  my  lyf,  ye  be  myn  hertes  stere, 
Quene  of  comfort  and  of  good  companye  : 
Betli  hevy  ageyn,  or  elles  mot  I  dye  ! 


Now  purs,  that  be  to  me  my  lyves  light,  15 
And  saveour,  as  doun  in  this  worlde  here, 
Out  of  this  touno  help  me  through  your 

might, 
Sin  that  ye  wole  nat  been  my  tresorere  ; 
For  I  am  shave  as  nye  as  any  frere. 
But  yit  I  pray  un-to  your  curtesye  :       20 
Beth  hevy  ageyn,  or  elles  mot  I  dye  ! 

Lenvoy  de  Chaucer. 

O  conquerour  of  Brutes  Albioun  ! 
^Vllich  that  by  Ijnie  and  free  eleccioun 
Ben  verray  king,  this  song  to  you  I  sende; 
And  ye,  that  mowen  al  our  harm  amende. 
Have  minde  up-on  my  supplicacioun  !   j6 


XX.      PROVERBS. 


Proverbe  of  Chaucer. 


What  shul  thise  clothes  fmany-fold, 
Lo  !  this  hote  somers  day  ? — 

After  greet  heot  cometh  cold  ; 

No  man  caste  his  pilche  away.  4 


II. 


Of  al  this  world  the  wyde  compas 
Hit  wol  not  in  myn  armes  tweyne. 

Who-so  mochel  wol  embrace 
Litel  therof  he  shal  distreyna 


dRppenit'r. 


127 


APPENDIX. 


[The  folloiving  Poems  are  also  probably  genuine ;  Imt  are  placed  here 
for  lack  of  external  evidence.] 


XXI.     AGAINST  WOMEN   UNCONSTANT. 


Balade. 

Madame,  for  yotir  newe-fangelnesse, 
Many  a  servaimt  have  ye  put  out  of  grace, 
I  take  my  love  of  your  iinstedfastnesse. 
For  wcl  I  wot,  wbyl  j^e  have  lyves  space. 
Ye  can  not  love  ful  half  yeer  in  a  place  ;  5 
To  newe  thing  your  lust  is  ever  kene  ; 
In  Steele  of  blew,  thus  may  ye  were  al 
grene. 

Right  as  a  mirour  nothing  may  enpresse. 
But,  lightly  as  it  cometh,  so  mot  it  pace. 
So  fareth  your  love,  your  werkes  bereth 
witnesse.  10 

Ther  is  no  feith  that  may  your  herte  en- 
brace  ; 


But,  as  a  wedercok,  that  turneth  his  face 
With  every  wind,  ye   fare,  and  that  is 

sene  ; 
In  stede  of  blew,  thus  may  ye  were  al 

grene. 

Ye  might  be  shi-jTied,  for  your  brotelnesse, 
Bet  than  Dalyda,  Creseide  or  Candace  ;  1 6 
For  ever  in  chaunging  fstant  your  siker- 

nesse. 
That  tache  may  no  wight  fro  your  herte 

arace  ; 
If  ye  lese  oon,  ye  can  wel  twe;,'n  pnrchaco  ; 
Al  light  for  somer,  ye  woot  wel  what  T 

mene,  20 

In  stede  of  blow,  thus  may  ye  were  al 

grene. 


Explicit. 


XXII.     AN    AMOKOUS   COMPLEINT.     (COMPLEINT 
DAMOURS.) 


An  amorous  Complaint,  made  at 
Windsor. 

I,    WHICH     that     am    the    sorwefuUesto 

man 
That  in  this  world  was  ever  yit  livingc. 
And  leest  recoverer  of  him-selven  can, 
Beginne  fthus  my  deedly  compleininge 
On  hir,  that  may  to  lyf  and  deeth  mo 

bringe,  5 


Which  hath  on  me  no  mercy  no  no  rewthc 
That  love  hir  best,  but  sleeth  me  for  my 
trewthe. 

Can  I  noght  doon  no  seye  that  may  yow 

lyke, 
f  For  ccrtcs,  now,  alias !  alias !  the  whyle ! 
Your   plesavinco   is   to   hiughen  wlian  T 

syko,  10 

And  thus  yo  mo  from  al  my  blisse  exyle. 


128 


ZH  QUinor  (poeme. 


Ye  Ixaii  me  cast  in  thiLke  spitous  yle 
Ther  never  man  on  lyve  miglite  asterte  ; 
This  have  I  for  I  love  you,  swete  herte  ! 

Sooth  is,  that  wel  I  woot,  by  lyklinesse, 
If  that  it  were  thing  possible  to  do         i6 
T'acompte  youre  beutee  and  goodnesse, 
I  have  no  wonder  thogh  ye  do  me  wo  ; 
Sith  I,  th'un worthiest  that  may  ryde  or  go, 
Diirste  ever  thinken  in  so  hy  a  place,    20 
What  wonder  is,  thogh  ye  do  me  no  grace? 

Alias  !  thus  is  my  lyf  brought  to  an  ende, 
My  deeth,  I  see,  is  my  eonclusioun  ; 
I  may  wel  singe,  '  in  sory  tyme  I  spende 
ily  Ij-f ; '  that  song  may  have  confusioun  ! 
For  mercy,  pitee,  and  deep  affeccioun,  26 
I  sey  for  me,  for  al  my  deedly  chere, 
Alle  thise  diden,  in  that,  me  love  yow  dere. 

And  in  this  wyse  and  in  dispayre  I  live 
In  love  ;  nay,  but  in  dispayre  I  dye  !      30 
But  shal  I  thus  [to]  yow  my  deeth  for-give. 
That  causeles  doth  me  this  sorow  drye  ? 
Ye,  certes,  I !  For  she  of  my  folye 
Hath  nought  to  done,  although  she  do  me 

starve  ; 
Hit  is  nat  with  hir  wil  that  I  hir  serve !  35 

Than  sith  I  am  of  my  sorowe  the  cause 
And  sith  that  I  have  this,  withoute  hir 

reed. 
Than  may  I  seyn,  right  shortly  in  a  clause. 
It  is  no  blame  unto  hir  womanheed 
Though  swich  a  wrecche  as  I  be  for  hir 

deed ;  40 

[And]  yet  alwey  two  thinges  doon  me  dyg. 
That  is  to  seyn,  hir  beutee  and  myn  y6. 

So  that,  algates,  she  is  the  verray  rote 
Of  my  disese,  and  of  my  dethe  also  ; 
For  with  oon  "word  she  mighte.be  my  bote. 
If  that  she  vouched  sauf  for  to  do  so.     46 
But  [why]  than  is  hir  gladnesso  at  my  wo  ? 
It  is  hir  wone  plesaunce  for  to  take. 
To  seen  hir  sers'-aunts  dyen  for  hir  sake  ! 

But  certes,  than  is  al  my  wonderinge,  50 
Sithen  she  is  the  fayrest  creature 
As  to  my  dome,  that  ever  was  livinge, 
The  benignest  and  beste  eek  that  nature 
Hath  wrought   or   shal,   whyl   that   the 
world  may  dure, 


Why  that  she  lefte  pite  so  behinde  ?  55 
It  was,  j'-wis,  a  greet  defaute  in  kinde. 

Yit  is  al  this  no  lak  to  hir,  pardee. 
But  god  or  nature  sore  wolde  I  blame ; 
For,  though  she  shewe  no  pite  unto  me, 
Sithen  that  she  doth  othere  men  the  same, 
I  ne  oughte  to  despyse  my  ladies  game ;  6r 
Itishirpley  to  laughen  whan  men  syketh, 
And  I  assente,  al  that  hir  list  and  lyketh ! 

Yit  wolde  I,  as  I  dar,  with  sorweful  herte 
Biseche  un-to  your  meke  womanhede  65 
That   I   now    dorste   my   sharije   sorwes 

smerte 
Shewe  by  worde,  that  ye  wolde  ones  rede 
The  plejTite  of  me,   the  which  fill  sore 

drede 
Tliat  I  have  seid  here,  through  myn  un- 

conninge. 
In  any  worde  to  your  displesinge.  70 

Lothest  of  anything  that  ever  was  loth 
Were  me,  as  wisly  god  my  soule  save  ! 
To  seyn  a  thing  through  which  ye  might 

be  ■wroth  ; 
And,  to  that  day  that  I  be  leyd  in  grave, 
A  trewer  servaimt  shuUe  j'e  never  have  ; 
And,  though  that  I  on  yow  have  pleyned 

here,  76 

Forgiveth  it  me,  myn  owne  lady  dere  ! 

Ever  have   I   been,  and  shal,   how-so  I 

wende, 
Outher  to  live  or  dye,  your  humble  trewe ; 
Ye  been  to  me  my  ginning  and  myn  ende, 
Sonne  of  the  sterre  bright  and  clere  of 

hewe,  81 

Alwey  in  oon  to  love  j'ow  freshly  newe. 
By  god  and  by  my  trouthe,  is  myn  entente; 
To  live  or  dye,  I  wol  it  never  repente  ! 

This  complej-nt  on  seint  Valentj-nes  day, 
\Mian  every  foul  [ther]  chesen  shal  his 

make,  86 

To  hir,  whos  I  am  hool,  and  shal  alwey, 
This  woful  song  and  this   complej-nt  I 

make, 
Tliat  never  yit  wolde  me  to  mercy  take  ; 
And  yit  wol  I  [for]  evermore  her  serve  90 
And  love  hir  best,   although  she  do  me 

sterve. 


Explicit. 


XXIV.    (^omanfp  QtoBfeeee. 


129 


XXIII.     A   BALADE   OF   COMPLEYNT. 

[This  is  added  as  being  a  good  example  of  a  Compleynt  in  Chaucer's  style.] 


CoMPLEYNE  ne  coude,  ne  might  nij'ii  herte 

never 
My  pej'nes  halve,  ne  what  torment  I  have, 
Though  that  I  shokle  in  your  presence 

ben  ever, 
My  hertes  lady,  as  wisly  he  nie  save 
That  boimtee  made,  and  beutee  list  to 

grave  5 

In  your  persone,  and  bad  hem  botlie  infere 
Ever  t'awayte,  and  ay  be  wher  ye  were. 

As  wisly  he  gye  alle  my  joyes  here 
As  I  am  youres,  and  to  yow  sad  and  trewe. 
And  ye,  my  lyf  and  cause  of  my  good 
chere,  10 


And  deeth  also,  whan  ye  my  peynes  newe, 
My  worldes  joye,  whom  I  wol  serve  and 

sewe. 
My  heven  hool,  and  al  my  sufnsaiince. 
Whom  for  to  serve  is  set  al  my  plesaunce. 

Besechinoj  yow  in  my  most  humble  wyse 
T'accepte  in  worth  this  litel  povre  dyte,  16 
And  for  my  trouthe  my  service  nat  de- 
spy  se, 
Myn  observaunce  eek  have  nat  in  despyte, 
Ne  yit  to  long  to  suffren  in  this  plyte  ; 
I  yow  beseche,  myn  hertes  lady,  here,  20 
Sith  I  yow  serve,  and  so  wil  yeer  by 
ye  re. 


XXIV.     WOMANLY   NOBLESSE. 

[This  genuine  poem  ivas  first  printed  in  June,   1894.] 


Balade  that  Chaucier  made. 

So  hath  my  hei'te  cavight  in  remembraunce 

Your  beaute  hool,  and  stedfast  govern- 

aunce. 

Your  vertues  alle,  and  your  by  noblesse. 

That  you  to  serve  is  set  al  my  plesaunce  ; 

So  wel  me  lykth  your  womanly  conten- 

aunce,  5 

Your  fresshe   fetures   and   your   com- 

linesse. 
That,    whyl   I   live,    my    herte   to   his 
maistresse. 
You  hath  ful  chose,  in  trewpers^veraunce. 
Never  to  chaunge,  for  no  maner  dis- 
tresse. 

And     sith    I    [yon]    shal    do    this    ob- 
servaunce 10 
Al  my  lyf,  withouten  displesaunce. 

You  for  to  serve  with  al  my  besinesse, 
[Taketh  me,  lady,  in  your  obeisaunce] 
And  have  me  somwhat  in  your  souven- 
aunce. 
My  woful  herte  suffreth  greet  dtiresse ;  15 
And    [loke]   how   humbl[el]y,    with    al 
simplesse, 


My  wil  I  c6nforme  to  your  ordenaunce. 
As  you  best  list,  my  peynes  f  to  redresse. 

Considring  eek  liow  I  hange  in  balaunce 
In     your    servyce ;     swich,    lo !     is    my 
chaunce,  20 

Abyding  grace,  whan  that  your  gentil- 
nesse 
Of  my  gret  wo  list  doon  .illegeaunce. 
And  with  your  pite  me  som  wyso  avaunce, 
In  ful  rebating  of  my  hevinesse  ; 
And   think  -fTesiun,  that  wommanly 
noblesse  25 

Shuld  nat  desyre  f  for  to  doon  outrance 
Ther-asshe  findeth  noon  unbuxumnesse. 

Lenvoye. 

Auctour  of  norture,  lady  of  plesaunce, 
Soveraine  of  beaute,  flour  of  womman- 
hede, 
Take  yc  non  hede  unto  myn  ignoraunce,  30 
But  this  recey^'eth  of  your  goodlihede, 
Thinking    that    I    have    caught    in    re- 
membraunce 
Your  beaute  hool,  your  stedfast  goveru- 
aunco. 


BOETHIUS    DE    CONSOLATIONE 
PHILOSOPHIE. 


BOOK    I. 


Metre  I.     Carmina  qui  quondam  studio 
florente  pereiji. 

Allas  !  I,  weping,  am  constreincd  to 
biginnen  vers  of  soro\\'ful  matere,  that 
■\vhylom  in  floriscliing  studie  made  dclit- 
able  ditees.     For  lo  !  rendinge  Muses  of 

5  lioetes  eiidj-ten  to  me  thinges  to  be 
■writen  ;  and  drery  vers  of  wrecchcdnesse 
weteu  my  face  with  verray  teres.  At 
the  leeste,  no  drede  ue  mighte  over- 
comen  tho  Muses,  that  they  ne  weren 

lo  felawes,  and  folweden  my  wey,  that  is 
to  seyn,  tchan  I  teas  exyled  ;  they  that 
weren  glorie  of  my  youthe,  whylom  wclc- 
ful  and  grene,  comforten  now  the  sorow- 
ful  werdes  of  me,  okle  man.     For  elde 

15  is  comen  iinwarly  upon  me,  hasted  by 
the  harmes  that  I  have,  and  sorow  hath 
comaunded  his  age  to  be  in  me.  Heres 
hore  ben  shad  overtynielichc  upon  niyn 
heved,  and  the  slake  skin  trembleth  upon 

20  myii  empted  body.  Tiiilke  deeth  of  men 
is  weleful  that  ne  cometh  not  in  yeres 
that  ben  swete,  but  cometh  to  ■\\Teeches, 
often  y-cleped.  Alias  !  alias !  with  how 
deef  an  ere  deeth,  cruel,  torneth  nwey 

25  fro  wi-ecches,  and  naiteth  to  closen 
wepinge  eyen  !  'Uliyl  Fortune,  unfcith- 
ful,  favoredo  nje  with  lighte  goodes,  the 
sorowful  houre,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  deeth, 
hadde  almost  dreynt  niyn  heved.     But 

30  now,  for  Fortune  cloudy  hath  chaungcd 


hir  decey^^'^blc  chere  to  me-ward,  myn 
unjiitous  lyf  draweth  a-long  unagreable 
dwellinges  in  me.  O  ye,  my  frendes,  what 
or  whertoavauntede  ye  me  to  ben  weleful? 
for  he  that  hath  fallen  stood  nat  in  3.t 
stedefast  degree. 

Prose  I.     Uec  dum  mectim  tacitus  ipse 
reputar^m. 

Whyle  that  I  stille  recordede  thise 
thinges  with  my-self,  and  markede  my 
weeply  compleynte  with  office  of  pointel, 
I  saw,  stondinge  aboveu  the  heighte  of 
myn  heved,  a  woman  of  ful  greet  re-  5 
verence  by  semblaunt,  hir  eyen  bren- 
ninge  and  cleer-seinge  over  the  comune 
might  of  men  ;  with  a  Ij'tly  colour,  and 
with  swich  vigour  and  strengthe  that  it 
ne  mighte  nat  ben  empted ;  al  were  it  10 
so  that  she  was  ful  of  so  greet  age,  that 
men  ne  wolde  nat  trowen,  in  no  manore, 
that  she  were  of  oure  elde.  The  stature 
of  hir  was  of  a  doutous  jugement ;  for 
som-tyme  she  constreinede  and  shronk  15 
liir-selven  lyk  to  the  comune  mesure  of 
men,  and  sum-tjine  it  semede  that  she 
touchede  the  hevene  with  the  heighte  of 
hir  heved  ;  and  whan  she  heef  hir  heved 
hyer,  she  percede  the  selve  hevene,  so  20 
that  the  sighto  of  men  looking  was  in 
ydel.  Hir  clothes  weren  maked  of  right 
delye  thrcdes  and  subtil  crafte,  of  per- 
durable matere  ;  the  whiche  clothes  she 


f^Ht^iu.0.    (^ooR  I :    QUefre  II. 


131 


25  hadde  woven  ■with  hir  owene  hondes,  as 
I  knew  wcl  after  by  hir-self,  declaringe 
and  shewinge  to  me  the  beautee  ;  the 
whiche  clothes  a  derknesse  of  a  forleten 
and   dispysed   elde   hadde    dusked    and 

30  derked,  as  it  is  wont  to  derken  bi- 
smokede  images.  In  the  netliereste 
hem  or  bordure  of  thise  clotlies  men 
redden,  y-woven  in,  a  Grekissh  P,  that 
s'uinifycth  the  lyf  Actif;  and  aboven  that 

35  lettre,  in  the  heyeste  bordiire,  a  Grekissh 
T,  that  signifijeth  the  lijf  Cuntemplatif. 
And  bi-twixen  these  two  lettres  ther 
weren  seyn  degrees,  nobly  y-wroght  in 
manere  of  laddres  ;    by  whiche  degrees 

40  men  mighten  climben  fro  the  nethereste 
lettre  to  the  upperesto.  Natheles,  handes 
of  some  men  hadde  corven  that  cloth 
by  violence  and  by  strengthe  ;  and 
cveriche  man  of  hem  hadde  born  awey 

45  swiche  peces  as  he  mighte  goten.  And 
ibrsothe,  this  forscido  woman  bar  smale 
bokes  in  hir  right  hand,  and  in  hir  left 
hand  she  bar  a  ceptre.  And  whan  she 
say  thise  poetical  Muses  aprochen  aboute 

50  my  bed,  and  eudytinge  wordes  to  my 
wepinges,  she  was  a  litel  amoved,  and 
glowede  with  cruel  eyen.  '  Who,'  quod 
she,  '  hath  sufFred  aprochen  to  this  syke 
man  thise  comune  strompetes  of  swich 

55  a  place  that  men  clepen  the  theatre? 
The  whiche  nat  only  ne  asswagen  nat 
hise  sorwcs  with  none  remedies,  but  they 
wolden  fedcu  and  norisshen  hem  with 
swete  venim.      Pursothe,  thise  ben   tho 

60  that  with  thornes  and  jirikkinges  of 
talents  or  affecciouns,  whiche  that  ne 
ben  no-thing  Iructefyinge  nor  ijrofitable, 
destroyen  the  corn  plentevous  of  fruites 
of  resoun  ;   for  they  holden   the   hertes 

65  of  men  in  usage,  but  they  ne  delivere 
nat  folk  fro  maladye.  But  if  yc  Muses 
hadden  withdrawen  fro  me,  with  your 
iiateryes,  any  uncunninge  and  unprofit- 
able  man,   as   men    ben   wont   to   finde 

70  comunly  amonges  the  pocple,  I  wolde 
wenc  suff're  the  lasse  grevoiisly  ;  for-why, 
in  swiche  an  unprofitable  m^n,  myn 
ententes  no  weren  no-thing  endamaged. 
But  j^e  withdrawen  f  from  mo  this  man, 

75  that  hath  bo  norisshed  in  tho  studies  or 


scoles  of  Eleaticis  and  of  Achademicis  in 
Grece.  But  goth  now  rather  awey,  ye 
mermaidenes,  whiche  that  ben  swete  til 
it  be  at  the  laste,  and  suifreth  this  man 
to  be  cured  and  heled  by  myne  Muses, '  So 
that  is  to  seyn,  by  noieful  sciences.  And 
thus  this  companye  of  Muses  y-blamed 
casten  wrothly  the  chere  dounward  to 
the  erthe ;  and,  shewinge  by  reednesse 
hir  shame,  they  passeden  sorowfully  the  85 
threshfold.  And  I,  of  whom  the  sighte, 
plounged  in  teres,  was  derked  so  that 
I  ne  mighte  not  knowen  what  that 
womman  was,  of  so  imperial  auctoritee, 
I  wex  al  abaisshed  and  astoncd,  and  caste  yo 
my  sighte  doun  to  the  erthe,  and  bigan 
stille  for  to  abyde  what  she  wolde  don 
afterward.  Tho  com  she  nor,  and  sette 
hir  doun  up-on  the  iittereste  corner  of 
my  bed  ;  and  she,  biholdinge  my  chere,  95 
that  was  east  to  the  erthe,  hevy  and 
grevous  of  wepinge,  compleinede,  with 
thise  wordes  that  I  shal  seyen,  the  per- 
turbacioun  of  my  thought. 

Metre  II.     Hen  quam  precipiti  mersa 
profundo. 

'  Alias !  how  the  thought  of  man,  dreint 
in  over-throwinge  deejtnesse,  dulleth,  and 
forleteth  his  propre  cleernesse,  mintinge 
to  goon  in-to  foreine  derknesses,  as  ofte 
as  his  anoyous  bisinesse  wcxeth  with-  5 
oute  mesure,  that  is  driven  to  and  fro 
with  worldly  windes  !  This  man,  that 
whylom  was  free,  to  whom  the  heveue 
was  open  and  knowen,  and  was  wont 
to  goon  in  heveneliche  pathes,  and  saugh  10 
the  lightnesse  of  tho  rede  sonne,  and 
saugh  the  sterres  of  the  colde  mone,  and 
whiche  sterre  in  hevene  viseth  wandering 
recourses,  y-flit  by  dyverse  speres — this 
man,  overcomor,  hadde  comprehended  15 
al  this  bj'  noumbre  of  acmmtinye  in  astro- 
nomye.  And  over  this,  he  was  wont  to 
seken  the  causes  whennes  tho  soiming 
windes  moeven  and  bisien  the  smothe 
water  of  the  see  ;  and  what  spirit  torneth  20 
tho  stable  hevene  ;  and  why  the  sterre 
aryseth  out  of  the  rede  eest,  to  fallen  in 
the  westrene  wawes  ;  and  what  atempretli 


V  2 


132 


(§od^i\i0.    (^006  I:   (proee  II. 


the  lusty  houres  of  the  firste  somer 
sesoiin,  that  highteth  and  apparaileth 
the  ertho  with  roseue  flowres  ;  and  who 
maketh  that  plentevouse  autompne,  in 
tulle  yeres,  fleteth  with  hexy  grapes. 
And  eek  this  man  was  wont  to  telle  the 
dy^'erse  causes  of  nature  that  weron 
y-liidde.  Alias  !  now  lyeth  he  enipted  of 
light  of  his  thought ;  and  his  nekke  is 
pressed  ^vith  he\'y  cheynes  ;  and  beretli 
his  chere  enclyned  adoun  for  the  grete 
wcighte,  and  is  constreined  to  looken  on 
the  fool  erthe ! 


PnosE  II. 


Set  medicine,  inqiiit,  tempus 

est. 


But  tyme  is  now,'  quod  she,  '  of  medi- 
cine more  than  of  compleinte.'  Forsothe 
than  she,  entendinge  to  me-ward  with 
alle  the  lookinge  of  hir  eyen,  seide  : — '  Art 
nat  thou  he,'  quod  she,  '  that  whylom 
y-norisshed  with  my  milk,  and  fostered 
with  mj-ne  metes,  were  escaped  and 
comen  to  corage  of  a  parfit  man  ?  Certes, 
I  j'af  thee  swiehe  armures  that,  yif  thou 
thj--self  ne  haddest  first  cast  hem  a-wey, 
they  shulden  han  defended  thee  in  siker- 
nesse  that  may  nat  ben  over-comen. 
Knowest  thou  me  nat  ?  Why  art  thou 
stille  ?  Is  it  for  shame  or  for  astoninge  ? 
It  were  me  lever  that  it  were  for  shama  ; 
but  it  semeth  me  that  astoninge  hath 
f>ppressed  thee.'  Anil  whan  she  say  me 
nat  only  stille,  but  witli-outcn  office  of 
tunge  and  al  doumb,  she  leidc  hir  hand 
sottely  upon  my  brest,  and  seide  :  '  Here 
nis  no  peril,'  quod  she  ;  '  he  is  fallen  into 
a  litargie,  whiche  that  is  a  comune 
sykenes  to  hertes  that  ben  deceived.  He 
hath  a  litel  foryeten  him-self,  but  certes 
he  shal  lightly  remembren  him-self,  yif 
so  be  that  he  hath  knowen  me  or  now  ; 
and  that  he  may  so  tlon,  I  wil  wj^eii 
a  litel  his  eyen,  that  ben  derked  by  the 
cloude  of  mortal  thinges. '  Thise  wordes 
seide  she,  and  with  the  lappe  of  hir  gar- 
ment, y-plj-ted  in  a  i'rouuce,  she  dryede 
myn  eyen,  that  weren  fulle  of  the  wawes 
of  my  wepinges. 


Metre  III, 


Tunc  me  discussa  liqiterunt 
node  tenebre. 


Thus,  whan  that  night  was  discussed 
and  chased  a-wey,  derknesses  forleften 
me,  and  to  myn  eyen  repeirede  ayein  hir 
firste  strengthe.  And,  right  by  ensaumple 
as  the  Sonne  is  hid  whan  the  sterres  ben  5 
clustred  (that  is  to  seyn,  whan  steiTes  hen 
covered  with  cloiides)  by  a  swifte  winde 
that  highte  Chorus,  and  that  the  firma- 
ment stant  derked  by  wete  ploungy 
cloudes,  and  that  the  sterres  nat  apperen  10 
up-on  hevene,  so  that  the  night  semeth 
sprad  up-on  erthe  :  yif  thanne  the  wind 
that  highte  Borias,  y-sent  out  of  the  caves 
of  the  contree  of  Trace,  beteth  this  night 
{that  is  to  seyn,  chaseth  it  a-wey),  and  15 
descovereth  the  closed  day  :  than  shyneth 
Phebus  y-shaken  with  sodein  light,  and 
smyteth  with  his  hemes  in  mervelinge 
eyen. 

Prose  III.     Haitd  aliter  tristicie  nebulis 
dissolutis. 

Right  so,  and  non  other  wyse,  the 
cloudes  of  sorwe  dissolved  and  don  a-wey, 
I  took  hevene,  and  receivede  minde  to 
knowen  the  face  of  my  fysicien  ;  so  that 
I  sette  myn  eyen  on  hir,  and  fastnede  my  5 
lookinge.  I  beholde  my  norice  Philo- 
sophic, in  whos  houses  I  hadde  conversed 
and  haunted  fro  my  youthe  ;  and  I  seide 
thus.  '  O  thou  maistresse  of  alle  vertues, 
descended  from  the  soverein  sete,  why  ic 
artow  comen  in-to  tliis  solitarie  place  of 
myn  exil  'I  Artow  comen  for  thou  art 
maked  coupablewith  me  of  false  blames?' 

Phil.    '  O,'  quod  she,  '  mj'  norry,  sholde 
I  forsaken  thee  now,  and  sholde  I  nat  15 
parten  with  thee,  by  comune  travaile,  the 
charge  that  thou  hast  siifFred  for  envie  of 
my  name  ?    Certes,  it  nere  not  Icveful  ne 
sittinge  thing  to   Philosophie,   to   leten 
with-outen  companye  the  woy  of  him  that  20 
is  innocent.    Sholde  I  thanne  redoute  my 
blame,  and  agrysen  as  though  thcr  were 
bifallcn  a  newe  thing  ?  quasi  diceret,  non. 
For  trowestow  that  Philosophic  be  now 
alierfirst   assailed   in   j)eriLs   by  folk   of  25 
wikkede  maneres?    Have  I  nat  striven 


(god^\m.    (§oo&  I:   (J)ro6e  iv. 


133 


■with  fal  greet  stryf,  in  olde  tyme,  bifore 
the  age  of  my  Plato,  ayeines  the  foolhardi- 
nesse  of  folye  ?    And  eek,  the  same  Plato 

30  livinge,  his  maister  Socrates  deservede 
victorie  of  unrightful  deeth  in  my  pre- 
sence. The  heritage  of  which  Socrates — 
the  heritage  is  to  seyn  the  doctrine  of  the 
whiche  Socrates  in  his  ojnnioun  of  Felicitee., 

35  that  I  clepe  welefulnesse — whan  that  the 
poeple  of  Epicuriens  and  Stoiciens  and 
many  othre  enforceden  hem  to  go  ravisshe 
everich  man  for  his  part — that  is  to  seyn^ 
that  everich  of  hem  ivolde  draiven  to  the 

4^  defence  of  his  opinioun  the  uvrdes  of 
Socrates — they,  as  in  partie  of  hir  prej'e, 
to-drowen  me,  cryuige  and  debatinge 
ther-ayeins,  and  corven  and  to-rent  en  my 
clothes  that  I   liadde  woven  with   mjni 

45  handes  ;  and  with  tho  cloutes  that  they 
liadden  araced  out  of  my  clothes  they 
wenten  awey,  M'eninge  that  I  hadde  gon 
with  hem  everydel.  In  whiche  Epi- 
curiens and  Stoiciens.  for  as  mochc  as  ther 

.so  semede  some  traces  or  steppes  of  myn 
habite,  the  folye  of  men,  weninge  tho  Ejji- 
curiens  and  Stoiciens  my  famuleres,  per- 
verted (sc.  persequendo)  some  through  the 
errour   of  the   wikkede    or    uncunninge 

55  multitude  of  hem.  This  is  to  seyn  that, 
for  they  semede  philosophres,  they  iceren 
pursued  to  the  deeth  and  slayn.  So  yif  thou 
hast  nat  knowen  the  exilinge  of  Anaxo- 
gore,  ne  the  enpoysoninge  of  Socrates,  ne 

60  the  tourments  of  Zeno,  for  they  weren 
stratmgeres  :  yit  mightestow  han  knowen 
the  Senecciens  and  the  Canios  .and  the 
■|-Soranos,  of  wliiche  folk  the  renoun  is 
neither   over-olde   ne   unsolempnc.     The 

65  whiche  men,  no-thing  elles  no  broughte 
hem  to  the  deeth  but  only  for  they  weren 
enfourmed  of  myne  maneres,  and  seme- 
den  most  unlyke  to  tlie  studies  of  wik- 
kede folk.    And  forthy  thou  oughtest  nat 

70  to  wondren  though  that  I,  in  the  bittre 
see  of  this  lyf,  be  fordriven  with  tem- 
pestes  blowinge  abcmte,  in  tho  whiche 
tempostes  tliis  is  mj-  most  purpos,  that  is 
to  seyn,  to  displesen  to  wikkede  men.     Of 

75  whiche  shrewes,  al  be  the  ost  never  so 
greet,  it  is  to  dispj'se  ;  for  it  nis  governed 
with  no  leder  of  resoun,  but  it  is  ravisshed 


only  by  fletinge  errour  folyly  and  lightly. 
And  if  they  som-tj-me,  makinge  an  ost 
ayeins  us,  assaile  us  as  strenger,  our  leder  80 
draweth  to-gidere  hise  richesses  in-to  his 
tour,  and  they  ben  ententif  aboute  sar- 
pulcrs  or  sachels unprofitable  for  to  taken. 
But  we  that  ben  heye  aboven,  siker  fro 
alle  tumiilte  and  wode  noise,  warnestored  S5 
and  enclosed  in  swich  a  palis,  whider  as 
that  chateringe  or  anoyinge  folye  ne  may 
nat  atayne,  we  scorne  swiche  ravincres 
and  henteres  of  fouleste  thinges. 

Metre  IT.  Quisquis  composito  serenus  euOx 
Who-so  it  be  that  is  cleer  of  vertu,  sad, 
and  wel  ordinat  of  livinge,  that  hath  put 
under  foot  the  proude  werdes  and  looketli 
upright  uii-ou  either  fortune,  he  may 
holde  his  chere  undiscomfited.  The  rage  5 
ne  the  manaces  of  the  see,  commoevinge 
or  chasinge  upward  bete  fro  the  botme, 
ne  shal  not  naoeve  that  man ;  ne  the 
unstable  mountaigne  that  highte  Vesevus, 
that  wrytheth  out  throvigh  his  brokene  10 
chiminees  smokingo  f^sTes.  Ne  the  wey 
of  -j-thonder-le^i:,  that  is  wont  to  sniiffen 
heye  toures,  ne  shal  nat  moeve  that  man. 
Wher-to  thanne,  o  wrecches,  drede  ye 
tirauntes  that  ben  wode  and  felonous  15 
with-oiite  any  strengthe  ?  Hope  after 
no-thing,  ne  drede  nat ;  and  so  shaltow 
desarmen  the  ire  of  thilke  tinmighty 
tiraunt.  But  who-so  that,  quakinge, 
dredeth  or  desireth  thing  that  nis  nat  -"> 
stable  of  his  right,  that  man  that  so  dotli 
hath  cast  awey  his  shcld  and  is  remoeved 
fro  his  place,  and  cnlaceth  him  in  the 
cheyne  with  the  which  he  may  ben 
drawen.  -'5 

Pkose  IV.  Senfisne,  inquit,  hoc. 
Felestow, '  <\\\o(X  she,  '  thise  thinges, 
and  entren  they  aught  in  thy  coragc  V 
Artow  lyko  an  asse  to  the  harpe  ?  WJij' 
wepestow,  why  spillcstow  teres  ?  Yif 
thou  abydest  alter  help  of  tliy  leche,  thee  5 
bihovctli  discovere  thy  wouude.'  Tho 

I,  that  hadde  gadered  strengthe  in  my 
corage,  answeredo  and  seide  :  '  And 
nedeth  it  jat,'  quod  I,  'of  rehersingc  or 
of   amonicioitn ;     and    shcwcth    it    nat  10 


1.34 


(goit^iuB.     (§oo&  I:    (|)rO0e  IV. 


y-nougli  by  him-self  the  sharpnesse  of 
Fortune,  that  wexeth  wood  ayeins  me? 
Ne  moeveth  it  nat  thee  to  seen  the  face 
or  the  manero  of  this  place  {i.  prisoun)  ? 
Is  this  the  librarie  whiche  that  thou 
liaddest  chosen  for  a  right  certein  sete  to 
tliee  in  mjTi  hows,  ther-as  thou  desi^utedest 
ofte  with  me  of  the  sciences  of  thinges 
touchinge  divinitee  and  touchinge  man- 
kinde  ?  Was  thanne  myn  habite  swich 
as  it  is  now  ?  Was  than  my  face  or  my 
chere  swiche  as  now  {quasi  diceret,  non), 
whan  I  soughte  with  thee  secrets  of 
nature,  whan  thou  enformedest  my  ma- 
ncres  and  the  resoun  of  alle  mylyf  tothe 
ensaumple  of  the  ordre  of  hevene  ?  Is  nat 
this  the  guerdoun  that  I  referre  to  thee, 
to  whom  I  have  be  obeisaunt  ?  Certes, 
thou  confermedest,  by  the  mouth  of  Plato, 

1  this  sentence,  that  is  to  seyn,  that  coinune 
thinges  or  comunalitees  weren  blisful,  yif 
they  that  haddcn  studied  al  fally  to  wis- 
dom governeden  thilke  thinges,  or  elles 
yif  it  so  bifille  that  the  governoures  of 

;  comunalitees  studieden  to  geten  w^isdom. 
Thou  seidest  eek,  by  the  mouth  of  the 
same  Plato,  that  it  was  a  necessarie 
cause,  wyse  men  to  taken  and  desire  the 
governaunce  of  comune  thinges,  for  that 

>  the  govemcments  of  citees,  y-lcft  in  the 
handes  of  felonous  tormentours  citizenes, 
ne  sholile  nat  bringe  in  pestilence  and 
dcstruccioun  to  gode  folk.  And  therfor 
I,  folwinge  thilke  auctoriteo  (sc.  Platonis), 

;  desired  to  putten  forth  in  execucioun  and 
in  acte  of  comune  administracioun  thilke 
tliinges  that  I  hadde  lemed  of  thee  among 
my  secree  resting-whyles.  Thou,  and  god 
that  putte  thee  in  the  thoughtes  of  wyse 

.folk,  ben  knowinge  with  me,  that  no- 
thing ne  broughte  me  to  maistrie  or 
dignitee,  but  the  comune  studio  of  alle 
goodnosse.  And  ther-of  comtli  it  that 
bi-twixen  wikkod  folk  and  me  han  ben 

;  grevous  discordes,  that  no  mighten  ben 
relesed  by  preyeres  ;  for  this  libertee  liath 
the  freedom  of  conscience,  that  the  wratthe 
of  more  mighty  folk  hath  alwey  ben  de- 
spysed  of  me  forsavacioun  of  right.     How 

)  ofte  have  I  resisted  and  withstonde  thilke 
m.an   that   highte  Conigasto,  that  made 


alwey  assautes  ayeins  the  prospre  fortunes 
of  pore  feble  folk  ?  How  ofte  eek  have 
I  put  of  or  cast  out  him,  Trigwille,  pro- 
vost of  the  kinges  hous,  bothe  of  the 
wronges  that  he  hadde  bigunne  to  don, 
and  eek  fully  performed  ?  How  ofte  have 
I  covered  and  defended  by  the  auctoriteo 
of  me,  put  ayeins  perils — that  is  to  seyn, 
put  myn  auctoritee  in  i^ril  for  —  the 
wrecched  pore  folk,  that  the  covetyse  of 
straungeres  unpiinished  tourmenteden 
alwey  with  miseyses  and  grevaunces  out 
of  noumbre  ?  Never  man  no  drow  me  yit 
fro  right  to  wronge.  "Whan  I  say  the 
fortunes  and  the  richesses  of  the  poeple 
of  the  provinces  ben  harmed  or  amenused, 
outher  by  priveo  ravynes  or  by  comune 
tributes  or  cariagcs,  as  sory  was  I  as  thej' 

that    sufFreden    the    harm. Glossa. 

^^'han  that  Theodoric,  the  king  of  Gutties, 
in  a  dere  yere,  hadde  hise  gerneres  ful  of 
corn,  and  comaimdedethat  no  manne  sholde 
hyen  no  corn  til  his  corn  were  sold,  and  that 
at  a  grevous  dereprgs,  Boece  witlistood  that 
ordinaunce,  and  over-corn  it,   Tcnotcinge  al 

this  the  king  him-self. Textus.  A\nian 

it  was  in  the  souro  hungry  tymc,  ther 
was  establisshod  or  cryed  grevous  and 
inplitable  coempcioun,  that  men  sayen 
wel  it  sholdc  grectly  turmenten  and  en- 
damagen  al  the  province  of  Campaigne, 
I  took  stryf  aj-eiiis  the  provost  of  the 
pretorie  for  comune  profit.  And,  the  king 
knowinge  of  it,  I  overcom  it,  so  that  the 
coempcioun   ne  was  not  axed   ne    took 

effect. [Glossa.]  -f  Coempcioun,  that  is  to 

seyn,  comune  achat  or  hying  to-gidere,  that 
tvere  estahlisshed  iip-on  the  poeple  by  siciche 
a  manere  imposicioun,  as  icho-so  boughte 
a  busshel  com,  he  moste  yeve  the  king  the 

flfte  part. [Textus.]   Paulin,   a  coun- 

sciller  of  Rome,  the  richesses  of  the 
whichc  Paulin  the  honndes  of  the  palays, 
that  is  to  seyn,  the  o.fficeres,  wolden  han 
devoured  by  hope  and  covctise,  yit  drow 
Ihim  out  of  the  jowes(«c.^a««'6u«)of  hem 
that  gapeden.  And  for  as  moche  as  the 
pej-ne  of  the  accusaciounajugedbifomne 
sholde  nat  sodeinly  hcnten  no  punisshen 
wrongfully  Albin,  a  counseiller  of  Rome, 
I  putte  me  ayeins  the  hates  and  indig- 


So 


90 


95 


(gott^iw.    (^ooft  I:  (proee  iv. 


135 


naciouns  of  the  acciisor  Ciprian.  Is  it  nat 
thanne  y-nougli  y-sejii,  that  I  have  pur- 

115  chased  grete  discordes  ayeius  my-self  ? 
But  I  oughte  be  the  more  assured  ayeins 
alle  othre  folk  (s.  Roniayns),  that  for  the 
love  of  rightwisnesse  I  ne  reserved  never 
no-thing  to  my-self  to   hemward  of  the 

120  kinges  halle,  sc.  officers.,  by  the  whiche 
I  were  the  more  siker.  But  thorugh  tho 
same  accusors  accusinge,  I  am  con- 
dempned.  Of  the  noumbir  of  the  whiche 
acciisors  oon  Basilius,  that  whylom  was 

'-5  chased  out  of  the  kinges  service,  is  now 
compelled  in  accusinge  of  my  name,  for 
nede  of  foreine  moneye.  Also  Opilion  and 
Gaudeneius  han  accused  me,  al  be  it  so 
that   the  justice    regal    hadde    whylom 

130  denied  hem  bothe  to  go  in-to  exil  for  hir 
trecheryes  and  fraudes  withoute  noumbir. 
To  whiche  jugement  they  nolden  nat 
obeyo,  but  defendeden  hem  by  the  siker- 
nesso  of  holy  houses,  that  is  to  seyn^fledden 

»35  into  scintuaries  ;  and  wlian  this  was  aper- 
ceived  to  the  king,  he  comauudede,  that 
but  they  voidede  the  citee  of  Kavenne  by 
certein  day  assigned,  that  men  sholde 
merken  hem  on  the  forheved  with  an  hoot 

140  yren  and  chasen  hem  out  of  the  toune. 
Now  what  thing,  semeth  thee,  miglite  ben 
Ij-kned  to  this  cruelteo  ?  For  certes,  tliilke 
same  day  was  received  the  accusinge  of 
my  name  by  thilke  same  accusors.    What 

145  may  ben  .seid  hur-to  ?  {quasi  diceret,  nichil). 
Hath  my  studio  and  my  cunninge  de- 
served thus  ;  or  cllos  the  forseide  damp- 
nacioun  0/  me,  made  that  liem  rightful 
accusors  or  no?  {(/uasi  diceret,  non).     Was 

150  not  Fortune  ashamed  of  this?  Certes,  al 
hadde  nat  Fortune  ben  ashamed  that 
innocence  was  accused,  yit  oughte  slie 
han  had  shame  of  the  filthe  of  mjaio 
accusours. 

155  But,  axestow  in  somme,  of  what  gilt 
I  am  accused,  men  seyn  that  I  wolde  save 
the  companyo  of  the  senatours.  And 
desirest  thou  to  heren  in  what  manere  ? 
I   am   accused   that   I   sholde   han    des- 

i6i)  tourbed  the  aecusor  to  beren  lettres,  by 
whiche  he  sholde  han  maked  the  sena- 
toui-es  gilty  ayeins  the  kinges  real  ma- 
jestee.     O  maistrcssc,  what  demestow  of 


170 


this  ?  Shal  I  forsake  this  blame,  that  I  ne 
be  no  shame  to  thee  ?  {quasi  diceret,  non).  165 
Certes,  I  have  wold  it,  that  is  to  seyn,  the 
savacioun  of  the  senat,  ne  I  shal  never 
leten  to  wilne  it,  and  that  I  confesse  and 
am  aknowe ;  but  the  entente  of  the 
aecusor  to  be  destourbed  shal  cese.  For 
shal  I  clepe  it  thanne  a  felonie  or  a  sinne 
that  I  have  desired  the  savacioun  of  the 
ordi-e  of  the  senat  ?  {quasi  diceret,  duhito 
quid).  And  certes  yit  hadde  thilke  same 
senat  don  by  me,  thorugh  hir  decrets  and  175 
hir  jugements,  as  though  it  were  a  sinne 
or  a  felonie ;  that  is  to  seyn,  to  wilne  the 
savacioun  0/ hem  {sc.  senatus).  But  folye, 
that  lyetli  alwey  to  him-self,  may  not 
chaunge  the  merite  of  thinges.  Ne  I  trowe  180 
nat,  by  the  jugement  of  Socrates,  that  it 
were  leveful  to  me  to  hyde  the  sothe, 
ne  assente  to  lesinges.  But  certes,  how 
so  ever  it  be  of  this,  I  putte  it  to  gessen  or 
preisen  to  the  jugement  of  thee  and  of  1S5 
wyse  folk.  Of  whiche  thing  al  the  ordi- 
naunce  and  the  sothe,  for  as  moche  as 
folk  that  ben  to  comen  aiter  our  daycs 
shullen  knowen  it,  I  have  put  it  in  scrip- 
ture and  in  remembraunce.  For  touching  190 
the  lettres  falsly  maked,  by  whiche  lettres 
I  am  accused  to  han  hoped  the  fredom  of 
Home,  what  aperteneth  me  to  speke  ther- 
of?  Of  whiche  lettres  the  fraude  hadde 
ben  shewed  apertly,  yif  I  hadde  had  195 
libertee  for  to  han  iised  and  been  at  tlie 
confessioun  of  mjaie  accusours,  the 
whiche  thing  in  alle  nedes  hath  greet 
strengthe.  For  what  other  fredom  may 
men  hopcn  ?  Cortes,  I  wolde  that  som  2(X) 
other  fredom  mighte  ben  hoped.  I  wolde 
thanne  han  answered  by  the  wordes 
of  a  man  that  highte  Canius  ;  for  whan 
he  was  accused  by  Gains  Cesar,  Ger- 
meynes  sonc,  that  he  {Canius)  was  know-  205 
inge  and  consentinge  of  a  coniuracioun 
j^-maked  ayeins  him  {sc.  Gains),  this 
Canius  answerede  thus  :  "  Yif  I  hadde 
wist  it,  thou  haddest  nat  wist  it."  In 
which  tiling  sorwe  hath  nat  so  dulled  my  210 
wit,  tliat  I  plejaie  only  that  shrewcdo  folk 
aparailen  felonies  ayeins  vertu ;  bvit  I 
wondre  greetly  how  that  thej'  may  per- 
forme  thinges  that  they  hadde  hoped  for  to 


136 


(^oef0ttt0.    Q^ooft  I:  (})ro0e  IV. 


215  don.  For- why,  to  wilne  shrewednesse, 
that  comth  peraventure  of  cure  defaute  ; 
biit  it  is  lyk  a  monstre  and  a  mervaiHe, 
how  that,  in  the  present  sighte  of  god, 
may  ben  acheved  and  performed  swiche 

220  thinges  as  every  felonons  man  hath  con- 
ceived in  his  thought  ayeins  innocents. 
For  which  thing  oon  of  tliy  famileres  nat 
unskilfully  axed  thus  :  ' '  Yif  god  is, 
whennes  comen  wikkede  thinges  ?     And 

2^5  yif  god  ne  is,  whennes  comen  gode 
thinges?"  But  al  hadde  it  ben  leveful 
that  felonous  folk,  that  now  desiren  the 
blood  and  the  deeth  of  alle  gode  men  and 
eek  of  alle  the  senat,  han  wilned  to  gon 

230  destroyen  me,  whom  they  han  sej'en 
alwey  batailen  and  defenden  gode  men 
and  eek  al  the  senat,  j-it  had  I  nat 
desserved  of  the  faderes,  that  is  to  seyn,  of 
the  senatoures,  that  they  sholden  wilne  my 

235  destruccioun. 

Thou  remembrest  wel,  as  I  gesse,  that 
wlian  I  wolde  doon  or  seyen  any  thing, 
thou  thyself,  alwey  present,  rewledest  me. 
At   the   city  of  Verone,   whan  that  the 

240  king,  gredy  of  comune  slaughter,  caste 
liim  to  transporten  np  al  the  ordre  of  the 
senat  the  gilt  of  his  real  majestee,  of  the 
whiche  gilt  that  Albin  was  accused,  with 
how  gret  sikernesse  of  peril  to  me  de- 

245  fendedo  I  al  the  senat  !  Thou  wost  wel 
that  I  seye  sooth,  ne  I  ne  avaimtede  me 
never  in  prcysinge  of  my-self.  For  alwey, 
whan  any  wight  receiveth  precious  renoun 
in  avauntinge  him-self  of  liis  werkes,  he 

250  amenuseth  the  secree  of  his  conscience. 
But  now  thou  mayst  wel  seen  to  what 
endo  I  am  comen  for  mjTie  innocence  ; 
I  receive  peyne  of  fals  folon.-\-e  for  guerdon 
of  verray   vertu.     And   what   open  con- 

255  fessioun  of  felonj^e  liadde  ever  juges  so 
sicordaunt  in  crueltec,  that  is  to  seyn,  as 
myn  accusinye  hath,  that  either  errour  of 
mannes  wit  or  elles  condicioun  of  For- 
tune,   that   is   uncertein   to  alle  mortal 

260  folk,  ne  submittede  some  of  hem,  that  is 
to  seyn,  that  it  ne  enclynede  som  juge  to  han 
pitee  or  compassioun  ?  For  al-thogh  I 
hadde  ben  accused  that  I  wolde  l)renne 
lioly  liousos,  and  strangle  prccstcs  with 

265  wikkede  ewerde,  or  that  I  hadde  grcythed 


deeth  to  al  gode  men,  algates  the  sentence 
sholde  han  punisshed  me,  present,  con- 
fessed, or  convict.  But  now  I  am  remewed 
fro  the  citee  of  Borne  almost  fyve  hundred 
thousand  pas,  I  am  with-oute  defence 
dampned  to  proscripcioiin  and  to  the 
deeth,  for  the  studie  and  bountees  that 
I  have  doon  to  the  senat.  But  O,  wel  ben 
they  worthy  of  merite  {as  who  seith,  nay), 
ther  mighte  never  yit  non  of  hem  be 
convict  of  swiche  a  blame  as  myne  is  !  Of 
whiche  trespas,  myne  accusoiirs  sayen  ful 
wel  the  dignitee  ;  the  whiche  dignitee, 
for  they  wolden  derken  it  with  medeling 
of  som  felonye,  they  baren  me  on  hand, 
and  lyeden,  that  I  hadde  polut  and  de- 
fouled  my  conscience  with  sacrilege,  for 
coveitise  of  dignitee.  And  certes,  thou  thy- 
self, that  art  plaunted  in  me,  chacedest 
out  of  the  sege  of  my  corage  al  coveitise  of 
mortal  thinges ;  ne  sacrilege  hadde  no 
leve  to  han  a  place  in  me  biforn  thyne 
eyen.  For  thou  droppedest  every  day  in 
myne  eres  and  in  my  thought  thilke 
comaundement  of  Pictagoras,  that  is  to 
seyn,  men  shal  serve  to  godde,  and  not  to 
goddes.  Ne  it  was  nat  convenient,  ne  no 
nede,  to  taken  help  of  the  foulest  spirites  ; 
I,  that  thou  hast  ordoiued  and  set  in 
swiche  excellence  that  thou  makedest  me 
lyk  to  god.  And  over  this,  the  right  clene 
secreo  chaumbro  of  mjoie  hous,  that  is  to 
seifn,  my  n-yf,  and  the  companye  of  myn 
honest  freendes,  and  my  wyves  fader,  as 
wel  holy  as  worthy  to  ben  reverenced 
thoi-ugh  his  owne  dedes,  defenden  nie 
from  alle  suspocioun  of  swich  blame.  But 
O  malice  !  For  they  tliat  accusen  me 
taken  of  thee,  PhUosophie,  feith  of  so  gret 
blame  !  For  they  trowen  that  I  have  had 
affinitee  to  maleficc  or  enchaitntement, 
by-cause  that  I  am  replenisshed  and 
fulfilled  with  thy  techinges,  and  enformed 
of  thy  mnneres.  And  thus  it  suffiseth  not 
only,  that  thy  reverence  ne  availe  me  not, 
but-yif  that  thou,  of  thy  free  wille,  rather 
be  blemished  with  myn  offencioun.  But 
certes,  to  the  harmos  that  I  have,  ther 
bitydcth  yit  this  encrees  of  harm,  that 
tlie  gossinge  and  the  jugement  of  moche 
folk  ne  looken  no-thing  to  the  desertes  of 


28s 


290 


■»9.S 


305 


^oti^iue.     (gooil  I :    (^Hvt  V. 


13: 


tliinges,  bnt  only  to  the  aventure  of 
fortune ;  and  jugcn  that  only  swiclie 
thingcs  ben  purveyed  of  god,  whicho  that 

^-'n  temporel  welefnlnesso  commendeth. 

Glose.  As  thus:  that,  yif  a  ivujht  have 
prosperitee,  he  is  a  good  man  and  worthy  to 
han  that  prosperitee ;  and  tvho-so  hath 
adversitee,  he  is  a  ivikked   man,  and  god 

.^-'5  hath  forsake  him,  and  he  is  worthy  to  han 
that  adversitee.     This  is   the  ox>inioun  of 

some  folk. And    ther-of    comth    that 

good  gessinge,  first  of  alle  thing,  forsaketh 
wrecches  :  certes,  it  greveth  me  to  thinke 

^,^i>  right  now  the  dyv'erso  sentences  that  the 
poeple  seith  of  me.  And  thus  moche 
I  scye,  that  the  laste  charge  of  contrarious 
fortune  is  this  :  that,  whan  tliat  any 
blame  is  leyd  upon  a  caitif,  men  wenen 

335  that  ho  hath  deserved  that  he  suffreth. 
And  I,  that  am  put  awey  fro  gode  men, 
and  despoiled  of  dignitees,  and  defouled 
of  my  name  by  gessinge,  have  stiiFred 
torment  for  my  gode  dedes.     Certes,  mo 

340  semeth  that  I  see  the  felonous  coviues  of 
wikked  men  habounden  in  joye  and  in 
gladncsse.  And  I  see  that  every  lorel 
shapcth  him  to  findo  ovit  newe  fravides  for 
to  accuse  gode  folk.     And  I  see  that  gode 

345  men  beth  overthrowcn  for  drede  of  my 
peril ;  and  every  luxurious  tourmentour 
dar  doon  alio  felonye  unpunisshed  and 
ben  excited  therto  by  yiftes  ;  and  inno- 
cents ne  ben  not  only  despoiled  of  siker- 

350  nesse  but  of  defence  ;  and  therfore  me  list 
to  crycn  to  god  in  this  wyse  : — 

Me'i  i£E  V.     0  slelliferi  conditor  orbis. 

O  thou  maker  of  tho  whole  that  bereth 
the  sterres,  which  that  art  y-fastned  to 
thy  perdurable  chayer,  and  tornest  the 
hevene  with  a  ravisshing  sweigh,  and 
5  constreinest  tho  sterros  to  sufFren  thy 
lawe ;  so  that  tho  mone  som-tyme  shyning 
with  hir  fvil  homes,  meting  with  alio  the 
hemes  of  tho  sonne  hir  brother,  hydeth 
tho  sterros  that  ben  lesso  ;  and  somtyme, 
10  whan  tho  mono,  palo  with  hir  dorko 
homes,  approchotli  tho  sonno,  losoth  hir 
lightes  ;  and  that  tlie  evc-sterre  Hesijorus, 
whicho  that  in  tho  firsto  tyme  of  tho  night 

F 


bringeth  forth  hir  coldo  arysinges,  cometh 
eft  ayein  hir  used  cours,  and  is  pale  by  15 
the  morwe  at  the  rysing  of  the  sonne,  and 
is  thanne  cleped  Lucifer.  Thoii  restrcinest 
the  day  by  shorter  dwelling,  in  the  tyme 
of  colde  winter  that  maketh  the  leves  to 
falle.  Thou  dividest  tho  swifte  tydes  of  20 
tho  night,  whan  the  hote  somer  is  comen. 
Thy  might  atempreth  the  variaunts 
sesons  of  the  yere  ;  so  that  Zephirus  tho 
deboneir  wind  bringeth  ayein,  in  the  first 
somer  sesoun,  the  loves  that  the  wind  that  25 
highte  Boreas  hath  reft  awey  in  autumpnc, 
that  is  to  seyn,  in  the  laste  ende  of  somer  ; 
and  the  sedes  that  the  sterre  that  Iiighto 
A  returns  saw,  ben  waxen  heye  cornes 
whan  tho  sterre  Siriiis  oschaufeth  hem.  30 
Ther  nis  no-thing  unbounde  from  his  oldo 
lawe,  ne  forleteth  theworke  of  hispropro 
estat.  O  thou  governour,  governinge 
alio  thinges  by  certein  ende,  why  re- 
fusestow  only  to  govorne  the  werkes  of  35 
men  by  dewo  manere  ?  Why  suffrest 
thou  that  slydinge  fortiino  torneth  so 
grete  entrechaunginges  of  thinges,  so  that 
ano.yous  peyne,  that  sholde  dewely 
punisshe  felouns,  punissheth  innocents?  4.) 
And  folk  of  wikkede  maneres  sitten  in 
heye  chayres,  and  anoyinge  folk  treden, 
and  that  unrightfully,  on  the  nekkes  of 
holy  men  ?  And  vertu,  cler-shyninge 
naturelly,  is  hid  in  derke  derkenesses,  and  45 
the  rightful  man  beretli  tho  blame  and 
the  peyne  of  the  feloun.  Ne  forsweringe 
ne  tho  fraude,  covered  and  kembd  with 
a  fals  coldur,  ne  anoyeth  nat  to  shrowes  ; 
the  whicho  shrewcs,  whan  hem  list  to  5'* 
usen  hir  strengthe,  they  rojoysen  hem  to 
putten  under  hem  the  sovereyne  kinges, 
whiche  that  pocplo  with-outcn  noumbre 
dreden.  O  thoii,  what  so  ever  thou 
be  that  knittest  alle  bondcs  of  thinges,  55 
loko  on  thiso  wrecchode  erthos  ;  we  men 
that  bon  nat  a  foulo  party,  but  a  fayr 
party  of  so  grete  a  work,  we  ben  tormented 
in  this  SCO  of  fortune.  Thou  governour, 
witlidraw  and  rcstroyne  the  ravisshingo  <x> 
flodcs,  and  fastno  and  ferme  thiso  erthes 
stable  with  thilke  bonde,  with  whicho 
thou  governest  tho  hcveno  that  is  so 
largo.' 


138 


(§oti^i\x0.    (^ooft  I:  (ptoae  v. 


PaosE  V. 


Hie  nhi  continnato  dolore 
delatraui. 


Whan  I  hadde,  with  a  continuel  soi-we, 
sobbed  or  borken  out  thise  thinges,  she 
■with  hir  chere  pesible.  and  no-thing 
amoeved  with  my  compleintes,  seide  thus  : 
5  'Whan  I  say  thee,'  quod  she,  '  sorweful 
and  wepinge,  I  wiste  anon  that  thou  were 
a  wrecche  and  exiled  ;  but  I  wiste  never 
how  fer  thyne  exile  was,  yif  thy  tale  ne 
hadde  shewed  it  to  me.     But  certes,  al  be 

lo  thou  fer  fro  thy  contree,  thou  nart  nat 
put  out  of  it ;  but  thou  hast  failed  of  thy 
weye  and  gon  amis.  And  yif  thou  hast 
lever  for  to  wene  that  thou  be  put  out  of 
thy  contree,  than  hast  thou  put  out  thy- 

15  self  rather  than  any  other  wight  hath.  For 
no  wight  but  thy-self  ne  might  e  never 
han  don  that  to  thee.  For  j-if  thou  re- 
membre  of  what  contree  thou  art  bom,  it 
nis   nat  governed  by  emperours,   ne  by 

20  governement  of  multitude,  as  weren  the 
contrees  of  hem  of  Athenes  ;  but  00  lord 
and  00  king,  and  that  is  god,  that  is  lord  of 
thy  contree,  whiche  that  rejoyseth  him 
of  the  dwelling  of  hise  citezenes,  and  nat 

25  for  to  putte  hem  in  exil ;  of  the  whiche 
lorde  it  is  a  soverayne  fredom  to  be 
governed  by  the  brydel  of  him  and  obeye 
to  his  justice.  Hastow  foryeten  thilke 
right  olde  la  we  of  thy  citee,  in  the  whiche 

30  citee  it  is  ordeined  and  establisshed,  that 
for  what  wight  that  hath  lever  founden 
ther-in  his  sote  or  his  hous  than  elles- 
wher,  he  may  nat  be  exiled  by  no  right 
from   that  place  ?      For  who-so    that  is 

35  contened  in-with  the  palis  and  the  clos  of 
thilke  citee,  ther  nis  no  drede  that  he 
may  deserve  to  ben  exiled.  But  who-so 
that  Icteth  the  wil  for  to  enhabite  there, 
he  forleteth  also  to  deserve  to  ben  citezein 

40  of  thilke  citee.  So  that  I  sey,  that  the 
face  of  this  place  ne  moveth  me  nat  so 
mochel  as  thjTie  owne  face.  Ne  I  axe  nat 
rather  the  walles  of  thy  librarie,  apar- 
ayled  and  wrought  with  .^^^'ory  and  with 

45  glas,  than  alter  the  sete  of  thy  thought. 
In  whiche  I  jiutte  nat  whylom  bokes,  but 
I  putte  that  that  maketh  bokes  worthy  of 
prys   or  precious,    that   is   to   sejTi,   the 


sentence  of  my  bokes.  And  certeinly  of 
thy  desertes,  bistowed  in  comune  good,  50 
thou  hast  seid  sooth,  but  after  the  multi- 
tude of  thy  gode  dedes,  thou  hast  seid 
fewe  ;  and  of  the  honestee  or  of  the  fals- 
nesse  of  thinges  that  ben  aposed  ayeins 
thee,  thou  hast  remembred  thinges  that  55 
ben  knowen  to  alle  folk.  And  of  the 
felonyes  and  fravides  of  thj-ne  accusours, 
it  semeth  thee  have  y-touched  it  forsothe 
rightfully  and  shortly,  al  mighten  tho 
same  thinges  betere  and  more  plenti-  60 
vousely  ben  couth  in  the  mouthe  of  the 
poeple  that  knoweth  al  this.  Thou  hast 
eek  blamed  gretly  and  compleined  of  the 
wrongful  dede  of  the  senat.  And  thou 
hast  sorwed  for  mj'  blame,  and  thou  hast  65 
wopen  for  the  damage  of  thj'  renoun  that 
is  apayred ;  and  thy  laste  sorwe  eschaufede 
ayeins  fortune,  and  compleinest  that 
guerdouns  ne  ben  nat  evenliche  yolden  to 
the  desertes  of  folk.  And  in  the  latere  70 
ende  of  thy  wode  Muse,  thou  preyedest 
that  thilke  pees  that  govemeth  the  hevene 
sholde  governe  the  erthe.  But  for  that 
manye  tribulaciouns  of  affecciouns  han 
assailed  thee,  and  sorwe  and  ire  and  75 
wepinge  to-drawen  thee  dj-^-ersely ;  as 
thou  art  now  feble  of  thought,  mightier 
remedies  ne  shullen  nat  yit  touchen  thee, 
for  whiche  we  wol  usen  somdel  lighter 
medicines  :  so  that  thilke  passiouns  that  Sti 
ben  woxen  harde  in  swellinge,  by  pertur- 
baciouns  flowing  in-to  thy  thought, 
mowen  wexen  esj'  and  softe,  to  receiven 
the  strengthe  of  a  more  mighty  and  more 
egre  medicine,  by  an  esier  touchinge.  8^^ 

Metre  VI. 

Cum  Phehi  radiis  graue 

Cancri  sidus  inestuat. 
Whan  that  the  hevy  sterre  of  the 
Cancre  eschaufeth  b.y  the  hemes  of  Phe- 
hus,  tliut  is  to  seyn,  whan  that  Phebtis  the 
Sonne  is  in  the  signe  of  the  Cattcre,  who-so 
yeveth  thanne  largely  hise  sedes  to  the  5 
feldes  that  refusen  to  receiven  hem,  lat 
him  gon,  bigyled  of  trust  that  he  hadde 
to  his  corn,  to  acorns  of  okes.  Yif  thou 
wolt  gadre  violettes,   ne  go  thou  not  to 


(^oe<6tu0.    (gooft  I:  (ptoee  vi. 


139 


10  the  purpur  wode  whan  the  feld,  chirk- 
inge,  agryseth  of  colde  by  thcfelncsse  of 
the  winde  that  highte  Aquilon.  Yif  thou 
desirest  or  wolt  usen  grapes,  ne  seke  thou 
nat,   with  a  glotonous  hond,  to  strej'iie 

15  and  presse  the  stalkes  of  the  vine  in  the 
ferst  somer  sesoun  ;  for  Bachus,  the  god 
of  wyne,  hath  rather  yeven  hise  yiftes  to 
autumpne,  the  late?-  ende  0/  some?:  God 
tokneth  and  assigneth  the  tymes,  ablinge 

20  hem  to  hir  propres  oflSces  ;  ne  he  ne 
suffreth  nat  the  stoundes  whiche  that 
him-self  hath  devyded  and  constreyned 
to  ben  y-medled  to-gidere.  And  forthy 
he  that  forleteth  certein  ordinaunce  of 

25  doinge  by  over-throwinge  wey,  he  ne  hath 
no  glade  issue  or  ende  of  his  werkes. 

Prose  VI.     P?-imum  igitit?'  paterisne  me 
pauculis  rogacionibits. 

First  woltow  suffre  me  to  touche  and 
assaye  the  estat  of  thy  thought  by  a  fewe 
demaundes,  so  that  I  may  understonde 
what  be  the  manere  of  thy  curacioun  ?  ' 
5  Boece.  '  Axe  me,'  quod  I,  '  at  thy  wille, 
what  thou  wolt,  and  I  shal  answere.' 

Tho  seide  she  thus  :  '  Whether  we- 
nestow,'  quod  slie,  '  that  this  world  be 
governed    by    foolish    happes    and    for- 

10  tunous,  or  elles  that  there  be  in  it  any 
governement    of   resoun  ?  '  '  Certes,' 

quod  I,  '  I  ne  trowe  nat  in  no  manere, 
that  so  certein  thinges  sholde  be  moeved 
by  fortunous  fortune  ;  but  I  wot  wel  that 

'5  god,  maker  and  mayster,  is  governour  of 
his  werk.  Ne  never  nas  yit  day  that 
mighte  ptitte  me  out  of  the  sotlmesse  of 
that  sentence.' 

'  So   is   it,'   quod   she ;   '  for   the   same 
I  20  thing  songe  thou  a  litel  her-biibrn,  and 

biweyledest  and  biweptest,  that  only  men 
weren  piit  out  of  the  cure  of  god.  Por  of 
alle  other  thinges  thou  ne  doutedest  nat 
that  they  nere  governed  by  resoun.     But 

25  owh  !  (/.  pape  !)  I  wondre  gretly,  certes, 
why  that  thou  art  syk,  sin  that  thou  art 
put  in  so  holsom  a  sentence.  But  hit  us 
seken  depper ;  I  conjecte  that  ther  lak- 
keth  I  not  nere  what.     But  sey  me  tliis  • 

30  sin  that  thou  ne  doutest  nat  that  this 

r 


world  be  governed  by  god,  with  whiche 
governailes  takestow  hede  that  it  is 
governed  ?  '  '  Unnethe, '  quod  I,  '  knowo 
I  the  sentence  of  thy  questioun  ;  so  that 
I  ne  maj'  nat  yit  answeren  to  thy  de-  .^5 
maundes. ' 

'I  nas  nat  deceived,'  quod  she,  'that 
ther  ne  faileth  somwhat,  by  whiche  the 
maladye  of  thy  perturbacioun  is  crept 
in-to  thy  thought,  so  as  the  strengthe  of  40 
the  palis  chyning  is  open.  But  sey  me 
this  :  remembrest  thou  what  is  the  ende 
of  thinges,  and  whider  that  the  enten- 
cioun  of  alle  kinde  tendeth  ?  '  'I  have 
herd  it  told  som-tyme,'  quod  I;  '  but  45 
drerinesse  hath  dulled  nij'  memorie.' 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  thou  wost  wel 
whennes  that  alle  thinges  ben  comen  and 
procedeth ?  '  'I  wot  wel, '  quod  I,  and 
answerode,  that  '  god  is  beginning  of  al. '   50 

'  And  how  may  this  be, 'quod  she,  '  that, 
sin  thou  knowest  the  beginning  of 
thinges,  that  thou  ne  knowest  nat  what 
is  the  ende  of  thinges  ?  But  swiche  ben 
the  customes  of  perturbaciouns,  and  this  55 
power  they  ban,  that  they  may  moeve 
a  man  out  of  his  jjlace,  that  is  to  seyn,  fro 
the  stablenes  and  perfeccioun  of  his  knoic- 
inge;  but,  certes,  they  may  nat  al  ai-ace 
him,  ne  aliene  him  in  al.  But  I  wolde  <x) 
that  thou  woldest  answere  to  this  : 
remembrostow  that  thoii  art  a  man  ? ' 
'  Why  sholde  I  nat  remembre  that  ? " 
quod  I. 

'Maystow  nat  telle  me  thanne,'quod  '>5 
she,  '  what  tiling  is  a  man  ?  '     '  Axestow 
me   nat,'   quod   I,    '  whether    that   I   be 
a  resonable  mortal  beest  ?   I  woot  wel,  and 
I  confesse  wel  that  I  am  it.' 

'  Wistestow  never  yit  that  thou  were  /»> 
any   other   thing?'    quod   she.  'No,' 

quod  I. 

'  Now  woot  I,'  quod  she,  '  other  cause  of 
thy  maladye,  and  that  right  grete.  Thou 
hast  left  for  to  knowen  thy-self,  what  75 
thou  art ;  thorugh  whiche  I  liave  jjlcynly 
founden  the  cause  of  thy  maladye,  or  elles 
the  entree  of  recoveringe  of  thyn  hele. 
For-why,  for  thou  art  confounded  with 
foryeting  of  thy-self,  for-thy  sorwestow  8<j 
that  thou  art  exiled  of  thy  propre  goodes. 


140 


(godftiue.    (gooft  I :  (mHn  vii. 


And  for  thou  ne  wosfc  what  is  the  ende  of 
thingos,  for-thy  demestow  that  felonous 
and  wikked  men  hen  mighty  and  ■weleful. 
85  And  for  thou  hast  foryeten  by  whiche 
governements  the  ■worhl  is  governed,  for- 
thy  wcnestow  that  thiso  mutaciouns  of 
fortune  fleten  with-onte  governour.  Thise 
ben  grete  causes  not  only  to  maladye, 
9<)  but,  certes,  grete  causes  to  deeth.  But 
I  tlianke  the  auctor  and  the  maker  of 
liele,  that  nature  hath  not  al  forleten 
thee.  I  have  grete  norisshinges  of  thyn 
hele,  and  that  is,  the  sothe  sentence  of 
95  govemaunce  of  the  workle  ;  that  thou 
bilevest  that  the  governinge  of  it  nis  nat 
subject  ne  iinderput  to  the  folic  of  thise 
happes  aventurous,  but  to  the  resoim  of 
god.     And  ther-for  doute  thee  no-thing  ; 

KK)  for  of  this  litel  spark  thj-n  hete  of  lyf 
shal  shyne.  But  for  as  moclie  as  it  is 
nat  tyme  yit  of  faster  rennedies,  and  the 
nature  of  thoughtes  deceived  is  this, 
that  as  ofte  as  they  casten  awey  sothe 

105  opiniouns,  they  clothen  hem  in  false 
opiniouns,  of  -which  false  opiniouns  the 
derkenesse  of  perturbacioun  wexetli  up, 
that  confoundeth  the  vorray  insighte  : 
and  that  derkenesse  shal  I  assaj-e  soni- 

iiDwhat  to  maken  thinne  and  wayk  by 
lighte  and  meneliche  remedies ;  so  that, 


after  that  the  derkenesse  of  deceivinge 
desiringes  "is  don  awey,  thoii  mowe  knowe 
the  shjTiinge  of  verray  light. 

Metre  VII.     Xitbibus  atria. 

The  sterres,  covered  with  blake  cloudes, 
ne  mowen  yeten  a-doun  no  light.  Yif  the 
trouble  wind  that  hight  Auster,  turning 
and  walwinge  the  see,  medleth  the  hete, 
that  is  to  seyn,  the  boyling  up  from  the  5 
botme;  the  wawes,  that  whylom  weren 
clere  as  glas  and  lyke  to  the  faire  clere 
dayes,  wthstande  anon  the  sightes  of  men 
by  the  filthe  and  ordure  that  is  resolved. 
And  the  fletinge  streem,  that  royleth  10 
doun  dy\-orsly  fro  hej'c  niountaignes,  is 
arested  and  resisted  ofte  tjnne  by  the 
encotuitringe  of  a  stoon  that  is  departed 
and  fallen  frona  som  roche.  And  for- 
thy,  yif  thou  wolt  loken  and  demen  15 
sooth  with  cleer  light,  and  holden  the 
wey  with  a  right  path,  weyve  thou  joye, 
dryf  fro  thee  drede,  flemo  thou  hope,  ne 
lat  no  sorwe  aproche  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  lat 
nan  of  thise  four  passiouns  over-comen  thee  20 
or  blende  thee.  For  cloudy  and  derke  is 
thilke  thought,  and  bounde  with  brydlcs, 
where-as  thise  thinges  regncn.' 


Explicit  Liber  Primus. 


BOOK    II. 


Prose  I.     Postea  pauli.tper  conticuit. 

After  this  she  stinte  a  litel ;  and,  after 
that  she  hadde  gadered  by  atempre  stUle- 
nesse  myn  attcncioun,  she  seide  thus  : 
{As  who  mighte  seyn  thus:  After  thise 
5  thinges  she  stinte  a  litel ;  and  whan  she 
aperceived  by  atempre  stillenesse  that  I  was 
ententif  to  herkenc  Mr,  she  bigan  to  speke  in 
this  wyse) :  '  Yif  I,'  quod  she,  '  have  undcr- 
stondcn  and  knowen  outrcly  the  causes 
10  and  the  habit  of  thy  maladye,  thou 
languissest  and  art  defeted  for  dosyr  and 
talent  of  thy  rather  fortune.     She,  that 


ilke  Fortune  only,  that  is  chaunged,  as 
thou  fej"ncst,to  thee-ward,  hath  perverted 
the  clcernesse  and  the  estat  of  tliy  corage.  15 
I  undcrstonde  the  fele-folde  colours  and 
deceites   of    thilke    mervoilous   monstre 
Fortune,  and  how  she  usetli  ful  flateringe 
familaritee  with  hem  that  she  cnforceth 
to  bigyle  ;  so  longe,  til  that  she  confounde  20 
with    unsufferable  sorwe   hem   that  she 
hath  left  in  despeyr  unpurveyed.    And  yif 
thou    remembrest    wel    the    kinde,    the 
maneres,  and  the  desert  of  thilke  Fortune, 
thou   shalt   wel   knowe   that,  as  in  hir,  25 
thou  never  ne  haddest  ne  hast  j'-lost  any 
fair  thing.     But,  as  I  trowe,  I  shal  nat 


(^ocf0iu6.     Q^ooft  II:    (proee  I. 


141 


gretly  travailen  to  do  thee  remem'breii  on 
thise   tliinges.     For  tlioii  were  wont   to 

30  Imrtelen  and  dcspysen  hir,  with  manly 
wordes,  whan  slae  was  blaundissinge  and 
isresent,  and  irarsewedest  hir  with  sen- 
tences that  were  drawen  out  of  myn 
entree,  that  is  to  seyn,  out  of  myn  infotina- 

35  cioun.  But  no  sodein  niutacioun  ne 
Mtydeth  nat  with-oute  a  manere  chaung- 
inge  of  corages  ;  and  so  is  it  befallen  that 
thou  art  a  litel  departed  fro  the  pees  of 
thy  thought. 

40  But  now  is  tyme  that  thoii  drinke  and 
ataste  some  softe  and  delitable  tliinges  ; 
so  that,  whan  they  ben  entred  within 
thee,  it  niowe  niakcn  wey  to  strengere 
drinkes   of  niedicynes.     Com  now  forth 

45  therfore  the  suasioun  of  swetenesse  re- 
thorien,  whiche  that  goth  only  the  right 
wey,  whyl  she  forsakoth  nat  myne 
cstatuts.  And  with  Rhetorice  com  forth 
Musice,    a    damisel    of   our    hous,   that 

50  singeth  now  lighter  moedes  or  lirolaciouns, 
now  he\'yer.  What  cyleth  thee,  man  ? 
What  is  it  that  hath  cast  thee  in-to 
morninge  and  in-to  wepinge  ?  I  trowe 
that  thou  hast  seyn  som  ncwe  thing  and 

55  uncouth.  Thou  wenest  that  Fortvmo  be 
chaunged  ayein  thee  ;  but  thou  wenest 
wrong,  yif  thou  that  wene.  Alwey  tho 
ben  hir  maneres ;  she  hath  rather  kept, 
as  to  thee-ward,  hir  propre  stablenesse  in 

60  the  chaungingo  of  hir-self.  Eight  swich 
was  she  whan  she  flatered  thee,  and 
deceived  thee  with  unlevef'ul  lykinges  of 
fals  welcfulnesse.  Thou  hast  now  knowen 
and  ataynt  the  doutous  or  double  visage 

(15  of  thilke  blinde  goddesse  Fortune.  She, 
that  yit  covereth  hir  and  wimpleth  hir 
to  other  folk,  hatli  shewed  hir  every- 
del  to  thee.  Yif  thou  aprovest  hir  and 
thenkest  that  she  is  good,  use  hir  maneres 

;c)  and  pleyno  thee  nat.  And  yif  thou 
agrysest  hir  false  trccherye,  despyse  and 
cast  awey  liir  that  plcyeth  so  harmfully  ; 
for  she,  that  is  now  cause  of  so  muche 
sorwe  to  thee,  sholdo  ben  cause  to  thee  of 

75  pees  and  of  joye.  She  hath  Ibrsaken  thee, 
forsothe ;  the  wliiche  that  never  man 
naay  ben  siker  that  she  ne  shal  forsake 
him. Glose.   Btit   nathdes,  some  bokes 


han  the  text  thus:    For  sothe,  she  hath 
forsaken  thee,  ne  ther  nis  no  man  siker  To 

that  she  ne  hath  nat  fcjrsakcn. 

Holdestow  than  thilke  welefulnesse 
precioiis  to  thee  that  shal  passen  ?  And 
is  present  Fortune  dereworthe  to  thoe, 
which  that  nis  nat  feithful  for  to  dwelle;  8^ 
and,  whan  she  goth  awey,  that  she 
bringeth  a  wight  in  sorwe  ?  For  sin  she 
may  nat  ben  with-holden  at  a  mannes 
wille,  she  maketh  him  a  wrecche  whan 
she  departeth  fro  him.  Wlaat  other  thing  00 
is  flittinge  Fortune  but  a  manor  shewinge 
of  wrecchednesse  that  is  to  comen  ?  Ne 
it  ne  sufFyseth  nat  only  to  loken  on  thinge 
that  is  present  biforn  the  eyen  of  a  man. 
But  wisdom  loketh  and  amesureth  the  95 
ende  of  tliinges  ;  and  the  same  chaung- 
inge  from  oon  in-to  an-otlier,  that  is  to 
seyn,  from  adversitee  in-to  lyrospcritce, 
maketh  that  the  manaces  of  Fortune  no 
ben  nat  for  to  dreden,  ne  the  flateringes  100 
of  hir  to  ben  desired.  Thiis,  at  the  laste, 
it  bihoveth  thee  to  sufFren  with  evene 
wille  in pacience  al  that  is  don  in-with  the 
floor  of  Fortune,  (hat  is  to  seyn,  in  this 
world,  sin  thou  hast  ones  put  thy  nekke  105 
under  the  yok  of  hir.  For  yif  thou  wolt 
wryten  a  lawe  of  wendinge  and  of  dwell- 
inge  to  Fortune,  whiche  that  thou  hast 
chosen  frely  to  ben  thy  lady,  artow  nat 
wrongful  in  that,  and  makest  Fortune  in> 
wroth  and  aspere  by  tlij-n  injiaticncc, 
and  yit  thou  mayst  nat  chaunge  hir? 
Yit  thou  committest  and  bitakost  thy 
sailes  to  the  windc,  thou  .shalt  be  shovcn, 
not  tliider  that  thou  woldest,  but  whidcr  1 1 5 
that  the  wind  shoveth  thee.  Yif  thou 
castest  thy  sedes  in-to  the  feldes,  thou 
sholdcst  han  in  minde  that  the  yercs  ben, 
amonges,  othcr-whyle  plentevous  and 
other- whyle  bareyne.  Tlicra  hast  bitaken  uo 
thy-sclf  to  the  governaiince  of  Fortune, 
and  for-thy  it  bihoveth  thee  to  ben 
obeisaunt  to  the  maneres  of  thy  lady. 
Enforcest  thou  thee  to  arcsten  or  witli- 
holdeii  the  swiftncsse  and  the  swcigh  of  1J5 
hir  turninge  whele  ?  O  thou  fool  ol'  alio 
mortal  fooles,  if  Fortune  bigan  to  dwcllo 
st.able,  she  cesede  thanne  to  ben  For- 
tune ! 


14- 


(§od^ivL0.    (^ooft  II :  (mefte  I. 


Metre  I.    llec  cmn  superha  uerterit  uices 
dextra. 

Wlian  Fortune  with  a  proiid  right 
hand  hath  torned  hir  channginge 
stonndes,  she  fareth  lyk  the  maneres  of 

tlie  boilinge  Eurj-pe. Glosa.    FAirype 

5  is  an  arm  of  the  see  that  ehheth  and 
floiveth;    and  som-tyme   the  streem   is    on 

o  syde,   and  som-tyme   on   the    other. 

Text.  She,  cruel  Fortune,  casteth  adoun 
kinges  that  whylom  weren  y-drad  ;  and 

lo  she,  deceivable,  enhaunseth  up  the  hum- 
ble chere  of  him  that  is  discomiited. 
Ne  she  neither  hereth  ne  rekketh  of 
wrecchede  wepinges  ;  and  she  is  so  hard 
that  she  laugheth  and  scorneth  the  wep- 

'5  inges  of  hem,  the  whiche  she  hath  maked 
"wope  with  hir  free  wille.  Thus  she 
pleyeth,  and  thus  she  proeveth  hir 
strengthes  ;  and  sheweth  a  greet  wonder 
to  alle  hir  servauntes,  yif  that  a  wight 

2f)  is  seya  weleful,  and  overthrowe  in  an 
lioure. 


Prose  II.      Vellera  autem  pauca  tecum, 

Certes,  I  wolde  pleten  with  thee  a  fewe 
thinges,  usinge  the  wordes  of  Fortune  ; 
tak  hede  now  thy-self,  yif  that  she  axeth 
right.  "  O  thou  man,  wher-fore  makest 
5  thou  megilty  by  thyne  every-dayes  plejm- 
inges?  What  wrong  have  I  don  thee? 
What  goodes  have  I  bireft  thee  that 
weren  thyne  ?  Strj-f  or  plete  with  me, 
bifore  wliat  juge  that  thou  wolt,  of  the 

lo  posscssioun  of  richosscs  or  of  dignitccs. 
And  yif  thou  mayst  showen  me  that  ever 
any  mortal  man  hath  received  any  of  tho 
tliinges  to  ben  hiso  in  propre,  than  wol 
I  graunto  frelj'  that  alle  tliilke  thinges 

15  weren  thyne  whiche  that  thou  axest. 
Whan  that  nature  broughte  thee  forth 
out  of  thy  moder  wombe,  I  recej'ved  thee 
naked  and  nedy  of  alle  thinges,  and 
I    norisshede    thee   with   my   richesses, 

20  and  was  redy  and  entcntif  througli  my 
favotir  to  susteyne  tlico  ;  and  tliat  maketh 
thee  now  inpacient  ayoins  me  ;  and 
I  envirounde  thee  with  alle  the  aboun- 


dance  and  shyninge  of  alle  goodes  that 
ben  in  my  right.  Now  it  lyketh  me  to  25 
with-drawen  my  hand ;  thou  hast  had 
grace  as  he  that  hath  used  of  foreine 
goodes ;  thoii  hast  no  right  to  pleyne 
thee,  as  thovigh  thou  haddest  oiitrely  for- 
lorn alle  thy  thinges.  Why  plojTiest  thou  30 
thanne  ?  I  have  done  thee  no  wrong. 
Richesses,  honours,  and  swiche  other 
thinges  ben  of  my  right.  My  servauntes 
knowen  me  for  hir  lady ;  they  comen 
with  me,  and  departen  whan  I  wende.  35 
I  dar  wel  aflfermen  hardily,  that  yif  tho 
thinges,  of  which  thou  pleynest  that  thou 
hast  forlorn,  hadde  ben  thyne,  thoii  ne 
haddest  not  lorn  hem.  Shal  I  thanne 
only  ben  defended  to  usen  my  right  ?  40 
Certes,  it  is  leveful  to  the  hevene  to  make 
clere  dayos,  and,  after  that,  to  coveren 
tho  sanic  daj^es  with  derko  nightes.  The 
yeer  hath  eek  love  to  apparailen  the 
visage  of  the  erthe,  now  with  floures  and  45 
.now  with  fruit,  and  to  confounden  hem 
som-tyme  with  re.ynes  and  with  coldes. 
The  see  hath  eek  his  right  to  ben  som- 
tyme  calme  and  blaundishing  with 
smotlie  water,  and  som-tyme  to  ben  hor-  50 
rible  with  wawcs  and  with  tempestes. 
But  the  covetise  of  men,  that  may  nat 
ben  stanched,  slial  it  l)indo  me  to  ben 
stedefast,  sin  that  stedelastnesse  is  un- 
couth to  my  maneres?  Swich  is  my  55 
strengthe,  and  this  pley  I  pleye  con- 
tiniiely.  I  tome  the  whirlinge  wheel 
with  the  torning  cercle  ;  I  am  glad  to 
chaungen  the  lowest  to  the  heyest,  and 
the  heyest  to  tho  lowest.  Worth  up,  if  6c 
thou  wolt,  so  it  bo  by  this  lawe,  that  thou 
ne  holdo  nat  that  I  do  thee  wrongo  thogh 
thou  doscende  adoun,  whan  the  resoun  of 
my  ploy  axeth  it.  Wist  est  thou  nat 
how  Cresus,  the  king  of  Lydicns,  of  6^ 
whiche  king  Cyrus  was  ful  sore  agast 
a  litel  biforn,  that  this  rewlicho  Cresus 
was  caught  of  Cyrus  and  lad  to  the  fyr  to 
ben  brent,  but  that  a  rayn  descendede 
doun  fro  hevene  that  rescowede  him  ?  70 
And  is  it  out  of  tliy  mindo  how  that 
Paulus,  consul  of  Rome,  whan  lie  hadde 
taken  the  king  of  Perciens,  woej)  pitousl.v 
for   the   captivitee    of    the    self    kinge  ? 


(§oit^im.    (^ooft  II:  ^vo0t  III. 


143 


75  Wliat  other  thing  hiwailen  the  cryinges 
of  tragedies  but  only  the  tledes  of  Fortune, 
that  with  an  unwar  stroke  overtorneth 

realmes  of  grete  nobley  ? -Glose.  Tra- 

gedie  is  to  seyn,  a  ditee  of  a  prosperitee  for 

80  a  tyme,  that  endeth  in  icrecchednesse. 

Lernedest  nat  thou  in  Greke,  whan  thou 
were  yonge,  that  in  the  entree,  or  in  the 
celere,  of  Jupiter,  ther  ben  couched  two 
tonnes  ;  that  on  is  fnl  of  good,  that  other 

85  is  ful  of  harm  ?  What  right  hast  thou  to 
pleyne,  yif  thou  hast  taken  niore  plente- 
vously  of  the  gode  syde,  that  is  to  seyn,  of 
my  richesses  and  prosperites ;  and  what 
eek  if  I  ne  be  nat  al  departed  fro  thee  ? 

Sf>  What  eek  yif  my  mutabilitee  yiveth  thee 
rightful  caxise  of  hope  to  han  yit  beter 
thinges  ?  Nathelos  disniaye  thee  nat  in 
thy  thought ;  and  thou  that  art  put  in 
the  comune  realme  of  alle,  ne  desyre  nat 

95  to  liven  by  thyn  only  propre  right. 


Metre  II. 


Si  qiiantas  rapid  is  flatibus 
incitus. 


Though  Plentee,  that  is  goddesse  of 
richesses,  hielde  adoiin  with  ful  horn,  and 
withdraweth  nat  hir  hand,  as  many 
richesses  as  the  see  torneth  upward 
.■;  sandes  whan  it  is  nioeved  with  ravissh- 
inge  blastes,  or  elles  as  many  richesses 
as  ther  sliynen  brighte  sterres  on  hevene 
on  the  sterry  nightes ;  yit,  for  al  that, 
mankinde  nolde  not  cese  to  wepe  wrecch- 

10  ede  pleyntes.  And  al  be  it  so  that  god 
receyveth  gladly  hir  preyers,  and  yiveth 
them  (as  fool-large)  moche  gold,  and 
aparaileth  coveitous  men  with  noble  or 
clere  honours  :    yit   semeth   hem  haven 

•5  y-geten  no-thing,  but  alwey  hir  criiol 
ravjTie,  devouringe  al  that  they  han 
geten,  sheweth  otlier  gapinges  ;  that  is  to 
seyn,  gapen  and  desyren  yit  after  mo  rich- 
esses.   What  brydles  mighten  withholden, 

20  to  any  certein  ende,  the  desordenee  cove- 
tise  of  men,  whan,  ever  the  rather  that  it 
fleteth  in  large  yiftes,  the  more  ay  bren- 
neth  in  hem  the  thiirst  of  havinge  ? 
Certes   he   that,   quakinge   and   dredful, 

25  weneth  him-sclven  nedy,  lie  ne  liveth 
never-more  riche." 


Prose  III.     Hiis  igitur  si  pro  se  tecum 
Fortuna  loqueretur. 

Therfor,  yif  that  Fortune  spake  with 
thee  for  hir-self  in  this  manere,  for-sothe 
tho\i  ne  haddest  nat  what  thou  mightest 
answere.  And,  if  thou  hast  any-thing 
wherwith  thou  maj'est  rightfully  de-  5 
fenden  thy  compleint,  it  behoveth  thee 
to  shewen  it  ;  and  I  wol  yeven  thee  space 
to  tellen  it.'  Boece.  '  Certeynly,' quod 
I  thanne,  '  thise  beth  faire  thinges, 
and  anointed  with  hony  swetenesse  of  ic 
rethorike  and  musike ;  and  only  whyl 
they  ben  herd  they  ben  delicious.  But  to 
wrecches  is  a  depper  felinge  of  harm  ; 
this  is  to  seyn,  that  wrecches  felen  the 
harmes  that  they  suffren  more  grevoiisJy  15 
than  the  remedies  or  the  delites  of  thise 
wordes  moicen  gladen  or  comforten  hem  ;  so 
that,  whan  thise  thinges  stinten  for  to 
soime  in  eres,  the  sorwe  that  is  inset 
greveth  the  thought.'  20 

Phil.  '  Eight  so  is  it, '  quod  she.  '  For 
thise  ne  ben  yit  none  remedies  of  thy 
maladye  ;  but  they  ben  a  maner  norissh- 
inges  of  thy  sorwe,  yit  rebel  ayein  thy 
curacioun.  For  whan  that  tyme  is,  I  25 
shal  moeve  swiche  thinges  that  percen 
hem-self  depe.  But  natheles,  that  thou 
shalt  notwilne  to  let  en  thy-self  a  wrecche, 
hast  thou  foryeten  the  noumber  and  the 
manere  of  thy  welefulnesse  ?  I  holde  me  31 
stille,  how  that  the  soverayne  men  of  the 
citee  token  thee  in  cure  and  kepinge, 
whan  thou  were  orphelin  of  fader  and 
moder,  and  were  chosen  in  affinitee  of 
princes  of  the  citee  ;  and  thou  bigunne  .^5 
rather  to  be  leef  and  dere  than  forto  ben 
a  neighbour  ;  the  whiche  thing  is  the 
most  precious  kinde  of  any  propinquitee 
or  alyaunce  that  may  ben.  Who  is  it 
that  ne  seide  tho  that  thoii  were  right  40 
weleful,  with  so  grete  a  nobleye  of  thy 
fadres-in-lawe,  and  with  the  chastitee  of 
thy  wyf,  and  with  the  oportuniteo  and 
noblesse  of  thy  masculin  children,  that  is 
to  seyn,  thy  sanest  And  over  al  this — me  4.^ 
list  to  passen  the  comune  thinges — how 
thou  haddest  in  thy  youthe  dignitees  that 


144 


(gca^iue.    (goog  II:   QHefre  in. 


60 


80 


85 


weren  werned  to  olde  men.     But  it  de- 
lyteth  me  to  comen  now  to  the  singuler 
uphepinge  of  tlij-  welefulnesse.     Yif  any 
fruit   of  mortal    thinges  maj^  han   any 
v.-eighte  or  prys  of  welefulnesse,  mightest 
thou   ever  foryeten,   for  any  charge  of 
harm   that   mighte  bifaUe,   the  remem- 
braunce  of  thillce  day  that  thou  saye  thy 
two  sones  maked  conseileres,  and  y-lad 
to-gedere  fro  thyn  house  under  so  greet 
assemblee   of  senatoures  and  under  the 
blythenesse  of  poeple  ;    and  whan  thou 
saye  hem  set  in  the  court  in  here  chayeres 
of  dignitees?     Thou,   rethorien   or  pro- 
nonncere  of  kinges  preysinges,  deservedest 
glorie    of  wit   and    of  eloquence,  whan 
thou,  sittinge  bitwene  thy  two  sones,  con- 
;  seileres,  in  the  place  that  highte  Circo, 
ffulfuldest    the    abydinge    of  the  mul- 
titude of  poeple  that  was  sprad  abouten 
thee,  with  so  large  preysinge  and  laude, 
as  men  singen  in  ^-ictories.      Tho  yave 
1  thou    wordes    to    Fortune,   as   I   trowe, 
that  is  to  seyn,  tho  fiffedest  thou  Fortune 
tilth  glosinge  zcordes  and   deceivedest  hir, 
whan  she  acoyede  thee  and  norisshede 
thee   as   hir  owne   delyccs.      Thou   here 
away  of  Fortune  a  yifte,  that  is  to  seyn, 
8u-iche  guerdoun,    that   she  never  j-af  to 
privee    man.      "Wilt    thou    therfor    leyc 
a  rekeninge  -«-ith   Fortune?     She  hath 
now  twinkled  first  upon  thee  with  a  wik- 
kede  eye.     Yif  thou  considere  the  noum- 
bre  and  the  manere  of  thy  blisses  and  of 
thy  sorwcs,  thou  mayst  nat  forsaken  that 
thou  art  .-v-it  blisful.     For  if  thou  tlierfor 
wenest  thy-self  nat  weleful,  for  thinges 
that  tho  semcden  joyful  ben  passed,  ther 
nis  nat  why  thou  sholdest  wene  thy-self 
a  -w-recche ;  for  thinges  that  semen  now 
sorj-e  passen  also.       Art  thou  now  comen 
first,  a  sodein  gest,  in-to  the  shadwo  or 
tabernacle  of  this  lyf ;    or  trowest  thou 
that   any   stedefastnesso    be    in  mannes 
thinges,   whan   ofte    a  swift  houre  dis- 
solveth  tho  same   man  ;    that  is  to  seyn, 
Khan  the  soule   dfparteth  fro   the   bodyf 
For,  al-thongh  that  selde  is  ther  any  feith 
that  fortunous  thinges  wolen  dwellen,  jat 
natheles  the  laste  day  of  a  mannes  lyf  is 
a  manere  deeth  to  Fortune,  and  also  to 


thilke  that  hath   dwelt.     And    therfor, 
what,  wenestow,  thar  [thee]  recche,  yif  100 
thou  forlote  hir  in  deyingo,  or  elles  that 
she,    Fortune,    forlete    thee    in    fleeinge 
awey  ? 

Metrk  III.     Cum  polo  Phebus 
roseis  quadrigis. 
"\Yhan  Phebus,  the  sonne,  biginneth  to 
spreden  his  cleernesse  with  rosene  chari- 
ettes,  thanne  the  sterre,  y-dimmed,  paleth 
hir  whj-te  cheres,  by  the  flambes  of  the 
Sonne  that  overcometh  the  sterre-light.  5 
This  is  to  seyn,  uhan  the  sonne  is  risen, 
the  dey-sterre  wexeth  pale,   and  leseth  Mr 
light  for  the  grete  brightnesse  of  the  sonne. 
^Yhan  the  wode  weseth  rody  of  rosene 
floures,  in  the  first  somer  sesoun,  thomgh  m 
the  brethe  of  the  winde  Zephirus  that 
wexeth  warm,  yif  the  cloudy  wind  Austor 
blowe  felliche,  than  goth  awey  the  faire- 
nesse  of  thornes.  Ofte  the  see  is  cleer 

and  calm  withoute  moevinge  flodes  ;  and  15 
ofte  the  horrible  wind  Aquilon  moe\-cth 
boilinge  tempestes  and  over-whclveth  tho 
see.  Yif  the  forme  of  this  worlde  is  so 
selde  stable,  and  yif  it  tumeth  by  so 
many  entrechaunginges,  wolt  thou  thanne  -o 
trusten  in  the  tomblinge  fortunes  of 
men?  Wolt  thou  trowen  on  flittingo 
goodes?  It  is  certein  and  cstablisshod 
by  lawe  perdurable,  that  no-tliing  that  is 
engendred  nis  stedefast  ne  stable.'  3- 

Prost:  IV.     Tunc  ego,   uera, 
inquam,  commemoras. 
Thanne  scide  I  thus  :  '  O  norice  of  aUe 
vertues,  thou  seist  ful  sooth  ;  ne  I  ne  may 
nat  forsake  the  right  swiftc  cours  of  my 
prosperitec  ;  that  is  to  sfyn,  that  prosperitee 
ne  he  comen  to  vie  wonder  siciftly  and  sone.  5 
But  this  is  a  thing  that  grectly  smerteth 
me  whan  it  rcmcmbreth  me.    For  in  alio 
adversitce  of  fortune,  the   most  tmsely 
kinde  of  contrarions  fortune  is  to  han 
ben  weleful.' 

Fhil.  '  But  that  thou,'  quod  she,  '  abyest 
thus  the  torment  of  thy  false  opinioun. 
that  mayst  thou  nat  rightfully  blamen 
ne  arettcn  to  thinges  :  as  ulu)  seith,  for 


^oit^iue,    (gooH  ii:   (jJroee  iv. 


m; 


15  thou  hnst  yit  many  liahundaunces  of  thinges. 

Text.  For  al  be  it  so  that  the  ydel 

name  of  aventiirous  welefubicsse  moeveth 
thee  now,  it  is  leveful  that  thoii  rokne 
with   me   of  how  manye  grete  thinges 

20  thou  hast  yit  plentee.  And  therfor,  yif 
that  thilke  thing  that  thoii  haddest  for 
most  preciol^s  in  al  thy  richesse  of  for- 
tune he  kejit  to  thee  yit,  hy  the  grace  of 
god,  unweninied  and  tmdefouled,  mayst 

25  thou  thanne  pleyne  rightfiilly  upon  the 
meschef  of  Fortune,  sin  th<m  hast  yit  thy 
heste  thinges  ?  Certes,  yit  livcth  iu  good 
point,  thilke  precious  honour  of  man- 
kinde,  Sj'macus,  thy  wj^^es  iader,  which 

30  that  is  a  man  niaked  alle  of  sapience  and 
of  vertu  ;  the  whiche  man  thou  woldest 
hyen  redely  with  the  prys  of  thyn  owne 
lyf.  He  hiwayleth  the  wronges  that  men 
don  to  thee,  and  nat  for  him-self ;  for  he 

35  liveth  in  sikernesse  of  any  sentences  put 
ayeins  him.  And  ;\-it  liveth  thy  wyf, 
that  is  atempre  of  wit,  and  passinge  other 
wimmen  in  clennesse  of  chastetee  ;  and 
for  I  wol  closen  shortely  hir  bountees,  she 

40  is  lyk  to  hir  fader.  I  telle  thee  wel,  that 
she  livcth  looth  of  this  lyf,  and  kepeth  to 
thee  only  hir  goost  ;  and  is  al  maat  and 
overcomcn  hy  wej)inge  and  sorwe  for 
desyr  of  thee,  in  the  whiche  thing  only 

45  I  moot  graunten  that  thy  welefulnesse  is 
amenusod.  What  shal  I  sejTi  eek  of  thy 
two  sones,  conseilours,  of  whiche,  as  of 
children  of  liir  age,  ther  shyneth  the 
lyknosse  of  the  wit  of  hir  fader  or  of  hir 

50  elder  fader  ?  And  sin  the  sovereyn  cure 
of  alle  mortel  folk  is  to  saven  hir  owen 
lyves,  O  how  weleful  art  thou,  yif  thou 
knowe  thy  goodes  !  For  yit  ben  ther 
thinges   dwelled   to  thee-ward,  that  no 

55  man  doutetli  that  they  ne  ben  more 
dereworthe  to  thee  than  thyn  owen  Ij^f. 
And  for-thy  dryo  thy  teres,  for  yit  nis 
nat  cvcrich  fortune  al  hatcfiil  to  thee- 
ward,  ne  over  greet  tempest  luith  nat  j-it 

60  fallen  upon  tliee,  whan  that  thyn  ancres 
eleven  faste,  that  neither  wolen  suffren 
the  counfort  of  this  tyme  present  ne  the 
hope  of  tyme  cominge  to  passen  ne  to 
faylen.'        Boece.  '  And  I  prcye,' quod  I, 

(15  '  tliat    faste    nioten     they    halden ;    for 


whyles  that  they  halden,  how-so-ever  that 
thinges  ben,  I  shal  wel  fleten  forth  and 
escapen  ;  but  thou  mayst  wel  seen  how 
grete  aparayles  and  aray  that  me  lak- 
keth,  that  ben  jiassed  away  fro  me.' 

Phil.  '  I  have  som-what  avaimscd  and 
forthered  thee,'  quod  she,  '  yif  that  Ihoit 
anoye  nat  or  forthinke  nat  of  al  thy 
fortune  :  as  icho  scith,  I  have  som-ichat 
comforted  thee,  so  that  thou  tempest  thee 
nat  thus  ^tith  al  thy  fortune,  sin  thou  hast 
yit  thy  heste  thinges.  But  I  may  nat  suffren 
thy  delices,  that  pleynost  so  wepinge  and 
anguissous,  for  that  ther  lakkcth  som- 
what  to  thy  welefulnesse.  For  what  man 
is  so  sad  or  of  so  parfit  welefulnesse,  that 
he  ne  stryveth  and  i^Ieyneth  on  som  halve 
ayen  the  qualitee  of  his  estat  ?  For-why 
fill  anguissous  thing  is  the  condicioun  of 
mannes  goodes  ;  for  either  it  cometh  nat 
al-togider  to  a  wight,  or  dies  it  last  nat 
perpetuel.  For  sum  man  hath  grete 
ricfhesses,  but  he  is  ashamed  of  his  un- 
gentel  linage  ;  and  som  is  renowned  of 
noblesse  of  kinrede,  but  he  is  enclosed  in 
so  grete  anguisshe  of  nede  of  thinges,  that 
him  were  lever  that  he  were  unknowe. 
And  som  man  haboundcth  both  in  rich- 
esse and  noblesse,  but  yit  he  bewaileth 
his  chaste  lyf,  for  he  ne  hath  no  wyf. 
And  som  man  is  wel  and  selily  y-maried, 
but  he  hath  no  children,  and  norissheth 
his  richesses  to  the  eyres  of  strange 
folkos.  And  som  man  is  gladed  with 
children,  but  he  wepeth  ful  sory  for  the 
trospas  of  his  sone  or  of  his  doughter. 
And  for  this  ther  ne  acordeth  no  wight 
lightly  to  the  condicioun  of  his  fortune  ; 
for  alwey  to  every  man  ther  is  in  som- 
what  that,  unassayed,  he  ne  wot  nat ;  or 
elles  he  dredeth  that  ho  hath  assayed, 
And  adde  this  also,  that  every  weleful 
man  huth  a  ful  dclicat  fclingc  ;  so  that, 
but-yif  alle  thinges  bifalle  at  his  owne 
wil,  for  he  is  impacicnt,  or  is  nat  used  to 
han  non  adversitee,  anon  he  is  throwen 
adoun  for  every  litel  thing.  And  ful  litel 
thinges  ben  tho  that  withdrawen  tlie 
sommo  or  the  perfeccioun  of  blisfulnesse 
fro  hem  that  ben  most  fortunat.  How 
many  men,  trowest  thou,  woldcn  demcn 


80 


95 


146 


(goef^tue.    (goofi  II:  QUefre  iv. 


160 


16:; 


liem-solf  to  ben  almost  in  hevene,  yif 
they  mighten  ataj-ne  to  the  leest  party  of 
the  remnaunt  of  thy  fortune  ?  This  same 
place  that  thou  clepest  exil,  is  contree  to 
hem  that  enhahiten  heer,  and  forthy 
nothing  [is]  wrecched  but  whan  thou 
wenest  it  :  as  who  seith,  thou  thyself,  ne 
no  wight  elles,  nis  a  ivrecche,  but  whan  he 
weneth  himself  a  wrecche  by  reputacioun  of 
his  corage.  And  ayeinward.  alle  fortiiue 
is  blisful  to  a  man  by  the  agreabletee  or 
by  the  egalitee  of  him  that  suflfreth  it. 
Wliat  man  is  that,  that  is  so  weleful, 
that  nolde  changen  his  estat  whan  he 
hath  lost  pacience?  The  swetnesse  of 
mannes  welefulnesse  is  sprayned  with 
many  biternesses  ;  the  whiche  weleful- 
nesse, al-though  it  seme  swete  and  joj-ful 
to  hem  that  useth  it,  yit  may  it  nat  ben 
with-holden  that  it  ne  goth  away  whan  it 
wole.  Thanne  is  it  wel  sene,  how  ^^Tecched 
is  the  blisfulnesse  of  mortal  thinges,  that 
neither  it  dureth  perpetuel  -with  hem 
that  every  fortune  receiven  agreablely  or 
egaly,  ne  it  delj'teth  nat  in  al  to  hem 
that  ben  anguissous.  O  ye  mortal  folk, 
what  seke  ye  thanne  blisfulnesse  out  of 
your-self,  whiche  that  is  put  in  your-self  ? 
Errour  and  folye  confoundeth  yow. 

I  shal  shcwe  thee  shortely  the  poynt 
of  soverejTie  blisfulnesse.  Is  ther  any- 
thing more  precious  to  thee  than  thy- 
self? Thou  wolt  answere,  "  nay."  Thanne, 
yif  it  so  be  that  thou  art  mighty  over 
thy-self,  that  is  to  seyn,  by  tranqitillitec  of 
thy  soicle,  than  hast  thou  thing  in  thy 
power  that  thou  noldest  never  lesen,  ne 
Fortune  ne  may  nat  beneme  it  thee. 
And  that  thou  niayst  knowe  that  blisful- 
nesse ne  may  nat  standen  in  thinges  that 
ben  fortiinous  and  temporel,  now  under- 
stonde  and  gader  it  to-gidere  thus  :  Yif 
Vdisfulnesse  be  the  sovereyn  good  of  nature 
that  liveth  by  resoun,  no  thilke  thing  nis 
nat  sovereyn  good  that  may  be  taken 
awey  in  any  wyse,  (for  more  worthy 
thing  and  more  digne  is  thilke  thing  that 
may  nat  ben  taken  awey) ;  than  sheweth 
it  wel,  that  the  unstablenesse  of  fortune 
may  nat  atayne  to  receiven  verray  blis- 
fulnesse.    And  yit  more-over  :  what  man 


that  this  toumbling  welefulnesse  ledeth, 
either  he  woot  that  it  is  chaungeable,  or 
elles  he  woot  it  nat.  And  yif  he  woot  170 
it  nat,  what  blisful  fortune  may  ther  be 
in  the  blindnesse  of  ignorance  ?  And  yif 
he  woot  that  it  is  chaimgeable,  he  moot 
alwey  ben  adrad  that  he  ne  lese  that 
thing  that  he  ne  doubteth  nat  but  that  175 
he  may  lesen  it  ;  as  who  seith,  he  mot  ben 
alwey  agast,  lest  he  lese  that  he  v:ot  wel  he 
may  lese  it.  For  which,  the  continuel 
dreed  that  he  hath  ne  suffireth  him  nat 
to  ben  weleful.  Or  yif  he  lese  it,  he  180 
weneth  to  be  dispysed  and  forleten. 
Certes  eek,  that  is  a  ful  litel  good  that 
is  born  with  evene  herte  whan  it  is  lost  ; 
that  is  to  seyn,  that  men  do  no  more  fors  of 
the  lost  than  of  the  havinge.  And  for  as  185 
moche  as  thou  th.^'-self  art  he,  to  whom  it 
hath  ben  shewed  and  proved  by  ful 
manye  demonstraciouns,  as  I  wot  wel, 
that  the  sowles  of  men  ne  mowe  nat 
deyen  in  no  wyse ;  and  eek  sin  it  is  cleer  190 
and  certein,  that  fortunous  welefulnesse 
endeth  by  the  deeth  of  the  body  ;  it  may 
nat  ben  douted  that,  yif  that  deeth  may 
take  awey  blisfulnesse,  that  alio  the  kinde 
of  mortal  thinges  ne  descendeth  in-to  19S 
wrecchednesse  by  the  ende  of  the  deeth. 
And  sin  we  knowen  wel,  that  many  a 
man  hath  sought  the  fruit  of  blisfulnesse 
nat  only  with  sufFringe  of  deeth,  but  eek 
with  suffringe  of  peynes  and  tormentes ;  2c» 
how  mighte  than  this  present  Ij-f  niaken 
men  blisful,  sin  that,  whan  thilke  selve 
Ij'f  is  ended,  it  ne  maketh  folk  no 
wrecches  ? 

Mf.trk  IV.     Quisquis  uolet  perennem. 

Wliat  m.aner  man,  stable  and  war,  that 
wole  ff)unden  him  a  perdurable  sete,  and 
ne  wole  nat  ben  cast  do\vn  with  the  loude 
blastes  of  the  wind  Eurus ;  and  wole 
despyse  the  see,  manasinge  with  flodes ;  5 
lat  him  eschewen  to  bilde  on  the  cop 
of  the  mountaigno  or  in  the  moiste  sandes. 
For  the  felle  wind  Auster  tormenteth  the 
cop  of  the  mountaigne  with  all  his 
strongthes  ;  and  the  lause  sandos  refusen  10 
to  beren  the  hevy  wighte.        And  forthy, 


(§od^iu0.    (^ooft  II :    (pvo6t  V. 


147 


if  thou  wolt  fleen  the  perilous  aventnre, 
that  is  to  seyn,  of  the  worlde  ;  have  mindc 
certainly  to  ficchen  thyn  hous  of  a  nieiye 

15  site  in  a  lowe  stoon.  For  al-though  the 
wind,  troubling  the  see,  thondre  "with 
over-throwinges,  thou  that  art  put  in 
quiete,  and  weleful  by  strengthe  of  thy 
palis,  shalt  leden  a  cleer  age,  scomingc 

20  the  woodnesses  and  the  ires  of  the  eyr. 

Prose  V.    Set  cum  rationum  iam  in  te. 

But  for  as  moche  as  the  norisshinges 
of  my  resoiins  deseenden  now  in-to  thee, 
I  trowe  it  were  tyme  to  usen  a  litel 
stranger  medicynes.  Now  understond 
5  heer,  al  were  it  so  that  the  yiftes  of 
Fortune  ne  were  nat  brutel  ne  transitorie, 
what  is  ther  in  hem  that  may  be  thjTi 
in  any  tyme,  or  elles  that  it  nis  foul,  yif 
that  it  be  considered  and  loked  perfitlj'? 

10  Richesses,  ben  they  precious  by  the  nature 
of  hem-self,  or  elles  by  the  nature  of 
thee  ?  "What  is  most  worth  of  richesses  ? 
Is  it  nat  gold  or  might  of  moneye 
assembled?      Certes,     thilke     gold    and 

15  thilke  moneye  shyneth  and  yeveth  bctere 
renoun  to  hem  that  despenden  it  thanne 
to  thilke  folk  that  mokeren  it ;  for  avar- 
ice maketh  alwey  mokereres  to  ben  hated, 
and  largesse  maketh  folk  cleer  of  renoun. 

20  For  sin  that  swich  thing  as  is  transferred 
fram  o  man  to  another  ne  may  nat 
dwellen  with  no  man  ;  certes,  thanne  is 
thilke  moneye  precious  whan  it  is  trans- 
lated into  other  folk  and  stenteth  to  ben 

25  had,  by  usago  of  large  yevinge  of  him 
that  hath  yeven  it.  And  also  :  yif  that  al 
the  moneye  that  is  over-al  in  the  worlde 
were  gaderad  toward  o  man,  it  sholde 
maken  alle  other  men  to  ben  nedy  as  of 

Ao  that.  And  certes  a  voys  al  hool,  that 
is  to  seyn,  tcith-oute  amenusinge,  fulfilleth 
to-gidere  the  hcring  of  moche  folk  ;  but 
certes,  youre  richesses  ne  mowen  nat 
passen  in-to  mocho  folke  with-oute  amen- 

35  usinge.  And  whan  the,y  ben  apassod, 
nedes  they  maken  hem  pore  that  for-gon 
the  richesses.  O  !  streite  and  nedy  clepe 
1  this  richesse,  sin  that  many  folk  no 
may   nat   han   it  al,    ne   al   may   it   nat 


comen  to  o  man  with-outen  povertee  of  4^ 
alle  other   folk !     And  the   sh5Tiinge   of 
gcmmes,    that    I    clepe    precious    stones, 
draweth  it  nat  the  eyen  of  folk  to  hem- 
ward,  that  is  to  seyn,  for  the  heautee  ?    But 
certes,  yif  ther  were  beavitee  or  bountee  45 
in  the  shyninge  of  stones,  thilke  cleer- 
nesse  is  of  the  stones  hem-self,  and  nat 
of  men  ;  for  whiche  I  wondre  gretly  that 
men  mervailen  on  swiche  thinges.     For- 
why,  what  thing  is  it,  that  yif  it  wanteth  5" 
moeving  and  joynture  of  sowle  and  body, 
that  by  right  mighte  semen  a  fair  crea- 
ture to  him  that  hath  a  sowle  of  resoun  '? 
For  al  be  it  so  that  gemmes  drawen  to 
hem-self  a  litel  of  the  laste  beautee  of  the  55 
worhl,  through  the  entente  of  hir  creatour 
and  through  the  distinccioun  of  hem-self ; 
yit,  for  as  mocliel  as  they  ben  put  under 
youre  excellence,  theyne  han  nat  deserved 
by  no  wey  that  ya  sholden  mei'vailen  on  60 
hem.    And  the  beautee  of  feldes,  delyteth 
it  nat  mochel  un-to  j^ow  ?  ' 

Boece.  '  Wliy  sholde  it  nat  delyten  us, 
sin  that  it  is  a  right  fair  porciovin  of  the 
right  faire  werke,  that  is  to  seyn,  of  this  6$ 
world  ?  And  right  so  ben  we  gladed  som- 
tj'me  of  the  face  of  the  see  whan  it  is 
cleer ;  and  also  mervailen  we  on  the 
hevene  and  on  the  sterrcs,  and  on  the 
Sonne  and  on  the  mone.'  7^ 

Philosophye.  '  Aperteneth,'  qnod  she, 
'any  of  thilke  thinges  to  thee?  Why 
darst  thou  glorifyen  thee  in  the  shyninge 
of  any  swiche  thinges  ?  Art  thou  dis- 
tingwed  and  embelised  by  the  springinge  75 
floures  of  the  first  somcr  sesoun,  or 
swelleth  thy  plentee  in  the  fruites  of 
somer?  Wliy  art  thou  ravisshed  with 
ydel  jo3es ?  Why  embracest  thou straunge 
goodes  as  they  weren  thyne  ?  Fortune  ne  80 
shal  never  makeu  that  swiche  thinges 
ben  thyne,  that  nature  of  thinges  hath 
maked  foreine  fro  thee.  Sooth  is  that, 
with-outen  doute,  the  frxites  of  the  erthe 
owcii  to  ben  to  the  norissingo  of  bestes.  85 
And  yif  thou  wolt  fuliille  thy  nede  after 
that  it  sufi'yscth  to  nature,  than  is  it  no 
nede  that  thou  seke  after  the  superfluitee 
of  fortune.  For  with  ful  fewe  things 
and  with  ful  litel  thinges  nature  halt  hir  90 


148 


(gott^me.    (gooft  II:  (J)ro0e  v. 


apayed  ;  and  yif  thoii  wolt  achoken  the 
fulfillingo  of  nature  with  superfluitees, 
certes,  thilke  thinges  that  thou  wolt 
thresten  or  pouren  in-to  nature  shullen 
c;5  ben  unjoyfid  to  thee,  or  elles  anoyous. 
Wenest  thou  eek  that  it  be  a  fair  thing 
to  shyue  with  dj"\'erse  clothinge  ?  Of 
whichc  clothinge  j^if  the  beautee  be 
agreeable  to  loken  up-on,  I  wol  mervailen 

ICO  on  the  nature  of  the  matere  of  thilke 
clothes,  or  elles  on  the  werltman  that 
■wToughte  hem.  But  also  a  long  route  of 
meynee,  maketh  that  a  blisful  man  ?  The 
whiche  servants,  yif  they  ben  vicioiis  of 

i05  condiciouns,  it  is  a  great  charge  and  a 
distruceioun  to  the  hous,  and  a  greet 
enemy  to  the  lord  him-self.  And  yif  they 
ben  goode  men,  how  shal  straunge  or 
foreine  goodnesse  ben  jiut  in  the  noumbre 

1 10  of  thy  richesse  ?  So  that,  by  all  these 
forseide  thinges,  it  is  clearly  y-shewed, 
that  never  oon  of  thilke  thinges  that 
thou  acountedest  for  thyne  goodes  nas 
nat  thy  good.     In  the  whiche  thinges, 

1 15  yif  ther  be  no  beautee  to  ben  desyred, 
why  sholdest  thou  ben  sory  yif  thou  lese 
hem,  or  why  sholdest  thou  rejoysen  thee 
to  holden  hem  ?  For  yif  they  lien  faire 
of  hir  owne  kinde,  what  apertenetli  that 

I  JO  to  thee?  For  al  so  wel  sholden  they  ban 
ben  faire  by  hem-selve,  though  they  weren 
departed  fram  alle  thyne  richesses.  For- 
why  faire  ne  precious  ne  weren  they  nat, 
for  that  they  comen  among  thy  richesses  ; 

1^5  but,  for  they  somedon  faire  and  precious, 
ther-for  thou  haddest  lever  rekne  hem 
amonges  tliy  richesses.  But  what  de- 
sirest  thou  of  Fortune  with  so  grete  a 
noise,  and  with  so  grete  a  fare  ?     I  trowe 

150  thou  seke  to  dryve  awey  node  with  ha- 
bundaunce  of  thinges;  but  certes,  it 
tometh  to  you  al  in  the  contrarie. 
Forwhy  certes,  it  nedeth  of  ful  man3'e 
helpinges    to    kepen    the    diversitee    of 

'55  precious  ostelments.  And  sooth  it  is, 
that  of  manye  thinges  han  they  nede 
that  manye  thinges  han  ;  and  aycinward, 
of  litel  nedeth  hem  tliat  mesuren  hir  fillo 
after  the  nedc  of  kinde,  and  nat  after 

140  the  outr.oge  of  coveityse.  Is  it  thanne  so, 
that  ye   men    ne   han   no  proper    good 


y-set  in  you,  for  which  ye  moten  seken 
outward  youre  goodes  in  foreine  and 
subgit  thinges?  So  is  thanne  the  con- 
dicioun  of  thinges  tomed  ujj-so-down, 
that  a  man,  that  is  a  de\'j-ne  beest  liy 
merite  of  his  resoun,  thinketh  that  him- 
self nis  neither  faire  ne  noble,  but-yif 
it  be  thorugh  possessioun  of  ostelments 
that  ne  han  no  sowles.  And  certes,  al 
other  thinges  ben  apayed  of  hir  owne 
beautee  ;  but  ye  men,  tliat  ben  semblable 
to  god  by  your  resonable  thought,  desiren 
to  aparaUen  your  excellent  kinde  of  the 
lowest  thinges  ;  ne  ye  understonden  nat 
how  greet  a  wrong  ye  don  to  your 
creatour.  For  he  wolde  that  mankinde 
were  most  worthy  and  noble  of  any  othrc 
erthcly  thinges  ;  and  ye  threste  adoun 
your  dignitees  benethe  the  lowest  thinges. 
For  yif  that  al  the  good  of  every  thinge 
be  more  precious  than  is  thilke  thing 
whos  that  the  good  is  :  sin  ye  demen 
that  the  fouleste  thinges  ben  youre 
goodes,  thanne  submitten  ye  and  putten 
your-selven  imder  tho  fouleste  thinges 
by  your  estimacioun ;  and  certes,  this 
tydeth  nat  with-outo  youre  desertes.  For 
certes,  swiche  is  tho  condicioun  of  alle 
mankinde,  that  only  whan  it  hath  know- 
inge  of  it-selve,  than  passeth  it  in 
noblesse  alio  other  thinges  ;  and  whan 
it  forleteth  the  knowiugo  of  it-self,  tlian 
is  it  brought  binethen  alle  beestes.  For- 
why al  other  livinge  beestes  han  of  kinde 
to  knowe  nat  hem-self ;  but  whan  that 
men  leten  the  knowinge  of  hemself,  it 
cometh  hem  of  vice.  But  how  brode 
showeth  the  errour  and  tho  folye  of  yow 
men,  that  wenen  that  any  thing  may 
ben  aparailed  with  straunge  aparaile- 
ments  !  But  for  sothe  that  maj'  nat  ben 
doon.  For  yif  a  wight  shyneth  with 
thinges  that  ben  put  to  him,  as  thus,  if 
thilke  thinges  shynen  vith  which  a  man  is 
aparailed,  certes,  thilke  thinges  ben 
comended  and  preysed  witli  which  he  is 
aparailed  ;  but  natheles,  the  thing  that 
is  covered  and  Avrapped  under  that 
dwclk'th   in  his  filthe  And  I  denye 

that  thilke  thing  be  good  that  anoj'eth 
him   that  hath   it.      Gabbe  I    of  this? 


145 


16.:; 


(god^iue.    (^oofi  ii:  (pvou  vi. 


149 


Thou  wolt  seye  "  nay."  Certes,  richesses 
han  anoyed  ful  ofte  hem  that  han  tho 

>>j5  richesses  ;  sin  that  every  wikked  shrewe, 
(and  fox-  his  wikkednesse  the  more  gredy 
after  other  folkos  richesses,  wher-so  ever 
it  be  in  any  place,  be  it  gokl  or  precious 
stones),  wenoth   him  only  most   worthy 

;i<x)  that  hath  hem.  Thou  thanne,  that  so 
bisy  dredest  now  the  swerd  and  now  the 
spere,  yif  thou  haddest  entred  in  the 
path  of  this  Ij'f  a  voide  wayferinge  man, 
than  woldest  thou  singe  beforn  thetheef ; 

-'lo  as  who  seith,  a  pore  man,  that  beHh  no 
richesse  on  him  by  the  iveye,  may  boldely 
ftinge  bi/om  theves,  for  he  hath  nat  wherof 
to  ben  robbed.  O  jsrecioiis  and  right  cleer 
is  the   blisfulnesse   of  mortal   richesses, 

215  that,  whan  thou  hast  geten  it,  than  hast 
thou  lorn  thy  sikernesse  ! 

Metre  V.     Felix  nimium  prior  etas. 

Blisful  was  the  first  age  of  men  !  They 
helden  hem  apayed  ■with  the  metes  that 
the  trewe  feldes  broughten  forth.  They 
ne  distroyede  nor  deceivede  nat  hem-self 
5  with  outrage.  They  weren  wont  lightly 
to  slaken  hir  hunger  at  even  w^ith  acornes 
of  okes.  They  ne  coiide  nat  medly  the 
yittc  of  Bachus  to  the  clcer  hony ;  that 
is  to  seyn,  they  coudc  make  no  piment  nor 

i(>  clarree  ;  no  they  coude  nat  medio  tho 
brighte  flceses  of  tho  contreo  of  Seriens 
with  tho  venim  of  Tyrio  ;  this  is  to  seyn, 
they  coude  nat  deyen  whyte  fleeses  of  Serien 
rontree  with  tlie  blode  of  a  vianer  shelfisshc 

15  that  menfinden  in  Tyrie,  tcith  whiclie  bloud 
men  deyen  purpur.  They  slepen  hoolsom 
slepes  up-on  tho  gras,  and  dronken  of  the 
renninge  wateres  ;  and  layen  under  the 
shadwes  of  the  heye  pyn-trees.     Ne  no 

20  gest  ne  straungere  ne  carf  yit  the  heyo 
see  with  ores  or  with  shippcs  ;  no  tlicy 
no  hadde  seyn  yit  none  ncwo  strondcs, 
to  leden  marchaundyse  in-to  dyverso 
contrees.     Tho  weren  tho  cruel  clariouns 

^$  ful  hust  and  ful  stille,  no  blood  y-shad 
by  egre  hate  ne  hadde  nat  deyed  yit 
.armures.  For  wher-to  or  which  wood- 
nesse  of  enemys  wolde  first  moeven  armes, 
whan,  they  seyen  cruel  woundes,  no  none 


modes   be   of  blood  y-shad?         I  wolde  30 
that  oure  tymes  sholde  tome    ayein   to 
the  olde  maneres  !     But  the  anguissous 
love  of  havinge  brenneth  in   folk  more 
cruely  than  the  fyr  of  the  mountaigno 
Ethna,    that   ay  brenneth.      Alias !    what  35 
was  he  that  first  dalf  up  the  gobetes  or 
the  -weightes  of  gold  covered  imder  ertho, 
and  the  precious  stones  that  wolden  han 
ben   hid?      He   dalf  xip   preciotis  perils. 
Tliat  is  to  seyn,  that  he  that  hem  first  vp  40 
daJf  he  dalf  up  a  precious  pieril;  for-ichy 
for  the  preciousnesse  of  swiche  thinge,  hath 
many  man  ben  in  peril. 

Prose  VI,   Quid  autem  do  dignitatibus. 

But  what  shal  I  seye  of  dignitees  and 
of  powers,  the  whiche  ye  men,  that 
neither  kuowen  verraj'dignitee  ne  verray 
power,  areysen  hem  as  heyo  as  the 
hcvene  ?  Tho  whiche  dignitees  and  5 
powers,  yif  they  comen  to  any  wikked 
man,  they  don  as  grete  damages  and 
destrucciouns  as  doth  the  flaumbe  of  the 
mountaigne  Ethna,  whan  the  flaumbe 
walweth  iip  ;  ne  no  deluge  ne  doth  so  10 
cruel  harmes.  Certes,  theo  remembretli 
wel,  as  I  trowe,  that  tliilko  dignitco  that 
men  clepen  the  imperio  of  consulers,  tho 
whicho  that  whylom  was  bigiimingo  of 
fredom,  yotire  eldres  coveitcden  to  han  15 
don  away  that  dignitee,  for  the  prydo  of 
the  consulers.  And  right  for  the  same 
pryde  your  eldres,  biforn  that  tymc, 
hadden  don  awey,  out  of  the  citee  of 
Rome,  the  kinges  name ;  that  is  to  seyn,  20 
they  nolde  han  no  lenger  no  king.  But  now, 
yif  so  be  that  dignitees  and  powers  bo 
yeven  to  goode  men,  the  whiche  thing 
is  ful  selde,  what  agreable  thing  is  ther 
in  tho  dignitees  or  powers  but  only  the  25 
goodnesse  of  folkes  that  usen  hem  ?  And 
therfor  it  is  thus,  that  honour  no  comth 
nat  to  vcrtu  for  cause  of  dignitee,  but 
ayeinward  honour  comth  to  dignitco  for 
cause  of  vertu.  But  whiche  is  thilko  30 
youro  dereworthe  power,  that  is  so  cloer 
and  so  requerable?  O  yo  erthelicho 
bestes,  considers  yo  nat  over  which 
thinge  that  it  semeth  that  yo  han  power  ? 


I50 


(goit^iu6.     (gooft  II:    ^vo&t  VI. 


35  Now  yif  thoii  saye  a  mous  amonges  other 
mys,  that  chalaunged  to  him-self-ward 
right  and  power  over  alle  other  mys, 
how  greet  scorn  woldest  thon  han  of  it  ! 
Glosa.  So  fareth  it  by  men  ;  th£  body  hath 
40  power  over  the  body.  For  yif  thou  loke 
wel  iip-oh  the  body  of  a  wight,  what 
thing  shalt  thon  finde  more  freele  than  is 
mankinde  ;  the  whiche  men  wel  ofte  ben 
slayn  with  bj-tinge  of  smale  flyes,  or  elles 

45  with  the  entringe  of  crepinge  wormes 
in-to  the  privetees  of  mannes  body  ?  But 
■\vher  shal  man  finden  any  man  that  may 
exercen  or  haunten  any  right  np-on 
another  man,   biit  only  np-on  liis  body, 

50  or  elles  iip-on  t hinges  that  ben  lowere 
than  the  body,  the  whiche  I  clepe  for- 
tunous  possessiouns  ?  Mayst  thou  ever 
have  any  comaundement  over  a  free 
corage  ?    Mayst  thou  remnen  fro  the  estat 

55  of  liis  propre  reste  a  thought  that  is 
olyvinge  to-gidere  in  him-self  by  stede- 
fast  resoun  ?  As  whylom  a  tyraunt 
wende  to  confounde  a  free  man  of  corage, 
and  wende  to  constreyne  him  bj' torment, 

60  to  maken  him  discoveren  and  acusen  folk 
that  wisten  of  a  coniuracioun,  vhich  I 
clejiB  a  confederacies  that  was  cast  ayeins 
this  tyraunt ;  but  this  free  man  boot  of 
his  ownie  tonge  and  caste  it  in  the  visage 

65  of  thilke  wode  tyr-aunt ;  so  that  the  tor- 
ments that  this  tyraunt  wende  to  han 
maked  matere  of  crueltee,  this  wj-se  man 
maked  it  matere  of  vertu. 

But  what  thing  is  it  that  a  m<an  may 

70  don  to  another  man,  that  he  ne  may 
receyven  the  same  thing  of  othre  folk 
in  him-self  :  or  thiw,  what  may  a  man  don 
to  folk,  that  folic  ne  may  don  him  the  samef 
I  have  herd  told  of  Busirides,  that  was 

75  wont  to  sleen  liis  gestes  that  herberweden 
in  his  hous  ;  and  he  was  sleyn  him-self 
of  Ercules  that  was  his  gest.  Regulus 
haddo  taken  in  bataile  many  men  of 
Aflfriko  and  cast  hem  in-to  feteres  ;  but 

80  sone  after  he  moste  yeve  his  handes  to 
ben  bounde  with  the  cheynes  of  hem  that 
he  hadde  whylom  overcomen.  Wenest 
thou  thannc  that  he  be  mighty,  that 
hath  no  power  to  don  a  thing,  that  othre 

85  ne  may  don  in  liim  that  he  doth  in  othre  ? 


And  yit  more-over,  yif  it  so  were  that 
thise  dignitees  or  poweres  hadden  any 
propre  or  natural  goodnesse  in  hem-self, 
never  nolden  they  comen  to  shrewes. 
For  contrarious  thinges  ne  ben  nat  wont  90 
to  ben  y-felawshiped  to-gidere.  Nature 
refuseth  that  contrarious  thinges  ben 
y-joigned.  And  so,  as  I  am  in  certein 
that  right  wikked  folk  han  dignitees  ofte 
tjTne,  than  sheweth  it  wel  that  dignitees  95 
and  powers  ne  ben  nat  goode  of  hir  owne 
kinde  ;  sin  that  they  suffren  hem-self  to 
eleven  or  joinen  hem  to  shrewes.  And 
certes,  the  same  thing  may  I  most 
digneliche  jugen  and  seyn  of  alle  the  100 
j-iftes  of  fortune  that  most  plentevously 
comen  to  shrewes  ;  of  the  whiche  yiftes, 
I  trowe  that  it  oughte  ben  considered, 
that  no  man  douteth  that  he  nis  strong 
in  whom  he  seeth  strengthe  ;  and  in  105 
whom  that  swiftnesse  is,  sooth  it  is  that 
he  is  swift.  Also  musike  maketh  mu- 
siciens,  and  phisike  maketh  phisiciens, 
and  rethorike  rethoriens.  For-why  the 
nature  of  every  thing  maketh  his  pro-  no 
pretee,  ne  it  is  nat  entremedled  with  the 
effects  of  the  contrarious  thinges  ;  and, 
as  of  wil,  it  chaseth  out  thinges  that  ben 
to  it  contrarie.  But  certes,  richesse  may 
not  restreyne  avarice  unstaunched  ;  ne  1 15 
power  ne  maketh  nat  a  nian  mighty 
over  him-self,  whiche  that  vicious  lustes 
holden  destrej'ned  with  cheynes  that  ne 
mowen  nat  be  uubounden.  And  digni- 
tees that  ben  yeven  to  shrewede  folk  nat  i-zo 
only  ne  maketh  hem  nat  digne,  but  it 
sheweth  rather  al  openly  that  they  ben 
unworthy  and  undigne.  And  why  is  it 
thus?  Certes,  for  ye  han  joye  to  clepen 
thinges  with  false  nanies  that  beren  hem  125 
alle  in  the  contrarie  ;  the  whiche  names 
ben  ful  ofte  reproeved  by  the  effecte  of 
the  same  thinges ;  so  that  thise  ilke 
richesses  ne  oughten  nat  \>y  right  to  ben 
doped  richesses ;  ne  swich  power  ne  130 
oughte  nat  ben  cleped  power  ;  ne  swich 
dignitee  ne  oughte  nat  ben  cleped  dig- 
nitee.  And  at  the  laste,  I  may  con- 
clude the  same  thing  of  alle  the  yiftes 
of  Fortune,  in  which  ther  nis  nothing  135 
to  ben  desired,  ne  that  hath  iu  him-self 


(goet6tu0.    (^ooft  II :   (proee  vii. 


151 


naturel  bountee,  as  it  is  ful  wel  y-sene. 
For  neither  they  ne  joignen  hem  nat 
alwey  to  goode  men,  ne  maken  hem 
140  alwey  goode  to  whom  that  they  ben 
y-joigned. 

Metre  VI.     Nouhmis  quantas  dederit 
ruinas. 

We  han  wel  kno'wen  how^  many  grete 
harmes  and  destrucciouns  weren  don  hy 
the  emperor  Nero.  He  leet  brenne  the 
citee  of  Rome,  and  made  sleen  the 
5  senatoures.  And  he,  cruel,  whylom  slew 
his  brother  ;  and  he  was  maked  moist 
with  the  blood  of  his  moder  ;  that  is  to 
seyn,  he  leet  sleen  and  slitten  the  body  of 
his  moder,  to  seen  icher  he  was  conceived ; 

10  and  he  loked  on  every  halve  up-on  her 
colde  dede  body,  ne  no  tere  ne  wette  his 
face,  but  he  was  so  hard-herted  that  he 
mighte  ben  domes-man  or  juge  of  hir 
dede  beautee.     And  natheles,  yit  govern- 

15  ede  this  Nero  by  ceptre  alle  the  poeples 
that  Phebus  the  sonne  may  seen,  com- 
inge  from  his  outereste  arysinge  til  he 
hyde  his  hemes  under  the  wawes  ;  that 
is  to  seyn,  he  governed  alle  the  poeples  hy 

20  ceptre  imperial  that  the  sonne  goth  aboute, 
from  est  to  west.  And  eek  this  Nero 
governed  by  ceptre  alle  the  poeples  that 
ben  under  the  colde  sterres  that  highten 
"  septem  triones  " ;  this  is  to  seyn,  he  gover- 

25  nede  alle  the  poeples  that  ben  under  the 
party  of  the  north.  And  eek  Nero  governed 
alle  the  poeples  that  the  violent  wind 
Nothus  scorkleth,  and  baketh  the  bren- 
ning  sandes  by  his  drye  hete  ;  that  is  to 

30  seyn,  alle  the  poeples  in  the  south.  But  yit 
ne  mighte  nat  al  his  hye  power  tome  the 
woodnesse  of  this  wikked  Nero.  Alias  ! 
it  is  a  grevous  fortune,  as  ofte  as  wikked 
swerd  is  joigned  to  cruel  venim  ;  that  is 

35  to  seyn,  venhiwus  crueltee  to  lordshippe. ' 

Pkose  vii.     Tum  ego,  scis,  inquam. 

Thanne  seyde  I  thus  :  '  Thou  wost  wel 

thj'-self    that    the    coveitise    of    mortal 

thinges  ne  hadde  never  lordshipe  of  me  ; 

but  I  have  wel  desired  matere  of  thinges 

5  to   done,    as  who  seith,   I  desire    to   han 


matere  of  govci-naunce  over  comunalitees, 
for  vertu,  stille,  ne  sholde  nat  elden  ;' 
that  is  to  seyn,  that  [him]  teste  that,  or  he 
wax  aide,  his  vertu,  that  lay  now  ful  stille, 
ne  should  nat  perisshe  unexercised  in  govern-  10 
aunce  of  comune  ;  for  tvhich  men  mighten 
speken  or  wryten  of  his  goode  governe- 
ment. 

Philosophye.       '  For   sothe,'    quod   she, 
'  and  that  is  a  thing  that  may  drawen  15 
to    governaunce    swiche    hertes   as   ben 
worthy   and    noble    of  hir    nature  ;    biit 
natheles,  it  may  nat  drawen  or   toUen 
swiche   hertes  as  ben  y-brought  to  the 
fulle  perfeccioun  of  vertu,  that  is  to  seyn,  20 
coveitise  of  glorie  and  renoun  to  han  wel 
administred  the  comune  thinges  or  don 
gode  desertes  to  profit   of  the   comune. 
For  see  now  and  considere,  how  litel  and 
how  voide  of  alle  prys  is  thilke  glorie.  -5 
Certein  thing  is,  as  thou  hast  lerned  by 
the  demonstracioun  of  astronomye,  that 
al  the    environingo   of  the  erthc  about* 
ne  halt  nat  but  the  resoun  of  a  prikke 
at  regard  of  the  greetnesse  of  hevene  ;  3,0 
that  is  to  seyn,  that  yif  ther  were  maked 
comparisoun  of  the  erthe  to  the  greet- 
nesse of  hevene,  men  wolden  jugen  in  al, 
that  the  erthe  ne  helde  no  sj)ace.    Of  the 
whiche  litel  regioun  of  this  worlde,  the  ,=;5 
fertile  partye  is  enhabited  with  livinge 
bestes  that  we  knowen,  as  thou  thyself 
hast  y-lerned  by  Tholomee  that  proveth 
it.     And  yif  thou  haddest  with-drawen 
and   abated   in   thy  thoiight   fro   thilke  40 
fertile  partye  as  moclie  space  as  the  see 
and  the  mareys  conteiien  and  over-goon, 
and   as   moche  space   as  the  regioun  of 
droughte  over-streccheth,  that  is  to  seyn, 
sandes  and  desertes,  wel  unnctlie  sholde  45 
ther  dwellen  a  right  streit  place  to  the 
habitacioun   of  men.      And   ye   thanne, 
that   ben  environed   and  closed  with-in 
the  leste  prikke  of  thilke  prikke,  thiiiken 
ye  to  manifesten  your  renoun  and  don  .so 
youro   name   to   ben   born   forth  ?      But 
your  glorie,    that   is   so    narwe   and    so 
streite  y-throngen  in-to  so  litel  boundes, 
liow  mocliel  coveiteth  it  in  largesse  and 
in    greet   doinge  ?     And   also   setto   this  ,S5 
thcro-to  :  that  many  a  nacioun,  dy verse 


ir,2 


(goef^tu0.    (gooft  II:   $tro0e  vii. 


of  tonge  and  of  maneres  and  eek  of 
resonn  of  hir  livinge,  ben  enhabited  in 
the  clos  of  thilke  litel  habitacle  ;  to  the 

(x)  whiche  naciouns,  what  for  difficultee  of 
weyes  and  what  for  dyversiteo  of  Ian- 
gages,  and  what  for  defaute  of  nnusage 
and  entreconinninge  of  niarchaundise, 
nat  only  the  names  of  singuler  men  ne 

65  may  nat  strecchen,  but  eek  the  fame  of 
citees  ne  may  nat  strecchen.  At  the 
laste,  certos,  in  the  tyme  of  Marcus 
Tullius,  as  him-self  writ  in  his  book,  that 
the  renoun  of  the  comune  of  Rome  no 

70  hadde  nat  yit  passed  ne  cloumbcu  over 
the  mountaigno  that  highte  Caucasus  ; 
and  j'it  was,  thilke  tyme,  Rome  wel 
waxen  and  greetly  redouted  of  the  Parthes 
and  eek  of  other  folk  enhabitinge  aboute. 

o  Seestow  nat  thanne  how  streit  and  how 
compressed  is  thilke  glorie  that  ye  trav- 
ailen  aboute  to  shewe  and  to  multiplye  ? 
May  thanne  the  glorie  of  a  singuler 
Romaine  strecchen  thider  as  the  fame 

80  of  the  name  of  Rome  may  nat  climben 
no  passen  ?  And  eok,  seestow  nat  that 
the  maneres  of  dyv'orso  folk  and  eek  hir 
lawes  ben  discordaunt  among  hem-self ; 
so  that  thilke  thing  that  som  men  jugen 

85  worthy  of  prcysinge,  other  folk  jugen 
that  it  is  worthy  of  torment  ?  And  ther- 
of  comth  it  that,  though  a  man  delyto 
him  in  preysingo  of  his  renoun,  ho  may 
nat  in  no  wyse  bringen  forth  ne  spreden 

90  his  name  to  many  maner  poeples.  There- 
for every  man  oughto  to  ben  apayed  of 
his  glorie  that  is  publisshed  among  his 
owne  neighbours  ;  and  thilke  noble  re- 
noun  shal    ben    restreyned   within    the 

95  boundes  of  o  manero  folko.  But  how 
many  a  man,  that  was  ful  noble  in  his 
tyme,  hath  the  wrecched  and  nedy 
foryetinge  of  wry  teres  put  out  of  minde 
and  don  awey  !  Al  be  it  so  that,  certes, 
i(K)  thilke  wrytinges  profitcn  litel ;  the  whiche 
wrjiinges  long  and  derk  cldo  doth  awey, 
bothe  hem  and  cok  hir  autours.  But  ye 
nien  semen  to  geton  yow  a  perdurabletee, 
whan  yo  thenken  that,  in  tyme  to- 
105  comingo,  your  fame  shal  lasten.  But 
nathcles,  yif  thoii  wolt  maken  compari- 
souu  to  the  cndeles  spaces  of  eternitee, 


what  thing  hast  thou  by  whiche  thou 
mayst  rejoysen  thee  of  long  lastinge  of 
thy  nanie  ?  For  yif  ther  were  maked 
comparisoun  of  the  abydinge  of  a  moment 
to  ton  thousand  winter,  for  as  mochel  as 
botho  the  spaces  bon  ended,  yit  hath  the 
moment  som  porcioim  of  it,  al-though  it 
litel  be.  But  natheles,  thilke  selve  noum- 
bre  of  yeres,  and  eek  as  many  yeres  as 
ther-to  may  bo  multiidyed,  ne  may  nat, 
certes,  ben  comparisoned  to  the  perdura- 
bletee that  is  endeles  ;  for  of  thinges  that 
ban  ende  may  be  maked  comparisoun, 
but  of  thinges  that  ben  with-outen  ende, 
to  thinges  that  han  ende,  may  be  m.aked 
no  comparisoun.  And  forthy  is  it  that, 
al-thoiTgh  renoun,  of  as  long  tyme  as  over 
thee  list  to  thinken,  were  thought  to  the 
regard  of  eternitee,  that  is  unstaunchable 
and  infinit,  it  ne  sholde  nat  only  semen 
litel,  but  pleynlichc  right  naught.  But 
ye  men,  certes,  ne  conne  don  nothing 
a-right,  hut-yif  it  be  for  the  audience 
of  poeple  and  for  ydel  rumours ;  and 
ye  forsaken  the  grete  worthinesse  of 
conscience  and  of  vertu,  and  yo  seken 
your  gp.;erdouns  of  the  smale  wordes  of 
straunge  folk.  Have  now  beer  and 
understonde,  in  the  lightuesso  of  swich 
pryde  and  veino  glorie,  how  a  man 
scornede  festivaly  and  merily  swich  vani- 
tee.  Whylom  ther  was  a  man  that 
hadde  assayed  with  stryvinge  wordes 
another  man,  the  whiche,  nat  for  usage 
of  verray  vertu  but  for  proud  veine 
glorio,  had  taken  \\p-on  him  falsly  the 
name  of  a  ]ihil()S<)phro.  This  rather  man 
that  I  spak  of  thowghtti  he  woldo  assaj-e, 
wher  he,  thilke,  were  a  philosophro  or 
no  ;  that  is  to  sej"n,  yif  that  he  wolde 
han  suffred  lightly  in  pacienco  the 
wronges  that  weren  don  iin-to  him.  This 
fcynede  philosophre  took  pacience  a  litel 
whylo,  and,  whan  ho  hadde  received 
wordes  of  outrage,  he,  as  in  stryvinge 
ayein  and  rcjoysinge  of  him-self,  seydo 
at  the  laste  right  thtis  :  "  undorstondest 
thou  nat  that  I  am  a  philosophre?"  That 
other  man  answerdo  ayein  ful  bytingly, 
and  seyde  :  "  I  hadde  wel  understonden 
it,  yif  thou   haddest   holden   thy  tonge 


130 


n-: 


140 


»45 


150 


(god9)im.    (^ooft  II:    (j?roee  viii. 


153 


stille."      But  what   is   it  to  thise  noble 

160  worthy  men  (for,  certes,  of  swiche  folke 
speke  I)  that  seken  glorie  with  vertu  ? 
What  is  it  ? '  quod  she  ;  '  what  atteyneth 
fame  to  swiche  folk,  whan  the  body  is 
resolved  by  the  deeth  at  the  laste  ?     For 

165  yif  it  so  be  that  men  dyen  in  al,  that 
is  to  seyn,  body  and  sou-le,  the  whiche 
thing  our  resoun  defendeth  us  to  bileven, 
thanne  is  ther  no  glorie  in  no  wyse.  For 
what  sholde  thiike  ylnrie  hen,   whan  he, 

170  of  whom  thiike  glorie  is  seyd  to  be,  nis 
right  naught  in  no  wyse  ?  And  yif  the 
sowle,  whiche  that  hath  in  it-self  science 
of  goode  werkes,  unbounden  fro  the 
prison  of  the  erthe,  weudeth  frely  to  the 

175  hevene,  despyseth  it  nat  thanne  alle 
erthely  occupacioun ;  and,  being  in 
hevene,  rejoyseth  that  it  is  exempt  fro 
alle  erthely  thinges  ?  As  ivho  seith,  thanne 
rekketh  the  sowle  of  no  ylorie  of  renoun 

180  of  this  tcorld. 

Metre  VII.    Quicunqne  solam  mente 
praeciinti  petit. 

Who-so  that,  with  overthrowinge 
thought,  only  seketh  glorie  of  fame, 
and  weneth  that  it  be  sovereyn  good  : 
lat  him  loken  up-on  the  brode  shewinge 
5  contrees  of  hevene,  and  np-on  the  streite 
site  of  this  erthe ;  and  he  shal  ben 
ashamed  of  the  encrees  of  his  name,  that 
may  nat  fulfille  the  litel  compas  of  the 
erthe.     O  !  what  coveiten  proude  folk  to 

JO  liften  up  hir  nekkes  in  ydel  in  the  dedly 
yok  of  this  worlde  ?  For  al-though  that 
renoun  y-sprad,  passinge  to  feme  poeples, 
goth  by  dyverse  tonges  ;  and  al-though 
that   grete    houses   or  kinredes   shynen 

15  with  clere  titles  of  honours;  yit,  nathcles, 
deeth  despyseth  alle  heye  glorie  of  fame  : 
and  deeth  wrappeth  to-gidere  the  heye 
lievedes  and  the  lowe,  and  maketh  egal 
and  eveno   the   heyeste  to   the   loweste. 

20  Wher  wonen  now  the  bones  of  trewe 
Fabricius  ?  What  is  now  Brutus,  or 
stierne  Catoun  ?  The  thinne  fame,  yit 
lastinge,  of  hir  ydel  names,  is  marked 
with  a  fewe  lettres  ;  but  al-though  that 

25  we  ban  knowen  the  faire  wordes  of  the 


fames  of  hem,  it  is  nat  yeven  to  knowe 
hem  that  ben  dede  and  consumpte.  Lig- 
geth  thanne  stille,  al  outrely  iinknow- 
able  ;  ne  fame  ne  maketh  yow  nat  knowe. 
And  yif  ye  wene  to  liven  the  longer  for  30 
winde  of  your  mortal  name,  whan  o 
cruel  day  shal  ravisshe  yow,  thanne  is 
the  seconde  deeth  dwellinge  un-to  yow.' 
Glose.  The  first  deeth  he  clej>cth  heer  the 
departinge  of  the  body  and  the  sowle  ;  and  35 
the  seconde  deeth  he  clepeth,  as  heer,  the 
stintinye  of  the  renoun  of  fame. 

Prose  VIII.     Set  ne  me  inexorabile  contra 
fortunam. 

'  Biit  for  as  mochel  as  thou  slialt  nat 
wenen,'  quod  she,  '  that  I  here  untretablo 
bataile  ayeins  fortune,  yit  som-tyme  it 
bifalleth  that  she,  deceyvable,  deserveth 
to  ban  right  good  thank  of  men  ;  and  5 
that  is,  whan  she  hir-self  opneth,  and 
whan  she  descovereth  hir  frount,  and 
sheweth  liir  maneres.  Peraventure  yit 
understondest  thou  nat  that  I  shal  seye. 
It  is  a  wonder  that  I  desire  to  telle,  ami  10 
forthy  iinnethe  raay  I  unpleyten  my 
sentence  with  wordes  ;  for  I  deme  that 
contrarious  Fortune  profiteth  more  to 
men  than  Fortune  dcbonaire.  For  al- 
wey,  whan  Fortune  semeth  debonaire,  15 
than  she  lyeth  falsly  in  bihetinge  the 
hope  of  welefulnesse  ;  but  forsothe  con- 
trarious Fortune  isalwey  soothfast,  whan 
she  sheweth  hir-self  unstable  thorugh 
hir  chaunginge.  The  amiable  Fortune  20 
deceyveth  folk ;  the  contrarie  Fortune 
techeth.  The  amiable  Fortune  bindotli 
with  the  beautee  of  false  goodes  the 
hertes  of  folk  that  usen  hem  ;  the  con- 
trarie Fortune  unbindeth  hem  by  the  25 
knowinge  of  freele  welefulnesse.  The 
amiable  Fortune  niayst  thou  seen  alwey 
f  windy  and  flowingo,  and  ever  mis- 
knowinge  of  hir-self;  the  contrarie  For- 
tune is  atenipre  and  rostrcyncd,  and  wys  30 
thorugh  exercise  of  hir  adversitoe.  At 
the  laste,  amiable  Fortune  with  hir 
flatoringes  draweth  miswandringe  men 
fro  the  sovereyne  good  ;  the  contrarioiis 
Fortune  ledoth  ofte  folk  ayein  to  sooth-  3,'i 


154 


(god^iue.    (^006  II:   QHefre  viii. 


fast  goodes,  and  haleth  hem  ayein  as 
with  an  hooke.  Wenest  thou  thanne 
that  thoii  oughtest  to  leten  this  a  litel 
thing,    that    this    aspre    and    horrible 

4^'  Fortiine  hath  discovered  to  thee  the 
thoiightes  of  thy  trewe  freendes?  For- 
■why  this  ilke  Fortune  hath  departed 
and  uncovered  to  thee  bothe  the  certein 
visages  and  eek  the  doutons  visages  of 

45  th.y  fclawes.  WTian  she  departed  awey 
fro  thee,  she  took  awey  hir  freendes,  and 
lafte  thee  thyne  freendes.  Now  whan 
thoii  were  riche  and  weleful,  as  thee 
semede,  with  how  mochel  woklest  thou 

50  han  bought  the  fulle  knowinge  of  this, 
that  is  to  set/n,  the  kmnvinga  of  thy  verray 
freendes?  Now  pleyne  thee  nat  thanne 
of  richesse  y-h>rn,  sin  thou  hast  founden 
the   moste   precious   kinde   of  richesses, 

Sv"!  that  is  to  seyn,  thy  verray  freendes. 


Metbe  viii. 


Quod  mundus  stahili 
fide. 


That  theworkl  with  stable  feith  varieth 
acordable  chaunginges ;  that  the  con- 
trarious    qualitee    of    elements    holden 


among  hem-self  aliannce  perdurable ;  that 
Phebus  the  Sonne  with  his  goldene  chariet  5 
bringeth  forth  the  rosene  day  ;  that  the 
mone  hath  commaundement  over  the 
nightes,  which  nightes  Hesperus  the  eve- 
sterre  hath  brought  ;  that  the  see,  greedy 
to  flowen,  constreyneth  with  a  certein  10 
ende  hise  flodes,  so  that  it  is  nat  leveful 
to  strecche  hise  brode  termes  or  boundes 
iip-on  the  erthes,  that  is  to  seyn,  to  covere 
al  the  erthe  : — al  this  acordaunee  of 
thinges  is  bonnden  with  Love,  that  15 
governeth  erthe  and  see,  and  hath  also 
commaundements  to  the  hevenes.  And 
yif  this  Love  slakede  the  brydeles,  alle 
thinges  that  now  loven  hem  to-gederes 
wolden  maken  a  bataUe  continuely,  and  20 
strj^'en  to  fordoon  the  fasoun  of  this 
worlde,  the  whiche  tliey  now  leden  in 
acordable  feith  by  faire  moevinges.  This 
Love  halt  to-gideres  poeples  joigned  with 
an  holy  bond,  and  knitteth  sacrement  25 
of  niariages  of  chaste  loves  ;  and  Love 
endyteth  lawes  to  trewe  felawes.  O  ! 
weleful  were  mankinde,  yif  thilke  Love 
that  governeth  hevene  governed  youre 
corages ! '  30 


Explicit  Liber  secundus. 


BOOK    III. 


PuosE  I.     lam  canttim  ilia  fnierat. 

By  this  she  haddo  ended  hir  song, 
whan  the  sweetnosso  of  hir  ditoe  hadde 
thorugh-percod  me  that  was  desirous  of 
herkninge,  and  I  astoned  hadde  yit 
5  streighto  myn  ercs,  that  is  to  seyn,  to 
herkne  the  bet  what  she  u'olde  seye  ;  so 
that  a  litel  here-after  I  seyde  thus  :  '  O 
thou  that  art  sovcrejoi  comfort  of  an- 
guissous  corages,  so  thou  hast  remounted 

10  and  norisshed  me  with  the  weighto  of 
thy  sentences  and  with  delyt  of  thy 
singingc  ;  so  that  I  trowe  nat  now  that 
I  be  nnparigal  to  the  strokes  of  Fortune  : 
as  who  seyth,  I  dar  wel  note  suj)re7i  al  the 

15  assatites  of  Fui-tune,  and  tcel  defende  me 


fro  hir.  And  tho  remedies  whiche  that 
thoii  scj'dest  her-biforn  wcren  right 
sharpo,  nat  only  that  I  am  nat  a-grisen 
of  hem  now,  but  I,  desirous  of  heringe, 
axe  gretoly  to  hcrcn  the  remodies.'  Than  20 
seyde  she  thus  :  '  That  folodo  I  ful  wel,' 
quod  slie,  'whan  that  thou,  cntentif  and 
stillo,  ravisshedest  my  wordes ;  and  I 
abood  til  that  thou  haddcst  swich  habito 
of  thy  thought  as  thou  hast  now  ;  or  elles  25 
til  that  I  my-self  hadde  maked  to  theo 
the  same  habit,  which  that  is  a  more 
verray  thing.  And  cortes,  tho  remenaunt 
of  thinges  that  ben  yit  to  sej'e  ben  swiche, 
that  first  whan  men  tasten  hem  they  ben  30 
bytinge,  but  whan  they  bon  recej'ved 
withinno  a  wight,  than  ben  they  swete. 


(god0iu0,    (fooft  III:   (prose  n. 


ir.; 


But    for   tlioii    scyst     that    tlion    art    so 
desirous  to  herkne  hem,  with  how  gret 

,^5  brenninge  woldest  thou  gh>weii,  yif  thou 
wistest  whider  I  wol  leden  thee ! ' 
'  Whidor  is  that  ? '   qi^od  I. 

'  To  thilke  verray  welefulnesse,'  quod 
she,    '  of  whiche    thyn   herte    dremeth  ; 

40  but  for  as  moche  as  thy  sighte  is  ocupied 
and  distorbed  by  imaginacioim  of  erthely 
thinr;es,  thou  mayst  nat  yit  seen  thilke 
selve  welefuhiesse.'  '  Do,'  quod  I,  '  and 
shewe  me  what  is  thilke  verray  welel'ul- 

45  nesse,  I  preye  thee,  with-oute  taryinge.' 

'  That   wole   I   gladly  don,'  quod  she, 

'  for  the  cause  of  thee  ;  but  I  wol  first 

marken   thee  by  wordes  and  I  wol  en- 

forcen  me  to  enformen  thee  thilke  false 

50  caiise  of  bits  fill  nesse  that  thou  more  know- 
est  ;  so  that,  whan  thou  hast  fully  bi- 
holden  thilke  false  goodes,  and  torned 
thyn  cyon  to  that  other  syde,  thou  mowe 
knowe  the  cleernesse  of  verray  blisful- 

55  nesse. 

Metre  I.     Qui  screre  imjeniaim  uolet 
agnim. 

Who-so  -wole  sowo  a  feeld  plcntivous, 
lat  him  first  deliverc  it  fro  thornes,  and 
kerve  asunder  with  his  hook  the  biisshes 
and  the  fern,  so  that  the  corn  may  comen 

5  hevy  of  eres  and  of  greynes.  Hony  is 
the  more  swete,  yif  moiithes  ban  first 
tasted  savoures  that  ben  wikkid.  The 
sterres  shynen  more  agreably  whan  the 
wind  NothiTS  leteth  his  ploimgy  blastcs  ; 

10  and  after  that  Lucifer  the  day-storro 
hath  chased  awey  the  derke  night,  the 
day  the  fairerc  lodetli  the  rosene  hors 
of  the  Sonne.  And  right  so  thou,  bi- 
holdingo  first  the  false  goodes,  bigin  to 

15  with-drawen  thy  nekke  fro  the  yok  of 
erthel]/  affecciouns ;  and  after-ward  the 
verray  goodes  shoUen  entren  in-to  thy 
corage.' 

PisosK  II.     Tunc  defixo  paidlulum  uhrn. 

Tho  fastnede  she  a  Xitel  the  sighte  of 
hir  eyen,  and  with-drow  hir  right  as  it 
were  in-to  the  streite  sete  of  hir  thought ; 


and  bigan  to  speke  right  thus  :  '  Alio  the 
cures,'  quod  she,  '  of  mortal  folk,  whiche  ; 
that  travaylen  hem  in  many  maner 
studies,  goon  certes  by  diverse  weyes, 
but  natheles  they  enforcen  hem  alle  to 
comen  only  to  oon  ende  of  blisfulnesso. 
And  blisfulnesse  is  swiche  a  good,  that  ; 
who-so  that  hath  geten  it,  he  ne  may, 
over  that,  no-thing  more  desyre.  And 
this  thing  is  forsothe  tho  sovereyn  good 
that  conteyneth  in  him-self  alle  maner 
goodes  ;  to  the  whiche  good  yif  ther 
failede  any  thing,  it  mighto  nat  ben 
cleped  sovereyn  good  :  for  thanne  were 
ther  som  good,  out  of  this  ilke  sovereyn 
good,  that  mighte  ben  desired.  Now  is 
it  cleer  and  certein  thanne,  that  blisful- 
nesso is  a  parfit  estat  by  the  congre- 
gacioun  of  alle  goodes ;  tho  whiche 
blisfulnesse,  as  I  have  seyd,  alle  mortal 
folk  enforcen  hem  to  geten  by  diverse 
weyes.  For-why  the  eoveitise  of  verray 
good  is  naturelly  y-plaunted  in  the  hortes 
of  men  ;  but  the  miswandringe  errour 
mis-ledeth  hem  in-to  false  goodes.  Of 
the  whiche  men,  som  of  honi  wcnen  that 
sovereyn  good  be  to  liven  witli-outo  nede 
of  any  thing,  and  travaylen  hem  to  be 
haboundaunt  of  richesses.  And  som 
other  men  demen  that  soverejm  good 
be,  for  to  ben  right  digne  of  reverence  ; 
an<l  enforcen  hem  to  ben  reverenced 
among  hir  neighbotirs  by  the  honours 
that  they  ban  y-geten.  And  som  folk 
ther  ben  that  holden,  that  right  heigh 
power  be  sovereyn  good,  and  enforcen 
hem  for  to  regnen,  or  elles  to  joignen 
hem  to  hem  that  regnen.  And  it  semeth 
to  some  other  folk,  that  noblesse  of  re- 
noun  be  the  sovereyn  good  ;  and  hasten 
hem  to  geten  glorious  name  by  the  arts 
of  werre  and  of  pees.  And  many  folk  • 
mesuren  and  gessen  that  sovereyn  good 
be  joye  and  gladnesse,  and  wenen  that 
it  be  right  blisful  thing  to  ploungcn  hem 
in  voluptuous  delyt.  And  ther  ben  folk 
that  entrecliaungen  tho  causes  and  the 
endes  of  thise  forsej'de  goodes,  as  they 
that  desiren  richesses  to  ban  power  an<l 
delytes  ;  or  cllcs  they  desiren  power  for 
to  han  moneye,  or  for  cause  of  ronoiin. 


156 


(^oef0tu0.    q2>oo6  III:   (mefre  ii. 


55  In  thise  thinges,  and  in  swiclie  othre 
tliinges,  is  torned  alle  the  entencioun  of 
desiriuges  and  of  werkes  of  men ;  as 
thns  :  noblesse  and  favour  of  people, 
whiche  that  yevetli  to  men,  as  it  senieth 

60  hem,  a  maner  cleernesse  of  renown  ;  and 
■wyf  and  children,  that  men  desireu  for 
cause  of  delyt  and  of  merinesse.  But 
forsothe,  frendes  ne  sholden  nat  he 
rekned  a-mong  the  godes  of  fortune,  hut 

65  of  vertu  ;  for  it  is  a  ful  holy  maner  thing. 
Alle  thise  othre  thinges,  forsothe,  hen 
taken  for  cause  of  power  or  elles  for 
caiise  of  delyt.  Certes,  now  am  I  redy 
to  referren  the  goodes  of  the  body  to  thise 

70  forseide  thinges  aboven  ;  for  it  semeth 
that  strengthe  and  gretnesse  of  body 
yeven  power  and  worthinesse,  and  that 
beautee  and  swiftnesse  yeven  noblesses 
and  glorie  of  renoun  ;  and  hele  of  body 

75  semeth  yeven  delyt.  In  alle  thise  thinges 
it  senieth  only  that  blisfulnesse  is  desired. 
For-why  thilke  thing  that  every  man 
desireth  most  over  alle  thinges,  he 
demeth   that   it   be  the  sovereyn   good  ; 

80  but  I  have  defjnied  that  blisfulnesse  is 
the  sovereyn  good  ;  for  which  every  wight 
demeth,  that  thilke  cstat  that  he  desireth 
over  alle  thinges,  that  it  bo  blisfulnesse. 
Now  hast  thou  thanne  biforn  thyn  eyen 

85  almost  al  the  purposed  forme  of  the  wele- 
fulnesse  of  man-kinde,  that  is  to  seyn, 
richesses,  honours,  power,  and  glorie,  and 
delyts.  The  whiche  delyt  only  considerede 
Epicurus,  and  juged  and  establisshed  that 

9<)  delyt  is  the  sovereyn  good  ;  for  as  moche 
as  alle  othre  thinges,  as  him  thoughte, 
bi-refto  awcy  jf)yo  and  mii-the  fram  the 
lierte.  But  I  retorne  ayein  to  the  studies 
of  men,  of  wliiche  men  the  corage  alwey 

95  reherseth  and  scketh  the  sovereyn  good, 
al  be  it  so  that  it  be  with  a  derkcd 
memorie  ;  but  he  not  bj'  whiche  path, 
right  as  a  dronken  man  not  nat  by 
whiche  path  he  may  retorne  him  to  his 
ico  hous.  Semeth  it  thanne  that  folk  folyen 
and  erren  that  enforcen  hem  to  have 
nede  of  nothing?  Certes,  ther  nis  non 
other  thing  that  may  so  wcl  performe 
blisfulnesse,  as  an  estat  plentivous  of  alle 
i05  goodes,  that  ne  hath  nede  of  non  other 


thing,  but  that  is  suffisaunt  of  himself 
unto  him-self.  And  folyen  swiche  folk 
thanne,  that  wenen  that  thilke  thing 
that  is  right  good,  that  it  be  eek  right 
worthy  of  honour  and  of  reverence  'i  1 1 
Certes,  nay.  For  that  thing  nis  neither 
foul  ne  worthy  to  ben  despised,  that  wel 
neigh  al  the  entencioun  of  mortal  folk 
travaylen  for  to  geten  it.  And  power, 
oughte  nat  that  eek  to  ben  rekened  1 1 
amonges  goodes?  What  elles?  For  it 
is  nat  to  wene  that  thilke  thing,  that  is 
most  worthy  of  alle  thinges,  be  feble  and 
with-oute  strengthe.  And  cleernesse  of 
renoun,  oughte  that  to  ben  despised?  i. 
Certes,  ther  may  no  man  forsake,  that  al 
thing  that  is  right  excellent  and  noble, 
that  it  ne  semeth  to  hen  right  cleer  and 
renomed.  For  certes,  it  nedetli  nat  to 
seye,  that  blisfulnesse  be  [nat]  anguissons  i. 
ne  drerj',  no  subgit  to  grevaunces  ne  to 
sorwes,  sin  that  in  right  litel  thinges 
folk  seken  to  have  and  to  usen  that  may 
delyten  honi.  Certes,  thise  hen  the 
thinges  that  men  wolen  and  desiren  to  i/ 
geten.  And  for  this  cause  desiren  tliey 
richesses,  dignitees,  regnes,  glorie,  and 
delices.  For  therby  wenen  they  to  han 
suffisaunce,  honour,  power,  renoun,  and 
gladnesse.  Than  is  it  good,  that  men  i,. 
seken  thus  by  so  many  diverse  studies. 
In  whiche  des.\T  it  may  lightly  ben 
shewed  how  gret  is  the  strengthe  of 
nature  ;  for  how  so  that  men  han  diverse 
sentences  and  discordinge,  algates  men  i^ 
acorden  alio  in  lovinge  the  ende  of  good. 

Methk  II.     Qiiantas  rerinn  flectat  habenas. 

It  lykoth  me  to  shewe,  by  subtil  song, 
with  slakke  anddelitable  soun  of  strenges, 
how  that  Nature,  mighty,  enclincth  and 
flitteth  the  governomonts  of  thinges,  and 
by  whiche  lawcs  she,  purveyable,  kepoth  5 
the  gretc  worhl  ;  and  how  she,  bindinge, 
rcstreyneth  alio  thinges  by  a  bonde  tliiit 
may  nat  ben  unboundo.  Al  be  it  so  that 
the  lyouns  of  the  contre  of  Pone  beren 
the  faire  chaynes,  and  taken  metes  of  10 
the  handes  of  folk  that  yeven  it  hem, 
and  dreden  hir  sturdy  maystres  of  whiche 


(§od^iu0.    (good  III:  (proee  iii. 


ir, 


bt 


they  ben  wont  to  sufFren  betinges  :  yif 
that  hir  horrible   mouthes  ben  be-bled, 

15  that  is  to  geyn,  of  bestes  devoured,  hir 
corage  of  time  passed,  that  hath  ben  ydel 
and  rested,  repeyreth  ayein  ;  and  they 
I'oren  grevonsly  and  remenibren  on  liir 
nature,  and  slaken  hir  nekkes  tram  hir 

21)  chaynes  unbounde  ;  and  hir  mayster,  first 
to-torn  with  blody  tooth,  assayeth  the 
wode  wratlies  of  hem  ;  this  is  to  seyn, 
they  freten  hir  mayster.  And  the  jange- 
linge    brid    that    singetli    on    the   heye 

25  braunclies,  that  is  to  seyn,  in  the  loode, 
and  after  is  enclosed  in  a  streyt  cage  : 
al-though  that  the  pleyinge  bisinesse  of 
men  yeveth  hem  honiede  drinkes  and 
large  metes  with  swete  stndie,  yit  nathe- 

30  les,  yif  tliilke  brid,  skippinge  out  of  hir 
streyte  cage,  seeth  the  agreables  shadewes 
of  the  wodes,  she  defouleth  with  hir  feet 
liir  metes  y-shad,  and  seketh  mourninge 
only  the  wode  ;  and  twitereth,  desiringe 

35  the  wode,  with  hir  swete  vols.  The  yerde 
of  a  tree,  that  is  haled  a-doun  by  mighty 
strengthe,  bowetli  redily  the  crop  a-douu  : 
l)ut  yif  that  tlie  hand  of  him  that  it  bente 
hit  it  gon  ayein,  anon  the  crop  loketh 

40  up-right  to  hevene.  The  sonne  Phebus, 
that  falleth  at  even  in  the  westrene 
wawes,  retorneth  ayein  eftsones  his  carte, 
by  privee  path,  ther-as  it  is  wont  aryso. 
Alle  thinges  sekeu  ayein  to  hir  propre 

45  coiu'S,  and  alle  thinges  rcjoysen  hem  of 
hir  retorninge  ayein  to  hir  nature.  Ne 
non  ordinaunce  nis  bitaken  to  thinges, 
but  that  that  hath  jojaied  the  endinge 
to  the  beginningo,  and  hath  maked  the 

50  cours  of  it-self  stable,  that  it  chaungeth 
nat  from  his  propre  Icinde. 

Pkosk  III.   Vus  quoque,  0  terrena  animalia. 

Certes  also  yo  men,  that  ben  ertheliche 
beestcs,  drenien  alwcy  youre  beginninge, 
al-though  it  be  with  a  thinne  imagina- 
cioun  ;  and  by  a  maner  thoughte,  al  be 
5  it  nat  cleerly  ne  parfitly,  yo  loken  fram 
a-fer  to  thilke  verray  fyn  of  blisfulnesso  ; 
and  ther-fore  nature!  entenciotm  ledeth 
you  to  thilke  verray  good,  but  many 
maner  errours  mis-torneth  j-ou  ther-fro. 


Consider  now  yif  that  by  thilke  thinges,  10 
by  whiche  a  man  wenetli  to  geten  him 
blisfulnesse,  yif  that  he  may  comen  to 
thilke  ende  that  he  weneth  to  come  by 
nature.  For  yif  that  moneyo  or  honours, 
or  thise  other  forseyde  thinges  bringen  15 
to  men  swich.  a  thing  tliat  no  good  ne 
fayle  hem  ne  semeth  fayle,  cirtes  than 
wole  I  graunte  that  they  ben  maked 
blisful  by  thilke  thinges  that  they  han 
geten.  Bvit  yif  so  be  that  thilke  thinges  20 
ne  mowen  nat  performen  that  they  bi- 
heten,  and  that  ther  be  defaute  of  manye 
goodes,  sheweth  it  nat  thanne  cleerly 
that  fals  beautee  of  blisfulnesse  is  knowen 
and  ateint  in  thilke  thinges  ?  First  and  25 
forward  thou  thy-self,  that  haddest  lia- 
bundaunces  of  richesses  nat  long  agon, 
I  axe  yif  that,  in  the  habundaiinco  of  alio 
thilke  richesses,  thou  were  never  an- 
guissous  or  sory  in  thy  corage  of  any  30 
wrong  or  grevaunce  that  bi-tidde  thee  on 
any  syde  ?  '  '  Certes,'  quod  I,  '  it  ne  re- 
membreth  me  nat  that  evere  I  was  so 
free  of  my  thought  that  I  ne  was  alwey 
in  anguissh  of  som-what.'  35 

'And  was  nat  that,'  quod  she,  '  for  that 
thee  lakked  som-what  that  thou  noldest 
nat  han  lakked,  or  elles  thou  haddest 
that  thou  noldest  nat  han  had  ?'  '  Right 
so  is  it,'  quod  I.  40 

'Thanne  desiredest  thou  the  presence 
of  that  oon  and  the  absence  of  that 
other  ?'         'I  graunte  wel,'  quod  I. 

'  Forsothe,'    quod    she,    'than    ncdeth 
ther  som-what  that  everj'  man  desireth  ?  '  45 
'  Ye,  ther  nedeth,'  quod  I. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  and  ho  that  hath 
lakke  or  nede  of  aught  nis  nat  in  every 
wey    suffisaunt    to    himself?'  'No,' 

quod  I.  50 

'  And  thou,'  quod  alio,  '  in  al  the  plentee 
of  thy  richesses  haddest  thilke  lakke  of 
suffisaunso?'         'What  elles?'  quod  I 

'  Thanne  may  nat  richesses  maken  that 
a  man  nis  nedy,  ne  that  he  be  sutRsaunt  $5 
to  liim-self ;  and  that  was  it  that  they 
bi-highten,  as  it  semetli.  And  eek  certes 
I  trowe,  that  this  bo  gretly  to  cimsidere, 
that  moneye  no  hatli  nat  in  his  owne 
kindo  that  it  ne  may  ben  bi-nomcn  of  60 


ir,8 


(goef0tu0.    (gooft  III:   (nu^re  in. 


liem  thfit  han  it,  mangre  hem  ? '        'I  bi- 
knowe  it  avcI,'  qnod  I. 

'  Why  sholdest  tliou  nat  Li-knowen  it,' 
qnod  she,  '  whan  every  day  the  stronger 

^5  folk  hi-nemen  it  fro  the  febler,  mangre 
hem  ?  For  whennes  comen  clles  alle  thisc 
foreyne  compleyntes  or  quereles  of  plet- 
inges,  but  for  that  men  axen  ayein  here 
moneye  that  hath  ben  bi-nomen  hem  by 

7"  force  or  by  gyle,  and  alwey  maugre 
hem  ? '         '  Eight  so  is  it,'  quod  I. 

'  Than,'  quod  she,  '  hath  a  man  nedo 
to  seken  him  foreyne  helpe  by  \vhiche  he 
may  defende  his  moneye  ? '         '  Who  may 

75  sey  nay  ? '  quod  I. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she  ;  '  and  hini  nedede 
non  help,  yif  he  ne  hadde  no  moneye  that 
he  mighte  lese  ?'  '  That  is  douteles,' 
quod  I. 

f^o  '  Than  is  this  thinge  torned  in-to  the 
contrarye,'  quod  she.  '  For  richesses, 
that  men  wenen  sholde  make  suffisaunce, 
they  maken  a  man  rather  han  nede  of 
foreyne  help  !     Which  is  the  manere  or 

^5  the  gyse,'  quod  she,  '  that  richesse  may 
dryvc  awcy  nede  ?  Riche  folk,  may  they 
neither  lian  hunger  ne  thurst  ?  Tliise 
riche  men,  may  they  fele  no  cold  on  hir 
limes  on  winter?  But  thou  wolt  answeren, 

<jo  that  riche  men  han  y-now  wher-with  they 
may  staunchen  hir  hunger,  slaken  hir 
thurst,  and  don  a-wey  cold.  In  this  wyse 
may  nede  be  counforted  by  richesses  ; 
but  certes,  nede  ne  may  nat  al  outrely 

95  ben  don  a-wey.  For  though  this  node, 
that  is  alwey  gapingc  and  gredj-,  be  ful- 
fdd  with  ric'liesses,  and  axe  any  thing, 
yit  dwellcth  thanne  a  nede  that  mighte 
be  fulfild.  I  holdo  me  stille,  and  telle 
uxj  nat  how  that  litel  thing  suffiseth  to 
nature  ;  but  certes  to  avarice  y-nough 
ne  suffiseth  no-thing.  For  sin  that  rich- 
esses no  may  nat  al  don  awey  nede,  but 
richesses  maken  nede,  what  may  it  thanne 
105  be,  that  ye  wenen  that  richesses  mowen 
yeven  you  suffisaunce  ? 

Mktke  III.     Quamvis  flucnte  diues  auri 

(jurijitc. 
Al   were  it  so  that  a  riche  eovej-tous 
man  hadde  a  river  lletinge  al  of  gold,  yit 


sholde  it  never  staunchen  his  coveitise  ; 
and  though  he  hadde  his  nekke  j- 
chargod  with  j^recious  stones  of  the  rede  5 
see,  and  though  he  do  ere  his  feldes  plen- 
tivous  with  an  hundred  oxen,  never  ne 
slial  his  bj-tinge  bisinesse  for-leten  him 
whyl  he  liveth,  ne  the  lighte  .richesses  no 
sholle  nat  beren  him  companye  whan  he  't> 
is  deed. 

PiiosE  lY.     Set  dignitates. 

But  dignitees,  to  whom  they  ben  comen . 
maken  they  hina  honorable  and  reverent  ? 
Han  they  nat  so  gret  strengthe,  that  they 
may  putte  vertues  in  the  hortes  of  folk 
that  usen  the  lordshipes  of  hem  ?  Or  5 
elles  may  they  don  a-wey  the  vyces? 
Certes,  they  ne  bo  nat  wont  to  don  awey 
wikkednesse,  but  they  ben  wont  rather 
to  shewen  wikkednesse.  And  ther-of 
comth  it  that  I  have  right  grete  desdeyn,  10 
that  dignitees  ben  yeven  ofte  to  wikked 
men ;  for  which  thing  Catullus  doped 
a  consul  of  Borne,  that  highte  Nonius, 
"  postum "  or  "boch";  as  icho  seylh,  he 
clejKd  him  a  congregaciottn  of  vyces  in  his  15 
brest,  as  a  postum  is  ful  of  coriipcioun, 
al  were  this  Nonius  sot  in  a  chayre  of 
dignitee.  Seest  thou  nat  thanne  how 
gret  vilonyo  dignitees  don.  to  wikked 
men?  Certes,  unworthinesse  of  wikked  .;<) 
men  sholde  bo  the  lasso  y-seno,  yif  they 
nere  renomed  of  none  honours.  Certes, 
thou  thyself  no  mightest  nat  ben  brouglit 
with  as  manye  perils  as  thou  mightest 
suffron  that  thou  woldest  boren  the  25 
magistrat  witli  Dccorat  ;  that  is  to  seyn, 
that  for  no  j^eril  that  mighte  befallen  thee 
by  ojfcnce  of  the  king  Theodorike,  thou 
noldest  nat  be  felaive  in  governaunce  with 
Decorat ;  whan  thou  sayo  that  ho  hadde  3" 
wikked  corugo  of  a  likerous  shrewe  antl 
of  an  accusor.  Ne  I  ne  may  nat,  for 
swiche  hontmrs,  jugen  hem  worthy  of 
reverence,  tliat  I  dome  and  holdo  un- 
worthy to  han  thilke  same  honours.  Now  35 
yif  thou  saye  a  man  that  were  fulfild  of 
wisdom,  certes,  thou  no  mightest  nat 
dome  that  he  were  unworthy  to  the 
honour,  or  elles  to  the  wisdom  of  which 


(god^ixxe.    (^ooft  III:   $fO0e  v. 


159 


4„  he  is  fuimd?'— 'No,'  quod  I.— '  Certes, 
dignitees,'  quod  she,  '  apertienen  proprely 
to  vertii ;  and  vertu  transporteth  dignitee 
anon  to  thilke  man  to  which  she  hir-self 
is   conjoigned.      And   for  as    nioche    as 

45  honours  of  isoeple  ne  may  nat  maken  folk 
digne  of  honour,  it  is  wel  seyn  cleerly 
that  they  ne  han  no  propre  beautee  of 
dignitee.  And  yit  men  oughten  taken 
more  heed  in  this.     For  yif  it  so  be  that 

50  a  wikked  wight  he  so  mochel  the  foulere 
and  the  more  out-cast,  that  he  is  despysed 
of  most  folk,  so  as  dignitee  ne  may  nat 
maken  shrewes  digne  of  reverence,  the 
which  shrewes  dignitee  sheweth  to  moche 

55  folk,  thanne  maketh  dignitee  shrewes 
rather  so  moche  more  despysed  than 
preysed ;  and  forsothe  nat  iinpuuisshed  : 
that  is  for  to  seyn,  that  shrewes  revengen 
hem  ayeinward  up-on  dignitees  ;  for  they 

60  yilden  aycin  to  dignitees  as  gret  guer- 
doun,  whan  they  bi-spotten  and  defovilen 
dignitees  with  hir  vilenye.  And  for  as 
inochel  as  thou  mowe  knowe  that  thilke 
verray  reverence  ne  may  nat  comeu  by 

65  thise  shadewy  transitorie  dignitees,  im- 
dirstond  now  thus  :  yif  that  a  man  hadde 
iised  and  had  many  maner  dignitees  of 
consules,  and  were  comen  peraventuro 
amonge  straunge  naciouns,  sholde  thilke 

70  honour  maken  him  worshipful  and  re- 
douted  of  straunge  folk?  Certes,  yif 
that  honour  of  pocple  were  a  naturel 
yift  to  dignitees,  it  ne  mighte  never 
cesen  nowher  amonges  no  maner  folk  to 

"5  don  his  office,  right  as  fyr  in  every  con- 
tree  ne  stinteth  nat  to  eschaufen  and 
to  ben  hoot.  But  for  as  moche  as  for 
to  ben  holden  honourable  or  reverent 
ne   cometh   nat    to    folk   of   hir   propre 

80  strcngthe  of  nature,  but  only  of  the  false 
opinioun  of  folk,  that  is  to  seyn,  that  wenen 
that  dignitees  maken  folk  digne  of  honour  ; 
anon  therfore  whan  that  they  comon 
ther-as  follv  ne  knowen  nat  thilke  digni- 

85  tees,  hir  honours  vanisshen  awey,  and 
that  anon.  But  that  is  amonges  straunge 
folk,  mayst  thou  seyn  ;  but  amonges  hem 
ther  they  weren  born,  no  duren  nat 
thilke  dignitees  alwey?     Certes,  the  dig- 

90  nitee   of   the    provostrio    of    Rome   was 


whylom  a  gret  power  ;  now  is  it  nothing 
but  an  ydel  name,  and  the  rente  of  the 
senatorie  a  gret  charge.  And  yif  a  wight 
whylom  hadde  the  office  to  taken  hede  to 
the  vitailes  of  the  poeple,  as  of  corn  and  95 
other  thinges,  he  was  holden  amonges 
grete  ;  but  what  thing  is  now  more  out- 
cast thanne  thilke  provostrie  ?  And,  as 
I  have  seyd  a  litel  her-biforn,  that  thilke 
thing  that  hath  no  propre  beautee  of  100 
him-self  receiveth  som-tyme  prys  and 
shyninge,  and  som-tyme  lescth  it  by  the 
opinioun  of  usaunces.  Now  yif  that  dig- 
nitees thanne  ne  mowen  nat  maken  folk 
digne  of  reverence,  and  yif  that  dignitees  105 
wexen  foule  of  hir  wille  by  the  filthe  of 
shrewes,  and  yif  that  dignitees  lesen  hir 
shyninge  by  chaunginge  of  tymes,  and 
yif  they  wexen  foule  by  estimacioun  of 
poejjle  :  what  is  it  that  they  han  in  hem-  no 
self  of  beautee  that  oughte  ben  desired? 
as  who  seyth,  nan ;  thanne  ne  mowen 
they  yeven  no  beautee  of  dignitee  to  non 
other. 


Metue  IV. 


Quam  vis  se,  Tyrio  stipei'biis 
ostro. 


Al  be  it  so  that  the  proiidc  Nero,  with 
alle  his  wode  luxurie,  kembde  him  and 
aparailode  him  with  faire  purprcs  of 
Tirio,  and  with  whyte  perles,  algates  yit 
tlirof  he  hateful  to  alle  folk  :  this  is  to  5 
seyn,  that  al  was  he  behated  of  alle  folk. 
Yit  this  wikked  Nero  hadde  gret  lordship, 
and  yat  whylom  to  the  rcverents  sena- 
tours  the  unworshipfvil  sctes  of  dignitees. 
Uincorshipful  sctes  he  clcpcth  here,  for  that  10 
Kero,  that  ivas  so  icikkcd,  yaf  iho  dignitees. 
Who-so  wolde  thanne  resoiiably  wenen, 
that  blisfulnesso  were  in  swichc  honours 
as  ben  yeven  by  vicious  shrewes  ? 

Pkose  V.    An  xiero  regna  regumque 
famiUaritas. 

But  regnes  and  familiaritces  of  kinges, 
may  they  naaken  a  man  to  ben  mighty? 
How  Giles,  whan  hir  blisfulnesso  dureth 
perpetuely  ?  But  certes,  the  olde  age  of 
tyme  jiassed,  and  eek  of  present  tyme  5 
now,    is    fill    of    ensauniplcs    how    that 


i6o 


(goef0iu6.    (gooft  III:   (meire  V. 


40 


kinges  ben  chaunged  in-to  wrecchednesse 
Dut  of  hir  welefulnesse.  O  !  a  noble  thing 
and  a  clear  thing  is  power,  that  is  nat 
fonndon  mighty  to  kepeu  it-self!  And 
yif  that  power  of  reaumes  be  auctourand 
maker  of  blisfulnesse,  yif  thilke  power 
lalcketh  on  any  syde,  amennscth  it  nat 
thilke  blisfulnesse  and  bringeth  iii 
wrecchednesse  ?  Bnt  yit,  al  be  it  so 
tliat  the  reaumes  of  mankinde  strecchen 
brode,  yit  mot  ther  nede  ben  moche  folk, 
over  whiche  that  every  king  ne  hath  no 
lordshipo  ne  comaundement.  And  certes, 
up-on  thilke  syde  that  power  faileth, 
which  that  maketh  folk  blisful,  right 
on  that  same  syde  noun-power  entreth 
under-nethe,  that  maketh  hem  wrecches  ; 
ill  this  nianere  thanne  moten  kinges  han 
more  porcioun  of  wrecchednesse  than  of 
welefulnesse.  A  tyraunt,  that  was  king 
of  Sisile,  that  hadde  assayed  the  peril 
of  his  estat,  shewede  by  similitude  the 
dredes  of  reaumes  by  gastnesse  of  a  swerd 
that  heng  over  the  heved  0/  his  familiei: 
What  thing  is  thanne  this  power,  that 
may  nat  don  awey  the  by  tinges  of  bisi- 
nosse,  ne  eschewe  the  prikkes  of  drede  ? 
And  certes,  yit  wolden  thej-  liven  in 
sikernesso,  bi\t  they  may  nat ;  and  yit 
they  glorifye  hem  in  hir  power.  Holdest 
thou  thanne  that  thilke  man  be  mighty, 
that  thou  seest  that  he  wolde  don  that 
he  may  nat  don  ?  And  holdest  thou 
thanne  him  a  niighty  man,  that  hath 
envirownede  his  sydes  with  rueu  of  amies 
or  serjaunts,  and  dredoth  more  heni  that 
he  maketh  agast  than  they  dreden  him, 
and  that  is  put  in  the  handes  of  his 
3ervaunts  for  he  sholdo  seme  mighty? 
But  of  familieres  or  servaunts  of  kinges 
what  sholde  I  telle  thee  anything,  sin 
that  I  myself  have  shewed  thee  that 
reaumes  hem-self  ben  ful  of  gret  feblesse? 
The  whiche  familieres,  certes,  the  ryal 
power  of  kinges,  in  hool  estat  and  in 
estat  abated,  ful  ofte  throweth  adown. 
Xero  constreynede  Senek,  his  familier 
and  his  mayster,  to  chosen  on  vvliat  deeth 
he  wolde  deyen.  Antonius  comaundede 
that  knightes  slowcn  with  hir  swerdes 
Papinian    his  familier,   which   Papinian 


hadde  ben  longe  tyme  ful  mighty 
am<mges  hem  of  the  court.  And  yit, 
certes,  they  wolden  bothe  han  renounced  6<> 
hir  power ;  of  whiche  two  Senek  en- 
forcede  him  to  yeven  to  Nero  his  rich- 
esses,  and  also  to  han  gon  in-to  solitarie 
exil.  But  whan  the  grc  ie  weighte,  that 
is  to  sey7i,  of  lordes  jtower  or  of  fortune,  65 
draweth  hem  that  shuUen  falle,  neither 
of  hem  ne  mighte  do  that  he  wolde. 
What  thing  is  thanne  thilke  power,  that 
though  men  han  it,  yit  they  ben  agast ; 
and  whanne  thou  woldest  han  it,  thou  7<J 
nart  nat  siker  ;  and  yif  thou  woldest 
forleten  it,  thou  mayst  nat  eschuen  it  ? 
But  whether  swiche  men  ben  frendes 
at  nede,  as  ben  conseyled  by  fortune  and 
nat  by  vertu  ?  Certes,  swiche  folk  as  75 
weleful  fortune  maketh  freendes,  con- 
trarious  fortune  maketh  hem  enemys. 
And  what  pestilence  is  more  mighty  for 
to  anoye  a  wight  than  a  familier  enemy  ? 

Metre  V.     Qui  se  uolet  esse  potentem. 

Wlio-so  wol  be  mighty,  he  mot  daunten 
his  cruel  corage,  nc  putte  nat  his  nekko, 
overcomen,  under  the  foule  reynes  of 
lecherye.  For  al-be-it  so  that  thy  lord- 
shipe  strecehe  so  fer,  that  the  contree  5 
of  Inde  quaketh  at  thy  comaundements 
or  at  thy  lawes,  and  that  the  last  He  in 
the  see,  that  hight  Tyle,  be  thral  to  thee, 
yit,  yif  thou  mayst  nat  putten  awey  thy 
foule  derke  desyrs,  and  drj-^^en  out  fro  10 
thee  wreeehed  comidaintos,  certes,  it  nis 
no  power  that  thou  hast. 

Prose  VI.    Gloria  uero  <2U07n  fallax  saej)e. 

But  glorie,  how  deceivable  and  how 
foul  is  it  ofte  !  For  which  thing  nat 
unskilfully  a  tragedien,  that  is  to  se^/n, 
a  maker  of  ditees  that  highten  tragedies, 
cryde  and  seide  :  "  O  glorie,  glorie,"  quod  5 
he,  "  thou  art  nothing  elles  to  thousandes 
of  folkes  but  a  greet  sweller  of  eres  !" 
For  manye  han  had  lul  greet  renoun  by 
the  false  opinioun  of  the  j)<)eple,  and  what 
thing  may  ben  thought  fouler  than  swiche  10 
jjreysinge  ?  For  thilke  folk  that  ben 
preysed  falsly,   they  moten    nedes    han 


(^oef0tu0.    (^ooft  III :   QUefre  vii. 


i6i 


shame  of  liir  i?reysinges.  And  yif  that 
folk  han  geten  hem  thonk  or  preysinge 

'5  by  hii-  desertes,  what  thing  hath  thilke 
prys  eched  or  encresed  to  the  conscience 
of  -wyse  folk,  that  mesuren  hir  good, 
nat  by  the  rumour  of  the  poeple,  but 
by  the  soothfastnesse  of  conscience  ?  And 

20  yif  it  seme  a  fair  thing,  a  man  to  han 
encresed  and  spred  his  name,  than  fol- 
weth  it  that  it  is  demed  to  ben  a  foul 
thing,  yif  it  ne  be  y-sprad  and  encresed. 
But,  as  I  seyde  a  litel  her-biforn  that,  sin 

25  ther  mot  nedes  ben  many  folk,  to  whiche 
folk  the  renoun  of  a  man  ne  may  nat 
comen,  it  befalleth  that  he,  that  thou 
wenest  be  glorious  and  renonied,  semeth 
in  the  nexte  partie  of  the  erthes  to  ben 

30  with-oute   glorie  and  with-oute  renoun. 

And  certes,  amonges  thise  thinges  I  ne 

trowe  nat  that  the  prys  and  grace  of  the 

poeple   nis   neither  worthy   to    ben    re- 

niem.bred,  ne  cometh  of  wyse  jugement, 

35  ne  is  ferme  perdurably.  But  now,  of  this 
name  of  gentilesse,  what  man  is  it  that 
ne  may  wel  seen  how  veyn  and  how 
flittinge  a  thing  it  is  ?  For  yif  the  name 
of  gentilesse  be  referred  to  renoun  and 

40  cleemesse  of  linage,  thanne  is  gentil  name 
but  a  foreine  thing,  that  is  to  seyn,  to  hem 
that  glorifyen  hem  of  hir  linage.  For  it 
semeth  that  gentilesse  be  a  maner  prey- 
singe   that  comth   of  the  deserte  of  an- 

45  cestres.  And  yif  preysinge  maketh 
gentilesse,  thanne  moten  they  nedes  be 
gentil  that  ben  preysed.  For  which  thing 
it  folweth,  that  yif  thou  ne  have  no 
gentilesse  of  thy-self,  that  is  to  seyn,  xrreyse 

50  that  comth  of  thy  deserte,  foreine  gentilesse 
ne  maketh  thee  nat  gentil.  But  certes, 
yif  ther  be  an^'  good  in  gentilesse,  I  trowe 
it  be  al-only  this,  that  it  semeth  as  that 
a  maner  necessitee  be  imposed  to  gentil 

55  men,  for  that  they  ne  sholden  nat  out- 
rayen  or  forliven  fro  the  virtues  of  hir 
noble  kinrede. 

Metue  VI.     Omne  homimou  genus  in 
terris. 

Al  the  linage  of  men  that  ben  in  erthe 
ben  of  semblable  birthe.  On  allone  is 
fader  of  thinges.     On  allone  ministreth 


alle  thinges.  He  yaf  to  the  Sonne  hise 
bemes  ;  he  yaf  to  the  mone  hir  homes.  5 
He  yaf  the  men  to  the  erthe  ;  he  yaf  the 
sterres  to  the  hevene.  He  encloseth  with 
membres  the  soules  that  comen  fro  his 
hye  sete.  Thanne  comen  alle  mortal  folk 
of  noble  sede  ;  why  noisen  ye  or  bosten  of  10 
youre  eldres  ?  For  yif  thou  loke  your 
biginninge,  and  god  your  auctor  and  your 
maker,  thanne  nis  ther  no  forlived  wight, 
but -yif  he  norisshe  his  corage  un-to  vyces, 
and  forlete  his  propre  burthe.  '5 

Phose  vii.     Quid  autem  de  corporis 
uolvptatibus. 

But  what  shal  I  seye  of  delices  of  body, 
of  whiche  delices  the  desiringes  ben  ful 
of  anguissh,  and  the  fulfiUinges  of  hem 
ben  ful  of  penaunce  ?  How  greet  syk- 
nesse  and  how  grete  sorwes  unsufferable,  5 
right  as  a  maner  fruit  of  wikkednesse, 
ben  thilke  delices  wont  to  bringen  to  the 
bodies  of  folk  that  usenhem  !  Of  whiche 
delices  I  not  what  joye  may  ben  had  of 
hir  moevinge.  But  this  wot  I  wel,  that  10 
who-so-ever  wole  remembren  him  of  hise 
luxures,  he  shal  wel  nnderstonde  that 
the  issues  of  delices  ben  sorwful  and 
sorye.  And  yif  thilke  delices  mowen 
maken  folk  blisful,  than  by  the  same  15 
cause  moten  thise  bestes  ben  cleped  blis- 
ful ;  of  whiche  bestes  al  the  entencioun 
hasteth  to  fulfille  hir  bodily  jolitee.  And 
the  gladnesse  of  wyf  and  children  were 
an  honest  thing,  bu.t  it  hath  ben  scyil  -o 
that  it  is  over  muchel  ayeins  kinde,  that 
children  han  ben  founden  tormentours  to 
hir  fadres,  I  not  how  manye  :  of  whiche 
children  how  bytinge  is  every  condicioun, 
it  nedeth  nat  to  tellen  it  thee,  that  hast  25 
or  this  tyme  assayed  it,  and  art  yit  now 
anguissous.  In  this  approve  I  the  sen- 
tence of  my  discriple  Euripidis,  that  sej'de, 
that  "  ho  that  hath  no  children  is  weleful 
by  infortune."  30 

Metke  VII.     Hdbet  mnnis  hoc  ttohiptas. 

Every  dels^t  hath  this,  that  it  anguissheth 
hem.  with  prikkes  that  usen  it.  It  re- 
scmbleth  to  thise  flyinge  flyes  that  we 


l62 


(goc^6tu0.    (^ooR  III:  (pro0e  viii. 


clepen  been,  that,  after  that  he  hath  shad 

5  hise  agreable  honies,  he  flceth  awey,  and 

stingeth    the   hertes.    of    hem   that   ben 

j'-smite,  with  bytinge  overlonge  hoklinge. 

Pkose  viii.     Nihil  igitiir  dnhiinn  est. 

Now  is  it  no  donte  thanne  that  thise 
wej'es  ne  ben  a  maner  misledinges  to 
blisfulnesse,  ne  that  they  ne  niowe  nat 
leden  folk  thider  as  they  biheten  to  leden 
5  hem.  But  with  how  grete  hamnes  thise 
forseyde  weyes  ben  enhiced,  I  shal  shewe 
thee  shortly.  For-why  yif  thon  enforcest 
thee  to  asemble  moneye,  thou  most  bi- 
reven  him  his  moneye  that  hath  it.     And 

lo  yif  thou  wolt  shynen  with  dignitees,  thou 
most  biseehen  and  siipplien  hem  that 
yeven  tho  dignitees.  And  yif  thou  covei- 
test  by  honour  to  gon  luforn  other  folk, 
thou  shalt  defoule  thy-self  thorttgh  hum- 

15  blesse  of  axinge.  Yif  thou  desirest  power, 
thou  shalt  by  awaytes  of  thj'  subgits 
anoyously  ben  cast  under  manye  periles. 
Axest  thou  glorie  ?  Thou  shalt  ben  so 
destrat  by  aspre  thinges  that  thoit  shalt 

20  forgoon  sikernesse.  And  yif  thou  wolt 
leden  tli j'  lyf  in  deliees,  every  wight  shal 
despisen  thee  and  forleten  thee,  as  thou 
that  art  thral  to  thing  that  is  right  foul 
and  brotel ;  that  is  to  seyn,  servaunt  to 

25  thy  body.  Now  is  it  thanne  wel  seen, 
how  litel  and  how  brotel  possossioun  they 
coveiten,  that  putten  the  goodes  of  the 
body  aboven  hir  owne  resoitn.  For  maj-st 
ihow  sorinounten  thise  olifaunts  in  gret- 

30  nosse  or  Aveight  of  body  ?  Or  mayst  thou 
ben  stronger  than  the  bole  ?  Mayst  thou 
ben  swifter  than  the  tygre  ?  Bihold  the 
spaces  ancl  the  stablenesse  and  tho  swifte 
cours  of  the  hevene,  and  stint  som-tyme 

.^5  to  wondren  on  foulc  thinges  ;  the  which 
hevene,  certes,  nis  nat  rather  for  thise 
thinges  to  ben  wondred  up-on,  than  for 
the  resoun  by  which  it  is  governed.  But 
the  shyning  of  thy  forme,  that  is  to  seyn, 

40  the  heautee  of  thy  body,  how  swiftly  pass- 
inge  is  it,  and  how  transitorio  ;  certes,  it 
is  more  flittinge  than  the  mutabilitee  of 
flowers  of  the  sonier-sesoun.  For  so  Aris- 
totle telleth,  that  yif  that  men  hadden 


eyen  of  a  beest  that  highte  IjTix,  so  that  45 
the  lokinge  of  folk  mightepercen  thorugh 
the  thinges  that  with-stonden  it,  who-so 
loked  thanne  in  the  entrailes  of  the  body 
of  Alcibiades,   that  was  ful  fajT  in  the 
superfice  with-oute,  it  shold  seme  right  50 
foul.     And  forthj%  yif  thou  semest  fayr, 
thy  nature  maketh  nat  that,   but  the 
desceivaunce  of  the  feblesse  of  the  e3'en 
that  loken.     But  preyse  the  goodes  of  the 
body  as  mochel  as  ever  thee  list  ;  so  that  55 
thou  knowe  algates  that,  what-so  it  be, 
tTiat  is  to  seyn,  of  the  goodes  of  thy  body, 
which  that   thou  wondrest   up-on,  may 
ben  destroyed  or  dissolved  by  the  hete  of 
a  fevere  of  three  dayes.     Of  alle  whicho  60 
forseyde    thinges   I    may    reducen    this 
shortly  in  a  somme,  that  thise  worldly 
goodes,  whiche  that  ne  mowen  nat  j^eveu 
that  they  biheten,  ne  ben  nat  parfit  by 
the   congregacioun  of  alle  goodes  ;   that  65 
they  ne   ben   nat  weyes  ne  pathes  that 
briugen  men  to  blisfulnesse,  ne  maken 
men  to  ben  blisful. 

Metue  viii.     Eheu  !  quae  miseros 
tramite  deuios. 

Alias !  which  folye  and  which  igno- 
raunce  misledeth  wandringe  wi'ecches 
fro  the  path  of  verray  goode  !  Certes, 

ye  ne  seken  no  gold  in  grene  trees,  ne  ye 
ne  gaderen   nat   precious   stones   in   tho  5 
vynes,  ne  j'e  ne  hyden  nat  your  ginnes 
in  the  hye  moitntaignes  to  cacchen  fish 
of  whiche  yc  may  maken   riche  festes. 
And  yif  yow  lyketh  to  hunte  to  roes,  ye 
ne  gon  nat  to  the  fordes  of  the  water  that  10 
highte    Tyrene.      And    over    this,    men 
knowcn  wel  the  crykes  and  the  cavemes 
of  the  sec  y-hid  in  the  flodes,  and  kuowen 
eek  which  water  is  most  plcntivous    of 
whj'tc  i)erles,  and  knowcn  which  water  15 
haboundeth  most  of  redo  purpre,  that  is  to 
seyn,  of  a  maner  shelle-fish  with  which  men 
dyen purpre  ;  and  knowen  which  strondes 
habounden  most  with  tendre  fisshes,  or  of 
sharpe  fisshes  that  highten  echines.    But  20 
folk  sutfren  hem-self  to  ben  so  blinde, 
that  hem  ne  reccheth  nat  to  knowe  where 
thilke  goodes  ben  y-hid  whiche  that  they 


(god()iu6.    Q^ooft  III:   (pvo6i.  IX. 


163 


coveiten,  but  ploungen  liem  in  ertlic  and 
2S  seken  there  thilke  good  that  sormounteth 
the  hevene  that  bereth  the  sterres.  What 
preyere  may  I  maken  that  bo  dig^e  to 
the  nj-ce  thoughtes  of  men  ?  But  I  preye 
that  they  coveiten  richesse  and  honours, 
30  so  that,  whan  they  han  geten  tho  false 
goodes  with  greet  travaile,  that  ther-by 
they  mowe  knowen  the  verray  goodes. 


Pkose  IX.     llactenits  imndacis  forinam. 

ItsufFyseth  that  Ihavesheweil  hider-to 
the  forme  of  false  welefulnesse,  so  that, 
yif  thou  loke  now  cleerly,  the  order  of 
niyn  entencioun  requireth  from  hennes- 
5  forth  to  shewen  thee  the  verray  weleful- 
nesse.' '  For  sothe,'  (luod  I,  '  I  see  wel 
now  that  suffisauuce  may  nat  comen  by 
richesses,  ne  power  by  reames,  ne  rever- 
ence by  digniteos,  ne  gentilesse  by  glorie, 
10  ne  joye  by  deliccs.' 

•  And  hast  thou  wel  knowen  the  causes, ' 
quod  she,  '  why  it  is  ?  '  '  Certes,  me 
semeth, '  quod  I,  '  that  I  see  hem  right  as 
tlKjugh  it  were  thorugh  a  litel  clitte  ;  but 
15  me  were  lever  knowen  hem  more  openly 
of  thee.' 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  the  resoun  is  al 
redy.  For  thilke  thing  that  simply  is 
o  thing,  with-outen  any  devisioun,  tho 
20  crrour  and  folye  of  mankinilc  doparteth 
and  devydeth  it,  and  misledoth  it  and 
transporteth  from  verray  and  parfit  gooil 
to  goodes  that  ben  false  and  unparfit. 
But  sey  me  this.  Wenest  thou  that  ho, 
25  that  hath  nede  of  power,  that  him  ne 
lakketh  no-thing  ?  '         •  Naj-, '  quod  I. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  thou  sej-st  a-right. 

For  yif  so  be  that  ther  is  a  thing,  tliat  in 

any  partyc  be  febler  of  power,  certes,  as 

30  in  that,  it  mot  nedcs  ben  nedy  of  foroino 

help.'         '  Kight  so  is  it,'  qiiod  I. 

'  Suffisaunco  and  power  ben  thanno  of 
o  kinde  ?  '  'So  semeth  it,'  quod  I. 
'  And  demest  thou,'  quod  she,  '  that 
35  a  thing  that  is  of  this  mauere,  that  is  to 
seyn,  iiiijfi.iaii»t  awl  inighfy,  oughte  ben 
despysed,  or  elles  tliat  it  be  right  digne  of 
reverence aboven  alle thinges?'    'Certes,' 

G 


quod  I,  '  it  nis  no  doute,  that  it  is  right 
worthy  to  ben  reverenced.'  40 

'  Lat  us,'  quod  she,  '  adden  thanne 
reverence  to  suffisaunce  and  to  power,  so 
that  we  demon  that  thiso  three  thinges 
ben  al  o  thing.'  '  Certes,'  quod  I,  "  lat  us 
adden  it,  yif  wo  wolen  grauuten  the  sothe.'  45 

'  What  demest  thoit  thanne  V  '  quod 
she  ;  '  is  that  a  derk  thing  and  nat  noble, 
that  is  su.ffisaunt,  reverent,  and  utighfij,  or 
elles  that  it  is  right  noble  and  right 
cloer  bj'  celobritee  of  renoun  ?  Consider  50 
thanne,'  quod  she,  '  as  we  han  graunted 
her-biforn,  that  he  that  ne  hath  nede  of 
no-thing,  and  is  most  mighty  and  most 
digne  of  honotir,  yif  him  nedeth  any 
cleernesse  of  renoun,  which  cleernesse  he  55 
mighte  nat  graunteu  of  him-self,  so  that, 
for  lakko  of  thilke  cleernesse,  he  mighto 
seme  the  febeler  on  any  sj'de  or  the  more 
out-cast  ?  '  Glose.  This  is  to  seijn,  naij  : 
for  icho-so  that  is  suj)isaunt,  might ij,  and  60 
reverent,  cleernesse  of  renoun  folivdh  of  the 
forseijde  thimjes :  lie  hath  it  al  red;/  of  his 
sii.rfisaunce.  Boece,  'I  may  nat,'  quod 
I,  '  denye  it  ;  but  I  mot  graunte  as  it  is, 
that  this  thing  be  right  cclebrable  by  65 
cleernesse  of  renoiin  and  noblesse.' 

'  Thanne  folweth  it,'  qtiod  she,  '  that  we 
adden  cleernesse  of  renoun  to  the  three 
forseyde    thinges,    so    that    ther    ne    be 
amonges  hem  no  difference  ?  '        '  This  is  70 
a  consequence,'  quod  I. 

'  This  thing  thanne,'  quod  she,  '  that  ne 
hath  nede  of  no  foreine  thing,  and  that 
may  don  alle  thinges  by  hise  strengthes, 
and  that  is  noble  and  honourable,  nis  nat  75 
that  a  mery  thing  and  a  joyful  ?  '  '  But 
wheunes, '  quod  I,  '  that  any  sorwe  mighte 
comen  to  this  thing  that  is  swiche,  certes, 
I  may  nat  thinke.' 

■  Thanno  moten  we  graunte,'  (juod  she,  80 
'  that  this  thing  be  ful  of  gladuesse,  yif 
the  forseydo  thinges  ben  sothe  ;  and 
certes,  also  mote  wo  gratmten  that  suflS- 
saunce,  power,  noblesse,  reverence,  and 
gladnesse  ben  only  dyverso  by  names,  but  85 
hir  substaunce  hath  no  diversitce. '  '  It 
mot  noedly  been  so,'  quod  I, 

'  Thilke  thing  thanne,'  quod  she,  '  that 
is   oon    and   simple   in    his   nature,    tho 


i64 


(^oef^tue.    (^ooft  III :   (ptoee  ix. 


90  wikkednesse  of  men  depart  etli  it  and 
devydeth  it  ;  and  whan  they  enforcen 
hem  to  goteu  partye  of  a  thing  that  ne 
hath  no  part,  they  ne  geten  hem  neither 
thilke  partye  that  nis  non,  ne  the  thing 
95  al  hool  that  they  ne  desire  nat.'  '  In 
which  manere  ?  '  quod  I. 

'  Thilke  man/  quod  she,  '  that  secheth 
riehesses  to  fleen  povertee,  he  ne  tra- 
vaileth  him  nat  for  to  gete  power  ;  for  he 

iCK)  hath  lever  ben  derk  and  vyl  ;  and  eek 
^^'ith(l^aweth  from  him-self  many  naturel 
delj-ts,  for  he  nolde  lese  the  moneye  that 
he  hath  assembled.  But  certes,  in  this 
manere  he  ne  geteth  him  nat  suffisaunce 

105  that  power  forleteth,  and  that  molestie 
prikketh,  and  that  filtlie  maketh  out-cast, 
and  that  derkenesse  hydeth.  And  certes, 
he  that  desireth  only  power,  he  wasteth 
and   scatereth    richesse,    and   despyseth 

no  delyts,  and  eek  honour  that  is  with-oute 
power,  ne  he  ne  preyseth  glorie  no-thing. 
Certes,  thus  seest  thou  wel,  that  manye 
thinges  faylen  to  him  ;  for  he  hath  som- 
tyme   defaute  of  many  necessitees,  and 

1 15  many  anguisshes  byten  him  ;  and  whan 
he  ne  may  nat  don  tho  defiiutes  a-wey,  he 
forleteth  to  ben  mighty,  and  that  is  the 
thing  that  he  most  desireth.  And  right 
thus  may  I  maken  semblable  resouns  of 

ijo  honours,  and  of  glorie,  and  of  delyts. 
For  so  as  every  of  thise  forseyde  thinges 
is  the  same  that  thise  other  thinges  ben, 
that  is  to  seyn,  al  oon  thinfj,  who-so  that 
ever  seketh  to  geteu  that  oon  of  thise, 

125  and  nat. that  other,  he  ne  geteth  nat  that 
he  desireth.'  Boece.  '  What  seyst  thou 
thanne,  yif  that  a  man  coveiteth  to  geten 
alle  thise  thinges  to-gider  ?  ' 

Philosophie.     'Certes,'    quod     she,    'I 

130  wohlo  seye,  that  he  woldo  geten  him 
sovereyn  blisfuluesse  ;  but  that  shal  he 
nat  finde  in  tho  thinges  that  I  have 
shewed,  that  ne  mowen  nat  yeven  that 
they  beheten.'       '  Certes,  no,'  quod  I. 

135  '  Thanne,'  quod  she,  '  ne  sholden  men 
nat  l)y  no  wey  seken  blisfuluesse  in  swiche 
thinges  as  men  wene  that  they  ne  mowen 
yeven  biit  o  thing  senglely  of  alle  that 
men  seken.'  '  I  graxinte  wel,'  quod  I ; 

140  •  ne  no  sother  thing  ne  may  ben  sayd. " 


'  Now  hast  thou  thanne,'  quod  she,  'the 
forme  and  the  causes  of  false  weleful- 
nesse.  Now  torne  and  flitte  the  eyen 
of  thy  thought  ;  for  ther  shalt  thi>n 
seen  anon  thiUce  verray  blisfulnesse  that  145 
I  have  bihight  thee.'  '  Certes,'  qiiod  I. 
'  it  is  cleer  and  open,  thogh  it  were  to 
a  blinde  man  ;  and  that  shewedest  thou 
me  ful  wel  a  litel  her-biforn,  whan  thou 
enforcedest  thee  to  shewe  me  the  causes  150 
of  the  false  blisfulnesse.  For  but-yif  I 
be  bigyled,  thanne  is  thilke  the  verray 
blisfulnesse  parfit,  that  parfitly  maketh 
a  man  suffisaunt,  mighty,  honoiirable. 
noble,  and  ful  of  gladnesse.  And,  for  155 
thou  shalt  wel  knowe  that  I  have  wel 
imderstonden  thise  thinges  with-in  my 
herte,  I  knowe  wel  that  thilke  blisful- 
nesse, that  may  verrayly  yeven  oon  of 
the  forseyde  thinges,  sin  they  ben  al  o(m,  160 
I  knowe,  doutoles,  that  thilke  thing  is 
the  fuUe  blisfulnesse.' 

'  O    my    norie,'    quod    she,     '  by    this 
opinioun  I  seye  that  thou  art  blisful,  yif 
thou  putte  this  ther-to  that  I  shal  seyn.'  165 
'  What  is  that  ?  '  quod  I. 

'  Trowest  thou  that  ther  be  any  thing 
in  thise  erthely  mortal  toumbliug  thinges 
that  may  bringen  this  estat  ?  '  '  Certes," 
quod  I,  'I  trowe  it  naught;  and  thou  i;o 
hast  shewed  me  wel  that  over  thilke  good 
ther  nis  no-thing  more  to  ben  desired.' 

'  Thise  thinges  thanne,'  quod  she,  '  that 
is  to  sey,  erthdy  stiffisaunce  and  pmcer  ami 
siviche  thinijes,  either  they  semen  lyke-  175 
nesses  of  verray  good,  or  elles  it  semeth 
that  they  yeve  to  mortal  folk  a  maner  of 
goodes  that  ne  ben  nat  pai-fit ;  but  thilke 
good  that  is  verray  and  parfit,  that  may 
they  nat  yeven.'  '  I  acorde  me  wel,'  180 
quod  I. 

'  Thanne,'  quod  she,  '  for  as  mochel  as 
thou  hast  knowen  which  is  thilke  verray 
blisfulnesse,  and  eek  whiche  thilke 
thinges  ben  that  lyen  falsly  blisfulnesse,  185 
that  is  to  seyn,  that  by  deceite  semen  verray 
goodes,  now  behoveth  thee  to  knowe 
whennes  and  where  thou  mowe  seke 
thilke  verray  blisfulnesse.'  '  Certes," 
quod  I,  '  that  desire  I  greetly,  and  have  190 
abiden  longe  tyme  to  herknen  it.' 


(gott^\m.    Q0ooft  III:   (proee  x. 


165 


'  But  for  as  moclie,'  quod  she,  '  as  it 
lyketli  to  my  disciple  Plato,  in  his  book  of 
"  iu  Timeo,"'  that  in   right  litel  thinges 

195  men  sholden  bisechen  the  help  of  god, 
what  jugest  thou  that  be  nuw  to  done,  so 
that  we  may  deserve  to  fimle  the  sete  of 
thilke  verray  good  ?  '  '  Certes,'  qtiod  I, 
'  I  deme  that  we  shoUen  clepeu  the  fader 

200  of  alle  goodes  ;  for  with-outen  him  nis 
ther  uo-thing  founden  a-right.' 

'  Thou  seyst  a-right,'  quod  she  ;  and 
bigan  anon  to  singen  right  thus  : — 


Metre  IX.     O  qui  yerpetua  mundum 
ratione  (juhernas. 

'  O  thou  fader,  creator  of  hevene  and  ot 
erthes,  that  governest  this  world  by  per- 
durable resoun,  that  comaundest  the 
tymes  to  gon  from  sin  that  age  hadde 
5  Ijegiuninge  ;  thou  that  dwellest  thy-self 
ay  stedefast  and  stable,  and  yevest  alle 
othre  thinges  to  ben  moevetl  ;  ne  foreine 
causes  necesseden  thee  never  to  compoune 
werk  of  floteringe  matere,  but  only  the 

10  forme  of  soverein  g<3od  y-set  with-in  thee 
with-oute  envj'e,  that  luoevede  thee  freely. 
Thou  that  art  ahler-fayrest,  beringe  the 
faire  world  in  thy  thought,  formedest 
this  world  to  the  lyknesse  semblable  ot 

15  that  faire  world  in  thy  thought.  Thou 
drawest  al  thing  of  thy  soverein  en- 
saumpler,  ami  comaundest  that  this 
world,  parlitliche  y-maked,  have  freely 
and   absolut    his    parfit   parties.      Thou 

20  bindest  the  elements  by  noum.bi-es  pro- 
porcionables,  that  the  colde  thinges 
mowen  acorden  with  the  hote  thinges, 
and  the  ilrj-e  thinges  with  the  moiste 
thinges  ;  that  the  fyr,  that  is  purest,  ne 

25  flee  nat  over  hye,  ne  that  the  hevinesse 
ne  drawe  nat  adoun  over-lowe  the  erthes 
that  ben  plounged  iu  the  wateres.  Tlioit 
knittest  to-gider  the  mene  sowle  of  treble 
kinde,    moevinge   alle    thinges,    and   de- 

30  vydest  it  by  meanbres  acordinge  ;  antl 
whan  it  is  thus  devyded,  it  hath  asembled 
a  moevinge  in-to  two  roundes  ;  it  goth  to 
tome  ayein  to  him-selt,  and  envirouneth 
a   ful   deep    thought,    and    torneth    the 


hevene   by  semblable   image.     Thou   by  35 
evene-lyke   causes   enhansest  the  sowles 
and   the  lasse   lyves,    and,    abhnge   hem 
heye  by  lighte  cartes,  thou  sowest  hem 
in-to  hevene  and  in-to  erthe  ;  and  whan 
they  ben  converted  to  thee   by  thy  be-  40 
nigne  lawe,   thou  makest  hem    retorne 
ayein   to   thee  by  ayein-ledinge   fyr.     O 
fader,  yive  thou  to  the  thought  to  styen  up 
in-to  thy  streite  sete,  and  graunte  him  to 
enviroune   the  welle  of  good  ;    and,  the  45 
lighte  y-founde,  graunte  him  to  fichen  the 
clere  sightes  of  his  corage  iu  thee.     And 
scaterthou  andto-breke  thou  the  weightes 
and  the  cloudes  of  erthely  hevinesse,  and 
shyne  thou  by  thy  brightnesse.    For  thou  50 
art  cleernesse  ;  thou  art  peysible  reste  to 
debonaire  folk  ;  thou  thy-self  art  bigin- 
nmge,  berer,  leder,  path,  and  terme  ;   to 
loke  on  thee,  that  is  our  ende. 

Pkose  X.     Qiioniam  igitur  quae  sit 
iiiiperfecti. 

For  as  moche  thanne  as  thou  hast  seyn, 
which  is  the  forme  of  good  that  nis  nat 
pariit,  and  which  is  the  forme  of  good  that 
is  parfit,  now  trowe  I  that  it  were  good  to 
shewe  in  what  this  perfeccioitn  of  blisful-  5 
nesse  is  set.  And  in  this  thing,  I  trowe 
that  we  sholden  first  enqttere  for  to  witen, 
yif  that  any  swiche  maner  good  as  thilke 
good  that  thou  hast  diffinisshed  a  litel 
heer-biforn,  that  is  to  seyn,  soverein  yood,  10 
may  ben  founde  in  the  nature  of  thinges  ; 
for  that  veyn  imaginacioun  of  thotight  ne 
decej'\-e  us  nat,  and  putte  us  out  of  the 
sothfastnesse  of  thilke  thing  that  is  sum- 
mitted  unto  us.  But  it  may  nat  ben  15 
deneyed  that  thilke  good  ne  is,  and  that 
it  nis  right  as  welle  of  alle  goodes.  For 
al  thing  that  is  cleped  inparfit  is  proeved 
inparfit  by  the  amenusinge  of  perfecciouu 
or  of  thing  that  is  parfit.  And  ther-of  20 
comth  it,  that  in  every  thing  general,  yif 
that  men  seen  any-thiug  that  is  inparfit, 
certes,  in  thilke  general  tlier  mot  ben 
som-thing  that  is  parfit  ;  lor  yif  so  be  that 
perfeccioun  is  don  awey,  men  may  nat  25 
thinke  ne  seye  fro  whennes  thilke  thing 
is  that  is  cleped  inparfit.    For  the  nataare 


1 66 


(gcct2)iu6.    (goo^  III :   (proee  x. 


oftliiiigesne  took  nat  hir  beginniuge  of 
thinges    anieiinsed   and   inparfit,  but  it 

50  proceileth  of  thinges  that  ben  al  hoole 
and  absolut.  and  descendetli  so  doun  in-to 
oiitterest  tliinges,  and  in-to  thinges  empty 
and  with-onten  fmt.  But,  as  I  have 
.V-shewed  a  litel  ber-bifom,  that  >-if  ther 

35  be  a  blisfnlnesse  that  be  freele  and  veyn 
and  inparfit,  ther  may  no  man  doute  that 
tlier  nis  som  blisfnlnesse  that  is  sad, 
stedefast.  and  parfit.'  Boece.  •  This  is 
concluded,'   qi^od   I,   '  fermely  and  soth- 

40  fastly/ 

Philosoplde.  '  But  considere  also,'  qnod 
she,  '  in  •wham  this  lilisfnJnesse  en- 
habiteth.  The  comnne  acordaunce  and 
conceite  of  the  corages  of  men  proeveth 

45  and  graunteth,  that  god,  prince  of  alle 
thinges,  is  good.  For,  so  as  nothing  ne 
may  ben  tli ought  bettre  than  god,  it  may 
nat  ben  dotited  thanne  that  he,  tliat 
nothing  nis   bettre,   that    he   nis    good. 

.w  Certes,  rosoun  sheweth  that  god  is  so 
good,  that  it  iiroveth  by  verray  force  that 
parfit  good  is  in  him.  For  yif  god  ne  is 
swich,  lie  ne  may  nat  ben  prince  of  alle 
thinges  :  for  certes  som-thing  possessing 

55  in  it-self  parfit  good,  sholde  ben  more 
worthy  than  god,  and  it  sholde  semen  that 
thilke  tiling  were  first,  and  elder  than 
god.  For  we  han  shewed  apertly  that 
alle  tliinges  that  beu  jiarfit  ben  first  or 

C'-i  thinges  tliut  ben  tmparfit;  and  for-tliy, 
for  as  moche  as  that  my  resoun  or  my 
proces  ne  go  nat  a-wey  with-otite  an  ende, 
we  owen  to  grannten  that  the  soverein 
god  is  right  ful  of  soverein  parfit  good. 

6-  And  we  han  establisshed  that  the  soverein 
good  is  verray  blisfnlnesse  :  thanne  mot  it 
nedes  be,  that  verraj-  blisfnlnesse  is  set  in 
soverein  god.'  '  This  take  I  wel,'  quod 
I,  '  ne  this  ne  may  nat  ben  withseid  in  no 

70  manere.' 

'  But  I  pre.ve,'  quod  she,  '  see  now  how 
thou  mayst  proeven,  holily  and  with-outo 
conipcioun,  this  that  I  have  seyd,  that 
the  soverein  god  is  right  ful  of  soverein 

75  good  '         '  In  which  manere  ?  '  qttod  I. 
'  Wenest  thou  aught,'  qnod  she,  '  that 
this  prince  of  alle  thinges  have  y-takc 
thilke  soverein  good  anj^-wher  out  of  him- 


self, of  which  soverein  good  men  provetli 
that  he   is   ful,    right  as  thou  mightest  80 
thinken  that  god,  that  hath  blisfubiesse 
in  him-self,  and  thilke  blisfnlnesse  that 
is  in  him,  weren  dyvers  in  substaunce  ? 
For  yif  thou  wene  that  god  have  received 
thilke  good  out  of  liim-self,  thoti  mayst  85 
wene  that  he  that  yaf  thilke  good  to  god 
be  more  worthy  than  is  god.     But  I  am 
bi-knowen  and  confesse,  and  that  right 
dignely,  that  god  is  right  worthy  aboven 
alle  thinges  ;  and,  yif  so  be  that  this  good  90 
be  in  him  by  nature,  bttt  that  it  is  d,%-\'ers 
fro  him  liy  weninge  resoun.  sin  ■we  speke 
of  god  iirince  of  alle  thinges  :  feigiie  who- 
so  feigne   may,   who  was  he  that  hath 
conjoigned  thise  dys-erse  tliinges  to-gider  ?  95 
And  eek,  at  the  laste,  see  wel  that  a  thing 
that  is  dyvers  from  any  thing,  that  thilke 
thing  nis  nat  that  same  thing  fro  which 
it  is  understonden  to  ben  d,%-vers.  Thanne 
folweth  it,  that  thilke  thing  that  by  his  100 
nature  is  dyv-ers  I'ro  soverein  g'^>od,  that 
that  thing  nis   nat   soverein  good  ;  but 
certes,  tliat  were  a  felonous  corsednesse 
to  thinken  that  of  Iiini  that  nothing  nis 
more  worth.     For  alwey,  of  alle  thinges,  105 
the  nature  of  hem  ne  may  nat  l>en  bettre 
than   his   biginning ;    for  which   I   may 
coiielttden,  by  right  verraj"  resoun,  that 
thilke  that  is  biginning  of  alle  thinges, 
thilke  .same  thing  is  soverein  good  in  his  no 
substaunce.'         '  Thou  hast   seyd  right- 
iullj-.'  quod  I. 

'  But  we  han  grannted,'  qtiod  she, '  that 
the  Sf)verein  good  is  blisfnlnesse.'  '  And 
that  is  sooth,' quod  I.  115 

'  Thanne,'  quod  she,  '  nioten  we  nedes 
graunton  and  confessen  that  thilke  same 
soverein  good  be  god,'  '  Certes,' quod 
I,  '  I  ne  may  nat  denye  ne  withstonde 
the  resouns  purxiosed  ;  and  I  see  wel  that  120 
it  folweth  by  strengthe  of  the  premisses.' 

'  Loke  now,'  quod  she.  '  yif  this  be 
proved  yit  more  fermely  thus  :  that  ther 
ne  mowen  nat  ben  two  soverein  goodes 
that  ben  dyverse  amonge  hem-self.  For  125 
certes,  the  goodes  that  ben  dj-^-erse 
amonges  hcm-sclf,  that  0011  nis  nat  that 
that  other  is  ;  thanne  ne  may  neither  of 
hem  ben  parfit,  so  as  either  of  hem  lak- 


(goH^iue.    (^ooft  III:   (pvoee  x. 


167 


130  ketli  to  other.  But  that  that  nis  nat 
parfit,  men  may  seen  apertly  that  it  nis 
nat  soverein.  The  tliinges,  thanne,  that 
hen  sovereinly  goode,  ne  mowen  by  no 
wey  ben  dy\-erse.     But  I  have  wel  con- 

135  eluded  that  blisfulnesse  and  god  ben  the 
soverein  good ;  for  whiche  it  mot  nedes 
ben,  that  soverein  blisfulnesse  is  soverein 
divinitee.'  '  Nothing,'    quod    I,    '  nis 

more  soothfast  than  this,  ne  more  ferme 

140  by  resoun  ;  ne  a  more  worthy  thing  than 
god  may  nat  ben  concluded.' 

'  Up-(jn  thise  thinges  thanne,'  quod  she, 
'  right  as  thise  geometriens,  whan  they 
han  shewed  hir  proxDosiciouns,  ben  wont 

145  to  bringen  in  thinges  that  they  clepen 
porismes,  or  declaraciouns  of  forseide 
thinges,  right  so  wole  I  yeve  thee  heer  as 
a  coroUarie,  or  a  mede  of  coroune.  For- 
why,  for  as  moche  as  by  the  getinge  of 

150  blisfulnesse  men  ben  maked  blisful,  and 
blisfulnesse  is  divinitee  :  thanne  is  it 
manifest  and  open,  that  by  the  getinge  of 
divinitee  men  ben  maked  blisful.  Right 
as   by  the   getinge  of  justice  [they  ben 

155  maked  just],  and  by  the  getinge  of  sa- 
pience thcj'  ben  maked  wj-se  :  right  so, 
nedes,  by  the  semblable  resoun,  whan 
they  han  geten  di-vinitee,  they  ben  maked 
goddes.      Thanne  is   every  blisful   man 

160  god  ;  but  certes,  by  nature,  ther  nis  but 
o  god ;  but,  by  the  xjarticipacioun  of 
divinitee,  ther  ne  let  ne  desturbeth 
nothing  that  ther  ne  ben  manye  goddes.' 
'  This    is,'    quod   I,   '  a    fair    thing    and 

•65  a  precious,  clepe  it  as  thoxi  wolt ;  be  it 
porisme  or  corollarie,'  or  mede  of  coroune 
or  declaringcs. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  nothing  nis  fayrer 
than  is  the  thing  that  by  resoun  sholde 

17"  ben  added  to  thise  forseide  thinges.' 
'  What  thing?'  quod  I. 

'  Sf>,'  •quod  she,  '  as  it  semeth  that  blis- 
fulnesse conteueth  many  thinges,  it  were 
for  to   witen   whether    that    alle    thise 

«75  thinges  maken  or  conjoigncn  as  a  maner 
body  -of  blisfulnesse,  by  dyversitee  of 
parties  'or  of  membres  ;  or  elles,  yif  that 
any  of  a,lle  thilke  thinges  be  swich  that  it 
acompljsshe  by  him-self  the  substaunce  of 

iSo  blisfohwsse.sothatallethiseotlirethinges 


ben  referred  and  brought  to  blisfulnesse,' 
that  is  to  seyn,  as  to  the  cheef  of  hem. 
'  I  wolde,'  qviod  I,  '  that  thou  makedest 
me  cleerly  to  understonde  what  thou 
sej'st,  and  that  thou  recordedest  me  the  185 
forseyde  thinges.' 

'  Have  I  nat  juged,'  quod  she,  '  that 
blisfulnesse  is  good  ?  '  '  Yis,  forsothe,' 
quod  I ;  '  and  that  soverein  good.' 

'  Adde  thanne,'  quod  she,  '  thilke  good,  190 
that  is  maked  blisfulnesse,  to  alle  the  for- 
seide thinges ;    for  thilke   same   blisful- 
nesse  that   is    demed    to    ben    soverein 
suffisaunce,  thilke  selve  is  soverein  power, 
soverein  reverence,  soverein  cleernesse  or  i95 
noblesse,  and  soverein  delyt.      Conclusio. 
Wliat   seyst   thou   thanne   of  alle   thise 
thinges,    that    is    to    sejai,    suffisaunce, 
power,  and  this  othre  thinges ;  ben  they 
thanne  as  membres  of  blisfulnesse,  or  ben  200 
they   referred   and   brought   to  soverein 
good,   right    as    alle    thinges    that    ben 
brought  to  the  chief  of  hem  ?  '      'I  under- 
stonde wel ; '    quod  I,  '  what  thoii  pur- 
posest  to  seke  ;  but  I  desire  for  toherkne  205 
that  thou  shewe  it  me.' 

'  Tak  now  thus  the  discrecioun  of  this 
question,'  quod  she.  'Yif  alle  thise 
thinges,'  quod  she,  '  weren  membres  to 
felicitee,  than  weren  they  dyverse  that  2 to 
oon  from  that  other  ;  and  swich  is  the 
nature  of  parties  or  of  membres,  that 
dyverse  membres  compounen  a  body.' 
'  Certes,'  quod  I,  '  it  hath  wel  ben  shewed 
heer-bifom,  that  alle  thise  thinges  ben  215 
alle  o  thing.' 

'  Thanne  ben  they  none  membres,'  qiiod 
she ;  '  for  eUes  it  sholde  seme  that  blis- 
fulnesse were  conioigned  al  of  on  mem- 
bre  allone  ;  but  that  is  a  thing  that  may  220 
nat  be  don.'  '  This  thing,'  quod  I,  '  nis 
nat  doutous  ;  but  I  abydo  to  herknen  the 
remnaunt  of  thy  questioun.' 

'  This  is  open  and  clcer,'  quod  she, 
'  that  alio  othre  thinges  ben  referred  and  225 
brought  to  good.  For  therefore  is  suffi- 
saunce requered,  for  it  is  denied  to  ben 
good  ;  and  forthy  is  power  requered,  for 
men  trowen  also  that  it  be  good  ;  and  this 
same  thing  mowen  we  thinken  and  con-  230 
jecten  of  reverence,  and  of  noblesse,  and 


i68 


(go^t^iue,    (^ooft  III:    (mefre  x. 


of  delyt.  Thanne  is  soverein  good  the 
somme  and  the  cause  of  al  that  aughte 
ben  desired  ;  for-why  thilke  thing  that 

235  with-holdeth  no  good  in  it-self,  ne  sem- 
blaunce  of  good,  it  ue  may  nat  wel  in  no 
manere  be  desired  ne  requered.  And  the 
contrarie  :  for  thogh  that  thinges  by  hir 
nature  ne  ben  nat  goode,  algates,  yif  men 

240  weue  that  ben  goode,  yit  ben  they  desired 
as  though  that  they  weren  verrayliche 
goode.  And  therfor  is  it  that  men 
oughten  to  wene  by  right,  that  bountee 
he  the  soverein  fyn,  and  the  cause  of  alle 

245  the  thinges  that  ben  to  requeren.  But 
certes,  thilke  that  is  cause  for  which  men 
requeren  any  thing,  it  semeth  that  thilke 
same  thing  be  most  desired.  As  thus  :  yif 
that  a  wight  wolde  rj-den  for  cause  of 

250  hele,  he  ne  desireth  nat  so  mochel  the 
moevinge  to  ryden,  as  the  effect  of  his 
hele.  Now  thanne,  sin  that  alle  thinges 
ben  requered  for  the  grace  <A'  good,  they 
ne  hen   nat  desired  of   alle  folk  more 

255  thanne  the  same  good.  But  we  han 
gravmted  that  blisfulnesse  is  that  thing, 
for  whiche  that  alle  thise  othre  thinges 
ben  desired ;  thanne  is  it  thus  :  that, 
certes,  only  blisfiilnesse  is  requered  and 

260  desired.  By  whiche  thing  it  sheweth 
cleerly,  that  of  go<xl  and  of  blisfulnesse  is 
al  con  and  the  same  substaunce.'  '  I  see 
nat,'  quod  I,  '  wherfore  that  men  mighten 
diseorden  in  this.' 

265  '  And  we  han  shewed  that  god  and 
verray  blisfulnesse  is  al  00  thing.'  '  That 
is  sooth,'  quod  I. 

'Thanne  mowen  we  conclude  sikerly, 
that  the  substaunce  of  god  is  set  in  thilke 

270  same  good,  and  in  non  other  place. 

Metre  X.     If  tic  ornnes  pariter  iienite  cupti. 

O  cometh  alle  to-gider  now,  ye  that  ben 
y-caught  and  jvbounde.  with  wikkede 
cheynes,  by  the  deceivable  delj't  of  erthely 
thinges  enhabitinge  in  your  thought ! 
5  Heer  shal  ben  the  reste  of  your  labours, 
heer  is  the  havene  stable  in  peysible 
quiete  ;  this  allone  is  the  open  refut  to 
wrecches.  Glosa.  This  is  to  s<ft/n,  that 
ye    that    ben   combred   and    deceived    irilh 


worldely  affeccioiins,   cometh  note  to    this  10 
soverein  good,  that  is  god,  that  is  refut  to 
hem  that   icolen   comen  to  him.     Textus. 
Alle   the  thinges  that  the   river  Tagus 
yeveth  yow  with  his  goldene  gravailes.  or 
elles    alle    the    thinges   that    the    river  15 
Hermus  yeveth  with  his  rede  brinke,  or 
that  Indus  yeveth,  that  is  next  the  hote 
party   of  the  world,   that   medleth    the 
grene  stones  with  the  whyte,  ne  sholde 
nat  cleeren  the  lookinge  of  your  thought ,  .'o 
but   hyden   rather  yotir    blinde   corages 
with-in  hir  derknesse.     Al   that  lyketh 
yow  heer,  and  excyteth  and  moeveth  your 
thoughtes,  the  erthe  hath  norisshed  it  in 
hise  lowe  caves.     But  the  shyninge,  by  25 
whiche     the    hevene    is    governed    and 
whennes    he    hath    his   streugthe,   that 
eschueth  the  derke  overthrowinge  of  the 
sowle  ;  and  who-so  maj'  knowen  thUke 
light  of  blisfulnesse,  he  shal  wel  seyn.  i<J 
that  the  whyte  hemes  of  the  Sonne  ne  ben 
nat  cleer.' 

Prose  XI.     Assentior.  inqtiam. 

Boece.  '  I  assente  me,'  quod  I  ;  '  for 
alle  thise  thinges  ben  strongly  bounden 
with  right  ferme  resouns.' 

Philosophie.  •  How  mochel  wilt  thou 
preysen  it,'  quod  she,  '  yif  that  thou  5 
knowe  what  thilke  good  is  ?  '  'I  wol 
preyse  it,'  quod  I,  '  by  prvs  with-onten 
ende,  yif  it  shal  bityde  me  to  knowe  also 
to-gider  god  that  is  good.' 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  that  sluU  I  tlo  thee  10 
by  verray  resoun,  yif  that  tho  thinges 
that  I  have  concluded  a  litel  her-bifom 
dwellen  only  in  hir  first  graunting.' 
'  They  dwellen  graunted  to  thee,'  quod  I  ; 
this  is  to  seyn,  as  who  seith:  I  graiinte  thy  15 
forseide  conchtsiouns. 

'  Have  I  nat  shewed  thee,'  quod  she, 
'  that  the  thinges  that  ben  requered  of 
many  folkes  ne  ben  nat  verraj'  goodes  ne 
parfite,  for  they  ben  dy verse  that  oon  fro  20 
that  othre;  and  so  as  ech  of  hem  is  lak- 
kinge  to  other,  they  ne  han  no  power  to 
bringen  a  good  that  is  ful  and  absolut  ? 
But  thanne  at  erst  ben  thf-y  verray  good, 
whanne  they  ben  gadered  to-gider  alle  25 


(§oit^iw.    QE>oo6  III:    (proee  xi. 


169 


in-to  o  forme  and  in-to  oon  wirkinge,  so 
that  thilke  thing  that  is  suffisaunce, 
thilke  same  be  power,  and  reverence,  and 
iiol  Jesse,  and  mirthc  ;  and  forsothe,  biit- 

30  yif  alle  thise  thinges  ben  alle  oon  same 
thing,  they  ne  han  uat  wherby  that  they 
mowen  ben  put  in  the  noumber  of  thinges 
that  oughten  ben  requered  or  desired.' 
'  It   is  sliewed,'  qiiod   I  ;  '  ne  her-of  may 

35  ther  no  man  douten.' 

'  The  thinges  thaune,"  quod  she,  '  that 
ne  ben  no  goodes  whanne  they  ben  dy- 
verse,  and  whan  they  beginnen  to  ben 
alle  oon  thing  tlianne  ben  they  goodes, 

40  ne  comth  it  hem  nat  thanne  by  the 
gctinge  of  unitee,  that  they  ben  maked 
goodes  ?  '     '  So  it  semeth,'  quod  I. 

'  Biit  al  thing  that  is  good,'  q\iod  she, 
'  grauntest  thou  that  it  be  good  by  the 

45  participacioun   of  good,    or    no  ?  '  'I 

graunte  it,'  quod  I. 

'  Thanne  most  thou  graunten,'  quod 
she,  '  by  semblable  resoun,  that  oon  and 
good  be  00  same  thing.     For  of  thinges, 

50  of  whiche  that  the  effect  nis  nat  naturelly 
diverse,  nedes  the  substance  mot  be  00 
same   thing.'  '  I   ne   may  nat   denye 

that,'  quod  I. 

'  Hast  thou  nat  knowen  wel,'  quod  she, 

55  '  that  al  thing  that  is  hath  so  longe  his 
dwellinge  and  his  substaunce  as  longe  as 
it  is  oon  ;  but  whan  it  forleteth  to  ben 
oon,  it  mot  nedes  dyen  and  corumpe  to- 
gider  ? '         'In  which  manere ? '  qi\od  I. 

6c)  'Eight  as  in  bestes,'  quod  she,  'whan 
the  sowle  and  the  body  ben  conjoigned 
iu  oon  and  dwellen  to-gider,  it  is  cleped 
a  beest.  And  whan  hir  unitee  is  destroyed 
by  the  disseveraunce   of  that  oon  from 

65  that  other,  than  slieweth  it  wel  that  it  is 
a  ded  thing,  and  that  it  nis  no  lenger 
no  beest.  And  the  Ixtdy  of  a  wight,  whyl 
it  (Iwelleth  in  00  forme  by  conjuneoioun 
of  inembres,    it    is   wel   sejTi   that   it  is 

70  a  figure  of  man-kinde.  And  yif  the 
parties  of  the  body  ben  so  devyded  and 
dissevered,  tJutt  007t  fro  that  other,  that 
they  destroyen  unitee,  the  body  forleteth 
to  ben  that  it  was  biforn.     And,  who-so 

75  wolde  renne  in  the  same  manere  l)y  alle 
thinges,  he  sholde  seen  that,  with-oute 


doute,  every  thing  is  in  his  substaunce  as 
longe  as  it  is  oon  ;  and  whan  it  forleteth 
to  ben  oon,  it  dj'eth  and  perissheth." 
'  Whan  I  considere,'  quod  I,  '  manye 
thinges,  I  see  non  other.' 

'Is  ther  any-thing  thanne,'  quod  she, 
'  that,  in  as  nioche  as  it  liveth  naturelly, 
that  forleteth  the  talent  or  appetj-t  of  his 
beinge,  and  desireth  to  come  to  deeth  and 
to   corupcioun?'  'Yif  I    considere,' 

quod  I,  '  the  beestes  that  han  any  nianer 
nature  of  wilninge  and  of  nillinge,  I  ne 
iinde  no  beest,  but-yif  it  be  constreined 
fro  with-oute  forth,  that  forleteth  or 
despyseth  the  entencioun  to  liven  and 
to  duren,  or  that  wole,  his  thankes, 
hasten  him  to  dyen.  For  every  beest 
travaileth  him  to  deffende  and  kepe  the 
savacioun  of  his  lyf,  and  eschueth  deeth 
and  destruccioun.  But  certes,  I  doute 

me  of  herbes  and  of  trees,  tJiat  is  to  seyn, 
that  I  am  in  a  doute  of  mdche  thimjcs  as 
herbes  or  trees,  that  ne  han  no  felinge 
sowles,  ne  no  naturel  zcirkinges  servinge  to 
appetytes  as  bestes  han,  whether  they  han 
appetyt  to  dtcellen  and  to  duren.' 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  ne  ther-of  thar 
thee  nat  doute.  Now  loke  up-on  thise 
herbes  and  thise  trees  ;  thej-  wexen  first 
in  swiche  places  as  ben  covenable  to  hem, 
in  whiche  places  they  ne  mowen  nat  sone 
dyen  ne  dryen,  as  longe  as  hir  nattvre 
may  deffenden  hem.  For  som  of  hem 
waxen  in  feeldes,  and  som  iu  moun- 
taignes,  and  othre  waxen  in  mareys,  and 
othre  eleven  on  roches,  and  somme  waxen 
plentivous  in  sondes ;  and  yif  that  any 
wight  enforce  him  to  beren  hem  in-t<> 
othre  i)laces,  they  wexen  drye.  For 
nature  yeveth  to  every  thing  that  that 
is  convenient  to  him,  and  travailet}i  that 
they  ne  dye  nat,  as  longe  as  the.v  han 
power  to  dwellen  and  to  liven.  What 
woltow  seyn  of  this,  that  they  drawen 
alle  hir  norisshinges  by  hir  rotes,  right 
as  they  hadden  hir  mouthes  y-plounged 
with-in  the  erthes,  and  sheden  by  hir 
maryes  hir  wode  and  hir  bark?  And 
what  woltow  seyn  of  this,  that  thilke 
thing  that  is  right  softe,  as  the  marye  is, 
that  is  alwey  hid  in  the  sete,  al  with- 

3 


90 


95 


(goet^iue.    (^ooft  iii:    (Jjroee  XI. 


«30 


U5 


'55 


i6o 


inne,  and  that  is  defended  fro  with-oute 
by  the  stedefastuesse  of  wode  ;  and  that 
the  uttereste  bark  is  put  aj^eins  the  des- 
temperaunce  of  the  hevene,  as  a  defendour 
mighty  to  suffren  harm?  And  thus, 
cartes,  maystow  wel  seen  how  greet  is 
the  diligence  of  nature  ;  for  alle  thinges 
renoveleu  and  puplisshen  hem  -with  seed 
y-multiplyed  ;  ne  ther  nis  no  man  that  ne 
wot  wel  that  they  ne  ben  right  as 
a  foundement  and  edifice,  for  to  duren 
uat  only  for  a  tyme,  but  right  as  for 
to  duren  perdurably  by  generacioun.  And 
the  thinges  eek  that  men  wenen  ne  haven 
none  sowles,  ne  desire  they  nat  ech  of 
hem  by  semblable  resoun  to  kepen  that 
is  hirs,  that  is  to  sei/n,  that  is  acoi'dinge  to 
hir  native  in  corwervacioun  of  hir  beinge 
and  enduringe  9  For  wher-for  elles  bereth 
lightnesse  the  flaumbes  up,  and  the 
weighte  presseth  the  erthe  a-doun,  but 
for  as  moche  as  thilke  jilaces  and  thilke 
moevinges  ben  covenable  to  evcrich  of 
hem  ?  And  forsothe  eveiy  thing  kepeth 
thilke  that  is  acordinge  and  propre  to 
him,  right  as  thinges  that  ben  contraries 
and  enemys  corompen  hem.  And  yit  the 
harde  thinges,  as  stones,  clyven  and 
holden  hir  parties  to-gider  right  faste  and 
harde,  and  deffenden  hem  in  withstond- 
inge  that  they  ne  departe  nat  lightly 
a-twinne.  And  the  thinges  that  ben 
softe  and  fletinge,  as  is  water  and  es'r, 
they  departen  lightly,  and  yeven  place 
to  hena  that  breken  or  devyden  hem  ; 
but  natheles,  they  retornen  sone  ayein 
in-to  the  same  thinges  fro  M'hennes  they 
ben  arraced.  But  fjT  fleeth  and  refuseth 
al  devisioun.  Ne  1  ne  trete  nat  heer 
now  of  wilful  moevinges  of  the  sowle 
that  is  knowinge,  but  of  the  naturel 
entencioun  of  thinges,  as  thus  :  right  as 
we  swolwe  the  mete  that  we  receiven  and 
no  thinke  nat  on  it,  and  as  we  drawen 
our  breeth  in  slepinge  that  we  wite  it 
nat  whyle  we  slepen.  For  certes,  in  the 
beestes,  the  love  of  hir  livinges  ne  of  hir 
beinges  ne  comth  nat  of  the  wilninges 
of  the  sowle,  but  of  the  biginninges  of 
nature.  For  certes,  thorugh  constrein- 
inge  causes,  wil  desireth  and  embraceth 


ful  ofte    tyxne    the    deeth    that    nature 
dredeth ;    that    is   to    seyn   as   thus :    that  i8o 
a   man  may   ben    comtreyned  so,   by  som 
cause,  that  his  toil  desireth  and  taketh  the 
deeth  ichich  that  nature  hateth  and  dred- 
eth fill  sore.      And   somtyme   we    seeth 
the  contrarye,  as  thus:   that  the  wil  of  185 
a  wight  destorbeth  and  constreyneth  that 
that  nature   desireth   and  requereth  al- 
wej-,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  werk  of  genera- 
cioun,  by  the  whiche  generacioun  only 
dwelleth  and  is  sustened  the  long  dura-  190 
bletee  of  mortal  thinges.     And  thus  this 
charitee  and  this  love,  that  every  thing 
hath   to  him-self,  ne  comth  nat  of  the 
moe\-inge  of  the  sowle,  but   of  the  en- 
tencioun of  nature.     For  the  purviaunce  195 
of  god  hath  yeven  to  thinges  that  ben 
creat  of  him  this,  that  is  a  ful  gret  cause 
to  liven  and  to  duren  ;    for  which  they 
desiren  naturelly  hir  Ij-f  as  longe  as  ever 
they  mowen.     For  which  thou  mayst  nat  Joo 
drede,    by    no    manere,    that    alle    the 
thinges  that  ben  anywhere,  that  they  ne 
requeren  naturelly  the  ferme  stablenesse 
of   perdurable    dwellinge,   and    eek   the 
eschuinge  of  destruccioun.'     '  Now  con-  ^05 
fesse  I  wel,'  quod  I,  'that  I  see  now  wel 
certeinly,  with-oute  doutes,  the  thinges 
that  whylom  semeden  uncertain  to  me.' 

'  But,'  quod  she,  '  thilke  thing  that 
desireth  to  be  and  to  dwellen  perdurably,  2 10 
he  desireth  to  ben  oon  ;  for  j-if  that  that 
oon  were  destroyed,  certes,  beinge  ne 
shulde  ther  non  dwellen  to  no  wight.' 
'  That  is  sooth,'  quod  I. 

'  Thanne,'     quod     she,     'desiren    alle  215 
thinges  oon  ?'         '  I  assente,'  quod  I. 

'And  I  have  shewed,'  quod  she,  'that 
thilke  same  oon  is  thilke  that  is  good  ? ' 
'  Ye,  for  sothe,'  quod  I. 

'  Alle  thinges  thanne.'  quod  she,  '  re-  220 
quiren  good ;  and  thilke  good  thanne 
maj'st  thou  descryven  right  thus  :  good 
is  thilke  thing  that  every  wight  desireth.' 
'  Ther  ne  may  be  thought,'  quod  I,  '  no 
more  verray  thing.  For  either  alle  225 
thinges  ben  referred  and  brought  to 
nought,  and  floteren  with-oute  govemour, 
despoiled  of  oon  as  of  hir  pr^ipre  heved  ; 
or  elles,  yif  ther  be  anj'  thing  to  which 


(goef6tu6.    QBooR  III:   (ptroee  xil. 


230  that  alle  thinges  tenden  and  hyen,  that 
thing  moste  ben  the  soverein  good  of  alle 
goodes.' 

Thanne  seyde  she  thus  :  '  O  mj'  uory,' 
qnod  she,  '  I  have  gret  gladnesse  of  thee  ; 

235  for  thon  hast  ficched  in  thyn  herte  the 
middel  soothfastnesse,  that  is  to  sei/n,  the 
prikke ;  but  this  thing  hatli  ben  des- 
covered  to  thee,  in  that  thou  seydest 
that  thon  wistest  nat  a  litel  her-biforn.' 

240  '  ^Miat  was  that  ?'  quod  I. 

'  That  thou  ne  wistest  nat,'  quod  she, 
'  which  was  the  ende  of  thinges  ;  and 
certes,  that  is  the  thing  that  every  wight 
desireth  ;  and  for  <as  niochel  <as  we  han 

245  gadered  and  comprehended  that  good  is 
thilke  thing  that  is  desired  of  alle,  thanne 
moten  we  nedes  confessen,  that  good  is 
the  fyn  of  alle  thinges. 

Metre  XI.     Quisquis  profxtnda  mente 
uestigat  uerum. 

^^'^lo-so  that  seketh  sooth  by  a  deep 
thoght,  and  coveiteth  nat  to  ben  deceived 
by  no  mis-weyes,  lat  him  roUen  and 
trenden  with-inne  him-self  the  light  of 
5  his  inward  sighte  ;  and  lat  him  gadere 
ayein,  enclyninge  in-to  a  compas,  the 
longe  moevinges  of  his  thouf/htes  ;  and 
lat  him  techen  his  corage  that  he  hath 
enclosed  and  hid  in  his  tresors,  al  that 

10  he  compasseth  or  seketh  fro  with-oute. 
And  thanne  thilke  thinge,  that  the  blake 
cloude  of  errour  whylom  hadde  y-covercd, 
shal  lighten  more  cleerly  thanne  Phebus 
him-self  ne  shjTieth.         Glosa.    Whoso 

15  ivole  sekenthe  deep  tp'ounde  of  sooth  in  his 
thought,  and  icol  nat  he  deceived  by  false 
proposiciovns  that  goon  amis  fro  the  froiithe, 
lat  him  wet  examine  and  rolle  tcith-inne 
himself  tlie  nature  and  the  propretees  of  the 

2ct  thing ;  and  lat  him  yit  eftsones  examine 
and  rollen  his  fhoughtes  hy  good  delibera- 
ciotm,  or  that  he  deme  ;  and  lat  him  techen 
his  soicle  that  it  hath,  hy  natural  principles 
kindeliclie  y-hid    n-iOi-in   if-self   alle    the 

-5  trouthe  the  ivhiche  he  imagineth  to  hen  in 
thinges  icifh-otite.  And,  thanne  alle  the 
derknesse  of  his  misknowinge  shal  seme  more 
evidently  to  sighte  of  his  underatondinge 


thann".  the  sonne  tie  seineth  to  sighte  icith- 
oitte-forth.         For  certes  the  body,  bring-  30 
inge  the  weighte  of  foryetinge,  ne  hath 
nat  chased  oiit  of  your  thoiighte  al  the 
cleernesse  of  your  knawinge  ;  for  certeinly 
the  seed  of  sooth  haldeth   and   clyveth 
with-in   your  corage,  and   it  is  awaked  35 
and  excyted  by  the   winde  and  by  the 
Wastes   of  doctrine.     For   wherfor    elles 
demen  ye  of  your  owne  wil  the  rightes, 
whan  ye  ben  axed,  but-yif  so  were  that 
the   norisshinge   of  resoun   ne  livede   y-  4c 
plounged  in  the  depthe  of  your  herte  ? 
this  is  to  seyn,  hotc  sholden  men  demen  the 
sooth  of  any  thing  that  were  axed,  yif  ther 
nere  a  rote  of  soothfastnesse  that  tcere  y- 
plounged  and  hid  in  natural  princix>lfis,  the  45 
u-Jiiche  soothfastnesse  lived  u-ith-in  the  deep- 
nesse  of  the  thought.     And  yif  so  be  that 
the   Muse    and    the    doctrine    of    Plato 
singeth  sooth,  al  that  every  wight  lerneth, 
he   ne  doth    no-thing   elles   thanne  but  50 
recordeth,  as  men  recorden  thinges  that 
ben  foryeten.' 

Pkose  XII.     Turn  ego,  Platoni,  inquam. 

Thanne  seide  I  thus  :  '  I  acorde  me 
gi-etly  to  Plato,  for  thou  remembrest 
and  recordest  me  thise  thinges  yit  the 
secounde  tyme  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  first  whan 
I  loste  my  memorie  by  the  contagious  5 
conjunccioim  of  the  body  with  the  sowle ; 
and  eftsones  afterward,  whan  I  loste  it, 
confounded  by  the  charge  and  by  the 
burdene  of  my  sorwe.' 

And  thanne  seide  she  thus  :  '  yif  thou  10 
loke,'  quod  .she,  'first  the  thinges  that 
thoii  hast  gr.aunted,  it  ne  shal  nat  ben 
right  fer  that  thou  ne  shalt  remembren 
thilke  thing  that  thou  seydest  that  thou 
nistest  nat.'         '  AVliat  thing  ? '  qiiod  I.      15 

'  By  whiche  governement,'  quod  she, 
'  that  this  world  is  governed.'  '  Me 
remembreth  it  wel,'  quod  I  ;  '  and  I  con- 
fesse  wel  that  I  ne  wiste  it  naught.  But 
al-})e-it  so  that  I  see  n<^>w  from  a-fer  what  ao 
thou  purposest,  algates,  I  desire  yit  to 
herkene  it  of  thee  more  plejnily.' 

'  Thou    ne    wendest    nat,'    quod    she, 
'a   litel    her-biforn,    that   men    sholden 


G  5 


(god^iue.     (^ooft  III:    (Pro0e  XII. 


25  clout  e  that  tliis  world  nis  governed  by 
god.'  •  Certes,'  quod  I,  '  ne  j-it  ne  donte 
I  it  naught,  ne  I  nel  never  Avene  that 
it  were  to  donte  ;  as  irho  seitJi.  hut  I  wot 
u-el   that  god  governeth   this   world ;    and 

30  I  shal  sliortly  answeren  thee  hj'  what 
rcsouns  I  am  hrought  to  this.  This 
world,'  quod  I,  '  of  so  manye  dy^'erse  and 
contrarions  parties,  ne  mighte  never  han 
ben   assembled  in   o  forme,  but-yif  ther 

35  nere  0'>n  that  conjoignede  so  manye  dy- 
verse  thinges  ;  and  the  same  dyversitee 
of  hir  natures,  that  so  discordeu  that 
oon  fro  that  other,  moste  dejiarten  and 
unjoigneu    the    thinges    that    ben   con- 

40  joigned,  yif  ther  ne  were  oon  that  con- 
tenede  that  he  hath  conjoined  and  y- 
bounde.  Ne  the  certein  ordre  of  nature 
ne  sholde  nat  bringe  forth  so  ordenee 
moevinges,    by    places,    liy    tjTiies,    bj- 

45  doinges,  by  spaces,  by  qualitees,  yif  ther 
no  were  oon  that  were  ay  stedefast 
dwellinge,  that  ordeynede  and  disponede 
thise  dyversitees  of  moevinges.  And 
thilke  thing,  what-so-ever  it  be,  by  which 

50  that  alle  thinges  ben  y-maked  and  y-lad, 
I  clepe  him  '•  god  '" ;  tliat  is  a  word  that 
is  used  to  alle  folk.' 

Thanne   seyde  she  :    '  sin   thou  felest 
thus  thise  thinges,'  quod  she,  '  I  trowe 

55  that  T  have  litel  more  to  done  that  thou, 
mighty  of  welefulnesse,  hool  and  sounde, 
ne  see  cftsones  thy  contree.  But  lat  us 
loken  the  thinges  that  we  han  purposcil 
her-biforn.     Have  I  nat  noumbred  and 

('x)  seyd,'  quod  she,  '  that  sufRsaunce  is  in 
blisfulnesse,  and  we  han  acorded  that 
god  is  thilke  same  blisfulnesse  "?'  '  Yis, 
forsothc,'  quod  I. 

'  And    that,   to    goveme    this    world,' 

65  quod  she,  '  ne  shal  he  never  han  nede 
of  non  help  fro  with-oute '?  For  elles, 
yif  he  hadde  nede  of  any  help,  he  nc 
sholde  nat  have  no  ful  suffisaiince  ? ' 
'  Yis,  thus  it  mot  nedes  be,'  quod  I. 

70  '  Thanne  ordeineth  he  by  liim-self  al- 
one alle  thinges  ? '  quod  she.  '  That 
may  nat1)c  denoyed,'  quod  I. 

'And  I  have  shewed  that  god  is  the 
same  good '?'         'It  remembreth  me  wel,' 

75  quod  I. 


'  Tlianne  ordeineth  he  alle  thinges  by 
thilke  good,'  quod  she  ;  '  sin  he,  which 
that  we  han  acorded  to  be  good,  governeth 
alle  thinges  by  him-self;  and  he  is  as 
a  keye  and  a  stere  by  which  that  the  80 
ediiice  of  this  world  is  y-kept  stable 
and  with-oute  coroumpinge.'  '  I  acorde 
me  greetly,'  quod  I  ;  '  and  I  aperceivede 
a  litel  her-biforn  that  thou  woldest  seye 
thus  ;  al-be-it  so  that  it  were  by  a  thinne  85 
suspecioun.'    . 

'  I  trowe  it  wel,'  quod  she  ;  '  for,  as 
I  trowe,  thou  ledest  now  more  ententifly 
tliyne  eyen  to  loken  tlie  verray  goodes. 
But  natheles  the  thing  tliat  I  shal  telle  go 
thee  yit  ne  sheweth  n.it  lasse  to  loken.' 
'What  is  that?'  quod  I. 

'  So  as  men  trowen,'  quod  she,  '  and 
that  rightfully,  that  god  governeth  alle 
thinges  by  the  keye  of  his  gooilnesse,  05 
and  alle  thise  sanie  thinges,  as  I  have 
taiight  thee,  hasten  hem  133-  natiirel  en- 
tencioun  to  comen  to  good  :  ther  maj'  no 
man  doaten  that  they  ne  be  governed 
voluntarielj-,  and  that  they  ne  converten  100 
hem  of  hir  owne  wil  to  the  wil  of  hir 
ordenour,  as  they  that  ben  acordinge  and 
enclyuinge  to  hir  governour  and  hir 
king.'  '  It  mot  nedes  bo  so,'  quod  I  ; 
'  for  the  reaume  nc  sholde  nat  semen  105 
blisful  yif  ther  were  a  yok  of  mis- 
drawinges  in  dyverne  parties ;  ne  the 
savinge  of  obedient  thinges  ne  sholde  nat 
be.' 

'Thanne   is   ther  nothing,'  quod  she,  110 
'  that  kepeth  his  nature,  that  enforceth 
him  to  goon  aj'ein  god  ':* '         '  No,'  quod  I. 

'  And  yif  that  any-thing  enforcede  him 
to  with-stonde  god,  mighte  it  availen  at 
the  lasts  ayeins  him,  that  we  han  115 
graunted  to  ben  almighty  by  the  right 
of  blisfulnesse  '?'  '  Certes,'  quod  I,  '  al- 
outrely  it  ne  mighte  nat  availen  him.' 

'Thanne  is   ther  no-thing,'  quod  she, 
'that  either  wole  or  may  with-stonden  J-'o 
to  this  soveroin  good  ?'         'I  trowe  nat,' 
quod  I. 

'  Thanne  is  thilke  the  soverein  good,' 
quod  she,  '  that  alle  thinges   governeth 
strongly,   and    ordejTieth    hem    softely.'  125 
Thanne   seyde   I    thus  :    •  I   delj-te   me,' 


(goei0tu0.    (^ooft  III:    (mttvi.  XII. 


173 


quod  I,  '  nat  only  in  the  endes  or  in  the 

somnie  of  the  resouns   that   thou  hast 

concluded  and  proeved,  but  thilke  wordes 

130  that  thou  usest  delyten  me  moche  more  ; 

so,    at  the   laste,    fooles    that    sumtyme 

renden   grate    thinges    oughten    ben    a- 

shamed  of  hem-self ; '  that  is  to  seijn,  that 

we  fuules  that   reprehenilen  irikkedly  the 

135  thin</es   that   toitchen   </oddes    (jovernautice, 

ive   oit(jhten    hen    ashamed  of  our-sdf:  as 

/,   that  seijde  that  <j(>d   refiiseth  only  the 

werkes  of  men,  and  ne  entremeteth  nat  of 

hem. 

14U       '  Thou  hast  wel  herd,'  quod  she,  '  the 

fables   of  the   poetes,    how    the    giaunts 

assaileden   the   hevene  with   the  ijoddes ; 

but  forsothe,  the  debonair  force  of  god 

dcposede  hem,  as  it  was  worthy;  that  is 

145  to   seyti,   destroyede  the  giaunts,   as  it  was 

worthy.     But  wilt  thou  that  we  joignen 

to-gider  thilke  same  resouns  ?     For  per- 

aventure,     of    swich    conjuncioun    may 

sterten   up   som   fair   sparkle    of  sooth.' 

150  •  Do,'  quod  I,  '  as  thee  liste.' 

'  Wenest  thoi^,'  quod  she,  '  that  god  ne 
be  almighty?  No  man  is  in  doute  of  it.' 
'  Certes,'  quod  I,  •  no  wight  ne  douteth 
it,  yif  he  be  in  his  mindo.' 
155  '  But  he, '  quod  she,  •  that  is  almightj', 
ther  nis  nothing  that  he  ne  may  ? ' 
'  That  is  sooth,'  quod  I. 

'  May  god  don  y  vel  ?  '  quod  she.     '  Nay, 
forsothe,'  quod  I. 
160       '  Tlianne   is  yvel   nothing,'  quod   she, 
'  siu  that  he  ne  may  nat  don  yvel  that 
may  don  alle  thinges.'         '  Scornest  thou 
me  ? '    quod  I ;    '  or  dies  i^leyest  thou  or 
deceivest  thou  me,  that  hast  so  woven  me 
165  with  thy  resouns  the  hous  of  Dedalus, 
so  entrelaced  that  it  is  unable  to  be  un- 
laced ;    thou    that    othcr-whj-le    entrest 
ther  thoTi  issest,  and  othcr-whyle  issest 
ther   thou  entrest,  ne  foldcst  thou  nat 
170  to-gider,  by  re2>licacioun  oficordes,  a  manor 
wonderful  cercle  or  environinge  of  the 
simplicitee  de\-j-nc?     For  certes,  a  litel 
her-biforn,  whan  thou  bigunne  at  blisfiil- 
nesse,   thou  seyilcst  that   it  is  soverein 
175  good  ;  and  seyilcst  that  it  is  set  in  soverein 
god  ;    and   sej'dest  that  god  him-self  is 
soverein  good  ;  and  that  god  is  the  fuUo 


blisfulnesse  ;  for  which  thoii  yave  me  as 
a  covenable  yift,  that  is  to  scyn,  that  no 
wight  nis  blisful  but-yif  he  be  god  also  180 
ther-with.      And  seidest    eek,   that   the 
forme  of  good  is  the  substannce  of  god 
and   of  blisfulnesse  ;    and  seidest,    that 
thilke   same  oon   is  thilke    same   good, 
that  is  requered  and  desired  of  alle  the  iS.i 
kinde  of  thinges.     And  thou  proevedest. 
in  dispiitinge,  that  god  governeth  all  the 
thinges  of  the  world  by  the  governements 
of  bountee,  aiid  seydest,  that  alle  thinges 
wolen  obeyen  to  him  ;  and  seydest,  that  '5" 
the   nature   of  yvel   nis   no-thing.     And 
thise  thinges  ne  shewedest  thou  nat  with 
none  resouns  y-taken  fro  with-oute,  but 
by  laroeves  in  cerclesandlioonAich  knoweu  ; 
the  whiche  proeves  drawen  to  hem-self  195 
hir  feith  and  hir  acord,  everich  of  hem 
of  other.' 

Thanne  seyde  she  thus  :  '  I  ne  scorne 
thee  nat,  ne  pleye,  nc  deceive  thee ;  but 
I  have  shewed  thee  the  thing  that  is  2"  > 
grettest  over  alle  thinges  by  the  yift  of 
god,  that  we  whylom  preyeden.  For  this 
is  the  forme  of  the  devyne  substaunce, 
that  is  swich  that  it  ne  slydeth  nat  in-to 
outterest  foreine  thinges,  ne  ne  receiveth  205 
no  stravinge  thinges  in  him  :  but  right 
as  Parmenides  seyde  in  Greek  of  thilke 
devyne  substaimce  ;  he  sej'de  thus  :  that 
'•thilke  devyne  substaunce  torneth  the 
world  and  the  moevable  cercle  of  thinges,  210 
why!  thilke  devyne  substaunce  kepeth 
it-self  with-oute  moevinge  ; "  that  is  to 
seyn,  that  it  ne  moeveth  never-mo,  and  yit  it 
moeveth  alle  othre  thi?iges.  But  natheles, 
yif  I  have  stired  resouns  that  ne  ben  nat  215 
taken  fro  with-oute  the  comjias  of  thing 
of  which  we  treteu,  but  resouns  that  ben 
bistowed  with-in  that  compas,  ther  nis 
nat  why  that  thou  sholdest  merveilen  ; 
sin  thou  hast  lerned  by  the  sentence  of  -'^o 
riato,  that  "  nedes  the  wordes  moteu  Ixj 
cosines  to  the  thinges  of  which  they 
speken." 

Metke  XII.     Felix,  ipii  j'otuit  boni. 

Blisful  is  that  man  that  may  seen  the 
clere  wellc   of  good  ;    blisful  is  he  that 


174 


(goU^iue.    (^ooR  IV:    Ipvoet  I. 


may  vmbinden  him  fro  the  bondes  of  the 
hevy  erthe.  The  poete  of  Trace,  Orpheus, 
5  that  whylom  hadde  right  greet  sorwe 
ft>r  the  deeth  of  his  wyf,  after  that  he 
hadde  maked,  by  his  weeply  songes,  the 
wodes,  moevable,  to  renneu  ;  and  hadde 
maked  the  riveres  to  stonden  stille  ;  and 

lo  hadde  maked  the  hertes  and  the  hindes 
to  joignen,  dredeles,  hir  sydes  to  cruel 
lyonns,  for  to  herknen  his  songe ;  and 
hadde  maked  that  the  hare  was  nat  agast 
of  the  hounde,  which  that  was  plesed  by 

J5  his  songe  :  so,  whan  the  moste  ardaunt 
love  of  his  wif  brende  the  entrailes  of  his 
brest,  ne  the  songes  that  hadden  over- 
comen  alle  thinges  ne  might  en  nat  as- 
swagen    hir   lord    Orpheus,    he   plej-nede 

20  him  of  the  hevene  goddes  that  weren 
cruel  to  him  :  he  wente  him  to  the  houses 
of  helle.  And  there  he  temprede  hise 
blaundisshinge  songes  by  resowninge 
strenges,  and  spak  and  song  in  wepinge 

25  al  that  ever  he  hadde  received  and  laved 
otit  of  the  noble  welles  of  his  moder 
Calliope  the  goddesse  ;  and  he  song  with 
as  mochel  as  he  mighte  of  wepinge,  and 
with  as  moche  as  love,  that  doublede  his 

30  sorwe,  mighte  yeve  him  and  techen  him  ; 
and  he  commoevede  the  helle,  and  re- 
querede  and  bisoughte  by  swete  preyere 
the  lordes  of  sowles  in  helle,  of  relesinge  ; 
that  is  to  seyn,  to  yilden  him  his  wyf. 

35  Cerberus,  the  porter  of  helle,  with  his 
three  hevedes,  was  caught  and  al  abayst 
for  the  newe  song  ;  and  the  three  god- 
desses, Furies,  and  vengeresses  of  felonyes, 
that  tormenten  and  agasten  the  sowles 

40  by  anoy,   woxen  sorwlul  and  sory,   and 


wepen  teres  for  pitee.  Tho  ne  was  nat 
the  heved  of  Ixion  y-tormented  by  the 
overthrowinge  wheel ;  and  Tantalus,  that 
was  destroyed  by  the  woodnesse  of  longe 
thurst,  despyseth  the  flodes  to  drinke  ;  45 
the  fowl  that  highte  voltor,  that  eteth 
the  stomak  or  the  giser  of  Titjnis,  is  so 
fulfild  of  his  song  that  it  nil  eten  ne 
tyren  no  more.  At  the  laste  the  lord 
and  juge  of  sowles  was  moeved  to  miseri-  50 
cordes  and  cryde,  "we  ben  overcomen," 
quod  he  ;  '-yive  we  to  Orpheus  his  wj'f 
to  here  him  companye  ;  he  hath  wel  y- 
bought  hir  by  his  song  and  his  ditee  ; 
but  we  wol  putte  a  lawe  in  this,  and  55 
covenaunt  in  the  jofte  :  that  is  to  seyn, 
that,  til  he  be  out  of  helle,  yif  he  loke 
behinde  him,  that  his  vryi  shal  comen 
ayein  unto  us."  But  what  is  he  that 
may  yive  a  lawe  to  loveres  ?  Love  is  60 
a  gretter  lawe  and  a  strenger  to  him-self 
than  any  laxce  that  men  may  yeven.  Alias  ! 
whan  Orpheus  and  his  wyf  weren  almest 
at  the  termes  of  the  night,  that  is  to  seyn, 
at  the  laste  boundes  of  helle,  Or^ihens  65 
lokede  abakward  on  Eurydice  his  wyf, 
and  loste  hir,  and  was  deed. 

This  fable  aperteinetli  to  yow  alle,  who- 
so-ever  desireth  or  seketh  to  lede  liia 
thought  in-to  the  soverein  day,  that  is  to  70 
seyn,  to  cleemesse  of  soverein  good.  For 
whoso  that  ever  be  so  overcomen  that 
he  ficche  his  ej'en  into  the  putte  of  helle, 
that  is  to  seyn,  loho-so  sette  his  thoughtes  in 
erthely  thinges,  al  that  ever  he  hath  75 
drawen  of  the  noble  good  celestial,  he 
leseth  it  whan  he  loketh  the  holies,'  that 
is  to  seyn,  in-to  loioe  thinges  of  the  erthe 


Explicit  Liber  tercius. 


BOOK   IV 


Prose  I,    Ilec  cum  I'hilosophia,  dignitate 
uultus. 

WuAs  PhUosophye  hadde  songensoftely 
and  delitably  the  forseide  thinges,  kepinge 
the  dignitee  of  hir  chere  and  the  weighte 
of  liir  wordes.  1  thanne,  that  ne  hadde 


nat  al-outerly  foryeten  the  wepinge  and  5 
the  mourninge  that  was  set  in  mj-n 
herte,  forbrak  the  entencioun  of  hir  that 
eutendede  yit  to  sej-n  some  othre  thinges. 
'  O,"  quod  I,  '  thou  that  art  g;>-deresse  of 
verrey  light  ;  the  thinges  that  thou  hast  10 
seid  me  hider-to  ben  so  dere  to  me  and 


(gott^xMB.    C0ooft  IV:   (mdre  I. 


I7J 


45 


60 


so  shewinge  by  the  devyne  lookinge  of 
hem,  and  by  thy  resovins,  that  they  ne 
mowen  ben  overcomen.  And  thilke 
thinges  that  thou  toldest  me,  al-be-it  so 
that  I  hadde  whylom  foryeten  hem,  for 
the  sorwe  of  the  wrong  that  hath  ben 
don  to  me,  yit  natheles  they  ne  weren 
nat  al-oixtrely  unknowen  to  me.  But  this 
same  is,  namely,  a  right  greet  cause  of 
my  sorwe,  so  as  the  governour  of  thinges 
is  good,  yif  that  y\-eles  mowen  l)en  by 
any  weyes  ;  or  elles  yif  that  yveles  passon 
with-oiite  punisshinge.  The  whiche  thing 
only,  how  worthy  it  is  to  ben  wondred 
up-on,  thou  considerest  it  wel  thy-self 
certeinly.  But  yit  to  this  thing  ther  is 
yit  another  thing  y-joigned,  more  to  ben 
wondred  up-on.  For  felonye  is  emperesse, 
anil  floureth  ful  of  richesses  ;  and  vertu 
nis  nat  al-only  with-oute  medes,  but  it 
is  cast  under  and  fortroden  imder  the 
feet  of  felonous  folk  ;  and  it  abyetli  the 
tfirments  in  stede  of  wikkede  felounes. 
Of  alle  whiche  thinges  ther  nis  no  wight 
that  may  merveylen  y-nough,  ne  com- 
pleine,  that  swiehe  thinges  ben  doon  in 
the  regne  of  god,  that  alle  thinges  woot 
and  alle  thinges  may,  and  ne  wole  nat 
but  only  gode  thinges.' 

Thanne  seyde  she  thus  :  '  Certes,'  quod 
she,  '  that  were  a  greet  merveyle,  and  an 
enbasshinge  with-outen  ende,  and  wel 
more  horrible  than  alle  monstres,  yif  it 
were  as  thoii  wenest ;  that  is  to  aeyn,  that 
in  the  right  ordenee  hous  of  so  nioehel 
a  fader  and  an  ordenour  of  meynee,  that 
the  vesseles  that  ben  foule  and  vyle 
sholden  ben  honoured  and  heried,  and 
the  precious  vesseles  sholden  ben  de- 
foiiled  and  vyle  ;  but  it  nis  nat  so.  For 
yif  tho  thinges  that  I  have  concluded 
a  litel  her-biforn  ben  kept  hole  and  un- 
raced,  thou  shalt  wel  knowe  by  the 
autoritee  of  god,  of  the  whos  regne 
I  speke,  that  certes  the  gode  folk  ben 
alwey  mighty,  and  shrewes  ben  alwey 
out-cast  anfl  feble  ;  ne  the  vyces  ne  ben 
never-mo  with-oute  peyne,  ne  the  vertucs 
ne  ben  nat  with-oute  mede ;  and  that 
blisfulnesses  comen  alwey  to  goode  folk, 
and   infortune   comth  alwej'  to  wikked 


folk.  And  thoii  shalt  wel  knowe  many 
thinges  of  this  kinde,  that  shoUen  cesen 
thy  pleintes,  and  strengthen  thee  with  6; 
stedefast  sadnesse.  And  for  thou  hast 
seyn  the  forme  of  the  verray  blisfulnesse 
by  me,  that  have  whyloni  shewed  it  thee, 
and  thou  hast  knowen  in  whom  blisful- 
nesse is  y-set,  alle  thinges  y-treted  that  70 
I  trowe  ben  necessarie  to  putten  forth, 
I  shal  shewe  thee  the  wey  that  shal 
bringen  thee  ayein  un-to  thyn  hous. 
And  I  shal  ficchen  fetheres  in  thy  thought, 
by  whiche  it  may  arysen  in  heighte,  so  75 
that,  alle  tribulacioun  y-don  awey,  thou, 
by  my  gydinge  and  by  my  path  and  by 
my  sledes,  shalt  mowe  retorne  hool  and 
sound  in-to  thy  contree. 


Metre  I. 


Sunt  etenim  pennae  uolucrea 
mihi. 


I  have,  forsothe,  swifte  fetheres  that 
surmounten  the  heighte  of  hevene.  Whan 
the  swifte  thought  hath  clothed  it-self  in 
tho  fetheres,  it  despyseth  the  hateful 
erthes,  and  surmounteth  the  roundnesse  5 
of  the  grete  ayr  ;  and  it  seeth  the  cloudes 
behinde  his  bale  ;  and  passeth  the  heighte 
of  the  region  of  the  tyr,  that  eschaufeth 
by  the  swifte  moevinge  of  the  firmament, 
til  that  he  areyseth  him  in-to  the  houses  10 
that  beren  the  sterres,  and  joyneth  liis 
weyes  with  the  sonne  Phebus,  and  felaw- 
shipeth  the  wey  of  the  olde  colde  Satur- 
nus  ;  and  he  y-maked  a  knight  of  the 
clere  sterre  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  that  the  15 
thought  is  maked  goddes  knight  by  the 
sekinge  of  trouthe  to  comen  to  the  verray 
knoicleche  of  god.  And  thilke  thoght 
renneth  by  the  cercle  of  the  sterres,  in 
alle  places  ther-as  the  shyninge  night  is  20 
peinted  ;  t}iat  is  to  seyn,  the  night  that  is 
clondeles ;  for  on  nightes  that  ben  cloudeles 
it  semeth  as  the  hevene  were  peinted  u-ilh 
dyverse  images  of  sterres.  Ami  whanne 
he  hath  y-doon  ther  y-nough,  ho  shal  25 
forleten  the  lasto  hevene,  and  he  shal 
pressen  and  wenden  on  the  bak  of  the 
swifte  firmament,  and  he  shal  ben  maked 
parfit  of  the  worshijifnl  light  of  god. 
Ther  halt  the  lord  of  kinges  the  cej:^re  30 


176 


(^oef^tue.    (^ooft  iv :   (proee  ii. 


of  his  miglit,  and  atempreth  the  governe- 
ments  of  the  world,  and  the  shyninge 
iwge  of  thinges,  stable  in  hini-self,  gover- 
noth  the  swifte  cart  or  wayii,  that  is  to 

35  seyn,  the  circuler  moevinge  of  the  sonne. 
And  yif  thy  -wey  ledeth  thee  ayein  so 
that  thon  be  brotight  thider,  thanne 
wolt  thou  seye  now  that  that  is  the 
contree  that   thou   requerest,    of  which 

40  thou  no  haddest  no  minde  :  "  but  now  it 
remembreth  me  wol,  heer  was  I  born, 
heer  wol  I  fastne  my  degree,  heer  wole 
I  dwelle."  But  yif  thee  lyketh  thanne 
to  loken  on  the  derknesse  of  the  erthe 

45  that  thoii  hast  forleten,  thanne  shalt 
thou  seen  that  thise  felonous  tyraunts, 
that  the  wrecchede  peple  dredeth,  now 
shoUen  ben  exyled  fro  tliilke  fayre  con- 
tree.' 

PiiosE  II.     Turn  ego,  Papae,  inquam. 

Thau  seyde  I  thus  :  '  owh  !  I  wondre  me 
that  thou  bihetest  me  so  grete  thinges ; 
ne  I  ne  doute  nat  that  thou  ne  mayst 
wel  performe  that  thou  bihetest.  But 
5  I  preye  thee  only  this,  that  thou  ne 
tarye  nat  to  telle  me  thilke  thinges  that 
thou  hast  moeved.' 

•  First,'    quod  she,    '  thou  most  nedes 
knowen,    that    goode    folk    ben    alwey 

10  stronge  and  mighty,  and  the  shrewes 
ben  feble  and  desert  and  naked  of  alle 
strengthes.  And  of  thise  thinges,  eertes, 
everich  of  hem  is  declared  and  shewed 
by  other.     For  so  as  good  and  yvel  ben 

15  two  contraries,  yif  so  be  that  good  lie 
stedefast,  than  shewcth  the  feblesse  of 
yvel  al  openly;  and  yif  thou  knowe 
cleerly  the  frelenesse  of  yvel,  the  stede- 
fastnesse  of  good  is  knowen.     But  for  as 

20  moche  as  the  fey  of  my  sentence  shal 
be  the  more  ferme  and  haboundaunt, 
I  will  gon  by  that  00  woy  and  by  that 
other  :  and  I  wole  conferme  the  thinges 
that  ben  purposed,  now  on  this  syilo  and 

25  now  on  that  syde.  Two  thinges  tlu-r  ben 
in  wliiche  the  effect  of  alle  the  dcdes  of 
mankinde  standeth,  that  is  to  seyn,  wil 
and  power  ;  and  yif  that  oon  of  thise  two 
fayleth,   ther  nis  nothing  that  may  be 


don.  For  yif  that  wil  lakkoth,  ther  nis  30 
no  wiglit  that  vmdertaketh  to  don  that 
he  wol  nat  don  ;  and  yif  power  fayleth, 
the  wil  nis  but  in  ydel  and  stant  foi" 
naught.  And  ther-of  cometh  it,  that  yif 
thou  see  a  wight  that  wolde  geten  that  35 
he  may  nat  geten,  thou  mayst  nat  douten 
that  power  ne  fayleth  him  to  haven  that 
he  wolde.'  'This  is  open  and  cleer,' 
quod  I ;  '  ne  it  may  nat  ben  deneyed  in 
no  manere.'  40 

'  And  yif  thou  see  a  wight,'  quod  she, 
'  that  hath  doon  that  he  wolde  doon, 
thou  nilt  nat  douten  that  he  ne  hath 
had  power  to  don  it  ?  '         '  No,'  quod  I. 

'  And  in  that  that  every  wight  maj',  45 
in  that  men  maj-  holden  him  mighty  ; 
CM  who  seyth,  in  so  moche  as  man  is  might// 
to  don  a  thing,  in  so  mochel  men  halt  him 
mighty ;  and  in  that  that  he  ne  may,  in 
that  men  demen  him  to  be  feble.'  '  I  50 
confesse  it  wel,'  quod  I. 

'  Remembreth  thee,'  quod  she,  '  that 
I  have  gadered  and  shewed  by  forseyde 
resouns  that  al  the  entencioun  of  the  wil 
of  mankinde,  which  that  is  lad  by  dj'verse  55 
studies,  hasteth  to  comen  to  blisfulnesse  ?  " 
'  It  remembreth  me  wel,'  quod  I,  '  that  it 
hath  ben  shewed.' 

'  And  recordeth  thee  nat  thanne,'  quod 
she,  '  that  blisfulnesse  is  thilke  same  good  fxi 
that  men  requeren  ;  so  that,  whan  that 
blisfulnesse  is  requered  of  alle,  that  good 
also   is   requered   and   desired   of  alle?' 
'  It   ne  recordeth  me  nat,'  quod  I ;  '  for  ■ 
I  have   it  gretly  alwey  ficched  in    my  65 
memorie.' 

'  Alle  folk  thanne,'  quod  she,  '  goode 
and  eek  badde,  enforcen  hem  with-oute 
difference  of  entencioun  to  comen  to 
good  ? '  '  This    is     a    verray    eonse-  -o 

q\ience,'  quod  I. 

'  And  ccrtein  is,'  quod  she,  '  that  by  the 
getinge  of  good  ben  men  y-maketl  goode?' 
'  This  is  cert<?in,'  quod  I. 

'  Thanne   geten   goode  men  that  they  75 
desiren  ?  '         'So  semeth  it.'  quod  I. 

'  But  wikkede  folk,'  quod  she,  '  yif  they 
geten  the  good  that  they  desiren,  they  no 
niowe  nat  be  vdkkede  ? '  'So  is  it,' 
quod  I.  80 


(gott^iu0.    (^ooft  IV:   (p^oee  ii. 


177 


'  Tlianne,    so   as    that    0011    and   that 

other,'  quod  she,  '  desiren  good  ;  and  the 

goode  folk  geten  good,  and  nat  the  wikke 

folk  ;  thanne  nis  it  no  doiite   that   the 

85  goode  folk  ne  ben  mighty  and  the  wik- 

kede  folk  ben  feble  ?  '         '  Wlio-so  that 

ever,'    quod   I,    '  douteth    of  this,  he  ne 

may  nat  considere  the  nature  of  thinges 

ne  the  consequence  of  resouns.' 

(/)      And  over  this  q\iod  she,  '  Yif  that  ther 

be  two  thinges  that  hau  00  same  jnirpose 

by  kinde,  and  that  oon  of  hem  pursueth 

and   parformeth   thilke   same   thing    liy 

naturel  office,  and  that  other  ne  may  nat 

05  doon  thilke  natiirel  office,  but  folweth,  by 

other   nianere  thanne   is   convenable  to 

nature,  him  that  acomplissheth  his  piar- 

pos  kindely,  and  yit  he  ne  acomplissheth 

nat  his  owne  x)urpos :  whether  of  thise 

100  two  demestow  for  more  mighty  ?  '       '  Yif 

that  I  conjecte,'  quod  I,  '  that  thou  wolt 

•     seye,   algates  yit   I  desire  to  herkne  it 

more  pleynly  of  thee.' 

'  Thou  wilt  nat  thanne  deneye,'  quod 

105  she,  '  that  the  moevement  of  goinge  nis  in 

men  by  kinde  ?  '        '  No,  forsothe,'  quod  I. 

'  Ne   thou   ne  doiitest  nat,'  quod  she, 

'  that  thilke  naturel  office  of  goinge   ne 

be  the  office  of  feet  ?  '         'I  ne  doute  it 

no  nat,'  quod  I. 

'  Thanne,'  quod  she,  '  yif  that  a  wight 
be  mighty  to  moeve  and  goth  upon  his 
feet,  and  another,  to  whom  thilke  naturel 
office  of  feet  lakketh,  enforeeth  him  to 
1 15  gon  crepinge  up-on  his  handes  :  whiche 
of  thise  two  oughte  to  ben  holden  the 
more  mighty  by  right  ?  '  '  Knit  forth 
the  remenaunt,'  quod  I ;  '  for  no  wight  ne 
douteth  that  he  that  may  gon  by  naturel 
ijo  office  of  feet  ne  be  more  mighty  than  he 
tliat  lie  may  nat.' 

'  But  the  soverein  good,'  quod  she, 
'  that  is  eveneliche  purposed  to  the  gode 
folk  and  to  Iwdde,  the  gode  folk  scken  it 
125  by  naturel  office  of  vertues,  and  the 
shrewes  enforcen  hem  to  geten  it  by 
dyverse  coveityse  o/ert/tei//  thuit/es.,  which 
that  nis  no  naturel  office  to  geten  thilki! 
same  soverein  good.  Trowestow  that  it 
130  be  any  other  wyse  ?  '  '  Nay,'  quod  I  ; 
'  for  the  consequence  is  open  and  shew- 


iuge  of  thinges  that  I  have  grauuted ; 
that  nedes  gode  folk  moten  ben  mighty, 
and  shrewes  feeble  and  unmighty.' 

'  Thou  rennest  a-right  l)iforn  nie,"  ijuoil 
she,  '  and  this  is  the  jugement  ;  (liat  is  to 
seyn,  I  juyc  of  thee  right  as  thise  leches 
ben  wont  to  hopen  of  siflce  folk,  uhan 
they  aperceyven  that  nature  is  redressed 
and  withstondeth  to  the  maladye.  But, 
for  I  see  thee  now  al  redj'  to  the  under- 
stondinge,  I  shal  shewe  thee  more  thikke 
and  continuel  resouns.  For  loke  now  how 
greetly  shewoth  the  feblesse  and  iii- 
tirmitee  of  wikkede  folk,  that  ne  mowen 
nat  comen  to  that  hir  naturel  entencioun 
ledetli  hem,  and  yit  almost  thilke  naturel 
entencioun  constroineth  hem.  And  what 
were  to  cleinen  thanne  of  shrewes,  yif  thilke 
naturel  help  liadde  forleten  hem,  the 
which  naturel  hJilp  of  intencionn  goth 
awey  bil'orn  hem,  and  is  so  greet  that 
unnethe  it  may  ben  overcome  ?  Consider 
thanne  how  greet  defaute  of  power  and 
how  greet  leblesse  ther  is  in  wikkede 
felonousfolk  ;  as  icho  seyth,  the  grettcr  thing 
that  is  coveited  and  the  desire  nat  acom- 
plisshed,  of  the  lasse  might  is  he  ihat 
coveiteth  it  and  may  nat  acomplisshe.  And 
forthy  Fhilosophie  seyth  thus  by  soverein 
good:  Ne  shrewes  ne  requeren  nat  lighte 
medes  ne  veyue  games,  whiche  they  no 
may  folwen  ne  holden  ;  Init  they  fallen  of 
thilke  si'iiime  and  of  the  heighte  of 
thinges,  that  is  to  seyji,  soverein  good  ;  ne 
thise  wrecchos  ne  comen  nat  to  the  effect 
of  soverein  good,  the  which  they  enforcen 
hem  only  to  geten,  by  nightes  and  by 
dayes  ;  in  the  getinge  of  which  good  the 
streiigthe  of  good  folk  is  ful  wel  y-sene. 
For  right  so  as  thou  mightest  demen  him 
mighty  of  goinge,  that  gooth  t)n  his  feet 
til  he  mighte  come  to  thilke  place,  fro  tlie 
whiche  place  ther  ne  laye  no  wey  forther 
to  ben  gon  ;  right  so  most  thou  nedes 
demen  him  for  right  mighty,  that  geteth 
and  ateyneth  to  tlio  emle  of  alle  tliiuges 
that  ben  to  desire,  biyonde  the  whiche  eiidc 
tlier  uis  nothing  to  desire.  Of  the  whicli 
2>otver  of  good  folic  men  may  conclude,  that 
the  wikked  men  semen  to  be  bareine  and 
naked  of  alle   strengthe.     For-wliy  for- 


^35 


'50 


>5S 


it>5 


170 


180 


178 


(^ocf^tue.    (gooft  IV:  (proee  ii. 


leten  they  vertiies  and  folwen  vyces  ? 
Nis  it  iiat  for  that  they  ne  knowen  nat 

I S5  the  goodes  ?  But  what  thing  Is  more  feble 
and  more  caitif  thanne  is  the  bliudnesse 
of  ignoraiinee  ?  Or  elles  they  knowen  ful 
wel  whiche  thinges  that  they  oughten 
folwe,   hut  lecherye  ami  coveityse  over- 

190  throweth  hem  mistomed  ;  and  certes,  so 
doth  distemperaunce  to  feble  men,  that 
ne  mowen  nat  wrastlen  ayeins  the  \yces. 
Xe  knowen  they  nat  thanne  wel  that  they 
forleten  the  good  wilfully,  and  toruen 

195  hem  wilfully  to  vyces  ?  And  in  this  wyse 
they  ne  forleten  nat  only  to  ben  mighty, 
but  they  tbrleten  al-outrely  in  any  wyse 
for  to  ben.  For  they  that  forleten  the 
eomune  fyn  of  alle  thinges  that  beu,  they 

2(x )  forleten  also  therwitli-al  for  to  beu.  And 
per-aventure  it  sholde  semen  to  som  folk 
that  this  were  a  merveile  to  seyen  :  that 
.shrewes,  whiche  that  contieneu  the  more 
partye  of  men,   ne  ben  nat  ne  han   no 

205  beinge  ;  but  natheles,  it  is  so,  and  thus 
stant  this  thing.  For  they  that  hen 
shrewes,  I  deneye  nat  that  they  ben 
shrewes  ;  but  I  deneye,  and  seye  simplely 
and  pleinly,  that  they  ne  ben  nat,  ne  han 

-10  no  beinge.  For  right  as  thou  mightest 
seyen  of  the  carayne  of  a  man,  that  it 
were  a  deed  man,  but  thou  ne  mightest 
nat  simplely  callen  it  a  man  ;  so  graunte 
I  wel  forsothe,  that  vicious  folk  ben  wik- 

2ij;  ked,  bitt  I  nemay  nat  graunten  absolutly 
and  simplely  that  they  ben.  For  thilke 
thing  that  with-holdeth  ordre  and  kepeth 
nature,  thilko  thing  is  and  hatli  beinge  ; 
but  what  thing  that  failoth  of  that,  that 

ajd  is  to  Sfjpi,  tliot  Ik;  fnrh'ti'th  naturcl  ordrp, 
he  forletetli  tliilke  thing  that  is  set  in  his 
nature.  But  thou  wolt  seyn,  that  shrewes 
mowen.  Certes,  that  ne  deneye  I  nat ; 
but  certes,  hir  power  ne  descendeth  nat 

225  of  strengthe,  but  of  feblesse.  For  they 
mowen  don  wikkednesses ;  the  whiche 
they  ne  miglite  nat  don,  yif  they  mighten 
dwellen  in  the  forme  and  in  the  doinge  of 
good  folk.     And  thilke  power  sheweth  ful 

2<o  evidently  that  they  ne  mowen  right 
naught.  For  so  as  I  have  gadered  and 
proeved  a  litel  her-bifom,  that  yvel  is 
nauglit ;  and  so  as  shrewes  mowen  only 


but  shrewednesses,  this  conclusioun  is 
al  cleer,  that  shrewes  ne  mowen  right  235 
naught,  ne  han  no  power.  And  for  as 
moche  as  thou  understonde  which  is  the 
strengthe  of  this  power  of  shrewes,  I  have 
definisshed  a  litel  her-bifom,  that  nothing 
is  so  mighty  as  sovereia  good.'  '  That  240 
is  .sooth,'  quod  I. 

'  And  thilke  same  soverein  good  maj' 
don  non  y\e\  ?  '         '  Certes,  no,'  qttod  I. 

'  Is  ther  any  wight  thanne,'  quod  she, 
'  that  weneth  that  men  mowen  doon  alle  245 
thinges?'  'No  man,' quod  I,  '  but -yif 

he  be  out  of  his  witte.' 

'  But,  certes,  shrewes  mowen  don  j'V'el,' 
quod  she.  '  Ye,  wolde  god,'  quod  I, 
'  that  they  mighten  don  non  !'  250 

'  Thanne,'  quod  she,  '  so  as  he  that  is 
mighty  to  doon  only  but  goode  thinges 
may  don  alle  thinges  ;  and  they  that  ben 
mighty  to  don  yvele  thinges  ne  mowen 
nat  alle  thinges  :  thanne  is  it  open  thing  255 
and  manifest,  that  they  that  mowen  don 
yvel  ben  of  lasse  power.  And  yit,  to  proeve 
this  amclusioiin,  ther  helpeth  me  this,  that 
I  have  y-shewed  her-bifom,  that  nlle 
power  is  to  be  noumlired  among  thinges  200 
that  men  ougliton  requere.  And  I  have 
shewed  that  alle  thinges,  that  oughten 
ben  desired,  ben  referred  to  gooil,  right  as 
to  a  maner  heighte  of  hir  nature.  But  for 
to  mowen  don  yvel  and  felonye  ne  may  265 
nat  ben  referred  to  good.  Thanne  nis  nat 
yvel  of  the  noumbir  of  thinges  that 
oughte  ben  desired.  But  alio  power 
oughte  ben  desired  and  reqnered.  Than 
is  it  open  and  cleer  that  the  power  ne  the  270 
mowinge  of  shrewes  nis  no  power  ;  and  of 
alle  thise  thinges  it  sheweth  wel,  that  the 
goode  folke  ben  certeinly  mighty,  and  the 
shrewes  douteles  ben  unmighty.  And  it 
is  cleer  and  open  that  thilke  opinioun  of  275 
Plato  is  verray  and  sooth,  that  seith,  that 
only  wyse  men  may  doon  that  they 
desiren ;  and  shrewes  mowen  haunten 
that  hem  lyketh,  but  that  they  desiren, 
that  is  to  seyn,  to  comcn  to  sovereign  good,  280 
they  ne  han  no  power  to  acomidisshen 
that.  For  shrewes  don  that  hem  list, 
whan,  by  tho  thinges  in  which  they 
delyten,  they  wenen  to  ateiue  to  thilke 


(jBod^iue.    (^ooft  iv:  (proee  in. 


179 


285  good  that  they  desiren  ;  but  they  ne  geten 
ne  ateinen  uat  ther-to,  for  vyces  ne  comen 
nat  to  blistulnesse. 

Metre  II.     Qtios  nirles  sedere  celsos. 

^\lio-so  that  the  covertoures  of  hir 
veyiie  aparailes  niighte  strepen  of  thise 
proude  kinges,  that  thou  seest  sitten  on 
heigh  in  hir  chaires  gliteringe  iu  shyninge 
5  purpre,  envirounedwith  sorwfularniures, 
manasinge  with  cruel  mouth,  blowinge 
by  woodnesse  of  herte,  he  shulde  seen 
thanue  that  thilke  lordes  beren  with-inne 
hir    corages    fvil    streite    cheines.      For 

10  lecherye  tormenteth  hem  in  that  oon 
syde  with  gredy  venims  ;  and  troublable 
ire,  that  araiseth  in  him  the  flodes  0^ 
t)xiublin(jes,  tormenteth  t^x1-on  that  other 
syde  hir  thought ;  or  sorwe  halt  hem  wery 

15  and  y-eaiight  ;  or  slydinge  and  deceivinge 
hope  tormenteth  hem.  And  therfore,  sen 
thou  seest  oon  heed,  tfiat  is  to  seyn,  oon 
tt/fannt,  beren  so  nianye  tyrannyes, 
thanne  ne  doth  thilke  tyraunt  nat  that 

20  he  desireth,  sin  he  is  cast  doun  with  so 
manye  wikkede  lordes ;  that  is  to  seyn, 
Kith  so  manye  vyces,  that  han  so  icikkeOly 
Jordshipes  over  him. 


Pkose  III. 


Videsne  igitur  qnantu  in 
coent). 


Seestow  nat  thanne  in  how  grete  filthe 
thise  shrewes  ben  y-wrapped,  and  with 
which  cleeruesse  thise  good  folk  shynen  ? 
In  this  sheweth  it  wel,  that  to  goode  folk 
5  no  lakketh  never-mo  hir  niedes,  ne 
shrewes  lakken  never-^^o  torments.  For 
of  alle  thinges  that  ben  y-doon,  thilke 
thing,  for  which  any-thing  is  don,  it 
semeth  as  by  right  that  thilke  thing  be 

10  the  mede  of  that  ;  as  thus  :  yif  a  man 
renneth  in  the  stadie,  or  in  the  forlont/, 
for  the  contne,  thanne  Ij'th  the  mede  in 
tlie  coiono  for  which  he  renneth.  And 
I  have  showed  that  blistulnesse  is  thilke 

15  same  good  for  which  that  alle  thinges 
hen  doon.  Thanne  is  thilke  sanio  good 
purposed  to  the  workes  of  mankind<( 
right  as  a  comime  mede  ;  which  medn  no 
niav  ben  dissevered  fro  good  folk.    For  no 


wight  as  by  right,  fro  thennes-forth  that  20 
him    lakketh    goodnesse,    ne    shal    ben 
cleped  good.     For  which  thing,  folk  of 
goode maneres, hirmedes  ne foi-sakenhem 
never-mo.     For  al-be-it  so  that  shrewes 
wexen  as  wode  as  hem  list  ayeins  goode  25 
folk,    yit   never-the-lesse   the   corone    of 
wyse  men  shal  nat  fallen  ne  faden.     For 
foreine  shrewednesse  ne  binimeth  nat  fro 
the    corages   of  goode    folk    hir   propre 
honour,      Biit  yif  that  any  wight  rejoyse  30 
him  of  goodnesse  that  he  hadde  take  fro 
with-oute  {as  who  seith,  yif  that  any  rvif/ht 
hadde  his  goodnesse  of  any  other  man  than 
of  himself ),  certes,  he  that  yaf  him  thilke 
goodnesse,    or    elles    som    other    wight,  35 
mighte  binime  it  him.    But  for  as  moche 
as  to  every  wight  his  owne  propre  bountee 
.veveth  hini  his  mede,  thanne  at  erst  shal 
he  failen  of  mede  whan  he  forleteth  to 
ben  good.     And  at  the  laste,  so  as  alle  40 
medes  ben  requered  for  men  wenen  that 
they  ben   goode,  who  is  he  that  wolde 
dome,  that  he  that  is  right  mighty  of  good 
were   i)art-les   of  mede  ?     And    of  what 
mede  shal  he  be  guerdoned  ?     Certes,  of  45 
right  fairs  mede  and  right  grete  aboven 
alle   medes.     Eemembre   thee  of  thilko 
noble   corolarie   that   I   yaf  thee  a  litel 
her-biforn  ;  and  gader  it  to-gider  in  this 
manere  : — so  as  good  him-self  is  blisful-  50 
nesse,  thanne  is  it  cleer  and  certein,  that 
alle  good  folk  bon  maked  blisful  for  they 
ben  goode  ;  and  thilke  folk  that  ben  blis- 
ful, it  acordeth  and  is  covenable  to  ben 
goddes.     Thanue   is   the   mode  of  goode  55 
folk  swicli  that  no  day  shal  enpeiren  it, 
ne  no  wikkednesse  ne  shal  derken  it,  ne 
power  of  no  wight  ne  shal  nat  anxenusen 
it,   that  is  to  seyn,  to  ben  maked  goddes. 
And  sin  it  is  ■thns,that  goode  men  ne  failen  60 
never-mo  of  hir  mede,  certes,  no  wys  man 
ne  may  doute  of  imdepartablo  peyne  of 
the  shrewes  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  that  the  pegne 
of  shrewes  ne  departeth  nat  from  hem-self 
viver-mo.     For  so  as  goode  ami  yvel,  and  65 
peyne  antl  medes  ben  coutrarye,  it  mot 
nedes  ben,  that  right  as  we  seen  bitydon 
in  gxierdoun  of  goode,  that  also  mot  the 
pe.vne  of  y^■el  answery,  by  the  contrar\'ij 
party,    to    shrewes.     X<>w   tbanni!,   so  as  70 


i8o 


r§ott^iu6.    (gooft  IV:   (^itv^  III. 


bouiitee  and  prowesse  ben  the  mede  to 
goode  folk,  al-so  is  shrewednesse  it-self 
torment  to  slirewes.  Thanne,  who-so  that 
ever  is  entecched  and  defouled  with 
75  peyne,  he  ne  douteth  nat,  that  he  is 
entecched  and  defouled  with  yvel.  Yif 
shrewes  thanne  wolen  preysen  hem-self, 
may  it  semen  to  hem  that  they  ben  with- 
outen  party  of  torment,  sin  they  ben 
80  swiche  that  the  uttereste  wikkednesse 
(that  M  to  seyn,  icikkede  theives,  ichich  that 
is  the  iittereatb  and  the  worste  kinde  of 
shreicednessej  ne  defouleth  ne  enteccheth 
nat  hem  only,  but  infecteth  and  en- 
85  venimeth  hem  gretly  ?  And  also  look  on 
shrewes,  that  ben  the  contrarie  party  of 
goode  men,  how  greet  peyne  felawshipeth 
and  folwetli  hem  !  For  thou  hast  lerned 
a,  litel  her-bifoi-n,  that  al  thing  that  is 
90.  and  hath  beinge  is  oon,  and  tliilke  same 
oon  is  good  ;  thanne  is  this  the  conse- 
quence, that  it  semeth  wel,  that  al  that  is 
and  hath  beinge  is  good ;  this  is  to  seyn, 
as  v:ho  seyth,  that  beinge  and  unitee  and 
95  fioodnesse  is  al  oon.  And  in  this  manere 
it  folweth  thanne,  that  al  thing  that 
faileth  to  ben  good,  it  stinteth  for  to  be 
and  for  to  han  any  beinge  :  whertbre  it 
is,  that  shrewes  stinten  for  to  ben  that 

100  they  weren.  But  thilke  other  forme  of 
mankinde,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  forme  of 
the  body  with-oute,  sheweth  jdt  that  thise 
shrewes  weren  whyloni  men  ;  wher-for, 
whan  they  ben  perverted  and  torned  in-to 

105  malice,  certes,  than  han  they  forlorn  the 
nature  of  mankinde.  But  so  as  only 
bountce  and  jirowesse  may  cnhauusen 
every  man  over  other  men  ;  thanne  mot 
it  nedes  be  that    shrewes,   which   that 

I  It)  shrewednesse  hath  cast  out  of  the  coii- 
dicioxin  of  mankinde,  ben  put  under  the 
merite  and  the  desert  of  men.  Thanne 
bitydeth  it,  that  yif  thou  scest  a  wight 
that  be  transformed  into  \-j-ces,  thou  ne 

1 15  mayst  nat  wene  that  he  be  a  man.  For 
j-if  he  be  ardaunt  in  avaryce,  and  that  lie 
be  a  ravinour  by  x-iolence  of  foreine 
richesse,  thou  shalt  seyn  that  he  is  lykc 
to  tlie  wolf.     And  yif  he  be  felonous  and 

ijo  with-onte  reste,  and  e.-sercyse  his  tonge 
to  chydinges,  thou  shalt  lykne  him  to  the 


hound.  And  yif  he  be  a  prevey  awaitour 
y-hid,  and  rejoyseth  hini  to  ravisshe  by 
wyles,  thou  shalt  sej-n  him  lyke  to  the 
fox-whelpes.  And  yif  he  be  distemprc  125 
and  quaketh  for  ire,  men  shal  wene  that 
he  bereth  the  corage  of  a  lyoun.  And  yif 
he  be  dredful  and  fleinge,  and  dredeth 
t  hinges  that  ne  oughten  nat  to  ben  dred, 
men  shal  holden  him  lyk  to  the  hert.  130 
And  yif  he  be  slow  and  astoned  and 
lache,  he  liveth  as  an  asse.  And  yif  he 
be  light  and  unstedefast  of  corage,  and 
chaungeth  ay  his  studies,  he  is  lykned  to 
briddes.  And  if  he  be  plounged  in  foule  135 
and  unclene  luxuries,  he  is  with-holden 
in  the  foule  delyces  of  the  foule  sowe. 
Thanne  folweth  it,  that  he  that  furleteth 
boiintee  and  prowesse,  he  forleteth  to  ben 
a  man  ;  sin  he  may  nat  passen  in-to  tlie  140 
condicioun  of  god,  he  is  torned  in-to 
a  beest. 

Metke  III.     Vela  Keritii  didcis. 

Eurus  the  icind  arjnede  the  sailes  ot 
mixes,  duk  of  the  contree  of  Xarice,  and 
his  wandringe  shippes  by  the  see,  in-to 
the  ile  ther-as  Circes,  the  faire  goddesse, 
doughter  of  the  Sonne,  dwelleth  ;  that  5 
ineiUeth  to  hir  newe  gestes  drinkes  that 
ben  touched  and  maked  with  enchaunte- 
ments.  And  after  that  hir  hand,  mighty 
over  the  herV)es,  hadde  chaunged  hir 
gestes  in-to  dyverse  maneres  ;  that  oon  of  10 
hem,  is  covered  his  face  with  forme  of 
a  boor ;  that  other  is  chaunged  in-to 
a  lyoun  of  the  contree  of  Mai'morike,  and 
his  nayles  and  his  teeth  wexeu :  that 
other  of  hem  is  neweliche  chaunged  in-to  15 
a  wolf,  and  howlcth  whan  he  wolde  wepe  ; 
that  other  goth  debonairely  in  the  hous 
as  a  t.vgre  of  Inde.  But  al-be-it  so  that 
the  godhed  of  Jlercurie,  that  is  cleped  the 
brid  of  Arcadie,  hath  had  mercy  of  the  m 
duke  Vlixes,  bisegcd  with  dj-verse  yveles, 
and  hath  unbounden  him  fro  the  pesti- 
lence of  his  ostesse,  Jilgates  the  roweres 
and  the  marineres  hadden  by  this  y- 
drawen  in-to  hir  naouthes  and  drouken  25 
tlie  wikkede  drinkes.  They  that  weren 
woxen  s^\•3•n  hadden  by  this  y-chaunged 


{gott^iue.    Q^ooft  IV:   (proec  iv. 


hir  mete  of  breed,  for  to  eten  akornes  of 
cikes.     Non  of  hir  limes  ne  clwolleth  with 

30  hem  hole,  but  they  han  lost  tlie  voice  and 
the  body  ;  fnily  hir  thought  dwelleth  with 
hom  stable,  that  wepeth  and  biweileth 
the  inonstruous  chaunginge  that  they 
suffren.     0  overlight  hand  (as  who  seyth, 

35  o  !  fehle  and  Jif/ht  is  the  hand  of  Circes  the 
cnchaunt£re8se,  that  chaumjeth  the  hodyesof 
folkes  in-to  hestes,  to  regard  and  to  com- 
parisottn  of  ituitacioun  that  is  muked  by 
vyces) ;  ne  the  herbes  of  Circes  ne  Isen  nat 

40  mighty.  For  al-be-it  so  that  they  may 
chaungen  the  limes  of  the  body,  algates 
yit  they  may  nat  chaunge  the  hertfs  ;  for 
with-inne  is  y-hid  the  strengthe  and  vigor 
of  men,  in  the  secree  tour  of  hir  heiies ; 

45  that  is  to  seyn,  the  strengthe  ofresonn.  But 
thilke  venims  of  vyces  to-drawen  a  man 
to  hem  more  mightily  than  the  venini  of 
Circes :  fur  ^■yces  ben  so  cruel  that  they 
percen   and  thorugh-passen  the    corage 

50  with-inne  ;  and,  thogh  they  ne  anoye  nat 
the  body,  yit  vyces  wooden  to  destroye  men 
by  wounde  of  thought.' 

Prose  IV.      Turn  ego,  Fateor,  inqitam. 

Than  seyde  I  tluis  :  '  I  confesse  and  am 
a-knowe  it,'  quod  I;  ' ne  I  ne  see  nat 
that  men  may  sayn,  as  by  right,  that 
shrewes  ne  ben  chaunged  in-to  bestes 
5  by  the  qualitee  of  hir  soules,  al-be-it  so 
that  they  kepen  yit  the  forme  of  the  body 
of  mankinde.  But  I  nolde  nat  of  shrewes, 
cif  wliich  the  thought  crtiel  woodeth 
al-wey  in-to  destruccioun  of  goode  men, 

10  that  it  were  leveful  to  hem  to  don  that.' 

•  Certes,'  quod  she, '  ne  is  nis  nat  leveful 

to  hem,  as  I  shal  wel  shewe  thee  in  coven- 

a1)le  place  ;  but  natheles,  yif  so  were  that 

thilke  that  men  wenen   be    leveful    to 

15  shrewes  were  binomen  hem,  so  tluit  they 
ne  iiiighte  nat  aiwyen  or  doon  harm  to  goode 
men,  certes,  a  greet  partye  of  the  x'eyne  to 
shrewes  sholde  ben  allegged  and  relevcd. 
For  al-be-it   so  that   this  ne   seme  nat 

20  crediVilc  thing,  per-avonture,  to  some 
folk,  yit  moot  it  nodes  be,  that  shrewes 
ben  more  wrecches  and  ttnsely  whan  they 
ma  J-  doon  and  performe   that   they  co- 


veiten,  than  yif  they  mighte  nat  com- 
plisshen  that  they  coveiten.  For  yif  so  25 
1>c  that  it  be  wrecchednesse  to  wilue  to 
don  yvdl,  than  is  more  wreccliednesse  to 
mowen  don  yvel ;  with-oiite  whiche  mow- 
inge  the  wrecched  wil  sholde  languisshe 
with-oute  effect.  Than,  sin  that  everiche  30 
of  thise  thinges  hath  his  wrecchednesse, 
that  is  to  seyn,  wil  to  don  yvel  and  wotvinge 
to  don  yvel,  it  moot  nedes  be  that  they  ben 
constreyned  by  three  unselinesses,  that 
wolen  and  mowen  and  performen  felonyes  35 
and  shrewednesses.'  'I  acorde  me,' 
quod  I  ;  '  Intt  I  desire  gretly  that  shrewes 
losten  sone  thilke  unselinesse,  that  is  to 
seyn,  that  shrewes  weren  despoyled  of 
mowinge  to  don  yvel.'  4" 

'  So  shuUen  they, '  quod  she,  'soner,  per- 
aventure,  than  thou  woldest  ;  or  soner 
than  they  hem-self  wene  to  lakken  moio- 
imje  to  don  yvel.  For  ther  nis  no-thing  so 
late  in  so  shorte  boundes  of  this  lyf,  that  4.S 
is  long  to  abyde,  nameliche,  to  a  corage 
inmortel  ;  of  whiche  shrewes  the  grete 
hope,  and  the  hye  compassinges  of 
shrewednesses,  is  ofte  destroyed  by  a 
sodeyn  ende,  or  they  ben  war  :  and  that  50 
thing  estableth  to  shrewes  the  ende  of  hir 
shrewednesse.  For  yif  that  shrewednesse 
maketh  wrecches,  than  mot  he  nedes  ben 
most  Avrecched  that  lengest  is  a  shrewe  ; 
the  whiche  wikked  shrewes  wolde  I  demen  55 
aldermost  unsely  and  caitifs,  yif  that  hir 
shrewednesse  ne  were  finisshed,  at  the 
leste  wey,  by  the  oitttercste  deetli.  For 
yif  I  have  concluded  sooth  of  the  unseli- 
nesse of  shrewednesse,  than  sheweth  it  60 
cleerly  that  thilke  wrecchednesse  is  with- 
outen  ende,  the  whiche  is  certein  to  ben 
perdurable.'  '  Certes,'  quod  I,  '  this 
conclusioun  is  hard  and  wonderful  to 
graunte  ;  but  I  knowe  wel  that  it  acordeth  65 
moche  to  the  thinges  that  I  have  graunted 
her-biforn.' 

'  Thou  hast,'  q\\od  she,  '  the  right  esti- 
macioun  of  this  ;  but  who-so-ever  wene 
that  it  be  a  hard  thing  to  acorde  him  to  70 
a  conclusioun,  it  is  right  that  he  shewe 
that  Sf>me  of  the  premisses  ben  false;  or 
elles  he  moot  shewe  that  the  coUaciotui 
of  proposieiouns  nis  nat  sjiecdful  to  a 


l82 


(^oet^tue.    (^oofi  IV:   {pvoet  TV. 


75  necessarie  conclusiouu.  And  yif  it  be  nat 
so,  but  that  the  premisses  ben  y-graunted, 
ther  is  not  why  he  sholde  blame  the 
argument.  For  this  thing  that  I  shal 
telle  thee  now  ne  shal  nat  seme  lasse 
80  wonderful ;  but  of  the  thinges  that  ben 
taken  also  it  is  necessarie  ; '  as  icho  seyth, 
itfoliceth  of  that  nhich  that  is  purposed 
biforn.         '  Wliat  is  that  ?  '  quod  I. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  that  is,  that  thise 
85  wikked  shrewes  ben  more  blisful,  or  elles 
lasse  icrecches,  that  abyen  the  torments 
that  they  han  desers-ed,  than  yif  no  peyne 
of  justice  ne  chastysede  hem.  Ne  this  ne 
seye  I  nat  now,  for  that  any  naan  mighte 
90  thenke,  that  the  mauers  of  shrewes  ben 
coriged  and  chastysed  by  veniaunce,  and 
that  they  ben  brought  to  the  right  wey  by 
the  drede  of  the  torment,  ne  for  that  they 
yeven  to  other  folk  ensaumijle  to  fleen 
95  fro  vyces ;  but  I  understande  yit  in 
another  manere,  that  shrewes  ben  more 
unsely  whan  they  ne  ben  nat  punisshed, 
al-be-it  so  that  ther  ne  be  had  no  resoun 
or  lawe  of  correccioun,  ne  non  ensaumple 

KX)  of  lokinge.'  '  And  what  manere  shal 
that  ben,'  quod  I,  '  other  than  hath  be 
told  her-biforn  ?  ' 

'Have  we  nat  thaune  graunted,' quod 
she,    '  that   goode   folk   ben   blisful,  anil 

105  shrewes  ben  wreeches  ?  '        '  Yis,'  quod  I. 

'  Thanne, '  quod  she,  '  yif  that  any  good 

were  added  to  the  wrecchednesse  of  any 

wight,  nis  he  nat  more  weleful  than  he 

that  ne  hath  no  medlinge  of  good  in  his 

110  solitarie  wrecchednesse  J* '  'So  semeth  it, ' 
quod  I. 

'  And  what  seystow  thanne,'  quod  she, 
•of  thilke  wrecche  that  lakketh  alle 
goodcs,  so  that  no  ijood  nis  medled  in  his 

115  wrecchednesse,  and  yit,  over  al  his  wikked- 
nesse  for  which  he  is  a  wrecche,  that  ther 
be  yit  another  yvel  anexed  and  knit  to 
him,  shal  nat  men  dcmen  him  more 
iinsely  than  thilke  wrecche  of  whiche  the 

i-'o  unselinesse  is  releved  by  the  participa- 
cioun  of  som  good  ?  '  '  Why  sholde  he 
nat  ?  '  quod  L 

'Thanne,  certes,'  quod  she,  'han 
shrewes,  whan  they  ben  punisshed,  som- 

125  what  of  good  anexed  to  hir  wrecched- 


nesse, that  is  to  seyn,  the  same  peyne 
that  they  suffren,  which  that  is  good  Vjy 
the  resoun  of  justice ;  and  whan  thilke 
same  shrewes  ascapen  with-oute  torment, 
than  han  they  som- what  more  of  y\'el  j-it  130 
over  the  wikkednesse  that  they  han  don. 
that  is  to  seyn,  defaiite  of  pej-ne  ;  which 
defaute  of  peyne,  thou  hast  graunted,  is 
yvel  for  the  deserte  of  felonye. '  '  I  ne  may 
nat  denye  it,' quod  I.  135 

'  Moche  more  thanne, '  quod  she,  '  ben 
shrewes  unsely,  whan  they  ben  wrong- 
fully delivered  fro  peyne,  than  whan 
they  ben  punisshed  by  rightful  ven- 
jaunce.  But  this  is  open  thing  and  cleer,  140 
that  it  is  right  that  shrewes  ben  pun- 
isshed, and  it  is  wikkednesse  and  wrong 
that  they  escapen  nnpunisshed. '  '  Who 
mighte  deneye  that  ?  '  qnod  I. 

'  But,'  quod  she,  '  may  any  man  denj-e  145 
that  al  that  is  right  nis  good  ;  and  also 
the  contrarie,  that  al  that  is  ^\-rong  is 
wikke  ?  '  '  Certes,'    quod    I,    '  these 

thiages  ben  clere  y-nough  ;  and  that  we 
han  concluded  a  litel  her-biforn.  But  150 
I  praye  thee  that  thou  telle  me,  yif  thou 
acordest  to  leten  no  torment  to  sowles, 
after  that  the  body  is  ended  by  the 
deeth  ; '  this  is  to  seyn,  understandestow 
aught  that  suides  han  any  torment  after  the  155 
deeth  of  the  body  ^ 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  .ve  ;  and  that  right 
greet ;    of  which   sowles,'  quod   she,    '  I 
trowe  that  some  ben  tormented  by  aspre- 
nesse  of  peyne ;  and  some  sowles,  I  trowe,  160 
ben  exercised  by  a  purginge  mekenesse. 
But  my  conseil  nis  nat  to  determinye  of 
thise  pcynes.     But  I  have  travailed  and 
told  yit  hiderto,  for  thou  sholdest  knowe 
that    the    mowinge    of   shrewes,   which  165 
mowinge  thee  senaeth  to  ben  unworthy, 
nis  no  mowinge  :  and  eek  of  shrewes,  of 
which  thou  pleinedest  that  they  ne  were 
nat  punisshed,  that  thoia   woldest  seen 
that  they  ne  weren  never-mo  with-outen  170 
the  torments  of  hir  wikkednesse  :  and  of 
the  licence  of  the  moicinye  to  don  yvel,  that 
thou  preydest  that  it  mighte  sone  ben 
ended,  and  that  thoii  woldest  i\\y\\  lernen 
that  it  ne  sholde  nat  longe  dure  :  and  i/S 
that  shrewes  ben  more  unselj-  5'if  they 


(goef0tu0.    (gooft  IV:   (proee  iv. 


183 


were  of  lenger  duringe,  and  most  tinsely 
yif  they  weren  perdurable.  And  after 
this,  I  have  shewed  thee  that  more  nnsely 

180  ben  shrewes,  whan  they  escapen  with- 
oute  hir  rightful  peyne,  than  whan  they 
ben  piinisshed  by  rightful  venjaunce. 
And  of  this  sentence  folweth  it,  that 
thanne  ben  shrewes  constreined  at  the 

185  laste  witli  most  grevous  torment,  whan 
men  wene  that  they  ne  be  nat  punisshed.' 
'  Whan  I  consider  thy  resouns,'  quod  I, 
'  I  ne  trowe  nat  that  inen  seyn  any-thing 
more  veraylj'.     And  yif  I  torne  aj-ein  to 

190  the  studies  of  men,  who  is  he  to  whom  it 
sholde  seme  that  he  ne  sholde  nat  only 
leven  thise  thinges,  but  eek  gladly  herkne 
hem  ? ' 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  so  it  is ;  but  men 

195  may  nat.  For  they  han  hir  eyen  so  wont 
to  the  derknesse  of  erUiely  thintjes,  that 
they  ne  may  nat  liften  hem  up  to  the 
light  of  cleer  sothfastnesse  ;  but  they  ben 
lyke  to  briddes,  of  which  the  night  light- 

200  neth  hir  lokinge,  and  the  day  blindeth 
hem.  For  whan  men  loken  nat  the  ordre 
of  thinges,  but  hir  lustes  and  talents,  they 
wene  that  either  the  leve  or  the  mowinge 
to  don  wikkednesse,  or  elles  the  scapinge 

205  with-oute  peyne,  be  weleful.  But  con- 
sider the  jugement  of  the  perdurable  lawe. 
For  yif  thou  conferme  tliy  corage  to  the 
beste  thinges,  thoix  ne  hast  no  nede  of  no 
juge  to  j-even  thee  pi^j-s   or   mede  ;    for 

210  thoi\  hast  joyned  thy-self  to  the  most 
excellent  thing.  And  yif  thou  have  en- 
clj'ned  thy  studies  to  the  wikked  thinges, 
ne  seek  no  foreyne  wreker  out  of  thy- 
self; for  thoix  thy-self  hast  thrist  thy-self 

215  in-to  wikke  thinges  :  right  as  thou 
mightest  loken  by  dyverse  tynies  the 
foule  erthe  and  the  hevene,  and  that  alle 
other  thinges  stinten  fro  with-oute,  so 
that  tlwii  nere  neither  in  hevene  ne  in  ertTie, 

220  ne  saije  no-thiny  more ;  than  it  sholde 
semen  to  thee,  as  by  only  resoun  of 
lokinge,  that  thou  were  now  in  the  sterres 
and  now  in  the  erthe.  But  the  poeple  ne 
loketh    nat    on    thiso    thinges.       What 

225  thanne  V  Shal  we  thanne  aprochen  us  to 
hem  that  I  have  shewed  that  they  ben  lyk 
to    bestes  i*     And    what    w-oltow   seyn    of 


this  :  yif  that  a  man  hadde  al  forlorn  his 
sighte  and  hadde  forj-eten  that  he  ever 
saugh,  and  wende  that  no-thing  ne  fayl-  230 
ede  him  of  perfeccioun  of  mankinde,  now 
we  that  mighten  seen  the  same  thinges, 
wolde  we  nat  wene  that  he  were  blinde  ? 
Ne  also  ne  acordeth  nat  the  poeple  to 
that  I  shal  seyn,  the  which  thing  is  sns-  235 
tened  by  a  stronge  foundement  of  resouns, 
that  is  to  seyn,  that  more  unsely  ben  they 
that  don  wrong  to  othre  folk  than  they 
that  the  wrong  stiffren.'  'I  wolde 
heren  thilke  same  resouns,'  quod  I.  240 

'Denyestow,'  quod  she,  'that  alle 
shrewes  ne  ben  worthy  to  han  torment  ? ' 
'  Nay, '  quod  I. 

'  But,'   quod    she,    '  I   am    certein,    by 
many  resouns,  that  shrewes  ben  imsely.'  245 
'  It  acordeth,'  quod  I. 

'Thanne  ne  doutestow  nat, '  qiiod  she, 
'  that  tliilke  folk  that  ben  worthy  of  tor- 
ment, that  thej'  ne  ben  wrecches  ?  '  'It 
acordeth  wel,'  quod  I.  250 

'  Yif  thou  were  thanne,'  quod  she, 
'  y-set  a  juge  or  a  knower  of  thinges, 
whether,  trowestow,  that  men  sholden 
tormenten  him  that  hath  don  the  wrong, 
or  elles  him  that  hath  suffred  the  wrong? '  255 
'  I  ne  doute  nat,'  quod  I,  '  that  I  noldc 
don  suffisaunt  satisfaccioun  to  him  that 
hadde  suffred  the  wrong  by  the  sorwe  of 
him  that  hadde  don  the  wrong.' 

'  Thanne  semeth  it,'  quod  she,  '  that  the  i6<> 
doere  of  wrong  is  more  wrecche  than  he 
that  suffred  wrong  ?  '         '  That  folweth 
wel,'  quod  I. 

'  Than,'  quod  she,  '  by  these  causes  and 
by  othre  causes  that  ben  enforced  by  the  265 
same  rote,  filthe  t)r  sinne,  by  the  proprc 
nature  of  it,  maketh  men  wrecches  ;  antl 
it  sheweth  wel,  that  the  wrong  that  men 
don   nis  nat  the  wreccliednesse  of  him 
that     recej-veth     the     wrong,    but    tlie  270 
wreccliednesse    of    him    that    doth    the 
wrong.       But   certes,'   quod    she,    '  thiso 
oratours    or    advocats    don   al   the   con- 
trarye  :  for  they  enforcen  heni  to  coni- 
moeve  the  juges  to  han  pitee  of  hem  that  275 
han  suffred  and  receyved  the  tliinges  that 
ben    grevous    and    asprc,    and   yit   men 
sholden  more  rightfully  han  pitee  of  heni 


184 


(gocti^im.    (§oo&  IV:  QUetre  IV. 


that  dim  the  grevatinces  and  the  wrongcs ; 

280  the  "whielie  slirewes,  it  were  a  more 
covenahle  thing,  that  the  accnsoiirs  or 
advooats,  iiat  wroth  but  pitoiis  and  de- 
honair.  ledden  tho  shrewes  tliat  han  don 
^^rong  to   the  jugement,   right   as   men 

2S5  k'den  syke  folk  to  the  leolie,  for  that  tliey 
sholdc  seken  out  the  maladyes  of  sinne 
hy  torment.  And  by  tliis  covenattnt, 
either  the  entente  of  defFendoiirs  or  advo- 
cats  sholde  faylen  and  cesen   in  al,  or 

2C)(>  elles,  yif  the  office  of  advocats  -wolde 
bettre  profiten  to  men,  it  sholde  ben 
torned  in-to  the  habite  of  accusaeiotm  ; 
that  is  to  seyn,  they  sholden  accuse  shrewes, 
and  nnt  excuse  hem.    And  eek  the  shrewes 

295  hem-self,  yif  hit  were  levefiil  to  hem  to 
seen  at  any  clifte  the  vertu  that  they  han 
forleten,  and  sawen  that  they  sholden 
pntten  adoitu  the  filthes  of  hir  -v-j-ces  by 
the  torments  of  pcynes,  they  ne  onghte 

300  nat,  right  for  the  recompensacioim  for  to 
geten  hem  boitntee  and  prowesse  which 
that  they  han  lost,  demen  ne  holden  that 
thilke  pcj'ues  weren  torments  to  hem  ; 
and  eek  tliej'  wolden  refitse  the  attend- 

305  aunce  of  hir  advocats,  and  taken  hem-self 
to  hir  juges  and  to  hir  accusors.  For 
which  it  bitydeth  that,  as  to  the  wyse 
folk,  ther  nis  no  place  y-leten  to  hate  ; 
that  is  to  sei/n,  that  ne  hate  hath  no  place 

310  amongcs  tci/sa  men.  For  no  wight  nil 
haten  goode  men,  but-yif  he  were  over- 
mochol  a  fool ;  and  for  to  haten  shrewes, 
it  nis  no  resoitn.  For  right  so  as  lan- 
gitissinge  is  maladye  of  body,  right  so  ben 

315  vyces  and  sinne  maladj-e  of  corage.  And 
so  as  we  ne  deme  nat,  that  they  that  ben 
syke  of  hir  body  ben  worthy  to  ben  hated, 
Imt  rather  worthy  of  piteo  :  wel  naore 
worthy,  nat  to  ben  hated,  but  for  to  ben 

320  had  in  i)itee,  ben  they  of  whichc  the 
thoitghtes  ben  constroineil  by  felonons 
wikkednesse,  that  is  more  cruel  than  any 
languissinge  of  body. 

■^[^■^Kl:  IV.     Quid  tantos  iuuat  ercit'ire 
mot  us. 

What  delyteth  you  to  exej'ten  so  grete 
moevinges  ofhateredes,  and  to  hasten  and 


bisien  the  fatal  disposieioun  of  j-our  deeth 
with  your  propre  handes  ?  that  is  to  seyn, 
bybatailes  or  by  contek.  For  yif  ye  axen  5 
the  deeth,  it  hasteth  him  of  his  owne  wil ; 
ne  deeth  ne  tarieth  nat  his  swifte  hors. 
And  the  men  that  the  serpent  and  the 
lyoun  and  the  tygre  and  the  here  and  the 
boor  seken  to  sleen  with  hir  teeth,  j-it  10 
thilke  same  men  seken  to  sleen  everich  of 
hem  other  with  swerd.  Lo !  for  hir 
maueres  lien  dyverse  and  descordaunt, 
they  moeven  ttnrightful  ostes  and  cniel 
batailes,  and  wilnen  to  perisshe  by  entre-  15 
chatinginge  of  dartes.  But  the  resoun  of 
crueltee  nis  nat  y-nough  rightful.  TViltow 
thanne  yelden  a  covenahle  guerdoun  to 
the  desertes  of  men '?  Love  rightfully 
goode  folk,  and  have  pit^e  on  shrewes."       20 

Pkose  V.     Hie  ego  \tideo  inqiiam. 

'  Thus  see  I  wel,'  quod  I,  '  either  what 
blisfulnesse  or  elles  what  ttnselinesse  is 
establisshed  in  the  desertes  of  goode  men 
and  of  shrewes.  But  in  this  ilko  fortune 
of  poeple  I  see  somwhat  of  good  and  som-  5 
what  of  yve\.  For  no  wyse  man  hath 
lever  ben  exyled.  poore  .and  ned>-,  and 
nameles,  than  for  to  dwellen  in  his  citee 
and  flouren  of  richesses,anil  be  redoutable 
by  honour,  and  strong  of  power.  For  in  10 
this  wyse  more  cleerly  and  more  witnes- 
fttUy  is  the  office  of  an-j-sc  men  j--treted, 
whan  the  Ijlisfulnesse  and  the  i)oust('e  of 
governours  is,  as  it  were,  j'-shad  amonges 
l)oeples  that  be  neighebours  and  subgits;  15 
sin  that,  namely,  prisoun,  lawe,  and  thise 
othre  torments  of  laweful  peynes  ben 
rather  owed  to  felonous  citezoins,  for  the 
whiche  felonous  citczeins  tho  jjcynes  ben 
establisshed,  than  for  good  folk.  Thanne  2" 
I  mervaile  me  greetlj','  quod  I,  'why  that 
the  thinges  ben  so  mis  entrechaunged, 
that  torments  of  felonyes  pressen  and 
confounden  goode  folk,  and  shrewes 
ravisshen  medes  of  vertu,  and  ben  in  25 
honours  and  in  gret  estat.9.  And  I  desjTe 
cck  for  to  witen  of  thee,  whatsemeth  thee 
to  ben  the  resoun  of  this  so  wrongful 
a  conclusioun  ?  For  T  wolde  wondre  wel 
the   lasse,   yif  I   trowede  that  al  thise  30 


^Oit^XMQ,      Q0OOft   IV:     {pVOBC  VI. 


1 8.=; 


tliinges  weren  medled  by  fortunovis  liappe ; 
but  now  hepeth  and  encreseth  myn  as- 
tonyinge  god,  governovir  of  tliinges,  that, 
so  as  god  yeveth  olte  tymes  to  godo  men 

35  godes  and  niirthes,  and  to  shrewes 
yveles  and  aspre  thinges  ;  and  yeveth 
ayeinward  to  gode  folk  hardnesses,  and 
to  shrewes  he  graunteth  hem  hir  wil  and 
that  theydesyren :  what  difference  thanne 

41)  may  ther  be  bitwixen  that  that  god  doth, 
and  the  happe  of  fortune,  yif  men  ne 
knowe  nat  the  cause  why  that  it  is  ?  ' 

'  Ne    it    nis   no   mervaile,'   quod    she, 
'  though  that  men  weneu  that  ther    be 

45  somewhat  folissh  and  confuse,  whan  the 
resoun  of  the  ordre  is  ixnknowe.  But 
al-tliough  that  thou  ne  knowe  nat  the 
cause  of  so  greet  a  disposicioun,  natheles, 
for  as  moche  as  god,  the  gode  governour, 

50  atempreth  and  governeth  the  world,  ne 
doute  thee  nat  that  alle  thinges  ben  doon 
a-right. 

Metre  V.     Si  quis  Archiri  sidera  nescit. 

Who-so  that  ne  knowe  nat  the  sterres 
of  Arcture,  y-torned  neigh  to  the  soverein 
contree  or  point,  that  is  to  seyn,  y-torned 
neijih  to  the  soverein  pool  of  the  firmament, 
5  and  wot  nat  why  the  *terre  Bootes  passeth 
or  gadereth  his  weynes,  and  drencheth 
his  late  flambes  in  the  see,  and  why  that 
Bootes  the  sterre  vmfoldeth  his  over-switte 
arysinges,  thanne  shal  he  wondren  of  the 

;o  lawe  of  the  heye  eyr.  And  eek,  yif  that 
he  ne  knowe  nat  tvhy  that  the  homes  of  the 
fuUe  mone  wexen  pale  and  infect  by  the 
boundes  of  the  derke  night ;  and  how  the 
mone,  derk  and  confuse,  discovereth  the 

15  sterres  that  she  hadde  y-covered  by  hir 
clere  visage.  The  comune  errour  moeveth 
folk,  and  maketh  wery  hir  basins  of  bras 
by  thikke  strokes  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  that 
ther  is  a  maner  of  jweple  that  highte  C'ori- 

20  bantes,  that  toenen  that,  tohan  the  mone  is  in 
the  eclipse,  that  it  be  enchaunted  ;  and  ther- 
fore,  for  to  rescotve  the  vume,  they  beten  hir 
basins  with  thikke  strokes.  Ne  no  man 
ne  wondreth  whan   the   blastes   of  the 

25  wind  Chorus  beten  the  strondes  of  the 
see  by  qviakinge  flodes  ;    no  no  man  ne 


wondreth  whan  the  weighte  of  the  snowe, 
y-harded  by  the  colde,  is  resolved  by  the 
brenninge  hete  of  Phebus  the  sonne  ;  for 
heer  seen  men  redely  the  causes.  But  30 
the  causes  y-hid,  that  is  to  seyn,  in  hevene, 
troublen  the  brestes  of  nien  ;  the  moev- 
able  poeple  is  astoned  of  alle  thinges  that 
comen  selde  and  sodeinly  in  our  age. 
But  yif  the  troubly  errour  of  our  igno-  35 
raunce  departede  fro  vis,  so  that  %ve  wisten 
the  causes  tvhy  that  siviche  thinges  bi-tyden, 
certes,  they  sholden  cese  to  seme  won- 
dres. 

Prose  VI.     Ita  est,  inquam. 

'  Thus  is  it,'  quod  I.  '  But  so  as  thou 
hast  yeven  or  bi-hight  me  to  unwrappen 
the  hid  causes  of  thinges,  and  to  tlis- 
covere  nae  the  resouns  covered  with  derk- 
nesses,  I  prey  thee  that  thou  devyse  and  5 
juge  me  of  this  matere,  and  that  thou  do 
me  to  uuderstonden  it  ;  for  this  miracle 
or  this  wonder  trovibleth  me  right  gretlj-.' 

And  thanne  she,  a  litel  what  smylinge, 
seyde  :  '  thou  clepest  me,'  quod  she,  '  to  10 
telle  thing  that  is  grettest  of  alle  thinges 
that  mowen  ben  axed,  and  to  the  whicho 
questiou.nunnethes  is  ther  aught  y-nough 
to  laven  it ;  as  who  seyth,  iinnethes  is  ther 
suffisauntly  anything  to  ansivere  parfitly  to  15 
thy  queatioun.  For  the  matere  of  it  is 
swich,  that  whan  o  doute  is  determined 
and  cut  awej-,  ther  wexen  other  doutes 
with-oute  number  ;  right  as  the  hevedes 
wexen  of  Ydre,  the  serpent  that  Ercules  20 
slowh.  Ne  ther  ne  were  no  manero  ne 
non  ende,  but-yif  that  a  wight  con- 
streinede  tho  doutes  by  a  right  lyfly  and 
quik  fyr  of  thought ;  that  is  to  seyn,  by 
vigour  and  strengthe  of  wit.  For  in  this  25 
manere  men  weren  wont  to  maken  ques- 
tions of  the  simplicitee  of  the  purviaunce 
of  god,  and  of  the  order  of  destinee,  and 
of  sodein  happe,  and  of  the  knowinge  and 
predestinacioun  divyne,  and  of  the  libertee  .so 
of  free  willo  ;  the  whiche  thinges  thou 
thy-self  aperceyvest  wcl,  of  what  weight 
they  ben.  But  for  as  mochel  as  the 
knowinge  of  thise  thinges  is  a  maner 
porcioun  of  the  medicine  of  thee,  al-bc-it  35 


1 86 


(^oef^iue.    QEiooft  iv:  ^voet  vi. 


so  that  I  li.ave  Htel  tyme  to  don  it,  yit 
natheles  I  wol  eiiforcen  me  to  shewe 
soniwliat  of  it.  But  al-thogli  the  no- 
rissliinges   of  ditee   of  musike  del>-teth 

4.0  thee,  thou  most  suffren  and  forberen 
a  litel  of  thilke  delyte,  whyle  that  I  weve 
to  thee  resoitns  y-knit  by  ordre.'  "  As 
it  lyketh  to  thee,'  qiiod  I,  '  so  do.' 

Tho   spak    she    right    as    by   another 

45  biginninge,  and  seyde  thus.  '  The  en- 
gendringe  of  alle  thinges,'  quod  she,  '  and 
alle  the  progressiouns  of  m.nable  nature, 
and  al  that  moeveth  in  any  manere, 
taketh   his   causes,    his   ordre,    and    his 

50  formes,  of  the  stablenesse  of  the  divyne 
tlioght  ;  and  thilke  divyne  thought,  that 
is  j'-set  and  put  in  the  tour,  that  is  to  seyn, 
in  the  heighte,  of  the  .simplicitee  of  god. 
stablissheth  many  maner  gj-ses  totliinges 

55  that  ben  to  done ;  the  whiche  maner, 
whan  that  men  loken  it  in  thilke  pure 
clennesse  of  the  divyne  intelligence,  it  is 
j--cleped  pui'S'iaunce ;  but  whan  thilke 
maner  is  referred  by  men  to  thinges  that 

60  it  nioveth  and  disponeth,  thanne  of  olde 
men  it  was  cleped  destinee.  The  whiche 
thinges,  yif  that  any  wight  loketh  wel  in 
liis  thought  the  strengthe  of  that  oon  and 
of  that  'ither,  he  shal  lightly  mowen  seen, 

65  that  tliise  tv.'o  thinges  ben  dyverse.  For 
liurviaunco  is  thilke  di\'yne  reson  that  is 
establisshed  in  the  soverein  prince  of 
thinges  ;  the  whiche  purviaunce  dis- 
poneth alio  thinges.     But  destinee  is  the 

70  disposicioun  and  ordinaunco  clyvinge  to 
moevable  thinges,  by  the  whiche  dispo- 
sicioun the  purviaunce  knittoth  alio 
thinges  in  hir  ordres ;  for  isurviaunce 
embracetli  alle  thinges  to-hepe,  al-thogh 

75  that  the.'s'  ben  dyverse,  and  al-thogh  they 
ben  infinite  :  bitt  destinee  departeth  and 
ordeinoth  alle  thinges  sing^itlerly,  and 
divyded  in  moevinges,  in  places,  in 
formes,  in  tj-mes,  as  thus :  lat  the  un- 

80  foldinge  of  temporel  ordLnaunce,  assem- 
bled and*  ooncd  in  the  lokinge  of  the 
dh\vnc  thought,  be  clopo<l  purviaunce  ; 
and  thilke  same  assemlilinge  and  oon- 
ingo.  di\'j'<led  and  unfolden  liy  tymcs,  lat 

85  that  Vien  r-allod  destinee.  And  al-be-it  so 
that  thise  thinges  ben  dyverse,  yit  natho- 


les  hangeth  that  oon  on  that  other  ;  for- 
why  the  order  destinal  procedoth  of  the 
simplicitee  of  piir\-iaunce.  For  right  as 
a  werkman,  that  apercey\-eth  in  his 
thoght  tho  forme  of  the  thing  that  he 
wol  make,  and  moeveth  the  effect  of  the 
work,  and  ledeth  that  he  haddo  loked 
biforn  in  his  thoght  simply  and  pre- 
sentlj-,  by  temporel  ordinaiince  :  certes, 
right  so  god  disponeth  in  his  jiurviaiince, 
singiilerly  and  stably,  the  thinges  that 
ben  to  done,  but  he  aministreth  in  many 
maneres  and  in  dj-%-erse  tymes,  by  des- 
tinee, thilke  same  thinges  that  he  h.ath 
disponed.  Thanne,  whether  that  des- 
tinee be  exercysed  outlier  by  some  di\'3-ne 
spirits,  servaunts  to  the  divyne  pur- 
viaimce,  or  elles  liy  som  sowle,  or  dies  by 
alle  nature  servinge  to  god,  or  elles  l)y 
the  celestial  moevinges  of  sterres,  or  elles 
by  the  vertu  of  angeles,  or  elles  by  the 
d_y\-erse  subtilitee  of  develes,  or  elles  by 
any  of  hem,  or  elles  by  hem  alle,  the 
destinal  ordinaunco  is  y-woven  and  acom- 
plisshed.  Certes,  it  is  open  thing,  that 
the  purviaunce  is  an  unmoevable  and 
simple  forme  of  thinges  to  done  ;  and  the 
moveable  bond  and  the  temporel  ordi- 
naunco of  thinges,  whiche  that  the 
di%-j-ne  simplicitee  of  purviaimce  hath 
ordeyned  to  done,  that  is  destinee.  For 
which  it  is,  that  alle  thinges  that  Isen 
put  under  destinee  ben,  certes,  siibgits  to 
piirviaunce,  to  whiche  purviaunce  des- 
tinee itself  is  subgit  and  under.  But 
some  thinges  ben  put  under  purviaunce, 
that  surniounten  the  ordinaitnce  of  des- 
tinee ;  and  tho  ben  thilke  that  stal)ly  ben 
y-ficched  negli  to  the  firste  godhed  :  they 
surmounten  the  ordre  of  destinal  moev- 
abletoe.  For  right  as  of  cercles  that 
tornen  a-boute  a  same  centre  or  a-boute 
a  poynt,  thilke  eorcle  that  is  innerest  or 
most  wit h-inne  joyneth  to  the  simplesse 
of  the  middel,  and  is,  as  it  were,  a  centre 
or  a  i)oyut  to  that  other  cercles  that 
tornen  a-boutcn  him  ;  and  thilke  that  is 
outterest,  compassed  by  larger  env>Ton- 
ninge.  is  itnfolden  by  larger  spaces,  in  so 
moche  as  it  is  forthest  fro  the  middel 
simplicitee  of  the  pojait ;  and  yif  ther  be 


95     I 


'05 


H5 


'3'>    , 


'35 


(gott^iue.    Q^ooU  IV:   (proee  VI. 


187 


155 


i6c) 


if'5 


170 


180 


18.S 


any-tliing  that  knittetli  and  felawship- 
peth  liim-self  to  thilke  niiddel  poynt,  it 
is  constreined  in-to  simplioitee,  that  is  to 
seyn,  in-to  nnmoevahlHee,  and  it  cesetli  to 
I)e  shad  and  to  fleten  (13-%-ersely  :  right  so, 
^>.^•  semblahle  resoun,  thilke  thing  that 
departeth  forthest  fro  the  first  thoght  of 
god,  it  is  nnfoklen  and  sumniitted  to 
gi-etter  bondes  of  destinec  :  and  in  so 
moche  is  the  thing  more  free  and  lans 
fro  destinee,  as  it  axeth  and  lioldetli  him 
nor  to  thilke  centre  of  thinges,  that  is  to 
sei/n,  (lod  And  yif  the  thing  clj-^-eth  to 
tlie  stedefastnesse  of  the  thoght  of  god, 
and  be  with-oute  nioevinge,  certes,  it  sor- 
nionnteth  the  neeessitee  of  destines. 
Thanne  right  swich  coniparisoun  as  it  is 
of  skilinge  to  nnderstondinge,  and  of 
tliijig  that  is  engendred  to  thing  that  is, 
and  of  tyme  to  eternitee,  and  of  the  cercle 
to  the  centre,  right  so  is  the  ordre  of 
moevable  destinec  to  the  stable  sim- 
plicitee  of  pxirviaunce.  Thilke  ordi- 
natmce  moevetli  the  hevene  and  the 
sterrcs,  and  atcmpreth  the  elements  to- 
gider  amonges  hem-self,  and  transformeth 
hem  by  entrechaungeable  miitacioun ; 
and  thilke  same  ordre  neweth  ayein  alle 
thinges  growinge  and  fallinge  a-donn,  by 
semblable  progressiouns  of  sedes  and  of 
sexes,  that  is  to  seyn,  male  and  femele. 
And  tliis  ilke  ordre  constreineth  the  for- 
tunes and  the  dedes  of  men  by  a  bond  of 
causes,  nat  aT)le  to  ben  nnbonnde  ;  the 
whiche  destinal  causes,  whan  the.^-  passen 
out  fro  the  biginningcs  of  the  immoevable 
l>urviaunce,  it  mot  nedes  be  that  they  ne 
be  nat  mutable.  And  thus  ben  the 
thinges  ful  wel  y-governed,  yif  that  the 
simplicitee  dwellinge  in  the  divyne  thoght 
sheweth  forth  the  ordre  of  causes,  unable 
to  ben  y-bowed ;  and  this  ordre  con- 
streineth by  his  propre  stabletee  the 
moevable  thinges,  or  dies  they  sholden 
fleten  folily.  For  which  it  is,  that  alle 
thinges  semen  to  ben  confus  and  trouble 
to  us  men,  for  we  ne  mowen  nat  cqnsidei-e 
thilke  ordinaunce  ;  natheles,  the  propre 
maner  of  every  thinge,  tli-essinge  hem  to 
goodc,  disponeth  hem  alle. 

For  ther  nis  no-thing  don  for  cause  of 


yvel ;  ne  thilke  thing  that  is  don  by  -w-ik- 
kede  folk  nis  nat  don  for  yvel.  The  whiche 
slirewes,  as  I  have  showed  ful  iilenti- 
vously,  seken  good,  but  wikked  errour 
mistorneth  hem,  ne  the  ordre  cominge 
fro  the  poynt  of  soverein  good  ne  de- 
clyneth  nat  fro  his  biginninge.  But  thou 
mayst  seyn,  what  iinreste  may  ben  a 
worse  confusioun  than  that  gode  men  ban 
somtyme  adversitee  and  somtj-me  pros- 
peritee,  and  shrewes  also  now  ban 
thinges  that  they  desiren,  and  now 
thinges  that  they  haten?  Whether  men 
liven  now  in  swich  hoolnesse  of  thoght, 
(as  who  seyth,  lien  men  now  so  wyse),  that 
swiche  folk  as  they  demen  to  ben  gode 
folk  or  shrewes,  that  it  nioste  nedes  ben 
that  folk  ben  swiche  as  they  wenen  ? 
But  in  this  manere  the  domes  of  men 
discorden,  that  thilke  men  that  some 
folk  demen  worthy  of  mede,  other  folk 
demen  hem  worthy  of  torment.  Biit  lat 
us  gi-aunte,  I  pose  that  som  man  may  wel 
demen  or  knowen  tlie  gode  folk  and  the 
liadde  ;  may  he  thanne  knowen  and  seen 
thilke  innereste  atempraxmce  of  corages, 
as  it  hath  ben  wont  to  be  seyd  of  bodies  ; 
as  who  seyth,  may  a  man  speken  and  deter- 
minen  of  atempraunces  in  corages,  as  men 
were  wont  to  demen  or  speken  of  com- 
2)lexionns  and  atempratmces  of  bodies  ?  Ne 
it  ne  is  nat  an  i\nlvk  miracle,  to  hem 
that  ne  knowen  it  nat,  {as  who  seith,  but 
it  is  lyke  a  merreilor  a  miracle  to  hem  that 
ne  knowen  it  nat),  why  that  sweto  thinges 
ben  cf)venable  to  some  bodies  that  ben 
hole,  and  to  some  bodies  bittcro  thinges  : 
ben  covenable  ;  and  also,  why  that  some 
syke  folk  ben  holpeu  with  lighte  mcdi- 
cynes,  and  some  folk  ben  holpen  with 
sbai-pe  mcdicynes.  But  natheles,  the 
Icche  that  knoweth  the  manere  and  the  : 
atempraun(;e  of  hele  and  of  maladye,  ne 
nicrvcilcth  of  it  no-thing.  But  what 
other  thing  semeth  hole  of  corages  but 
bountoe  and  prowesso  f  And  what  other 
thing  semeth  maladye  of  corages  but  ; 
•\yces  ?  Who  is  elles  kepero  of  good  or 
drvn-er  awej-  of  yvel,  luit  god,  goveruour 
and  lecher  of  thoughtes  ?  The  whiche  god, 
whan   he   hath   biholden    i'rom  the  heye 


i88 


(^oef^iue.    (^ooft  iv :  (j^roee  vi. 


240  tour  of  his  purveaiiuce,  he  knoweth  what 
is  covenable  to  every  wight,  aud  leneth 
hem  that  he  wot  that  is  covenable  to 
hem.  Lo,  her-of  comth  and  lier-of  is  don 
this  noble  miracle  of  the  ordre  destinal, 

245  whan  god,  that  al  knoweth,  doth  swiche 
thing,  of  which  thing  that  unknowinge 
folk  ben  astoned.  But  for  to  constreine. 
as  who  seyth,  butfvi-  to  compreliende  and 
telle  a  fewe  thinges  of  the  divj-ue  deep- 

250  nesse,  the  whiche  that  mannes  resoun 
may  understonde,  thilke  man  that  thovi 
wenest  to  ben  right  juste  and  right  kep- 
inge  of  equitee,  the  contrarie  of  that 
semeth  to  the  divj^ne  purveaunce,  that  al 

2j;5  wot.  And  Lucan,  my  familer,  telleth 
that  "  the  victorious  cause  lykede  to  the 
goddes,  and  the  cause  overcomeu  lykede 
to  Catoun."  Thanue,  what-so-ever  thou 
mayst   seen   that  is   don   in  this  werld 

2O0  unhoj)ed  or  unweued,  certes,  it  is  the 
right  ordre  of  thinges ;  but,  as  to  thy 
wikkede  opinioun,  it  is  a  coufusioun.  But 
I  suppose  that  som  man  be  so  wel 
y-thewed,  that  the  di\'j-ne  jugement  and 

265  the  jugement  of  mankinde  acordeu  hem 
to-gider  of  him  ;  bitt  he  is  so  unstedefast 
of  corage,  that,  yif  any  atlversitee  come 
to  him,  he  wol  forleten,  par-aveuture,  to 
continue  innocence,  by  the  whiche  he  ne 

270  maj-  nat  with-holden  fortune.  Thanne 
the  wyse  dispensacioun  of  god  spareth 
him,  the  whiche  man  adversitee  mighte 
enpeyren ;  for  that  god  wol  nat  suft'ren 
him  to  travaile,  to  whom  that  travaUe 

275  nis  nat  covenable.  Another  man  is  parfit 
in  alle  vertues,  and  is  an  holy  man,  and 
negh  to  god,  so  that  the  purviaiuice  of 
god  wolde  demen,  that  it  were  a  felonye 
that  he  were  touched   with   any  adver- 

280  sitees  ;  so  that  he  wol  nat  sutfre  that 
swich  a  man  be  moeved  with  any  bodily 
maladye.  But  so  as  seyde  a  philosophre, 
the  more  excellent  by  me  :  he  seyde  in 
Grek,  that  "  vertues  hau  edified  the  body 

285  of  the  holy  man.''  And  ofte  tyme  it 
bitydeth,  that  the  somme  of  thinges  that 
ben  to  done  is  taken  to  governe  to  gode 
folk,  for  that  the  malice  haboundant  of 
shrewcs   shoMc   ben   abated.      And   god 

290  yeveth  and  departeth  to  othre  folk  pros- 


peritees  and  adversitees  y-medled  to- 
hepe,  after  the  qualitee  of  hir  corages,  and 
remordeth  som  folk  by  adversitee,  for  they 
ne  sholde  nat  wexen  proude  by  longe 
welefulnesse.  And  other  folk  he  suffreth  295 
ti>  ben  travailed  with  harde  thinges,  for 
that  they  sholden  confermen  the  vertues 
of  corage  by  the  usage  and  exercitacioun 
of  i^acience.  And  other  folk  dreden  more 
than  they  oughten  f  that  whiche  they  .5t» 
mighten  wel  beren  ;  and  somme  dispyse 
that  they  mowe  nat  beren  ;  and  thilke 
folk  god  ledeth  in-to  experience  of  him- 
self by  aspre  and  sor\\'ful  thinges.  And 
many  othre  folk  han  bought  honourable  3*^5 
renoiin  of  this  world  by  the  prj'S  of 
glorious  deeth.  And  som  men,  that  ne 
mowen  nat  ben  overcomeu  by  torments, 
have  yeven  ensaumple  to  othre  folk,  that 
vertu  may  nat  ben  overcomen  by  adver-  3i'> 
sitees  ;  aud  of  alle  thinges  ther  nis  no 
doute,  that  they  ne  ben  don  rightfully 
and  ordenely,  to  the  profit  of  hem  to 
whoni  we  seen  thise  thinges  bityde.  For 
certes,  that  adversitee  comth  somtyme  315 
to  shrewes,  aud  somtjTue  that  that  they 
desiren,  it  comth  of  thise  forseide  causes. 
And  of  sorwful  thinges  that  bityden  to 
shrewes,  certes,  no  man  ne  wondreth  ;  for 
alle  men  wenen  that  they  han  wel  de-  320 
served  it,  and  that  they  ben  of  wikkede 
merite ;  of  whiche  shrewes  the  torment 
somtyme  agasteth  othre  to  don  felonyes, 
and  somtyme  it  amendeth  hem  that 
suffren  the  torments.  And  the  pros-  325 
peritee  that  is  yeven  to  shrewes  sheweth 
a  greet  argument  to  gode  folk,  what  thing 
they  sholde  demen  of  thilke  welefulnesse, 
the  whiche  prosiJeritee  men  seen  ofte 
serven  to  shrewes.  In  the  which  thing  330 
I  trowe  that  god  dispenseth ;  ibr,  per- 
aveuture,  the  nature  of  som  man  is  so 
overthrowinge  to  yvel,  and  so  uncovea- 
ah)le,  that  the  nedy  povertee  of  his 
houshold  mighte  rather  egren  him  to  don  335 
felonyes.  And  to  the  maladye  of  him  god 
putteth  remedie,  to  yeven  him  richesses. 
And  som  other  man  biholdeth  his  con- 
science defouled  with  sinnes.  and  maketh 
cumjiarisoun  of  his  fortune  and  of  him-  340 
self;  aud  dredeth,  per-aventurc.  that  his 


QBoef0tu0.    (goo&  IV :   (nie^re  vi. 


189 


blisfulnesse,  of  which  the  visage  is  joyef'ul 
to  him,  that  tlie  lesinge  of  thilke  blisfiil- 
nesse   ne   be   nat  sor\vful  to  him ;    and 

345  tlierfor  he  wol  chaunge  his  maneres,  and, 
for  he  dredeth  to  lese  his  fortune,  he  for- 
leteth  his  wikkednesse.  To  otlire  folk  is 
welefuhiesse  y-yeven  unworthily,  the 
whiche  overthroweth  hem  in-to  distruc- 

350  cioun  that  thej^han  deserved.  And  to  som 
othre  folk  is  yeven  power  to  pnnisshen, 
for  that  it  shal  be  cause  of  contimta- 
ciotin  and  exercysinge  to  gode  tblk  and 
cause  of  torment  to  shrewes.     For  so  as 

355  ther  nis  non  alyaunce  by-twixe  gode  folk 
and  shrewes,  ne  shrewes  ne  mowen  nat 
acorden  amonges  hem-self.  And  why 
nat  ?  For  shrewes  discorden  of  hem-self 
by   hir   vyces,    the   whiche  vyces   al  to- 

360  renden  hir  consciences  ;  aiid  don  ofte 
tyme  thinges,  the  whiche  thinges,  whan 
they  han  don  hem,  they  demen  that  tho 
thinges  ne  sholden  nat  han  ben  don.  For 
which  thing  thilke  soverein  purveaunce 

365  hath  maked  ofte  tj-me  fair  miracle  ;  so 
that  shrewes  han  maked  shrewes  to  ben 
gode  men.  For  whan  that  som  shrewes 
seen  that  they  suffren  wrongfully  felonyes 
of  othre  shrewes,  they  wexen  eschaufed 

370  in-to  hate  of  hem  that  anoyeden  hem,  and 
retornen  t<j  the  frut  of  vertu,  whan  they 
studien  to  ben  unlyk  to  hem  that  they 
han  hated.  Certes,  only  this  is  the  divyne 
might,  to  the  whiche  niight  >'veles  ben 

375  thanne  gode,  whan  it  xxseth  tho  yveles 
covenably,  and  draweth  out  the  effect  of 
any  gode ;  as  who  seyth,  that  ijiyl  is  guod 
only  to  the  mifjhtofgod,  for  the  might  o/yod 
ordeyneth  thilke  yvel  to  good.         For  oon 

380  ordre  embraseth  alle  thinges,  so  that 
what  wight  that  departeth  fro  the  resoun 
of  thilke  ordre  which  that  is  assigned  to 
him,  algates  yit  he  slydeth  in-to  another 
ordre,  so  that  no-thing  nis  leveful  to  folye 

:^85  in  the  reame  of  the  divyne  purviaunce  ; 
as  who  sei/th,  nothing  nis  with-outen  ordi- 
naiince  in  tlte  reame  of  the  divyne  pur- 
viaunce :  sin  that  the  right  stronge  god 
governeth  alle  thinges  in  this  world.    For 

390  it  nis  nat  leveful  to  man  to  compre- 
henden  by  wit,  ne  unfolden  by  word,  alle 
the  subtil  oniinaunces  and  disposiciouns 


of  the  divyne  entente.  For  only  it  oiighte 
suffise  to  han  loked,  that  god  him-self, 
maker  of  alle  natu.res,  ordeineth  and  395 
dresseth  alle  thinges  to  gode  ;  whyl  that 
he  hasteth  to  ^vith-holden  the  thinges 
that  he  hath  maked  in-to  his  semblaunce, 
that  is  to  seyn,  for  to  ivith-holden  thinges 
in-to  good,  for  he  him-self  is  good,  he  400 
chaseth  out  al  yv'el  fro  the  boundes  of  his 
comunalitee  by  the  ordre  of  necessitee 
destinable.  For  which  it  folweth,  that 
yif  thou  loke  the  piirviaunce  ordeininge 
the  thinges  that  men  wenen  ben  out-  405 
rageous  or  haboundant  in  erthes,  thou  ne 
shalt  not  seen  in  no  place  no-thing  of 
y\'el.  But  I  see  now  that  thoix  art 
charged  with  the  weighte  of  the  ques- 
tioun,  and  wery  with  the  lengthe  of  my  ^10 
resoun  ;  and  that  thou  abydest  som  sweet- 
nesse  of  songe.  Tak  thanne  this  draught ; 
and  whan  thoix  art  wel  refresshed  and 
refect,  thou  shal  be  more  stedefast  to  stye 
in-to  heyere  questiouns.  415 

Metre  VI.    iS'i  vis  celsi  inra  tonantis. 

If  thou,  ■svys,  wilt  demen  in  thy  pure 
thought  the  rightes  or  the  lawes  of  the 
heye  thonderer,  that  is  to  seyn,  of  god,  lolce 
thou  and  biliold  the  heightes  of  the 
soverein  hevene.  There  kepen  the  sterres,  5 
)jy  rightful  alliaunce  of  thinges,  hir  olde 
pees.  The  Sonne,  y-moeved  by  his  rody 
fyr,  ne  distorbeth  nat  the  colde  cerclo  of 
the  mone.  Ne  the  sterre  y-cleped  '  the 
Bere,'  that  enclyneth  his  ravisshinge  10 
courses  abouten  the  soverein  heighte  of 
the  worlde,  ne  the  same  sterre  Ursa  nis 
never-mo  wasshen  in  the  depe  westrenc 
see,  ne  coveiteth  nat  to  deyen  his  flaumbes 
in  the  see  of  the  occian,  al-thi>gh  he  sec  15 
otlire  sterres  y-plounged  in  tho  see.  And 
Hesperus  the  sterre  bodeth  and  telleth 
alwey  the  late  nightes  ;  and  Lucifer  the 
sterre  l)ringeth  ayein  the  clere  day.  And 
thus  maketh  Love  entrechaungeablc  the  2" 
perdurable  courses ;  and  thus  is  discord- 
able  bataile  y-put  out  of  tho  contreo  of 
the  sterres.  This  acordaunce  atemprctli 
by  evenelyk  maneres  the  elements,  that 
the   nioiste   thinges,    stry-vinge  with  the  25 


IQO 


(gott^iuB.     (gooft  IV:    (j?trO0«  VII. 


drj-e  thinges,  yeven  place  by  stoundes ; 
and  the  colde  tliinges  joynen  hem  by 
fej'th  to  the  hote  thinges ;  and  that  the 
lighte  fyr  aryseth  in-to  heighte  ;  and  the 

30  he\'y  erthes  avalen  by  hir  weightes.  By 
thise  same  causes  the  floury  yeer  yildeth 
swote  smelles  in  the  firste  somer-sesouu 
warniinge  ;  and  the  hote  somer  dryeth 
the  comes  ;  and  autumpne  comth  ayein, 

35  he^'y   of  apples ;    and  the  fletinge   rejTi 

bideweth  the  winter.     This  atempraunce 

•  norissheth  and  bringeth  forth  al  thing 

that  f  bretheth  lyf  in  this  world ;    and 

thilke   same   atempraiince,    ravisshinge, 

40  hydeth  and  binimeth,  and  drencheth 
under  the  laste  deeth,  alle  thinges  y-born. 
Amonges  thise  thinges  sitteth  the  heye 
maker,  king  and  lord,  welle  and  begin- 
uinge,  la  we  and  wys  juge,  to  don  equitee  ; 

45  and  governeth  and  enclyneth  the  brydles 
of  thinges.  And  tho  thinges  that  he 
stercth  to  gon  by  nioe\'Lnge,  he  with- 
draweth  and  arcsteth  ;  and  affermeth  the 
moevable  or  wandringe  thinges.     For  yif 

50  that  he  ne  clepcde  ayein  the  right  goinge 
of  thinges,  and  yif  that  he  ne  con- 
streinede  hem  nat  eft-sones  in-to  round- 
nesses enclynede,  the  thinges  that  ben 
now  continued  bj^  stable  ordinaunce,  they 

55  sholden  departen  from  hir  welle,  that  is  to 
seyn,  from  hir  bi<jinninfje,  and  faylen,  that 
is  to  seyn,  tome  in-to  tiought.  This  is 
the  comiuae  Love  to  alle  thinges  ;  and  alio 
thinges  axen  to  ben  holden  by  the  fyn  of 

60  good.  For  dies  ne  mighten  they  nat 
lasten  ;  yif  they  ne  come  nat  eft-sones 
ayein,  by  Love  retomed,  to  the  cause  that 
hath  yeven  hem  beinge,  that  is  to  seyn,  tv 
'jod. 

Pkose  VII.     Inmne  iijittir  iiides. 

Sccstow  nat  thanne  what  thing  folweth 
alle  the  thinges  that  I  have  seyd?  ' 
Boece.  '  What  thing  ? '  quod  I. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  al-outrely.  that  alle 
5  i'ortune  is  good.'  '  And  how  may  that 

be  y  '  quod  I. 

'  Xow  understand, '  quod  she,  '  so  as  alle 
fortune,  v.-hethcr  so  it  be  j\)yeful  fortune 
or  aspre  fortune,  is  yeveu  either  by  cause 


of  guerdoning  or  elles  of  exercysinge  of  10 
good  folk,  or  elles  by  cause  to  punissheii 
or  elles  chastysen  shrewes  ;  thanne  is  alle 
fortune  good,  the  whiche  fortune  is  cer- 
tein  that  it  be  either  rightful  or  elles 
Ijrotitable.'  '  Forsothe,    this   is   a   ful  15 

verray  resoun,' quod  I ;  "and  yif  I  con- 
sider the  puxviatmce  and  the  destinee 
that  thovi  taiightest  me  a  litel  her-bifom, 
this  sentence  is  sustened  bj^  stedefast 
resouns.  But  j-if  it  lyke  unto  thee,  lat  us  jn, 
noumbren  hem  amonges  thilke  thinges, 
of  whiche  thou  seydest  a  litel  her-bifom, 
that  they  ne  were  nat  able  to  ben  wened 
to  the  poeple.' 

'  Wliy  so'? '  quod  she.         '  For  that  the  25 
comvine  word  of  men,'  quod  I,  '  misuseth 
this  maner  spechc  of  fortune,  and  seyn  oftc 
tymes  that  the  fortune  of  som  wight  is 
wikkede.' 

'  Wiltow   thanne,'   quod   she,    "that   I  30 
aproche  a  litel  to  the  wordes  of  the  jjoeple, 
so  that  it  seme  nat  to  hem  that  I  be  over- 
moche  departed  as  fro  the  usage  of  man- 
kinde  ?  '         '  As  thou  wolt,'  quod  I. 

•  Demestow  nat,'   quod   she,    '  that  al  35 
thing  that  profit eth  is  good  ? '         '  Yis,' 
quod  I. 

'And  certes,  thilke  thing  that  exer- 
cyseth  or.corigeth,  profiteth  "?  '  'I  con- 
fesse  it  wol,'  quod  I.  40 

I       '  Thanne  is  it  good  ?  '  quod  she.       '  Why 

I  nat  ?  '  quod  I. 

'But  this  is  the  fortune,'  quod  she,  'of 
hem  that  either  ben  put  in  vertu  and 
batailen  ayeins  aspre  thinges,  or  elles  of  45 
hem  that  eschuen  and  declynen  fro  vyces 
and  taken  the  wey  of  vertu.'  '  This  no 
may  I  nat  denye, '  quo<.l  I. 

'  But  what  sej'stow  of  the  mery  fortune 

I  that  is  yeven  to  g<x>d  folk  in  g^erdoun  'i  50 

j  Demeth  aught  the  poeple  that  it  is  wik- 
ked?'  'Nay,  forsothe,'  quod  I;  'but 

they  demen,  as  it  sooth  is,  that  it  is  right 

I  good.' 

'  And  what  seystow  of  that  other  for-  55 

[  tune. '  quod  she,  '  that,  al-thogh  that  it  be 
aspre,  and  rcstreineth  the  shrewes  by 
rightful  torment,  weneth  aught  the 
poeple  that  it  be  good?  '  •  Xaj-,'  quod 
I.  •  but  the  poeple  demeth  that  it  is  most  60 


(goef^tua.    (^ooft  iv :   (Tllefre  vii. 


191 


wrecched  of  alle  thinges  tliat  may  beu 
thought.' 

'War  now,   aud  loke   wel,'  quod   she, 
•  lest  that  we,  in  folwinge  the  opiuioun  of 

65  the  poeplo,  have  confessed  and  couchided 
thing  that  is  unable  to  be  wened  to  the 
])oeple.'         '  \^Tiat  is  that,'  quod  I. 

'  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  it  folweth  or  comth 
of  thinges  that  ben  graunted,  that  alle 

70  fortune,  what-so-ever  it  be,  of  hem  that 
ben  either  in  possessioun  of  vertu,  or  in 
the  encres  ©f  vertu,  or  elles  in  the  pur- 
chasinge  of  vertu,  that  thilke  fortune  is 
g<x)d  ;  and  that  alle  fortune  is  right  wik- 

75  kede  to  hem  that  dwellen  in  shrewed- 
uesse  ; '  as  who  seyth,  and  thus  weiieth  nat 
thepoeple.  '  That  is  sooth,'  quod  I,  '  al- 
be-it  so  that  no  man  dar  confesse  it  ne 
bikuowen  it.' 

So  '  Wliy  so  y '  <ju<)d  she  ;  '  for  right  as  the 
stronge  man  ne  semeth  nat  to  abaissen  or 
disdaignen  as  ofte  tjTne  as  he  hereth  the 
noise  of  the  bataile,  no  also  it  ue  semeth 
nat,  to  the  wyse  man,  to  beren  it  gre- 

85  vously,  as  ofte  as  he  is  lad  in-to  the  stryf 
of  fortune.  For  bothe  to  that  oon  man 
and  eek  to  that  other  thilke  difficultee  is 
the  matere  ;  to  that  oon  man,  of  encres 
of    his    gh^rious    renoun,    and    to    that 

90  other  man,  to  confirme  his  sajiience,  that 
is  to  seyn,  to  the  asprenesse  of  his  estat. 
For  therfore  is  it  called  ''vertu,"  for 
that  it  susteneth  and  enforseth,  Ijy  hise 
strengthes,  that  it  nis  nat  overcomen  by 

95  advcrsitecs.  Ne  certes,  thou  that  art  put 
in  the  encres  or  in  the  heighte  of  vertu, 
ne  hast  nat  comen  to  fleten  with  delices, 
and  for  to  welkeu  in  bodily  luste  ;  thou 
sowcst  or  plauntest  a  ftil  egre  bataile  in 
iix)  thxj  corage  ayeins  every  fortune  :  for  that 
the  sorwful  fortune  ne  confounde  tlieo 
nat,  ne  that  the  merj^e  fortune  ne  co- 
rumpo  thee  nat,  occtipyc  the  mene  by 
stedofast  strengthes.  For  al  that  ever  is 
105  under  the  mene,  or  elles  al  that  over- 
l^asscth  the  mene,  despyseth  welefulnesse 
{as  ivho  seijth,  it  is  vicious),  and  ne  hath  no 
mode  of  his"travaile.  For  it  is  set  in  your 
hand  [as  icho  seyth,  it  lyth  in  your  power) 
1 10  what  fortune  yow  is  levest,  that  is  to  seyn, 
(jood  or  yvel.    For  alle  fortune  that  semeth 


sharp  or  ashore,  yif  it  ne  exerc^'se  nat  the 
yode  folk  ne  chastyseth  the  tvikked  folk,  it 
punissheth. 

Metke  VII.     Bella  his  ipdnis  vperatus 
annis. 

The   wreker   Attrides,    that  is  to  seyn, 
Agamenon,  that  wroughte  and  continuede 
the  batailes  by  ten  j-eer,  recovered  and 
purgede  in  icrekinge,  by  the  destruccioun 
of  Troj^e,  the  loste  chaumljres  of  mariage  5 
of  his  brother ;   this  is  to    seyn,  that  he, 
Agamenon,    tcan  ayein  Eleyne,    that    was 
Menelaus  wyf  his  brother.     In  the  mene 
whyle  that  thilke  Agamenon  desirede  to 
yeven  sayles  to  the  Greldssh  navye,  and  10 
boiighte  aj^ein  the  windes  by  blood,  he 
unclothede  him  of  jiitee  of  fader;  and  the 
sory  preest    yiveth    in    sacrityinge    the 
wrecched  cuttinge  of  throte  of  the  dough- 
ter;    that  is  to  seyn,   that  Ayamenon  let  15 
cutten   the   throte   of   his   douyhter  by  th^ 
2)reest,  to  maken  allyaunce  ivith  his  yoddes, 
and  for  to  han  wind  icith  whichc  he  miyhia 
wenden  to  Troye.         Itacus,  that  is  to  seyn, 
Ulixes,    biwepte   his   felawes  y-lorn,    the  jo 
whiche  felawes  the  ferse  Poliphemus,  lig- 
ginge  in  his  grete  cave,  liadde  freten  and 
tlrcynt  in  his  emi^ty  wombo.     Biit  nathu- 
Ics  Poliphemus,  wood  for  his  blindc  visage, 
yald  to  Ulixes  joye  by  his  sorwful  teres ;  -25 
that  is  to  seyn,  that   Ulixes  smoot  out  the 
eye  of  Poliphemus  that  stood  in  his  forehed, 
for  tchich  Ulixes  hadde  Joye,  ichun  he  say 
Poliphemus  icepinye  and   blinde.         Her- 
cules is  celebrable  for  his  harde  travailes ;  30 
he  dauntede  the  proude  Centavircs,  half 
hors,   half  man ;   and  he  biraftc  the  di- 
siwylinge  fro  the  cruel  lyoun,  that  is  to 
seyn,  he  sloich  the  lyoun  and  rafte  him  his 
skin.     He  smoot  the  briddes  that  hiyhten  35 
Arpyes  with  certein  arwcs.    Ho  ravisshedo 
apples  fro  the  wakinge  dragoun,  antl  his 
hand  was  the  more  hevy  for  the  goldeno 
metal.     He  drow  Cerberus,  the  hound  of 
helle,   by  his  treble   cheyne.     He,   over-  40 
comer,  as  it  is  seyd,  hath  put  an  unmeko 
lord  loddre  to  his  cruel  hors  ;  this  is  to 
seyn,   that  Hercules  sloich  Diomedes,  and 
made   his   hors  to  freten  him.     And   he, 


192 


(gott^inB.    (gooli  V:   (j)ro0e  i. 


45  Herciiles,  slowh  Yclra  the  serpent,  and 
brende  the  venim.  And  Achelous  the 
flood,  defonled  in  his  forhed,  dreynte  his 
shamefast  visage  in  his  strondes ;  this  is 
to  seyn,  that  Achelous  coitde   transfigure 

50  himself  in-to  dy verse  lyknesses  :  and,  as  he 
faught  with  Herades,  at  the  laste  he  tornede 
him  in-to  a  hole  :  and  Hercules  brak  ofoon 
of  his  homes,  and  he,  for  shame,  hidde  him 
in  his  river.      And    he,    Hercules,    caste 

55  adovin  Antheus  the  gyaunt  in  the 
strondes  of  Libie  ;  and  Cacus  apaj'sede 
the  wratthes  of  Evander  ;  this  is  to  seyn, 
that  Hercules  slov:h  the  inonstre  Cacus,  and 
apaysede  with   that  deeth   the  wratthe  of 

&)  Evander.  And  the  bristlede  boor  niarkede 
with  scomes  the  shuldres  of  Hercxiles.  the 


whiche  shuklres  the  heye  cerele  f>f  hevene 
sholde  thriste.  And  the  last«  of  his  la- 
bours was,  that  he  sustened  the  hevene 
up-on  his  nekke  unbowed  ;  and  he  de-  65 
ser^'ede  eft-sones  the  hevene,  to  ben  the 
prys  of  his  laste  travaile.  Goth  now 
thanne,  ye  stronge  men,  ther-as  the  heye 
wey  of  the  grete  ensanniple  ledeth  yow. 
O  nyce  men,  why  nake  yo  youre  bakkes  ?  70 
As  who  seyth  :  O  ye  sloive  and  delicat  men, 
xchy  flee  ye  adversitees,  and  ne  fighten  nat 
ayeins  hem  by  vertu,  to  u-innen  the  mede  of 
the  hevene  ?  For  the  erthe,  overcomen, 
yeveth  the  sterres ' ;  this  is  to  seyn,  that,  75 
wluin  that  erthely  lust  is  overcomen,  a  man 
is  maked  tcurthy  to  the  hevene. 


BOOK    V 


Prose  I. 


Di.rerat,   orationisqne 
citrsum. 


She  hadde  seyd,  and  torned  the  cours 
of  hir  resoun  to  some  othre  thinges  to  ben 
treted  and  to  ben  y-sped.  Thanne  seyde 
I,  '  Certes,  rightful  is  thyn  amonestinge 
5  and  fill  digne  by  auctoritec.  But  that 
thou  seidest  whylom,  that  the  questioun 
of  the  divyne  purviaunco  is  enlaced  with 
many  other  questiouns,  I  undorstonde 
wel  and  proeve  it  by  the  same  thing.  But 

10  I  axe  yif  that  thou  wenest  that  hap  be 
any  thing  in  any  weys ;  and,  j-if  thou 
wenest  that  haj)  be  anj-thing,  what  is 
it?' 

Thanne  qiiod  she,  '  I  haste  me  to  >-ilden 

15  and  assoilen  to  thee  the  dette  of  my 
bihest,  andtoshewen  and  opnenthewey, 
Ijy  which  wey  thoix  mayst  come  aycin  to 
thy  contreo.  But  al-be-it  so  that  the 
thinges  which  that  thou  axest  ben  right 

20  profitable  to  knowe,  j-it  hen  they  diverse 
somwhat  fro  the  path  of  mj-  jiurpos  ;  and 
it  is  to  douten  that  thou  ne  be  maked 
wery  by  mis-weyes,  so  that  thou  ne  mayst 
nat  suffyce  to  mesuren   the   right  wey.' 

25  '  Ne  doute  thee  ther-of  nothing,'  (juod  I. 


'  For,  for  to  knowen  thilke  thinges  to- 
gedere,  in  the  whiche  thinges  I  delyte  me 
greetly,  that  shal  ben  to  nae  in  stede  of 
reste ;  sin  it  is  nat  to  douten  oi  the 
thinges  folwinge,  wlian  every  syde  of  thy  30 
disputacioun  shal  lian  be  stedefast  to  me 
by  undoutous  feith.' 

Thanne  seyde  she,  '  That  manere  wol 
I  don  thee  ' ;  and  bigan  to  speken  right 
thus.  'Certes,'  quod  she,  'yif  any  wight  35 
diffinisshe  hap  in  this  manere,  that  is  to 
seyn,  that  "  hap  is  bitydinge  y-brought 
forth  by  foolish  moevinge  and  by  no 
knettinge  of  caixses,"  I  conferme  that  hap 
nis  right  naught  in  no  wj-se  ;  and  I  deme  4t> 
al-outrely  that  liai>  nis,  ne  dwelleth  but 
a  voice,  as  tcho  seith,  but  an  ydel  word, 
with-outen  any  significacioun  of  thing 
submitted  to  that  vols.  For  what  place 
mighto  ben  left,  or  dwellinge,  to  folye  45 
and  to  disordenauncc,  sin  that  god  ledeth 
and  constreineth  alle  thinges  by  ordre  ? 
^^)r  this  sentence  is  verray  and  sooth, 
that  "  nothing  ne  hath  his  beinge  of 
naught "  ;  to  the  whiche  sentence  none  50 
of  thise  olde  folk  ne  withseyde  never  ; 
al-be-it  so  that  they  ne  iinderstoden  ne 
nieneden  it  naught  by  god,  i)rinco  and 


(goH^iue.    (gooft  V:   $roee  ii. 


193 


beginnere  of  werkinge,  but  tbey  casten 

55  [it]  as  a  manere  foundement  of  subject 
material,  that  is  to  seyn,  of  the  nature  of 
alle  resoun.  Anil  yif  that  any  thing  is 
woxen  or  comen  of  no  causes,  than  shal  it 
seme  that  thilke  thing  is  comen  or  woxen 

60  of  naught ;  but  yif  this  ne  may  nat  ben 
don,  thanne  is  it  nat  possible,  that  hap 
be  any  swich  thing  as  I  have  diffinisshed 
a    litel    heer-biforn.'  '  How    shal    it 

thanne  be  ?  '  quod  I.     '  Nis  ther  thanne 

65  no-thing  that  by  right  may  be  cleped 
either  "  hap  "  or  elles  "  aventure  of  for- 
tune "  ;  or  is  ther  aught,  al-be-it  so  that 
it  is  hid  fro  the  peple,  to  which  these 
wordes  ben  covenable  ?  ' 

70  'Myn  Aristotulis,'  quod  she,  'in  the 
book  of  his  Phisik,  diffinissheth  this  thing 
by  short  resoun,  and  neigh  to  the  sothe.' 
'  In  which  manere?  '  quod  I. 

'  As  ofte,'  quod  she,  '  as  men  doon  any 

75  thing  for  grace  of  any  other  thing,  and 
an-other  thing  than  thilke  thing  that 
men  entenden  to  don  bitydeth  by  some 
causes,  it  is  cleped  "  hap."  Eight  as 
a  man  dalf  the  erthe  by  cause  of  tilyinge 

80  of  tlie  feeld,  and  founde  ther  a  gobet  of 
gold  bidolven,  thanne  wenen  iblk  that  it 
is  bifalle  by  fortunous  bitydinge.  But, 
for  sothe,  it  nis  nat  of  naught,  for  it  hath 
his  propre  causes  ;  of  whiche  causes  the 

85  cours  unforeseyn  and  unwar  semeth  to 
han  maked  hax^.  For  yif  the  tilyere  of 
the  feld  ne  dolve  nat  in  the  erthe,  and  yif 
the  hyder  of  the  gold  ne  hadde  hid  the 
gold  in  thilke  place,  the  gold  ne  hadde 

91*  nat  been  founde.  Thise  ben  thanne  the 
causes  of  the  abreggingo  of  fortuit  hap, 
the  which  abreggingo  of  fortuit  hap 
comth  of  causes  encountringe  and  flow- 
inge  to-gidere  to  hem-self,  and  nat  by  the 

95  entencioun  of  the  doer.  For  neither  the 
hyder  of  the  gold  ne  the  delver  of  the 
feeld  ne  understoden  nat  that  the  gold 
sholde  han  ben  founde  ;  but,  as  I  sayde, 
it  bitiddo  and  ran  to-gidere  that  he  dalf 
100  ther-as  that  other  hadde  liid  the  gold. 
Now  may  I  thus  diffinisshe  "  hap."  Hap 
is  an  unwar  bitydinge  of  causes  assem- 
bled in  thingcs  that  ben  don  for  soni 
other  thing.  Bvit  thilke  ordre,  proeedinge 


by  an  uneschuablo  bindinge  to-gidere,  105 
which  that  descendeth  fro  the  welle  of 
purviaunce  that  ordeineth  alle  thinges  in 
hir  places  and  in  hir  tymes,  maketh  that 
the  causes  rennen  and  assemblen  to- 
gidere.  no 

Metre  I.     Rupis  Achemenie  scojmlis, 
ubi  uersa  sequentum. 

Tigris  and  Eufrates  resolven  and 
springen  of  00  welle,  in  tlie  cragges  of  the 
roche  of  the  con  tree  of  Achemenie,  ther-as 
the  fleinge  bataile  ficchoth  hir  dartes, 
retorned  in  the  brestes  of  hem  that  fol-  5 
wen  hem.  And  sone  after  tho  same 
riveres,  Tigris  and  Eufrates,  unjoinen  and 
departen  hir  wateres.  And  yif  they 
comen  to-gideres,  and  ben  assembled  and 
cleped  to-gidere  into  o  cours,  thanne  10 
moten  thilke  thinges  fleten  to-gidere 
which  that  the  water  of  the  entre- 
chaunginge  flood  bringeth.  The  shippes 
and  the  stokkes  arraced  with  the  flood 
moten  assemblen  ;  and  tho  wateres  y-  15 
medled  wrappeth  or  implyeth  many  for- 
tunel  liappes  or  maneres ;  the  whiche 
wandringe  happes,  natheles,  thilke  de- 
clyninge  lownesse  of  the  erthe  and  the 
flowinge  ordre  of  tho  slydinge  water  20 
governeth.  Right  so  Fortune,  that  semeth 
as  that  it  fleteth  witli  slaked  or  un- 
governede  brydles,  it  suffereth  brydles, 
that  is  to  seyn,  to  be  governed,  and  passeth 
by  thilke  la  we,  that  is  to  seyn,  by  thilke  25 
divyne  ordenaunce.' 


Pkosf,  II.     Animadufivto,  inqunm. 

'  This  understonde  I  wel,'  quod  I,  '  and 
I  acorde  wel  that  it  is  right  as  thou 
seyst.  But  I  axe  yif  ther  be  any  libertee 
of  free  wil  in  this  ordre  of  causes  that 
clyven  thiis  to-gidere  in  hem-self;  or  5 
elles  I  wolde  witen  yif  that  the  destinal 
cheyno  constreineth  the  movinges  of  the 
coragcs  of  men  ? ' 

'  Yis,'   quod   sho  ;    '  ther   is   liborteo   of 
free   wil.      Ne   ther   no   was    novoro   no  10 
nature  of  resoun  that  it  no  hadde  libertee 


194 


(gott^iufi.    (^ooft  V:   (nietre  ii. 


of  free  wil.  For  every  thing  that  may 
naturely  usen  resonn,  it  hath  doom  hy 
which   it   decerneth   and   demeth   every 

15  thing ;  thanne  knoweth  it,  hy  it-self, 
thinges  that  hen  to  fleen  and  thinges 
that  hen  to  desiren.  And  thilke  thing 
that  any  wight  demeth  to  hen  desired, 
that  axeth   or   desireth  he;    and  fleeth 

20  thilke  thing  that  he  troweth  hen  to  fleen. 
Wherfore  in  alle  thinges  that  resoun  is, 
in  hem  also  is  lihertee  of  williuge  and  of 
nillinge.  But  I  ne  ordeyne  nat,  as  who 
aeyth,  I  ne  graunte  nat,  that  this  lihertee 

25  be  evene-lyk  in  alle  thinges.  Forwhy  in 
the  sovereiues  de\-yiies  suhstaunees,  that 
is  to  seyn,  in  spiriUi,  jugement  is  more 
cleer,  and  wil  nat  y-corumped,  and  might 
redy  to  spedeu  thinges  that  ben  desired. 

30  But  the  soules  of  men  moten  nedes  he 
more  free  whan  they  loken  hem  in  the 
speculacioun  or  lokinge  of  the  devyne 
thought,  and  lasse  free  whan  they  slyden 
in-to  the  bodies  ;  and  yit  lasse  free  whan 

35  they  ben  gadcred  to-gidere  and  compre- 
hended in  erthely  membres.  But  the 
laste  servaga  is  whan  that  they  ben  yeven 
to  ■^'yces,  and  han  y-faUe  from  the  jjos- 
sessioun  of  hir  propre  resoun.     For  after 

40  that  they  han  cast  awey  hir  eyen  fro  the 
light  of  the  sovereyn  soothfastnesse  to 
lowe  thinges  and  derke,  anon  they  derken 
by  the  cloude  of  ignoraunce  and  ben 
troubled    by    felonous    taler.ts ;    to    the 

45  whiche  talents  whan  the.v  aproehen  and 
asenten,  they  heiien  and  cncresen  the 
servage  wliiclj  they  han  joyned  to  hem- 
self;  and  in  this  manere  they  hen  caitifs 
fro  hir    propre    lihertee.      The    whiche 

50  thinges,  nathelesse,  the  lokinge  of  the 
devyne  purviaunce  seeth,  that  alio  thinges 
biholdeth  and  seeth  fro  cterne,  and  or- 
deineth  hem  everich  in  hir  merites  as 
they  ben  predestinat  :   and  it  is  scyd  in 

5.=)  Greek,  that  "alle  thinges  he  seeth  and 
alle  thinges  he  hereth.'' 

Mecri:  II.     Puro  claruin  luinine  Phebum. 

Homer  with  the  hony  mouth,  tTiat  is  to 
seyn,  Ilom^r  with  the  sweie  ditees,  singeth, 
that   the  sonne  is  cleer  by  pure  light ; 


natheles  yit  ne  naay  it  nat,  l)y  the  infirme 
light  of  his  hemes,  breken  or  percen  the  5 
inwarde  entrailes  of  the  erthe,  or  cllcs  of 
the  see.     So  ne  seeth  nat  god,  maker  of 
the  grete  world  :  to  him,  that  loketh  alle 
thinges  from  an  heigh,  ne  withstondeth 
nat  no  thinges  bj'  hevinesse  of  erthe  ;  ne  10 
the  night  ne  withstondeth  nat  to  him  bj' 
the  blake  cloudes.     Thilke  god  seeth,   in 
00  strok  of  thought,  alle  thinges  that  ben, 
or  weren,   or  shoUe  comen  ;   and  thilke 
god,  for  he  loketh  and  seeth  alle  thinges  15 
idone,  thou  mayst   seyn  that  he  is  the 
verray  Sonne.' 


Pkose  III.     Turn  ego,  en,  inquam, 

Thanne  seyde  I,  '  now  am  I  confounded 
by  a  more  hard  doute  than  I  was.' 

'  A\Tiat  doute  is  that  ?  '  qiaod  she.  '  For 
certes,  I  conjecte  now  by  whiche  thinges 
thou  art  troubled.'  5 

'  It  semeth,'  quod  I,  '  to  repugnen  and 
to  contrarien  greetly,  that  god  knoweth 
biforn  alle  thinges,  and  that  thcr  is  any 
freedom  of  libertee  For  yif  so  be  that 
god  loketh  alle  thinges  biforn,  no  god  ne  10 
may  nat  ben  desseived  in  no  manere, 
than  mot  it  nedes  been,  that  alle  thinges 
bityden  the  whiche  that  the  purviaunce 
of  god  hath  seyn  biforn  to  comen.  For 
which,  yif  that  god  knoweth  biforn  nat  15 
only  the  werkes  of  men,  but  also  hir 
conseiles  and  hir  willes,  thanne  ne  shal 
ther  be  no  libertee  of  arbitro  ;  ne,  certes, 
ther  ne  may  be  noon  other  dede,  ne  no 
wil,  but  thilke  wliich  that  the  di\'yne  20 
purviaunce,  that  may  nat  ben  desseived, 
hath  feled  biforn.  For  j-if  that  they 
mighten  -wrythen  awey  in  othre  manere 
than  they  ben  purveyed,  than  sholdc  ther 
be  no  stedefast  prescience  of  thing  to  25 
comen,  but  rather  an  nncertein  opinioun  ; 
the  whiche  thing  to  trowen  of  god,  I  dome 
it  felonye  and  unlpvefnl.  Ne  I  ne  proeve 
nat  thilke  same  resoun,  as  who  se.yth,  I  ne 
alowc  nat,  or  I  ne  preyse  nat,  thilke  same  30 
resoun,  by  which  that  som  men  wenen 
that  they  mowen  assoilen  and  unknitten 
the  knotte  of  this  question  n.  For,  certes, 


(goef$tue.    (^ooft  v:   (proee  in. 


195 


they  seyn   that  thing  nis  nat  to  comen 

■5  for  that  the  purviaunce  of  god  hath  seyn 
it  bifom  that  is  to  comen,  but  rather  the 
contrarye,  and  that  is  this  :  tliat,  for  that 
the  thing  is  to  comen,  therfore  ne  may  it 
nat  ben  hid  fro  the  pui-viaunce  of  god  ; 

40  and  in  this  manere  this  necessitee  slydeth 
ayein  in-to  the  contrarye  partye  :  ne  it 
ne  bihovcth  nat,  nedes,  that  thinges  bi- 
tydon  that  ben  pnrvyed,  but  it  bihoveth, 
nedes,   that  thinges  that  ben  to  comen 

45  ben  y-porveyed :  but  as  it  were  j^-tra vailed, 
as  who  seyth,  that  thilke  ansicere  procedeth 
right  as  thogh  men  travaileden,  or  weren 
bisy  to  enque?-en,  the  whiche  thing  is  cause 
of  the  whiche  thing  : — as,  whether  the 

50  prescience  is  cause  of  the  necessitee  of 
thinges  to  comen,  or  clles  that  the 
necessitee  of  thinges  to  comen  is  cause 
of  the  purviaunce.  But  I  ne  enforce  me 
nat  now  to  slicwen  it,  that  the  bitydinge 

55  of  thinges  y-wist  biforn  is  necessarie,  how 
so  or  in  what  manere  that  the  ordre  of 
causes  hath  it-self;  al-thogh  that  it  ne 
seme  nat  that  the  prescience  bringe  in 
necessitee    of   bitydinge    to    thinges    to 

(m  comen.  For  certes,  yif  that  any  wight 
sitteth,  it  bihoveth  by  necessitee  that  the 
opinioun  be  sooth  of  him  that  conjectetli 
that  he  sitteth  ;  and  ayein  ward  also  is  it 
of  the   contrarye  :   yif  the   opinioun  be 

65  sooth  of  any  wight  for  that  he  sitteth, 
it  bihoveth  by  necessitee  that  he  sitte. 
Thanne  is  heer  necessitee  in  that  oon 
and  in  that  other  :  for  in  that  oon  is 
necessitee  of  sittinge,  and,  certes,  in  that 

70  other  is  necessitee  of  sooth.  But  therfore 
ne  sitteth  nat  a  wight,  for  that  the 
opinioun  of  the  sittinge  is  sooth  ;  but  the 
opinioun  is  rather  sooth,  for  tliat  a  wight 
sitteth  biforn.     And  thus,  al-thugh  that 

75  the  cause  of  the  sooth  cometh  of  that 
other  syde  {as  who  seyth,  that  al-thogh  the 
cause  0/ sooth  comth  of  the  silting,  and  nat 
of  the  treux  oxnnioun),  algates  yit  is  ther 
comune   necessitee  in   that   oon   and  in 

80  that  other.  Thus  shewcth  it,  that  I  may 
make  semblablo  sidles  of  the  purviaunce 
of  god  and  of  thinges  to  comen.  For 
althogh  that,  for  that  thinges  i)en  to 
comen,  ther-fore  ben  they  purveyed,  nat, 


certes,  for  that  they  ben  purveyed,  ther- 
fore ne  bityde  they  nat.  Yit  natheles, 
bihoveth  it  by  necessitee,  that  either  the 
thinges  to  comen  ben  y-purveyed  of  god, 
or  elles  that  the  thinges  that  ben  pur- 
veyed of  god  bityden.  And  this  thuig 
only  sufQseth  y-nough  to  destroyen  tlie 
freedom  of  cure  arbitrc,  that  is  to  seyn.  of 
cure  free  icil.  But  now,  certes,  sheweth  it 
wel,  hoiv  fer  fro  the  sothe  and  how  up-so- 
doun  is  this  thing  that  we  sejm,  that  the 
bitydinge  of  temporel  thinges  is  cause  of 
the  eterne  prescience.  But  for  to  wenen 
that  god  purvj'eth  the  thinges  to  comen 
for  they  ben  to  comen,  what  other  thing 
is  it  biit  for  to  wene  that  thilke  thinges 
that  bitidden  whylom  ben  cavises  of  thilke 
soverein  purvyavince  that  is  in  god  9  And 
her-to  /  adde  yit  this  thing  that,  right 
as  whan  that  I  wot  that  a  thing  is,  it 
bihoveth  by  necessitee  that  thilke  selve 
thing  be  ;  and  eek,  whan  I  have  knowe 
that  any  thing  shal  bityden,  so  byhoveth 
it  by  necessitee  that  thilke  thing  bityde  : 
—so  folweth  it  thanne,  that  the  bitydinge 
of  the  thing  y-wist  biforn  ne  may  nat 
ben  eschuetL  And  at  the  laste,  yif  that 
any  wight  wene  a  thing  to  ben  other 
weyes  thanne  it  is,  it  is  nat  only  uu- 
science,  but  it  is  deceivable  opinioun  ful 
diverse  and  fer  fro  the  sotho  of  science. 
Wherfore,  yif  any  thing  be  so  to  comen, 
that  the  bitydinge  of  hit  ne  be  nat  cer- 
tein  ne  necessarie,  who  may  weten  biforn 
that  thilke  thing  is  to  comen  ?  For  right 
as  science  ne  may  nat  ben  mcdled  with 
falsnesse  {as  uho  seyth,  that  yif  J  wot 
a  thing,  it  ne  may  nat  be  false  that  J  ne  wot 
it),  right  so  thilke  thing  that  is  conceived 
by  science  ne  may  nat  ben  non  other 
wej-s  than  as  it  is  conceived.  For  that  is 
the  caiise  why  that  science  wanteth  losing 
{as  who  seyth,  why  that  witinge  ne  receivetk 
nat  lesinge  of  that  it  wot) ;  I'or  it  bihoveth, 
by  necessitee,  that  every  thing  be  right 
as  science  comprehendeth  it  to  be.  What 
shal  I  thanne  seyn  ?  In  whiche  manere 
knoweth  god  biforn  the  thinges  to  comen, 
yif  they  ne  be  nat  certein  ?  For  j'if  that 
he  deme  that  they  bun  to  comen  un- 
eschewably,   and   so   may   be   that  it   is 


95 


196 


(goit^iue.    (^ooft  V:   (f)tO0e  III. 


Possible  that  they  ne  shollen  iiat  conien, 
god  is  deceived.  But  nat  onlj-  to  trowen 
that  gf.d  is  deceived,  but  for  to  speke  it 
with  mouth,  it  is  a  felonous  sinne.     But 

140  yifthat  god  wot  that,  right  so  as  thinges 
ben  to  comen,  so  shuUen  they  comen — so 
that  he  wite  egaly,  as  tcho  seyth,  indiffer- 
ently, that  thinges  niowen  ben  doon  or 
elles  nat  y-doon — what  is  thilke  prescience 

145  that  ne  comprehendeth  no  certein  thing 
ne  stable  ?  Or  elles  what  difference  is 
ther  bitwise  the  prescience  and  thilke 
jape-worthy  divj-ninge  of  Tiresie  the 
divynour,  that  seyde  :  "  Al  that  I  seye," 

150  quod  he,  "  either  it  shal  be,  or  elles  it 
ne  shal  nat  be  ?"'  Or  elles  how  mochel 
is  worth  the  devj-ne  prescience  more 
than  the  opinioun  of  raankinde,  yif  so  be 
that  it  demeth  the  thinges  uncertein,  as 

155  men  doon ;  of  the  whiche  domes  of  men 
the  bitydinge  nis  nat  certein  ?  But  yif 
so  be  that  non  uncertein  thing  ne  may 
ben  in  him  that  is  right  certein  welle 
of  alle  thinges,  thanne  is  the  bitydinge 
certein  of  thilke  thinges  whiche  he  hath 
wist  biforn  fermely  to  comen.  For  which 
it  folweth,  that  the  freedom  of  the  con- 
seiles  and  of  the  w^erkes  of  mankind  nis 
non,  sin  that  the  thoght  of  god,  that 
seeth  alle  thinges  -n-ithout  errour  of  fals- 
nesse,  bindeth  and  constreineth  hem  to 
a  bitydinge  by  necessitee.  And  yif  this 
thing  be  ones  y-graunted  and  received, 
thai  is  to  seyn,  that  ther  nis  no  free  tcille, 

i;o  than  sheweth  it  wel,  how  greet  destruc- 
cioun  and  how  grete  damages  ther  folwen 
of  thinges  of  mankinde.  For  in  ydel  ben 
ther  thanne  purposed  and  biliight  medes 
to  gode  folk,  and  peynes  to  badde  folk, 
175  sin  that  no  moevinge  of  free  corage 
voluntarie  ne  hath  nat  deserved  hem, 
thai  is  It)  seyn,  neither  mede  ne  peyne  ;  and 
it  sholde  semo  thanne,  that  thilke  thing 
is  alder^v-orst,  which  that  is  now  denied 

i8()  for  aldermost  just  and  most  rightful,  that 
is  to  seyn,  that  shrewes  ben  punisshed,  or 
elles  that  gode  folk  ben  y-gerdoned :  the 
whiche  folk,  sin  that  hir  propre  wil  ne 
sent  hem  nat   to   that  oon   ne   to   that 

1S5  other,  that  is  to  seyn,  neither  to  gode  ne 
to  harm,    but   constreineth   hem  certein 


160 


t6:; 


necessitee  of  thinges  to  comen  :    thanne 
ne   shollen   ther  nevere  ben,   ne  nevere 
weren,  %-yce  ne  vertu,  but  it  sholde  rather 
ben  confusioun  of  alle  desertes  medled  190 
with-outen  discrecioun.    And  .yit  tlier  Jbl- 
iceth  an-other  inconvenient,  fthan  whiche 
ther  ne  may  ben  thoght  no  more  felonous 
ne  more  wikke  ;  and  that  is  this :  that,  so 
as  the  ordre  of  thinges  is  y-led  and  comth  19S 
of  the  pui-viaunce  of  god,  ne  that  no-thing 
nis  leveful  to  the  conseiles  of  mankinde 
(as  icho  seyth,  that   men  han  no  poioer  to 
doon  no-thinij,  ne  icilne  no-thing),  than  fol- 
weth it,  that  oure  ^^'ces  ben  referred  to  200 
the  maker  of  alle  good  {as  who  seyth,  than 
folweth  it,  that  god  oughte  han  the  blame  of 
oure  vyces,  sin  he  constreineth  us  by  neces- 
sitee to  doon   vyces\     Thanne  is  ther  no 
resoun  to  hopen  in  god,  ne  for  to  preyen  205 
to  god  ;  for  what  sholde  any  wight  hopen 
to  god,  or  why  sholde  he  preyen  to  god, 
sin  that  the  ordenaunce  of  destinee,  which 
that  ne  may  nat  ben  incl.^Tied,  knitteth 
and  streineth  alle  thinges  that  men  may  210 
desiren  ?     Thanne   sholde   ther   be   doon 
awey  thilke  only  allyaunce  bitwixen  god 
and  men,  that  is  to  seyn,  to  hopen  and  to 
preyen.    But  bj'  the  prys  of  rightwisnesse 
and  of  verray  mekenesse  we  deserven  the  215 
gerdoun  of  the  di\'yTie  grace,  whish  that 
is  inestimable,  that  is  to  seyn,  that  it  is  so 
greet,  that  it  ne  may  nat  ben  ful  y-preysed. 
And  this  is  only  the  manere,  that  is  to 
seyn,    hope    and  preyeres,   for   which    it  220 
semeth  that  men  mowen  sfteke  with  god, 
and  by  resoun  of  supplicacioun  be  con- 
joined to  thilke  cleernesse,  that  nis  nat 
aproched  no  rather  or  that  men  beseken 
it  and  impetren  it.     And  yif  men  wene  225 
nat   that   hope   no   preyeres   ne  han  no 
strengthes,  by  the  necessitee  of  thinges 
to  comen  y-received,  what  thing  is  ther 
thanne  by  whiche  we  mowen  ben  con- 
joined   and    clj'ven    to    thilke   soverein  250 
prince  of  thinges  ?  For  which  it  bilioveth, 
by   necessitee,  that   the   linage  of  man- 
kinde, as  thou  songe  a  litel  her-biforn, 
be  departed  and  unjoined  from  his  welle, 
and   fallen   of  his   biginninge,    that   is   to  235 
seyn,  god. 


(goH^ius.    (^006  V:   (j)ro0e  IV. 


197 


Metre  III.    Quenam  discors  federa  rerum. 

What  discordable  cause  hath  to-rent 
and  unjoined  the  bindinge,  or  the  alliaunce, 
of  thinges,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  conjunccioun 
of  god  and  man  9  Wliiche  god  hath 
5  establisshed  so  greet  bataile  bitwixen 
thise  two  soothfast  or  verray  thinges, 
that  is  to  seyn,  biticixen  the  purviaunce  of 
god  and  free  wil,  that  they  ben  singruler 
and  devyded,  ne  that  they  ne  wolen  nat 

10  be  modeled  ne  coupled  to-gidere  'r  But 
ther  nis  no  discord  to  the  verray  thinges, 
biit  they  clj'ven,  certein,  alwej'  to  hem- 
self.  But  the  thought  of  man,  confounded 
and  overthrowen  by  the  dirke  membres 

15  of  the  body,  ne  may  nat,  by  fyr  of  his 
derked  looking,  that  is  to  seyn,  by  the 
vigour  of  his  insighte,  whyl  the  soule  is  in 
the  body,  knowe  the  thinne  subtil  knitt- 
inges  of  thinges.  But  wherfore  enchaufeth 

20  it  so,  by  so  greet  love,  to  finden  thilke 
notes  of  sooth  y-oovered  ;  that  is  to  seyyi, 
u'tierfore  enchaufeth  the  thoght  of  man  by 
so  greet  desyr  to  knoieen  thilke  notificacions 
that  ben  y-hid  under  the  covertoures  of 

25  sooth  ?  Wot  it  aught  thilke  thing  that  it, 
anguissous,  desireth  to  knowe  ?  As  who 
seith,  nay ;  for  no  man  travaileth  for  to 
toiten  thinges  that  he  wot.  And  therfore 
the  texte  seith  thus  :  but  who  tra\'Tiileth  to 

30  witen  thinges  y-knowe?  And  yif  that  he 
ne  knoweth  hem  nat,  what  seketh  thilke 
blinde  thoght  ?  What  is  he  that  desireth 
any  thing  of  which  he  wot  right  naught? 
As  who  seith,   who  so  desireth  any  thing, 

35  nedes,  somwhat  he  knoiceth  of  it ;  or  elles, 
he  ne  coude  nat  desire  it.  Or  who  may 
folwen  thinges  that  ne  ben  nat  y-wist  ? 
And  thogh  that  he  seke  tho  thinges,  wher 
shal  he  finde  hem  ?    What  wight,  that  is 

40  al  unconninge  and  ignoraunt,  may 
knowen  the  forme  that  is  y-founde  ?  But 
whan  the  soule  biholdeth  and  seeth  the 
heye  thoght,  that  is  to  seyn,  god,  than 
knoweth  it  to-gidere  the  somme  and  the 

45  singularitees,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  principles 
and  everich  by  himself.  Biit  now,  whyl 
the  soule  is  hid  in  the  cloude  and  in  the 
derkenesse  of  the  membres  of  the  body, 
it  ne  hath   nat  al  for-j'eten  it-self,   but 


it   with-holdeth   the  somme  of  thinges,  50 
and   lesetli   the   singularitees.      Thanne, 
who-so  that  seeketh  soothnesse,  he  nis  in 
neither  nother  habite  ;  for  he  noot  nat  al, 
ne  he  ne  hath  nat  al  foryeten  :  but  yit 
him  remembreth  the  somme  of  thinges  55 
that  he  with-holdeth,  and  axeth  conseil, 
and  retreteth   deepliche   thinges  y-seyn 
biforn,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  grete  somme  in 
liis  minde  :    so  that  he  mowe  adden  the 
parties  that  he  hath  for-yeten  to  thilke  60 
that  he  hath  with-holden.' 

Prose  IV.    Tum  ilia :  Vetus,  inquit,  hec  est. 

Thanne  seide  she  :  '  this  is,'  quod  she, 
'  the  olde  question  of  the  purviaunce  of 
god  ;  and  Marcus  Tullius,  whan  he  de- 
vyded the  divynaciouns,  that  is  to  seyn,  in 
his  book  that  he  w-root  of  divynaciouns,  he  5 
moevede  gretly  this  questioun  ;  and  thou 
thy-self  has  y-sought  it  mochel,  and 
outrely,  and  longe ;  but  yit  ne  hath  it 
nat  ben  determined  ne  y-sped  fermely 
and  diligently  of  any  of  yow.  And  the  jo 
cause  of  this  derkenesse  and  of  this  diffi- 
cultee  is,  for  that  the  moevinge  of  the 
resoun  of  mankinde  ne  may  nat  moeven 
to  {that  is  to  seyn,  applyen  or  joinen  to)  the 
simplicitee  of  the  devj-ne  prescience  ;  the  15 
whiehe  simplicitee  of  the  devyne  prescience, 
yif  that  men  mighten  thinken  it  in  any 
maner,  that  is  to  seyn,  that  yif  men  mighten 
thinken  and  comprehenden  the  thinges  as 
god  seeth  hem,  thanne  ne  sholdo  ther  jo 
dwellen  outrely  no  doute  :  the  whiehe 
resoun  and  cause  of  difficultee  I  shal  assas'e 
at  the  laste  to  shewe  and  to  speden, 
whan  I  have  first  y-spended  and  answered 
to  tho  resouns  by  which  thou  art  y-  25 
moeved.  For  I  axe  why  thou  wcnest  that 
thilke  resouns  of  hem  that  assoilcn  this 
questioun  ne  ben  nat  speedful  y-nough 
ne  sufficient  :  the  whiehe  solucioun,  or 
the  whiehe  resoun,  for  that  it  dcmeth  that  30 
tho  prescience  nis  nat  cause  of  necessitee 
to  thinges  to  comen,  than  ne  wcneth  it 
nat  that  freedom  of  wil  be  destorbed  or 
y-let  by  prescience.  For  ne  drawestow 
nat  arguments  from  olles-where  of  the  3.S 
necessitee   of  thinges  to-comen  {as  icho 


198 


C0oe(0tu0.    (^ooft  V:   (J)ro6C  iv. 


seith,  any  other  wey  than  thus)  bi\t  that 
tliilke  thingcs  that  the  prescience  wot 
biforn  ne  mowen  nat  nnbitydc  ?     Jliat  is 

40  to  seyn,  that  they  moten  bityde.  But 
thanne,  yif  that  prescience  ne  putteth 
no  necessitee  to  thinges  to  comen,  as 
thou  thy-sclf  hast  confessed  it  and  bi- 
knowen  a  litel  her-bifom,  what  cause  or 

45  what  is  it  (as  vho  seith,  ther  may  no  cause 
he)  by  which  that  the  endes  voluntario  of 
thiuges  naighton  be  constreined  to  certein 
bitydingo?  For  by  grace  of  positioim,  so 
that  thou  mowe  the  betere  ixnderstonde 

50  this  that  folweth,  I  pose,  pej'  impossibile, 
that  ther  be  no  prescience.  Tlianne  axe 
I,'  quod  she,  '  in  as  niochel  as  apertieneth 
to  that,  sholden  thanne  thinges  that 
comen  of  free  wil  ben  constreined  to  bi- 

55  tyden  by  necessitee?'  Boece.     'Nay,' 

quod  I. 

'  Tlianne  ayeinward,'  quod  she,  '  I  sup- 
pose that  ther  be  prescience,  but  that  it 
ne    putteth    no    necessitee    to    thinges  ; 

Tio  thanne  trowc  I,  that  thilke  selve  freedom 
of  wil  shal  dwellen  al  hool  and  absohit 
and  unbounden.  But  thou  wolt  seyn 
that,  al-be-it  so  that  prescience  nis  nat 
cause  of  the  necessitee  of  bitydingo  to 

fi,"  thinges  to  comen,  algates  yit  it  is  a  signe 
that  the  thinges  ben  to  l)it3-den  by 
necessitee.  Bj-  this  nianere  thanne,  al- 
thogh  the  prescience  no  haddc  never 
y-ben,  yit  algate  or  at  the  leeste  weya  it 

70  is  certein  thing,  that  the  endes  and 
bitydinges  of  thinges  to  comen  shoklen 
ben  necessario.  For  every  signe  sheweth 
and  signifyeth  only  what  tlio  thing  is, 
but  it  no  maketh  nat  the  thing  that  it 

75  signifj'cth.  For  which  it  bihovoth  first 
to  shewen,  that  no-thing  no  bitydeth 
that  it  no  bityiloth  by  necessitee,  so  that 
it  may  appcre  that  the  prescience  is  signe 
of  this  necessitee  ;  or  elles,  yif  ther  nere 

So  no  necessitee,  certes,  thilko  prescience 
ne  mighto  nat  bo  signe  of  thing  that  nis 
nat.  But  certes,  it  is  now  certein  that 
the  proeve  of  tliis,  y-susteneil  bystidefast 
resoun,  ne  shal  nat  ]>eu  lad  ne  proeved 

S5  1).\-  signes  no  by  arguments  y-taken  fro 
with-outc,  but  by  causes  covonable  and 
necessarie.      But   thon  mayst  s^yn,   how  | 


may  it  bo  that  the  thinges  no  bityden 
nat  that  ben  y-pnrveyed  to  comen  ?    But, 
certes,    right    as    we    trowen    that    tho  9i> 
thinges  which  that  the  purviance  wot 
biforn  to  comen  ne  ben  nat  to  bityden  ; 
but  that  ne  sholden  we  nat  demon  ;  but 
rather,  al-thogh  that  they  shal  bityden, 
yit   ne   have   they  no  necessitee  of  hir  95 
kinde   to    bityden.       And    this    maystow 
lightly   aperceiven   by  this   that    I  shal 
seyn.     P'or  we  seen  many  thinges  whan 
they  ben  don  biforn  onre  eyen,  right  as 
men   seen    the    cartere  worken    in    the  kxj 
torninge  or  atempringe  or  adressinge  of 
hise   cartes  or  charietes.     And   by   this 
manere  (as  uho  seith,  maysfotc  iinderstonde) 
of  alle  othere  workmen.     Is  ther  thanne 
any    necessitee,    as    tvho    seith,    in    otire  105 
lokinge.  that  constreinetli  or  compelleth 
anj-  of  thilke  thinges  to  ben  don  so?" 
Boece.     '  Nay,'  quod  I ;  '  for  in  ydel  and 
in  veyn  wore  al  the  effect  of  craft,  yif 
that  alle  thinges  weren  moevcd  by  con-  no 
streininge  ; '  that  is  to  seyn,  by  constreininge 
of  our e  eyen  or  of  otire  sight. 

'  The  thinges  thanne,'  quod  she,  '  that, 
whan  men  doon  hem,  ne  han  no  neces- 
sitee that  men  doon  hem,  eek  tho  same  115 
thinges,  first  or  they  ben  doon,  they  ben 
to  comen  with-oute  necessitee.  For-why 
ther  ben  somme  thinges  to  bityden,  of 
which  tho  endes  and  the  bitydinges  of 
hem  ben  absolut  and  quit  of  alle  neces-  120 
sitee.  For  certes,  I  ne  trowe  nat  that 
any  man  wolde  seyn  this  :  that  tho 
thinges  that  men  doon  now,  that  they 
no  weren  to  bityden  first  or  they  weren 
y-doon  ;  and  thilko  same  thinges,  al-  12^ 
thogh  that  men  had  j--wi.<t  hem  biforn, 
yit  they  han  free  bitydinges.  For  right 
as  science  of  thinges  present  no  bringeth 
in  no  necessitee  to  thinges  that  men 
doon,  right  .so  the  prescience  of  thinges  r^'i 
to  comen  ne  bringeth  in  no  necessitee  to 
thinges  to  bityden.  But  thou  mayst  seyn, 
that  of  thilke  same  it  is  y-douted,  as 
whether  that  of  thilke  thinges  that  ne 
han  non  issues  and  bitydinges  necessai'ies,  135 
yif  ther-of  may  ben  any  prescience  ;  for 
certes,  they  senaen  to  discorden.  For 
thoii  wene.st   that,  yif  that  thinges  ben 


(g>oe<0tu0.    (^ooft  V:    (proee  iv. 


199 


140 


145 


160 


165 


175 


i«5 


y-seyn  bifom,  that  necessitee  folweth 
hem ;  and  yif  necessitee  faileth  hem, 
they  ne  might  en  nat  ben  wist  biforn, 
and  that  no-thing  ne  may  ben  compre- 
hended by  science  bnt  certein ;  and  yif 
tho  thinges  that  ne  han  no  certein  bi- 
tydinges  ben  purveyed  as  certein,  it 
sholdo  ben  dirknesse  of  opinioun,  nat 
soothfastnesse  of  science.  And  thoii 
wenest  that  it  be  diverse  fro  the  hool- 
uesse  of  science  tliat  any  man  sholde 
demc  a  thing  to  ben  other-wej-s  thanne 
it  is  it-self.  And  the  cause  of  tliis  erronre 
is,  tliat  of  alle  the  thinges  that  every 
wight  hath  y-knowe,  tliey  wenen  that 
tlio  thinges  been  y-knowe  al-oonly  by  the 
strengtho  and  by  the  nature  of  the 
thinges  tliat  ben  y-wist  or  y-knowe  ;  and 
it  is  al  tlie  contrarie.  For  al  that  ever 
is  y-knowe,  it  is  rather  comprehended 
and  knowen,  nat  after  his  strengthe  and 
his  nature,  but  after  tlie  facultee,  that 
in  to  Sfiyn,  the  power  and  the  nature,  of  hem 
that  knowen.  And,  for  tliat  this  thing 
slial  mowen  shewen  byashortensaumple  : 
the  same  roundnesse  of  a  body,  other- 
weys  the  siglite  of  the  eye  knoweth  it, 
and  other-weycs  the  touchinge.  The 
lokinge,  by  castinge  of  his  hemes,  waiteth 
and  seeth  from  afer  al  the  body  to-gidere, 
with-oute  moevinge  of  it-self;  but  the 
touchinge  clyveth  and  conjoinetli  to  the 
roundc  body,  and  mooveth  aboute  tho 
environinge,  and  comprehendeth  by 
parties  tho  roundnesse.  And  the  man 
him-self,  other-weys  wit  biholdeth  him, 
and  other-weys  imaginacioun,  and  other- 
weys  resoun,  and  other-weys  intelligoijce. 
For  the  wit  comprehendeth  withoute- 
forth  the  figure  of  the  body  of  the  man 
that  is  establisscd  in  the  matere  subject; 
l)ut  the  imaginacioun  comprehendeth 
only  the  figure  withoute  the  mature, 
llesoun  surmounteth  imaginacioun,  and 
comprehendeth  by  universal  lokinge  tho 
coniune  .speco  that  is  in  the  singnlor 
peces.  But  the  eye  of  intelligence  is 
heyere  ;  for  it  surmounteth  the  environ- 
inge of  the  universiteo,  and  looketh,  over 
that,  by  pure  subtilitee  of  thoglit,  tliilko 
same   simple  forme   of  man  that  is  per- 


durably  in  the  divyne  thoght.  In  wliiche  190 
this  oughte  greetly  to  ben  considered, 
that  the  heyeste  strengthe  to  compre- 
honden  thinges  enbraseth  and  contieneth 
the  lowere  strengthe ;  but  the  lowere 
strengthe  ne  aryseth  nat  in  no  manere  195 
to  heyere  strengthe.  For  wit  ne  may 
no-thing  comprehendo  out  of  matere,  ne 
the  imaginacioun  ne  loketli  nat  the  uni- 
versels  speces,  ne  resoun  taketh  nat  the 
simple  forme  so  as  intelligence  taketh  it  ;  200 
but  intelligence,  that  looketh  al  aboveii, 
whan  it  hath  comprehended  the  forme, 
it  knoweth  and  demeth  alle  the  thinges 
that  ben  under  that  forme.  But  she 
knoweth  hem  in  tliilke  manere  in  the  205 
whiche  it  comprehendeth  thilke  same 
simple  forme  that  ne  may  never  ben 
knowen  to  none  of  that  other  ;  that  is  to 
segn,  to  none  of  tho  three  forseide  thinges 
of  the  sovlc  For  it  knoweth  the  univer-  210 
sitee  of  resoun,  and  the  figure  of  the 
im.aginacioun,  and  the  sensible  material 
conceived  by  wit ;  ne  it  ne  tiseth  nat  nor 
of  resoun  ne  of  imaginacioun  ne  of  wit 
withoute-forth  ;  bnt  it  biholdeth  alle  215 
thinges,  so  as  I  slial  seye,  by  a  strok  of 
thought  formely,  ivithoute  discours  or  col- 
lacionn.  Certes  resoun,  whan  it  looketh 
any-thing  universel,  it  ne  useth  nat  of 
imaginacioun,  nor  of  witte,  and  algates  220 
yit  it  comprehendetli  the  thinges  imagin- 
able and  sensible  ;  for  resoun  is  she  that 
diffinisseth  the  universel  of  hir  conseyte 
right  thus  : — man  is  a  resonable  two- 
foted  beest.  And  how  so  that  this  225 
knowingo  is  universel,  yet  nis  ther  no 
wight  that  ne  woot  wel  that  a  man  is 
a  thing  imaginable  and  sensible ;  and 
this  same  considcretli  wel  resoun  ;  but 
that  nis  nat  by  imaginacioun  nor  by  wit,  230 
but  it  looketh  it  by  a  resonable  concep- 
cioun.  Also  imaginacioun,  al-be-it  so  that 
it  taketh  of  wit  the  })egiuningps  to  seen 
and  to  formen  the  figures,  algates,  al- 
thogh  that  wit  ne  were  nat  present,  yit  235 
it  environeth  and  comprehendeth  alle 
thinges  sensible  ;  nat  by  resoun  sensible 
of  deminge,  but  by  resoun  imaginatif. 
Seestow  nat  thanne  that  alle  the  thinges, 
ill  knowinge,  nseu  more  of  hir  facultoo  -4<> 


(^oci6iu0.    (^ooR  V:   (^Utvi.  iv. 


or  of  hir  power  than  tliey  doon  of  the 
facultee  or  power  of  thinges  that  ben  y- 
knowe?  Ne  that  nis  nat  "wrong;  for  so 
as  everj'  jugenient  is  the  dede  or  doinge 
245  of  him  that  demeth,  it  bihoveth  that 
every  wight  pcrforme  the  werk  and  his 
entencioun,  nat  of  foreine  power,  but  of 
his  propre  power. 


Metre  IV.     Quondam  porticus  attulit. 

The  Porche,  that  is  to  seyn,  a  gate  of 
the  toion  of  Athenes  ther-as  philosophrea 
hadden  hir  congregacioun  to  desputen, 
thilke  Porche  broughte  som-tyme  olde 
5  men,  ful  derke  in  hir  sentences,  that 
is  to  seyn,  philosophrea  that  highten 
Stoiciens,  that  wenden  that  images  and 
sensibilitees,  that  is  to  seyn,  sensible  imagin- 
aciouns,  or  elles  imaginacioims  of  sensible 

10  thinges,  weren  empreinted  in-to  sowles 
fro  bodies  withoute-forth  ;  as  icho  seith, 
that  thilke  Stoiciens  wenden  that  the  soxcle 
hadde  ben  naked  of  it-self,  as  a  mirour  or 
a   dene    imrchemin,    so    that    alle  figures 

15  mosten  first  comen  fro  thinges  fro  withoute- 
forth  in-to  soicles,  and  ben  empreinted  in-to 
sowles  :  Text  :  right  as  we  ben  wont  som- 
tyme,  by  a  swifte  pointel,  to  ficchen 
lettres  empreinted  in  the  smothenesse  or 

20  in  the  pleinnesse  of  the  table  of  wex  or 
in  parchcmin  that  ne  hath  no  figure  ne 
note  in  it.  Close.  But  now  argueth 
Boece  ayeins  tliat  opinunin,  and  seith  thus  : 
But    yif   the    thryvinge    sowle    ne    un- 

25  pleyteth  no-thing,  that  is  to  seyn,  ne  doth 
no-thing,  by  his  propre  moevinges,  but 
suifrcth  and  lyth  subgit  to  the  figures 
and  to  tho  notes  of  bodies  withoute-forth, 
and  yildeth  images  ydel  and  vej-n  in  the 

30  manere  of  a  mirour,  whennes  thryveth 
thanne  or  whennes  comth  thilke  know- 
inge  in  our  sowlc,  that  discerneth  and 
biholdeth  alle  thinges  ?  And  whennes  is 
thilke  strengthe  that  biholdeth  the  singu- 

35  ler  thinges  ;  or  whennes  is  the  strengthe 
that  devydeth  thinges  y-knowe ;  and 
thilke  strengthe  that  gadereth  to-gidere 
the  thinges  devyded  ;  and  the  strengthe 
that    cheseth    his    entrechaunged   wey  ? 


For  som-tyme  it  heveth  up   the   heved,  40 
that  is  to  seyn,  that  it  heveth  tip  the  enten- 
cioun to  right  heye  thinges;  and  som-tj-me 
it  descendeth  in-to  right  lowe   thinges. 
And   whan   it   retorneth  in-to   him-self, 
it   reproeveth   and   destroyeth   the   false  45 
thinges    by  the   trewe   thinges.     Certcs, 
this   strengthe   is   caiise   more  efficient, 
and  mochel  more  mighty  to  seen  and  to 
knows   thinges,    than    thilke    cause    that 
suffreth  and  receiveth  the  notes  and  the  50 
figures   impressed   in   maner  of  matere. 
Algates  the  passioun,  that  is  to  seyn,  the 
suffraunce  or  the  vnt,  in  the  quike  body, 
goth  biforn,  excitinge  and  moevinge  the 
strengthes  of  the  thought.     Right  so  as  55 
whan  that  cleernesse  smj'teth  the  eyen 
and  moeveth  hem  to  seen,  or  right  so  as 
vois  or  soun  hurteleth  to  the  eres  and 
commoeveth   hem  to  herkne,  than   is  the 
strengthe  of  the  thotight  y-moeved  and  6<i 
excited,  and  clepeth  forth,  to  semblable 
moevinges,  the  speces  that  it  halt  with- 
inne  it-self ;    and  addeth  tho  speces   to 
the   notes  and  to  the  thinges  withoute- 
forth,  and  medleth  the  images  of  thinges  65 
withoute-forth    to    tho    formes    y-hidde 
with-inne  him-self. 


Prose  V.    Qtwd  si  in  corporibus  sentiendis. 

But  what  yif  that  in  bodies  to  ben 
feled,  that  is  to  seyn,  in  the  takinge  of 
knowelechinge  of  bodily  thinges,  and  al-be- 
it  so  that  the  qualitees  of  bodies,  that 
ben  objecte  fro  withoute-forth,  moeven  5 
and  entalenten  the  instruments  of  the 
wittes  ;  and  al-be-it  so  that  the  passioun 
of  the  body,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  icit  or  the 
suffraunce,  goth  to-forn  the  strengthe  of 
the  workinge  corago,  the  which  passioun  10 
or  suffraunce  clepeth  forth  the  dede  of 
the  thoght  in  him-self,  and  moeveth  and 
exciteth  in  this  mene  whyle  the  formes 
that  resten  withinne-forth  ;  and  yif  that, 
in  sensible  bodies,  as  I  have  seyd,  our  15 
corage  nis  nat  y-taught  or  empreinted 
by  passioun  to  knowe  thise  thinges,  but 
demeth  and  knoweth,  of  his  owne 
strengthe,    the    passioun    or    siaffraunce 


(^oef^tue.    (gooft  V:   (prose  v. 


20  subject  to  the  body  :  moche  more  thanne 
tho  thinges  that  ben  absohit  and  quite 
fro  i>,lle  talents  or  afFecciouns  of  bodies, 
as  f/od  or  his  auwjeles,  no  folwen  nat  in 
discerninge  tliinges  object  fro  ■withoute- 

25  forth,  but  they  accomplisshen  and  speden 
the  dede  of  hir  tlioght.  By  this  resoun 
thanne  ther  comen  manj-  manor  know- 
inges  to  dj^erse  and  difFeringe  sub- 
staunces.     For  the  wit  of  the  body,  the 

^o  whiche  wit  is  naked  and  despoiled  of 
alle  other  knowinges,  thilke  wit  comth 
to  beestes  that  ne  mowen  nat  moeven 
hem-self  her  and  ther,  as  otjstres  and 
iimsctdes,   and  other  swiche  slielle-fish  of 

.^5  the  see,  that  clyven  and  ben  norisshed 
to  roclies.  But  the  imaginacioun  comth 
to  remuable  beestes,  that  semen  to  han 
talent  to  fleeu  or  to  desiren  any  thing. 
But   resoun  is  al-only  to   the  linage  of 

40  niankinde,  right  as  intelligence  is  only 
[to]  the  devyne  nature  :  of  which  it  fol- 
weth,  that  thilke  knowinge  is  more  worth 
than  thise  f)thre,  sin  it  knoweth  by  his 
propre  nature  nwt  only  his  subject,    as 

45  i^ho  seith,  it  ne  knoiveth  nat  al-only  that 
aperiieneth  i^roperly  to  his  knowinr/e,  but 
it  knoweth  the  subjects  of  alio  other 
knowinges.  But  how  shal  it  thanne  be, 
yif  that  wit  and  imaginacioun   stryven 

50  ayein  resoninge,  and  seyn,  that  of  thilke 
universel  thing  that  resoun  weneth  to 
seen,  that  it  nis  right  naught  ?  Fw  wit 
and  imaijinacioun  scyn  that  that,  that  is 
sensible  or  imaginable,  it  ne  may  nat  be 

55  universel.  Thanne  is  either  the  juge- 
ment  of  resoun  sooth,  ne  that  ther  nis 
nothing  sensible  ;  or  elles,  for  that  resoun 
wot  wel  that  many  thingos  ben  subject 
to  wit  and  to  imaginacioun,   thanne   is 

60  the  concepcioun  of  resoun  veyn  and  false, 
which  that  loketh  and  cf)mprehendeth 
that  that  is  sensible  and  singuler  as 
universel.  And  yif  that  resoiin  wolde 
answeren  ayein  to  thise  two,  that  is  to 

65  seyn,  to  witte  and  to  imaginaciovn,  and 
seyn,  that  soothly  she  hir-self,  that  is  to 
seyn,  resoun,  loketh  and  comprehendoth, 
by  resoun  of  univcrsalitce,  bothe  that 
that  is  sensible  and  that  that  is  imagin- 

70  able  ;  and  that  thillce  two,  that  is  to  seyn. 


tvit  and  imaginacioun,  ne  mowen  nat 
strecchen  ne  enhansen  hem-self  to  the 
knowinge  of  universalitee,  for  that  the 
knowinge  of  hem  no  may  exceden  ne 
surmounte  the  bodily  figures  :  certes,  of  75 
the  knowinge  of  thingos,  men  oughten 
rather  yeven  credence  to  the  more  stede- 
fast  and  to  the  more  parfit  jugement. 
In  this  manor  stryvinge  thanne,  we 
that  han  strengthe  of  resoninge  and  of  80 
imagininge  and  of  wit,  that  is  to  seyn, 
hy  resoun  and  by  imaginacioun  and  by  wit, 
we  sholde  rather  preyse  the  cause  of 
resoun  ;  as  who  seith,  than  the  cause  of 
icit  and  0/ imaginacioun.  85 

Semblable  thing  is  it,  that  the  resoun 
of  mankinde  no  weneth  nat  tliat  the 
devyne  intelligence  bi-holdeth  or  know- 
eth thingos  to  comen,  but  right  as  the 
resoun  of  mankinde  kno'weth  hem.  For  90 
thou  arguest  and  seyst  thus  :  that  yif 
it  ne  seme  nat  to  men  that  some  thinges 
han  certein  and  neeessarie  bitydinges, 
they  ne  mowen  nat  ben  wist  biforn  cer- 
teinly  to  bityden.  And  thanne  nis  ther  95 
no  prescience  of  thilke  thinges  ;  and  yif 
we  trowe  that  prescience  be  in  thise 
thinges,  thanne  is  ther  no-thing  that  it 
ne  bitydeth  by  necessitoe.  But  certes, 
yif  we  niighton  han  the  jugement  of  the  kk» 
devyne  thoght,  as  we  ben  parsoneres  of 
resoun,  right  so  as  we  han  demed  that 
it  behoveth  that  imaginacioun  and  wit 
be  binethe  resoun,  right  so  wolde  we 
demon  that  it  were  rightful  thing,  that  105 
mannes  resoun  oughte  to  subinitten  it- 
self and  to  ben  binethe  the  divyne 
thoght.  For  which,  yif  that  we  mowen, 
as  who  seith,  that,  yif  that  we  moicen, 
I  counseyle,  that  we  cnhanso  us  in-to  the  n" 
heighte  of  thilke  soveroyn  intelligence  ; 
for  ther  shal  resoun  wel  seen  that,  that 
it  no  may  nat  biholden  in  it-self.  And 
certes  that  is  this,  in  what  manor  the 
prescience  of  god  sooth  alle  thinges  cer-  115 
teins  and  diffinisshod,  al-tliogli  they  ne 
han  no  cortoin  issues  or  bitydinges  ;  ne 
this  is  n(m  opinioiin,  but  it  is  rather  the 
simplicitee  of  tho  soveroyn  science,  that 
nis  nat  enclosed  nor  y-shot  within  none  120 
boundes. 

3 


(gott^ue.    (goeft  V:  QUe^re  v. 


Metre  V.     Quam  uariis  ten-is  animalia 
permeant  figuris. 

The  beestes  passen  by  the  erthes  by  ful 
diverse  figures.  For  som  of  hem  han  hir 
bodies  straught  and  crepen  in  the  dust, 
and  drawen  after  hem  a  tras  or  a  foruh 
5  y-continued  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  as  nadres  or 
snakes.  And  other  beestes,  by  the  wan- 
dringe  lightnesse  of  hir  winges,  beteu  the 
windes,  and  over-swimnien  the  spaces  of 
the  longe  eyr  by  moist  fleeinge.  And  other 

lo  beestes  gladen  hem-self  to  diggen  hir  tras 
or  hir  steppes  in  the  erthe  with  hir  goings 
or  with  hir  feet,  and  to  goon  either  by 
the  grene  feldes,  or  elles  to  walken  under 
the   wodes.     And  al-be-it   so   that  thou 

15  seest  that  they  alle  discorden  by  diverse 
formes,  algates  hir  faces,  enclined,  hevieth 
hir  dulle  wittes.  Only  the  linage  of  man 
heveth  heyeste  his  heye  heved,  and 
stondeth  light  with  his  up-right  body, 

20  and  biholdeth  the  erthes  under  him. 
And,  but-yif  thou,  erthely  man,  wexest 
yvel  out  of  thy  wit,  this  figure  amonesteth 
thee,  that  axest  the  hevene  with  thy 
righte  visage,  and  hast  areysed  thy  fore- 

25  heved,  to  beren  up  a-heigh  thy  corage  ; 
so  that  thy  thoght  ne  be  nat  y-hevied  ne 
put  lowe  under  fbte,  sin  that  thy  body  is 
so  heye  arej'sed. 

Pkose  VI.     Quoniam  igitur,  uti  paullo 
ante. 

Therfor  thanne,  as  I  have  shewed  a 
litel  her-bifom,  that  al  thing  that  is 
y-wist  nis  nat  knowen  by  hi.s  nature 
propre,  but  bj-  the  nature  of  hem  that 
5  comprc'honden  it,  lat  us  loke  now,  in  as 
mochel  as  it  is  leveful  to  us,  as  tcho  seith, 
lat  us  loke  now  as  we  nwwen,  which  that 
the  estat  is  of  the  devyne  substaunce  ;  so 
that   we   mowen   eek   knowen  what  his 

10  science  is.  The  commune  jugement  of 
alle  creatures  resonables  thanne  is  this  : 
that  god  is  eterne.  Lat  us  considere 
thanne  what  is  eternitee  ;  for  certes  that 
shal    shewen   us   to-gidere    the    de\yne 

15  nature  aud  the  devj-ne  science.  Eter- 
nitee, thanne,  isparfit  possessiounandal- 


togidere  of  lyf  interminable  ;  and  that 
sheweth  more  cleerlj-  by  the  comparisoun 
or  the  collacioun  of  temporel  thinges. 
For  al  thing  that  liveth  in  tyme  it  is 
present,  and  procedeth  fro  preterits  in-to  20 
futures,  that  is  to  seyn.  fro  tyme  passed 
in-to  tyme  cominye  ;  ne  ther  nis  no-thing 
establisshed  in  tyme  that  may  embracen 
to-gider  al  the  space  of  his  lyf.  For 
certes,  j'it  ne  hath  it  taken  the  tyme  of  25 
to-morwe,  and  it  hath  lost  the  tjTne  of 
yisterday.  And  certes,  in  the  Ij'f  of  this 
daj',  .ve  ne  liven  no  more  but  right  as  in 
the  moevable  and  transitorie  moment. 
Thanne  thilke  thing  that  suflfreth  tem-  .^o 
porel  condicioun,  al-thogh  that  it  never 
bigan  to  be,  ne  thogh  it  never  cese  for  to 
be,  as  Aristotle  demed  of  the  world,  and 
al-thogh  that  the  lyf  of  it  be  strecched 
with  infinitee  of  tyme,  yit  algates  nis  35 
it  no  swich  thing  that  men  mighten 
trowen  by  right  that  it  is  eterne.  For 
al-thogh  that  it  comprehende  and  em- 
brace the  space  of  Ij-f  infinit,  yit  algates 
ne  embraceth  it  nat  th»  space  of  the  Ij^"  4" 
al-togider  ;  for  it  ne  hath  nat  the  futures 
that  ne  ben  nat  yit,  ne  it  ne  hath  no  lenger 
the  preterits  that  ben  y-doon  or  y-passed. 
But  thilke  thing  thanne,  that  hath  and 
comprehendeth  to-gider  al  the  plentee  of  45 
the  l.yf  interminable,  to  whom  ther  ne 
faileth  naught  of  the  future,  and  to  whom 
ther  nis  naught  of  the  preterit  escaped 
nor  y-passed,  tliilke  same  is  y-witnessed 
and  y-proeved  bj'  right  to  be  eterne  And  50 
it  bihoveth  by  necessitee  that  thilke 
thing  be  al-wey  present  to  him-self,  and 
competent ;  as  who  seith,  al-icey  present  to 
him-si'lf,  and  so  viighti/  that  al  be  right  at 
his  idesaunce  ;  and  that  he  have  al  present  55 
the  infinitee  of  the  moevable  tyme. 
Wher-for  som  men  trowen  wrongfully 
that,  whan  they  heren  that  it  semede  to 
Plato  that  this  world  ne  hadde  never 
beginninge  of  tyme,  ne  that  it  never  6c 
shal  han  failinge,  they  wenen  in  this 
manor  that  this  world  be  maked  coeteme 
with  his  maker  ;  as  icho  seith,  they  tcene 
that  this  icorld  and  god  ben  maked  togider 
eterne,  and  that  is  a  tcrongful  iceninge.  65 
For  other  thing  is  it  to  ben  y-lad  by  lyf 


(goet0tu0.    (^ooft  V:   (pvoet  vi. 


203 


interminable,  as  Plato  grannted  to  the 
world,  and  other  thing  is  it  to  embrace 
to-gider  al  the  present  of  the  lyf  inter- 

70  minable,  the  whiche  thing  it  is  cleer  and 
manifest  that  it  is  propre  to  the  devyne 
thoght. 

Ne  it  ne  sholde  nat  semen  tons,  thatgod 
is  elder  thanne  thinges  that  ben  y-maked 

75  ^7  qnantitee  of  tyme,  but  rather  by  the 
propretee  of  his  simple  nature.  For  this 
ilke  infinit  moevinge  of  temporel  thinges 
folweth  this  presentarie  estat  of  lyf  un- 
moevable ;    and  so    as    it    ne    may   nat 

80  coiintrefeten  it  ne  feynen  it  ne  be  even- 
lyke  to  it  for  the  inmoevabletee,  that  is  to 
seyn,  that  is  in  the  eternitee  of  god,  it 
faileth  and  falleth  in-to  moevinge  fro  the 
simplicitee  of  the  presence  of  god,  and 

85  disencreseth  in-to  the  infinit  qnantitee  of 
future  and  of  preterit  :  and  so  as  it  ne 
may  nat  han  to-gider  al  the  plentee  of 
the  lyf,  algates  yit,  for  as  moche  as  it  ne 
cesetli  never  for  to  ben  in  soni  maner,  it 

90  semeth  som-del  to  us,  that  it  folweth  and 
resembleth  thilke  thing  that  it  ne  may 
nat  atayne  to  ne  fulfillen,  and  bindeth 
it-self  to  som  maner  presence  of  this  litel 
and  swifte  moment  :  the  which  presence 
95  of  this  litel  and  sivifte  moment,  for  that  it 
bereth  a  nianer  image  or  lyknesse  of  the 
ay-dwellinge  presence  of  god,  it  graunt- 
eth,  to  swiche  maner  thinges  as  itbitydeth 
to,  that  it  semeth  hem  as  thise  thinges 

100  han  y-ben,  and  ben. 

And,  for  that  the  presence  of  sidch  litel 
moment  ne  may  nat  dwelle,  ther-for  it 
ravisshed  and  took  the  infinit  wey  of 
tyme,  that  is  to  seyn,  by  siiccessioun  ;  and 

105  by  this  maner  is  it  j'-doon,  for  that  it 
sholde  continue  the  lyf  in  goinge,  of  the 
■whiche  lyf  it  ne  mighte  nat  enbrace  the 
plentee  in  dwellinge.  And  for-thy,  yif 
we    wollen    putten    worthy    names    to 

no  thinges,  and  folwen  Plato,  lat  us  seye 
thanne  soothly,  that  god  is  eteme,  and 
the  world  is  pcriietuel.  Thanne,  sin  that 
every  jugement  knoweth  and  comprehend- 
eth  by  his  owne  nature  thinges  that  ben 

lis  subject  un-to  him,  ther  is  soothly  to  god, 
al-weys,  an  eterne  and  presentarie  estat ; 
and  the  science  of  him,  that  over-passeth 


al  temporel  moevement,  dwelleth  in  the 
simplicitee  of  his  presence,  and  embraceth 
and  considereth  alle  the  infinit  spaces  of  120 
tymes,  preterits  and  futures,  and  loketh, 
in  his  simple  knowinge,  alle  thinges  of 
jireterit  right  as  they  weren  y-doon  iire- 
sently  right  now.  Yif  thou  wolt  thanne 
thenken  and  avyse  the  prescience,  by  1-25 
which  it  knoweth  alle  thinges,  thou  ne 
shal  nat  demen  it  as  prescience  of  thinges 
to  comen,  but  thou  shalt  demen  it  more 
rightfully  that  it  is  science  of  jiresenee  or 
of  instaunce,  that  never  ne  faileth.  For  130 
which  it  nis  nat  y-cleped  "  previdence," 
but  it  sholde  rather  ben  cleped  "  pur- 
viaunce,"  that  is  establisshed  ful  fer  fro 
right  lowe  thinges,  and  biholdeth  from 
a-fer  alle  thinges,  right  as  it  were  fro  the  i3.'i 
heye  heighte  of  thinges.  Why  axestow^ 
thanne,  or  why  desputestow  thanne,  that 
thilke  thinges  ben  doon  by  necessitee 
whiche  that  ben  y-seyn  and  knowen  by 
the  de\-yne  sighte,  sin  that,  forsothe,  men  140 
ne  maken  nat  thilke  thinges  necessarie 
which  that  they  seen  ben  y-doon  in  hir 
sighte  ?  For  addeth  thy  biholdinge  any 
necessitee  to  thilke  thinges  that  thoii 
biholdest  presente  ?  '         '  Nay,'  quod  I.       i45 

Philosophie.  '  Certes,  thanne,  if  men 
mighte  maken  any  digne  comparisoun  or 
coUacioun  of  the  presence  devyne  and  of 
the  presence  of  mankinde,  right  so  as  ye 
seen  some  thinges  in  this  temporel  pre-  150 
sent,  right  so  seeth  god  alle  thinges  by 
his  eterne  present.  Wher-fore  this  de- 
vyne prescience  ne  chaungeth  nat  the 
nature  ne  the  propretee  of  thinges,  but 
biholdeth  swiche  thinges  present  to  him-  155 
ward  as  they  shvdlen  bityde  to  yow-ward 
in  tyme  to  comen.  Ne  it  confoundeth 
nat  the  jugement  of  thinges  ;  but  by  o 
sighte  of  his  thought,  he  knoweth  the 
thinges  to  comen,  as  wel  necessarie  as  nat  i6t) 
necessarie.  Right  so  as  whan  ye  seen 
to-gider  a  man  walken  on  the  erthe  and 
the  Sonne  arysen  in  the  hevene,  al-be-it  so 
that  ye  seen  and  biholden  that  oon  and 
that  other  to-gider,  yit  natheles  ye  demen  165 
and  discernen  that  that  oon  is  voluntarie 
and  that  other  necessarie.  Right  so 
thanne  the  devyne  lookinge,  biholdinge 


H  5 


204 


(god^iuQ.    (gooft  V:  (pvoee  vi. 


alle  thinges  under  him,  ne  tronbleth  nat 
the  qualitee  of  thinges  that  hen  ccrteinly 
present  to  him-ward  ;  hut,  as  to  the  con- 
dicioim  of  tyme,  forsothe,  they  hen 
future.  For  which  it  folweth,  that  thi^ 
nis  noon  opinioun,  hut  rather  a  stedefast 
knowinge,  y-strengthed  hy  soothnesse, 
that,  whanne  that  god  knoweth  anj"thing 
to  he,  he  ne  unwot  nat  that  thilke  thing 
wanteth  necessitee  to  he  ;  this  rs  to  seyn, 
that,  whan  that  god  knoiveth  any  thing  to 
bifyde,  he  wot  icel  that  it  ne  hath  no  neces- 
sitee to  bityde.  And  yif  thou  seyst  heer, 
that  thilke  thing  that  god  seeth  to 
hityde,  it  ne  niaj'  nat  unhityde  (as  %cho 
seith,  it  mot  hityde),  and  thilke  thing  that 
ne  may  nat  unhityde  it  mot  hityde  hy 
necessitee,  and  that  thou  streyne  me  hy 
this  name  of  necessitee  :  certes,  I  wol  wel 
confessen  and  hiknowe  a  thing  of  ful  sad 
trouthe,  hut  unnethe  shal  ther  any  wight 

I  mowe  seen  it  or  come  ther-to,  but-yif  that 
he  be  hiholder  of  the  dey>-ne  thoght.  For 
I  wol  answeren  thee  thus  :  that  thilke 
thing  that  is  future,  whan  it  is  referred 
to  the  de%-j'ne  knowinge,  thanne  is  it 
necessarie  ;  hut  certes,  whan  it  is  under- 
stonden  in  his  owne  kindo,  men  seen 
it  is  outrely  free,  and  ahsolut  /ro  alle 
necessitee. 

For  certes,    ther  hen   two  mancres  of 

I  necessitee.  That  oon  necessitee  is  simple, 
as  thus  :  that  it  hihoveth  by  necessitee, 
that  alle  men  be  mortal  07-  deedly. 
Another  neces.sitee  is  conditionel,  as  thus  : 
yif  thou  wost  that  a  m.an  walketli,  it 
hihoveth  by  necessitee  that  he  walke. 
Thilke  thing  thanne  that  any  wight  hath 
y-knowo  to  he,  it  no  may  hen  non  other 
weyes  thanne  he  knoweth  it  to  he.  But 
this  condicioun  ne  draweth  nat  with  hir 

I  thilke  necessitee  simple.  For  certes,  this 
necessitee  conditionel,  the  propre  nature 
of  it  ne  maketh  it  nat,  but  the  adjeccioun 
of  the  condicioun  maketh  it.  For  no  ne- 
cessitee ne  constreJ^leth  a  man  to  gon, 

\  that  goth  by  his  propre  wil;  al-be-it  so 
that,  whan  he  goth,  that  it  is  necessarie 
that  he  goth.  Right  on  this  same  maner 
thanne,  yif  that  the  purs-iaunce  of  god 
seeth  any  thing  present,  than  mot  thilke 


thing  ben  by  necessitee,  al-thogh  that  it  220 
ne  have  no  necessitee  of  his  owne  nature. 
But  certes,  the  futures  that  bityden  by  free- 
dom of  arbitre,  god  seeth  hem  alle  to-gider 
present.  Tliise  thinges  thanne,  yif  they 
ben  referred  to  the  de^'y•ne  sighte,  thanne  2J5 
hen  the.v  maked  necessarie  hy  the  con- 
dicioun of  the  devj-ne  knowinge.  But 
certes,  yif  thilke  thinges  be  considered  by 
hem-self,  they  hen  absolut  of  necessitee, 
and  ne  forleten  nat  ne  cesen  nat  of  the  230 
libertee  of  hir  owne  nature.  Thanne, 
certes,  with-oute  doute,  alle  the  thinges 
shollen  ben  doon  which  that  god  wot 
biforn  that  they  hen  to  comen.  But  som 
of  hem  comen  and  bityden  of  free  arbitre  235 
or  of  free  wille,  that,  al-be-it  so  that  they 
bityden,  yit  algates  no  lese  they  nat  hir 
propre  nature  in  beinge ;  by  the  which 
first,  or  that  they  weren  y-doon,  they 
hadden  power  nat  to  han  bitid.'  Boece.  240 
'What  is  this  to  sejn  thanne,'  quod  I, 
'  that  thinges  ne  ben  nat  necessarie  hy  hir 
propre  nature,  so  as  they  comen  in  alio 
maneres  in  the  lyknesse  of  necessitee  hj- 
the  condicioun  of  the  de\'jTie  science?'       245 

'  This  is  the  difference,'  quod  she  ;  '  that 
tho  thinges  that  I  purjiosede  thee  a  litel 
heer-hiforn,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  sonno 
arysinge  and  the  man  walkinge,  that, 
ther- why les  that  thilke  thinges  been  y-  250 
doon,  they  ne  mighte  nat  ben  undoon  ; 
natheles,  that  oon  of  hem,  or  it  was 
y-doon,  it  bihoved  by  necessitee  that  it 
was  y-doon,  but  nat  that  other.  Eight  so 
is  it  here,  that  the  thinges  that  god  hath  255 
present,  with-oute  doute  they  shollen 
been.  But  som  of  hem  descondeth  of  the 
nature  of  thinges,  as  tlie  sonne  arysinge  ; 
and  som  descendeth  of  the  power  of  the 
doeres,  as  the  man  v:alkinge.  Tlianne  260 
seide  I  no  wrong,  that  yif  these  thinges 
hen  referred  to  the  devjTie  knowinge, 
thanne  ben  they  necessarie  ;  and  yif  they 
ben  considered  hy  hem-self,  thanne  ben 
they  absolut  fro  the  bond  of  necessitee.  265 
Right  so  as  alle  thinges  that  apereth  or 
sheweth  to  the  wittes,  yif  thou  referre  it 
to  resoun,  it  is  universel ;  and  yif  thou 
referre  it  or  loke  it  to  it-self,  than  is  it 
singuler.     But  now,  yif  thou  seyst  thus,  270 


(goet^me.    (^ooft  V:   (proee  vi. 


205 


that  yif  it  be  in  my  power  to  chaunge  my 
inarpos,  than  shal  I  voide  the  purviaunce 
of  aod,  whan  that,  peraventure,  I  shal 
han  chaunged  the  thinges  that  he  know- 

275  eth  biforn,  thanne  shal  I  answere  thee 
thus.  Certes,  thoii  mayst  wel  chaunge 
thy  purpos  ;  but,  for  as  mochel  as  the 
present  soothnesse  of  the  devyne  pur- 
viaunce    biholdeth     that     thou     mayst 

280  chaunge  thy  purpos,  and  whether  thou 
wolt  chaunge  it  or  no,  and  whiderward 
that  th«\\  tome  it,  thou  ne  mayst  nat 
cschuen  the  devjTie  prescience  ;  right  as 
thou  ne  mayst  nat  fleen  the  sighto  of  the 

jSs  presente  eye,  al-though  that  thoii  torne 
thy-self  by  thy  free  wil  in-to  dj-verse 
iicciouns.  But  thou  mayst  seyn  aj'ein  : 
"  How  shal  it  thanne  be?  Shal  nat  the 
devyne  science  be  chaunged  by  my  dis- 

ji^o  posicioun,  whan  that  I  wol  o  thing  now, 
and  now  another  ?  And  thilke  prescience, 
ne  semeth  it  nat  to  entrechaunge  stoundes 
of  knowinge  ; "' '  as  who  seith.  ne  shal  it  nat 
tame  to  us,  that  flie  devyne  prescience  entrc- 

n)^  chaunrjeth  hise  dyverse  stoundes  of  know- 
inge, so  that  it  knows  sum-tyme  o  thin;/  and 
siim-tyme  the  contrarie  of  that  thing  f 
'  No,  forsothe,'  quod  I. 

Philosophic.    'For  the    devyne    sighte 

^tx)  renneth  to-forn  and  seeth  alle  futures, 
and  clepeth  hem  ayein,  and  retorneth 
hem  to  the  presence  of  his  propre  know- 
inge ;  ne  he  ne  cntrechauugeth  nat,  so  as 
thou  weuest,  the    stoundes    of  forknow- 

3»)5  inge,  as  now  this,  now  tliat ;  but  he  ay- 
dwcUinge  conith  Ijiforn,  and  embraceth 
at  o  strook  alle  thy  mutaciouns.  And  this 
presence  to  comprchcnden  and  to  seen 
alle  thinges,  god  ne  hath  nat  taken  it  of 

310  the  bilydingeof  thinges  to  com.e,  but  of  his 


propre  simplicitee.  And  her-hy  is  assoiled 
thilke  thing  that  thou  puttest  a  litel 
her-biforn,  that  is  (0  seyn,  that  it  is  un- 
worthj'  thing  to  seyn,  that  our  futures 
yeven  cause  of  the  science  of  god.  For  . 
certes,  this  strengthe  of  the  devj"ne 
science,  which  that  embraceth  alio 
thinges  by  his  j)resentarie  knowinge, 
establissheth  maner  to  alle  thinges,  and 
it  ne  oweth  naught  to  latter  thinges  ;  and 
sin  that  these  thinges  ben  thus,  that  is  to 
seyn,  sin  that  necessitee  nis  nat  in  thinges  by 
the  devyne  prescience,  than  is  ther  freedom 
of  arbitre,  that  dwelleth  hool  and  un- 
wemmed  to  mortal  men.  Ne  the  lawos  ne 
purposen  nat  wikkedly  modes  and  peynes 
to  the  willinges  of  men  that  ben  un- 
bounden  and  quite  of  alle  necessitee.  An<l 
god,  bill  older  and  for-witer  of  alle  thinges, 
dwelleth  above  ;  and  the  present  eternitee 
of  his  sighte  renneth  alwey  with  the 
dyverse  qualitee  of  oure  dedes,  dispons- 
inge  and  ordeyninge  medes  to  goode  men, 
and  torments  to  wikked  men.  Ne  in  ydcl 
ne  in  voj-n  ne  ben  ther  nat  put  in  god 
hope  and  preyeres,  that  ne  mowen  nat 
ben  unspeedful  ne  with-oute  effect,  whan 
they  ben  rightful.  Withstond  thanne 
and  eschue  thou  vyces ;  worshipe  and  l<jve 
thou  virtues  ;  areys  thy  corage  to  right- 
fial  hojjes  ;  yUde  thou  humble  preyeres 
a-heigh.  Gret  necessitee  of  prowesse 
and  vertu  is  encharged  and  commaunded 
to  yow,  yif  ye  nil  nat  dissimulen  ;  sin 
that  ye  worken  and  doon,  that  is  to  seyn, 
your  dedi's  or  your  tcorkes,  biforn  the  eycn 
of  the  juge  that  seeth  and  denicth  alle 
thinges.'  To  whom  be  glorye  and  worshipe 
by  infinit  tymes.     Amen. 


TROILUS    AND    CRISEYDE. 


BOOK   I. 


1.  The  double  sorwe  of  Troilus  to  tellen, 
That    was    the    king    Priamus   sone    of 

Troye, 
In  lovinge,  how  his  aventnres  fellen 
Fro  wo  to  wele,  and  after  out  of  joye, 
My  jiurpos  is,  er  that  I  parte  fro  ye.         5 
Thesiphone,  thou  help  me  for  t'endyte 
Thise  woful  vers,  that  wejDen  as  I  wryte  ! 
4- 

2.  To  thee  clepe  I,  thon  goddesse  of  tor- 

ment, 
Thou  cruel  Furie,  sorwing  ever  in  peyne  ; 
Help  me,  that  am  the  sorwful  instrument 
That  helpeth  lovers,  as  I  can,  to  pleyne  ! 
For  wt'l  sit  it,  the  sotlie  for  to  seyne,     12 
A  woful  wight  to  han  a  drery  fere, 
And,  to  a  sorwful  tale,  a  sory  chere. 

3.  For  I,  that  god  of  Loves  servaunts  serve, 
Ne  dar  to  Love,  for  myn  unlyklinesse,  16 
Preyen    for  speed,  al    sholdo    I    therfor 

sterve, 
So  fcr  am  I  fro  his  help  in  derknesse  ; 
But  nathelees,  if  this  may  doon  gladnesse 
To  any  lover,  and  his  cause  avayle,         20 
Have  he  my  thank,  and  myn  he  this  tra- 

vayle ! 

4.  But  ye  loveres,   that  bathen  in  glad- 

nesse, 
If  any  drope  of  piteo  in  yow  be, 
Remembrcth  yow  on  passed  hcvinesse 
That  ye  lian  I'elt,  and  on  the  adversitee  25 
Of  othcre  folk,  and  thenketh  how  that  ye 
Han  felt  that  Love  dorste  yow  displese  ; 
Or  ye  han  wonne  him  with  to  greet  an  ese. 


5.  And  preyeth  for  hem  that  hen  in  the  cas 
Of  Troilus,  as  ye  may  after  here,  30 
That  love  hem  bringe  in  hevene  to  solas. 
And  eek  for  me  preyeth  to  god  so  dere. 
That   I   have   might  to   shewe,    in    som 

manere, 
Swich  peyne  and  wo  as  Loves  folk  endure. 
In  Troilus  unsely  aventure.  35 

6.  And  biddeth   eek  for  hem  that  been 

despeyred 
m  love,  that  never  nil  recovered  be, 
And  eek  for  hem  that  falsly  been  apeyred 
Thorugli  wikked  tonges,  be  it  he  or  she  ; 
Thus  biddeth  god,  for  his  benignitee,     40 
To  graunte  hem  sone  out  of  this  world  to 

pace. 
That  been  despeyred  out  of  Loves  grace. 

7.  And  biddeth  eek  for  hem  that  been  at 

ese, 
That  god  hem  graunte  ay  good  perseve- 

raunce. 
And  sende  hem  might  hir  ladies  so  to 

plese,  45 

That  it  to  Love  be  worship  and  plesaunce. 
For  so  hope  I  my  soule  best  avaunce. 
To  preye  for  hem  that  Loves  servaunts  be, 
And  wryte  hir  wo,  and  live  in  charitee. 

8.  And  for  to  have  of  hem  compassioun  50 
As  though  I  were  hir  owene  brother  dere. 
Now  herkeneth  with  a  gode  entencioun. 
For  now  wol  I  gon  streight  to  my  matere, 
In  whiche  ye  may  the  double  sorwes  here 


Book  I.] 


^rotfue  an>  Cviet^it. 


207 


Of  Troilus,  in  loving  of  Criseyde,  55 

And  how  that  she  forsook   him  er  she 
deyde.  -^ 

9.  It  is  wel  wist,  how  that  the  Grekes 

stronge 
In  armes  with  a  thoiisand  shippes  wente 
To  Troye-wardes,  and  the  citee  longe 
Assegeden  neigh  ten  yeerer  they  stente,  60 
And,  in  diverse  wyse  and  oon  entente, 
The  ravisshing  to  wreken  of  Eleyne, 
By  Paris  doon,  they   wronghten  al  hir 

peyne. 

10.  Now  fil  it  so,  that  in  the  toun  ther  was 
Dwellinge  a  lord  of  greet  aiictoritee,       65 
A  gret  devyn  that  cleped  was  Calkas, 
That  in  science  so  expert  was,  that  he 
Knew  wel  that  Troye  sholde  destroyed  be. 
By  answere  of  his  god,  that  highte  thus, 
Dann  Phebus  or  Apollo  Delphicus.  70 

11.  So  whan  this  Calkas  knew  by  calcii- 

linge. 
And  eek  by  answere  of  this  Appollo, 
That  Grekes  sholden  swich  a  peple  bringe, 
Thorugh  which  that  Troye   moste  been 

for-do. 
He  caste  anoon  out  of  the  toun  to  go  ;     y^ 
For  wel  wiste   he,  by   sort,  that   Troye 

sholde 
Destroyed  been,  ye,  wolde  who-so  nolde. 

12.  For  which,  for  to  departen  softely 
Took  purpos  ful  this  forknowinge  ^vyse, 
And  to  the  Grekes  ost  ful  prively  80 
He  stal  anoon  ;  and  they,  in  curteys  wyse. 
Him  deden  bothe  worship  and  servyse, 
In  trust  that  he  hath  conning  hem  to  rede 
In  every  peril  which  that  is  to  drede 

13.  The  noyse  up  roos,  whan  it  was  first 
aspyed,  85 

Thorugh  al  the  toun,  and  generally  was 

spoken. 
That  Calkas  traytor  fled  was,  and  allyed 
With  hem  of  Grece  ;  and  casten  to  ben 

wroken 
On  him  tliat  falsly  hadde  his   feith  so 

broken  ; 
And  seyden,  he  and  al  his  kin  at  ones     90 
Ben  worthy  for  to  brennen,  fel  and  bones. 


14.  Now  hadde  Calkas  left,  in  this  mes- 
chaunce, 

Al  vmwist  of  this  false  and  wikked  dede. 
His  doughter,    which   that   was  in  gret 

penaunce, 
For  of  hir  lyf  she  was  ful  sore  in  drede,    95 
As  she  that  niste  what  was  best  to  rede  ; 
For  bothe  a  widowe  was  she,  and  allone 
Of  any  freend,  to  whom  she  dorste  hir 

mone. 

15.  Criseyde  was  this  lady  name  a-right ; 
As  to  my  dome,  in  al  Troyes  citee         ico 
Nas  noon  so  fair,  for  passing  every  wight 
So  aungellyk  was  hir  natyf  beautee, 
That  lyk  a  thing  inmortal  semed  she. 
As  doth  an  hevenish  parfit  creature, 
That    doun    were    sent   in   scorning    of 

nature.  105 

16.  This  lady,  which  that  al-day  herde  at 
ere 

Hir    fadres    shame,    his    falsnesse    and 

tresoun, 
Wel  nigh  out  of  hir  wit  for  sorwe  and  fere, 
In  widewes  habit  large  of  samit  broun, 
On  knees  she  fil  biforn  Ector  a-doun  ;    no 
With  pitous  voys,  and  tendrely  wepinge. 
His  mercy  bad,  hir-selven  excusinge. 

17.  Now  was  this  Ector  pitous  of  nature. 
And  saw  that  she  was  sorwfuUy  bigoon. 
And  that  she  was  so  lair  a  creature  ;     115 
Of  his  goodnesse  he  gladed  hir  anoon, 
And  seyde,  '  lat  your  fadres  treson  goon 
Forth  with  mischaunce,  and  ye  your-self, 

in  joye, 
Dwelleth  with  us,  whyl  you  good  list,  in 
Troye. 

18.  And  al  th'onour  that  men  may  doon 
yow  have,  120 

As  ferforth  as  your  fader  dwelled  here. 
Ye  shiil  han, and  yoiir  body  .shal  men  save. 
As  fer  as  I  may  ought  enquero  or  here.' 
And  she  him  thonked  with  ful  humble 

chere. 
And   ofter  wolde,  and  it  hadde  ben  his 

wille,  125 

And  took  hir  leve,  and  hoom,  and  hold 

hir  stille. 


208 


^roifue  ani  Cneepie. 


[Book  I. 


19.  And  in  liir  hoiis  she  abood  with  swich 
meynee 

As  to  hir  honour  nede  was  to  holde  ; 
And  whyl  she  was  dwellinge  in  that  citee, 
Kepte  hir  estat,  and  bothe  of  yonge  and 

olde  130 

Pul  wel  beloved,  and  wel  men  of  hir  tolde. 
But  whether  that  she  children  hadde  or 

noon, 
I  rede  it  nought ;  therfore  I  lete  it  goon. 

20.  The  thinges  fallen,  as  they  doon  of 

werre, 
Bitwixen    hem     of    Troye    and     Grekes 

ofte ;  135 

For  som  day  boughten  they  of  Troye  it 

derre, 
And  eft  the  Grekes  founden  no  thing  softe 
The  folk  of  Troye  ;  and  thus  fortune  on- 

lofte, 
And  under  eft,  gau  hem  to  wheelen  bothe 
After  hir  cours,  ay  whyl  they  were  wrothe. 

21.  But  how  this  toiiii  com  to  destruc- 
cioun  141 

Ke  falleth  nought  to  purpos  mo  to  telle  ; 
For  it  were  here  a  long  disgressioun 
Fro  my  matere,  and  yow  to  longe  dwelle. 
But  the  Troyane  gestes,  as  they  felle,  145 
In  Omer,  or  in  Dares,  or  in  Bj-te, 
Who-so  that  can,  may  rede  hem  as  they 
wrj-te. 

22.  But  though  that  Grekes  hem  of  Troye 
shetten, 

And  hir  citee  bisegede  al  a-boute, 
Hir  olde  usage  wolde  they  not  letten,    150 
As  for  to  honoure  hir  goddesful  devoute  ; 
But  aldermost  in  honour,  out  of  doute, 
They  hadde  a  relik  hight  Palladion, 
That  was  hir  trist  a-boven  everichon. 

23.  And   so   bifel,  whan  conien  was  the 

tyme  155 

Of  Aperil,  whan  clothed  is  the  mede 
With  newe  grcne,  of  lusty  Ver  the  pryme, 
And  swote  smellen  floures  whj-te  and  rede, 
In  sondrj-  wyses  shewed,  as  I  rede, 
The  folk  of  Troye  hir  observaunces  olde, 
Palladiones  feste  for  to  holde.  161 

2-4.  And  to  the  temple, in  al  hir  beste  wyse, 
In  general,  ther  wentc  many  a  wight, 


To  herknen  of  Palladion  the  servyse  ; 
And  namely,  so  manj-  a  lusty  knight,  165 
So  many  a  lady  fresh  and  mayden  bright, 
Ful  wel  arayed,  bothe  mosto  and  leste, 
Ye,  bothe  for  the  seson  and  the  feste. 

25.  Among  thise  othere  folk  was  Criseyda, 
In  widewes  habite  blak ;  but  nathelees, 
Eight  as  our  firste  lettre  is  now  an  A,  171 
In  beavitee  first  so  stood  she,  makelees  ; 
Hir  godly  looking  gladede  al  the  prees. 
Nas  never  seyn  thing  to  ben  preysed  derre, 
Nor  under  cloude  blak  so  bright  a  sterre 

26.  As  was  Criseyde,  as  folk  seyde  everich- 
oon  176 

That  hir  bihelden  in  hir  blake  wede  ; 
And  yet  she  stood  ful  lowe   and   stille 

alloon, 
Bihinden  othere  folk,  in  litel  brede. 
And   neigh   the  dore,  ay  under  shames 

drede,  180 

Simple  of  a-tyr,  and  debonaire  of  chere, 
Witli  ful  assured  lokingand  manere. 

27.  This  Troilus,  as  he  was  wont  to  gyde 
His  yonge  kniglites,  ladde  hem  up  and 

doiin 
In  thilke  large  temple  on  every  syde,    185 
BUiolding  ay  the  ladyes  of  the  toiin, 
Now  here,  now  there,  for  no  devocioun 
Hadde  ho  to  noon,  to  reven  him  his  reste. 
But  gan  to  preyse  and  lakken  whom  him 

leste. 

28.  And  in  his  walk  ful  fast  he  gun  to 
wayten  lyo 

If  knight  or  squyer  of  his  companye 
Gan  for  to  syke,  or  lete  his  eyen  bayten 
On  any  woman  that  lie  coude  aspye  ; 
He  wolde  smyle,  and  holden  it  folye, 
And  seye  him  thus,  '  god  wot,  she  slepeth 

softe  195 

For  love  of  thee,  whan  thou  tornest  ful 

ofte! 

29.  '  I  have  herd  told,  pardieitx,  of  your 
livinge. 

Ye  lovers,  and  your  lewede  observaunces, 

And  which  a  lalxjur  folk  han  in  winninge 

Of  love,  and,  in  the  keping,  which  don- 

tauncos ;  200 


Book  I.] 


^roifu5  ant  Crteejic. 


209 


And  whan   your  preye   is   lost,  wo  and 

penaunces  ; 
O  veTey  foles  !  nj-co  and  blinde  be  ye  ; 
Ther  nis  not  oon  can  war  by  other  be.' 

30.  And  with  that  word  he  gan  cast  up 
the  browe, 

Ascaunces,  '  lo  !  is  this  nonglit  wysly 
sp<dven  ? '  205 

At  wliich  the  god  of  love  gan  loken  rowe 

Right  for  despyt,  and  shoop  for  to  ben 
wroken  ; 

He  kidde  anoon  his  bowe  nas  not  broken  ; 

For  sodeynly  he  hit  him  at  the  fulle  ; 

And  yet  as  jiroud  a  pekok  can  he  pnlle.  210 

31.  0  blinde  world,  O  blinde  entencioun  ! 
How  ofte  i'alleth  al  th'efFeot  contraire 

Of  surqtiidrye  and  foul  presumpcioun  ; 
For  caught  is  proud,  and  caught  is  de- 
bonaire. 
(_V  This  Troilus  is  clomben  on  the  staire,  215 
W'r       ,^.nd  litel  weneth  that  he  moot  descenden. 


But    al-day    fayleth 
wendon. 


thing    that    foles 


32.  As    proude    Bayard    ginneth    for    to 
skippe 

Out  of  the  wey,  so  priketh  him  his  corn. 
Til  he  a  lash  have  of  the  longe  wliippe,  220 
Thau  thenketh  he,  '  though  I  xJi'aunce  al 

bifbrn 
First  in  the  trays,  ful  fat  and  newe  shorn, 
Yet  am  I  but  au  hors,  and  horses  lawc 
I  moot  endure,  and  with  my  feres  drawe.' 

33.  So  ferde  it  by  this  fers  and  proude 
knight ;  225 

Though  he  a  worthy  kinges  sone  were. 
And  wendo  no-thing  hadde  had  swiche 

might 
Ayens  his  wil  that  sholde  his  herte  stere. 
Yet  with  a  look  his  herte  wex  a-fere, 
That  he,  that  now  was  most  in   pryde 

above,  2^0 

Wex  sodejTily  most  subget  un-to  love. 

34.  For-thy  ensample  taketh  of  tliis  man, 
Ye  wysc,  proude,  and  worthy  folkes  alle, 
To  scornen  Love,  which  that  so  sone  can 
The  freedom  of  your  hertcs  to  liim  thralle; 
For  ever  it  was,  and  ever  it  shal  bifalle, 


That   Love   is   he   that   alle   thing   may 

binde  ; 
For  may  no  man  for-do  the  lawc  of  kinde. 


r-cio  tne  lawc 
loth,  hath  pr 


35.  That  this  be  sooth,  hath  f)reved  and 
doth  yit ;  2!(> 

For  tliis  trowe  I  ye  knowen,  alle  or  som(% 
Men  reden  not  that  folk  han  gretter  wit 
Than  thej^  that  hau  be  most  with  love 

y-nome  ; 
And  strengestfolk  ben  therwith  overcome, 
The  worthiest  and  grettest  of  degree ;  244 
This  was,  and  is,  and  yet  men  shal  it  sue. 

36.  And  trewelich  it  sit  wel  to  be  so  ;  "* 
For  alderwysest  han  ther- with  benplesed ; 
And  they  that  han  ben  aldermost  in  wo. 
With  love  han  been  contorted  most  and 

csed ;  249 

And  ofte  it  hath  the  crviel  herte  apesed, 
And  worthy  folk  maad  worthier  of  name, 
And  causeth  most  to  dreden  vyce  and 

shame.  L-* 

37.  Now  sith  it  may  not  goodly  be  with- 
stonde, 

And  is  a  thing  so  vertnous  in  kinde, 
Eefuseth  not  to  Love  for  to  be  bonde,  255 
Sin,  as  him-selven  list,  he  m.ay  yow  binde. 
The  yerde  is  bet  that  bowen  wole  and 

winde 
Than  that  that  ])rest  ;  and  therfor  I  yow 

rede 
To  folwen  him  tliat  so  wel  can  yow  ledc. 

38.  But  for  to  tollen  forth  in  special    iCm 
As  of  this  kinges  sone  of  which  I  tolde. 
And  leten  other  thing  collateral. 

Of  him  thenke  I  my  tale  for  to  ludde, 
Bothe  of  his  joyo,  and  of  his  cai-os  colde  ; 
And  al  his  werk,  as  touching  this  niutere. 
For  I  it  gan,  I  wil  thor-to  refers.  2o() 

39.  With-inne  the  temple  he  wente  hini 
forth  pleyinge. 

This  Troilus,  of  every  wight  aboute. 
On  this  lady  and  now  on  that  lokinge, 
Wher-so  slie  were  of  toune,  or  of  with- 

oute :  271) 

And  up-on  cas  bifel,  that  thorugli  a  route 
His  eye  perced,  and  so  depe  it  wente. 
Til    on    Criseyde   it   smoot,  and   ther  it 

stente. 


^rotftt0  ani  Cme^ie. 


[Book  I. 


40.  And    sodeynly    lie    wex    tlier-with 
astoned, 

And  gan  liire  bet  biholde  in  thrifty  wyse  : 
'  O    mercy,    god  ! '    thoiighte   lie,    '  wlier 

hastow  woned,  276 

That  art  so  fair  and  goodly  to  de^-j'se  ? ' 
Ther-with  his  herte  gan  to  sprede  and 

ryse, 
And  softe  sighed,  lest  men  mighte  him 

here, 
And   caughte  a-yein  his  firste  pleyinge 

chere.  280 

41.  She  nas   not   with   the   leste   of  hir 
stature, 

But  alle  hir  limes  so  wel  answer ingc 
Weren  to  wonianhode,  that  creature 
Was  never  lasse  mannish  in  seminge.  284 
And  eek  the  pure  wyse  of  here  meninge 
Shewede  Avel,  that  men  might  in  hir  gesse 
Honour,  estat,  and  wommanly  noblesse. 

42.  To  Troilus  right  wonder  wel  with-alle 
Gan   for  to   lyke  hir   mening   and    hir 

chere. 
Which  somdel  deynous  was,  for  she  leet 

falle  290 

Hir  look  a  lite  a-side,  in  swich  manere, 
Ascaunees,    '  what !  may  I  not  stonden 

here  ?' 
And  after  that  hir  loking  gan  she  lighte. 
That  never  thoughte  him  seen  so  good 

a  sighte. 

43.  And  of  hir  look  in  him  ther  gan  to 
quiken  295 

So  greet  desir,  and  swich  afFeccioun, 
That  in  his  hertes  botme  gan  to  stiken 
Of  hir  his  fixe  and  depo  impressioun  : 
And   though  he  erst   hadde   poured   up 
and  doun,  299 

Ho  was  tho  glad  his  homes  in  to  shrinke  ; 
Unnethes  wiste  he  how  to  loke  or  winke. 

44.  Lo,  he  that  leet  him-selven  so  kon- 
ninge. 

And  scorned  hem  that  loves  peynes  dryen, 
Was   ful    unwar   that    love    hadde    his 

dwellinge 
With-inne  the  subtile  stromes  of  hir  yijn  ; 
Thfit    sodeynly  him    thoughte   he  felte 


dyen, 


Right  with   hir   look,   the  spirit  in  his 

herte; 
Blessed  be  love,  that  thus  can  folk  con- 

verte  ! 

45.  She,  this  in  blak,  lykinge  to  Troilus, 
Over  alle  thing  he  stood  for  to  biholde ; 
Xe  his  desir,  ne  wherfor  he  stood  thus. 
He  neither  chere  made,  ne  worde  tolde  ; 
But  from  a-fer,  his  maner  for  to  holde. 
On  other  thing  his  look  som-tymc  he  caste. 
And  eft  on  hir,  whyl  that  servyse  laste.  315 

46.  And   after   this,    not   fuUiche   nl   a- 
whaped. 

Out  of  the  temple  al  csiliche  he  wente, 
Bepentinge  him  that  he  hadde  ever  y- 

japed 
Of  loves  folk,  lest  fully  the  descente 
Of  scorn  fille  on  him-self ;  but,  what  he 

mente,  320 

Lest  it  were  wist  on  any  maner  syde, 
His  wo  he  gan  dissimulen  and  hyde. 

47.  Wlian   he  was   fro  the  temple   thus 
departed. 

He  streyght  anoon  un-to  hispaleys  torneth, 
Right  with  hir  look  thurgh-shoten  and 

thurgh-darted,  325 

Al  feyneth  he  in  lust  that  he  sojometh  ; 
And  al   his   chere   and   speche    also    he 

borneth  ; 
And  aj',  of  loves  servants  every  whyle, 
Him-self  to  wrye,  at  hem  he  gan  to  smjde. 

48.  And  seyde,  '  lord,  so  ye  live  al  in  lest, 
Ye  loveres  !  for  the  conningest  of  yow,  331 
That  serveth  most  ententiflich  and  best, 

.Him  tit  as  often  harm  ther-of  as  prow; 
Your  hyre  is  quit  ayein,  yo,  god  wot  how  ! 
Nought  wel  for  wel,  but  scorn  for  good 
servj-se ;  335 

In  feith,  your  ordre  is  ruled  in  good  wyse ! 

49.  In   noun-certeyn   ben   alio   j^our   ob- 
servaunces, 

But  it  a  sely  fewe  poyntes  be  ; 
Ne  no-thing  asketh  so  grete  attendaunces 
As  doth  your  lay,  and  that  knowe  alle  ye  ; 
But  that  is  not  the  worste,  as  mote  I  thee  ; 
But,  tolde  I  yow  the  worste  poynt,  I  leve, 


306      Al  seyde  I  sooth,  ye  wolden  at  me  greve  ! 


Book  I.] 


^rotfue  ant  tviu^U. 


i 


50.  But   tak   this,    that   ye   loveres    ofte 
eschuwe, 

Or  elles  doon  of  good  enteneionn,  345 

Ful  ofte  thy  lady  wole  it  misconstrue, 
And  deme  it  harm  in  hir  opiniotm  ; 
And  j-et  if  she,  for  other  enchesoun, 
Be  wrooth,  than  shalt  thou  han  a  groyn 

anoon  : 
Lord  !  wel  is  him  that  may  be  of  yow  oon ! ' 

51.  But  for  al  this,  whan  that  he  say  his 
t  jTne,  35 1 

He   held   his   pees,  non  other   bote  him 

gayned  ; 
For  love  bigan  his  fetheres  so  to  lyme, 
That  wel  iinnethe  un-to  liis  folk  he  feyned 
That  othere  besye  nedes  him  destrayned  ; 
For  wo  was  him,  that  what  to  doon  he 

niste,  356 

But  bad  his  folk  to  goon  wher  that  hem 

liste. 

52.  And  whan  that  he  in  chaombre  was 
allone, 

He  doun  np-on  his  beddes  feet  him  sette, 
And   first   he  gan   to   syke,   and   eft   to 

grone,  360 

And  thoughte  ay  on  hir  so,  with-onten 

lette, 
^Jhat,  as  he  sat  and  wook,  his  spirit  mette 
That  he  hir  saw  a  temple,  and  al  the  wyse 
Hight  of  hir  loke,  and  gan  it  newe  a\'yse. 

53.  Thvis  gan  he  make  a  niirour  of  his 

minde,  365 

In  which  he  saugh  al  hoolly  hir  figure  ; 
And  that  ho  wel  coude  in  his  herte  finde. 
It  was  to  him  a  right  good  aventure 
To  love  swich  oon,  and  if  he  dide  his  ctire 
To   serven   hir,   yet   mighte  he  falle  in 

grace,  370 

Or  elles,  for  oon  of  hir  servaunts  pace. 

54.  Imagininge  that  travaille  nor  grame 
Ne  mighte,  for  so  goodly  oon,  be  lorn 
As  she,  no  him  for  his  desir  ne  shame, 
Al  were  it  wist,  but  in  prys  and  up-born 
Of  alle  lovers  wel  more  than  biforn  ;     376 
Thus  argumented  he  in  his  ginninge, 
Ful  nnavj'sed  of  his  wo  cominge. 

55.  Thus  took   he  piirpos  loves  craft   to 
suwe. 

And  thoughte  he  woldo  werken  prively, 


First,  to  hyden  his  desir  in  miiwe  381 

From  every  wight  y-born,  al-outrely. 
But  he  mighte  ought  recovered  be  therby ; 
Remembring  him,  that  love  to  wyde  y- 

blowe 
Yelt  bittre  frnj-t,  though  swete  seed  be 

sowe.  385 

56.  And  over  al  this,  yet  niuchel  more  he 
thoughte 

What  for  to  speke,  and  what  to  holden 

inne, 
And  what  to  arten  hir  to  love  he  soughte. 
And  on  a  song  anoon-right  to  biginne,  389 
And  gan  loude  on  his  sorwe  for  to  winne ; 
For  with  good  hope  he  gan  fully  assente 
Criseyde  for  to  love,  and  nought  repente. 

57.  And   of  his   song  nought   only  the 
sentence, 

As  writ  myn  autour  called  Lolling, 
But  pleynly,  save  out  tonges  difference, 
I  dar  wel  sayn,  in  al  that  Troilus  306 

Seyde  in  his  song  ;  lo  !  every  word  right 

thus 
As  I  shal  seyn  ;  and  who-so  list  it  here, 
Lo  !  next  this  vers,  he  may  it  finden  here. 

Cantus  TroilL 

58.  '  If  no  love  is,  O  god,  what  fele  I  so  ? 
And  if  love  is,  what  thing  and  whiche 

is  he  ?  401 

If  love  be  good,  from  whennes  comth  mj- 

wo? 
If  it  be  wOtke,  a  wonder  thinketh  me. 
When  every  torment  and  adversitee 
That  cometh  of  him,  may  to  me  savory 

thinke ;  405 

For  ay  thurst  I,  the  more  that  I  it  drinke. 

59.  And   if  that   at   myn    owiene   lust  I 
brenno. 

Fro  whonnes  cometh  my  wailing  and  my 

pleynto  ? 
If  harme  agree   me,   wher-to    pleyne   I 

thenne  ? 
I  noot,  ne  why  unwery  that  I  fejTite.  410 
O  quike  deeth,  o  swete  harm  so  queynte. 
How  may  of  thee  in  me  swich  quantitee, 
But-if  that  I  consento  that  it  bo  ? 

60.  And  if  that  I  consente,  I  wrongfully 
Compleyne,  y-wis ;  thus  possed  to  and  fro, 


Z-voiUe  ani  €rteepbe. 


[Book  1. 


Al  sterelees  with-inne  a  boot  am  I         416 
A-mid  the  see,  by-twixen  windcs  two, 
That  in  contrarie  stonden  ever-mo. 
Alias  !  what  is  this  wonder  maladye  ?  4 19 
For  hate  of  cold,  for  cold  of  hete,  I  dye.' 

61.  And  to  the  god  of  love  thus  seyde  he 
With  pitous  voys,  '  O  lord,  now  youres  is 
Mj- spirit,  which  that  oiighte  youres  be. 
Yow  thanke  I,  lord,  that  han  me  brought 

to  this  ; 
But  whether  goddesse  or  woniman,  y-wis, 
She  be,   I  noot,    which   that  ye   do   me 

serve ;  426 

But  as  hir  man  I  wole  ay  live  and  sterve. 

62.  Ye  stonden  in  hire  eyen  mightily. 
As  in  a  place  un-to  your  vertu  digne  ; 
AVlierfore,  lord,  if  my  ser\'yse  or  I         430 
May  lyke  yow,  so  beth  to  me  benigne  ; 
For  myn  estat  royal  here  I  resigns 
In-to  hir  hond,  and  with  ful  humble  chere 
Bicome  hir  xaan,  as  to  my  lady  dere.'  434 

63.  In  him  ne  dejnaed  sparen  blood  royal 
The  fyr  of  love,  wher-fro  god  me  blesse, 
Xe  him  forbar  in  no  degree,  for  al 

His  vertu  or  his  excellent  prowesse  ; 
But  held  him  as  his  thral  lowe  in  distresse. 
And  brende  him  so  in  sondry  wyse  ay 
newe,  440 

That  sixty  tymc  a  day  he  loste  his  hewe. 

64.  So   muche,    day   by   day,    his   owene 
thought. 

For  lust  to  hir,  gan  quiken  and  cncrese. 
That  every  otlicrcliarge  he  sette  at  nought ; 
For-thy  ful  ofte,  his  liote  fyr  to  cese,    445 
To  seen  hir  goodly  look  he  gan  to  prese  ; 
For  ther-by  to  ben  esed  wel  he  wende. 
And   ay  the   neer   he  was,  the  more  he 
brende. 

65.  For  ay  the  neer  the  fyr,  the  hotter  is, 
This,  trowe  I,  knoweth  al  this  companye. 
But  were  he  for  or  neer,  I  dar  seye  this, 
By  night  or  day,  for  wysdom  or  folye,  452 
His  herte,  which  that  is  his  brestes  yg, 
Was  ay  on  hir,  that  fairer  was  to  sene 
Than  ever  was  Eleyne  or  Polixene.        455 

66.  Eek  of  the  day  ther  passed  nought  an 
honre 

That  to  hinx-self  a  t  liousand  tymchcsej-de, 


'  Good  goodly,  to  whom  serve  I  and  la- 
boure,  45S 

As  I  best  can,  now  wolde  god,  Crisej'de. 
Ye  wolden  on  me  rewe  er  that  I  deyde  ! 
My  dere  herte,  alias  !  m>-n  hele  and  liewf 
And  lyf  is  lost,  but  ye  wole  on  me  rewo.' 

67.  AUe  others  dredes  weren  from  liini 
fledde, 

Bothe  of  th'assege  and  his  savacioun  : 
Xe   in   him   desjT    noon   others    fownes 

bredde  465 

But  arguments  to  this  conclusioun, 
That  she  on  him  wolde  han  compassioun. 
And  he  to  be  hir  man,  whyl  he  may  dure : 
Lo,  here  his  lyf,  and  from  the  deetli  his 

curs!  4'>  . 

68.  The sharpe shoures felle of armes pre\c. 
That  Ector  or  his  othere  bretheren  diden. 
Xe  made  him  only  ther-fore  ones  meve  : 
And  yet  was  he,  wher-so  men  wente  •,r 

riden, 
Founde  oou  the  best,  and  lengest  tyiii* 

abiden  474 

Ther  peril  was,  and  dide  eek  such  travaylc 
In  armes,  that  to  thenke  it  was  mervayl< . 

69.  But  lor  non  hate  he  to  the  Grcki  .< 

hadde, 
Xe  also  I'or  the  rescons  of  the  toun, 
Xe  made  him  thus  in  armes  for  to  mathU-. 
But  only,  lo,  for  this  conclusioun,  4S0 

To  lykcn  liir  the  bet  for  his  renoun  ; 
Fro  ilay  to  day  in  armes  so  he  spcddc. 
That  alle  the-Grekes  as  the  dseth  hiin 

dredde. 

70.  And  fro  this  forth  tho  refte  him  lo\( 
his  sleep. 

And  made  his  mete  his  foo  ;  and  eek  liis 
sorwe  4X5 

Gan  multiplye,  that,  who-so  toke  keep. 
It  shewed   in   his  hewe,   bothe  eve  and 

morwe  ; 
Thorfor  a  title  he  gan  him  for  to  borwc 
Of  other  syknesse,  lest  ^if  him  men  wenilc 
That  the  bote  fyr  of  love  him  brende.  4'/  > 

71.  And  seyde,  he  hadde  a  fever  and  ferde 
amis  ; 

But  how  it  was,  certajai,  can  I  not  seye, 


Book  I.] 


Crotfue  anb  Cneepie. 


^3 


If  that  his  lady  nnderstood  not  this, 
Or  feyiied  hir  she  niste,  oon  of  the  tweye  ; 
Biit  wel  I  rede  that,  liy  no  maner  weye, 
Ne  semed  it  [as]  that  she  of  him  roughte. 
Nor  of  his    peyne,    or    what-so-ever    he 
thoughte. 

72.  But  than  fel  to  this  Troyhts  sucli  wo. 
That  he  was  wel  neigh  wood  ;  for  ay  his 

drede  499 

AVas  tliis,  that  she  som  wight  had  loved  so, 
Tliat  never  of  him  she  wolde  have  taken 

hede  ; 
For  whichc   him   thoughte  he   i'elte  his 

lierte  blede. 
Ne  of  his  wo  ne  dorste  he  not  higinno 
To  tellen  it,  for  al  this  world  to  winne. 

"n.  But  whanne  he  haddo  a  space  fro  his 

care,  505 

Thus  to  him-self  ful  ofte  he  gan  to  pleyne ; 
He  sayde,  '  O  fool,  now  art  thou  in  the 

snare. 
That  whilom  japedest  at  loves  peyne  ; 
Now  artow  hent,  now  gnaw  thyn  owene 

cheyne ; 
Thou  were  ay  wont  echo  lovere  reprehcnde 
Of  thing  fro  which  thou  canst  thee  nat 

defende.  511 

74.  What  wole  now  every  lover  seyn  of 
thee, 

If  this  be  wist,  but  ever  in  thyn  absence 
Laughen  in  scorn,  and  se.'^m,  "  lo,  tlier 

gooth  he, 
That  is  tlic  man  of  so  gret  sapience,      515 
That  held  us  loveres  leest  in  reverence ! 
Now,  thoukcd  be  god,  he  may  goon  in  the 

daunce 
Of  hem  that  Love  list  febly  for  to  avaunce ! 

75.  But,  O  thou  woful  Troilus,  god  wolde. 
Sin  thow  most  loven  thurgh  thy  dostinee, 
That  thow  beset  were  on  swieh  oon  that 

sholde  52 1 

Knowe  al  thy  wo,  al  lakkede  hir  pitee  : 
But  al  so  cold  in  love,  towardes  thee. 
Thy  lady  is,  as  frost  in  winter  mono,    524 
And  thou  fordoon,  as  snow  in  tyr  is  sone." 

7G.  God  wolde  I  were  arj-ved  in  the  port 
Of  deeth,  to  which  my  sorwe  wil  mo  lede  ! 


A,  lord,  to  me  it  were  a  greet  comfort ; 
Tlien  were  I  quit  of  langiiisshing  in  dredo. 
For  by  myn  hidde  sorwe  y-blowe  on  bredo 
I  shal  bi-japed  been  a  thousand  tyme  531 
More  than  that  fool  of  whos  folye  men 
ryme. 

77.  But  now  help  god,  and  ye,  swete,  for 
whom 

I  ple.^-ne,   y-caught,  ye,   never  wight   so 

faste !  534 

O  mercy,  dere  herte,  and  help  me  from 
The  deeth,  for  I,  whyl  that  my  lyf  may 

laste. 
More  than   my-self  wol  love  .vow  to  my 

laste. 
And  with  som  freendlj^  look  gladeth  me, 

swete. 
Though  nevermore  thing  ye  me  bi-hete!" 

78.  Tliis  wordes  and  ful  manyo  an-other  to 
He  spak,   and   called   ever  in   his   com- 

plejnite  54 1 

Hir  name,  for  to  tellen  hir  his  wo. 
Til  neigh  that  he  in  salte  teres  dreynte. 
Al  was  for  nought,  she  lierde  nought  his 

pleynte ; 
And  whan    that  he   bithoughte  on   that 

folye,  545 

A  thousand  fold  his  wo  gan  multiplye. 

79.  Bi-wayling  in  his  chambrc  thusallone, 
A  freend  of  his,  that  called  was  Pandare, 
Com  ones  in  unwar,  and  horde  him  grone, 
And  sey  his  freend  in  swich  distresse  and 

care  :  550 

'  Alias  ! '  quod  he,   '  who  causeth  al  this 

fare  ? 
O    mercy,    god  !    wh.at    uiihap    may    this 

mene? 
Han   now  thus  sone  Grekes  maad   yow 

lene? 

SO.  Or  hastow  som  rcmors  of  conscience. 
And  art  now  falle  in  som  devocioun,  555 
And   waylest    for    tliy   sinne   and    thyn 

offence. 
And  hast  for  fcrdo  caught  attricioun  ? 
God  save  hem  that  bi-seged  lian  ourtoun. 
And  so  can  Icye  our  jolytee  on  prcsse, 
And  bring  our  lusty  folk  to  holinosse!' 


214 


^toifue  drib  Crteejie. 


[Book  I. 


81.  These  wordes  sej-de  he  for  the  nones 
alle,  561 

That  with  swieh  thing  he  mighte  him 

anf^ry  niaken, 
And  with  an  angre  don  his  sorwe  falle, 
As  for  the  tyme,  and  his  corage  awaken  ; 
Bnt  wel  he  wiste,  as  fer  as  tonges  spaken, 
Ther  nas  a  man  of  gretter  hardinesse  566 
Than  he,  ne  more  desired  worthinesse. 

82.  '  Wliat  cas,'  qnod  Troilixs,  '  or  what 
a  vent  lire 

Hath  gyded  thee  to  see  my  lang^iisshinge, 
That  am  refiis  of  every  creature  ?  570 

But  for  the  love  of  god,  at  my  preyinge. 
Go  henne  a-way,  for  certes,  my  deyinge 
Wol  thee  disese,  and  I  mot  nedes  deye  ; 
Ther-for  go  wey,  ther  is  no  more  to  seye. 

83.  But  if  thou  wene  I  be  thus  syk  for 
drede,  575 

It  is  not  so,  and  ther-for  scorne  nought ; 
Tlier  is  a-nother  thing  I  take  of  hede 
Wel  more  than  ought  the  Grekes  han 

y-'wrought, 
Which  cause  is  of  my  deeth,  for  sorwe 

and  thought. 
But  though  tliat  I  now  telle  thee  it  ne 

leste,  580 

Be  thou  nought  wrooth,  I  hyde  it  for  the 

heste.' 

84.  This  Pandare,  that  neigh  malt  for  wo 
and  routhe. 

Fill  often  scyde,  '  alias  !  what  may  this  be? 
Now  freend,'  quod   he,   "  if  ever  love  or 

trout  he 
Hath  been,  or  is,  bi-twixen  thee  and  me, 
Ne  do  thou  never  swiche  a  crueltee      586 
To  hyde  fro  thy  freend  so  greet  a  care  ; 
Wostow  nought  wel  that  it  am  I,  Pandare? 

85.  I  wole  parten  with  thee  al  thy  peyne. 
If  it  be  so  I  do  thee  no  comfort,  5;  o 
As  it  is  freondes  right,  sooth  for  to  seyne. 
To  entreparton  wo,  as  glad  desport. 

I  have,  and  shal,  for  trewe  or  fals  report, 

In  wrong  and  right  y-loved  thee  al  my 

lyve ;  594 

Hyd  not  thy  wo  fro  me,  but  telle  it  blyve.' 

86.  Then  gan  this  sorwful  Troilus  to  syke, 
And  seyde  him  thus,  '  god  leve  it  be  my 

beste 


To   telle  it  thee ;   for,  sith  it  may  thee 

lyke. 
Yet  wole  I  telle   it,  though  myn  herte 

breste ;  599 

And  wel  wot  I  thou  mayst  do  me  no  reste. 
But  lest  thow  deme  I  truste  not  to  thee. 
Now  herkne,  freend,  for  thus  it  stant  with 

me. 

87.  Love,  a-yeins  the  which  wh.o-so  de- 
fen  deth 

Him-selven  most,  him  alder-lest  avayleth, 
Witli  desespeir  so  sorvvfuUy  me  offendeth, 
That  streyght  iin-to  the  deeth  myn  herte 
sayleth.  606 

Ther-to  desyr  so  brenningly  me  assaylleth. 
That  to  ben  slayn  it  were  a  gretter  joye 
To  me  than  king  of  Greee  been  and  Troye  ! 

88.  Suffiseth  this,  my  fiiUe  freend  Pandare, 
That  I  have  seyd,  for  now  wostow  my  wo  ; 
And  for  the  love  of  god,  my  colde  care  612 
So  hyd  it  wel,  I  telle  it  never  to  mo  ; 
For  harmes  mighte  folwen,  mo  than  two. 
If  it  were  wist  ;  but  be  thou  in  gladnesse, 
And  lat  me  sterve,  uuknowe,  of  my  dis- 

tresse.'  616 

89.  '  How   hastow   thus    unkindely   and 
longe 

Hid  this  fro  me,  thou  fool?'  quod  Pan- 
dams  ; 
'  Paraunter  thou  might  after  swich  oon 

longe. 
That  myn  avys  an  oon  may  helpen  us.'  6io 
'  This  were  a  wonder  thing,'  quod  Troilus, 
'  Thou  coudest  never  in  love  thy-selven 

wisse  ; 
How  devel  maystow  bringen  me  to  blisse  ? ' 

90.  '  Ye,  Troilus,  now  herke,'  quod  Pan- 
dare, 

'  Though  I  be  nyce  ;  it  happeth  ofte  so,  625 
That  oon  that  exces  doth  ful  j'vele  I'are 
By  good   counseyl  can  kepe  his  freend 

tlier-fro. 
I  have  my-self  eek  seyn  a  blind  man  go 
Ther-as  he  fel  that  coude  loke  wj-de  ; 
A  fool  may  eek  a  wj'S  man  ofte  gj'de.    630 

91.  A  whetston  is  no  kerving  instrument, 
And  yet  it  maketh  sharpe  kerving-tolis. 


Book  I.] 


^roifu0  ani  C^riee^ie. 


215 


And  ther  thow  woost  that  I  have  ought 

miswent, 
Eschewe  thoii  that,   for  swich  thing  to 

thee  scole  is  ; 
Thus  ofte  -wyse  men  ben  war  by  folis.   635 
If  thou  do  so,  thy  wit  is  wel  biwared  ; 
By  his  contrarie  is  every  thing  declared. 

92.  For  how  might  ever  sweetnesse  have 
be  knowe 

To  him  that  never  tasted  bittemesse  ? 
Ne  no  man  may  be  inly  glad,  I  trowe,    640 
That  never  was  in  sorwe  or  som  distresse  ; 
Eek  whyt  by  blak,  by  shame  eek  worthi- 

nesse, 
Ech  set  by  other,  more  for  other  semeth ; 
As   men  may  see  ;    and  so  the  wyse  it 

demeth. 

93.  Sith  thus  of  two  contraries  is  a  lore, 
I,  that  have  in  love  so  ofte  assayed       646 
Grevaunces,  oughte  conne,  and  wel  the 

more 
Counsayllen  thee  of  that  thou  art  amayed. 
Eek  thee  ne  oughte  nat  ben  yvel  apayed. 
Though  I  desyre  with  thee  for  to  here  650 
Thyn  hevy  charge  ;  it  shal  the  lasse  dere. 

94.  I  woot  wel  that  it  fareth  thus  by  me 
As  to  thy  brother  Parys  an  herdesse. 
Which  that  y-cleped  was  Oenone,         654 
Wroot  in  a  compleynt  of  hir  hevinesse : 
Ye  sey  the  lettre  that  she  wroot,  y  gesse?' 
'  Nay,  never  yet,  y-wis,'  quod  Troilus. 

'  Now,'  quod  Pandare,  '  herkneth  ;  it  was 
thus.— 

95.  "  Phebus,  that  first  fond  art  of  medi- 
cyne," 

Quod  she,  "and  coude  in  every  wightes 
care  660 

Remede  and  reed,  by  herbes  he  knew  fyne, 
Yet  to  him-self  his  conninge  was  ful  bare  ; 
For  love  hadde  him  so  bounden  in  a  snare, 
Al  for  the  doughter  of  the  kinge  Admete, 
That  al  his  craft  ne  coude  his  sorwe 
bete." —  665 

96.  Eight  so  fare  I,  unhappily  for  me  ; 
Hove  oon  best,  and  that  mo  smerteth  sore ; 
And  yet,  paraunter,  can  I  rede  thee, 
And  not  my-self ;  repreve  me  no  more.  66y 
I  have  no  cause,  I  woot  wel,  for  to  sore 


As    doth  an   hauk    that    listeth    for    to 

plcye. 
But  to  thyn  help  yet  somwhat  can  I  seye. 

97.  And  of  o  thing  right  siker  maystow  be. 
That  cortayn,  for  to  deyen  in  the  peyne, 
That  I  shal  never-mo  discoveren  thee  ;  675 
Ne,  by  n:iy  trouthe,  I  kepe  nat  restreyne 
Thee   fro  thy  love,   thogh   that   it   were 

Eleyne, 
That  is  thy  brotheres  wyf,  if  ich  it  wiste : 
Be  what  she  be,  and  love  hir  as  thee  liste. 

98.  Therfore,    as   freend    fuUich    in    me 
assure,  OXo 

And  tel  me  plat  what  is  thyn  enchesoun. 
And  final  cause  of  wo  that  ye  endvire  ; 
For  douteth  no-thing,  myn  entencioun 
Nis  nought  to  yow  of  reprehencioiin. 
To   speke   as    now,    for   no   wight    may 
bireve  bS$ 

A  man  to  love,  til  that  him  list  to  leve. 

99.  And  witeth  wel,  that  bothe  two  ben 
vyces, 

Mistrusten  alle,  or  elles  alle  leve  ; 
But  wel  I  woot,  the  mene  of  it  no  \yce  is, 
For  for  to  trusten  sum  wight  is  a  preve  690 
Of  trouthe,  and  for-thy  wolde  I  fayn  re- 
move 
Tliy  wrong  conceyte,   and  do  thee  som 

wight  triste. 
Thy  wo  to  telle  ;  and  tel  me,  if  thee  liste. 

100.  The  wyse  seyth,   "  wo  him  that  is 
allone. 

For,  and  he  falle,  he  hath  noon  help  to 
ryse;"  695 

And  sith  thou  hast  a  felawe,  tel  thy  mone ; 
For  this  nis  not,  certeyn,  the  noxte  wyse 
To  winnen  love,  as  techen  us  the  wyse, 
To  walwe  and  wepe  as  Niobe  the  queno, 
Whos  teres  yet  in  marbel  been  y-sene.  ^(K) 

101.  Lat  be  thy  weping  and  thy  drerinesse, 
And  lat  us  lissen  wo  with  other  speche  ; 
So  may  thy  woful  tyme  seme  lesse. 
Delj'te  not  in  wo  thy  wo  to  seclie,  704 
As  doon  thise  foles  that  hir  surwes  eche 
With  sorwe,  whan  they  han  misaventure. 
And  listen  nought  to  seclie  hem  other 

cure. 


2l6 


^trotfue  ani  Cneepbe. 


[Book  T. 


102.  Men   seyn,    "to   •wTecche   is   conso- 
lacioun 

To  have  .in-other  felawe  in  his  pcj-ne  ;'' 
That  oughte  wel  bon  onr  opinioun,        710 
For,  hothe  thou  ami  I,  of  h>ve  we  pleyne  ; 
So  ful  of  sorwe  am  I,  soth  for  to  seyne, 
That  certeynly  no  more  harde  grace 
Jray   sitto   on   nie,    for-why   ther   is    no 
space. 

103.  If  god  wole  thoix  art  not  agast  of  me, 
Lest  I  wolde  of  thy  lady  thee  higyle,  716 
Tliow  wost   thy-self  whom  that  I  love, 

pardee, 
As  I  best  can,  gon  sithen  longe  whyle. 
And  sith  thou  wost  I  do  it  for  no  wyle,  719 
And  sith  I  am  he  that  thou  tristest  most, 
Tel  me  sumwhat,  sin  al  my  wo  thou  wost.' 

104.  Yet   Troilus,    for   al  this,   no   word 
seyde. 

But  longe  he  lay  as  stille  as  he  ded  were  ; 
And  after  this  with  sykinge  he  abreyde, 
And  to  Pandarus  voys  he  lente  his  ere,  725 
And  up  his  eyen  caste  he,  that  in  fere 
Was  Pandarus,  lest  that  in  frenesye 
He  sholde  falle,  or  elles  sone  dye  : 

105.  And   cryde   '  a-wake '  ful  wonderly 
and  sharpe  ; 

'  ^Yliat  ?  slombrcstow^  as  in  a  lytargye  ? 
Or  artow  lyk  an  asse  to  the  harjiCi        73' 
That  hcreth  soun,  whan  men  the  strenges 

plye, 
But  in  his  minde  of  that  no  melodye 
May  sinken,  him  to  glade,  for  that  he 
So  dul  is  of  his  bestialitee  ? '  735 

106.  And  with  that  Pandare  of  his  wordes 
stente ; 

But  Troilus  yet  him  no  word  answerde, 
For-why  to  telle  nas  not  his  entente 
To  never  no  man,  for  whom  that  he  so 
ferde.  739 

For  it  is  seyd,  '  man  maketh  ofte  a  yerde 
With  which  the  maker  is  him-self  y-beten 
In  sondry  maner,'  as  thise  wyse  treten, 

107.  And  namely,  in  his  counseyl  tellingo 
That  toucheth  love  that  oughte  be  secroe  ; 
For  of  him-self  it  wolde  y-nough   out- 
springe,  745 


But-if  that  it  the  bet  governed  be. 
Eek  som-tyme  it  is  craft  to  seme  flee 
Fro  thing  which  in  effect  men  hunte  faste ; 
Al  this  gan  Troilus  in  his  herte  caste. 

108.  But  nathelees,   whan  he  had  herd 
him  crye  750 

'  Awake  ! '  he  gan  to  syke  wonder  sore. 
And  seyde,  '  freend,  thoiigh  that  I  stille 

lye, 

I  am  not  deef ;  now  pees,  and  cry  no  more ; 
For  I  have  herd  thy  wordes  and  thy  lore; 
But  suffre  me  my  mischef  to  biwajde,  755 
For  thy  proverbes  may  me  nought  avayle. 

109.  Nor  other  cure  canst ow  noon  for  me. 
Eek  I  nil  not  be  cured,  I  wol  deye  ; 
\^'hat  knowe  I  of  the  quene  Niobe  ? 

Lat   be  thyne   olde   ensaumples,  I  thee 
preye.'  760 

'  No,'  quod  tho  Pandarus,  'therfore  I  seye, 
Swich  is  delyt  of  foles  to  biwepe 
Hir  wo,  but  sekeii  bote  they  ne  kepe. 

110.  Now  knowe  I  that  ther  reson  in  thee 
fayleth. 

But  tel  me,  if  I  wistc  what  she  were  765 
For  whom  that  thee  al  this  misaunter 

ayleth  ? 
Dorstestow  that  I  tolde  hir  in  hir  ere 
Thy  wo,  sith  thou  darst  not  thy-self  for 

fere. 
And  hir  bisoughte  on  thee  to  han  som 

routhe  ?' 
'  Wliy,  nay,'  quod  he,  '  by  god  and  by  my 

trouthe  !'  770 

111.  'What?  not  asbisily,' quod  Pandarus, 
'  As  though  myn  owene  lyf  lay  on  this 

nede  ? ' 
'  No,  certes,  brother,'  quod  this  Troilus. 
'And  why?' — 'For   that  thou   sholdest 

never  spede.' 
'  Wostow  that  wel  ? ' — '  Ye,  that  is  out  of 

drede, '  775 

Quod  Troilus,  '  for  al  that  ever  ye  conne, 
She  nil  to  noon  swich  wrecche  as  I  be 

wonne. ' 

112.  Quod  Pandarus,  'alias!  what   may 
this  be, 

That  thou  despeyred  art  thus  causelees  ? 


Book  I.] 


^rotfue  ant  Cviet^U, 


17 


What?  liveth  not  thy  lady?  benedicite!  780 
How  wostow  so  that  thou  art  gracelees  ? 
Swioh  yvel  is  not  alwey  botelees. 
Why,  put  not  impossible  thtis  thy  cure, 
Sin  thing  to  come  is  ofte  in  aventure. 

113.  I  graunte  wel  that  thou  endurest  wo 
As  sharp  as  doth  he,  Tioius,  in  helle,    786 
^Vhos  stomak  foules  tyren  ever-mo 
That  highte  volturis,  as  hokes  telle. 

But  I  may  not  endure  that  thou  dwelle 
In  so  unskilful  an  opinioun  790 

That  of  thy  wo  is  no  curacioun. 

114.  But  ones  niltow,  for  thy  coward 
herte. 

And  for  thyn  ire  and  folisli  wilfulnesse, 
For  wantrust,  tellen  of  thy  sorwes  smerte, 
Ne  to  thjTi  owene  help  do  bisinesse  795 
As  muche  as  speke  a  resoun  more  or  lesse. 
But  lyest  as  he  that  list  of  no-thing  recche. 
Wliat  womman  coude  love  swich  a 
VTecche  ? 

115.  What  may  she  demen  other  of  thy 
deeth, 

If  thou  thus  deye,  and  she  not  why  it  is,  800 
But  that  for  fere  is  yolden  up  thy  breeth, 
For  Grekes  han  biseged  us,  y-wis  ? 
Lord,  which  a  thank  than  shaltow  han  of 

this! 
Thus  wol  she  seyn,  and  al  the  toun  at 

ones, 
"  The  wrecche  is  deed,  the  devel  have  his 

bones  ! "  S05 

116.  Thou  mayst  allone  here  wepe  and 
crye  and  knele ; 

But,  love  a  woman  that  she  woot  it 
nought. 

And  she  wol  quyte  that  thou  shalt  not 
fole; 

Unknowe,  tinkist,  and  lost  that  is  un- 
sought. 

What !  many  a  man  hath  love  ful  dere 
y-bought  810 

Twenty  winter  that  his  lady  wiste, 

That  never  j^et  his  lady  moutli  he  kistc. 

117.  Wliat?  shulde  he  therfor  fallen  in 
despeyr. 

Or  be  recreaunt  for  his  owene  tene, 


Or  sleen  him-self,  al  be  his  lady  fayr  ?  815 
Nay,  nay,  bvit  ever  in  oon  be  fresh  and 

grene 
To  serve  and  love  his  dere  hertes  quene. 
And  thenke  it  is  a  guerdoun  hir  to  sei-ve 
A  thousand-fold  more  than  he  can  deserve.' 

118.  And  of  that  word  took  hede  Troilus, 
And  th ought e  anoon  what  folye  he  was 

inne,  821 

And  how  that  sooth  him  seyde  Pandarus, 
That  for  to  sleen  him-self  niighte  he  not 

winnc, 
But  bothe  doon  unmanhod  and  a  sinne,  824 
And  of  his  deeth  his  lad3'  nought  to  wyte ; 
For  of  his  wo,  god  woot,  she  knew  ful  lyte. 

119.  And  with  that  thought  he  gan  ful 
sore  syke. 

And  seyde,  '  alias  !  what  is  me  best  to  do?  ' 
To  whom  Pandare  answerde,  'if  thee  lyke. 
The  best  is  that  thou  telle  me  thy  wo ;  830 
And  have  my  trouthe,  but  thou  it  finde  so, 
I  be  thy  bote,  or  that  it  be  ful  longe. 
To  paces  do  me  drawe,  and  sithen  honge ! ' 

120.  '  Ye,  so  thou  seyst,'  quod  Troilus  tho, 
'  alias  ! 

But,  god  wot,  it  is  not  the  rather  so  ;  835 
Ful  hard  were  it  to  helpen  in  this  cas, 
For  wel  finde  I  that  Fortune  is  my  fo, 
Ne  alle  the  men  that  ryden  conne  or  go 
May  of  hir  cruel  wheel  the  harm  with- 

stonde ; 
For,  as  hir  list,  she  pleyeth  with  free  and 

bonde.'  841) 

121.  Quod   Pandarus,    '  than    blamestow 
Fortune 

For  thou  art  wrooth,  ye,  now  at  erst  I  see  ; 
Wostow  nat  wel  that  Fortune  is  commune 
To  every  maner  wight  in  som  degree?  844 
And  yet  thou  hast  th  is  comfort,  lo,  pardee ! 
That,  as  hir  joyes  moten  over-goon, 
So  mote  hir  sorwes  passen  everichoon. 

122.  For  if  hir  wheel  stinte  any-thing  to 
torne, 

Tlian  cessed  she  Fortune  anoon  to  be  : 
Now,    sith    hir   wheel    by   no   wey  may 
sojorne,  850 

What  wostow  if  hir  mutabilitee 
Eight  as  thy-selven  list,  wol  doon  by  thee, 


^voifue  anb  ^mejie. 


[Book  T. 


Or  that  slio  be  not  fer  fro  th\ai  helpinge  ? 
Paraiinter,  thou  hast  cause  for  to  singe  ! 

123.  And   tlierfor   wostow   Avhat    I   thee 
heseche  ?  855 

Lat  be  thy  wo  and  turning  to  the  groimde  ; 
For  who-so  list  have  helping  of  his  leche, 
To  him  bihoveth  first  nnwrye  his  woiinde. 
To  Cerberiis  in  hello  ay  be  I  boundo, 
Were  it  for  my  suster,  al  thy  soi-we,  860 
Bj-  my  wil,  she  sholde  al  be  thyn  to-morwe. 

124.  Loke  up,  I  seye,  and  tel  me  what  she  is 
,\noon,  that  I  may  goon  aboute  thy  nede; 
Knowe  ich  hir  ought  ?  for  my  love,  tel  me 

this ;  864 

Than  wolde  I  hopen  rather  for  to  spede.' 
Tho  gan  the  veyne  of  Troilus  to  blede, 
For  lie  was  hit,  and  wex  al  reed  for  shame ; 
'  A  ha  ! '  quod  Pandare,  '  here  biginneth 

game  ! ' 

12o.   And  with  that  word  he  gan  him  for 

to  shake, 
And  seyde,  '  theef,  thou  slialt  hir  name 

telle.'  870 

But  tho  gan  sely  Troilus  for  to  quake 
.A.S  though  men  sholde  han  lad  him  in-to 

hnlle, 
.\nd  seyde,  '  alias  !  of  al  my  wo  the  welle, 
Than  is  my  swcto  fo  called  Criseyde  ! ' 
And  wel  nigh  with  the  word  for  fere  he 

deydc.  875 

126.  .\.nd  whan  tliat  Pandare  herde  hir 
name  nevene, 

Lord,  lie  was  glad,  and  seyde,  '  freend  so 

dere, 
Xow  fare  a-righ  t,  for  .Toves  name  in  heveno. 
Love  hath  biset  thee  wel,  be  of  good  chere  ; 
For   of   good    name    and    wysdom    and 

manero  88i) 

She  hath  y-nough,  and  eek  of  geiitilesse  ; 
If  she  be  faj^r,  thow  wost  tliy-self,  I  gesse. 

127.  Ne  I  never  saw  a  more  bountcvons 
Of  hir  estat,  no  a  gladder,  ne  of  specho 

A  freendlier,  ne  a  more  gracious  8S5 

For  to  do  wol,   no  lasso  hadde  nede  to 

seclio 
Wliat  for  to  doon  ;  and  al  this  bet  to  echo. 
In  honour,  to  as  for  as  she  may  streccho, 
A  kinges  lierto  semeth  by  liires  a  Avrecche. 


128.  And   for-thy  loke   of  good   comfort 
thou  be  ;  890 

For  certeinly,  the  firste  poynt  is  this 
Of  noble  corage  and  wel  orde.^^le, 
A  man  to  have  pees  with  him-self,  y-wis  ; 
So  oughtest  thou,  for  nought  l)ut  good  it  is 
To  loven  wel,  and  in  a  worthj'  place ;   8i,>5 
Thee  oughte  not  to  clepe  it  hap,  but  grace. 

129.  And  also  thenk,  and  ther-with  glade 
thee. 

That  sith  thy  ladj-  vertuous  is  al. 
So  folweth  it  that  ther  is  som  pitee 
Amonges  alio  thise  otliere  in  general;  goo 
And  for-thy  see  that  thou,  in  special, 
Requere  nought  that  is  ayein  hir  name  ; 
For   vertue    strecchetli   not   him-self  to 
shame. 

130.  But  wel  is  mo  that  over  I  was  born, 
That  thou  biset  art  in  so  good  a  place ;  005 
For  by  my  trouthe,  in  love  I  dorste  have 

sworn, 
Thee  sholde  never  han  tid  thus  fayr  a 

grace  ; 
And  wostow  why  ?  for  thou  wore  wont  to 

chace 
At    lovo    in    scorn,    and    i'or   dospyt    liim 

calle 
"  Seynt  Idiot,  lord  of  thise  folos  al)e."'  910 

131.  How  often  liastow  maad  thy  nyce 
japes, 

.\nd  seyd,  that  loves  servants  everichone 
Of  nycetee  ben  verray  goddos  apes  ; 
,\nd  some  wolde  moncho  hir  mete  alone, 
Ligging  a-bedde,  and  make  horn  for  to 

gronc  ;  915 

And  som,  thou  scydest,  hadde  a  blaunehe 

fevere. 
And  preydest  god  he  sholde  never  kevere ! 

132.  And  some  of  hem  toke  on  hem,  for 
the  colde, 

More  than  y-nough,  so  seydestow  ful  ofte ; 

And  some  han  feyned  ofte  tjTne,and  tolde 

How  that  they  wake,  whan  the3'  slepen 
softe ;  921 

And  thus  they  wolde  han  1)rought  hem- 
self  a-loftc, 

And  nathelees  were  under  at  the  laste  ; 

Thus  seydestow,  and  japedest  ful  faste. 


Book  I.] 


^totfue  anb  Crt'e^^bc. 


n 


133.  Yet  seydestow,  that,  for  the  more 
part,  925 

These  loveres  wf>lden  siieke  in  general. 
And  thonghten  that  it  was  a  siker  art, 
For  fa.yling,  for  to  assayen  over-al. 
Now  may  I  jape  of  thee,  if  that  I  shal  I 
But  nathelees,  thoiigh  that  I  sholde  deyo. 
That  then  art  noon  of  tho,  that  dorste  I 
seyc.  931 

134.  Now  beet  thy  brest,  and  sey  to  god 
of  love, 

"  Thy  grace,  lord  !  for  now  I  me  repento 
If  I  mis  spak,  for  now  my-self  I  love  :" 
Thus  sey  with  al  thyn  herte  in  good  en- 
tente.' 935 
Quod  Troilus,  '  a  !  lord  !  I  me  consente. 
And  pra.y  to  thee  my  japes  thon  foryive. 
And  I  shal  never-more  whyl  T  live.' 

135.  ' Thow  seyst  wel,'  quod  Pandare,  '  and 
now  I  hope 

That   thou  the  goddes  wratthe   hast   al 

apesed ;  940 

And  sithen  thou  hast  wepen  many  a  drope, 

And  seyd  swich  thing  wher-with  thy  god 

is  plesed, 
Now  wolde  never  god  but  thou  were  esed ; 
And  think  wel,  she  of  whom  rist  al  thy  wo 
Here-after  may  thy  comfort  been  al-so.  945 

136.  For  thilke  ground,  that  bereth  the 
wedes  wikke, 

Bereth  eek  thise  holsom  herbes,  as  ful  ofte 
Next  the  foule  netle,  rough  and  thikke, 
Tho  rose  waxeth  swotc  and  smothe  and 

softe ; 
Anil  next  the  valey  is  tho  hil  a-lofte  ;  950 
And   next    the   derke   night    the    glade 

morwe  ; 
And  also  joye  is  next  the  fyn  of  sf>rwo. 

137.  Now  loke  that  atempre  be  thy  brydel. 
And,  for  the  beste,  ay  siitfre  to  tlio  tj-de, 
Or  ellns  al  our  labour  is  on  ydel ;  955 
He  liustcth  wel  that  wysly  can  abyde  ; 
Bo  diligent,  and  trewe,  and  ay  wel  hydo. 
Be  histy,  free,  persevere  in  thy  servyso, 
.\uil  al  is  wel,  if  thou  werke  in  thiswyse. 

I3S.    But    he   that    iiartcd    is    in    every 

place  96" 

Is  no-wher  hool,  as  writen  clerkes  wyse  ; 


What  wonder  is,  though  swich  oon  have 

no  grace  ? 
Eek  wostow  how  it  fareth  of  som  seryyse  V 
As  plaunto  a  tre  or  herbe,  in  sondry  wyse, 
And  on  tho  morwe  pullo  it  up  as  blyve,  965 
No  wonder  is,  though  it  may  never  thryve. 

139.  And  sith  that  god  of  love  hath  thee 
bistowed 

In  jilace  digne  un-to  thy  worthinosse, 
Stond  faste,  for  to  good  port  hastow  rowed ; 
And  of  thy-self,  for  any  hevinesso,        970 
Hope  alwey  wel ;  for,  but-if  drorinesse 
Or  over-haste  our  bothe  labour  shende, 
I  hope  of  this  to  maken  a  good  ende. 

140.  And  wostow  why  I  am  the  lasse  a- 
fered 

Of  this  matere  with  my  nece  trete  ?      975 
For  this  have  I  herd  se.yd  of  wyse  y-lered, 
"  Was  never  man  ne  woman  yet  bigete 
That  was  unapt  to  suffren  loves  hete 
Celestial,  or  ellos  love  of  kinde  ;"  979 

For-thy  som  grace  I  hope  in  hir  to  finde. 

141.  And  for  to  speke  of  hir  in  special, 
Hir  beautee  to  bithinken  and  hir  youthe. 
It  sit  hir  nought  to  bo  celestial 

As  yet,  though  that  hir  liste  bothe  and 
coutho ;  984 

But  trewely,  it  sete  hir  wel  right  nonthe 
A  worthy  knight  to  loven  and  cheryce. 
And  but  she  do,  I  holde  it  for  a  vj'ce. 

142.  Wherfore  I  am,  and  wol  be,  ay  redy 
To  peyno  me  to  do  yow  this  servyso  ; 
For  bothe  yow  to  plese  thus  hope  I      ()>.)<> 
Her-afterward  ;  for  ye  beth  bothe  wyse. 
And  conno  it  counseyl  kepc  in  swich  a 

wyse, 
That  no  man  shal  tlio  wysor  of  it  bo  ; 
And  so  wo  may  bo  gladed  alio  throe. 

143.  And,   by  my  trontho,    I   have   right 
now  of  thee  99.> 

A  good  conceyt  in  m.v  wit,  as  I  gosse. 
And  what  it  is,  I  wol  now  that  tliou  see. 
I  thenke,  sith  that  love,  of  his  goodnesso, 
Hath  thee  converted  out  of  wikkednesse, 
Tliat   thon   shalt   bo    the    beste  post,    I 
levo,  1000 

Of  al  his  lay,  and  most  his  foos  to-g^eve. 


^rotfu0  ant  Crieepbe. 


[Book  T. 


1-14.  Ensample  whj-,  see  now  these  wyse 

clerkes, 
That  erren  aldermost  a-yein  a  lawe, 
And   ben    converted    from    hir    wikked 

werkes 
Thonigh  grace  of  god,  that  list  hem  to 

him  drawe,  iix)5 

Than  am  they  folk  that  han  most  god  in 

awe, 
And    strengest-feythed    been,    I    iinder- 

stonde. 
And   conne   an    errour   alder-best   with- 

stonde. ' 

145.  Whan   Troihis   had   herd    Pandare 
assented 

To  been  his  help  in  loving  of  Criseyde,  loio 
Wex  of  his  wo,  as  who  seyth,  nntormented. 
But  hotter  wex  his  love,  and  thus  he  seyde. 
With   sobre  chere,   al-though   his  herte 

pleyde, 
'  Now  blisful  Venus  helpe,  er  that  I  sterve. 
Of  thee,  Pandare,  I  may  som  thank  de- 
serve. 1015 

146.  But,  dere  frend,  how  shal  myn  wo 
ben  lesse 

Til  this  be  doon  ?  and  goode,  eek  tel  me 

this, 
How  wiltow  sejii  of  me  and  ny  destresse  ? 
Lest  she  be  wrooth,  this  drede  I  most, 

y-wis. 
Or  nil  not  here  or  trowen  how  it  is.    1020 
Al  this  drede  I,  and  eek  for  the  manere 
Of  thee,  hir  eem,  she  nil  no  swich  thing 

here.' 

147.  Quod    Pandarus,    'thou   hast   a   ful 
gret  care 

Lest  that  the  cherl  may  falle  out  of  the 
mone  !  1024 

Why,  lord  !  I  hate  of  thee  thy  nyce  fare  ! 
Why,  entremete  of  thtit  thou  hast  to  done ! 
For  goddcs  love,  I  bidde  thee  a  bone. 
So  lat  me  alone,  and  it  shal  be  thybeste.' — 
'  Wliy,  freend,'  quod  he,  '  now  do  right  as 
thee  leste. 

148.  But  herke,   Pandare,  o  word,   for  I 
nolde  1030 

That  thou  in  mo  wendest  so  greet  folye. 
That  to  my  lady  I  desiren  sholde 


That  toucheth  harm  or  any  vilenye  ; 
For  dredelees,  me  were  lever  dye         10:^4 
Than  she  of  me  ought  elles  undorstode 
But  that,  that  niighte  sounen  iu-togode.' 

149.  Tho  longh  this  Pandare,  and  anoon 
answerde, 

'  And  I  thy  borw  ?    fy  !    no  wight  dooth 

but  so ; 
I  roughte  nought  though  that  she  stnd<> 

and  herde  lov) 

How  that  thou  seyst ;  but  fare-wel,  I  wol  go. 
A-dieu  !  be  glad  !  god  spede  us  bothe  two! 
Yif  me  this  labour  and  this  besinesse. 
And  of  my  speed  be  thyn  al  that  swetnesse.' 

150.  Tho  Troilus  gan  doim  on  knees  to 
falle,  1044 

And  Pandare  in  his  armes  hente  fiiste, 
And  seyde,  '  now,  fy  on  the  Grekes  alle  ! 
Yet,  pardee,  god  shal  helpe  us  at  the  laste; 
And  dredelees,  if  that  my  Ij-f  may  laste. 
And    god  to-forn,  lo,   som  of  hem   shal 

smerte ; 
And  yet  me  athinketh  that  this  avaunt 

me  asterte  !  1050 

151.  Now,  Pandare,  I  can  no  more  seye. 
But   thou  wys,    thou  wost,  thoix  mayst. 

thou  art  al ! 
My  lyf,  my  deeth,  hool  in   thjTi  honde 

I  leye  ; 
Help  now,'  quod  he.  '  Yis,  by  my  trout  he, 

I  shal.' 
'God    yelde   thee,   freend,    and    this   in 

special,'  105.=; 

Quod  Troilus,  '  that  thou  me  recomaunde 
To    hir    that    to    the    deeth    me    may 

comaunde.' 

152.  This  Pandarus  tho,  desirous  to  serve 
His  fulle  freend,  than  seyde  in  this  manere, 
'  Far-wel,    and   tlienk   I   wol   thy  thank 

deserve  ;  io(h> 

Have   here   mj'  trouthe,  and  that  tlK)U 

shalt  wel  here.' — 
And  wente   his   wej',    thenking  on  this 

matere. 
And  how  he  best  mighte  hir  besechj  of 

grace. 
And  finde  a  tyme  ther-to,  and  a  place. 


Book  II.] 


^rotfue  ant  ^rieep^f. 


153.  For  every  wight  that  hath  an  hous 
to  founcle  1065 

Ne  renneth  nought  the  werk  for  to  bi- 

ginne 
With   rakel   hond,    hnt   he  wol   byde    a 

stounde, 
AndsendehishertesljTie  out  fro  with-inne 
Alderfirst  his  piirpos  for  to  winne.       io6g 
AI  this  Pandare  in  his  herte  thonghte, 
Anil   caste   his   werk    tul   wysly,    or    he 

wronghte. 

154.  But  Troihis  lay  tho  no  lenger  doun, 
But  up  anoon  up-on  his  stede  bay, 

And  in  the  feld  he  pleyde  tho  leoim  ; 
^^'o  was  that  Greek  that  witli  him  niette 
that  day.  1075 

And  in  the  toun  his  maner  tho  forth  ay 
So  goodly  was,  and  gat  hini  so  in  grace. 
That  ech  him  lovede  that  loked  on  his  face. 


155.  For  he  bicom  the  frendlyeste  wight. 
The gentileste,  and  eek the  moste free,   lOiSo 
The  thriftieste  and  oon  the  beste  knight, 
Tliat  in  his  tyme  was,  or  mighte  be. 
Dede  were  his  japes  and  his  crueltee, 
His     heighe     port     and      his      manere 

estraunge. 
And  ech  of  tho  gan  for  a  vertu  chaunge. 

156.  Now    lat    us    stinte    of    Troilus    a 
stounde,  1086 

That    fareth    lyk   a   man    that    hurt   is 

sore, 
And  is  somdel  of  akinge  of  his  wounde 
Y-Iissed  wel,  but  heled  no  del  more  : 
And,  as  an  esy  pacient,  the  lore  1090 

Abit  of  him  tliat  gootli  abovite  his  cure  ; 
And  thus  he  drj'veth  forth  his  aventure. 


\ 


BOOK   11. 


Explicit  Liber  Primus. 


J^r6' 


Incipit  prohemium  Secundi  Libri. 

1.  Out  of  these  blake  wawes  for  to  sayle, 
O  wind,  O  wind,  tlie  weder  ginneth  clere; 
For  in  this  see  the  boot  hatli  swich  tra- 

vaylo. 
Of  my  conning  that  unnethe  I  it  stere  : 
This  see  clepe  I  the  tempestous  matere   5 
Of  desespeyr  that  Troilus  was  inne : 
But  now  of  hope  the  calendes  biginne. 

2.  O  lady  myn,  that  called  art  Cleo, 
Thou  be  my  speed  fro  this  forth,  and  my 

muse. 
To  ryme  wel  this  book,  til  I  have  do  ;      10 
Me  nedeth  here  noon  other  art  to  use. 
For-why  to  every  lovero  I  me  excuse, 
That  of  no  sentement  I  this  endyte. 
But  out  of  Latin  in  my  tonge  it  wryte. 

3.  AMierfore  I  nil  have  neither  thank  ne 

blame  15 

Of  al  tliis  werk,  but  pray  yow  mekely, 
Disblameth  mo,  if  any  word  be  lame, 
For  as  myn  auctor  seyde,  so  scye  T. 
Eoli  thoiigli  I  speke  of  love  unfelingly. 


No  wonder  is,  for  it  no-thing  of  newe  is ;  20 
A  blind  man  can  nat  juggen  wel  in  hewis. 

4.  Ye  knowe  eek,  tliat  in  forme  of  speche 

is  chaunge 
With-inne  a  thousand  yeer,  and  wordes 

tho 
That  hadden  prys,  now  wonder  nyce  and 

straunge 
Us  thinketh  hem  ;    and  yet  they  spake 

hem  so,  25 

And  spedde  as  wel  in  love  as  men  now  do ; 
Eek  for  to  winne  lovo  in  sondry  ages. 
In  sondry  londes,  sondry  been  usages. 

5.  And  for-thy  if  it  happe  in  any  ■vvyse, 
That  here  be  any  lovere  in  tliis  place     30 
Tliut  lierkeneth,  as  the  story  wol  devyse, 
How  Troilus  com  to  his  lady  grace, 
And  thenkfcth,  so  noldo  I  nat  love  pur- 

chace, 
Or  wondreth  on  his  speche  and  his  doinge, 
I  noot ;  but  it  is  mo  no  wonderinge  ;      35 

6.  For  every  wight  which  that  to  Rome 

went, 
Halt  nat  o  path,  or  alwey  o  manere  ; 


^roifue  an^  Crteepl^e. 


[Book  II. 


Eek  in  som  lend  were  al  the  gamenshent, 
If  that  they  ferde  in  love  as  men  don  here, 
As  thus,  in  open  doing  or  in  chere,  40 
In  visitinge,  in  forme,  or  seyde  hir  sawes  ; 
For-thy  men  seyn,  ech  contree  hath  his 
lawes. 

7.  Eek  scarsly  been  ther  in  this  place  three 
That  han  in  love  seyd  lyk  and  doon  in  al ; 
For  to  thy  purpos  this  may  lyken  thee,  45 
And  thee  right  nought,  yet  al  is  seyd  or 

shal ; 
Eek  som  men  grave  in  tree,  som  in  stoon 

■wal, 
As  it  bitit  ;  but  sin  I  have  begonne, 
Myn  auctor  shal  I  folwcn,  if  I  conne. 

Explicit  prohemium  Secundi  Libri. 

Incipit  Liber  Secundus. 

8,  In  May,  that  moder  is  of  moiithes  glade, 
That  fresshe  floures,  blewe,  and  whyte, 

and  rede,  51 

Ben  quike  agayn,  that  winter  dede  made. 
And  lul  of  bawme  is  fletinge  every  mede  ; 
Whan   Phebus   doth   his   brighte   hemes 

sprede 
Iiiglit  in  the  whyte  Bole,  it  so  bitidde    55 
As  I  shal  singe,  on  Mayes  day  the  thridde, 

ii.  That  Pandarus,  for  al  his  wyse  speche, 
Felte  eek  his  part  of  loves  shottes  kene. 
That,   coude  he  never  so  wel   of  loving 

preche, 
It  made  his  hewe  a-day  ful  ofte  grcne  ;  60 
So  shoop  it,  that  liim  fil  that  day  a  tene 
In  love,  for  wh  ich  in  wo  to  bedde  he  wente, 
And  made,  cr  itwas  day,  ful  many  a  wente. 

1 0.  The  swalwe  Proigne,  with  a  sorwful  lay, 
Whan  morwe  com,  gan  make  hir  wey- 

mentinge,  O5 

Why  she  forshapen  was  ;  and  ever  lay 
Pandare  a-bodde,  lialf  in  a  slomeringe. 
Til  she  so  neigh  him  made  liir  chiteringe 
How  Tereus  gan  forth  hir  suster  take. 
That  with  the  noj-se  of  hir  he  gan  a- wake  ; 

11.  And  gan  to  calle,  and  dresse  him  up 
to  ryse,  71 

Kemembringe  him  his  crand  was  to  done 
From  Troilus,  and  eek  liis  greet  empryse ; 


And  caste  and  knew  in  good  plyt  was  tlie 

mone 
To  doon  viage,  and  took  his  wey  ful  sonc 
Un-to  his  neces  paleys  ther  bi-syde  ;       70 
Now  Janus,  god  of  entree,  thou  him  gyde ! 

12.  Whan  he  was  come  nn-to  his  neces 
place, 

'  Wher  is  my  lady  ?'  to  hir  folk  seyde  he  ; 
And  they  him  tolde  ;  and  he  forth  in  gan 
pace,  So 

And  fond,  two  othere  ladyes  sete  and  she 
With-inne  a  paved  parlour ;  and  they  th  reo 
Herden  a  mayden  reden  hem  the  geste 
Of  the  Sege  of  Thebes,  whyl  hem  leste.  ><4 

13.  Quod  Pandarus, '  ma  dame,  god  yow  see, 
With  al  your  book  and  al  the  companye  I' 
'Ey,  uncle  myn,  welcome  y-wis,'quod  she. 
And  up  she  roos,  and  by  the  bond  in  bye 
She  took  him  faste,  and  seyde,  '  this  night 

thrye. 
To  goode  mote  it  turne,  of  yow  I  mette!" 
And  with  that  word  she  doun  on  bencli 

him  sette.  <)i 

14.  '  Ye,  nece,  ye  shal  fare  wel  the  bet, 
If  god  w^ole,  al  tliis  yeer,'  quod  Pandarus  : 
'  But  I  am  sory  that  I  have  yow  let  94 
To  herknen  of  your  lx)ok  ye  preyseu  thus: 
For  goddes  love,  what  seith  it  ?  tel  it  us. 
Is  it  of  love  ?  O,  som  good  ye  me  lere  I' 

'  Uncle,'  quod  she,  'your  maistresse  is  not 
here  !' 

15.  With  that  they  gonnen  laughe,  ami 
tho  she  seyde,  99 

'  This  romaunce  is  of  Tliebes,  that  wo  rede ; 
And  we  han  herd  how  that  king  Laius 

deyde 
Thvirgh  Edipiius  his  sonc,  and  al  that  dede ; 
And  here  we  stenten  at  these  lettres  rede, 
How  the  bisshop,  as  tho  book  can  telle, 
Amphiorax,  fil  thurgh  the  ground  to  helle.' 

16.  Quod  Pandarus,  '  al  this  knowe  I  my- 
selve,  106 

And  al  th'assege  of  Thebes  and  the  care; 
Forher-ofbeen  thermake;!  bokestwelve: — 
But  lat  be  this,  and  tel  me  how  ye  fare  ; 
Do  wey  your  barbe,  and  shew  j-our  face 
bare ;  1 10 


Book  II.J 


Crotfu0  ari^  ^nae^be. 


Do  wey  your   book,  ijs  up,  and  lat   us 

(launce, 
And  lat  us  don  to  May  som  observaunco.' 

17.  'A!  god  forbedc!'  quod  slie,  'be  ye 
mad  ? 

Is  that  a  widewes  lyf,  so  god  you  save  ? 
By  god,  ye  inaken  me  right  sore  a-drad,  1 15 
Ye  ben  so  wilde,  it  semeth  as  ye  rave  ! 
It  sete  me  wel  bet  ay  in  a  cave 
To  bidde,  and  rede  on  holy  seyntes  lyves  : 
Lat  maydens  gon  to  ilaunce,  and  yonge 
wyves.' 

18.  '  As  ever  thryve  I,'  quod  this  Pan  darns, 
■  Yet  coude  I  telle  a  thing  to  doon  yoii 

pi  eye.'  i-i 

'  Now  uncle  dere, '  quod  she,  '  tel  it  us 
For  goddes  love;  is  than  th'assege  aweye? 
I  am  of  Grekes  so  ferd  that  I  deye.' 
'  Naj-,    nay,'    quod   he,    '  as  ever  mote  I 

thryve  !  125 

It  is  a  thing  wol  bet  than  swiche  fyve.' 

19.  '  Ye,  holy  god  ! '  quod  she,  'what  thing 
is  that  ? 

AVhat  ?  bet  than  swiche  fy\'C  ?    ey,  nay, 

y-wis  ! 
For  al  this  world  ne  can  I  reden  what 
It  sholde  been  :  soni  jape,  I  trowc,  is  this; 
And  but  your-selven  telle  us  what  it  is,  131 
My  wit  is  for  to  arede  it  al  to  lane  ; 
As  help  me  god,  I  noot  nat  what  ye  mene.' 

20.  '  And  I  your  borow,   ne  never  shal, 
for  me, 

This   thing  be  told  to   yow,   as   mote  I 

thryve!'  i.^.S 

'  And  why  so,  imcle  myn  ?  why  so  ?'  quod 

she. 
'  By  god,'  quod  he,  '  that  wolc  I  telle  as 

blyve  ; 
For  prouder  womman  wore  ther  noon  on- 

lyvo. 
And  yc  it  wiste,  in  al  the  toun  of  Troye  ; 
I  jape  nought,  as  ever  have  I  joye  ! '     140 

21.  Tho  gan  she  wondrcn  more  than  bi- 
forn 

A  thousand  fold,  and  doun  hir  oyen  caste ; 
Fornever,  siththc  tyme  thatshe  was  born, 
To  knowc  thing  desired  she  so  faste  ;   144 


And  with  a  syk  she  seyde  him  at  the  lastp, 
'Now,  uncle  myn,  I  nil  yow  nought  dis- 

plese. 
Nor  axen  more,  that  may  do  yow  disese. ' 

22.  So  after  this,  with  many  wordes  glade. 
And  freendly  tales,  and  with  mery  chere, 
Of  this  and  that  they  pleyde,  and  gunnen 

wade  i5« 

In   many   an    unkoutli   glad    and    deep 

mat  ere, 
As   freendes  doon,  whan   they  ben  met 

y-fere  ; 
Til  she  gan  axen  him  how  Ector  ferde. 
That  was  the  tounes  wal  and  Grekes  yerdo. 

23.  '  Ful  wel,  I  thankc  it  god,'  quod  Tan- 
darus,  i.v 

'  Save  in  his  arm  he  hath  a  litel  woiinde  ; 
And  eek  his  fresshe  brother  Troilus, 
The  wyse  worthy  Ector  the  secounde, 
In  whom  that  every  vertu  list  abounde, 
As  alle  trouthe  and  alle  gentillesse,      i6<) 
Wysdom,  honour,   fredom,    and  worthi- 
nesse.' 


24 


that 


In  good  feith,  oem,'  quod  she, 
lyketh  me  ; 
Tliey  faren  wel,  god  save  hem  bothe  two! 
For  trewely  I  holde  it  greet  deyntee 
A  kinges  sone  in  armes  wel  to  do,         165 
And  been  of  good  condiciouns  ther-to  ; 
For  greet  power  and  moral  vertu  here 
Is  selde  j'-seye  in  o  persone  y-fere. ' 

25.  '  In  good  feith,  that  is  sooth,'  qiiod 
Pandarus ; 

'  But,  by  my  trouthe,  tho  king  hath  sonos 
tweye,  '  7" 

That  is  to  mene,  Ector  and  Troilus, 
That  certainly,  though  that  I  sholde  deye, 
They  been  as  voyde  of  vyces,  dar  I  seye. 
As  any  men  that  liveth  iinder  the  sonno, 
Hir   might  is  wj-de  y-knowe,  and  what 
they  conne.  i75 

26.  Of  Ector  ncdeth  it  nought  for  to  telle ; 
In  al  this  world  ther  nis  a  bcttrc  knight 
Than  he,  tliat  is  of  worthinesse  wellc  ; 
And  he  wel  more  vertu  halh  than  might. 
This  knoweth  many  a  wj-s  and  wortliy 

wight.  >Xo 


224 


^roifue  dn^  Ctioi^U. 


[Book  II. 


The  same  prys  of  Troilns  I  seye, 
God.  help   me   so,   I   kiiowe   not   swiche 
tweye.' 

27.  '  By  god,"  qiiod  she,  '  of  Ector  that  is 
sooth  ; 

Of  Troilus  the  same  thing  trowe  I ; 
For  dredelees,  men  tellen  that  he  dooth 
In  armes  day  by  day  so  worthilj-,  i86 

And  bereth  him  here  at  hoom  so  gentilly 
To  every  wight,  that  al  the  prys  hath  he 
Of  hem  that  me  were  levest  preysed  be.' 

28.  '  Ye  sey  right  sooth,  y-wis,'  quod  Pan- 
darus ;  190 

'  For  yesterday,  who-so  hadde  with  him 

been, 
He  might  have  wondred  up-on  Troilus  ; 
For  never  yet  so  thikke  a  swarm  of  been 
Ne  fleigh,  as  Grekes  fro  him  gonne  fleen ; 
And  thorugh  the  feld,  in  every  wightes 

ere,  195 

Ther  nas  no  cry  but  "Troilus  is  there!" 

29.  Now  here,  now  there,  he  hunted  hem 
so  faste, 

Ther  nas  but  Grekes  blood  ;  and  Troilus, 
Now  hem  he  hurte,  and  hem  alle  doun  he 

caste ; 
Ay  where  he  wente  it  was  arayed  thus :  2cx3 
He  was  hir  deeth,  and  sheld  and  lyf  for  us ; 
That  as  that  day  ther  dorste  noon  witU- 

stonde, 
Whyl  that  he  held  his  blody  swerd  in 

honde. 

30.  Therto  he  is  the  freendlieste  man 
Of  grete  estat,  that  ever  I  saw  my  ly  ve  ; 
And  wher  him  list,  best  felawshipe  can  206 
To   sucho  as  him  thinketh  al)le   for   to 

thrj-ve.' 
And  with  that  word    tho   Paiidarus,    as 

bl.\"V'e, 
He  took  his  li^ve,   and  seyde,   '  I  wol  go 

honne  :' 
'  Nay,  blame  have  I,  myn  uncle,'  quod  she 

thenne.  210 

31.  '  ^\^lat  eyleth  yow  to  bo  thus  wery 
sone. 

And  naraelich  of  womiuon  ?  wol  ye  so  ? 
Nay,  sitteth  down  ;  by  god,  I  have  to  done 


With  j'ow,  to  speke  of  wisdom  er  ye  go.' 
And  every  wight  that  was  a-boute  hem 

tho,  215 

That  herde  that,  gan  fer  a-wey  to  stonde, 
Whyl  they  two  hadde  al  that  hem  liste 

in  honde. 

32.  Whan  that  hir  tale  al  brought  was  to 
an  ende 

Of  hire  estat  and  of  hir  governaunce,   219 
Quod  Pandarus,  '  now  is  it  tyme  I  wende ; 
But  yet,  I  seye,  aryseth,  lat  u.s  daunce. 
And   cast  your    widwes    habit    to    mis- 

chaunce : 
What  list  yow  thus  your-self  to  disfigure, 
Sitli  yow  is  tid  thus  fair  an  aventure  ?' 

33.  '  A  !  wel  bithought !  for  love  of  god,' 
quod  she,  225 

'  Shal  I  not  witen  what  ye  mene  of  this?' 
'  No,  this  thing  axetli  layser, '  tho  qiiod  he, 
'  And  eek  me  wolde  muche  greve,  y-wis, 
If  I  it  tolde,  and  ye  it  toke  amis. 
Yet  were  it  bet  my  tonge  for  to  stille  230 
Than  seye  a  sooth  that  were  ayeins  your 
wille. 

34.  For,  nece,  by  the  goddesse  Minerve, 
And  Juppiter,  that  maketh  the  thonder 

ringe. 
And  by  the  blisful  Venus  that  I  serve, 
Ye   been    the    womman    in    this   world 

livinge,  235 

With-oute  paramours,  to  my  witinge, 
That  I  best  love,  and  lothest  am  to  greve. 
And  that  ye  witen  wel  your-self,  I  leve.' 

35.  '  Y-wis,  myn  uncle,'  quod  she,  '  grant 
mercy ; 

Your  frecndship  have  I  founden  ever  yit ; 
I  am  to  no  man  holden  trewely  241 

So   muche    as    yow,    and    have    so   litel 

quit; 
And,  with  tho  grace  of  god,  emforth  my 

wit. 
As  in  my  gilt  I  shal  you  never  offende  ; 
And  if  I  have  er  this,  I  wol  amende.     245 

36.  But,  for  the  love  of  god,  I  yow  be- 
seche, 

As  j-e  ben  he  that  I  most  love  and  triste, 
Lat  be  to  me  your  fremde  maner  speche, 


Book  II. 


^rotfu0  ani  Cviei'^li. 


225 


And  sey  to  me,  yoivc  nece,  what  yow  Uste  :' 
And  -with  that  word  hir  iinole  anoon  hir 
kiste,  250 

And  seyde,  '  gladly,  leve  nece  dere, 
Tak  it  for  good  that  I  shal  seye  yow  here.' 

ci7.  With  that  she  gan  hir  eyeu  donn  to 

caste. 
And  Pandarns  to  coghe  gan  a  lyte,        254 
And  seyde,  '  nece,  alwey,  lo  !  to  the  laste, 
How-so  it  be  that  som  men  hem  delyte 
With  subtil  art  hir  tales  for  to  endji:e, 
Yet  for  al  that,  in  hir  entencioun, 
Hir  tale  is  al  for  som  conclusioim. 

38.  And   sithen    th'ende    is    every   tales 
strengthe,  260 

And  this  matere  is  so  bihovely, 

"VXHiat  sholde   I  peynte  or  drawen  it  on 

lengthe 
To  yow,  that  been  my  f  reend  so  feithfully  ? ' 
And  witli  that  word  he  gan  right  inwardlj' 
Biholden  liir,  and  loken  on  hir  face,    265 
And   seyde,    '  on  snche  a   mirour   goode 

grace  !' 

39.  Than  thoughte  he  thus,  '  if  I  my  tale 
endyte 

Ought  hard,  or  make  a  proces  any  whyle. 
She  shal  no  savoiir  han  ther-in  but  lyte. 
And  trowe  I  wolde  hir  in  my  wil  bigj-le. 
For  tendre  wittes  wenen  al  be  wyle       271 
Ther-as  they  can  nat  pleynlyunderstonde  ; 
For-thy  hir  wit  to  serven  wol  I  fonde ' — 

40.  And  loked  on  hir  in  a  besy  wyse,    274 
And  she  was  war  that  he  byheld  hir  so, 
And  seyde,  'lord!  so  faste  ye  me  avyse  ! 
Sey  ye  me  never  er  now?  what  sey  ye,  no?' 
'Yes,  yes,'  quod  he,  '  and  bet  wole  er  I  go ; 
But,   by  my  trouthe,    I   thoughte    now 

if  ye 
Be  fortunat,  for  now  men  shal  it  see.    280 

41.  For  to  every  wight  som  goodly  aven- 
ture 

Som  tyme  is  shape,  if  he  it  can  receyven  ; 
And  if  that  he  wol  take  of  it  no  cure. 
Whan   that   it    comet h,   but   wlfully   it 

weyven,  j 

lio,  neither  cas  nor  fortune  him  deceyven,   | 


But  right  his  verray  slouthe  and  wrecched- 

nesse ;  2S6 

And  swich  a  wight  is  for  to  lilame,  I  gesse. 

42.  Good  aventure,  O  bele  nece,  have  ye 
Ful  lightly  founden,  and  ye  conne  it  take; 
And,  for  the  love  of  god,  and  eek  of  me, 
Cacche  it  anoon,  lest  aventure  slake.    291 
Wliat  sholde  I  lenger  proces  of  it  make  ? 
Yif  me  your  hond,  for  in  this  world  is 

noon. 
If  that  you  list,  a  wight  so  wel  begoon.  294 

43.  And  sith  I  speke  of  good  entencioun. 
As  I  to  yow  have  told  wel  here-bifbrn, 
And  love  as  wel  your  honour  and  renoun 
As  creature  in  al  this  world  y-born  ; 

By  alle  the  othes  that  I  have  yow  sworn. 
And  ye  be  wrooth  therfore,  or  wene  I  lye, 
Ne  shal  I  never  seen  yow  eft  -with  ye.     301 

44.  Beth  nought  agast,  ne  quaketh  nat ; 
wher-to  ? 

Ne  chaungeth  nat  for  fere  so  your  hewe ; 
For  hardely,  the  werste  of  this  is  do  ; 
And  though  my  tale  as  now  be  to  yow 

newe,  305 

Yet  trist  alwey,  ye  shal  me  finde  trewe  ; 
And   were   it   thing    that   me   thoughte 

unsittinge. 
To  yow  nolde  I  no  swiche  tales  bringe.' 

45.  '  Now,  my  good  eem,  for  godilcs  love, 
I  preye,'  309 

Quod  she,  'com  of,  and  tel  me  what  it  is; 
For  bothe  I  am  agast  what  ye  wol  seye. 
And  eek  me  longeth  it  to  wite,  y-wis. 
For  whether  it  be  wel  or  be  amis, 
Sey  on,  lat  me  not  in  this  fere  dweller ' 
'  So  wol  I  doon,  now  herkneth,   I  shal 
telle:  315 

46.  Now,  nece  myn,  the  kinges  dere  sone, 
The  goode,  \\'y-se,  worthy,  I'resshe,  and  free, 
Which  alwey  for  to  do  wel  is  his  wone, 
The  noble  Troilus,  so  loveth  thee, 

That,  bot  ye  helpe,  it  wol  his  bane  be.  320 
Lo,  here  is  al,  what  sholde  I  more  seye  ? 
Doth  what  yow  list,  to  make  him  live  or 
deye. 

47.  But  if  ye  lete  him  deye,  I  wol  sterve; 
Hav(!  hci-  my  trontbo,  nece,  I  nil  not  lyen; 


226 


■^roifuo  anl  Cvi&tj^H. 


[Book  II. 


Al  sbolde  I  with  this  kuyf  my  throte 
kerve " —  3^5 

With  that  the  teres  braste  out  of  his  yen, 

And  seyde,  'if  that  ye  <1i(on  us  bothe 
dyen, 

Thias  giltelees,  than  have  ye  fisshed  faire ; 

AVhat  niende  ye,  though  that  we  bothe 
apeyre  ? 

48.  AUas !  he  which  that  is  my  lord  so 
dere,  331  > 

That  trewe  man,  that  nolde  gentil  knight, 
Tliat  nought  desiretli  but  your  freendly 

chere, 
I  see  liim  deye,  ther  he  goth  up-right. 
And  hasteth  him,  with  al  his  fulle  might, 
For  to  be  slayn,  if  fortune  wol  assente  ;  335 
Alias !    that  god  yow   swich    a  beaiitee 

sente ! 

49.  If  it  be  so  that  ye  so  cruel  be, 

That  of  his  deeth  yow  liste  nought  to 

recche. 
That  is  so  trewe  and  worthy,  as  ye  see, 
No  more  than  of  a  japere  or  a  wrecche,  340 
If  ye  be  swich,  yovir   beautee   may  not 

st  recche 
To  make  amendes  of  so  cruel  a  dede  ; 
Avysement  is  good  bifore  the  nede. 

50.  "Wo  worth  the  faire  gemme  vertulees ! 
Wo  worth  that  herbe  also  that  dooth  no 

bote  !  345 

Wo  worth  that  beautee  that  is  routhelees  ! 
Wo  worth  tliat  wight  that  tret  ech  under 

fote  ! 
And  ye,  that  been  of  beautee  crop  and 

rote, 
If  therwith-al  in  you  ther  be  no  routhe. 
Than  is  it  harm  ye  hven,  by  my  troixthe  ! 

51.  And  also  thenk  wel,  that  tliis  is  no 
gaude  ;  351 

For  me  were  lever,  thou  and  I  and  he  | 

Were  hanged,   than   I   sholde   been   his  ' 

bau<!e. 
As  heye,  as  men  mighte  on  us  alle  y-soe:   ' 
I  am  thyn  eem,  the  shame  were  to  ine,  355 
As  wel  as  thee,  if  that  I  sholde  assente, 
Thorugb  myn  abet,  that  lie  thi,n  lionoui- 

shentc. 


52.  Xow  understond,  for  I  yow  nought 

requere. 
To  binde  yow  to  him  thorugh  no  beheste, 
But  <inlj'  that  ye  make  him  bettre  chere  360 
Than  ye  ban  doon  er  this,  and  more  teste, 
.So  that  his  Ij'f  be  saved,  at  the  leste 
This  al  and  som,  and  playnly  oivr  entente; 
God  helpe  me  so,  I  never  other  mente.  364 

5.3.  Lo,  this  request  is  not  but  skile,  y-wis, 
Xe  doute  of  reson,  pardee,  is  ther  noon. 
I  sette  the  worste  that  j-e  dredden  this. 
Men  wolden  wondren  seen  Mm  come  or 

goon  : 
Ther-ayeins  answere  I  thus  a-noon,      369 
That  every  wight,  but  he  be  fool  of  kinde, 
Wol   deme  it  love  of  freendship  in  his 

minde. 

54.  What  ?  who  wol  deme,  though  he  see 
a  man 

To  temple  go,  that  he  the  images  eteth  ? 
Thenk  eek  how  wel  and  wysly  that  he  can 
Governe  him-self,  that  he  no-thing  for- 

yeteth,  375 

That,  wher  he  cometh,  he  prj-s  and  thank 

him  geteth  ; 
And  eek  ther-to,  he  shal  come  here  so 

selde, 
What   fors  were   it  though  al  the  tonn 

behelde  ? 

55.  Swich  love  of  freendes  regneth  al  this 
toim ; 

And  wrye  yow  in  that  mantel  cver-m<j ; 
And,  god  so  wis  be  my  savacioun,  381 

As  I  have  seyd,  your  bestc  is  to  do  so. 
But  alwey,  goode  nece,  to  stinte  his  wo, 
80  lat  your  tlaunger  sucred  ben  a  Ij^e, 
That  of  his  deeth  ye  be  nought  for  to 
wj-te.'  3.S5 

56.  Criseyde,   which   that  herde  him  in 
this  wysc, 

Thoughte,  •  1  shal  fele  wliat   he  meneth, 

y-wis.' 
'Now,   eem,'  quod  she,   '  what  wcdde  yo 

dex-j'se, 
What  is  your  reed  I  sholde  doon  of  this?' 
'  Tliat   is  wol  .soj-d,'  quod  he,   '  certayn, 

best  is  390 


Book  II.] 


^rotfu0  anl  Ctiu^l^. 


227 


That  j-e  liim  love  ayein  for  his  lovinge, 
As  love  for  love  is  skilful  g-iterdoninge. 

57.  Thenk  eek,  how  elde  wasteth  every 

houre 
In  eche  of  yow  a  party  of  heautee  ; 
And.  therfore,  er  that  age  thee  devoure,  395 
Go  love,  for,  olde,  tlier  wol  no  wight  of 

thee. 
Lat  this  proverbe  a  lore  iin-to  yow  be  ; 
To  late  y-war,  quod  Beautee,  whan  it 

paste  ; ' ' 
And  elde  daunteth  daunger  at  the  lasts. 

08.  The  kiuges  fool  is  woned   to   eryen 

loude,  4(;k) 

Whan  that  him    thinketh    a  womman 

bereth  hir  hye, 
"  So  longe  mote  ye  live,  and  alle  proude. 
Til  Crowes  feet  be  growe  under  your  ye. 
Anil  sende  yow  thanne  a  mirour  in  to 
prye  404. 

In  whiehe  ye  may  see  your  face  a-morwe ! " 
Xece,  I  bid  wisshe  yow  no  more  sorwe.' 

59.  With  this  he  stente,  and  caste  adotui 
the  heed. 

And  she  bigan  to  breste  a-wepe  anoon. 
Ajid  seyde,  '  alias,  for  wo !    why  nere  I 

deed  ? 
For  of  this  world  the  feith  is  al  agoon !  410 
Alias !  what  sholden  straunge  to  me  doon, 
■When  he,   that  for   my  beste   freend   I 

wende, 
Eet  me  to  love,  and  sholde  it  me  defende  ? 

60.  Alias  !  I  wolde  han  trusted,  doutelees, 
That  if  that  I,  thurgh  my  disa venture,  415 
Had  loved  other  him  or  Achilles, 
Ector,  or  any  mannes  creature, 

Ye  nolde  han  had  no  mercy  ne  mesure 
On  me,  but  alwey  hail  me  in  repreve  ; 
This  talse  world,  alias  !  who  may  it  leve  ? 

61.  Wliat  ?  is  this  al  the  joye  and  al  the 
feste  ?  42 1 

Is  this  your  reed,  is  this  my  blisfiil  cas  ? 
Is  this  the  verray  mede  of  your  beheste  ? 
Is  al  this  pcynted  proces  sej-d,  alias  !  4J4 
Eight  lor  this  fyn  ?  0  laily  myn,  Pallas  ! 
Thou  in  this  dreilful  cas  fur  me  purveye  ; 
Por  So  astonied  am  I  that  I  deye  I ' 


62.  With  that  she  gan  ful  sorwfullj'  to 

syke  ; 
'  A  !  may  it  be  no  bet  ? '  quod  Pandams ; 
'  By  god,  I  shal  no-more  come  here  this 

wyke,  430 

And  god  to-forn,  that  am  mistrusted  thus ; 
I  see  ful  wel  that  ye  sette  lyte  of  us, 
Or  of  our  deeth  !  Alias  !  I  woful  wrecche  ! 
Mighte  he  yet  live,  of  me  is  nought  to 

recche. 

63.  O  cruel  god,  0  dispitouse  Marte,     435 
O  Furies  three  of  helle,  on  yow  I  crye  ! 
So  lat  me  never  out  of  this  hotis  departe. 
If  that  I  mente  harm  or  vilanye  ! 

But  sith  I  see  my  lord  mot  nedes  dye. 
And  I  with  him,  here  I  me  shryve,  and 
sej-e  440 

That  wikkedly  ye  doon  us  bothe  deye. 

64.  But   sith   it   lyketh  yow  that    I   be 
deed. 

By  Neptunus,  that  god  is  of  the  see. 
Fro  this  forth  shal  I  never  eten  breed 
Til  I  myn  owene  herte  blood  may  see ;  445 
For  certayn,  I  wole  deye  as  sone  as  he  '■ — 
And  up   he  sterte,  and  on  his  wey  he 

raughte, 
Til  she  agaj-n  him  by  the  lappe  caughte. 

65.  Crisej^de,  which  that  wel  neigh  starf 
for  fere, 

So  as  she  was  the  ferfulleste  wight       450 
That  mighte  be,  and  herde  eek  with  hir 

ere. 
And  saw  the  sorwful  ernest  of  the  knight. 
And  in  his  preyere  eek  saw  noon  unright. 
And  for  the  harm  that  mighte  eek  fallen 

more. 
She  gan  to  rewe,  and  dradde  hir  wonder 

sore ;  455 

66.  And  thoiighte  thus,  '  unhappes  fallen 

thikke 
Alday  for  love,  and  in  swich  maner  cas, 
As  nien  ben  cruel  in  hem-self  and  wikke  ; 
And  if  this  man  slee  here  him-self,  alias  ! 
In  my  presence,  it  wol  be  no  solas.        4(>() 
Wliat  men  wolde  of  hit  deme  I  can  nat 

seyc  ; 
It  nedeth  me  ful  sleyly  for  to  pleye.' 


228 


^roifue  ant  ^viet^lc. 


[Book  II. 


67.  And  with  a  sorwful  syk  she   seyde 
thrye, 

'  A  !  lord  !  what  me  is  tid  a  sory  chaunee ! 
For  myn  estat  now  lyth  in  jupartye,  465 
And  eek  nxyii  ernes  lyf  lytli  in  balaunce  ; 
Bnt  nathelees,  with  goddes  governaunce, 
I  shal  so  doon,  niyn  honour  shal  I  kepe, 
And  eek  his  lyf ; '  and  stinte  for  to  wepe. 

68.  '  Of  harmes  two,  the  lesse  is  for  to 
chese  ;  4-0 

Yet  have  I  lever  maken  him  good  chere 
In  honour,  than  myn  ernes  lyf  to  lese  ; 
Ye  seyn,  ye  no-thiug  elles  me  requere  ? ' 
'  No,  wis, '  quod  he,  '  myn  owene  nece  dere. ' 
'  Now  wel,'  quod  she,  '  and  I  wol  doon  my 

pej-ne :  475 

I  shal  myn  herte   ayeius  my  lust    con- 

streyne, 

69.  But  that    I  nil   not    holden  him  in 
honde, 

Ne  love  a  man,  ne  can  I  not,  ue  may 
Ayeins  my  wil  ;  but  elles  wol  I  fonde, 
Myn  honour  sauf,  plese  him  fro  day  to 
da.v ;  480 

Tlier-to  nolde  I  nought  ones  have  seyd  nay, 
But  that  I  dredde,  as  in  my  fantasye  ; 
But  cesse  cause,  ay  cesseth  maladye. 

70.  And  here  I  make  a  protestaciovm, 
That  in  this  proces  if  ye  depper  go,       485 
That  certayuly,  for  no  savacioun 

Of  yow,  though  that  ye  sterve  botlie  two. 
Though  al  the  world  on  o  day  he  my  fo, 
Ne    shal    I  never    on    him    ban    other 

rout  he.' — 
'  I  graunte  wel."  qixod  Pandare,   '  by  my 

trouthe.  490 

71.  But  mayltrustewelther-to,'quodhe, 
'That,  of  this  thing  that  ye  ban  bight  me 

here, 
Ye  wol  it  holden  trewly  un-to  me  ?' 
'  Ye,   doiitelees,'  qviod  she,    '  myn  uncle 

dere.' 
'  Xe  that  I  shal  ban  cause  in  this  matere,' 
Quod    he,   'to   pleyne,   or  after  yow  to 

preche?'  496 

'  Why,   no,  jiardee ;   what   nedetb   more 

speche  ? ' 


72.  Tho  fillen  they  in  othere  tales  glade. 
Til  at  the  laste,  '  0  good  eem,'  qxiod  she 

tho, 
'For  love  of  god,  which  that  us  bothe 

made,  500 

Tel  me  how  first  ye  wisten  of  his  wo  : 
Wot   noon   of    hit    biit  .ve?'    He  seyde, 

'no.' 
'Can  be  wel  speke  of  love?'  qiiod  she, 

'  I  preye, 
Tel  me,  for  I  the  bet  me  shal  purveye.' 

73.  Tho  Pandarus  a  litel  gan  to  smyle. 
And  seyde,  '  b.v  my  trouthe,  I  shal  yow 

telle.  506 

This   other   day,    nought    gon   ful   longe 

whyle, 
In-with  the  paleys-gardyn,  by  a  welle, 
Gan  be  and  I  wel  half  a  day  to  dwello. 
Eight  for  to  speken  of  an  ordenaiince,  510 
How  we  the  Grekes  mighte  disavaunce. 

74.  Sone  after  that  bigonne  we  to  lepe, 
And  casten  with  our  dartes  to  and  fro. 
Til  at  the  laste  he  seyde,  he  wolde  slepe, 
And  on  the  gres  a-doun  be  leyde  him  tho ; 
And  I  after  gan  rome  to  and  fro  516 
Til  that  I  berde,  as  that  I  welk  allone. 
How  be  bigan  ful  wofully  to  grone. 

75.  Tlio  gan  I  stalke  him  softely  bihinde. 
And  sikerly,  the  sotbe  for  to  seyne,       520 
As  I  can  clepe  ayein  now  to  my  minde, 
Eight  thus  to   Love  he  gan  him  for  to 

pleyne ; 
He  seyde,  "lord!  have  roxitbe  up-on  m.v 

peyne, 
Al  have  I  been  rebel  in  myn  entesite  : 
Now,  viea  culpa,  lord  !  I  me  repente.     525 

76.  O  god,  that  at  thy  disposicioun 
Ledest  the  fyn,  by  juste  purveyaunce, 
Of  every  wight,  my  lowe  confessioun 
Accepte   in   greo,   antl    send    me    swich 

penaunce  529 

As  lyketh  thee,  l>ut  from  desesperaunce. 
That  may  my  goost  departe  awey  fro  thee, 
Thou  be  my  slield,  for  thy  beniguitee. 

77.  For  certes,  lord,  so  sore  bath  she  me 
wounded 

That  stodin  blak,  with  loking  of  liir  yen, 


Book  IT.] 


^votfu0  (inb  Cviet^H. 


229 


That  to  myn  liertes  botme  it  is  y-sounded, 
Tboriigh  whicli  I  woot  that  I  mot  nedes 

c^'en ;  536 

This  is  the  worste,  I  dar  me  uot  bi-wi-yen  ; 
And  wel  the  hotter  been  the  gledes  rede, 
That  men  hem  wryen  with  asshen  pale 

and  dede." 

78.  With  that  he  snioot  his  heed  adoun 
anoon,  540 

And  gau  to  motre,  I  n(3i't  what,  trewelj-. 
And  I  with  tliat  gau  stille  awey  to  goon. 
And  leetther-of  as  no-thing  wist  liadde  I, 
And  come  ayein  anoon  and  stood  liim  by, 
And  seyde,  '"  a-wake,  ye  slepen  al  to 
^'JUge ;  545 

It  semeth  nat  that  love  dooth  yow  longe, 

79.  Tliat  slepen  so  that  no  man  may  yow 
wake. 

Who  sey  ever  or  this  so  dul  a  man  ':"' 

"  Ye,  freend,"  quod  he,  "  do  ye  your  hedes 

ake 
For  love,  and  lat  nie  liven  as  I  can."     550 
But  though  that  he  for  wo  was  pale  autl 

wan, 
Yet  made  he  tho  as  fresh  a  contenaunce 
As  though  he  shulde  have  led  the  newe 

dauuce. 

80.  This  passed  forth,  til  now,  this  other 
day. 

It  fel  that  I  com  roming  al  allone  555 
Into  his  chaumbre,  and  iond  how  that  he 

lay 
Up-ou  his  bed  ;  but  man  so  sore  grone 
Ke  herde  I  never,  and  what  that  was  his 

nione, 
Ne  wiste  I  nought ;  for,  as  I  was  cominge, 
Al  sodeynly  he  lefte  his  compleyninge.  560 

81.  Of  which  I  took  somwhat  suspecioun. 
And  ueer  I  com,  and  fond  Jje  wepte  sore ; 
And  god  so  wis  be  my  savacioun. 

As  never  of  thing  hadde  I  no  routhe  more. 
For  neither  with  cngjn,  ne  with  no  lore, 
Unethes    mighto    I   fro   tlie   deeth    him 
kepe ;  566 

That  yet  fele  I  myn  herte  for  him  wepe. 

82.  And  god  wot,  never,  sith  that  I  was 
born, 

Was  I  so  bisy  no  man  for  to  preche, 


Ne  never  was  to  wight  so  depe  y-sworn, 
Or  he   me   tolde  who  mighte  been   his 
leche.  571 

But  now  to  yow  rehersen  al  his  speche. 
Or  alle  his  woful  wordes  lor  to  soune, 
Ne  bid  me  not,  but  ye  wol  see  me  swowne. 

83.  But  for  to  save   his  Ij'f,    and    elles 
nought,  575 

And   to   non   harm   of  j'ow,    thus  am  I 

driven  ; 
And    for   the  love  of  god  that   us  hath 

wrought, 
Swich  chere  him  dooth,  that  he  and  I 

may  liven. 
Now   have    I    plat    to    yow   myn    herte 

schriveu  ;  579 

And  sin  ye  woot  that  nijai  entente  is  cleue, 
Tak  hede  ther-of,  for  I  non  j'\'el  mene. 

84.  And  right  good  thritt,  I  pray  to  god, 
have  ye, 

That  han  swich  oon  j--caught  with-oute 

net ; 
And  be  ye  wys,  as  ye  ben  fair  to  see, 
Wel  in  the  ring  than  is  the  ruby  set.  585 
Ther  were  never  two  so  wel  y-met, 
Wlian  ye  ben  his  al  ho<jl,  as  he  is  youre  : 
Ther  mighty  god  yet  graunte  us  see  that 

hoiu'e  ! ' 

85.  '  Nay,  therof  sijak  I  not,  a,  ha  ! '  quod 
she, 

'  As  helpe  n\e  god,  ye  shenden  every  deel ! ' 
'  O  mercy,  dere  nece,'  anoon  quod  he,  591 
'  What-so   I  spak,  I  mente  nought  but 

weel, 
By  Mars  the  god,  that  helmed  is  of  steel; 
Now  beth  nought  wrooth,  my  blood,  my 

nece  dere.' 
'Now  wel,'  quod  she,  'foryeven  be  it  here ! ' 

86.  With  this  he  took  his  leve,  and  hoom 
Jie  wente  ;  596 

And  lord,  how  he  was  glad  and  wel  bi- 

goon  ! 
Criseyde  aroos,  no  lenger  she  ne  stente, 
But  straught  in-to  hir  closet  wente  anoon, 
And  sette  here  doun  as  stille  as  any  stoon, 
And   every  wn-d   gan   up   and    doun   to 

winde,  <h)i 

That  he  hailde  seyd,   as   it  coin   hir  to 

minde : 


230 


'Zvoihe  ant  Cvm^tt. 


[Book  II. 


87.  And    wex    sonidel    astoniod    iu    hir 
thought, 

Eight  for  the  iiewe  cas  ;  but  whau  that 

she 
Was  ful  avysed,  tho  fond  she  right  nought 
Of  iieril,  why  she  oughte  afered  he.       606 
For  man  may  love,  of  possibilitee, 
A  ■\voniman  so,  his  herte  may  to-breste. 
And  she  noiight  love  ayein,  but-if  hir  leste. 

88.  But  as  she  sat  allone  and  thoiighte 
thus,  610 

Th'ascrj-  aroos  at  skarmish  al  with-oute, 
And  men  cryde  in  the  strete,  '  see,  Troilus 
Hath  right  now  put  to  flight  the  Grekes 

route  ! ' 
With  that  gan  al  hir  meynee  for  to  shoute, 
'  A  !  go  we  see,  caste  up  the  latis  wyde  ; 
For  thurgh  this  strete  he  moot  to  jmlays 

ryde  ;  616 

89.  For  other  wey  is  fro  the  yate  noon 
Of  Dardanus,  ther  open  is  the  cheyne.' 
With  that  com  he  and  al  his  fi)lk  anoon 
An  esy  pas  rydinge,  in  routes  tweyne,  620 
Right  as  his  happy  day  was,  sooth  to  seyne, 
For  which,   men   say,  may  nought   dis- 

turlicd  be 
That  shal  bityden  of  necessitee. 

&0.  This  Troilus  sat  on  his  bayo  stede, 
Al  armed,  save  his  heed,  ful  richely,     625 
And  woimded  was  his  hors,  and  gan  to 

hlede, 
On  whiclie  he  rood  a  i)as,  ful  softely ; 
But  swich  a  knightly  sighte,  trowely. 
As  was  on  him,  was  nought,  with-outen 

faile,  629 

To  loke  on  Mars,  that  god  is  of  batayle. 

91,  Solyk  a  man  of  armes  and  a  knight 
He  was  to  soon,  fulfibl  of  heigh  prowesso ; 
For  Ixithe  ho  haddo  a  bi>dy  and  a  might 
To  doou  that  thing,  as  wel  as  hardinesse  ; 
And  eek  to  seen   him  iu  his  gere  him 

dresse,  635 

So  fresh,  so  .vong,  so  weldy  semed  he, 
It  was  an  heveu  np-on  him  for  to  see. 

92.  His  helm  to-hewen  was   iu    twentj- 
places. 

That  b\-  a  tissew  heng,  his  bak  bihindc, 


His  sheld  to-dasshed  was  with  swerdes 

and  maces,  640 

In   wliich   men    mighte   many  an   arwe 

finde 
That  thirled  hadde  horn  and  nerf  and 

rinde  ; 
And  ay  the  peple  cryde,  '  here  conieth  our 

jo.ve. 
And,   next   his  brother,  holdere    xip    of 

Troye  ! ' 

93,  For  which  he  wex  a  litel   reed   for 
shame,  ^  645 

Whan   he   the   peple   up-on   him    herde 

cryen. 
That  to  biliohle  it  was  a  noble  game, 
How  sobreliche  he  caste  doun  his  yen. 
Cryseyda  gan  al  his  chere  aspyen, 
And  leet  so  softe  it  in  hir  herte  sinke,  650 
That  to  liir-self  she  seyde,  '  who  yaf  me 

drinke  ? ' 

94.  For  of  hir  owene  thought  she  wex  al 
reed, 

Kemembringe  hir  right  thus,  '  lo,  this  is 

he 
"Which  that  myn  uncle  swereth  he  moot 

be  deed. 
But  I  on  him  have  mercy  and  pitee  ;'  O^^? 
And  with  thatthought,  for  pure  a-shamed, 

she 
Gan  in  hir  heed  t<>  puUe,  and  that  as 

faste, 
Whyl  he  and  al  the  peple  for-by  paste, 

93.  And  gan  to  caste  and  roUen  up  and 

doun 
With-inne    hir    thoiight     his     excellent 

prowesse,  060 

And  his  estat,  and  also  his  renoun. 
His  wit,  his  shap,  and  eek  his  gentilesse  ; 
Biit  most  hir  favour  was,  for  his  distresse 
Was  al  for  hir,   and  thoughte  it  was  a 

ri)uthe 
To   sleen   swich   oon,   if  that   he   mente 

trouthe.  665 

96.   Now  mighte  som  envyous  jangle  thus, 
'  This  was  a  sodejni  love,  how  mighte  it  be 
That  she  so  lightly  L>vede  Troilus 
Kight  for  the  lirste  sighte;  ye,  pardee?' 


Book  II.] 


^rotfu0  ani  Criee^^e. 


231 


Now  •vrho-so   seji:li    so,   mote    he    never 
thee !  670 

For  every  thing,  a  ginning  hath  it  nede 
Er  al  be  •wrought,  with-onten  any  drede. 

97.  For  I  sey  nought  that  she  so  sodeynly 
Yaf  him  hir  love,  hnt  that  she  gan  enclyne 
To  lyke  him  first,  and  I  have  toKl  yow 

why ;  675 

And  after  that,  his  manhod  and  his  pyne 
Made  love  with-inne  hir  for  to  myne. 
For  which,  by  proces  and  by  good  servyse. 
He  gat  hir  love,  and  in  no  sodeyn  wyse. 

98.  AndalsoblisfulVennSjWelarayed,  680 
Sat  in  hir  seventhe  hous  of  hevene  tho, 
Disposed  wel,  and  with  aspectes  jjayed. 
To  helpen  sely  Troilus  of  his  wo. 

And,  sooth  to  seyn,  she  nas  nat  al  a  fo 
To  Troihis  in  his  nativitee  ;  685 

God  woot  that  wel  the  soner  spedde  he. 

99.  Now  lat  ns  stinte  of  Troilus  a  throwe. 
That  rydeth  forth,  and  lat  us  tourne  faste 
Un-to  Criseyde,  that  heng  hir  heed  ful 

low^e, 
Ther-as  she  sat  allone,  and  gan  to  caste  690 
Wher-on  she  wolde  apoynte  hir  at  the 

laste. 
If  it  so  were  hir  eem  ne  wolde  cesse. 
For  Troilus,  up-on  hir  for  to  presse. 

100.  And,  lord  !  so  she  gan  in  hir  thought 
nTgixe 

In  this   matere    of  which    I    have  yow 
told,  695 

And  what  to  doon  best  were,  and  what 
eschue, 

Tliat  j)lyted  she  ful  ofte  in  many  fold. 

Now  was  hir  herte  warm,  now  was  it  cold, 

And  what  she  thoughte  somwhat  shal  I 
wrj'tc, 
\  As  to  myn  auctor  Usteth  for  to  endyto.  700 

101.  She  thoughte  wel,  that  Troilus  per- 
sona 

She  knew  by  sighte  and  eek  his  gentil- 

lessc. 
And  thus  she  seyde,  '  al  were  it  nought  to 

done. 
To  gravinto  him  love,  yet,  for  his  worthi- 

nesse, 


It  ^vere  honour,  with  ple.v  and  with  glad- 
nesse,  705 

In  honestee,  with  swich  a  lord  to  dele, 
For  mj'u  estat,  and  also  for  his  hele. 

102.  Eek,  wel  wot  I  my  kinges  sone  is  he; 
And  sith  he  hath  to  see  me  swich  delyt, 
If  I  wolde  utterly  his  sighte  flee,  710 
Paraunter  he  mighte  have  me  in  dispyt, 
Thurgh  which  I  mighte  stonde  in  worse 

piyt ; 

Now  were  I  wys,  me  hate  to  purchace, 
With-outen  nede,  tlier  I  may  stonde  in 
grace  ? 

103.  In  every  thing,   I   woot,    ther  lyth 
mesure.  715 

For  though  a  man  forbede  dronkenesse. 
He  nought  tor-bet  that  everj'  creature 
Bo  drinkelees  for  alwey,  as  I  gesse  ; 
Eek  sith  I  woot  for  me  is  his  distresse, 
I  ne  oiighte  not  for  that  thing  him  des- 
pyse,  720 

Sith  it  is  so,  he  meneth  in  good  wyse. 

104.  And  eek    I    knowe,   of  longe    tyme 
a goon. 

His  thewes  goode,  and  that  he  is  not  nyce. 
Ne  avau.ntour,  seyth  men,  certein,  is  he 

noon ; 
To  wys  is  he  to  do  so  gret  a  vyce  ;  725 

Ne  als  I  nel  him  never  so  cheryce. 
That  he  may  make  avaunt,  by  juste  caiise; 
He  shal  me  never  binde  in  swiche  a  clause. 

105.  Now  set  a  cas,  the  hardest  is,  y-wis, 
Men  mighten  deme  that  he  loveth  me  :  730 
What  dishonour  were  it  iin-to  me,  this  ? 
May  I  him  lette  of  that  ?  why  nay,pardee  ! 
I  knowe  also,  and  alday  here  and  see. 
Men  loven  wommen  al  this  toun  aboute  ; 
Be  they  the  wers?  why,  nay,  with-oiiten 

doute.  7.^5 

106.  I  thenk  eek  how  he  able  is  for  to 
have 

Of  al  this  noble  toun  the  thriftieste, 
To  been  his  love,  so  she  hir  honour  save; 
For  oiit  and  out  he  is  the  worthicste,    739 
Save  only  Ector,  which  that  is  the  beste. 
And  yet  his  lyf  al  Ij-th  now  in  my  cure, 
But  swich  is  love,  and  eek  myn  avonture. 


'■y- 


^rotfue  an^  Cnec^^e. 


[Book  II. 


107.  Xe  me  to  love,  a  wonder  is  it  nought ; 
For  wel  wot  I  my-self,  so  god  me  spede, 
AI  wolde  I  that  noon  ^viste  of  this  thought, 
I  am  oon  the  fayreste,  out  of  drede,  746 
And  goodlieste,  who-so  taketh  hede ; 
And  so  men  seyn  in  al  the  toun  of  Troye. 
What  wonder  is  it  though  he  of  me  have 

joye  ? 

108.  I  am  myn  owene  woman,  wel  at  ese, 
I  thanke  it  god,  as  after  myn  estat ;  751 
Eight  yong,  and  stonde  unteyd  in  lusty 

lese, 
With-outen  jalousye  or  swicli  debat ; 
Shal  noon  housbonde  s&ysi  to  me  "chek- 

mat ! " 
For  either  they  ben  ful  of  jalousye,        755 
Or  maisterfnl,  or  loven  novelrye. 

109.  What  shal  I  doou?  to  what  fyn  live 
I  thus  ? 

Shal  I  nat  loven,  in  cas  if  that  me  leste? 
What,  par  dieuj- !  I  am  nought  religious  I 
And  though  that  I  myn  herte  sette  at 

reste  760 

Upon  this  knight,  that  is  the  worthieste, 
And   kepe  alwey  myn   honour   and   my 

name. 
By  alle  right,  it  may  do  me  no  shame.' 

110.  But  right  as  whan  the  sonne  shyneth 
bright  e. 

In  March,  that  chaungeth  ofte  tyme  his 

face,  765 

And  that  a  cloud  is  put  with  wind  to 

flighte 
Which  over-sprat  the  sonne  as  for  a  space, 
A  cloudy  thought  gan  thorugh  hir  soule 

pace, 
Til  at  over-spradde  hir  brighte  thoughtes 

alle, 
So  that  for  fere  almost  she  gan  to  falle.  -70 

111.  That  thought  was  this,    'sdlas!  sin 
I  am  free, 

Sholde  I  now  love,  and  putte  in  jupartye 
My  sikernesse,  and  tlirallen  libertee  ? 
Alias!  how  dorste  I  thenken  that  folye? 
May  I  nought  wel  in  other  folk  aspyc     775 
Hir  dredfuljoye,  hir  constreynt,  and  hir 

pej-ne  ? 
Ther  loveth  ntwn,  that  she  uath  why  to 

pleyne.  ' 


112.  For  love  is  yet.  the  moste  stormy  lyf. 
Eight  of  hini-self,  that  ever  was  bigonne  ; 
For  ever  som  mistrust,  or  nj'ce  stryf,  78c) 
Ther  is  in  love,  som  cloud  is  over  the 

Sonne : 
Ther-to  we  wrecched  wommen  no-thing 

conne. 
Whan  us  is  wo,  but  wepe  and  sitte  and 

thinke ; 
Our   wreche   is  this,   our   owene    wo    to 

drinke. 

113.  Also  these   wikked   tonges  been  so 
prest  785 

!  To  speke  us  harm,  eek  men  be  so  untrewe, 
That,  right  anoon  as  cessed  is  hir  lest, 

I  So  cesseth  love,  and  forth  to  love  a  newe : 
But  harm  y-doon,  is  doon,  who-so  it  rewe. 

:  For  though  these  men  for  love  hem  first 
to-rende,  790 

I  Ful  sharp  biginning  breketh  ofte  at  ende. 

114.  How  ofte  tjrme  hath  it  y-knowen  be, 
'  The  treson,  that  to  womman  hath  be  do? 

To  what  i'yii  is  swich  love,  I  can  nat  see. 
Or  wher  bicomth  it,  whan  it  is  ago;      795 
Ther  is  no  wight  that  woot,  I  trowe  so, 
Wher  it  bycomth;    lo,    no  wight  on   it 

sporneth  ; 
That  erst  was  no-thing,  in-to  nought  it 

torneth. 

115.  How  bisy,  if  I  love,  eek  moste  I  be 
To  plesen  hem  that  jangle  of  love,  and 

demen,  800 

And  coye  hem,  that  they  sej-  uuu  harm  of 

me? 
For  though  ther  be  no  cause,  yet  hem 

semen 
Al  be  for  harm  that   folk   hir   freendes 

quemen  ; 
And  who  maystoppen  every  wikked  tonge, 
Or   soun   of  belles   whyl    that    they    be 

ronge  ? '  8<J5 

116.  And  after  that,  hir  thought  bigan  to 
clere. 

And    seyde,    '  he    which    that    no-thing 

under-taketh, 
Xo-thing  ne  acheveth,   be  liiui  louth  or 

dere.' 


Book  II.] 


^rotfu0  ani  Cn'ee^ie. 


233 


And  with   an    other   thought   hir  lierte 

quaketh ; 
Thau    slepeth    ht)pe,    and     after     dreed 

awaketh;  810 

Now  hoot,  now  cold  ;  but  thus,  hi-twixen 

tweye, 
She  rist  hir  up,  and  went  hir  for  to  ple.ye. 

117.  Adoun  the  steyre   anoon-right    tho 
slie  wente 

In-to  the  gardin,  with  hir  neees  three. 
And  up   and   doun   ther   made   many  a 
wente,  815 

riexippe,  she,  Tharbe,  and  Antigone, 
To  pleyen,  that  it  joye  was  to  see ; 
And  otliere  of  hir  wommeu,  a  gret  route, 
Hir  folwede  in  the  gardin  al  aboute. 

118.  This  j'erd  was  large,  and  rayled  alle 
the  aleyes,  820 

And    shadwed  wel    with    blosmy  bowes 

grene. 
And  benched  newe,  and  souded  alle  the 

weyes, 
lu  which  she  walketh  arm   in   arm  bi- 

twene; 
Til  at  the  histe  Antigone  the  shene 
Gan  on  a  Trojan  song  to  singe  clere,      825 
That  it  an  lieven  was  hir  voys  to  here. — • 

119.  She  seyde,  'O  love,  to  whom  I  have 
and  shal 

Ben  hiunble  si^bgit,  trewe  in  myn  entente. 
As  I  best  can,  to  yow,  lord,  yeve  ich  al 
For  ever-more,  mj'n  herteslnst  to  rente.  830 
For  never  yet  thy  grace  no  wight  sente 
So  blisful  cause  as  me,  my  ]yf  to  lode 
In  alle  joye  and  seurtee,  out  of  drede. 

120.  Ye,  blisful  god,  han  me  so  wel  beset 
In  love,  y-wia,  that  al  that  bereth  l^-f  835 
Imaginen  ne  cowdo  how  to  ben  bet ; 
For,  lord,  with-outen  jalousye  or  stryf, 

I  love  oon  which  that  is  most  ententyf 
To  serven  wel,  unwery  or  unfeynetl, 
That  ever  was,  and  leest  with  harm  dis- 
treyncd.  840 

121.  As  he  that  isthewelleof  worthinesse, 
Of  troutho  ground,  mirour  of  goodliheed. 
Of  wit  AppoUo,  stoon  of  sikernesse. 

Of  vertu  rote,  of  lust  findcrc  and  heed. 


Thurgh  which  is  alle  sorwe  fro  me  deed,  84  5 
Y-wis,  I  lijve  him  best,  so  doth  he  me  ; 
Now  gootl  thrift  have  he,  wher-so  that  he 
be! 

122.  \^^lom  sholde  I  thanke  but  yow,  god 
of  love, 

Of  al  tliis  blisse,  in    which   to   bathe  I 

giune? 
And  thanked beye,  lord,  forthat  Hove  !  850 
This  is  the  righte  lyf  that  I  am  inne, 
To  flemen  alle  manere  vyce  and  sinne  : 
This  doth  me  so  to  vertu  for  to  entonde. 
That  day  by  day  I  in  my  wil  amende. 

123.  And  who-so  seyth  that  for  to  love  is 
vyce,  S55 

Or  thraldom,  though  he  f'ele  in  it  dis- 

tresse. 
He  outlier  is  envyous,  or  right  nyce. 
Or  is  unmighty,  for  his  shrewednesse. 
To  loven ;  for  swich  maner  folk,  I  gesse, 
Defamen  love,  as  no-tliing  of  hin\  knowe ; 
They  speken,  but  they  bente  never  his 

bowe.  861 

124.  What  is  the  sonne  wers,  of  kinde 
righte, 

Tlwugh  that  a  man,   for  feblesso  of  his 

yen. 
May   nought    endure    on    it    to   see   for 

brighte? 
Or  love  the  wers,  though  wrecches  on  it 

cryen  ?  805 

No  wele  is  worth,   that   may   no   sorwo 

dryen. 
And  for-th,^•,  who  that  hath  an  hocl  of 

verro. 
Fro  cast  of  stones  war  him  in  the  worre  ! 

125.  But  I  with  al  myn  herte  and  al  my 
might,  869 

As  I  have  seyd,  wol  love,  un-to  iny  lasto. 
My  dero  herte,  and  al  myn  owene  kniglit, 
In  which  myn  herto  growen  is  so  faste. 
And  his  in  me,  that  it  shal  ever  laste. 
Al  dredde  I  first  to  love  him  to  biginne, 
Now  woot  I  wel,  ther  is  no  peril  inne.'    875 

126.  And  of  hir  song  right  with  that  word 
she  stent(>, 

And  tlierwith-al,   'now,  nece,'  quod  Cri- 
seydc, 


=  34 


^voifua  (xnl  Cneej^e. 


[Book  II. 


'  Who  made  this  sorifj  with  so  good  en- 
tente ? ' 
Antigouo  answerde  aiioon,  and  seyde, 
'  Ma  dame,  y-wis,  the  goodlieste  mayde  880 
Of  greet  estat  in  al  the  tmin  of  Troye; 
And  let  hir  Ij-f  in  most  honour  and  joye.' 

127.  'Forsothe,  so  it  semeth  by  hir  song,' 
Quod  tho  Criseyiie,  and  gan  ther-with  to 

syke, 
And  sej'de,   '  lord,   is   there  swicli  blissc 

among  883 

These  lovers,  as  thoy  conne  laire  endyte?  ' 
'Ye,  wis,'  quod  fresh  Antigone  the  whyte, 
'For  alle  the  folk  that  han  or  been  on  lj-\-e 
Ne  conne  wel  the  blisse  of  love  discryve. 

128.  But   wene    ye    that   every  ^vrecche 
woot  890 

The  parfit  blisse  of  love?  why,  nay,  y-wis ; 
They  wenen  al  be  love,  if  oon  be  hoot ; 
Do  wey,  do  wey,  they  woot  no-thing  of 

this! 
Men  mosten  axe  at  seyntes  if  it  is 
Aught    fair  in   hevene;    why?    for  they 

conne  telle ;  895 

And  axen  fendes,  is  it  foul  in  helle.' 

129.  Criseyde  un-to  that  piirpos  nought 
answerde. 

But  seydo,   '  y-wis,   it    wol    be    night   as 

faste.' 
But   every  word   which  that  she  of  hir 

herde, 
She  gan  to  prenten  in  hir  herte  faste ;  900 
And  ay  gan  love  hir  lasse  for  to  agaste 
Than  it  dide  erst,  and  sinken  in  hir  herte, 
That  she  wex  somwhat  able  to  converte. 

130.  Thedayeshonour, and thehevenesye, 
The  nightes  fo,al this clepcl  the sonne,  ijo-; 
Gan  westren  faste,  and  dounward  for  to 

wrye, 
As  he  that  hadde  his  dayes  cours  y-ronne  ; 
And  whyte  thinges  wexen   dimme  and 

donne 
For  liik  of  light,  and  sterres  for  to  appere, 
That  she  and  al  hir  folk  in  wente  y-fere. 

131 .  So  whan  it  lyked  hir  to  goon  to  reste, 
And    voyded    weren    they    that   voyden 

oughte,  912 


She  seyde,  that  to  slepo  wel  hir  lestc. 
Hir  wommen  sone  til  hir  bedhir  broughte. 
Whanal  was  bust,  than  lay  she  stille,  and 
thotighte  915 

Of  al  this  thing  the  manere  and  the  wyse. 
Keheree  it  nedeth  nought,  for  ye  ben  wyse. 

132.  A  nightingale,  upon  a  cedre  grene, 
Under  the  chambre-wal  ther  as  she  lay, 
Ful  loiide  sang  ayein  the  nione  shene,  920 
Paraunter,  in  his  briddes  wj-se,  a  lay 

Of  love,  that  made  hir  herte  fresh  and  gay. 
That  herkned  slie  solonge  in  good  entente. 
Til  at  the  laste  the  dede  sleep  hir  hente. 

133.  And,  as  she  sleep,  anoon-right  tho 
hir  mette,  925 

How  that  an  egle,  fethered  whyt  as  boon. 
Under  hir  brest  his  longe  cliiwes  sette. 
And   out  hir  herte   he   rente,  and  that 

a-noon. 
And  dide  his  herte  in-to  hir  brest  to  goon, 
Of  which  she  nought  agroos  ne  no-thing 

smerte,  930 

And  forth  he  fleigh,  with  herte  left  for 

herte. 

13-1.  Now  lat  hir  slepe,  and  we  our  tales 

holde 
Of  Troilus,  that  is  to  paleys  riden, 
Fro  the  scarmuch,  of  the  whiche  I  tolde, 
And  in  his  chanibre  sit,  and  hath  abideu 
Til  two  or  three  of  his  messages  yeden   936 
F<  ir  Pandarus.  and  soughten  him  ful  faste. 
Til  they  him  founde,  and  broughte  him  at 

the  laste. 

135.  Tliis  Pandarus  com  leping  in  at  ones 
And  seide  thus,  'who  hath  ben  wol  y-bote 
To-day   with   swerdes,   and   with  slinge- 

st<mes,  94 1 

But  Troilus,  that  hath  caught  him   an 

hete?' 
And  gan  to  jape,  and  seyde,  '  lord,  so  ye 

swete ! 
But  rys,  and  lat  us  soujjo  and  go  to  reste;' 
And  he  answerde  him,  '  do  we  as  thee 

leste.'  945 

186.  "With  al  the  haste  goodly  that  they 

mightc. 
They  spedde  hem  fro  the   soiiper  un-to 

bedde ; 


Book  II.] 


^rotfue  arii>  Cviet^li. 


235 


And  every  wight  out  at  the   dore  him 

dighte, 
And   wher   him   list    upon    his    wey   he 

sjiedde  ; 
But    Troilus,    that    thoughte    his    herte 

bledde  950 

For  wo,  til  that  he  herde  som  tydinge, 
He  seyde.   '  freend,   shal  I  now  wepe  or 

singe  ?  ' 

137.  Qnod  Pandariis,  '  ly  stille,  and  lat  me 
slepe, 

And  don  thyn  hood,  thy  nedes  spedde  be ; 
And  chese,  if  thou  wolt  singe  or  daunce  or 

lepe ;  955 

At  shorts  wordes,  thow  shalt  trowe  me. — 
Sire,  my  nece  wol  do  wel  by  thee. 
And  love  thee  best,  by  god  and  by  my 

trouthe, 
But  lak  of  pursuit  make  it  in  thy  slouthe. 

138.  For  thus  ferforth  I  ha\'e  thy  work 
bigonne,  960 

Fro  day  to  day,  til  this  daj-,  l)^'  the  morwe, 
Hir  love  of  freendship   have   I   to  thee 

wonne, 
And  also  liath  she  leyd  hir  feyth  to  borwe. 
Algate  a  foot  is  hameled  of  thy  sorwe.' 
"Uliat  sholde  I  lenger  sernion  of  itholde? 
As  ye  han  herd  bifore,  al  he  him  tolde.  966 

189.  But   right   as   floures,   thorugh    the 

colde  of  night 
Y-closed,  stoupen  on  hir  stalkes  lowe, 
Eedressen  hem  a-yein  the  soune  bright. 
And  spreden  on  hir  kinde  cours  by  rowe ; 
Right  so  gan  tho  his  eyen  up  to  throwe  -971 
Tliis  Troilus,  and  seyde,  '  O  Venus  dere. 
Thy  might,  thy  grace,  y-heried  be  it  here  ! ' 

140,  And  to  Pandare  he  held  up  bothe  his 
hondes, 

Andseydo,  'lord,althj'nbethatIhave;  975 
For  I  am  hool,  al  brosten  been  my  bondes ; 
A  thousand  Troians  who  so  that  me  yavc, 
Eche  after  other,  god  so  wis  rae  save, 
Ne  mighte  me  so  gladen  ;  lb,  myn  herte. 
It  spredeth  so  for  joye,  it  wol  to-sterte !    980 

141.  But  lord,  how  shal  I  doon,  how  shal 
I  liven? 

^Mian  shal  I  next  my  dere  herte  see  ? 


How  shal  this  longe  tyme  a-wey  be  driven, 
Til  that  thou  be  ayein  at  hir  fro  me  ? 
Thou  ma.yst  answere,  "a-byd,  a-byd,"  but 
he  985 

Thathangeth  bythenekke,  sooth  to  se.yne, 
In  grete  disese  abydeth  for  the  peyne.' 

142.  '  Al  esily,  now,  for  the  love  of  Marte,' 
Quod   Pandartis,   '  for  every  thing   hath 

tyme ;  989 

So  longe  abyd  til  that  the  night  departs ; 
For  al  so  siker  as  thow  lyst  here  bj'  me. 
And  god  toforn,  I  wol  be  there  at  pryme, 
And  for  thj^  werk  si  imwhat  as  I  shal  seye, 
Or  on  som  other  wight  this  charge  leys. 

143.  For  pardee,    god   wot,   I  have   ever 

yit  995 

Ben  redy  thee  to  serve,  and  to  this  night 
Have  I  nought  fayned,  but  emfbrth  my 

wit 
Don  al  thy  lust,  and  shal  with   al   my 

might. 
Do  now  as  I  shal  sej-e,  and  fare  a-right ; 
And  if  thoii  nilt,  wyte  althy-self  thy  care, 
On  me  is  nought  along  thyn  yvel  fare.  looi 

144.  I  woot wel  thatthowwyser  art  than  I 
A  thousand  fold,  btit  if  I  were  as  thou, 
God  helpe  me  so,  as  I  wolde  outrely. 
Right  of  myn   owene  hond,    wryte  hir 

right  now  1005 

A  lettre,  in  which  I  wolde  hir  tellen  how 
I  ferde  amis,  and  hir  beseehe  of  routhe  ; 
Now  help  thy-self,  and  leve  it   not   f(ir 

slouthe. 

145.  And  I  my-self  shal  ther-with  to  liir 
goon  ; 

And  whan  thou  wost  that  I  am  with  hir 
there,  loio 

Worth  thou  up-on  a  courser  right  anoon, 
Ye,  hardily,  right  in  thy  beste  gere, 
And  ryd  forth  by  the  jilace,  as  nought  ne 

were. 
And  thou  shalt  finde  us,  if  I  may,  sittinge 
At  som  windowe,  in-to  the  strete  lokinge. 

146.  And  if  tliee  list,  than  maystow  us 
saluwe,  1016 

And  up-on  me  make  thy  contenaunce  ; 


15 


236 


Ctoifue  ani>  Cvw^^H. 


[Book  II. 


But,  hy  tby  Ij-f,  l)e  war  aud  faste  escliuwe 
To  tarien  ought,  god  sbilde  us  fro  mis- 

chaunce ! 
Ryd  forth  thy  wey,  and  hohl  thy  govern- 

auuce :  1020 

And  we  shal  speke  of  thee  som-what,  I 

trowe. 
Whan  thou  art  goon,  to  do  thyne  eras 

glowe  ! 

147.  Touching  thy  lettre,   thou  art  wys 
y-nough,  1023 

I  woot  thow  nilt  it  digneliche  endyte  ; 
As  make  it  with  thise  argunientes  tough  ; 
Xe  scriveuish  or  craftily  thou  it  wryte ; 
Beblotte  it  with  thy  teres  eek  a  Ij-te  ; 
Aud  if  thou  wrj'te  a  goodly  word  al  softe, 
Though  it  be  good,  reherce  it  not  to  ofte. 

14:8.  For  though  the  beste  h.ii-}-)our  upon 
lyve  1030 

Wolde  on  the  beste  sonned  joly  barpe 
Tliat  ever  was,  vnth.  alle  his  fingres  t'yve, 
Touche  ay  o  streug,  or  ay  o  werbul  harpe, 
Were  his  nayles  poynted  never  so  sharpe. 
It  shivlde  maken  everj'  wight  to  dulle,  10^5 
To  here  liis  glee,  and  of  his  strokes  fuUe. 

149.  Xe  jompre  eek  no  discordai^nt  thing 
y-fere, 

As  thus,  to  iiseu  termes  of  phisyk  ; 
In  loves  termes,  hold  of  thy  matore 
The  forme  alwey,   and    do    that    it    be 
lyk ;  1040 

For  if  a  peyntour  wolde  peynte  a  pyk 
With  asses  feet,  and  hede  it  as  an  ape, 
It  cordeth  nought ;  so  uere  it  but  a  jape.' 

150.  This  counscj-1  lyked  wel  to  Troilus ; 
But,  as  a  <lreedful  lovr-r,  he  seyde  this  : — 
'  Alias,  my  derc  l)rothor  Pandarus,        1046 
I  am  ashamed  for  to  wr.^'te,  y-wis, 

Lest  of  myn  innocence  I  seyde  a-mis, 
Or  that  she  nolde  it  for  despyt  rcceyve; 
Thanne  were  I  deed,  ther  mighte  it  no- 
thing wej-ve.'  U)5i) 

151.  To  that  Pandare  answerde,  '  if  thee 
lest, 

Do  that  I  seye,  and  lat  me  therwith  goon  ; 
For  by  that  lord  that  formed  est  and  west, 
I  hope  of  it  to  brings  answere  anoon 


Eight  of  liir  hond,  and  if  that  thou  nilt 

I  noon,  1055 

Lat  be  ;  and  sory  mote  he  been  his  lyye, 

Ayeins    thy  lust    that    helpeth    thee   to 

thry\-e.' 

152.  Quod  Troilus, 'Z)r'j)o  )Y7ieMa;,  I  assente: 
Sin  that  thee  list,  I  will  aryse  and  w^^'te : 
i  And   blisful   god    preye   ich,    ^\'ith    good 
i  entente,  1060 

;  The  vyage,  and  the  lettre  I  shal  endyte. 
So  spede  it ;  and  thou,  Minerva,  the  whyte, 
Yif  thou  me  wit  my  lettre  to  devyse  :' 
'  And  sette  him  doim,  aud  wroot  right  in 
I  this  wyse. — 

I  153.  First  he  gan  hir  his  righte  lady 
I  calle,  1065 

I  His  hertes  lyf,  his  lust,  his  sorwes  leche, 

His  blisse,  and  eek  this  othere  termes 
aUe, 

That  in  swich  cas  these  loveres  alle  seche; 

And  in  ful  humble  wyse,  as  in  his  speche, 

He  gan  hina  recomaunde  nn-to  hir  grace; 

To  teUe  al  how,  it  axeth  nnxchel  space.  1071 

154.  And   after   this,    ful    lowl,\-    he    hir 

I  prayde 

f  To  be  nought  wrooth,  though  he,  of  his 

I  folye, 

So  hardy  was  to  hir  to  wryte,  and  seyde. 
That  love  it  made,  or  elles  moste  he  dye, 
And  pitonsly  gan  mercy  for  to  crye  ;  1076 
Anil  alter  that  he  sej-de,  and  ley  ful  loude, 

1  Him-self  was   litel   worth,   and  lesse  he 
coude ; 

I  155.  And  that  she  sholde  ban  his  conning 

excused. 
That  litel  was,  and  eek  he  dreddc  hir  so, 
And  his  unworthinesse  he  ay  acused  ;  ujSi 
And  after  that,  than  gan  ho  telle  his  wo; 
But  that  was  endeles,  with-outen  ho 
And  seyde,  he  wohle  in  trouthe  alwej'  him 

holde  ; — 
And  radde  it  over,  and  gan  the  lettre 

folde.  1085 

156.  And  with  his  salte  teres  gan  he  bathe 
The  ruby  in  his  signet,  and  it  sette 
Upon  the  wex  deliverlichc  and  rathe  ; 
Ther-with  a  thousand  tymes,  er  he  lette, 


Book  II.J 


Crotfu0  ari^  Criee^^e. 


237 


He  kiste  tlio  the  lettre  that  he  shette,  1090 
And  seyde,  '  lettre,  a  blisful  destenee 
Thee  shapeii  is,  my  lady  shal  thee  see. ' 

lo7.  This  Paudare  took   the  lettre,  aud 

that  by  tyme 
A-morwe,  and  to  his  ueces  jjalej'S  sterte, 
And  faste  he  swoor,  that  it  was  passed 

pryme,  1095 

And  gau  to  jape,  aud  seyde,  '  y-wis,  luyn 

herte, 
So  fresh  it  is,  al-thongh  it  sore  snierte, 
I  may  not  slepe  never  a  Mayes  morwe  ; 
I  have  a  joly  wo,  a  lusty  sorwe.' 

158.  Crisej-de,   whan  that  she  hir  nncle 
lierde,  11 00 

AVith  dreedful  herte,  and  desLrous  to  here 
The  cause  of  his  cominge,  thus  auswerde, 
■  Xow  by  your  lej-th,   mjii  uncle,'  quod 

she,  '  dere, 
AVTiat  maner  windes  gytleth  yow   now 

here  ^  1 104 

Tel  us  yovir  joly  wo  and  your  penaunce. 
How  ferforth  be  ye  put  in  loves  daunce.' 

159.  ■  By  god,'  quod  he,  '  I  hoppe  alwey 
bihinde  ! ' 

And  she  to-laugh,  it  thoughte  hir  herte 

bi-este. 
(^uod  Pandarus,  '  loke  alwey  that  ye  finde 
Game  in  myn  hood,  but  herkneth,  if  yow 

leste  ;  1 1 10 

Ther  is  right  now  com.e  in-to  toune  a  geste, 
A  Greek  espye,  and  telleth  newe  thinges, 
For  which  come  I  to  telle  yow  tydinges. 

160.  Into  the  gardin  go  we,  and  we  shal 
here, 

Al  prevely,  of  this  a  long  sermoun.'  1 1 15 
With  that  they  wenten  arm  in  arm  y-fere 
In-to  the  gardin  from  the  chaumbre  doun. 
And  whan  that  he  so  fer  was  that  the 

soun 
Of  that  he  spoke,  no  man  here  mighte. 
He  seyde  hir  thus,   and  out  the  lettre 

plighte,  II  JO 

161.  '  Lo,  he  that  is  al  hoolly  youres  free 
Uim  recomauudeth  lowly  Uj  your  grace, 
And  sent  to  you  this  lettre  here  by  rue  ; 
Avyseth  you  on  it,  whan  ye  han  space, 


And  of  som  goodly  answere  yow  purchace ; 
Or,  helpe  me  god,  so  pleynly  for  to  seyne. 
He  may  not  longe  liven  for  his  i>eyne.' 

162.  Ful   dredtully   tho   gau   she   .stoude 
stille. 

And  took  it  nought,  but  al  hir  humble 

chere 
Gan  for  to  chaunge,  and  seyde,  '  scrit  ne 

bille,  J 1 30 

For   love    of   god,  that  toucheth    swich 

matere, 
Xe    bring    me    noon;    and    also,   ^^ncle 

dere. 
To  mj-n  estat  have  more  reward,  I  preye. 
Than  t(j  his  lust ;    what  sholde  I  more 

seye  ? 

163.  Aud  loketh  now  if  this  be  reson- 
able,  1 1 35 

And  letteth   nought,   for  favour  no  for 

slouthe. 
To  seyu  a  sooth  ;  now  were  it  covenable 
To  mjTi  estat,  by  god,  and  by  your  trouthe, 
To  taken  it,  or  to  han  of  him  routhe. 
In  harming  of  my-self  or  in  repreve  ?    1 1 40 
Ber  it  a-yeiu,  for  him  that  ye  on  leve  !  ' 

164.  This   Pandarus   gan   on   hir    for  to 
stare, 

And   seyde,    '  now    is    this    the    grettest 

wonder 
That  ever  I  sey  !  lat  be  this  nyce  fare  ! 
To  deethc  mote  T  smiten  be  with  thonder. 
If,   for  the   citee  which    that    stondeth 

yonder,  1146 

Wolde  I  a  lettre  un-to  yow  bringe  or  take 
To  harm  of  yow;  what  list  yow  thus  it 

make  ? 

165.  But  thus  ye  faren,  wel  neigh  jiUe  and 
some,  1 149 

That  he  that  most  desireth  yow  to  serve, 
Of  him  ye  recche  leest  wher  ho  biconie. 
And  whether  that  ho  live  ov  elles  sterve. 
But  for  al  that  that  ever  I  may  deserve, 
Kefuso  it  nought,'  quod  he,  and  hente  hir 

faste. 
And   in   hir  bosom  tho  lettre  doun  he 

thraste,  » i5.i 


238 


^totfu0  arib  Crtse^^e. 


[Book  IL 


166.  And  seycle  hir,   'now  cast  it  away 
anoon. 

That  folk  may  seen  and  ganren  on  its 

tweye. " 
Quod  she,  '  I  can  abyde  til  they  be  goon,' 
And  gan  to  smyle,  and  seyde  him,  '  eem, 

I  preye, 
Swich  answere  as  yow  list  yoiir-self'  pur- 
vey e,  1 1 60 
For  trewelj- 1  nil  no  lettre  wryte.' 
'  No  ?  than  wol  I,'  quod  he, '  so  ye  endyte.' 

167.  Therwith  she  lough,  and  seyde,  '  go 
■we  dj-ne.' 

And  he  gan  at  him-self  to  jape  faste,  1 164 
And  seyde,  '  nece,  I  have  so  greet  a  pyue 
Ff>r  love,  that  ever\'  other  day  I  faste  ' — 
And  gan  his  beste  japes  forth  to  caste  ; 
And  made  hir  so  to  laughe  at  his  folj'e. 
That  she  for  laughter  weude  for  to  dye. 

168.  And  whan  that  she  was  comen  in-to 
halle,  1 1 70 

'Now,  eem.'  quod  she,  'we  wol  go  dj-ne 

anoon  : ' 
And  gan  some  of  hir  women  to  hir  calle. 
And  streyght  in-to  hir  chaumbre  gan  she 

goon  ; 
But  of  hir  besinesses,  this  was  oon 
A-n\onges  othere  thinges,  out  of  drede, 
Fitl  prively  this  lettre  for  to  rede  ;       1 176 

169.  A^-ysed  word  by  word  in  every  l.^Tie, 
And  fond  no  lak,  she  thoughte  he  coude 

good ; 
And  up  it  putte,  and  went  hir  in  to  dyne. 
And  Paudanis,  that  in  a  stucly  stood,   1 18<> 
Er  he   was   war,   she   took   liini   by  the 

hood, 
And  seyde,  'ye  were  caught  er  that  ye 

wiste  ; ' 
'I  vouche  sauf,' quod  he,  'do  what  yow 

liste.' 

170.  Tho  wesshen  they,   and   sette   hem 
doun  and  ete  ; 

Ami  after  noon  fnl  sleyly  Pandarus     1185 
Gan  drawe  him  to  the  window  next  the 

strete, 
And  seyde.  '  nece,  who  hath  arayed  thus 
The  yonder  hous,  that  stant  afor-j'eyn  us? ' 


'  AVhich  hous  ?  '  quod  she,  and  gan  for  to 

biholde. 
And  knew  it  wel,  and  whos  it  was  him 

tolde,  1 1 00 

171.  And  fillen  Jbrth  in  speche  of  thinges 
smale. 

And  seten  in  the  'window^  bothe  tweye. 
"Whan  Pandarus  saw  t.\-me  un-to  his  tale, 
And   saw   wel   that    hir  folk   were    alle 

aweye, 
'Now,   nece  mjni,    tel   on,'   quod   he,   'I 

se.ve,  1 105 

How  lyketh  yow  the  lettre  that  ye  woot  ? 
Can  he  ther-on?    for,  by  my  trouthe,   I 

noot.' 

172.  Therwith  al  rosy  hewed  tho  wex  she. 
And   gan  to  humme,   and   seyde,   '  so  I 

trowe.' 
'  Aqnyte  him  wel,  for  goddes  love,'  qviod 

he :  i2(K) 

'  My-self  to  medes  wol  the  lettre  sowe,' 
And   held    his   hondes    up,  and   sat  on 

knowe, 
'  Xow,  goode  nece,  be  it  never  so  l.yte, 
Yif  me  the  labour,  it  to  sowe  and  plj'te.' 

17.3.  'Ye,  for  I  can  so  wr\-te.'  (juod  she 
Iho ;  1205 

'  And  eek  I  noot  what  I  sholde  to  him 
se.ve.' 

'  Nay,  nece,'  quod  Pandare,  '  sey  not  so  ; 

Yet  at  the  leste  thanketh  him,  I  pre.ve, 

Of  his  good  wil,  and  doth  him  not  to  deye. 

Now  for  the  love  of  me,  my  nece  dere,   1210 

Eefuseth  not  at  this  tyme  my  preyere.' 

174.  '  Bepar-dieiix,''  quod  she,  '  god  leve  al 
be  wel ! 

God  helpe  me  so,  this  is  the  firste  lettre 
That  over  I  wi-oot,  ye,  al  or  any  del.' 
And  in-to  a  closet,  for  to  a^•>•se  hir  bettre, 
She  wente  aUoue,  and  gan  hir  herte  ttn- 
fettre  1216 

Out  of  disda.\Ties  prison  Imt  a  l.vte; 
And  sette  hir  doun,  and  gan  a  lettre  wryte, 

175.  Of  which  to  telle  in  short  is  myn 
entente  1219 

Th'effect,  as  fer  as  I  can  understonde: — 
She  thonked  him  of  al  that  lie  wel  mente 


Book  11.] 


^roiftt0  ani  Crteep^e. 


239 


T(»wardes  Lir,  Ijut  liolden  bim  iu  lionde 
She   iiolde   nought,   ne   make  hir-selven 

bonde 
Tn  love,  but  as  his  suster,  him  to  plese. 
She  wolde  fa.^^l ,  to  dooii  his  herte  an  ese. 

176.  She  shette  it,  and  tu  Pandarus  gan 
goon,  1226 

There  as  he  sat  and  loked  in-to  strete, 
And  doun  she  sette  bir  by  him  on  a  stoon 
Of  jaspre,  up-on  a  qivisshiu  gokl  y-bete, 
And  seyde,   '  as  wisly  helpe  me  god  the 

grete,  1230 

I  never  dide  a  thing  with  more  pe>rue 
Than  wryte  this,  to  which  ye  me  con- 

streyne ; ' 

177.  And  took  it  him  :    he  thonked  hir 
and  seyde, 

'(rod  woot,  of  thing  ful  ofte  looth  bigonne 
Cometh  ende  good;  and  nece  myn,  Cri- 

seyde,  1235 

That  ye  to  him  of  hard  now  ben  y-wonne 
Oughte  he  be  glad,  by  god  and  yonder 

Sonne ! 
For-why    men    seyth,     "  impressioun[e]s 

liglite 
Ful  lightly  been  ay  redy  to  the  fiighte." 

178.  But  ye  han  pleyed  tyraunt  neigh  to 
loiige,  1240 

And  hard  was  it  your  herte  for  to  g^ave  ; 
Xcfw  stint,  that  ye  no  longer  on  it  honge, 
Al  wolde  ye  the  forme  of  daimger  save. 
But  hasteth  yow  to  doon  him  joj'e  have  ; 
For  trusteth  wul,  to  longe  y-doon  hard- 
nesse  1245 

Causeth  desjiyt  fi^l  often,  for  distresse. ' 

179.  And   right   as   they    declamed   this 
matere, 

Lo,  Troilus,  right  at  the  stretes  ende. 
Com  ryding  with  his  tenthe  some  y-fere, 
Alsoftely,  and  thiderwardganbcude  1250 
Ther-as  they  sete,  as  was  his  wey  to  wende 
To  paleys-ward  ;  and  Pandareliim  asp^-de, 
And  seyde,  '  nece,  j'-see  who  cometh  here 
ryde  ! 

180.  O  flee  not  in,  he  seeth  us,  I  suppose  ; 
Lest  he  mav  tliinke  that  ye  him  eschuwu.' 


'  Nay,  nay,'  quod  she,  and  wex  as  reed  as 
rose.  1 256 

With  that  he  gfin  hir  humbly  to  saluwe, 
"With  dreedful  chere,  and  ofte  his  hewes 

muwe  ; 
And  up  his  look  del^onairly  he  caste. 
And  bekked  on  Pandare,  and  forth  he 
paste.  1260 

181.  God  woot  if  he  sat  on  his  hors  a-right. 
Or  goodly  was  bese.-VTi,  that  ilke  day  ! 
God    woot    wher    he   was   lyk   a   manly 

knight  ! 
"\Miat  sholde  I  drecche,    or   telle  of  his 

aray  ? 
Criseyde,  which  that   alle  these  thinges 

say,  1J65 

To  telle  in  short,  hir  lyked  al  y-fere, 
His  persone,  his  aray,  his  look,  his  chere, 

182.  His  goodly  manere  and  his  gentil- 
lesse. 

So  wei,  that  never,  sith  that  she  was  born, 
Ne  hadde  she  swich  routhe  of  his  dis- 
tresse ;  •  1270 
And  how-so  she  hath  hard  ben  her-biforn, 
To  god  hope  I,  she  hath  now  caught  a 

thorn. 
She  shal  not  pulle  it  out  this  nexte  ^\'yke  ; 
God  sende  mo  swich  thornes  on  to  pyke  ! 

183.  Pandare,  which  that  stood  hir  faste 

byi  ^275 

Felte  iren  hoot,  and  he  bigan  to  sm^'te. 
And  seyde,  '  nece,  I  pray  yow  hertely, 
Tel  me  that  I  shal  axen  yow  a  Ij'te. 
A  womman,  that  were  of  his  deeth  to 

wyte, 
With-oiiteu  his  gilt,   but  for  hir  lakked 

routhe,  1280 

Were  it  wel  doon  ?  '     Quod  she,  '  nay,  by 

my  trouthe  I ' 

184.  '  God  helpe  me  so,'  quod  he,  '  ye  sey 
me  sooth. 

Ye  felen  wel  your-self  that  I  not  lye  ; 
Lo,  yond  he  rit !  '     Quod  she,  "ye,  so  he 

dooth.' 
'Wel,'  quod  Pandare,  'as  1  luive  told  yow 

thrye,  1 2S5 

Lat  be  your  nyce  shame  and  your  folye, 
And  spek  with  him  in  esingof  liis  herte  ; 
Lat  nycetee  not  do  j'ow  bothe  snierte.' 


240 


^toifue  ani  Cvi&t^U, 


[Book  II. 


185.  But  ther-on  was  to   lieveii   and    to 
done  ; 

Considered  al  thing,  it  may  not  be  ;    1290 
And  why,  for  shame  ;  and  it  were  eek  to 

sone 
To  grannten  him  so  gi-eet  a  libertee. 
'For  playnly  hir  entente,'  as  seyde  she, 
Was  for  to  love  him  xmwist,  if  she  mighte, 
And  gxierdon  him  with  no-tliing  but  with 

sighte.'  1295 

186.  But  Pandarus  thoughte,  '  it  shal  not 
be  so, 

If  that  I  may  ;  this  nyce  opinioun 
Shal  not  be  holden  fully  j'eres  two.' 
What  sliolde  I  make  of  tliis  a  long  ser- 

moun  ? 
He  moste  assente  on  that  conclusioun  1300 
As  for  the  tyme ;  and  whan  that  it  was  eve, 
And  al  was  wel,  he  roos  and  took  his  leve. 

187.  And  on  his  wey  fnl  faste  homward  he 
spedde. 

And   right    for  joye   he   felte   his  herte 

dannce ; 
And  Troilus  he  fond  alone  a-bedde,  1305 
That   lay   as    dooth    these  loveres,   in  a 

traunce, 
Bitwixen  hope  and  derk  desesperaunce. 
Biit  Pandarus,  right  at  his  in-cominge. 
He   song,    as  who  seytli,   '  lo !    sum  what 

I  bringe.' 

188.  And  seyde,    '  who   is   in   liis  bed  so 
sone  1310 

Y-buried  thus?'     '  It  am  I,  freend,'  quod 

he. 
'  Wlio,    Troilus  ?    nay   helpe   me    so    the 

mone,' 
Quod  Pandarus,  '  thou  shalt  aryse  and  see 
A  charmo  that  was  sent  right  now  to  thee. 
The  which  can  helcn  thee  of  thyn  ac- 

cesse,  1315 

If  thou  do  forth-with  al  thy  besinesse.' 

189.  'Ye,    through   the   might   of  god!' 
quod  Troilus. 

And  Pandarus  gan  him  the  lettre  take. 
And  sej'de,  '  pardee,  god  hath  holpen  us  ; 
Have  here  a  light,  and  lolce  on  al  this 
blake.'  1320 

But  olte  gan  tlie  herte  glade  and  quake 


Of  Troilus,  wliyl  that  he  gan  it  rede, 

So  as  the  wordes  .yave  him  hope  or  drede, 

190.  But  fynally,  he  took  al  for  the  beste 
That  she  him  wroot,  for  sum  what  he  bi- 

held  1325 

On  which,  him  thoughte,  he  mighte  his 

herte  reste, 
Al  covered  she  the  wordes  under  sheld. 
Thus  to  the  more  worthy  part  he  held. 
That,  what  for  hope  and   Pandarus  bi- 

heste. 
His  grete  wo  for-yede  he  at  the  leste.   1330 

191.  But  as  we  may  alday  our-selven  see, 
Throvigh  more  wode  or  col,  the  more  fyr; 
Right  so  encrees  of  hope,  of  what  it  be, 
Therwith  ful  ofte  encreseth  eek  desyr; 
Or,  as  an  ook  cometh  of  a  litel  spyr,      1335 
So   through   this  lettre,  which  that  she 

him  sente, 
Encresen  gan  desyr,  of  which  he  brente. 

192.  Wherfore  I  seye  alwey,  that  day  and 
night 

This  Troilus  gan  to  desiren  more 

Than  he  dide  erst,  thiirgh  hope,  and  dide 

his  might  1340 

To  pressen  on,  as  by  Pandarus  lore. 
And  wryten  to  hir  of  his  sorwes  sore 
Fro  day  to  day  ;  he  leet  it  not  refreyde, 
That  by  Pandare  he  wroot  somwhat  or 

seyde ; 

193.  And    dide  also    his    othere    obser- 
vaiinces  1345 

That  to  a  lovere  longeth  in  this  cas  ; 
And,  after  that  these  dees  turnede  <>n 

chaunces. 
So  was  he  outlier  glad  or  seyde  '  alias  ! ' 
And  held  after  his  gestes  ay  his  pas  ; 
And  aftir  swiche  answeres  as  he  hadde, 
So  were  his  dayes  sory  outher  gladde.    1351 

194.  Butto  Pandare  alwey  was  hisrecours, 
And  pitously  gan  ay  til  him  to  ple.^Tie, 
And    him    bisoughte   of    rede   and    som 

socours ; 
And  Pandams,  that  sey  his  wode  peyne, 
Wex  wel  neigh  deed  for  rout  he,  sooth  to 

seyne,  1356 


Book  IL] 


Crotfue  anf)  Cvist^U, 


241 


And  bisily  with  al  his  herte  caste 

Som  of  his  wo  to  sleen,  and  that  as  faste  ; 

195.  And  seyde,  'lord,  and  freend,  and 
brother  dere, 

God  woot  that  thy  disese  doth  me  wo.  17,60 
But  woltow  stinten  al  this  woftal  ehere, 
And,  by  my  trouthe,  or  it  be  dayes  two, 
And  god  to-forn,  yet  shal  I  shape  it  so, 
That  thou   shalt   come  in-to    a   certayn 

place, 
Ther-as  than  mayst  thy-self  hir  preye  of 

grace.  1365 

196.  And  certainly,  I  noot  if  thou  it  wost. 
But  tho  that  been  expert  in  love  it  seye. 
It  is  oon  of  the  thinges  that  furthereth 

most, 
A  man  to  have  a  leyser  for  to  preye. 
And  siker  place  his  wo  for  to  biwreye ;  1370 
For  in  good  herte  it  moot  som  routhe 

impresse. 
To  here  and  see  the  giltles  in  distresse. 

197.  Paraunter  thenkestow  :    though   it 
be  so 

That  kinde  wolde  doon  hir  to  biginne 
To  han  a  maner  routhe  up-on  my  wo,    i7,ys 
Sej-lh   Daiinger,    "Nay,    thou    shalt   me 

never  winne ; 
So  reuloth  hir  hir  hertes  goost  with-inne. 
That,  though  she  bende,  yet  she  stant  on 

rote; 
What  in  effect  is  this  un-to  my  bote  ?" 

198.  Thenk  here-ayeins,  whan  that  the 
sturdy  00k,  1380 

On  which   men  hakketh    olle,    for   the 

nones, 
Eeceyved  hath  the  happy  falling  strook. 
The  grete  sweigli  doth  it  come  al  at  ones. 
As  doon  these  rokkes  or  these  mihie-stones. 
For  swifter  cours  cometh  thing  that  is  of 

wighte,  1385 

Wlian  it  descendeth,  than  don  thinges 

liglite. 

199.  And  rood  that  bowoth  doun  for  every 
blast, 

Ful  lightly,  cesse  wind,  it  wol  aryse  ; 
But  so  nil  not  an  00k  whan  it  is  cast ; 
Itnedeth  me  nought  thoo  longe  to  forViyse. 


Men  shal  rejoysen  of  a  greet  empryse  1391 
Acheved  wel,  and  stant  with-outen  doute, 
Al  han  men  been  the  lenger  ther-aboute. 

200.  But,  Troilus,  yet  tel  me,  if  thee  lest, 
A   thing   now   which   that   I  shal    axen 

thee ;  1395 

"Which   is  thy  brother  that  thou  lovest 

best 
As  in  thy  verray  hertes  privetee  ?  ' 
'  Y-wis,  my  brother  Deiphebus,'  quod  he. 
'  Now,'   qiiod  Pandare,  '  er  houres  twyes 

twelve. 
He  shal  thee  ese,  unwist  of  it  him-selve. 

201.  Now  lat  me  allone,  and  werken  as 
I  may,'  1401 

Quod  he;  and  to  Deiphebus  wente  he  tho 
Wliich  hadde  his  lord  and  grete  ireend 

ben  ay ; 
Save  Troilus,  no  man  he  lovede  so. 
To  telle  in  short,  with-outen  wordes  mo. 
Quod  Pandarus,  '  I  pray  yow  that  ye  l)e 
Freend  to  a  cause  which  that  toucheth 

me.'  1407 

202.  'Yis,  pardee,' quod  Deiphebus,  'wel 
thow  wost. 

In  al  that  ever  I  may,  and  god  to-fore, 
Al  nere  it  but  for  man  I  love  most,        1410 
My  brother  Troilus ;  but  sey  wherfore 
It  is ;  for  sith  that  day  that  I  was  bore, 
I  nas,  ne  never-mo  to  been  I  thinke, 
Ayeins   a  thing  that   mighte   thee   for- 
thinke. ' 

203.  Pandare  gan   him   thonlie,   and    to 
him  seyde,  1415 

'Lo,  sire,  I  have  a  lady  in  this  toxin, 
That  is  my  nece,  and  called  is  Criseyile, 
\Vhich  som  men  woldendoonoppressioun, 
And  wrongfully  have  hir  possessioun  : 
Wherfor  I  of  your  lordship  yow  biseche 
To    been    our    freend,    with-oute    more 
spcche.'  i4-'i 

204.  Deiphebus  him  answerde,  '  O,  is  not 
this, 

That     thow    spekest     of    to     me     thus 

straungelj', 
CrisSyda,  my  freend?'     He  seyde,  'Yis.' 
'Than  ncdeth,'  quod  Deiphebus  liardoly, 


242 


^rotfue  arit  Cmep^e. 


[Book  II. 


Na-more  to  speke,  for  tmsteth  wel,  that  I 
Wol  be  hir  chanipioun  with  spore  and 

yerile ;  1427 

I  roughte  nought  though  alle  hir  foos  it 

hercle 

205.  But  tel  me,  thou  that  woost  al  this 
niatere, 

How  I  might  best  avaylen  ?  now  lat  see.' 
Quod  Pandarus,  '  if  ye,  my  lord  so  dere, 
Wohlen  as  now  don  this  honour  to  me, 
To  prayen  hir  to-morwe.  lo,  that  she 
Com  un-to  yow  hir  pleyntes  to  devyse, 
Hir  adversaries  wolde  of  hit  agryse.     14.^5 

206.  And  if  I  more  dorste  preye  as  now, 
And  chargen  yow  to  have  so  greet  tra- 

vayle. 
To  han  som  of  your  bretheren  here  with 

yow, 
Tliat  mighten  to  hir  cause  bet  avayle, 
Tlian,  woot  I  wel,  she  mighte  ne\er  fayle 
For  to  be  holpen,  wliat  at  your  instaunce. 
What  witli  hir  othere  freendes  govern- 

aunee.'  1442 

207.  Deiphebus,  whicli  that  comen  was, 
of  kinde, 

Ti>  al  lionour  and  bountee  to  consente, 
Answerde,   '  it  shal  be  doon  ;  and  I  can 

finde  1445 

Yet  gretter  help  to  this  in  myn  entente. 
^Vhat  wolt  thow  seyn,   if  I    for  Eleyne 

sente 
To  speke  of  this?  I  trow  it  be  the  baste ; 
For  she  may  leden  Paris  as  hir  leste. 

208.  Of  Ector,  whicli  tliat  is  my  lord,  my 
brother,  1450 

It  nedeth  nought  to  preye  him  Ireend 

to  be ; 
Fori  have  herd  liiin,otyme  and  eek  other, 
Speke  of  Criseydo  swich  honour,  that  he 
May  seyn  no  bet,  swich  hap  to  liim  hath 

she. 
It     nedeth     nought    his    helpes    for    to 

crave :  1455 

He  shal  be  swich,  riglit   as  we  woU-  liim 

have. 

200.  Spek  thou  thy-self  also  to  Troilus 
On  my  bihalve,   and  pray  him  with  us 
d\nie.' 


'  Sire,   al  this  shal  be  doon,'  quod  Pan- 

darus ; 
And   took   his   levo,    and   never   gan    t<> 

fjTie,  i4^>o 

But  to  his  neces  hous,  as  streght  as  lyne, 
He  com ;  and  fond  hir  fro  the  mete  ai-j-se  ; 
And  sette  him  doun,  and  spak  right  in 

this  ^vyse. 

210.  He   seyde,    'O   veray   god,    so   have 
I ronne ! 

Lo,  nece  nijni,  see  ye  nought  how  I  swete? 
I  noot  whether  ye  the  more  thank  me 

conne.  1466 

Be  ye  nought  war  how  that  fals  Poliphete 
Is  now  aboute  eft-sones  for  to  plete. 
And  Ijringc  oii  yow  advocacyes  ne^ve  ?  ' 
'  I  ?  no,'  quod  she,  and  chaunged  al  hir 

hewe.  1470 

211.  '  ^^'hat    is   he   more   aboitte,    me   to 
drecche 

And  doon   me  wrong?   what  shal   I  do, 

alias  ? 
Yet  of  him-self  no-thing ne  woldelrecche, 
Xere  it  for  Antenor  and  Eneas, 
Tliat  been  his  freendes  in  swich   maner 

cas ;  1475 

But,  for  the  love  of  god,  myn  uncle  dere, 
No  fors  of  that,  hit  him  have  al  y-fere  ; 

212    \Vith-outen  that,  I  h:ivo  jniough  for 

us.' 
'  Nay,'  quoil   Pandarc,   '  it  shal  no-thing 

be  so.  147^ 

For  I  have  been  right  now  at  Deiphebus, 
And  Ector,  and  mjnie  othere  lordes  mo, 
And  shortly  maked  eche  of  hem  his  fo  : 
That,  by  my  thrift,  he  shal  it  never  winne 
For  ought  he  can,  whan  that  so  he  bi- 

ginne.' 

213.  And  as  they  casten  what  was  best  to 
done,  1485 

Deipliebus,  of  his  owene  curtasye. 
Com  liir  to  preye,  in  his  propre  persone. 
To  holde  him  on  the  morwe  companye 
At  diner,  which  she  nolde  not  deuye. 
But  goodly  gan  to  his  preyere  obe,\e.  141,0 
He   thonked   hir,  and   wente   up-on   his 
weye. 


Book  II.] 


^rotfue  ani)  Criecpbe. 


243 


214.  Whanne  this  was  doon,  this  Pandare 
lip  a-noon. 

To  telle  in  short,  and  forth  gan  for  to 

■\vende 
To  Troiliis,  as  stille  as  any  stooii. 
And  al  this  thing  he  tolde  him,  word  and 

ende ;  1495 

And  howthat  he  Deiphebus  gantoblende  ; 
And  seyde  him,  'now  is  tyme,  if  that  thou 

conne, 
To  here    thee    wel    to-morwe,   anil  al  is 

wonne. 

215.  Now  spek,  now  prey,  now  pitously 
conipleyne  ; 

Lat  not  tor  nyce  shame,  or  drede,  or 
slonthe ;  i5(X) 

Som-tyme  a  man  mot  telle  his  owene 
pe.-s-ne  ; 

Bileve  it,  and  she  shal  han  on  thee  roiithe ; 

Thou  shalt  he  saved  by  thy  feyth,  in 
trouthe. 

But  wel  wot  I,  thou  art  now  in  a  drede  ; 

And  what  it  is,  I  le.'ve,  I  can  arede.      1505 

216.  Tliow  tliinkest  now,  "  how  sholde 
I  doon  al  this? 

For  by  my  cheres  mosten  foUv  aspj-e, 
That  for  hir  love  is  that  I  fare  a-mis; 
Yet  hadde  I  lever  iinwist  for  sorwe  dye." 
Now  thenk  not  so,  for  thou  dost  greet 
folye.  1510 

For  right  now  have  I  founden  o  manere 
Of  sleighte,  tor  to  coveren  al  tliy  chere. 

217.  Thow  shalt  gon  over  night,  and  that 
as  blyve, 

Un-to  Deiphebus  hous,  as  thee  to  pleye, 
Thy  malad,\-e  a-wey  the  bet  to  dryve,  1515 
For-wliy  thou  semost  syk,  soth  for  to  scye. 
Sone  after  that,  doun  in  thy  bod  thee  leye, 
And  sey,  thow  mayst  no  lenger  up  en<hire, 
And  lye  right  there,  and  byde  thyn  aven- 
ture. 

218.  Sey  that  thy  fever  is  wont  thee  for 
to  take  1520 

The  same  tyme,  and  lasten  til  a-morwe; 
And  lat   see   n>>w  how   wel   thou    canst 

it  make. 
For,  i)ar-dee,  syk  is  he  that  is  in  sorwi,-. 


Go   now,   farewel !    and,   Veniis   here  to 

borwe,  1524 

I  hope,  and  thou  thispurpos  holde  ferme, 

Thy  grace  she  shal  fully  ther  conferme.' 

219.  Quod  Troilus,  '  y-wis,  thou  nedelees 
Counseylest  me,  that  .sykliche  I  me  fe.^'ne  ! 
For  I  am  syk  in  ernest,  doiitelees, 

So  that  wel  neigh  I  sterve  for  the  pejiie.' 
Quod  Pandariis,   '  thoxi  shalt  the  bettre 

pleyne,  1531 

And  hast  the  lasse  nede  to  countrefete ; 
For  him  men  demen  hoot  that  men  seen  ' 

swete. 

220.  Lo,   holde  thee   at   thy   triste  cloos, 
and  I 

Shal  wel  the  deer  un-to  thy  bowe  drj've.' 
Therwith  ho  took  his  leve  al  softely,     1536 
And  Troilus  to  paleys  wente  hljn'e. 
So  glad  ne  was  he  ne^•er  in  al  his  lyve  ; 
And  to  Pandarus  reed  gan  al  assente. 
And   to    Deiphebus    lums    at    night    he 
wente.  154" 

221.  What  uedeth  yow  to  tellen  al  the 
chere 

That  Deiphebus  \in-to  his  brother  made. 
Or  his  accesse,  or  his  syklich  manere, 
How  men  gan  him  with  clothes  for  to 

lade, 
Whan  he  was  leyd,  and  how  men  wolde 

him  glade  ?  i545 

But  al  for  nought,  he  held  forth  ay  tlie 

wyse 
That  ye  han  herd  Pandare  er  this  devyse. 

222.  But  certeyn  is,  er  Troilus  him  loyde, 
])eiphi'))u.s  had  him  prayed,  over  night, 
To  been  a  freend  and  helping  to  Criseyde. 
God  woot,  that   he   it   grauutede  anon- 
right,  1551 

To  been  hir  fulle  freend  with  al  his  might. 
But   swich   a   nede    was    to    preye   him 

thenne, 
As  for  to  bidde  a  wood  man  for  to  renne. 

223.  The  niorwen  com,  and  neighen  gan 
the  tyme  1555 

Of  meel-tyd,  that  the  faire  quene  Eleyno 
Shoop   liir   to  been,   an  houre  after  the 
prymc. 


244 


^trotfu5  anl  Cviec^H. 


[Book  II. 


With   Deiphebus,    to    whom    she    uolde 

feyne ; 
But  as  his  siister,  hoomly,  sooth  to  seyne, 
She  com  to  diner  in  hirplaj-n  entente.  1560 
Bnt  god  and  Pandare  wiste  al  what  this 

mente. 

'^2-L.  Come  eek  Criseyde,   al  innocent  of 

this, 
-Vntigone,  hir  sister  Tarbe  also  ; 
But  flee  we  now  prolixitee  best  is, 
For  love  of  god,  and  lat  us  faste  go      1565 
Eight  to  the  effect,  with-oute  tales  mo, 
AVhy  al  this  folk  assembled  in  this  place  ; 
And  lat  us  of  hir  saluinges  i>ace. 

•J25.  Gret  honour  dide  hem  Deiphebus, 

certeyn. 
And  fedde  hem.  wel  with  al  that  mighte 

lyke.  1570 

But  ever-more,  '  alias  ! '  was  his  refreyn, 
■  My  goode  brother  Troilus,  the  syke, 
T-yth  yet' — and  therwith-al  he  gau   to 

syke ; 
And  after  that,  he  pej-ned  him  to  glade 
Hem  as  he  mighte,  and  chere  good  he 

made.  1575 

226.  Compleyned  eek  Eleyne  of  his  syk- 
nesse 

So  leithfully,  that  pitee  was  to  here, 
And  every  wight  gan  waxen  for  accesse 
A  leche  anoon,  and  seyde,  '  in  this  manere 
yien  curen  folk  ;  this  charme  I  wol  yow 

lere.'  1580 

But  there  sat  oon,  al  list  hir  nought  to 

teche, 
That  thoughtc,  best  coiidc  I  yet  been  his 

leche. 

227.  After  comxileynt,  him  gonnen  they 
to  preyse, 

As  folic  don  yet,  whan  s<im  wight  hath 

bigonne 
To  preyse  a  man,  and  up  with  inys  him 

re.vse  i5<'^5 

A  thousand  fold  yet  hyer  than  the  sonn  e  : — 
■He  is,  he  can,  that  fewe  lordes  conne.' 
And  Pandarus,  of  that  they  wolde  afferme, 
He  not  for-gat  hir  preysing  to  conferme. 


22>i.  Herde  al  this  thing  Criseyde  wel 
y-nough,  1590 

And  every  word  gan  for  to  notifye  ; 

For  which  with  sobre  chere  hir  herte 
Ljugh ; 

For  who  is  that  ne  wolde  hir  glorifye, 

To  m.owen  swich  a  knight  don  live  or 
dye  ? 

But  al  passe  I,  lest  ye  to  longe  dwelle ;  1595 

For  for  o  fjTi  is  al  that  ever  I  telle. 

229.  The  tyme  com,  fro  diner  for  to  ryse, 
And,  as  hem  oughte,  arisen  everychoon, 
And  g<jnne  a  whyl  of  this  and  that  de\'j-se. 
But  Pandarus  Ijrak  al  this  speche  anoon. 
And  seyde  to  Deiphebus,  '  wole  ye  goon, 
If  youre  wille  be,  as  I  yow  preyde,  1602 
To  speke  here  of  the  nedes  of  Criseyde  V  ' 

230.  Elej-ne,  wliich  that  by  the  hond  hir 
held, 

Took  first  the  tale,  and  seyde,  '  go  we 
blyve  ; '  1 6  )5 

And  goodly  on  Criseyde  she  biheld, 
-And  seyde,  '  Joves  lat  him  never  thrj-ve. 
That  dooth  yow  harm,  and  bringe  him 

sone  of  Ij'^'e  ! 
And  yeve  me  sorwe,  but  he  shal  it  rewe, 
If  that  I  may,  and  alle  folk  be  trewe.'  1610 

231.  '  Tol  thou  thy  neces  cas,'  quod  Dei- 
phebus 

To   Pandarus,    '  for  thou   canst    best    it 

telle.'- 
'  My  lordes  and  my  ladyes,  it  stant  thus  ; 
What  sholde  I  lenger,'  quod  he,  '  do  yow 

dwelle  ? ' 
Heronghemout  aproceslyk  abelle,    1615 
Up-on  hir  fo,  that  highte  Poliphete, 
So  heyuous,  that  men  mighte  on  it  spete. 

232.  Auswerde  of  this  ech  worse  of  hem 
than  other. 

And    Poliphete    they    gonnen    thus    to 

warien, 
'An-hongcd  be  swich  oon,   were  he  my 

brother;  16  jo 

And  so  he  shal,  for  it  ne  may  not  varien.' 
A\niat  sholde  I  lenger  in  this  tale  tarionV 
Plejnily,  alle  at  ones,  they  hir  highteu. 
To  been  hir  helpe  in  al  that  ever  they 

mighten. 


Book  II. 


^rotfu0  ant  Cneeplie. 


245 


233.  Spak  than  Eleyne,  and  seyde,  '  Pan- 
dams,  162$ 
"Woot  oaght  my  lord,  my  brother,   this 

matere, 
I  mene,  Ector  ?  or  woot  it  Troihis  ?  ' 
He  seyde,  '  ye,  but  wole  ye  now  me  here  ? 
Me  thinketh  this,  sith  Troihis  is  here, 
It  were  ^ood,  if  that  ye  wolde  assente,  1630 
She  toldehir-self  himal  this,  ershewente. 

23i.  For  he  wole  have  the  more  hir  grief 

at  herte, 
By  cause,  lo,  that  she  a  lady  is  ; 
And,  by  your    leva,  I  wol  biit  right   in 

sterte, 
And   do  yow  wite,  and  that    anoon,   y- 

wis,  I  (135 

If  that  he  slepe,  or  wole  ought  here  of 

this.' 
And  in  he  lepte,  .and  seyde  liini  in  his 

ere, 
'God  have  thy  soule,  y-brought  have  I 

thy  here ! ' 

235.  To  smylen  of  this  gan  tho  Troilus, 
And  Pandams,  with-oute  rekeningc,   1640 
Out  wente  anoon  t' Eleyne  andDeiphelius, 
And  seyde  hem,  'so  there  be  notaryinge, 
Xe  more  pres,  he  wol  wel  that  ye  bringe 
Crisi-vdii,  my  lady,  that  is  here  ; 
Andashomayenduren,  he  wole  here.   1645 

236.  But  wel  ye  woot,   the   chaumbre  is 
but  l.^to. 

And  iewe  folk  may  lightly  make  it  warm  ; 
Now  loketh  ye,  l^for  I  wol  have  no  wyte, 
To  l>ringe  in  prees  that  mighte  doon  him 

harm 
Or  liiin  disesen,  for  my  bettre  arm),     1650 
AVher  it  be  bet  sbe  liyde  til  eft-sones  ; 
Xow   loketh   ye,   that   knowen  what   to 

doon  is. 

2.')".  I  sey  for  me,  best  is,  as  I  can  knowe, 
Tliat  no  wight  in  ne  wente  but  ye  tweyc. 
But  it  were  I,  lor  I  can,  in  a  throwo,  1655 
Eeberce  hir  cas,  unlyk  that  she  can  seye  ; 
Anil  after  this,  she  may  him  ones  preye 
To  ben  good  lord,  in  short,  and  take  hir 

leve; 
This  may  not  muchcl  of  his  ese  him  reve. 


238.  And  eek,  for  she  is  straunge,  he  wol 
forbere  i66<i 

His  ese,  which  that  him  thar  nought  txr 

yow ; 
Eek  otlier  thing,  that   toucheth   not  to 

here. 
He  wol  me  telle,  I  woot  it  wel  right  now. 
That  secret  is,  and  for  the  tonnes  prow.' 
And  they,  that  no-thing  knewe  of  this 

entente,  1665 

With-oute  more,  to  Troilus  in  they  wente. 

239.  Eleyiie  in  al  hir  goodly  softe  wyse, 
Gan  hin:.  saluwe,  and  womanly  to  pleye. 
And  seyde,  '  j"\vis,  ye  moste  alweyes  aryse ! 
Now  fayre  brother,  beth  al  hool,  I  preye  ! ' 
And  gan  hir  arm  right  over  his  sholder 

leye,  1671 

And  him  with  al  hir  wit  t«  recomforte  ; 
As  she  best  coude,  she  gan  him  to  dis- 

porte. 

240.  So  after  this    quod   she,   '  we   yuw 
biseke, 

My  dere  brother,  Deixshebus,  and  I,  1675 
For  love  of  god,  and  so  doth  Pandare  eke. 
To   been    good   lord    and    freend,    right 

hertely, 
Un-to  Criseyde,  which  that  certeinlj- 
KeceJ'^•eth  wrong,  as  woot  wel  here  Pan- 
dare, 
That  can  hir  cas  wel  bet  than  I  declare.' 

241.  This  Pandarus  gan  newe  his  tunge 
affyle,  16S1 

And  al  hir  cas  reherce,  and  that  anoon  ; 
"Whan  it  was  sej-d,  sone  after,  in  a  whyle, 
Quod  Troilus,  '  as  sone  as  I  may  goon, 
I  wol  right  fayn  with  al  my  might  ben 

oon,  16S5 

Have  god  my  trf)uthe,  hir  cause  to  sustene.' 
'Good  thrift  have  ye,'  quod  Eleyne  the 

quene. 

242.  Quod  Pandarus,  '  and  it  yoixr  wille  be, 
That  she  may  take  hir  leve,  er  that  she 

go?' 
'  Or  elles  god  for-bede,'  tho  quod  he,  1690 
'  If  that  she  vouche  sauf  for  to  do  so.' 
And  with  that  word  (juod  Troilus,  'ye  two, 
Deiphebiis,  and  my  sustcr  leef  and  dere. 
To  j-ow  have  I  to  speke  of  o  matere, 


'46 


Croifue  anl  Crtaepbe. 


[BookIL 


243.  To   been  a-s-j-sed  liy  yoi^r   reeil   the 
bettre  ' : —  1695 

And  fond,  as  hap  was,  at  his  beddes  heed, 
The  copie  of  a  tretis  and  a  lettre, 
That  Ector  haddc  him  sent  to  axen  reed, 
If  swicli  a  man  was  worthy  to  ben  deed, 
Woot  I  nought  who  ;  but  in  a  grisly  w;\'se 
He  preyede  hem  anoon  on  it  avyse.     1701 

244.  Deiphebns  gan  this  lettro  to  vinfokle 
In  ernest  greet ;  so  dide  Elej-ue  the  qiiene ; 
And  rominge  outward,  fast  it  gan  biholde, 
Downward    a    steyre,    in-to    an    herber 

grene.  1705 

This  ilke  thing  they  redden  hembi-twene; 
And  largely,  the  mountaunce  of  an  houre. 
They  gonne  on  it  to  reden  and  to  poure. 

24.5.  Now  lat  hem   rede,  and   tume   we 

anoon 
To  Pandarus,  that  gan  ful  faste  prye  1710 
That  al  was  wel,  and  out  he  gan  to  goon 
In-to  the  grete  chambre,  and  that  in  hye, 
And  seyde,  '  god  save  al  this  companye  ! 
Com,  nece  myn  ;  niy  lady  quene  Ele.^me 
Abydeth  yow,  and  eek  my  lordes  tweyne. 

246.  Eys,  take  with  yoSv  your  nece  An- 
tigone, 1 716 

Or  whom  yow  list,  or  no  fors,  hardily  ; 
The  lasse  prees,  the  bet ;  com  forth  with 

me. 
And  loke  that  ye  thonke  humblely      1719 
Hem  alle  three,  and,  whan  ye  may  goodly 
Your  t  jTne  y-see,  taketh  of  hem  j-our  leve. 
Lest  we  to  longe  his  restes  him  bireve.' 

247.  .^.1  innocent  of  Pandarus  entente, 

<  Juod  tho  Criseyde,  '  go  we,  uncle  dere ' ; 
And  arm  in  arm  inward  with  liim  she 
wente,  1725 

Avysed  wel  hir  wordes  and  hir  chere  ; 
And  Pandarus,  in  ernestful  manere, 
Seyde,  '  alio  folic,  for  goddes  love,  I  preye, 
Stinteth  right  here,  and  softelyyow  pleye. 


248.  Aviseth    yow   what   folk   ben    here 
with-inne,  17,^0 

And  in  what  plyt   oon  i«,   god   him   a- 

mende  ! 
And  inward  thus  ful  soltcly  biginue  ; 
Xeee,  I  conjure  and  heiglily  yow  defendo. 
On   his  half,   which  that  sowle  ns   alle 

sonde. 
And  in  the  vertue  of  corounes  tweyne, 
Slee  nought  this  man,  that  hath  for  yow 

this  i^eyne  !  1736 

249.  Fy  on  the  devel !  thenk  which  oon 
he  is, 

And  in  what  plyt  he  lyth  ;  com  of  anoon ; 
Thenk  al  swich  taried  tyd,  but  lost  it  nis  I 
That  wol  ye  bothe  seyn,  whan  ye  ben  oon. 
Secoundelich,  ther  yet  de\'yneth  noon  1 74 1 
Up-on  yow  two  ;  com  of  now.  if  ye  conne  ; 
Whyl  folk  is  blent,  lo,  al  the  tyme  is 
wonne ! 

2.50.  In   titering,  and  pursuite,   and  de- 

laj-es. 
The  folk  de^'j-ne  at  wagginge  of  a  stree ; 
And  though  ye  wolde  han  after  meiye 

dayes,  1746 

Than  dar  ye  nought,  and  why  ?  for  she, 

and  she 
Spak  swich  a  word  ;  thus  loked  he,  and  he ; 
Lest  tyme  I  loste,  I  dar  not  with  yow  dele ; 
Com  of  therfore,  and  bringeth  him  to  hele.' 

251.  But  now  to  yow,  ye  lovers  that  ben 

here,  1751 

Was  TroUus  nought  in  a  cankedort, 
That  lay,  and  mighte  whispringe  of  hem 

here. 
And  thoughte,  'O  lord,  right  now  renneth 

my  sort 
Fiolly  to  dye,  or  han  anoon  comibrf ;  1755 
And  was  the  firste  tj-mc  he  shulde  hir 

preye 
Of  love;  O  mighty  god,  what  shal  he  sej'e? 

Explicit  Sectindus  Liber. 


Book  III.] 


Crotfue  an^  Crt'ee^lie. 


'47 


BOOK    III. 


Incipit  Prohemium  Tercii  Libri. 

1.  0  BLiSFUL  light,  of  whiclie  the  hemes 

clere 
Adorneth  al  the  thriclde  hcvene  fairo  ! 
0  soiines  leaf,  O  Joves  doughter  dere, 
Plesanuce  of  love,  O  goodly  debonaire, 
In  gentil  hertes  ay  redy  to  repaire  !  5 

0  verray  cause  of  hele  and  of  gladnesse, 
Y-heried  be  thy  might  and  thy  goodnesse  ! 

2.  In   hevene   and   helle,   in    erthe   and 

salte  see 
Is  felt  thy  niight,  if  that  I  wel  descerne  ; 
As  man,  hrid,  best,  fish,  herbe  and  grene 

tree  10 

Thee  fele  in  tymes  with  vapour  eteme. 
God  loveth,and  to  lovewol  noughtwerne  ; 
And  in  this  world  no  lyves  creature, 
With-outen  love,  is  worth,  or  may  endure. 

3.  Ye  Joves  first  tothillie  eflfectes  glade,  15 
Thorugh   which  that  tliinges  liven  alle 

and  be, 
Comeveden,  and  amorous  fhim  made 
On  mortal  thing,  and  as  j-ow  list,  ay  ye 
Yeve  him  in  love  ese  or  adversitee  ; 
And  in  a  thousand  formes  doun  him  sente 
For  love  in  erthe,  and  whom  yow  liste, 

he  hente.  21 

4.  Ye  fierse  Mars  apeysen  of  his  ire, 
And,  as  yow  list,  ye  maken  hertes  digne  ; 
Algates,  hem.  that  ye  wol  sctte  a/-fyre. 
They  dreden  shame,  and  vices  they  re- 

signe ;  25 

Ye  do  hemcorteys  be,  fresshe  and  benigne, 
And  hye  or  lowe,  after  a  wight  entendeth ; 
The  joyes  that  he  hath,  your  might  him 

sendeth. 

5.  Ye  holden  regne  and  hous  in  imitee  ; 
Ye  soothfast  cause  of  frendshii)  been  also ; 
Ye  knowe  al  thilke  covered  qualitee       31 
Of  thinges  which  that  folk  on  wondren  so, 


Whan  they  can  not  construe  how  it  may  jo, 
Slie  loveth  him,  or  why  he  loveth  here ; 
As  why  this  fish,  and  nought  that,  cometh 
to  were.  35 

6.  Ye  folk  a  lawe  han  set  in  universe, 
And  this  knowe  I  by  hem  that  loveres  be, 
That  who-so  St ryveth  with  j-ow  hath  the 

werse ; 
Now,  lady  bright,  for  thj'  benignitee, 
At  reverence  of  hem  that  serven  thee,     40 
Wlios  clerk  I  am,  so  techetli  me  devyse 
Som  joye  of  that  is  felt  in  thy  servyse. 

7.  Ye  in  my  naked  herte  sentement 
Inhelde,  and  do  me  sliewe  of  thy  swet- 

nesse. — 
Caliope,  thy  vois  be  now  present,  45 

For  now  is  nede ;  sestow  not  my  destresse, 
How  I  mot  telle  anon-right  the  gladnesse 
Of  Troilus,  to  Venus  herj'inge  ? 
To  which  gladnes,  who  nede  hath,   god 

him  bringe  ! 

Explicit  prohemium  Tercii  Libri. 

Incipit  Liber  Tercius. 

8.  Lay  al  this  mene  whyle  Troilus,         50 
Kecordinge  his  lessoun  in  this  manere, 
'Ma  fey!'  thought  he,  'thus  wole  I  seye 

and  thus ; 
Thus  wole  I  pleyne  un-to  my  lady  dere  ; 
That  word  is  good,  and  this  shal  be  my 

chere ; 
This  nil  I  not  foryeten  in  no  wyse.'         55 
God  leve  him  werken  as  he  gan  devj'se. 

9.  And  lord,   so  that  his  herte    gan   to 

qtiappe, 
Heringc  hir  come,  and  shorte  for  to  syko  ! 
And   PandaiTis,    that   ladde   hir   by   the 

lappe, 
Com  neer,  anil  gan  iu  at  the  curtin  pyke. 
And  seyde,  '  god  do  bote  oai  alle  syke!    Ci 
See,  who  is  here  yow  comen  to  visyte  ; 
Lo,  here  is  she  that  is  your  deeth  to  >\'j-to.' 


Croifue  anti  Criee^ie. 


[Book  III. 


10.  Tlier-w-ith  it  semerl  as  he  wepte  al- 
most ; 
'  A  ha,'  quod  Troilus  so  rewfully,  6^ 

'  Wher  me  he  wo,   O  mighty  god,   thou 

^vost  ! 
Who  is  al  there  ?  I  see  nought  trewelj-.' 
'Sire,'  quod  Criseyde,  'it  is  Paudare  and  I.' 
'  Ye,  swete  herte '?  alias,  I  may  nought  rj'se 
To  Icnele,  and  do  j-ow  honour  in  som 
wyse.'  "o 

11    And  dressedc  hin\  upward,  and  she 

right  tho 
Gan  bothe  here  hondes  softe  upon  him 

leye, 
'  O,  for  the  love  of  god,  do  ye  not  s<} 
To  me,'  quod  she,  '  ey  !    what  is  this  to 

seye? 
Sire,  come  am  I  to  yow  for  causes  tweye ; 
First,  yow  to  thonke,  and  of  your  lord- 

shipe  eke  76 

Continiiaunce  I  wolde  vow  biseke.' 

12.   This   Troilus,   that    herde    his    lady 

preyo 
Of  lordship   him,   wex   neither  (juik  ne 

deed, 
Xe  mighto  a  word  for  shame  to  it  seye,  80 
Al-though  men  sholde  smj^en  of  his  heed. 
But  lord,  so  he  wex  sodeinliehe  reed. 
And  sire,  his  lesson,  that  he  wende  conne, 
To  prej-en  hir,  is  thurgh  his  wit  y-ronne. 

1;5.  Criseyde  al  this  aspyede  wel  y-nough, 
For  she  was  wys,  and  lovede  him  never- 

tho-lasse,  86 

Al  nerc  he  malapert,  or  made  it  tough, 
Or  was  to  bold,  to  singe  a  fool  a  masse. 
But   whan  his   shame  gan   somwluit   t" 

passe. 
His  resons,  as  I  may  my  rj-mes  holde,    <;<> 
I  j"ow  wol  telle,  as  techen  bokes  olde. 

H.  In  chaunged  vois,  right  for  his  verrey 

drede, 
^^^lich  vols  eek  quook,  and    ther-to   his 

manere 
(roodly  abayst,  and  now  his  hewes  rede, 
Xow  pale,  un-to  Crisej-de,  his  lady  dere,  95 
With  look  doun  cast  and  Imnible  yolden 

chere, 


Lo,  th'alderfirste  word  that  him  asterte 
Was,  twyes, '  mercy,  mercy,  swete  herte ! ' 

15.  And   stinte  a  whyl,    and   whan   he 
mighte  out-bringe,  90 

The  nexte  word  was,  '  god  wot,  for  I  have, 
As  feji:hfuHy  as  I  have  had  konninge, 
Ben  youres,  also  god  my  sowle  save  ; 
And   shal,   til  that   I,    woful   "wdglit,   lie 

grave. 
And   tliough   I   dar   ne    can    un-to  yow 

Xileyne, 
Y-wis,  I  suffre  nought  the  lasse  peyne.  105 

16.  Thus  muche  as  now,  O  wommanliohe 

I  may  oiit-bringe,  and  if  this  yow  displesc. 
That  shal  I  wreke  upon  myn  ownc  l\'f 
Right  sone,  I  trowe,  antl  doon  yoiir  herte 

an  ese,  10;) 

If  with  my  deetli  your  herte  I  may  apese. 
But  sin  that  ye  han  herd  me  som-what 

seye, 
Xow  recche  I  never  how  sone  that  I  dcye.' 

17   Ther-with  his  manly  sorwe  to  biholde. 
It  mighte  han  maad  an  herte  of  stoon  to 

re  we  ;  114 

And  Pandare  weep  as  he  to  watre  wolde. 
And  poked  ever  his  nece  newe  and  newc. 
And  seyde,  '  wo  bigon  ben  hertes  trewe  I 
For  love  of  god,  make  of  this  thing  an 

ende, 
Orslee  us  bothe  at  ones,  er  that  ye  wende.' 

18.  'I  ?  what ';"  quod  she,  '  by  god  and  \>y 
my  trouthe,  120 

1  noot  nought  what  ye  wihie  tliat  I  seyo." 
'  I  ?  what  ?'  quod  he,  '  tliat  ye  lian  on  him 

routhe, 
Forgoddes  love,  and  doth  liim  noiight  to 

deye.' 
'  Now  thanne  tbns,"  (juod  slie,  '  I  wolde 

him  pre.^•e 
To  telle  me  the  lyn  of  his  entente  ;        125 
Yet  wiste  Inever  wel  what  that  he  mente.' 

19.  'What  that  I  mene,  O  swete  herte 
dere?' 

Quod  Troilus,  '  0  goodly  fresshe  free  ! 
That,  with  tho  stremes  of  your  eyen  clere, 
Y''e  wolde  som-tyme  freendly  on  me  see,  130 


Book  III.] 


^roifu0  ani  ^rtee^be. 


249 


And  tlianne  agreen  that  I  may  ben  he, 
With-oute  brannche  of  vyce  in  any  wyse, 
In  trouthe  alwey  to  doon  yow  my  servj-se 

20.  As  to  my  lady  right  and  chief  resort, 
With  al  my  wit  and  al  my  diligence,  1,^5 
And  I  to  han,  right  as  yow  list,  comfort, 
Under  yonr  yerde,  egal  to  myn  offence, 
As  deetli,  if  that  I  breke  your  defence  ; 
And  that  j'e  deigne  me  so  muclie  honoure, 
Me  to  comannden  ought  in  any  houre.  140 

'21.  And  I  to  been  your  verray  humble 

trewe, 
Secret,  and  in  my  paynes  pacient, 
And  ever-mo  desire  freshly  newe. 
To  serven,  and  been  fy-lyke  ay  diligent, 
And,    with    good    herte,    al    holly   your 

talent  145 

Receyven  wel,  how  sore  that  me  smerte, 
Lo,  this  niene  I,  mj^u  owene  swete  herte.' 

22.  Quod   Pandarus,    'lo,    here   an   hard 

request. 
And  resonable,  a  lady  for  to  werne  ! 
Xow,  nece  myn,  by  natal  Joves  fest,      150 
Were  I  a  god,  j-e  sholde  sterve  as  j-erne. 
That  heren  wel,  this  man  wol  no-thing 

yerne 
But  yoiir  honour,  and  seen  liim  almost 

sterve, 
And  been  so  looth  to  suffren  him  yow 

serve. ' 

23    With  that  she  gan  liir  eyen  on  him 
caste  155 

Fitl  esily,  and  ful  debonairly, 
Avysmg  hir,  and  hyed  n(^t  to  faste 
With  never  a  word,  but  seyde  him  softelj', 
'  Myn  honour  sauf,  I  wol  wel  trewely, 
And    in   swich   forme    as    lie    can    now 
devyse,  1 60 

Keceyven  him  fuUy  to  my  servyse, 

2i.  Biseching  him,  for  goddes  love,  that 

he 
Wolde,  in  honour  of  trouthe  and  gentil- 

esse, 
As  I  wel  mene,  eek  mene  wel  to  me,     164 
And  myn  honour,  with  wit  and  besinesse, 
Aj-  kepe  ;  and  if  1  may  don  liim  gladnesso, 


From  hennes-forth,  y-wis,  I  nil  not  feyne  : 
Now  beeth  al  hool,  no  lenger  ye  ne  pleyne. 

2.5    But   nathelees,   this   warne    I   yow,' 

quod  she, 
•  A  kinges  sone  al-though  j-e  be,  y-wis,  170 
Ye  shul  na-more  have  soverainetee 
Of  me  in  love,  than  right  in  that  cas  is  ; 
Ne  I  nil  forbere,  if  that  ye  doon  a-mis. 
To  wrathen  yow  ;  and  whyl  that  ye  me 

serve, 
Cherycen  yow  right  after  ye  deserve.    1 75 

26.  And  shortly,  dere  herte  and  al  my 

knight, 
Beth  glad,  and  draweth  yow  to  lustinesse, 
And  I  shal  trewely,  with  al  my  might. 
Your  bittre  tornen  al  in-to  swetnesse  ;  179 
If  I  be  she  that  may  yow  do  gladnesse. 
For  every  wo  ye  shal  recovere  a  blisse  ' ; 
And   him  in  armes  took,  and   gan  him 

kisse. 

27    Fil  Pandarus  on  knees,  and  up  his 

yen 
To  hevene  threw,  and  held   his  bondes 

'  Immortal  god  ! '  quod  he,  '  that  mayst 
novight  dyen,  185 

Cupide  I  mene,  of  this  mayst  glorifye  ; 

And  "Venus,  tluni  mayst  make  melod.^'e  ; 

With-outen  bond,  me  senieth  that  in 
townc, 

For  this  merveyle,  I  hero  ech  belle  sowne. 

28.  But  ho  !  no  more  as  now  of  this 
matere,  '9*' 

For-why  this  folk  wol  comen  up  anoon. 
That  han  the  lettre  red  :  lo,  I  hem  here. 
But  I  conjure  thee,  Criseyde,  and  oon, 
And  two,  thou  Troilus,  whan  thow.mayst 

goon, 
That  at  myn  hous  ye  been  at  my  warn- 

inge,  195 

For  I  ful  wel  shal  shape  your  cominge  ; 

29.  And  eseth  ther  your  lu-rtes  right 
y-nough  , 

And  lat  see  whicli  of  juw  sbal  here  tlie 

belle 
To  speke  of  love  u-right!'  ther-with  he 

bmgh, 


250 


'ZvoiiuQ  anb  €rt0^jie. 


[Book  III. 


'  For  tlier  have  ye  a  layser  for  to  telle.'  atxj 
Quod  Troilus,  '  how  longe  slial  I  dwelle 
Er  this  be  doon  ?  '  Quod  he,  '  whan  thou 

mayst  ryso, 
This  thing  shal  be  right  as  I  yow  devyse.' 

.'50.  With  that  Eleyne  and  also  Deiphebus 
Tho  comen  upward,  riglit  at  the  steyres 

ende ;  205 

And  lord,  so  than  gan  grone  Troilus, 
His  brother  and  his  suster  i'ov  to  blende. 
Quod   Pandariis,    '  it    tyme    is    that   we 

wende ; 
Tak,  nece  myn,  your  leve  at  alle  three, 
And  lat  hem  speke,  and  cometh  forth 

with  me.'  210 

31.  She  took  hir  leve  at  hem  ful  thriftily, 
As  she  wel  coude,  and  they  hir  reverence 
Un-to  the  fulle  diden  hardely. 

And  speken  wonder  wel,  in  hir  absence. 
Of  hir,  in  iire.ysing  of  hir  excellence,     215 
Hir  governaunce,  hir  wit ;  and  hir  man- 

ere 
Commendeden,  it  joye  was  to  here. 

32.  Xow  lat  hir  wende  un-to  hir  owne 
place, 

And  torne  we  to  Troilus  a-yein,  219 

That  gan  ful  lightly  of  the  lettre  passe 
That  Deiphebus  hadde  in  the  gardin  seyn. 
And  of  Ele,\-ne  and  him  he  wolde  fayn 
Delivered  been,  and  seyde,  that  him  leste 
To  slepe,  and  alter  tales  have  reste. 

33.  Eleyne  him  kiste,  and  took  hir  leve 

blj-ve,  225 

Deiphebus  eek,   and   hooni  weute   every 

wight ; 
And  Pandarus,  as  faste  as  he  may  dryve, 
To  Troilus  tho  com,  as  lyne  right  ; 
And  on  a  paillet,  al  that  glade  night, 
Bj'  Troilus  he  lay,  with  mery  cliere,      230 
To  tale ;    and  wel  was  hem   they  were 

y-fere, 

34.  VVlian  every  wight  was   voided  but 
they  two, 

And  alio  tho  dores  were  faste  y-shette, 
To  tollo  in  short,  with-oute  wordes  mo, 
This  Pandarus,  with-outen  any  lette,   2,^5 
Up  roos,  and  on  his  beddes  syde  him.  sette, 


And  gau  to  speken  in  a  sobre  wyse 
To  Troilus,  as  I  shal  yow  devyse. 

35.  '  Myn  alderlevest   lord,   and  brother 
dere, 

God  woot,  and  thou,  that  it  sat  me  so 

sore,  240 

Wlien  I  thee  saw  so  languisshing  to-yere, 

For  love,   of  which  thy  wo  we.v   alwey 

more  ; 
That  I,  with  al  my  might  and  al  my  lore, 
Hath  ever  sithen  doon  my  bisinesse 
To  bringe  thee  to  joye  out  of  distresse  ; 

36.  And  have  it  brought  to  swich  plj-t  as 
thou  wost,  246 

So  that,  thorugh  me,  thow  stondest  now 

in  weye 
To  fare  wel,  I  seye  it  for  no  host, 
And  wostow  why  ?  for  shame  it  is  to  seye. 
For  thee  have  I  bigonne  a  gamen  pleye 
Which   that  I  never  doon  shal  eft  for 

other,  251 

Al-thoiTgh  he  were  a  thousand  fold  my 

brother. 

37.  That  is  to  sej-e,  for  thee  am  I  bicomen, 
Bitwixen  game  and  ernest,  swich  a  mene 
As  makeu  wommeu  un-to  men  to  comen  ; 
Al  sey  I  nought,  thou  wost  wel  what  I 

mene.  256 

For  thee  have  I  my  nece,  of  vyces  clene, 
So  fully  maad  thy  goutilesse  triste. 
That  al  shal  been  right  as  thy-selve  liste. 

38.  But  god,  that  al  wot,  take  I  to  wit- 
uesse,  260 

That  never  I  this  for  coveityse  wroughte, 
But  only  for  to  abregge  that  distresse, 
For  which  wel  nygh  thou  deydest,  as  me 

thoughte. 
But  gode  brother,  do  now  as  thee  oughte. 
For  goddos   love,    and   keep   hir  out    of 

blame,  265 

Sin  thou  art  wys,   and   save   ab\t'y  hir 

name. 

39.  For  wel  thou  wost,  the  name  as  yet 
of  here 

Among  the  peple,  as  who  sej'th,  halwed  is ; 
For  that  man  is  unbore,  I  dar  wel  swere, 
That  ever  wiste  that  she  dide  amis.      270 


Book  III.] 


^rotfu0  anb  Cvi&t^U. 


But  wo  is  me,  that  I,  that  cause  al  this, 
May  thenken  that  she  is  my  nece  dere, 
And  I  hir  eem,  and  traytor  eek  y-fere  ! 

40.  And  were  it  wist  that  I,  throvigh  myn 
engyn, 

Hadde  in  my  nece  y-piit  this  fantasye,  275 
To  do  thy  lust,  and  hoolly  to  be  thyn, 
\^^ly,  al  the  world  up-on  it  wolde  crye, 
And  seye,  that  I  the  worste  trecherye 
Dide  in  this  cas,  that  ever  was  bigoune, 
And  she  for-lost,  and  thou  right  nought 
y-wonne.  280 

41.  'W^^er-fore,  er  I  wol  ferther  goon  a 

pas. 
Yet  eft  I  thee  biseche  and  fully  seye. 
That  privetee  go  with  vis  in  this  cas, 
That  is  to  seye,  that  thou  lis  never  wreye ; 
And  be  nought  wrooth,  though  I  thee 
ofte  preye  285 

To  holden  secree  swich  an  heigh  matere; 
For  skilful  is,  thow  wost  wel,  my  preyere. 

42.  And  thenk  what  wo  ther  hath  bitid 
er  this, 

For  makinge  of  avauntes,  as  men  rede  ; 
And  what  mischaunce  in  this  world  yet 

ther  is,  290 

Fro  day  to  day,  right  for   that  wikked 

dede ; 
For  which  these  wyse  clerkes  that  ben 

dede 
Han  ever  yet  proverbed  to  us  yonge, 
That  "  firste  vertu  is  to  kepe  tonge." 

43.  And,   nere  it  that   I  wilne   as   now 
t'abregge  295 

Diffusioun  of  speche,  I  coude  almost 

A  thousand  olde  stories  thee  alegge 

Of  wommen  lost,  thorugh  fals  and  foles 

host  ; 
Proverbes  canst  thy-self  y-nowe,  and  wost, 
Ayeins  that  vyce,  for  to  been  a  labbe,  301) 
Al  seyde  men  sooth  as  often  as  they  gabbe. 

44.  O  tonge,  alias  !  so  often  here-biforn 
Hastow  made  many  a  lady  liright  of  hewo 
Seyd,  "welawe.v!  the  day  that  I  was  born!" 
And  many  a  maydes  sorwes  for  to  newe  ; 
And,  for  the  more  part,  al  is  untrewe  306 


That  men  of  yelpe,  and  it  were  brought 

to  preve ; 
Of  kinde  non  avauntour  is  to  leve. 

45.  Avauntour  and  a  lyere,  al  is  on  ;    309 
As  thus  :  I  pose,  a  womman  graunte  me 
Hir  love,  and  sejth  that  other  wol  she  non. 
And  I  am  sworn  to  holden  it  secree. 
And  after  I  go  telle  it  two  or  three  ; 
Y-wis,  I  am  avauntour  at  the  leste. 

And  lyere,  for  I  breke  my  biheste.         315 

46.  Now  loke  thanne,  if  they  be  nought 
to  blame, 

Swich   nianer  folk ;    what   shal  I  clejie 

hem,  what. 
That  hem  avaunte  of  wommen,  and  by 

name. 
That  never  yet  bihighte  hem  this  ne  that, 
Ne  knewe  hem  more  than  myn  olde  hat  ? 
No  wonder  is,  so  god  me  sende  hele,     321 
Though  wommen  drede  with  us  men  to 

dele. 

47.  I  sey  not  this  for  no  mistntst  of  yow, 
Ne  for  no  wys  man,  but  for  foles  nyce, 
And  for  the  harm  that  in  the  world  is 

now,  325 

As  wel  for  foly  ofte  as  for  malyce  ; 
For  wel  wot  I,  in  wyse  folk,  that  \'yce 
No  womman  drat,  if  she  be  wel  avysed ; 
For  wyse  ben  by  foles  harm  chastysed, 

48.  But  now  to  purpos  ;  leve  brother  dere, 
Have  al  this  thing  that  I  have  seyd  in 

minde,  33 1 

And  Iceep  thee  clos,  and  be  now  of  good 

chere. 
For  at  th,^-  day  thou  shalt  me  trewo  finde. 
I  shal  thy  proces  sette  in  swich  a  kinde, 
And  god  to-forn,  that  it  shall  thee  suffyse, 
For  it  shal  been  right  as  thou  wolt  de- 

vyse.  33f> 

49.  For  wel  I  woot,   thou  menest   wel, 
parde  ; 

Therfore  1  dar  this  fully  undertake, 
Thou  wost   eek  what  thy  lady  grauuted 

thee, 
And  day  is  set,  the  chartres  up  to  make. 
Have  now  good  night,  I  may  no  lenger 

wake ;  341 


■^rotfue  ant  Crteepie. 


[Book  ni. 


And  bid  for  me,  sin  thon  art  now  in  blisse, 
That  god  me  sende  deeth  or  sone  lisse.' 

50.  Wlio  miglite  telle  half  the  joye  or  feste 
\Vliich  that  the  sowle  of  Troilus  tho  felte, 
Heringe  th'effect  of  Paudarus  Liheste?  346 
His  olde  wo,  that  made  his  herte  swelte, 
Gan  tho  for  joye  wasten  and  to-melte, 
And  al  the  richesse  of  his  sykes  sore 

At  ones  fledde,  he  felte  of  hem  no  more. 

51.  But  right  so  as  these  holtes  and  these 
hayes,  351 

That  han  in  winter  dede  heen  and  dreye, 
Revesten  hem  in  grene,  whan  that  May  is, 
"V\Tian  every  lusty  Ijketh  best  to  pleye : 
Eight  in  that  selve  wyse,  sooth  to  seye,  355 
Wex  sodeynliche  his  herte  ful  of  joye, 
That  gladder  was  ther  never  man  in  Troj'e. 

52.  And  gan  his  look  on   Paudarus   up 
caste 

Ful  sobrely,  and  frendly  for  to  see,        359 
And  seyde,  '  freend,  in  Aprille  the  laste, 
As  wel  thou  wost,  if  it  remembre  thee. 
How  neigh  the  deeth  for  wo  thou  founde 

me  ; 
And  how  thou  didest  vd  thy  bisinesse 
.  To  knowe  of  me  the  cause  of  my  distresse. 

53.  Thou  wost  how  longe  I  it  for-bar  to 
seye  365 

To  thee,  that  art  the  man  that  I  best 

triste ; 
And  peril  was  it  noon  to  thee  by-wreye, 
That  wiste  I  wel ;  but  tel  me,  if  thee  liste, 
Sith  I  so  looth  was  that  thy-self  it  wiste, 
How  dorste  I  mo  tellen  of  this  matere,  370 
That  quake  now,  and  no  wight  may  us 

here  ? 

54.  But  natheles,  by  that  god  I  thee  swere. 
That,    as   him  list,    may   al   this   world 

governe. 
And,  if  I  lye,  Achilles  witli  his  spere 
Myn  herte  cleve,  al  were  my  lyf  eterne, 
As  I  am  mortal,  if  I  late  or  yerne  ^y6 

Wolde  it  biwreye,  or  dorste,   or   sholde 

cnnne. 
For  al  the   gooil   that  god  made  under 

Sonne ; 


55.  That  rather  dej'e  I  wolde.   and   de- 
termyne, 

As  thinketh  me,  now  stokked  in  presoun, 
In  wrecchednesse,  in  filthe,  and  in  ver- 

mjTie,  38 1 

Caj'tif  to  cruel  king  Agamenoun  ; 
And  this,   in  alle   the  temples  of   this 

toiui. 
Upon  the  goddes  alle,  I  wol  thee  swere, 
To-morwe  day,  if  that  thee  lyketh  here.  385 

56.  And  that  thou  hast  so  muche  y-doou 
for  me, 

That  I  ne  naay  it  never-more  deserve. 
This  knowe  I  wel,  al  mighte  I  now  for 

thee 
A  thousand  tymes  on  a  morwen  sterve, 
I  can  no  more,  but  that  I  wol  thee  sei-v-e 
Eight    as    thy    sclave,    whider-so    thou 

wende,  391 

For  ever-more,  un-to  mj'  lyves  ende  ! 

57.  But  here,  with  al  myn  herte,  I  thee 
biseche, 

That  never  in  me  thou  deme  swich  folj'e 
As  I   shal   seyn  ;    me  thoughte,   by  thy 

speche,  395 

That  this,  which  thou  me  dost  for  com- 

panye, 
I  sholde  wene  it  were  a  bauderye  ; 
I  am  nought  wood,  al-if  I  lewed  be ; 
It  is  not  so,  that  woot  I  wel,  pardee. 

58.  But   he   that  goth,    lor   gold   or  for 
richesse,  400 

On  swich  message,  calle  him  what  thee 

list  ; 
And  this  that  thou  dost,  calle  it  gentilesse, 
Compassioun,  and  I'elawship,  and  trist ; 
I)eparte  it  so,  tor  wyde-where  is  wist 
How  tliat  there  is  dyversitee  requered  405 
Bitwixen  thinges  Ij'ke,  as  I  have  lered. 

59.  And,    that    thou    knowe    I    thenke 
nought  ne  wene 

That  this  ser\yse  a  shame  be  or  jape, 
I  have  my  faire  suster  Polixene, 
Cassandre,  Eleyue,  or  any  of  the  frape  ; 
Be  she  never  so  faire  or  wel  y-shape,     411 
Tel  me,  which  thou  wilt  of  everichone. 
To  han  for  thyn,and  lat  methanue  allone. 


Book  III.] 


'Zvoiiue  dni  (tmejie. 


253 


60.  But  sin  that  thou  hast  don  me  this 
servyse,  414 

My  l.vf  to  save,  and  for  noon  hope  of  niede, 
So,  tor  the  love  of  god,  tliis  grete  empryse 
Parforme  it  ont ;  for  now  is  nioste  nede. 
For  high  and  low,  with-outen  any  drede, 
I  wol  alwey  tliyiie  hestes  alle  kepe  ; 
Have  now  good  night,  and  lat  ns  botlie 
slepe.'  420 

61.  Thns  held   him   ech  with  other  wel 
apayed. 

That    al    the  world    ne    niighte    it    het 

amende ; 
And,   on   the    morwe,    whan   they   were 

arayed, 
Ech  to  his  owene  nodes  gan  entende. 
Bnt  Troilus,  though  as  the  fyr  he  brende 
For  sharp  desyr  of  hope  and  of  plesannce. 
He  not  for-gat  his  gode  governannce.   427 

62.  Bnt    in   him-self  with  manhod    gan 
restreyne 

Ech  rakel  ilede  and  ech  tinbrydled  chere. 
That  alle  tlio  that  liven,  sooth  to  seyne, 
Xe  sliolde  han  wist,  by  word  or  by  manere, 
Wliat  that  he  mente,   as   tonching  this 
matere.  4.^2 

From  every'  wght  as  fer  as  is  the  cloude 
He  was,  so  wel  dissimulen  he  conde. 

63.  And  al  the  whyl  which  that  I  yow 
devyso,  435 

This  was  his  lyf ;  with  al  his  fviUe  might. 
By  day  he  was  in  Martos  high  servyse, 
Tliis  is  to  seyn,  in  ai-mcs  as  a  knight  ; 
And  for  the  more  part,  the  longe  night 
He  lay,  and  thonghte  how  that  he  mighte 
serve  440 

His  lady  best,  hir  thank  for  to  deserve. 

64.  Nil  I  nought  sweri-,  al-thoiigh  he  lay 
softe. 

That   in   his   thought    ho   nas   sumwhat 

disesed, 
Ne  that  he  tornede  on  his  pilwes  olte. 
And  wolde  of  that  him  missed  han  ben 

sesed ;  445 

Bnt  in  swich  eas  man  is  nought  alwey 

plesed, 
For  ought  I  wot,  no  more  than  was  he  ; 
That  can  I  deme  of  possibilitee. 


65.  But  certeyn  is,  to  purpos  for  to  go, 
That    in    this   whyle,   as   writen    is    in 

geste,  450 

He  say  his  lady  som-tyme  ;  and  also 
She  with  him  spak,  whan  that  she  dorste 

or  leste, 
And  by  hir  bothe  avys,  as  was  the  beste, 
Apoynteden  ful  warly  in  this  nede, 
So  as  they  dorste,  how  they  wolde  pro- 
cede.  455 

66.  But  it  was  spoken  in  so  short  a  wyse, 
In  swich  awayt  alwey,  and  in  swich  fere. 
Lest  any  wyght  di\'ynen  or  devyse 
Wolde  of  hem  two,  or  to  it  leye  an  ere, 
That  al  this  world  so   leef  to  hem   ne 

were  460 

As  that  Cupido  wolde  hem  grace  sende 
To  maken  of  hir  speclie  aright  an  ende. 

67.  But  thilke  litel  that  they  speke  or 
wroughte, 

His  wyse  goost  took  ay  of  al  swich  liede. 
It  seined  hir,  he  wiste  that  she  thoughte 
With-outen  word,  so  that  it  was  no  nede 
To  bidde  him  ought  to  done,  or  ought 

forbede ;  467 

For  which   she   thoughte   that    love,    al 

come  it  late, 
Of  alle  joye  hadde  opned  hir  the  yate. 

68.  And    shortly   of    this   proces   for   to 
pace,  47*> 

So  wel  his  werk  and  wordes  he  liisette. 
That  he  so  ful  stood  in  his  lady  grace, 
That  twenty  thousand  t.yaues,  or  she  lotte. 
She   thonked  god    she    ever    with    him 

mette ; 
So  coude  he  him  governe  in  swich  ser- 
vyse, 475 
That   al   the    world    ne    mighte    it    bet 
devyse. 

69.  For- why  she  fond  him  so  discreet  in  al, 
So  secret,  and  of  swich  obeisaunce. 
That  wel  she  felte  he  was  to  hir  a  wal 
Of  steel,    and   sheld  from  every  disple- 

saunce ;  480 

That,  to  ben  in  his  godo  governannce. 
So  wys  he  was,  she  was  no  more  afered, 
I  mene,  as  fer  as  oughte  ben  requered. 


^54 


^rotfu0  <xni  Cmep^e. 


[Book  III. 


70.  And  Pandarus,  to  quike  alwey  the  fyr, 
Was  ever  y-lyke  prest  and  diligent ;  485 
To  ese  his  trend  was  set  al  his  desyr. 

He  shoof  ay  on,  lie  to  and  fro  was  sent  ; 
He  lettres  bar  whan  Troilus  was  absent. . 
That  never  man,  as  in  his  freendes  nede, 
Xe   bar    him    bet    than    he,    with-outen 
drede.  490 

71.  Bnt  now,  paraunter,  som  man  wayten 
wolde 

That  every  word,  or  sonde,   or  look,  or 

eh  ere 
Of  Troilus  thiit  I  rehersen  sholde. 
In  al  this  whyle,  un-to  his  lady  dere  ; 
I   trowe    it  were   a  long    thing    for    to 

here  ;  495 

Or  of  what  wight  that  stant  in  swich  dis- 

joynte. 
His  wordes  alle,  or  every  look,  to  poynte. 

72.  Por  sothe,  I  have  not  herd  it  doon  er 
this, 

In  stor.\e  noon,  ne  no  man  here,  I  wene  ; 
And  though  I  wolde  I  coude  not,  y-wis  ; 
For  ther  was  som  epistel  hem  bitwene,  501 
That  wolde,  as   seyth   myn   auctor,  wel 

eontene 
Xeigh  half  this  book,  of  which  him  list 

not  wryte  : 
How  sholde  I  thanne  a  lyne  of  it  endyte  ? 

73.  Bnt  to  the  grete  effect  :   than  sey  I 
thus,  505 

That  stonding  in  concord  and  in  quiete 
Thise  ilke  two,  Criseyde  and  Troilus, 
As  I  have  told,  and  in  this  tyme  swcte. 
Save  only  often  niighto  they  not  mete, 
Ne  hiyser  have  hir  spechesto  fulfelle,    510 
That  it  befel  right  as  I  shal  yow  telle, 

74.  That    Pandarus,    that   ever   dido    liis 
mif^ht 

Right  for  the  fyn   that  I  slial   speke   of 

here. 
As  for  to  bringe  to  his  hous  soni  night 
His  faire  nece,  and  Troilus  y-fore,         515 
Wlier-as  at  lej-ser  al  this  heigh  matere. 
Touching  hir  love,  were  at  the  fulle  up- 

boundo, 
Hiidde  out  of  doute  a  tyme  to  it  foun<le. 


75.  For  he  with  greet  deliberacioun 
Hadde  evei"y  thing   that   her-to   mitjlite 
avayle  5J0 

'  Forn-cast,  and  put  in  execucioun, 
'  And  neither  latt  for  cost  ne  for  travajde ; 
Come  if  hem  lest,  hem  sholde  no-thing 
I  fayle  ; 

And  for  to  been  in  ought  espyed  there. 
That,  wiste  he  wel,  an  inpossible  were. 

t  76.  Dredelees,  it  cleer  was  in  the  wind 
I  Of  every  pye  and  every  lette-game  ;       5^7 
i  Now  al  is  wel,  for  al  the  world  is  blinil 

In  this  matere,  bothe  fremed  and  tame. 

This  timber  is  al  redy  up  to  frame;       5v> 

Us  lakketh  nought  but   that  we   witon 
wolde 

A  certein   houre,   in  whiche  she  comen 
t  sholde. 

77.  And  Troilus,  that  al  this  purveyaunce 
Knew  at  the  fulle,  and  waytede  on  it  ay, 
Hadde   here-up-on   eek   made  gret  orde- 

naunce,  5^5 

And  founde  his  cause,  and  ther-to   his 

aray, 
If  that  he  were  missed,  night  or  day. 
Ther-whyle  he  was  aboute  this  servyse, 
That  he  was  goon  to  doon  his  sacrifyse, 

78.  And  nioste  at  swich  a  temple  alone 

wake,  54:) 

Answered  of  Appollo  for  to  be; 
And  first,  to  seen  the  holy  laurer  quake, 
Er  that  Apollo  spak  out  of  the  tree, 
To  telle  him  ne.\t  whan  Grekes  sholden 

floe  ; 
And   forthj-  lette  hiiu   no  man,  god  for- 

bode,  545 

But  preye  Apollo  lielpen  in  this  nede. 

79.  Now  is  ther  litel  more  for  to  done, 
But  Pandare  up,  and  shortly  for  to  seyne, 
Itight  sone  upon  the   chaunging  of  the 

mone, 
Wlian   lightles  is  the   world  a  night  or 

tweyne,  550 

And   that   the  welken  shoop  him  for  to 

reyne, 
Ho   streight    a-morwe    un-to    liis     nece 

wente ; 
Ye  han  wel  herd  the  fyn  of  his  entente. 


Book  III.] 


^roifu0  anl  Cviu^^t. 


255 


80.  Whan  he  was  come,  he  gan  anooii  to 

pleye 
As  he  was  wont,  and  of  him-self  to  jape  ; 
And  f^-nally,  he  swor  and  gan  liir  seje,  ^^6 
By   this   and   that,   she   shohle  him  not 

escape, 
Ne  lenger  doon  hini  after  hix'  to  ga^ie  ; 
But  certeynly  she  nioste,  hy  hir  leve, 
Come  soupen  in  his  hovis  with   him  at 

eve.  560 

"^1.  At  wliiclie   she  longh,    and  gan  hir 

faste  excuse. 
And  seyde,  •  it  rayneth  ;  lo,  liow  sliokle 

I  gof  >n  ?  ■ 
■  Lat  be,'  quod  lie,  '  ne  stond  not  thus  to 

muse ; 
This  moot  he  doon,  ye  shal  he  ther  anoon.' 
•So  at  the  laste  her-of  they  telle  at  oon,  565 
Or  elles,  softe  lie  swor  hir  in  hir  ere, 
He  nolde  never  come  ther  she  were. 

82.  Sone   after  this,  to  him  she  gan  to 

rownc, 
And  asked  him  if  Troilus  were  there  ? 
He  swor  hir,    '  nay,    for   he  was   out    of 

toAvne,'  570 

And  seyde,  '  nece,  I  pose  that  he  were, 
Yow  f  thiirtte  never  have  the  more  i'ere. 
For  rather  than  men  mighte  him  ther 

asjjye, 
Me  were  lever  a  thousand-fold  to  dye.' 

88  Nought  list  myn  auctor  fully  to 
declare  575 

Wliat  that  she  thoughte  whan  he  seyde 
so, 

That  Troilus  was  out  of  town  y-fare, 

As  if  he  seyde  ther-of  sooth  or  no  ; 

But  that,  with-outeawayt,  with  him  to  go, 

She  graunted  him,  sith  he  hir  that  hi- 
soughte,  580 

And,  as  his  nece,  obeyed  as  hir  oughte 

84.  But  nathelees,  yet  gan   she  hinx  bi- 

seche, 
Al-though  with  him  to  goon  it  was  no  fere, 
For  to  be  war  of  goosisli  peples  speche. 
That  dromen  tliinges  whiche  that  never 

were,  585 

And  wel  avyse  him  whom  he  broughte 

there ; 


And  se.vde  him,  '  eem,  sin  I  mot  on  yow 

triste, 
Loke  al  be  wel,  and  do  now  as  yow  liste.' 

85.  He  swor  hir,  '  yis,  by  stokkes  and  by 
stones, 

..And  by  the  goddes  that  in  hevene  dwelle. 
Or  elles  were  him  lever,  soule  and  bones. 
With  Pluto  king  as  tlepc  been  in  helle  59-- 
As  Tantalus  ! '  What  sholde  I  more  telle  V 
Whan  al  was  wel,  he  roos  and  took  his 

leve, 
And  she  to  souper  com,  whan  it  was  eve, 

86.  With  acertaynof  hir  owenemen,  596 
And  with  hir  faire  nece  Antigone, 

And  othere  of  hir  wommen  nyne  or  ten  ; 
But  who  was  glad  now,  who,  as  trowe  ye. 
But  Troilus,   that   stood   and   mighte  it 

see  6ix) 

Thurgh-out  a  litel  windowe  in  a  stewe, 
Ther  he  bishet,    sin  midnight,   was    in 

me  we, 

87.  Unwist  of  every  wight  bvit  of  Pandare? 
But  to  the  poynt  ;    now  whan  she  was 

y-come 
W^ith  alle  ,joye,  and  alle  frendes  fare,     605 
Hir  eem  anoon  in  amies  hath  hir  nome. 
And  after  to  the  souper,  alle  and  some, 
A\lian  tj-me  was,  ful  sotte  they  hem  sette ; 
God  wot,  ther  was  no  deyntee  for  to  fette. 

88.  And   after    souper    gonnen    they   to 
ryse,  610 

At  ese  wel,  with  hertes  fresshe  and  glade. 
And  wel  was  him  that  coude  best  devjse 
To  lyken  liir,  or  that  hir  laughen  made. 
He   song;  she  pleyde  ;    he  tolde  tale  of 

Wade. 
But  at   the  laste,  as   every   thing   liath 

ende,  015 

She  took  hir  leve,  and  nedes  wolde  wende. 

89    But  O,  Fortune,  executricc  of  wierdes, 

O  influences  of  thise  hevenes  hye  ! 

Soth   is,    that,    under  god,    ye    ben    our 

hierdes. 
Though    to    us    bestes    been   the   causes 

wr^•e.  <)io 

This  mene  I  now,  for  she  gan  liooniward 

hye, 


2.:^6 


vTtoifue  anil  ^viet^U. 


[Book  III. 


But  execiit  was  al  bisyde  hir  leve, 
At  tlie  goikles  wil ;  for  which  she  moste 
hleve. 

90.  The  bente  mone  with  hir  homes  pale, 
Satnrue,    and    Jove,    in    Cancro    joyned 

were,  625 

That  swich  a  rayn  from  heveue  gun  avale. 
That  every  manerwommanthat  was  there 
Hadde  of  that  smoky  reyu  a  verray  fere  ; 
At  which  Pandare  tho  lough,  and  seyde 

thenne, 
'  Now  were  it  t;\nne  a  lady  to  go  henne  !  630 

91.  But  goode  nece,  if  I  niighte  ever  plese 
Y<  >w  any-thing,  than  prey  I  yow,'  quod  he, 
'  To  doon  myn  herte  as  now  so  greet  an 

ese 
As  for  to  dwelle  here  al  this  night  with  me, 
For-why  this  is  your  owene  hous,  jjardee. 
For,  by  my  trouthe,  I  sey  it  nought  a- 

game,  636 

To  wende  as  now,  it  were  to  me  a  shame.' 

92.  Crise.\de.  whiche  that  coude  as  muche 
good 

As  half  a  world,  tok  hede  of  his  preyere  ; 
And  sin  it  ron,  and  al  was  on  a  flood,  640 
She  thoughtc,  as  good  chep  may  I  dweUen 

here. 
And   graunte  it  gladly  with  a  freendes 

chere. 
And  have  a  thank,  as  grucche  and  thanne 

abyde ; 
For  hooni  to  goon    it   mny   nought   wel 

bityde. 

98.  '  I  wol,'  quod  she,  '  m.vn  uncle  leef 
and  dere,  645 

Sin  that  yow  list,  it  skile  is  to  be  so  ; 

T  am  right  glad  with  yow  to  dwellen  here  ; 

I  se.vde  but  a-game,  I  wolde  go.' 

'  Y-wis,  gratmt  mercy,  nece  I'  quod  ho 
tho  ;  640 

'  Were  it  a  game  or  no,  soth  for  to  telle, 

Now  am  I  glad,  sin  that  yow  list  to  dwelle.' 

94.  Thus  al  is  wel ;  but  tho  bigan  aright 
The  newe  joye,  and  al  the  feste  agayn  ; 
But  Pandariis.  if  goodly  hadde  he  might. 
He  wolde  han  hyed  hir  to  bedde  fa.vn.  655 
And  seyde,  '  lord,  this  is  an  huge  rayn  ' 


This  were  a  weder  for  to  slepen  inne  ; 
And  that  I  rede  us  soue  to  biginne. 

95.  And  nece,  woot  ye  wher  T  wol  yow 
leye,  659 

For  that  we  shul  not  liggen  fer  asonder. 
And  for  ye  neither  shullen,  dar  I  seye, 
Heren  noise  of  reyiies  nor  of  thonder  ? 
By  god,  right  in  my  lyte  closet  yonder. 
And  I  wol  in  that  oiater  hous  allf)ne 
Be  wardeyn  of  your  wommen  everichone. 

96.  And  in  this  middel  chaunibrethat  ye 
see  666 

Shul  youre  wommen  slepen  wel  and  softe; 
And  ther  I  seyde  shal  your-selve  he  ; 
And  if  ye  liggen  wel  to-night,  com  ofte, 
And  eareth  not  what  weder  is  on-lotte.  670 
The  wyn  anon,   and  whan  so  that  yow 

leste, 
So  go  we  slepe,  I  trowe  it  be  the  beste.' 

97.  Ther  nis  no  more,  but  here-after  sone, 
The  voyde   dronke,   and    t  ravers    drawe 

anon, 
Gan  every  wight,  that  hadde  nought  to 

done  675 

More  in  that  place,  out  of  the  chaumber 

gon. 
And  ever-mo  so  sternelich  it  ron. 
And  blew  ther-with  so  wonderliche  loude, 
That  wel  neigh  no  man  heren  other  coude. 

98.  Tho  Pandanis,  hir  eem,  right  as  him 
oughte,  6S<i 

With  women   swiche  as  were  hir  most 

aboute, 
Ful    glad    un-to    hir     lieddes    s.vde    hir 

broughte, 
And  took  his  leve,  and  gan  ful  lowe  loute, 
And  seyde,  '  here  at  this  closet-dore  with- 

oute. 
Eight  over-thwart,  your  wommen  liggen 

alle,_  6.S5 

That,   whom  .yow  liste  of  hem,   ye  may 

here  calle.' 

99.  So  whan  that  she  was  in  the  closet 
leyd, 

And   alle   hir    wommen   forth   by   orde- 

naunce 
A-bedde  weren,  ther  as  1  have  se.vd, 


Book  III.] 


^rotfu0  dnl  (J^rtee^ie. 


257 


There  was  no  more   to   skippen   nor  to 
traimce,  690 

But  boden  go  to  bedde,  with  mischaunce, 
If  any  wight  was  steringe  any-where, 
And  late  hem  slepe  that  ar-bedde  were. 

100.  But  Pandarus,  that  wel  coiide  eche 
a  del 

The  olde  daunce,  and  every  poynt  ther- 

inne,  695 

Whan  that  he  sey  that  alle  thing  was  wel, 

He   thonghte   he   wolde  np-on  his  werk 

biginne, 
And  gan  the  stewe-dore  al  softe  un-pinne, 
And   stille   as   stoon,  with-oiiten   lenger 

lette, 
By  Troilus  a-doiin  right  he  him  sette.   700 

101.  And,  shortly  to  the  po,-^ait  right  for 
to  gon. 

Of  al  this  werk  he  tolde  him  word  and 

cnde, 
And  seyde,  '  make  thee  redy  right  anon, 
For  thou  shalt  in-to  hcvene  blisse  wende.' 
'  Xow    blisful    Venus,    thou     mo     grace 

cende, '  705 

Quod  Troilus,  '  for  never  yet  no  nede 
Hadde  I  er  now,  ne  halvendel  the  drede.' 

102.  Quod  Pandarus, '  ne  drede  thee  never 
a  del, 

For  it  shal  been  right  as  thoii  wilt  desyre ; 
So  thryve  I,  this  night  shal  I  make  it 

wel,  710 

Or  cast  en  al  the  gruwel  in  the  fyre.' 
'  Yit  blisful  Venus,  this  night  thou  me 

enspyre,' 
Quod  Troilus,  '  as  wis  as  I  thee  serve, 
And  ever  bet  and  bet  shal,  til  I  sterve. 

103.  And  if  I  hadde,    O  Venus    ful    of 
mirthe,  715 

Aspectes  hadde  of  Mars  or  of  Satume, 
Or  thou  combust  or  let  were  in  my  birthe, 
Tliy  fader  pray  al  thilke  harm  disturno 
Of  grace,   and   that   I   glad   ayein   may 

turnc. 
For  love   of  him  thou   lovotlest   in   the 

shawe,  720 

I  mene  Adoon,  that  with  tlio  boor  was 

slawe. 


104.  O   Jove   eek,    for   the   love   of  faire 
Europe, 

The  whiche  in  forme  of  bole  away  thou 

fette  ; 
Now  help,  O  Mars,  thou  vdth  thy  blody 

cope. 
For  love  of  Cipris,  thou  me  nought  ne 

lette ;  725 

O  Phebus,  thenk  whan  Dane  hir-sclven 

shette 
Under  the  bark,  and  laurer  wex  for  drede, 
Yet  for  hir  love,  O  help  now  at  this  nede  ! 

105.  Mercuric,  for  the  love  of  Hiers6  eke, 
For    which    Pallas    was  with    Aglauros 

wrooth,  730 

Now  help,  and  eek  Diane,  I  thee  biseke. 
That  this  viage  be  not  to  thee  looth. 
O  fatal  sustren,  which,  er  any  clootli 
Me  shapen  was,  my  destene  me  sponne, 
So  helpeth  to  this  werk  that  is  bi-gonne ! ' 

106.  Quod     Pandarus,    '  thou    wrecched 
mouses  Iierte,  736 

Art  thou  agast  so  that  she  wol  thee  byte  ? 
IVliy,   don   this  furred  cloke  up-on  thj- 

sherte. 
And  folowe  roe,  for  I  wol  han  the  wyte  ; 
But  byd,  and  lat  me  go  bifore  a  lyte.'    740 
And   with   that   word   he   gan    vm-do    a 

trappe, 
And  Troilus  lie  broughte  in  by  the  lappe. 

107.  The    sterne   wind   so   loude  gan  to 
route 

That  no  wight  other  noyse  mighte  here  ; 
And  they  that  layen  at  the  dore  with- 
outo,  745 

Ful  sikerly  they  sleptcn  alle  y-fere  ; 
And  Pandarus,  with  a  ful  sobre  chere, 
Goth  to  the  dore  anon  with-outen  lette, 
Ther-as  they  laye,  and  softely  it  shette. 

108.  And  as  he  com  ayeinward  prively. 
His  nece  awook,  and  asked  '  who  goth 

thei'c?'  751 

'  My  dere  nece,'  quod  lie,  '  it  am  I ; 
Ne  wouilreth  not,  ne  have  of  it  no  fore  ; ' 
And  ncr  ho  com,  and  seydc  hir  in  hir  ere, 
'  No  word,  for  love  of  god  I  yow  biseche  ; 
Lat   no  wight  ryso    and    lieren   of  our 

spcehe.'  756 


258 


^rotfue  arx"^  Cnee^bc. 


[Book  III. 


109.  '  What !   -which  wey  be   ye   comen, 
benedicitef ' 

Quod  she,  '  and  how  thus  unwist  of  hem 

aUe?' 
'  Here  at  this  secree  trappe-dore,'  quod  he. 
Quod  tho  Criseyde,    '  lat  me  som.  wight 

calle.'  760 

'  Ey  !  god  forbede  that  it  sholde  falle,' 
Quod    Pandarus,    '  that    ye    swich    foly 

wroughte ! 
They  mighte  deme  thing  they  never  er 

thoughte ! 

110.  It  is  nought  good  a  sloping  hound  to 
wake, 

Ne  yeve  a  wight  a  cause  to  devyne  ;  765 
Your  wommen  slepen  alle,  I  under-take. 
So  that,  for  hem,  the  hous  men  mighte 

myne  ; 
And  slepen  wolen  til  the  sonne  shyne. 
And  whan  my  tale  al  brought  is  to  an 

ende, 
Unwist,  right  as  I  com,  so  wol  I  wende. 

111.  Now  nece  myn,  ye  shul  wel  under- 
stonde,'  771 

Quod  he,  'so  as  ye  wommen  demen  alle. 
That  for  to  holde  in  love  a  man  in  honde, 
And  him  hir  "leef"  and   "  dere  herte" 

calle, 
And  maken  him  an  howve  above  a  calle, 
I  mene,  as  love  an  other  in  this  whyle,   776 
She  doth  hir-self  a  shame,  and  him  a  gyle. 

1 12.  Now  wherby  that  I  telle  yow  al  this  ? 
Ye  woot  your-self,  as  wcl  as  any  wight, 
How  that  your  love  al  fully  graunted  is 
To  Troilus,  the  worthieste  knight,         781 
Oon  of  this  world,   and  ther-to  trouthe 

plyght, 
That,  but  it  were  on  him  along,  yo  nolde 
Him  never  falsen,  whyl  ye  liven  sholde. 

113.  Now  stant  it  thus,  that  sith  I  fro 
yow  wente,  785 

This  Troilus,  right  platly  for  to  seyn. 
Is  thurgh  a  gotcr,  by  a  privfe  wente, 
In-to  my  chaumbro  come  in  al  this  reyn, 
Unwist  of  every  maner  wight,  certeyn. 
Save  of  my-self,  as  wisly  have  I  joye,    790 
And  by  that  feith  I  shal  Pryam  of  Troye  ! 


114.  And  he  is  come  in  swich  peyne  and 

distresse 
That,  but  he  be  al  fully  wood  by  this. 
He  sodeyuly  mot  fallo  in-to  wodnesse, 
But-if  god  helpe  ;  and  cause  why  this  is, 
He  seyth  him  told  is,  of  a  freend  of  his, 
How  that  ye  sholde  love  oon  that  hatte 

Horaste,  797 

For  sorwe  of  which  this  night  shalt  been 

his  laste.' 

11.5.  Criseyde,  which  that  al  this  wonder 

lierde, 
Gan  sodeynly  aboute  hir  herte  colde,    8cx) 
And  with  a  syk  she  sorwfully  answerde, 
'  Alias  !  I  wende,  who-so  tales  tolde, 
My  dere  herte  wolde  nie  not  holde 
So  lightly  fals  !  alias  !  eonceytes  wronge, 
What  harm  they  doon,  for  now  live  I  to 

longe !  805 

116.  Horaste  !  alias  !  and  falsen  Troilus? 
I  knowe  him  not,  god  helpe  me  so,'  quod 

she ; 
'  Alias  !    what   wikked   spirit  tolde   him 

thus  ? 
Now  certes,  eem,  to-morwe,  and  I  him  see, 
I  shal  ther-of  as  ful  excusen  me  8u> 

As  ever  dide  womman,  if  him  lyke' ; 
And  with  that  word  she  gan  ful  sore  syke. 

117.  'Ogod!'  quod  she,  '  so  worldly  seli- 
nesse, 

Which  clerkes  callen  fals  felicitee, 
Y-medled  is  with  many  a  bitternesse !   815 
Ful  anguisshous  than  is,  god  woot,'  quod 

she, 
'  Condicioun  of  veyn  prosperitee  ; 
For  either  joyes  comen  nought  y-fere, 
Or  elles  no  wight  hath  hem  alwey  here. 

118.  O  brOtel  wele  of  mannes  joye   tin- 
stable  !  820 

With  what  wight  so  thou  be,  or  how  thou 

pleye, 
Either  he  woot  that  thou,  joye,  art  mu- 

able. 
Or  wo<jt  it  not,  it  moot  ben  oon  of  tweye ; 
Now  if  lie  woot  it  not,  how  may  he  seye 
That  he  hath  verray  joye  andsclinesse,  825 
That  is  of  ignoraunce  ay  in  derknesse  ? 


Book  III. 


^rotfue  ani  C^nee^be. 


259 


119.  Now  if  he  woot  that  joye  is  transi- 
torie, 

As  every  joye  of  workUy  thing  mot  flee, 
Than   every  tyme  he  that  hath  in  me- 

morie, 
The  drede  of  lesing  maketh  him  that  he 
May  in  no  parfit  selincsse  be.  iS3i 

And  if  to  lese  his  joye  he  set  a  myte, 
Than  semeth   it   that  joye  is  worth  ftil 

lyte. 

120.  Wherfore    I    wol    deffyne    in    this 
matere, 

That  trewely,  for  ought  I  can  espye,       835 
Ther  is  no  verray  welo  in  this  world  here. 
But  O,  Ihou  wikked  serpent  Jaloiisye, 
Tliou  misbeleved  and  envious  folye, 
WTiy  hastow  Troilus  me  mad  u^ntriste, 
That  never  yet  agilte  him,  that  I  wiste  ?  ' 

121.  Quod  Pandarus,  'tlius  fallen  is  this 
cas.'  841 

'  Wliy,  uncle  myn,'  quod  she,  '  who  tolde 

him  this  ? 
Why  doth  my  dere  herte  thus,  alias  ? ' 
'  Ye  woot,yenece  myn,'  quodhe,  '■what  is  ; 
I  hope  al  shal  be  wel  that  is  amis.         845 
For  ye  may  quenche  al  this,  if  that  yow 

leste. 
And   doth   right   so,    for   I  holde  it  the 

beste.' 

122.  '  So  shal  I  ilo  to-morwe,  y-wis,'  quod 
she, 

'  And  god  to-forn,  so  that  it  shal  suffyse.' 
■  To-morwe  ?  alias,  that  were  a  fayr,'  quod 

he,  850 

'  Nay,   nay,   it   may  not  stonden  in  this 

wyse  ; 
For,  nece  myn,  thus  wryten  clerkes  wyse. 
That  peril  is  with  drecohing  in  y-drawo  ; 
Nay,  swich  abodes  been  nought  worth  an 

hawe. 

123.  Nece,   al   thing   hath   tyme,    I    dar 
avowe ;  855 

For  whan  a  chaumber  a-fjT  is,  or  anhalle, 
Wel  more  nede  is,  it  sodeynly  rescowe 
Than  to  dispute,  and  axe  amonges  alle 
How  is  this  candel  in  the  straw  y-falle  ? 
A  !  benedicite  !  for  al  among  that  fare  860 
The  harm  is  doon.  and  fare-wel  feldefare  ! 


124.  And,  nece  niyn,  ne  take  it  not  a- 
greef, 

If  that  ye  suffre  him  al  night  in  this  wo, 
God  help  me  so,  ye  hadde  him  never  leef, 
That  dar  I  seyn,   now  there  is   but  we 
two ;  865 

But  wel  I  woot,  that  ye  wol  not  do  so  ; 
Ye  been  to  wys  to  do  so  gret  folye, 
To  putte  his  lyf  al  night  in  jupartye.' 

125.  '  Hadde  I  him  never  leef  ?     By  god, 
I  wene 

Ye  hadde  never  thing  so  leef,'  quod  she. 
'  Now  by  my  thrift,'  quod  he,   '  that  shal 
be  sene  ;  871 

For,  sin  ye  make  this  ensample  of  me, 
If  I  al  night  wolde  him  in  sorwe  see 
For  al  the  tresour  in  the  toun  of  Troye, 
I  bidde  god,  I  never  mote  have  joye  !      875 

126.  Now  loke  thanne,  if  ye,  that  been 
his  love, 

Shul  putte  al  night  his  lyf  in  jupartye 
For  thing  of  nought  !     Now,  by  that  god 

above. 
Nought  only  this  delay  comth  of  folye, 
But  of  malyce,  if  that  I  shal  nought  lye. 
What,  platly,  and  ye  suffre  him  in  dis- 

tresse,  88 1 

Ye  neither  bountee  doon  ne  gentilesse  ! ' 

127.  Quod  tho  Criseyde,   '  wole   ye   doon 
o  thing. 

And  ye  therwith  shal  stinto  al  his  disese  ; 
Have   here,   and   bereth  him  this  blewe 

ring,  885 

For  ther  is  no-thing  mighte  him  bettre 

plese. 
Save  I  my-self,  ne  more  his  herte  apese  ; 
And  sey  vay  dere  herte,  that  his  sorwe 
Is  causeles,  that  slial  be  seen  to-morwe.' 

128.  '  A  ring  ?' quod  he,  '  ye,  hasel-wodes 
shaken  !  8i)o 

Ye,  nece  myn,  that  ring  moste  han  a  stoon 
That  mighte  dedo  men  alyve  maken  ; 
And  swich  a  ring,  trowe  I  that  ye  have 

noon. 
Discrecioun  out  of  your  heed  is  goon  ; 
That  fele  I  now,'  quod  he,  '  and  that  is 

rontlio  ;  895 

O    tyme    y-lost,    wol     maystow     cursen 

sloutlic  ! 


K   2 


26o 


^roifu0  anb  Ctm^li. 


[Book  III. 


129.  Wot  ye  not  wel  that  noble  and  heigh 
corage 

Ne  sorweth  not,  ne  stinteth  eek  for  lyte  ? 
But  if  a  fool  were  in  a  jalous  rage, 
I  nolde  setten  at  his  sorwe  a  myte,       900 
But  feflfe  him  with  a  fewe  wordes  whyte 
Another  day,   whan  that  I  mighte  him 

finde  : 
But  this  thing  stont  al  in  another  kinde. 

130.  This  is  so  gentil  and  so  tendre  of 
herte. 

That  with  his  deeth  he  wol  his  sorwes 
wreke ;  9"5 

For  triisteth  wel,  how  sore  that  him 
smerte, 

He  wol  to  yow  no  jalouse  wordes  speke. 

And  for-thy,  nece,  er  that  his  herte  breke, 

So  spek  your-self  to  him  of  this  matere  ; 

For  with  o  w^ord  ye  may  his  herte  stere. 

131.  Now  have  I  told  what  peril  he  is 
inne,  9" 

And  his  coming  unwist  is  t'  every  wight ; 
Xe,  pardeo,  harm  may  ther  be  noon  ne 

sinne ; 
I  wol  niy-self  be  with  yow  al  this  niglit. 
Ye  knowe  eek  how  it  is  your  owne  knight, 
And  that,  by  right,  ye  moste  upon  him 

triste,  9>6 

And  I  al  prest  to  fecche  liim  whan  yow 

liste." 

132.  This  accident  so  pitous  was  to  hero. 
And  eek  so  lyk  a  sooth,  at  pryme  face. 
And  Troilus  hir  knight  to  hir  so  dere,   920 
His  prive  coming,  and  the  siker  jilace, 
That,   though    that    she    dide    him    as 

thanne  a  grace. 
Considered  aUe  thinges  as  they  stode. 
No  wonder  is,  sin  she  dide  al  for  gode. 

133.  Cryseyde  answerde,  '  as  wisly  god  at 
reste  9?.S 

My  sowle  bringe,  as  me  is  for  him  wo  ! 
And  eem,  y-wis,  fayn  woldo  I  doon  the 

beste. 
If  that  I  hadde  grace  to  do  so. 
But  whether  that  j-e  dwelle  or  for  him  go, 
I  am,  til  god  me  bettre  minde  sende,    9,^0 
At  dulcarnon,  right  at  my  wittes  ende.' 


134.  Quod  Pandarus,   '  ye,  nece,  wol  ye 

here  ? 
Dulcarnon      called      is      "fleminge      of 

wrecches  "  ; 
It  semeth  hard,  for  wrecches  wol  not  lere 
For    verray    slouthe    or    othere    wilful 

tecches ;  9.^5 

This  seyd  by  hem  that  be  not  worth  two 

fecches. 
But   ye  ben  \\'ys,   and  that  we   lian  on 

honde 
Nis  neither  hard,  ne  skilful  to  withstonde.' 

135.  'Tlianne,  eem,'  quod  she,  'doth  her- 
of  as  yow  list  ; 

But  er  he  come  I  wil  up  first  aryse  ;     940 
And,  for  the  love  of  god,  sin  al  my  trist 
Is  on  yow  two,  and  ye  ben  bothe  wyse. 
So  wircheth  now  in  so  discreet  a  ^^'yse, 
That  I  honour  may  have,  and  he  ples- 

aunce ; 
For  I  am  here  al  in  j-oiir  governaunce.' 

136.  'That   is  wel   seyd,'  quod   ho,   'my 
nece  dere,  '946 

Ther   good   thrift   on   that   wyse    gentil 

herte  ! 
But  liggeth  stille,  and  taketh  him  right 

here. 
It  nedeth  not  no  ferther  for  him  sterte  ; 
And  ech  of  yow  ese  otheres  sorwes  smerte, 
For  love    of   god ;    and,   Venus,   I   thee 

herie  ;  95' 

For  sone  hope  I  we  shuUe  ben  alle  merie.' 

137.  This  Troilus  ful  sone  on  knees  him 
sette 

Ful  sobrely,  right  by  hir  bcddes  hoed, 
i  And  in  his  beste  wyse  his  lady  grette;  955 
But  lord,  so  she  wex  sodcynliche  reed  ! 
Ne,  though  men  sholden  smyten  of  hir 

heed. 
She  coudo   nought   a  word   a-right  out- 

bringc 
So  sodeynly,  for  his  sodeyn  cominge. 

138.  But  Pandarus,  that  so  wel  coude  fele 
In  every  thing,  to  pleye  anoon  bigan,  961 
And  scyde,  '  nece,  see  how  this  lord  can 

knele  ! 
Now,  for  your  trouthe,  seeth  this  gentil 
man  ! ' 


Book  III.] 


Crotfu0  ani>  Ctrieegie. 


261 


And  with  that  word  he  for  a  quisshen 

ran, 
And  sej-de,  '  kneleth  now,  whjl  that  yow 

leste,  965 

Ther   god  your   hertes    bringe    sone    at 

reste ! ' 

139.  Can  I  not  seyn,  for  she  bad  him  not 
ryse, 

If  sorwe  it  putte  out  of  hir  remenibraunce, 
Or  elles  if  she  toke  it  in  tlie  "wj'se 
Of  duetee,  as  for  his  observamice  ;         970 
But    wel    finde    I    she    dide    him    this 

plesaunce, 
That  she  him  kiste,  al-though  she  sykcd 

sore  ; 
And  bad  him  sitte  a-  doun  with-outen  more. 

140.  Quod  Pandarus,    '  now  wol  ye   wel 
biginne  ; 

Now  doth  him  sitte,  gode  nece  dere,  975 
Upon  your  beddes   syde  al   there  with- 

inne, 
Tliat  eeh  of  yow  the  bet  may  other  here.' 
And  with  that  word  he  drow  him  to  the 

fere, 
And  took  a  light,  and  fond  liis  conten- 

aunco 
As  for  to  loke  up-on  an  old  romaunce.  980 

141.  Criseyde,  that  was  Troilus  lady  right. 
And  cleer  stood  on  a  ground  of  sikernesse, 
Al  thouglite  she,  hir  servaunt  and   hir 

knight 
Ne  sholde  of  right  non  untrouthe  in  hir 

gesse,  984 

Yet  nathelees,  considered  his  distresse. 
And  that  love  is  in  cause  of  swich  folye. 
Thus  to  him  sjiak  she  of  his  jolousye  : 

142.  '  Lo,  herte  myn,  as  wolde  the  excel- 
lence 

Of  love,  ayeins  the  which  that  no  man 

may, 
No  oughte  eek  goodly  maken  resistencc  ; 
And  eek  bj-eausc  1  felte  wel  and  say    991 
Your  grete  troi\the,  and  servyse  every  day ; 
And  that  your  herte  al  myn  was,  sooth  to 

seyne, 
This  droof  me  for  to   rcwe   up-on  your 

peyne. 


143.  And  your  goodnesse  have  I  foundo 
alwey  yit,  995 

Of  whiche,   my   dero   herte   and   al    my 

knight, 
I  thonke  it  yow,  as  fer  as  I  have  wit, 
Al  can  I  nought  as  muche  as  it  were  right ; 
And  I,    emforth   my  conninge   and   n:y 

might, 
Have  and  ay  shal,    how   sore    that   me 

smerte,  locx) 

Ben  to  yow  trewe  and  hool,  with  al  myn 

herte  ; 

144.  And  dredelees,  that  shal  be  founde 
at  preve. — 

But,  herte  myn,  what  al  this  is  to  seyne 
Shal  wel  be  told,  so  that  ye  noght  yow 

greve. 
Though  I  to  yow  right  on  your-self  com- 

pleyne.  1005 

For  ther-with  meno  I  fynally  the  peyne. 
That  halt  your  herte  and  myn  in  hevi- 

nesse. 
Fully  to  sleen,  and  every  wrong  redresse. 

145.  My  goode,   myn,   not  I  for-why  ne 
how 

That  Jalousye,  alias  !  that  wikked  wivere. 
Thus  causelees  is  cropen  in-to  yow  ;  loii 
The  harm  of  which  I  wolde  fayn  delivere ! 
Alias  !  that  he,  al  hool,  or  of  him  slivere, 
Shuld  have  his  refut  in  so  digne  a  place, 
Ther  Jove  him  sone  out  of  your  herte 
arace  !  1015 

146.  But  O,  thou  Jove,  O  auetor  of  nature, 
Is  this  an  honour  to  thy  deitce, 

That  folk  ungiltif  suffren  here  injure, 
And  who  that  giltif  is,  al  quit  goth  he  ? 
O  were  it  leful  for  to  pleyne  on  thee,  1020 
That  imdeserved  suffrest  jfilousye. 
And  that  I  wolde  up-on  thee  pleyne  and 
crye  ! 

14".  Eek  al  my  wo  is  this,  that  folk  now 

usen 
To   seyn    right    thus,    "ye,   Jalousye    is 

Love  !"  u)j4 

And  wolde  a  busshcl  venim  al  excusen, 
For  that  o  greyn  of  love  is  on  it  shove  ! 
But  that  wot  heighe  god  that  sit  above, 


^rotfu0  ani  Cviet^H, 


[Book  III. 


If  it  be  lyker  love,  or  hate,  or  grame  ; 
And  after  that,  it  oughte  here  his  name. 

148.  But  certeyn  is,  som  maner  jalousye 
Is  excusable  more  than  som,  y-wis.      103 1 
As  whan  cause  is,  and  som  swich  fantasye 
With  pietee  so  wel  repressed  is, 

That  it  unnethe  dooth  or  seyth  amis, 
But  goodly  drinketh  up  al  his  distresse  ; 
And  that  excuse  I,  for  the  gentilesse.  1036 

149.  And  som  so  ful  of  furie  is  and  despyt. 
That  it  sourmounteth  his  repressioun  ; 
But  herte  myn,  ye  be  not  in  that  plyt. 
That   thanke    I    god,    for   whiche  your 

passioun  1040 

I  wol  not  calle  it  but  illusionn. 
Of  habundaunce  of  love  and  bisy  cure. 
That  dooth  your  herte  this  disese  endure. 

150.  Of  which  I  am  right  sory,  but  not 
wrooth  ;  1044 

But,  for  my  devoir  and  your  hertes  reste, 
Wher-so  yow  list,  by  ordal  or  by  ooth. 
By  sort,  or  in  what  W3'se  so  yow  leste. 
For  love  of  god,  lat  preve  it  for  tiie  beste ! 
And  if  that  I  be  giltif,  do  me  deye,     1049 
Alias  !  what  mights  I  more  doon  or  seye? ' 

151.  With  that  a  fewe  brighte  teres  newe 
Out  of  hir  eyen  fille,  and  thus  she  seyde, 

'  Now  god,  thou  wost,  in  thought  ne  dede 

uutrewe 
To  Troilus  was  never  yet  Criseyde.' 
With  that  hir  heed  doun  in  the  bed  she 

leyde,  1055 

.Vnd  with  the  sheto  it  wreigh,  and  syghed 

sore. 
And  held  hir  pecs ;  not  o  word  spak  she 

more. 

15'2.  But  now  help  god  to  qucnchen  al 

this  sorwo. 
So  hope  I  that  he  shal,  for  ho  best  may; 
For  I  have  soyn,  f)f  a  ful  misty  niorwe  1060 
Folwen  ful  ofte  a  mery  someres  day; 
And  after  winter  folweth  grene  May. 
Men  seen  alday,  and  reden  eek  in  stories, 
Tliat  after  sharpe  shoures  been  victories. 

15H.  This  Troilus,   whan   he   hir  wordes 
herde,  1065 

Have  ye  no  care,  him  liste  not  to  slepe ; 


For  it  thoughte  him  no  strokes  of  a  yerde 
To  here  or  seen  Criseyde  his  lady  wepe  ; 
But  wel  he  felte  aboute  his  herto  crepe, 
For  every  teer   which   that  Criseyde  a- 

sterte,  1070 

The  crampe  of  deeth,  to  streyne  him  by 

the  herte. 

154.  And  in  his  minde  he  gan  the  tyme 
acurse 

That  he  cam  therO,  and  that  he  was  born  ; 
For  now  is  wikke  y-turned  in-to  worse, 
And  al  that  labour  he  hath  doon  biforn, 
He  wende  it  lost,  he  thoughte  he  nas  but 

lorn.  1076 

'  O  Pandanis,'  thoughte  he,  '  alias  !    thy 

wyle 
Serveth    of    nought,     so    weylawey    the 

whyle  ! ' 

155.  And  therwithal  he  heng  a-doun  the 
heed. 

And  fil  on  knees,  and  soi-wfully  he  sighte ; 
What  mighte  he  seyn  ?  he  felte  he  nas 

but  deed,  loSi 

For  wrooth  was  she  that  shulde  his  sorwes 

liglite. 
But   nathelees,    whan    tJiat    he    speken 

mighte. 
Than   scyde  he  thus,   '  god  woot,  that  of 

this  game, 
Whan  al  is  wist,  than  am  I  not  to  blame  I ' 

150.  Ther-with   the   sorwe   so   his   hoi-te 
shette,  1086 

That  from  his  eyen  fil  ther  not  a  tere. 
And  every  spirit  his  vigour  in-knette. 
So  they  astimed  and  oppressed  were. 
The  feling  of  his  sorwe,  or  of  his  fere,  loof) 
Or  of  ought  elles,  fled  was  out  of  towne  ; 
And  doun  he  fel  al  sodeynly  a-swowne. 

157.  This  was  no  litel  sorwe  for  to  see  ; 
But  al  was  hust,  and  Paiidare  up  as  faste, 
'  O  nece,  pees,  or  we  be  lost,' quod  he,  1095 
'  Beth  noiight  agast ;'  but  certeyn,  at  the 

laste. 
For  this  or  that,  he  in-to  bedde  him  caste, 
And   seyde,   'O  theef,   is  this  a  mannes 

herte?' 
And  of  he  rente  al  to  his  bare  sherte  ; 


Book  III.] 


^toifu0  (xni  ^mepie. 


263 


158.  And  seyde,  '  nece,  but  ye  helpe  lis 
no'w,  1 100 

Alias,  your  owne  Troilus  is  lorn  ! ' 
'  Y-wis,  so  wolde  I,  and  I  wiste  how, 
Ful  fayn,'  quod  she  ;  '  alias !  that  I  was 

born  ! ' 
'  Ye,  nece,  wol  ye  pvillen  out  the  thorn 
That  stiketh  in  his  herte?'  quod  Pandare ; 
'  Sey  "  al  foryeve,"  and  stint  is  al  this 

fare  ! '  1 106 

159.  '  Ye,  that  to  me,'  quod  she,  '  ful 
lever  were 

Than  al  the  good  the  sonne  aboute  gooth ' ; 
And  therwith-al  she  swoor  him  in  his  ere, 
'  Y-wis,   my   dere    herte,    I    am    nought 

wrooth,  1 1 10 

Have  here  my  trouthe  and  many  another 

00th  ; 
Now  speek  to  me,  for  it  am  I,  Criseyde  ! ' 
But  al  for  nought  ;   yet  mights  he  not 

a-brej'de. 

160.  Therwith  his  pons  and  pawmes  of 
his  hondes 

Tliey  gan  to  frote,  and  wete  his  temples 
tweyne,  1 1 15 

And,  to  deliveren  him  from  bittre  bondes. 

She  ofte  him  kiste  ;  and,  shortly  for  to 
seyne, 

Him  to  revoken  she  dide  al  hir  peyne. 

And  at  the  laste,  he  gan  his  breeth  to 
drawe. 

And  of  his  swough  sone  after  that  adawc, 

161.  And  gan  bet  minde  and  reson  to  him 
take,  1 121 

But  wonder  sore  he  was  abayst,  y-wis. 
And  with  a  syk,  whan  he  gan  bet  a-wake. 
He  seyde,  '  O  mercy,  gf>d,  what  thing  is 

this?' 
'  Why  do  ye  with  yotir-sclven  thias  amis? ' 
Quod   tho   Criseyde,   '  is  this  a   mannes 

game?  1126 

What,    Troilus !    wol    ye     do    thus,     for 

shame?' 

162.  And  therwith-al  hir  arm  over  him 
.she  leydo. 

And  al  foryaf,  and  ofte  tyme  him  keste. 
He  thonkcd  hir,  and  to  hir   spak,    and 
seyde  1130 


As  fil  to  purpos  for  his  herte  reste. 

And  she   to   that   answerde  him  as  hir 

leste  ; 
And  with  hir  goodly  wordes  him  disporte 
She  gan,  and  ofte  his  soi-wes  to  comforte, 

163.  Quod  Pandarus,    '  for    ought   I  can 
espyen,  1135 

This  light  nor  I  ne  serven  here  of  nought ; 
Light  is  not  good  for  syke  folkes  yen. 
But  for  the  love  of  god,  sin  ye  be  brought 
In   thus   good    plyt,  lat   now   non  hevj' 

thought 
Ben    hanginge    in    the    hertes    of   yow 

tweye:'  1140 

And  bar  the  candel  to  the  chimeneye. 

164.  Sone  after  this,  though  it  no  nede 
were, 

Wlian  she  swich  otlies  as  hir  list  devyse 
Hadde  of  him  take,  hir  thoughte  tho  no 

fere, 
Ne  cause  eek  non,  to  bitlde  him  thennes 

ryse.  1145 

Yet  lesse  thing  tlian  othes  may  suffyse 
In  many  a  cas  ;  for  every  wiglit,  I  gesse. 
That  loveth  wel  meneth  but  gentilesse. 

165.  But  in  effect  she  wolde  wite  anoon 
Of  what  man,  and  eek  where,  and  also 

why  1150 

He  jelous  was,  sin  ther  was  cause  noon  ; 
And  eek  the  signe,  that  he  took  it  by, 
She  bad  him  that  to  telle  hir  bisily, 
Or  elles,  certeyn,  she  bar  him  on  honde, 
That  this  was  doon  of  malis,  hir  to  fonde. 

166.  With-outen    more,    shortly    for    to 
seyne,  11 56 

He  moste  obeye  vui-to  liis  ladj'  heste  ; 
And  for  the  lasse  harm,  he  moste  feyne. 
He  seyde  hir,  whan  she  was  at  swiche 

a  feste 
She  miglite   on   liiiii   lian   loked   at   the 

leste  ;  11 60 

Not  I  not  what,  al  dere  y-nough  a  risshc. 
As  he  that  nedes  moste  a  cause  fisshe. 

167.  And  she  answerde,  '  swcte,  al  were 
it  so, 

Wliat  harm    was   that,    sin   I    non   yvel 
mene  ? 


264 


'Zvoi(u.&  Mii)  Cviet^tt. 


[Book  III. 


For,  by  that  god  that  boughte  us  bothe 
two,  1165 

In  alio  thinge  is  mjTi  entente  clene. 

Swieli  arguments  ne  been  not  worth  a 
bene  ; 

Wol  j'B  the  childish  jalous  contrefete? 

Now  were  it  worthy  that  j'e  were  y-bete.' 

168.  Tho  Troilus  gan  sorwfuUy  to  syke, 
Lest   she   be  wrooth,  him   thoughte  his 

herte  deyde  ;  1171 

And  seyde,  '  alias  !  upon  my  sorwes  syke 
Have  mercy,  swete  herto  myn,  Criseyde ! 
And  if  that,  in  tho  wordes  that  I  seyde, 
Be  any  wrong,  I  wol  no  more  trespace  ; 
Do  what  yow  list,  I  am  al  in  your  grace.' 

169.  And  she  answerde,  '  of  gilt  misori- 
corde ! 

That  is  to  seyn,  that  I  foryeve  al  this  ; 
Anil  ever-more  on  this  night  yow  records. 
And  beth  wel  war  ye  do  no  naore  amis.'i  180 
'  Naj',  dero  herte  mj  n,'  quod  he,  '  y-wis.' 
'And  now,'  quod  she,    'that  I  have  do 

yow  smerte, 
Foryeve  it  me,  myn  owene  swete  herte.' 

170.  This  Troilus,  with  blisse  of  that  sup- 
prysed,  1184 

Put  al  in  goddes  hond,  as  he  that  mente 
No-thing  but  wel ;  and,  sodejTily  avysed. 
He  Iiir  in  armcs  fastc  to  him  hente. 
And  Pandarus,  with  a  ful  good  entente, 
Leyde  him  to  slepe,  and  seyde,  'if  ye  ben 

wyse, 
Swowncth  not  now,  lest  more  folk  aryse.' 

171.  What  mighto  or  may  the  sely  larko 
seye,  1191 

Whan  that  the  .sjiarhauk  hath  it  in  his 

foot? 
I  can  no  more,  but  of  thisc  ilko  twoye. 
To  wliom  this  tale  sucro  be  or  soot, 
Though  that  I   tario   a   yeor,    som-tyme 

I  moot,  1 195 

After  myn  auctor,  tellon  hir  gladnesse, 
As  wol  as  I  have  told  liir  hcvinosse. 

172.  Criseyde,  wliich  that  i'olte  hir  thus 
y-take, 

As  writen  clerkcs  in  hir  bokes  oldo, 


Right  as  an  aspes  leaf  she  gan  to  quake, 
Whan  she   him   felte  hir   in  his   armes 

folde.  1201 

But  Troilus,  al  hool  of  cares  colde, 
Gan    thanken    tho    the    blisful    goddes 

sevene  ; 
Thus    sondry    peynes    bringen    folk    to 

hevene. 

173.  This    Troilus    in    armes    gan    hir 
streyne,  1205 

And  seyde,  '  O  swete,  as  ever  mote  I  goon. 
Now  be  ye  caught,  now  is  ther  but  we 

tweyne  ; 
Now  yeldeth  yow,  for  other  boot  is  noon.' 
To  that  Crisej'de  answerde  thus  anoon, 
'  Ne   hadde    I   er  now,    my  swete  herte 

dere,  1210 

Ben  yolde,  y-wis,  I  were  now  not  here  ! ' 

174.  O  !  sooth  is  seyd,  that  heled  for  to  be 
As  of  a  fevre  or  othere  greet  syknesse, 
Men  moste  drinke,  as  men  may  often  see, 
Ful  bittre  drink  ;  and  for  to  hau  glad- 
nesse, 1215 

Men  drinken  often  peync  and  greet  dis- 

tresse  ; 
I  mene  it  here,  as  for  this  avcnture. 
That  thourgh  a  peyne  hath  founden  al 

his  cure. 

175.  And   now   swetnessc    semeth    more 
swete. 

That  bitternesse  assayed  was  biforn  ;  1220 
For  out  of  wo  in  blisse  now  they  flete. 
Non  swich  they   fclten,   sith   they  were 

born  ; 
Now  is  this  bet,  than  bothe  two  bo  lorn  ! 
For   love    of  god,    take   every   womman 

hedo 
To  werkon  thus,  if  it  comth  to  the  node. 

176.  Criseyde,  al  qiiit  from  every  dredc 
and  tene,  1.226 

As  she  tliat  juste  cause  hadde  him  to  triste. 
Made  him  swich  feste,  it  joye  wius  to  sene. 
Whan  she  his  trouthe  and  clene  entente 
wiste.  1229 

And  as  abouto  a  tree,  with  many  a  twiste, 
Bitront  and  wryth  the  sote  wode-binde, 
Gan  cehe  of  hem  in  armcs  other  winde. 


Book  III.] 


Crotftt0  arxl  Crt'aepiie. 


265 


177.  And  as  the  newe  abaysshed  nightin- 
gale, 

That  stinteth  first  whan  she  biginneth 

singe, 
Wlian  that  she  hereth  any  herde  tale,  1235 
Or  in  the  hegges  any  wight  steringe, 
And  after  siker  dooth  hir  voys  out-ringe  ; 
Eight  so  Criseyde,  whan  hir  drede  stente, 
Opned  hir  herte,  and  tolde  him  hir  entente. 

178.  And  right  as  he  that  seeth  his  deeth 
j'-shapen,  1240 

And  deye  moot,   in  ought  that  he  may 

gesse. 
And  sodeynly  rescons  doth  him  escapen, 
And  from  his  deeth  is  brought  in  siker- 

nesse, 
For  al  this  world,  in  swich  present  glad- 

nesse  1244 

Was  Troilus,  and  hath  his  lady  swete  ; 
With  worse  hap  god  lat  us  never  mete  ! 

179.  Hir  armes  smale,  hir  streyghte  bak 
and  softe, 

Hir    sydes   longe,    fleshly,    smothe,    and 

whyte 
He  gan  to  stroke,  and  good  thrift  bad  ful 

ofte 
Hir  snowish  throte,  hir  brestesrounde  and 

lyte ;  1250 

Thus  in  this  hevene  he  gan  him  to  delyte. 
And  ther-with-al  a   thousand   tyme  hir 

kiste  ; 
That,  what  to  done,  for  joye  unnetlie  he 

wiste. 

180.  Than  seyde  he  thus,    '  0,   Love,    O, 
Charitee, 

Thy  moder  eek,  Citherea  the  swete,     1255 
After  thy-self  next  heried  be  she, 
Venvis  mene  I,  the  wel-wiUy  planeto  ; 
And  next  that,  Imeneus,  I  thee  grote  ; 
For  never  man  was  to  yow  goddes  holde 
As   I,  which   ye   han  brought  fro   cares 
colde.  1260 

181.  Benigne  Love,    thou   holy   bond   of 
thinges, 

Wlio-so  wol  grace,  and  list  thee  nought 

honouren, 
Lo,  his  desyr  wol  flee  with-outen  wingos. 

K 


For,  noldestow  of  bountee  hem  socouren 
That  ser  ven  best  and  most  aiwey  labouren, 
Yet  were  al  lost,  that  dar   I  wel  seyn, 
certes,  1266 

But-if  thy  grace  passed  our  desertes. 

182.  And  for  thou  me,  that  ooude  leest 

deserve 
Of  hem  that   nombred   been   un-to   thj- 

grace. 
Hast  holpen,  ther  I  lykly  was  to  sterve. 
And  me  bistowed  in  so  heygh  a  place  1271 
That  thilke  boundes  may  no  blisse  pace, 
I  can  no  more,  but  laude  and  reverence 
Be  to  thy  bounte  and  thyn  excellence  ! ' 

188.  And  therwith-al  Criseyde  anoon  he 
kiste,  1275 

Of  which,  certeyn,  she  felte  no  disese. 

And  thus  seyde  he,  '  now  wolde  god  I 
wiste, 

Myn  herte  swete,  how  I  yow  mighte  plese ! 

What  man,'  quod  he,  '  was  ever  thus  at  ese 

As  I,  on  whiche  the  faireste  and  the 
beste  1280 

That  ever  I  say,  deyneth  hir  herte  reste. 

184.  Here  may  men  seen  that  mercy 
passeth  right ; 

The  experience  of  that  is  felt  in  me. 
That  am  vmworthy  to  so  swete  a  wight. 
But  herte  niyn,  of  your  benignitee,      1285 
So  thenketh,  though  that  I  unworthy  be. 
Yet  mot  I  nede  amenden  in  som  wyse. 
Right  thourgh  the  vertu  of  your  hej'ghe 
servyse. 

185.  And  for  the  love  of  god,  my  lady 
dere. 

Sin  god  hath  wrought  me  for  I  shal  yow 
serve,  1290 

As  thus  I  mene,  that  ye  wol  be  my  stere, 
To  do  me  live,  if  that  yow  liste,  or  sterve, 
So  techeth  me  how  that  I  may  deserve 
Your    thank,    so    that    I,    thurgh    myn 
ignoraunce,  1294 

Ne  do  no-thing  that  yow  bo  displesaunce. 

186.  For  certes,  fresshe  wommanliche  wyf. 
This  dar   I  sejie,  that  troutho  and  dili- 
gence. 

That  shal  ye  finden  in  me  al  my  lyf. 


266 


^rotfu0  an^  Cviei^U. 


[Book  III. 


Ne  I  wol  not,  certeyn,  breken   your  de- 
fence ; 
And  if  I  do,  present  or  in  absence,      1300 
For  love  of  god,  lat  slee  me  with  the  dede. 
If  that  it  lyke  un-to  your  womanhede.' 

157.  '  Y-wis,'  quod  she,  '  myn  owne  hertes 
list, 

My  ground  of  ese,  and  al  myn  herte  dere, 
Graunt   mercy,    for  on    that    is    al  my 

trist ;  1305 

But  late  lis  falle  awey  fro  this  matere ; 
For  it  suftyseth,  this  that  seyd  is  here. 
And  at  o  word,  with-outen  repentaunce, 
Wel-come,    my    knight,     my    pees,    my 

suffisaunce  ! ' 

158.  Of  hir  del5i:,  or  joyes  oon  the  leste 
Were  impossible  to  my  wit  to  seye  ;    131 1 
Bat  juggeth,  ye  that  han  ben  at  the  feste 
Of  swich  gladnesse,  if  that  hem  listepleye ! 
I  can  no  more,  but  thus  thise  iike  tweye 
That  night,  be-twixen  dreed  and  siker- 

nesse,  1315 

Felten  in  love  the  grete  worthinesse. 

159.  O   blisful  night,    of   hem    so   longo 
y-sought, 

How  blithe  nn-to  hem   bothe  two  thou 

were ! 
Why  ne  hadde  I  swich  on  with  my  soule 

y-bought. 
Ye,  or  the  leeste  joye  that  was  there  ?  1320 
A-wey,  thou  foule  daunger  and  thou  fere. 
And  lat  hem  in  this  hevene  blisse  dwclle. 
That  is  so  heygh,  that  al  ne  can  I  telle  ! 

190.  But  sooth  is,  though  I  can  not  tellen  al, 
As  can  myn  auctor,  of  his  excellence,  1325 
Yet  have  I  seyd,  and,  god  to-fom,  I  shal 
In  every  thing  al  hooUy  his  sentence. 
And  if  that  I,  at  loves  reverence. 

Have  any  word  in  eched  for  the  beste. 
Doth    therwith-al    right   as    your-selven 
leste.  1330 

191.  For  mj'ne  wordes,  here   and   every 
part, 

I  speke  hem  alle  under  correccioun 
Of  yow,  that  feling  han  in  loves  art. 
And  putte  it  al  in  j-our  discrecioun 
T'  encrese  or  maken  diminucioun         1335 


Of  my  langage,  and  that  I  yowbi-seche  ; 
But  now  to  purpos  of  my  rather  speche. 

192.  Thise  ilke  two,   that  ben  in  armes 
laft. 

So  looth  to  hem  a-sonder  goon  it  were. 
That  ech  from  other  wende  been  biraft. 
Or  elles,  lo,  this  was  hir  moste  fere,    1341 
That  al  this  thing  but  nyce  dremes  were; 
For  which  ful  ofte  ech  of  hem  seyde,  '  O 

swete, 
Clippe  ich  yow  thus,  or  elles  I  it  mete  ? ' 

193.  And,  lord !  so  he  gan  goodly  on  hir 
see,  1345 

That  never  his  look  ne  bleynte  from  hir 

face. 
And  seyde,  '  O  dere  herte,  may  it  be 
That   it  be   sooth,   that  ye  ben  in   this 

place  ?' 
'  Ye,  herte  niyn,  god  thank  I  of  his  grace ! ' 
Quod  tho  Criseyde,  and  therwith-al  him 

kiste,  1350 

That  where  his  spirit  was,  for  joyeheniste. 

194.  This  Troilus  ful  ofte  hir  eyen  two 
Gan  for  to  kisse,  and  seyde,  '  O  eyen  clere, 
It  were  ye  that  wroughte  me  swich  wo. 
Ye  humble  nettes  of  my  lady  dere  !      1355 
Though  ther  be  mercy  writen   in  your 

chere, 
God  wot,  the  text  ful  hard  is,  sooth,  to 

findc, 
Howcoudo  ye  with-outen  bond  me  binde?' 

195.  Therwith  ho  gan  hir  faste  in  amies 
take,  1359 

And  wel  an  hundred  tymes  gan  he  syke. 
Nought  swiche  sorwfiil  sj-kes  as  men  make 
For  wo,  or  olles  whan  that  folk  ben  syke. 
But  esy  sykes,  swiche  as  been  to  lyke. 
That  shewed  his  affeccioun  with-inne  ; 
Of  swiche  sykes  coude  he  nought  bilinne. 

196.  Sone  after  this  they  speke  of  sondry 
thinges,  1366 

As  fil  to  purpos  of  this  aventure. 
And  i)loyinge  entrechaungeden  hir  ringes. 
Of  which  I  can  nought  tellen  no  scripture ; 
But  wel  I  woot  a  broche,  gold  and  asure. 
In  whiche  a  ruby  set  w;is  lyk  an  herte,  1371 
Criseyde  him  yaf,  and  stak  it  on  his 
sherte. 


Book  111.] 


Crotfu0  an^  Crteepie. 


267 


197.  Lord  !  troweye,  acoveitotis,  awrecche, 
That  blameth  love  and  holt  of  it  despyt, 
That,  of  tho  jiens  that  he  can  mokre  and 

kecche,  1375 

Wivs  ever  yet  y-yeve  hini  swich  delyt, 
As  is  in  love,  in  00  poynt,  in  som  plyt  ? 
Xay,  dontelees,  for  also  god  me  save. 
So  parfit  joye  may  no  nigard  have  ! 

198.  They    wol    sey    '  j-is,'  but  lord !     so 
that  they  lye,  1380 

Tho  bisy  wrecches,  ful  of  wo  and  drede  ! 
They  callen  love  a  woodnesse  or  folye. 
But  it  shal  falls  hem  as  I  shal  yow  rede  ; 
They  shnl  forgo  the  whyte  and  eke  the 

rede. 
And  live  in  wo,  ther  god  yeve  hem  mis- 

chaunce,  1385 

And  every  lover  in  his  trouthe  avaunce  ! 

199.  As  -wolde   god,  tho   wrecches,    that 
dispyse 

.Servyse  of  love,  hadde  eres  al-so  longe 

As  hadde  Mj-da,  ful  of  coveityse  ; 

And  ther-to  dronken  hadde  as  hoot  and 

stronge  1390 

As  Crassus  dido  for  his  affectis  wronge. 
To  techen  hem  that  they  ben  in  the  vyce. 
And  loveres  nought,  al-though  they  holde 

hem  nyce  ! 

200.  Thise  ilke  two,  of  whom  that  I  yow 
seye,  1394 

Whan  that  hir  hertes  wcl  assured  were, 
Tho  gonne  they  to  speken  and  to  pleye, 
And  eek  reherccn  how,  and  whanne,  and 

where, 
They  knewe  hem  first,  and  every  wo  and 

fere 
That  passed  was  ;  but  al  swich  hevinesse, 
I  thanke  it  god,  was  tourned  togladnesse. 

201.  And  ever-mo,  whan  that  hem  fel  to 
speke  1401 

Of  any  thing  of  swich  a  tymc  ago<jn, 
With  kissing  al  that  tale  sholde  breke, 
And  fallen  in  a  nowo  joye  anoon, 
And  diden  al  hir  might,  sin  they  were 
oon,  1405 

For  to  recoveren  blisso  and  been  at  ese, 
And  passed  wo  with  joye  countrepeyse. 


202.  Keson  wil  not  that  I  speke  of  sleep, 
For  it  accordeth  nought  to  my  matere  ; 
God  woot,  they  toke  of  that  ful  litel  keep. 
But  lest  this  night,  that  was  to  hem  so 

dere,  141 1 

Ne  sholde  in  veyn  escape  in  no  manere. 
It  was  biset  in  joye  and  bisinesse 
Of  al  that  souneth  in-to  gentilnesse.    1414 

203.  But  whan  the  cok,  comune  astrologer, 
Gan  on  his  brest  to  bete,  and  after  erowe, 
And  Lucifer,  the  dayes  messager, 

Gan    for   to   ryse,    and    out    hir    hemes 

throwe  ; 
And  estward  roos,  to  him  that  conde  it 

knowe,  '4'9 

Fortuna  maior,  -fthan  anoon  Criseyde, 
With  herte  sore,  to  Troilus  thus  sej-de : — 

204.  '  Myn  hertes  lyf,  my  trist  and  my 
plcsaunce. 

That  I  was  born,  alias  !  what  me  is  wo. 
That  day  of  us  mot  make  desseveraunce  ! 
For  tyme  it  is  to  ryse,  and  hennes  go,  14J5 
Or  elles  I  am  lost  for  evermo  ! 
O  night,  alias  !  why  niltow  over  us  hove. 
As  longe  as  whanne  Almena  lay  by  Jove  ? 

205.  0  blake  night,  as  folk  in  bokes  rede. 
That  shapen  art  by  god   this  world   t<> 

hydo  1430 

At  certcyn  tymes  with  thy  derke  wede. 
That  under  that   men  mighte   in   resto 

abyde, 
Wei  oughte  bestes  pleyne,  and  folk  tliec 

chyde, 
Tliat  there-as  day  with  labour  wolde  us 

breste, 
That   thou   thus   fleest,   and  deyncst   us 

nought  reste  !  1435 

206.  Thou   dost,    alias  !    to  sliortly  tl).\  u 
ofTyce, 

Thou  rakel  night,   thcr  god,   makere  01 

kinde. 
Thee,  for  thyn  hast  and  tliyn  xmkindc- 

vyce, 
So  faste  ay  to  our  hemi-spero  binde, 
That  never-more  under  the  ground  thou 

winde !  i44<> 

For  now,  for  thou  so  hyest  out  of  Troyo, 
Have  I  forgon  thus  hastily  my  joye  I' 


K  5 


j68 


Ctroifue  arx^  ^viuj^U. 


[Book  III. 


207.  This  Troiliis,  that  with  tho  wordes 
felte, 

As  thoughts  him  tho,  for  pietous  distresse, 
The  blody  teres  from  his  herte  melte,  1445 
As  he  that  never  yet  swich  hevinesse 
Assayed  hadde,  out  of  so  greet  gladnesse, 
Oan  therwith-al  Criseyde  his  lady  dere 
In  armes  streyne,  and  seyde  in  this 
manere : — 

208,  '  O  cruel  day,  accusour  of  the  joyo 
Tliat  night  and  love  han  stole  and  faste 

y-wryen,  1451 

A-cursed  be  thy  coming  in-to  Troye, 
For  every  bore  hath  oon  of  thy  bright  yen ! 
Envj-ous  day,  wliat  list  thee  so  to  spyen  ? 
"Wliat   hastow   lost,    why   sekestow   this 

place,  1455 

Ther  god  thy  lyght  so  quenche,  for  his 

grace  ? 

■.^09.  Alias  !  what  han  thise  loveres  thee 

agilt, 
Dispitous  day?  thyn  be  the  pyne  of  helle  ! 
For  many  a  lovere   hastow   shent,    and 

wilt ; 
Thy   pouring  in  wol  no-wher  lete   hem 

dwelle.  1460 

What  proferestow  thy  light  here  for  to 

selle  ? 
Gro  selle  it  hem  that  smale  seles  graven, 
We  wol  thee  novight,  us  nedeth  no  day 

haven.' 

210.  And  eek  the  sonne  Tytan  gan  he 
chydo, 

And  sej'de,  '  O  fool,  wel  may  men  thee 
dispyse,  1465 

That  hast  tho  Dawing  al  night  l)y  thy 
syde. 

And  suffrest  hir  so  sono  up  fro  thee  ryse, 

For  to  disesen  loveres  in  this  wyse. 

What  !  hold  your  bed  ther,  thou,  and  eek 
thy  Morwe  ! 

I  bidde  god,  so  yeve  yow  bothe  sorwo  ! ' 

211.  Therwith  ful  sore  he  sighte,  and 
thus  he  seyde,  1471 

'  My  lady  right,  and  of  my  wele   or  wo 
The  wcUe  and  rote,  O goodly  myn,Crisoyde, 
And  shal  I  ryse,  alias  !  and  shal  I  go  ? 
Xowfele  I  that  mj-n  herte  moot  a-two  !  1475 


For  how  sholde  I  my  lyf  an  houre  save, 
Sin  that  with  yow  is  al  the  lyf  I  have  ? 

212.  Wliat  shal  I  doon,  for  certes,  I  not 
how, 

Ne  whanne,  alias !  I  shal  the  tyme  see. 
That  in  this  plyt  I  may  be  eft  with  yow ; 
And  of  my  lyf,  god  woot  how  that  shal 

be,  1481 

Sin  that  desyr  right  now  so  byteth  me, 
That  I  am  deed  anoon,  but  I  retourne. 
How  sholde  I  longe,  alias  !  fro  yow  so- 

journe  ? 

213.  But    nathelees,    myn    oweno    lady 
bright,  1485 

Yit  were  it  so  that  I  wiste  outrely, 
That  I,  your  humble  servaunt  and  your 

knight, 
Were  in  your  herte  set  so  fermely 
As  ye  in  myn,  the  which  thing,  trewely, 
Me  lever  were  than  thise  worldes  tweyue. 
Yet  sholde  I  bet  enduren  al  my  peyne.' 

214.  To   that    Criseyde   answerde    right 
anoon,  1492 

And  with  a  syk  she  seyde,  '  O  herte  dere, 
The  game,  y-wis,  so  ferforth  now  is  goon, 
That  first  shal  Phebus  falle  fro  his  spere, 
And  every  egle  been  the  dowves  fere,  1496 
And  every  roche  out  of  his  place  sterte, 
Er  Troilus  out  of  Criseydes  herte  ! 

215.  Ye  be  so  depe    in-with   myn  herte 
grave. 

That,  though  I  wolde  it  turne  out  of  my 
thought,  1500 

As  wisly  verray  god  my  soule  save. 
To  dyon  in  the  peyne,  I  coudc  nought  ! 
And,    for   the  love  of  god  that  us  hath 

wrought, 
Lat  in  your  brayn  non  other  fantasye 
So  crepe,  that  it  cause  me  to  dye!         1505 

216.  And  that  ye  me  wolde  han  as  faste 
in  minde 

As  I  have  yow,  that  wolde  I  yow  bi-seche  : 
And,  if  I  wiste  soothly  that  to  finde, 
God  mighte  not  a  poynt  my  joyes  eche  ! 
But,  herte  myn,  with-oute  more  speche, 
Beth  to  me  trewe,  or  elles  were  it  routhe  ; 
For  I  am  thyn,  by  god  and  by  my  troxithe  I 


Book  III] 


Crotfue  an^  Cmepie. 


269 


217.  Beth  glad  for-thy,  and  live  iu  siker- 
nesse ; 

Thus   seyde  I   never  er  this,  ne  shal  to 
mo  ;  1514 

And  if  to  yow  it  were  a  gret  gladnesse 
To  turne  ayein,  scone  after  that  ye  go, 
As  fayn  wolde  I  as  ye,  it  were  so. 
As  wisly  god  niyn  herte  bringe  at  reste  ! ' 
And  him  in  armes  took,  and  ofte  keste. 

218.  Agayns  his  wil,  sin  it  mot  nedes  be. 
This    Troihis    up    roos,    and    faste   him 

cledde,  1521 

And  in  his  armes  took  his  lady  free 
An  hundred  tyme,  and  on  his  wey  him 

spedde. 
And    with    swich   wordes   as    his    herte 

bledde, 
He  seyde,  '  farewel,  my  dere  herte  swete, 
Ther  god  us  graunte  sounde  and  sone  to 

mete !'  1526 

219.  To   which   no   word   for   sorwe  she 
answerde. 

So  sore  gan  his  parting  hir  destreyne  ; 
And  TroUus  un-to  his  palays  ferde, 
As  woo  bigon  as  she  was,  sooth  to  seyne  ; 
So  hard  him  wrong  of  sharp  desyr  the 

peyne  1531 

For  to  ben  eft  there  he  was  in  plesaunce, 
That   it   may  never   out   of  his  remem- 

br.aunce. 

220.  Rctorned  to  his  real  palais,  sone  1534 
He  softe  in-to  his  bed  gan  for  to  slinke. 
To  slepc  longe,  as  he  was  wont  to  done. 
But  al  for  nought ;  he  may  wel  ligge  and 

winke. 
But    sleep   ne   may   ther   in     his    herte 

sinke ; 
Thenkinge  how  she,  for  whom  dosyr  him 

brende, 
A  thousand-fold  was  worth  more  than  he 

wende.  1540 

221.  And  in  his  thought  gan  up  and  doun 
to  winde 

Hir  wordes  alle,  and  every  contenaunce, 
And  fermely  imprcssen  in  his  minde 
The  leste  poynt  that  to  him  was  plesaunce ; 
And  verrayliche,  ol'  thilke  remembraunce. 


Desyr  al  newe  him  brende,  and  lust  to 
brede  1546 

Gan  more  than  erst,  and  yet  took  he  non 
hede. 

222.  Criseyde  also,  right  in  the  same  wyse, 
Of  TroUus  gan  in  hir  herte  shette  1549 
His  worthinesse,  his  lust,  his  dedes  wyse. 
His  gentilesse,   and  how  she   with   him 

mette, 
Thonkinge  love  he  so  wel  hir  bisette ; 
Desyring  eft  to  have  hir  herte  dere 
In   swich   a  plj-t,   she  dorste  make  him 

chere. 

223.  Pandare,  a-morwe  which  that  comen 
was  1555 

Un-to  his  nece,  and  gan  hir  fayre  grete, 
Seyde,  '  al  this  night  so  reyned  it,  alias  ! 
That  al  my  drede  is  that  ye,  nece  swete, 
Han  litel  layser  had  to  slepe  and  mete  ; 
Al  night,'  quod  he,  '  hath  reyn  so  do  me 
wake,  1560 

That  som.  of  us,  I  trowe,  hir  hedes  ake.' 

224.  And  ner  he  com,  and  seyde,  '  how 
stont  it  now 

This  mery  morwe,  nece,  how  can  ye  fare  ? ' 
Criseyde  answerde,  '  never  the  bet  for  yow, 
Fox  that  ye  been,  god  yeve  your  herte 

care  !  1565 

God  helpe  me  so,  ye  caused  al  this  fare. 
Trow  I,'  quod  she,  '  for  alle  yoiir  wordes 

whyte  ; 
O  !  wlio-so   seeth  yow  knoweth  yow  ful 

lyte!' 

225.  With  that  she  gan  hir  face  for  to 
wryo 

With  the  shete,  and  wex  for  shame  al 
reed ;  1570 

And  Pandarus  gan  under  for  to  prye. 
And  seyde,  '  nece,  if  that  I  shal  ben  deed. 
Have  here  a  swerd,  and  smj'teth  of  myn 

heed.' 
With  that  his  arm  al  sodeynly  he  thriste 
Under  hir  nekke,   and  at  the  laste  hir 
kiste.  1575 

226.  I  passe  al  that  whic-h  chargeth 
nought  to  seyc, 

What !  God  foryaf  his  deeth,  and  she 
al-so 


^roifue  an^  ^viet^U. 


[Book  III. 


Foryaf,  and  witli  hir  uncle  gan  to  pleye, 
For  other  cause  was  ther  noon  than  so. 
But  of  this  thing  right  to  the  effect  to  go, 
"\^^lrtn  tyme  was,  horn  til  hir  hous  she 
wente,  1581 

And  Pandarus  hath  fully  his  entente. 

•227.  Xow  tome  we  ayein  to  Troilus, 
That  restelees  ful  longe  a-bedde  lay, 
And  prevely  sente  after  Pandarus,       15S5 
To  him  to  come  in  al  the  haste  he  may. 
He   com  anoon,    nought   ones   seyde   he 

'  nay,' 
And  Troilus  ful  sobrely  he  grette, 
And   doun   upon   his   beddes    syde    him 

sette.  15.S9 

22s.  This  Troilus,  with  al  the  affeccioun 
Of  frendes  love  that  herte  may  devyse, 
To  Pandarus  on  knees  fil  adoun, 
And  er  that  he  wolde  of  the  place  aryse, 
He  gan  him  thonken  in  his  beste  wyse  ; 
A  hondred  sythe  he  gan  the  t.ynie  blesse, 
That   he   was  born   to   bringe    him    fro 
distresse.  1596 

229.  He  seyde,  '  O  frend,  of  frendes  th' 

alderbeste 
That  ever  was,  the  sothe  for  to  telle, 
Thou  hast  in  hevene  y-brought  my  soule 

at  resto 
Fro  Flegiton,  the  fery  flood  of  hello  ;  1600 
That,  though  I  mighte  a  thousand  tymos 

selle. 
Upon  a  daj',  my  lyf  in  thy  servyse. 
It  mighte  nought  a  mote  in  that  sufFyse. 

2.30.  The  Sonne,  which  that  al  the  world 

may  see, 
Saw  never  yet,  my  lyf,  that  dar  I  leye, 
So  inly  fair  and  goodly  as  is  she,  1606 

■WTios  I  am  al,  and  shal,  til  that  I  deye ; 
And,  that  I  thtis  am  hires,  dar  I  seye, 
That  thanked  l)e  the  lieighc  worthinesse 
Of  love,  and  eek  thy  kinde  bisinesso.  1610 

231.  Tlius  hastow  me  no  litel  thing  y-yive, 

Fo  which  to  thee  obliged  be  for  ay 

Jly  lyf,  and  why?  for  thorugh  thyn  help 

I  live  ; 
For  tdles  deed  haddo  I  bo  many  a  day.' 


And  with  that  word  doun  in  his  bed  he 

lay,  1 6 15 

And  Pandarus  ful  sobrely  him  horde 
Til   al   was   seyd,    and   thaune    he    him 

answerde : 

232.  '  My  dere  frend,  if  I  have  doon  for 
thee 

In  any  cas,  god  wot,  it  is  me  leef ; 
And  am  as  glad  as  man  may  of  it  be,  1620 
God  help  me  so  ;  but  tak  now  not  a-greef 
That  I  shal  seyn,  be  war  of  thismyscheef, 
That,  there-as  thou  now  brought  art  in-to 

blisse. 
That  thou  thy-self  ne  cause  it  nought  to 

misse. 

233.  For  of  fortunes  sharp  adversitee  1625 
The  worst  kinde  of  iufortune  is  this, 

A  man  to  have  ben  in  prosperitee. 
And  it  remembren,  whan  it  passed  is. 
Thou  art  wys  y-uough,  for-thy  do  nought 

amis  ; 
Be    not    to    rakel,    though    thou    sitte 

warme,  1630 

For   if  thou    be,    certeyn,    it    wol    thee 

harme. 

234.  Thou  art  at  ese,  and  hold  thee  wel 
ther-inne. 

For  also  seur  as  reed  is  every  fyr, 
As  greet  a  craft  is  kope  wel  as  winne  ; 
Brydle  alwey  wel   thy  speche   and   thy 
desyr.  1635 

For  worldly  joyc  halt  not  but  by  a  wyr  ; 
That  preveth  wel,  it  brest  alday  so  ofte  ; 
For-thy  node  is  to  werke  with  it  softe.' 

235.  Quod  Troilus,  '  I  hope,  and  god  to- 
forn, 

My  dere  frend,  that  I  shal  so  me  here. 
That  in  my  gilt  ther  shal  no  thing  be 
lorn,  1 64 1 

N'  I  nil  not  rakle  as  for  to  greven  here  ; 
It  nedeth  not  this  matere  ofte  tore  ; 
For  wistestow  mj-n  herte  wel,  PjAidare, 
God  woot,  of  this  thou  woldest  litel  care.' 

236.  Tlio  gan  he  telle  him  of  his  glade 
night.  1646 

And  whor-of  first  his  herte  dredde,  and 
how, 


Book  III.] 


^t:otfu6  anb  tvist^p'^t. 


271 


And  seyde,  'freend,  as  I  am  trewe  knight, 
And  by  that  fej-th  I  shal  to  god  and  yow, 
I  hadde  it  never  half  so  hote  as  now ;  1650 
And  ay  the  more  that  desyr  me  bytcth 
To  love  hir  best,  the  more  it  me  delyteth. 

237.  I  noot  my-self  not  wisly  what  it  is  ; 
Biit  now  I  felo  a  newe  qualitee, 

Ye,  al  another  than  I  dide  er  this.'      1655 
Pandare  answerde,  and  seyde  thns,  that  he 
That  ones  may  in  hevenc  blisse  be. 
He  feleth  other  weyes,  dar  I  leye, 
Than  thilke  tyme  he  first  herde  of  it  seye. 

238.  This  is  o  word  for  al ;  this  Troilus 
Was  never  fill,  to  speko  of  this  matere, 
And  for  to  preysen  nn-to  Pan  darns      1662 
The  bountee  of  his  righte  lady  dere. 
And    Pandarus    to   thanke    and    maken 

chore. 
This  tale  ay  was  span-newe  to  biginne  1665 
Til  that  the  night  departed  hem  a-twinne. 

239.  Sone  after  this,  for  that  fortune  it 
wolde, 

I-comcn  was  the  blisful  tyme  swete. 
That  Troilus  was  warned  that  he  sholde, 
Ther    he   was    erst,    Criseyde    his    lady 

mete ;  1670 

For  which    he    felte    his  herte   in  joye 

flcte ; 
And  feythfully  gan  alle  the  goddes  herie ; 
And  lat  see  now  if  that  he  can  be  merie. 

240.  And  holden  was  the  forme  and  al 
the  wj'se. 

Of  hir  cominge,  and  eek  of  his  also,     1675 
As    it    was    ei'st,    which   nedcth   nought 

devyse. 
But  plaj-nly  to  tlio  effect  right  for  to  go. 
In  joye  and  seurte  Pandarus  hem  two 
A-bedde  broughte,  whan  hom  bothe  leste, 
And   thus   they   ben    in    quiete   and  in 

reste.  1680 

241.  Nought  nedeth  it  to  yow,  sin  they 
ben  met. 

To  asko  at  mc  if  that  they  blj'tho  wore  ; 
For  if  it  erst  was  wel,  tlio  was  it  bet 
A  thousand-fold,  this  nedcth  notenquerc. 
A-gon  was  every  sorwe  and  every  fere  ; 


And  bothe,   y-wis,    they  hadde,    and   so 
they  wende,  1686 

As  muche  joye  as  herte  may  comprende. 

242.  This  is  no  litel  thing  of  for  to  seye, 
This  passeth  every  wit  for  to  devyse  ;  1689 
For  eche  of  heni  gan  otheres  lust  obeys  ; 
Felicitee,  which  that  thise  clerkes  wyse 
Commenden  so,  ne  may  not  here  suffyse. 
This  joye  may  not  writen  been  with  inke, 
This  passeth  al  that  herte  may  bithinke. 

243.  But    cruel    day,    so   wel-awey    the 
stounde  !  16^5 

Gan  for  to  aproche,   as   they  by  signes 

knewe. 
For  whiche  hem  thoughte  felen   dethes 

wounde ; 
So  wo  was  hem,   that   changen  gan  hir 

hewe,  169S 

And  day  they  gonnen  to  dispyse  al  newc, 
Calling  it  traytour,  envyous,  and  worse, 
And  bitterly  the  dayes  light  they  curse. 

244.  Quod  Troilus,  '  alias  !  now  am  I  war 
That  Pirous  and  tho  swifto  stedes  three, 
Whiche  that   drawen   forth   the  sonnes 

char, 
Han  goon  soni  by-path  in  despji;  of  me  ; 
That  maketh  it  so  sone  day  to  be  ;        1706 
And,  for  the  Sonne  him  hasteth  thus  to 

ryso, 
Ne  shal  I  never  doon  him  sacrifyse  !' 

245.  But  nodes  day  departe  moste  hem 
sone. 

And  whanno  hir  speche  doon  was  and  hir 

chere,  1710 

They  twinnc  anoon  as  they  were  wont  to 

done. 
And  set  ten  tyme  of  meting  eft  y-foro  ; 
And  many  a  night  they  wroughte  in  this 

manere. 
And  thus  Fortune  a  tyme  laddo  in  joye 
Criseyde,   and   eek  this   kiuges   sone    of 

Troye.  1715 

246.  In  suffisaunce,  in  blisse,  and  in  sing- 
ingcs. 

This  Troilus  gan  al  his  lyf  to  ledo  ; 
Ho   spondeth,   justeth,    maketh    -f-fcstej-- 
inges ; 


27: 


^roifue  an^  Ctiei^U. 


[Book  III 


He  yeveth    frely    ofte,    and    chaungeth 
wede,  1719 

And  held  aboute  liim  alwey,  out  of  drede, 
A  world  of  folk,  as  cam  him  wel  of  kinde, 
The   fressheste   and   the  beste  he  coude 
finde  ; 

247.  Tliat  swich  a  voys  was  of  him  and 
a  stevene 

Thorugh-out  the  world,   of  honoiir  and 
largesse,  1724 

That  it  ixp  rong  tin-to  the  yate  of  hevene. 
And,  as  in  love,  he  was  in  swich  gladnesse, 
Tliat  in  his  herte  he  demede,  as  I  gesse. 
That  there  nis  lovere  in  this  world  at  ese 
So  wel  as  he,  and  thus  gan  love  him 
plese. 

248.  The  godlihede  or  beautee  which  that 
kinde  1730 

In  any  other  lady  hadde  y-set 

Can  not  the  mountaunce  of  a  knot  un- 

binde, 
A-boute  his  herte,  of  al  Criseydes  net. 
He  was  so  narwe  y-masked  and  y-knet. 
That  it  undoon  on  any  manere  syde,   1735 
That  nil  not  been,  for  ought  that  may 

betj-de. 

249.  And  by  the  hond  ful  ofte  he  wolde 
take 

This  Pandarus,  and  in-to  gardin  lede. 
And  swich  a  feste  and  swich  a  proces 

make  i739 

Him  of  Crisej'de,  and  of  hir  womanhede, 
And  of  hir  beautee,  that,  with-outen  drede. 
It  was  an  hevene  his  wordes  for  to  here  ; 
And    thanne    he    wolde    singe    in    this 

manere 

250.  '  Love,  that   of  erthe  and  see  hath 
governaunce, 

Love,  that  his  hestes  hath  in  hevene  hye. 
Love,  that  witli  an  holsom  alliaunce  1746 
Halt  peples  joyned,  as  him  list  hem  gye, 
Love,  that  knotteth  lawe  of  companye. 
And  couples  dotli  in  vertu  for  to  dwelle, 
Bind  this  acord,  that  I  have  told  and 
telle;  175" 

251.  That    that    the    world   with   feyth, 
which  that  is  stable, 

Dys'erseth  so  his  stoundes  concordinge, 


That  elements  that  been  so  discordable 
Holden  a  bond  perpetuely  duriuge, 
That   Phebus   mote   his  rosy  day   forth 

bringe,  1755 

And  that  the   mone  hath  lordship  over 

the  nightes, 
Al    this   doth    Love  ;    ay   heried   be   his 

mightes  ! 

252.  That  that  the  see,  that  gredy  is  to 
flowen, 

Constreyneth  to  a  certeyn  ends  so  1759 
His  flodes,  that  so  fersly  they  ne  growen 
To  drenchen  erthe  and  al  for  ever-mo  ; 
And  if  that  Love  ought  lete  his  brydel  go, 
Al  that  now  loveth  a-sonder  sholde  lepe, 
And  lost  were  al,  that  Love  halt  now  to- 
hepe. 

253.  So   wolde    god,    that    auctor    is    of 
kinde,  1 765 

That,  with  his  bond.  Love  of  his  vertu 

liste 
To  cerclen  hertes  alle,  and  faste  binde, 
That  from  his  bond  no  wight  the  wey  out 

wiste. 
And  hertes  colde,  hem  wolde  I  that  he 

twiste 
To  make  hem  love,  and  that  hem  leste  ay 

re  we  1770 

On  hertes  sore,  and  kepe  hem  that  ben 

trewe. ' 

254.  In  alle  nedes,  for  the  tounes  werre, 
He  was,  and  ay  the  firste  in  armes  dight ; 
And  certeynly,  but-if  that  bokes  erre,  1774 
Save  Ector,  most  y-drad  of  any  wight ; 
And  this  encrees  of  hardinosse  and  might 
Cam   him   of  love,   his   ladies  thank   to 

winne. 
That  altered  his  spirit  so  witli-inne. 

255.  In  tymo  of  trewe,  on  haukinge  wolde 
he  ryde. 

Or  elles  hunten  boor,  here,  or  lyoun;  1780 
The  smale  bestes  leet  ho  gon  bi-syde. 
And   whan    that    he   com    rydinge    in-to 

toun, 
Ful  ofte  his  lady,  from  hir  window  doun. 
As  fresh  as  faucon  come^  out  of  muwe, 
Ful  redy  was,  him  goodly  to  saluwe.   1785 


Book  IV.] 


'Zvoiha  ar(^  Crtee^le. 


273 


256.  And  most  of  love  and  vertu  was  liis 
speclie, 

And  in  despyt  hadde  alle  wreccliednesse ; 
And  doutelees,  no  nede  was  him  biseclie 
To   honouren    hem    that   hadde   worthi- 
nesse,  1789 

And  esen  hem  that  weren  in  distresse. 
And  glad  was  he  if  any  wight  wel  ferde, 
That  lover  was,  whan  he  it  wiste  or  lierde. 

257.  For  sooth  to  seyn,  he  lost  held  every 
wight 

But-if  he  were  in  loves  heigh  servyse, 
I  mene  folk  that  oughte  it  been  of  right. 
And   over  al  this,  so  wel  coude  he  de- 

\Tse  1796 

Of  sentement,  and  in  so  unkouth  wyso 
Al  his  array,  that  every  lover  thoughte, 
That   al  was   wel,  what-so   he  seyde  or 

wroughte. 

258.  And   though    that   he   be   come   of 
blood  royal,  1800 

Him  liste   of  pryde  at  no    wight  for  to 

chase  ; 
Benigne  he  was  to  ech  in  general, 


For  which  he  gat  him  thank  in   every 

place. 
Thus  wolde  Love,  y-heried  be  his  grace, 
That  Pryde,  Envye,  Ire,  and  Avaryce  1805 
He  gan  to  flee,  and  every  other  vj'ce. 

259.  Thou  lady  bright,  the  doughter  to 
Dione, 

Thy  blinde  and  winged  sone  eek,  daun 

Cupyde ; 
Ye  sustren  nyne  eek,  that  by  Elicone 
In  hil  Parnaso  listen  for  to  abyde,       1810 
That  ye  thus  fer  han  deyned  me  to  gyde, 
I  can  no  more,  but  sin  that  ye  wol  wende. 
Ye  heried  been  for  ay,  with-outen  ende  ! 

260.  Thourgh  yow  have  I  seyd  fully  in 
my  song 

Th'efFect  and  joye  of  Troilus  servyse,   1815 
Al  be  that  ther  was  som  disese  among, 
As  to  myn  auctor  listeth  to  devyse. 
My  thridde  book  now  ende  ich  in  this 

wyse  ; 
And  Troilus  in  luste  and  in  quiete      1819 
Is  with  Criseyde,  his  owne  herte  swete. 
Explicit  Liber  Tercius. 


BOOK  IV. 


[Prohemium.] 

1.  But  al  to  litel,  weylawey  the  whyle, 

Lasteth  swich  joye,  y-thonked  be  For- 
tune ! 

That  semeth  trewest,  whan  she  wol 
bygyle. 

And  can  to  foles  so  hir  song  entune, 

That  she  hem  hcnt  and  blent,  traytour 
comune  ;  5 

And  whan  a  wight  is  fi-om  liir  wheel 
y-throwe. 

Than  langheth  she,  and  maketh  hinx  the 
mowe. 

2.    From  Troilus  she  gan  liir  brighte  face 
Awey  to  wrythe,   and  took   of  liim  non 
hede, 


But  caste  him  clene  oute  of  his  lady 
grace,     -  10 

And  on  hir  wheel  she  sette  up  Diomede  ; 

For  which  right  now  myn  herte  ginneth 
blede. 

And  now  my  penne,  alias  !  with  which 
I  wryte, 

Quaketh  for  drede  of  that  I  moot  end3'te. 

3.  For  how  Criseyde  Troilus  forsook,      15 
Or  at  the  leste,   how  that  she  was  un- 

kinde. 
Mot    hennes-forth     ben    matero    of  my 

book, 
As  wrytcn   folk   thorugh  wliich   it  is  in 

mindo. 
Alias  !    tluit     they     shixlde     ever     cause 

finde 


74 


tTrotfue  an^  ^vtoejl^. 


[Book  IV. 


To  speke  hir  harm  ;  and  if  they  on  hir 
lye,  20 

Y-\vis,  hem-self  sholde  han  the  vilanye. 

4.  O  ye  Herines,  Nightes  doughtren  three, 
That  endelees  compleynen  ever  in  pyne, 
Megera,  Alete,  and  oek  Thesiphone  ; 
Thou  cruel  Mars  eek,  fader  to  Quirjnie,  25 
This  ilke  ferthe  hook  me  helpeth  fjTie, 
So  that  the  los  of  lyf  and  love  y-fere 

Of  Troilus  be  fullj'  shewed  here. 

Explicit  t  prohemium.    Incipit  Quartus 
Liber. 

5.  LiGGisGE  in  ost,  as  I  have  seyd  er  this, 
The  Grekes  stronge,aboute  Troye  toun,  30 
Bifel  that,  whan  that  Phebus  shyning  is 
Up-on  the  brest  of  Hercules  Lyoun, 
That  Ector,  with  ful  many  a  bold  baroun, 
Caste  on  a  day  with  Grekes  for  to  fighte. 
As  he  was  wont  to  greve  hem  what  he 

might  e.  35 

6.  Not  I  how  longe  or  short  it  was  bi- 

twene 
This  purpos   and   that    day   they  fighte 

mente  ; 
But   on  a   day   wel    armed,    bright   and 

shene, 
Ector,    and   many   a   worthy   wight   out 

wente. 
With  spere   in   hond    and   biggc   bowes 

bente  ;  40 

And  in  the  herd,  with-oiite  longer  lette, 
Hir  foinon  in  the  fold  anoon  hem  mette. 

7.  The   longe   day,    with   speres   sharpe 

y-gronnde. 
With  arwes,  dartes,  swerdes,  maces  felle. 
They  fighte  and  bringen  hors  and  man 

to  grounde,  45 

And  with  hir  axes  out  the  braynes  quelle. 
But  in  the  laste  shour,  sooth  for  to  telle. 
The   folk   of  Troye   hem  selven   so   mis- 

ledden. 
That  with  tlie  worse  at  night  homward 

they  fledden. 

8.  At  whiche  day  was  taken  Antenor,    50 
Maugre  Polydamas  or  Monesteo, 
Suntippe,  Sarpedon,  Pol^-nestor, 


Polyte,  or  eek  the  Trojan  daun  Riplieo, 
And  othere  lasse  folk,  as  Phebuseo. 
So  that,  for  harm,  that  day  the  folk  of 
Troye  55 

Dredden  to  lese  a  greet  part  of  hir  joj^e. 

9.  Of  Pryamus   was  yeve,  at  Greek  re- 

queste, 

A  tyme  of  trewe,  and  tho  they  gonnen 
trete, 

Hir  prisoneres  to  chaungen,  moste  and 
leste,  59 

And  for  the  surplus  yeven  sommes  grete. 

This  thing  anoon  was  couth  in  every 
strete, 

Bothe  in  th'assege,  in  tonne,  and  every- 
where. 

And  with  the  firste  it  cam  to  Calkas  ere. 

10.  Whan  Calkas  knew  this  tretis  sholde 
holde. 

In  consistorie,  among  the  Grekes,  sone  6^ 
He  gan  in  thringe  forth,  with  lordes  olde. 
And  sette  him  there-as  he  was  wont  to 

done  ; 
And  with  a  chaiinged  face  hem  bad  a 

bone, 
For  love  of  god,  to  don  that  reverence, 
To  stinte  noyse,  and  yeve  him  audience. 

11.  Thanne  seyde  he  thus,  '  lo  !  lordes 
myne,  I  was  71 

Trojan,  as  it  is  knowen  out  of  drede  ; 
And  if  that  yow  remombre,  I  am  Calkas, 
That  alderfirst  yaf  comfort  to  your  node, 
And  tolde  wel  how  that  ye  sholden  spede. 
For  dredelees,  thorugh  j-ow,   shal,   in  a 

stounde,  76 

Ben  Troye  y-brend,  and  bcten  doun  to 

grounde. 

12.  And  in  what  forme,  or  in  what  manor 
wyso 

This  town  to  shende,  and  al  j-our  lust  to 

acheve. 
Ye  han  er  this  wel  herd  it  me  devyse;  80 
This  knowe  ye,  my  lordes,  as  I  leve. 
And  for  the  Grekes  weron  me  so  leve, 
I  com  my-self  in  my  propre  persono, 
To  teche  in  this  how  yow  was  best  to 

done  ; 


Book  IV.] 


^roifu0  an(>  Cviez^U. 


275 


13.  Havinge   un-to   my   tresour   ne   my 
rente  85 

Eiglit  no  resport,  to  respect  of  your  ese. 
Thus   al   my  good  I    loste   and   to   yow 

wente, 
Wening  in  this  you,  lordes,  for  to  plese. 
But  al  tliat  los  ne  doth  me  no  disese. 
I  vouche-sauf,  as  wisly  have  I  joye,        90 
For  you  to  lese  al  that  I  have  in  Troye, 

14.  Save  of  a  doughter,  that  I  lafte,  alias ! 
Slepinge  at  hoona,  whanne  out  of  Troyo 

I  sterte. 

0  sterno,  O  cruel  fader  that  I  was  ! 
How  mighte  I  have  in  that  so  hard  an 

herte  ?  95 

Alias  !    I  no  hadde  y-brouglit  hir  in  hir 

shcrte  ! 
For   sorwe  of  which   I  wol  not   live  to 

morwe, 
But-if  ye  lordes  rewe  up-on  my  sorwe. 

15.  For,  by  that  cause  I  say  no  tymo  er 
now 

Hir  to  delivere,  I  holden  have  my  pees  ; 
But  now  or  never,  if  that  it  lyke  yow,  loi 

1  may  liir  have  right  sone,  doutelees. 

0  help  and  grace  !  amonges  al  this  prees, 
Rewe  on  this  olde  caitif  in  destresse. 
Sin  I  through  yow  have  al  this  hevinesse ! 

16.  Ye  have  now  cauglit  and  fetered  in 
prisoun  106 

Trojans  y-nowe  ;  and  if  your  willes  he. 
My  child  with  oon  may  have  redempcioun. 
Now  for  the  love  of  god  and  of  bountee, 
Oon  of  so  fele,  alias  !  so  yeve  him  me.  no 
Wliat  node   were  it  this  preyere  for  to 

worne. 
Sin  ye  shul  bothe  ban  folk  and  toun  as 

yerne  ? 

17.  On  peril  of  my  lyf,  T  shal  not  lye, 
AppoUo  hath  me  told  it  feithfully ; 

1  have  eek  foiinde  it  by  astronomye,     1 15 
By  sort,  and  by  augarie  eek  trewely. 
And  dar  wel  seye,  the  tyme  is  fasto  by, 
That  fyr  and  flaumbe  on  al  the  toun  shal 

spredo  ; 
And   thus  shal   Troyo   tiirnc   in   asshon 
dcde. 


18.  For   certoyn,   Phebiis  and  Ncptunus 
botho,  i-'o 

That  makeden  the  walles  of  the  toun, 
Ben   with   the   folk    of   Troye   alwey   so 

wrothe. 
That  thei  wol  bringe  it  to  confusioim. 
Right  in  despyt  of  king  Lameadoun.    124 
By-cause  he  nolde  payen  hem  hir  hyre. 
The  toun  of  Troye  shal  ben  set  on-fyre.' 

19.  Telling  his  tale  alwey,  this  olde  greye. 
Humble  in  speche,  and  iu  his  lokiuge  eke. 
The  salte  teres  from  his  eyen  tweye      129 
Ful  faste  ronnen  doun  by  eyther  clieke. 
So  longe  he  gan  of  socour  hem  by-seke 
That,  for  to  hele  him  of  his  sorwes  sore. 
They  yave  him  Anten(jr,  with-oute  more. 

20.  But  who  was  glad  y-noiigh  but  Calkas 
tho  ? 

And    of   this   thing  ful   sone   liis   nedes 
leydo  135 

On  hem  that  sholden  for  the  tretis  go, 
And  hem  lor  Antenor  ful  ofto  preyde 
To  bringen  boom  king  Toas  and  Criseyde  ; 
And  whan  Pryam  his  save-garde  sente, 
Th'embassadours  to  Troye  streyght  they 
wente.  140 

21.  Tho  cause  y-told  of  hir  cominge,  the 
olde 

Pryam  the  king  ful  sone  in  general 
Let  here-upon  his  iiarlement  to  holde. 
Of  which  the  effect  reherscn  yow  I  shal. 
Th'embassadours  ben  answered  for  fj'nal, 
Th'eschaunge   of  prisoners   and   al    this 
node  146 

Hem  lyketli  wel,  and  fortli  iu  they  pro- 
code. 

22.  This  Troilus  was  present  in  the  place. 
Whan  axed  was  for  Antenor  Criseyde, 
For  which  ful  .sone  chaungcn  gan  his  face. 
As  ho  that  with  tho  wordes  'wol  neigh 

doydi!.  151 

But  nathclees,  lie  no  word  to  it  sej-do. 
Lest  men  sholdo  his  affoccioun  cspyo  ; 
With  manncs   hoi-to  he  gan  his  sorwes 

drye. 

2.3.  And   ful    of  angviish    and    of    grisly 
drede  155 

Abood  what  lordes  wolde  uu-to  it  seye  ; 


276 


^roifu0  ant  Crteeple. 


[Book  IV, 


And  if  they  wolde  graunte,   as  god  for-      For  infortune  it  wolde,  for  the  nones,  185 

Lede,  !  They  sholden  hir  confusioun  desyre. 

Th'eschaunge  of  hir,   than  thoughte  he  j   '  Ector,' quod  they,  '  what  goost  may  yow 

thinges  tweye,  I  enspyre. 

First,  how  to  save  hir  honour,  and  what  :  This  wommau  thns  to  shilde  and  doon  its 


weye 
He  mighte  best  th'eschaunge  of  hir  with- 

stonde ;  160 

Ful   faste  he  caste   how  al  this  mighte 

stonde. 

24.  Love  him  made  al  prest  to  doon  hir 

byde, 
And  rather  dye  than  she  sholde  go ; 


lese 
Daun   Antenor? — a  wrong  wey  now  ye 
chase — 

28.  That  is  so  wys,  and  eek  so  bokl  l)aroun, 
And  we  ban  nede  of  folk,  as  men  may 
see ;  191 

He  is  eek  oon,  the  grettest  of  this  toun  ; 
O  Ector,  lat  tho  fantasyes  be  ! 
But  resonn  seyde  him,  on  that  other  syde,  |  O  king  Pryam,'  qtiod  they,  '  thus  seggen 
'  With-oute  assent  of  hir  ne  do  not  so,  165  j  we,  194 

Lest  for  thy  werk  she  woLle  be  thy  fo,        ]  Tliat  al  our  voys  is  to  for-gon  Criseyde;' 
And  seyn,  that  thorugh  thy  medling  is  j  And  to  deliveren  Antenor  they  preyde. 

y-blow^e  ' 

Your  bother  love,  there  it  was  erst  un-      '"^9-  O   Juvenal,  lord  !    trewe  is  thy  sen- 
knowe.'  *ence. 

That  litel  witen  folk  what  is  to  yerne 
25.  For  which  he  gan  deliberen,  for  the  |  That  they  ne  finde  in  hir  desyr  offence  ; 

beste,  I  For  cloud  of  errour  lat  hem  not  descerne 

That  though  the  lordes  wolde  that  she      What  best  is  ;  and  lo,  here  ensample  as 


yerne.  201 

This  folk  desiren  now  deliveraunce 
Of  Antenor,  that  broughte  hem  to  mis- 

chaunce ! 


wente,  1 70 

He  wolde  late  hem  graunte   what  hem 

leste. 
And  telle  his  ladj'  first  what  that  they 

mente. 
And  whan   that  she  had  seyd   him  liir      30.  For  he  was  after  traytour  to  the  toun 

entente  ^^  Troye  ;  alias  I  they  quitte  him  out  to 

Ther-after  wolde  he  werken  also  blyve,       I  rathe ;  205 

Though   al    the   world    ayein    it    Avolde      O  n.vce  world.^  lo,  thy  discrecioun  ! 

strvve.  17s     Criseyde,   which   that   never   dide    hem 

skathe, 
26.    Ector,    which    tliat   wel   the   Grekes      Slial  now  no  longer  in  hir  blisse  bathe  ; 

herde,  But  Antenor,  he  shal  com  hoom  to  toune, 

For  Antenor  liow   they  wolde  han  Cri-      ,\nd  she  shal  out  ■  thus  seyden  here  and 

seyde,  |  howne.  210 

Gan    it    withstonde,     and    sobrely    an- 


iU.   For   which    dcliborcd   was   by  jmrle- 

ment. 
For  Antenor  to  yeldcn  up  Criseyde, 
And  it  pronounced  by  the  i)resident, 
Al-theigh    that    Ector    '  nay '    ful    ofte 

preyde. 
And  fynaly,   wliat    wiglit    that  it  with- 
seyde,  215 

27.  The  noyse  of  peple  up-stirte  thanne      It  was  for  nought ;    it  moste  been,   and 

at  ones,  sholde  ; 

As  bremc  as  blase  of  straw  y-set  on  fyre  :      For  substaunce  of  the  parlement  it  wolde. 


swerde : — 
'Sires,  she  nis  no  prisoner,'  he  seyde ; 
'  I   noot  on   yow  who  that  this  charge 

lej'de,  180 

But,  on  my  part,  ye  may  eft-sone  him 

telle, 
We  usen  here  no  woinmen  for  to  sellc.' 


Book  IV.] 


^rotfue  ant  Cn'ee^be. 


2/7 


32.  Departed  out  of  parlement  echone, 
This  Troilus,  with-oute  wordes  nio, 
Un-to   his   chatimbre   spedde   him    faste 

allone,  220 

But-if  it  were  a  man  of  his  or  two, 
The  whiche  he  bad  out  faste  for  to  go, 
By-cause  he  wolde  slepen,  as  he  seyde, 
And  hastely  up-on  his  bed  him  leyde. 

33.  And  as  in  winter  leves  been  biraft,  225 
Eche  after  other,  til  the  tree  be  bare, 

So  that  ther  nis  but  bark  and  braimche 

y-laft, 
L5i;h  Troilus,  biraft  of  ech  wel-fare, 
Y-bounden  in  the  blake  bark  of  care. 
Disposed  wood  out  of  liis  wit  to  brej-de, 
So  sore  him.  sat  the  chaunginge  of  Cri- 

seyde.  231 

34.  He  rist  him  up,  and  every  dore  he 
shette 

And  windowe  eek,  and  tho  this  sorweful 

man 
Up-on  his  beddes  syde  a-doun  him  sette, 
Fill  lyk  a  deed  image  pale  and  wan  ;     235 
And  in  his  brest  the  heped  wo  bigan 
Out-breste,    and   he   to   werken   in    this 

wyse 
In  his  woodnesse,  as  I  shal  yow  devyse. 

35.  Bight   as   the   wilde   bole   biginnetli 
springe 

Now  here,   now   there,   y-darted   to   the 

herte,  240 

And  of  his  deeth  roreth  in  compleyninge. 
Eight   so   gan  he  aboute  the  chanmbre 

sterte, 
Smj'ting    his    brest    ay    with    his    festes 

smortc  ; 
His   heed   to   the   wal,    his   body  to  the 

grounde 
Ful  ofto  he  swapte,  him-selven  to  con- 

founde.  245 

36.  His  eyen  two,  for  pitec  of  his  herte. 
Out  stremeden  as  swifte  wclles  tweye  ; 
The  heighe  sobbes  of  his  sorwes  smerte 
His  speche  him  rafte,  unnethes  mights 

he  seye,  249 

'  O  deeth,  alias  !  why  niltow  do  me  deye? 
A-cursed  be  tho  day  which  that  nature 
Shoop  me  to  ben  a  lyves  creature  ! ' 


87.  But    after,   whan  the  furie   and  the 

rage 
Which  that  his  herte  twiste  and  faste 

threste,  254 

By  lengthe  of  tyme  somwhat  gan  asswage, 
Up-on  his  bed  he  leyde  him  doun  to  reste  ; 
But  tho  bigonne  his  teres  more  out-breste, 
That  wonder  is,  the  body  may  suffyse 
To  half  this  wo,  which  that  I  yow  devyse. 

38.  Than  seyde  he  thus,  '  Fortiine  !  alias 
the  wliyle  !  260 

Wliat   have   I  doon,   what  have  I  thus 

a-gilt  ? 
How  mightestow  for  reuthe  me  bigyle  ? 
Is  ther  no  grace,  and  shal  I  thus  be  spilt  ? 
Shal  thus  Criseyde  awey,  for  that  thou 

wilt  ?  264 

Alias  !  how  maystow  in  thyn  herte  finde 
To  been  to  me  thus  cruel  and  unkinde? 

39.  Have  I  thee  nought  honoured  al  my 
lyve, 

As  thou  wel  wost,  above  the  goddes  alle  ? 
"Wliy  wiltow  me  fro  joye  thus  deprj^e  ? 
O  Troilus,  what  may  men  now  thee  callo 
But  wi-ecche  of  wrecches,  out  of  honour 

falle  271 

In-to  miserie,  in  which  I  wol  biwayle 
Criseyde,   alias  !   til  that  the  breeth  me 

fayle  ? 

40.  Alias,  Fortune  !  if  that  my  lyf  in  joye 
Displesed  hadde  un-to  thj'  foule  envye, 
Wliy  ne   haddestovif  my  fader,    king   of 

Troye,  276 

By-rait  the  lyf,  or  doon  my  bretheren  dye, 
Or  slayn   my-self,  that  thus   compleyne 

and  crye, 
I,   combre-world,  that  may  of  no-thing 

serve, 
But  ever  dye,  and  never  fullj'  sterve?  280 

41.  If  that  Criseyde  allone  were  me  laft, 
Nought  roughte  I  whider  thou  woldest 

me  stere  ; 
And  hir,  alias  !  than  hastow  me  biraffc. 
But  over-more,  lo  !  this  is  thy  manerc, 
To  reve  a  wight  that  most  is  to  him  dere, 
To  preve  in  that  thy  gcrful  violence.    28(> 
Thus  am  I  lost,  ther  helpeth  no  defence. 


>78 


^rotfue  an^  Cttae^ie. 


[Book  IV. 


■i'2.  O  verray  lord  of  love,  O  god,  alias  ! 
That  knowest  best  mjTi  herte  and  al  my 

thought, 
What  shal  nij'  sorvvful  lyf  don  in  tliis  cas 
If  I  for-go  that  I  so  dere  have  bought  ?  291 
Sin  ye  Cryseyde  and  me  han  fully  brought 
In-to  your  grace,  and  bothe  our  liertes 

seled, 
How  may  ye  suffre,  alias  !  it  be  repeled  ? 

43.  What  I  may  doon,  I  shal,  whyl  I  may 
dure  295 

On  lyve  in  torment  and  in  criiel  peyne. 
This  infortune  or  this  disaventiire, 
AUone  as  I  was  born,  y-wis,  complej'ne  ; 
Ne  never  wil  I  seen  it  shyne  or  reyne  ; 
But  ende  I  wil,  as  Edippe,  in  derknesse 
My  sorwful  lyf,  and  dyen  in  distresse.  301 

44.  O  wery  goost,  that  errest  to  and  fro, 
Whj'  niltow  fleen  out  of  the  wofuUeste 
Body,  that  ever  mighte  on  grounde  go  ? 

O  soule,  lurkinge  in  this  wo,  unneste,  305 
Flee  forth  out  of  myn  herte,  and  lat  it 

breste, 
And  folwe  alwey  Criseyde,  thy  lady  dere ; 
Thy  righte  place  is  now  no  lenger  here  ! 

45.  O  wofulle  eyen  two,  sin  your  disport 
Was  al  to  seen  Criseydes  eyen  brighte, 
What  shal  ye  doon  but,  for  my  discom- 
fort, 311 

Stonden  for  nought,  and  wepen  out  your 

sightc  ? 
Sin  she  is  queynt,  tliat  wont  was  yow  to 

lighte, 
In  veyn  fro-this-fortli  have  I  eyen  tweye 
Y-formed,  sin  your  vertiie  is  a-weye.     315 

46.  O  my  Criseyde,  O  lady  sovereyne 
Of  tliilke  woful  soule  that  thus  cryeth. 
Who  shal  now.\even  comfort  to  my  peyne? 
Alias,  no  wight ;    but  when  myn  herte 

dyeth, 
My  spirit,  which  that  so  un-to  yow  hyeth, 
Eecey-ve  in  gree,  for  that  shal   ay  yow 

serve ;  321 

For-thy  no  fors  is,  thoiigh  the  body  sterve. 

47.  O  ye  loveres,  that  heighe  upon  the 
wheel 

Ben  set  of  Fortune,  in  good  aventure, 


God  leve  that  ye  finde  ay  love  of  steel,  325 
And  longe  mot  j-our  Ij'f  in  joye  endure  ! 
But  whan  ye  comen  by  my  sepulture, 
Remembreth   that    your   felawe    resteth 

there ; 
For   I  lovede  eek,   though   I   unworthj- 

were.  329 

48.  O  olde  imholsom  and  mislyved  man, 
Calkas  I  mene,  alias  !  what  eyleth  thee 
To   been    a   Greek,    sin    thou    art    born 

Trojan  ? 
O  Calkas,  which  that  wilt  my  bane  be. 
In  cursed  tyme  was  thou  born  for  me  ! 
As  wolde  blisful  Jove,  for  his  joye,        335 
That   I  thee  hadde,   where  I  wolde,  in 

Troye  ! ' 

49.  A  thousand  sykes,  hottere  than  the 

glede. 
Out  of  his  brest  ech  after  other  wente, 
Medled  with  pleyntes   newe,   his  wo   to 

fede,  339 

For  which  his  woful  teres  never  stente  ; 
And  shortly,  so  his  peynes  him  to-rente. 
And  wex  so  mat,  that  joye  nor  penaunce 
He  feleth  noon,  but  lyth  forth  in  atraunce. 

50.  Pandare,  which  that  in  the  parlement 
Hadde  herd  what  every  lord  and  burgeys 

seyde,  345 

And  how  ful  grauntcd  was,  by  oon  assent. 
For  Antenor  to  yelden  so  Criseyde, 
Gan  wel  neigh  wood  t>ut  of  his  wit  to 

breyde. 
So  that,  for  wo,  he  nisto  what  he  mente  ; 
But  in  a  rees  to  Troilus  he  wente.         350 

51.  A  certeyn  kniglit,  that  for  the  tyme 
kepte 

The  chaumbre-dorc,  un-dide  it  him  anoon  ; 
And  Pandare,  that  ful  tendreliche  wepte, 
In-to  the  derke  chaumbre,  as  stille  as 

stoon, 
Toward  the  bed  gan  softely  to  goon,     355 
So  confus,  that  he  niste  what  to  seye  ; 
For  verray  wo  his  wit  was  neigh  aweye. 

52.  And  with   his   cliere   and   loking  al 
to-torn. 

For  sorwe  of  this,  and  with  his  amies 
folden, 


Book  IV.] 


Crotfue  <xr(i)  ^rieepic. 


279 


He  stood  this  woftil  Troilns  biforn,       360 
And  on  his  pitous  face  he  gan  biholden ; 
But  lord,  so  often  gan  his  herte  colden, 
Seing  his  freend  in  wo,  whos  hevinesse 
His  herte  slow,  as  thoughte  him,  for  dis- 
trcsse. 

53.  This  woful  wight,  this  Troilns,  that 
lelte  365 

His  freend  Pandare  y-conien  him  to  see, 
Gan  as  the  snow  ayein  the  sonne  melte. 
For  which  this  sorwful  Pandare,  of  pitee, 
Gan  for  to  wepe  as  tendreliche  as  he  ; 
And  specheles  thus  been  thise  ilke  tweye. 
That  neyther  mighte  o  word  for  sorwe 
seye.  371 

54.  But  at  the  laste  this  woful  Troilus, 
Ney  deed  for  smert,  gan  bresten  out  to 

rore. 
And  with  a  sorwful  noyse  he  seyde  thus. 
Among  his  sobbes  and  his  sykes  sore,   375 
'  Lo !    Pandare,    I   am   deed,    with-outen 

more. 
Hastow  nought  herd  at  parlement,'  he 

seyde, 
'  For  Antenor  how  lost  is  my  Criseyde  ? ' 

55.  Tliis  Pandarus,  ful  deed  and  pale  of 
hewe, 

Ful  pitously  answerde  and  seyde,  '  yis  ! 
As  wisly  were  it  fals  as  it  is  trewe,        381 
That  I  have  herd,  and  wot  al  how  it  is. 
O  mercy,  god,  who  wolde  have  trowed 

this? 
Who  wolde  have  wend  that,  in  so  litel 

a  throwe,  384 

Fortune  our  joye  wolde  han  over-throwe? 

56.  For  in  this  world  ther  is  no  creature, 
As  to  my  doom,  that  ever  saw  ruj-ne 
Straungere   than    this,    thorugh    cas    or 

aventure. 
But  who  may  al  esehewe  or  al  devyne  ? 
Swich  is  this  world  ;   for-thy  I  thus  de- 

fyne,  390 

•(•Ne  truste  no  wight  finden  in  Fortime 
Ay  propretee  ;  hir  yeftes  been  comune. 

57.  But  tel  me  this,  why  thou  art  now  so 
mad 

To   sorwen   thus?     Why  lystow  in  this 
\vysc, 


Sin  thy  des.\T  al  holly  hastow  had,        395 
So  that,  by  right,  it  oughte  y-now  suifyse  ? 
But  I,  that  never  felte  in  my  servyse 
A  frendly  chere  or  loking  of  an  ye, 
Lat  me  thus  wepe  £ind  wayle,  til  I  dye. 

58.  And  over  al  this,  as  thoii  wel  wost 
thy-selve,  4(X) 

This  town  is  ful  of  ladies  al  aboute  ; 
And,    to   my  doom,    fairer   than   swiche 

twelve 
As   ever  she   was,  shal   I  finde,   in  som 

route. 
Ye,  oon  or  two,  with-outen  anj'  doute.  404 
For-thy  be  glad,  myn  owene  dere  brother. 
If  she  be  lost,  we  shul  recovere  another. 

59.  What,  god  for-bede  alwey  that   ech 
plesaunce 

In  o  thing  were,  and  in  non  other  wight ! 
If  oon  can  singe,  another  can  wel  daunce ; 
If  this  be  goodly,  she  is  glad  and  light ; 
And   this   is   fayr,    and    that    can   good 
a-right.  411 

Ech  for  his  vertu  holden  is  for  dere, 
Bothe  heroner  and  faucon  for  rivere. 

60.  And  eek,  as  writ  Zanzis,  that  was  ful 
wys, 

"  The   newc    love   out    chaceth    ofte   the 
olde;"  415 

And  up-on  newe  cas  lyth  newe  a%'j^s. 
Thenk  eek,  thy-self  to  saven  artow  holde : 
Swich  fyr,  by  proces,  shal  of  kinde  colde. 
For  sin  it  is  biit  casuel  plesaunce, 
Som   cas   shal   putt?    it   out   of  remem- 
braunce.  4-" 

01.  For  al-so   sev^r  as  daj^  cometh   after 

night. 
The  newe  love,  labour  or  other  wo, 
Or  elles  soldo  seinge  of  a  wight, 
Don  olde  affecciouns  alle  over-go. 
And,  for  thy  jiart,  thou  shalt  have  oon  of 

tho  4-25 

To  abrigge  with  thy  bittro  pojTies  smerte ; 
Absence  of  hir  shal  drj'vo  hir  out  of  herte.' 

62.  Thise  wordes  seyde  he  for  the  nones 

alle, 
To   helpo   his   freend,  lest  he  for   sorwe 

deyde. 


28o 


^rotfue  anil  ^viet^U. 


[Book  IV. 


For  doutelees,  to  doon  his  wo  to  falle,  430 
He   roughte   not  what  unthriit  that  he 

sej'de. 
But  Troilus,  that  neigh  for  sorwe  deyde, 
Tok  litel  hede  of  al  that  ever  he  mente  ; 
Oon   ere   it   herde,   at   the   other  out  it 

wente : — 

63.  But  at  the  laste  answerde  and  seyde, 
'  freend,  435 

This  leehecraft,  or  heled  thus  to  be, 
Were  wel  sitting,  if  that  I  were  a  feend, 
To  traysen  hir  that  trewe  is  unto  mo  ! 
I  pray  god,  lat  this  consayl  never  y-thee  ; 
But    do    me    rather    sterve    anon-right 
here  440 

Er  I  thus  do  as  thou  me  woklest  lere. 

64.  She  that  I  serve,  y-wis,  what  so  thou 
seye. 

To  whom  mj-n  herte  enhabit  is  by  right, 
Shal  han  me  holly  hires  til  that  I  deye. 
For,  Pandarus,   sin   I  have  trouthe  hir 
hight,  445 

I  wol  not  been  untrewe  for  no  wight  ; 
But  as  hir  man  I  wol  ay  live  and  sterve, 
And  never  other  creature  serve. 

65.  And  ther  thou  seyst,  thou  shalt  as 
faire  finde 

As  she,  lat  bo,  make  no  comparisoun  450 
To  creature  y-formed  here  by  kinde. 

0  leve  Pandare,  in  conclusioun, 

1  wol  not  be  of  thyn  opinioun, 
Touching  al  this  ;  for  whiche  I  thee  bi- 

seche, 
So  hold  thy  pees  ;  thou  sleest  me  with 
thy  speclie.  455 

66.  Thow  hiddest  me  I  sholde  love  an- 
other 

Al  freshly  newe,  and  lat  Criseyde  go  ! 
It  lyth  not  in  my  power,  leve  brother. 
And  tliough  I  mighto,  I  wolile  not  do  so. 
But  can  stow  plej'en  raket,  to  and  fro,  460 
Netlo  in,  dokke  out,  now  this,  now  that, 

Pandare  ? 
Now  foule  falle  hir,  for  thy  wo  that  care  ! 

67.  Thow  farest  eek  by  me,   thou    Pan- 
darus, 

As  he,  that  whan  a  wight  is  wo  bi-goon, 


He  cometh  to  him  a  pas,  and  seytli  right 
thus,  465 

"Thenk  not  on  smert,  and  thou  shalt  fele 
noon. " 

Thou  most  me  first  transmuwen  in  a 
stoon. 

And  reve  me  my  passiounes  alle, 

Er  thou  so  lightly  do  nay  wo  to  falle. 

68.  The  deeth  may  wel  out  of  my  brest 
departe  470 

The  lyf,  so  longe  may  this  sorwe  myne  ; 
But  fro  my  soule  shal  Criseydes  darte 
Out  never-mo ;  but  doun  with  Proserpyne, 
Whan  I  am  deed,  I  wol  go  wone  in  pyne ; 
And  ther  I  wol  eternally  complejTie  475 
My  wo,  and  how  that  twinned  be  wo 
tweyne. 

69.  Tliow  hast  here  maad  an  argument, 
for  fyn. 

How  that  it  sholde  lasse  peyne  be 
Criseyde  to  for-goon,  for  she  was  myn. 
And  live  in  ese  and  in  felicitee.  480 

Why  gabbestow,  that  seydest  thus  to  me 
That   "  him  is  wors  that  is  fro  wele  y- 

throwe, 
Than   he   hadde   erst   non  of  that  wele 

y-knowe?" 

70.  But  tel  me  now,  sin  that  thee  thinketh 

so  light 
To  chaungen  so  in  love,  ay  to  and  fro,  485 
Why  hastow  not  don  bisily  thy  might 
To  chaungen  hir  that  doth  thee  al  thy  wo? 
\^^ly  niltow  lete  hir  fro  thyn  herte  go? 
Wliy  niltow  love  an-other  lady  swete, 
That  may  thyn  herte  setten  in  quiete  ? 

71.  If  thou  hast  had  in  love  ay  yet  mis- 
chaunce,  491 

And  canst  it  not  out  of  thyn  herte  dryve, 
I,  that  livedo  in  lust  and  in  plesaunce 
With  hir  as  muche  as  creature  on-ly^'e, 
How  sholde  I  that  foryete,  and  that  so 
Uyve  ?  495 

O  where  hastow  ben  hid  so  longe  in  muwe, 
That  canst  so  wel  and  formely  arguwe  ? 

72.  Nay,  nay,  god  wot,  nought  worth  is  al 
thy  reed. 

For  which,  for  what  that  ever  may  bifalle, 


Book  IV.] 


^rotfu0  (xni)  Cvi&t^U. 


281 


With-outen  wordes  mo,  I  wol  be  deed.  500  I  And  wolde  hir-selvcn  been  of  thyn  assent  y 


O  deeth,  that  endere  art  of  sorwes  alle, 
Com  now,  sin  I  so  ofte  after  thee  calle ; 
For  sely  is  that  deeth,  soth  for  to  seyne. 
That,  ofte  y-cleped,  cometh  and  endeth 
peyne. 

73.  Wei  wot  I,  wnyl  my  lyf  was  in  qiiiete, 
Er  thoii  me  slowe,  I  wolde  have  yeven 

hyre ;  506 

But  now  thy  commge  is  to  me  so  swete, 
That  in  this  world  I  no-thing  so  desyre. 
O  deeth,  sin  with  this  sorwe  I  am  a-fjTe, 
Thououtherdomeanoon  in  teres  drenche, 
Or    with    thy    colde    strook    myn    hete 

qitenche  !  511 

74.  Sin  that  thoii  sleest  so  fele  in  sondi-y 
wj'se 

Ayens  hir  wil,  unpreyed,  day  and  night, 
Do  me,  at  my  reqneste,  this  servyse, 
Delivere  now  the  world,  so  dostow  right. 
Of  me,  that  am  the  wofuUeste  wight  516 
That  ever  was ;  for  tyme  is  that  I  sterve. 
Sin  in  this  world  of  right  nought  may 
I  serve.' 

75.  Tliis  Troilus  in  teres  gan  distille, 

As  licour  out  of  alambyk  ful  faste  ;  520 
And  PandifTus  gan  holde  his  tunge  stille. 
And   to  the   ground  his   eyen   doun   he 

caste. 
But  nathelees,  thtis  thoughte  he  at  the 

lasto, 
'  What,    pardc,    rather  than   my   felawe 

deye, 
Yet  shal  I  som-what  more  un-to  him  seye : ' 

76.  And   seyde,    '  freend,  sin  thou  hast 
swich  distresse,  526 

And  sin  thee  list  myn  arguments  to  blame. 
Why  nilt  thy-selven  helpen  doon  redresse. 
And   with    thy  manhod    letten    al    this 

grame? 
Go  ravisshe  hir  ne  c^nstow  not  for  shame  ! 
And  outher  lat  hir  out  of  toune  fare,    531 
Or  hold  hir  stille,  and  levo  thy  nyce  fare. 

77.  Artow  in  Troyo,  and  liast  non  hardi- 
ment 

To  take  a  womman  which   that  loveth 
thee, 


Now  is  not  this  a  nyce  vanitee  ?  536 

Rys  tip  anoon,  and  lat  this  weping  be. 
And  kyth  thou  art  a  man,   for  in  this 

houre 
I  wil  be  deed,  or  she  shal  bleven  oure.' 

78.  To   this  answerde   him   Troilus    ful 
softe,  540 

And  seyde,  '  jjarde,  leve  brother  dere, 
Al  this  have  I  my-self  yet  thought  ful  ofte, 
And  more  thing  than  thou  devj'sest  here. 
But  why  this  thing  is  laft,  thou  shalt  wel 
here ;  544 

And  whan  thou  me  hast  yeve  an  audience, 
Ther-after  mayst  thou  telle  al  thy  sen- 
tence. 

79.  First,  sin  thou  wost  this  toun  hath  al 
this  werre 

For  ravisshing  of  wonamen  so  by  might. 
It  sholde  not  be  suffred  me  to  erre,       549 
As  it  slant  now,  ne  doon  so  gret  unright. 
I  sholde  han  also  blame  of  every  wight, 
My  fadres  graunt  if  that  I  so  withstode. 
Sin  she  is  chaunged  for  the  tounes  goode. 

80.  I  have  eek  thought,   so  it  Were  hir 
assent, 

To  aske  hir  at  mj'  fader,  of  his  grace  ;  555 
Than  thenke  I,  this  were  hir  accusemeuL, 
Sin  wel  I  woot  I  may  hir  not  purchace. 
For  sin  my  fader,  in  so  heigh  a  place 
Asparlement,hathhir  eschaunge  cnseled. 
He  nU  for  me  his  lettre  be  reiseled.       560 

81.  Yet  drede  I  most  liir  herte  to  per- 
tourbe 

With  violence,  if  I  do  swich  a  game  ; 
For  if  I  wolde  it  openly  distourbc, 
It  moste  been  disclaundre  to  hir  name. 
And  me  were  lever  deed  than  hir  defame. 
As  nolde  god  but-if  I  sholde  have  566 

Hir  honour  lever  than  my  lyf  to  save  ! 

82.  Thus  am  I  lost,  for  ought  that  I  can 
see  ; 

For  ccrteyn  is,  sin  that  I  am  hir  knight, 
I  moste  hir  honour  lever  han  tlian  me 
In  every  cas,  as  lovere  oughte  of  right.  571 
Tlius  am  I  with  desyr  and  reson  twight ; 


282 


^rotfu0  anb  Crteepie. 


[Book  IV. 


Desyr  for  to  distourben  hir  me  redeth, 
And  reson  nil  not,  so  myn  herte  dredeth.' 

83.  Thus  wepinge  that   he  coude   never 

cesse,  575 

He  seyde,   '  alias  !   how  shal  I,  wrecche, 

fare? 
For  wel  fele  I  alwey  my  love  encresse, 
And  hope  is  lasse  and  lasse  alwey,  Pan- 
dare  ! 
Encressen  eek  the  canses  of  my  care  ; 
So  wel-a-wey,  why  nil  myn  herte  breste  ? 
Por,  as  in  love,  ther  is  but  litel  reste.'  581 

84.  Pandare    answerde,     '  freend,    thou 
mayst,  for  me, 

Don  as  thee  list ;  but  hadde  ich  it  so  bote, 
And  thyn  estat,  she  sholde  go  with  me  ; 
Though  al  this  toun  cryede  on  this  thing 

by  note,  585 

I  nolde  sette  at  al  that  noyse  a  grote. 
For  when  men  han  wel  cryed,  than  wol 

they  roune ; 
A  wonder  last  but  nyne  night  never  in 

toune. 

85.  Devyne  not  in  reson  ay  so  depe 

Ne  curteysly,  but  help  thy-self  anoon  ;  590 
Bet  is  that  othore  than  thy-selven  wepe, 
And  namely,  sin  ye  two  been  al  oon. 
Rys  up,  for  by  myn  heed,  she  shal  not 

goon  ; 
And  rather  be  in  blame  a  lyto  y-founde 
Than  sterve   here  as  a   gnat,    with-oute 

wounde.  595 

86.  It  is  no  shame  un-to  yow,  ne  no  vyce 
Hir  to  with-holden,  that  ye  loveth  most. 
Paraunter,   she   mighto   holdon  thee  for 

nyce 
To  lete  hir  go  thus  to  the  Grekes  ost. 
Thenk   eek   Fortune,   as   wel   thy-selven 

wost,  600 

Hclpeth  hardy  man  to  his  empryse, 
And  weyveth  wrecches,  for  hir  cowardyse. 

87.  And  though  thy  lady  wolde  a  litel  hir 
greve, 

Tliou  shalt  thy  pees   fnl   wel  here-after 

make. 
But  as  for  me,  certayn,  I  can  not  leve  605 
That  she  wolde  it  as  now  for  yvel  take. 


Why  sholde   than   for  ferd   thyn   herte 

quake  ? 
Thenk  eek  how  Paris  hath,  that  is  thy 

brother, 
A    love ;    and    why    shallow    not    have 

another  ? 

88.  And    Troilus,    o    thing    I    dar    thee 

swere,  610 

That  if  Criseyde,  whiche  that  is  thy  leef, 
Now  loveth  thee  as  wel  as  thou  dost  here, 
God  helpe  me  so,  she  nil  not  take  a-greef, 
Though    thou    do    bote    a-noon   in   this 

niischeef. 
And  if  she  wilneth  fro  thee  for  to  passe, 
Thanne  is  she  fals  ;  so  love  hir  wel  the 

lasse.  6i() 

89.  For-thy  tak  herte,  and  thenk,  right  as 
a  knight, 

Thourgli  love  is  broken  alday  every  lawe. 
Kyth  now  sumwhat  thy  corage  and  thy 

might. 
Have  mercy  on  thy-self,  for  any  awe.    620 
Lat    not    tliis    wrecched    wo    thin    herte 

gnawe. 
But    manlj'   set    the    world    on    sixe  and 

sevene  ; 
And,  if  thou  deye  a  martir,  go  to  hevene. 

90.  I  wol   my-self  be  with   thee   at  this 
dede. 

Though    ich    and    al    my    kin,    up-on    a 
stounde,  625 

ShuUe  in  a  strete  as  dogges  liggen  dede, 
Thourgh-girt  with  many  a  wyd  and  blody 

wounde . 
In  every  cas  I  wol  a  freend  be  founde. 
And  if  thee  list  here  sterven  as  a  wrecche, 
A-dieu,    the    devel    spede    him    that    it 
recche  ! '  6,^0 

91.  This  Troilus   gan   with    tho    wordes 
quiken, 

And   seyde,    '  freend,    grannt  morcy,  ich 

assente  ; 
But   certaynly   thoii   mayst   not    me    so 

priken, 
Ne  peyne  noon  ne  may  me  so  tormente, 
That,  for  no  cas,  it  is  not  myn  entente, 
At  shorte  wordes,  though  I  dyen  sholde, 
To  ravisshe  hir,  but-if  hir-self  it  wolde.'  637 


Book  IV.] 


^rotfua  anb  Cn'eejbe. 


283 


92.  '  Wliy,  so  mene  1,'qiiod  Pand.ariis,  'al 
this  day. 

But  tel  me  than,  hastow  hir  wel  assayed, 
That  sorwest  thus?'     And  he  answerde, 

'  nay.'  640 

'Wher-of  artow,'   quod    Pandare,    'than 

a-mayed, 
That   nost   not   that   she   wol    ben    yvel 

apayed 
To   ravisshe   hir,  .sin  thaw  hast  not  ben 

there, 
But-if  that  Jove  tolde  it  in  tliyn  ere  ? 

93.  For-thy  rys  up,  as  nought  ne  were, 
anoon,  645 

And  wash  thy  face,  and  to  the  king  thou 

wende, 
Or  he  may  wondren  whider  thoi^  art  goon. 
Thou  most  with  wisdom  him  and  otliere 

blende  ; 
Or,  up-on  cas,  he  may  after  thee  sende 
Er   thou   be   war ;    and   shortly,  brother 

dere,  650 

Be  glad,  and  hit  ine  werke  in  thismatere. 

94.  For  I  shal  shape  it  so,  that  sikerly 
Thou  shalt  this  night  som  tyme,  in  som 

manere, 
Cont  speke  with  thy  lady  prevely. 
And  by  hir  wordes  eek,  and  by  hir  chere, 
Thou  shalt  ful  sone  aparceyve  and  wel 

here  656 

Al  hir  entente,  and  in  this  cas  the  beste  ; 
And  fare  now  wel,  for  in  this  pomt  I 

reste.' 

95.  The  swifte  Fame,   whiche  that  false 
thinges 

Egal  reporteth  lyk  the  thinges  trewe,   660 
Was  thorugh-otit  Troj-e  y-fled  with  prestc 

winges 
Fro  man  to  man,  and  made  this  tale  al 

newe. 
How   Calkas  doughter,  with  hir  brighte 

hewe. 
At  parlement,  with-oute  wordes  more, 
I-graunted  was  in  chaungo  of  Antenore.  665 

96.  The  whiche  tale  anoon-right  as  Cri- 

seydo 
Had  herd,   she   which    that    of  hir  fader 
roughte, 


As  in  this  cas,  right  nought,  ne  whanne 

he  deyde, 
Ful  bisily  to  Juppiter  bisoughte 
Yove   him   mischaunce   that   this    tretis 

broughte.  670 

But  shortly,  lest  thise  tales  sothe  were. 
She  dorste  at  no  wight  asken  it,  for  fere  ; 

97.  As  she  that  hadde  hir  herte  and  al  hir 
minde 

On  Troilus  y-set  so  wonder  faste. 

That   al   this   world  ne  mighte  hir  love 

vinbinde,  675 

Ne  Troihis  out  of  hir  herte  caste  ; 
She  wol  ben  his,  whyl  that  hir  lyf  may 

laste. 
And  thus  she  brenneth  bothe  in  love  and 

drede, 
So  that  she  niste  what  was  best  to  rede. 

98.  But  as  men  seen  in  toune,  and  al 
aboute,  680 

That  wommen  usen  frendes  to  visyte. 
So  to  Criseyde  of  wommen  com  a  route 
For  pitous  joye,  and  wenden  hir  delyte  ; 
And  with  hir  tales,  dere  y-nough  a  myte, 
These  wommen,  whiche  that  in  the  cite 

dwelle,  685 

They  sette  hem  doun,  and  seyde  as  I  shal 

telle. 

99.  Quod  first  that  oon,  '  I  am  glad, 
trewely, 

By-cause  of  yow,  that  shal  your  fader  see.' 
A-nother  seyde,  '  y-wis,  so  nam  not  I  ; 
For  al  to  litel  hath  she  with  us  be. '      690 
Quod    tho   the   thridde,   '  I  hope,  j^-wis, 

that  she 
Shal  bringen  us  the  pees  on  every  syde. 
That,  whan  she  gooth,  almighty  god  hir 

gj'de  ! ' 

100.  Tho  wordes  and  tho  woinmannisslio 
thinges, 

She  herde  hem  right  as  though  she 
thennes  were ;  <><)S 

For,  god  it  wot,  hir  herte  on  other  thing 
is, 

Although  the  body  sat  among  hem  there. 

Jlir  advertence  is  alwpy  elles-whero  ; 

For  Troilus  ful  faste  hir  soulo  sough te  ; 

With-oiiten  word,  alwey  ou  him  she 
thoughte,  700 


284 


^roifu0  ant  Ctteepbe. 


[Book  IV. 


101.  Thise  ■wommcn,   that   thus  wenden 
hir  to  plese, 

Aboute     nought     gonne    alle    hir    tales 

spende ; 
Swich  vanitee  ne  can  don  hir  non  ese, 
As  she  that,  al  this  mene  whj-le,  brende 
Of  other  passioun  than  that  they  wende, 
So  that  she  felte  almost  hir  herte  dye  706 
For  wo,  and  wery  of  that  companye. 

102.  For  •which   no  lenger    mighte    she 
restreyne 

,  Hir  teres,  so  they  gonnen  up  to  welle, 
That  yeven  signes  of  the  bitter  peyne  710 
In   whiche    hir    spirit    was,   and   moste 

dwelle  ; 
Eemembring  hir,  fro  heven  unto  which 

helle 
Slie    fallen    was,    sith    she    forgoth   the 

sighte 
Of  Troilus,  and  sorowfully  she  sighte.  714 

103.  And  thilke  foles  sittinge  hir  aboute 
Wenden,  that  she  wepte  and  syked  sore 
By-cause  that  she  sholde  out  of  that  route 
Departe,  and  never  pleye  with  hem  more. 
And  theythat  hadde  j--knowenhir  of  yore 
Seye  hir  so  wepe,  and  thoiighte  it  kinde- 

nesse,  720 

And  eehe  of  hem  wepte  eek  for  hir  dis- 
tresse  ; 

104.  And  bisily  they  gonnen  hir  conforten 
Of  thing,  god   wot,    on   which  she  litel 

thoughte ; 
And  with  liir  tales  wenden  hir  disporten, 
And  to  be  glad  they  often  hir  Ijisoughto. 
But    swich    an    ese   ther-with   they  hir 

wrought e  726 

Eight  as  a  man  is  esed  for  to  fele, 
For  ache  of  heed,  to  clywen  him  on  his 

hele! 

105.  But  after  al  this  nyce  vanitee 
They  took  hir  leve,  and  hoom  they  wenten 

alle.  730 

Criseyde,  ful  of  sorweful  pitee, 
In-to  hir  chaunibro  up  wentc  out  of  the 

hallo. 
And  on  hir  bed  she  gan  for  deed  to  falle. 
In  purpos  never  thennes  for  to  ryse  ; 
And  thus   she   wroughte,   as  I  shal  yow 

devyse.  735 


106.  Hir  ounded  heer,  that  sonnish  was 
of  hewe. 

She  rente,  and  eek  hir  fingres  longe  and 

smale 
She  wrong  ful  ofte,  and  bad  god  on  hir 

rewe. 
And  with  the  deeth  to  doon  bote  on  hir 

bale. 
Hir  hewe,  whylom  bright,  that  tho  was 

pale,  740 

Bar  witnes  of  hir  wo  and  hir  constrejTite  ; 
And  thus  she  spak,  sobbinge,  in  hir  com- 

pleynte  : 

107.  '  Alas ! '     quod     she,     '  out    of    this 
regioun 

I,  woful  -wTecche  and  infortuncd  wight, 
And  born  in  corsed  constellacioun,       745 
Mot  goon,   and   thus   dei^arten    fro    my 

knight ; 
Wo  worth,  alias  !  that  ilke  dayes  light 
On  which   I   saw   him   first    with    eyen 

tweyne, 
That    causeth   mo,    and  I   him,    al    this 

pejTie  ! ' 

108.  Therwith   the   teres  from  hir  eyen 
two  750 

Doun  fillo,  as  shour  in  Aperill,  •'"ul  swythe ; 
Hir  whyte  brest  she  bet,  and  for  the  wo 
After  the  deeth   she   crj-ed   a   thousand 

sythe, 
Sin  ho  that  wont  hir  wo  was  for  to  lythe, 
She  mot  for-goon  ;  for  which  disaventure 
She  held  hir-self  a  forlost  creature.       756 

109.  She  seyde,  'how  shal  he  doon,  and 
I  also  ? 

How   sholde  I  live,   if  that  I  from  him 

twinne  ? 
O  dere  herte  eek,  that  I  love  so, 
Who  shal  that  sorwe  sleen  that  ye  ben 

inne  ?  760 

O  Calkas,  fader,  thj'n  be  al  this  sinne ! 
O  moder  myn,  that  eloped  were  Argyve, 
Wo  worth  that  day  that  thou  me  here  on 

lyve  ! 

110.  To  what  fyn  sholde  I  live  and  sorwen 
thus  ? 

How  sholde  a  fish  with-oute  water  dure? 
What  is  Criseyde  worth,  from  Troilus?  766 


Book  IV.] 


^foifu0  anb  £:trt0epic. 


285 


How  sliolde  a  plaunte  or  lyves  creature 
Live,  v'ith-oute  his  kinde  norituro? 
For  which  ful  oft  a  by-word  here  I  seye, 
That,  "  rotelees,  mot  grene  sone  deye."  770 

111.  I  shal  don  thus,  sin  neither  swerd  ne 
darte 

Dar  I  non  Iiandle,  for  the  crueltee. 
That  illce  day  that  I  from  yow  departe, 
If  sorwe  of  that  nil  not  my  bane  be, 
Than   shal   no  mete  or   drinke  come  in 
me  775 

Til  I  my  soule  out  of  my  breste  unshethe  ; 
And  thus  niy-selven  wol  I  do  to  dethe. 

112.  And,  Troilus,  my  clothes  everichoon 
Shul    blake    been,    in    tokeninge,    herte 

swete. 
That  I  am  as  out  of  tliis  world  agoon,  780 
That  wont  was  yow  to  setten  in  quiete ; 
And  of  myn  ordre,  ay  til  deeth  me  mete, 
The  observaunce  ever,  in  yoiir  absence, 
Shal  sorwe  been,  complejaite,  and  absti- 
nence. 

113.  Myn  herte  and  eek  the  woful  goost 
thei'-inne  785 

Biquethe  I,  with  yoiir  spirit  to  compleyne 
Eternally,  for  they  shul  never  twinne. 
For  though   in   erthe   y-twinned   be  we 

tweyne, 
Yet  in  the  feld  of  pitee,  out  of  peyne. 
That  liiglit  Elysos,  shul  we  been  y-fere,  790 
As  Orpheus  and  Erudice  his  fere, 

114.  Thus  herte  mjTi,  for  Antenor,  alias  ! 
I  sono  shal  be  chaunged,  as  I  wene. 

But   how   shul  ye   don   in  this   sorwful 

cas. 
How  shal  your  tendre  herte  this  sustene? 
But   herte   myn,  for-yet  this  sorwe  and 

teno,  796 

And  me  also  ;  for,  soothly  for  to  seye. 
So  ye  wel  fare,  I  recche  not  to  deye.' 

115.  How   mighte  it   ever   y-rod   ben    or 
y-songc. 

The  pleynte  that   she   made  in  hir  dis- 
tressc  ?  Soo 

I  noot ;  but,  as  for  me,  my  litel  tonge, 
If  I  discreven  wolde  hir  hcvinesse. 
It  sholde  make  hir  sorwe  seme  lesse 


Than  that  it  was,  and  childishly  deface 
Hir  heigh  compleynte,  and  therfore  I  it 
pace.  805 

116.  Pan  dare,    which    that     sent     from 
Troilus 

Was  to  Criscyde,  as  ye  han  herd  devyse, 
That  for  the  beste  it  was  accorded  thus. 
And  he  ful  glad  to  doon  him  that  servyse, 
Un-to  Criseyde,  in  a  ful  secree  wyse,      810 
Ther-as  she  lay  in  torment  and  in  rage, 
Com  hir  to  telle  al  hoolly  his  naessage. 

117.  And  fond  that  she  hir-selven  gan  to 
trete 

Ful  pitously  ;  for  with  hir  salte  teres 
Hir  brest,   hir    face    j'-bathed    was    ful 

wete ;  815 

The  mighty  tresses  of  hir  sonnish  heres, 
Unbroyden,  hangen  al  abouto  hir  eres  ; 
Which  yaf  him  verray  signal  of  martyre 
Of    decth,    which    that    hir    herte    gan 

desyre. 

118.  Wlian  she  him  saw,  she  gan  for  sorwe 
anoon  820 

Hir  tery  face  a-twixe  hir  armes  hyde. 
For  which  this  Pandare  is  so  wo  bi-goon. 
That   in   the   hous   he    mighte   unnethe 

abyde, 
As  he  that  pitee  felte  on  every  syde. 
For  if  Criseyde  hadde  erst  compleyned 

sore,  825 

Tho   gan   she  plcyne  a  thousand  tymes 

more. 

119.  And  in  hir  aspro  pleynte  than  she 
seyde, 

'Pandare  first  of  joyes  mo  than  two 
Was  cause  causinge  un-to  me,  Criseyde, 
That    now    transmuwcd    been    in   cruel 

wo.  830 

Wher  shal  I  seyo  to  yow  "  wol  come  "  or 

no. 
That  aldcrfirst  me  broughto  in-to  servyse 
Of  love,  alias  !  that  endeth  in  swich  wyse? 

120.  Endeth  than  love  in  wo  ?  Ye,  or  men 
lycth  !  834 

And  alle  worldly  blisse,  as  thinketh  me, 
The  endo  of  blisse  ay  sorwe  it  occupyeth  ; 
And  who-so  troweth  not  tliat  it  so  be, 


286 


^rotfu0  ant  Crtecpbe. 


[Book  IV. 


Lat  him  upon  me,  woful  wrecch  e,  y-see, 
That   my-self  hate,    and    ay   my  hirthe 

acorse, 
Felinge  alwey,  fro  wikku  I  go  to  worse. 

121.  Who-so  me  seeth,  he  seeth  sorwe  al 
at  ones,  841 

Peyne,  torment,  pleynte,  wo,  distresse. 
Owt  of  niy  woful  hody  harm  ther  noon  is, 
As  anguish,  langoxir,  cruel  hitternesse, 
A-noy,  smert,  drede,  fury,   and  eek  sik- 
nesse.  845 

I  trowe,  y-wis,  from  hevene  teres  reyne. 
For  pitee  of  myn  aspre  and  cruel  peyne  ! ' 

122.  'And  thou,  my   suster,    ftU  of  dis- 
comfort,' 848 

Quod  Pandaiiis,  '  what  thenkestowto  do? 
Why  ne  hastow  to  thy-selven  som  resport. 
Why  woltow  thu.s  thy-selve,  alias,  for-do? 
Leef  al  this  werk  and  tak  now  hede  to 
That  I  shal  seyn,   and  herkne,  of  good 

entente, 
This,    which   by    me    thy    Troilus    thee 

sente.' 

123.  Torned    hir     tho     Criseyde,    a    wo 
makinge  855 

So  greet  that  it  a  deeth  was  for  to  see  : — 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  she,  '  what  wordes  may  ye 

hringe  ? 
Wliat  wol  my  dere  herte  seyn  to  me, 
Which  that  1  drede  nevor-mo  to  see?   859 
Wol  lie  liavc  pleynte  or  teres,  er  I  wende  ? 
I  have  y-nowe,  if  he  ther-after  sende  ! ' 

124.  She  was  right  swich  to  seen  in  hir 
visage 

As  is  that  wight  that  men  on  here  binde  ; 
Hir  face,  lyk  of  Paradys  the  image. 
Was  al  y-chaungetl  in  another  kinde.  865 
The  pleye,  the  laughtre  men  was  wont  to 

finde 
In  hir,  and  eek  hir  joyes  everychone, 
Ben   fled,  and   tlius  lytli   now   Criseyde 

alien  e. 

125.  Aboute  hir  eyen  two  a  purpre  ring 
Bi-trent,    in    sothfast    tokninge   of    hir 

peyne,  870 

That  to  biliolde  it  was  a  dedly  thing, 
For  which  Paudare  mighte  not  restreyne 


The  teres  from  his  eyen  for  to  reyne. 
But  nathelees,  as  he  best  mighte,  he  seyde 
From  Troilus  tliise  wordes  to  Criseyde.  875 

126.  '  Lo,   nece,  I  trowe  ye  han  herd  al 
how 

The   king,    with   otliere   lordes,  for    the 

beste, 
Hath   mad   eschaunge   of   Antenor   and 

yow, 
That    cause    is   of  this   sorwe   and  this 

unreste. 
But  how  this  cas  doth  Troilus  moleste,  880 
That   may   non    erthely   mannes    tonge 

seye  ; 
For  verray  wo  his  wit  is  al  aweye. 

127.  For  whicli   we   han   so   sorwed,   he 
and  I, 

That  in-to  litel  bothe  it  hadde  us  slawe  ; 
But  thurgh  my  conseil  this  day,  fynally, 
He  somwhat   is   fro   weping  now  with- 
drawe.  886 

And  semeth  me  that  he  desyreth  fawe 
With  yow  to  been  al  night,  for  to  devyse 
Remede  in  this,  if  tlier  were  any  wyse. 

128.  This,  short  and  pleyne,  th'eflfect  of 
my  message,  890 

As  ferfortli  as  my  wit  can  comprehende. 
For  ye,  that  been  of  torment  in  swich  rage, 
May  to  no  long  prologe  as  now  entende ; 
And  her-upon  ye  may  answere  him  sende. 
And,  for  the  love  of  god,  my  nece  dere, 
So  leef  this  wo  er  Troilus  be  here.'         896 

129.  '  Grot  is  my  wo,'  quod  she,  and  sighte 
sore, 

As  she  that  feleth  dedly  sharp  distresse; 
'  But  yet  to  me  his  sorwe  is  muchel  more, 
That  love    him    bet    than   he   him-self, 
I  gesso.  900 

Alias  !  for  me  hath  he  swich  hevinesse  ? 
Can  he  for  me  so  pitously  complcyne  ? 
Y-wis,  this  sorwe  doubleth  al  my  peyne. 

130.  Grevous  to   me,  god  wot,  is  for  to 
twinne,' 

Quod  she,  '  but  yet  it  hardere  is  to  me  905 
To  seen  that  sorwe  which  that  he  is  inue ; 
For  wel  wot  I,  it  wol  my  bane  be  ; 
And  deye  1  wol  in  certayn,"  tho  quod  she ; 


Book  IV.] 


^rotPtt©  ant  Crtaepie. 


287 


'  But  bidde  him  come,  er  deeth,  that  thus 

mo  threteth, 
Dryve  out  that  goost,  which  in  myn  herte 

beteth.'  910 

131.  Thise  wordes  sej-d,  she  on  hir  armes 
two 

Fil  gruf,  and  gan  to  wepe  pitously. 
Quod  Paudarus,  '  alias  !  why  do  ye  so, 
Syn  wel  ye  wot  the  tyme  is  faste  by, 
That  he  shal  come  ?   Arys  up  hastely,    915 
That  he  yow  nat  biwopen  thus  ne  finde, 
But  ye   wol   han   him  wood   out  of  his 
minde ! 

132.  For  wiste  he  that  ye  ferde  in  this 
manere. 

He  wolde  him-selve  slee  ;  and  if  I  wende 
To   han   this  fare,    he   sholde   not  come 
here  920 

For  al  the  good  that  Pryam  may  despende. 
For  to  what  fyn  ho  wolde  anoon  pretende, 
That  knowe  I  wel ;  and  for-thy  yet  I  seye. 
So  leef  this  sorwe,  or  platly  he  wol  deye. 

133.  And  shapetli  yow  his  sorwe  for  to 
abregge,  925 

And  nought  encresse,  leve  nece  swete  ; 
Beth  rather  to  him  cause   of  flat  than 

egge, 
And  with  som  wysdom  ye  his  sorwes  bete. 
What  helpeth  it  to  wepen  ful  a  strete, 
Or  though  ye  bothe  in  salte  teres  dreynte  ? 
Bet  is  a  tynaeof  cure  ay  thanof  plesmte.  931 

134.  I  mene   thus ;    whan    I   him    hider 
bringe. 

Sin  ye  ben  wyse,  and  bothe  of  oon  assent, 
So  shapeth  how  distourbe  your  goinge. 
Or  come  ayen,  sone  after  ye  be  went.    935 
Wommen  ben  wyse  in  short  avysement ; 
And   lat   sen   how  your   wit    shal    now 

avayle  ; 
And  what  that  I  may  helpc,  it  shal  not 

fayle.' 

135.  '  Go,'   quod    Criseyde,    '  and    uncle, 
trewely, 

I  shal  don  al  my  might,  me  to  restreyne 
From  weping  in  big  sight,  and  bisily,  941 
Him  for  to  glade,  I  shal  don  al  my  peyne, 
And  in  mjm  herte  seken  every  veyne  ; 


If  to  this  soor  ther  may  be  founden  salve, 

It    shal    not    lakken,   certain,    on    myn 

halve.'  945 

136.  Goth     PandaiTis,    and     Troilus     he 
soughte, 

Til  in  a  temjile  he  fond  him  allone, 
As  he  that  of  his  Ij-f  no  lenger  roughte  ; 
But  to  the  pitouse  goddes  everichone 
Ful   tendrely   he  preyde,   and  made  his 

mone,  950 

To  doon  him  sone  out  of  this  world  to 

pace  ; 
For  wel  he  thoughte  ther  was  non  other 

grace. 

137.  And  shortly,  al  the  sothe  for  to  seye, 
He  was  so  fallen  in  despeyr  that  day. 
That  outrely  he  shoop  him  for  to  deye.  955 
For  right  thus  was  his  argument  alwey  : 
He  seyde,  he  nas  but  loren,  wa3'lawey  ! 

'  For  al  that  comth,  comth  by  necessitee  ; 
Thus  to  be  lorn,  it  is  my  destinee. 

138.  For  certaynly,  this   wot  I  wel,'  he 
seyde,  960 

'  Tliat  for-sight  of  divyne  purveyaunce 
Hath  seyn  alwey  me  to  for-gon  Criseyde, 
Sin  god  seeth  every  thing,  out  of  dovit- 

aunce, 
And  hem  desponeth,  thourgh  his  orde- 

naunce, 
In  hir  merj-tes  sothly  for  to  be,  965 

As  they  shul  comen  by  predestinee. 

139.  Biit  nathelees,   alias !  whom  shal  I 
leve? 

For  ther  ben  grete  clerkes  many  oon, 
That  destinee  thorugh  argiimcntes  preve  ; 
And  som  men  seyn  that  nedely  ther  is 
noon  ;  97a 

But  that  free  chois  isyeven  us  everichoon. 
O,  welaway !  so  sleye  am  clerkes  olde, 
That  I  not  whos  opinion  I  may  holde, 

140    For   som  men  seyn,   if  god  seth  al 

biforn, 
Ne  god  may  not  deceyved  ben,  pardee,  975 
Than  moot  it  fallen,  though  men  hadde  it 

sworn. 
That  purveyaunce  hath  seyn  bifore  to  be. 
Wherfor  I  seye,  that  from,  eterne  if  he 


^rotfue  anb  Cn'eepbe. 


[Book  I  r. 


Hath  wist  biforn  our  thought  eek  as  our 

dede, 
We  have  no  free  chois,  as  these  clerkes 

rede.  980 

IJtl.  For  other  thought  nor  other  dede 

also 
Might  never  be,  but  swich  as  purveyaunce, 
WTiich  may  not  ben  deeeyved  never-mo, 
Hath  feled  bifom,  with-oiiten  ignoraunce. 
For  if  ther  mighte  been  a  variaunce     985 
To  WTythen  out  fro  goddes  purveyinge, 
Ther  nere  no  prescience  of  thing  cominge  ; 

14'2.  But  it  were  rather  an  opinioun 
Uncerteyn,  and  no  stedfast  forseinge  ; 
And  certes,  that  were  an  abusioun,       990 
That  god  shuld  han  no  parfit  cleer  witinge 
More   than   we   men  that  han    doutous 

weninge. 
But  swich  an  errour  up-on  god  to  gesse 
"Were  fals  and  foiil,  and  ■w-ikked  corsed- 

nesse. 

14i5.  Eek  this  is  an  opinioun  of  somme  995 

That  han  hir  top  ful  heighe  and  smothe 
y-shore  ; 

They  seyn  riglit  thus,  that  thing  is  not  to 
come 

For  that  the  prescience  hath  seyn  bifore 

That  it  shal  come;  but  tliey  seyn,  that 
therfore 

That  it  shal  come,  therfore  the  purvey- 
aunce I030 

Wot  it  bifom  with-outen  ignoraunce  ; 

144.  And  in  this  nianere  this  necessitee 
Ketornoth  in  liis  part  contrarie  agayn. 
For  needfully  bihoveth  it  not  to  be 
That  thilke  thinges  fallen  in  certajii  1005 
That  ben  purveyed  ;  but  nedely,  as  they 

seyn, 
Bihoveth   it   that   thinges,   whiche   that 

falle, 
Tliat  they  in  certayn  ben  purveyed  alle. 

145.  I  mene  as  though  I  laboured  me  in 
this, 

To  enqueren  which  thing  cause  of  which 
thing  be  ;  loio 

As  whether  that  the  prescience  of  god  is 
Tlie  certayn  cause  of  the  necessitee 


Of  thinges  that  to  comen  been,  pardee  ; 

Or  if  necessitee  of  thing  cominge 

Be  cause  certeyn  of  the  purveyinge.     1015 

146.  But  now   ne  enforce   I  me   nat   in 
shewinge 

How  the  ordre  of  causes  stant ;  but  wel 

wot  I, 
That  it  bihoveth  that  the  bifallinge 
Of  thinges  wist  biforen  certeynly 
Be  necessarie,  al  seme  it  not  ther-by  1020 
That  prescience  put  falling  necessaire 
To   thing  to   come,  al   fallc    it  foule  or 

faire. 

147.  For  if  ther  sit  a  man  yond  on  a  see, 
Than  by  necessitee  bihoveth  it 

That,  certes,  thyn  opinioun  soth  be,     1325 
That  wenest  or  conjeetest  that  he  sit ; 
And  ferther-over  now  ayenward  yit, 
Lo,  right  so  it  is  of  the  part  contrarie. 
As   thus  ;    (now  herkne,  for   I   wol   not 
tarie) : 

148.  I  seye,  that  if  the  opinioun  of  thee 
Be  sooth,   for  that   he   sit,  than  seye  I 

this,  :o3i 

That  he  mot  sitten  by  necessitee  ; 
And  thus  necessitee  in  either  is. 
For  in  him  nede  of  sitting  is,  y-wis, 
And  in  thee  nede  of  sooth  ;  and  thus,  for- 

sothe,  1035 

Ther  moot  necessitee  ben  in  yow  bothe. 

149.  But  thou  mayst  seyn,  the  man  sit 
not  therfore, 

Tliat  thyn  opinion  of  sitting  soth  is  ; 
But  rather,  for  the  man  sit  ther  bifore, 
Therfore  is  thyn  opinion  sooth,  j-wis.  1040 
And  I  seye,  though  the  cause  of  sooth  of 

this 
Comth  of  his  sitting,  yet  necessitee 
Is  entrechaunged,  bothe  in  him  and  thee. 

150.  Thiis    on    this    same   wyse,    out   of 
doutaunce, 

I  may  wel  maken,  as  it  semeth  me,     1045 
My  rc-soninge  of  goddes  purveyaunce, 
And  of  the  thinges  that  to  comen  be  ; 
By  whiche  roson  men  may  wel  y-see, 
That  thilke  thinges  that  in  erthe  falle. 
That  by  necessitee  they  comen  alle.    1050 


B(X)K  rv.] 


^rotfue  Anb  Cvi&t^U. 


289 


151.  For  al-though  that,  for  thing  shal 
come,  y-wis, 

Therfore  is  it  purveyed,  certaynly, 
Nat  that  it  comth  for  it  purveyed  is  : 
Yet  nathelees,  bihoveth  it  nedfully, 
That  thing  to  come  be  purveyed,  trewely ; 
Or  elles,  thinges  that  purveyed  be,      1056 
That  they  bityden  by  necessitee. 

152.  And  this  suifyseth  right  y-now, 
certeyn. 

For  to  destroye  our  free  chois  every  del. — 
But  now  is  this  abusion  to  seyn,  1060 

Tliat  fallinge  of  tlie  thinges  temporel 
Is  cause  of  goddes  prescience  eternel. 
Now  trewely,  tliat  is  a  fals  sentence. 
That   thing  to   come    sholde    cause    his 
prescience. 

153.  What  mighte  I  wene,  and  I  hadde 
swich  a  thought,  1065 

But  that  god  purveyth  thing  that  is  to 

come 
For  that  it  is  to  come,  and  elles  nought  ? 
So  mighte  I  wene  that  thinges  alle  and 

some, 
That  whylom  been  bifalle  and  over-come, 
Ben   cause    of   thilke   sovereyn   purvey- 

aunce,  1070 

That  for-wot  al  with-outen  ignoraunce, 

154.  And  over  al  this,  yet  seye  I  laore 
herto. 

That   right  as  whan   I  woot  ther  is  a 

thing, 
Y-wis,  that  thing  mot  nedefuUy  be  so  ; 
Eek    right    so,    whan   I    woot   a    thing 

coming,  1075 

So  mot  it  come  ;  and  thus  the  bifalling 
Of  thinges  that  ben  wist  bifore  the  tyde. 
They  mowe  not   been   eschewed   on   no 

syde.' 

155.  Than  seyde  he  thus,  '  almighty  Jovo 
in  trone. 

That  wost  of  al  this  thing  the  soothfast- 
nesse,  loSo 

Rewe  on  my  sorwe,  or  do  me  deye  sone. 

Or  bring  Criseyde  and  me  fro  this  dis- 
tresse.' 

And  why!  he  was  in  al  this  hevinesse, 


Disputinge  with  him-self  in  this  matere. 
Com  Pandare  in,  and  seyde  as  ye  may 
here.  1085 

156.  '  O  mighty  god,'  quod  Pandams,  '  in 
trone, 

Ey  !  who  seigh  ever  a  wys  man  faren  so  ? 
Wliy,  TroUus,  what  thenkestow  to  done  ? 
Hastow  swich  lust  to  b6en  thyn  owene  fo  ? 
What,  parde,  yet  is  not  Criseyde  a-go  !  1090 
Why  lust   thee  so  thy-self  for-doon  for 

drede. 
That  in  thyn  heed  thyn  eyen  semen  dede  ? 

157.  Hastow  not  lived  many  a  yeer  bi- 
forn 

With-outen  hir,  and  ferd  ful  wel  at  ese  ? 
Artow  for  hir  and  for  non  other  born  ? 
Hath  kind  thee  wroughte  al-only  hir  to 

plese  ?  1096 

Lat  be,  and  thenk  right  thus  in  thy  disese  : 
That,  in  the  dees  right  as  ther  fallen 

chaunces. 
Eight  so   in  love,  ther  come  and  goon 

plesaunces. 

158.  And  yet  this  is  a  wonder  most  of  alle, 
Why  thou  thus   sorwest,   sin  thou  nost 

not  yit,  iioi 

Touching  hir  goinge,  how  that  it  shal 

falle, 
Ne  if  she  can  hir-self  distorben  it. 
Thou  hast  not  yet  assayed  al  hir  wit. 
A  man  may  al  by  tjTiie  his  nekke  bede  1 105 
Whan  it  shal  of,  and  sorwen  at  the  nede. 

159.  For-thy  take  hede  of  that  that  I  shal 
seye  ; 

I  have  with  hir  y-spoke  and  longe  y-be, 
So  as  accorded  was  liitwixo  us  twej-e. 
And  ever-mo  me  thinketh  thus,  that  she 
Hath  som-what  in  hir  hertes  prevetee, 
Wher-with  she  can,  if  I  shal  right  arede, 
Distorbo   al  this,   of  which  thou  art  in 
drede.  i"3 

160.  For  which  my  coiinseU  is,  whan  it  is 
night. 

Thou   to   hir   go,   and   make   of  this  an 

ende  ; 
And    blisful    Juno,    thourgh    hir    grete 

mighte,  ixi6 


290 


Crotfue  ani  Crieepbe. 


[Book  IV. 


Shal,  as  I  hope,  hir  grace  un-to  us  sende. 
Myn  herte  seyth,  '•  certeyn,  she  shal  not 

wende ; " 
And  for-thy  put  thyn  herte  a  whyle  in 

reste  ;  1119 

And  hold  this  purpos,  for  it  is  the  beste.' 

161.  This  Troilus  answerde,   and   sighte 
sore, 

'  Thou  seyst  right  -svel,  and  I  wU  do  right 

so  ;' 
And  what  him  liste,  he  se3de  un-to  it 

more. 
And  whan  that  it  was  tyme  for  to  go, 
Ful  prevelj-  him-self,  \vith-outen  mo,  1125 
Un-to  hir  com,  as  he  was  wont  to  done  ; 
And  how  they  wroughte,  I  shal  yow  telle 

sone. 

162.  Soth  is,  that  whan  they  gonne  first 
to  mete,  11.28 

So  gan  the  peyne  hir  hertes  for  to  twiste, 
That  neither  of  hem  other  mighte  grete, 
But  hem  in  amies  toke  and  alter  kiste. 
The  lasse  wofulle  of  hem  bothe  niste 
Wher  that   he  was,  ne  mighte   o  word 

out-bringe, 
As  I  seyde  erst,  for  wo  and  for  sobbiuge. 

163.  Tho  woful   teres    that    they   leten 
falle  113s 

As  bittre  weren,  out  of  teres  kinde. 
For  peyne,  as  is  llgne-aloiis  or  gallc. 
So  bittre  teres  weep  nought,  as  I  finde. 
The  woful  Myrra  through  the  bark  and 

rinde. 
That  in  this  world  ther  nis  so  hard  an 

herte,  1140 

That  nolde  han    rcwed   on    hir    peynes 

smerte. 

164.  But   whan   hir  woful   wery  gostes 
tweyne 

Eetorned  been  ther-as  hem  oughte  dwellc. 
And  that  som-what  to  wayken  gan  the 

peyne 
By  lengthe  of  pleynte,  and  ebben  gan  the 

welle  1145 

Of  hire  teres,  and  the  herte  unswelle, 
With  broken  voys,  al  hoors  for-shright, 

Criseyde 
To  Troilus  thise  ilke  wordes  seyde : 


165.  '  O  Jove,  I  deye,  and  mercy  I  be- 
seelie  ! 

Help,  Troilus!'  and  ther-with-al  hir  face 
Upon    his    brest    she    Icyde,    and    loste 

speche ;  1151 

Hir  woful  spirit  fi-oni  his  prop  re  place. 
Eight  with  the  word,  alwey  up  pojTit  to 

pace. 
And  thus  she  l^-th  with  hewes  ijale  and 

greue, 
That   whylom   Iresh   and  fairest  was  to 

sene.  1 155 

166.  This  Troilus,  that  on  hir  gan  biholde, 
Clepinge  hir  name,  (and  she  lay  as  for 

deed, 
With-oute  answere,  and  feltc  hir  limes 

colde, 
Hir  eyen  throwen  upward  to  hir  heed). 
This   sorwful  man  can  now  noon  other 

reed,  1160 

But  ofte  tyme  hir  colde  mouth  he  kistc  ; 
Wher  bim  was  wo,  god  and  him-self  it 

wiste  ! 

167.  He  rist  him  up,  and  long  streight  he 
hir  leyde  ; 

For  signe  of  lyf,  for  ought  he  can  or 
may. 

Can  he  noon  finde  in  no-thing  on  Cri- 
seyde, H65 

For  which  his  song  ful  oftc  is  '  weylaway !' 

But  whan  he  saugh  that  specheles  she 
lay, 

With  sorwful  voys,  and  herte  of  blisse  al 
bare. 

He  seyde  how  she  was  fro  this  world 
y-fare ! 

168.  So  after  that  he  longo  hadde  hir 
compleyned,  1 1 70 

His  hondes  wrong,  and  se.yde  that  was  to 

soye. 
And  with  his  teres   salte  hir  brest  bi- 

reyned. 
He  gan  tho  teres  wypen  of  ful  dreye. 
And  pitously  gan  for  the  soule  pre.ve. 
And  seyde,  'O  lord,  that  set  art  in  thy 

trone,  1175 

Eewe   eek  on  me,  for  I  shal   folwc  hir 

sone  ! ' 


Book  IV.] 


^totfu0  ant>  ^mep^e. 


291 


169.  She  cold  was  and  with-outen  sente- 
ment, 

For  aught  he  woot,  for  broeth  ne  felte  he 

noon  ; 
And  this  was  him  a  preiguant  argument 
That  she   was   fbrtli   out   of  this   workl 

agoon ;  1180 

.4jid  whan  he  seigh  ther  was  non  other 

woon, 
He  gan  hir  limes  dresse  in  swich  manere 
As  men  don  hem  that  shul  be  leyd  on  here. 

170.  And  after  this,  with  sterne  and  cruel 
herte, 

His  swerd  a-noon  out  of  his  shethe  he 

twighte,  1 1 85 

Him-self  to   sleen,   how   sore    tliat    him 

smerte, 
So  that  his  sowle  hir  sowle  folwen  mighte, 
Ther-as  the  dooni  of  Mjtios  wolde  it  dighte ; 
Sin  love  and  cruel  Fortune  it  ne  wolde, 
That  in  this  world  he  lenger  liven  sholde. 

171.  Thanne   seyde   he    thus,    fulfild   of 
heigh  desdayn,  1191 

'  O  ciniel  Jove,  and  thou,  Fortune  adverse. 
This   al   and   som,   that   falsly   have    j'e 

slayu 
Criseyde,  and  sin  ye  may  do  me  no  werse, 
Fy   on  your   might   and   werkes    so   di- 
verse !  1195 
Thus  cowardly  ye  shul  me  never  winne  ; 
Ther  shal  no  deeth  me  fro  my  lady  twinne. 

172.  For  I  this  world,  sin  ye  han  sla3Ti  hir 
thus, 

Wol  Ic'te,  and  folowe  hir  spirit  lowe  or  hye; 
Shal  never  lover  seyn  that  Trod  us       ijuo 
Dar  not,  for  fere,  with  his  lady  dye  ; 
For  certeyn,  I  wol  here  hir  companye. 
But  sin  ye  wol  not  sufFre  lis  liveu  here. 
Yet  suffreth  that  our  soules  ben  y-fere. 

173.  And  thou,  citee,  whiche  that  I  Icve 
in  wo,  1205 

And  thou,  Pryam,  and  bretheren  al  y-fure, 
And  thou,  my  moder,  farewel  !  for  I  go  ; 
And  Attropos,  make  redy  thou  my  here  ! 
And  thou,  Criseyde,  o  swete  herte  dere, 
Eecej've  no^v  my  sjjirit  !'  wolde  he  seye. 
With  swerd  at  herte,  al  redy  for  to  deye. 


174.  But  as  god  wolde,  of  swough  ther- 
with  she  abreyde,  1212 

And  gan  to  syke,  and  '  Troilus '  she  cryde ; 
And  he  answerde,  '  lady  myn  Criseyde, 
Live  ye  yet?'  and  leet  his  swerd  doun 
gl.vde.  1215 

'  Ye,  herte  myn,  that  thanked  be  Cupyde !' 
Quod  she,  and  ther-with-al  she  sore  sighte ; 
And  he  bigau  to  glade  hir  as  he  mighte  ; 

175.  Took  hir  in  armes  two,  and  kiste  hir 
ofte, 

And  hir  to  glade  he  dide  al  his  entente  ; 
For  which  hir   goost,   that    flikered  ay 
on-lofte,  1221 

In-to  hir  woful  herte  ayein  it  wente. 
But  at  the  laste,  as  that  hir  eyen  glente 
A-syde,  anoon  she  gan  his  swerd  aspye, 
As  it  lay  bare,  and  gan  for  fere  crye,   1225 

176.  And  asked  him,  why  he  it  hadde 
out-drawe  ? 

And  Troilus  anoon  the  cause  hir  tolde, 
And   how    himself    ther-with   he   wolde 

have  slawe. 
For  which  Criseyde   ui3-on  him  gan  bi- 

holde, 
And  gan  him  in  hir  armes  faste  folde,  12,^0 
And  seyde,  '  O  mercy,  god,  lo,  which  a 

dede  ! 
Alias  !  how  neigh  we  were  bothe  dede  ! 

177.  Thanne   if  I   ne   hadde   spoken,   us 
grace  was. 

Ye  wolde  han  sluyn  youx-self  anoon  ? ' 

quod  she. 
'  Ye,  doutelcss ; '  and  she  answerde,  'alias ! 
For,  by  that  ilke  lord  that  made  me,  1236 
I  nolde  a  forloug  wey  ou-lyve  han  be, 
After  your  deeth,  to  han  bo  crowned  quene 
Of  al  the  lond  the  souue  on  shyneth  shene. 

178.  But  with  this  selve  swerd,   which 
that  here  is,  IJ40 

My-selve  I  wolde  have  slayn  ! ' — quod  she 

tho  ; 
'  But  ho,  for  we  han  right  y-now  of  this, 
And  late  us  ryse  and  streight  to  bcdde  go, 
And  there  lat  vs  spoken  of  our  wo. 
For,   by  the   mortcr   which    that  I   see 

brenne,  1 245 

Knowe  I  ful  wel  that  day  is  not  fer  henne.' 


L   2 


292 


^rotfu0  ani  Crteepbe. 


[Book  IV. 


179.  Whan  they  were   in  hir  bedde,  in 

armes  folde, 
Xought  was  it  Ij-k  tlio  nightes  here-biforn ; 
For  pitously  ech  other  gan  biholde,  1249 
As  they  that  hadden  al  hir  blisse  y-lorn, 
Biwaylinge  ay  the  daythat  they  were  bom. 
Til  at  the  last  this  sorwfal  wight  Criseyde 
To  Troilus  these  ilke  wordes  seyde  : — 

ISO.   '  Lo,  herte  niyn,  wel  wot   ye   this,' 
quod  she,  1 254 

•  That  if  a  wight  alwey  his  wo  compleyne, 
And  seketh  nought  how  holpen  for  to  be, 
It  nis  but  folye  and  encrees  of  peyne  ; 
And  sin  that  here  assembled  be  we  twej-ne 
To  finde  bote  of  wo  that  we  ben  inne, 
It  were  al  tyme  sone  to  biginne.  1260 

181.  I  am  a  womman,  as  ful  wel  j^e  woot. 

And  as  I  am  avysed  sodeynly. 

So  wol  I  telle  yow,  whjd  it  is  hoot. 

Me  thinketh  thus,  that  neither  ye  nor  I 

Oughte  half  this  wo  to  make  skilfully.  1265 

For  there  is  art  y-now  for  to  redresse 

That  yet  is  mis,  and  sleen  this  hevinesse. 

152.  Sooth  is,  the  wo,  the  whiche  that  we 
ben  inne, 

For  ought  I  woot,  for  no-thing  elles  is 
But  for  the  cause  that  we  sholden  twinne. 
Considered  al,  ther  nis  no-more  amis.  1271 
But  what  is  thanno  a  remede  un-to  this, 
But  that  we  shape  us  sone  for  to  mete  ? 
This  al  and  som,  my  dere  herte  swete. 

153.  Xow   that    I   shal   wel    bringen   it 
aboute  1275 

To  come  ayein,  sone  after  that  I  go, 
Ther-of  am  I  no  maner  thing  in  doute. 
For  drcdeles,  with-inne  a  wouke  or  two, 
I  shal  ben  here ;  and,  that  it  may  be  so 
By  alle  right,  and  in  a  wordes  fewe,    1280 
I  shal  yow  wel  £in  heep  of  weyes  shewe. 

184.    For  which    I   wol  not   make   long 

sermoun, 
For  tj'me  y-lost  may  nrit  recovered  be  ; 
But  I  wol  gon  to  my  conclusioun,        1284 
And  to  the  beste,  in  ought  that  I  can  see. 
And,  for  the  love  of  god,  for-yeve  it  me 
If  I  speke  ought  ayein  your  hertes  reste  ; 
For  trewely,  I  speke  it  for  the  beste  ; 


185.  Makinge  alwey  a  protestacioun, 
That  now  these  wordes,  whiche  that  I  shal 

seye,  1294) 

Nis  but  to  shewe  yow  my  mocioun. 
To  finde  nn-to  our  helpe  the  beste  weye  ; 
And  taketh  it  non  other  wyse,  I  preye. 
For  in  effect  what -so  ye  me  comaunde. 
That  wol  I  doon,  for  that  is  no  demaunde. 

186.  Now  herkeneth   this,   ye   han   wel 
understonde,  1296 

My  going  graunted  is  by  parlement 
So  ferforth,  that  it  may  not  be  with-stonde 
For  al  this  world,  as  by  my  jugement. 
And  sin  therhelpeth  noon  aN^sement  1300 
To  letten  it,  lat  it  jaasse  out  of  minde  ; 
And  lat  us  shape  a  bettre  wey  to  finde. 

187.  The  sothe  is,  that  the  twinninge  of 
ns  tweyne 

Wol  us  disese  and  cruelliche  anoye. 
But  him  bihoveth  som-tjTne  han  a  peyne. 
That  serveth  love,  if  that  he  wol  have 
joye.  1306 

And  sin  I  shal  no  ferthere  out  of  Troye 
Than  I  may  rj-de  ayein  on  half  a  morwa 
It  oughte  lasse  causen  us  to  sorwe  •• 

188.  So  as  I  shal  not  so  ben  hid  in  mawe. 
That  day  by  day,  myn  owene  herte  dere, 
Sin  wel  ye  woot  tliat  it  is  now  a  truwe. 
Ye  shul  ful  wel  al  myn  estat  y-here.  13 13 
And  er  that  truwe  is  doon,  I  shal  ben  here. 
And  thanne  have  ye  bothe  Antenor  y- 

wonne 
And  me  also  ;  beth  glad  now,  if  ye  conne ; 

189.  And  thenk  right  thus,  "  Criseyde  is 
now  agoon,  13 17 

But  what !  she  shal  come  hastely  ayeyn ; " 
And   whanne,   alias?    by   god,   lo,   right 

anoon, 
Er  dayes  ten,  this  dar  I  sauily  seyn.    1320 
And  thanne  at  erstc  shul  we  been  so  fajTi, 
So  as  we  shullo  to-goderes  ever  dwelle. 
That  al  this  world  ne  mighte  our  blisse 

telle. 

190.  I  see  that  ofte,  ther-as  we  ben  now, 
That  for  the  beste,  our  conseil  for  to  hyde. 
Ye  speke  not  with  me,  nor  I  with  j-ow  1326 
In  fourtenight ;  ne  see  yow  go  ne  ryde. 


Book  IV.] 


^rotfu0  anb  Cviot^U, 


293 


May  ye  not  ten  daj-es  thanne  abyde, 
For  myn  honour,  in  swicli  an  aventure  ? 
Y-wis,  ye  mowen  elles  lyte  endure  !     1330 

191.  Ye  knowe  eek  how  that  al  my  kin  is 
here, 

But-if  that  onliche  it  my  fader  he  ; 
And  eek  myn  othere  thinges  alle  y-fere, 
And  nameliche,  my  dere  herte,  ye. 
Whom  that  I  nolde  leven  for  to  see     1335 
For  al  this  world,  as  wyd  as  it  hath  space ; 
Or  elles,  see  ich  never  Joves  face  ! 

192.  Why  trowe  ye  my  fader  in  this  wyse 
Coveiteth  so  to  see  me,  hut  for  drede  1339 
Lest  in  this  toun  that  folkes  me  dispyse 
Bj'-cause  of  liim,  for  his  unhappy  dede  ? 
What  -woot  my  fader  what  lyf  that  I  lede? 
For  if  he  wiste  in  Troye  how  wel  I  fare, 
Us  neded  for  my  wending  nought  to  care. 

193.  Ye  seen  that  every  day  eek,  more 
and  more,  1345 

Men  trete  of  pees  ;  and  it  supposed  is, 
That  men  the  quene  Eleyne  shal  restore, 
And  Grekes  lis  restore  that  is  mis. 
So  though  ther  nere  comfort  noon  biit 
this,  1349 

That  men  piirposen  pees  on  every  syde, 
Ye  may  the  bettre  at  ese  of  herte  abyde. 

194.  For  if  that  it  be  pees,   myn  herte 
dere, 

The  nature  of  the  pees  mot  nedes  dryve 
That  men  moste  entrecomunen  y-fere, 
And  to  and  fro  eek  ryde  and  gon  as  blyve 
Alday  as  thikke   as   been  flen  from  an 
hy\'e ;  1356 

And  every  wight  han  libertee  to  bleve 
Wher-as  him  list  the  bet,  with-outen  leve. 

195.  And  though  so  be  that  pees  ther  may 
be  noon. 

Yet   hider,   though   ther  never  pees  ne 
were,  1360 

I  moste  come  ;   for  whider  sholde  I  goon, 
Or  how  mischaunce  sholde  I  dwelle  there 
Among  tho  men  of  armes  ever  in  fere  ? 
For  which,  as  wisly  god  my  soule  rede, 
I  can  not  seen  wher-of  ye  sholden  drede. 

196.  Have  here  another  wey,  if  it  so  be 
That  al  this  thing  ne  may  yow  not  suffyse. 


My  fader,  as  ye  knowen  wel,  pardee, 

Is  old,  and  elde  is  ful  of  coveityse. 

And   I  right  now  have  founden  al  the 

gyse,  1370 

With-oiite  net,   wher-with    I    shal  him 

hente ; 
And    herkeneth   how,    if  that    ye    wole 

assente. 

197.  Lo,  Troilus,  men  seyn  that  hard  it  is 
The  wolf  ful,  and  the  wether  hool  to  have ; 
This  is  to  seyn,  that  men  tul  ofte,  y-wis, 
Mot  spenden  part,  the  remenaunt  for  to 

save.  1376 

For  ay  with   gold  men  may  the  herte 

grave 
Of  him  that  set  is  up-on  coveityse  ; 
And  how  I  mene,  I  shal  it  yow  devyse. 

198.  The  moeble  which  that  I  have  in 
this  toun  1380 

Un-to  my  fader  shal  I  take,  and  seye, 
That  right  for  trust  and  for  savacioun 
It  sent  is  from  a  freend  of  his  or  tweye, 
The   whiche   freendes   ferventliche    him 

preye 
To  senden  after  more,  and  that  in  hye, 
Wh.yl  that  this  toun  stant  thus  in  ju- 

partye.  i3<S6 

199.  And     that    shal    been     an    huge 
quantitee. 

Thus  shal  I  seyn,  but,  lest  it  folk  aspyde, 
This  may  be  sent  by  no  wight  but  by  me ; 
I  shal  eek  shewen  him,  if  pees  bityde,  1390 
What  frendes  tliat  ich  have  on  every  syde 
Toward   the  court,   to  doon  the  wrathe 

pace 
Of  Priamus,    and    doon   him    stondo   in 

grace. 

200.  So,  what  for  o  thing  and  for  other, 
swete, 

I  shal  him  so  enchaunten  with  my  sawes, 
That  right  in  hevene  his  sowle  is,  shal  he 

mete !  1396 

For  al  AppoUo,  or  liis  clerkes  lawes, 
Or    calculinge    avayleth    nought    three 

hawes  ; 
Desyr  of  gold  shal  so  his  sowle  blende, 
That,   as  mo  lyst,  I  shal  wel  make  an 

eude.  140C) 


294 


'Zvoihe  an^  Criee^be. 


[Book  TV. 


201.  And  if  he  wolde  ought  by  his  sort  it 
preve 

If  that  I  lye,  in  certayn  I  shal  fonde 
Distorben  him,  and  plukke  him  by  the 

sieve, 
Jfakingc   his  sort,    and   beren    him    on 

honde, 
He  hath  not  wel  the  goddes  nnderstonde. 
For  goddes  speken  in  amphibolog;v-es,  1406 
And,  for  a  sooth,  they  tellen  twenty  lyes. 

202.  Eek  drede  fond  first  goddes,  I  sup- 
pose, 

Tims  shal  I  seyn,   and  that  his  coward 

herte 
Made  him  amis  the  goddes  text  to  glose. 
Whan  he  for  ferde  ont  of  his   Delphos 

sterte.  141 1 

And  but  I  make  him  sone  to  converte. 
And  doon  my  reed  with-inne  a  day  or 

tweye, 
I  wol  to  yow  oblige  me  to  deye.' 

203.  And  treweliche,  as  writen  wel  I  finde, 
Tliat  al  this  thing  was  seyd  of  good  en- 
tente ;  1416 

And  that  hir  herte  trewe  was  and  kinde 
Towardes   him,    and   spak   right   as   she 

mente. 
And  that  she  starf  for  wo  neigh,  whan 

she  wcnte, 
And  was  in  purpos  ever  to  be  trewe  ;  1420 
Thus   writen   they  that    of   hir  werkes 

knewe. 

204.  This  Troilus,  with  herte  and  eres 
spradde, 

Herde  al  this  thing  devysen  to  and  fro  ; 
And  verra^lich  him  somed  that  he  liadde 
The  selve  wit ;  but  yet  to  lete  hir  go   1425 
HLs  herte  misforyaf  him  ever-mo. 
But  fynally,  he  gan  his  herte  wreste 
To  trusten  hir,  and  took  it  for  the  beste. 

205.  For  which  the  greto  furie  of  his 
penaunce 

AVas  queynt  with  hope,  and  thcr-with 
hem  bitwene  1430 

Bigan  for  joye  the  amorouse  daunce. 

And  as  the  briddes,  whan  tlie  sonne  is 
shene, 

DelN-ten  in  hir  song  in  leves  g^ene, 


Right    so   the   wordes    that    they   spake 

y-fere 
Delyted  liem,  and  made  hir  hertes  clere. 

206.  But    natheles,   the  wending  of  Cri- 
seyde,  1436 

For  al  this  world,  may  nought  out  of  his 

minde  : 
For  which  ful  ofte  he  pitously  hir  preyde, 
That   of  hir  heste  he  might  hir  trewe 

finde.  1439 

And  seyde  hir,  '  certes,  if  ye  be  unkinde, 
And  but  ye  come  at  day  set  in-to  Troye, 
Ne  shal  I  never  have  hele,  honour,  ne 

joye. 

207.  For  al-so  sooth  as  sonne  up-rist  on 
morwe, 

And,    god  !     so    wisly   thou    me,    woful 
wrecche,  1444 

To  reste  bringe  out  of  this  cruel  sorwe, 
I  wol  my-selven  slee  if  that  ye  drecche. 
But  of  my  deeth  thoiigh  litel  be  to  recche, 
Yet,  er  that  ye  me  cause  so  to  smerte, 
Dwel  rather  here,  01501  owene  swete  herte ! 

208.  For  trewely,  mvn  owene  lady  dere, 
Tho  sleightes  yet  that  I  have  herd  yow 

stere  1451 

Ful  shaply  been  to  fallen  alio  y-fere. 
For  thus  men  seyn,  '•  that  oon  thenketh 

the  here. 
But  al  another  thenketh  his  lodere." 
Your  sire  is  ^\•ys,  and  seyd  is,  rmt  of  drede, 
"  Men  may  the  wyse  at-rcnne,  and  not  at- 

rede."  1456 

209.  It  is  ful  hard  to  halten  unespyed 
Biforo  a  crepul,  for  he  can  the  craft ; 
Your  fader  is  in  sleighte  as  Argus  y6d  ; 
For  al  be  that  his  moeble  is  him  biraft, 
His  olde  sleighte  is  yet  so  with  him  laft, 
Ye  shal  not  blende  him  for  your  woman- 

hede,  146^ 

Ne  feyne  a-right,  and  that  is  al  my  drede. 

210.  I  noot  if  pees  shal  ever-mo  bityde  ; 
But,  pees  or  no,  for  ernest  ne  for  game, 
I  woot,  sin  Calkas  on  the  Grekes  syde 
Hath   ones  been,   and  lost  so  foule  his 

name,  1467 


Book  IV.] 


^roifue  Citi"^  iRriee^ie. 


^95 


He  dar   no   more   come   here   ayein   for 

shame ; 
For  which  that  weye,   for  oiight  I  can 

espye, 
Totmsten  on,  nis  Init  a  fantasye.         1470 

211.  Yc  shal  eek  seen,   your  fader  shal 
yi>w  gloso 

To  been  a  vry{,  and  as  he  can  wel  preche. 
He   shal  soni  Greek   so  preyse  and  wel 

alose, 
That   ravisshen   he   shal   yow   with    his 

speche,  1474 

Or  do  yow  doon  by  force  as  he  shal  teche. 
And  Troilns,  of  whoni  ye  nil  ban  routhe, 
Shal  causeles  so  sterven  in  his  trouthe  ! 

212.  And   over  al  this,  your  fader   shal 
despyse 

Us  alio,  and  seyn  this  citee  nis  but  lorn  ; 
And  that  th'assegc  never  shal  aryse,  1480 
For-why  the  Grekes  ban  it  alle  sworn 
Til  we  be  sla.yn,  and  doun  our  walles  torn. 
And   thus  he  shal  you  with  his   wordes 

fere, 
That  aj'  drede  I,  that  yc  wol  blcve  there. 

213.  Ye  shul  eek  seen  so  many  a  h\sty 
knight  14S5 

A-mong  the  Grekes,  ful  of  worthinosse. 
And  echo  of  hem  with  herte,  wit,  and 

might 
To  plosen  yow  d<^>n  al  his  besinesse. 
That  ye  shul  dullen  of  the  rudenesse 
Of  us  sely  Trojanes,  but-if  routlio        1450 
Remorde  yow,  orvertue  of  your  trouthe. 

214.  And   this   to   mo  so   grevous   is  to 
thinke, 

That  fro  my  brest  it  wol  my  soulo  rende  ; 
No  dredeles,  in  me  ther  may  not  sinke 
A  good  opinioun,  if  that  ye  wendo  ;     14<)5 
For-why  j-<)ur   faderes    sleighto   wol    us 

shende. 
And  if  ye  goon,  as  I  have  told  yow  yore. 
So  thcnk  I  nam  but  dood,  with-outo  more. 

215.  For  which,  witli  humble,  trcwe,  and 
pitous  herte,  141  9 

A  thousand  tj-mes  mercy  I  yow  preyc  ; 
So  reweth  on  myn  aspre  peynes  smcrtc, 


And  doth  somwhat,  as  that  I  shal  yow 

seye, 
And  lat  us  stele  away  bitwise  us  tweye  ; 
And  thenk  that  folye  is,  whan  man  may 

chese,  1504 

For  accident  his  substaunce  ay  to  less. 

216.  T  mene  this,  that  sin  we  mowe  er 
day 

Wel  stele  away,  and  been  to-gider  so, 
Wliat  wit  were  it  to  putten  in  assay, 
In  cas  ye  sholden  to  your  fader  go. 
If  that  ye  mighte  come  ayein  or  no  ?  1510 
Thias  mene  I,  that  it  were  a  gret  folye 
To  putte  that  sikemesse  in  jvipartye. 

217.  And  \-ulgarly  to  spoken  of  substatmce 
Of  tresonr,  may  we  bothe  with  us  lede 
Y-nough  to  live  in  honour  and  plesatmee, 
Til  in-to  tyme  that  we  shul  ben  dede  ; 
And    thus    we    may    eschewen    al    this 

drede. 
For  everich  other  wey  ye  can  recorde, 
Myn    herte,   .y-'wis,    may   not    thcr-with 

acorde.  1519 

218.  And  hardily,  ne  dredeth  no  poverte, 
For  I  have  kin  and  freendes  elles-where 
That,  though  we  comen  in  oiir  bare  sherte, 
Us  sbolde  neither  lakke  gold  ne  gcre, 
But   been   honoured   whyl    wo    dwclten 

there.  1524 

And  go  we  anoon,  for,  as  in  myn  entente. 
This  is  the  beste,  if  that  ye  wole  assente.' 

219.  Criseyde,  with  a  syk,  right  in  this 
wyse  1527 

Answerde,  '  y-wis,  my  dero  herte  trewe, 
We  may  wel  stele  away,  as  ye  devj'so, 
And  finde  swiehe  \tnthrifty  weyes  newe  ; 
But  aitorward,  ful  sore  it  wol  us  rewe. 
And  help  me  god  so  at  my  moste  node 
As  causeles  yo  suffren  al  this  drede ! 

220.  For  thilke  day  that  I  for  cherisshinge 
Or  drede  of  fader,  or  of  other  wight,  1535 
Or  for  ostat,  delyt,  or  for  weddingo 

Be  fals  to  yow,  mj'  Troilus,  my  knight. 
Saturnps   doughtor,    .Tuno,    thorugh   hir 

might. 
As  wood  as  Athamantc  do  mo  dwelle 
Etcrnalj'  in  Stix,  the  put  of  hollo  !      1540 


ig6 


^votfue  ant  Crteepie. 


[Book  IV. 


221.  And  this  on  every  god  celestial 

I  swere  it  yow,  and  eek  on  eclie  goddesse, 
On  every  Nymplie  and  deite  infernal, 
On  Satiry  and  Fauny  more  and  lesse, 
That  halve  goddes  been  of  wildemesse  ; 
And  Attropos  my  threed  of  lyf  to-breste 
If  I  be  fals  ;  now  trowe  me  if  thow  leste  ! 

222.  And  thon,  Simoys,  that  as  an  arwe 
clere  1548 

Thonigh  Troye  rennest  ay  downward  to 

the  see, 
Ber  witnesse  of  this  word  that  seyd  is 

here,  1550 

That  thUke  day  that  ich  untrewe  be 
To  Troilus,  myn  owene  herte  free. 
That  thon  retorne  bakwarde  to  thy  welle. 
And  I  with  body  and  sonle  sinke  in  helle ! 

223.  But  that  ye   speke,  awey  thus  for 
to  go  1555 

And   leten   alle  your  freendes,  god  for- 

bede. 
For  any  womman,  that  ye  sholden  so. 
And  namely,  sin  Troye  hath  now  swich 

nede 
Of  help  ;  and  eek  of  o  thing  taketh  hede. 
If  this  were  wist,  my  lif  laye  in  balaunce, 
And  your  honour  ;  god  shilde  us  Iro  mis- 

chaunce !  1561 

224.  And  if  so  be  that  pecs  her-after  take, 
As  alday  happeth,  after  anger,  game, 
Why,  lord  !  the  sorwe  and  wo  ye  wolden 

make,  1564 

That  ye  ne  dorste  come  ayein  for  shame  ! 
And  er  that  yo  jujiarten  so  your  name, 
Beth  nought  to  hasty  in  this  hote  i'are  ; 
For  hasty  man  ne  wanteth  never  care. 

225.  What   trowe   yo   the   peple   eek   al 
aboute  i,s69 

Wolde  of  it  seye  ?   It  is  ful  light  to  arede. 
They  wolden  seye,  and  swere  it,  out  of 

doute, 
Tliat  love  ne  droof  yow  nought  to  doon 

this  dede. 
But  lust  voluptno^^s  and  coward  drede. 
Tlius  were  al  lost,  y-wis,  myn  herte  dere. 
Your  honour,  which  that  nowshyneth  so 

clere.  J575 


226.  And  also  thenketh  on  myn  honestee. 
That  floureth  yet,  how  foule  I  sholde  it 

shende. 
And  with  what  filthe  it  spotted  sholde  be, 
If  in  this  forme  I  sliolde  with  yow  wende. 
Ne  though   I   livedo   un-to   the   worldes 

ende,  1580 

My    name    sholde    I    never    ayeinward 

winne ; 
Thiis  were  I  lost,  and  that  were  rovithe 

and  sinne. 

227.  And  for-thy  slee  with  reson  al  this 
hete ; 

Men  seyn,  "the  suffraiint  overcometh," 

pardee ; 
Eek  "  who-so  wol  han  leef,  he  leef  mot 

lete ;  "  15S5 

Thus  maketh  vertue  of  necessitee 
By  pacience,  and  thenk  that  lord  is  he 
Of  Ibrtiine  ay,  that  nought   wol  of  hir 

recche ; 
And  she   ne  daunteth   no   wight   but   a 

wrecche. 

228.  And  tnisteth  this,  that  certes,  herte 
swete,  1590 

Er  Phebus  suster,  Lucina  the  shene. 
The  Leoun  passe  out  of  this  Aricte, 
I  wol  ben  here,  with-outen  any  wene. 
I  mene,  as  helpe  me  Juno,  hevenes  quene, 
The  tenthe   day,   but-if  that  death  me 
assay  le,  1595 

I  wol  yow  seen,  with-outen  any  fayle.' 

229.  '  And  now,   so  this  be  sooth,'  quod 
Troilus, 

'  I  slial  wel  suffre  un-to  the  tenthe  day, 
Sin  that  I  see  that  nede  it  moot  be  thus. 
But,  for  the  love  of  god,  if  it  be  rnay,  1600 
So  lat  us  stele  prively  away  ; 
For  ever  in  oon,  as  for  to  live  in  reste, 
Myn  herte  seyth  that  it  wol   been   the 
bests.' 

230.  'O  mercy,  god,  what  Ij-f  is  this?' 
quod  she  ;  1604 

'  Alias,  ye  slee  me  thus  for  verray  tene ! 
I  see  wel  now  that  ye  mistrusten  me  ; 
For  by  your  wordes  it  is  wel  y-sene. 
Now,  for  the  love  of  Cynthia  the  shene. 


Book  IV. 


^rotfu0  ani  Crieepie. 


297 


Mistrust  me  not  thus  causeles,  for  roiitlie ; 

Sin  to  be  trewe  I  have  yow  plight  my 

trouthe.  1610 

231.  And  thenketh  wel,  that  som  tyme  it 
is  wit 

To  spende  a  tyme,  a  tyme  for  to  winne  ; 
Ne,  pardee,  lorn  am  I  nought  fro  yow  yit, 
Though    that    we    been    a    day   or  two 

a-twinne. 
Dryf  out  the  fantasyesyow  with-iune ;  1615 
Aud  trusteth  me,  and   leveth   eek  your 

sorwe, 
Or  here  my  trouthe,  I  wol  not  live  til 

morwe. 

232.  For  if  j^e  wiste  how  sore  it  doth  me 
smerte, 

Ye  wolde  cesse   of  this  ;   for   god,    thou 

wost, 
The  pure  spirit  wepeth  in  mj-nherte,  1620 
To  see  yow  wepen  that  I  love  most. 
And  that  I  moot  gon  to  the  Grekes  ost. 
Ye,  nere  it  that  I  wiste  remedye 
To  come  ayein,  right  here  I  wolde  dye  ! 

233.  But  certes,  I  am  not  so  nyce  a  wight 
That  I  ne  can  imaginen  a  way  1626 
To  come  ayein  that  day  that  I  havehight. 
For  who  may  holde  thing  that  wol  a-way  ? 
My  fader  noiight,  for  al  his  queynte  pley. 
And  by  my  thrift,   my  wending  out  of 

Troye  1630 

Another  day  shal  tome  us  alle  to  joye. 

234:.  For-thy,  with  al  myn  herte  I  yow 

beseke, 
If  that  yow  list  don  ought  for  my  preyere, 
And  for  the  love  which  that  I  love  yow 

eke. 
That  er  that  I  departo  fro  yow  here,    1635 
That  of  so  good  a  comfort  and  a  chere 
I  may  you  seen,  that  ye  may  bringe  at 

reste 
Myn   lierte,   which   that   is  at   point   to 

brcstc. 

235.  And  over  al  this,  I  pray  yow,'  quod 
she  tho,  1630 

'  Myn  oweno  hertes  soothfast  suffisaunce. 
Sin  I  am  thjni  al  hool,  with-outen  mo, 
Tliat  whyl  that  I  am  absent,  no  plesaunce 


Of  othere  do  me  fro  your  remembraunce. 
For  I  am  ever  a-gast,  for-why  men  rede. 
That  "  love  is  thing  ay  ful  of  bisy  drede." 

236.  For  in  this  world  ther  liveth  lady 
noon,  1646 

If  that  ye  were  untrewe,  as  god  defende  ! 
That  so  bitraysed  were  or  wo  bigoon 
As  I,  that  alle  trouthe  in  yow  entende. 
And  douteles,  if  that  ich  other  wende, 
I  nere  but  deed  ;  and  er  ye  cause  finde. 
For   goddes   love,    so   beth    me   not    \Tn- 
kinde.' 

237.  To  this  answerde  Troilus  and  seyde, 
'  Now   god,   to  wliom  ther  nis  no  cause 

y-wrye,  1654 

Me  glade,  as  wis  I  never  iin-to  Crise.yde, 
Sin  thilke  day  I  saw  hir  first  with  ye, 
Was  fals,  ne  never  shal  til  that  I  dye. 
At  shorte  wordes,  wel  ye  may  me  leve  ; 
I  can  no  more,  it  shal  he  foiinde  at  preve.' 

238.  '  Graunt  mercy,  goode  mjTi,  y-wis,' 
quod  she,  i66() 

'  And  blisful  Venus  lat  me  never  sterve 
Er  I  may  stonde  of  plesaunce  in  degree 
To  quyte  him  wel,  that  .so  wel  can  deserve; 
And  whyl  that  god  my  wit  wol  me  con- 
serve, 
I   shal   so   doon,    so    trewe    I   have   yow 
founde,  1665 

That  ay  honour  to  me- ward  shal  rebounde. 

239.  For  trusteth   wel,   that  your   estat 
roj'al 

Ne  veyn  delyt,  nor  only  worthinesse 
Of  yow  in  werre,  or  torney  marcial,  1669 
Ne  pompe,  array,  nobley,  or  eek  richesse, 
Ne  made  me  to  rewe  on  your  distresse  ; 
But  moral  vertue,  grounded  upon  trouthe, 
That  was  the  cause  I  first  hadde  on  yow 
routhe  ! 

2-10.  Eek  gcntil  herte  and  manhod  that  ye 

hatlde. 
And  that  ye  hadde,  as  me  thoughte,  in 

de.<!pyt  1675 

Every  thing  that  souned  in-to  badde, 
As  rudenesse  and  poeplish  appetj^t ; 
And  that  your  reson  brydled  your  delyt, 


L  3 


298 


^roifue  ani  Cti&t^U. 


[Book  V. 


This  made,  aboven  every  creature, 
That  I  -was  your,  and  shal,  whyl  I  may 
dure.  ,680 

241.  And  this  may  lengthe  of  yeres  not 
for-do, 

Ne  remuable  fortune  deface  ; 
But  Juppiter,  that  of  his  might  may  do 
The  sorwi'ul  to  be  glad,  so  yeve  us  grace, 
Er  nightes  ten,  to  meten  in  this  place, 
So  that  it  may  your  herte  and  myn  suf- 

fyse ;  1686 

And  fareth  now  wel,  for  tyme  is  that  ye 

ryse.' 

242.  And  after  that  they  longe  y-pleyned 
hadde, 

And  ofte  y-kist  and  streite  in  armes  foLle, 

Tlie    day    gan    ryse,    and    Troilus    him 

cladde,  1690 


And  rewfulliche  his  lady  gan  biholde. 
As  he  that  felte  dethes  cares  colde. 
And  to  hir  grace  he  gan  him  recomamide  ; 
Wher  him  -was  -wo,  this  liolde  I  no  de- 
maunde.  1604 

243.  For  mannes  heed  imaginen  ne  can, 
Ne    entendement    considere,    ne     tonge 

telle 
The  cruel  peynes  of  this  sorwful  man, 
That    passen    every    torment    doun    in 

helle.  J698 

For  -whan  he  saugh  that  she  ne  mighte 

d-welle. 
Which   that   his   soule  out  of  his  herte 

rente, 
With-outen  more,  out  of  the  chaumbre 

he  -wente.  j^oi 

Explicit  Liber  Quartos. 


BOOK  V. 


Incipit  Liber  Quintus. 

1.  Aprochen  gan  the  fatal  destinee 
That  Joves  hath  in  disposicioun, 

And  to  yow,  angry  Parcas,  sustren  three, 
Committeth,  to  don  execucioun  ; 
For  -which  Criseyde  moste  out    of   the 
toun,  1; 

And  Troilus  shal  dwelle  forth  in  pyno 
Til  Lachesis  his  threed  no  lenger  t-wjnie. — 

2.  The  golden-tressed  Phebus  heighe  on- 

lofte 
Thryes  hadde  alle  -with  his  homes  shene 
Tlie  sno-wes  molto,and  Zepliinis  as  ofte  10 
Y-brought  aycin  the  tendre  leves  grene, 
Sin  that  the  sono  of  Ecuba  the  quene 
Bigan  to  love  liir  first,  for  whom  his  sorwo 
Was  al,  that  she  departs  sholde  a-morwe. 

3.  Ful  redy  was  at  pryme  Dyomede,       15 
Criseyde  un-to  the  Grekes  ost  to  lede. 
For  .sorwe  of  which   she    felte  hir  herte 

blede. 
As  she  that  niste  what  was  best  to  redo. 
And  trewely,  as  men  in  bokes  rede, 


Men  wiste  never  womman  han  the  care,  20 
Ne  was  so  looth  out  of  a  toun  to  fare. 

4.  This  Troilus,  with-outen  reed  or  lore, 
As  man  that  hath  his  joyes  eek  forlore. 
Was  wajtinge  on  his  lady  ever-more 

As  slie  that  was  the  soothfast  crop  and 
more  25 

Of  al  his  lust,  or  joyes  here-tofore. 

But  Troilus,  now  farewol  al  thy  joye, 

For  shaltow  never  seen  hir  eft  in 
Troye ! 

5.  Soth   is,    that   whyl   he   bood   in   this 

manere, 
He  gan  his  wo  ful  manly  for  to  hyde,     30 
j  That   wel   unnethe   it  seen   was   in    his 

chere  ; 
But  at  the   yate   ther   she   sholde   oute 

ryde 
With  certeyn  folk,  he  hoved  hir  t'abyde, 
So  wo  bigoon,  al  wolde  he  nought  him 

pleyne, 
That   on   his  bors   unnethe   he   sat    for 

peyne.  35 


Book  V.] 


^rotfu0  dn^  Cvm^U, 


299 


6.  For   ire   lie   quook,   so   gaii   his  herte 

gnawe, 
Wlian  Diomede  on  horse  gan  him  dresse, 
And  seyde  un-to  him-seli'  this  ilke  sawe, 
'Alias,'  quod  he,  'thus  foul  a  'wrecched- 

nesse 
Why  suflfre   ich   it,    why   nil   icli   it   re- 

dresse  ?  40 

Were  it  not  bet  at  ones  for  to  dye 
Than  ever-more  in  langour  thus  to  drye  ? 

7.  "Why   nil   I  make   at  ones  riche  and 

pore 
To  have  y-nough  to  done,  er  that  she  go  ? 
Wliy  nil  I  bringe  al  Troye  upon  a  rore?  45 
Wliy  nil  I  sleen  this  Diomede  also  ? 
Wliy  nil  I  rather  with  a  man  or  two 
Stele  hir  a-way  ?    Wliy  wol  I  this  endure  ? 
Whj'  nil  I  helpen  to  myn  owene  cure  ?  ' 

8.  But  why  he  nolde  doon  so  fel  a  dede. 
That  slial  I  seyn,  and  why  him  liste  it 

spare :  51 

He  hadde  iu  herte  alwey  a  maner  drede. 
Lest  that  Criseyde,  in  rumour  of  this  fare, 
Sholde  han  ben  slayn  ;  lo,  this  was  al  his 

care. 
And  elles,  certeyn,  as  I  seyde  yore,         55 
He  hadde    it    doon,   with-outen  wordes 

more. 

9.  Criseyde,  whan  she  redy  was  to  ryde, 
Ful    sorwfuUy    she    sighte,    and     seyde 

'  alias  ! ' 
But  forth  she  moot,  for  ought  that  may 

bityde. 
And  forth  she  rit  ful  sorwfully  a  pas.    60 
Ther  nis  non  other  remedie  in  this  cas. 
What  wonder  is   though   that  hir   sore 

smerte. 
Whan  she  forgoth  hir  owene  swete  herte  ? 

10.  This  Troilus,  in  wyso  of  curteisye. 
With  hauke  on  hond,  and  with  an  huge 

route  65 

Of  knightes,  rood  and  dide  hir  companye, 
Passinge  al  tlie  valey  fer  with-oute. 
And   ferther    wolde    han    riden,   out   of 

doute, 
Ful   fayn,   and  wo  was  him  to  goon  so 

sone ; 
But  torno  he  moste,  and  it  was  eek  to 

done.  70 


11.  And    right   with   that   was   Antenor 
y-come 

Out  of  the  Grekes  ost,  and  every  wight 
Was  of  it  glad,  and  seyde  he  was  wel- 
come. 
And  Troilus,  al  nere  his  herte  light. 
He  peyned  him  with  al  his  fulle  might  75 
Him  to   with-holde   of  wepinge    at    the 

leste, 
And  Antenor  he  kiste,  and  made  feste. 

12.  And  ther-with-al  he  moste  his  leve 
take. 

And  caste  his  eye  upon  hir  pitously. 
And  neer  he  rood,  his  cause  for  to  make. 
To  take  hir  by  the  honde  al  sobrely.       81 
And  lord  !  so  she  gan  wepen  tendrely ! 
And  he  ful  softe  and   sleighly   gan  hir 

seye, 
'  Now  hold  your  day,  and  dootli  me  not  to 

deye.' 

13.  With   that    his    courser    torned    he 
a-boute  85 

With  face  pale,  and  un-to  Diomede 
No  word  he  spak,  ne  noon  of  al  his  route  ; 
Of  which  the  sone  of  Tydeus  took  hede. 
As  he  that  coude  more  than  the  crede 
In  swich  a  craft,  and  by  the  reyne  hir 
hente ;  90 

And  TroUus  to  Troye  homwarde  he  wente. 

14.  This  Diomede,  that  ladde  hir  by  the 
brj'del, 

Whan   that   he   saw   the   folk   of  Troye 

aweye, 
Thoughte,  'al  my  labour  shal  not  been 

on  ydel. 
If  that  I  may,  for  somwhat  shal  I  seye.  95 
For  at  the  worste  it  may  yet  shorte  our 

weye. 
I  have  herd  seyd,  eek  tymes  twyes  twelve, 
"  He    is    a   fool   that   wol   for-yete   him- 

selve." ' 

1.5.  But  natheles   this  thoughte   he  wel 

ynough, 
'That  certaynly  I  am  aboute  nought     100 
If  that  I  speke  of  love,  or  make  it  tough ; 
For  douteles,  if  she  have  in  hir  thought 
Him    that    I    gesse,    he    may  not   been 

y-brought 


^  5 


300 


■^toifue  anb  ^viet'^H, 


[Book  V. 


So  sone  awey  ;  but  I  shal  finde  a  mene, 
That  she   not   -wito   !is   yet   shal  what  I 


16.  This  Diomede,  as  he  that  coude  his 
good, 

'NMiaii  this  was  doon,  gan  fallen  forth  in 

speche 
Of  this   and   that,    and    asked    why   she 

stood 
In  swich  diseso,  and  gan  hir  eek  biseche, 
That  if  that  he  oncrese  mighte  or  eche  no 
With  any  thing  hir  ese,  that  she  sholde 
Comannde  it  him,  and  seyde  he  doon  it 

wolde. 

17.  For  trewely  lie  swoor  hir,  as  a  knight. 
That    ther    nas    thing    with   whiche    he 

mighte  hir  plese, 
That  he  nolde  doon  his  peyne  and  al  his 

might  115 

To  doon  it,  for  to  doon  hir  herte  an  ese. 
And   preyede   hir,    she   wolde   hir  sorwe 

apese, 
And  seyde,  '  y-wis,  we  Grekes  con  have 

joye 
To  hononren  yow,  as  wel  as  folk  of  Troye.' 

18.  He   seyde    eek    thus,    '  I    woot,   yow 
thinketh  straunge,  uo 

Xo  wonder  is,  for  it  is  to  yow  ncwe, 
Th'aqucintaunce    of    these    Trojanes    to 

cliannge, 
For  folk  of  Greco,  that  ye  never  knewe. 
But  wolde  never  god  but-if  as  trewe 
A  Greek  ye  shulde  among  ns  alle  finde  125 
As  any  Trojan  is,  and  eek  as  kinde. 

1 9.  And  by  the  canso  I  swoor  yow  right, 
lo,  now, 

To  been  your  freend,  and  helplj-,  to  my 

might, 
And  for  that  more  acqueintaunce  eek  of 

yow 
Have   ich   had    than   another   straunger 

wight,  130 

So  fro  this  forth   I  pray  yow,   day  and 

night, 
Comaundeth  me,  how  sore  that  me  smerte. 
To  doon   al   that  may   lyke   un-to  j'our 

herte  ; 


20.  And  tliat  ye  me  wolde  as  j'our  brother 

trete. 
And  taketh  not  my  frendship  in  despyt ; 
And  thoiigh  your  sorwes  be  for  thinges 

grete,  136 

Noot  I  not  whj-,  but  out  of  more  respyt, 
Myn  herte  hath  for  to  amende  it  greet 

delyt. 
And  if  I  may  your  harmes  not  redresse, 
I  am  right  sory  lor  your  hevinesse.        140 

21.  And    though    yo    Trojans    with     us 

Grekes  wrotho 
Han  many  a  day  be,  alwe.y  yet,  pardee, 

0  god  of  love  in  sooth  we  serven  botlie. 
And,  for  the  love  of  god,  my  lady  free, 
Whom  so  ye  hate,  as  beth  not  wroth  with 

me.  145 

For  trewely,    ther    can    no   wight    yow 

serve. 
That  half  so  looth  your  wraththe  wolde 

deserve. 

22.  And  nere  it  that  we  been  so  neigh  the 
tente 

Of  Calkas,    which    that    seen    us   bothc 
may, 

1  wolde  of  this  yow  telle  al  myn  entente  ; 
But  this  enseled  til  another  day.  151 
Yeve  mo  your  hond,  I  am,  and  shal  ben 

a.v, 
God  help  mo  so,  wliyl  that  my  Ij'f  may 

dui'o, 
Your  owene  aboven  every  creature. 

23.  Thus  seyde  I  never  er  now  to  womman 
born  ;  155 

For  god  myn  herte  as  wisly  glade  so, 
I  lovede  never  womman  hcre-biforu 
As  paramours,  ne  never  shal  no  mo. 
And,  for  the  love  of  god,  beth  not  my  fo  ; 
Al  can  I  not  to  yow,  my  lady  dere,        160 
Compleyno  aright,  for  I  am  yet  to  lore. 

24.  And  wondrcth  not,  myn  owene  lady 
bright. 

Though  that  I  sjieke  of  love  to  .you  thus 

blyve  ; 
For  I  liavo  herd  or  this  of  many  a  wight. 
Hath   loved    thing   lie   never   saugh   his 

lyve.  165 

Eek  I  am  not  of  power  for  to  stryve 


Book  \.] 


^roifu0  Ant>  ^rteepie. 


301 


Ayens  the  god  of  love,  but  him  obeye 
I  wol  al''vey,  and  mercy  I  yow  preye. 

25.  Ther  been  so  worthy  knightes  in  this 
place,  169 

And  ye  so  fair,  that  evericli  of  hem  alle 
Wol  peyneu  him  to  stonden  in  your  grace. 
But  mighte  me  so  fair  a  grace  falle. 
That  ye  me  for  your  servauut  wolde  calle, 
So  lowly  ne  so  trewely  you  serve 
Nil  uoon  of  hem,  as  I  shal,  til  I  sterve.'  175 

26.  Criseide  un-to  that   pui-pos  lyte  an- 
swerde, 

As  she  that  was  with  sorwe  oppressed  so 
That,  in  effect,  she  nought  his  tales  herde. 
But  here  and  there,  now  here  a  word  or 

two. 
Hir   thoughte   hir    sorwful    herte    brast 

a-two.  180 

For  whan  she  gan  hir  fader  fer  aspye, 
Wei  neigh  douu  of  hir  hors  she  gan  to 

sye. 

27.  But  nathcles  she  thonked  Diomede 
Of  al  liis  travaile,  and  his  goode  cliere. 
And  that  him  liste  his  friendship  hir  to 

bede ;  '  185 

And  she  accepteth  it  in  good  manere, 
And  wolde  do  fayu  that  is  liim  lecf  and 

dere  ; 
And  trusten  him  she  wolde,  and  wel  she 

mighte, 
As  seyde   she,    and    from    hir   hors   she 

alighte. 

28.  Hir  fader  hath  hir  in  his  armes  nome. 
And  tweynty  tyme  he  kiste  his  doughter 

swete,  191 

And  seyde,  '  O  dere  doughter  myn,  wel- 
come ! ' 
She  seyde  eek,  she  was  fayn  witli  him  to 

mete, 
And  stood  forth  mewet,  milde,  and  nian- 

suete. 
But  here  I  levc  hir  with  hir  fader  dwcUe, 
And  forth  I  wol  of  Troilus  j-ow  telle.     196 

29.  To  Troye  is  come  this  woful  Troilus, 
In  sorwe  aboven  alle  sorwes  smertc. 
With  ielon  look,  and  face  dispitous. 


Tho    sodeinly    doun    from    his   hors   lie 

sterte,  ioo 

And  thorugli  his  piileys,  with  a  swollen 

herte. 
To  chambre  he  weute  ;  of  no-thing  took 

he  hede, 
Ne  noon  to  him  dar  speke  a   word  for 

drede. 

30.  And  there  his  sorwes  that  he  spaie<l 
hadde 

He  yaf  an  issue  large,  and  'deeth  ! '  he 
cryde ;  Ji),s 

And  in  his  throwes  frenetyk  and  madde 
He  cursed  Jove,  AppoUo,  and  eek  Cupyde, 
He  cursed  Ceres,  Bacus,  and  Cipryde, 
His   burthe,  him-self,  his   fate,   and  eek 

nature, 
And,  save  his  lady,  every  creature.        210 

31.  To  bedde  he  goth,  and  weyleth  there 
and  torneth 

In  furie,  as  doDth  he,  Ixion,  in  helle ; 
And  in  this  wyse  he  neigh  til  day  so- 

jorneth. 
But  tho  bigan  his  herto  a  Ij'te  unswelle 
Thorugh  teres  wiiich  that  gonnen  up  to 

welle  ;  -'1,5 

And  pitously  he  cryde  mj-on  Criseyde, 
And  to  him-self  right  thus  he  spak,  and 

seyde  : — 

32.  '  Wher  is  mjii  owene  lady  lief  and 
dere, 

Wher   is    hir   whyte    brest,    wher    is   it, 

where  ? 
Wher  been  hir  armes  and  hir  eyen  clere, 
That    yesternight    this    tyme    with    me 

■were  ?  ^-i 

Now  may  I  wepe  allone  many  a  tere, 
And  graspe   aboute  I  may,  biit  in  this 

l^lace. 
Save  a  pilowe,  I  finde  nought  t'enbrace. 

33.  How  shal  I  do?     Whan  shal  she  com 
ayeyn  ?  J->5 

I  noot,  alUis  !  why  Icet  ich  hir  to  go  ? 
As  wolde  god,  ich  hndile  as  tho  be  slcyn  ! 
O  herte  myn,  Criseyde,  O  sweto  fo  ! 
O  lady  myn,  that  I  love  and  no  mo !     jjy 
To  whom  for  cver-mo  myn  herte  I  dowe  ; 
See  liow  I  deye,  ye  nil  me  not  rescowe  ! 


302 


Crotfu0  anb  Cnee^ie. 


[Book  V. 


34.  Who  seeth  yow  now,  my  righte  lode- 
sterre  ? 

Who  sit   right   now    or    stant    in    your 

presence  ? 
"Who  can    conforten     now    your    hertes 

werre  ? 
Now  I  am  gon,  whom  yeve  ye  audience  ? 
Who  speketh  for  me  right  now  in  myn 

ahsenee  ?  236 

Alias,  no  wight ;  and  that  is  al  my  care  ; 
For  wel  wot  I,  as  j^el  as  I  ye  fare. 

35.  How   shulde    I    thiis    ten   dayes   ful 
endure, 

Whan   I  the  firste    night    have  al   this 

tene  ?  240 

How  shal  she  doon  eek,  sorwful  creature? 
For  tendernesse,  how  shal  she  this  sus- 

tene, 
S\vich  wo  for  me  ?     0  pitous,  pale,  and 

grene 
Shal  been  your  fresshe  wommanliclie  face 
For    langour,     er    ye    tome    un-to    this 

place.'  24.5 

36.  And  whan  he  ill  in  any  slomeringes, 
Anoon  biginne  he  sholde  for  to  grone, 
And  dremen  of  the  dredfulleste  thinges 
That   mighte   been ;    as,   mete    he    were 

allone 
In  place  horrible,  makinge  ay  his  mone, 
Or  meten  that  he  was  amonges  alle       251 
His  enemj-s,  and  in  hir  hondes  fallc. 

37.  And    ther-with-al     his    body    sholde 
sterte. 

And  with  the  stert  al  sodeinliche  awake. 
And  swich  a   tremour   fele    aboute    his 

herte,  255 

That  of  the  feer  his  body  sholde  quake  ; 
And    there-with-al    he    sliolde    a    noyso 

make. 
And  seme  as  thoiigh  he  shoLlo  fallo  dope 
From  heighe  a-lofte  ;  and  than  he  wolde 

wepe, 

38.  And  rewen  on  him-self  so  pitously,  260 
Tliat  wonder  was  to  here  his  fantasye. 
Another  tyme  he  sholde  mightily 
Conforte  him-self,  and  seyn  it  was  folye, 
So  causeles  swich  drede  for  to  drye. 


And  eft  biginne  his  aspre  sorwes  newe, 
That   every   man   mighte  on  his  sorwes 
rewe.  266 

39.  Wlio  coiide  telle   aright   or  ful  dis- 
cry\'e 

His  wo,  his  pleynte,  his  langour,  and  his 

pyne? 
Nought  al  the  men  tliat  han  or  been  on- 

lyve. 
Thou,    redere,    mayst    thy-self    ful    wel 

dev.vne  270 

That  swich  a  wo  my  wit  can  not  defyne. 
On  ydel  for  to  wryte  it  sholde  I  swinke, 
Whan  that  my  wit  is  wery  it  to  thinke, 

40.  On  hevene  yet  the  sterres  were  sene, 
Al-though    ful     pale    y-waxen    was    the 

mone ;  275 

And  whyten  gan  the  orisonte  shene 
Al  estward,  as  it  woned  is  to  done. 
And  Phebus  \\-ith  his  rosy  carte  sone 
Gan  after  that  to  dresse  him  up  to  fare. 
Whan  Troilus  hath  sent  after  Pandare. 

41.  This  Pandare,   that  of   al    the    day 
biforn  281 

Ne  mighte  have  comen  Troilus  to  see, 
Al-though  he  on  his  heed  it  hadde  y-sworn, 
For  with  the  king  Pr\-am  alday  was  he. 
So  that  it  lay  not  in  his  libertee  285 

No-wher  to  gon,  but  on  the  morwo  he 

wente 
To  Troilus,  whan  that  he  for  him  sente. 

42.  For  in  his  herte  he  coude  wel  devyne, 
That  Troilus  al  night  for  S(5rwe  wook  ; 
And  that  he  wolde  telle  him  of  his  pyne, 
This  knew   he   wel    y-nough,   with-oute 

book.  291 

For  which  to  chaumbre  streight  the  wey 

he  took. 
And  Troilus  tho  sobreliche  he  grette. 
And  on  the  bed  ful  sone  he  gan  him  sette. 

43.  'My   Pandanis,'   quod    Troilus,    'the 
sorwe  295 

Which   tliat   I   drye,    I   may   not    longe 

endure. 
I  trowe  I  shal  not  liven  til  to-morwe  ; 
For  whiche  I  wolde  alwey,  on  aventure, 
To  thee  devysen  of  my  sex^ulture 


Book  Y.  ] 


tvoiiua  anb  Cvm^U. 


303 


The  forme,  and  of  my  moeble  thou  dis- 
pone 300 
Right  as  thee  semeth  best  is  for  to  done. 

41.  But  of  the  fyr  and  flaumbe  funeral 
In  whiche  my  body  brenne  shal  to  glede, 
And  of  the  feste  and  pleyes  palestral    304 
At  my  vigile,  I  pray  tliee  take  good  hede 
That  al  be  wel ;  and  offre  Mars  my  stede, 
My  swerd,  myn  hebn,  and,  leve  brother 

dere, 
My  shehl    to    Pallas  yef,    that  shjaieth 

clere. 

45.  The   poudre  in  which  mj-n  herte  y- 
brend  shal  torne, 

That  preyo  I  thee  thou  take  and  it  con- 
servo  310 
In  a  vessel,  that  men  clepeth  an  ume, 
Of  gold,  and  to  my  lady  that  I  serve, 
For  love  of  whom  thus  pitously  I  ster^'e, 
So  yeve  it  hir,  and  do  mo  this  plesaunce. 
To  preye  hir  kepe  it  for  a  remembraunce. 

46.  For  wel  I  fele,  by  my  maladye,         316 
And  by  my  dremes  now  and  yore  ago, 

Al  certeinly,  that  I  mot  nedes  dye. 

The  owle  eek,  which  that  hight  AscaijliUo, 

Hath  after  me  shright  alle  thise  nightes 

two.  320 

And,   god  Mercuric !   of  me   now,   woful 

wrecchc. 
The  soule  g^-de,  ami,  whan  thee  list,  it 

fecche  '. ' 

47.  Pandaroanswerde,andsej^de,  'Troilus, 
My  dere  freend,  as  I  have  tolil  thee  yore. 
That  it  is  folyc  for  to  sorwen  thus,         325 
And  causeles,  for  whiche  I  can  no-more. 
But  who-so  wol  not  trowen  reed  ne  lore, 

I  can  not  seen  in  him  no  remedye. 

But  lete  him  worthen  with  his  fantasye. 

48.  But  Troilus,  I  pray  thee  tel  me  now, 
If  that    thou   trowe,    er   this,    that   any 

wight  331 

Hath  loved  paramours  as  wel  as  thou? 
Ye,    god   wot,   and  fro  raany  a  worthy 

knight 
Hath  his  lady  goon  a  fourtenight. 
And   he    not    yet    made    halvendel   the 

fare.  335 

What  nede  is  thee  to  maken  al  this  care  ? 


49.  Sin  day  by  day  thou  mayst  thy-selven 

see 
That  from  his  love,  or  eUes  from  his  wyf, 
A  man  mot  twinnen  of  necessitee, 
Ye,  though  he  love  hir  as  his  owene  lyf ;  340 
Y'et  nil   ho   with   him-self    thus    maken 

stryf. 
For  wel  thow  wost,  my  leve  brother  dere. 
That    alwey  freendes   may  nought   been 

y-fere. 

.50.  How  doon  this  folk  that  seen  hir  loves 

wedded 
By  freendes  might,  as  it  bi-tit  ful  ofte,  345 
And  seen  hem  in  hir  spouses  bed  y-bedded  ? 
God  woot,  they  take  it  wysly,  faire  and 

softe. 
For-why  good  hope  halt  up  hir  herte  on- 

lofte. 
And  for  they  can  a  tyme  of  sorwe  endure  ; 
As  tyme  hem   hurt,    a  tyme   doth   hem 

cure.  350 

51.  So  sholdestow  endure,  and  late  slyde 
The  tyme,  and  fonde  to  ben   glad  and 

liglit. 
Ten  dayes  nis  so  long  not  t'  abyde. 
And  sin  she  thee  to  comen  hath  bihight. 
She  nil  hir  hestes  broken  for  no  wight.  355 
For  dred  thee  not  that  she  nil  finden  weye 
To  come  ayein,  my  lyf  that  dorste  I  leye. 

52.  Tliy  swevenes  eek  and  al  swich  fan- 

tasye 
Dryf  out,   and   lat   hem   faren    to    mis- 

chaunce ; 
For  they  procode  of  thy  malencolye,     360 
That  doth  thee  fele  in  sleep  al  this  pen- 

avmce. 
A  straw  for  alle  swevenes  signifiaunce  ! 
God  helpe  me  so,  I  counte  hem  not  a 

bene, 
Ther  woot  no  man  aright  what  dremes 

mene. 

53.  For  prestes  of  the  temple  tellen  this, 
That  dremes  been  the  revelaciouna       366 
Of  goddes,  and  as  wel  they  telle,  y-wig, 
That  they  ben  infernals  illusiouns  ; 
And  leches  seyn,  that  of  complexiouns 
Proceden  they,  or  fast,  or  glotonye.       370 
Who    woot    in    sooth    thus    what    they 

signifye  ? 


304 


^rotfue  ant  (tviei^^t. 


[Book  V. 


54.  Eek  othere  seyn  that  thorugli  im- 
pressiouns, 

As  if  a  wight  hath  faste  a  thing  in  minde, 
That  ther-of  cometh  swiche  avisiouus  ; 
And  othere  seyn,  as  they  in  bokes  finde, 
That,  after  tynies  of  the  yeer  by  kinde, 
Men  dreme,  and  that  th'efifect  goth  by  the 

mone ;  377 

But  leve  no  dreem,  for  it  is  nought  to 

done. 

55.  Wei  worth  of  dremes  ay  thise  olde 
wyves. 

And  treweliche  eek  augurie  of  thise 
foules ;  380 

For  fere  of  which  men  wenen  lese  her 
lyves, 

As  ravenes  qualm,  or  shrj-king  of  thise 
oules. 

To  trowen  on  it  bothe  fals  and  foul  is. 

Alias,  alias,  so  noble  a  creature 

As  is  a  man,  shal  drede  swich  ordure !  385 

56.  For  which  with  al  mjii  herte  I  thee 
beseche, 

Un-to  thy-self  that  al  this  thou  foryive  ; 
And  rys  up  now  with-oute  more  speclie. 
And  lat  us  caste  how  forth  may  best  be 

drive 
This  tyme,  and  eek  how  freshly  we  may 

live  390 

\^Tian  that  she  cometh,  the  which  shal 

be  right  sone  ; 
God  help  me  so,  the  beste  is  thus  to  done. 

57.  Eys,  lat  us  speke  of  liisty  lyf  in  Troye 
That  we  han   lad,  and  forth  the   tyme 

dryve ; 
And  eek  of  tyme  cominge  us  rejoye,      395 
That  bringen  shal  our  blisse  now  so  blyve ; 
And  langour  of  these  twyes  dayes  fj've 
We  shal  ther-with  so  foryete  or  oj)presse, 
That  wel  unnethe  it  doon  shal  us  duresse. 

58.  This  toun  is  ful  of  lordes  al  aboute, 
And  trcwes  lasten  al  this  mene  whyle. 
Go  we  plej-e  us  in  som  lusty  route         40J 
To  Sarpedon,  not  hennes  but  a  myle. 
And  thus  thou  shalt  the  tjinewel  bigj-le. 
And   dryve   it   forth   un-to   that   blisful 

morwe,  405 

That  thou  hir  see,  that  cause  is  of  thy 
sorwe. 


59.  Now  rys,  my  dere  brother  Troilus  ; 
For  certes,  it  noon  honour  is  to  thee 

To  wepe,  and  in  thy  bed  to  jouken  thus. 
For  trewely,  of  o  thing  trust  to  me,      410 
If  thou  thus  ligge  a  day,  or  two,  or  three. 
The     folk     wol    wene     that     thou,     lor 

cowardyse. 
Thee  feynest  sj'k,   and  that  thou   darst 

not  ryse.' 

60.  This   Troilus  answerde,    '  O  brother 
dere. 

This   knowen    folk    that    han    y-suffred 

peyne,  415 

That  though  he  wepe  and  make  sorwful 

chere. 
That  feleth   harm   and   smert   in   every 

veyne. 
No  wonder  is  ;  and  though  I  ever  pleyne, 
Or  alwey  wepe,  I  am  no-thing  to  blame. 
Sin  I  have  lost  the  cause  of  al  my  game. 

61.  But  sin  of  fyne  force  I  moot  aryse, 

I  shal  aryse,  as  sone  as  ever  I  may  ;      422 
And  god,  to  whom  myn  herte  I  sacrifyse, 
So  sende  lis  hastely  the  tenthe  day  ! 
For  was  ther  never  fowl  so  fayn  of  May, 
As  1  shal  been,  whan  that  she  cometh  in 
Troye,  4^6 

That  cause  is  of  my  torment  and  my  joye. 

62.  But  whider  is  thy  reed,'  quod  Troilus 

'  That  we  may  pleye  us  best  in  al  this 

toun  ? ' 
'  By  god,  my  conseil  is,'  quod  Pandarus, 
'  To  ryde  and  pleye  us  with  king  Sarpe- 

doun.'  4.?' 

So  longe  of  this  they  speken  up  and  doun, 
Til  Troilus  gau  at  the  laste  assente 
To   ryse,   and   forth   to  Sarpedoun   they 

wente. 

63.  This  Saniedoun,  as  he  that  honourable 
Was   ever   his   lyve,   and    ful    of   heigh 

jjrowesse,  436 

With   al  that  mighte  y-served  been  on 

table, 
That    deyntee    was,    al    coste    it    greet 

richesse, 
He   fedde  hem  day  by  day,  that  swich 

noblesse, 


Book  V.] 


^t:oifu0  anb  ^vm^H, 


305 


As  seydeu  bothe  the  moste  and  eek  the 
leste,  440 

Was  never  er  that  day  wist  at  any  teste. 

G-L.  Nor  in  tliis  world  ther  is  non  instru- 
ment 
Delicious,    through  wind,   or  touche,    or 

corde, 
As  fer  as  any  wight  hath  ever  y-went, 
That  tonge  telle  or  lierte  may  recorde,  445 
That  at  that  feste  it  nas  wel  herd  acorde; 
Ne  of  ladies  eek  so  fayr  a  compauye 
On  daunce,  er  tho,  was  never  y-seyn  with 

ye. 

6.5.  But  what  avayleth  this  to  Troilxis, 
That  for  his  sorwe  no-thing  of  it  roughte? 
For  ever  in  oon  his  herte  pietous  451 

Ful  hisily  Criseyde  his  lady  soughte. 
On  hir  was  ever  al  that  his  herte  thoughte. 
Now  this,  now  that,  so  faste  imagininge. 
That  glade,  y-wis,  can  him  no  festeyinge. 

66.  These   ladies   eek   that   at  this  feste 
been,  456 

Sin  that  he  saw  his  lady  was  a-weye. 
It  was  his  sorwe  upon  hem  for  to  seen. 
Or  for  to  here  on  instrumentz  so  pleye. 
For  she,  that  of  his  herte  berth  the  keye, 
Was  absent,  lo,  this  was  his  fantasye,  461 
That  no  wight  sholde  make  melodye. 

67.  Nor  ther  nas  houre  in  al  the  day  or 
night, 

AVhan  he  was  ther-as  no  wight  mighte 

him  here, 
That  he  ne  seyde,  '  O  lufsom  lady  bright, 
How   have  ye   faren,    sin   that   ye  were 

here  ?  466 

Wel-come,  y-wis,  mj'n  owene  lady  dere.' 
But  welaway,  al  this  nas  but  a  niase  ; 
Fortune  his  howve  entended  bet  to  glase. 

68.  The  lettres  eek,  that  she  of  olde  tymc 
Hadde  him  y-scnt,  he  wolde  allone  rede, 
An  hundred  sythe,   a-twLxen   noon   and 

pryme  ;  472 

llefiguringe  hir  shap,  hir  womanhede, 
With-inne  his  herte,  and  every  word  and 

dede 
That  passed  was,  and  thus  he  droof  to  an 


ende 


475 


The   ferthe   day,    and    scyde,    he   wolde 
wende. 


69.  And  seyde,  '  leva  brother  Pandarus, 
Intendestow  that  we  shul  here  bleve 
Til  Sarpedoun  wol  forth  congeyen  us  ? 
Yet  were  it  fairer  that  we  toke  our  leve. 
For  goddes  love,  lat  us  now  sone  at  eve 
Our  leve  take,  and  homward  lat  us  torne; 
For  trewely,  I  nil  not  thus  sojorne.'     4S3 

70.  Pandare    answcrde,    '  be   we   comen 
hider 

To  fecchen  fyr,  and  rennen  hoom  ayej-n? 
God  helpe  me  so,  I  can  not  tellen  wliider 
We  mighten  goon,  if  I  slial  soothly  seyn, 
Ther  any  wight  is  of  us  more  fayn 
Than  Sarpedoun  ;  and  if  we  hennes  hye 
Thus  sodeinly,  I  holde  it  vilanj'e,  4^0 

71.  Sin   that  we  seyden  that  we  wolde 
bleve 

With    him    a    wouke ;    and    now,    thus 

sodeinly. 
The  ferthe  day  to  take  of  him  our  leve. 
He  wolde  wondren  on  it,  trewely  !        494 
Lat  us  holde  forth  our  purpos  fermely ; 
And  sin  that  j'e  bihighten  him  to  byde, 
Hold  forward  now,  and  after  lat  us  ryde.' 

72.  Thus  Pandarus,  with  alle  peyne  and 

wo. 
Made  him  to  dwelle  ;  and  at  the  woukcs 

ende, 
Of  Sarpedoiui  they  toko  hir  leve  tho,     500 
And   on  hir  wey  they  spedden  hem   to 

wende. 
Quod  Troilus,  '  now  god  me  grace  sende. 
That  I  may  finden,  at  myn  hom-cominge, 
Criseyde  comen  ! '  and  ther-with  gan  he 

singe. 

73.  '  Ye,  hasel-wode  !'  thoughte  this  Pan- 
dare,  505 

And  to  him-self  ful  softely  he  seyde, 
'  God  woot,  refreyden  naay  this  bote  fare 
Er  Calkas  sende  Troilus  Criseyde  !' 
But  natheles,  he  japed  thus,  and  seyde, 
And   Rwor,    y-wis,    his    herte    him    wel 

bihighte,  510 

She   wolde   come    as    sone   as    ever    she 

mighto. 

74.  Whan   they   un-to    the   palej'S  were 
y-ponien 

Of  Troilus,  they  doun  of  liors  alighte, 


3o6 


^rotfu0  ant  Cviet^H. 


[Book  V. 


And  to  the  chambre  hir  wey  than  han 

they  nomen. 
And  in-to  tyme  that  it  gan  to  nighte,  515 
Xhey  spaken  of  Criseyde  the  brighte. 
And  after   this,   whan  that   hem   bothe 

leste, 
They  spedde  hem  fro    the  soper  uii-to 

reste. 

75.  On  morwe,  as  sone  as  day  bigan  to 
clere, 

Tliis  Troilus  gan  of  his  sleep  t'abreyde,  520 
And  to  Pandare,  his  owene  brother  dere, 
'  For  love  of  god,'  ful  pitoiisly  he  seyde, 
'  As  go  we  seen  the  paleys  of  Crise^'de  ; 
For  sin  we  yet  may  have  namore  feste. 
So  lat  us  seen  hir  paleys  at  the  leste.'  525 

76.  And  ther-with-al,  his  moj-nee  for  to 
blende, 

A  cause  he  fond  in  toiino  for  to  go, 
And  to  Criseydes  lious  thej'  gonnen  wende. 
But  lord  !  this  sely  Troilus  was  wo  ! 
Him  thoughte  his  sorwefol  herte  braste 

a-two.  530 

For  whan  he  saugh  hir  dores  sperred  alle, 
Wei  neigh  for  sorwe  a-doun  he  gan  to 

fulle. 

77    Therwith  whan  he  was  war  and  gan 

biholde 
How  shet  was  every  windowe  of  the  place. 
As  frost,  him  thoughte,  his  herte  gan  to 

colde ;  535 

For  which  with  chaungcd  deedlich  pale 

face, 
With-outen  word,  he  forth  bigan  to  pace  ; 
And,  as  god  woklc,  he  gan  so  faste  ryde. 
That  no  wight  of  his  contenaunce  aspyde. 

78.  Than  seyde  he  thus,  '  O  paleys  desolat, 
O  hous,  of  houses  wliylom  best  y-hight, 

O  paleys  empty  and  disconsolat,  542 

O  thou  lanterne,  of  which  queynt  is  the 

light, 
O  paleys,  wliylom  day,  that  now  art  night, 
Wei  oughtestow  to  falle,  and  I  to  dye,  545 
Sin  she  is  went  that  wont  was  us  to  gye  ! 

79.  Opaleys,  whylomcroune  of  housesalle, 
Enlumined  with  Sonne  of  alle  blisse  ! 


O  ring,  fro  which  the  ruby  is  out-falle, 
0  cause  of  wo,  that  cause  hast  been  of 

lisse !  550 

Yet,  sin  I  may  no  bet,  fayn  wolde  I  kisse 
Thy  colde  dores,  dorste  I  for  this  route  ; 
And  fare-wel  shryne,  of  which  the  sej-nt 

is  oute  !' 

80.  Ther-with  he  caste  on  Pandarus  his  yS 
With  chaunged  face,  and  pitous  to  biholde ; 
And  whan  he   mighte  his  tyme  aright 

aspye,  556 

Ay  as  he  rood,  to  Pandarus  he  tolde 
His  newe  sorwe,  and  eek  his  joyes  olde, 
So  pitously  and  with  so  dede  an  hewe. 
That  every  wight  mighte  on  his  sorwe  rewe. 

81.  Fro   thennesforth  he  rydeth  up  and 

doun,  561 

And   every  thing   com   him   to    remem- 

braunce 
As  he  rood  forth  by  places  of  the  toun 
In  whiehe  he  wliylom  hadde  al  his  ples- 

aunce.  564. 

'  Lo,  yond  saugh  I  myn  owene  lady  dannce  ; 
And  in  that  temple,  with  hir  ej'en  clere, 
Me  caughte  first  my  righte  lady  dere. 

82.  And  yonder  have  I  herd  ful  lustily 
Mj-  dere  herte  lauglie,  and  yonder  pleye 
Saugh  I  hir  ones  cok  ful  blisfully.  570 
And  yonder  ones  to  me  gan  she  seye, 

"  Now  goode  sweto,  love  me  wel,  I  preye." 
And  yond  so  goodly  gan  she  me  biholde, 
Tliat  to  the  deeth  myn  herte  is  to  hir  holde. 

83.  And  at  that  corner,  in  the  yonder  hous, 
Herde  I  myn  alderlevest  lady  dere        576 
So  wommanly,  with  voys  melodious, 
Singen  so  wel,  so  goodlj-,  and  so  clere. 
That  in  my  soule  yet  me  thinketh  I  here 
The  blisful  soun  ;    and,  in  that  yonder 

place,  580 

My  lady  first  me  took  un-to  hir  grace.' 

84.  Tlianne  thoughte  he  thus,  '  0  blisful 
lord  Cupyde, 

Wlianne  I  the  proces  have  in  my  memorie, 
How  thou  me  hast  werreyed  on  everysyde, 
Men  mighte  a  book  make  of  it,  lyk  a  storie. 
What  nede  is  thee  to  seke  on  me  victorie, 


Book  V.] 


^rotfu0  ani  tvist^pH, 


307 


Sin  I  am  thyn,  ami  hoolly  at  thy  wille? 
WTiat  joye   hastow  thyn  owene  folk   to 
spille  ?  588 

85.  Wei  hastow,  lord,  y-wroke  on  me  thyn 
ire. 

Til  on  mighty  god,  and  dredfol  for  to  greve ! 
Now  mercy,  lord,  thou  wost  wel  I  desire 
Thy  grace  most,  of  alle  lustes  leve.         592 
And  live  and  dej^e  I  wol  in  thy  bileve  ; 
For  which  I  n'axe  in  guerdon  but  a  bone, 
That  thou  Criseyde  ayein  me  sende  sone. 

86.  Distreyne  hir  herte  as  faste  to  retome 
As  thou  dost  myn  to  longen  hir  to  see  ; 
Than  woot  I  wel,  that  she  nil  not  sojorne. 
Now,  blisful  lord,  so  crtiel  thou  no  be 
Un-to  the  blood  of  Troye,  I  preye  thee,  600 
As  Juno  was  tin-to  the  blood  Thebane, 
For  which  the  folk  of  Thebes  caughte  hir 

bane.' 

87.  And  after  this  he  to  the  yates  wente 
Ther-as  Criseyde  out-rood  a  ful  good  paas. 
And  lip  and  doun  ther  made  he  many 

a  wente,  605 

And  to  him-self  ful  ofte  he  seyde  'alias  ! 
From  hennes  rood  my  blisse  and  my  solas ! 
As  wolde  blisful  god  now,  for  his  joj-e, 
I  miglite  hir  seen  ayein  come  in-to  Troyo. 

88.  And  to  the  yonder  liille  I  gan  hir  gyde, 
Alias  !  and  there  I  tofik  of  hir  my  leve  ! 
And  yond  I  saugh  hir  to  hir  fader  rj'de, 
For  sorwe  of  which  myn  herte  shal  to- 

cleve.  613 

And  hider  hoom  I  com  whan  it  was  eve  ; 
And  here  I  dweUe  out-cast  from  alle  joye. 
And  shal,  til  I  may  seen  hir  elt  in  Troye.' 

89.  And  of  him-self  imagined  he  ofte 
To  ben  defet,  and  pale,  and  waxen  lesse 
Than  he  was  wont,  and  that  men  seyde 

solto, 
'  What   may  it   be  ?   who  can  the  sothe 

gesse  620 

Wliy  Troilus  hath  al  this  hevinesse  ? ' 
And  al  this  nas  but  his  malencolye. 
That  he  hadde  of  him-self  swich  fantasye. 

90.  Another  tyme  imaginen  he  wolde 
That  every  wight  that  wente  by  the  weye 


Had  of  him  routhe,  and  that  they  seyeu 
sholde,  626 

'  I  am  right  sory  Troilus  wol  deye.' 
And  thus  he  droof  a  day  yet  forth  or  tweye. 
As  ye  have  herd,  swich  lyf  right  gan  helede, 
As  he  that  stood  bitwixen  hope  and  drede. 

91.  For  which  him  lyked  in  his  songes 
shewe  631 

Th'encheson  of  his  wo,  as  he  best  mighte, 
And  make  a  song  of  wordes  but  a  fewe, 
Somwhat  his  woful  herte  for  to  lighte. 
And  whan   he   was  from  every  mannes 
sighte,  635 

With  softe  voys  he,  of  his  lady  dere. 
That  was  absent,  gan  singe  as  ye  may  here. 

92.  '  O  sterre,  of  which  I  lost  have  al  the 
light. 

With  herte  soor  wel  oughte  I  to  bewaj'le. 
That  ever  derk  in  torment,  night  by  night, 
Toward  my  deeth  with  wind  in  stere  I 
sayle ;  641 

For  which  the  tenthe  night  if  that  I  fayle 
The  gyding  of  thy  hemes  brighte  an  houre, 
My  ship  and  me  Caribdis  wol  devoure.' 

93.  This  song  when  he  thus  songen  liaddo, 
sone  645 

He  fil  ayein  in-to  his  sykes  olde  ; 
And  every  night,  as  was  his  wone  to  done, 
He  stood  the  brighte  mone  to  beholde, 
And  al  his  sorwe  he  to  the  mone  tolde  ; 
And  seyde,  '  y-wis,  whan  thou  art  horned 
newe,  650 

I  shal  be  glad,  if  al  the  world  be  trewe  ! 

9-t.  I  saugh  thyn  homes  olde  eek  by  the 

morwe, 
Wlian  hennes  rood  my  righte  ladj-  dere, 
That  cause  is  of  my  torment  and  my  sorwe ; 
For  whiche,0 brighte  Lucinathe  clere,  655 
For  love  of  god,  ren  faste  aboute  thyspere ! 
For  whan  thjTi  homes  newe  ginno  springe, 
Tlian  shal  she  come,  that  may  my  blisse 

bringe  !' 

9o.  The  day  is  more,  and  lenger  every 

night. 
Than  they  bo  wont  to  bo,  him  thoughto 

tho ;  660 


3o8 


^roifue  anb  Cviet^H. 


[Book  V. 


And  that   the   sonne   wente   his    course 

un  right 
By  lenger  wey  than  it  was  wont  to  go  ; 
And  seyde,  '  y-wis,  me  dredeth  ever-mo, 
The  sonnes  soue,  Pheton,  be  on-lyve, 
And  that  hisfadrescartamishedryve.'  665 

96.  Upon  the  walles  fasts  eek  wolde  he 
walke, 

And  on  the  Grekes  ost  he  wolde  see, 
And  to  him-sell  right  thus  he  wolde  tallce, 
'  Lo,  yonder  is  myn  owene  lady  free, 
Or  elles  yonder,  ther  tho  tentes  be  !      670 
And  thennes  conitli  this  eyr,  that  is  so 

sote, 
That  in  my  soule  I  fele  it  doth  me  bote. 

97.  And  hardely  this  wind,  that  more  and 
more 

Thus  stoundemele  encreseth  in  my  face, 
Is  of  my  ladyes  depe  sykes  sore.  675 

I  preve  it  thus,  for  in  non  othere  place 
Of  al  this  toun,  save  onliche  in  this  space, 
Fele  1  no  wind  that  souneth  so  l.yk  peyne ; 
It   seyth,   "  alias  !    why  twinned   be   we 
tweyne  ? " ' 

98.  This  longe  tyme  he  dryveth  forth  right 
thus,  6S0 

Til  fully  jiassed  was  the  nynthe  night ; 
And  ay  bi-sydc  him  was  this  Pandarus, 
That  bisily  dide  alio  his  fulle  might 
Him  to  comforte,  and  make  his  herte  light; 
Yevinge  him  hope  al  wey,  the  tenthe  morwe 
That  she  shal  come,  and  stiuteu  al  his 
sorwe.  6S6 

99.  Up-on  that  other  sj-de  eek  was  Cri- 
sej'de, 

With  wommen  fewe,  among  tho  Grekes 

stronge ; 
For  which  ful  ofte  a  day  'alias ! '  she  seyde, 
'  That  I  was  bona  !    Wei  may  myn  herte 

longe  690 

After  my  deeth ;  for  now  live  I  to  longe  ! 
Alias  !  and  I  ne  may  it  not  amende  ; 
For  now  is  wors  than  ever  yet  I  wende. 

100.  My  fader  nil  for  no-thing  do  me  grace 
To    goon   ayein,   for    nought   I   can  him 

queme  ;  695 

And  if  so  be  that  I  my  terme  passe, 


My  Troilus  shal  in  his  herte  deme         6<)7 
That  I  am  fals,  and  so  it  may  wel  seme. 
Thus  shal  I  have  unthank  on  every  syilo  : 
That  I  was  born,  so  weylawey  the  tyde  ! 

101.  And  if  that  I  me  putte  in  jupartyc, 
To  stele  awey  by  nighte,  and  it  bifaUe 
That  I  be  caught,  I  shal  be  holde  a  spye  ; 
Or  elles,  lo,  this  drede  I  most  of  alle. 

If  in  the  hondes  of  som  wrecche  I  falle, 
I  am  but  lost,  al  be  mj^n  herte  trewe  ;  7(/> 
Xow  mighty  god,  thou  on  my  sorwe  rewe  ! ' 

102.  Ful  pale  y- waxen  was  hir  brighte  faco. 
Hir  limes  lene,  as  she  that  al  the  day 
Stood  whan  she  dorste,  and  loked  on  th(! 

place  710 

Ther  she  was  born,  and  ther  she  dwelt 

hadde  ay. 
An<l  al  the  night  wepinge,  alias  !  she  laj-. 
And  thus  despeired,  out  of  alle  cure. 
She  ladde  hir  lyf,  this  woful  creature. 

103.  Ful  ofte  a  day  she   sighte   eek   for 
destresse,  715 

And  in  hir-self  she  wente  ay  portrayinge 
Of  Troilus  the  grete  worthinesse. 
And  alle  his  goodly  wordes  recordinge 
Sin  first  that  day  hir  love  bigan  to  springe. 
And  thus  she  sette  hir  woful  herte  a^iyre 
Thorugh  remembraunce  of  that  she  gan 
desyre.  7.M 

104.  In  al  this  world  ther  nis  so  uruel 
herte 

That  hir  hadde  herd  comi^leynen  in  hir 

sorwe, 
That   nolde   han   wopen   for   hir   peynes 

smerte, 
So  tendrely  she  weep,  bothe  eve  and  morwe. 
Hir  nedcde  no  teres  for  to  borwe.  726 

And  this  was  j-etthe  worsteof  alhir  peyno, 
Ther  was  no  wight  to  whom  she  dorste  liir 

pleyne. 

105.  Ful  rewfully  she  loked  up-on  Troye, 
Biheld  the  toures  heighe  and   eek  the 

halles ;  7.v) 

'  Alias  !'  quod  she,  'the  plesaunce  and  tJie 

The   whiche   that   now    al    torned   in-to 
galle  is, 


Book  V.] 


^roifu0  anb  Criee^be. 


3C9 


Have  I  had  ofte  with-inne  yonder  walles ! 

0  Troilus,  -what  dostow  now,'  she  seyde  ; 

'  Lord  !  whether  yet  thou  thenke  ui^-on 
Crise.yde  ?  735 

106.  Alias !  Inehadde  trowed  on  your  lore, 
And  went  with  yow,  as  ye  me  radde  er  this  ! 
Thanne  hadde  I  nownot  syked  half  so  sore. 
Who  mighte  have  seyd,  that  I  had  doon 

a-mis 
To  stele  awey  with  swich  on  as  he  is  ?  740 
But  al  to  late  cometh  the  letnarie, 
\\'han  men  the  cors  un-to  the  grayc  earie. 

107.  To  late  is  now  to  speke  of  this  matere ; 
Prudence,  alias  !  oon  of  thyn  eyen  three 
Me  lakked  alwey,  er  that  I  cam  here  ;  745 
On  tyme  y-passed,  wel  rememhred  me  ; 
And  present  tyme  eek  coude  I  wel  y-see. 
But  futur  tyme,  er  I  was  in  the  snare, 
Coude  I  not  seen  ;  that  causeth  now  my 

care.  749 

108.  But  natheles,  hitj-de  what  bitydo, 

1  shal  to-morwe  at  night,  by  est  or  weste. 
Out  of  this  ost  stele  on  som  maner  syde, 
And  go  with  Troilus  wher-as  him  leste. 
Tliis  purpos  wol  I  holde,  and  this  is  beste. 
No  fors  of  wikked  tonges  janglerye,       755 
For  ever  on  love  han  wrecches  had  envye. 

1 09.  For  who-so  wole  of  every  word  take 
hede, 

Or  rewlen  him  by  every  wightes  wit, 
Ne  shal  he  never  thryven,  out  of  drede. 
For  that  that  som  men  blamen  ever  yit, 
Lo,  other  maner  folk  commenden  it.     761 
And  as  for  me,  for  al  swich  variaunce, 
Felicitee  clepe  I  my  suffisaunce. 

1 10.  ForwhichjWith-outenany wordesmo, 
To  Troye  I  wol,  as  for  conchisioun.'       765 
But  god  it  wot,  er  fully  monthes  two, 
She  was  ful  fer  fro  that  entcneioun. 

For  bothe  Troilus  and  Troye  toun 

Shal    knotteles    through-out    hir    lierte 

slyde ; 
For  she  wol  take  a  purjios  for  t'abyde.  770 

111.  This  Diomcde,   of  whom  yow  telle 
I  gan, 

Goth  now,  with-inne  him-self  ay  arguingo 


With  al  the  sleighte  and  al  that  ever  he 

can. 
How  he  may  best,  with  shortest  taryinge, 
In-to  liis  net  Criseydes  herte  bringe.     775 
To  this  entente  he  coude  never  fyne  ; 
To  fisshen  hir,  he  leyde  out  hook  and  lyne. 

112.  But   natheles,   wel  in  his   herte  he 
thoughte. 

That  she  nas  nat  with-outo  a  love  in  Troye. 
For  never,  sithen  he  hir  thennes  broughte, 
Ne  coude  he   seen  her  laughe  or  make 

joye.  781 

He  niste  how  best  hir  herte  for  t'acoye. 
'  But   for  t'assaye,'  he  seyde,  '  it  nought 

ne  greveth  ; 
For  he  that  nought  n'assayeth,  nought 

n'acheveth.' 

1 13.  Yet  seide  he  to  him-self  upon  a  night, 
'  Now  am  I  not  a  fool,  that  woot  wel  how 
Hir  wo  for  love  is  of  another  wight, 
And  here-up-on  to  goon  assaye  hir  now '? 
I  may  wel  wite,  it  nil  not  been  mj-  prow. 
For  wyse  folk  in  bokes  it  expresse,  790 
"  Menshalnotwowea  wightinhevinesse." 

114.  But   who-so   mighte   winnen   swich 
a  flour 

From  him,  for  whom  she  morneth  night 

and  day. 
He  mighte  sejTi,  he  were  a  conquerour.' 
And  right  anoon,  as  he  that  bold  was  ay, 
Thoughte  in  his  herte,  '  happe,  how  happe 

may,  796 

Al  sholde  I  deye,  I  wole  hir  herte  seche ; 
I  shal  no  more  lesen  but  my  speche.' 

11").  This  Diomede,  as  bokes  us  declare. 
Was  in  his  nedes  prest  and  corageous  ; 
Witli  sterne  voysand  mighty  limes  square, 
Hardy,  testif,  strong,  and  chevalrous  . 
Of  dodes,  lyk  his  fader  Tidous. 
And  som  men  seyn,  he  was  of  tunge  largo ; 
And  heir  hewasof  Calidoineand  Arge.  805 

1 16.  Criseydc  mene  was  of  hir  stature, 
Thcr-to  of  shap,  efface,  and  eek  of  cliere, 
Ther  mighte  been  no  fairer  creature. 
And  ofte  tyme  this  was  hir  manere, 
To  gon  y-tressed  with  hir  heres  clere    Su) 


3IO 


^rotfue  <inb  Cviet^lt. 


[Book  V. 


Dotm  by  hir  coler  at  hir  biik  biliinde, 
Which  with  a  threde  of  gold  she  wolde 
binde. 

117.  And,  save  hir  browes  joyneden  y-fere, 
Ther  nas  no  lak,  in  ought  I  can  espyen  ; 
But  for  to  speken  of  hir  eyen  clere,       815 
Lo,  trewely,  they  writen  that  hir  syen, 
That  Paradys  stood  formed  in  hir  yen. 
And  with  hir  riche  beautee  ever-more 
Strof  love  in  hir,  ay  which  of  hem  was 

more. 

118.  She  sobre  was,  eek  simple,  and  wys 
with-al,  820 

The  beste  y-norisshed  eek  that  mightebe, 
And  goodly  of  hir  speche  in  general. 
Charitable,  estatliche,  lusty,  and  free  ; 
Ne  never-mo  ne  lakkede  hir  pitee  ; 
Tendre-herted,  slydinge  of  corage  ;        825 
But  trewely,  I  can  not  telle  hir  age. 

119.  And  Troilus  wel  waxen  was  in  highte, 
And  complet  formed  by  proporcioun 

So  wel,  that  kinde  it  not  amenden  mighte  ; 
Yong,  fresshe,  strong,  and  hardy  as  lyoun ; 
Trewe  as  steel  in  cch  condicioun  ;  831 

On  of  the  beste  enteched  creature, 
That  is,  or  shal,  whyl  that  the  world  may 
dure. 

I'iO.  And  certainly  in  storie  it  is  y-founde. 
That  Troilus  was  never  un-to  no  wight,  835 
As  in  his  tj-me,  in  no  degree  secoimde 
In  durring  don  that  longeth  to  a  knight. 
Al  mighte  a  geaunt  passen  him  of  might. 
His  herte  ay  with  the  firste  and  with  the 
beste  839 

Stod  paregal,  to  durre  don  that  him  leste. 

121.  But  for  to  tellen  forth  of  Diomede : — 
It  fil  that  after,  on  the  tenthe  day. 

Sin  that  Criseyde  out  of  the  citee  yede. 
This  Diomede,  as  fresshe  as  braunche  in 

May, 
Com  to  the  tente  ther-as  Calkas  lay,     845 
And  feyned  him  with  Calkas  han  to  done  ; 
But  what  he  mente,  I  shal  yow  telle  sone. 

122.  Criseyde,  at  shorte  wordes  for  to  telle. 
Welcomed  him,  and  doun  by  hir  him  sette  ; 
And  he  was  ethe  y-nough  to  uiaken  dwelle. 


And  after  this,  with-outen  longe  lette,  851 
The  spyces  and  the  wyn  men  forth  heni  '. 

fette  ; 
And  forth  they  speke  of  this  and  that 

y-fere. 
As  freendes  doon,  of  which  som  shal  ye 

here. 

123.  He  gan  first  fallen  of  the  werre  in 
speche  855 

Bitwixe  hem  and  the  folk  of  Troye  toun  ; 
And  of  th'assege  he  gan  hir  eek  byseche, 
To  telle  him  what  was  hir  opinioun. 
Fro  that  demaunde  he  so  descendeth  doun 
To  askon  hir,  if  that  hir  straunge  thoughte 
The  Grekes  gj'se,  and  werkes  that  they 
wroughte  ?  861 

124.  And  why  hir  fader  taVieth  so  longe 
To  wedden  hir  un-to  som  worthy  wight  ? 
Criseyde,  that  was  in  hir  peynes  stronge 
Foi-  love  of  Troilus,  hir  owene  knight,  865 
As   fer-forth   as   she   conning    hadde    or 

might, 
Answerde  him  tho  ;  biit,  as  of  his  entente, 
It  semed  not  she  wiste  what  he  mente. 

125.  But  natheles,  this  ilke  Diomede 
Gan  in  him-self  assure,  and  thus  he  seyde, 
'  If  icli  aright  have  taken  of  yow  hede,  871 
Me  tliinketh  thus,  O  ladymyn,  Criseyde, 
That   sin    I   first   hond   on   your   brydel 

leyde. 
Whan  .ye  out  come  of  Troye  by  the  morwe, 
Ne  coude  I  never  seen  j-ow  but  in  sorwe. 

126.  Can  I  not  seyn  what  may  the  cause 
be  876 

But-if  for  love  of  som  Troyan  it  were. 
The  which  right  sore  wolde  athinken  me 
That  ye,   for  any  wight  that    dwelleth 

there, 
Sholden  spille  a  quarter  of  a  tere,  880 

Or  pitously  your-selven  so  bigyle  ; 
For  dredelees,   it   is   nought   worth   the 

whyle. 

127.  Tho  folk  of  Troye,  as  who  seyth,  alle 
and  some 

In  preson  been,  as  ye  your-selven  see  ; 
For  thennes  shal  not  oon  on-lyve  come  885 


Book  V.] 


'Zxoihe  ant  Cneejie. 


311 


Per  al  the  gold  bitwixen  sonne  and  see. 
Trustetli  wel,  and  ixnderstondeth  me, 
Tlier  shel  not  oon  to  mercy  goon  on-lyve, 
Al  were  he  lord  of  worldes  twyes  fyve  ! 

128,  Swich  wreche  on  hem,  for  fecching 
of  Eleyne,  890 

Ther  shal  be   take,   er  that  we  hennes 

wende. 
That  Manes,  which   that  goddes  ben  of 

peyne, 
Shal  been   agast  that  Grekes  wol  hem 

shende. 
And  men  shul  drede,  un-to  the  worldes 

ende,  894 

From  hennes-forth  to  ravisshe  any  quene. 
So  cruel  shal  our  wreche  on  heni  be  sene. 

129.  And  but-ifCalkas  lede  us  with  am- 


That  is  to  seyn,  with  doiible  wordes  slye, 
Swich  as  men  clej)e  a  "  word  with  two 

visages," 
Ye  shul  wel  knowen  that  I  nought  ne 

lye,  900 

And  al  this  thing  right  seen  it  with  your 

ye, 

And  that  anoon  ;  ye  nil  not  trowe  how 

sone  ; 
Now  taketh  heed,  for  it  is  for  to  done. 

130.  What    wene    ye    your    wyse   fader 
wolde 

Han  yeven  Antenor  for  yow  anoon,      905 
If  he  ne  wiste  that  the  citee  sholde 
Destroyed    been?    Why,    nay,   so    mote 

I  goon ! 
He  knew  ful  wel  ther  shal  not  scapen  oon 
That  Troyan  is  ;  and  for  the  grete  fere. 
He  dorste  not,  ye  dwelte  lenger  there.  910 

131.  What  wole    ye  more,   lufsom   lady 
dere? 

Lat  Troye  and  Troyan  iro  your   herte 

pace  ! 
Dryf  out  that  bittre  hope,  and  make  good 

chere, 
And  clepe  ayein  the  beautee  of  your  fja/ce, 
That  ye  with  salte  teres  so  deface.         915 
For  Troye  is  brought  in  swich  a  jupartye, 
That,  it  to  save,  is  now  no  remedye. 


132.  And  thenketh  wel,  ye  shal  in  Grekes 
finde 

A  more  parfit  love,  er  it  be  night, 

Than  any  Troyan  is,  and  more  kinde,  920 

And    bet   to   serven    yow    wol   doon   his 

might. 
And  if  ye  vouche  sauf,  my  lady  bright, 
I  wol  ben  he  to  serven  yow  my-selve. 
Ye,  lever  than  be  lord  of  Greces  twelve  ! " 

133.  And  with  that  word  he  gan  to  waxen 
reed,  925 

And  in  his  speche  a  litel  wight  he  quook. 
And  caste  a-syde  a  litel  wight  his  heed, 
And  stinte  a  whyle ;  and  afterward  awook, 
And  sobreliche  on  liir  he  threw  his  look. 
And  seyde,  '  I  am,  al  be  it  yow  no  joye. 
As  gentil  man  as  any  wight  in  Troye.    931 

134.  For  if  my  fader  Tydeus,'  he  seyde, 
'  Y-lived  hadde,  I  hadde  been,  er  this, 
Of  Calidoine  and  Arge  a  king,  Criseyde  ! 
And  so  hope  I  that  I  shal  yet,  y-wis.     935 
But  he  was  slayn,  alias  !  the  more  harm 

is. 
Unhappily  at  Thebes  al  to  rathe, 
Polymites  and  many  a  man  to  scathe. 

135.  But  herte  niyn,  sin  that  I  am  yonr 
man. 

And   been   the  ferste   of  whom   I   seche 
grace,  941) 

To  serven  you  as  hertely  as  I  can. 
And  ever  shal,  whyl  I  to  live  have  space, 
So,  er  that  I  departe  out  of  this  place. 
Ye  wol  me  graunte,  that  I  may  to-morwe, 
At  bettre  leyser,  telle  yow  my  sorwe.'  945 

136.  Wliat  shold  I  telle  his  wordes  that  lie 
seyde  ? 

He  spak  y-now,  for  o  day  at  the  meste  ; 
It  preveth  wel,  he  spak  so  that  Criseyde 
Graunted,  on  the  morwe,  at  his  requeste, 
For  to  speken  with  him  at  the  leste,       950 
So  that  he  nolde  speke  of  swich  matere  ; 
And  thus  to  him  she  seyde,  as  ye  may 
here  : 

137.  As   she  that    hadde    hir    herte    on 
Troilus 

So  faste,  that  ther  may  it  noon  arace  ; 
And  straungely  she  spak,  and  seyde  thus  : 


312 


'Zvoiiua  arib  Cviet^H. 


[Book  V. 


'  O  Diomede,  I  love  that  ilke  place         956 
Ther   I    was    Lorn ;    and   Joves,   for  his 

grace, 
l)olivere  it  sone  of  al  that  doth  it  care  ! 
God,  for  thy  might,  so  lave  it  wel  to  fare  ! 

138.  That  Grekes  wolde  hir  wraththe  on 
Troye  wreke,  960 

If  that  they  miglite,  I  knowe  it  wel, 
y-wis. 

But  it  shal  not  bifallen  as  ye  speke  ; 

And  god  to-forn,  and  ferther  over  this, 

I  wot  my  fader  wys  and  redy  is  ; 

And  that  ho  me  hath  bought,  as  ye  me 
tolde,  965 

So  dere,  I  am  the  more  un-to  him  holde. 

I'iU.  Tliat   Grekes    been    of    heigh    con- 

dicioun, 
I  woot  eek  wel  ;  but  certein,  men  shal 

finde 
As  worthj'  folk  with-inne  Troye  toun, 
As  conning,  and  as  parfit  and  as  kinde. 
As  been  bitwixen  Oread es  and  Inde.      971 
And  that  ye  conde  wel  your  lady  serve, 
1  trowe  eek  wel,  hir  thank  for  to  deserve. 

] -to.  But  as  to  speke  of  love,  y-\\is, '  she 

seyde, 
'  I  haddn  a  lord,  to  whom  I  wedded  was, 
Tiie  whos  myn  herte  al  was,  til  that  he 

dpyde  ;  976 

And  other  love,  as  helpe  me  now  Pallas, 
Tlier  in  myn  herte  nis,  no  never  was. 
And   that  ye   been  of  noble   and   heigli 

kinrede, 
1  liave  wel  herd  it  tellen,  out  of  drede.  980 

141.  And  that  doth  me  to  lian  so  gret  a 
Wfmder, 

That  ye  wol  scomen  any  womman  so. 
Eek,  god  wot,  love  and  I  l)o  fer  a-sonder; 
I  am  disposed  bet,  so  mote  I  go, 
Un-to  my  deeth,  to  ple1|^le  and  maken 
wo.  985 

What  I  shal  after  doon,  I  can  not  seye  ; 
But  trewely,  as  yet  me  list  not  plcye. 

142.  MjTi  herte  is  now  in  tribulacioun. 
And  ye  in  armes  bisy,  daj'  by  day. 
Here-alter,    whan  j-o   wonncn    lian    the 

toun,  990 


Paraunter,  thanno  so  it  happen  may. 
That  whan  I  see  that  I  never  er  say. 
Than  wole  I  werke  that  I  never  wroughte ! 
This    word    to    yow    y-nough    suffysen 
oughte. 

143.  To-morwe  eek  wol  I  speke  with  yow 
fayn,  995 

So  that  ye  touchen  nought  of  this  matere. 
And  whan  yow  list,  ye  may  come  here 

ayejna  ; 
And,  er  ye  gon,  thus  muche  I  seye  yow 

here  : 
As  helpe  me  Pallas  with  hir  heres  clere, 
If  that  I  sholde  of  any  Greek  ban  routhe, 
It  sholde  be  your-selven,  by  my  trouthe  '. 

144.  I  sey  not  therfore  that  I  wol  yow 
love,  1002 

Ne  I  sey  not  nay,  but  in  conclusioun, 
I  mene  wel,  by  god  that  sit  above  : ' — • 
And    ther-with-al    she    caste    hir    eyen 

doun. 
And  gan  to  sj-ke,  and  seyde,   '  O  Troye 

toun,  1006 

Yet  bidde  I  god,  in  qviiete  and  in  reste 
I  may  yow  seen,  or  do  myn  herte  breste.' 

145.  But  in  effect,  and  .shortly  for  to  seye. 
This  Diomede  al  freshly  newe  aj-eyn  loio 
Gan  pressen    on,   and   faste   hir   mercy 

preyc  ;  lou 

And  after  this,  the  sothe  for  to  seyn, 
Hir  glove  he  took,  of  which  he  was  ful 

fayn. 
And  fynally,  whan  it  was  waxen  eve, 
And   al   was  wel,   he  roos  and  took  his 

leve.  1015 

146.  The  brightc  Venus  folwede  and  ay 
taughte 

The  wcy,  ther  brode  Phebus  donn  alighte  ; 
And  Cynthea  hir  char-hors  over-raughte 
To  whirle  out  of  the  Lyon,  if  she  mighte; 
And  Signifer  his  candeles shewed  brighte, 
Whan  that  Criseyde  un-to  hir  bedde 
wente  1021 

In-with  hir  fadres  faire  brighte  tente. 

147.  Retoming  in  hir  soule  ay  uj)  and 
doun 

The  wordes  of  thig  sodein  Diomede, 


Book  V.] 


^totfu0  dnl  ^ViCtjpbt. 


313 


His  greet  estat,  and  peril  of  the  toun,  1025 
And  that  she  was  allijne  and  hadde  nede 
Of  I'reendes    help ;    and   thus    bigan    to 

brede 
The  cause  why,  the  sothe  for  to  telle, 
That  she  tok  fully  purpos  for  to  dwelle. 

148.  The  morwe  com,  and  goostly  for  to 
speke,  1030 

Til  is  Diomede  is  come  tin-to  Criseyde, 
And  shortly,  lest  that  ye  my  tale  breke, 
So  wel  he  for  him-selve  spak  and  seyde, 
That  alle  hir  sykes  sore  adoun  he  leyde. 
And  fynall.v,  the  sothe  for  to  seyne,     1035 
He  refte  hir  of  the  grete  of  al  hir  peyne. 

149.  And  after  this  the  story  telleth  us, 
That  she  him  yaf  the  faire  baye  stede, 
The  which  he  ones  wan  of  Troilus  ; 
And   eek   a   broche   (and  that  was  litel 

nede)  1040 

That  Troilus  was,  she  yaf  this  Diomede. 
And   eek,   the  bet   from   sorwe    him   to 

releve, 
She  made  him  were  a  pencel  of  hir  sieve. 

150.  I  finde  eek  in  the  stories  elles-where, 
WTian  through  the  body  hurt  was  Dio- 
mede 1045 

Of  Troilus,  tho  weep  she  many  a  tere, 
Whan  that  she  saugh  his  wyde  woundes 

blede  ; 
And   that  she  took  to  kepen  him  good 

hede. 
And  for  to  liele  him  of  his  sorwes  smerte. 
Men  seyn,  I  not,  that  she  yaf  him  hir 

herte.  1050 

1.51.  But  trewely,  the  story  telleth  us, 
Ther  made  never  womman  more  wo 
Than  she,  whan  that  she  falsed  Troilus. 
She  sej'de,  '  alias  !  for  now  is  clene  a-go 
My  name  of  trouthe  in  love,  for  ever-mo  ! 
For  I  have  falsed  oon,  the  gentileste 
That  ever  was,  and  oon  the  worthieste  ! 

152.  Alias,  of  me,  un-to  the  worldes  ende, 
Shal  neither  been  y-writen  nor  y-songe 
No  good  word,   for  thise   bokes  wol  me 
shende,  loOo 

O,  rolled  shal  I  been  on  many  a  tongc  ! 


Through-out  the  world  my  belle  shal  be 

ronge ; 
And  wommen  most  wol  hate  me  of  alle. 
Alias,  that  swich  a  cas  me  sholde  falle  ! 

153.  They  wol  seyn,  in  as  muche  as  in 
me  is,  1065 

I  have  hem  doon  dishonour,  weylawey  ! 
Al  be  I  not  the  firste  that  dide  amis, 
What  helpeth  that  to  do  my  blame  awey  ? 
But  sin  I  see  there  is  no  bettre  way. 
And  that  to  late  is  now  for  me  to  rewe. 
To  Diomede  algate  I  wol  be  trewe.       1071 

154.  But  Troilus,  sin  I  no  better  may, 
And  sin  that  thus  departen  ye  and  I, 
Yet  preye  I  god,  so  yeve  yow  right  good 

day 
As  for  the  gentileste,  trewely,  1075 

That  ever  I  say,  to  serven  feithfully, 
And  best  can  ay  his  lady  honour  kepe  :' — 
And  with  that  word  she  brast  anon  to 

wepe. 

155.  '  And  certes,  yow  ne  haten  shal  I 
never. 

And  freendes  love,  that  shal  ye  han  of 
me,  1080 

And  my  good  word,  al  mighte  I  liven  ever. 

And,  trewely,  I  wolde  sory  be 

For  to  seen  yow  in  adversitee. 

And  giltelees,  I  woot  wel,  I  yow  leve  ; 

But  al  shal  passe  ;  and  thus  take  I  my 
leve.'  1085 

156.  But  trewely,  how  longe  it  was  bi- 
twene, 

That  she  for-sook  him  for  this  Diomede, 
Ther  is  non  auctor  telleth  it,  I  wene. 
Take  every  man  now  to  his  bokes  hede ; 
He  shal  no  terme  finden,  out  of  drede. 
For  though  that  he  bigan  to  wowe  hir 
sone,  1091 

Er  he  hir  wan,  yet  was  ther  more  to  done. 

157.  Ne  me  ne  list  this  soly  womman 
chyde 

Ferther  than  the  story  wol  dcvyse. 
Hir  name,  alias  !  is  publisshed  so  wyde. 
That  for  hir  gilt  it  oughte  y-now  suffyse. 
And  if  I  mighte  excuse  hir  any  wyse, 


;i4 


^rotfu0  anb  ^n'eejie. 


[Book  V. 


For  she  so  sor^^  was  for  hir  nntrouthe, 
Y-wis,  I  wolde  excuse  hir  yet  for  routhe. 

15S.   This  Troihis,  as  I  hiforn  havr>  told, 
Thus   dr\'\'eth  forth,  as  wel  as   ho,  hath 

might,  iioi 

But  often  was  his  herte  hoot  and  cohl. 
And  namely,  that  like  nynthe  night. 
'\Miich    on    the    morwe    she    hadde    him 

byhight 
To  come  ayein  :  god  wot,  ful  litel  resto 
Hadde  he  that  night  ;   no-thing  to  slepe 

him  leste.  1106 

159.  The  laurer-erouned  Phehus,  with  his 
hete, 

fJan,  in  his  course  ay  upward  as  he  wente, 

To  warmcn  of  -j-th'  est  see  the  wawes  wete  ; 

And  Nisus  doughter  song  with  fresh  en- 
tente, mo 

Whan  Troilus  his  Pandare  after  sente  ; 

And  on  the  walles  of  the  toun  they 
pleyde. 

To  lokc  if  they  can  seen  ought  of  Crises'de. 

160.  Til  it  M'as  noon,  they  stoden  for  to 
see 

Wlio  that  tlipr  rome  ;  and  every  maner 
wight,  1 1 15 

That  cam  fro  fer,  they  seydon  it  was  she. 
Til  that  thoy  coudo  knowen  him  a-right, 
Now  was  his  herte  dul,  now  was  it  light ; 
And  tints  by -japed  stonden  for  to  stare 
Aboute  nouglit,  this  Troilus  and  Pandare. 

161.  To  Pandanis  this  Troilus  tlio  seydc, 
'For  ought  I  wot,  lii-for  noon,  sikerly, 
In-to   this   toun   no   conith   nought  here 

Criseyde. 
She  hath  y-now  to  done,  hardily,  1 124 

To  winnen  from  hir  fader,  so  trowe  I ; 
Hir  olde  fader  wol  yet  make  hir  djnie 
Er  that  she  go  ;  god  yeve  his  herte  pync ! ' 

102.  Pandare  answerdo,  '  it  maj'  wel  be, 

certeyn  ; 
And  for-tliy  lat  us  dyne,  I  thee  bisecho  ; 
And  after  noon  than  mayst  thou  come 

ayeyn.'  11 30 

And     boom    they    go,    with-outc    more 

speche ; 


And  comen  ayein,  but  longe  may  they 

■   secho 
Er  that  they  finde  that  they  after  cape  ; 
Fortune  hem  bothe  thcnketh  for  to  jape. 

163.  Quod  Troilus,  '  I  see  wel  now,  that 
she  ii;^5 

Is  taried  with  hir  olde  fader  so, 
Tliat  er  she  come,  it  wol  neigh  even  be. 
Com  forth,  I  wol  un-to  the  .yate  go. 
Thise  poT'tours  been  unkonninge  ever-mo; 
And  I  wol  doon  hem  holden  iip  the  .yate 
As  nought  ne  were,  al-though  she  come 
bite.'  1 141 

164.  The  day  goth  faste,  and  after  that 
comth  eve. 

And  yet  com  nought  to  Troilus  Criseyde. 
He   loketh   forth   by  hegge,   by  tree,  by 

greve. 
And  fer  his  heed  over  the  wal  he  leyde. 
And   at  the   laste   he   torned   him,    and 

seyde,  1146 

'  By  god,  I  woot  hir  mening  now,  Pandare ! 
Al-most,  y-wis,  al  newe  was  nij'  care. 

165.  Now   doutelos,    this    lady    can     hir 
good  ; 

I  woot,  slio  mcneth  ryden  prively.        1150 
I  comende  hir  wysdom,  by  myn  hood  ! 
She  wol  not  maken  pcple  nycely 
Gaure   on   hir,    whan    she    comth  ;    but 

softely 
By  nighte  in-to  the  toun  she  thenketh 

ryde. 
And,  dere   brother,  thenk   not   longe  t' 

abyde.  1155 

160.  Wo  ban  nought  olles  for  to  doon, 

y-wis. 
And  Pandams,  now  woltow  trowen  me? 
Have  here  my  trouthe,  I  see  hir !  yond 

she  is. 
Heve  up  thyn  eyen,  man  !  maystow  not 

see  ?  ' 
Pandare  answerdo,  '  nay,  so  mote  I  thee  ! 
Al  wrong,  by  god  ;  what  seystow,  man, 

wher  art?  1161 

That  I  see  yond  nis  bvit  a  fare-cart.' 

167.   '  Alias,  thou  seist  right  sooth,'  quod 

Troilus  ; 
'  But  hardely,  it  is  not  al  for  nought  11 64 


Book  V.] 


^votfu0  anb  ^viet^H. 


3f5 


That  in  myn  herte  I  now  rejoyse  tlms. 
It  is  ayein  som  good  I  have  a  thonght. 
Noot   I   not   how,    but    sin    that    I   was 

wrought, 
Ne  felte  I  swich  a  ponfort,  dar  I  scye  ; 
She  comth  to-night,  my  lyf,  that  dorste 

I  leye ! ' 

16S.  Pandare  answerde,  '  it  may  ho  wel, 

y-nough  '  ;  1170 

And  hold  with  him  of  al  tliat  ever  he 

soyde  ; 
But  in  his  herte  he  thonghte,  and  softe 

lough, 
And  to  him-self  ful  sohrelj-  he  seyde  : 
'  From  hasel-wode,  tlierJoIy  Kohin  pleyde, 
Shal  come    al    that   that   thou   ahydest 

here ;  1175 

Ye,  fare-wel  al  the  snow  of  feme  yere  ! ' 

169.  The  ■wardein  of  the  .^-ates  gan  to  calle 
The  folk  which  that  with-ovite  the  yates 

were, 
And  bad  hem  drj^en  in  hir  bestes  alle, 
Or  al  the  night  they  moste  bleven  there. 
And  fer  with-in  the  night,  with  many 

a  tere,  1181 

This  Troilns  gan  hoomward  for  to  ryde  ; 
For  wel  he  seeth  it  helpeth  nought  t'a- 

byde. 

170    Butnatheles,hegladdodhimin  this; 
He  thoughte  he  misacounted  hadde  his 

day,  1185 

And  seyde,  '  I  understonde  have  al  a-mis. 
For  thilke  night  I  last  Criseyde  say. 
She  seyde,  "  I  shal  ben  here,  if  that  I 

may, 
Er  that  the  mono,  O  dere  herte  swete  ! 
The  Lyon  passe,  out  of  this  Ariete."    1190 

171.  For  which  she  may  yet  holde  al  hir 

bihoste.' 
And   on   the   morwc   un-to   the    yate   he 

wente, 
And  up  and  down,  by  west  and  eek  by 

este, 
I'p-on  the  walles  made  he  many  a  wente. 
But  al  for  nought ;  his  hope  alwcy  hini 

blente  ;  1195 


For  which  at  night,  in  sorwe  and  sykes 

sore 
He    wente    him    hoom,    witli-outen    any 

more. 

172.  This  hope  al  cleno  out  of  his  herto 
fledde. 

He  nath  wher-on  now  longer  for  to  honge ; 
But  for  the  peyne  him  thoughte  his  herte 

bledde,  1200 

So  were  his  throwes  sharpe  and  wonder 

stronge. 
For   when    he   saugh    that  she  abood  so 

longe. 
He  niste  what  he  juggen  of  it  mighte. 
Sin   she  hath    broken   that   she   him  bi- 

highte. 

173.  Tlie  thridde,  ferthe,  fifte,  sixte  day 
After  tho  dayes  ten,  of  which  1  tolde, 
Bitwixen  hope  and  drede  his  herte  lay. 
Yet  som-wliat  trustinge  on  hirhostesolde. 
But  whan  he  saugh  she  nolde  hir  terme 

holde. 
He  can  now  seen  non  other  remedye,  12 10 
But  for  to  shape  him  sone  for  to  dye. 

174.  Thcr-with  the  wikked  spirit,  god  us 
blesse. 

Which  that  men  clepeth  wode  jalousye, 
Gan  in  him  crepe,  in  al  this  hevinesse  ; 
For  which,  by-cause  he  wolde  sone  dye. 
He  ne  eet  ne  dronk,  for  his  malencolye. 
And  eek  from  every  companye  he  fledde  ; 
This  was  the  lyf  that  al  the  tyme  he 
Icdde. 

175.  He  so  defet  was,  that  no  manor  man 
Unnethe   mighte   him    knowe    ther    ho 

wente ;  1220 

So  was  he  lene,  and  thor-to  pale  and  wan. 
And  feble,  that  he  walkoth  by  potento  ; 
And  with   his   ire   he    thus    him-solven 

shente. 
And  who-so  axed  him  wher-of  him  smerte, 
He  Royde,   his  harn^  was  al  a))oute  his 

herte.  1225 

176.  Pryam  ful  ofte,  and  eek  his  moder 
dere. 

His  hretheren  and  his  sustren  gonne  him 
fre.yne 


3i6 


^rotfue  anb  Crieejbe. 


[Book  V'. 


Why  he  so  sorwful  was  in  al  his  chere, 
And  what  thing  was  the  cause  of  al  his 

peyne  ? 
But  al  for  nought ;  he  nohle  his  cause 

pleyne,  1230 

But  seyde,  he  felte  a  grevous  maladye 
A-boute  his  herte,  and  fayn  he  wolde  dye. 

177    So  on  a  day  he  leyde  him  doun  to 

slepe, 
And    so    hifel    that    in    his    sleep   him 

thoughte, 
That  in  a  forest  faste  he  welk  to  wepe    1235 
For  Live  of  hir  that  him  these  peynes 

wroughte  ; 
And  up  and  doun  as  he  the  forest  soughte, 
He  mette  he  saugh  a  boor  with  tuskes 

grete, 
That  sleep  ayein  the  bright  sonnes  hete. 

178.  And  by  this  boor,  faste  in  his  annes 
folde,  1 240 

Lay  kissing  ay  his  lady  bright  Criseyde  : 
For  sorwe  of  which,   whan  he   it    gan 

biholde, 
And  for  desp^-t,  out  of  his  slepe  he  breyde, 
And  loude  he   cryde  on  Pandarus,  and 

seyde, 
'  O   Pandarus,   now   knowe    I   crop   and 

rote  !  I -'45 

I  nam  but  deed,  ther  nis  non  other  bote  ! 

179.  My  lady  bright  Criseyde  hath  me 
bitrayed. 

In  whom  I  trusted  most  of  any  wight. 
She    ellcs-where    hath    now    hir    herte 

apayed ; 
The   blisful    goddes,    through    hir   grete 

might,  1 250 

Han  in  my  dreem  y-shewed  it  ful  right. 
Thus   in    my    dreem    Criseyde    I    liave 

biholde'— 
And  al  this  thing  to  Pandarus  he  tolde. 

180.  '  O  my  Criseyde,  alias  !  what  subtil- 
tee. 

What  newe  lust,  what  beaittee,  what 
science,  1 255 

A\'hat  wratthe  of  juste  cause  have  ye  to 
me? 

What  gilt  of  me,  what  fel  experience 

Hath  fro  me  raft,  alias !  thyn  advertence? 


0  trust,  O  feyth,  O  depe  aseuraunce, 
Wlio  hath  me  reft  Criseyde,  al  my  ple- 

saunce?  1260 

181.  Alias !  why  Icet  I  j-ou  from  hennes 

go, 
For  which   wel   neigh    out   of  my  w  it  I 

breyde  ? 
Who  shal  now  trowe  on  any  othes  mo  ? 
God  wot  I  wende,  O  lady  bright,  Criseyde, 
That  every  word  was  gospel  that  ye  seyde ! 
But  who  maybetbigylen,  if  him  liste,  1266 
Than  he  on  whom  men  weneth  best  to 

triste? 

182.  'WTiat   shal   I  doon,   my  Pandarus, 
alias  ! 

1  fele  now  so  sharpe  a  newe  peyne. 
Sin  that  ther  is  no  remedie  in  this  cas. 
That   bet  were  it   I   with    myn    hondes 

tweyne  1271 

My-selven  slow,  than  alweythus  to  pleyne. 
For  throtigh  my  deeth  my  wo  sholde  ban 

an  ende, 
Ther  every  day  with  lyf  my-self  I  shende.' 

183.  Pandare  answerde  and  seyde,  '  alias 
the  whyle  1275 

That  I  was  born ;  have  I  not  seyd  er  this, 
That  dremes  many  a  maner  man  bigyle? 
And  why  ?  for  folk  expounden  hem  a-mis. 
How  darstow  seyn  that  fals  thy  lady  is. 
For   any   dreem,   right  for  thyn   owene 

drede  ?  1280 

Lat  be  this  th.ought,  thou  canst  no  dremes 

rede. 

184.  Paraunter,  ther  thou  dremest  of  this 
boor, 

It  may  so  be  that  it  may  signifye 
Hir  fader,  which  that  old  is  and  eek  hoor. 
Aycin  the  sonne  lytb,  on  pojnittodye,  1285 
And  she  for  sorwe  ginneth  wepe  and  crye, 
And  kisseth  him,   ther  he  lyth  on  the 

grounde ; 
Tlius  shuldestow  thy  dreeni  a-right  ex- 

pounde.' 

185.  'How   mighte  I  thanne   do?'   quod 
Troilus, 

'To  knowe  of  this,  ye,  were  it  never  so 
lyte?'  1290 


Book  V.] 


^votfu0  ani  Cvtee^ie. 


3^7 


'  Now  seystowwysly,'  quod  thisPandarus, 
'  My  reed  is  this,   sin   thou   canst  wel 

endyte, 
That  hastely  a  lettre  thou  hir  wrj-te, 
Thorugh  which  thou  shalt  wel  bringen  it 

aboute, 
To   knowe   a   sooth  of  that  thou  art  in 

doute.  1295 

l'-:rt.  And  see  now  why  ;  for  this  I  dar  wel 

seyn, 
That  if  so  is  that  she  tintrewe  be, 
I  can  not  trowe  that  she  wol  wryte  ayeyn. 
And  if  she  wryte,  thou  shalt  ful  sone  see, 
As  whether  she  hath  any  libertee        13CX) 
To  come  ayein,  or  elles  in  som  clause. 
If  she  be  let,  she  wol  assigne  a  cause. 

187.  Tliou  hast  not  writcn  hir  sin  that 
she  wente, 

Xor  she  to  thee,  and  this  I  dorste  le.ye, 
Ther  may  swich  cause  been  in  hir  en- 
tente, 1305 
That  hardely  thou  wolt  thy-selven  seye. 
That  hir  a-bood  the  beste  is  for  yow  tweye. 
Now  wTj'te  hir  thanne,  and  thou  shalt 

fele  sono 
A  sothe  of  al;  ther  is  no  more  to  done.' 

188.  Acordedbeento  thisconclusioun,  1310 
And  that  anoon,  these  ilke  lordes  two  ; 
And  hastely  sit  Troilus  adoun. 

And  rolleth  in  his  herte  to  and  fro, 
How  he  may  best  discryven  hir  his  wo. 
And  to  Criseyde,  his  owene  lady  dere,  1315 
He  WTOot  right  thus,  and  seyde  as  ye  may 
here. 

189.  '  Right  fresshe   flour,    whos  I  have 
been  and  shal, 

With-outen  part  of  elles-where  servyse. 
With  herte,  body,  lyf,  lust,  thought,  and 

al; 
I,  woful  wight,  in  every  humble  wyse  1320 
That  tonge  telle  or  herte  may  devyse. 
As  ofte  as  matere  occupyoth  place. 
Me  recomaunde  un-to  your  noble  grace. 

190.  Lyketh  it  yow  to  witen,  swete  herte. 
As  ye  wel  knowe  how  longe  tyme  agoon 
That  ye  me  lafte  in  aspre  peynes  smerte. 


Whan  that  ye  wente,  of  which  yet  bote 
noon  1327 

Have  I  non  had,  but  ever  wers  bigoon 
Fro  day  to  day  am  I,  and  so  mot  dwelle. 
While  it  yow  list,   of  wele  and  wo   my 
welle !  1330 

191.  For   which   to    yow,    with    dredful 
herte  trewe, 

I  wryte,  as  he  that  sorwe  dryfth  to  vnyto. 
My  wo,  that  every  houre  encreseth  newe, 
Compleyninge  as  I  dar  or  can  endyte. 
And  that  defaced  is,  that  niay  ye  wyte  1335 
The  teres,  which  that  fro  myn  eyen  reyne, 
That  wolde  speke,  if  that  they  coude,  and 
pleyne. 

192.  Yow  first  biseche  I,  that  yo^^r  eyon 
clere 

To  look  on  this  defouled  ye  not  holde  ; 
And  over  al  this,  that  ye,  my  lady  dere, 
Wol  vouche-sauf  this  lettre  tobiholde.  1341 
And  by  the  cause  eek  of  my  cares  colde. 
That  sleeth  my  wit,   if  ought  amis  me 

asterte, 
For-yeve  it  me,  mjii  oweno  swete  herte. 

193.  If  any  servant  dorste  or  oughto  of 
right  1345 

Up-on  liis  lady  pitotisly  compleyne. 
Than   wene  I,   that  ich  oughte  be  that 

wight. 
Considered  this,  that  j-e  these  monthes 

tweyne 
Han   taried,   ther    ye    seyden,    sooth    to 

seyne, 
But  dayes  ten  yenolde  in  ost  sojourne,  1350 
But  in  two  monthes  yet  ye  not  retourna 

194.  But  for-as-muche  as  me  mot  nedes 
lyke 

Al  that  yow  list,  I  dar  not  pleyne  more. 
But  humblely  with  sorwful  sykes  syko  ; 
Yow  wryte  ich  mjTi  unresty  sorwes  sore. 
Fro  day  to  day  desyring  ever-more      1356 
To  knowen  fuUj',  if  your  wil  it  were. 
How  ye  han  ford  and  doon,  whyl  yo  be 
there. 

195.  The  whos  wcl-fare  an<l  hele  eek  god 
encresso  1359 

III  honour  swich,  that  upward  in  degree 


liS 


^rotfue  ant>  tneejie. 


[Book  V. 


It  growe  alwey,  so  that  it  never  cesse  ; 
Right  as  your  lierte  ay  can,  my  lady  free, 
Devj'se,  I  prey  to  god  so  mote  it  be. 
And  graunte  it  that  ye  sone  up-oii  me 

rewe 
As  wisly  as  in  al  I  am  yow  trewe.         1365 

196.  And  if  yow  lyketh  knowen  of  tlie  iare 
Of  me,  whos  wo  tlier  may  no  ■wight  dis- 

cryve, 
I  can  no  more  but,  chcste  of  every  care, 
At  wrJ^;^nge  of  this  lettre  I  was  on-ly\-e, 
Al  redy  <7Ut  my  woful  gost  to  drj-ve;  1370 
Which  I  delaye,  and  holde  him  yet  in 

honde, 
Upon  the  sight  of  matere  of  your  sonde. 

197.  Slyn  eyen  two,  in  veyn  with  which 
I  see. 

Of  sorwefnl  tei'es  salte  am  waxen  welles  ; 
My  song,  in  plejaite  of  myn  adversitee  ; 
My  good  in  harm  ;  myn  ese  eek  waxen 

hclle  is.  1376 

My  joj'e,  in  wo  ;  I  can  sey  yow  nought 

elles, 
But  turned  is,  for  which  my  lyf  I  warie, 
Everich  joj-e  or  ese  in  his  contraric. 

198.  Wliich   with   your    comingc    hoom 
ayein  to  Troye  1380 

Ye  maj'  redresse,  and,  more  a  thousand 

s3-the 
Tliau  ever  icli  hadde,  encresen  in  me  joye. 
For  was  ther  never  herte  yet  so  blythe 
To  ban  his  lyf,  as  I  shal  been  as  swythe 
As   I  j'ow   sec ;    and,  though  no  manor 

routhe  1385 

Commcve    yow.   yet    thinketh    on    your 

trouthc. 

199.  And   if  so  be   my  gilt    hatli   deeth 
deserved, 

Or  if  you  list  no  more  iip-on  mo  see. 
In  guerdon  yet  of  tliat  I  have  you  served, 
Biseche  I  yow,  mjii  hertes  lady  free,  1390 
That  herc-upon  ye  woldcn  wrj'to  me. 
For  love  of  god,  my  righto  lode-stcrre, 
Ther  deeth  may  make  an  endo  of  al  my 
werre. 

200.  If  other  cause  aught  doth  yow  for  to 
dwelle,  1394 

That  with  j'onr  lettre  ye  me  recomforte  ; 


For  though  to  me  .your  absence  is  an  helle,  | 

With  pacience  I  wol  my  wo  comporte,  I 

And   with    your    lettre    of    hope    I   wol  I 

des]iorte. 

Now  wryte.th,  swete,  and  lat  me  thus  not  j 

pleyne ;  | 
With  hope,  or  deeth,   delivereth  me  fro 

peyne.                                                   1400  1 

I 

201.  Y-^vis,  myn  owene  dere  herte  trewe,  ' 
I  woot  that,  whan  ye  next  up-on  me  see. 

So  lost  have  I  mj-n  hele  and  eek  mj-n  hewe,  1 

Criseyde  shal  nought  conne  knowe  me  !  '■ 

Y-wis,  mjTi  hertes  day,  my  lady  free,  1405  ' 

So  thiirsteth  ay  myn  herte  to  biholde  1 

Your  beautee,  that  mj-  lyf  unncthc  I  holde.  ( 

202.  I  sey  no  more,  al  have  I  for  to  seye 
To  you  wel  more  than  I  telle  may ;      1409 
But  whether  that  ye  do  me  live  or  deye. 

Yet  pray  I  god,  so  yeve  yow  right  good  day.  , 

And  faretb  wel,  goodly  fayre  fresshe  may,  ' 
As  ye  that  Ij'f  or  deeth  me  may  comaunde ; 
And  to  your  trouthe  ay  I  me  recomaunde 

I 

203.  With  hele  swich  that,  but  yc  yeven  \ 
mo                                                       1415  : 

The  same  hele,  I  shal  noon  hele  have.  ' 

In  j-ou  lyth,  whan  yow  list  that  it  so  be. 

The  day  in  which  me  clothen  shal  my  , 

grave. 

In  yow  my  lyf,  in  yow  might  for  to  save  1 

Me  from  disese  of  aUe  peynes  smcrte  ;  14J0  I 

And  fare  now  wel,  myn  owene  swete  herte  I  1 

Le  vostre  T.'  1 

204.  This  lettre  forth   was   sent    un-to  I 
Criseyde, 

Of  which  hir  answere  in  effect  was  this  ;  ', 

Ful  pitously  she  wroot  ayein,  and  seyde,  , 
That  al-so  soue  as  that  she  might,  y-wis. 
She  wolde  come,  and  mende  al  that  was 

mis.                                                     1426  ] 

And  fynally  she  wroot   and  seyde   him  I 

thanne. 
She  wolde  come,  ye,  but  she  niste  whanne. 

203.  But   in  hir  lettre  made  she   swich 

f  est  OS,  ) 

That  wonder  was,  and  swereth  she  loveth  ! 

him  best,                                                 1430  j 

Of  which  he  fond  but  botmelees  bihestes.  1 


Book  V.] 


^rotfue  anl  Cviet^lt. 


319 


But  Troilus,  thou  mayst  now,  est  or  west, 
Pj-pe  in  an  i\'>'  leef,  if  that  thee  lest ; 
Thus  gooth  the  world  :  god  shilde  us  fro 

miscliaunce, 
And   every  wight   that  meneth   trouthe 

avaunce !  1435 

206.  Encresen  gan  the  wo  fro  day  to  night 
Of  Troilus,  for  taryinge  of  Criseyde  ; 
And   lessen   gan   his   hope   and   eek   his 

might, 
For  whicli  al  doun  he  in   his  bed  him 

leyde  ; 
He  ne  eet,  ne  dronk,  ne  sleep,  ne  word  he 

seyde,  144" 

Imagininge  ay  that  she  was  unkinde  ; 
For  which  wel  neigh  he  wex  out  of  his 

minde. 

207.  This  dreem,  of  which  I  told  have  eek 
hiforn, 

Alay  iicver  come  out  of  his  remembraunce ; 
He  thoughte  ay  wel  he  hadde  his  lady 

lorn,  1445 

And  that  Joves,  of  his  purveyaunce, 
Him  shewed  hadde  in  sleep  the  signifi- 

aunce 
Of  hir  untrouthe  and  his  disaventure, 
And  that  the  boor  was  shewed  him  in 

figure. 

208.  For  which  he  for  Sibille  his  susfcer 
sen  to,  '450 

That  called  was  Cassandre  eek  al  aboute  ; 
And  al  his  dreem  he  tolde  hir  er  he  stente. 
And  hir  bisoughte  assoilen  him  the  doute 
Of  the  stronge  boor,  with  tuskes  stovite  ; 
And  fynally,  with-inne  a  litel  stounde, 
Cassandre  him  gan  right  thus  his  dreem 
expounde.  1456 

209.  She  gan  first  smyle,  and  seyde,  '  O 
brother  dere. 

If  thou  a  sooth  of  this  desyrest  knowe. 
Thou  most  a  fcwe  of  oldc  stories  hero. 
To  purpos,  how  that  fortune  over-throwe 
Hath  lordes  olde  ;  through  which,  with- 
inne  a  throwe,  1461 
Thou  wel  this  boor  shalt  knowe,  and  of 

what  kindo 
He  comen  is,  as  men  in  bokcs  findc. 


210.  Diane,  which  that  wrooth  was  and  in 
ire 

For  Grekes  nolde  doon  hir  saorifyse,  1465 
Ne  encens  up-<jn  hir  auter  sette  a-tyre. 
She,  for  that  Grekes  gonne  hir  so  dispyse, 
Wrak  hir  in  a  wonder  cruel  W3  se. 
For  with  a  boor  as  greet  as  oxe  in  stalle 
She  made  up  frete  hir  corn  and  vjiies  alle. 

211.  To  slee  this  boor  was  al  the  contree 
reysed,  14;! 

A-monges  which  ther  com,  this  boor  to  see, 
A  fliayde,    oon   of  this   world   the    best 

y-preysed  ; 
And  Meleagre,  lord  of  that  contree. 
He  lovede  so  this  fressho  mayden  free  1475 
That  with  his  manhod,  er  he  wolde  stente, 
This  boor  he  slow,  and  hir  the  heed  he 

sente ; 

212.  Of  which,  as  olde  bokes  tellen  us, 
Ther  roos  a  contek  and  a  greet  envye  ; 
And  of  this  lord  descended  Tydeus      14S0 
By  ligne,  or  elles  olde  bokes  Ij-e  ; 

Btit  how  this  Meleagre  gan  to  dye 
Tliorugh  his  moider,  wol  I  yow  not  telle, 
For  al  to  long  it  were  for  to  dwelle.' 


[A7-gument  of  the  u  Books  o/Statius' 
ThebaLs.] 

Associat  profugum  Tideo  prhmts  Polimi- 

tem  ; 
Tidea  legatum  docet  insidiasque  secundus; 
Tercius   Hemoniden   canit   et  vates   lati- 

tantes  ; 
Quartus  habet  reges  ineuntes  prelia  seji- 

tem ;  4 

Mox  furie  Lenne  quinto  narratur  et  anguis ; 
Archimori  bustum  sexto  ludique  leguntur ; 
Dat    Gi-aios    Thebes   et   vatcm    aejitimus 

vmbris ; 
Octaito  cecidit  Tideus,  spcs,  vita  Pclasgis  ; 
Ypomedon    nuno    moritur    cum   Partho- 

nopeo ;  9 

Fulmine     percussus,     dechiio     Ciiiianeus 

supcratur ; 
Vndecimo    sese    i^erimunt    per    vulnera 

f  rat res ; 
Argiuam    flentem    narrat    duodcnus    et 

ignem.  12 


'20 


tj^votfu0  ani  tvi&t^U. 


[Book  V. 


213.  She  toldij  eek   how  Tydeus,  er  she 
stente,  1485 

Un-to  the  stronge  citee  of  Thebes, 
To  cleyme  kingdom  of  the  citee,  wente. 
For  his  felawe,  daun  Polymites, 
Of  which  the  brother,  datm  Ethyocles, 
Ful    wrongfully    of    Thebes     held     the 
strengthe ;  1490 

This  tolde  she  by  proces,  al  by  leng^he. 

2 1  i.  She  tolde  eek  how  Hemonides  asterte, 
Whan  Tydeus  slough  fift.yknightes  stoute. 
She  tolde  eek  al  the  prophesyes  by  herte. 
And  how  that  sevene  kinges,  with  hir 
route,  1495 

Bisegeden  the  citee  al  aboute  ; 
And  of  the  holy  serpent,  and  the  welle, 
And  of  the  furies,  al  she  gan  him  telle. 

215.  Of    Archimoris    buryinge    and    the 
pleyes, 

And    how   Amphiorax    fil    through    the 
grounde,  1500 

How  Tydeus  was  slayn,  lord  of  Argeyes, 
And  how  Yponiedoun  in  litel  stounde 
"Was    dreynt,   and    deed    Parthonope   of 

wonnde ; 
And  also  how  Cappaneus  the  iDroude 
With  thonder-dint  was  slayn,  that  cryde 
loude.  1505 

216.  She  gan   eek   telle   him   how   that 
either  brother, 

Ethyocles  and  Polimyte  also, 
At  a  scarmyche,  echo  of  hem  slough  other. 
And  of  Argyves  wepinge  and  hir  wo  ; 
And  how  the  town  was  brent  she  tolde 
eek  the.  1510 

And  so  descendeth  doun  from  gestes  olde 
To  Diomede,  and  thus  she  spak  and  tolde. 

217.  '  This  ilke  boor  bitokneth  Diomede, 
Tydens  sone,  that  doun  descended  is 
Fro   Mcleagre,   that   made   the    boor    to 

bl(>de.  1515 

And  thy  lady,  wher-so  she  be,  y-wis. 
This  Diomede  hir  herto  hath,  and  she  his. 
Weep  if  thou  wolt,  or  leef;    for,  out  of 

doute, 
This  Diomede  is  inne,  and  thou  art  oute.' 


218.  'Thou   seyst  nat   sooth,'   quod   he, 
'  thou  sorceresse. 

With  al  thy  false  goost  of  prophesye  !  1521 
Tliou  wenest  been  a  greet  devyneresse  ; 
Now  seestow  not  this  fool  of  fantasye 
Peyneth  hir  on  ladyes  for  to  lye? 
Awey,'  quod  he,   '  ther  Joves  yeve  thee 

sorwe !  1525 

Thou  shalt   be  fals,   paraunter,   yet  to- 

morwe  ! 

219.  As  wel  thou  mightest  lyen  on  Alceste, 
That  was  of  creatures,  but  men  lye. 
That  ever  weren,  kindest  and  the  beste. 
For  whanne   hir  housbonde  was  in  ju- 

partye  1530 

To  dye  him-self,  but-if  she  wolde  dye, 
She    chees   for  him   to    dye   and   go   to 

helle. 
And  starf  anoon,  as  us  the  bokes  telle.' 

220.  Cassandre  goth,  and  he  with  cruel 
herte  1534 

For-yat  his  wo,  for  angre  of  hir  speche  ; 
And  from  his  bed  al  sodeinly  he  sterte. 
As  though  al  hool  him  hadde  y-mad  a 
leche.  1537 

And  day  by  day  he  gan  enquere  and  seche 
A  sooth  of  this,  with  al  his  fuUe  cure  ; 
And  thus  he  dryeth  forth  his  aventure. 

221.  Fortune,  whiche  that  permutacioun 

Of  thinges  hath,  as  it  is  hir  committed 
Througli  purv'cj'aunce  and  disposicioun 
Of  heigho  Jove,  as  regnes  shal  ben  flitted 
Fro  folk  in  folk,  or  whan  they  shal  ben 

emitted,  1545 

Gan  pulle  awey  the  fetheres  brighto  of 

Troye 
Fro  day  to  day,  til  they  ben  bare  of  joye. 

222.  Among  al  this,  the  fjoi  of  the  parodie 
Of  Ector  gan  approchen  wonder  blyvc  ; 
The  fate  woldo  his  soule  sholde  unbodie, 
And  shapen  hadde  a  mone  it  out  to  dryve  ; 
Aj'eins  which  fate   him  helpeth  not  to 

stryve ;  1552 

But  on  a  day  to  fightcn  gan  he  wende, 
At   which,   alias !    he  caughte  his  lyvea 

ende. 


Book  V.] 


^trotfua  drib  Ctiet^H. 


321 


223.  For  whicli  me  thinketh  every  maner 

wiglit  1555 

That  hauntetli  armes  oixghte  to  biwayle 
Tlie   deetli   of   him  that   was    so    noble 

a  knight ; 
For  as  he  tlrongh  a  king  b,\-  th'aventayle, 
Unwar  of  this,  Achilles  throvigh  the  mayle 
And  through  the  body  gan  him  for  to 

Tys,-c ;  1560 

And  thus  this  worthy  knight  was  brovight 

of  hve. 

22i.  For  whom,  as  olde  bokes  tellen  us, 
Was  maad  swich  wo,  that  tonge  it  naay 

not  telle  ; 
And  namely,  the  sorwe  of  Troilus,        1564 
That  next  him  was  of  worthinesse  welle. 
And  in  this  wo  gan  Troilus  to  dwelle, 
That,  what  for  sorwe,  and  love,  and  for 

vinreste, 
Fill  ofte  a  day  he  bad  his  herte  breste. 

225.  But   natheles,  though  he  gan   him 
dispeyre,  1569 

And  dradde  ay  that  his  lady  was  uutrewe. 
Yet  ay  on  hir  his  herte  gan  repeyre. 
And  as  these  loveres  doon,  he  sovighte  ay 

newe 
To  gete  ayein  Criseyde,  bright  of  hewe. 
And  in  his  herte  he  wente  hir  excusinge. 
That  Calkas  causede  al  hir  taryinge.    1575 

226.  And    ofte   tyme   he   was  in   piirjios 
grete 

Him-selven  lyk  a  pilgrim  to  disgyse, 
To  seen  hir  ;  but  he  may  not  contrefete 
To  been   nnknowen  of  folk  that  weren 
wyse,  1579 

Ne  finde  excuse  aright  that  may  suffyse. 
It'  he  among  the  (rrekes  knowen  were  ; 
For  which  he  weep  ful  ofte  manj'  a  tere. 

227.  To  hir   he  wroot   yet  ofte  tyme  al 
newe 

Ful  pitoiisly,  he  lefte  it  noiight  for  slouthe, 
Biseching  hir  that,  sin  that  he  was  trewe, 
t.She  wolde   come   ayein  ami  holde   hir 

trouthe.  1586 

For  which    Criseyde    iip-on    a   day,    for 

rout  he, 
I  take  it  so,  touchiuge  al  this  matere, 
Wrot   him  ayein,  and  seyde  as  ye  may 

here. 


228.  '  Cupydes  sone,  ensample  of  goodli- 
hede,  1590 

0  swerd  of  knighthod,  sours  of  gentilesse ! 
How  mighte  a  wight  in  torment  and  in 

drede 
And  helelees,  yow  sende  as  yet  gladnesse? 

1  hertelees,  I  syke,  I  in  distresse  ;  1594 
Sin  ye  with  me,  nor  I  with  yow  may  dele, 
Yow  neither  sende  ich  herte  may  nor  liele. 

229.  Your  lettres  ful,  the  papir  al  y- 
pleynted, 

Consej^'ed  hath  myn  hertes  pietee  ; 
I  have  eek  seyn  with  teres  al  depeynted 
Your  lettre,  and  how  that  ye  requeren  me 
To  come  ayein,  which  yet  ne  may  not  be. 
But  why,  lest   that   this  lettre  founden 
were,  1602 

No  mencioun  ne  make  I  now,  for  fere. 

230.  Grev(jus  to  me,  god  woot,  is  your 
unreste, 

Your  haste,  and  that,  the  goddes  or- 
denaunce,  1605 

It  sem.eth  laot  ye  take  it  for  the  beste. 

Nor  other  thing  nis  in  your  remem- 
braunce. 

As  thinketh  me,  but  only  your  plesaunce. 

But  beth  not  wrooth,  and  that  I  yow 
biseche  ;  1609 

For  that  I  tarie,  is  al  for  wikked  speche. 

231.  For  I  have  herd  wel  more  than  I 
wende, 

Touchinge   us  two,   how  thinges  ban  y- 

stonde  ; 
Which  I  shal  with  dissimuliuge  amende. 
And    beth   nought   wrooth,    1   have    eek 

understonde,  1614 

How  ye  ne  doon  but  holden  nie  in  honde. 
But  now  no  fors,  I  can  not  in  yow  gesse 
But  alle  troiithe  and  alle  gentilesse. 

232.  Comen  I  wol,  but  >-ct  in  swioh  dis- 
joynte 

I  stonde  as  now,  that  what  ycer  or  what 

day 
That  this  shal  be,  that  can  1  not  apoynte. 
But  in  effect,  I  prey  yow,  as  I  rnay,     i()Jt 
Of  j'our  good  word  and  of  your  frendship 

av. 


vTrotfue  anb  Crteepbe. 


[Book  V. 


For  trewely,  -vvliji  that  my  lyf  may  ilmo, 
As  for  a  freend.  ye  may  in  me  assure. 

233.  Yet  preye  I  yow  ou  j-v'ei  ye  ne  take, 
That   it  is   short  which   tliat   I   to   yow 

wrj-to  ;  1626 

I  dar  not,  ther  I  am,  wel  lettres  make. 
Ne  never  yet  ne  coude  I  wel  endyte. 
Eek  greet  effect  men  wryte  in  place  lyte. 
Th'entente  is  al,  and  nought  the  lettres 

space ;  1630 

And  fareth  now  wel,  god  have  you  in  his 

grace ! 

La  vostre  C 

•2.S4.  This  Troih-.s  this  lettre  thoughte  al 

strannge, 
^\^lan   he   it   saugh,   and   sorwefnlly  he 

sight  e  ; 
Him    thoughte    it    Ijk    a    kalendes    of 

chaunge ; 
But  fynally,  he  ful  ne  trowen  mights  1635 
That  she  ne  wolde  him  holden  that  she 

highte  : 
For  with  ful  yvel  wil  list  him  to  leva 
That  loveth   wel,   in  swieh  cas,   though 

him  greve. 

"235.  But  natheles,  men  seyn  that,  at  the 
laste,  1639 

For  any  thing,  men  shal  the  sothe  see ; 
And  swieh  a  cas  Intidde,  and  that  as  faste. 
That  Troilns  wel  understood  that  she 
Xas  not  so  kinde  as  that  hir  oughte  be. 
And  fynally,  he  woot  now,  out  of  doute, 
Tliat  al  is  lost  that  he  hath  been  aboute. 

'236.  Stood  on  a  day  in  his  malencolye  1646 
This  Troilus,  and  in  snsiiecioun 
Of  hir  for  whom  lie  womle  for  to  dye. 
Anil  so  liifel,  tliat  through-out  Troye  toun, 
.\s  was  the  gj'se,  y-bore  was  wp  and  doun 
A  maner  cote-amiure,  as  sej'th  the  storie, 
Biforn  Deiphebe,  in  signe  of  his  victfirie, 

237.  The  whiche  cote,  as  telleth  Lollius, 
Deiphebe  it  hadde  y-rent  fmm  Diomode 
The  same  day  ;  and  whan  this  Troilus  1655 
It  saiigh,  he  gan  to  taken  of  it  hedc, 
Avysing  of  the  lengthe  and  of  the  brede. 
And  al  the  werk  ;  but  as  he  gan  biholde, 
Ful  sodeinly  his  herte  gan  to  colde. 


238.  As  he  that  on  the  coler  fond  with- 
inne  1660 

A  broche,  that  he  Criseyde  yaf  that  morwe 
That  she  froni  Troye  nioste  nedes  twinne. 
In  remembraunce  of  him  and  of  his  sorwe ; 
And  she  him  leyde  ayein  hir  feyth  to 
borwe  1664. 

To  kepe  it  ay  ;  but  now,  ful  wel  he  wiste. 
His  ladj-  nas  no  lenger  on  to  triste. 

239.  He  gooth  him  boom,  and   gan  ful 
sone  sende 

For  Pandarus  ;  and  al  this  newe  chaunce. 
And  of  this  broche,  he  tolde  him  \vord 

and  ende,  16O9 

Compleyningc  of  hir  hertes  variaunce. 
His  louge  h)ve,  his  trouthe,  and  his  pen- 

aunce  ; 
And  after  deeth,  with-outen  wordes  more, 
Fill  faste  he  cryde,  his  reste  him  to  restore. 

240.  Than   spak   he  thus,   '  O  lady  niyn 
Criseyde, 

Wlier  is  your  fej-th,   and  wher  is  your 

biheste?  1675 

Wlier  is  your  love,  wher  is  your  trouthe  V  ' 

he  seyde ; 
'  Of  Diomede  have  ye  now  al  this  feste  ! 
Alias,  I  wolde  have  trowed  at  the  leste. 
That,  sin  ye  nolde  in  trouthe  to  me  stonde. 
That  ye  thus  nolde  han  holden  me   in 
honde  !  ibiSo 

241.  Who  shal  now  trowe  ou  any  otlies 
mo? 

Alias,  I  never  wolde  han  wend,  er  this. 
That  ye,  Criseyde,  coude  han  chaunged  so ; 
Xe,  but  I  hadde  a-gilt  and  doon  amis,  16S4 
So  cruel  wende  I  not  your  herte,  y-wis, 
To  slee  mo  thus ;    alias,  your   name   of 

trouthe 
Is  now  for-doon,  and  that  is  al  my  routhe. 

242.  Wiis  ther  non  other  broche  yow  liste 
lete 

To  feflfe  with  your  newe  love,' quod  he,  16.S9 
'  But  thilke  broche  that  I,  with  teres  wete, 
Yow  yaf,  as  for  a  remembraunce  of  me? 
Non  other  cause,  alias,  ne  hadde  ye 
But  for  despyt,  and  eek  for  that  ye  mente 
Al-ontrely  to  shewen  your  entente  ! 


Book  V.] 


^rotfue  ant  Cneejie. 


323 


24i>.  Through  which  I  see  that  clene  ont 
of  yoiir  minde  1(195 

Ye  han  me  cast,  and  I  lie  can  nor  maj-, 
For  al  this  world,  with-iii  iiijai  herte  finde 
T'  nnloven  yow  a  quarter  of  a  day  ! 
In  cursed  tynie  I  born  was,  wej-laway  ! 
That  ye,  that  doon  me  al  this  wo  endnre, 
Yet  love  I  best  of  aiij'  creature.  1701 

•244.   Now  god,'  quod  he,   'me   sende  j'et 

the  grace 
That  I  may  meten  with  this  Diomede  ! 
And  trewely,  if  I  have  might  and  space, 
Yet  shal  I  make,  I  hope,  his  sydes  blede. 

0  god,'  quod  he, '  that  ouglitest  taken  liede 
T'>   fortheren    trouthe,   and   wroiiges   to 

punyec,  1707 

Wliy  iiiltow  doon  a  veiigeannce  on  this 
vyce  ? 

•ii."!.  0    Pandare,    that  in  dromes  for  to 

triste 
Me  blamed  hast,  and  wont  art  ofte  up- 

breyde,  1710 

Xow  maystow  see  thy-selve,  if  that  thee 

liste, 
How  trewe  is  now  thy  nece,  bright  Cri- 

seyde ! 
In  sondry  formes,  god  it  woot,'  he  sej'de, 
■  The  goddes  shcweii  bothe  joye  and  tene 
In  slepe,  and  by  my  drome  it  is  now  seiie. 

i!4G.     And     cortajnlj-,     with-oute     more 
speche,  1716 

From  liennes-forth,  as  ferforth  as  I  may, 
Myii  owene  deeth  in  armes  wol  I  seclie  ; 

1  recche  not  how  sone  be  the  day  ! 

But  trewely,  Criseyde,  swete  may,       1720 
Whom  I  have  ay  with  al  my  might  y- 

served. 
That   j'e   thn.s    doon,    I   have    it    nought 

deserved.' 

247.  This  Pandarus, that  alle these  thinges 

lierdo, 
And  wiste  wel  ho  seyde  a  sooth  of  this, 
He  nought  a  word  ayein  to  him  answerde  ; 
For  sorj-  of  his  frendes  sorwe  he  is,  17J6 
And  shamed,  for  his  nece  hatlidooiia-mis; 
And  stant,  astoned  of  these  causes  tweyo. 
As  stille  as  stoon ;  a  word  lie  covide  ho 

seye. 

M 


248.  But  at  tlie  laste  thus  he  spak,  and 
seyde,  1 7  ;(> 

'  My  brother  dere,  I  may  thee  do  uo-moro. 
What    sliulde    I    seyn  ?    I   hate,    y-wis, 

Criseyde  ! 
And  god  wot,  I  wol  hate  liir  evermore  ! 
And   that  thou  me   bisouglitest  doon  of 

yore,  1734 

Havinge  un-to  myn  honour  ne  my  reste 
Eight  no  reward,  I  dide  al  that  thee  leste. 

249.  If  I  dide  ought  that  mighto  lyken 
thee. 

It  is  me  leef ;  and  of  this  treson  now, 
God  woot,  that  it  a  sorwe  is  un-to  me  ! 
And  dredelees,  for  hertes  ese  of  j-ow,  1740 
Right  fayii  wolde  I  amende  it,  wiste  I  how. 
And  fro  this  world,  almighty  god  I  x^reye, 
Delivere  liir  sone  ;  I  can  no-more  sej^e.' 

250.  Gret  was  the  sorwe  and  pleynt  of 
Troilus  ; 

But  forth  liir  cours  fortune  ay  gan  to 
liolde.  1 745 

Criseyde  loveth  the  sone  of  Tydeus, 

And  Troilus  mot  wepe  in  cares  colde. 

Swich  is  this  world  ;  wlio-so  it  can  bi- 
holde. 

In  eclie  estat  is  litel  hertes  reste  ;         174  ; 

God  love  us  for  to  take  it  for  the  beste  ! 

251.  In  many  cruel  batayle,  out  of  dredf, 
Of  Troilus,  tliis  ilke  noble  knight. 

As  men  may  in  these  olde  bokes  rede, 
Was  sene  his  knighthod  and  his  greto 

might. 
And  dredelees,  his  ire,  day  and  night,  1755 
Ful  cruelly  the  Grekes  ay  abouglite ; 
And  alwey  most  this  Diomede  he  souglite. 

252.  And  ofto  tyme,  I  findo  that  they 
mctto  I  y^ii 

With  blody  strokes  and  with  wordes  gretc, 
Assayinge  how  hir  spores  weren  whette  ; 
And  god  it  woot,  with  many  a  cruel  hete 
Gan  Troilus  upon  hi.s  holm  to-l)otc. 
But  natholes,  fortune  it  nought  no  wolde, 
Ofothereshoml  that  either  doyon  sholde.— 

25:-3.   Anil  if!  haiido  y-takon  for  to  wryto 
The  armes  of  this  iUio  worthy  man,     1766 


324 


^roifu0  anb  Cvieep^e. 


[Book  V. 


Than  wolde  I  of  bis  batailles  end^A'te. 
But  for  that  I  to  wryte  first  bigan 
Of  liis  love,  I  have  seyd  as  that  I  can.  1 769 
His  worthy  dedes,  who-so  list  hem  here, 
Keed  Dares,  he  can  telle  hem  alle  y-fere. 

254.   Bisechinge  everj'  lady  bright  of  hewe, 
Aud  every  gentil  womman,  what  she  be, 
That  al  be  that  Criseyde  was  iintrewe, 
That  for  that  gilt  she  be  not  wrooth  with 
me.  1775 

Ye  may  hir  gilt  in  othere  bokes  see  ; 
And  gladlier  I  wol  wr%-ten,  if  yow  leste, 
Penelopees  trouthe  and  good  Alceste. 

25.5.  Ne  I  sey  not  this  al-only  for  these 

men, 
But  most  for  wonimen  that  bitraysed  be 
Through  false  folk  ;  god  yeve  hem.  sorwe, 

amen !  1781 

That  with  hir  grete  wit  and  subtiltee 
Bitrayse  yow  !  and  this  commeveth  me 
To  speke,  and  in  effect  yow  alle  I  preye, 
Beth  war  of  men,  aud  lierkeneth  what 

I  seye  ! —  1785 

256.  Go,  litel  book,  go  litel  myn  tregedie, 
Thor  god  thy  maker  yet,  er  that  he  dye. 
So  seude  might  to  make  in  som  comedie  ! 
But  litel  book,  no  making  thou  n'en^•ye, 
But  subgit  bo  to  alle  poesye  ;  1 790 
And  kis  the  steppes,  wher-as  thou  seest 

pace 
A'irgile,  Ovyde,  Omer,  Lucan,  and  Stace. 

257.  And  for  thor  is  so  greet  divcrsitee 
In  English  and  in  wrj-ting  of  our  tonge, 
So  preye  I  god  that  noon  miswi-yte  thee, 
Ne  thee  mismetre  for  defaute  of  tonge.  1796 
And  red  wher-so  thoii  be,  or  elles  songe, 
Tliat  thou  be  understonde  I  god  beseche  ! 
But  yet  to  purpos  of  my  rather  speche. — 

258.  The  wraththe,  as  1  began  yow  for  to 
seye,  i8oo 

Of  Troilus,  the  Grekes  boughten  dere  ; 
For  thousandos  his  hondes  maden  deye, 
As  he  tliat  was  with-outen  any  pere. 
Save  Ector,  in  his  t.\-me,  as  I  can  here. 
But  we>laway,  sa\e  onlj-goddeswille,  1805 
Dispitously  him  slough  the  fiers  Achille. 


259.  And  whan  that  he  was  slayn  in  this 
manere, 

His  lighte  goost  ful  blisfully  is  went 
Up  to  the  holownesse  of  the  seventh  spere, 
In  convers  letinge  every  element ;       1810 
And  ther  he  saugh,  with  ful  a\-j'-sement. 
The  erratik  sterres,  herkeninge  armonye 
With  sownes  fulle  of  hevenish  melodye. 

260.  And  doun  from  thennes  faste  he  gan 
avyse  1814 

This  litel  spot  of  erthe,  that  with  the  see 
Enbraced  is,  and  fully  gan  despyse 
This  wrecched  world,  and  held  al  vauitee 
To  respect  of  the  plejni  felicitee 
That  is  in  hevene  above  ;  and  at  the  laste, 
Ther  he  was  slajai,  his  loking  doun  he 
caste ;  1830 

261.  And  in  him-self  he  lovigh  right  at 
the  wo 

Of  hem  that  wepten  for  his  deeth  so  faste  ; 
And  dampned  al  our  werk  that  folweth  so 
The  blinde  lust,  the  which  that  may  not 
laste,  1824 

And  sholden  al  oiir  herte  on  hevene  caste. 
And  forth  he  wente,  shortly  for  to  telle, 
Ther  as  Mercurie  sorteil  him  to  dwelle. — 

262.  Swich  fjii  hath,  lu,  this  Troilus  for 
love, 

Swich  fyn  hath  al  his  grete  worthinesse  ; 
Swich  fyn  hath  his  estat  real  above,  i8,<(> 
Swich  fyn  his  lust,  swich  fyn  hath  his 

noblesse ; 
Swich  fyn  liath  false  worldes  brotelnesse. 
And  thus  bigan  his  lovinge  of  Criseyde, 
As  I  have  told,  and  in  this  wyse  he  deyde. 

263.  O  yonge  fresshe  folkes,  he  or  she,  i8.<5 
In  which  that  love  up  groweth  with  your 

age, 
Kepeyreth  hoom  from  wt)rldly  vauitee, 
And  of  your  herte  up-casteth  the  visage 
To  tliilke  god  that  after  his  image 
Yow    made,    and    thinketh    al    nis    but 

a  fay  re  1840 

This  world,  that  passeth  sone  as  floures 

fa.\Te. 

264.  And   loveth   him,    the   which   that 
right  for  love 

Upon  a  cros,  our  soixles  for  to  be.ve. 


Book  V.] 


^rotfue  ani>  tvm^U. 


325 


First  start',  ami  roos,  and  sit  in  lievene 

a-bove  ; 
For  he  nil  falsen  no  wight,  dar  I  seye,  1845 
That  wol  his  herte  al  lioolly  on  him  leye. 
And  sin  lie  best  to  love  is,  and  most  meke, 
What  nedeth  feyned  loves  for  to  seke  ? 

265.  Lo  here,  of  Payens  corsed  olde  rytes, 
Lo  here,  what  alle  hir  goddes  may  availle  ; 
Lo  here,  these  wrecohed  worldes  appe- 

tytes ;  i^SSi 

Lo  here,  the  fyn  and  gtierdon  for  travaille 
Of   Jove,    AppoUo,    of   Mars,    of   swich 

rascaille  ! 
Lo  here,  the  forme  of  olde  clerkes  speclie 
In  poetrye,  if  ye  hir  bokes  seclie. — •      1855 

266.  O  moral  Gower,  this  book  I  directe 
To  thee,  and  to  the  philosophical  Strode, 
To  vouchen  sauf,  ther  nede  is,  to  corecte, 


Of  your  beniguitees  ami  zeles  g(jde. 
And  to  that  sothfast  Crist,  that  starf  on 

rode,  i860 

With  al  myn  herte  of  mercy  ever  I  preye  ; 
And  to  the  lord  right  tlms  I  speke  and 

seye  : 

267.  Thou  oon,  and  two,  and  three,  eterue 

on-lyve, 
That  regnest  ay  in  three  and  two  and 

oon, 
Uncircumscript,    and   al   mayst   circum- 

scryve,  1865 

Us  from  visible  and  invisible  foon 
Defende  ;  and  to  thy  mercy,  everychoon, 
So  make  us,  Jesus,  for  thy  grace,  digne, 
For  love   of    mayde    and    moder    thyn 

benigne !     Amen. 

Explicit  Liber  Troili  at  Criseydls. 


THE    HOUS    OF    FAAIE. 


BOOK  I. 


God  turne  lis  every  dreom  to  gocle  ! 

For  hit  is  wonder,  by  the  rode, 

Tci  my  wit,  wliat  causeth  sweveues 

Either  on  niorwes,  or  on  evenes  : 

And  why  th'effect  folweth  of  sonime,         = 

And  of  somnie  hit  shal  never  come  ; 

Why  that  is  an  avisioiin. 

And  f  tliis  a  revelacioiin  ; 

Why  this  a  dreem,  wliy  that  a  sweven, 

And  nat  to  every  man  liche  even  ;  n 

Why  tliis  a  fantoni,  fthese  oracles, 

I  noot ;  but  who-so  of  these  miracles 

The  causes  knoweth  bet  than  I, 

Devyne  he  ;  for  I  certeinly 

Ne  can  hem  noo;ht,  no  never  thinke        i.= 

To  besily  my  wit  to  swinke, 

To  knowe  of  liir  signifiaunco 

The  gendres,  neither  tlie  distauuce 

Of  tynios  of  hem,  ne  the  causes 

F<ir-why  this  fmore  than  that  cause  is ;  21 

As  if  fiilkes  complexiouns 

M  ike  hem  dreme  of  rofloxiouns  ; 

Or  (jUes  thus,  as  other  snyn, 

Fur  to  greet  feblenesso  of  -j  bra.\-ii. 

By  abstinence,  or  by  seeknosse,  2; 

Prison,  stcwe,  or  greet  distrcsse  ; 

Or  olios  by  disordinaunce 

Of  natui-ol  acitstomaunce, 

That  Sum  man  is  to  curious 

In  studio,  or  melancolious,  31 

Or  thus,  so  inly  i'ul  of  drede, 


That  no  man  may  him  Ijote  bede  ; 

Or  elles,  that  devocioun 

Of  somme,  and  contemplacioun 

Causeth  swicho  dremes  <>fte  ;  35 

Or  that  the  cruel  lyf  unsofte 

^Xliich  these  ilke  lovers  leden 

That  hopen  over  mucho  or  dreden, 

That  piirely  hir  impressiouus 

Causeth  hem  avisiouns :  40 

Or  if  that  spirits  have  the  might 

To  make  folk  to  dremo  a-night  ; 

Or  if  the  soule,  of  propre  kinde. 

Be  so  parfit,  as  men  linde, 

That  hit  furwot  that  is  to  come,  45 

And  that  hit  warneth  alle  and  somme 

Of  everiche  of  hir  aventuros 

By  avisiouns,  or  by  figures. 

Biit  that  our  flesh  ne  hath  no  might 

To  imderstonden  hit  aright.  50 

For  hit  is  warned  to  derkl.\-;  — 

But  why  the  cause  is,  noght  wot  I. 

Wei  worthe,  of  this  thing,  grete  clerkes, 

That  trote  of  this  and  other  werkes  ; 

For  I  of  noon  opinioun  55 

Xil  as  now  make  menciuun. 

But  only  that  the  holy  rode 

Turne  i\s  every  dreem  to  gode  I 

For  never,  sith  that  I  was  born, 

Xe  no  man  elles,  me  biforu,  60 

Jlette,  I  trowe  stedfastly, 

So  wonderful  a  dreem  as  1 


Book  I.] 


ZU  l^oue  of  ;Jame. 


327 


The  tenthe  day  [dide]  of  Decembre, 
The  which,  as  I  can  now  reniembre, 
I  wol  yow  tellen  every  del.  65 

The  Invocation. 

But  at  my  ginning,  trusteth  wel, 

I  wol  make  invocacioun. 

With  special  devociouu, 

Unto  the  god  of  slepe  anoon, 

That  dwelleth  in  a  cave  of  stoon  70 

Upon  a  streeni  that  comth  fro  Lete, 

That  is  a  flood  of  helle  unswete  ; 

Besyde  a  folk  men  clepe  Cimerie, 

Ther  slepeth  ay  this  god  unmerie 

"With  his  slepy  thousand  sones  75 

That  alway  for  to  slepe  liir  wone  is — 

And  to  this  god,  that  I  of  rede, 

Preye  I,  that  he  wol  me  spedo 

]M,^-  sweven  for  to  telle  aright, 

If  every  dreem  stonde  in  his  might.        80 

And  he,  that  mover  is  of  al 

That  is  and  was,  and  ever  shal, 

So  .^-ive  hem  joye  that  hit  liere 

Of  alle  that  they  dreme  to-yere. 

And  for  to  stonden  alle  in  grace  CS5 

Of  hir  loves,  or  in  what  place 

That  hem  wer  levest  for  to  stonde. 

And  shelde  hem  fro  -jpovert  and  shonde. 

And  fro  unhappe  and  ech  disese. 

And  sende  hem  al  that  may  hem  plese,    go 

That  take  hit  wel,  and  scorne  hit  noght, 

Ne  hit  misdemen  in  her  thoght 

Through  malicious  entencioun. 

And  who-so,  through  presumpcioun. 

Or  hate  or  scorne,  or  through  envye,      95 

r)isp,\-t,  or  jape,  or  vilanj'e, 

Misdeme  hit,  preye  I  Jesus  god 

That  (dreme  he  barfoot,  dreme  he  shod), 

That  every  harm  that  any  man 

Hath  had,  sith  [that]  the  world  began,   kx) 

Befalle  him  therof,  or  he  stcrve, 

And  graunte  he  mote  hit  ful  deserve, 

Lo  !  with  swich  a  conclusioun 

As  had  of  his  avisioun 

("resus,  that  was  king  of  Lyde,  105 

That  high  upon  a  gebet  dyde  -I 

This  prayer  shal  he  have;  of  me ; 

I  am  no  bet  in  charite  ! 

Now  herknetli,  as  I  have  you  seyil, 
What  that  T  mette,  or  T  abrc^-d.  nn 


llie  Dream. 

Of  Decembre  the  tenthe  day. 
Whan  hit  was  night,  to  slepe  I  lay 
Eight  ther  as  I  was  wont  to  done. 
And  fil  on  slepe  wonder  sone, 
As  he  that  wery  was  for-go 
On  pilgrimage  myles  two 
To  the  corseynt  Leonard, 
To  make  lythe  of  that  was  hard. 

But  as  I  f  sleep,  me  mette  I  was 
Within  a  temple  y-mad  of  glas  : 
In  whiche  ther  were  mo  images 
Of  gold,  stondinge  in  sondry  stages. 
And  mo  riche  tabernacles. 
And  with  perree  mo  pinacles, 
And  mo  ciirious  portreytures. 
And  queynte  maner  of  figures 
Of  olde  werke,  then  I  saw  ever. 
For  certeynly,  I  niste  never 
Wher  that  I  was,  but  wel  wiste  I, 
Hit  was  of  Venus  redely. 
The  temple  ;  for,  in  portreytiire, 
I  saw  anoon-right  hir  figure 
Naked  fletinge  in  a  see. 
And  also  on  hir  heed,  x>ardee, 
Hir  rose-garlond  whyt  and  reed. 
And  hir  comb  to  kemlie  hir  heed, 
Hir  dowves,  .and  daun  Ct^pido, 
Hir  blinde  sone,  and  Viilcano. 
That  in  his  face  was  ful  broun. 

But  as  I  romed  up  and  doun, 
I  fond  that  on  a  wal  ther  was 
Thus  writen,  on  a  table  of  bras  : 
'  I  wol  now  singe,  if  that  I  can, 
The  amies,  and  al-so  the  man, 
That  first  cam,  through  his  destiueo, 
Fugitif  of  Troye  contrce. 
In  Itaile,  with  ful  moclu^  pyne. 
Unto  the  strondos  of  Lavyno.' 
And  tho  1)egan  th(«  story  anoon, 
As  I  shal  telle  yow  echoon. 

First  saw  I  the  destrucfioun 
Of  Troye,  through  the  Greek  Sinoun, 
[That]  with  his  false  forsweringe, 
And  his  chere  anil  liis  Icsiiigo 
Made  the  hors  broglit  into  Troye, 
Thorgh  which  Troycns  loste  al  hir  joy 
And  after  this  was  grave,  alhis  ! 
How  Ilioun  assailril  was 
And  wonne,  and  kins:  Priam  ^--sla.Nii, 


130 


328 


^U  l^oue  of  ;^attte. 


[Book  I. 


60 


165 


175 


180 


And  Polites  his  sone,  certayn, 
Dispitously,  of  tlaii  Firms. 

And  next  that  saw  I  how  Venus, 
Whan  that  she  saw  the  castel  brende, 
Uoun  fro  the  hevene  gan  descende, 
-And  had  hir  sone  Eneas  flee  ; 
And  how  he  fledde,  and  how  that  he 
Escaped  was  from  al  the  pres, 
-Aiid  took  his  fader,  Anchises, 
-And  bar  him  on  his  bakke  away, 
Cryinge,  'Alias,  and  welaway  !' 
The  whiche  Anchises  in  his  honde 
Bar  the  goddes  of  the  londe, 
Tliilke  tliat  unbrende  were. 

And  I  saw  next,  in  alle  this  fere, 
How  Creusa,  daun  Eneas  wyf, 
Wliich  that  he  lovede  as  his  lyf. 
And  hir  yonge  sone  lulo. 
And  eek  Ascanius  also, 
Fledden  eek  with  drery  chere, 
That  hit  was  pitee  for  to  here  ; 
-And  in  a  forest,  as  they  wente. 
At  a  tnrninge  of  a  wente. 
How  Creusa  was  y-lost,  alias  ! 
That  deed,  [biit]  noot  I  how,  she  was  ; 
How  he  hir  soughtc,  and  how  hir  gost  185 
Bad  him  to  flee  the  Grekes  ost. 
And  seyde,  he  moste  unto  Itaile, 
As  was  his  destinee,  sauns  faille  ; 
That  hit  was  pitee  lor  to  here, 
Whan  hir  spirit  gan  appere, 
The  wordes  that  she  to  liLm  seyde. 
And  i'or  to  kpj)e  hir  sone  him  preyde, 
Thor  saw  I  graven  eek  liow  he, 
His  fader  eek,  and  liis  meynee. 
With  his  shippes  gan  to  sayle 
Toward  the  contree  of  Itaile, 
As  streight  as  that  they  mighte  go. 

Ther  saw  I  thee,  cruel  Juno, 
'ITiat  art  daun  Jupiteres  wyf, 
'I'hat  hast  y-hated,  al  tliy  lyf, 
Al  the  Troyanisshe  blood, 
Rcnne  and  cryc,  as  thou  were  wood. 
On  Eolus,  the  god  of  windes. 
To  blowen  out,  of  alio  kiudes. 
So  loude,  that  he  shulde  drenche 
Lord  and  lady,  grome  and  wenche 
Of  al  tlie  Troyan  nacioun, 
Withoute  any  savacioun. 

Ther  saw  I  swich  tempeste  aryse, 
Tlmt  every  herte  mighte  agryse, 


190 


195 


205 


To  see  hit  peynted  on  the  walle. 

Ther  saw  I  graven  eek  withalle, 
Venus,  how  ye,  my  lady  dere, 
Wepinge  with  ful  woful  chere, 
Prayen  .Jtipiter  an  hye  .215 

To  save  and  kepe  that  navye 
Of  the  Troyan  Eneas, 
Sith  that  he  hir  sone  was. 

Ther  saw  I  .Joves  Veniis  kisse. 
And  graxmted  of  the  tempest  lisse.       220 
Ther  saw  I  how  the  tempest  stente, 
And  how  with  alle  pyne  he  wente, 
Ajid  prevely  took  an-ivage 
In  the  contree  of  Cartage  ; 
And  on  the  morwe,  how  that  he  225 

And  a  knight,  hight  Achatee, 
Metten  with  Venus  that  day, 
Goinge  in  a  queynt  array, 
As  she  had  ben  an  hunteresse. 
With  wind  blowinge  upon  hir  tresse ;  2  ?o 
How  Eneas  gan  him  to  pleync, 
Wlian  that  he  knew  hir,  of  his  peyne  ; 
And  how  his  shippes  dreynte  were, 
Or  elles  lost,  he  niste  where  ; 
How  she  gan  him  comforte  tho, 
And  bad  liim  to  Cartage  go, 
And  ther  he  shitlde  his  folk  linde, 
That  in  the  see  were  left  behinde. 

And,  shortly  of  tliis  tiling  to  pace, 
She  made  Eneas  so  in  grace 
Of  Dido,  queue  of  that  contree. 
That,  shortly  for  to  tellcn,  she 
Becani  his  love,  and  Icet  him  do 
That  that  wedding  longeth  to. 
What  shulde  I  speke  more  queynte,     245 
Or  pe.\aie  me  my  wordes  peynte, 
To  speke  of  love  ?  hit  wol  not  be  ; 
I  can  not  of  that  facultee. 
And  eek  to  telle  the  manere 
How  they  aqueynteden  in-fere,  250 

Hit  were  a  long  proces  to  telle, 
And  over  long  for  yow  to  dwelle. 

Ther  saw  I  grave,  how  Eneas 
Tolde  Dido  evei-y  cas. 
That  him  was  till  upon  the  see.  255 

And  after  grave  was,  how  she 
Made  of  him,  shortly,  at  00  word, 
Hir  lyf,  hir  love,  hir  lust,  liir  lord  : 
And  dide  him  al  the  reverence, 
An<l  leyde  on  him  al  the  dispence.        260 
That  any  woman  mighte  do. 


'55 


240 


Book  I.] 


ZU  15ou0  of  ;§'arne. 


329 


Weninge  hit  had  al  be  so, 

As  he  hir  swoor ;  and  her-by  denied 

That  he  was  p:ood,  for  he  swich  senied. 

Alias  !  what  harm  doth  apparence, 

^^^lan  hit  is  fals  in  existence  ! 

For  he  to  hir  a  traitour  was ; 

Wherfor  she  slow  hir-self,  alias  ! 

Lo.  how  a  woman  doth  amis, 
To  lo^-e  him  that  uuknowen  is  ! 
Fi<j\  by  Crist,  lo  !  thus  hit  farpth  ; 
'  Hit  is  not  al  gold,  that  glaretli.' 
For,  al-so  broiike  I  wel  myn  heed, 
Ther  may  be  nnder  goodliheed 
Kc'vered  many  a  shrewed  \yce  : 
Therfor  be  no  wight  so  nyce. 
To  take  a  love  only  for  chere, 
For  speche,  or  for  frendly  manere; 
For  this  shal  every  woman  finde 
That  som  man,  of  his  pure  kinde, 
M'ol  sliewen  outward  the  faireste. 
Til  ho  have  caught  that  what  him  lest 
And  thanne  wol  he  caiises  finde. 
And  swerc  how  that  she  is  unkinde, 
Oi'  fals,  or  prevy,  or  double  was. 
Al  this  seyo  I  by  Eneas 
Ancl  Ditlo,  and  hir  nyce  lest, 
That  lovede  al  to  sone  a  gest ; 
Therfor  I  wol  seye  a  proverbe. 
That  '  he  that  fully  kuoweth  th'erbe 
May  saufly  leye  hit  to  his  ye  ' ; 
AYithoute  dreed,  this  is  no  lye. 

But  let  us  speke  of  Eneas, 
How  he  betrayed  hir,  alias  ! 
And  leftc  hir  ful  unkindely. 
So  whan  she  saw  al-utterly. 
That  he  wohle  hir  f)f  tioiithe  faile. 
And  wende  fro  hir  to  Itaile, 
She  gaii  to  wringe  hir  hondes  two. 

'Alias  !'  quod  she,  '  what  me  is  wo ! 
Alias  !  is  every  man  thus  trewe. 
That  every  yere  wolde  have  a  newe, 
If  hit  so  longe  tyme  dure, 
Or  elles  three,  peraventure  V 
As  thus  :  of  oon  he  w<jlde  have  fame 
lu  magnifying  of  his  lianie  ; 
Another  for  frendship,  seith  he; 
And  yet  ther  shal  the  thridde  be, 
That  shal  l)e  taken  for  delyt, 
Lo,  or  for  singular  profj't.' 

In  swiche  wordes  gan  to  plej-no 
])ido  of  hir  grete  peyne. 


265 


285 


290 


=95 


300 


305 


As  me  mette  redely ; 

Non  other  aiictoiir  alegge  I. 

'  Alias  ! '  quod  she,  '  my  swete  herte,      .<i5 

Have  pitee  on  my  sorwes  smerte. 

And  slee  me  not !  go  noght  away  ! 

O  woful  Dido,  wel  away  ! ' 

Quod  she  to  hir-selve  tho. 

'  O  Eneas  !  what  wil  ye  do  ?  32W 

O,  that  your  love,  ne  your  bonde. 

That  ye  han  sworn  with  your  right  honde, 

Ne  my  cruel  deeth, '  quod  she, 

'  May  holde  yow  still  heer  with  me  ! 

O,  liaveth  of  my  deeth  pitee  !  3.>5 

Y-wis,  my  dere  herte,  ye 

Knowen  ful  wel  that  never  yit. 

As  fer-forth  as  I  hadde  wit, 

Agilte  [I]  yow  in  thoght  ne  deed. 

0,  have  ye  men  swich  goodliheed  330 

In  speche,  and  never  a  deel  of  troutho? 

Alias,  that  ever  hadde  routhe 

Any  woman  on  any  man  ! 

Now  see  I  wel,  and  telle  can. 

We  wrecched  wimmen  conne  non  art ;  335 

For  certeyn,  for  the  more  part. 

Thus  we  be  served  everichone. 

How  sore  that  ye  men  conne  grone, 

Anoon,  as  we  have  yow  receyved, 

Certeinly  we  ben  deceyved  ;  340 

For,  though  your  love  laste  a  sesoitn, 

Waj-te  upon  the  conclusioun. 

And  eek  how  that  ye  determynen, 

And  for  the  more  part  diffynen. 

'  0,  welawey  that  I  was  born  !  34  s 

For  through  yow  is  mj'  name  lorn, 
And  alle  myn  actes  red  and  songe 
Over  al  this  lond,  on  every  tonge. 
O  wikke  Fame  !  for  ther  nis 
Nothing  so  swift,  lo,  as  she  is  I  350 

O,  sooth  is,  every  thing  is  wist. 
Though  hit  be  kevered  with  tlie  mist. 
Eek,  thogh  I  mighte  duren  ever. 
That  I  have  doon,  rekever  I  never. 
That  I  ne  shal  be  seyd,  alias,  355 

Y-shamed  be  tlirough  Eneas, 
And  that  I  shal  thus  jugod  bo — 
"  Lo,  right  as  she  hath  doon,  now  sh<« 
Wol  do  eftsones,  hardil.^■ ;  " 
Thus  seyth  the  peplc  prevely.' —  360 

Bat  that  is  doon,  nis  not  to  done  ; 
fAl  hir  compleynt  ne  al  hir  mone, 
Certe^•n,  availeth  hir  not  a  stree. 


M  3 


330 


Z^t  '^ouB  of  ^amt. 


[Book  T. 


And  whan  she  wiste  sothly  he 
Was  forth  nnto  his  shippes  goon,  365 

She  fin  hir  chambre  wente  anoon, 
And  called  on  hir  suster  Anne, 
And  gan  hir  to  compleyne  thannc  ; 
And  seyde,  that  she  canse  was 
That  slie  first  lovede  f  Eneas,  370 

And  thus  coiinseilled  hir  therto. 
But  what !  when  this  was  seyd  and  do, 
She  roof  hir-selve  to  the  herte, 
And  deyde  through  the  wonnde  snaerte. 
But  al  the  maner  how  she  deyde,  375 

And  al  the  wordes  that  she  seyde, 
Who-so  to  knowe  hit  hath  purpos, 
Reed  Virgile  in  Eneidos 
Or  the  Epistle  of  ON'yde, 
Wliat  that  she  wroot  or  that  she  dyde :  380 
And  nere  hit  to  long  to  endyte. 
By  god,  I  wolde  hit  here  wryte. 

Bvit,  welaway  !  the  harm,  the  routhe, 
That  hath  betid  for  swich  imtrouthe. 
As  men  may  ofte  in  bokes  rede,  385 

And  al  day  seen  hit  yet  in  dede. 
That  for  to  thenken  hit,  a  tene  is. 

Lo,  Demophon,  duk  of  Athenis, 
How  he  forswor  liim  ful  falsly 
And  frayed  Phillis  wikkedly,  390 

Thf>  kinges  doghter  was  of  Trace, 
And  falsly  gait  liis  terme  pace  ; 
And  when  she  wisto  that  he  was  fals, 
Slio  heng  hir-self  right  by  the  hals. 
For  he  had  do  hir  swich  untrouthe ;      395 
Lo !  was  not  this  a  wo  and  routhe  ? 

Eek  lo  !  how  fals  and  reccheles 
Was  to  Briscida  Achilles, 
And  Paris  to  "t-Oenone  ; 
Ami  Jason  to  Isiphile  ;  400 

And  eft  Jason  to  Medea  ; 
And  Ercnles  to  Dyanira  ; 
For  he  lefte  hir  for  Icile, 
That  made  him  cacche  his  deeth,  pardee. 

How  fals  eek  was  he,  Theseus  ;  405 

That,  as  the  story  telloth  us. 
How  he  betrayed  A<lriiinc  ; 
The  devel  be  his  soules  l)ane  ! 
For  had  he  laughed,  had  he  loured. 
Ho  mostij  have  be  al  devoured.  410 

If  Adriane  ne  had  j'-be  ! 
And,  for  she  had  of  him  pitee. 
She  made  him  fro  the  dethe  escape, 
And  he  made  hir  a  ful  fals  jape  ; 


41: 


420 


For  after  this,  within  a  whyle 

He  lefte  hir  slepinge  in  an  yle, 

Deserte  alone,  right  in  the  see. 

And  stal  away,  and  leet  hir  be  ; 

And  took  hir  suster  Phedra  tho 

With  him,  and  gan  to  shippe  go. 

And  yet  ht;  had  j'-sworn  to  here. 

On  al  th.at  ever  he  mighte  swere. 

That,  so  she  saved  him  his  lyf. 

He  wolde  have  take  hir  to  his  wjrf ; 

For  she  desired  nothing  elles,  425 

In  certein,  as  the  book  us  telles. 

Bat  to  excusen  Eneas 
Fullichc  of  al  his  greet  trespas. 
The  book  seytli,  Mercuric,  sauna  faile. 
Bad  hini  go  into  Itaile,  430 

And  leve  AufFrykes  regioun. 
And  Dido  and  hir  faire  toun. 

Tho  saw  I  grave,  how  to  Itaile 
Daun  Eneas  is  go  to  saile  ; 
And  how  the  tempest  al  began,  435 

And  how  he  loste  his  steresman, 
Wliich  that  the  stere,  or  he  took  keep, 
Smot  over-bord,  lo  !  as  he  sleep. 

And  also  saw  T  how  Sibyle 
And  Eneas,  besyde  an  yle,  440 

To  helle  wente,  for  to  see 
His  fader,  Anchisos  the  free. 
How  he  ther  fond  Paliniims, 
And  Dido,  and  eek  Deiphebus  ; 
And  every  tourment  eek  in  helle  445 

Saw  he,  which  is  long  to  telle. 
Which  who-so  willeth  for  to  knowe, 
He  moste  rede  many  a  rowe 
On  Virgile  or  on  Claudian, 
Or  Daunte,  that  hit  telle  can.  450 

Tho  saw  I  grave  al  tli'arivaile 
That  Eneas  had  in  Itaile  ; 
And  witli  king  Latine  his  tretee. 
And  alle  the  batailles  that  he 
Was  at  him-self,  and  eek  hisknightes,  455 
Or  he  liad  al  y-wonne  his  rightes  ; 
And  how  he  Turnus  refte  his  lyf, 
And  wan  La\-j'na  to  his  wyf ; 
And  al  the  mervehms  signals 
Of  the  goddcs  celestials  I  460 

How,  mangre  Juno,  Eneas, 
For  al  hir  sleighte  and  hir  compas, 
Achcved  alius  aventure; 
For  .Jupiter  took  of  him  cure 
At  the  prayere  of  Venus  465 


Book  II.] 


C$e  l^oue  of  ^AvM. 


331 


The  whiche  I  preye  alway  save  ns, 
And  ITS  ay  of  our  sorwes  lighte  ! 

Whan  I  had  seyen  al  this  sighte 
In  this  noble  temple  thus, 
'A,  Lord  ! '  though te  I,  'that  raadest  us. 
Yet  saw  I  never  swich  noblesse  471 

Of  images,  ne  swich  richesse, 
As  I  saw  graven  in  this  chirche  ; 
But  not  woot  I  who  dide  hem  wirche, 
Ne  wher  I  am,  ne  in  what  contree.        475 
But  now  wol  I  go  out  and  see. 
Right  at  the  wiket,  if  I  can 
See  o-wher  stering  any  man. 
That  may  me  telle  wher  I  am.' 

^Vlien  I  out  at  the  dores  cam,  480 

I  faste  aboute  me  beheld. 
Then  saw  I  but  a  large  feld, 
As  far  as  that  I  mighte  see, 
Withouten  toun,  or  hous,  or  tree, 
Or  bush,  or  gras,  or  ered  lond  ;  485 

F<ir  al  the  feld  nas  but  of  sond 
As  smal  as  man  may  see  yet  Ij-e 


In  the  desert  of  Libye  ; 

Ne  I  no  maner  creature. 

That  is  y-formed  by  nature,  490 

Ne  saw,  me  [for]  to  rede  or  wisse. 

'  O  Crist,'  thoughte  I,  '  that  art  in  blisse, 

Fro  fantom  and  illusioun 

Me  save  ! '  and  with  devocioun 

Myn  yen  to  the  heven  I  caste.  495 

Tho  was  I  war,  lo  !  at  the  laste, 
That  faste  by  the  sonne,  as  hye 
As  kenne  mighte  I  with  myn  j-e, 
Me  thoughte  I  saw  an  egle  sore, 
But  that  hit  semed  moche  more  ^ao 

Then  I  had  any  egle  seyn. 
But  this  as  sooth  as  deeth,  certeyii. 
Hit  was  of  golde,  and  shoon  so  brighte. 
That  never  saw  men  such  a  sighte, 
But-if  the  heven  hadde  y-wonne  505 

Al  newe  of  golde  another  sonne  ; 
So  shoon  the  egles  fethres  brighte. 
And  somwhat  dounward  gan  hit  lighte. 
Explicit  liber  primus. 


BOOK   11. 


Incipit  liber  secundiis. 

Proem. 

Now  herkneth,  every  maner  man 
That  English  understonde  can,  510 

And  listeth  of  my  dreem  to  lere  ; 
For  now  at  erste  shul  ye  here 
So  fselly  an  avisioun, 
That  Isaye,  ne  Scipioun, 
Ne  king  Nabugodonosor,  515 

Pharo,  Turnus,  ne  Eleanor, 
Ne  mette  swich  a  dreem  as  this  ! 
Now  faire  blisfiil,  O  Cipris,  (10) 

.So  be  my  favour  at  this  tyme  ! 
And  ye,  me  to  endyte  and  ryme  520 

Helpeth,  that  on  Parnaso  dwelle 
By  Elicon  the  clere  welle. 

O  Tliought,  that  wroot  al  that  I  mette. 
And  in  the  tresorie  hit  shctte 
Of  my  brayn  !  nf>w  shal  men  see  525 

If  any  vertu  in  tliee  be. 
To  tellen  al  nay  dreem  aright ; 
Now  kythe  thyn  engyn  and  might !      (20) 


The  Bream. 
This  egle,  of  which  I  have  yow  told. 
That  shoon  with  fethres  as  of  gold,       530 
Which  that  so  hye  gan  to  sore, 
I  gan  beholde  more  and  more, 
To  see  hir  beavitee  and  the  wonder  ; 
But  never  was  ther  dint  of  thontler, 
Ne  that  thing  that  men  calle  foudi-e,    535 
Tliat  smoot  somtymo  a  totir  to  poudre, 
And  in  his  swifte  coming  brende, 
That  so  swythe  gan  descendo,  (30) 

As  this  foul,  whan  hit  behelde 
That  I  a-roume  was  in  the  felde  ;  540 

And  with  his  grimme  pawes  stronge. 
Within  his  sharpc  nayles  longe. 
Me,  fleinge,  at  a  swappe  he  hente, 
And  with  his  soxirs  agayn  up  wente, 
Me  caryinge  in  his  clawcs  Starke  545 

As  lightly  as  I  were  a  larke, 
How  high,  I  can  not  telle  yow, 
For  I  cam  up,  I  nistc  how.  (40) 

For  so  astonied  and  ;v-swcved 


332 


ZH  ^oue  of  ;^amc. 


[Book  11. 


Was  every  vertii  in  my  lieved,  550 

What  with  his  sours  and  with  my  drede, 
Tliat  al  my  folmg  gan  to  dedo  : 
For-why  hit  was  to  greet  aifraw 

Thus  I  li)nge  in  liis  clawes  hiy, 
Til  at  tlie  laste  lie  to  me  spak  555 

In  mannes  vois,  and  so^de,  '  Awak  I 
And  be  not  "I  so  a-gast,  for  shame  I ' 
And  called  me  tho  by  my  name.  (50) 

And,  for  I  sholde  the  bet  abreyde — 
Me  mette — '  Awak,'  to  me  he  seyde,      560 
Tvight  in  the  same  vois  and  steveue 
That  nseth  f)on  I  conile  nevenc  ; 
And  with  that  vois,  soth  lor  to  sayn. 
My  minde  cam  to  me  agayn  : 
For  hit  was  goodly  seyd  to  me,  565 

So  nas  hit  ne^•er  wont  to  be. 

And  herwithal  I  gan  to  stere, 
And  he  me  in  his  feet  to  here,  (60) 

Til  that  he  felte  that  I  had  hete. 
And  felte  eek  tho  niyn  herte  bete.         570 
And  tho  gan  he  me  to  dispoi-te. 
And  with  wordes  to  comforte. 
And  sayde  twyes,  '  Sejiite  Marie  ! 
Thon  art  noyous  for  to  carie. 
And  nothing  nedeth  hit,  pardee  !  575 

For  al-so  wis  god  helpe  me 
As  thou  non  harm  shalt  have  of  this  ; 
And  this  cas,  that  betid  thee  is,  (70) 

Is  for  thy  lore  and  for  thy  prow  ;-- 
Let  see  !  darst  th<ju  yet  loke  now-y        580 
Be  ful  assured,  boldely, 
I  am  thy  frend.'     And  therwith  I 
Gan  for  to  wondren  in  my  minde. 
'  O  god,'  thoughte  I,  '  that  madest  kinde, 
Shal  I  non  other  we.A-es  dye  ?  585 

Wher  Joves  wol  me  stellifye, 
Or  what  thing  may  this  signifye  y 
I  neither  am  Enok,  ne  Elye,  (80) 

Ne  Ronailus,  ne  Ganymede 
That  was  y-bore  up,  as  men  rede,  590 

To  heveue  with  dan  Jupiter, 
And  maad  the  goddes  boteler.' 

Lo  !  this  was  tho  my  fantasye  I 
But  he  that  l)ar  me  gan  esp.^•e 
That  I  so  thoghte,  and  seydo  this :         595 
'  Thfui  demest  of  thy-self  amis  : 
For  Joves  is  not  ther-aboute — 
I  dar  wel  putte  thee  out  of  doute-  -      (00) 
To  make  of  thee  as  yet  a  sterre. 
But  er  I  here  thee  moche  ferre,  600 


I  wol  thee  telle  what  I  am. 

And  whider  thou  shalt,  and  why  I  cam 

To  -fdone  this,  so  that  thou  take 

Good  herte,  and  not  for  fere  qiiake." 

'  Gladly,'  qitod  I.    '  Now  wel,"  (piod  he : — 

'  First  I,  that  in  my  feet  have  thee,      606 

Of  which  thou  hast  a  feer  and  wonder. 

Am  dwelling  with  the  god  of  thonder, 

Which  that  nieu  callen  Jupiter,  (loi) 

That  dooth  me  flee  ful  ofte  fer  610 

To  do  al  his  comaumlement. 

And  ft)r  this  cause  he  hath  nie  sent 

To  thee  :  now  -j-herkne,  by  thy  trouthe  ! 

Certeyn,  he  hath  of  thee  routhe, 

That  thou  so  longe  trewely  '115 

Hast  served  so  eutentifl^• 

His  blinde  nevew  Cupido, 

And  fair  Venus  [goddesse]  also,  (uci) 

Withoute  guerdoun  ever  yit, 

And  nevertheles  hast  set  thy  wit — ■       620 

Although  that  in  thy  hede  ful  -j  lyte  is — 

To  make  bokes,  songes,  dytees, 

In  ryme,  or  elles  in  cadence, 

As  thou  best  canst,  in  reverence 

Of  Love,  and  of  his  servants  eke,  O25 

That  have  his  servise  soght,  and  seke  ; 

And  peynest  thee  to  preyse  his  ai't, 

Althogh  thou  haddest  never  part  ;      (uo) 

Wherfor,  al-so  god  me  blesse, 

Joves  halt  hit  greet  humblesse  6.^o 

And  vertu  eek,  that  thoii  wolt  make 

A-night  ful  ofte  thyn  heed  to  ake, 

In  thy  studie  so  thou  wrj-test. 

And  ever-mo  fif  love  endytest, 

In  honour  of  him  and  pi-eysinges,  <\x$ 

And  in  his  folkes  furtheringes. 

And  in  hir  matere  al  devysest,  ''129) 

And  noght  him  nor  his  folk  despysest. 

Although  thou  mayst  go  in  tho  daunce 

Of  hem  that  him  list  not  avannce.        640 

'  Wherfor,  as  I  seyde,  y-wis, 
Jiipiter  considereth  this. 
And  also,  beau  sir,  other  thinges ; 
That  is,  that  thou  hast  no  tydinges 
Of  Lf>ves  folk,  if  they  be  glaile,  645 

Xe  of  n<jght  elles  that  god  made  : 
And  noght  onl.^-  fro  fer  contree 
That  ther  no  tyding  comth  to  thee,    (140; 
But  of  thy  verray  neyghebores. 
That  dwellen  almost  at  thy  dores,  650 

Thoii  herest  neither  that  ne  this  : 


Book  II.] 


'ZH  lbou6  of  ^anu. 


:i35 


For  whan  thy  labour  dooii  al  is, 
And  hast  y-inaad  thy  rekeninges, 
In  stede  of  reste  and  newe  thinges, 
Thou  gost  hoom  to  thy  hous  anoon  ;     6k^ 
And,  also  domb  as  any  stoon, 
Thou  sittest  at  another  boke. 
Til  fully  daswed  is  thy  loke,  (150) 

And  livest  thus  as  an  herm>i:e. 
Although  thyn  abstinence  is  lyte.         660 
'  And  therfor  .Toves,  through  his  grace, 
Wol  that  I  here  thee  to  a  place, 
Wliieli  that  hight  the  Hous  of  Fame, 
To  do  thee  soni  disport  and  game. 
In  sona  recompensacioiin  665 

Of  labf)ur  and  devocioun 
That  thoii  liast  had,  lo  !  causeles. 
To  Cupido,  the  receheles  !  (i<'<>) 

And  thus  this  god,  thorgh  his  nieryte, 
Wol  with  som  maner  thing  thee  qiiyte. 
So  that  thou  wolt  be  of  good  (diere.       671 
For  truste  wel,  that  thou  shalt  here, 
When  we  be  comen  ther  I  seye. 
Mo  wonder  thinges,  dar  I  leye, 
Of  Loves  folke  mo  tydinges,  675 

Bothe  sotli-sawes  and  lesinges  ; 
And  mo  loves  newe  begonnc, 
And  longe  y-served  loves  wi  nne,  (i;o) 

And  mo  loves  casuellj- 
That  been  betid,  no  man  wot  why,       680 
But  as  a  blind  man  stert  an  hare  ; 
And  niore  jolytee  and  fare, 
Wliyl  that  they  finde  love  of  stele. 
As  thinketh  hem,  and  over-al  wele  ; 
Mo  discords,  and  mo  jelousyes,  6S5 

Mo  murmurs,  and  mo  novelryes, 
And  mo  dissimulaciouns, 
And  feyned  reparaciouns  ;  (180) 

Anil  mo  berdes  in  two  houres 
Withoute  rasour  or  sisoures  690 

V-maad,  then  greynes  be  of  sondes  ; 
And  eke  mo  lioldinge  in  houdes. 
And  also  mo  renovelaunces 
Of  olde  forleten  aqueyntaunces  ; 
^lo  lf)vc-dayes  and  acordes  6(15 

Then  on  instruments  lien  cordes  ; 
And  eke  of  loves  mo  eschaunges 
Than  ever  coi-nes  were  in  graunges  ;  (19*)) 
Uncthe  maistow  trowen  this?' —  6<)<) 

(^ui>d  he.     '  Xo,  helpe  me  god  so  wis  !'  - 
(^lod  I.     'No?  why?'  .ju<><l  he.     'For  hit 
W\^i'e  impossible,  to  my  wit, 


Though  that  Fame  hadde  al  the  pyes 

In  al  a  realme,  and  al  the  spycs. 

How  that  yet  she  shnldo  bore  al  this,    705 

Or  they  espye  hit.'     '  0  yis,  j-is  !' 

Quod  he  to  me,  '  that  can  I  xjreve 

By  resoun,  worthy  lor  to  leve,  ijtxj) 

So  that  thou  yeve  thyn  advertence 

To  \inderstonde  my  sentence.  710 

'  First  shalt  thou  heren  wher  she  dwell- 
eth. 
And  so  thyn  owne  book  hit  telleth  ; 
Hir  paleys  stant,  as  I  shal  seye. 
Eight  even  in  middes  of  the  weyc 
Betwixen  hevene,  erthe,  and  sec  ;  715 

That,  what-so-ever  in  al  these  three 
Is  spolien,  in  privee  or  aperte, 
The  wey  therto  is  so  overte,  (jio) 

And  stant  eek  in  S(j  juste  a  place, 
That  every  soun  inot  to  hit  pace,  7-'o 

Or  what  so  comth  fro  any  tonge. 
Be  hit  rouned,  red,  or  songe. 
Or  spoke  in  seurtee  or  drede, 
Certein,  hit  moste  thider  nede. 

'  Now  herkne  wel  ;  for-why  I  wille    7J5 
Tellen  thee  a  propre  skile, 
And  fworthy  demonstracioun 
In  myn  imagynacioun.  fj.'o) 

'  Geffrey,  thou  wost  right  wtd  this. 
That  every  kindly  thing  that  is,  7,50 

Hath  a  kindly  stede  ther  he 
May  best  in  hit  conserved  be  ; 
Unto  which  place  every  thing, 
Through  his  kindly  enclyning, 
Movetli  for  to  come  to,  y}^ 

Whan  that  hit  is  awey  therfro  ; 
As  thus ;  lo,  thou  mayst  al  day  see 
That  any  thing  that  hevy  be,  (j,?o) 

As  stoon  or  leed,  or  thing  of  wightc, 
And  ber  hit  never  so  hye  on  liightc,      740 
Lat  go  thyn  hand,  hit  fixlleth  doun. 

'  Right  so  seye  I  by  f\-re  or  soun. 
Or  smoke,  or  other  thinges  lighte, 
Alwey  they  seke  upward  on  highte  ; 
Whyl  ech  of  hem  is  at  his  large,  745 

Light  thing  up,  and  doun  ward  charge. 

'  And  for  this  cause  mayst  tliou  sec, 
That  every  river  to  the  s;'(>  '■240) 

Encl.vned  is  to  go,  by  kindc. 
And  l)y  these  skilles,  as  I  lindr.  751^ 

Hatli  hsh  dwellinge  in  lloodo  and  see, 
And  trees  eek  in  ertlie  be. 


334 


ZU  J^ovio  of  §amt. 


[Book  II. 


Thus  every  thing,  by  this  rcscnui. 

Hath  his  propre  mansioun. 

To  which  liit  seketh  to  repaire,  '/-.^ 

As  ther  hit  shulde  not  apaire. 

Lo.  this  sentence  is  knowen  couthe 

Of  every  philosophres  mouthe,  (-50) 

As  Aristotle  and  dan  Platon, 

And  other  clerkes  many  oon  ;  760 

And  to  confirme  nay  resonn, 

Thou  wost  wel  this,  that  speche  is  soiin, 

Or  elles  no  man  mighte  hit  here  ; 

Kow  -f-herkne  what  I  wol  thee  lere. 

'  Sonn  is  noght  but  air  y-broken,        765 
And  every  speche  that  is  spoken, 
Loud  or  privee,  foul  or  fair, 
In  his  substaimce  is  but  air  ;  (260) 

For  as  flaumbe  is  but  lighted  smoke, 
Right  so  soun  is  air  y-broke.  770 

But  this  may  be  in  many  wj-se. 
Of  which  I  wil  thee  two  de\-j'se, 
As  soun  that  conith  of  pyi^e  or  harpe. 
For  whan  a  pji^e  is  blowen  sharpe, 
The  air  is  twist  with  violence,  775 

And  rent ;  lo,  this  is  my  sentence  ; 
Eek,  whan  men  harpe-stringes  smyte, 
Whether  hit  be  moche  or  lyte,  (270) 

Lo,  with  the  strook  the  air  to-breketh ;  779 
Eight  so  hit  breketh  whan  men  speketh. 
Thus  wost  thou  wel  what  thing  is  speche. 

'  Now  hennesforth  I  wol  thee  teche. 
How  every  speche,  or  noise,  or  soun, 
Through  his  multiplicacioun, 
Thogh  hit  were  p.'s-ped  of  a  mouse,  785 

Moot  nede  come  to  Fames  House. 
I  preve  hit  thus — tak  hede  now — 
By  experience  ;  for  if  that  thou  (2S0) 

Throwe  on  water  now  a  stoon, 
Wel  wost  thou,  hit  wol  make  anoon     790 
A  litel  roundel  as  a  cercle, 
Paraveuture  brood  as  a  covercle  ; 
And  right  anoon  thou  shalt  see  weel. 
That  wheel  wol  cause  another  wheel. 
And    that    the    thridde,    and    so    forth, 
brother,  795 

Kvery  cercle  caiisiug  other. 
AVyder  than  himselve  was  ; 
And  thus,  fro  roundel  to  compas.        (290) 
Ech  aboute  other  goipge, 
Caused  of  othcres  steringe,  800 

And  multiplying  ever-mo. 
Til  that  hit  be  so  fer  y-go 


That  hit  at  bothe  brinkes  be. 

Al-thogh  thoia  mowe  hit  not  j--see 

Aliove,  hit  goth  yet  alway  imder,  805 

Although  thou  thenke  hit  a  gret  wonder. 

And  who-so  seith  of  trouthe  I  varie, 

Bid  him  proven  the  contrarie.  (300) 

And  right  thus  every  word,  y-wis. 

That  loude  or  privee  spoken  is,  810 

Moveth  first  an  air  aboute. 

And  of  this  moving,  out  of  doute. 

Another  air  anoon  is  meved. 

As  I  ha%'e  of  the  water  preved. 

That  everj-  cercle  causeth  other.  815 

Eight  so  of  air,  my  leve  brother  ; 

Everich  air  in  other  stereth  (309) 

More  and  more,  and  speche  up  bereth. 

Or  vols,  or  noise,  or  word,  or  soun. 

Ay  through  multiplicacioun,  8jo 

Til  hit  be  atte  House  of  Fame  : — 

Tak  hit  in  ernest  or  in  game. 

'  Now  have  I  told,  if  thou  have  minde. 
How  speche  or  soun,  of  pure  kinde, 
Enclj-ned  is  upward  to  meve  ;  825 

This,  mayst  thou  fele,  wel  I  preve. 
And  that  fthe  mansioun,  y-wis. 
That  everj-  thing  enclyned  to  is,  (320) 

Hath  his  kindeliche  stede  : 
fThan  sheweth  hit.  withouten  drede,  830 
That  kindely  the  mansioun 
Of  every  speche,  of  every  soun. 
Be  hit  either  foul  or  fair. 
Hath  his  kinde  place  in  air. 
And  sin  that  everj-  thing,  that  is  835 

Out  of  his  kinde  place,  y-wis, 
Moveth  thider  for  to  go 
If  hit  a-weye  be  therfro,  (330) 

As  I  before  have  preved  thee, 
Hit  seweth,  ever\-  soun,  pardee,  840 

Moveth  kindely  to  pace 
Al  up  into  his  kindely  place. 
And  this  place  of  which  I  telle, 
Ther  as  Fame  list  to  dwelle, 
Is  set  amiddes  of  these  three,  845 

Heven,  erthe,  and  eek  the  see. 
As  most  conservatif  the  soun. 
Than  is  this  the  conclusioun,  (340) 

That  every  speche  of  even,*  man 
As  I  thee  telle  fu-st  began,  850 

Moveth  up  on  high  to  pace 
Kindely  to  Fames  place, 

'  Telle  me  this  feithfully. 


Book  1 1.] 


ZH  I50U6  of  $amt. 


335 


Have  I  not  p^•e^■ed  thus  simply, 

Withouteii  any  subtiltee  855 

Of  speche,  or  giet  prolixitee 

Of  termes  of  philosophye, 

Of  figures  of  poetrye,  (350) 

Or  colours  of  retlioryke? 

Pardee,  hit  oghte  thee  to  lyke  ;  860 

Fur  hard  langage  and  hard  uiatere 

Is  enooniljrous  for  to  here 

At  ones  ;  wost  thou  not  wel  this  ? ' 

And  1  answerde,  and  seyde,  '  Yis.' 

'  A  ha  ! '  quod  he,  '  lo,  so  I  can  865 

Lewedly  to  a  lewed  man 
Speke,  and  shewe  him  swiche  skiles, 
That  he  msky  shake  hem  hy  the  hiles,  (3()o) 
So  palpable  they  shuJden  be. 
Bvit  tel  me  this,  now  pray  I  thee,  870 

How  thinkth  thee  my  conclusioun  ?' 
[Quod  he].     '  A  good  persuasioun,' 
Quod  I,  '  hit  is  ;  and  lyk  to  be 
Eight  so  as  thou  hast  preved  me.' 
'  By  god,'  quod  he,  '  and  as  I  leve,         875 
Thou  shalt  have  yit,  or  hit  be  eve, 
Of  every  word  of  this  sentence 
A  preve,  by  exi)erience  ;  (370) 

And  with  thyvL  eres  lieren  wel 
Tup  and  tail,  and  everj'del,  880 

That  every  word  that  spoken  is 
Comth  into  Fames  Hous,  y-wis. 
As  I  have  se,\-d  ;  w  hat  wilt  thou  more  ?  ' 
And  with  this  word  upper  to  sore 
He  gan,  and  seyde,  '  By  Seynt  Jame  !  885 
Xow  wil  we  speken  al  of  game.' — 

'  How  farest  thou  ? '  quod  he  to  me. 
'  Wel,'  quod  I.     '  Now  see,'  quod  he,  (380) 
'  By  thy  trouthe,  yond  atloun, 
'V\nier  that  thou  knowest  any  toun,      890 
Or  hous,  or  any  other  thing. 
And  whan  thou  hast  of  ought  knowing, 
Loke  that  thou  warne  me, 
And  I  anoon  shal  telle  thee 
How  fer  that  thou  art  now  therfro.'      895 

And  I  adoun  fgan  lokcn  tho, 
And  beheld  feldes  and  plaines,  {389) 

And  now  hilles,  and  now  mountaines, 
Now  valeys,  and  now  forestes. 
And  now,  unethes,  grete  bestes  ;  900 

Now  riveres,  now  citees, 
Now  tounes,  and  now  grete  trees. 
Now  shippes  sailingc  in  the  see. 

But  thus  sono  in  a  wlivlc  he 


Was  flowen  fro  the  grounde  so  hyo,      905 

That  al  the  world,  as  to  myn  ye, 

No  more  semed  than  a  prikke ; 

Or  elles  was  the  air  so  thikke  (4<x)) 

That  I  ne  n^ighte  not  discerne. 

With  that  he  spak  to  me  as  yerne,       910 

And  seyde  :  '  Seestow  any  toun 

Or  ought  thou  knowest  yonder  doun  ? ' 

I  sej'de,  '  Nay.'     '  No  wonder  nis,' 
Quod  he,  '  for  half  so  high  as  this 
Nas  Alexander  Macedo  ;  915 

Ne  the  king,  dan  Scipio, 
That  saw  in  dreme,  at  point  devys, 
Helle  and  erthe,  and  paradys  ;  {410) 

Ne  eek  the  wrecche  Dedalus, 
Ne  his  child,  nyce  Icarus,  920 

That  fleigh  so  highe  that  the  hote 
His  winges  malt,  and  he  fcl  wete 
In-mid  the  see,  and  ther  he  dreynte. 
For  whom  was  maked  nioch  compleynte. 

'  Now  turn  upward,'  quod  he,  '  thy  face, 
And  behold  this  large  place,  926 

This  air  ;  but  loke  thou  ne  be 
Adi-ad  of  hem  that  thou  shalt  see  ;     (420) 
For  in  this  regioun,  certein, 
Dwelleth  many  a  citezein,  9^0 

Of  which  that  speketh  dan  Plato. 
These  ben  the  eyrish  bestes,  lo  ! ' 
And  so  saw  I  al  that  mej'nee 
Bothe  goon  and  also  flee. 
'  Now,'  quod  he  tho,  '  cast  up  thyn  ye;  935 
See  yonder,  lo,  the  Galaxye, 
Which  men  clepeth  the  Milkj'  Wej-, 
For  hit  is  whyt  :  and  somme,  parfey,  (430; 
Callen  hit  Watlinge  Strete  : 
That  ones  was  y-brent  with  hcto,  940 

Whan  the  sonnes  sone,  the  redo. 
That  highte  Pheton,  wolde  lede 
Algate  his  fader  cart,  and  gye. 
The  cai-t-hors  goune  wel  ospyo 
That  he  ne  coude  no  governaunce,        945 
And  gonne  for  to  lepe  and  lauucc, 
And  beren  him  now  up,  now  doun. 
Til  that  he  saw  the  Scori)ioun,  (44<>) 

Which  that  in  hcven  a  signo  is  j'it. 
And  lie,  for  ferdo,  losto  his  wit,  950 

Of  that,  and  leet  tho  reynes  goon 
Of  his  hors  ;  and  they  anoon 
Gonne  up  to  mounte,  and  doun  descoude 
Til  l)othe  tho  eyr  and  crtho  brendo  ; 
Til  .Tnpiter,  ]<>,  atte  laste,  955 


336 


'ZU  '^oue  of  ^ami. 


[Book  II. 


Him  slow,  and  fro  tnc  cnrtc  caste. 

fjo,  is  it  not  a  greet  niisehaunce, 

To  letc  a  fole  lian  govemavince  U.S") 

Of  thing  that  he  can  not  denieine  ?  ' 

Anil  with  this  word,  soth  for  to  seyne. 
Ho  gan  alway  upper  to  sore,  961 

And  gladded  me  ay  more  and  more, 
So  t'eithfiilly  to  me  spak  he. 

The  gan  I  loken  nnder  me, 
And  beheld  the  eyrish  hestes,  965 

('londes,  niistes,  and  tempestes, 
Snowes,  hailes,  reines,  wimles, 
And  th"engendring  in  hir  kindes,       C460) 
.Vnd  al  tlie  wey  through  whiihe  I  cam  ; 
'  O  god,'  fjnod  I,  '  that  made  Adam,      970 
Moche  is  thy  might  and  thy  nohlesse  ! ' 

And  tho  thonghte  I  npon  Boece, 
That  writ,  '  a  thonght  may  flee  so  hye, 
With  fetheres  of  Philosophye, 
To  passen  everich  element ;  975 

And  whan  he  hath  so  fer  y-went, 
Than  may  be  seen,  behind  his  bak, 
rioud,  and  al  that  I  of  spak,'  (470) 

Tho  gan  I  wexen  in  a  were, 
And  scydc,  '  I  woot  wel  I  am  here  ;       980 
But  wher  in  body  or  in  gost 
I  noot,  y-wis  ;  but  god,  thou  wost ! ' 
For  more  cleer  entendement 
Nadde  he  me  never  yit  y-sent. 
And  tlian  thonghte  I  on  Marcian,  985 

And  eek  on  Anteclaudian, 
That  sooth  was  hir  descripcioun 
Of  al  the  hevenes  regioun,  (480) 

.\.s  fer  as  tliat  I  saw  the  prevc  ; 
Tlierfi>r  I  can  hem  now  beleve,  990 

With  that  this  ogle  gan  to  crye  : 
'  Lat  be,'  quod  he,  '  thy  fantasye  ; 
Wilt  thou  lerc  of  storres  aught  ? ' 
'  Nay,  certeinly,'  quod  I,  '  right  naught ; 
And  why  ?  for  I  am  now  to  old.'  995 

'  EUes  I  wolde  thee  have  told,' 
Quod  he,  '  the  sterres  names,  lo, 
And  al  the  hevenes  signes  to,  (49<>) 

.\nd  which  thoy  been,'    'No  I'ors,' qtiod  I. 
'  Yis,  Pardee,'  quod  ho ;  '  wostow  why  ?  kxxj 
For  whan  thoji  redest  poetrye, 
How  goddes  gonne  stellifye 
Iiri<l,  fish,  beste,  or  him  or  here. 
As  tho  Raven,  or  either  Bere, 
Or  Ariones  harpe  fyn,  ny)^ 

Castor,  Pollux,  or  Delphjni, 


Or  fAtlantes  donghtres  sevene, 

How  alle  these  ani  set  in  hevene ;       (500) 

For  though  thou  have  hem  ofte  on  honde, 

Yet  nostow  not  wher  that  they  stonde,' 

'  No  fors,'  quod  I,  '  hit  is  no  nede  :       loii 

I  leve  as  wel,  so  god  me  sjiede, 

Hem  that  wryte  of  this  matere, 

As  though  I  knew  hir  places  here  ; 

And  eek  they  shynen  here  so  brighte, 

Hit  shulde  shenden  al  mj-  sighte,         1016 

To  loke  on  hem.'    '  That  may  wel  be,' 

Quod  he.    And  so  forth  bar  he  me       (510) 

A  whyl,  and  than  he  gan  to  crye, 

That  never  herde  I  thing  so  hye,  lojo 

'  Now  up  the  heed  ;  for  al  is  wel  ; 

.Seynt  Julj-an,  lo,  bou  hostel ! 

See  here  the  House  of  Fame,  lo  ! 

Maistow  not  heren  that  I  do?' 

'What?'  quod  I.     '  The  grete  soun,"    1025 

Quod  he,  '  that  rumbleth  up  and  doun 

In  Fames  Hous,  ful  of  tydinges, 

Bothe  of  fair  speche  and  chydingcs,    (^20) 

And  of  fals  and  s<ith  compouncd, 

Herkne  wel ;  hit  is  not  rouned,  1030 

Herestow  not  the  grete  swogh?' 

•  Yis,  pardoe,"  qui>d  I,  '  wel  y-nogh.' 

'  And  what  soun  is  it  lyk  ? '  quod  he, 

'  Peter  !  lyk  beting  of  the  see,' 

Quod  I,  'again  the  roches  holowe,        1035 

WTian  tempest  doth  the  shippes  swalowe ; 

Aiad  lat  a  man  stonde,  out  of  doute, 

A  myle  thens,  and  here  hit  route 

Or  elles  lyk  the  last  humblinge 

After  the  clappe  of  a  thimdringe, 

When  Joves  hath  the  air  y-betc  ; 

Bxit  hit  dotli  me  for  fere  swete.' 

'  Nay,  dred  tliee  not  therof,'  qnod  he, 

'  Hit  is  nothing  wil  byten  thee  ; 

Thou  shalt  non  harm  have,  trewel.v,'  n)45 

And  with  this  word  bothe  he  and  I 
As  nigh  the  place  arryved  were 
As  men  ma,v  casten  with  a  spere.        (540) 
I  niste  how,  but  in  a  strete 
He  sette  nic  faire  on  my  fete,  1050 

And  seyde,  '  Walke  forth  a  pas, 
And  tak  thyn  aventure  or  cas. 
That  thou  shalt  finde  in  Fames  place.' 

'  Now,'  quod  I,  '  whjl  we  han  space 
To  speke,  or  that  I  go  fro  thee,  1055 

For  the  love  of  god,  tel  me. 
In  sooth  that  wil  I  of  tLee  lere, 


30) 


1040 


Book  III.J 


^^e  J^oue  of  ^amt. 


33: 


If  this  noise  that  I  here  ('550) 

Be,  as  I  have  herd  thee  telleu, 

Of  folk  that  doun  in  erthe  dwellen,     1060 

And  comth  liere  in  tlie  sanae  wyso 

As  I  thee  herde  or  this  devyse  ; 

And  that  ther  Ij'ves  body  nis 

In  al  that  hons  that  yonder  is, 

That  maketh  al  this  loude  fare?'         1065 

■  No,'  qnod  he,  '  by  Sejmte  Clare, 

And  also  wis  god  rede  me  ! 

Bnt  o  thinge  I  wil  warne  thee  (560) 

Of  the  which  thou  wolt  have  wonder. 

Lo,  to  the  House  of  Fame  yonder         1070 

Thou  wost  how  cometh  everj-  speche. 

Hit  nedeth  noght  thee  eft  to  teche. 

But  understond  now  right  wel  this  ; 

'Wlian  any  speche  y-comen  is 


Up  to  the  paleys,  anon-right  11)75 

Hit  wexcth  lyk  the  same  wight 
Wliich  that  the  word  in  erthe  sjiak. 
Be  hit  clothed  reed  or  blak  ;  (j^o 

And  hath  so  verray  his  lyknessc 
That  spak  the  word,  that  thou  wilt  gcsse 
That  hit  the  same  body  be,  loSi 

Man  or  woman,  he  or  she. 
And  is  not  this  a  wonder  thing  y  ' 
'  Yis,'  quod  I  tho,  '  by  hevene  king  ! ' 
And  with  this  worde,  '  Farwel,'  quod  he, 
'  And  here  I  wol  abyden  thee  ;  10S6 

And  god  of  hevene  sende  thee  grace, 
Som  good  to  lernen  in  this  place."       (^.sXo) 
And  I  of  him  took  leve  anoon, 
And  gan  forth  to  the  paleys  goon.        1090 
Explicit  liber  secundus. 


BOOK   III. 


Incipit  liber  tercius. 

Invocation. 

0  god  of  science  and  of  light, 
Apollo,  througli  thy  grete  might, 
This  litel  laste  lx)ok  thoii  gye  ! 
Nat  that  I  wilne,  for  maistrye, 

Here  art  poetical  be  shewed  ;  1095 

But,  for  the  rym  is  light  and  lewed, 

Yit  make  hit  sumwhat  agreable, 

Though  som  vers  faile  in  a  sillalde  ; 

And  that  I  do  no  diligence 

To  shewe  craft,  but  o  sentence.      (10)  luxj 

And  if,  di\'jaio  vertu,  thou 

Wilt  helpe  me  to  shewe  now 

That  in  mjni  hede  y-marked  is — 

Lo,  that  is  for  to  menen  this, 

The  Hous  of  Fame  to  descrj^e —  1 105 

Thou  shalt  sec  me  go,  as  blyve, 

Unto  the  nexte  laure  I  see. 

And  kisse  hit,  for  hit  is  thy  tree ; 

Now  entreth  in  my  breste  anoon  ! — 

The  Dream. 
Whan  I  was  fro  this  egle  goon,     (20)  mo 

1  gan  beholde  xtpon  this  place. 


And  certein,  or  i  ferther  pace, 

I  wol  yow  al  the  shap  devyse 

Of  hous  and  fsite  ;  and  al  the  wyse 

How  I  gan  to  this  place  aproche  11:5 

That  stood  iipon  so  higli  a  roche, 

Hyer  stant  ther  noon  in  Spaine. 

But  up  I  clomb  with  alle  paine. 

And  though  to  climbe  hit  greved  mo. 

Yit  I  ententif  was  to  see,  (^v  luo 

And  for  to  pouren  wonder  lowe. 

If  I  coude  any  weyes  knowe 

What  maner  stoon  this  roche  was  ; 

For  hit  was  lyk  a  thing  of  glas. 

But  that  hit  shoon  ful  more  clero  ;       1 1J5 

But  of  wliat  congeled  matere 

Hit  was,  I  niste  redely. 

But  at  the  laste  espj'ed  I, 
And  found  that  hit  was,  every  deel, 
A  roclie  of  yse,  and  not  of  steel.    (40)  ii^o 
Thoughte  I,  '  By  Seynt  Thomas  of  Kent  ! 
This  were  a  feble  loundement 
To  bilden  on  a  place  hye  ; 
He  oughte  him  litel  glorifye 
That  her-<m  bilt,  god  so  mo  save  !'        1 135 

Tho  saw  I  al  the  half  y-gravo 
Witli  famous  folkos  names  fele, 
Tliat  bad  y-bei'n  in  mochel  wole, 


338 


ZH  15ou0  of  ^amt. 


[Book  III. 


And  hir  lames  wj-de  y-blovve. 

But  wel  uuethes  coude  I  knowe    (50)  1 140 

Any  lettres  for  to  rede 

Hir  names  by  ;  for,  out  of  drede, 

The,\'  were  almost  of-thowed  so, 

That  of  the  lettres  oon  or  two 

Was  molte  away  of  every  name,  1 145 

So  unfamous  was  wexe  bir  fame  ; 

But  men  sej'n,  '  What  may  ever  laste  ?  ' 

Tho  gan  I  in  nij-u  herte  caste, 
That  they  were  niolte  awey  with  hete, 
And  not  awey  with  stormes  bete.  (60)  1150 
For  on  that  other  syde  I  sey 
Of  this  liille,  that  northward  lay, 
How  hit  was  writen  ful  of  names 
Of  folk  that  hadden  grete  fames 
Ofolde  tyme,  and  yit  they  were  1155 

As   fresshe    as    men    had    writen    hem 

there 
Tlie  selve  day  right,  or  that  houre 
That  I  upon  hem  gan  to  poure. 
But  wel  I  wiste  what  hit  made  ; 
Hit  was  conserved  with  the  shade —     (70) 
Al  this  wrj-tinge  that  I  sy —  ii6i 

Of  a  castel,  that  stood  on  liy, 
And  stood  eek  on  so  cold  a  place, 
That  hete  might e  hit  not  deface. 

Tlio  gan  I  up  the  hille  to  goon,  1165 

And  iond  upon  the  coppe  a  woon, 
That  alle  the  men  that  ben  on  lyve 
Nc  ban  the  cunning  to  descrj've 
The  beautee  of  that  ilke  place, 
Ne  coude  casten  no  compace  (80)  11 711 

Swich  another  for  to  make, 
That  mighte  of  beautee  be  his  make, 
Xe  [be]  so  wonderliche  y-wrought  ; 
That  hit  astonieth  yit  my  thought, 
And  maketh  al  my  wit  to  swinko         1175 
On  this  castel  to  bethinke. 
So  that  the  grete  fcraft,  beautee, 
The  cast,  the  ciiriositee 
Ne  can  I  not  to  yow  devj'se. 
My  wit  no  may  me  not  suffyse.      (90)  1180 

But  natheles  al  the  substance 
I  have  j"it  in  my  remembrance  ; 
For-why  mc  thoughte,  by  Seyut  Gyle  ! 
Al  was  of  stone  of  beryle, 
Bothe  castol  and  the  toui'.  1185 

And  eek  the  lialle,  and  every  hour, 
Withouten  jiecos  or  joininges. 
But  maiay  subtil  compassinges, 


f  Babewinnes  and  piuacles, 

Imageries  and  tabernacles,  ('o<>)  1190 

I  saw  ;  and  ful  eek  of  windowos, 

As  flakes  falle  in  grete  snowes. 

And  eek  in  ech  of  the  pinacles 

Weren  sondrj'  habitacles. 

In  whiche  stoden,  al  withoute —  1195 

Ful  the  castel,  al  aboute — 

Of  alio  maner  of  minstrales. 

And  gestiours,  that  tellen  tales 

Bothe  of  weping  and  of  game. 

Of  al  that  longeth  unto  Fame,      (no)  1200 

Ther  herde  I  pleyen  on  an  harpe 
That  souned  bothe  wel  and  sharpe, 
Orpheus  ful  craftely, 
And  on  his  syde,  faste  by. 
Sat  the  haiijer  Orion,  1205 

And  Eacides  Chiron, 
And  other  harpers  manj-  oon, 
And  the  Bret  Glascurion  ; 
Aiid  smale  harpers  with  her  glees 
fSeten  under  hem  in  sees,  (120)  1210 

And  gonne  on  hem  upward  to  gape. 
And  countrefete  hem  as  an  ape, 
Or  as  craft  countrefeteth  kinde. 

Tho  saugh  I  stonden  hem  Viehinde, 
A-fer  fro  hem,  al  by  hemselve,  1215 

Many  thoiisand  tymcs  twelve, 
That  maden  loude  menstralcyos 
In  cornemuse,  and  shalmyes. 
And  many  other  maner  pype, 
That  craftely  begunne  pype  (i^o)  i-'«i 

Bothe  in  doucet  and  in  rede. 
That  ben  at  festes  with  the  brcde  ; 
And  many  floute  anil  lilting-horne, 
And  pjiies  made  of  grene  come. 
As  ban  thise  litcl  herdo-gromes,  1225 

That  kepen  bestes  in  the  bromes. 

Ther  saugh  I  than  Atiteris, 
And  of  Athenes  dan  Pseustis, 
And  Mareia  that  lost  her  skin, 
Bothe  in  face,  body,  and  chin,     (140)  1230 
For  that  she  wolde  euvyen,  lo  ! 
To  pyi^en  bet  then  Apollo. 
Ther  saugh  I  famous,  »)lde  and  yonge, 
Pypers  of  the  Duche  tonge. 
To  lerne  love-daunces,  springes,  12,15 

Reyes,  and  these  straunge  thinges. 

Tho  saugh  I  in  another  place 
Stonden  in  a  large  space. 
Of  hem  that  maken  blodj^  soun 


Book  III.] 


ZU  $ou0  of  S<*tne. 


339 


In  trumpe,  beme,  and  clariouu  ;  (150)1240 
Fox-  in  fight  and  blood-shedinge 
Is  tised  gladly  clarioninge. 

Tlier  lierde  I  tmnipen  Messenus, 
Of  ■wln)ni  that  speketh  Virgilius. 
Ther  lierde  I  Joab  trumpe  also,  1245 

Theodomas,  and  other  mo  ; 
And  alle  that  iised  clarion 
lu  Catak>igne  and  Aragou, 
That  in  hir  tyme  famous  were 
To  lerne,  saugh  I  trumpe  there.  (160)  1250 

Ther  saugh  I  sitte  in  other  sees, 
Pleyinge  upon  sondry  glees, 
AVIiiche  that  I  cannot  nevene, 
Mo  then  sterres  been  in  hevene. 
Of  whiche  I  nil  as  now  not  ryme,  1255 

For  ese  of  yow,  and  losse  of  tyme  : 
For  tj-me  y-lost,  this  knowen  ye, 
By  no  wa3'  may  recovered  be. 

Ther  saugh  I  fpleyen  jogelours, 
Magiciens  and  tregetours,  (170;  1260 

And  phitonesses,  charmeresses, 
Olde  wicches,  sorceresses, 
That  use  exorsisaciouus 
And  eek  thise  fumigaciouus ; 
And  clerkes  eek,  which  conne  wel       1265 
Al  this  magyke  naturel, 
That  craftely  don  hir  ententes, 
To  make,  in  certeyn  ascendentes. 
Images,  lo,  through  which  magyk 
To  make  a  man  ben  hool  or  syk.  (180}  1270 
Ther  saugh  I  f  thee,  queen  Medea, 
And  Circes  eke,  and  Calipsa  ; 
Ther  saugh  I  Hermes  Balleuus, 
Lymote,  and  eek  Simon  Magus.  1274 

Ther  saugh  I,  and  knew  hem  by  name, 
That  by  such  art  don  men  lian  fame. 
Ther  saugh  I  CoUe  tregetour 
Uiwn  a  table  of  sicamour 
Pleye  an  uncouthe  thing  to  telle  ; 
I  saugh  him  carien  a  wind-melle  (190)  1280 
Under  a  walsh-note  shale. 

What  shuld  I  make  lenger  tale 
Of  al  the  pople  that  I  say. 
Fro  hennes  in-to  tlomesday  ? 

Whan  I  had  al  this  folk  beholde,     1285 
And  fond  me  lous,  and  noght  y-holde, 
And  eft  y-mused  longe  whyle 
Upon  these  wallos  of  beryle. 
That  shoon  ful  lighter  than  a  glas. 
Aiul  made  wel  more  than  hit  was       (200) 


To  semen,  every  thing,  y-wis,  1 291 

As  kinde  thing  of  fames  is  ; 
I  gan  forth  romen  til  I  fond 
The  castel-yate  on  my  right  hond. 
Which  that  so  wel  corven  was  1295 

That  never  swich  another  nas  ; 
And  j-it  hit  was  by  aventure 
Y-wrought,  as  often  as  by  cure. 

Hit  nedeth  noght  yow  for  to  tellen, 
To  make  yow  to  longe  dwellen,    (210)  1300 
Of  this  yates  florisshinges, 
Ne  of  compasses,  ne  of  kervinges, 
Ne  how  they  f  hatte  in  masoneries. 
As,  corbets  fuUe  of  imageries. 
But,  lord  !  so  fair  hit  was  to  shewe,     1305 
For  hit  was  al  with  gold  behewe. 
But  in  I  wente,  and  that  anoon  ; 
Thor  mette  I  crying  many  oon, — 
'  A  larges,  larges,  hold  up  wel ! 
God  save  the  lady  of  this  pel,      (220)  1310 
Our  owne  gentil  lady  Fame, 
And  hem  that  wilnen  to  have  name 
Of  us  ! '    Thus  herde  I  cryen  alle, 
And  faste  comen  out  of  halle. 
And  shoken  nobles  and  sterlinges.       1315 
And  somme  crouned  were  as  kinges. 
With  crovuies  wroght  ful  of  losenges  ; 
And  many  riban,  and  many  frenges 
Were  on  hir  clothes  trewely. 

Tho  atte  laste  aspyed  I  (230)  1320 

That  pursevauntes  and  heraudes, 
Tliat  cryen  riche  folkes  laudes, 
Hit  weren  alle  ;  and  every  man 
Of  hem,  as  I  yow  tellen  can, 
Had  on  him  throwen  a  vesture,  1325 

Which  that  men  clepe  a  cote-armure, 
Enbrowded  wonderliche  riche, 
Al-though  they  nere  nought  y-liche. 
But  noght  nil  I,  so  mote  I  tliryve. 
Been  aboute  to  discryve  (240)  1330 

Al  these  amies  that  ther  weren. 
That  they  thus  on  hir  cotes  lieren, 
For  hit  to  me  wore  impossible  ; 
Men  mighte  make  of  hem  a  bible 
Twenty  foot  thikke,  as  I  trowe.  1335 

For  certeyn,  who-so  coude  y-knowo 
Mighte  ther  alle  the  amies  seen 
Of  famous  folk  that  lian  y-been 
In  Auil'rike,  Europe,  and  Asye, 
Sith  first  began  the  chevalrye.     (230)  1340 

Lo  !  how  sliulde  I  now  telle  al  this  ? 


340 


ZU  5ou0  of  5^'^itte. 


[Book  III. 


Ne  ')f  the  linlle  eek  what  nede  is 

To  tellen  yow,  that  every  wal 

Of  liit,  and  floor,  and  roof  and  al 

Was  plated  lialf  a  fote  thikke  1.^45 

Of  gohl,  and  that  nas  no-thing  -svikke, 

But,  for  to  prove  in  alle  wyse, 

As  fyn  as  ducat  in  Venyse, 

Of  whiche  to  lyte  al  in  my  pouche  is  ? 

And  they  wer  setasthikkeof  nouchis  (260) 

Fiille  of  the  fynest  stones  faire,  1351 

That  men  rede  in  the  Lapidaire, 

As  greses  growen  in  a  mede  ; 

But  hit  were  al  to  longe  to  rede 

The  names  ;  and  therfore  I  pace.  1355 

But  in  this  riche  lusty  place, 
That  Fames  halle  called  was, 
Ful  moche  jirees  of  folk  ther  nas, 
Xe  erouding,  for  to  mordiil  proes. 
But  al  on  hye,  above  a  dees,         ''270)  1360 
]  Sitte  in  a  see  imperial, 
That  maad  was  of  a  ruhoc  al. 
Which  that  a  carhuncle  is  y-called, 
I  saugh,  perpetually  y-stalled, 
A  feminyne  creature  ;  1365 

Tliat  never  formed  liy  nature 
Xas  swich  another  thing  y-seye. 
For  altherfirst,  soth  for  to  sej-e. 
Mo  thonghte  that  she  was  so  l.vte. 
That  the  lengthe  of  a  cuhyte         (280)  1370 
Was  lenger  than  slie  semed  lie  ; 
But  thus  sone,  in  a  whyle,  she 
Hirtho  so  i  wonderliche  streighte, 
That  with  hir  ieet  she  th'erthc  reighto. 
And  witli  hir  heed  she  toiiclnd  hevenc, 
Ther  as  sliynen  stcrres  sevene.  1376 

And  ther-to  eek,  as  to  my  wit, 
T  saugh  a  gretter  wonder  yit, 
I'pon  hir  eyen  to  heholde  ; 
But  certeyn  I  hem  never  tolde  ;  (290)  1380 
For  as  fele  eyen  hadde  she 
As  fotheros  upon  i'oules  he. 
Or  weren  on  the  hestes  foure. 
That  godiles  trone  gunno  honourc. 
As  John  writ  in  th'apocalips.  1385 

Hir  heer,  that  oundy  was  and  crips, 
As  l)urned  gold  hit  slioon  to  see. 
And  sooth  to  tellen,  also  she 
Hail  also  fele  up-stonding  eres 
Anil  tonges,  as  on  ))estes  heros  ;  (300)  1300 
Ami  on  hir  feet  wexen  saugh  I 
Partriches  winges  reclely 


But,  lord  !  the  perrie  and  the  richesse 
I  saugh  sitting  on  this  goddesse  ! 
And,  lord  !  the  hevenish  melodye        1395 
Of  songes,  ful  of  armonye, 
I  herde  ahoute  her  trone  y-songe. 
That  al  the  paleys-walles  ronge  ! 
So  song  the  mighty  Muse,  she 
That  cleped  is  Caliopee,  '3">'  '4"*^ 

And  hir  eighte  sustren  eke. 
That  in  hir  face  semen  meke  ; 
And  evermo,  eternallj-, 
They  songe  of  Fame,  as  tho  herde  I : — 
'  Heried  be  thou  and  thy  name,  1405 

Goddesse  of  renoun  and  of  fame  ! ' 

Tho  was  I  war,  lo,  atte  laste, 
As  I  myn  eyen  gan  up  caste. 
That  this  ilke  nolde  queue 
On  hir  shuldres  gan  sustone         (320)  1410 
Bothe  th'armes  and  the  name 
Of  tho  that  hadde  large  fame  ; 
Alexander,  and  Hercules 
That  with  a  sherto  his  lyf  lees  ! 
fThus  fond  I  sitting  this  goddesse,      1415 
In  nohley,  honour,  and  richesso  ; 
Of  which  I  stinte  a  whyle  now, 
Other  thing  to  tellen  j-ow. 

Tho  saugh  I  stonde  on  either  syde, 
Streight  doun  to  the  dores  wyde,  (330J  i4-'o 
Fro  the  dees,  many  a  pileer 
Of  metal,  that  shoon  not  ful  cleer  ; 
But  though  thoy  nere  of  no  richesse, 
Yet  thoy  were  maad  for  greet  nf>hlesse, 
And  in  hem  greet  [and  hy]  sentence  ;  1425 
And  folk  of  digne  reverence, 
Of  whiche  I  wf)l  yow  telle  fonde, 
Upon  the  piler  saugh  I  stcmde. 

Alderfirst,  lo,  ther  I  sigh, 
Upon  a  piler  stonde  on  high,        (340)  1430 
That  was  of  lede  and  jTen  fyn. 
Him  of  secte  Saturnyn, 
Th'  Ebrayk  Josephus,  the  oldo. 
That  of  Jewcs  gestes  tolde  ; 
And  bar  iipon  his  shuldres  hye  1435 

The  fame  up  of  the  .lowei-ye. 
And  by  him  stoden  other  sevene, 
Wyse  and  worthy  for  to  nevene, 
To  holpen  him  here  up  the  charge. 
Hit  was  so  he\-j'  and  so  large.      (.^-^o)  1440 
And  for  they  writen  of  batailes. 
As  wel  as  other  idde  mervailes, 
Therfor  was.  lo.  this  ]iiloor. 


Book  III.] 


Z^i.  15ou6  of  5^ame. 


341 


Of  which  that  I  yow  telle  heer, 

Of  lede  and  yren  bothe,  y-wis.  1445 

F<n-  yren  Martes  metal  is, 

Which  that  god  is  of  liataile  ; 

And  the  leed,  ■withmiten  faile, 

Is,  lo,  the  metal  of  Satiirne, 

That  hath  ful  large  wheel  to  turne.    (360) 

Tho  stoden  forth,  on  every  rowe,  1451 

Of  hem  which  that  I  coude  knowc, 

Thogh  I  hem  noglit  Ijy  ordre  telle, 

To  make  yow  to  long  to  dwelle. 

These,  of  whiche  I  ginne  rede,  1455 

Tlier  saugh  I  stonden,  out  of  drede  : 
Upon  an  yren  piler  strong, 
That  peynted  was,  al  endelong, 
"With  tj-gres  hlode  in  every  place, 
The  Tholosan  that  highte  Stace,  (370)  1460 
That  bar  of  Thebes  up  the  lame 
Upon  his  shu.ldres,  and  the  name 
Also  of  cruel  Achilles. 
And  by  him  stood,  without  en  lees, 
Ful  wonder  hj-e  on  a  pileer  1465 

Of  yi-en,  he,  the  gret  Omeer  ; 
And  with  him  Dares  and  Tytiis 
Before,  and  eek  he,  LoUius, 
And  Guido  eek  de  Columpnis, 
And  English  Gaufride  eek,  y-wis ;  (380)  1470 
And  ech  of  these,  as  have  I  jo.ve, 
Was  besy  for  to  here  up  Troye. 
So  lievy  tlier-of  was  the  fame. 
That  for  to  here  hit  was  no  game. 
Bi\t  yit  I  gan  ful  wel  espye,  1475 

Betwi.x  hem  was  a  litel  envye. 
Oon  seyde,  Omere  made  lyes, 
Fe>-ninge  in  his  poet  ryes, 
And  was  to  Grekes  favorable  ; 
Therlor  held  he  hit  but  fable.      (390)  1480 

Tho  saugli  I  stonde  on  a  pileer. 
That  was  of  tinned  yren  cleer. 
That  Latin  poete,  [dan]  Virg;\-le, 
Tliat  bore  hath  up  a  longe  whylo 
The  fame  of  Pius  Eneas.  1485 

And  next  him  on  a  piler  was. 
Of  coper,  Venus  clerk,  Ovyde, 
That  hath  y-sowen  wonder  wyde 
The  grete  god  of  Loves  name. 
And  ther  ho  bar  up  wel  his  fame,       (4CX)) 
L^pon  this  piler,  also  bye  i4()i 

As  I  might  see  hit  with  myn  yi-  : 
For- why  this  halle,  of  whiche  I  rode 
Was  woxe  on  f  highte,  lengthe  and  brede, 


(410) 
1501 


Wel  more,  by  a  thousand  del, 
Than  hit  was  erst,  that  saugh  I  wel 

Tho  saiigh  I,  on  a  piler  by. 
Of  yren  wroght  ful  sternely. 
The  grete  poete,  daun  Lucan, 
And  on  his  shuldres  bar  up  than, 
As  higlie  as  that  I  mighte  see. 
The  fame  of  Julius  and  Pumpee. 
And  by  liim  stoden  alle  these  clerkes, 
That  writeu  of  Homes  miglity  werkes, 
That,  if  I  wolde  hir  names  telle,  1 51 15 

Al  to  longe  moste  I  dwelle. 

And  next  him  on  a  piler  stood 
Of  soulfre,  lyk  as  he  were  wood, 
Dan  Claudian,  the  soth  to  telle, 
That  bar  iip  al  the  fame  of  hello,  (420)  1510 
Of  Pluto,  and  of  Proserpyne, 
That  quene  is  of  the  derko  pyne. 

What  sliulde  I  more  telle  of  this? 
The  halle  was  al  fill,  y-wis. 
Of  hem  that  writ  en  olde  gestes,  1 :;  i :; 

As  ben  on  trees  rokes  nestes  ; 
But  Iiit  a  fnl  confus  matere 
Were  al  the  gestes  for  to  here. 
That    they    of    write,     and     how 

highte. 
Bnt  vvhyl  that  I  beheld  this  sighte. 
I  Iierde  a  noise  aprochen  blyve, 
Tliat  ferde  as  been  don  in  an  hyve. 
Agen  her  tyme  of  out-fleyinge  ; 
Right  swiche  a  maner  murmuiinge, 
For  al  the  world,  hit  semed  me.  1515 

Tho  gan  I  loke  aboute  and  see, 
That  ther  com  entring  fin  the  hallc 
A  right  gret  company  with-alle, 
And  that  of  sondrj'  regiouns. 
Of  alleskinnes  condieioiins,  '4+<>i  15?" 

That  dwelle  in  erthe  under  the  mono. 
Pore  and  ryche.     And  also  sone 
As  they  wei'e  come  into  the  halle. 
They  gonne  dotin  on  knees  falle 
Before  this  ilke  noble  qixone,  1=35 

And  seyde,  '  Graunte  us,  lady  sliciic. 
Ech  of  lis,  of  thy  grace,  a  bone  ! ' 
And     somme     of    hem     she     graunted 

sone. 
And  somme  she  werned  wel  anil  tiiire  : 
And  somme  she  graunted  the  contraire 
Of  hir  axing  ntterl.v.  (4,=;ii  1541 

But  thus  1  seye  yow  trewely. 
What  hir  causi."  was,  I  niste. 


tliey 


1521 


342 


^^e  ^ou0  of  ^amt. 


[Book  ni. 


(4601 


^?55 


For  this  folk,  I'nl  wel  I  wiste, 

They  hadde  good  fame  cch  deserved,   1545 

Altliogli  they  were  diversly  served  ; 

Right  as  hir  snster,  dame  Fortnne, 

Is  wont  to  serven  in  comnne. 

Now  herkne  how  she  gan  to  paye 
That  gonne  hir  of  hir  grace  praye  ; 
And  yit,  lo,  al  this  companye 
Sej'den  sooth,  and  noght  a  lye. 

•  Madame,'  seyden  they,  •  we  be 
Folk  that  heer  besechen  thee, 
That  thoit  grannte  us  now  good  fame. 
And  lete  our  werkes  han  that  name  ; 
In  ful  recompensacionn 
Of  good  werk,  give  ns  good  renoun.' 
'  I  weme  yow  hit,'  qnod  she  anoon, 
'  Ye  gete  of  me  good  fame  noon,  (470)  1560 
By  god  !  and  tlierfor  go  yonr  wey.' 

'  Alas,'  qnod  they,  '  and  welaway  ! 
Telle  ns,  what  may  your  cause  he  ?' 

'For  me  list  hit  noght,'  quod  she  ; 
'  No  wight  shal  speke  of  yow,  y-wis,    1565 
Good  ne  harm,  ne  that  ne  this.' 
And  with  that  word  she  gan  to  calle 
Hir  messanger,  that  was  in  halle. 
And  bad  that  he  shulde  faste  goon, 
fUp  pejTie  to  be  blind  anoon,      (480)  1570 
For  Eolus,  the  god  of  winde  ; — 
'  In  Trace  ther  ye  shnl  him  finde, 
And  V>id  him  bringe  his  clarioun. 
That  is  fill  dyvcrs  of  his  soun, 
And  hit  is  clopetl  Clere  Laude,  1575 

With  which  he  wont  is  to  heraude 
Hem  that  me  list  y-preised  be  : 
And  also  bid  him  how  that  he 
Bringe  his  other  clarioun, 
That  highte  Sclanndre  in  every  tonn,  (490) 
With  which  he  wont  is  to  diffame       1581 
Hem  that  me  list,  antl  do  hem  shame.' 

This  messanger  gan  faste  goon. 
And  found  wher,  in  a  cave  of  stoon. 
In  a  contree  that  highte  Trace, 
This  Eolus,  with  hardc  grace. 
Held  the  windes  in  distresse, 
And  gan  liem  iindcr  him  to  presse, 
That  they  gonne  as  beres  rore, 
He  bond  and  pressed  hem  so  sore. 

This  messanger  gan  faste  erye, 
•  Kys  up,'  quod  he,  '  and  faste  hye. 
Til  tliat  thou  at  my  lady  be  ; 
And  tak  thy  clarions  eek  with  thee, 


'585 


(500) 
i59« 


And  speed  thee  forth.'    And  he  anon  1595 

Took  to  a  man,  that  hight  Triton, 

His  clario\ins  to  here  tho. 

And  leet  a  certeyn  wind  to  go, 

That  blew  go  hidously  and  hye. 

That  hit  ne  lefte  not  a  skye         (510)  1600 

In  al  the  welken  longe  and  brood. 

This  Eolus  no-wher  abood 
Til  he  was  come  at  Fames  feet. 
And  eek  the  man  that  Triton  beet ; 
And  ther  he  stood,  as  still  as  stoon.     1605 
And  her-withal  ther  com  anoon 
Another  huge  companye 
Of  gode  folk,  and  gunne  ci-ye, 
■  Lady,  graunte  us  now  good  fame, 
And  lat  our  werkes  han  that  name    (520) 
Now,  in  honotxr  of  gentilesse,  161 1 

And  also  god  your  soule  blesse  ! 
For  we  han  wel  deserved  hit, 
Therfor  is  right  that  we  ben  qivit.' 

'  As    thryve    I,'    quod    she,    '  ye    shal 
faile. 
Good  werkes  shiil  yow  noght  availe     1616 
To  have  of  me  good  fame  as  now. 
Bvit  wite  ye  what  ?     I  graunte  yow. 
That  ye  shal  have  a,  shrewed  fame       16 19 
And  wikked  loos,  and  worse  name,    (5,10) 
Though  ye  good  loos  have  wel  deser\'ed. 
Now  go  your  wey,  for  ye  be  served  ; 
And  thou,  dan  Eolus,  let  see  ! 
Tak  forth  thy  trumpe  anon,'  quod  she, 
'  That  is  y-eleped  Sclaunder  light,        1625 
And  blow  hir  loos,  that  everj'  wight 
Speke  of  hem  harm  and  shrewednesse, 
In  stede  of  good  and  worthinesse. 
For  thou  sha.lt  trumpe  al  the  contraire 
Of  that  they  han  don  wel  or  faire.'      1630 

'  Alas,'  thoughte  I,  '  what  aventares 
Han  these  sory  creatures  !  (542) 

For  they,  amonges  al  the  pres, 
Shul  thus  be  shamed  gilteles  ! 
But  what !  hit  moste  nedes  be.'  1635 

■WTiat  did  this  Eolus,  but  he 
Tok  out  his  blakke  trumpe  of  bras. 
That  fouler  than  the  devil  was. 
And  gan  this  trvimpe  for  to  blowe. 
As  al  the  world  shulde  overthrowe  ;    (550) 
That  tlirough-out  every  regioun  1641 

Wente  this  foulc  trumpes  soun. 
As  swift  as  pelet  out  of  gonne. 
Whan  fyr  is  in  the  poudre  ronne. 


Book  IIT.] 


^6e  15ou0  of  5^^mc. 


343 


And  swiche  a  smoke  gan  out-wende    1645 

Out  of  his  foule  trumpes  ende, 

Blak,  bio,  grenish,  swartish  reed, 

As  doth  wher  that  men  nielte  leed, 

Lo,  al  on  high  fro  tlie  tuel ! 

And  thei-to  00  thing  sangh  I  wel,  (560)  1650 

That,  the  ferther  that  hit  ran, 

The  gretter  wexen  hit  began, 

As  doth  the  river  from  a  welle, 

And  hit  stank  as  the  pit  of  helle. 

Alas,  thus  was  hir  shame  y-ronge,       1655 

And  giltelees,  on  every  tonge. 

Tho  com  the  thridde  companye. 
And  gunne  up  to  the  dees  to  hye, 
And  doun  on  knees  they  fille  anon. 
And  seyde, '  We  ben  everichon      (570)  1660 
Folk  that  han  ful  trewely 
Desers'ed  fame  rightfully. 
And  praye  yow,  hit  mot  be  knowe. 
Eight  as  hit  is?  and  forth  y-blowe.' 
'  I  graunte,'  quod  she,  '  for  me  list       1665 
That  now  your  gode  f  werk  be  wist ; 
And  yit  ye  shul  han  better  loos, 
Right  in  dispyt  of  alle  your  loos. 
Than  worthy  is;  and  that  anoon  : 
Lat  now,'  quod  slie,  '  thy  trumpe  goon,  (580) 
Thou  Eolus,  that  is  so  blak  ;  1671 

And  out  thjTi  other  trumpe  tak 
That  highte  Laude,  and  blow  hit  so 
That  throtigh  the  world  hir  fame  go 
Al  esely,  and  not  to  faste,  1675 

That  hit  be  knowen  atte  laste.' 

'  Ful  gladly,  lady  myn,'  he  seyde  ; 
And  out  his  tnimpe  of  golde  he  brayde 
Anon,  and  sette  hit  to  his  moiithe. 
And  blew  hit  est,  and  west,  and  southe,(5go) 
And  north,  as  loude  as  any  thunder,  1681 
That  every  wight  hadde  of  hit  wonder. 
So  brode  hit  ran,  or  than  hit  stente. 
And,  certes,  al  the  breeth  that  wente 
Out  of  his  trumpes  mouthe  stnelde      1685 
As  men  a  pot-ful  -(-bawme  helde 
Among  a  basket  ful  of  roses  ; 
This  favoiir  dide  he  til  hir  loses. 

And  right  with  this  I  gan  aspye, 
Ther  com  the  ferthe  companye —  (600)  1690 
But  ccrteyn  they  were  wonder  fewe — 
And  gonne  stonden  in  a  rewo. 
And  seyden,  '  Certes,  lady  brighte, 
We  han  don  wel  with  al  our  mighte ; 
But  we  ne  kepen  have  no  fame.  1695 


Hyd  our  werkesand  our  name. 

For  goddes  love  !  for  certes  we 

Han  certeyu  doon  hit  for  bountee. 

And  for  no  maner  other  thing.' 

'  I  graunte  yow  al  your  asking,'     (fuoi  170.) 

Quod  she  ;  '  let  your  fwerk  be  deed." 

With  that  abottte  I  clew  m5'n  heed, 
And  sattgh  anoon  the  fifte  route 
That  to  this  lady  gonne  loute, 
And  doun  on  knees  anoon  to  falle  ;      1705 
And  to  hir  tho  besoughten  alle 
To  hyde  hir  gode  werkes  eek. 
And  seyde,  thej'  yeven  noght  a  leelc 
For  fame,  ne  for  swich  renoun  ; 
For  they,  for  contemplacioun       (620)  1710 
And  goddes  love,  hadde  y-wrought  ; 
Ne  of  fame  wolde  they  nought. 

'  What  ? '  quod  she,  '  and  be  ye  wood  ? 
And  wene  ye  for  to  do  good. 
And  for  to  have  of  that  no  fame  ?  1715 

Have  ye  dispyt  to  have  my  name  ? 
Nay,  ye  shul  liven  everichoon  ! 
Blow  thy  trumpe  and  that  anoon,' 
Quod  she,  '  thou  Eolvts,  I  hote. 
And  ring  this  folkes  f  werk  by  note,   (630) 
That  al  the  world  may  of  hit  here.'      1721 
And  he  gan  blowe  hir  loos  so  clere 
In  his  golden  clarionn. 
That  through  the  world  wente  the  soun, 
fSo  kenely,  and  eek  so  softe  ;  1725 

But  atte  laste  hit  was  on-lofte. 

Thoo  com  the  sexte  companye, 
And  gonne  faste  on  Fame  crye. 
Eight  verraily,  in  this  manere 
They  seyden  :  'Mercy,  lady  dere  !  (640)  1730 
To  telle  certein,  as  hit  is. 
We  han  don  neither  that  ne  this. 
But  ydel  al  our  lyf  y-be. 
But,  natheles,  yit  prove  we. 
That  we  mowe  han  so  good  a  fame,        17^5 
And  greet  renoun  and  knowen  name. 
As  they  that  han  don  noble  gestes, 
And  acheved  alle  hir  lestes, 
As  wel  of  love  as  other  thing  ; 
Al  was  us  never  broche  ne  ring,  (650)  1740 
Ne  elles  nought,  from  wimmen  sent, 
Ne  ones  in  hir  herte  y-ment 
To  make  lis  only  frendly  chere. 
But  mighte  tomen  us  on  here  ; 
Yit  lat  us  to  the  peplo  seme  1 745 

Swiche  as  the  world  may  of  us  dome. 


344 


Z^i  15OU0   of  §AVM. 


[Book  III. 


That  wimmen  loven  us  for  woinl. 

Hit  shal  tlou  us  as  moche  good. 

And  to  our  lierte  as  raoclie  availe 

To  countrepeise  ese  and  travaile,  (660)  1750 

As  we  had  wonue  hit  with  labour ; 

Ft)r  that  is  dere  boght  honour 

At  regard  of  our  grete  ese. 

And  jit  thou  most  us  more  plese ; 

Let  us  be  hohleu  eek,  therto,  1755 

Worthy,  wyse,  and  gode  also, 

And  riche,  and  happy  unto  love. 

For  goddes  love,  that  sit  above, 

Though  we  may  not  the  body  have 

Of  wimmen,  yet,  so  god  yow  save !  (670)  1760 

Let  men  glewe  on  us  the  name  : 

Snffyceth  that  we  han  the  fame.' 

'  I  graunte,'  quod  she,  '  by  my  trouthe  ! 
Now,  Eolus,  with-outen  slouthe, 
Tak  out  thy  triimpe  of  gold,  -flet  see,  1765 
And  blow  as  they  han  axed  me. 
That  every  man  wene  hem  at  ese, 
Though  they  gon  in  ful  badde  lese.' 
This  Eolus  gan  hit  so  bio  we,         (679)  1769 
That    through    the    world    hit    was    y- 
knowe. 

Tho  com  the  seventh  route  anoon. 
And  fel  on  knees  e^■e^•ichoou, 
And  seyde,  '  Lady,  graunte  us  sone 
The  same  thing,  the  same  bone, 
That  [ye]  this  uexte  folk  han  doon.'      1775 
'  Fy  on  j'ow,'  quod  she,  '  everichoou  ! 
Ye  masty  s\vj'n,  ye  .ydel  wrecches, 
Ful  of  roten  slowc  tecches  ! 
What  ?  false  theves  !  wher  ye  wolde 
Be  famous  gfiod,  and  no-thing  nolde    (690) 
Deserve  why,  nc  never  roughte?  1781 

Men  rather  yow  to-hangen  oughte  ! 
P"or  j-e  be  lyk  the  swejnite  cat, 
That  wolde  have  fish  ;  but  wostow  what  ? 
He  w(Jde  no-thing  wete  his  clowes.      1785 
Yvel  thrift  come  on  j-our  jowes. 
And  eek  on  myn,  if  I  hit  graunte. 
Or  <lo  yow  favour,  yow  to  avaunte  ! 
Thou  Eolus,  thotT  king  of  Trace  ! 
Go,  blow  this  folk  a  sorv  grace,'  (700)  1790 
Qnod  she,  'anoon  ;  and  wostow  how? 
As  I  shal  telle  thee  right  now  ; 
Sey  :  "  These  ben  the.v  that  wolde  honour 
Have,  and  do  noskinncs  laboiir, 
Ne  do  no  good,  and  yit  han  laude  ;       1795 
And  that  men  wende  that  bcle  Isaude 


Ne  coude  hem  noght  of  love  werne ; 
And  yit  she  that  grint  at  a  queme 
Is  al  to  good  to  ese  hir  herte." ' 

This  Eolus  anon  up  sterte,        (710)  1800 
And  with  his  blakke  clarioun 
He  gan  to  blasen  out  a  soun. 
As  loude  as  belweth  wind  in  helle. 
And  eek  therwith,  [the]  sooth  to  telle. 
This  soun  was  [al]  so  ful  of  japes,  1805 

As  ever  mowes  were  in  apes. 
And  that  wente  al  the  world  aboute, 
That  every  wight  gan  on  hem  shoute. 
And  for  to  laxighe  as  they  were  wode  ; 
Such  game  fonde  they  in  hir  hode.      (720) 

Tho  com  another  companye,  iXii 

That  had  y-doon  the  traiterye. 
The  harm,  the  f  gretest  wikkednesse 
That  any  herte  couthe  gesse  ; 
And  preyed  hir  to  han  good  fame,        1S15 
And     that     she    nolde     heni     doon    no 

shame, 
But  yeve  hem  loos  and  good  renoun. 
And  do  hit  blowe  in  clarioun. 
'  Nay,    wis ! '    quod     she,     '  hit    were    a 

vj-ce  ; 
Al  be  ther  in  me  no  justyce,  (730)  1820 

Melisteth  not  to  do  hit  now, 
Ne  this  nil  I  not  graiinte  you.' 

Tlio  come  ther  lepinge  in  a  route, 
And  gonne  choppen  al  aboute 
Every  man  upon  the  croune,  1^25 

That  al  the  halle  gan  to  sounc. 
And  seydeu  :  '  Ladj-,  lefe  and  dere, 
We  ben  swich  folk  as  ye  mowe  here. 
To  tellen  al  the  tale  aright, 
We  ben  shrewcs,  every  wight,      (740)  1830 
And  han  delj-t  in  ■wikkednesse. 
As  gode  folk  han  in  goodnesse  ; 
And  joye  to  be  knowcn  shrewcs. 
And  fulle  of  vyce  and  wikked  thewes  ; 
Wherfor  we  preyen  .vow,  a-rowe,  1S35 

That  our  fame  swich  be  knowe 
In  alle  thing  right  as  hit  is.' 

'  I  graiinte  hit  .vow,"  quod  she,  '  y-wis. 
But  what  art  thoii  that  seyst  this  tale. 
That  werest  on  thy  hose  a  pale,  (750)  1840 
And  on  thy  tipet  swiche  a  belle  ! ' 
'  Madame,'  qitod  he,  '  sooth  to  telle, 
I  am  that  ilkc  shrewe,  j'-wis. 
That  brende  the  temple  of  Isidis 
In  Athenes,  lo,  that  citee.'  1845 


Book  III] 


C^e  15<5"^  <>f  S^^'^ 


345 


'  And   wherfor    didest    tlioii    so  ? '   quod 

she. 
■  By  my  thrift,'  quod  he,  '  madame, 
I  wolde  fayn  han  had  a  tame, 
As  other  folk  hadde  in  the  toun, 
Al-thogh  they  were  of  greet  renoun    (760) 
For  hir  vertii  and  for  hir  thewes  ;         185: 
Thoughte  I,  as  greet  a  fame  han  shrewes, 
Thogh  hit  be  fbut  for  shrewednesse, 
As  gode  folk  han  for  goodnesse  ; 
And  sith  I  may  not  have  that  oon,      1855 
That  other  nil  I  noght  for-goon. 
And  for  to  gette  of  Fames  hyre. 
The  temple  sette  I  al  a-fyre. 
Now  do  our  loos  be  blowen  swjrthe, 
As  wisly  be  thou  ever  blythe.'      (770)  i860 
'  Gladlj','  quod  she  ;  '  thou  Eolus, 
Herestow  not  what  they  preyen  us  ? ' 
'  Madame,  yis,  ful  wel,'  quod  he, 
'  And  I  wil  trumpen  hit,  parde  ! ' 
And  tok  his  blakke  trumpe  faste,  1865 

And  gan  to  puffen  and  to  blaste, 
Til  hit  was  at  the  worldes  ende. 

With  that  I  gan  aboute  wende ; 
For  oon  that  stood  right  at  my  bak, 
Me  thoughte,  gootUy  to  me  spak,  (780)  1870 
And  seyde  :  '  Frend,  what  is  thy  name  ? 
Artow  come  hider  to  han  fame  ?  ' 
'  Nay,  for-sothe,  frend  ! '  quod  I ; 
'  I  cam  noght  hider,  grai^nt  mercy  ! 
For  no  swich  cause,  by  my  heed  !  1875 

Suffyceth  me,  as  I  were  deed, 
That     no    wight     have     my     name     in 

honde. 
I  woot  my-self  best  how  I  stonde  ; 
For  what  I  drye  or  what  I  thinke, 
I  wol  my-selvcn  al  hit  drinke,      (790)  1880 
Certeyn,  for  the  more  part. 
As  ferlbrth  as  I  can  myn  art.' 
'  But  what  dost  thou  here  than  ?'  quod  he. 
Quod  I,  '  that  wol  I  tellen  thee. 
The  cause  why  I  stonde  here  : —  1885 

Som  newe  tyd  ings  for  to  lere : — 
Som  newe  f  thinges,  I  not  what, 
Tydinges,  other  this  or  that. 
Of  love,  or  swiche  thinges  glade. 
For  certeynly,  he  that  me  made    (800)  1890 
To  comen  hider,  seyde  me, 
I  shulde  bothe  here  and  see, 
In  this  place,  wonder  thinges  ; 
But  these  be  no  swiche  tydinges 


As  I  mene  of.'     '  Xo  ?'  quod  ho.  1X95 

And  I  answerde,  '  No,  pardee  ! 

For  wel  I  fwiste,  ever  yit, 

Sith  that  first  I  hadde  wit, 

That  som  folk  han  desyred  fame 

Dj'versly,  and  loos,  and  name  ;    (810)  1900 

But  certeynly,  I  niste  how 

No  wher  that  Fame  -fdwelte,  er  now  ; 

No  eek  of  hir  descrijjcioun, 

Ne  also  hir  condiciotin, 

Ne  the  ordre  of  hir  dome,  1905 

Unto  the  tyme  I  hider  come.' 

'  -f-WTiiche  be,  lo,  these  tydinges. 

That  thou  now  [thus]  hider  bringes. 

That  thou  hast  herd  ?  '  quod  he  to  me  ; 

'  But  now,  no  fors  ;  for  wel  I  see  (820)  1910 

What  thou  desyrest  for  to  here. 

Com  forth,  and  stond  no  longer  here, 

And  I  wol  thee,  with-oxiten  dredo, 

In  swich  another  place  lede, 

Ther  thou  shalt  here  many  oon.'  1915 

Tho  gan  I  forth  with  him  to  goon 
Out  of  the  castel,  soth  to  seye. 
Tho  saugh  I  stonde  in  a  valeye. 
Under  the  castel,  faste  by, 
An  hous,  that  domii.s  Dedali,         (830)  1920 
That  Labonntiis  cleped  is, 
Nas  maad  so  wonderliche,  y-wis, 
Ne  half  so  queynteliche  y-wrought. 
And  evermo,  so  swift  as  thought. 
This  qiieynte  hous  aboute  wente,  1925 

That  never-mo  hit  stille  stente. 
And  ther-out  com  so  greet  a  noise. 
That,  had  hit  stonden  upon  Oise, 
Men  mighte  hit  han  herd  esely 
To  Home,  I  trowe  sikerly.  (840)  1950 

And  the  noyse  whicli  that  I  herde. 
For  al  the  world  right  so  hit  ferde. 
As  doth  tho  routing  of  the  stoon 
That  from  th'engyn  is  leten  goon. 

And  al  this  lious,  of  whiche  I  rede,  i<i^5 
Was  made  of  twigges,  falwe,  rede. 
And  grene  eek,  anil  som  weren  whyte, 
Swiche  as  men  to  those  cages  thwyte, 
Or  maken  of  these  paniors, 
Or  clles  f  hottes  or  dossers  j  (850)  1040 

That,    for     the     swough    and     for     the 

twigges. 
This  lioixs  was  also  ful  of  gigges, 
And  also  ful  eek  of  chirkinges, 
And  of  many  other  werkinges  ; 


346 


Z^t  %ou6  of  :^ame. 


[Book  III, 


And  eek  this  hoiis  hatli  of  entrees        1945 

As  fele  as  leves  been  on  trees 

In  somer,  whan  they  grene  been  ; 

And  on  the  roof  men  may  yit  seen 

A  thousand  holes,  and  wel  mo, 

To  leten  wel  the  soun  out  go.        (860)  1950 

And  by  day,  in  every  tyde, 
Ben  al  the  dores  open  wyde, 
And  by  night,  echoon,  unshette  ; 
Ise  jiorter  ther  is  non  to  lette 
No  nianer  tydings  iia  to  pace  ;  1955 

No  never  reste  is  in  that  place. 
That  hit  nis  fild  ful  of  tydinges, 
Other  loude,  or  of  whispringes  ; 
And,  over  alle  the  houses  angles, 
Isfulof  rouninges  and  of  jangles  (870)  i960 
Of  fwerre,  of  pees,  of  mariages, 
Of  f  reste,  of  labour  of  viages, 
Of  abood,  of  deeth,  of  lyfe. 
Of  love,  of  hate,  acorde,  of  stryfe, 
Of  loos,  of  lore,  and  of  winninges,         1965 
Of  hele,  of  sekenesse,  of  bildinges, 
Of  fairc  windes,  f  of  tempestes. 
Of  qualme  of  folk,  and  eek  of  bestes ; 
Of  dj'Vers  transmutaciouns 
Of  estats,  and  eek  of  regiouns;     (8S0)  1971) 
Of  trust,  of  drede,  of  jelousye, 
Of  wit,  of  winninge,  of  folye  ; 
Of  plentee,  ami  of  greet  famjnie. 
Of  chepe,  of  derth,  and  of  ruyne  ; 
Of  good  or  -fmis  governement,  19-5 

Of  fyr,  of  dj'vcrs  accident. 

And  lo,  this  hous,  of  whiche  I  wrj-te, 
Siker  l)o  ye,  hit  nas  not  Ij-te  ; 
For  hit  was  sixty  myle  of  lengthe  ; 
Al  was  the  timber  of  no  strengthe,     (890) 
Yet  hit  is  founded  to  endure  1981 

Whyl  that  it  list  to  Aventure, 
That  is  the  moder  of  tj-dinges, 
As  the  sec  of  welles  and  springes, — 
And  hit  was  sh:ipen  lyk  a  cage.  1985 

'  Certes,'  quod  I,  '  in  al  mj-n  age, 
Ne  saugh  I  swich  a  hous  as  this.' 
And  as  I  wondred  me,  y-wis, 
Upon  this  hous,  tho  war  was  I 
How  tliat  myn  egle,  fasto  by,       (900)  1990 
Was  perched  hye  upon  a  stoon  ; 
And  I  gan  streighte  to  him  goon 
And  seyde  thus  :  '  I  preye  thee 
That  thou  a  wliyl  abyde  me 
For  goddes  love,  and  let  me  seen         1995 


Wliat  wondres  in  this  place  been  ; 
For  yit,  para  venture,  I  may  lere 
Som  good  ther-on,  or  sumwhat  here 
That  leef  me  were,  or  that  I  wente." 

'  Peter !  that  is  myn  entente,'    (010)  2000 
Quod  he  to  me  ;  '  therfor  I  dwelle  ; 
But  certein,  oon  thing  I  thee  telle. 
That,  but  I  bringe  thee  ther-inne, 
Ne  shalt  thoii  never  cunne  ginne 
To  come  in-to  hit,  out  of  doute,  2005 

So  faste  hit  whirleth,  lo,  aboute. 
But  sith  that  Joves,  of  his  grace. 
As  I  have  seyd,  wol  thee  solace 
Fynally  with  f  swiche  thinges, 
Uneouthe  sightes  and  tydmges,  (920)  2010 
To  passe  with  thj-n  hevinesse  ; 
Suche  routhe  hath  he  of  thy  distresse. 
That  thou  suffrest  debonai^l,^• — 
And  wost  thy-selven  utterly 
Disesperat  of  alle  blis,  2015 

Sith  that  Fortune  hath  maad  a-niis 
The  f  fruit  of  al  thyn  hertes  reste 
Languisshe  and  eek  in  point  to  breste — 
That  he,  through  his  mighty  mer\-te, 
Wol  do  thee  ese,  al  be  hit  lyte,     (930)  2020 
And  f  yaf  expres  commaundement, 
To  whiche  I  am  obedient. 
To  furthre  thee  with  al  my  might, 
And  wisse  and  teche  thee  aright 
Whcr  thou  maist  most  tydinges  here  ;  2025 
Shaltow  fanoon  heer  many  oon  lere.' 

With  this  worde  he,  right  anoon, 
Hente  me  up  bitwene  his  toon. 
And  at  a  windowe  in  me  broghte,         2029 
That  in  thishouswas,asmethoghte — (940) 
And  ther-withal,  me  thoghto  hit  stente. 
And  no-thing  hit  aboute  wente — 
And  mo  sette  in  the  flore  adoun. 
But  which  a  congregacioun 
Of  folk,  as  I  saiigh  rome  alwuto,  2035 

Some  within  and  some  withoute, 
Nas  never  seen,  ne  shal  ben  eft ; 
Tlirtt,  certes,  in  the  world  nis  left 
So  many  formed  by  Nature, 
Ne  deed  so  many  a  creature  ;       (950)  2040 
That  wel  uuethe,  in  that  place, 
Hadde  I  oon  foot-brede  of  space  ; 
And  every  wight  that  I  saugh  there 
Eouned  ech  in  otheres  ere 
A  ncwe  tyding  prevel.v.  2045 

Or  elles  tolde  al  openly 


Book  IIL] 


ZU  ®ou6  of  ^'^me. 


347 


Eight     thus,    and     seyde  :    '  Nost     not 

thou 
That  is  betid,  lo,  late  or  now  ?  ' 

'  No,'  qticd  fthe  other,  'tel  me  what ;' — 
And  than  he  tokle  him  this  and  that,  (960) 
And  swoor  ther-to  that  hit  was  sooth — 
'  Thus    hath    he    seyd " — and    '  Thus    he 

dooth  ' —  2052 

'fThus    shal   hit    be'— 'fThus    herde    I 

seye ' — 
'  That    shal     be    founil '  —  '  That   dar    I 

leye  :  '— 
That  al  the  folk  that  is  a-lyve  2055 

Ne  han  the  cunning  to  diseryve 
The  thinges  that  I  herde  there. 
What  aloi^de,  and  what  in  ere. 
But  al  the  wonder-most  was  this  : — 
Whan  oon  had  herd  a  thing,  y-wis,     (970) 
He  com  "l-forth  to  another  wight,         2061 
And  gan  him  tellcn,  anoon-right, 
The  same  that  to  him  was  told, 
Oi'  hit  a  furlong-way  was  old, 
But  gan  somwhat  for  to  eche  2065 

To  this  tyding  in  this  speche 
Mf)rG  than  hit  ever  was. 
And  nat  so  sone  departed  nas 
That  he  fro  him,  that  he  ne  mette 
With  the  thridde  ;  and,  or  he  lette     (980) 
Any  stouude,  he  tolde  him  als  ;  2071 

Were  the  tyding  sooth  or  fals, 
Yit  woldc  he  telle  hit  nathelees. 
And  evermo  with  more  encrees 
Than   hit   was    erst.      Thus    north    and 

southe  2075 

Went  every  fword  fro  mouth  to  mouthu, 
And  that  encresing  ever-mo, 
As  fyr  is  wont  to  quikke  and  go 
From  a  sparke  spronge  amis, 
Til  al  a  citee  brent  up  is.  (990)  2080 

And,  whan  that  was  ful  .^--spronge, 
And  woxen  more  on  every  tonge 
Thai!  ever  hit  was,  f  hit  wente  anoon 
Up  to  a  wiudowe,  out  to  goon  ; 
Or,  but  hit  miglite  out  ther  pace,  20S5 

Hit  gan  out  crepe  at  som  erevace, 
And  fleigli  forth  faste  for  the  nones. 
And  somtyme  saugh  I  tho,  at  <mes, 
A  lesing  and  a  sad  soth-sawe. 
That  gonne  of  aventure  drawe  (kkx))  201)0 
Out  at  a  windowo  for  to  pace  ; 
And,  when  they  metton  in  tliat  place. 


They  were  a-chekked  bothe  two. 

And  neither  of  hem  moste  out  gf) ; 

For  other  so  they  gonne  croude,  2095 

Til  eche  of  hem  gan  oryen  loude, 

'  Lat  me  go  first ! '     '  Nay,  but  lat  me  ! 

And  here  I  wol  ensuren  thee 

With  the  nones  that  thou  wolt  do  so. 

That  I  shal  never  fro  thee  go,     (loio)  2100 

But  be  thjTi  owne  sworen  brother  ! 

We  wil  medle  lis  ech  with  other. 

That  no  man,  be  he  never  so  wrothe, 

Shal  han  -j-that  oon  of  two,  but  bothe 

At  ones,  al  beside  his  leve,  2105 

Come  we  a-morwe  or  on  eve, 

Be  we  cryed  or  stille  y-rouned.' 

Thus     saugh     I    fals     and    sooth     com- 

pouned 
Togeder  flee  for  00  tydinge. 

Thus  out  at  holes  gonne  wringe      (1020) 
Every  tyding  straight  to  Fame  ;  2 1 1 1 

And  she  gan  j-even  eche  his  name. 
After  hir  disposicioun. 
And  yaf  hem  eek  duracioun, 
Some  to  wexe  and  wane  sone,  21 15 

As  dooth  the  faire  whji;e  mone. 
And    leet    hem    gon.      Thor    mightc    T 

seen 
Wenged  wondres  faste  fleen. 
Twenty  thousand  in  a  route. 
As  Eolus  hem  blew  aboute.  (1030;  2120 

And,  lord  !  this  hous,  in  alle  tymes, 
Was  ful  of  shipmen  and  pilgrymes. 
With  scrippes  bret-fi\l  of  lesinges, 
Entremedled  with  tydinges. 
And  eek  alone  by  hem-selve.  2125 

O,  many  a  thousand  tymes  twelve 
Saugh  I  eek  of  these  pardoneres, 
Currours,  and  eek  messangeres. 
With  boistes  crammed  ful  of  Ij'os 
As  ever  vessel  was  with  lyes,       (1040)  2ni> 
And  as  I  alther-fastest  wente 
Aboute,  and  dide  al  mj-n  entente 
Me  for  to  pleye  and  for  to  lere, 
And  eek  a  tyding  for  to  here. 
That  I  had  herd  of  som  contree  21^5 

That  shal  not  now  be  told  for  me  : — • 
For  hit  no  node  is,  redely  ; 
Folk  can  singe  hit  bet  than  I ; 
For  al  mot  out,  other  late  or  rathe, 
Alle  the  sheves  in  the  lathe  ; —  (1050)  2140 
T  herde  a  gret  noise  withalle 


348 


ZU  Sou6  of  5^^me. 


In  a  corner  of  the  li^le, 

Ther  men  of  love  tydiiigs  tokle, 

And  I  gan  tliiderward  beholde  ; 

For  I  saugh  renninge  every  wiglit,      2145 

As  faste  as  that  they  hadden  might ; 

And     everich     ci-yed,    '  What    thing     is 

that  ?' 
And  som  seyde  I  not  never  what. 
And  whan  they  were  alle  on  iin  hepe, 
Tho  behinde  gonne  np  lepe,        (,1060)  2150 


And  clamben  up  on  othere  faste, 
And  up  the  fnose  on  hye  caste, 
And  troden  faste  on  othere  heles 
And  stampe,  as  men  don  after  eles. 

Atte  laste  I  saugh  a  man,  2155 

Which  that  I  [nevene]  natight  ne  can  ; 
But  he  semed  for  to  be 
A  man  of  greet  auctoritee  .  .  .     (1068)  2158 

{UnJinisTied.) 


THE  LEGEND  OF  GOOD  WOMEN. 


Tkxt  a  {Earlier  Version). 
The  prologe  of  .ix.  goode  Wimmen. 

A  THOUSAND   sytlies  have   1   herd  ineu 

telle, 
That  tlier  is  joye  in  heven,  and  peyne  in 

helle  ; 
Ami  I  acorde  wel  that  hit  be  so  ; 
But  natheles,  this  wot  I  wel  also, 
That  ther  nis  noon  that  dwelleth  in  this 

contree,  5 

That  either  hath  in  helle  or  heven  y-be, 
Ne  may  of  hit  uon  other  weyes  witen, 
But  as  he  hath  herd  seyd,  or  t'junde  hit 

writen  ; 
For  by  assay  ther  may  no  nian  hit  preve. 
But  goddes  forbode,  but  men  shulde  leve 
Wei  more  thing  then  men  han  seen  with 

ye !  II 

Men  shal  nat  wenen  every-thing  a  lye 
For  that  he  seigh  it  nat  of  yore  ago. 
God  wot,  a  thing  is  never  the  lesse  so 

Thogh  every  wight  ue  maj-  hit  nat  y-see. 
Bernard  the  monk  ne  saugh  nat  al,  parde ! 

Than  mote  we  to  bokes  that  wo  finde, 
Through  which  that  olde  thinges  been  in 

minde, 
And  to  the  doctrine  of  these  olde  wyse, 
Yeven  credence,  in  every  skilful  wj'se,  20 
And  trowen  on  these  olde  aproved  stories 
Of  holinesse,  of  regnes,  of  victories. 
Of  love,  of  hate,  of  other  sundry  thinges. 
Of  whichc  I  may  not  nialcen  rehersinges. 
And  if  tliat  olde  bokes  were  a-weye,        25 
Y-lf>ren  were  of  remembraunce  the  keye. 
Wel  oghte  us  than  on  olde  bokes  leve, 


Text  B  {Later  Version), 
lite  prologe  of  Ax.  goode   Wimmen. 

A  THOUSAND   tymes   have  I  herd  men 

telle. 
That  ther  is  joye  in  heven,  and  peyne  in 

helle ; 
And  I  acorde  wel  that  hit  is  so  ; 
But  natheles,  yit  wot  I  wel  also. 
That   ther    nis   noon    dwelling    in    this 

contree,  5 

That  either  hath  in  heven  or  helle  y-be, 
Ne  niay  of  hit  non  other  weyes  witen, 
But  as  he  hath  herd  seyd,  or  founde  hit 

writen  ; 
For  by  assay  ther  may  no  man  hit  pi-eve. 
But  god  forbede  but  men  shulde  leve     10 
Wel  more  thing  then  men  han  seen  with 

ye  ! 
Men  shal  nat  wenen  every-thing  a  lye 
But-if  him-self  hit  seeth,  or  elles  dooth  ; 
For,    god  wot,   thing  is  never  the  lasse 

sooth,  14 

Thogh  every  wight  ne  may  hit  nat  y-see. 
Bernard  the  monk  ne  saugh  nat  al,  parde ! 

Than  mote  we  to  ))okes  that  we  finde, 
Through  which  that  olde  thinges  been  in 

minde. 
And  to  the  doctrine  of  these  olde  wj'se, 
Yeve  credence,  in  eveiy  skilful  wyse,     20 
That  tellen  of  these  olde  approved  stories, 
Of  holinesse,  of  regnes,  of  victories, 
Of  love,  of  hato,  of  other  sundry  thinges. 
Of  whiche  I  may  not  maken  rehersinges. 
And  if  that  olde  bokes  were  a-weye,        25 
Y-loren  were  of  remembraunce  the  keye. 
Wel  oghte  us  than  honoiiron  and  beleve 


350 


ZH  Begeni  of  (Booi  (pOomen. 


Ther-as  ther  is  non  other  assay  l)y  preve. 

And,  as  tor  me.  though  that  my  wit  be 

lyte, 

On  bokes  for  to  rede  I  me  delyte,  30 

And  in  myn  herte  liave  hem  in  reverence  ; 

And  to  hem  yeve  swioh  hist  and  swich 

credence, 
That  ther  is  wel  nnethe  game  noon 
That  from  my  bokes  make  me  to  goon, 
But  hit  be  other  up-on  the  haly-day,      .^5 
Or  elles  in  the  joly  tyme  of  May  ; 

Whan  that  I  here  the  smalo  fonles  singe. 

Anil  that  the  floures  ginne  for  to  springe, 
Farwel  my  studie,  as  lasting  that  sesoiiu  ! 
Xow  have  I  therto  this  coudicioun     40 
That,  of  alle  the  floures  in  the  mede. 
Than  love  I  most  these  floures  whji:e  and 

rede, 
Swiche  as  men  callen  da^^sies  in  our  toun. 
To  hem  have  I  so  greet  affeccioun,  44 

As  I  seyde  erst,  whan  comen  is  the  May, 
Tliat  in  my  bed  ther  daweth  me  no  day 
That  I  nam  up,  and  walking  in  the  mede 
To   seen   these   floures    agein  the   Sonne 

sprede. 
Whan  it  up-riseth  by  the  morwe  shene,  49 
The  longe  day,  thus  walking  in  the  grene. 
An<l  wlian  the  sonne  ginnoth  for  to  weste. 
Than  closeth  hit,  and  draweth  hit  to  reste. 
So  sore  hit  is  afored  of  the  night. 
Til  on  the  morwe,  tliat  hit  is  dayes  light. 
This  dayesye,  of  alle  floures  flour,  55 

Fulfild  of  vertu  and  of  alle  honour, 
And  ever  y-lyke  fair  and  fresh  of  hewe, 
As  wel  in  winter  as  in  somer  newe, 


[Cf.  11.  51-3,  abovo.J 


These  bokes,  ther  we  lian  non  other  preve. 
And  as  for  me,  thogh  that  I  can  but 

lyte, 
On  bokes  for  to  rede  I  me  del^yte,  30 

And    to    hem    yeve    I    feyth     and    ful 

credence, 
And  in  mya  herte  have  hem  in  reverence 

So  hertely,  that  ther  is  game  noon 
That  fro  my  bokes  maketh  me  to  goon, 
But  liit  be  seldom,  on  the  holyday  ;         35 
Save,  certeynly,  whan  that  the  month  of 

May 
Is   comen,    and   that    I   lierc   the    fonles 

singe, 
And  that  the  flottres  ginnen  for  to  springe, 
Farwol  my  bo<ik  and  my  devocioun  ! 

Xow  have  I  than  swich  a  condiciorin, 
That,  of  alle  tlie  floures  in  the  mede,     41 
Than  love  I  most  these  floures  whj-te  and 

rede, 
Swiche  as  men  callen  daysies  in  our  toun. 
To  hem  have  I  so  greet  affeccioun,  44 

As  I  seyde  erst,  wlian  comen  is  the  Maj', 
That  in  my  bed  ther  dawetli  me  no  day 
That  I  nam  up,  and  walking  in  the  medo 
To  seen  this  flour  agein  the  Sonne  spred.', 

Whan  hit  uprysotli  erly  by  the  morwe  ; 
That  blisful  sighte  softnoth  al  my  sorwe. 
So  glad  am  I  whan  that  I  have  presence 
Of  hit,  to  doon  al  maner  reverence,        52 


As  she,  that  is  of  alle  floures  f.our, 
Fulfilled  of  al  vertu  .and  honour,  54 

And  ever  y-lj-ke  fair,  and  fresh  of  hewe  ; 
And  I  love  hit,  and  ever  y-lyke  newe, 
And  ever  shal,  til  that  mj-n  herte  dye  ; 
Al  swere  I  nat,  of  tliis  I  wol  nat  lye, 
Ther  loved  no  wight  hotter  in  his  lyve. 
And   whan    that   hit   is   eve,    I  renne 

blj'\'e,  60 

As  sone  as  ever  tlie  sonne  ginneth  weste, 
To  seen  tliis  floitr,  how  it  wol  go  to  reste. 
For  fere  of  night,  so  hateth  .she  derkuesse! 
Hir  chere  is  pleynly  sprad  in  the  bright- 

nesse 
Of  the  Sonne,  for  ther  liit  wol  tmclose.  65 
Alias  !  that  I  no  had  English,  ryme  or 

prose. 


(profogue.    (Zwo  (Pereiona.) 


35^ 


Fain  wolde  I  preisen,  if  I  coiide  aright ;  59 
But  wo  is  me,  hit  lyth  nat  in  my  might ! 


Ffii-  -vvel  I  wot,  that  folk  han  her-betbrn 
Of  making  ropen,  and  lad  a-wey  the  corn ; 
And    I    come    after,    glening    here    and 

there, 
And  am  ful  glad  if  I  ma3'  linde  an  ere 
Of  anj'  goodly  word  that  they  han  left.  65 
And,  if  hit  happe  me  rehersen  eft 
That  they  han  in  her  fresshe  songes  sayd, 
I  hiipc  that  they  wil  nat  ben  evel  apayil, 
Sith  hit  is  seid  in  forthering  and  honour 
Of  heni  that  either  serven  leef  or  flour.  70 


[Cf.  p.  354,  col.  2,  11.  188-196.] 
For  trusteth  wel,  I  ne  have  nat  under- 
take 
As  of  the  leef,  ageyn  the  flour,  to  make  ; 
Ne  of  the  flour  to  make,  agej^n  the  leef, 
No   more   than   of  the    corn   ageyn  the 

shcef. 
For,  as  to  me,  is  leefer  noon  ne  lother ;  75 
I  am  with-holde  yit  with  never  notlier. 
I  not  who  serveth  leef,  ne  who  the  flour; 
That  nis  nothing  the  entent  of  my  labour. 
For  this  werk  is  al  of  another  tiinne,      7<) 
Of  olde  story,  er  swich  stryf  wasbegunne. 
But  whertbr  that  I  spak,  to  yeve  cre- 
dence 
To  bokes  olde  and  doon  hem  reverence, 
Is  ff)r  men  shulde  autoritees  beleve, 
Ther    as  ther   Ij-th    nun    other  assay  l>y 

preve. 
For  mjn  entent  is,  nr  I  fro  yow  fare,      85 
The  naked  text  in  English  to  declare 
Of  many  a  story,  or  elles  of  many  a  geste, 
As  autours  seyn  ;  leveth  hem  if  yow  leste ! 


Suffisant  this  flour  to  preyse  aright  I 
But  helpeth,   ye  that  han  conning  and 

might, 
Ye  hners,  that  can  make  of  sentement  : 
In  this  cas  oglito  ye  be  diligent  70 

To  forthren  me  somwhat  in  mj-  labour. 
Whether  ye  ben  with  the  leef  or  with  the 

flour. 
For  wel  I  wot,  that  ye  han  her-biforn 
Of  making  ropen,  and  lad  awey  the  corn  ; 
And   I    come    after,   glening    here    and 

there,  75 

And  am  ful  glad  if  I  may  finde  an  ere 
Of  any  goodly  word  that  ye  han  left. 
And  thogh  it  happen  me  rehercen  eft 
That  ye  han  in  your  fresshe  songes  sayd, 
For-bereth  me,  and  beth  nat  evel  apaj-d. 
Sin  that  ye  see  I  do  hit  in  the  honour   S  i 
Of  love,  and  eek  in  service  of  the  flour, 
Wliom   that   I   ser\'e   as   I   have  wit  or 

might. 
She  is  the  clernesse  and  the  verray  light. 
That  in  this  derke  worlde  me  wynt  and 

ledeth,  85 

The  herte  in-with  my  sorowful  brest  yow 

dredeth, 
And  loveth  so  sore,  that  ye  ben  verrayl.^■ 
The  maistresse  of  my  wit,  and  nothing  I. 
My  word,   my  werk,   is  knit  so  in  yonr 

bonde. 
That,  as  an  harpe  obeyeth  to  the  honde  (;i) 
And  maketh  hit  soiine  after  his  fingor- 

inge, 
Right   so   mowe   ye    out   of    myn    herte 

bringe 
Swich  vols,  right  as  yow  list,  to  laughe 

or  pleyne. 
Be  ye  my  gyde  and  lady  sovereyne  ; 
As  to  myn  erthly  god,  to  yow  I  calle,     95 
Bothe  in  this  werke  and  in  my  sorwcs 

alle. 
But  wherfor  that  I  spak,  to  give  cre- 
dence 
To  olde  stories,  and  doon  hem  reverence. 
And  that  men  mosten  more  thing  beleve 
Then  men  may  seen  at  eye  or  elles  preve? 

That  shal  I  seyn,   whan   that  I  see   my 
tyme  ;  101 

I  may  not  al  at  ones  speke  in  ryme. 
My  besy  gost,  that  thrusteth  alwey  newe 


35^ 


^6e  Begeni)  of  (Boo^  (^otnen. 


AMian  passed  was  almost  the  mcmth   of 

Maj-, 
And  I  had  roiueil,  al  the  someres  day,  90 
The  greiie  medew,  of  which  that  I  yow 

tolde, 
Upon  the  fresshe  da,\sy  to  beholde, 
And  that  the  souue  out  of  the  south  gan 

weste, 
And   closed  was  the  flour  and  goon   to 

reste 
lor  derknesse  of  the  night,  of  which  she 

dredde,  95 

liooni    to    iiiyn    hous    ful   swiftly    I    nie 

spedde ; 
And,  in  a  litel  erbcu-  that  I  have, 
Y-benched  newe  with  turves  fresshe  y- 

grave, 
I  bad  men  shulde  nie  my  couche  make  ; 
l^or  deyntee  of  the  newe  someres  sake,  100 
I  bad  hem  strowe  floures  on  my  bed. 
Whan  I  was  layd,  and  had  mya.  eyen  lied, 
I  fel  a-slepe  with-in  an  hoiire  or  two. 
Me  mette  how  I  was  in  the  medew  tho, 
And  that  I  romed  in  that  same  gyse,    105 
To  seen  that  flour,  as  yo  ban  herd  devyse. 
Fair   was   this   niedow,   as  thoughte  me 

ovcral ; 
With  floures  swote  eubi-owdcd  was  it  al  ; 

As   for  to  spoke  of  gomme,  or  erbe,   or 

tree, 
Comparisoun  ma,^-  noon  y-makcd  be.    1 10 
For  hit  surmounted  pleynly  alle  odoiires. 
And  eek  of  riche  beaute  alle  floures. 
Forgeten  had  the  erthe  his  pore  cstat 
Of  winter,  that  him  naked  made  and  mat. 
And  with  his  swerd  of  cold  so  sore  had 

greved.  1 15 

How  had  the  atempre  Sonne  al  that  re- 

leved, 
And  clothed  him  in  grene  al  newe  agayn. 
The  smale  foules,  of  the  seson  fayn. 
That  from  the  panter  and  the  net  ben 

scaped,  119 

I'pou  the  Imiler,  that  hem  made  a-whaped 
In  winter,  anil  distroyed  had  hir  brood. 


To  seen   tliis  flour  so  yong,  so  fresh  of 

hewe, 
Constreyned  me  with  so  gledy  desyr,    105 
That  in  my  herte  I  fele  yit  the  fyr, 
That  made  me  to  ryse  er  hit  wer  day — 
And   this  was  now  the  firste  morwe  of 

Ma  J' — 
With  dredfhl  herte  and  glad  devocioun. 
For  to  ben  at  the  resureccioun  iio 

Of  this  floiir,  whan  that  it  shuld  unclose 
Agayn   the  soune,   that  roos  as  rede  as 

rose. 
That  in  the  lirest  was  of  the  beste  that 


That  Agenores  doghter  ladilo  awa,\-. 
[Cf.  p.  354,  col.  2,  11.  i97-2U).J 


11  + 


And  donn  on  knees  anon-right  I  me  sette. 
And,  as  I  coude,  this  fresshe  flour  I  grette ; 
Kneling  alwey,  til  hit  unclosed  was, 
Upon  the  smale  solte  swote  gras. 
That  was  with  floures  swote  enbrouded  al, 

Of  swich    swetnesse    and    swich    odour 

o%'er-al,  i  .-o 

That,  for  tospeke  of  gomme,  or  herbe,  or 

tree, 
Comparisoun  may  no(m  y-maked  be  ; 
For  hit  surmounteth  pleynly  alle  odoures^ 
And  eek  of  riclie  beautee  alle  floures. 
Forgeten  had  the  erthe  his  pore  estat   125 
Of  winter,  that  him  naked  made  and  mat. 
And  with  his  sweril  of  cold  so  sore  grcvod  -^ 

Now  hath  the  atempre  sonne  al  that  re- 

leved 
That  naked  was,  and  clad  hit  new  agayn. 
Tlie  smale  foules,  of  the  seson  fayn,       130 
Tliat  from  the  panter  and  the  net  ben 

scaped. 
Upon  the  fouler,  that  hem  made  a-whaped 
In  winter,  and  distroyed  had  hir  brood, 


^tofogue.    (^wo  (Per0ton0.) 


353 


In  his  despyt,  hem  thoughte  hit  did  hem 

good 
To  sing3  of  him,  and  in  hir  song  despyse 
The  foule  cherl  that,  for  his  covetyse,  124 
Had  hem  betrayed  with  liis  sophistrye. 
This  was  hir  song — '  the  fouler  we  defye ! ' 
Somme  songen  [layes]  on  the  braunches 

clere 
Of  love  and  [May],  that  joye  hit  was  to 

here, 
In  worship  and  in  preysing  of  hir  make, 
And  of  the  newe  blisful  someres  sake,  130 


That  songen,  '  blissed  be  seynt  Valentyn  ! 
[For]  at  his  day  T  chees  yow  to  be  myn, 
With-oute  repenting,  myn  herte  swete  !' 
And  therwith-al  hir  bekes  gonnen  mete. 
fTliey  dide  honour  and  humble  obei- 
saunces,  135 

And  after  diden  other  observaunces 

Right  [plesiug]  un-to  love  and  to  niiture  ; 
So  ech  of  hem  [doth  wel]  to  creature. 
This    song    to    herkne    I    dide    al   myn 
entente,  139 

For-why  I  mette  I  wiste  what  they  mente. 


In  his  despyt,  hem  thoughte  hit  did  hem. 

good  134 

To  singe  of  him,  and  in  hir  song  despyse 
The  foule  cherl  that,  for  his  covetyse. 
Had  hem  betrayed  with  his  sophistrye. 
This  was  hir  song — '  the  fouler  we  defye, 
And  al  his  craft ! '    And  sonime   songen 

clere  139 

Layes  of  love,  that  joye  hit  was  to  here. 

In  worshipinge  and  preisinge  of  hir  make. 
And,  for  the  newe  blisful  somers  sake, 
Upon  the  braunches  ful  of  blosmes  softe. 
In  hir  delyt,  they  turned  hem  ful  ofte,  144 
And  songen,  '  blessed  be  seynt  Valentyn  ! 
For  on  his  day  I  chees  yow  to  be  myn, 
Withouten  repenting,  myn  herte  swete  ! ' 
And  therwith-al  hir  bekes  gonnen  mete, 
Yelding  honour  and  humble  obeisaunces 

To    love,    and    diden    hir    other    obser- 
vaunces 150 
That  longeth  unto  love  and  to  nature  ; 
Construeth  that  as  j-ow  list,  I  do  no  cure. 
And   tho  that  hadde    doon    unkinde- 
nesse — 
As  dooth  the  tydif,  for  new-fangelnesse — 
Besoghte  mercy  of  hir  trespassinge,      155 
And  humblely  songen  hir  repentinge, 
And  sworen  on  the  blosmes  to  be  trewe, 
So  that  hir  makes  wolde  upon  hem  rowe, 
And  at  the  laste  maden  hir  acord. 
Al  founde  they  Daunger  for   a   tyme  a 
lord,  i<5" 
Yet   Pitee,    through   his   stronge    gentil 

might, 
Forgaf,  and  made  Mercy  passen  Right, 
Through  innocence  and  ruled  curtesye. 
But  I  ne  clepe  nat  innocence  folye, 
Ne  fals  pitee,  for  '  vertu  is  the  mene,'    165 
As  Etik  saith,  in  swich  manere  I  mene. 
And  thus  thise  fotdes,  voide  of  al  malyce, 
Acordedcn  to  love,  and  laften  vyco 
Of  hate,  and  songen  alle  of  con  acord, 
'Welcome,    somer,    our    governour    and 
lord ! '  '7^' 

And  Zephirus  and  Flora  gentilly 
Yaf  to  the  floiires,  softe  and  tenderly, 
Hir  swote  breth,  and  made  hem  for  to 

sprede, 
As  god  and  goddesse  of  the  floury  mode  ; 


N 


354 


ZU  JSegenb  of  <5ooi  (EOomen. 


(Cf.  p.  351,  col.  I,  II.  71-80.] 


tCf.  p.  35J,  col.  I,  11.  93-106.] 


Til  at  the  laste  a  hukc  s-mg  above  :  141 
'  I  see,'  quod  she,  '  the  mighty  god  of  love ! 
Jjo  !   yoml  ho  cometh,   I  see  his  wingea 

sprede  ! ' 
Tho  gan  I  loken  endelong  the  mede, 


In  which  me  thoghto  I  mighte,  day  by 

flay,  175 

Dwellen  alwey,  the  joly  month  of  Maj-, 
Withouten     sleep,    withouten    mete    or 

drinke. 
A-doun  ful  softely  I  gan  to  sinke  ; 
And,   leninge  on   myn   elbowe   and   my 

syde,  1 79 

The  longe  day  I  shoop  me  for  to  abyde 
For  nothing  elles,  and  I  shal  nat  lye, 
But  for  to  loke  upon  the  dayesye. 
That  wel  by  reson  men  hit  calle  may 
The  '  dayesye  '  or  elles  the  '  ye  of  day,' 
The  emperice  and  flour  of  floures  alle.  1S5 
I  pray  to  god  that  faire  mot  she  falle, 
And  alle  that  loveu  floures,  for  hir  sake  ! 
But  natheles,  ne  weue  nat  that  I  make 
In  preysing  of  the  flour  agayn  the  leef. 
No   more  than  of  the   corn   agayn   the 

sheef :  190 

For,  as  to  me,  nis  lever  noon  ne  lother  ; 
I  nam  with-holden  yit  with  never  nother. 
Ne  I*  not  who  servetli  leef,  ne  who  the 

flour  ; 
Wel  bronken  they  hir  service  or  labour  ; 
For  this  thing  is  al  of  another  tonne,    195 
Of  olde  story,  er   swich   thing  was  be- 

gonne. 
Whan  that  the  sonne  out  of  the  south 

gan  weste, 
And  that  this  flour  gan  close  and  goon  to 

reste 
For  derknesse  of  the  night,  the  which  she 

dredde, 
Hoom   to   mjni   hous    ful    swiftly   I   mo 

spedde  200 

To  goon  to  reste,  and  erly  for  to  ryse. 
To  seen  this  flour  to  sprede,  as  I  devyse. 
And,  in  a  litel  hcrbor  thalr  I  have, 
That  benched  w.as  on  turves  fresshe  y- 

grave,  204 

I  bad  men  sholde  me  my  couche  make  ; 
For  dcj'ntee  of  the  newe  somercs  sake, 
I  bad  hem  strawen  floures  on  my  bed. 
Whan   I   was  leyd,   and  had  myn  cyen 

hed, 
I  fel  on  slepo  in-with  an  houro  or  two  ; 
Me  mctte  how  I  lay  in  the  medew  tho,  210 
To  seen  this  flour  that  I  so  love  and  dredc. 

And  from  a-fer  com  walking  in  the  mede 


(profo^ue.    (^n>o  (Pereton©,) 


355 


And  saw  him  come,  and  in  his  hond  a 
quene,  145 

Clothed  in  ryal  abite  al  of  grene. 
A  fret  of  gold  she  hadde  next  hir  heer, 
And  up-on  tliat  a  whyt  coronn  she  beer 
Witli  many  floiires,  and  I  shal  nat  lye  ; 
For  al  the  world,  right  as  the  dayesye  150 
I-coroned  is  with  whyte  leves  lj"te, 
Swich   were   the   flonres   of    hir   coroun 

whyte. 
For  of  o  perle  fyn  and  oriental 
Hir  whyte  coroun  ■was  y-maked  al ; 
For  which  the  whyte  coronn,  above  the 
grene,  155 

Made  hir  lyk  a  daysie  for  to  sene, 
Considered  eek  the  fret  of  gold  above. 

Y-clothed  was  this  mighty  god  of  love 
Of  silk,  y-brouded  ful  of  grene  greves  ; 
A  garlond  on  his  heed  of  rose-leves      160 
Steked  al  with  lilie  floui-es  newe  ; 
But  of  his  face  I  can  nat  seyn  the  hewe. 


For  sekirly  his  face  shoon  so  brighte, 

That  with  the  gleem  a-stoned  was  the 
sighte  ;  164 

A  furlong-wey  I  mighte  him  nat  beliolde. 

But  at  the  laste  in  hands  I  saw  him 
holde 

Two  fyry  dartes,  as  the  gledes  rede  ; 

And  aungellich  his  wenges  gan  he  sprede. 

And  al  be  that  men  seyn  that  Idind  is  he, 
Al-gate  me  thoughte  he  mighte  wel  y-sec  ; 
For  sternely  on  me  he  gan  biholde,  171 
So  that  his  loking  doth  myn  herte  colde. 
And   by   the   hande  ho   held   the   noble 

quene, 
Corouned  with  whyte,  and  clothed  al  in 

grene. 
So  womanly,  so  benigne,  and  so  mcke,    175 
That  in  this  world,  thogh  that  men  wolde 

soke, 
Half  hir  bcauteo  shnlde  men  nat  findo 
In  creature  that  formed  is  by  kinde, 
Hir  name  was  Alceste  the  debonayre  ; 
I  prey  to  god  that  ever  falle  she  fayre !    180 
For  ne  hadde  confort  been   of  hir  pre- 
sence, 
I  had  be  deed,  withouten  any  defence, 


The   god   of  love,    and   in   his    hande   a 

quene ; 
And  she  was  clad  in  real  habit  grene. 
A  fret  of  gold  she  hadde  next  hir  heer,  215 
And  iipon  that  a  whyt  coroun  she  beer 
With  florouns  smale,  and  I  shal  nat  lye  ; 
For  al  the  world,  lyght  as  a  dayesye 
Y-coronned  is  with  whyte  leves  Ij^te,    219 
So    were    the    florouns    of    hir    coroun 

whyte. 
For  of  o  perle  fyne,  oriental, 
Hir  whyte  coroun  was  y-maked  al  ; 
For  which  the  whyte  coroun,  above  tlie 

grene, 
Made  hir  lyk  a  daysie  for  to  sene. 
Considered  eek  hir  fret  of  gold  above.  225 

Y-clothed  was  this  mighty  god  of  love 
In  silke,  enbrouded  ful  of  grene  greves, 
In-with  a  fret  of  rede  rose-leves, 
The   fresshest   sin   the   world    was    first 

bigonne.  229 

His  gilte  heer  was  coroiined  with  a  sonne, 
In-stede  of  gold,  for  hevinesse  and  wighte ; 
Therwith  me  thoughte  his  face  slioon  so 

brighte 


That  wel  unnethes  mighte  I  him  beholde  : 
And  in  his  hande  me  thoughte  I  saugh 

him  holde 
Two  fyry  dartes,  as  the  gledes  rede  ;      2-^^ 
And    aungellyke    his    winges    saugh     I 

sprede. 
And  al  be  that  men  seyn  that  blind  is  he, 
Al-gate  me  thoughte  that  he  mighte  see; 
For  sternely  on  me  he  gan  biholde, 
So  that  his  loking  doth  myn  herte  colde. 
And   by  the  hande   he   held  this   noble 

quene,  241 

Corouned  with  whyte,  and  clothed  al  in 

grene, 
So  womanly,  so  benigne,  and  so  meke, 
That  in  this  world,  thogh  that  men  wolde 

seke, 
Half  hir  beautee  shulde  men  nat  flnde  245 
In  creature  that  formed  is  by  kinde. 
[Cf.  p.  357,  col.  2,  11.  276-9.] 


N    2 


356 


ZU  Be^ehi  of  (Boob  (Bowcn. 


For  ilrede  of  Loves  wordes  and  Lis  chere, 

As,  whan  tyme  is,  her-aftcr  ye  shal  liere. 

By  hind  this  god  of  love,  up-on  this  grene, 

I  saw  cominge  of  ladyes  nyntene  186 

In  ryal  abite,  a  ful  esy  pas, 

And  after  hem  com  of  wemen  swieh  a  tras 

Tliat,  sin  that  god  Adam  made  of  ertlie, 

Tlie  thredde  part  of  wemen,  ue  the  ferthe, 

Ne  wende  I  nat  by  possibilitee  191 

Hadden  ever  in  tliis  world  y-be  ; 

And   trewe   of  love    thise    wemen    were 

echoon. 
Now  whether  was  that  a  wonder  thing 

or  nooli. 
That,   right   anoon   as   that   thej'  gonne 

esp.ye  195 

This  flour,  which  that  I  clepe  the  dayesye, 
Ful  sodeinly  they  stinten  alle  at-ones. 
And   kneled   adoiin,   as  it   were  for  the 

nones. 
And  after  that  they  wenten  in  compas, 
Daunsinge  aboute  this  flour  an  esy  pas,  200 
And  songen,  as  it  were  in  carole-wyse. 
This  balade,  which  that  I  shal  yow  devyse. 

Balade. 

Hyd,  Absolon,  thy  gilte  tresses  clere  ; 
Ester,  ley  thou  thy  mekiiesse  al  a-doun  ; 
Hyd,  Jonathas,  al  thy  frendly  manere ;  205 
Penalopee,  and  Marcia  Catoun, 
Mali  of  your  wyf  hod  no  comparisoun  ; 
Hj'jJe  ye  your  beautes,  Isoude  and  Eleyne, 
Alccste  is  hero,  that  al  that  may  desteyne. 

Thy  faire  bodye,  lat  hit  nat  appere,       210 
La\'yne  ;    and   thou,    Lucresse   of   Home 

toun, 
And  Polixene,  that  boghte  love  so  derc, 
Eek  Cleopatre,  with  al  thy  passioun, 
Hyde  ye  your  trouthe  in  love  and  your 

renoun  ; 
And  thou,  Tisbe,  that  hast  for  love  swich 

peyne  :  215 

Alceste  is  here,  that  al  that  may  desteyne. 

Herro,  Dido,  Laudomia,  alle  in-fere, 
Eek  Phyllis,  hanging  for  tliy  Demophoun, 
And  Canace,  espyed  by  thy  chere, 
Ysiphile,  betrayed  with  Jasoun,  220 


[Cf.  p.  357,  col.  2,  11.  280-296.] 


And  therfor  may  I  seyn,  as  thinketh  me. 
This  song,  in  jireysing  of  this  lady  fre. 


Balade. 

Hyd,  Absolon,  thj-  gilte  tresses  clere  ;  249 
Ester,  ley  thou  thj'  meknesse  al  a-doun ; 
Hyd,  Jonathas,  al  thy  frendlj'  manere  ; 
Penalopee,  and  Marcia  Catoun, 
Mak  of  j'our  wyfhod  no  comparisoun  ; 
Hyde  ye  your  beautes,  Isoude  and  Ele3'ne, 
My  lady  cometh,  that  al  this  may  dis- 
teyne.  255 

Thy  faire  body,  hit  liit  nat  appere, 
Lavyne ;    and   thou,    Lucresse    of    Rome 

toun. 
And  Polixene,  that  boghten  love  so  dere, 
And  Cleopatre,  with  al  thy  passioun, 
Hyde  ye  your  trouthe  of  love  and  your 

renoun ;  260 

And  thoxi,  Tisbe,  that  hast  of  love  swich 

peyne  ; 
My  lady  cometh,  that  al  this  may  dis- 

teyne. 

Horro,  Dido,  Laudomia,  alle  y-fere. 
And  Phyllis,  hanging  for  thy  Demoiihoun, 
And  Canace,  espyed  )>y  thy  chere,  265 

Ysiphile,  betraysed  with  Jasoun, 


^rofo^ue.    CZwo  (^tveione.) 


357 


Mali  of  your  troiithe  in  love  no  host  ne 

soun  ; 
Nor  Ypermistre  or  AJriane,  ne  pleyno  ; 
Alceste  is  here,  that  al  that  may  desteyne. 


Whan  that  this  balade  al  y-songen  was, 


[Cf.  pp.  ,^55-6,  col.  I,  11.  179-198.] 


Upon  the  softe  and  swote  grene  gras,    225 
They  setten  hem  ful  softely  adoun. 
By  ordre  alle  in  compas,  alle  enveroun. 
First  sat  the  god  of  love,  and  than  this 

qnene 
With  the  whyte  coroun,  clad  in  grene  ; 
And  sithen  al  the  remenant  by  and  by. 
As  they  were  of  degree,  fnl  curteisly ;     23 1 


Maketh  of  your  trouthe  neyther  boost  ne 

soxin  ; 
Nor  Ypermistre  or  Adriane,  ye  tweyne  ; 
My  lady  cometh,  that  al  this  may  dis- 

teyne. 

This  balade  may  ful  wel  y-songen  be,  270 
As  I  have  seyd  erst,  by  my  lady  free  ; 
For  certeynly,  alle  these  mow  nat  suffyse 
To  apperen  with  my  lady  in  no  wyse. 
For  as  the  Sonne  wol  the  fyr  disteyne, 
So  passeth  al  my  lady  sovereyne,  275 

That  is  so  good,  so  fair,  so  debonaire  ; 
I  jirey  to  god  that  ever  falle  hir  fiiire  ! 
For,  nadde  comfort  been  of  hir  presence, 
I  had  ben  deed,  withouten  any  defence. 
For  drede  of  Loves  wordes  and  his  chere; 
As,  when  tyme  is,  her-after  ye  shal  here. 
Behind  this  god  of  love,  upon  the  grene, 
I  saugh  cominge  of  ladyes  nyntene 
In  real  habit,  a  ful  esy  paas  ; 
And  after  hem  com  of  women  swich  a 

traas,  285 

That,  sin  that  god  Adam  had  maad  of 

erthe, 
The   thridde   part   of  mankynd,   or   the 

ferthe, 
Ne  wende  I  nat  by  possibilitee. 
Had  ever  in  this  wyde  worlde  y-be ; 
And   trewe   of  love    thise   women   were 

echoon.  290 

Now  whether  was  that  a  wonder  thing 

or  noon, 
That,   right  anoon   as   that   they  gonn<^ 

espye 
This  flour,  which  that  I  clepe  the  dayesye, 
Ful  sodeinly  they  stinten  alio  at  ones, 
And   kneled   doun,    as   it    were   for    the 

nones,  ap."! 

And  songen  with  o  vols,  '  Hele  and  honour 
To  trouthe  of  womanhede,  and  to  this  flour 
That  berth  our  alder  prys  in  figviringe  ! 
Hir  whyte  coroun  berth  the  witnessingc  !' 
And    with    that    word,    a-compas    en- 

viroun,  3"o 

They  setten  hem  fi\l  softely  adoun. 
First  sat  the  god  of  love,   and  sith  his 

queue 
With  the  whyte  coroun,  clad  in  grene ; 
And  sithen  al  the  remenant  by  and  by, 
As  they  were  of  estaat,  ful  curteisly ;      305 


358 


'ZU  Bt^trib  of  (Booi  (BDomen. 


Ne  nat  a  word  was  spoken  in  the  place 
The  mountance  of  a  fnrlong-wey  of  space. 

I,  lening  faste  by  under  a  bente, 
Abood,  to  knowen  what  this  peple  mente, 
As  stille  as  any  stoon ;  til  at  the  laste,    236 
The  god  of  love  on  me  his  eye  caste, 
And  seyde,   '  who    resteth    ther  ? '  and  I 

answerde 
I'n-to  his  axing,  whan  that  I  him  herde, 
And  seyde,  '  sir,  hit  am  I  " ;  and  cam  him 

neer,  240 

And  sallied  iiim.     Quod  he,  '  what  dostow 

hear 
In  my  presence,  and  that  so  boldely  ? 
For  it  were  better  worthy,  trewely, 
A   werm    to   comen    in    my   sight    than 

thou.' 
'And   why,    sir,'  quod  I,   'and  hit  lyke 

yow  ?  '  245 

'  For  thou,'  quod  he,  '  art  ther-to  nothing 

able. 
My  servaunts  been  alio  wysc  and  honour- 
able. 
Thou  art  my  mortal  fo,  and  mo  warreyest. 

And  of  myne  oldc  servaunts  thou  mis- 

sej'est, 
.\nd  hinderesthem,  withthytranslacioun, 
.■\nd  Icttest  folk  to  han  devocioun  251 

To  servon  me,  and  baldest  hit  folye 
To  troste   on   me.     Thou   mayst  hit  nat 

denye ; 
For  in   pleyn   text,   liit    nedeth    nat    to 

glose. 
Thou  hast  translated  the  Romauns  of  the 

Rose,  255 

That  is  an  heresye  ageyns  my  lawe. 
And  makest  wyse  folk  fro  me  withdrawe. 
And  tliinkest  in  thy  wit,  that  is  ful  cool, 
That  he  nis  but  a  vorray  propre  fool 
That    lovcth    paramours,    to  harde   and 

hote.  260 

Wei  wot  I  ther-by  thou  beginnest  dote 
-•Vs  olde  foles,  whan  hir  spirit  faj'loth  ; 
Than  blame  they  folk,  and  wite  nat  what 

hem  ayleth. 
Hast  thou  nat  mad  in  English  cek  the 

l)ook 
How  that  Crisseyde  Troilus  forsook,      265 
In  shewinge  how  that  wemen  han  don 

mis? 


Ne  nat  a  word  was  spoken  in  the  place 
The  mountance  of  a  furlong-wcy  of  space. 
I  kneling  by  this  flour,  in  good  entente 
Abood,  to  knowen  what  this  peple  mente. 
As  stille  as  any  stoon  ;  til  at  the  laste,  3i(j 
This  god  of  love  on  me  his  oyen  caste. 
And  seyde,  '  who  kneleth  ther  ? '  and  I 

answerde 
Uiito  his  asliing,  whan  that  I  hit  herde, 
And  sej-de,  '  sir,  hit  am  I ' ;  and  com  him 

neer, 
And  sallied  him.    Quod  he,  '  what  dostow 

beer  315 

So  nigh  myn  owne  flour,  so  boldely  ? 
For  it  were  better  worthy,  trewely, 
A  worm  to  neghen   neer  my  flour  than 

thou.' 
'And   why,    sir,'   quod  I,    'and   hit    lyke 

yow  ?  ' 
'  For  thou,'  quod  he,  '  art  thcr-to  nothing 

able.  320 

Hit  is  my  relik,  digne  and  delytable, 

And  thou  my  ib,  and  al   mj-  folk  wer- 

reyest. 
And  of  mjni   olde   servaunts   thou   mis- 

seyest. 
And  hindrest  liem,  with  thy  translacioun. 
And  lettest  folk  from  hir  devocioun        325 
To  serve  mc,  and  boldest  hit  folye 
To  serve  Love.    Thou  mayst  hit  nat  denye ; 

For  in   ployn   text,  with-outen  nede  of 

glose. 
Thou  hast  translated  the  Romaunce  of 

the  Rose, 
That  is  an  heresye  ageyns  my  lawe,      330 
And  makest  wyse  folk  fro  mc  withdrawe. 


And  of  Criseyde  thou  hast  seyd  as  thee 

liste. 
That  maketh  men  to  wommen  lasso  tristo, 
That  ben  as  trewe  as  ever  was  any  steel. 


(profogue.    (^wo  (Peretone.) 


359 


But  natheles,  answere  me  now  to  tliis, 
Why  nolclcst  thou  as  wel  han  seyd  good- 

nesse 
Of  wemen,  as  thou  hast  seyd  wikkednesse? 
Was  ther  no  good  matere  in  thj'  minde, 
Ne  in  alle  thy  bokes  coudest  thou   nat 

finde  271 

Sum  story  of  wemen  that  were  goode  and 

trewe  ? 
Yis  !  god  wot,  sixty  bokes  okle  and  newe 
Hast  thou  thj'-self,    alle   fullc  of  stories 

grcte, 
That    bothc    Eomains    and    eek    Grekes 

trete  275 

Of  sundrj'  wemen,  which  l^\f  that  they 

ladde, 
And  ever  an  hundred   godo   ageyn  oon 

baddo. 
This  knowcth  god,  and  alio  clerkes  eke, 
That  usen  swiche  materes  for  to  seke.  279 
What  seith  Valerie,  Titus,  or  Claudian? 
What  seith  Jerome  ageyns  Jovinian  ? 
How    clone    maydens,    and    how    trewe 

wyves,  282 

How  stedfast  widwes  during  al  hir  IjT^es, 
Telleth  Jerome  ;  and  that  nat  of  afewe, 
But,  I  dar  sejTi,  an  hundred  on  a  rewe  ; 
That  hit  is  pitee  for  to  rede,  and  routhe, 
The  wo  that  they  enduren  for  hir  trouthe. 
For  to  hir  love  were  they  so  trewe. 
That,    rather    than   they   wolde   take   a 

newe, 
They  chosen  to  be  dede  in  sundry  wyse. 
And  deyden,  as  the  storj'  wol  devysc ;     291 
And  some  were  brend,  and  some  were  cut 

the  hals, 
And  some  dreynt,  for  they  wolden  nat  be 

fals. 
For  alle  keped  they  hir  maydenhed. 
Or  elles  wedlok,  or  hir  widwehed.  295 

And  this  thing  was   nat  kept  for  holi- 

nessc, 
But  al  for  verray  vertn  and  clennesse, 
And  for  men  sliuldo  sette  on  hem  no  lak; 
And  yit  they  woren  hethen,  al  the  pak. 
That  were  so  sore  adrad  of  alle  shame.  300 
These  oldo  women  kcpte  so  liir  name, 
That  in  this  world  I  trow  men  shal  nat 

finde 
A  man  that  coudo  be  so  trewe  and  kinde, 
As  was  the  lesto  woman  in  i  hat  tydo. 


Of  thyn  answere  a^vse  thee  right  weel ; 


36o 


ZH  Begen^  of  (Booi  (^otnen. 


■\\liat  seith  also  the  epistels  of  0\'yde   305 
Of  trewe  wy\-es,  and  of  hir  labour? 
"Wlaat  Vincent,  in  his  Storial  Mirour  ? 
Eek   al  the   world   of  autours   maj'stow 

here, 
Cristen  and  hethen,  trete  of  swich  matere  ; 
It  nedeth  nat  alday  thus  for  t'endyte.   310 
But  jit  I  sey,  what  eyleth  thee  to  wryte 
The  draf  of  stories,  and  forgo  the  corn  ? 
By  seint  Venus,  of  whom  that  I  was  born. 
Although   [that]  thou   reneyed  hast  my 

lay, 

As  othere  olde  foles  many  a  day,  3:5 


Thou  shalt  repente  hit,  that  hit  shal  be 

sene  ! ' 
Than    spak    Alceste,     the    worthieste 

quene. 
And  seyde,  '  god,  right  of  your  curtesye. 
Ye  moten  herknen  if  he  can  replye 
Ageyns  these  points  that  ye  han  to  him 

meved ;  320 

A  god  ne  sholde  nat  be  thus  agreved, 
But  of  his  deitee  he  shal  be  stable. 
And  therto  rightful  and  eek  merciable. 
He  shal  nat  rightfullj-  his  yre  wreke    324 
Or  he  have  herd  the  tother  party  speke. 
Al  ne  is  nat  gospel  that  is  to  yow  pleyned  ; 
The    god    of   love    herth    many    a   tale 

y-feyned. 
For  in  your  court  is  many  a  losengeour. 
And  many  a  queynte  totelere  accusour. 
That  tabouren  in  your  eres  many  a  thing 
For  hate,  or  for  jeloiis  imagining,  331 

And  for  to  han  with  yow  som  daliaunce. 
Envye  (I  prey  to  god  yeve  hir  mischaunce !) 

Is  lavender  in  the  grete  court  alway. 
For  she  ne  parteth,  neither  night  ne  day. 
Out   of  the   hous   of  Cesar ;    thus  seith 

Dante  ;  336 

Who-so  that  goth,  alwey  she  moot  [nat] 

wante. 
This   man   to   yow    may    wrongly    been 

accused, 
Ther  as  by  right  him  oghte  been  excused. 
Or  elles,  sir,  for  that  this  man  is  nyce,  340 
He  may  translate  a  thing  in  no  malyce, 
But  for  be  useth  bokes  for  to  make, 


For,   thogh  that  thou  reneyed  hast   my 
lay,  336 

As  other  wrecches  han  doon  many  a  day. 
By  seynt  Venus,  that  my  moder  is. 
If  that  thou  live,    thou   shalt  repenten 

this 
So  cruelly,  that  bit  shal  welbe  sene  !'  340 

Tho  spak  this  lady,  clothed  al  in  grene, 

And  seyde,  'god,  right  of  your  curtesye. 
Ye  moten  herknen  if  he  can  replye 
AgajTis    al    this    that   ye    han    to    him 

meved  ; 
A  god  ne  sholde  nat  be  thus  agreved,  345 
But  of  his  deitee  he  shal  be  stable. 
And  therto  gracious  and  merciable. 
And  if  ye  nere  a  god,  that  knowen  al, 
Than  mighte  hit  be,  as  I  yowtellen  shal ; 
This  man   to  you   may  falsly  been   ac- 
cused, 350 
Ther  as  by  right  him  oghte  been  excused 
For  in  your  court  is  many  a  losengeour. 
And  many  a  queynte  totelere  accusour, 
That  tabouren  in  your  eres  many  a  soun, 
Right  after  hir  imaginacioun,  355 
To  have  your  dalianoe,  and  for  envye  ; 
These  been  the  causes,  and  I  shall  nat 

lye. 
Envj'c  is  lavender  of  the  court  alway  ; 
For  she  ne  parteth,  neither  night  ne  day, 
Out   of  the   hous    of  Cesar ;    thus   seith 
Dante ;  360 

Who-so  that   goth,    algate  she   wol  nat 
wante. 

[Cf  11.  350-1  above.] 


And  eek,  paraunter,  for  this  man  is  nyce, 
He  mighte  doon  hit,  gessing  no  malyce, 
But  for  he  useth  thinges  for  to  make  ; 


Cprofogue.    (Cwo  (Pev0ton0.) 


361 


And  taktb  non  heed  of  what  matere  he 

take  ; 
Tlierfor    he    wroot    the    Rose    and    eek 

Crisseyde 
Of  innocence,  and  niste  what  he  seyde  ; 
Or  him  was  boden  make  thilke  tweye     346 
Of  som  persone,  and  durste  hit  nat  with- 

seye  ; 
For  he  hath  writen  many  a  book  er  this. 
He  ne  hath  nat  doon  so  grevously  amis 
To  trauslaten  that  olde  clerkes  wiyten,  350 
As  thogh  that  he  of  malice  wokle  endyten 
Uespyt   of  love,    and   liadde   hini-self  y- 

wroght. 
This  shulde  a  rightwj-s  lord  ban  in  bis 

thoght, 
And  nat  be  lyk  tiraiints  of  Lnmbardye, 
That  visen  wilfulhed  and  tirannye,        355 
For  he  that  king  or  lord  is  naturel, 
Him  ogbte  nat  be  tiraunt  ne  cruel, 
As  is  a  fermour,  to  doon  the  barm  he  can. 
He  moste  thinke  hit  is  his  lige  man, 
And  that  him  oweth,  of  verray  duetee,  360 
Shcwen  his  peple  pleyn  benignitee, 
And  wol  to  herehir  excusaciouns, 
And  hir  compleyntes  and  peticiouns. 
In  duewe  tyme,  whan  they  sbal  hit  profre. 
This  is  the  sentence  of  the  xjbilosopbre  : 
A  king  to  Jcepe  his  liges  in  justyce  ;         366 
Witb-oiiten  doute,  that  is  his  ofifyce. 
And  therto  is  a  king  ful  depe  y-sworn, 
Ful  many  an  hundred  winter  beer-biforn  ; 
And  for  to  kepe  bis  lordes  hir  decree,    370 
As  hit  is  right  and  skilful  that  they  be 
Eubaunced    and     honoured,    and    most 

dere — 
For  they  ben  half-goddes  in  this  woild 

here — 
This  sbal   he   doon,  bothe  to  pore  [and] 

riche, 
Al  be  that  her  estat  be  nat  a-licbe,        375 
And  han  of  pore  folk  compassioun. 
For  lo,  the  gentil  kind  of  the  lioun  ! 
For  whan  a  flye  ofFendeth  hiin  or  bytctb. 
He  with  his  tayl  awey  the  flye  smyteth 
Al  esily;  for,  of  bis  genterye,  380 

Him  ileynetli  nat  to  wreke  him  on  a  fl.ye, 
As  doth  a  curre  or  elles  another  beste. 
In  noble  corage  ogbte  been  areste. 
And  weyen  every  thing  by  equitoe. 
And  ever  ban  reward  to  his  owen  degree. 


Him  rekketh  noght  of  what  matere  be 
take ;  365 


Or  him  was  bodeu  maken  thilke  twcj-e 
Of  som  persone,  and  durste  hit  nat  witb- 

seye  ; 
Or  him  repenteth  utterly  of  this. 
He  ne  bath  nat  doon  so  grevously  amis 
Totranslaten  that  olde  clerkes  wryten,  370 
As  thogh  that  he  of  malice  wolde  endyten 
Despyt   of  love,    and    had    him-self   hit 

wroght. 
This  shulde  a  rigbtwj'S  lord  have  in  his 

thoght. 
And  nat  be  lyk  tiraunts  of  Lumbardye, 
Than  ban  no  reward  but  at  tirannye.     375 
For  he  that  king  or  lord  is  natvirel, 
Him  ogbte  nat  be  tiraunt  ne  cruel. 
As  is  a  fermour,  to  doon  the  harm  be  can. 
He  moste  thinke  hit  is  his  lige  man, 


And  is  his  tresour,  and  his  gold  in  cofre. 
This  is  the  sentence  of  the  pbilosopbro :  3S  i 
A  king  to  kepe  his  liges  in  justyce; 
Witb-outen  doute,  that  is  bis  offyce. 


Al  wol  he  kepe  bis  lordes  hir  degree, 

As  hit  is  right  and  skilful  that  they  be  385 

Enhaunced    and     honoured,    and    most 

dere — 
For  they  ben  half-goddes  in  this  world 

here — 
Yit  mot  he  doon  bothe  right,  to  pore  and 

riche, 
Al  be  that  hir  estat  be  nat  y-liche, 
And  han  of  pore  folk  compassioun.       390 
For  lo,  the  gentil  kynd  of  the  leoun  ! 
For  whan  a  flye  offendeth  him  or  byteth. 
He  with  liis  tayl  awey  the  flye  smyteth 
Al  esily  ;  for,  of  his  genterye,  394 

Him  deynotb  nat  to  wi-eke  him  on  a  flye, 
As  doth  a  curre  or  ellos  another  beste. 
In  noble  corage  ogbte  been  areste, 
And  weyen  every  thing  by  equitee, 
And  ever  ba:i  reward  to  his  owen  degree. 


^'  3 


362 


ZH  Begen^  of  <5oo^  (^om^n. 


For,  sir,  hit  is  no  maystrie  for  a  lord    386 
To  dampne  a  man  with-oute  answere  or 

word  ; 
And,  for  a  lord,  that  is  ful  foul  to  tise. 
And  if  so  be  he  may  him  nat  excuse, 
[But]  axeth  mercy  with  a  sorweful  herte, 
And    profreth    him,   right    in    his   bare 

sherte,  39' 

To  been  right  at  your  owne  jugement. 
Than  oghte  a  god,  by  short  avysement, 
Considre  his  owne  honour  and  his  trespas. 
For  sith  no  cause  of  deeth  lyth  in  this 

cas,  395 

Yow  oghte  been  the  lighter  merciable  ; 
Leteth    your    yre,    and    beth    somwhat 

tretable  ! 
Tlie  man  hath  served  yow  of  his  conning. 
And  forthered  your  la  we  with  his  making. 
Whyl  he  was  yong,  he  kepte  your  estat ; 
I  not  wher  he  be  now  a  renegat.  401 

But  wel  I  wot,  with  that  he  can  endyte, 
He  hath  maked  lewed  folk  delyte 
To  serve  you,  in  prej-sing  of  your  name. 
He  made  the  book  that  hight  the  Hous  of 

Fame,  405 

And    eek    the    Deeth    of   Blaunche   the 

Duchesse, 
And  the  Parlement  of  Foiiles,  as  I  gesse, 
And  al  the  love  of  Palamon  and  Arcyte 
Of  Thebes,  thogh  the  story  is  knowen  lyte ; 
And  many  an  ympne  for  your  halydaj-es. 
That  highten   Balades,    Roundels,   Vire- 

layes ;  411 

And  for  to  spekc  of  other  besinesse. 
He  hath  in  prose  translated  Boece  ; 
And  of  the  Wreched  Engendring  of  Man- 

kinde, 
As  man  may  in  pope  Innocent  y-finde ;  415 
And  mad  the  Lj'f  also  of  seynt  Cecyle; 
He  made  also,  goon  sithen  a  greet  whyl, 
Origenes  upon  the  Maudeleyne  ; 
Him  oghte  now  to  have  the  lesse  pejTie  ; 
He  hath  mad  many  a  lay  and  many  a 

thing.  420 

Xow  as  yo  been  a  god,  and  eek  a  king, 
I,  your  Alocste,  whylom  quono  of  Trace, 
I  axe  yow  tliis  man,  right  of  your  grace. 
That  ye  him  never  hurte  in  al  his  lj'\'e  ; 
And  he  shal  sweren   yow,   and   that   as 
blj-ve,  425 

He  shal  no  more  agilten  in  this  wyse ; 


For,  sir,  hit  is  no  naaystrie  for  a  lord    400 
To  dampne  a  man  with-oute  answere  of 

word  ; 
And,  for  a  lord,  that  is  ful  foul  to  use. 
And  if  so  be  he  may  him  nat  excuse, 
But  asketh  mercy  with  a  dredful  herte. 
And   profreth    him,    riglit    in    his    bare 
sherte,  405 

To  been  right  at  your  owne  jugement. 
Than  oghte  a  god,  by  short  avysement, 
Considre  his  owne  honour  and  his  trespas. 
For  sith  no  cause  of  deeth  Ij-th  in  this 

cas, 
Yow  oghte  been  the  lighter  merciable ;  410 
Leteth  your  yi-e,  and  beth  somwhat  tret- 
able ! 
The  man  hath  served  yow  of  his  conning, 
And  forthred  wel  your  la  we  in  his  making. 


Al  be  hit  that  he  can  nat  wel  endyte. 
Yet  hath  he  maked  lewed  folk  delyte  415 
To  serve  you,  in  preysing  of  your  name. 
He  made  the  book  that  hight  the  Hous  of 

Fame, 
And    eek   the    Deeth    of    Blaunche    the 

Duchesse, 
And  the  Parlement  of  Foules,  as  I  gesse. 
And  al  the  love  of  Palamon  and  Arcyte  420 
Of  Thebes,  thogh  the  story  is  knowen  \yte ; 
And  many  an  ympne  for  your  halydayes. 
That   highten   Balades,    Roundels,   Vire- 

layes ; 
And,  for  to  spcke  of  other  holj-nesse, 
He  hath  in  prose  translated  Boece,        425 


And  mad  the  Lyf  also  of  seynt  Cecyle  ; 
He  made  also,  goon  sithen  a  greet  whj'l, 
Origenes  upon  the  Maudelejiie  ; 
Him  oghte  now  to  have  the  Icsse  peyne ; 
He   hath   mad    many   a   lay   and   many 

a  thing.  430 

'  Now  as  ye  been  a  god,  and  eek  a  king, 
I,  your  Alceste,  whylom  quene  of  Trace, 
I  aske  yow  this  man,  riglit  of  your  grace, 
That  ye  him  never  hurte  in  al  his  lyve  ; 
And  he  shal  sweren  yow,   and   that   as 

^Ij've,  435 

He  shal  no  more  agilten  in  this  wyse  ; 


^rofogue.    (Cwo  (Pef0tone.) 


363 


But  he  shal  maken,  as  ye  wil  devyse, 
Of  wemen  trewe  in  lovinge  al  hir  lyve, 
Wlier-so  ye  wil,  of  maiden  or  of  wyve, 
And  forthren  yow,  as  muche  as  he  mis- 

seyde  430 

Or  in  the  Eose  or  elles  in  Criseyde.' 

The    god  of   love    answerde    hir  thus 

anoon, 
'  Madame,'  quod  he,  '  hit  is  so  long  agoon 
That  I  yow  knew  so  charitable  and  trewe, 
That  never  yit,  sith  that  the  world  was 

newe,  435 

To  me  ne  fond  I  better  noon  than  ye. 
That,  if  that  I  wol  save  my  degree, 
I  may  ne  wol  nat  warne  your  requeste  ; 
Al  lyth  in  yow,  doth  with  him  what  yow 

leste,  439 

And  al  foryeve,  with-outen  lenger  si^ace  ; 
For  who-so  ycveth  a  yift,  or  doth  a  grace, 
Po   hit   by  tyme,    his   thank  is  wel  the 

more  ; 
And  demeth  ye  what  he  shal  do  therfore. 
Go  thanke  now  my  lady  heer,'  quod  he. 
I   roos,   and  doun   I  sette  me  on   my 

knee,  445 

And  seyde  thus  :  '  Madame,  the  god  above 
Foryelde  yow,  that  ye  the  god  of  love 
Han  maked  me  his  wrathe  to  foryive  ; 
And  yeve  me  grace  so  long  for  to  live, 
That  I  may  knowe  soothly  what  ye  be,  450 
That  han  me  holpen,  and  put  in  swich 

degree. 
But  trewely  I  wende,  as  in  this  cas, 
Naught    have    agilt,    ne    doon    to    love 

trespas. 
Forwhy  a  trewe  man,  with-outen  drede, 
Hath  nat  to  parten  with  a  theves  dede  ; 
Ne  a  trewe  lover  oghte  me  nat  blame,  456 
Thogh  that  I  speke  a  fals  lover  som  shame. 
They  oghte  rather  with  me  for  to  holde. 
For  that  I  of  Creseyde  wroot  or  tolde. 
Or   of  the  Eose ;    what-so  myn   auctour 

mente,  460 

Algate,  god  wot,  hit  was  myn  entente 
To   forthren   trouthe    in    love    and    hit 

cheryce ; 
And  to  be  war  fro  falsnesse  and  fro  vyce 
By  swich  ensample  ;  this  was  my  men- 

inge.' 
And  she  answerde,  '  lat  be  thyn  argu- 

inge ;  4f'5 

N 


But  he  shal  maken,  as  ye  wil  devyse, 
Of  wommen  trewe  in  lovinge  al  hir  lyve, 
Wher-so  ye  wil,  of  maiden  or  of  wyve, 
And  forthren  yow,  as  muche  as  he  mis- 

seyde  440 

Or  in  the  Eose  or  elles  in  Creseyde,' 
The   god   of    love   answerde   hir    thus 

anoon, 
'  Madame,'  quod  he,  '  hit  is  so  long  agoon 
Tliat  I  yow  knew  so  charitable  and  trewe, 
That  never  yit,  sith  that  the  world  was 

newe,  445 

To  me  ne  fond  I  better  noon  than  ye. 
If  that  I  wolde  save  my  degree, 
I  may  ne  wol  nat  werne  your  requeste  ; 
Al  lyth  in  yow,  doth  with  him  as  yow 

leste. 
I  al  foryeve,  with-outen  lenger  space  ;  450 
For  who-so  yeveth  a  yift,  or  doth  a  grace, 
Do  hit  by  tyme,   his  thank   is  wel   the 

more ; 
And  demeth  ye  what  he  shal  do  therfore. 
Go  thanke  now  my  lady  heer,'  quod  he. 
I   roos,   and   doun  I  sette   me  on  my 

knee,  455 

And  seyde  thus  :  '  Madame,  the  god  above 
Foryelde  yow,  that  ye  the  god  of  love 
Han  maked  me  his  wrathe  to  forj'ive  ; 
And  yeve  me  grace  so  long  for  to  live, 
That  I  may  knowe  soothly  what  ye  be,  460 
That   han   me   holpe    and    put    in    this 

degree. 
But  trewely  I  wende,  as  in  this  cas. 
Naught    have    agilt,    ne    doon    to    love 

trespas. 
Forwby  a  trewe  man,  with-outen  drede. 
Hath  nat  to  parten  with  a  theves  dede  ; 
Ne  a  trewe  lover  oghte  me  nat  blame, 
Thogh  that  I  spoke  a  fals  lover  som  shame. 
They  oghte  rather  with  me  for  to  holde. 
For  that  I  of  Creseyde  wroot  or  toldo. 
Or  of  the  Eose  ;    what-so  myn    auctour 

mente,  470 

Algate,  god  wot,  hit  was  myn  entente 
To   forthren    trouthe    in    love   and    hit 

cheryce ; 
And  to  be  war  fro  falsnesse  and  fro  vyce 
By  swich  ensample  ;  this  was  my  men- 

inge.' 
And  she  answerde,  '  lat  be  thyn  argii- 

inge ;  47S 

5 


364 


Zh  Begeni  of  <Booi  (Bremen. 


For  Love  ne  wol  nat  countrepleted  bo 
In  right  ne  wrong  ;  and  lerne  this  at  me ! 
Thovi  hast  thy  grace,  and  hold  thee  right 

ther-to. 
Now  wol  I  seyn  what  penance  thoi^  shalt 

do 
For  thy  trespas,  and  understond  hit  here  : 
Thoii  shalt,  whyl  that  thou  livest,  yeer  by 

yere,  471 

The  moste  party  of  thy  lyve  spende 
In  making  of  a  glorious  Legends 
Of  Gode  Wemen,  maidenesand  wyves,  474 
That  were  trewe  in  lovinge  al  hir  lys-es  ; 
And  telle  of  false  men  that  heni  bitrayen, 
That  al  hir  lyf  ne  doon  nat  but  assayen 
How  many   wemen    they   may   doou    a 

shame  ; 
For  in  your  world  that  is  now  holden 

game. 
And  thogh  thee  lesteth  nat  a  lover  be,  480 
Spek   wel    of   love ;    this   penance   yeve 

•   I  thee. 
And  to  the  god  of  love  I  shal  so  preye, 
That  ho  shal  charge  his  servants,  by  any 

weye. 
To   forthreu   thee,    and    wel   thy  labour 

quyte ; 
Go  now  thy  wej',  thy  penance  is  but  Ij'te.' 


The  god  of  love  gan  smyle,  and  than  he 

seyde,  486 

'  Wo.stow,'  quod  he,  '  wher  this  be  wyf  or 

inaj'de, 
Or  quene,  or  countesse,  or  of  what  degree. 
That  hath  so  litel  penance  yeven  thee, 
That  hast  deserved  sorer  for  to  sniorte  ? 
But  pitee  renneth  sone  in  gentil  hurte ; 
That  mayst  thou  seen,  she  kj-theth  what 

she  is.' 
And  I  answerde,  '  nay,  sir,  so  have  I  blis. 
No  more  but  that  I  see  wel  she  is  good.' 

'  That  is  a  trewe  tale,  bj'  myn  hood,'  495 
Quod  Love,  '  and  that  thou  knowest  wel, 

pardee, 
If  hit  be  so  that  thou  avyse  thee. 
Hastow  nat  in  a  book,  Ijiih  in  thy  cheste. 
The  grot  goodnesse  of  the  quene  Alceste, 
That  turned  was  into  a  daycsye  :  500 

She  that  for  hir  husboude  chees  to  dye, 


For  Love  no  wol  nat  countrepleted  be 
In  right  ne  wrong  ;  and  lerne  that  of  me ! 
Thou  hast  thy  grace,  and  hold  thee  right 

ther-to. 
Now  wol  I  seyn  what  penance  thou  shalt 

do 
For  thy  trespas,  and  imderstond  hit  here: 
Thou  shalt,  whyl  that  thou  livest,  yeer 

by  yere,  481 

The  moste  party  of  thy  tyme  spendo 
In  making  of  a  glorious  Legende 
Of  Gode  Wommen,  maidenes  and  wy^•es, 
That  weren  trewe  in  lovinge  al  hir  lyves ; 
And  telle  of  false  men  that  hem  bitrayen. 
That  al  hir  Ij'f  ne  doon  nat  but  assayen 
How  many  wonimeu  they  may  doon  a 

shame ; 
For  in  your  world  that  is  now  holde  a 

game. 
And  thogh  thee  lyke  nat  a  lover  be,     490 
Spek   wel  of  love  ;    this  penance  yivo  I 

thee. 
And  to  the  god  of  love  I  shal  so  prej'e, 
That  he  shal  charge  his  servants,  by  any 

weye. 
To   ibrthren    thee,    and   wel   thy   labour 

quyte  ; 
Go  now  thy  wey,  this  penance  is  but  lyte. 
And  whan  this  book  is  maad,  yive  hit  tho 

quene  496 

On  my  bchalfe,  at  Eltham,  or  at  Shene.' 
The  god  of  love  gan  smyle,  and  than  ho 

seyde, 
'  Wostow,'  quod  he.  '  wher  this  be  wyf  or 

mayde. 
Or  quene,  or  countesse,  or  of  what  degree, 
That  hath  so  litel  penance  yiven  thee,  501 
That  hast  deserved  sorer  for  to  smerte  ? 
But  pitee  renneth  sono  in  gentil  herte  ; 
That  maystow  seen,    she  kytheth  what 

she  is.'  504 

And  I  answerde,  '  nay,  sir,  so  have  I  blis, 
No  more  but  that  I  see  wel  she  is  good.' 

'  That  is  a  trewe  tale,  by  myn  hood,' 
Quod  Love,  '  and  that  thou  knowest  wel, 

pardee. 
If  hit  be  so  that  thou  avj'se  thee.  509 

Hastow  nat  in  a  book,  lyth  in  thy  cheste. 
The  grete  goodnesse  ol'  the  quene  Alceste, 
That  turned  was  into  a  dayesye  : 
She  that  for  hir  husbonde  chees  to  dye, 


(profo^ue.    (^wo  (Otveione.) 


36i 


Anil  eek  to  goon  to  helle,  rather  than  ho, 
And  Erculos  rescued  hir,  pardee, 
And   oroghte  hir  out  of  helle  agayn  to 
blis  ? '  504 

And  I  answerde  agejm,  and  seyde,  'yis, 
Now   knowe   I   hir !    And   is   this    good 

Alceste, 
The  dayesye,  and  myn  owne  hertes  reste? 
Now  fele  I  wel  the  goodnesse  of  this  wyf, 
That  bothe  after  hir  deeth,  and  in  hir  lyf, 
Hir  grete  boiintee  doubleth  hir  renoun  ! 
Wel  hath  she  quit  me  myn  affeecioun 
That  I  have  to  hir  flour,  the  dayesj^e  ! 
No  wonder  is  thogh  Jove  hir  stellifye. 
As  telleth  Agaton,  for  hir  goodnesse  ! 
Hir  whyte  coroun  berth  of  hit  witnesse  ; 
For  also  many  vcrtues  hadde  she,  516 

As  smalo  floures  in  hir  coroun  be. 
In  remembraunce  of  hir  and  in  honour, 
Cibella  made  the  dayesy  and  the  flour  519 
Y-coroned  al  with  whyt,  as  men  may  see ; 
And  Mars  yaf  to  hir  coroun  reed,  pardee, 
In  stede  of  rubies,  set  among  the  whyte.' 
Therwith  this  queue  wex  reed  for  shame 
«i  l.vte,  523 

Whan  she  was  preysed  so  in  hir  presence. 
Than  seyde  Love,  '  a  ful  gret  negligence 
Was  hit  to  thee,  to  write  unstedfastnesse 
Of  women,  sitli  thou  knowest  hir  good- 
nesse 
By  preef,  and  cek  l)y  stories  heer-biforn  ; 
Let  be  the  chaf,  and  wryt  wel  of  the  corn. 
^Vlly  noldest  thou  han  writen  of  Alceste, 
And  leten  Criseide  been  a-slepe  and 
reste  ?  53 1 

For  of  Alceste  shuldo  thy  wrji;ing  bo, 
Sin  that  thou  wost  that  kalender  is  she 
Of    goodnesse,    for    she    taughte    of  fyn 

lovinge, 
And  namely  of  wyf  hood  the  livinge,     535 
And  alio  tlio  boundes  that  she  oghte  kepe  ; 
Thy  litel  wit  was  thilke  tyme  a-slepc. 
But  now  I  charge  thee,  upon  thy  lyf, 
Tliat  in  thy  Legend  thou  make  of  this 

wj'f, 
Whan  tho\i  hast  othcre  smalo  maad  be- 
fore ;  540 
And  fare  now  wel,  I  charge  thee  no  more. 


And  eek  to  goon  to  helle,  rather  than  lie, 
And  Ercules  rescowed  hir,  pardee,  515 
And  broghte  hir  out  of  helle  agaj'n  to 

blis  ? ' 
And  I  answerde  agoyn,  and  seyde,  'yis. 
Now    knowe    I    hir  !     And    is    this    good 

Alceste,  518 

The  dayesye,  and  myn  owne  hertes  reste? 
Now  fele  I  wel  the  goodnesse  of  tliis  wyf. 
That  bothe  after  hir  deeth,  and  in  hir  lyf, 
Hir  grete  bountee  doubleth  hir  renoun  ! 
Wel  hath  she  quit  mo  myn  affeecioun 
That  I  have  to  hir  flour,  the  dayesye  ! 
No  wonder  is  thogh  Jove  hir  stellifj-e,  525 
As  telleth  Agaton,  for  hir  goodnesse  ! 
Hir  whyte  coroun  l)erth  of  hit  witnesse  ; 
For  also  many  vertues  hadde  she. 
As  smale  floures  in  hir  coroun  be.         5.'i) 
In  remembraunce  of  hir  and  in  honour, 
Cibella  made  the  dayesy  and  the  flour 
Y-coroned  al  w^ith  whyt,  as  men  may  see ; 
And  Mars  yaf  to  hir  coroun  reed,  parJec, 
In  stede  of  rubies,  sot  among  the  whyte."" 
Thoi-with  this  qiiene  wex  reed  for  shamo 

■'•'  ly^e,  535 

Whan  she  was  preysed  so  in  hir  presence. 
Tlian  seyde  Love,  '  a  ful  gret  negligence 
Was   hit  to  thee,    that   ilke   tyme   thou 

made  53.S 

"  Hyd,  Absolon,  thy  tresses,"  in  balade, 
That  thou  forgete  hir  in  thy  song  to  sette. 
Sin  that  thou  art  so  gretly  in  liir  dette, 


And  wost  so  wel,  that  kalender  is  slie 

To  any  woman  that  wol  lover  be 

For    she    taughto    al    the    craft    of   fyn 

lovinge. 
And  namely  of  wj'fhood  the  livinge,    545 
And  alio  the  boundes  that  she  oghte  kepe ; 
Thy  litel  wit  was  thilke  tyme  a-slopc. 
But  now  I  charge  thee,  upon  thy  lyf. 
That   in  thy  Legend  thou  make  of  this 

Whan  tliou  hast  otber  smale  y-maad  be- 
fore ;  550 

And  fare  now  wel,  I  charge  thee  no  more. 
But  or  I  go,  thus  muche  I  wol  thee 
telle. 

No  shal  no  trewe  lover  come  in  belle. 


366 


ZU  ;Begenb  of  <5oo^  (^^ometi. 


At  Cleopatre  I  wol  that  thou  heginne  ; 
And  so  forth  ;  and  my  love  so  shalt  thow 
winne.'  543 


A  nd  with  that  word  of  sleep  I  gan  a-awake, 
And  right  thus  on  my  Legend  gan  I  make. 


Thise  other  ladies  sittingc  here  arowe 
Ben   in   thy  halade,  if  thoit   canst  hem 

knowe,  555 

And   in  thy  hokes  alle  thou  shalt  hem 

finds; 
Have   hem  now  in  thy  Legend   alle   in 

minde, 
1  mene  of  hem  that  heen  in  thy  knowinge. 
For  heer  ben  twenty  thousand  mo  sittinge 
Than    thou    knowest,    that    been    good 

wommen  alle  560 

And  trewe  of  love,  for  aught  that  majy 

befalle  ; 
Make  the  metres  of  hem  as  the  leste. 
I  mot  gon  hoom,  the  sonne  draijreth  weste, 
To  Paradys,  with  al  this  companye  ; 
And  serve  alwey  the  fresshe  dayesye.   565 
At  Cleopatre  I  wol  that  thou  begiune  ; 
And  so  forth  ;  and  my  love  so  shalt  thou 

winne. 
For  lat  see  now  what  man  that  lover  be, 
Wol  doon  so  strong  a  peyne  for  love  as 

she. 
I  wot  wel  that  tliou  mayst   nat    al   hit 

ryme,  570 

Tliat  swiche  lovers  diden  in  liir  tyme  ; 
It  were  to  long  to  reden  and  to  here  ; 
Suffyceth  me,  thou  make  in  this  manere, 
That  thou  reherce  of  al  liir  lyf  the  grete, 
After  thise  olde  auetours  listen  to  trete. 
For  who-so  shal  so  manj-  a  storie  telle,  576 
Sey  shortly,  or  he  shal  to  longe  dwelle.' 
And  with  that  word  my  bokes  gan  I  take. 
And  right  thus  ou  my  Legend  gan  I  make. 


Explicit  jn'ohemium. 


I.    THE  LEGEND  OF  CLEOPATRA. 


Incipit  Legenda  Cleopatrie,  Martiris, 
Egipti  regine. 

.\fter  the  deeth  of  Tholomee  the  king,  580 
That  al  Egii)te  hadde  in  his  governing, 
Rcgned  his  quene  Cleopataras  ; 
Til  on  a  tyme  befel  ther  swiche  a  cas, 
That  out  of  Rome  was  sent  a  senatour, 
For  to  concjueren  regnes  and  honour    585 
Unto  the  toun  of  Rome,  as  was  usaunce. 
To  have  the  world  unto  her  obeisaunce  : 


And,    sooth    to   seye,    Antonius    was   his 

name. 
So   fil    hit,    as    Fortune    him    oghte    a 

sh.ime  (10) 

Whan  he  was  fallen  in  prosperitee,       590 
Rebel  unto  tlie  toun  of  Rome  is  he. 
And  over  al  this,  the  suster  of  Cesar, 
He  lafte  hir  falsly,  er  that  she  was  war, 
And  wolde  algates  han  another  wj-f ; 
For  whiche  he  took  with  Ronie  and  Cesar 

stryf.  595 


ZU  Begenb  of  Ckoipatvd, 


367 


NathieTes,  for-sooth,  this  ilke  senatoiir 
Was  a  ful  worthy  gentil  weiTeyour, 
And  of  his  deeth  hit  was  fill  greet  damage. 
But  love  had  broght  this  man  in  swiche 

a  rage,  (20) 

And  hin^  so  narwe  bounden  in  his  las, 
Al  for  the  love  of  Cleopataras,  6<ii 

That  al  the  world  he  sette  at  no  value. 
Him  thoughte,  nas  to  hina  no  thing  so 

due 
As  Cleopatras  for  to  love  and  serve  ;     604 
Him  roghte  nat  in  amies  for  to  sterve 
In  the  defence  of  hir,  and  of  hir  right. 
This   noble   quene  eek   lovede  so  this 

knight. 
Through  Kis  desert,  and  for  his  chivalrye ;  ■ 
As  certeinly,  but-if  that  bokes  lye,        (30) 
He  was,  of  persone  and  of  gentilesse,   610 
And  of  discrecioun  and  hardinesse, 
Worthy  to  any  wight  that  liven  may. 
And  she  was  fair  as  is  tlie  rose  in  May. 
And,  for  to  maken  shortly  is  the  bfeste. 
She  wex  his  wyf,  and  hadde  him  as  hir 

leste.  615 

The  wedding  and  the  feste  to  devyse, 
To  me,  that  have  y-take  swiche  empryse 
Of  so  many  a  storie  for  to  make,  (39) 

Hit  were  to  long,  lest  that  I  sholde  slake 
Of  thing   that   bereth   more   eifect   and 

charge ;  620 

For  men  may  overlade  a  ship  or  barge  ; 
And  forthy  to  th'effeet  than  wol  I  skippe. 
And   al   the   remenant,    I   wol    lete   hit 

slippe. 
Octovian,  that  wood  was  of  this  dede, 
Shoop  him  an  ost  on  Antony  to  lede     625 
Al-outerly  fur  his  destruccioun. 
With  stoute  Eomains,  cruel  as  leoun  ; 
To  ship  they  wente,  and  thus  I  let  hem. 

saile. 
Antonius  was  war,  and  wol  nat  faile  (50) 
To  meten    with    thise    Romains,  if    he 

may ;  630 

Took    eek    his    reed,    and    bothe,    upon 

a  day, 
His  wj'f  and  he,   and   al  his   ost,  forth 

wente 
To  shippe  anoon,  no  lenger  they  ne  stente ; 
And  in  the  see  hit  happed  hem  to  mete — 
Up  goth  the  trompe — and  for  to  shoute 

and  shete,  635 


And  pej'nen  hem  to  sette  on  with  the 

Sonne. 
With   grisly   soun    out   goth    the    grete 

gonne, 
And  heterly  they  hurtlen  al  at  ones. 
And  fro  the  top  doun  cometh  the  grete 

stones.  (60) 

In  goth  the  grapenel  so  fvd  of  crokes    640 
Among  the  ropes,  and  the  shering-hokes. 
In  with  the  polax  presseth  he  and  he  ; 
Behind  the  mast  beginneth  he  to  flee, 
And  out  agayn,  and  dry\'eth  him  over- 

borde ;  644 

He  stingeth  him  upon  his  speres  orde  ; 
He  rent  the  sail  with  liokes  lyke  a  sythe  ; 
He  bringeth  the  cuppe,  and  biddeth  hem 

be  blythe  ; 
He  poureth  pesen  upon  the  hacches  slider ; 
With   pottes   ful   of  lym   they  goon   to- 

gider  ;  (70) 

And   thixs  the   longe  day  in   fight  they 

spende  650 

Til,  at  the  laste,  as  every  thing  hath  ende, 
Antonj'   is   shent,    and   put   him  to  the 

fiighte, 
And  al  his  folk  to-go,  that  best  go  mighte. 
Fleeth   eek    the    queen,    with    al   her 

purpre  sail. 
For  strokes,  which  that  wente  as  thikke 

as  hail ;  655 

No  wonder  was,  she  mighte  hit  nat  endure. 
And  whan  that  Antony  saw  that  aven- 

ture, 
'  Alias  ! '    quod  he,   '  the  day  that  I  was 

born  ! 
My  worshipe   in   this   day  thus  have   I 

lorn  ! '  (80) 

And  for  dispeyr  out  of  his  witte  he  sterte. 
And  roof  him-self  anoon  through-out  the 

herte  66i 

Er  that   he  ferther  wente    out    of   the 

place. 
His  wyf,  that  coude  of   Cesar   have   no 

grace, 
To  Egipte  is  fled,  for  drede  and  for  dis- 

trcsse  ; 
But  herkneth,  ye  that  speke  of  kinde- 

nesse.  665 

Ye  men,  that  falsly  swercn  many  an  ooth 

That   ye  wol  dye,   if  that  your  love  be 

wrooth, 


368 


^^e  JSegenb  of  (Booi  (H)omett. 


Heer  may  yo  seen  of  women  whiohc  a 

trouthe  ! 
This   wofiil   Cleopatro    liatli    mad    swich 

roiithe  (90) 

That  ther  nis  tonge  noon  that  may  hit 

telle.  670 

lint    on  the    niorwc    slie   ^^■lll    no    lenger 

dwelle, 
But   made   hir  subtil  werkmen  make  a 

shryne 
Of  alle  the  rubies  and  tlie  stones  fyne 
In  al  Egipte  that  she  coude  espye  ; 
And  pntte  ful  the  sliryne  of  spycerye,  675 
And  leet  the  cors  embaume  ;  and  forth 

she  fette 
This   dede  cors,    an<l    in   the   shryne   hit 

shette. 
And  next  the  shryne  a  pit  than  doth  she 

grave  ; 
And  alle  the  serpents  that  she   mighte 

have,  ( loo) 

She  piitte  hem  in  that  grave,  and  thus 

she  seydc  :  680 

'  Now  love,  to  whom  my  sorweful  herte 

obeydo 
So  ferforthly  that,  fro  tliat  blisful  houre 
That  I  yow  swor  to  Vieeu  al  frely  youre, 
I  mene  yow.  Antonius  my  knight  !        684 
That  never  waking,  in  tlie  day  or  night. 


Ye  nere  out  of  myn  hertes  remembrannce 
For  wele  or  wo,  for  carole  or  for  daunce  : 
And  in   my-self  this    covenant   made   I 

tho,  (109) 

That,  right  swich  as  ye  felten,  wele  or  wo, 
As  ferforth  as  hit  in  my  power  lay,      690 
Unreprovable  unto  my  wyfhood  ay, 
The  same  wolde  I  felen,  lyf  or  deeth. 
And   thiike   covenant,  whyl   me  lasteth 

breeth, 
I  wol  fulfiile,  and  that  shal  wel  be  sene  ; 
Was  never  unto  hir  love  a  trewer  quene.' 
And   with   that   word,    naked,    with   ful 

good  herte,  696 

Among  the  sei-pents  in  the  pit  she  sterte, 
And  ther  she  chees  to  han  hir  buryinge. 
Anoon   the    neddres    gonne   hir    for    to 

stinge,  (120) 

And  slie  hir  deeth  receyveth,  with  good 

cliere,  700 

For  love  of  Antony,  that  was  hir  so  dere: — 
And  this  is  storial  sooth,  hit  is  no  fable. 
Now,  er  I  finde  a  man  thus  trcwc  and 

stable. 
And   wol   for  love   his    deeth    so   freely 

take, 
I  pray  god  lat  our  hedes  never  ake  !      705 

Explicit  Legenda  Cleo2>atrie.  MaHiris. 


II.    THE  LEGEND  OF  THISBE  OF  BABYLON. 


Incipii  Legenda  Tesbe  Babilonie,  Martiris. 

At  Babiloinc  whylom  fil  it  thus. 
The  whicho  toun  the  queen  .ScmiranTOS 
Leet  dichen  al  about,  and  walles  make 
Ful  hye,  of  Jiarde  tyles  wel  y-bake. 
Ther  weren  dwoUingo  in  this  noble  toun 
Two   lordes,    wliich    tliat   were   of  greet 

renoun,  711 

And  woneden  so  nigh,  upon  a  grenc. 
That   1  her  nas  but  a  stoon-wal  bona  bi- 

twene, 
As  ofte  in  grete  tonnes  is  the  woue. 
And   sooth   to  seyn,  that  o  man  hadde 

a  sone,  715 

Of  al  that  londc  oon  of  the  lusticste.     ('11} 
Tliat  other  ha<ldc  a  dogljter,  tho  faireste. 


That  estward  in  the  world  was  tho  dwel- 

linge. 
The  name  of  everich  gan  toother  .springe 
By    wommen,     that     were    neighebores 

aboute.  720 

For  in  that  contree  yit,  withoutcn  doute. 
Maidens  been  y-kept,  for  jelosye, 
Ful  .streite,  lest  they  diden  sona  folye. 

This  yongc  man  was  cleped  Piramus, 
And   Tisbo   hight  the  maid,  Naso  seith 

thus  ;  725 

And  thus  liy  report  was  hir  name  y-shove 
That,    as    they   wexe    in    age,    wex    hir 

love ;  (22) 

And  certein,  as  by  reson  of  hir  age, 
Ther    mighte    have    been    bitwix    hem 

mariage,  J2() 


ZH  Begenb  of  Z^ieU. 


569 


But  that  hir  fadres  nolde  liit  nat  assente ; 
And  bothe  in  love  y-lyke  soro  they  brente, 
That  noon  of  alle  hir  frendes  mighte  hit 

lette 
But  prively  somtyme  yit  they  mette 
By  sleightc,  and  speken  som  of  hir  desyr  ; 
As,  ■\vry  tlie  gleed,  and  hotter  is  the  fyr  ; 
Forbede  a  love,  and  it  is  ten  so  wood.  736 
This  wal,  which  that  bitwix  hem  bothe 
stood,  (32) 

Was   cloven  a-two,   right   fro  the   toppe 

adoun. 
Of  olde  tyme  of  his  fundacioun  ; 
Bnt   yit   this   clifte   was    so   narwe   and 
lyte,  740 

It  nas  nat  sene,  dere  y-nogh  a  myte. 
But  wliat  is  that,  that  love  can  nat  espye? 
Ye  lovers  two,  if  that  I  shal  nat  lye. 
Ye  fonnden  first  this  litel  narwe  clifte  ; 
And,  with  a  soim  as  softe  as  any  shrifte, 
Tliey  lete  hir  wordes  through  the  clifte 
pace,  (41)  746 

And  tolden,  whyl  that  they  stode  in  the 

place, 
Al  hir  compleynt  of  love,  and  al  hir  wo, 
At  every  tyme  whan  they  dorste  so. 

Upon  that  o  syde  of  the  wal  stood  he, 
And  on  that  other  syde  stood  Tisbe,       751 
The  swote  soun  of  other  to  recey\-e. 
And  thus  hir  wardeins  wolde   thej'  de- 

ceys'e. 

And  every  day  this  wal  they  wolde  threte, 

And  wisshe  to  god,  tliat   it  were   doun 

y-bete.  (50)  755 

Thus    wolde    they    seyn — '  alias !     thou 

wikked  wal, 
Tlirougli  thjTi  en-s'ye  thou  us  lettest  al ! 
Why  nilt  thou  cleve,  or  fallen  al  a-two  '? 
Or,  at  the  leste,  but  thou  woldcst  so, 
Yit  woldestow  but  ones  lete  us  mete,    760 
Or  ones  that  we  mighte  kissen  swete, 
Than  were  we  covered  of  our  cares  eolde. 
But  natheles,  yit  be  we  to  thee  holde 
In  as  mucho  as  thoii  suffrest  for  to  goon 
Our  wordes  through  thy  lyme  and  cek 
thy  stoon.  (60)  765 

Yit  oghto  we  with  thee  ben  wel  apayd.' 

And  whan  tliise  ydcl  wordes  weren  sayd, 
The  colde  wal  they  wolden  kisse  of  stoon, 
And  take  hir  leve,  and  forth  they  wolden 
goon. 


And  this  was  gladly  in  the  even-tyde   77(5 
Or  wonder  erly,  lest  men  hit  espyde  ; 
And  longe  tyme   they  wroghte   in   this 

manere 
Til  on  a  day,  whan  Phebus  gan  to  clere, 
Aurora  with  the  stremes  of  hir  hete 
Had  dryed  iip  the  dew  of  herbes  wete;  775 
Unto  this  clifte,  as  it  was  wont  to  be,  (71; 
Com  Pyramus,  and  after  com  Tisbe, 
And  plighten  trouthe  fully  in  hir  fey 
That  ilke  same  night  to  stele  awey. 
And  to  begyle  hir  wardeins  everichoon,  780 
And  forth  out  of  the  citee  for  to  goon  ; 
And,  for  the  feldes   been  so  brode   anil 

wyde, 
For  to  mete  in  o  place  at  o  tyde. 
They  sette  mark  hir  meting  sholde  be 
Ther  king  Ninus  was   graven,  under   a 
tree  ;  (80)  785 

For  olde  payens  that  ydoles  heried 
Useden  tho  in  feldes  to  ben  beried  ; 
And  faste  by  this  grave  was  a  welle. 
And,  shortly  of  this  tale  for  to  telle. 
This     covenant    was     afFermed    wonder 
faste ;  790 

And  longe  hem  thoughte  that  the  sonne 

laste. 
That  hit  nere  goon  under  the  see  adoun. 

This  Tisbe  hath  so  greet  affeccioun 
And  so  greet  lyking  Piranius  to  see, 
That,  whan  she  seigh  her  tyme  mighte 
be,  (90)  795 

At  night  she  stal  awey  ful  prively 
With  her  face  y-wimpled  subtilly  ; 
For  alle   her  frendes — for    to    sa\e   her 

trovithe — ■ 
She   hath   for-sake ;    alias!    and    that    is 

routhe 
That  ever  woman  wolde  be  so  trcwe    S(X) 
To   trusten  man,    but   she   the   bet   hini 

knewe ! 
And  to  the  tree  she  goth  a  ful  good  pas, 
For  love  made  her  so  hardy  in  this  cas  ; 
And  by  the   welle   adoun   she   gan    her 
dresse.  804 

Alias  !  than  comth  a  wildo  leoncsso    (100) 
Out  of  the  wode,  withoutcn  more  areste, 
With  blody  mouthe,   of  strangling  of  a 

beste, 
To  drinken  of  the  welle,  ther  as  she  sat; 
And,  wlian  that  Tisbe  had  espyed  that, 


.370 


tU  Be^eni  of  (Boob  (^omen. 


She  rist  her  up,  with  aful  drery  herte,  8io 
And  in  a  cave  with  dredfnl  foot  she  sterte, 
For  by  the  mono  she  seigh  hit  wcl  with- 

alle.  812 

And,  as  she  ran,  herwimpel  leet  she  falle. 
And   took   noon   heed,   so   sore   she   was 

a-whaped.  (109) 

And  eek  so  glad  of  that  she  was  escaped  ; 
And  thus  she  sit,  and  darketh  wonder 

stille.  816 

Whan  that  this  leonesse  hath  dronke  her 

fiUe, 
Aboute  the  welle  gan  she  for  to  winde. 
And  right   anoon   the   wimpel   gan   she 

finde. 
And   with    her   blody  mouth    hit    al   to- 

rente.  820 

Whan  this  was  doon,  no  lenger  she  ne 

stente. 
But  to  the  wode  her  wey  than  hath  she 

nome. 
And,  at  the  laste,  this  Piramus  is  come. 
But  al  to  longe,  alias  !  at  hoom  was  he. 
Themone  shoon,menniightewely-see,  825 
And   in   his   weye,   as  that   he   com   ful 

faste,  (121) 

His  eyen  to  the  grounde  adoxxn  he  caste, 
And  in  the  sonde,  as  he  beheld  adoun, 
He  seigh  the  steppes  brode  of  a  leoun. 
And  in  his  herte  he  sodeinly  agroos,    830 
And    pale    he   wex,    therwith    his    heer 

aroos. 
And  neer  he  com,  and  fond  the  wimioel 

torn. 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  lie,    '  the  day  that  I  was 

born  ! 
This  o  night  wol  lis  lovers  bothe  slee  ! 
How  sholde  I  axen  mercy  of  Tisbe         835 
Whan  I  am  ho  that  have  yow  slain,  alias  ! 
My   bidding   hath  yow   slain,  as  in  this 

cas.  (132) 

Alias !  to  bidde  a  woman  goon  by  nighte 
In  place  ther  as  peril  fallen  mighte, 
.\nd  I  so  slow !  alias,  I  ne  hadde  be      840 
Here  in  this  place  a  furlong-wey  or  yo  ! 
Now  what  leoun  that  be  in  this  foreste. 
My  lx)dj'  mote  he  -jrenden,  or  what  beste 
That  wilde  is,  gnawen  mote  he  now  myn 

licrte  ! ' 
And  with  that  worde  he  to  the  wimpel 

sterte,  (140)  845 


And  kiste  hit  ofte,  and  weep  on  hit  ful 

sore. 
And  seide,   '  wimpel,  alias  !    ther  nis  no 

more 
But    thou    shalt    fele   as   wel   the   blood 

of  me 
As  thou  hast  felt  the  bleding  of  Tisbe  ! ' 
And  with  tliat  worde  he  smoot  him  to  the 

herte.  850 

The  blood  out   of  the  wounde  as  brode 

sterte 
As  water,  whan  the  conduit  broken  is. 
Now   Tisbe,    which   that  wiste  nat  of 

this, 
But  sitting  in  her  drede,  she  thoghte  thus, 
'  If  hit  so  falle  that  my  Piramus  855 

Be  comen  hider,  and  may  me  nat  y-finde, 
He  may  me  holden  fals  and  eek  unkinde.' 
And  out  she  comth,  and  after  him  gan 

espyen  (153) 

Bothe  with  her  herte  and  with  her  yen. 
And  thoghte,    '  I   wol   him  tellen  of  my 

drede  860 

Bothe  of  the  leonesse  and  al  my  dede.' 
And  at  the  laste  her  love  than  hath  she 

founde 
Beting  with  his  heles  on  the  gronmlo, 
Al  blody,  and  therwith-al  a-bak  she  sterte, 
And   lyke    the   wawes   quappe    gan   her 

herte,  (160)865 

And  pale  as  box  she  wex,  and  in  a  throwe 
Avysed  her,  and  gan  him  wel  to  knowe. 
That  hit  was  Piramus,  her  herte  dere. 
Who  coude  wrj'te  whiche  a  deedly  chere 
Hath  Tisbe  now,  and  how  her  heer  she 

rente,  870 

And  how  she  gan  her-selve  to  turmente. 
And  how  she  lyth  and  swowneth  on  the 

grounde. 
And  how  she  weep  of  teres  ful  his  wounde. 
How   medeleth   she  his   blood   with  her 

compleyntc. 
And  witli  his  blood  her-selven  gan  she 

pej-nto ;  (170)875 

How  clippeth  she  the  dede  cors,  alias  ! 
How  doth  this  woful Tisbe  in  this  cas! 
How  kisseth  she  his  frosty  mouth  so  cold ! 
'  Who    hath    doon    this,   and  who   liath 

been  so  bold  879 

To  sloen  my  loef  ?  O  spek,  my  Piramus  ! 
I  am  thy  Tisbe,  that  thee  caUcth  thus ! ' 


ZU  Begenb  of  ®tio. 


371 


And  therwith-al  she  lifteth  np  his  heed. 
This   woful   man,   that   was  nat   fully 

deed, 
\\laan  that  he  herde  the  name  of  Tishe 

cryen. 
On  her  he  caste  his  hevy  deedly  yen     885 
And   doun   again,    and   yeldeth    np    the 

gost.  (181) 

Tisbe  rist  np,  withouten  noise  or  host. 
And   seigh   her  wimpel   and  his  empty 

shethe. 
And  eek  his  swcrd,  that  him  hatli  doon 

to  dethe  ; 
Than  spak  she  thus  :  '  My  woful  hand,' 

quod  she,  890 

'  Is  strong  y-nogh  in  swiche  a  werk  to 

me ; 
rt>r  love   shal    yive    me    strengtlie   and 

hardinesse 
To  make  my  wovmde  large  y-nogh,  I  gesse. 
I  wol  thee  folwen  deed,  and  I  wol  he 
Felawe  and  cause  eek  of  thy  deeth,'  quod 

she.  (190)  895 

•  And  thogh  that  nothing  save  the  deeth 

only 
Mighte  thee  fro  me  departe  trewely, 
Thou    shalt   no  more    departe    now  fro 

me 
Than  fro  the  deeth,    for  I  wol  go  with 

thee  ! 


'And  now,  j'e  wrecched  jelous  fadres 

cure,  9(xj 

We,  that  weren  w^hylom  children  youre, 
We  prayen  yow,  -withoiaten  more  en\'ye. 
That  in  o  grave  y-fere  we  moten  lye. 
Sin  love  hath  brought  us  to  this  pitous 

ende !  (199) 

And  right  wis  god  to  every  lover  sende,  905 
That  loveth  trewely,  more  prosperitee 
Than  ever  hadde  Piramiis  and  Tisbe  ! 
And  lat  no  gentil  woman  her  assure 
To  putten  her  in  swiche  an  aveuture. 
But  god  forbede  but  a  woman  can         910 
Been  as  trewe  and  loving  as  a  man  ! 
And,  for  my  part,  I  shal  anoon  it  kythe  ! ' 
And,  with  that  worde,  his  swerd  she  took 

as  sw^ythe, 
Tliat  warm  was  of  her  loves  blood  and 

hoot,  (209) 

And  to  the  herte  she  her-selven  smoot.  915 

And  thus  ar  Tisbe  and  Piramus  ago. 
Of  trewe  men  I  finde  but  fewe  mo 
In  alia  my  bokes,  save  tliis  Piramus, 
And  therfor  have  I  spoken  of  him  thus. 
For  hit  is  deyntee  to  us  men  to  finde   920 
A  man  that  can  in  love  be  trewe   and 

kinde. 
Heer  may  ye  seen,  what  lover  so  he  be, 
A  woman  dar  and  can  as  wel  as  he. 
Explicit  legenda  Tesbe. 


III.  THE  LEGEND  OF  DIDO,  QUEEN  OF  CARTHAGE. 


Incipit  Legenda  Didonis  Martins, 
Cartaginis  regine. 

Glory  and  honour,  Virgil  Mantuan, 

Be  to  thy  name  !  and  I  shal,  as  I  can,  925 

Folow  thy  lantern,  as  thou  gost  biforn. 

How  Eneas  to  Dido  was  forsworn. 

In  thyn  Eneid  and  Naso  wol  I  take 

The     tenour,     and     the    grete     effectes 

make. 
Whan  Troye  broght   was   to   destruo- 

cioun  930 

By    Grckes     sleighte,    and     namely    by 

Sinoun, 
Feyning  the  hors  y-offred  to  Minerve, 
Through    which    that    manj'   a    Troyan 

moste  sters'c ;  (10) 


And  Ector  had,  after  his  deeth,  appered, 
And    fyr   so    wood,    it    mighte    nat    be 

stered,  935 

In  al  the  noble  tour  of  Ilioun, 
That  of  the  citee  was  the  checf  dungcoun ; 
And  al  the  contreo  was  so  lowo  y-broght. 
And    Priamus    the    king    fordoon    and 

noght ; 
And  Eneas  was  charged  by  Venus         940 
To  fleen  awoy,  he  took  Asoanins, 
That  was  his  sono,  in  his  riglit  hand,  and 

fledde  ; 
And  on  his  bakke  he  bar  and  with  him 

ledde  {20) 

His  oldo  fader,  cleped  Anchises, 
And    by  the    weye    his   wyf  Creusa   he 

lees.  945 


372 


'ZU  Be^eni  of  (Boo^  (JOotnen. 


And  mochel  sorwe  hadde  lie  in  his  minde 
Er  that  he  coude  his  I'ekiwshippe  finde. 
But,   at  the   haste,   whan    he    had    hem 

foundo,  948 

He  made  him  redj-  in  a  certein  stounde, 
And  to  the  see  ful  faste  he  gan  him  hye, 
And  saileth  forth  with  al  his  companye 
Toward  Itaile,  as  woMe  destinee. 
But  of  his  aventures  in  the  see  (30) 

Nis  nat  to  purpos  for  to  speke  of  here. 
For  hit  acordeth  nat  to  my  matere.       955 
But,  as  I  seide,  of  him  and  of  Dido 
Shal  he  my  tale,  til  that  I  have  do. 

So  longe  he  sailed  in  the  salte  see 
Til  in  Libye  unnethe  aryved  he, 
With  shippes  seven   and  with  no  more 

na\'ye ;  960 

And  glad  was  he  to  londe  for  to  hye. 
So  was  he  with  the  tempest  al  to-shake. 
And   whan   that   he   the   haven  had  y- 

take,  (40) 

He  had  a  knight,  was  called  Achates  ;  964 
And  him  of  al  his  felawshippe  he  chees 
To  goon  with  him,  the  contre  for  tespye  ; 
He  took  with  him  no  more  companye. 
But  forth  they  goon,  and  lafte  his  shippes 

ryde. 
His  fere  and  he,  with-outen  any  gyde.   969 
So  longe  ho  walketh  in  this  wildernesse 
Til,  at  the  laste,  he  mette  an  hunteresse. 
A  bowe  in  honde  and  arwes  hadde  she, 
Her  clothes  cutted  were  unto  the  knee;  (50) 
But  she  was  yit  the  fairest  creature 
That  ever  was  y-fonncd  by  nature  ;       975 
And  Eneas  and  Achates  she  grette, 
And  thus  she  to  hem  spak,  whan  she  hem 

mette. 
'  Sawe  ye,'  quod  she,  '  as  ye  ban  walked 

wyde, 
Any  of  my  sustren  walke  yow  besyde, 
With  any  wilde  boor  or  other  beste      980 
That  they  han  hunted  to,  in  this  foreste, 
Y-tnkked  iip,  with  arwes  in  her  cas  ?  '  (59) 

'Nay,  soothly,  lady,'  qnod  this  Eneas; 
'  But,  l>y  thy  boaute,  as  hit  thinketh  me. 
Thou  mightest  never  erthely  womman  be. 
But  Phebus  suster  artow,  as  I  gessc.     986 
And,  if  so  be  that  thou  lie  a  goddcsse, 
Have  mercy  on  our  labour  and  our  wo.' 
'  I  nam  no  goddes,  soothly,'  qucd  she 

the; 


'  For  maidens  walken  in  this  contree  here, 
With    arwes    and    with    bowe,    in    this 

manere.  991 

This  is  the  regne  of  Libie,  ther  ye  been, 
Of  ^^'hich  that  Dido  lady  is  and  queen  ' — 
And  shortlytolde  him  al  the  occasioun  (71') 
Why  Dido  com  into  that  regionn,  995 

Of  which  as  now  mo  lusteth  nat  toryme  ; 
Hit  nedeth  nat ;  hit  nere  btit  los  of  tyme. 
For  this  is  al  and  som,  it  was  Yenus, 
His  owTie  moder.  that  spak  with  him  thus : 
And  to  Cartage  she  bad  he  sholde  him 

dighte,  1000 

And  vanished  anoon  out  of  his  sighte. 
I  coude  folwc,  word  for  word,  Virgyle, 
But  it  wolde  lasten  al  to  longe  a  whyle.  (80' 
This  noble  queen,  that  cleped  was  Dido, 
That  whylom  was  the  wj'f  of  Sitheo,  1005 
That  fairer  was  then  is  the  brighte  sonno. 
This  noble  toun  of  Cartage  hath  begonne  ; 
In  which  she  regneth  in  so  greet  honour, 
Tliat  she  was  holde  of  alle  queues  flour, 
Of  gentilesse,  of  freedom,  of  beautee  ;  tout 
That  wel  was  him  that  mighte  her  ones 

see; 
Of  lunges  and  of  lordes  so  desyred,       (St) 
That  al  the  world  her  beaute  hadde  y- 

fyred  ; 
She  stood  so  wel  in  every  wightes  grace. 
Whan   Eneas    was    come    nn-to    that 

place,  1015 

Unto  the  maister-temple  of  al  the  toun 
Ther  Dido  was  in  her  devocioun, 
Ful  privel.y  his  wey  than  hath  he  nome. 
Whan  he  was  in  the  large  temple  come. 
I  can  nat  seyn  if  that  hit  bo  possible,  1020 
But  Venus  hadde  him  maked  invisible — 
Thus  seith  the  book,  with-outen  any  lees. 
And  whan  this  Enoas  and  Achates     (ickv 
Hadden  in  this  temple  been  over-al, 
Than  founde  the.v,  depeynted  on  a  wal. 
How  Troye  and  al  the  loud  destroyed  was. 
'Alias  !  that  I  was  liom,'  quod  Eneas,  1027 
'  Through-out  the  world  our  shame  is  kiil 

so  wyde. 
Now  it  is  pejTited  upon  every  syde  ! 
Wo,  that  weron  in  prosperitce,  1030 

Be  now  disslaundrcd,  and  in  swich  degree, 
Xo  longer  for  to  liven  I  ne  kepe  ! ' 
And,  with  that  worde,  he  brast  out  for  to 

wepe  (>n)) 


ZU  £egeni  of  ©tbo. 


373 


So    tendrely,    that    roiithe    liit   was    to 

sene. 
This  fresshe  lady,  of  the  citee  quene,   1035 
Stood  in  the  temple,  in  her  estat  royal, 
So  richely,  and  eek  so  fair  with-al, 
So  yong,  so  lusty,  with  her  ej^en  glade. 
That,  if  that  god,  that  heven  and  erthe 

made, 
Wolde  han  a  love,  for  beaute  and  good- 

nesse,  1040 

And  womanhod,  and  trouthe,  and  seenili- 

nesse, 
VVhoni   sholde   he   loven   but    this    lady 

swete  ? 
There   nis   no   woniman   to   him  half  so 

mete.  (1-20) 

Fortune,  that  hath  the  world  in  govern- 

aunce. 
Hath    sodeinly    broght     in     so    newe    a 

chaunce,  1045 

That  never  was  ther  yit  so  fremd  a  cas. 
For  al  the  companye  of  Eneas, 
Which  that  he  wende  han  loren  in  the 

see, 
Ary^'cd  is,  nat  fer  fro  that  citee  ; 
For  which,  the  grettest  of  his  lordessome 
By  aventure  ben  to  the  citee  come,       1051 
Unto  that  same  temple,  for  to  sekc 
The  quene,  and  of  her  socour  her  beseke  ; 
Swich  renoun  was  ther   spronge  of  her 

goodnesse.  ''3') 

And,  whan  they  hadden  told  al  hir  dis- 

tresse,  1055 

And  al  hir  tempest  and  hir  harde  cas. 
Unto  the  quene  appered  Eneas, 
And  openly  beknew  that  hit  was  he. 
Who  hadde  joye  than  but  his  mejTiee, 
That  hadden  founde  hir  lord,  hir  gover- 
nour  ?  1060 

The   quene   saw  they  dide  him  swich 
honour. 
And  had  herd  ofte  of  Eneas,  er  tho, 
And  in  her  herte  she  hadde  routhe  and 
wo  ('4") 

That  ever  swich  a  noble  man  as  he 
Shal  been  disherited  in  swich  degree ;  1065 
And   saw   the   man,  that  he  was  lyk  a 

knight. 
And  sutfisaunt  of  persone  and  of  might, 
And  lyk  to  been  a  veray  gentil  man  ; 
And  wel  his  wordes  he  besette  can. 


And  had  a  noble  visage  for  the  nones,  1071  > 
And  formed  wel  of  braunes  and  of  bones. 
For,  after  Venus,  hadde  he  swich   fair- 

nesse, 
That   no    man   might   be    half  so  fair,  I 

gesse.  (150) 

And  wel  a  lord  he  semed  for  to  be. 
And,    for  he  was  a  straunger,  somwhat 

she  1075 

Lyked  him  the  bet,  as,  god  do  bote. 
To  som  folk  ofte  newe  thing  is  sw<jto. 
Anoon  her  herte  hath  pitee  of  his  wo. 
And,  with  that  pitee,  love  com  in  also  ; 
And  thus,  for  pitee  and  for  gentilesse,  loSo 
Eefresshed  moste  he  been  of  his  distresse. 
She  seide,  certes,  that  she  sory  was 
That  he  hath  had  swich  peril  and  swich 

cas;  (160) 

And,  in  her  frendly  speche,  in  this  manere 
She  to  him  spak,  and  seidc  as  yo  may 

here.  10S5 

'  Be  ye  nat  Venus  sone  and  Anchises  ? 
In  good  feith,  al  the  worship  and  encrees 
That  I  may  goodly   doon  yow,  ye   shul 

have. 
Your  shippes   and   j-our   mejaiee  shal  I 

save; ' 
And  many  a  gentil  word  she  spak  him  to  ; 
And  comaunded  her  messageres  go      1091 
The  same  day,  with-outen  anj'  faile, 
His  shippes  for  to  seke,  and  hem  vitaile. 
She  manyabesteto  the  shippes  sente,  (171) 
And  with  the  wyn  she  gau  hem  to  pro- 

sente ;  1095 

And  to  her  royal  paleys  she  her  spedde. 
And  Eneas  alwey  with  her  she  ledde. 
What  nedeth  yow  the  feste  to  descrj've? 
He  never  beter  at  esc  was  his  lyve. 
Ful  was  the  feste  of  dejTitees  and  rich- 

esse,  iio<.) 

Of  instruments,  of  song,  and  of  gladnesse, 

And  many  an  amorous  loking  and  devys. 

This  Eneas  is  come  to  Paradys         (iSo) 

Out  of  the  swolow  of  helle,  and  thus  m 

joye  1 104 

Remcmbreth  him  of  his  estat  in  Troye. 
To  dauncing-ohambros  i'ul  of  parements. 
Of  riche  bediles,  and  of  ornaments, 
This  Eneas  is  lad,  after  tho  mete. 
And  with  the  qiiene  whan  that  ho  had 
sete, 


374 


Z^t  Begenl)  of  (Booli  (^omen. 


And  sjiyces  ijarted,  and  the  wyn  agoon, 
Unto  his  cbambres  was  he  lad  anoon     i  ii  i 
To  take  his  ese  and  for  to  have  his  reste, 
With  al  his  f<jlk,  to  doon  what  so  hem 

leste.  (190) 

Ther  nas  coursere  wel  y-biydled  noon, 
Ne  stede,  for  the  j  usting  wel  to  goon,  1 1 15 
Ne  large  palfrey,  esy  for  the  nones, 
Xe  juwel,  fretted  ful  of  riche  stones, 
Ke  sakies  ful  of  gold,  of  large  wighte, 
Xe  ruby  noon,  that  shynede  by  nighte, 
Ne  gentil  hautein  faucon  heronere,      11 20 
Ne  hound,   for   hert   or  wilde    boor    or 

dere, 
Xe  coupe  of  gold,  with  florins  newe  y-bete, 
Tliat  in  the  lond  of  Libie  may  be  gete. 
That  Dido  ne  hath  hit  Eneas  y-sent ;  (20:) 
And  al  is  payed,  what  that  he  hath  spent. 
Thus  can  this  f  noble  quene  her  gestes 

calle,  1126 

As  she  that  can  in  freedom  passen  alle. 

Eneas  sothly  eek,  with-outen  lees. 
Hath  sent  un-to  his  shippe,  by  Achates, 
After  his  sone,  and  after  riche  thinges, 
Both  ceptre,  clothes,  broches,  and   eek 

ringes,  1131 

Sora  for  to  were,  and  som  for  to  presente 
To  her,  that  all  thise  noble  thinges  him 

sente  ;  (210) 

And   bad  his  sone,   how  that  he  sholde 

make 
The  presenting,   and   to   the   quene   hit 


"35 


1140 


take. 

Eepaired  is  this  Achates  again. 
And  Eneas  ful  blisful  is  and  fain 
To  seen  his  yonge  sone  Ascanius. 
I5ut  natheles,  our  autour  telleth  us. 
That  Cupido,  that  is  the  god  of  love. 
At  preyere  of  his  moder,  hye  above, 
Hadde  the  lyknes  of  the  child  y-take, 
Tliis  noble  quene  enamoured  to  make  (220) 
On  Eneas  ;  but,  as  of  that  scripture, 
Be  as  be  may,  I  make  of  hit  no  cure.    1145 
But   sooth  is  this,   the  quene  hath  mad 

swich  cherc 
Un-to  this  chUd,  that  wonder  is  to  here  ; 
And  of  the  present  that  his  fader  sente 
She  thanked  him  ful  ofte,  in  good  entente. 

Thus  is  this  quene  in  plesaunce  and  in 
joye,  1 150 

With  al  this  newe  lusty  folk  of  Troye. 


And   of  the   dedes  hath    she    more   en- 

quered 
Of  Eneas,  and  al  the  story  lered  (230; 

Of  Troye ;    and   al  the  longe   day  they 

tweye 
Enteudeden  to  speken  and  to  pleye  ;     1 155 
Of  which  ther  gan  to  breden  swich  a  fyr. 
That  sely  Dido  hath  now  swich  desyr 
With  Eneas,  her  newe  gest,  to  dele. 
That  she  hath  lost  her  hewe,  and  eek  her 

hele. 
Xow  to  th'effect,  now  to  the  fruit  of  al,  1 160 
WTiy  I  have  told  this  story,  and  tellen 

shal. 
Thus  I  beginne  ;  hit  fil,  upon  a  night, 
When  that  the  mone  up-reysed  had  her 

light,  (240) 

Tliis  noble  quene  un-to  her  reste  wente  ; 
She  syketh  sore,   and  gan   her-self  tur- 

ruente.  1165 

She  waketh,    walweth,   maketh  many  a 

brayd, 
As  doon  thise  loveres,  as  I  have  herd  sayd. 
And  at  the  laste,  iinto  her  suster  Anne 
She  naade  her  moon,  and  right  thus  spak 

she  thanne. 
'  Xow,  dere  suster  myn,  what  may  hit 

be  1170 

That  me  agasteth  in  my  dreme  ? '  quod 

she. 
'  This  ilke  Troyan  is  so  in  my  thoght, 
Eor    that    me    thinketh    he    is    so    wel 

y-wroght,  (250) 

And  eek  so  lykly  for  to  be  a  man. 
And  therwithal  so  mikel  good  he  can,  1175 
That  al  my  love  and  Ij-f  lyth  in  his  cure. 
Have  ye  not  herd  him  telle  hisaventure? 
Xow  certes,  Anne,  if  that  ye  rede  hit  me, 
I  wolde  fain  to  him  y-wedded  be  ;  1179 
This  is  th'effect ;  what  sholde  I  more  seye? 
In  him  lyth.  al,  to  do  me  live  or  deye.' 
Her  suster  Anne,  as  she  that  coude  her 

good, 
Seide  as   her  thoughte,  and  somdel  hit 

with-stood.  (260) 

But  her-of  was  so  long  a  sermoning, 
Hit  were  to  long  to  make  rehersing;    1185 
But   fynally,    liit    may   not    been    with- 

stonde ; 
Love   wol   love — for    no   wight   wol    hit 

wonde. 


ZU  Begen^  of  ©t'bo. 


375 


The  dawening  up-rist  out  of  the  see  ; 
This  amorous  quene  chargeth  her  nieynee 
The  nettes  dresse,  and  speres  brode  and 

kene  ;  1 190 

An  hunting  ■wol  this  lusty  fresshe  quene  ; 
So  priketh  her  this  newe  joly  wo. 
To  hors  is  al  her  histy  folk  y-go  ;         (270) 
Un-to  the  court  the  houndesbeen  y-broght, 
And  up-on  coursers,  swift  as  any  thoght, 
Her  yonge  knightes  hoveu  al  aboute,    1 196 
And  of  her  woniinen  eek  an  huge  route. 
Upon  a  thikke  palfrey,  paper-whyt. 
With  sadel  rede,  enbrouded  with  delyt, 
Of  gold  the  barres  up-enbossed  hye,     1200 
Sit  Dido,  al  in  gold  and  perre  wrj-e ; 
And  she  is  fair,  as  is  the  brighte  morwe. 
That  helethsekefolkof  nightes  sorwe.  (280) 

Up-on  a  courser,  startling  as  the  lyr. 
Men  mighte  turne  him  with  a  litel  wyr, 
Sit  Eneas,  lyk  Phebus  to  devyse  ;         1206 
So  was  he  fresshe  arayed  in  his  wyse. 
The  fomy  brydel  with  the  bit  of  gold 
Governeth   he,   right    as    him-self  hath 

wold. 
And  forth   this   noble  quene  thus  lat  I 

ryde  12 10 

An  hunting,  with  this  Troyan  by  her  syde. 

The  herd  of  hertes  founden  is  anoon. 
With  '  hey  !  go  bet !  isrik  thou  !  lat  goon, 

lat  goon  !  (290; 

Why  nil  the  leoun  comen  or  the  here. 
That  I  mighte  ones  mete  him  with  this 

spere?'  12 15 

Thus  scjTi  thise  yonge  Iblk,  and  up  they 

kille 
These  f  hertes  wilde,  and  ban  hem  at  hir 

wille. 
Among    al    this    to-i'omljlon    gan    the 

heven. 
The  thunder  rored  with  a  grisly  Steven  ; 
Doun  com  the  rain,  with  hail  and  sleet 

so  faste,  1220 

W^ith  hevenes  fyr,  that  hit  so  sore  agaste 
This  noble  queue,  and  also  her  meynee, 
That  ech  of  hem  was  glad  a-wey  toflee.  (300) 
And  shortly,  fro  the  tempest  her  to  save. 
She  fiedde  her-self  into  a  litel  cave,     1225 
And  with  her  wente  this  Eneas  al-so  ; 
I  noot,  with  hem  if  thcr  wente  any  mo  ; 
The  autour  maketh  of  hit  no  mencionn. 
And  heer  began  the  depe  aifeccioun 


Betwix   hem   two ;    this   was    the   firste 

morwe  1230 

Of  her   gladnesse,   and   ginning    of  her 

sorwe. 
For  ther  hath  Eneas  y-kneled  so,        (309) 
And  told  her  al  his  herte,  and  al  his  wo. 
And  sworn  so  depe,  to  her  to  be  trewe. 
For   wele   or  wo,    and  chaunge    for   no 

newe,  1235 

And  as  a  fals  lover  so  wel  can  pleyne. 
That  sely  Dido  rewed  on  his  peyne. 
And  took  him  for  husband,  -f-to  been  his 

wyf 
For  ever-mo,  whyl  that  hem  laste  lyf. 
And  after  this,  whan  that  the  tempest 

stente,  1240 

With   mirth  out   as   they  comen,  boom 

they  wente. 
The   wikked   fame   up  roos,   and  that 

anon,  (319) 

How  Eneas  hath  with  the  quene  y-gon 
In-to  the  cave  ;  and  demed  as  hem  listo  ; 
And  whan  the  king,  that  Yarbas  hight, 

hit  wiste,  1245 

As  he  that  had  her  loved  ever  his  lyf, 
And  wowed  her,  to  have  her  to  his  wyf, 
Swich  sorwe  as  he  hath  maked,  and  swich 

chere. 
Hit  is  a  routhe  and  pitee  for  to  here. 
But,  as  in  love,  al-day  hit  happeth  so,   1250 
That  oon  shal  laughen  at  anothers  wo  ; 
Now  laugheth  Eneas,  and  is  in  joye 
And  more  richesse  than  ever  he  was  in 

Troye.  (3.30) 

0  sely  womman,  ful  of  innocence,    1254 
Ful  of  pitee,  of  trouthe,  and  conscience. 
What  maked  yow  to  men  to  tnisten  so  ? 
Have  ye  swich  routhe  upon  hir  feined  wo, 
And    han    swich    olde    ensamples    yow 

beforn  ? 
See  ye  nat  alle,  how  they  been  for-sworn  ? 
WTaer  see  ye  oon,  that  he  ne  hath  laft  his 

leef,  1260 

Or  been  unkinde,  or  doon  liir  som  mis- 

cheef. 
Or  piUed  her,  or  hosted  of  his  dede  ?  (339) 
Ye  may  as  wel  hit  seen,  as  ye  may  redo ; 
Tak  heed  now  of  this  grcte  geutil-man, 
This  Troyan,  that  so  wel  her  pleseu  can. 
That  feineth  him  so  trewe  and  obeising, 
So  gentil  and  so  privy  of  his  doing,      1267 


3/6 


ZH  Begeni  of  (Boot  (^Ootnen. 


And  can  so  wel  doon  alle  liis  obeisannces, 
And  waiten  her  at  I'estes  and  at  daunces, 
And  when  she  goth  to  temple  and  hoom 
agej-n,  1270 

And  fasten  til  he  hath  his  lady  seyn, 
And  here  in  his  devyses,  for  her  sake, 
Nuot  I  nat  what ;  and  songes  wolde  he 
make,  (3,S«) 

Justen,  and  doon  of  armes  many  thinges, 
Sende  herlettres,  tokens,  broches,  ringes — • 
Xow   herkneth,    how   he   shal   his    lady 
serve  !  1276 

Ther-as  he  was  in  peril  ior  to  sterve 
For   hunger,    and   tor   mischeef    in   the 

see, 
And  desolat,  and  fled  from  his  contree. 
And  al  his  folk  with  tempest  alto-driven. 
She  hath  her  body  and  eek  her  reame 
yiven  1281 

In-to  his  hond,  ther-as  she  mighte  have 

been 
Of  other  lond  than  of  Cartage  a  queen, 
And  lived  in  joye  y-nogh  ;  what  wolde  ye 
more?  (361) 

This  Eneas,  that  hath  so  depe  y-swore. 
Is  wery  of  his  craft  with-in  a  throwe ;  1286 
The  hote  ernest  is  al  over-blowe. 
And  prively  he  doth  his  shippes  dighte, 
And  shapeth  him  to  stele  a-wey  by  nighte. 
This  Dido  hath  suspccioun  of  this,  1290 
And  thoughte  wel,  that  hit  was  al  a-mis; 
For  in  his   bcdde   ho   lyth  a-night  and 

syketh  ; 
She  asketh  him  anoon,  what  him  mis- 
lyketh—  (370) 

'My  dcre  hcrte,  which  that  I  love  most?' 
'  Certes,'  qiiod  he,  '  this  night  my  fadres 
gost  1295 

Hath  in  my  sleep  so  sore  me  tormented, 
Aiid  eek  Mercurle  his  message  hath  pre- 
sented. 
That  nedes  to  the  conquest  of  Italic 
My  destinee  is  sonc  for  to  saile  ; 
For  which,  mc  thinketh,  brosten  is  myn 
herte  ! '  1300 

Ther-with  his  false  teres  out  they  sterte; 
And  takcth  her  with-in  his  armes  two. 
'  Is  that  in  ernest,'  quod  she  ;  '  wil  ye 
so  ?  (380) 

Have  yo  nat  sworn  to  wyve  me  to  take, 
Alas  !  what  womman  wil  ye  of  me  make  ? 


I  am  a  gentil- woman  and  a  queen,  1306 
Ye  wil  nat  fro  your  wyf  thus  foule  fleen  ? 
That  I  was  born  !  alias  !  what  shal  I  do  ? ' 
To  telle  in  short,  this  nolilc  queen  Dido, 
She  seketh  halwes,  and  doth  sacrifyse  ; 
She   kneleth,   cryeth,    that  routhe  is  to 

devyse  ;  131 1 

Conjureth  him,  and  profreth  him  to  be 
His  thral,  his  servant  in  the  leste  gree  ; 
She  falleth  him  to  fote,  and  swowneth 

there  (391) 

Dischevele,  with  her  brighte  gilte  here, 
And   seith,    '  have   mercy !   let  mo  with 

yow  ryde  !  1316 

Thise  lordes,  which  that  wonen  mc  besyde 
Wil  me  destroyen  onlj'  for  your  sake. 
And,  so  ye  wil  me  now  to  wyve  take. 
As  ye  han  sworn,  than  wol  I  yive  yow 

leve  1320 

To  sleen  me  with  your  swerd  now  sone  at 

eve  ! 
For  than  yit  shal  I  dyen  as  your  wyf. 
I  am  with  childe,  and  yive  my  child  his 

lyf.  (400) 

Merc3',  lord  !  have  pite  in  your  thoght ! ' 
But  al  this  thing  availeth  her  right  noght ; 
For  on  a  night,  slcpinge,  ho  let  her  lye, 
And  stal  a-wey  iin-to  his  companye,    1327 
And,  as  a  traitour,  forth  he  gan  to  saile 
Toward  the  largo  contree  of  Itaile. 
Thus  hath  he  laft  Dido  in  wo  and  pyne  ; 
And  wedded  ther  a  lady  hight  Lavyne. 
A   cloth  he  lafte,  and  eek  his   swerd 

stonding,  (409)  i33- 

Whan  he  IVo  Dido  stal  in  her  sloping. 
Right  at  her  beddes  heed,  so  gan  he  hye 
Whan  that  he  stal  a-wey  to  his  navye  ; 
Which  cloth,  whan  sely  Dido  gan  awake, 
She  hath  hit  kist  ful  ofte  for  his  sake  ; 
And   soide,    '  O   cloth,   whjd  Jupiter  hit 

leste, 
Tak   now  my  soule,  unbind  mc  of  this 

unresto !  1339 

I  have  fulfild  of  fortune  al  the  cours.' 
And  thus,  alias  !  with-outeu  his  socours, 
Twenty  tyme  y-swownod  hath  she  tlianne. 
And,    whan   that   sho   un-to   her   suster 

Anne  (420) 

Complcyned    had,    of  which   I  may  nat 

wryte—  1344 

So  greet  a  routhe  I  have  hit  for  t'endyte^ 


tU  Begenb  of  llct^peiip^it  ani  QlUbea. 


377 


And  bad  her  norice  and  her  suster  goon 
To  fecchen  fyr  and  ot-lier  thing  anoon, 
And  seide,  that  she  wokle  sacrifye. 
And,    whan   she   mighte    her   tjine   wel 

espye, 
Up-on  the  fyr  of  sficrifys  she  sterte,     1350 
And  with  his  swerd  she  roof  her  to  the 
herte. 
But,  as  myn  autour  seith,  right  thus 
she  seyde  ;  (429) 

Or  she  was  hurt,  before  that  she  deyde, 
She  wroot  a  lettre  anoon,  that  thus  be- 
gan :— 
'  Eight  so,'  quod  she,  '  as  that  the  whyte 
swan  1355 

Ayeins  his  deeth  beginneth  for  to  singe. 
Right  so  to  yow  make  I  my  compleyninge. 


Nat  that  I  trowe  to  geten  yow  again, 
For  wel  I  woot  that  it  is  al  in  vain. 
Sin  that  the  goddes  been  contraire  to  me. 
But  sin  my  name  is  lost  through  yow,' 

quod  she,  1361 

'  I  may  wel  lese  a  word  on  yow,  or  letter, 
Al-be-it  that  I  shal  be  never  the  better ; 
For  thilke   wind    that   blew   yoiir    ship 

a-wey,  (441 1 

The  same  wind  hath  blowe  a-wey  your 

fey.'—  1365 

But   who    wol    al  this   letter  have   in 

minde. 
Rede  Ovide,  and  in  him  he  shal  hit  finde. 

Explicit  Legenda  Didonis  Martiris, 
Cartaginis  regine. 


IV.    THE  LEGEND  OF  HYPSIPYLE  AND  MEDEA. 


Incipit  Legenda  Yaiphile  et  Medee, 

Martirum. 

Part  I.  The  Legend  of  HypsiprLE. 

Thou  rote  of  false  lovers,  duk  Jasoun  ! 
Thou  sly  devourer  and  confusioun 
Of  gentil-wommen,  tender  creatures,  1370 
Thou   madest    thy    reclaiming    and    thy 

lures 
To  ladies  of  thy  statly  apparaunce. 
And  of  thy  wordes,  farced  with  plesauncc, 
And    of    thy    feyned   trouthe    and    thy 

manere, 
With  thyn  obeisaunce  and  thy  humble 

chere,  (8)  1375 

And  with  thy  counterfeted  peyne  and  wo. 
Ther  other  falsen  oon,  thou  falsest  two  ! 
O  !  ofte  swore  thou  that  thou  woldest  dye 
For  love,  whan  thou  ne  feltest  maladye 
Save  foul  delyt,  which  that  thou  callest 

love !  1380 

If  that  I  live,  thy  name  shal  be  shove 
In   English,    that   thy   sleighte   shal    bo 

knowe  ! 
Have  at  thee,  Jasoun  !  now  tlij-n  horn  is 

blowe ! 
But  certes,  hit  is  bothe  routhc  and  wo 
That  love  with  false  loveres  werketli  so  ; 


For  they  shvil  have  wel  better  love  and 
chere  i^^i-' 

Than  he  that  hath  aboght  his  love  ful 
dcre,  (20) 

Or  liad  in  armes  many  a  blody  box. 
For  over  as  tendre  a  capoun  et  the  fox, 
Thogh  he  be  fals  and  hath  the  foul  be- 
trayed, 131)" 
As  shal  the  good-man  that  ther-for  hatli 

payed ; 
Al   have   he    to   the   capoun    skille   and 

right. 
The  false  fox  wol  have  his  part  at  niglit. 
On  Jasoun  this  ensamplo  is  wel  y-sene 
By  Isiphile  and  Medea  the  queue.        1395 

In  Tessalye,  as  Guido  telleth  us, 
Ther  was  a  king  that  highto  Pelleus,   (30) 
That  had  a  brother,  which  that  highte 

Eson  ; 
And,  whan  for  age  he  mighte  unnethes 

gon, 
He  yaf  to  Pelleus  the  governing  1400 

Of  al  his  regne,  and  made  him  lord  and 

king. 
Of  whicli  Eson  this  Jasoun  geten  was, 
Tbat,  in  his  tyme,  in  al  tliat  lond,  ther  nas 
Nat  swich  a  famous  kniglit  of  gentilesse, 
Of  freedom,  and  of  strengthe  and  lusti- 
ncsse.  1405 


3/8 


ZU  JSe^cni  of  (Boob  (5S)omett. 


Aftei-  his  fader  deeth,  he  bar  him.  so     (39) 
That  ther  nas  noon  that  liste  been  his  fo, 
But  dide  him  al  honour  and  comf>anye  ; 
Of  whicli  this  Pelleus  hath  greet  envye, 
Imagining  that  Jasoun  miglite  be        1410 
Enhauused  so,  and  put  in  swich  degree 
\Vitli  love  of  lordes  of  his  regioun, 
That  from  his  regne  he  may  be  put  adoun. 
And  in  his  wit,  a-night,  compassed  he 
How  Jasoun  mighte  best  destroyed  be  1415 
Withoute  slaunder  of  his  compa^nient. 
And  at  the  laste  he  took  avisement       (50) 
To  senden  him  in-to  som  fer  contree 
Ther  as  this  Jasoun  may  destroyed  be. 
Tliis  was  his  wit ;  al  made  he  to  Jasoun 
Gret  chere  of  love  and  of  afFeccioun,   1421 
For  drede  lest  his  lordes  hit  espyde. 
So  fil  hit  so,  as  fame  renneth  wyde, 
Ther  was  swich  tyding  over-al  and  swich 

los, 
That  in  an  yle  that  called  was  Coleos,  1425 
Bej'Onde  Troye,  estward  in  the  see, 
That  ther-in  was  a  ram,  that  men  mighte 

see,  (60) 

That  had  a  flees  of  gold,  that  shoon  so 

brighte, 
That  no-wher  was  ther   swich  an-other 

sighte ;  1429 

But  hit  was  keijt  alway  with  a  dragoun. 
And  many  othere  merveils,  up  and  doun, 
And  with  two  boles,  maked  al  of  bras. 
That  sjutten  fyr,  and  moche  thing  ther 

was. 
But  this  was  eck  the  tale,  nathelees. 
That  who-so  wolde  winne  thilke  flees,  1435 
He  moste  botho,  or  he  hit  winne  mighte. 
With  the  boles  and  the  dragoun  fighte  ; 
And  king  Oetcs  lord  was  of  that  yle.    (71) 
This  Pelleus  bethoghte  upon  this  wyle  ; 
That  he  his  nevew  Jasoun  wolde  enhorte 
To  sailcn  to  that  lond,  him  to  disporte, 
And  seide,  '  Nevew,  if  hit  mighte  be 
That  swich  a  worshii)  mighte  fallen  thee. 
That   thou  this  famous  tresor  mightest 

winne,  1444 

And  bringen  hit  my  regioun  with-innc, 
Hit  were  to  me  gret  plesaunceand  honour ; 
Than  were  I  holdo  to  quyte  thy  labour.  (80) 
And  al  the  cost  I  wol  my-selven  make  ; 
And  chees  what  folk  that  thou  wilt  with 

thee  take  ;  '449 


Lat  see  now,  darstow  taken  this  viage?' 
Jasoun  was  yong,  and  lusty  of  corage, 
And   under-took   to   doon   this  like  em- 

pryse. 
Anoon  Argus  his  shippes  gan  devyse  ; 
"With  Jasoun  wente  the  stronge  Ercules, 
And   many  an-other  that  he  with   him 

chees.  1455 

But  who-so  axeth  who  is  with  him  gon, 
Lat  him  go  reden  Argonauticon,  (90) 

For  he  wol  telle  a  tale  long  y-now. 
Philotetes  anoon  the  sail  up-drow, 
Whan  that  the  wind  was  good,  and  gan 

him  hye  1460 

Out  of  his  contree  called  Tessalye. 
So  long  he  sailed  in  the  salte  see 
Til  in  the  3'le  f  Lemnoun  aryved  he — 
Al  be  this  nat  rehersed  of  Guido, 
Yet  seith  Ovyde  in  his  Epistles  so —   1465 
And  of  this  yle  lady  was  and  queue 
The  faire  yonge  Isiphilee,  the  shene,  (:oo) 
That   whylom   Thoas    doghter  was,   the 

king. 
Isiphilee  was  goon  in  her  playing ;  1469 
And,  roming  on  the  clyves  by  the  see, 
Under  a  banke  anoon  espyed  she 
^^■her  that  the  ship  of  Jasoun  gan  aryve. 
Of  her  goodnesse  adoun  she  sendeth  bly  ve 
To  witen  yif  that  any  straunge  wight  1474 
AVith  tempest  thider  were  y-blowe  a-night, 
T(j  doon  him  socour ;  as  was  her  usaunce 
To  forthren  every  wight,  and  doon  ple- 

saunce  ('•») 

Of  vcray  bountee  and  of  curtesye. 

This  messagere  adoun  him  gan  to  hye. 
And  fond  Jasoun,  <and  Ercules  also,    1481) 
That  in  a  cogge  to  londo  were  y-go 
Hem  to  refresshen  and  to  take  the  eyr. 
The  morwening  atemjjre  was  and  fair  ; 
And  in  his  wey  the  messagere  hem  mette. 
Ful  cunninglj'  thise  lordes  two  he  grette, 
And  dide  his  message,  axing  hem  anoon 
Yif  they  were  broken,  or  oght  wo  begoon, 
Or  haddo  nede  of  lodesmen  or  vitaile  ;  (121) 
For  of  socour  they  shuldo  no-thing  faile, 
For  hit  was  utterly  the  (jueaes  wille.  1490 

Jasoun  answertle,  mekoly  and  stille, 
'  My  lady,'  quod  he,  '  thanke  I  hertely 
Of  hir  goodnesse  ;  us  nedeth,  trewely, 
Xo-thing  as  now,  but  that  we  wery  bo. 
And  come  for  to  pleye,  out  of  the  see,  1495 


ZU  Bcgeni  of  5^p0ippfc  ant  (Tllcliea. 


379 


Til  that  the  wind  be  better  in  onr  weye.' 

This  lady  rometh  by  the  clif  to  pleye,  (130' 

With  her  mejniee,  eudelong  the  stronde, 

Aaid   fynt   this   Jasoun   and   this    other 

stonde,  1499 

In  spekinge  of  this  thing,  as  I  yow  tolde. 

This  Ercnles  and  Jasoun  gan  beholde 
How  that  the  quene  hit  was,  and  faire 

her  grette 
Anon-right  as  they  with  this  lady  niette  ; 
And  she  took  heed,  and   knew,  by  hir 

manere, 
By  hir  aray,  by  wordes  and  bychere,  1505 
That  hit  were  gentil-men,  of  greet  degree. 
And  to  the  castel  with  her  ledeth  she 
Thise  straunge  follt,  and  doth  hem  greet 

honour,  (141) 

And  axeth  hem  of  travail  and  labour 
That  they  han  suffred  in  the  salte  see ;  1510 
So  that,  within  a  day,  or  two,  or  three, 
She  knew,  by  folk  that  in  his  shippes  be, 
That  hit  was  Jasoun,  ful  of  renomee, 
And  Ercules,  that  had  the  grete  h>s,  1514 
That  soghten  the  aventures  of  Colcos  ; 
And  dide  hem  honour  moi-e  then  before. 
And   with   hem   deled   ever   lenger    the 

more,  (150) 

For  they  ben  worthy  folk,  with-outen  lees. 
And  namely,  most  she  spak  with  Ercules ; 
To  him  her  herte  bar,  he  sholde  be      1520 
Sad,  wys,  and  trewe,  of  wordes  avisee, 
With-outen  any  other  affeccioun 
Of  love,  or  evil  imaginacioun. 

This  Ercu  les  hat  h  so  this  Jasoun  preysed , 
That   to    the    sonne    he    hath    him    up 

areysed,  1525 

That  half  so  trewe  a  man  thor  nas  of  love 
Under  the  cope  of  heven  that  is  above  ; 
And   he   was   wys,    hardy,    secree,    and 

riche. —  ('61) 

Of  thise  three  pointes  ther  nas  noon  him 

liclie  ; 
Of  freedom  passed  he,  and  lustihede,  1530 
Alio  tho  that  liven  or  ben  dede  ; 
Thcr-to  so  greet  a  gentil-man  was  he. 
And  of  Te.ssalic  lykly  king  to  be. 
Ther  nas  no  lak,  but  that  he  was  agast 
To  love,  and  for  to  speke  shamefast.    1535 
He  hadde  lever  him-self  to  mordre,  and 
dye  (169) 

Than  that  men  shulde  a  Icjver  him  espye  : — 


'  As  wolde  almighty  god  that  I  had  yive 
My  blood  and  flesh,  so  that  I  mighte  live. 
With  the  nones  that  he  hadde   o-wher 

a  wyf  1541 ) 

For  his  estat ;  for  swich  a  lusty  Ij'f 
She  sholde  lede  with  this  lu.sty  knight  ! ' 
And   al   this   was    compassed   on    the 

night 
Bctwixe  him  Jasoun  and  this  Ercules. 
Of  thise  two  heer  was  mad  a  shrewed  lees 
To  come  to  hous  upon  an  innocent;     1546 
For  to  be-dote  this  queen  was  hir  assent. 
And  Jasoun  is  as  coy  as  is  a  maide,     (181 1 
He  loketh  pitously,  but  noght  he  saide. 
But  frely  yaf  he  to  her  conseileres       1550 
Yiftes  grete,  and  to  her  officercs. 
As  wolde  god  I  leiser  hadde,  .and  tyme. 
By  proces  al  his  wowing  for  to  ryme. 
But  in  this  hous  if  any  fals  lover  be. 
Eight  as  him-self  now  doth,  right  so  dide 

he,  1555 

With  feyning  and  with  every  sotil  dede. 
Ye  gete  no  more  of  me,  but  ye  wil  rede 
Th'original,  that  telleth  al  the  cas.     (191) 
The  somme  is  this,  that  Jasoun  wedded 

was 
Unto  this  queue,   and   took   of  her   sub- 

staunce  1560 

A\Tiat-so  him  liste,  unto  his  purveyatince  ; 
And  upon  her  begat  he  children  two, 
And  drow  his  sail,  and  saw  her  never-mo. 

A  lettre  sente  she  to  him  certein. 
Which  were  to  long  to   wrj-ten  and  to 

sein,  1565 

And  him  repreveth  of  his  grete  untrouthe, 
And   preyeth  him  on  her  to   have   som 

routhe.  (21x5) 

And  of  his  children  two,  she  seide  him 

this, 
That  they  be  lyke,  of  alio  thing,  y-wis. 
To  Jasoun,  save  they  coude  nat  begylo  ; 
And  preyed  god,  or  hit  were  longo  whyle, 
That  she,  that  had  his  herte  y-raft  her  fro, 
Moste  finden  him  to  her  untrewo  al-so, 
And  that  she  moste  bothe  her  children 

spille,  i.=;;4 

And  alio  tho  that  suflfrotli  him  his  willo. 
And  trew  to  Jasoun  was  slio  al  her  lyf. 
And  ever  kepte  her  chast,  as  for  his  wyf ; 
Ne  never  had  she  joyo  at  lier  herte,    (211) 
But  dyed,  for  his  love,  of  sorwes  smerte. 


38o 


ZU  jgegenb  of  <5ooi  (^omen. 


Part  II.      The  Legend  op  Med?:a. 

To  Colcos  comen  is  this  diik  Jasonn, 
That  is  of  love  devourer  and  dragoun.  1581 
As  matere  appetyteth  forme  al-wey, 
And  from  forme  in-to  forme  hit  passen 

may, 
Or  as  a  welle  that  were  botomlees, 
Right  so  can  fals  Jasoun  have  no  pees. 
For,  to  desyren,  tlirovigh  his  appetyt,  1586 
To  doon  with  gentil  wommen  his  delyt, 
This  is  his  lust  and  his  felicitee.  (221) 

Jasoun  is  romed  forth  to  the  citee, 
That  whj-lom  cleped  was  Jaconitos,     1590 
That  was  the  maister-toun  of  al  Colcos, 
And  hath  y-told  the  cause  of  his  coming 
Un-to  Oetes,  of  that  contre  king, 
Preying    him    tliat   he   moste   doon  his 

assay  1594 

To  gete  the  flees  of  gold,  if  that  he  may ; 
Of  which  the  king  assenteth  to  his  bone, 
And  doth  him  honour,  as  hit  is  to  done. 
So  ferforth,  that  his  doghter  and  his  eyr, 
Medea,  which  that  was  so  wys  and  fair 
That  fairer  saw  ther  never  man  with  ye. 
He  made  her  doon  to  .Jasonn  companye 
At  mete,  and  sitte  by  him  in  the  halle. 
Xow  was  Jasoun  a  semely  man  with- 

alle,  (236) 

And  lyk  a  lord,  and  had  a  greet  renoun, 
And  of  his  loke  as  real  as  leoun,  1605 

And  goodly  of  his  speehe,  and  famiilere, 
And  coude  of  love  al  craft  and  art  plenere 
With-oute  boke,  with  everich  observaunce. 
And,  as  fortune  her  oghte  a  foul  mes- 

chaunce. 
She  wcx  enamoured  upon  this  man.    1610 
'  Jasoun,'  quod  she,  '  for  ought  I  see  or 

can. 
As  of  this  thing  the  which  ye  been  aboute, 
Ye  han  your-self  y-put  in  moche  doute. 
For,  who-so  wol  this  aventure  acheve. 
He  may  nat  wel  asterten,  as  I  leve,     1615 
With-outen  deeth,  but  I  his  helpe  be.  (249) 
But  natheles,  hit  is  my  wille,'  quod  she, 
'  To  forthren  yow,  so  that  ye  shal  nat  dye. 
But  tumen,  sound,  hoom  to  your  Tessalye.' 
'  My  riglite  lady,'  quod  this  Jasoun  tho, 
'  That  ye  han  of  my  dethe  or  of  my  wo 
Any  reward,  and  doon  me  this  honour, 
I  wot  wel  that  my  might  ne  my  labour 


May  nat  deserve  hit  in  my  ly\'es  day  ;  1624 
Grod  thanke  yow,  ther  I  ne  can  ne  may. 
Your  man  am  I,  and  lowly  you  beseehe. 
To  been  my  help,  with-oute  more  speehe : 
But    certes,    for    my   deeth    shal   I    nat 

spare.'  (2611 

Tho  gan  this  Medea  to  him  declare 
The  peril  of  this  cas,  fro  point  to  point. 
And  of  his  batail,  and  in  what  disjoint 
He  mote  stande,  of  which  no  creature. 
Save  only  she,  ne  mighte  his  lyf  assure. 
And  shortly,  to  the  point  right  for  to  go. 
They  been  accorded  ful,  betwix  hem  two. 
That  Jasonn  shal  her  wedde,  as   trewe 

knight  ;  1636 

And  term  y-set,  to  come  sone  at  night  (270) 
Unto  her  chambre,   and  make  ther  his 

00th, 
Upon   the   goddes,  that   he,   for  leef  ne 

looth,  1O39 

Ne  sholde  her  never  falsen,  night  ne  day, 
To  been  her  huslwnd,  whyl  he  liven  may. 
As  she  that  from  his  deeth  him   saved 

here. 
And  her-upon,  at  night  they  mettey-fere. 
And  doth  his  ooth,  and  goth  with  her  to 

bedde.  1644 

And  on  the  morwe,  upward  he  him  spedde; 
For  she  hath  taught  him  how  he  shal 

nat  faile  (279) 

The  flees  to  winne,  and  stinten  his  bataile ; 
And  saved  him  his  lyf  and  his  honour  : 
And  gat  him  greet  name  as  a  conqiierour 
Right  throiigh    the   sleight   of   her   en- 

chantement.  1650 

Now  hath  Jasoun  the  flees,  and  hoom 

is  went 
Witli  Medea,  and  tresor  ful  gret  woon. 
But  unwist  of  her  fader  is  she  goon 
To  Tessaly,  with  duk  .Jasoun  her  leef. 
That  afterward  hath  broght  her  to  mes- 

cheef.  1655 

For  as  a  traitour  he  is  from  her  go. 
And  with  her  lafte  his  yonge  children 

two,  (290) 

And  falsly  hath  betrayed  her,  alias  ! 
And  ever  in  love  a  cheef  traitour  he  was  ; 
And  wedded  yit  the  thridde  wyf  anon,  1660 
That  was  the  doghter  of  tho  king  Creon. 
This  is  the  meed  of  loving  and  guerdoun 
That  Medea  received  of  Jasoun 


ZU  Bi^tn^  of  Bucvitia, 


3S1 


Right  for  her  trouthe  and  for  her  kinde- 

nesse, 
That   loved  him   better  than  her-self,   I 

gesse,  1665 

And  lafte  her  fader  and  her  heritage. 
And  of  Jasovm  this  is  the  vassalage,   (300) 
That,  in  his  dayes,  nas  ther  noon  y-founde 
So  fals  a  lover  going  on  the  grounde. 
And    therfor    in    her    lettre    thus    she 

seyde  1670 

First,  whan  she  of  his  falsnesse  him  um- 

brej'de, 
•  W'hy  lyked  me  thy  yelow  heer  to  see 
More  then  the  boundes  of  myn  honestee, 


Why  Ijked  me  thy  youthe  and  thy  fair- 

nesse, 
And    of  thy  tonge  the    infinit    gracious- 

nesse*?  1675 

O,    haddest  thou  in   thy  conquest   deed 

y-be, 
Ful  mikel  untrouthe  had  ther  dyed  with 

_thee!'  (310) 

Wei  can  Ovj'de  her  lettre  in  vers  endyte, 

Which  were  as  now  to  long  for  me  to 

wryte. 

Explicit  Legenda  Ydphile  et  Medee, 
Martirum. 


V.   THE  LEGEND  OF  LUCEETIA. 


Incipit  Legenda  Lucrecie  Rome,  Martiris. 

Now  moot  I  seyn  the  exiling  of  kinges 
Of  Rome,  for  hir  horrible  doinges,       1681 
And  of  the  laste  king  Tarquinius, 
As  saith  Ovyde  and  Titus  Livius. 
But  for  that  cause  telle  I  nat  this  storie, 
But  for  to  preise  and  drawen  to  memorie 
The  verray  wj^',  the  verray  trewe  Lucresse, 
That,  for  her  wyf  hood  and  her  stedfast- 

nesse,  1687 

Nat  only  that  thise  payens  her  comende, 
But  he,  that  cleped  is  in  our  legendc  (10) 
The   grete  Austin,    hath   greet    compas- 

sioun  1690 

Of  this  Lucresse,  that  starf  at  Rome  toun  ; 
And  in  what  wyse,  I  wol  but  shortly  trete. 
And  of  this  thing  I  touche  but  the  gretc. 

Whan  Ardea  beseged  was  aboute 
With  Romains,  that  ful  sterne  were  and 

stoute,  1695 

Ful  longe  lay  the  sege,  and  litel  wroghte, 
So   that   they  were   half  ydel,    as    hem 

thoghte;  (18) 

And  in  his  ploy  Tarquinius  the  yonge 
(ian  for  to  jape,  for  he  was  light  of  tonge, 
And  seyde,  that  '  it  was  an  ydel  lyf ;  1700 
No  man  did  ther  no  more  than  his  wyf; 
And  lat  us  speke  of  wyves,  that  is  best ; 
Praise  every  man  his  o^\'nc,  as  hini  lest, 
And  with  our  spcchc  lat  us  ese  our  herte.' 
A   knight,    that   highte    Colatyne,   up 

sterte,  1705 


And  seyde  thvis,  '  nay,  for  hit  is  no  nede 
To   trowen  on    the   word,    but    on     the 

dode. 
I  have  a  wyf,'  qi\od  he,  '  that,  as  I  trowe, 
Is   holden   good   of  alls   that   ever    her 

knowe ;  f^o'i 

Go  we  to-night  to  Rome,  and   we  shul 

see.'  1 710 

Tarquinius  answerde,  '  that  lyketh  me.' 

To  Rome  be  they  come,  and  faste  hem 

diglite 
To  Colatynes  hous,  and  doun  they  lighte, 
Tarquinius,  and  eek  this  Colatyne. 
The  husbond  knew  the  estres  wel   and 

fyne,  1715 

And  prively  into  the  hous  they  goon  ; 
Nor  at  the  gate  porter  was  ther  noon  ; 
And  at  the  chambre-dore  they  abyde.  (39) 
This  noble  wyf  sat  by  her  beddes  syde 
Dischevele,  for  no  malice  she  nc  tlioghte ; 
And  softe  wolle  our  book  seith  that  she 

wroghte  1721 

To  kepen  her  fro  slouthe  and  ydclnesse  ; 
And  bad  her  servants  doon  hir  businesse. 
And  axeth  hem,  'what  tydings  heron  yc? 
How  seith  men  of  the  sege,  how  shal  hit 

be?  1725 

God  wolde  the  walles  weren  fallo  ndoun  ; 
Myn  husbond  is  so  longe  out  of  this  toun. 
For  which    the   dreed    doth    jno    so  sore 

smerte, 
Right   as  a  swenl  hit  stingeth   to   myn 

herte  (50) 


38^ 


ZH  Begenb  of  <5oo^  (JOomen. 


Whan  I  think  on  the  sege  or  of  that  place ; 
God  save  ixiy  lord,  I  preye  liim  for  his 

gi-ace  :' —  1731 

And  ther-with-al  ful  tenderly  she  weep, 
And  of  her  werk  she  took  no  more  keep, 
But  mekely  she  leet  her  eyen  falls  ; 
And  thilke  seniblant  sat  her  wel  with-alle. 
And  eek  her  teres,  ful  of  honestee,       1736 
Embelisshed  her  wyfly  chastitee  ; 
Her  countenaunce  is  to  her  herte  digne, 
For  they  acordedeu  in  dede  and  signe.  (60) 
And  with  that  word  her  husbond  Colatyn, 
Or  she  of  hina  was  war,  com  sterting  in, 
And  seide,  '  dreed  thee  noght,  for  I  am 

here  ! '  1742 

And  she  anoon  up  roos,  with  blisful  chere. 
And  kiste  him,  as  of  wyves  is  the  wone. 
Tarquinius,  this  provide  kinges  sone, 
Conceiyed  hath    her    bcauteo    and    her 

chere,  1746 

Her  yelow  heer,  her  shap,  and  her  manere, 
Her  hew,  her  wordes  that  she  hath  com- 

pleyned, 
And   by  no  crafte  her  beautee  nas  nat 

feyncd ;  (70) 

And  caughte  to  this  lady  swich  desyr. 
That  in  his  herte  brende  as  any  fyr     1751 
So  woodly,  that  his  wit  was  al  forgeten. 
For  wel,   thoghte  he,  she  sholde  nat  be 

getcn  ; 
And  ay  the  more  that  he  was  in  dispuir. 
The  more  he  coveteth  and  thoghte  her 

fair.  1 755 

His  blinde  lust  was  al  his  covctinge. 

A-niorwo,  whan  the  brid  began  to  singe. 
Unto  the  sege  he  comth  ful  privily. 
And  by  himself  ho  walkcth  sobrely,     (80) 
Th'image  of  her  recording  alwey  newo  ; 
'  Thiis  lay  her  heer,  and  thus  fresh  was 

her  hewe  ;  1761 

Thus  sat,  thus  spak,  tlius  span  ;  this  was 

her  chere, 
Thus    fair   she    was,    and   this   was   her 

manere.' 
Al  this  conceit  his  herte  hatli  nowy-take. 
And,  as  the  see,  with  tempest  al  to-shake, 
That,  after  whan  the  storm  is  al  ago,  1766 
Yet  wol  the  water  quappe  a  day  or  two. 
Eight   so,    thogh    that    her    forme    wer 

absent,  (89) 

The  plesaunce  of  her  forme  was  present ; 


But  natheles,  nat  plesaunce,  but  delyt. 
Or  an  unrightful  talent  with  despyt ;  1771 
'  For,  niaugre  her,  she  shal  my  lemman 

be; 
Hap  helpeth  hardy  man  alday,'  quod  he ; 
'  What  ende  that  I  make,  hit  shal  be  so  ;' 
And  girt  him  with  his  swerde,  and  gan 

to  go  ;  1775 

And  forth  he  rit  til  he  to  Rome  is  come. 
And  al  aloon  his  wey  than  hath  he  nomo 
Unto  the  hovise  of  Colatyn  ful  right. 
Doun  was  the  sonne,  and  day  hath  lost 

his  light ;  ('o«)) 

And  in  he  com  un-to  a  privy  halkc,  1 780 
And  in  the  night  ful  theefly  gan  he  stalkp, 
"V^Qian  every  night  was  to  his  rosto  broght, 
Ne   no   wight   liad    of  trcsoun  swich    a 

thoght. 
Were  hit  by  window  or  by  other  gin,  1784 
With  swerde  y-drawe,  shortly  he  comth  in 
Ther  as  she  laj%  this  noble  wyf  Lucresse. 
And,  as  she  wook,  her  bed  she  felte  presse. 
'  What   beste   is  that,'    quod  she,   '  that 

weyeth  thus?' 
'  I  am  the  lunges  sone,  Tarquinius,'    (i  10) 
Quod  he,  '  but  and  thou  crye,  or  noise 

make,  1790 

Or  if  tliou  any  creature  awake. 
By  thilke  god  that  formed  man  on  lyve, 
This  swerd  through-out  thj-n  herte  shal 

I  ryve.' 
And  ther-withal  unto  her  throte  he  sterte. 
And  sette  the  point  al  sharp  iipon  her 

herte.  1795 

No  word  she  spak,  she  hath  no  might 

therto. 
What  shal  she  sajm  ?  her  wit  is  al  ago. 
Right  as  a  wolf  that  fynt  a  lomb  aloon, 
To  whom  shal  she  compleyne,   or  make 

moon?  ('20) 

What !    shal  she  flghte   with   an  hardy 

knight  ?  1800 

Wel  wot   men   that  a  woman   hath  no 

might. 
Wliat !    shal  she  crye,  or  how  shal  she 

asterte 
That  hath  her  by  the  throte,  with  swerde 

at  herte  ? 
She  axeth  grace,  and  seith  al  that  she  can. 
'  Ne  wolt  thou  nat,'  quod  ho,  this  cruel 

man,  1805 


ZU  Beg^ni  of  Bucrefta. 


383 


'  As  wisly  Jupiter  my  soule  save, 
As  I  shal  in  the  stable  slee  thy  knave, 
And  leye  him  in  thy  bed,  and  londe  crye, 
Tliat  I  thee  fmdo  in  suche  avonterye  ;  (130) 
And  thus  thou  shalt  be  deed,  and  also 
lose  1810 

Thy  name,  for  thou  shalfc  non  other  chese.' 
Thise   Eoniain   wyv'es   lovedcn   so   hir 

name 
Atthilke  tyme,  and  dredden  so  the  shame, 
That,  what  for  fere  of  slaundre  and  dredo 

ofdeeth,  1814 

She  loste  bothe  at-ones  wit  and  breeth. 
And   in  a  swough   she   lay  and  wex  so 

deed. 
Men  mighte  smyten  of  her  arm  or  heed  ; 
She  felcth  no-thing,  neither  foul  ne  fair. 
Tarquinius,  that  art  a  kinges  eyr,  (140) 
And  sholdcst,  as  by  linage  and  by  right, 
Doon  as  a  lord  and  as  a  verray  knight, 
Why  hastow  doon  dispyt  to  chivalrye  ? 
Why  hastow  doon  this  lady  vilanye  ? 
Alias  !  of  thee  this  was  a  vileins  dede  ! 

But  now  to  i^urpos  ;  in  the  story  I  redo, 
\Vlian  he  was  goon,  al  this  mischaunce  is 

falle.  1826 

This  lady  sente  after  her  frendes  alle. 
Fader,  moder,  husbond,  al  j^-fere  ;       (149) 
And  al  dischevele,  with  her  heres  clere. 
In  habit  swich  as  women  used  tho       1830 
Unto  the  burj'ing  of  her  frendes  go, 
She  sit  in  hallo  with  a  sorweful  sighte. 
Her  frendes  axon  what  her  aylen  mighto. 
And   who   was   deed?     And   she   sit   ay 

wepinge, 
A  word  for  shame  ne  may  she  forth  out- 

bringc,  1835 

Ne  upon  hem  she  dorste  nat  beholde. 
But  attc  laste  of  Tarqtiiny  she  hem  tolde. 
This  rewful  cas,  and  al  this  thing  horrible. 
The  wo  to  tellen  hit  were  impossible,  (160) 
That   she   and    alle    her    frendes    made 

atones.  1840 

Al  hadde  folkes  hcrtos  been  of  stones. 
Hit  mighto  have  maked  hem  upon   her 

rcwo, 
Her  herte  was  so  wyfly  and  so  trewe. 
She  seide,  that,  for  her  gilt  ne  for  her 

blame. 
Her  husbond  sholde  nat  have  tho  foulo 

name,  1845 


That  wolde  she  nat  suffre,  by  no  wey. 
And  they  answerden  alle,  upon  hir  fey, 
That  they  foryeve  hit  her,  for  hit  was 
right;      ,  (169) 

Hit  was  no  gilt,  hit  lay  nat  in  her  might ; 
And  seiden  her  ensamples  manyoon.  1850 
But   al   for   noght ;    for   thus    she    seide 

anoon, 
'  Be  as  be  may,'  quod  she,  '  of  forgiving, 
I  ^vol  nat  have  no  forgift  for  no-thing.' 
Btit  prively  she  caughte  forth  a  knyf,   1854 
And  therwith-al  she  rafte  her-self  her  lyf ; 
And  as  she  fel  adoun,  she  caste  her  look, 
And  of  her  clothes  yit  she  hede  took  ; 
For  in  her  falling  .yit  she  hadde  care 
Lest  that   her  feet  or  swicho  thing  lay 

bare  ;  (i8o) 

So  wel  she  loved  clennesse  and  eek  troutho. 

Of  her  had  al  the  toun  of  Rome  roiithe, 

And   Brutus   by  her   chaste   blode  hath 

swore  1862 

That  Tarquin  sholde  y-banisht  bo  ther-fore. 
And  al  his  kin  ;  and  let  the  ppple  calle, 
And  openly  the  tale  he  toldc  lieni  alle. 
And  openly  let  carie  her  on  a  here      1866 
Through  al  tho  toun,  that  men  may  see 

and  here 
The  horrible  deed  of  her  oppressioiin. 
Neneverwas  ther  king  in  Rome  toun  (190) 
Sin  thilke  day  ;  and  she  was  holdon  there 
A  seint,  and  ever  her  day  y-halwed  dero 
As  in  hir  lawe  :  and  thus  endeth  Lucresse, 
Tho  noble  wyf,  as  Titus  bereth  witnesse. 
I  tell  hit,  for  she  was  of  love  so  trcwo. 
No  in  her  wille  she  chai^nged  for  no  newe. 
And  for  the  stable  horte,  sad  and  kindo. 
That  in   these   women   men   may  alday 

finde ;  1877 

Ther  as   they  caste   hir   herte,  ther  hit 

dwelleth. 
For  wel   I   wot,    that    Crist    fhim-selvo 

tolleth,  (200) 

That  in  Israel,  as  wyd  as  is  tho  lond,  iSSo 
Tliat  so  gret  feith  in  al  tho  lond  ho  no 

fond 
As  in  a  woman  ;  and  this  is  no  Ij'O. 
And  as  of  men,  loketh  which  tirannyo 
Tliey  doon  alday  ;  assaj'  hem  who  so  liste. 
The  trewest  is  ful  brotel  for  to  triste.  1885 

Explicit  Leyenda  Lucrecie  Borne,  Martins. 


384 


Z'^t  Begenb  of  (Boob  (pt)ottten. 


VI.    THE  LEGEND  OF  AEIADNE. 


Incipit  Legenda  Adriane  de  Athenes. 

JuGE  infernal,  Minos,  of  Crete  king, 
Now  cometh  thy  lot,  now  comestow  on 

the  ring  ; 
Nat  for  thy  sake  only  wryte  I  this  storie, 
But  for  to  clepe  agein  unto  memorie  1889 
Of  Thesens  the  grete  untroiithe  of  love  ; 
For  which  the  goddes  of  the  heven  above 
Ben  wrothe,  and  wreche  han  take  for  thy 

sinne. 
Be  reed  for  shame  !  now  I  thy  \yi  beginne. 
Minos,  that  was   the   mighty  king  of 

Crete, 
That  hadde   an  hundred   citees  stronge 

and  grete,  (10)  1895 

To  scole  hath  sent  his  sone  Androgens, 
To  Athenes ;    of  the  whiche  hit  happed 

thus, 
That  he  was  slayn,  lerning  philosophye. 
Eight  in  that  citee,  nat  but  for  euvye. 

The  grete  Minos,  of  the  whiche  I  speke. 
His  sones  deeth  is  comen  for  to  wreke  ; 
Alcathoe  he  hisegeth  harde  and  longe. 
But  natheles  the  walles  be  so  stronge, 
And  Nisus,  that  was  king  of  that  citee, 
So  chivalrous,  that  litel  dredeth  he  ;    i9.)5 
Of  Minos  or  his  ost  took  he  no  cure,     (21) 
Til  on  a  day  bcfel  an  avonture. 
That  Nisus  doghter  stood  ujjon  the  wal. 
And  of  the  sege  saw  the  manor  al.       1909 
So  happed  hit,  that,  at  a  scarmishing. 
She  caste  her  herte  upon  Minos  the  king. 
For  his  beautee  and  for  his  chivalrye, 
So  sore,  that  she  wende  for  to  dye. 
And,  shortly  of  this  proces  for  to  pace, 
She  made  Minos  winnen  thilke  place,  1915 
So  that  the  citee  was  al  at  his  wille,     (31) 
To  saven  whom  him  list,  or  elles  spille  ; 
But  wikkedly  he  quitto  her  kindenesse. 
And  let  her  drenche  in  sorowe  and  tlis- 

tresse,  1919 

Ncre  that  the  goddes  liadde  of  her  pite ; 
But  that  tale  were  to  long  as  now  for  me. 

Athenes  wan  this  king  Minos  also, 
Ainl  Alcathoe  and  other  tonnes  mo  ; 


And  this  th'effect,  that    Minos  hatli  so 

driven 
Hem   of  Athenes,   that  they  mote    him 

yiven  (40)  1925 

Fro  yere  to  yere  her  owne  children  dere 
For  to  be  slayn,  as  ye  shul  after  here. 
This  Minos  hath  a  monstre,  a  wikked 

beste. 
That  was  so  cruel  that,  without  areste, 
Whan  that   a   man   was  hroght  in   his 

presence,  1930 

He  wolde  him  ete,  ther  helpeth  no  de- 
fence. 
And  every  thridde  yeer,  with-outen  doute, 
They  casten  lot,  and,  as  hit  com  aboute 
On   riche,  on   pore,   he   moste   his  sone 

take,  (49)  1934 

And  of  his  child  he  moste  present  make 
Unto  Minos,  to  save  him  or  to  spille. 
Or   lete   his   beste  devoure    him   at  his 

wille. 
And  this  hath  Minos  don,  right  in  despyt ; 
To  wreke  his  sone  was  set  al  his  delyt. 
And  maken  hem  of  Athenes  his  thral  1940 
Fro  yere  to  yere,  whyl  that  he  liven  shal ; 
And  hoom  he  saUeth  whan  this  toun  is 

wonne. 
This  wikked  custom  is  so  longe  y-ronne 
Til  that  of  Athenes  king  Egeus 
Mot  sonde  his  owne  sone,  Theseus,       1945 
Sitli  that  the  lot  is  fallen  him  upon,     (61) 
To  be  devoured,  for  grace  is  ther  non. 
And  forth  is  lad  this  woful  yonge  knight 
Unto  the  court  of  king  Minos  ful  right. 
And  in  a  prison,  fetered,  cast  is  he      1950 
Til  thilke  tj'mo  he  sholde  y-freten  be. 

Wcl  maystow  wepe,  O  woful  Theseus, 
That   art  a  kinges  sone,  and   dampned 

thus. 
Me  thinketh  this,  that  thou  were  depe 

y-holde  i<)54 

To  whom  that  saved  thee  fro  cares  colde! 
And  now,  if  any  woman  helpe  thee,     (71) 
Wcl  oughtestow  her  servant  for  to  be. 
And  been  her  trewe  lover  yeer  by  yere  ! 
But  now  to  come  ageyu  to  my  matere. 


t^t  Bt^irxii  of  ilrta^ne. 


385 


The  tour,  ther  as  this  Theseus  is  throwe 

Doun  in   the  botom  clerke  aud  wonder 

lowe,  1961 

Was  joyning  in  the  walle  to  a  foreyne  ; 

And   hit   was   longing  to   the   doghtren 

twej-ne 
Of  king  Minos,  that  in  hir  chambres  grete 
Dwelten     above,    toward     the    maister- 
strete,  (80)  1965 

In  mochel  mirthe,  in  joye  and  in  solas. 
Not  I  nat  how,  hit  happed  ther,  per  cas. 
As  Theseus  compleyned  him  by  nighte, 
The  kinges  doghter,  Adrian  that  highte. 
And  eek  her  suster  Phedra,  herden  al  1970 
His  complejTiing,  as  they  stode  on  the  wal 
And  lokeden  iipon  the  brighte  nione  ; 
Hem.  leste  nat  to  go  to  bedde  sone. 
And  of  his  wo  they  had  compassioun  ; 
A  kinges  sone  to  ben  in  swich  prisoun 
And  be   devoured,   thoughte   hem    gret 
pitee.  (91)  1976 

Than  Adrian  spak  to  her  suster  free. 
And  seyde,  '  Phedra,  leva  suster  dere, 
This  woful  lordes  sone  may  ye  nat  here, 
How  pitously  compleyneth  he  his  kin, 
And  eek  his  pore  estat  that  he  is  in,     1981 
And  gilteless  ?  now  certes,  hit  is  routhe  ! 
And  if  ye  wol  assenten,  by  my  troutlie, 
He  shal  be  holpen,  how  so  that  we  do  ! ' 
Phedra  answerde,  '  y-wis,  me  is  as  wo 
For  him  as  ever  I  was  for  any  man  ;  1986 
And,  to  his  help,  the  beste  reed  I  can  (102) 
Is  that  we  doon  the  gayler  privcly 
To  come,  and  spekc  with  us  hastilj'. 
And  doon  this  woful  man  with  him  to 
come.  1990 

For  if  he  may  this  monstre  overcome. 
Than  were  he  quit ;  ther  is  noon  other 

bote. 
Lat  us  wel  taste  him  at  his  herte-rote, 
That,  if  so  be  that  he  a  wepen  have, 
Wher  that  he  dar,  his  lyf  to  kepe  and 
save,  (no)  1995 

Fighten  with  this  fend,  and  him  defende. 
For,  in  the  prison,  ther  he  shal  descendo. 
Ye  wite  wel,  that  the  beste  is  in  a  place 
That  nis  nat  derk,  and  hath  roum  eek 

and  space 
To  welde  an  ax  or  swerd  or  staf  or  knyf. 
So  that,  me  thinketh,  he  sholde  save  his 
lyf ;  2001 


If  that  he  be  a  man,  he  shal  do  so. 
And  we  shul  make  him  balles  eek  also 
Of  wexe  and  towe,  that,  whan  he  gapeth 
faste,  2004 

Into  the  bestes  throte  he  shal  hem  caste 
To   slake  his  hunger  and  enconibre  his 
teeth  ;  (121) 

And  right  anon,  whan  that  Theseus  seeth 
The  beste  achoked,  he  shal  on  him  lepe 
To  sleen  him,  or  they  comen  more  to-hcpe. 
This  wepen  shal  the  gayler,  or  that  tyde, 
Ful  privily  within  the  prison  hyde  ;    2011 
And,  for  the  hous  is  crinkled  to  and  fro, 
And  hath  so  queinte  weyes  for  to  go — 
For  hit  is  shapen  as  the  mase  is  wroght — 
Therto  have  I  a  remedie  in  my  thoglit, 
That,  by  a  clewe  of  twyne,  as  he  hath 
goon,  (131)  2016 

The  same  wey  he  may  returne  anoon, 
Folwing  alwey   the  threed,   as  he  hath 

come. 
And,  whan  that  he  this  beste  hath  over- 
come. 
Then  may  he  fleen  awey  out  of  this  drede. 
And   eek   the   gayler  may  he  with  him 
lede,  2021 

And  him  avaunce  at  hoom  in  his  contree. 
Sin  that  so  greet  a  lordes  sone  is  he. 
This  is  my  reed,  if  that  he  dar  hit  take.' 
What  sholde  I  lenger  sermoun  of  hit 
make  ?  2025 

Tlie  gayler  cometh,  and  with  him  Theseus. 
And   whan   thise  thinges   been   acorded 
thus,  (142) 

Adoun  sit  Theseus  upon  his  knee  : — 
'  The  righte  lady  of  my  lyf,'  qiiod  he, 
'I,  sorweful  man,  y-dampned  to  the  deeth, 
Fro  yow,    whyl   that   me  lasteth  lyf  or 
breeth,  203 i 

I  wol  nat  twinne,  after  this  aventure, 
But  in  your  servise  thus  I  wol  endure, 
That,  as  a  wrecche  unknowe,  I  wol  yow 
serve  2034 

For  evor-mo,  til  that  myn  herte  sterve. 
Forsake  I  wol  at  hoom  myn  heritage,  (151) 
And,  as  I  seide,  ben  of  your  court  a  page, 
If  that  ye  vouche-sauf  that,  in  this  place, 
Ye  graunto  me  to  han  so  gret  a  grace 
That  I  may  han  nat  but  my  mete  and 
drinke  ;  2040 

And  for  my  sustenance  yit  wol  I  swinke, 


386 


tU  Begeni  of  <5oob  (^ow^n. 


Eight   as  yow   list,    tliat    Minos   ne    no 

wight — 
Sin   that   he   saw  me   never   with   eyen 

sight — 
Ne  no  man  elles,  shal  me  conne  espye ; 
So  slj'ly  and  so  wel  I  shal  me  gye,       2045 
And  me  so  wel  disfigiire  and  so  lowe,  (161) 
Tliat  in  this  world  ther  shal  no  man  me 

knowe, 
To  han  my  lyf,  and  for  to  han  presence 
Of  yow,  that  doon  to  me  this  excellence. 
And  to  my  fader  shal  I  senden  here    2050 
This  worthy  man,  that  is  now  your  gay- 

lere, 
And,  him  to  guerdon,  that  he  shal  wel  be 
Oon  of  the  grettest  men  of  my  contree. 
And  yif  I  dorste  seyn,  my  lady  bright, 
I  am  a  kinges  sone,  and  eek  a  knight ; 
As  wolde  god,  yif  that  hit  mighte  be  (171) 
Ye  weren  in  my  contree,  alle  three. 
And  I  with  yow,  to  here  yow  companye. 
Than  shulde  ye  seen  j-if  that  I  ther-of  lye ! 
And,  if  I  profre  yo^v  in  low  manere    2060 
To  ben  your  page  and  serven  yow  right 

here, 
But  I  yow  serve  as  lowly  in  that  place, 
I  prey  to  Mars  to  yive  me  swiche  a  grace 
That   shames   deeth   on   me    ther    mote 

faUe, 
And   deeth   and   povert    to   my   frendes 

alio ;  2065 

And  that  my  spirit  by  nighte  mote  go  (181) 
After  my  deeth,  and  walkc  to  and  fro  ; 
That  I  mote  of  a  traitour  have  a  name, 
For  which  my  spirit  go,  to  do  me  shame  ! 
And  yif  I  ever  claime  other  degree,     2070 
But-if  ye  vouche-sauf  to  yive  hit  me. 
As  I  have  seid,  of  shames  deeth  I  dcj-e  ! 
And  mercy,  lady  !  I  can  nat  elles  seye  ! ' 

A  seemly  knight  was  Theseus  to  see. 
And  j'ong,   but   of   a  twenty  yeer  and 

three ;  2075 

But   who-so   hadde   y-soj-n   his  counten- 

aunce,  (191) 

He  wolde   have  wept,  for  routlie  of  his 

penaunce ; 
For  which  this  Adriano  in  this  manere 
Answerde  to  his  profre  and  to  his  chere. 
'  A  kinges   sone,    and    eek  a   knight,' 

quod  she,  20S0 

'  To  been  my  servant  in  so  low  degree, 


God  shilde  hit,  for  the  shame  of  women 

alle  ! 
And  leve  me  never  swich  a  cas  befalle  ! 
But   sende   yow   grace   and    sleighte    of 

herte  also, 
Yow  to  defende  and  knightly  sleen  j'our 

fo,  20S5 

And  leve  herafter  that  I  may  yow  finde 
To  me  and  to  my  suster  here  so  kinde. 
That  I  repente  nat  to  give  yow  lyf !    (205* 
Y'^it  were   hit   better   that   I   were   yotir 

"wy^i 
Sin  that  ye  been  as  gentil  born  as  I,  2090 
And  have  a  reaume,  nat  but  faste  by. 
Then  that  I  suffred  giltles  yow  to  stcrve, 
Or  that  I  let  yow  as  a  page  serve  ; 
Hit  is  not  profit,  as  unto  your  kinrede  ; 
But  what   is  that   that  man  nil  do  for 

drede  ?  2095 

And  to  mj-  suster,  sin  that  hit  is  so  (211) 
That  she  mot  goon  with  me,  if  that  I  go. 
Or  elles  suffre  deeth  as  wel  as  I, 
Tliat  ye  luito  your  sone  as  trewely  2009 
Doon  her  be  wedded  at  your  hoom-coming. 
This  is  the  fynal  ende  of  al  this  thing  ; 
Ye   swere   hit   heer,  on  al  that  may  bo 

sworn.' 
'  Ye,  lady  myn,'  quod  he,  '  or  elles  torn 
Mote  I  be  with  the  Minotaur  to-morwe  ! 
And   haveth    lier-of  my   herte-blood    to 

borwe,  (220)  2105 

Y''if  that  ye  wile  ;  if  I  had  knyf  or  spere, 
I  wolde  hit  leten  oiit,  and  ther-on  swcre, 
For  than  at  erst  I  wot  ye  wil  me  leve. 
By  Mars,  that  is  the  cheef  of  my  bileve, 
So  that  I  mighte  liven  and  nat  faile    21 10 
To-morwe  for  t'acheve  my  bataile, 
I  nolde  never  i'ro  this  place  flee, 
Til  that  ye  shuld  the  verray  preve  see. 
For  now,  if  that  the  sooth  I  shal  yow  say. 
I  have  y-loved  yow  ful  man5-  a  day,     21 15 
Tliogh  ye  ne  wiste  hit  nat,  in  my  contree. 
And  aldcrmost  desyrcd  yow  to  see       (2,52) 
Of  any  erthly  living  creature  ;  21 18 

Upon  mj'  trouthe  I  swere,  and  yow  assure, 
Thiso  seven  yeer  I  have  your  servant  be  ; 
Now  have  I  yow,  and  also  have  ye  me, 
My  dere  herte,  of  Athenes  duchesse  !' 

This  lady  smyleth  at  his  stedfastncsse, 
And  at  his  hertly  wordes,  and  his  chere. 
And  to  her  suster  seide  in  this  manere. 


ZU  Be^enb  of  ilrtabne. 


387 


Al  softely,  '  now,  suster  myn,'  quod  she, 
'  Now  be  we  duchesses,  bothe  I  and  ye. 
And  sikered  to  the  regals  of  Athenes,  (243) 
And  bothe  her-after  lykly  to  be  queues. 
And  saved  fro  his  deeth  a  kinges  sone, 
As  ever  of  gentil  women  is  the  wone   2131 
To  save  a  gentil  man,  emforth  hir  might, 
In  honest  cause,  and  namely  in  his  right. 
Me   tliinketh  no  wight  oghte  her-of  us 

blame, 
Ne  beren  us  ther-for  an  evcl  name.'  2135 
And  shortly  of  this  matere  for  to  make. 
This  Theseus  of  her  hatli  leve  y-take,  (252) 
And  every  point  -j-performed  was  in  dede 
As  ye  have  in  this  covenant  herd  me  rede. 
His  wepen,  his  clew,  his  tiling  that  I  have 
said,  2140 

Was  by  the  gayler  in  the  hous  y-laid 
Ther  as  this  Minotaur  hath  his  dwelling. 
Right  faste  by  the  dorc,  at  his  entring. 
And  Theseus  is  lad  unto  his  deeth,      2144 
And  forth  un-to  this  Minotaur  he  geeth. 
And  by  the  teching  of  this  Adriane    (261) 
He  overcom  this  beste,  and  was  his  bane ; 
And  out  he  cometh  by  the  clewe  again 
Ful  prevely,   whan  he  this  beste  hath 
slain  ;  2149 

And  by  the  gayler  geten  hath  a  barge, 
And  of  his  wyves  tresor  gan  hit  cliarge. 
And  took  his  wyf,  and  eek  her  suster  free. 
And  eek  the  gaylei-,  and  with  hem  alle 

three 
Is  stole  awey  out  of  the  lond  by  nighte. 
And    to    the    centre    of    Ennopye    him 
dighte  2155 

Ther  as  ho  had  a  frend  of  his  knowinge. 
Ther  festen  they,  ther  dauncen  they  and 
singe ;  (272) 

And  in  his  armes  hath  this  Adriane, 
Tliat  of  the  beste  hath  kept  him  from  his 
bane ;  2159 

And  gat  him  ther  a  newe  barge  anoon. 
And  of  his  contree-folk  a  ful  gret  woon, 
And  taketh  his  leve,  and  hoomward  sail- 

eth  he. 
And  in  an  yle,  amid  the  wilde  see, 
Tlier  as  ther  dwclte  creature  noon 
Save   wilde   bestes,   and   that   fiU  many 
oon,  2165 

He  made  his  ship  a-londe  for  to  sette  ; 
And  in  that  yle  half  a  day  he  lette,    (282) 


And  seide,  tliat  on  the  lond  he  moste  him 

reste. 
His   mariners   han    doon  right    as    him 

leste ; 
And,  for  to  tellen  shortly  in  this  cas,  2170 
Whan  Adriane  his  wyf  a-slepe  was. 
For  that  her  suster  fairer  was  than  she. 
He   taketh  her  in  his   bond,  and  fortli 

goth  he 
To  shippe,  and  as  a  traitour  stal  his  way 
Whyl  that  this  Adriane  a-slepe  lay,     2175 
And    to     his     contree-ward     he    saileth 
blyve —  (291) 

A    twenty    devil    way    the    wind    him 

drj'^e  ! — 
And  fond  his  fader  drenched  in  the  see. 

Me  list  no  more  to  speke  of  him,  parde ; 
Thise  fiilse  lovers,  poison  be  hir  bane  ! 
But  I  wol  turne  again  to  Adriane        2181 
That  is  with  slepe  for  werinosse  atake. 
Ful  sorwefully  her  herte  may  awake. 
Alias !    for    thee    my   herte    hath    now 

pite  ! 

Eight  in  the  dawening  awaketh  she,  21S5 

And  gropetli  in  the  bedde,  and  fond  right 

noght.  (301) 

'  Alias  ! '    quod    she,    '  that   ever    I    was 

wroght ! 
I  am  betrayed  ! '  and  her  heer  to-rente. 
And  to  the  stronde    bar-fot    faste    she 

wente, 
And  cryed,  '  Theseiis  !  myn  herte  swete  ! 
Wher  be  ye,  that  I  may  nat  with  yow 
mete,  2191 

And    miglite   thus   witli   bestes   been  y- 
slain  ? ' 
The  holwo  rokkes  answerde  her  again  ; 
No   man   she   saw,   and   yit   shyned  the 
mone,  2194 

And  bye  upon  a  rokko  she  wente  sone, 
And  saw  his  barge  sailing  in  tlio  see.  (311) 
Cold  wex  her  herte,  and  right  thus  seide 

she. 
'  Meker  than  ye  finde  I  the  bestes  wilde  !' 
Hadde  he   nat  sinne,   that  her  thus  be- 

gyhle? 
She  cryed,  '  O  turne  again,  for  routhe  and 
sinne !  2200 

Thy  barge  liath  nat  al  his  meiny  inne  !  ' 
Her  korchef  on  a  pole  tip  stikked  she, 
Ascaunco  that  he  sliolde  hit  wcl  y-see, 


388 


tU  Begeni  of  (Boob  (pS)ottt4n. 


And  liim  remembre  that  she  was  behinde, 

And  tiirne  again,  and  on  the  stronde  her 
finde  ;  (320)  22(15 

But  al  for  noght ;  his  wey  he  is  y-goon. 

And  doun  she  fil  a-swown  npon  a  stoon  ; 

And  np  she  rist,  and  kiste,  in  al  her  care, 

The  steppes  of  his  feet,  ther  he  hath  fare. 

And  to  her  bedde  right  thus  she  speketh 
tho  : —  2210 

•  Thou  bed,'  quod  she,  '  that  hast  receyved 
two. 

Thou  shalt  answere  of  two,  and  nat  of 
oon  ! 

Wher  is  thy  gretter  part  away  y-goon  ? 

Alias  !  wher  shal  I,  wrecched  wight,  be- 
come ! 

For,  thogh  so  be  that  ship  or  boot  heer 
come,  2215 


Hoom    to    my   contree    dar    I   nat    for 
drede ;  (331) 

I  can  niy-selven  in  this  cas  nat  rede  ! ' 
What  shal  I  telle  more  her  complein- 
ing? 
Hit  is  so  long,  hit  were  an  he\'j'  thing. 
In  her  epistle  Xaso  telleth  al  ;  2220 

But  shortly  to  the  ende  I  telle  shal. 
The  goddes  have  her  holpen,  for  pitee  ; 
And,  in  the  signe  of  Taurus,  men  may 

see 
The  stones  of  her  coroun  shjTie  clere. — 

I  wol  no  more  speke  of  this  matere  ; 
But  thus  this  false  lover  can  begjde    2226 
His  trewe  love.     The  devil  f  him  quyte 
his  whyle  !  (342) 

Explicit  Lfgenda  Adriane  lie  Athenes. 


VII.    THE  LEGEND  OF  PHILOMELA. 


Incipit  Legenda  Philomene. 

Deus  dator  fornxarum. 

Thou    yiver   of    the    formes,    that    hast 

wroght 
The   faire   world,    and   bare   hit   in   thy 

thoght 
Eternally,  or  thou  thy  werk  began,      2230 
Whj'  madest  thou,  unto  the  slaundre  of 

man. 
Or — al  be  that  hit  was  not  thy  doing. 
As    for    that    fyn    to   make    swche    a 

thing — 
Wliy  sviffrest  thou  that  Tereus  was  bore. 
That  is  in  love  so  fals  and  so  forswore. 
That,    fro    this  world   up   to   the   lirste 

hevene,  2236 

Corrumpeth,   whan  that   folk  his  name 

nevone  ?  (10) 

And,  as  to  me,  so  grisly  was  his  dede, 
That,  whan  that  I  his  foule  story  rede, 
MjTi  eyen  wexen  foule  and  sore  also  ;  2240 
Yit  last  the  vcnim  of  so  longe  ago, 
That  hit  enfecteth  him  that  wol  beholde 
The  story  of  Tereus,  of  which  I  tolde. 

Of  Trace  was  he  lord,  and  kin  to  Marte, 
The   cruel   god  that    stant    with    blody 

darte ;  2245 


And  wedded  had  he,  ^sith  a  blisful  chere, 
King  Pandiones  faire  doghter  dere,  (20) 
That  highte  Progne,  flour  of  her  contree, 
Thogh  Juno  list  nat  at  the  feste  be, 
Ne  Ymeneus,  that  god  of  wedding  is  ; 
But  at  the  feste  redy  been,  y-wis,  2251 
Tlie   furies  thi-ee,    with   alle   hir  mortel 

brond. 
The  owle  al  night  aboute  the  balkes  wond, 
That  prophet  is  of  wo  and  of  mischaunce. 
This  revel,  ful  of  songe  and  ful  of  daunce, 
Lasteth  a  fotirtenight,  or  litel  lasse.    2256 
But,  shortly  of  this  story  for  to  passe,  (30) 
For  I  am  wery  of  him  for  to  telle. 
Five  yeer  his  wj-f  and  he  togeder  dwelle, 
Til  on  a  day  she  gan  so  sore  longe       2260 
To  seen  her  suster,  that  she  saw  nat  longe, 
That  for  desyr  she  nisto  what  to  seye. 
But  to  her  husband  gan  she  for  to  preye, 
For  goddes  love,   that   she   moste    ones 

goon  2264 

Her  suster  for  to  seen,  and  come  anoon, 
Or  elles,  but  she  moste  to  her  wende. 
She  preyde  him,  that  he  wolde  after  her 

sende ;  (40) 

And  this  was,  day  by  day,  al  her  prayers 
With  al  humblesse  of  wj-fhood,  word,  and 

chere.  2260 


ZU  Bcgeni)  of  (p^tfomefa. 


389 


This  Tereiis  let  make  liis  shippes  yare, 
And  into  Grece  liim-self  is  forth  y-farc 
Unto  his   fader   in   lawe,    and  gan  him 

preye 
To   voviche-sauf    that,    for   a   month    or 

tweye, 
That  Philomene,  his  wj^es  suster,  mighte 
On    Progne   his   wj^f  but   ones    have    a 
sighte —  2275 

'And  she  shal  come  to  j'ow  again  anoon. 
Myself  with   her   wol   bothe    come   and 
goon,  (50) 

And  as  myn  hertes  lyf  I  wol  her  kejie.' 
This   olde    Pandion,    this    king,    gan 
wepe 
For  tendernesse  of  herte,  for  to  leve    2280 
His   doghter  goon,  and   for  to  yive  her 

levo ; 
Of  al  this  world  he  lovede  no-thing  so  ; 
But  at  the  laste  leve  hath  she  to  go. 
For  Philomene,  with  salte  teres  eke, 
Gan  of  her  fader  grace  to  beseke  2285 

To  seen  her  suster,  that  her  longeth  so  ; 
And  him  embraceth  with  her  amies  two! 
And  therwith-al  so  yong  and  fair  was  she 
Tliat,  whan  that  Tereus  saw  her  beautee, 
And  of  array  that  ther  was  noon  her 
liche,  (63)  2290 

And  yit  of  bountee  was  she  two  so  richc, 
He  caste  his  tjTy  herte  upon  her  so 
That  he  wol  have  her,  how  so  that  hit  go, 
And  witli  his  wyles  kneled  and  so  preyde. 
Til  at  the  laste  Pandion  thus  seyde  : — 
'Now,  sone,'  quod  he,  'that  art  tome 
so  dere,  2296 

I  thee  betake  my  yonge  doghter  here,    (70) 
That  bereth  the  key  of  al  my  hertes  lyf. 
And  grete  wel  my  doghter  and  thy  wyf. 
And  yive  her  leve  somtyme  for  to  pleye. 
That  she  may  seen  me  ones  er  I  deye.' 
And   soothly,    he   hath    mad    him   riche 
feste,  2302 

And  to  his  folk,  the  moste  and  eek  the 

leste. 
That  with  him  com;  and  yaf  him  yiltes 

grete, 

And  him  conveyeth  through  the  maister- 

strete  2305 

Of  Athenes,  and  to  the  see  him  broghte. 

And  turneth   hoom ;    no   malice   he    ne 

thoghte.  («o) 


The  ores  pulleth  forth  the  vessel  faste. 
And  into  Trace  arriveth  at  the  laste. 
And  up  into  a  forest  he  her  ledde,       2310 
And  to  a  cave  privily  him  spedde  ; 
And,  in  this  derke  cave,  yif  her  leste, 
Or  leste  noght,  he  bad  her  for  to  reste  ; 
Of  whiche  her  herte  agroos,  and  seyde 

thus, 
'  Wher  is  my  suster,  brother  Tereus?'  2315 
And  therwith-al  she  wepte  tenderly, 
And  quook  for  fere,  pale  and  pitously. 
Eight  as  the  lamb  that   of  the  wolf  is 

biten  ; 
Or   as   the   colver,    that   of    the    egle   is 

smiten. 
And  is  out  of  his  clawes  forth  escaped,  2320 
Yet  hit  is  afered  and  awhaped 
Lest  hit  be  hent  eft-sones,  so  sat  she. 
But  utterly  hit  may  non  other  be. 
By  force  hath  he,  this  traitour,  doon  that 

dede. 
That  he  hath  reft  her  of  her  mayden- 

hede,  2325 

Maugree  her  heed,  by  strengthe  and  by 

his  might.  (99) 

Lo  !  here  a  dede  of  men,  and  that  a  right ! 
She     cryeth    '  suster ! '    with     ful     loud 

stevene, 
And  '  fader  dere  ! '  and  '  help  me,  god  in 

hevene  ! '  2329 

Al  helpeth  nat ;  and  yet  this  false  theef 
Hath  doon  this  lady  yet  a  more  mischeef, 
For  fere  lest  she  sholde  his  shame  crye, 
And  doon  him  openly  a  vilanye. 
And  with  his  swerd  her  tong  of  kerveth 

he, 
And  in  a  castel  made  her  for  to  be      2335 
Ful  privily  in  prison  evermore, 
And   kepte   her    to   his   usage    and    his 

store,  (no) 

So  that  she  mighte  him  nevermore  asterte. 
O  sely  Philomene  !  wo  is  thyn  herte; 
God   wreke   thee,    and    sendc    thee    thy 

bone !  2340 

Now  is  hit  tyme  I  make  an  endc  sone. 

Tliis  Tereus  is  to  his  wyf  y-come, 
And  in  liis  armes  hath  his  wyf  y-nome. 
And    pitously   he   weep,   and    shook   his 

heed, 
And  swor  her  tliat  he  fond  her  suster 
deed ;  2345 


390 


ZU  Bt^tn^  of  (Boob  (^ontCn. 


For  which  this  sely  Progne  hath  swich 

wo,  (119)  2346 

That  ny  her  sorweful  herte  Lrak  a-two ; 
And  thus  in  teres  lete  I  Prog^ne  dwellc, 
And  of  her  suster  forth  I  wol  yow  telle. 
This  wofixl  lady  lerned  had  in  youtho 
So  that  she  werken  and  enbrouden  couthe, 
And  weven  in  her  stole  the  radevore 
As  hit  of  women  hath  be  woned  yore. 
And,  shortly  for  to  sej-n,  she  hath  her 

fille 
Of  mete  and  drink,  and  clothing  at  her 

wille,  2355 

And  coude    eek    rede,    and   wel   j--nogh 

endyte. 
But  ^^'ith  a  penne  coude  she  nat  wryte  ; 
But  lettres  can  she  weven  to  and  fro,    (131) 
So  that,  by  that  the  yeer  was  al  a-go, 
She  had  y-woven  in  a  stamin  large      2360 
How  she  was  broght  from  Athenes  in  a 

barge. 
And  in  a  cave  how  that  she  was  broght ; 
And  al  the  thingthat  Tereus  hath  wroght, 
She   waf  hit   wel,   and  wroot  the  story 

above. 
How  she  was  served  for  her  suster  love  ; 
And  to  a  knave  a  ring  she  yaf  anoon,    2366 
And  prayed  him,  by  signes,  for  to  goon  (mo) 
Unto  the  queno,  andberen  her  that  clooth. 
And  by  signes  swor  him  many  an  ooth. 
She  sholde  him   yeve    what    she    geten 

mighte.  2370 

This  knave  anoon  unto  the  quene  him 

dighte, 


And  took  hit  her,  and  al  the  maner  tolde. 
And,  whan  that  Progne  hath  this  thing 

beholde, 
No  word  she  spak,  for  sorwe  and  eek  for 

rage ; 
But  feyned  her  to  goon  on  pilgrimage  2375 
To    Bachus    temple ;     and,    in     a     litel 

stounde. 
Her  dombe  suster  sitting  hath  she  founde, 
Weping  in  the  castel  her  aloon.  (151) 

Alias !   the  wo,  the   compleint,   and  the 

iQOon 
That    Progne    upon    her    dombe    suster 

maketh !  238(5 

In  armes  everich  of  hem  other  taketh. 
And  thus  I  lete  hem  in  hir  sorwe  dwelle. 
The   remenant    is    no   charge    for   to 

telle. 
For  this   is   al   and  som,  thus  was  she 

served. 
That  never  harm  a-gUte  ne  deserved  2385 
Unto  this  cruel  man,  that  she  of  wiste. 
Ye   may  be  war   of  men,  yif  that  yow 

liste.  (160) 

For,  al  be  that  he  wol  nat,  for  his  shame, 
Doon  so  as  Tereus,  to  lese  his  name, 
Ne  serve  yow  as  a  mordrour  or  a  knave, 
Ful  litel  whyle  shul  ye  trewo  him  have, 
That  wol  I  seyn,    al   were   he   now   my 

brother,  2392 

But   hit  so   be   that   ho  may   have   non 

other.  (166) 

Explicit  Legenda  Philomcne. 


VII I.    THE  LEGEND  OF  PHYLLIS. 


Incipit  Lerjenda  Phillis, 
Bt  preye  as  wel  as  by  at^ctoritee. 
That   wikked  fruit  comet  h  of  a  wikked 

tree,  2395 

That   may  ye   finde,    if    that    it    lyketli 

yow. 
But  for  this  ende  I  speko  this  as  now. 
To  telle  you  of  false  Demophon. 
In  love  a  falser  herde  I  never  non, 
But-if  hit  were  his  fader  Theseus.        24<x) 


'  God,  for  his  grace,  fro  swich  oon  kepo 

us  ! ' 
Thus  may  thise  women  prayen  that  hit 

here.  (9) 

Now  to  th'effect  tume  I  of  my  matere. 

Destroyed  is  of  Troye  the  citee  ;        24.04 
This  Demophon  com  sailing  in  the  see 
Toward  Athenes,  to  his  paleys  large  ; 
With  him  com  many  a  shiii  and  many  a 

barge 


ZU  Bt^trxt  of  (f>6?fft0. 


391 


Fill  of  his  folk,  of  whicli  fnl  manj-  oon 
Is  wounded  sore,  and  seek,  and  wo  be- 

goon.  2409 

And  they  han  at  the  sege  louge  y-lain. 
Behinde  him  com  a  wind  and  eek  a  rain 
That  shoof  so  sore,   his  sail   ne   miglite 

stonde,  (19) 

Him  were  lever  than  al  the  world  a-londe, 
So  hunteth  him  the  tempest  to  and  fro. 
So  dark  hit  was,  heconde  nowher  go  ;  2415 
And  with  a  wawe  brosten  was  his  stere. 
His   ship   was    rent    so    lowe,    in   swich 

manere. 
That  carpenter  no  coiide  hit  nat  amende. 
The  see,  by  nighte,  as  any  torche  brende 
For  wood,  and  posseth  him  now  up  now 

doun,  2420 

Til  Neptune  hath  of  him  compassioun, 
And    Thetis,  Chorus,   Triton,    and  they 

alle. 
And  maden  him  lapon  a  lond  to  falle,  (30) 
'\^'her-of  that  Phillis  lady  was  and  qucne, 
Ligurgus  doghter,  fairer  on  to  sene  2425 
Than  is  the  flour  again  the  brighte  Sonne. 
Unnethe  is  Demophon  to  londe  y-wonne, 
Wayk  and  eek  werj-,   and  his  folk  for- 

pyncd 
Of  werinesse,  and  also  enfamyncd  ;     2429 
And  to  the  deetli  he  almost  was  j"-driven. 
His  wyse  folk  to  conseil  han  him  yiven 
To  seken  help  and  socour  of  the  queen, 
And  loken  what  his  grace  mighte  been,  (40) 
And  maken  in  that  lond  som  chevisaunce. 
To  kepen  him  fro  wo  and  fro  mischaunce. 
For  seek  was  he,  and  almost  at  the  deeth  ; 
Unnethe  mighte  he  speke  or  di-awe  his 


breeth. 


2437 


And  Ij-th  in  Rodopeya  him  for  to  reste. 
Whan  he  may  wallte,  him  thoughte  hit 

was  the  beste 
Unto  the  court  to  seken  for  socour.     2440 
Men   knowe   him   wel,    and   diden    him 

honour ; 
For  at  Athcnes  duk  and  lord  was  he. 
As  Tlieseus  liis  fader  hadde  y-be,  (50) 

That  in  his  tynac  was  of  gi'eet  ronoun, 
Xo  man  so  greet  in  al  his  regioun  ;     2445 
And  lyk  his  fader  of  face  and  of  stature. 
And  i'als  of  love  ;  hit  com  him  of  nature  ; 
As  doth  the  fox  Renard,  the  foxes  soue, 
Of  kinde  he  coudo  his  olde  faders  wone 


Withoute  lore,  as  can  a  drake  swimme. 
Whan  hit  is  caught   and   carieel  to  the 

brimme.  245 1 

This  honourable  Phillis  doth  him  chere. 
Her  lyketh  wel  his  port  and  his  manere. 
But  for  I  am  agroted  heer-biforn  (61) 

To  wryte  of  hem  that  been  in  love  for- 
sworn, 2455 
And  eek  to  haste  me  in  my  legende. 
Which  to  performe  god  me  gi-ace  sende, 
Therfor  I  passe  shortly  in  this  wyse  ; 
Ye  han  wel  herd  of  Theseus  devyse 
In  the  betraising  of  fair  Adriane,        2460 
That   of  her  pite    kepte   him  from   his 

bane. 
At  shorte  wordes,  right  so  Demophon 
The  same  wey,  the  same  path  hath  gon  (70) 
That  dide  his  false  fader  Theseus. 
For  unto  Phillis  hath  he  sworen  thus,  2465 
To    wedden    her,    and    her    his   trouthe 

plight  e, 
And  piked  of  her  al  the  good  he  mighte. 
Whan  he  was  hool  anil  sound  and  hadde 

his  reste  ; 
And  doth  with  Phillis  what  so  that  him 

leste. 
And  wel  coixdo  I,  yif  that  me  leste  so,  2470 
Tellen  al  his  doing  to  and  fro. 

He  seide,  unto  his   contree   moste   he 

saile, 
For  ther  he  wolde  her  wedding  apparaile 
As  fil  to  her  honour  and  his  also.  (81) 

And  openly  he  took  his  levc  tho,  2475 

And  hath  her  sworn,  he  wolde  nat  sojorne, 
But  in  a  month  he  wolde  again  retorne. 
And  in  that  lond  let  make  his  ordinaiuice 
As  verray  lord,  and  took  tho  obeisaunce 
Wel   and    hoomly,    and   let  his    shippes 

dighte,  2480 

And  hoom  he  gotli  the   ne.xte    wey    he 

mighte  ; 
For  unto  Phillis  j-it  ne  com  ho  noght. 
And   that   hath  she  so  harde   and   sore 

aboght,  (90) 

Alias !  that,  as  the  stories  us  rccorde, 
Sho   was  her  owne  deeth   right   with  a 

corde,  24S5 

WHian  that  she  saw  that  Demophon  her 

trayed. 
But  to  him  first  she  wroot  and  fasto 

him  prayed 


39- 


ZU  Bt^tn'ii  of  (Boob  (ISoinen. 


He  wolile  come,  and  her  deliver  of  peyne, 
As  I  reherse  shal  a  word  or  tweyne. 
Me  list  nat  vouehe-saiif  on  liim  to  swinke, 
Ne  spende  on  liim  a  penne  ful  of  inke,  2491 
For  fals  in  love  was  he,  right  as  his  syre  ; 
The  devil  sette  hir  soules  bothe  a-fyre  ! 
But  of  the  lettre  of  Phillis  wol  I  -n-rj-te 
A  Word  or   tweyne,  al-thogh  hit  be  but 

lyte.  (102)  2495 

'  Thyn  hostesse,'  quod  she, '  O  Demophon, 
Thy  PhiUis,  which  that  is  so  wo  begon, 
Of  Rodopeye,  upon  yow  moot  compleyne. 
Over  the  terme  set  betwix  us  tweyne. 
That  ye  ne  holden  forward,  as  ye  seyde  ; 
Your   anker,    which    ye    in    our    haven 

leyde,  2501 

Highte  us,  that  ye  wolde  comen,  out  of 

doute, 
Or  that  the  mone  ones  wente  aboute.  (no) 
But  tymes  foure  the  mone  hath  hid  her 

face 
Sin  thilke  day  ye  wente  fro  this  place,  2505 
And  foure  tymes  light  the  world  again. 
But  for  al  that,  yif  I  shal  soothly  sain, 
Yit  hath  the  streem  of  Sitho  nat  y-broght 
From  Athenes  the  ship ;    jit  comtli  hit 

noght. 
And,  yif  that  ye  the  terme  rekne  wolde. 
As  I  or  other  trewe  lovers  sholde,         251 1 
I  plejnie  not,  god  wot,  beforn  my  day.' — • 
But  al  her  lettre  wryten  I  ne  may   (120) 
By  ordre,  for  hit  were  to  me  a  charge  ; 
Her   lettre   was   right  long  and   ther-to 

large ;  2515 

But  here  and  there  in  ryme  I  have  hit 

laid, 
Tlier  as  me  thoughte  that  she  wel  hath 

said. — 
She  seide,  '  thy  saUes  comen  nat  again, 
Ne  to  thy  word  ther  nis  no  fej'  certein  ; 
But  I  wot  why  ye  come  nat,'  quod  she  ; 
'  For  I  was  of  my  love  to  you  so  free.       2521 
And  of  the  goddes  that  ye  han  forswore, 
Yif  that  hir  vengeance  falle  on  yow  ther- 

fore,  (130) 

Ye  be  nat  suffisaunt  to  here  the  peyne. 
To  moche  trusted  I,  wel  may  I  pleyne,  2525 


Upon  your  linage  and  your  faire  tonge. 
And  on  your  teres  falsly  out  y-wronge. 
How  coude  ye  wepe  so  by  craft?'  quod 

she  ; 
'  May  ther  swiche  teres  feyned  be  ? 
Now  certes,  yif  j'e  wolde  have  in  memorie. 
Hit  oghte  be  to  yow  but  litel  glorie      2531 
To  have  a  sel.v  mayde  thus  betrayed  ! 
To  god,'  quod  she,  '  preye  I,  and  ofte  have 

prayed,  .  (i4<>) 

That  hit  be  now  the  grettest  prys  of  alle. 
And  moste  honour  that  ever   yow   shal 

befaUe !  2535 

And  whan  thyn  olde  auncestres  peynted 

be. 
In  which  men  may  hir  worthinesse  see. 
Than,  preye  I  god,  thou  jieynted  be  also, 
That  folk  may  reden,  for-by  as  they  go, 
"  Lo  !  this  is  he,  that  with  his  flaterye  2540 
Betrayed  hath  and  doon  her  vilanye 
That  was  his  trewe  love  in  thoghte  and 

dede ! " 
But  sothly,  of  00  point  yit  may  they  rede. 
That  ye  ben  lyk  your  fader  as  in  this ;  (151) 
For  he  begyled  Adriane,  y-wis,  2545 

With  swiche  an  art  and  swiche  sotelte 
As  thou  thy-selven  hast  begyled  me. 
As  in  that  point,  al-thogh  hit  be  nat  fayr. 
Thou  folwest  him,  certein,  and  art  his  eyr. 
But  sin  thus  sinfully  ye  me  beg>-le,     2550 
My  body  mote  ye  seen,  within  a  whyle, 
Eight  in  the  haven  of  Athenes  fletinge, 
With-outen  sepulture  and  buryinge  ;  (160) 
Thogh  ye  ben  harder  then  is  any  stoon.' 
And,  whan  this  lettre  was  forth  sent 

anoon,  2.t55 

And  knew  how  brotel  and  how  fals  he 

was, 
She  for  dispeyr  for-dide  herself,  alias  ! 
Swich  sorwe  hath  she,  for  she  besette  her 

so. 
Be  war,  ye  women,  of  your  sotil  fo,      2559 
Sin  yit  this  day  men  ma.v  ensample  see  ; 
And  trusteth,  as   in   love,   no   man   but 

me.  (168) 

Explicit  Legenda  Phillis. 


Z^i  jSe^enb  of  ^pperittne0<ira. 


393 


IX.    THE  LEGEND  OF  HYPEEMNESTRA. 


Incipit  Legenda  Ypermistre. 

In-  Grece  whylom  weren  brethren  two, 
Of  wliiche  that  oon  was  called  Danao, 
Tliat  man^-  a  soiie  hath  of  his  body  wonne, 
As  swiche  false  lovers  ofte  conne.         2565 
Among  his  sones  alle  ther  was  oon 
That  aldermost  he  lovede  of  everichoon. 
And  whan  this  child  was  born,  this  Uanao 
Shoop   him    a    name,    and    called    him 

Lino. 
That  other  brother  called  was  Egiste,  2570 
That   was   of  love   as  fals    as   ever  him 

listo,  (10) 

And  manj^  a  doghter  gat  he  in  his  lyve  ; 
Of  which  he  gat  upon  his  righte  wyve 
A  doghter  dere,  and  dide  her  for  to  calle 
Ypermistra,  yongest  of  hem  alle  ;        2575 
The  whiche  child,  of  her  nativitee. 
To  alle  godo  thewes  born  was  she, 
As  lyked  to  the  goddes,  or  she  was  born, 
That   of  the   shefo    she   sholde    be    the 

corn  ;  (18) 

The  Wirdcs,  that  we  clepen  Destinee,  2580 
Hath  shapcn  her  that  she  mot  nedes  bo 
Pitonsc,  sadde,  wyse,  and  trcvve  as  steel ; 
And  to  this  woman  hit  accordeth  weel. 
For,   though   that   Venus   yaf  her  greet 

beaut  ee. 
With  Jupiter  compouned  so  was  she  2585 
That   conscience,  trouthe,   and  dreed  of 

shame. 
And  of  her  wyf  hood  for  to  kepe  her  name, 
This,  thoughte  her,  was  felicitee  as  here. 
And   rede   Mars  was,  that   tyme  of  the 

yere. 
So  feblo,  that  his  malice  is  him  raft,    2590 
Repressed  hath  Venus  his  cruel  craft;  (30) 
fWhat  with  Venus  and  other  opprcssioun 
Of  houses,  Mars  his  venim  is  adoun. 
That  Ypermistra  dar  nat  handle  a  knyf 
In  malice,  thogh  she  sholde  leso  her  lyf. 
But  natheles,  as  heven  gan  tho  turne,  2596 
To  badde  asj)ectes  hath  she  of  Saturne, 

O 


That  made  her  for  to  deyen  in  prisoun, 
As  I  shal  after  make  mencioun. 

To  Danao  and  Egistes  also —  2600 

Al-thogh  so  be  that  they  were  brethren 

two,  (40) 

For  thilke  tyme  nas  spared  no  linage — 
Hit  lyked  hem  to  maken  mariage 
Betwix  Ypermistra  and  him  Lino, 
And  casten  swiche  a  day  hit  shal  be  so;  2605 
And  ful  acorded  was  hit  witterly; 
The  array  is  wroght,  the  tyme  is  faste  by. 
And  thus  Lino  hath  of  his  fadres  brother 
The  doghter  wedded,  and  echo  of  hem 

hath  other. 
The  torches  brennen  and  the  lampes 

brighte,  2610 

The  sacrifices  been  ful  redy  dighte  ;     (50) 
Th'encens  out  of  the  fyre  reketh  sote, 
The   flour,   the   leef  is   rent   up    by  the 

rote 
To  maken  garlands  and  coroimes  hye  ; 
Ful  is  the  place  of  soun  of  minstralcye, 
Of  songes  amorous  of  mariage,  2616 

As  thilke  tyme  was  the  pleyn  usage. 
And  this  was  in  the  paleys  of  Egiste, 
That  in  his  hous  was  lord,  right  as  him 

liste  ; 
And   thus   tho   day   they   drj'vcu  to   an 

ende ;  2620 

The  frendes  taken  leve,  and  hoom  they 

wende.  (60) 

The  night  is  come,  the  bryd  slial  go  to 

bedde ; 
Egiste  to  his  chambro  faste  him  spodde, 
And  privily  ho  let  his  dogliter  calle. 
Whan  that  tho  hous  was  voided  of  hem 

alle,  2625 

He    loked    on    his    doghter   with    glad 

chere, 
And  to  her  spak,  as  ye  shul  after  here. 
'  My  righte    doghter,    tresor    of   nrj-n 

herte  ! 
Sin  first  that  day  that  shapen  was  my 

sherte, 


394 


ZU  Begeni  of  600^  (^omen. 


Or  by  the  fatal  sustren  had  my  dom,  2630 
So  ny  myn  herte  never  thing  me  coni  (70) 
As     thou,     myn      Ypermistra,     doghter 

dere  ! 
Tak   heed   what    I    thy  fader    sey   thee 

here, 
And  "werk  after  thy  ■wyser  ever-mo. 
For  alderfirste,  doghter,  I  love  thee  so  2635 
That  al  the  world  to  me  nis  half  so  leef  ; 
Ne  I  nolde  rede  thee  to  thy  niischeef 
For  al  the  gode  under  the  colde  mone  ; 
And  what  I  mene,  hit  shal  be  seid  right 

sone, 
With  protestacioun,  as  in  this  wyse,  2640 
Tliat,  but  thou  do  as  I  shal  thee  devyse, 
Thou  shalt  be  deed,  by  him  that  al  hath 

wroght  !  (81) 

At  shorte  wordes,  thou  n'escapest  noght 
Out  of  my  paleys,  or  that  thou  be  deed, 
But  thou  consente  and  werke  after  my 

reed ;  2645 

Tak  this  to  thee  for  ful  conclusioun.' 

This  Ypermistra  caste  her  eyen  doun. 
And    quook   as   dooth    the  leef  of   aspe 

grene; 
Deed  wex  her  hewe,  and   lyk  as  ash  to 

sene,  2649 

And  soyde, '  lord  and  fader,  al  your  wille. 
After  my  might,  god  wot,  I  slial  fulfiUe, 
So  hit  to  me  be  no  confusioun.'  (91) 

'  I  nil,'  quod  he, '  have  noon  excepcioun ' ; 
And  out  hecaughte  a  knyf,  asrasourkene; 
'Hyd  this,'  quod  lie,  'that  hit  be  nat  y- 

sene ;  2655 

And,  wlian  thyn  husbond  is  to  bedde  y-go, 
Whj'l  that  he  slepeth,  cut  histhrote  a-two. 
For  in  my  dremes  hit  is  warned  me 
How  that  my  ucvew  shal  my  bane  be. 
But   whiche    I   noot,   wherfor   I   wol   be 

siker.  2660 

Yif  thou  sey  nay,   we  two  shul  have  a 

biker  (100) 

As   I   have   seyd,    by   him    that   I   have 

sworn.' 
This  Ypermistra  hath  ny  her  wit  forlon ; 
And,  for  to  passen  harmles  of  that  jilace, 
She  graunted  him  ;  ther  was  non  other 

grace.  26^5 

And  therwith-al  a  costrel  taketh  he, 
And  seyde,  '  herof  a  draught,  or  two  or 

three ; 


Yif  him   to    drinke,    whan   he   goth    to 

reste, 
And  he  shal  slope  as  longo  as  ever  thee 

loste. 
The  narcotiks  and  opies  been  so  stronge  : 
And  go   thy  wey,  lest  that  him  thinke 

longe.'  ('">)  2671 

Out  comth  the  bryd,  and  with  ful  sober 

chere. 
As  is  of  maidens  ofte  the  manere, 
To  chambre  is  broght  with  revel  and  with 

songe. 
And  shortlj',  lest  this  tale  be  to  longe,  2675 
Tliis  Lino   and  she  ben  sone  broght  to 

bedde ; 
And  every  wight  out  at  the  dore    liim 

spedde. 
The  night  is  wasted,  and  he  fel  a-slepe  ; 
Ful  tenderly  beginneth  she  to  wepe. 
She    rist    her    up,    and     dredfully     she 

quaketh,  2680 

As    doth    the    braunche    that   Zcphirus 

shaketh,  (120) 

And  husht  were  alle  in  Argon  that  citee. 
As  cold  as  any  frost  now  wexeth  she  ; 
For  pite  by  the  herte  her  streyneth  so. 
And  dreed  of  deeth  doth  her  so  moche  wo, 
That  thryes   doun   she   fil  in    swiche  a 

were.  2686 

She  rist  her  up,  and  stakereth  heer  and 

there. 
And  on  her  handcs  faste  lokcth  she. 
'Alias  !  and  shul  my  handes  blody  be  ? 
I  am  a  maid,  and,  as  by  my  nature,    2690 
And  by  my  semblant  and  by  my  vesture, 
Myn  handes  been  nat  shapen  for  a  knyf. 
As  for  to  reve  no  man  fro  his  Ij'f.         ('32) 
What  devil  have  I  with  the  knyf  to  do  ? 
And  shal  I  have  my  throte  corve  a-two  ? 
Then   shal   I   blede,    alias !    and  me   be- 

shende ;  2696 

And  nodes  cost  tliis  thing  jnot  have  an 

cnde  ; 
Or  he  or  I  mot  nedes  lese  our  lyf. 
Now  certes,'  quod  she,  '  sin  I  am  his  wyf, 
And  hath  my  feith,  j'it  is  it  bet  for  me 
For  to  be  deed  in  wyfly  honestee  (140)  2701 
Tlian  be  a  traitour  living  in  my  shanie. 
Be  as  he  may,  for  ernest  or  I'or  ganie, 
He  shal  awake,  and  ryse  and  go  his  way 
Out  at  this  goter,  or  that  hit  be  day! ' — 


^U  Begenb  of  '^^ptvmn^etva. 


395 


And  weep  fnl  tenderly  npon  liis  face,    2706 
And  in  her  arnies  gan  him  to  embrace, 
And  him  she  roggeth  and  awaketh  softe  ; 
And   at    the   window  leep    he    fro   the 

lofte 
Wlian  she  hath  warned  him,   and  doon 

him  bote.  2710 

This  Lino  swifts  was,  and  light  of  fote. 

And  from  his  wyf  ho  ran  a  ful  good  pas. 

This  sely  woman  is  so  wayk,  alias  !     (152) 

And  helples  so,    that,   or    that   she   fer 

wente, 
Her  cruel  fader  dide  her  for  to  hente.  2715 


Alias  !  Lino  !  why  art  thou  so  unkinde? 
Why  ne  haddest  thou  remembred  in  thy 

minde 
To  taken  her,   and   lad   her   forth   with 

thee  ? 
For,  whan  she  saw  that  goon  awey  was  he, 
And  that  she  mighte  nat  so  faste  go,    2720 
Ne  folwen  him,  she  sette  her  doun  right 

tho,  (160) 

Til  she  was  caught  and  feterc^d  in  prisoun. 

This  tale  is  seid  for  this  conclusioun.  .  . 

{Unfinished.) 


05 


A   TREATISE    ON   THE 
ASTROLABE. 


PROLOGUS. 


LiTEL  Lowis  my  sone,  I  have  perceived 
wel  by  certeyne  evidences  thyn  abilite  to 
lorne  scieucez  toiichinge  iiounabres  and 
proporeiouiis  ;  and  as  wel  considere  I  thy 
bisy  preyere  in  special  to  lerne  the  Trctis 
of  the  Astrolabio.  Than,  for  as  mechel 
as  a  philosofrc  seith,  '  he  wrappcth  him  in 
his  trend,  tliat  condescendeth  to  the 
riijlitful   preyers   of  his   frend,'   ther-for 

I  have  I  goven  thee  a  suffisannt  Astrohibie 
as  for  oure  orizonte,  compowned  atter  the 
latitude  of  Oxenford;  iip-on  which,  by 
mediacion  of  this  litel  tretis,  I  purpose  to 
techo  thee  a  certein  nombre  of  conclu- 
sions apertening  to  the  same  instrument. 
I  sej-c  a  certein  of  conclnsiouns,  for  three 
causes.  Tlie  furste  cause  is  tliis  :  trusto  wel 
that  alle  the  conclusiouns  that  han  ben 
founde,    or    elles    possibly    mighten    be 

I  founde  in  so  noble  an  instrument  as  an 
Astrolabie,  ben  un-knowe  perfitly  to  any 
mortal  man  in  this  rogioun,  as  T  suppose. 
A-nother  cause  is  this;  that  sothly,  in  any 
tretis  of  the  Astrolabio  that  I  have  seyn, 

;  there  ben  some  conclusions  that  wole  nat 
in  aUe  thinges  performen  hir  bihestes  ; 
and  some  of  hem  ben  to  harde  to  tliy 
tendre  age  of  ten  yeer  to  conseyve.  This 
tretis,  ili\'ided  in  fyvo  parties,  wole  I  shewe 

>  thee  under  ful  lighte  rewles  and  naked 
wordes  in  English;  for  Latin  no  canstow 


yit  but  smal,  my  lyte  sone.  But  natheles, 
suffjse  to  thee  thise  trewe  conclusiouns  in 
English,  as  wel  as  suffyseth  tothisc  noble 
clerkes  Grekes  thise  same  conclusiouns  in  35 
Greek,  and  to  Arabiens  in  Arabik,  and  to 
Jewes  in  Ebrew,  and  to  the  Latin  folk  in 
Latin  ;  wliiche  Latin  folk  han  hem  furst 
out  of  othre  diverse  laugages,  and  writen 
in  hir  osvno  tonge,  that  is  to  sein,  in  40 
Latin.  And  god  wot,  that  in  alle  thise 
langages,  and  in  many  mo,  han  thise 
conclusiouns  ben  suffisantly  lerned  and 
taught,  and  yit  by  diverse  rewles,  right  as 
diverse  patlies  leden  diverse  folk  the  45 
righte  wey  to  Rome.  Now  wol  I  prey 
meekly  every  discreet  personc  that  redeth 
or  hereth  this  litel  tretis,  to  have  my 
rowde  endyting  for  excused,  and  my 
superfluite  of  wordes,  for  two  caiises.  The  50 
firste  cause  is,  for  that  curious  endj-ting 
and  hard  sentence  is  ful  hevy  atones  for 
swieh  a  child  to  lerne.  And  the  seconde 
cause  is  this,  that  sothly  me  semeth  betre 
to  wryten  un-to  a  child  twyes  a  good  55 
sentence,  than  ho  forgete  it  ones.  And 
Lowis,  yif  so  be  that  I  shewe  tlieo  in  my 
lighte  English  as  trewe  conclusiouns 
touching  this  matere,  and  naught  onlj-as 
trewe  but  as  many  and  as  subtil  con-  60 
clusiouns  as  ben  shewed  in  Latin  in  any 
connnune  tretis  of  the  Astrolabie,  con  me 


ZU  SetvoiaU :    ^Att  I. 


397 


the  more  thank  ;  and  prcye  god  save  the 
king,  that  is  lord  of  this  langage,  and  alio 

6^  that  him  fej'th  bereth  and  obeyetli,  ever- 
ech  in  his  degree,  the  more  and  the  lasse. 
Biit  eonsidere  wel,  that  I  ne  iisurpe  nat  to 
have  founde  this  werk  of  my  labour  or  of 
mj'n   engj-n.     I   nam   hnt   a  lewd   com- 

70  pilatour  of  the  labour  of  olde  Astro- 
logiens,  and  have  hit  translated  in  myn 
English  only  for  thy  doctrine  ;  and  with 
this  swerd  shal  I  sleen  en\'ye. 

I.  The  firste  partie  of  this  tretis  shal 
7.<  roherse  the  figures  and  the  niembres  of 

thyn  Astrolabie,  lii-cause  that  thou  shalt 
han  the  grettre  knowing  of  thyn  owno 
instrument. 

II.  The  second  partie  shal  teche  thee 
!'o  werken  the  verrey  practilc  of  the  forseide 

c'onclusiouns,  as  ferforth  and  as  narwe 
as  may  be  shewed  in  so  smal  an  instru- 
ment portatif  about e.  For  wel  wot  every 
astrologien  that  smalest  fraccions  ne  wol 
85  nat  ben  shewed  in  so  smal  an  instrument, 
as  in  subtil  tables  calculed  for  a  cause. 

III.  The  thridde  partie  shal  contienen 
diverse  tables  of  longitudes  and  latitudes 
of  sterrcs   fixe   for   the  Astrolabie,  and 

(^o  tables  of  declinacions  of  the  sonne,  and 
tables  of  longitudes  of  citeez  and  of 
to^vlles  ;  and  as  wel  for  the  governance 


of  a  clokke  as  for  to  finde  the  altitude 
meridian  ;    and   many  another   notable 
conclusioun,   after  the  kalendres  of  the  95 
reverent  clerkes,  frere  I.  Somer  and  frere 
N.  Lenne. 

IV.  The  fertile  partie  shal  ben  a  theorik 
to  declare  the  nioevinge  of  the  celestial 
bodies   with    the    causes.      The    whiche  100 
ferthe   partie   in  special  shal  shewen  a 
table  of  the  verray  moeviug  of  the  mone 
from  houre  to  houre,  every  day  and  in 
every  signe,  after  thyn  almenak  ;   u^jon 
which  table  ther  folwith  a  canon,  suflfi-  105 
sant  to  teche  as  wel  the  maner  of  the 
wj'rking  of  that  same  conclusiovin,  as  to 
knowe  in  oure  orizonte  with  which  de- 
gree of  the  zodiac  that  the  mone  ariseth 
in  any  latitude  ;  and  the  arising  of  any  nn 
planete  after  his  latitude  fro  the  ecliptik 
lyne. 

V.  The  fifte  partie  shal  ben  an  intro- 
ductorie  after  thestatutz  of  oure  doctours, 
in  which  thou,  maist  lerne  a  gret  part  of  1 15 
the  general  rewles  of  theorik  in  astrologie. 
In  which  fifte  j)artie  shaltow  finde  tables 
of  equacions  of  houses  aftur  the  latitude 
of  Oxenford  ;  and  tables  of  dignetes  of 
planetes,  and  other  noteful  thinges,  yif  120 
god  wol  vouche-sauf  and  his  modur  the 
mayde.  mo  than  I  behete,  &c. 


PAET   I. 


Here  lUGiNUETn  the  nEscniPciON  ok  the 

ASTKOLAKIE. 

1.  Thyn  Astrolabie  hath  a  ring  to 
putten  on  the  thoumbe  of  thy  right 
hand  in  taking  the  heighte  of  thinges. 
And  tak  keep,  for  from  hennes-forthward, 

5  I  Wf)l  clepo  the  heighte  of  any  thing  that 
is  taken  l)y  thy  rewle,  the  altitude,  with- 
outo  mo  wordes. 

2.  This  ring  rennoth  in  a  maner  turet, 
fast  to  the  moder  of  thyn  Astrolabie,  in 
so  rowm  a  space  tliat  hit  desturbeth  nat 
the  instrument  to  hangen  after  his  righte 

5  centre. 


3.  The  Moder  of  thyn  Astrolabie  is  the 
thikkeste  plate,  perced  with  a  large  hole, 
that  resseyvetli  in  hir  wombe  the  thinnc 
plates  compowned  for  diverse  clymatz, 
and  thy  riet  shapen  in  manere  of  a  net  or  5 
of  a  webbe  of  a  loppe  ;  and  for  the  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  the  figure. 

4.  This  moder  is  dev.^•ded  on  the  bak- 
lialf  with  a  lyne,  that  comcth  dessend- 
inge  fro  the  ring  down  to  the  netherestc 
bordure.  The  whiche  lyne,  fro  the  for- 
seide ring  un-to  the  centre  of  the  large  .s 
hole  amidde,  is  cleped  the  south  lyne,  or 
elles  the  lyne  meridional.  And  1ho 
remenant  of  this  IjTio  do^^•nc  to  the  boi'- 


198 


ZU  Sotvoiah  :    ^avi  i. 


dure  is  clepcd  the  north  Ijiie,  or  elles  the 
lyne  of  midnight,  And  for  the  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  the  figure. 

5.  Over-thwart  this  for-seide  longe 
lyne,  ther  crosseth  him  another  lyne  of 
the  same  lengthe  from  est  to  west.  Of 
the  whiche  IjTie,  from  a  litel  croys  +  in 
the  hordure  un-to  the  centre  of  the  large 
hole,  is  cleped  the  Est  l.yne,  or  elles  the 
lyne  Orientale  ;  and  the  remenant  of  this 
lyne  fro  the  forseide  4-  lui-to  the  bordure, 
is  cleped  the  West  IjTie,  or  the  lyne  Occi- 

I  dentale.  Now  hastow  here  the  foure 
quarters  of  thin  astrolabie,  devj'ded  after 
the  foure  principals  plages  or  quarters  of 
the  firmament.  And  for  the  more  declar- 
acioun, lo  here  thy  figure. 

6.  The  est  side  of  th5ni  Astrolabie  is 
cleped  the  right  side,  and  the  west  side 
is  cleped  the  left  side.  Forget  nat  this, 
litel  Lewis.     Put  the  ring  of  thyn  Astro- 

:  lahie  upon  the  thoumbe  of  thy  right 
hand,  and  thanne  wole  his  right  syde  be 
toward  thy  left  syde,  and  his  left  syde 
wol  be  toward  thy  right  syde;  tak  this 
rewle  general,  as  wel  on  the  bale  as  on 

>  the  wombe-side.  Upon  the  ende  of  this 
est  lyne,  as  I  first  seide,  is  marked  a  litel 
+  ,  wher-as  evere-mo  generaly  is  con- 
sidered the  entring  of  the  first  degree  in 
which  the  Sonne  aryseth.     And  for  the 

;  more  declaracioun,  lo  here  the  figure. 

7.  Fro  this  litel  +  up  to  the  ende  of 
the  lyne  meridional,  under  the  ring, 
shaltow  finden  the  bordure  devyded  with 
90  degrees  ;  and  by  that  same  proporcioun 

■  is  every  quarter  of  thin  Astr(dabic  de- 
vyded. Over  the  whiche  degrees  ther 
hen  noumbres  of  augrim,  that  dev^s-den 
thilke  same  degrees  fro  fj'^'e  to  i'yvG,  as 
sheweth  by  longe  strykes  by-tweno.     Of 

>  whiche  longe  strykes  the  space  by-twene 
contienith  a  mile-wej'.  And  every  degree 
of  the  bordure  contieneth  foure  minutes, 
that  is  to  seyn,  minutes  of  an  houre. 
And  for  more  declaracioun,  lo  hero  the 

y  fignre. 

8.  Under  the  compas  of  thilke  degrees 
ben  writen  the  names  of  the  Twelve 
Signes,  as  Aries,  Taiirus,  Gemini,  Cancer, 
Leo,  Virgo,  Libra,   Scorpio,    Sagittarius, 


Capricomns,  Aquarius,  Pisces  ;  and  tlie  5 
nombres  of  the  degrees  of  tho  signes  ben 
writen  in  aiigrim  above,  and  with  longe 
devisiou.ns,  fro  fyve  to  fyve  ;  devj'ded  fro 
tyme  that  the  signe  entreth  un-to  the 
laste  ende.  But  iinderstond  wel,  that  10 
thise  degrees  of  signes  ben  everich  of  hem 
considered  of  60  minutes,  and  every 
minute  of  6t>  secondes,  and  so  forth  in-to 
smale  fraccions  infinit,  as  seith  Alka- 
bucius.  And  thcr-for,  know  wel,  that  15 
a  degree  of  the  bordure  contieneth  foure 
minutes,  and  a  degree  of  a  signe  con- 
tieneth 60  minutes,  and  have  this  in 
minde.  And  for  the  more  declaracioun, 
lo  here  tliy  figure.  20 

9.  Next  this  folweth  the  Cercle  of  the 
Dayes,  that  ben  figured  in  maner  of 
degrees,  that  contiencn  in  noumbre  365  ; 
divyded  also  with  longe  strykes  fro  fj-ve 
to  fyve,  and  the  nombres  in  augrim  5 
writen  under  that  cercle.  And  for  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  tliy  figure. 

10.  Next  the  Cercle  of  the  Dayes,  fol- 
weth the  Cercle  of  the  names  of  the 
Monthes ;  that  is  to  seyen,  Januare, 
Februare,  Marcius,  Aprile,  Mayus,  Juin, 
Julius,  Augustus,  Septembre,  October,  5 
Novembre,  Decembre.  The  names  of 
thise  monthes  were  cleped  in  Arabiens, 
somme  for  hir  propretecs,  and  some  bj- 
statutz  of  lordes,  some  by  other  lordes  of 
Rome.  Eek  of  thise  monthes,  as  lyked  10 
to  Julius  Cesar  and  to  Cesar  Augustus, 
some  were  compowncd  of  diverse  nom- 
bres of  daj-es,  as  Juil  and  August.  Thanno 
hath  Januare  31  dayes,  Februare  28, 
March  31,  Aprillc  30,  M<ay3i,  Junius  30,  15 
Julius  31,  Augustus  31,  September  30, 
Octo))re  31,  Novembre  30,  December  31. 
Natheles,  al-though  that  Julius  Cesar 
took  2  dayes  out  of  Feverer  and  put  hem 

in  his  moneth  of  Juille,  and  Augustus  20 
Cesar  cleped  the  moneth  of  August  after 
his  name,  and  ordeyned  it  of  31  dayes, 
yit  truste  wel,  that  the  sonne  dwelleth 
ther-for  nevere  the  more  ne  lesse  in  oon 
signe  than  in  another.  25 

11.  Than  folwen  the  names  of  the 
Halidayes  in  tlie  Kalcndor,  and  next 
hem   the   lettres  of  the  Abe.   on  which 


ZU  ilefrofafie :  (pari  i. 


399 


thej'  fallen.     And  for  the  more  deolara- 
5  cioun,  lo  here  thy  figvu'e. 

12.  Next  the  forseide  Cercle  of  the 
Abe,  under  the  cros-lyne,  is  marked  the 
scale,  in  maner  of  two  squyres,  or  elles  in 
manere  of  laddres,  that  serveth  by  hise 

5  12  poyntes  and-  his  devisionns  of  ful 
many  a  subtil  conclusioun.  Of  tliis  for- 
seide scale,  fro  the  croos-lyne  un-to  the 
verre  angle,  is  clei^ed  -[n/nbra  versa,  and 
the  nether  partie  is  cleped  the  -f  umbra 
u>  recta,  or  elles  umbra  extensa.  And  for 
the  more  declaracionn,  lo  here  the  tigiire. 

13.  Thanne  hastow  a  brood  Rewle, 
that  hath  on  either  endo  a  square  plate 
perced  with  a  certeiu  holes,  some  more 
and  some  lesse,  to  resseyven  the  stremes 

5  of  the  Sonne  by  daj',  and  eek  by  media- 
cioun  of  th j-n  eye,  to  knowe  the  altitude 
of  sterres  by  nighte.  And  for  the  more 
declaracioiin,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

14.  Thanne  is  ther  a  large  Pyn,  in 
maner  of  an  extree,  that  goth  thorow 
the  hole,  that  halt  the  tables  of  the 
clymates  and  the  riet  in  the  wombe  of 

5  the  Moder,  thorw  which  Pyn  ther  goth 
a  litel  wegge  which  that  is  cleiDed  '  the 
hors,'  that  streyneth  alle  thise  parties  to- 
hepe  ;  this  forseide  grete  Pyn,  in  maner 
of  an  extree,  is  imagined  to  be  the  Pol 
u)  Artik  in  thyn  Astrolabie.  And  for  the 
more  declaracionn,  lo  here  the  figure. 

15.  The  wombe-side  of  thyn  Astrolabie 
is  also  devyded  with  a  longe  croys  in 
foure  quarters  from  est  to  west,  fro  south 
to  north,  fro  right  syde  to  left  syde,  as  is 

5  the  bak-syde.  And  for  the  more  declara- 
cionn, lo  here  thy  figure. 

16.  The  bordure  of  which  wombe-side 
is  dovyded  fro  the  poynt  of  the  est  lyne 
un-to  the  poynt  of  the  south  lyne  under 
the  ring,  in  90  degres  ;  and  by  that  same 

5  proporeioun  is  every  quarter  devj'ded  as 
is  the  bak-syde,  that  amonteth  3to  de- 
grees. And  understond  wel,  that  degrees 
of  this  bordure  ben  answering  and  con- 
sentrik  to  the  degrees  of  the  Equinoxial, 
10  that  is  devyded  in  the  same  nombro  as 
every  othere  cercle  is  in  the  heyehevenc. 
This  same  bordure  is  devyded  also  with 
23  lettres  capitals   and  a  smal  croys  + 


above  the  south  IjTie,  that  sheweth  the 
24  houres  equa's  of  the  clokke  ;  and,  as  15 
I  have  said,  5  of  thise  degi-ees  maken 
a  mile-wey,  and  3  mile-wey  maken  an 
houre.  And  every  degree  of  this  bordure 
conteneth  4  minixtes,  and  every  minut 
60  secoundes  ;  now  have  I  told  thee  twye.  20 
And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here 
the  figure. 

17.  The  plate  under  thy  riet  is  des- 
cryved  with  3  principal  cercles  ;  of  whiche 
the  leste  is  cleped  the  cercle  of  Cancer, 
by-cause  that  the  heved  of  Cancer  turneth 
evermor  consentrik  up-on  the  same  5 
cercle.  In  this  heved  of  Cancer  is  the 
grettest  declinacioun  northward  of  the 
Sonne.  And  ther-for  is  he  cleped  the 
Solsticioun  of  Somer ;  whiche  declina- 
cioun, aftiir  Ptholome,  is  23  degrees  id 
and  50  minutes,  as  wel  in  Cancer  as  in 
Capricorne.  This  signe  of  Cancer  is 
cleped  the  Tropik  of  Somer,  of  tropos, 
that  is  to  seyn  '  agaynward  ; '  for  thanne 
by-ginneth  the  sonue  to  ]passe  fro  us-  15 
ward.  And  for  the  more  declaracioun, 
lo  here  the  figure. 

The  middel  cercle  in  wj-dnesse,  of  thise 
3,  is  cleped  the  Cercle  Equinoxial ;  up-on 
whiche   turneth    evermo    the    hedes    of  20 
Aries  and  Libra.     And  understond  wel, 
that  evermo  this  Cercle  Equinoxial  turn- 
eth justly  fro  verrey  est  to  verrey  west ; 
as  I  have  shewed  thee  in  tlie  spere  solide. 
This  same  cercle  is  cleped  also  the  Weyere,  25 
equator,  of  the  day  ;  for  whan  the  Sonne 
is   in   the   hevedes  of  Aries   and  Libra, 
than  ben  the  dayes  and  tlie  nightes  ilj-ko 
of  lengthe  in  al  the  world.     And  thcr- 
fore   ben   thise    two    signes    called    the  30 
Equinoxies.  And  alle  that  moeveth  with- 
in the  hevedes  of  thise  Aries  and  Libra, 
his  moeving  is  cleped  north-ward  ;    and 
alle  that  moeveth  with-oute  thise  hevedes, 
his  moeving  is  cleped  south-ward  as  fro  35 
the  equinoxial.     Tak  keep  of  thise  lati- 
tudes north  and  sowth,  and  forget  it  nat. 
By  this  Cercle  Equinoxial  ben  considered 
the  24  houres  of  the  clokke  ;  for  everemo 
the  arysing  of  15  degrees  of  the  e(iuinoxial  4(1 
maketh  an  lioure   equal  of  the  clokke. 
This  equinoxial  is  cleped  the  girdel  of 


400 


ZH  ilefroFafie:    ^avt 


the  firste  moeving,  or  elles  of  the  angiihts 
primi  motus  vel  primi  mobilis.     And  nota, 

45  that  firste  moeving  is  clepecl  '  moeving ' 
of  tlie  firsto  mocvable  of  the  8  spare, 
■whiche  moeving  is  fro  est  to  west,  and 
eft  agajai  in-to  est ;  also  it  is  clepid 
'girdel'    of   tlie    first    moeving,    for    it 

50  departeth  the  firste  moevable,  tliat  is  to 

seyn,   the   spere,    in   two   ilyke    parties, 

evene-distantz  fro  the  poles  of  this  world. 

The  ^\•J'deste  of  thise  three   principal 

cercles  is  cleped  the  Cercle  of  Capricorne, 

55  by-cause  that  the  heved  of  Capricorne 
turneth  evermo  consentrik  iip-on  the 
same  cercle.  In  the  heved  of  this  for- 
seide  Capricorne  is  the  grettest  declina- 
cioun  southward  of  the  sonne,  and  ther- 

60  for  is  it  cleped  the  Solsticioun  of  Winter. 
This  sigue  of  Capricorne  is  also  cleped 
the  Tropik  of  Winter,  for  thanne  bygin- 
neth  the  Sonne  to  come  agajm  to  us-ward. 
And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here 

65  thy  figure. 

18.  Upon  this  forseide  plate  ben  com- 
passed certein  cercles  that  highten  Al- 
micanteras,  of  which  som  of  hem  semen 
perfit  cercles,  and  somme  semen  inperfit. 

5  The  centre  that  standith  a-middes  the 
narwest  cercle  is  cleped  the  Senith  ;  and 
the  netherest  cercle,  or  the  firste  cercle, 
is  clepid  the  Orisonte,  that  is  to  seyn, 
the   cercle  that  devydeth  the  two  emi- 

10  speries,  that  is,  the  partie  of  the  hevene 
a-bove  the  erthe  and  the  partie  be-nethe. 
Thise  Almicanteras  ben  compowned  by 
two  and  two,  al-be-it  so  that  on  divers 
Astrolabics  some  Almicanteras  ben   de- 

15  vydcd  by  oon,  and  some  by  two,  and 
somme  by  three,  after  the  quantito  of  the 
Astrolabie.  This  forseide  senith  is  im- 
agened  to  ben  the  verrey  point  over  the 
crowne  of  thyn   heved  ;    and   also   this 

20  senith  is  the  verrey  pool  of  the  orisonte 
in  every  regioun.  And  for  the  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

19.  From  this  senith,  as  it  semcth,  ther 
come  a  maner  crokcde  strykes  lyke  to 
the  clawes  of  a  loppe,  or  ollcs  like  to  the 
werk  of  a  womanes  calle,  in  ker%-ing  over- 

5  thwart  the  Almikanteras.  And  thise 
same   strykes   or   divisiouns  ben   cleped 


Azimuthz.  And  they  devj'den  the  ori- 
sonte of  thyn  Astrolabie  in  four  and 
twenty  devisiouns.  And  thise  Azimutz 
scrvcn  to  knowe  the  costes  of  the  firma-  10 
ment,  and  to  othre  conclusiouns,  as  for 
to  knowe  the  cenith  of  the  Sonne  and  of 
everj'  sterre.  And  fcjr  more  declaracioun, 
lo  here  thy  figure. 

20.  Next  thise  azimutz,  under  the 
Cercle  of  Cancer,  ben  ther  twelve  de- 
visiouns embelif,  moche  like  to  the  shap 
of  the  azimutes,  that  shewen  the  spaces 
of  the  houres  of  planetes  ;  and  for  more  5 
declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figiire. 

21.  The  Kiet  of  thyn  Astrolabie  with 
thy  zodiak,  shapen  in  manor  of  a  net 
or  of  a  loppe-webbe  after  the  olde  dos- 
cripcioun,  which  thow  mayst  tornen  iip 
and  doun  as  thy-self  lyketh,  conteneth  5 
certein  nombre  of  sterres  fixes,  with  hir 
longitudes  and  latitudes  determinat ;  yif 
so  be  that  the  makere  have  nat  erred. 
The  names  of  the  sterres  ben  ^vriten  in 
the  margin  of  the  riet  ther  as  they  sitte  ;  10 
of  whiche  sterres  the  smale  poynt  is 
cleped  the  Centre.  And  understond  also 
that  alle  sterres  sittingo  with-iu  the 
zodiak    of    thyn    Astrolabie   ben   cleped 

'  sterres  of  the  north,'  for  they  arysen  1:5 
by  northe  the  est  lyne.     And  aUe  the 
remenant  fixed,   out  of  the  zodiak,  ben 
cleped   '  sterres  of  the  south  ; '  but  I  sey 
nat  that  they  arysen  alle  by  southe  the 
est   lyne ;    witnesse    on  Aldeberan    and  20 
Algomeysa.     Generally  understond  this 
rewle,  that  thilke  sterres  that  ben  cleped 
sterres  of  the  north  arysen  rather  than 
the  degree  of  hir  longitude,  and  alle  the 
sterres   of   the   south    arysen   after    the  25 
degree  of  hir  longitude  ;  this  is  to  seyn, 
sterres  fixed   in   thyn    Astrolabie.      The 
mesure   of  this   longitude   of   sterres   is 
taken   in   the   lyne  ecliptik   of   hevene, 
under  which  lyne,  whan  that  the  sonne  30 
and  the  mone  ben  lyno-right  or  elles  in 
the  superfice  of  this   lyne,   tlian  is   the 
cclips  of  tlio  Sonne  or  of  the  mone  ;    as 
I  shal  declare,  and  eek  the  cause  whj'. 
But   sotlily   the   Ecliptik    Lyne    of    thy  35 
zodiak  is  the  outtercste  bordure  of  thy 
zodiak,  tlier  the  degrees  ben  marlied. 


ZU  ile^tofafie:   $>ad  ii. 


401 


ThyZodiak  of  thyn  Astrolabie  is  shapen 
as  a  compas  which  that  conteneth  a  large 

40  lirede,  as  after  the  quantite  of  thyn 
Astrolabie  ;  in  ensample  that  the  zodiak 
in  hevene  is  imagened  to  ben  a  snperfice 
contening  a  latitude  of  twelve  degrees, 
wlieras  al  the  renienant  of  cercles  in  the 

45  hevene  ben  imagined  verrey  IjTies  with- 
onte  eny  latitude.  Amiddes  this  celestial 
zodiak  ys  imagined  a  lyne,  which  that  is 
cleped  the  Ecliptik  Lyne,  under  which 
lyne   is   evormo  the  wey  of  the   sonne. 

50  Thus  ben  ther  six  degrees  of  the  zodiak 
on  that  oon  side  of  the  lyne,  and  six 
degrees  on  that  other.  This  zodiak  is 
devided  in  twelve  principal  devisiouns, 
that  departen  the  twelve  signos.     And, 

55  for  the  streitnes  of  thin  Astrolabie,  than 
is  every  smal  devisioun  in  a  signe  de- 
partid  by  two  degrees  and  two  ;  I  mene 
degrees  contening  sixty  minutes.  And 
this  forseide  hevenissh  zodialt  is  cleped 

60  the  Cercle  of  the  Signes,  or  the  Cercle 
of  the  Bestes  ;  for  zo(Ua  in  langage  of 
Greek  sowneth  '  bestes '  in  Latin  tonge  ; 
and  in  the  zodiak  ben  the  twelve  signes 
that  han  names  of  bestes  ;   or  dies,  for 

(>S  whan  the  Sonne  entreth  in  any  of  the 
signes,  he  taketh  tlie  propretee  of  swich 
bestes  ;  or  elles,  for  that  the  sterres  that 
ben  there  fixed  ben  disposed  in  signes  of 
bestes,    or  shape   like   bestes ;     or   elles, 

70  whan  the  planetes  ben  under  thilke 
signes,  they  causen  us  by  hir  influence 
operaciouns  and  effectes  lyk  to  the  opera- 
ciouns  of  bestes.  And  understonde  also, 
that  whan  an  hot  planete  cometh  in-to 

75  an  hot  signe,  than  encresseth  his  hete  ; 


and  yif  a  planete  be  cold,  thanne  amen- 
useth  his  coldnesse,  by-cause  of  the  bote 
signe.  And  by  this  conclusioun  maystow 
take  ensample  in  alio  the  signes,  be  they 
moist  or  dr\-e,  or  moeble  or  fix  ;  rekening  So 
the  qualitee  of  the  planete  as  I  first 
seide.  And  everich  of  thise  twelve  signes 
hath  respecte  to  a  certein  parcelle  of  the 
body  of  a  man  and  hath  it  in  governance ; 
as  Aries  hath  thyn  heved,  and  Taurus  thy  gt; 
nekke  and  thy  throte,  Gemini  thyn 
armholes  and  thyn  armes,  and  so  forth  ; 
as  shal  be  shewed  more  plejai  in  the  fiftc 
partie  of  this  tretis.  This  zodiak,  which 
that  is  part  of  the  eighte  spere,  over-  9" 
kerveth  the  equinoxial  ;  and  he  over- 
kerveth  him  again  in  evene  parties  ;  and 
that  on  half  declincth  southward,  and 
that  other  northward,  as  plej-nly  de- 
clareth  the  tretis  of  the  spere.  And  for  95 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

22.  Thanne  hastow  a  label,  that  is 
schapen  lyk  a  rewle,  save  that  it  is  streit 
and  hath  no  plates  on  either  ende  with 
holes  ;  but,  with  the  smale  jioint  of  the 
forseide  label,  shaltow  calcule  thyne  5 
equacioiins  in  the  bordure  of  thin  Astro- 
labie, as  by  thyn  almury.  And  for  the 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

23.  Thyn  Almury  is  cleped  the  Denticle 
of  Capricorne,  or  elles  the  Caleuler.  This 
same  Almury  sit  fix  in  the  heed  of  Cajiri- 
corne,  and  it  serveth  of  many  a  neces- 
sarie  conclusioun  in  equaciouns  of  thinges,  5 
as  shal  be  shewed ;  and  for  the  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

Here  endeth  the  descripciun  of  the 
Astrolabie. 


PART   II. 


Here  bvoisxf.n  the  Cosclusioss  of 
THE  Astrolabie. 

1.  To  f}/nde  the  degree  in  which  the  sonne  is 
day  by  day,  after  hir  cours  a-boitte. 
Rekene  and  knowe  which  is  the  day 
of  thy  monthe  ;  and  ley  thy  rewle  up 
that  same  day  ;  and  thanne  wol  the 
verray  point  of  thy  rewle  sitten  in  the 


bordure,  up-on  the  degree  of  thy  sonne.  5 
Ensample  as  thus  ;  the  yeer  of  oure  lord 
1391,  the  12  day  of  March  at  midda3-, 
I  wolde  knowc  the  degree  of  the  sonne. 
I  soughte  in  the  bak-half  of  myn  Astro- 
labie, and  fond  the  cercle  of  the  daj'es,  10 
the  which  I  knowe  by  the  names  of  the 
monthes  writen  iinder  the  same  cercle. 
Tho  leide  I  my  rewle  over  this  forseide 


402 


ZU  cHetrofafie:   (pavt  ii. 


Jay,  and  fond  the  point  of  my  rewle  in 
15  the  bordure  np-on  the  firste  degree  of 
Aries,  a  litel  with-in  the  degree ;  and 
thiis  knowe  I  this  conclusioun.  Another 
"lay,  I  ■\volde  knowe  the  degree  of  my 
Sonne,  and  this  was  at  midday  in  the 
20  13  day  of  Decembre  ;  I  fond  the  day  of 
the  monthe  in  maner  as  I  seide  ;  tho 
leide  I  my  rewle  vip-on  this  forseide  13 
day,  and  fond  the  point  of  my  rewle  in 
the  bordtire  np-on  the  first  degree  of 
25  Capricome,  a  lite  with-in  the  degree  ; 
and  than  hadde  I  of  this  conclnsioun  the 
ful  cxi^cricnce.  And  for  the  more  declar- 
acioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

2.   To  knoiee  the  altitude  of  the  sonne,  or 

of  othre  celestial  bodies. 

Put  the  ring  of  thyn  Astrolabie  up-on 

tliy  right  thonmbe,    and    turne  thy  lift 

sj-de  agayn  the  light  of  the  Sonne.     And 

remeve  thy  rewle  up  and  doun,  til  that 

5  the  stremes  of  the  Sonne  shyne  thorgh 
bothe  holes  of  thy  rewle.  Loke  thanne 
how  many  degrees  thy  rewle  is  areised 
fro  the  litel  crois  up-on  thyn  est  line,  and 
tak  ther  the  altitude  of  thy  sonne.     And 

10  in  this  same  Avj-se  maistow  knowe  by 
nights  the  altitude  of  the  mone,  or  of 
brightesterres.  This  chapitre  is  so  general 
ever  in  oon,  that  ther  nedith  no  more 
•leclaracion  •  but  forget  it  nat.     And  for 

15  the  more  declaraciomi,  lo  here  the  figure. 

S.  To  knoioe  every  tyme  of  the  day  by  light 
of  the  Sonne,  and  every  tyine  oftlie  night 
by  the  sterres  fixe,  and  eke  to  knowe  by 
night  or  by  day  the  degree  of  any  signe 
that  assendeth  on  the  Est  Orisonte,  ichich 
that  is  cleped  communly  the  Assendent, 
or  elles  Oruscupum. 

Tak  tho  altitude  of  tho  sonne  whan 
thee  list,  as  I  have  said  ;  and  set  the 
degree  of  the  sonne,  in  cas  that  it  be 
by-forn  tho  middel  of  the  day,  among 
5  thj-n  almikanteras  on  the  est  side  of  thyn 
Astrolabie  ;  and  yif  it  be  after  the  middel 
of  the  day,  set  the  degree  of  tliy  sonne 
up-on  the  west  side  ;  tak  this  manere  of 
setting  for  a  general  rewle,  ones  for 
10  evere.      And   whan    thou  hast  set    the 


degree  of  thy  sonne  up  as  many  almi- 
kanteras  of  heyghte  as  was  the  altitude 
of  the  Sonne  taken  by  thy  rewle,  ley  over 
thj-  label,  up-on  the  degree  of  the  sonne  ; 
and  thanne  wol  the  point  of  thy  label 
sitten  in  the  bordure,  up-on  the  verrey 
tyd  of  the  day.  Ensample  as  thus  :  the 
yeer  of  oure  lord  139 1,  the  12  day  of 
March,  I  wold  knowe  the  tyd  of  the  day. 
I  took  the  altitude  of  my  sonne,  and 
fond  that  it  was  25  degrees  and  30  of 
minutes  of  heyghte  in  the  bordure  on  the 
bak-syde.  Tho  turnede  I  myn  Astrola- 
bie, and  by-cause  that  it  was  l).v-forn 
midday,  I  turnede  my  riet,  and  sette  the 
degree  of  the  sonne,  that  is  to  seyn,  the 
I  degree  of  Aries,  on  the  right  syde  of 
xiiya  Astrolabie,  up-on  that  25  degrees 
and  30  of  minutes  of  heyghte  among  myn 
alinikanteras  ;  tho  leide  I  my  label  np-on 
the  degree  of  my  sonne,  and  fond  the 
poynte  of  my  label  in  the  bordure,  up-on 
a  capital  lettre  that  is  cleped  an  X  ;  tho 
rekened  I  alle  the  caj)italles  lettres  fro 
the  lyne  of  midnight  iin-to  this  forseide 
lettre  X,  and  fond  that  it  was  9  of  the 
clokke  of  the  day.  Tho  loked  I  down 
up-on  the  est  orisonte,  and  fond  there 
the  20  degree  of  Geminis  assending ; 
which  that  I  tok  for  myn  assendent. 
And  in  this  wyse  hadde  I  the  experience 
for  ever-mo  in  which  maner  I  sholde 
knowe  the  tyd  of  the  day,  and  eek  myn 
assendent.  Tho  wolde  I  wite  the  same 
niglit  folwing  the  hour  of  the  night,  and 
wroughte  in  this  wyse.  Among  an  heep 
of  storris  fi.xe,  it  Ij-ked  me  for  to  take  the 
altitude  of  the  feire  white  sterre  that  is 
cleped  Alhabor ;  and  fond  hir  sitting  on 
the  west  side  of  the  \yn&  of  midday, 
•|-i8  degres  of  heighte  taken  by  my  rewle 
on  the  bak-sj'de.  Tho  sette  I  the  centre 
of  this  Alhabor  up-on  -f-iS  degrees  among 
myn  almikanteras,  up-on  the  west  syde  ; 
by-cause  that  she  was  fottnden  on  the 
west  syile.  Tho  leide  I  my  label  over 
the  degree  of  the  sonne  that  was  de- 
scended under  the  weste  orisonte,  and 
rikened  alle  the  lettres  capitals  fro  the 
lyne  of  midday  un-to  tho  point  of  my 
label  in  the  bordure  :   and  fond  that  it 


4" 


45 


55 


ZU  ilefrofa6e :   {pavt  ii. 


403 


was  passed  fS  of  tlie  clokke  the  space  of 
■\2  degrees.  Tho  loked  I  donn  up-on  myn 
est  orisonte,  and  fond  ther  fj}  degrees  of 

•'5  Libra  assending,  whom  I  tok  for  niyn 
assendent ;  and  thus  lerned  I  to  knowe 
ones  for  ever  in  which  manere  I  shuld 
come  to  the  houre  of  the  night  and  to 
myn  assendent ;    as  verreyly  as  may  be 

70  taken  by  so  smal  an  instrument.  But 
natheles,  in  general,  wolde  I  warne  thee 
for  evere,  ne  mak  thee  nevere  bold  to 
have  take  a  just  ascendent  by  thyn 
Astrolabie,    or   elles   to   have   set   justly 

75  a  clokke,  whan  any  celestial  body  by 
which  that  thow  wenest  governe  thilke 
thinges  ben  nej'  the  south  lyne  ;  for  trust 
wel,  whan  that  the  Sonne  is  ney  the 
meridional  lyne,  the  degree  of  the  sonne 

Xo  renneth  so  longe  consentrik  up-on  the 
abnikanteras,  that  sothly  thou  shalt  erre 
i"ro  the  just  assendent.  The  same  con- 
clusioun  sey  I  by  the  centre  of  any  sterre 
fix  by  night  ;  and  more-over,  by  experi- 

.S5  ence,  I  wot  wel  that  in  oure  orisonte, 
from  II  of  the  clokke  un-to  oon  of  the 
clokke,  in  taking  of  a  just  assendent  in 
a  jiortatif  Astrolabie,  hit  is  to  hard  to 
knowe.     I  mene,  from   11  of  the  clokke 

,,(,  biforn  the  houre  of  noon  til  oon  of  the 
clokke  next  i'olwing.  And  for  the  more 
declaracion,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

4.   Special  declaracion  of  the  assendent. 

The  assendent  sothly,  as  wel  in  alle 
nativitez  as  in  questiouns  and  elecciouns 
of  tymcs,  is  a  thing  which  that  thise 
astrologiens  gretly   obsorvcn  ;   wher-fore 

5  me  semeth  convenient,  sin  that  I  speke 
of  the  assendent,  to  make  of  it  special 
declaracioun.  The  assendent  sotlily,  to 
take  it  at  the  largeste,  is  thilke  degree 
that  assendeth   at  any  of  thise  forseide 

10  tymes  upon  the  est  orisonte ;  and  there- 
for, yif  that  any  planet  assende  at  that 
same  tyme  in  thilke  for-seido  -f  degree  of 
his  longitude,  men  seyn  that  thilke 
planete  is  in  horoscopo.     But  sothly,  the 

15  hous  of  the  assendent,  that  is  to  seyn, 
the  firste  hous  or  the  est  angle,  is  a  thing 
more  brood  and  large.  For  after  the 
statutz  of  astrologiens,  what  celestijil  body 


that  is  5  degres  above  thilk.  degree  that 
assendeth,  or  with-in  that  noumbre,  that 
is  to  seyn,  nere  the  degree  that  assendeth, 
yit  rikne  they  thilke  jilanet  in  the  as- 
sendent. And  what  planete  that  is  under 
thilke  degree  that  assendith  the  space 
of  ■f25  degrees,  yit  seyn  they  that  thilke 
planete  is  lyk  to  him  that  is  in  the  hous 
of  the  assendent ;  but  sothly,  yif  he  passe 
the  bondes  of  thise  forseide  sj^aces,  above 
or  bynethe,  they  seyn  that  the  planete  is 
failling  fro  the  assendent.  Yit  sein  thise 
astrologiens,  that  the  assendent,  and  eke 
the  lord  of  the  assendent,  may  be  shapen 
for  to  be  fortunat  or  infortianat,  as  thus  ; 
a  fortunat  assendent  clepen  tliey  whan 
that  no  wikkid  planete,  as  Saturn  e  or 
Mars,  or  elles  the  Tail  of  the  Dragoun, 
is  in  the  hous  of  the  assendent,  ne  that 
no  wikked  planete  have  non  aspecto  of 
enemite  up-on  the  assendent ;  but  they 
wol  caste  that  they  have  a  fortunat 
planete  in  hir  assendent  and  yit  in  his 
felicitee,  and  than  sey  they  that  it  is  wel. 
Forther-over,  they  seyn  that  the  infor- 
tuning  of  an  assendent  is  the  contrarie 
of  thise  forseide  thinges  The  lord  of 
the  assendent.  sey  thej%  that  he  is  for- 
tunat, whan  he  is  in  good  place  fro  the 
assendent  as  in  angle  ;  or  in  a  succedent, 
where-as  he  is  in  his  dignitee  and  con- 
forted  with  frendly  aspectes  of  planetes 
and  wel  resceivcd,  and  eek  that  he  may 
seen  the  assendent.  and  that  he  be  nat 
retrograd  ne  combust,  ne  joigned  with 
no  shrewe  in  the  same  signe  ;  ne  that  he 
be  nat  in  his  descenciovin.  ne  joigned  with 
no  planete  in  his  discencioun,  ne  have 
up-<m  liim  non  aspccte  infortunat  ;  and 
than  sey  tliey  that  he  is  wel.  Natheles, 
thise  lien  observauncez  of  judicial  matiere 
and  rytes  of  payens,  in  which  my  spirit 
ne  hath  no  feith,  ne  no  knowing  of  hir 
horoKCiqntm  ;  for  they  seyn  that  every 
signe  is  dep.arted  in  3  cvene  parties  by 
10  degrees,  and  thilke  porcioun  theyclcpo 
a  Face.  And  al-thogh  that  a  planete 
have  a  latitude  fro  tho  ecliptik,  yit  sey 
some  folk,  so  that  tho  planete  arysc  in 
that  same  signe  witli  anj'  degree  of  the 
forseide  face  in   which  his  longitude   is 


40 


60 


404 


ZU  ^etvoiaU:  (pad  ii. 


7u  rekned,  that  yit  is  the  planete  in  horo- 
scopo,  he  it  in  nativite  or  in  eleccioun,  &c. 
And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here 
the  iigare. 

5,   To  knotoe  the  verrey  eqiiacioitn   of  the 

degree  of  the  sonne,  yif  so  be  that  it  falle 

hy-twixe  thyn  Almikanteras. 

For  as  moche  as  the  almikanteras  in 

thyn  Astrolabie  been  coniponned  by  two 

and  two,  where-as  some  almikanteras  in 

sondry   Astrohibies    ben    compouned   by 

5  oon  and  oon,  or  elles  by  two  and  two, 

it  is  necessarie  to  thy  lerning  to  teche 

thee  first  to  knowe  and  worke  with  thyn 

owne  instrmneut.     Wher-for,  whan  that 

the  degree  of  thy  Sonne  falleth  by-twixe 

JO  two  almikanteras,  or  elles  yif  thyn  almi- 
kanteras ben  graven  Avith  over  gret 
a  point  of  a  compas,  (for  bothe  tliise 
thinges  may  causen  errour  as  wel  in 
knowing  of  the  tyd  of  the  day  as  of  the 

15  verrey  assendent),  thou  most  werken 
in  this  wyse.  Set  the  degree  of  thy 
Sonne  up-on  the  heyer  almikanteras 
of  bothe,  and  waito  wel  wher  as  thin 
almury   toucheth   the   bordure,   and   set 

20  ther  a  prikke  of  inke.  Set  doiin 
agayn  the  degree  of  thy  Sonne  up-on 
the  nethere  almikanteras  of  bothe,  and 
set  thor  another  prikke.  Kemcwe  thanne 
thyn  almury  in  tlie  l)ordure  evcne  amid- 

25  dcs  bothe  prikkes,  and  this  wol  ledo 
justly  the  degree  of  thy  sonne  to  sitte 
bj'-twixe  bothe  almikanteras  in  his  riglit 
phvcc.  Ley  thanne  thy  label  over  the 
degree  of  thy  sonne ;    and   find   in  the 

30  bordure  the  verrey  tyde  of  the  day  or  of 
the  night.  And  as  verreyly  slialtow 
finde  up-on  tliyn  est  orisonte  thyn  assen- 
dent. And  for  more  declaracioun,  lo 
liere  thy  figure. 

6.  To  knoive  the  spring  of  the  dmving  and 

the  ende  of  the  evening,    the  which  ben 

called  the  two  crepusctdis : 

Set  the  nadir  of  tliy  sonne  up-on    18 

degrees  of  hoighte  among  thyn  ahnikan- 

teras  on  the  west  s.vde,  and  ley  tliy  label 

on  the  degree  of  thy  sonne,  and  thanne 

5  shal  the  po_\Tit  of  thy  label  schewe  tlie 

spring  of  day.     Also  set  the  nadir  of  thy 


Sonne  up-on  18  degrees  of  heigh te  a/-mong 
thyn  almikanteras  on  the  est  side,  and 
ley  over  thy  label  up-on  the  degree  of  the 
Sonne,  and  with  the  point  of  thy  label  10 
find  in  tlie  bordure  the  ende  of  the 
evening,  that  is,  verrey  night.  The  nadir 
of  the  Sonne  is  thilke  degree  that  is 
opposit  to  the  degree  of  the  sonne,  in  the 
seventhe  signe,  as  thus :  every  degree  i.s 
of  Aries  by  ordre  is  nadir  to  every  degree 
of  Libra  by  ordre  ;  and  Taurus  to  Scor- 
pion ;  Gemini  to  Sagittare ;  Cancer  to 
Capricorne  ;  Leo  to  Aquario ;  Virgo  to 
Pisces  ;  and  yif  any  degree  in  thy  zodiak  20 
be  dirk,  his  nadir  slml  declare  him.  And 
for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy 
figure. 

7.  To  knowe  the  arch  of  the  day,  that  some 
folk  callen  the  day  artificial,  from  the 
Sonne  arysing  til  hit  go  to  reste. 

Set  the  degree  of  thy  sonne  up-on  thyn 
est  orisonte,  and  ley  thy  label  on  the 
degree  of  the  sonne,  and  at  the  poynt 
of  thy  label  in  tlie  bordiire  set  a  prikke. 
Turn  thanne  thy  riet  aboute  til  the  5 
degree  of  the  sonne  sit  up-on  the  west 
orisonte,  and  ley  thy  label  iip-on  the 
same  degree  of  the  sonne,  and  at  the 
point  of  thy  label  set  a-nother  prikke. 
Rekne  thanne  the  quantitee  of  tyme  in  10 
the  bordure  by-twi.\e  bothe  prikkes,  and 
tak  ther  thyn  ark  of  the  day.  The  reme- 
nant  of  the  bordiire  imder  the  orisonte  is 
the  ark  of  the  night.  Thus  maistow 
rekne  bothe  arches,  or  every  porcion,  15 
of  whether  that  thee  lyketh.  And  by 
this  manere  of  wyrking  maistow  see  how 
longe  that  any  sterre  fi.x  dwelleth  a-bove 
the  erthe,  fro  tyme  that  he  ryseth  til  he 
go  to  reste.  But  the  day  natural,  that  jo 
is  to  seyn  24  hourcs,  is  the  revolucioun  of 
the  equinoxial  with  as  moche  partie  of 
the  zodiak  as  the  sonne  of  his  propre 
moevinge  passeth  in  the  mene  whyle. 
And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here  25 
thy  figure. 

8.  To  turn  the  houres  in-equales  in  hourcs 

equates. 
Knowe  the  nombre  of  the  degrees  in 
the  houres  in-equales,  and  departc  hem 


ZU  cH0trofa6e :  ^avt  ii. 


40: 


by  15,  and  tak  ther  thyn  houres  equales. 
And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  liere 
5  thy  figure. 

9.   To  knoicc  the  quantitee  of  the  day  vul- 

gare,  that  is  to  seyen,  from  spring  of  the 

day  vn-to  veiTey  night. 

Know  the  quantitee  of  thy  crepusculis, 

us  I  have  taught  in  the  chapitre  bi-forn, 

and  adde  hem  to   the  arch  of  thy  day 

artificial ;  and  tak  tlier  the  space  of  alle 

5  the  hole  day  \'ulgar,  un-to  verrey  night. 

The   same    manere    maystow   workc,    to 

knowe  the  quantitee  of  the  vulgar  night. 

And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here 

the  figure. 

10.  To  knowe  the  quantite  of  houres 
inequales  by  day. 
Understond  wel,  that  thise  houres  in- 
equales ben   eloped   houres   of  planetes, 
and  understond  wel  that  som-tynie  ben 
they  lengere  by  day  than  by  night,  and 

5  som-tyme  the  contrarie.  But  understond 
wel,  that  everrno,  gencraly,  the  hour  in- 
equal  of  the  day  with  the  houre  in-equal 
of  the  night  conteneu  30  degrees  of  the 
bordure,     whiclio     bordure     is     ever-mo 

10  answering  to  the  degrees  of  the  equi- 
noxial ;  wher-for  departe  the  arch  of  the 
day  artificial  in  12,  and  tak  ther  the 
quantitee  of  the  houre  in-equal  by  day. 
And  yif  thow  abate  the  quantitee  of  the 

15  houre  in-equal  by  daye  out  of  30,  than 
shal  the  remenant  that  leveth  performc 
the  houre  inequal  by  night.  And  for 
rhe  more  declaracioun,  lo  here  the  figure. 

11.   To  knoicc  the  quantite  of  houres  equales. 

The  quantitee  of  houres  equales,  that 

is  to  sej'n,  the  houres  of  the  clokke,  ben 

departed   by    15   degrees   al-redy  in    the 

bordure  of  thyn   Astrolabie,  as   wel   by 

5  night    as    by    day,   generaly  for    evere. 

What  nodeth  more  declaracioun  ?   Wher- 

tbr,   whan  thee  list  to  know  how  manye 

houres  of  the  clokke  ben  passed,  or  any 

part   of   any   of    thiso   houres   that   ben 

lu  passed,    or   elles    how   many   houres    or 

partie  of  houres  ben  to  come,  fro  swich 

a  tyme  to  swich  a  tj'me,  by  day  or  by 

uighte,  knowe  the  degree  of  thy  sonne, 


and  ley  thy  label  on  it  ;  tvirne  thy  riet 
aboute  joyntly  with  tliy  label,  and  with  15 
the  point  of  it  rekne  in  the  bordure  fro 
the  Sonne  aryse  un-to  the  same  place 
ther  thoii  desirest,  by  day  as  by  nighte. 
This  conclusioun  wol  I  declare  in  the 
laste  chapitre  of  the  4  partie  of  this  tretis  20 
so  openly,  that  ther  shal  lakke  no  worde 
that  nedeth  to  the  declaracioun.  And 
for  the  more  declaraciovin,  lo  here  the 
figure. 

12.  Special  declaracioun  of  the  houres 
of  planetes. 

Understond  wel,  that  evere-mo,  fro  the 
arysing  of  the  sonne  til  it  go  to  reste,  the 
nadir  of  the  sonne  shal  shewe  the  houre 
of  the  planete,  and  fro  that  tyme  forwai  d 
al  the  night  til  the  sonne  aryse  ;  than  5 
shal  the  verrey  degree  of  the  sonne  shewe 
the  houre  of  the  planete.  Ensample  as 
thus.  The  13  day  of  March  fil  up-on  a 
Saterday  per  aventure,  and,  at  the  aris- 
ing of  the  Sonne,  I  fond  the  secoundc  lu 
degree  of  Aries  sitting  up-on  myn  est 
orisoute,  al-be-it  that  it  was  but  lite ; 
than  fond  I  the  2  degree  of  Libra,  nadir 
of  my  Sonne,  dessending  on  my  west 
orisonte,  up-on  which  west  orisonte  every  15 
day  generally,  at  the  sonne  ariste,  entreth 
the  houre  of  any  planete,  after  which 
planete  the  day  bereth  his  name  ;  and 
endeth  in  the  nexte  stryk  of  the  plate 
vinder  the  forseide  west  orisonte  ;  and  20 
evere,  as  the  sonne  climbeth  ujqiere  ancl 
uppere,  so  goth  his  nadir  dounero  and 
dounere,  teching  by  swich  strykcs  the 
houres  of  planetes  by  ordre  as  they  sitten 
in  the  hevene.  The  first  houro  inequal  25 
of  every  Satterday  is  to  Saturne  ;  and 
the  secounde,  to  Jupiter  ;  the  3,  to  Mars  ; 
the  4,  to  the  Sonne  ;  the  5,  to  Venus  ;  the 
6,  to  Mercurius  ;  the  7,  to  the  Mone  ;  and 
thanno  agayn,  the  8  is  to  Satiirne  ;  the  9,  30 
to  Jupiter;  the  10,  to  Mars;  the  ii,  to 
the  Sonne ;  the  12,  to  Veniis ;  and  now 
is  my  Sonne  gon  to  reste  as  for  that 
Setterday.  Tlianne  sheweth  the  verrey 
degree  of  the  sonne  the  houre  of  Mercuric  35 
entring  under  my  west  orisonte  at  eve  ; 
and  next  him  succedeth  the  Mone  ;  and  so 


4o6 


ZU  il0frofa8e :  (part  ii. 


forth  by  ordre,  planete  after  planete,  in 
lioure  after  lionre,  al  the  night  longe  til  the 

41)  Sonne  aryse.  Now  ryseth  the  sonne  that 
Sonday  by  the  morwe  ;  and  the  nadir  of 
the  Sonne,  iip-on  the  west  orizonte, 
sheweth  me  the  entring  of  the  houre  of 
the  forseide  Sonne.     And  in  this  maner 

45  succedeth  planete  \inder  planete,  fro 
Saturne  im-to  the  Mone,  and  fro  the 
Mone  np  a-gajni  to  Saturne,  houre  after 
houre  generaly.  And  thus  knowe  I  this 
conclusioun.     And  for  the  more  declara- 

50  cioun,  lo  here  the  figure. 

13.  To  knowe  the  altitude  of  the  mnne  in 
iniddes  of  the  day,  that  is  cleped  the 
altitude  meridian. 

Set  the  deg^'ee  of  the  sonne  up-on  the 
lyne  meridional,  and  rikene  how  many 
degrees  of  almikanteras  ben  by-twixe 
thyn  est  orisonte  and  the  degree  of  the 
5  Sonne.  And  tak  ther  thyn  altitude 
meridian  ;  this  is  to  seyne,  the  heyest  of 
the  Sonne  as  for  that  day.  So  maystow 
knowe  in  the  same  lyne,  the  heyest 
fours  that  any  sterre  fix  clinibeth  by 
:o  night ;  this  is  to  sejTi,  that  whan  any 
sterre  fix  is  passed  the  lyne  meridional, 
than  by-ginneth  it  to  descende,  and  so 
doth  the  Sonne.  And  for  the  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

14.  To  knowe  the  degree  of  the  sonne  hy 
thy  riet,  for  a  maner  curiositee,  tic. 

Sek  bysily  with  thy  rewle  the  heyest 
of  the  Sonne  in  midde  of  the  daj' ;  turne 
thanne  thyn  Astrolabie,  and  with  a 
prikke  of  ink  marke  the  nombre  of  tliat 
5  same  altitude  in  the  lyne  meridional. 
Turno  thanne  thy  riet  aboute  til  thou 
fynde  a  degree  of  tliy  zodiak  acording 
with  tlio  prikke,  this  is  to  seyn,  sittinge 
on  the  prikke  ;  and  in  sooth,  thou  shalt 

10  finde  but  two  degrees  in  al  the  zodiak 
of  that  condieioun  ;  and  j-it  thilke  two 
degrrees  ben  in  diverse  signes ;  than 
maistow  lightly  by  the  sesoun  of  the  yere 
knowe  the  signe  in  whiche  that  is  the 

15  Sonne.  And  for  the  more  declaracioun, 
lo  here  thj-  figure. 


15.  To  know  which  day  is  lyk  to  which  day 

as  of  lengthe,  Ac. 
Loke  whiche  degrees  ben  y-lyke  fer  fro 
the  hevedes  of  Cancer  and   Capricorn  ; 
and  lok,  whan  the  sonne  is   in  any   of 
thilke  degrees,  than  ben  the  dayes  j'-lyke 
of  lengthe.     Tliis  is  to  seyn,  that  as  long  5 
is  that  day  in  that  naonthe,  as  was  swich 
a  day  in  swich  a  month  ;    ther  varieth 
but  lite.     Also,  yif  thou  take  two  dayes 
natiiraly  in  the  yeer  y-lyke  fer  fro  ej-ther 
pointe  of  the  equinoxial  in  the  opposit  10 
parties,  than  as  long  is  the  day  artificial 
of  that  on  day  as  is  the  night  of  that 
othere,  and  the  contrarie.     Ajid  for  the 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

16.  This  chapitre  is  a  maner  declaracioun 

to  conclusiouns  that  folicen. 
Understond  wel    that    thy  zodiak    is 
departid  in  two  halfe  cercles,  as  fro  the 
heved  of  Capricorne  un-to  the  heved  of 
Cancer  ;  and  agaynward  fro  the  heved  of 
Cancer  un-to  the   heved   of  Capricorne.  5 
The  heved   of  Capricorne  is  the  lowest 
point,  wher-as  the  sonne  goth  in  winter  ; 
and  the  heved  of  Cancer  is  the  heyest 
point,  in  whioho  the  sonne  goth  in  somer. 
And  ther-for  understond  wel,  that  any  10 
two  degrees  that  ben  y-lyke  fer  fro  any 
of    thise  two  hevedes,    truste   wel  that 
thilke  two  degrees  ben   of  y-lyke  decli- 
nacioun,  be  it  southward  or  northward  ; 
and   the    dayes    of  hem    ben    y-lyke   of  15 
lengthe,  and  the  nightes  also ;  and  the 
shadwos  y-lj-ke,  and  the  altitudes  y-lyke 
at    midday    for    evere.     And    for    more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

17.  To  knowe  the  verrey  degree  of  any 

maner  sterre  straitnge  or  nnstraunge  after 

his  lon(/itiide,  though  he  be  indeterminal 

in  thyn  Astrolabie  ;  sothly  to  the  troicthe, 

thus  he  shal  be  knowe. 

Tak  the  altitude  of  this  sterre  whan  ho 

is  on  the  est  side  of  the  lyne  meridional, 

as   ney  as  thou  mayst   gesse ;    and  tak 

an  assendent  a-non  right  by  som  maner 

sterre  fix  which  that  thou  knowest ;  and  5 

far-get  nat  the  altitude  of  the  firste  sterre, 

ne  thj-n  assendent.     And  wlian  that  this 

is  don,  espye  diligentlj-  whan  this  same 


ZU  ^etvoiah:  ^avt  ii. 


407 


firste  sterre  passeth  any-thing  the  south 

10  wes+ward,  and  hath,  him  a-non  right  in 
the  same  nonmbre  of  altitude  on  the 
west  side  of  this  lyne  meridional  as  he 
■was  caught  on  the  est  side  ;  and  tak 
a  newe   assendent  a-non   right   by  som 

15  maner  sterre  fixe  ■which  that  thou  know- 
est ;  and  for-get  nat  this  secounde  as- 
sendent. And  -whan  that  this  is  don, 
rikne  thanne  ho^w  nianye  degrees  ben 
by-twixe    the    firste   assendent   and   the 

20  seconde  assendent,  and  rikne  ■\vel  the 
middel  degree  by-twene  bothe  assendentes, 
and  set  thilke  middel  degree  up-on  thin 
est  orisonte ;  and  waite  thanne  ■what 
degree   that    sit   up-on    the    lyne   rneri- 

25  dional,  and  tak  ther  the  verrey  degi-ee 
of  the  eeliptik  in  which  the  sterre  stond- 
eth  for  the  tj'me.  For  in  the  eeliptik 
is  the  longitude  of  a  celestial  body 
rekened,   evene  fro   the   heved   of  Aries 

30  un-to  the  ende  of  Pisces.  And  his  latitude 
is  rikned  after  the  quantitee  of  his  decli- 
nacion,  north  or  south  to-^warde  the 
poles  of  this  ■world  ;  as  thus.  Yif  it  be 
of  the  Sonne  or  of  any  fix  sterre,  rekene 

35  his  latitude  or  his  declinacioun  fro  the 
equinoxial  cercle  ;  and  yif  it  be  of  a 
planete,  rekne  than  the  quantitee  of  his 
latitude  fro  the  eeliptik  lyne.  Al-be-it 
so  that  fro  the  equinoxial  may  the  decli- 

40  nacion  or  the  latitude  of  any  body  celes- 
tial be  rikned,  after  the  site  north  or 
south,  and  after  the  quantitee  of  his  de- 
clinacion.  And  right  so  may  the  latitude 
or  the  declinacion  of  any  body  celestial, 

45  save  only  of  the  Sonne,  after  his  site 
north  or  south,  and  after  the  quantitee 
of  his  declinacioun,  be  rekned  fro  the 
eclijitik  lyne;  fro  which  lyne  alle  planetes 
som  tyme  declynen  north  or  south,  save 

50  only  the  for-seide  Sonne.  And  for  the 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

18.  To  knowe  the  degrees  of  the  longitudes 
of  fixe  sterres  after  that  they  ben  deter- 
minat  in  thin  Anfrulabie,  yif  so  be  that 
they  ben  treuiy  set. 

Set  the  centre  of  the  sterre  iip-on  the 
lyne  meridional,  and  tak  keep  of  thy 
zodiak,  and  loke  what  degree  of  any  signe 


that  sit  on  the  same  lyne  naeridional  at 
that  same  tj-me,  and  tak  the  degree  in  , 
which  the  sterre  standoth  ;  and  ■with 
that  same  degree  comth  that  same  sterre 
un-to  that  same  Ij'ne  fro  the  orisonte. 
And  for  more  declaracioun,  lo  liere  thy 
figure. 

19.  2'o  knoiceiuith  which  degree  of  the  zodiak 
any  sterre  fixe  in  thyn  Astrolabie  aryseth 
np-on  the  est  orisonte,  al-thogh  his  dwell- 
ing be  in  a-nother  signs. 

Set  the  centre  of  the  sterre  up-on  the 
est  orisonte,  and  loke  ■what  degree  of  any 
signe  that  sit  up-on  the  same  orisonte  at 
that  same  tyme.  And  understond  -wel, 
that  with  that  same  degree  aryseth  that  ; 
same  sterre ;  and  this  merveyllous  arysing 
■with  a  strange  degree  in  another  signe 
is  by-cause  tliat  the  latitude  of  the  sterre 
fix  is  either  north  or  south  fro  the  equi- 
noxiaL  But  sothly,  the  latitudes  of 
planetes  ben  comunly  rekned  fro  the 
eeliptik,  bi-cause  that  non  of  hem  de- 
clineth  but  fewe  degrees  out  fro  the  brede 
of  the  zodiak.  And  tak  good  keep  of 
this  chapitre  of  arysing  of  the  celestial 
bodies  ;  for  triiste  wel,  that  neyther  mone 
ne  sterre  as  in  oure  embelif  orisonte 
aryseth  -with  that  same  degree  of  his 
longitude,  save  in  00  cas  ;  and  that  is, 
whan  they  have  no  latitude  fro  the  • 
eeliptik  lyne.  But  natheles,  som  tyme 
is  everiche  of  thise  planetes  under  the 
same  lyne.  And  for  more  dechn-acioun, 
lo  here  thy  figure. 

20.  To  knoice  the  declinacioun  of  any  degree 
in  the  zodiak  fro  the  equinoxial  cercle,  dr. 

Set  the  degree  of  any  signe  up-on  the 
lyne  meridional,  and  rikne  his  altitude 
in  almikanteras  fro  the  est  orizonte  up 
to  the  same  degree  set  in  the  forseide 
lyne,  and  set  ther  a  prikke.  Turne  up  ; 
thanne  thy  riet,  and  set  the  hoved  of 
Aries  or  Libra  in  the  same  meridional 
lyne,  and  set  ther  a-nother  prikke.  And 
■whan  tliat  this  is  don,  considcre  the 
altitudes  of  hem  bothe  ;  for  sotlily  the  ; 
difference  of  thilke  altitudes  is  the  decli- 
nacion of  thilke  degree  fro  the  equinoxial. 
And  yif  so  be  that  thilke  degree  be  north- 


ZU  <H0trofa6e:  ^avt  ii. 


ward   fro   the   eqiiinoxial,    than    is    his 
15  declinacion  north  ;  yif  it  be  soitthwanl, 
than  is   it    south.     And    for    tlie    more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  tliy  figure. 
"21.  To   Icmnve   for  what   latitude   in   any 

rcgioun   the   ahnikantcras  of  any   table 

ben  componned. 

Eikne  how  nianye  degrees  of  almikan- 
teras,  in  the  meridional  lyne,  be  fro  the 
cercle  eqninoxial  nn-to  the  senith  ;  or 
elles  fro  the  pool  artik  un-to  the  north 
5  orisonte  ;  and  for  so  gret  a  latitude  or  for 
so  smal  a  latitude  is  the  table  compouned. 
And  for  more  declaracion,  lo  here  thy 
figure. 
22.   To  knotce  in  special   the  latitude   of 

cure  countray,  I  mene  after  the  latitude 

of  Oxenford,  and  the  heighte  ofourepol. 

Understond  wel,  that  as  fer  is  the  heved 
of  Aries  or  Libra  in  the  equinoxial  from 
oure  orisonte  as  is  the  senith  from  the  pole 
artilc  ;  and  as  hey  is  the  pol  artik  fro  the 
5  orisonte,  as  the  equinoxial  is  fer  fro  the 
senith.  I  prove  it  thus  by  the  latitude 
of  Oxenford.  Understond  wel,  that  the 
heyghte  of  oure  pool  artik  fro  oure  north 
orisonte  is  51  degrees  and  50  minutes  ; 
in  than  is  the  senith  from  oure  pool  artik 
38  degrees  and  10  minutes  ;  than  is  the 
equinoxial  from  oure  senitli  51  degrees 
and  50  minutes ;  than  is  oure  south 
orisonte  from  oure  eqninoxial  38  degrees 
15  and  10  minutes.  Understond  wel  this 
rekning.  Also  for-get  nat  that  the  senith 
is  90  degrees  of  heyghte  fro  the  orisonte, 
and  oure  equinoxial  is  90  degrees  from 
oure  pool  artik.  Also  this  shorto  rewle 
20  is  sotli,  that  the  latitude  of  any  place  in 
a  regioun  is  the  distance  fro  the  senith 
imto  the  equinoxial.  And  for  more 
declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 
2?>.  To  prove  evidently  the  latitude  of  any 

place  in  a  regioun,  by  the  preve  of  the 

heyghte   of  the  pol  artik  in  that   same 

place. 

In  some  winters  night,  whan  the  fir- 
mament isclere  and  thikke-storred,  waite 
a  tyme  til  that  any  sterre  fix  sit  Ij-ne-right 
perpendiculer    over   the   pol   artik,   and 
5  clepe  that  sterre  A.     And  waj-te  a-nother 


sterre  that  sit  Ijme-right  under  A,  and 
under  the  pol,  and  clepe  that  sterre  F. 
And  understond  wel,  that  F  is  nat  con- 
sidered but  only  to  declare  that  A  sit 
evene  overe  the  pool.  Tak  thanne  a-non  n. 
right  the  altitude  of  A  from  the  orisonte, 
and  forget  it  nat.  Lat  A  and  F  go  farwel 
til  agayns  the  dawening  a  gret  wlij-le  ; 
and  come  thanne  agayn,  and  abyd  til 
that  A  is  evene  under  the  pol  and  under  i  - 
F ;  for  sothly,  than  wol  F  sitte  over  the 
pool,  and  A  wol  sitte  luader  the  pool. 
Tak  than  eit-sones  the  altitude  of  A  from 
the  orisonte,  and  note  as  wel  his  secounde 
altitude  as  his  firste  altitude  ;  and  whan  20 
that  this  is  don,  rikne  how  manye  degrees 
that  the  firste  altitude  of  A  excedeth 
his  seconde  altitude,  and  tak  half  thilke 
porcioun  that  is  exceded,  and  adde  it  to 
his  seconde  altitude  ;  and  tak  ther  the  25 
elevacioun  of  thy  pool,  and  eke  the 
latitude  of  thy  regioun.  For  thise  two 
ben  of  a  nombre ;  this  is  to  seyn,  as 
many  degrees  as  thy  pool  is  elevat,  so 
michel  is  the  latitude  of  the  regioun.  3) 
Ensample  as  thus :  par  aventure,  tlio 
altitude  of  A  in  the  evening  is  56  degrees 
of  heyghte.  Than  wol  his  seconde  altitude 
or  the  dawing  bo  48  ;  that  is  8  lasse  than 
56,  that  was  liis  firste  altitude  at  even.  35 
Take  thanne  the  half  of  8,  and  adde  it  to 
48,  that  was  his  seconde  altitude,  and 
than  hastow  $2.  Xow  hastow  the  heyghte 
of  thy  pol,  and  the  latitude  of  the  rcgioun. 
But  understond  wel,  that  to  prove  this  4'> 
conclusioun  and  many  a-nother  fair  con- 
clusioun,  thou  most  have  a  plomet  hang- 
ing on  a  lyne  hej-er  tlian  tliin  heved 
on  a  perche ;  and  thilke  lyne  mot 
hange  evene  perpendiculer  by-twixe  tlie  45 
pool  and  thyn  eye  ;  and  thanne  shaltow 
seen  yif  A  sitte  evene  over  the  pool  and 
over  F  at  evene  ;  and  also  yif  F  sitte 
evene  over  the  pool  and  over  A  or  day. 
And  for  more  declaracion,  lo  hero  thy  50 
figure. 

24.  A  nother  conclusioun  to  prove  the  heyghte 
of  the  pool  artik  fro  the  orisonte. 

Tak  any  sterre   fixe  that  nevere  dis- 
sendeth   \inder   the   orisonte    in    thilke 


ZU  ilefrofafie :  (part  ii. 


4C9 


regioun,  and  considere  liis  lieyest  altitude 
and  his  lowest  altitude  fro  the  orisonte  ; 
5  and  make  a  nombre  of  hothe  thise  alti- 
tudes. Tak  thanne  and  abate  half  that 
nombre,  and  tak  ther  the  elevacioun  of 
the  pol  artik  in  that  same  regioun.  And 
for  more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

25.  A-nother  conclusioun  to  prove  the 
latitude  of  the  regioun,  etc. 

Understond  wel  that  the  latitude  of 
any  place  in  a  regioun  is  verreyly  the 
space  by-twixe  the  senith  of  hem  that 
dwellen  there  and  the  equinoxial  cerkle, 
5  north  or  southe,  taking  the  mesure  in 
the  meridional  lyne,  as  sheweth  in  the 
almikanteras  of  thyn  Astrolabie.  And 
thilke  space  is  as  moche  as  the  pool  artik 
is  hey  in  the  same  place  fro  tlie  orisonte. 

10  And  than  is  the  depressioun  of  the  pol 
antartik,  that  is  to  sejii,  than  is  the  pol 
antartik  by-nethe  the  orisonte,  the  same 
quantite  of  space,  neither  more  ne  lasse. 
Thanne,  yif  thow  desire  to  knowe  this 

15  latitude  of  the  regioun,  tak  the  altitude 
of  the  Sonne  in  the  middel  of  the  day, 
whan  the  sonne  is  in  the  hevedos  of 
Aries  or  of  Libra ;  (for  thanne  moeveth 
the  Sonne  in  the  lyne  equinoxial j ;  and 

20  abate  the  nombre  of  that  same  sonnes 
altitude  out  of  90,  and  thanne  is  the 
remenaunt  of  the  noumbre  that  leveth 
the  latitude  of  the  regioun.  As  thus  : 
I  suppose  that  the  Sonne  is  thilke  day 

25  at  noon  38  degrees  and  10  minutes  of 
heyghte.  Abate  thanne  thise  degrees  and 
minutes  out  of  90;  so  leveth  there  51 
degrees  and  50  minutes,  the  latitude. 
I  sey  nat  this  but  for  ensample  ;  for  wel 

30  I  wot  the  latitude  of  Oxenforde  is  certein 
minutes  lasse,  as  I  mighte  prove.  Now 
yif  so  be  that  thee  semeth  to  long  a  tary- 
inge,  to  abyde  til  that  the  sonne  be  in 
the  hevedes  of  Aries  or  of  Libra,  thanne 

35  waits  whan  the  sonne  is  in  any  other 
degree  of  the  zodiak,  and  considere  the 
degree  of  his  declinacion  fro  the  equi- 
noxial lyne  ;  and  yif  it  so  be  that  tlie 
sonnes  declinacion  be  northward  fro  the 

40  equinoxial,  abate  tlianne  fro  the  Sonne's 
altitude  at  noon  the  nombre  of  his  de- 


clinacion, and  thanne  hastow  the  heyghte 
of  the  hevedes  of  Aries  and  Libra.  As 
thus  :  my  sonne  is,  par  aventure,  in  the 
fiirste  degree  of  Leoun,  f^S  degrees  and  45 
10  minutes  of  heyghte  at  noon  and  his 
declinacion  is  almost  f  20  degrees  north- 
ward fro  the  equinoxial ;  abate  thanne 
thilke  fzo  degrees  of  declinacion  out 
of  the  altitude  at  noon,  than  leveth  thee  50 
38  degrees  and  odde  minutes  ;  lo  ther  the 
heved  of  Aries  or  Libra,  and  thyn  equi- 
noxial in  that  regioun.  Also  yif  so  be 
that  the  sonnes  declinacioun  be  south- 
ward fro  the  equinoxial,  adde  thanne  55 
thilke  declinacion  to  the  altitude  of  the 
Sonne  at  noon  ;  and  tak  ther  the  hevedes 
of  Aries  and  Libra,  and  thyn  equinoxial. 
Abate  thanne  the  heyghte  of  the  equi- 
noxial out  of  90  degrees,  and  thanne  6<> 
leveth  there  the  distans  of  the  pole,  51 
degrees  and  50  minutes,  of  that  regiovin 
fro  the  equinoxial.  Or  elles,  yif  thee 
lest,  take  the  heyest  altitude  fro  the 
equinoxial  of  any  sterre  fix  that  thou  65 
knowest,  and  tak  his  nethere  elongacioun 
lengthing  fro  the  same  equinoxial  lyne, 
and  wirko  in  the  maner  forseid.  And 
for  more  declaracion,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

26.  Declaracioun  of  the  assensioun  of 
signes,  dr. 

The  excellence  of  the  spere  solide, 
amonges  other  noble  conclusiouns,  shew- 
eth manifeste  the  diverse  assenciouns 
of  signes  in  diverse  places,  as  wel  in  the 
righte  cercle  as  in  the  embelif  cercle.  5 
Thise  auctours  wryten  that  thilke  signe 
is  cleped  of  right  ascensioun,  with  which 
more  p.art  of  the  cercle  equinoxial  and 
lasse  part  of  the  zodiak  asccndeth  ;  and 
thilke  signo  asscndcth  embelif,  with  10 
whiche  lasse  part  of  the  equinoxial  and 
more  part  of  the  zodiak  assendeth. 
Ferther-over  they  seyn,  that  in  thilke 
cuntrey  where  as  the  senith  of  hem  that 
dwellen  there  is  in  the  equinoxial  lyne,  15 
and  her  orisonte  passing  by  the  poles 
of  this  worldo,  tliilko  folke  han  this  right 
cercle  and  the  right  orisonte  ;  and  evere- 
mo  the  arch  of  the  day  and  the  arch  of  the 
night  is  ther  y-lilte  long,  and  the  sonne  20 


4IO 


ZU  ^QtvohU:    {p(ivt  II. 


twyes  every  yeer  passinge  tliorow  the 
senith  of  her  heved  ;  and  two  someres 
and  two  winteres  in  a  yeer  han  this 
forseido  poeple.     And   the   almikanteras 

25  in  her  Astrolabies  Iten  streighte  as  a  lyne, 
so  as  sheweth  in  this  fignre.  The  iitilite 
to  knowe  the  assenciouns  in  the  righte 
cercle  is  this  :  tmste  wel  that  by  media- 
cionn  of  thilke  assenciouns  thise  astro- 

30  logiens,  bj'  hir  tables  and  hir  instrn- 
mentz,  knowen  verreyly  the  assencionn 
of  every  degree  and  minnt  in  al  the  zodiak, 
as  shal  be  shewed.  And  nota,  tliat  this 
forseid    righto    orisonte,   that    is   cleped 

35  orison  rectum,  di^'j-deth  the  eqiiinoxial 
in-to  right  angles  ;  and  the  embelif  ori- 
sonte, wher-as  the  pol  is  enhaused  up-on 
the  orisonte,  overkerveth  the  equinoxial 
in  embelif  angles,  as  sheweth  in  the  figiire. 

4"  And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here 
the  figure. 

27.  This  is  the  conclusioun  to  knowe  tlie 
assenciouns  of  siynes  in  the  right  cercle, 
that  is,  circulus  directiis,  dx. 

Set  the  heved  of  what  sigue  thee  liste 
to  knowe  his  assendingin  the  right  cercle 
iip-on  the  lyne  meridional ;  and  waite 
wher  thj-n  almurj-  toucheth  the  bordure, 
5  and  set  ther  a  prikke.  Tiirne  thanne  thy 
riet  westward  til  that  the  ende  of  the 
forseido  signe  sitte  up-on  the  meridional 
lyne ;  and  eft-soncs  waito  wher  thyn 
almnry  toucheth   the  bordure,   and   set 

10  ther  another  prikke.  Eikne  thanne  the 
nombro  of  degrees  in  the  bordure  by- 
twLxe  bothe  prikkes,  and  tak  the  assen- 
cionn of  the  signe  in  the  right  cercle. 
And    thus   maystow  wyrke   ■with    every 

15  porcioun  of  thy  zodiak,  &c.  And  for  tlio 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

28.  To  knowe  the  nssencions  of  signes  in  the 
embelif  cercle  in  every  regioun,  I  mene, 
in  circtdo  obliquo. 

Set  the  heved  of  the  sig^e  which  as 
thee  list  to  knowe  his  ascensioun  up-on 
the  est  orisonte,  and  waite  wher  thyn 
almury  toucheth  the  bordure,  and  set 
5  ther  a  prikke.  Tume  thanne  thy  riet 
upward  til  that  the  ende   of  the   same 


signe  sitte  up-on  the  est  orisonte,  and 
waito  eft-sones  wher  as  thyn  almury 
toucheth  the  bordure,  and  set  ther 
a-nother  prikke.  Eikne  thanne  the  10 
noumbre  of  degrees  in  the  bordure  by- 
twixe  bothe  prikkes,  and  tak  ther  the 
assencioun  of  the  signe  in  the  embelif 
cercle.  And  understond  wel,  that  alio 
signes  in  thy  zodiak,  fro  the  heved  of  15 
Aries  unto  the  ende  of  Virgo,  ben  cleped 
signes  of  the  north  fro  the  equinoxial  ; 
and  these  signes  arysen  by-twixe  '  the 
verrey  est  and  the  verrey  north  in  oure 
orisonte  generaly  for  evere.  And  alle  20 
signes  fro  the  heved  of  Libra  un-to  the 
ende  of  Pisces  ben  cleped  signes  of  the 
south  fro  the  equino.xial ;  and  thise  signes 
arysen  ever-mo  by-twixe  the  verrey  est 
and  the  verrey  south  in  oure  orisonte.  25 
Also  every  signe  by-twixc  the  heved  of 
Capricorne  iin-to  the  ende  of  Geminis 
aryseth  on  oure  orisonte  inlassethan  two 
houres  equales  ;  and  thise  same  signes, 
fro  the  heved  of  Capricorne  un-to  the  3^^ 
ende  of  Geminis,  ben  doped  '  tortuos 
signes  '  or  '  croked  signes,'  for  they  arisen 
embelif  on  oure  orisonte  ;  and  thise  cro- 
kede  signes  ben  obedient  to  the  signes 
that  ben  of  right  assencioun.  Tlie  signes  35 
of  right  assencioun  ben  fro  the  heved  of 
Cancer  to  the  -t-endo  of  Sagittare  ;  and 
thise  signes  arysen  more  upright,  and  they 
ben  called  eke  soverejTi  signes ;  and 
evorich  of  hem  aryseth  in  more  space  40 
than  in  two  houres.  Of  which  signes, 
Gemini  obeyetli  to  Cancer ;  and  Taurus 
to  Leo;  Aries  to  VLi'go  ;  Pisces  to  Libra  ; 
Aquarius  to  Scorpioun  ;  and  Capricorne 
to  Sagittare.  And  thus  ever-mo  two  45 
signes,  that  ben  y-lyke  fer  fro  the  heved 
of  Capricorne,  obeyen  everich  of  hem  til 
other.  And  for  more  declaracioun,  lo 
here  the  figure. 

29.  To  knowe  justly  the  foure  quarters  of 
the  world,  as  est,  icest,  north,  and  sowth. 

Take  the  altitude  of  thy  sonno  whan 
thee  list,  and  note  wel  the  quarter  of  the 
world  in  which  the  sonne  is  for  the  tymo 
by  the  azimutz.  Tume  thanne  thyn 
Astrolabie,    and   set   the   degree   of   the  5 


ZU  SeivohU:  (pari  ii. 


411 


Sonne  in  the  almikanteras  of  his  altitude, 
on  thilke  side  that  the  sonne  stant,  as  is 
the  mauere  in  taking  of  houres  ;  and  ley 
thy  label  on  the  degree  of  the  sonne,  and 

10  rikene  how  many  degrees  of  the  bordnro 
ben  by-twixe  the  lyne  meridional  and  the 
point  of  thy  label ;  and  note  wel  that 
noumbre.  Turne  thanne  a-gayn  thyn 
Astrolabie,  and  set  the  point  of  thy  gret 

15  rewle,  ther  thou  takest  thyne  altitudes, 
up-on  as  many  degrees  in  his  bordure  fro 
his  meridional  as  was  the  point  of  thy 
label  fro  the  lyne  meridional  on  the 
wonibe  syde.     Tak    thanno    thyn   Astro- 

20  labie  with  bothe  handes  sadly  and  slcly, 
anil  lat  the  sonne  shyne  thorow  bothe 
holes  of  thy  rewle  ;  and  sleyly,  in  thilke 
shyningo,  lat  thjm  Astrolabie  couch  adoun 
evene  up-on  a  smothe  grond,  and  thanne 

25  v/ol  the  verrey  lyne  meridional  of  thyn 
Astrolabie  lye  evene  south,  and  the  est 
IjTie  wole  lye  est,  and  the  west  lyne  west, 
and  north  lyne  north,  so  that  thou  werke 
softly  and  avisely  in  the  couching  ;  and 

30  thus  hastow  the  4  quarters  of  the  firma- 
jnent.  And  for  the  more  declaracioun, 
lo  here  the  figure. 

30.  To  knowe  the  altitude  of  planetes  fro 

the  wey  of  the  sorme,  whether  so  they  he 

north  or  south  fro  the  forseide  ivey. 

Lok  whan  tliat  a  planetc  is  in  the  lyne 

meridional,  yif  that  hir  altitude  be  of  the 

same  heyghte  that  is  the  degree  of  the 

Sonne  for  that  day,  and  than  is  the  planete 

5  in  the  verrey  wey  of  the  sonne,  and  hath 

no  latitude.     And  yif  the  altitude  of  the 

planete  be  heycre  tlian  the  degree  of  the 

sonne,  than  is  the  planete  north  fro  the 

wBy  of  the  sonne  swich  a  qnantite  of  lati- 

II)  tude  as  sheweth  by  thyn  almikanteras. 
And  yif  the  altitude  of  the  jslaneto  be  lasso 
than  the  degree  of  the  sonne,  thanne  is 
the  planete  south  fro  the  wey  of  the  sonne 
swich  a  qnantite  of  latitude  as  sheweth 

15  by  thyn  almikanteras.  This  is  to  seyn, 
fro  the  wey  wher-as  the  sonne  wente 
thilke  day,  but  nat  from  tlie  wey  of  the 
Sonne  in  every  place  of  the  zodiak.  And 
for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  here  the 

20  figure. 


31.  To  knoive  the  senith  of  the  ai-ysing  of 
the  sonne,  this  is  to  seyn,  the  j)mi,ie  of  the 
orisonte  in  which  that  the  sonne  aryseth. 

Thou  most  first  considere  that  the 
Sonne  aryseth  nat  al-wey  verrey  est,  but 
some  tyme  by  north  the  est,  and  som 
tyme  by  southe  the  est.  Sothly,  the  sonne 
aryseth  never-mo  verrey  est  in  oure  ori-  5 
sonte,  but  he  be  in  the  heved  of  Aries  or 
Libra.  Now  is  thyn  orisonte  departed  in 
24  parties  by  thy  azimutz,  in  significacion 
of  24  partiez  of  the  world  ;  al-be-it  so 
that  shipmen  rikne  thilke  partiez  in  32.  10 
Thanne  is  ther  no  more  but  waite  in 
which  azimut  that  thy  sonne  entreth  at 
his  arysing  ;  and  take  ther  the  senith  of 
the  arysing  of  the  sonne.  The  manere  of 
the  devisioun  of  thyn  Astrolabie  is  this  :  15 
I  mene,  as  in  this  cas.  First  is  it  devided 
in  4  pl.ages  principals  with  the  lyne  tliat 
goth  i'Tom  est  to  west,  and  than  with 
a-nother  lyne  that  goth  fro  south  to  north. 
Than  is  it  devided  in  smale  partiez  of  20 
azimutz,  as  est,  and  est  by  southe,  whereas 
is  the  firste  azimi^t  above  the  est  lyne  ;  and 
so  forth,  fro  partie  to  partie,  til  that  thou 
come  agayn  un-to  the  est  lyne.  Thus 
maistow  understond  also  the  senith  of  25 
any  sterre,  in  which  partie  he  ryseth, 
&c.  And  for  the  more  declaracion,  lo 
here  the  figure. 

32.  To  knowe  in  tchich  partie  of  the  firma- 

ment is  the  conjunccioun. 

Considere  the  tyme  of  the  conjunccion 
by  thy  kalender,  as  thus  ;  lok  how  many 
houres  thilke  conjunccion  is  fro  the  mitl- 
day  of  the  day  precedent,  as  sheweth  by 
the  canoun  of  thy  kalender.  Rikne  5 
thanne  thilke  nombre  of  houres  in  the 
bordure  of  thj-n  Astrolabie,  as  thou  art 
wont  to  do  in  knowing  of  the  houres  of 
the  day  or  of  the  night ;  and  ley  thy  label 
over  the  degree  of  the  Sonne  ;  and  thanne  10 
wol  the  point  of  thy  label  sitte  xip-<m  the 
hour  of  the  conjunccion.  Loke  thanne  in 
which  azimut  the  degree  of  thy  sonne 
sitteth,  and  in  that  partie  of  the  firma- 
ment is  the  ciinjunccioun.  And  for  the  '5 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 


412 


ZU  cSettofaBe :   (pad  ii. 


33.  To  knowe  the  senith  of  the  altitude  of 

(he  Sonne,  d-c. 

This  is  no  more  to  sejii  but  any  tyme 

of  the  day  tak  the  altitude  of  the  sonne  ; 

and  by  the  azimut  in  which  he  stondeth, 

maystou  seen  in  which  partie  of  the  fir- 

5  mament  he  is.  And  in  the  same  wyse 
maystou  seen,  by  the  night,  of  any  sterre, 
whether  the  sterre  sitte  est  or  west  or 
north,  or  any  partie  by-twene,  after  the 
name  of  the  azimut  in  which  is  the  sterre. 

lo  And  for  the  more  declaracioun,  lo  liere 
the  figure. 

34.  To  knowe  sothly  the  degree  of  the 
lonyitude  of  the  mone,  oi'  of  any  planete 
that  hath  no  latitude  for  the  tyme  fro  the 
ecliptik  lyne. 

Tak  the  altitude  of  the  mone,  and 
rikne  thyn  altitude  up  among  thyne  al- 
mikanteras  on  which  syde  that  the  mone 
stande ;    and   set   there   a  prikke.     Tak 

5  thenne  anon-right,  up-on  the  mones  syde, 
the  altitude  of  any  sterre  fix  which  that 
thou  knowest,  and  set  his  centre  up-on 
his  altitude  among  thyn  almikanteras 
ther  the  sterre  is  founde.     Waite  thanne 

lo  which  degree  of  the  zodiak  toucheth  the 
prikke  of  the  altitude  of  the  mone,  and 
tak  ther  the  degree  in  which  the  inone 
standeth.  This  conclusioun  is  verrey 
sooth,  yif  the  sterres  in  thyn  Astrolabie 

15  stonden  after  the  trowthe :  of  comune, 
tretis  of  Astrolabie  ne  make  non  cxcep- 
cioun  whether  the  mone  have  latitude,  or 
non  ;  ne  on  whether  syde  of  the  mone  the 
altitude  of  the  sterre  fix  be  taken.     And 

20  nota,  that  yif  the  mone  shcwe  himself  by 
light  of  day,  than  maystow  wyrke  this 
same  conclusioun  by  the  Sonne,  as  wel  lus 
by  the  fix  sterre.  And  for  the  more  de- 
claracioun, lo  here  thy  figure. 

35.  Tliia  is  the  workinye  of  the  conclusioun, 
to  knowe  yif  that  any  planets  he  directe 
or  retrograde. 

Tak  the  altitude  of  any  sterre  that  is 

cleped  a  planete,  and  note  it  wel.     And 

tak  eek  anon  the  altitude  of  any  sterre 

fix  that  thou  knowest,  and  note  it  wel 

5  also.     Come  thanne  agayn  the  thridde  or 


the  ferthe  night  next  folwing  ;  for  thanne 
shaltow  aperceyve  wel  the  moeving  of 
a  planete,  whether  so  he  moeve  forth  ward 
or  bakward.  Awaite  wel  thanne  whan 
that  thy  sterre  fix  is  in  the  same  altitude  10 
that  she  was  whan  thou  toke  hir  firste 
altitude  ;  and  tak  than  eftsones  the  alti- 
tude of  the  forseide  planete,  and  note  it 
wel.  For  trust  wel,  yif  so  be  that  the 
planete  be  on  the  right  syde  of  the  nieri-  15 
dional  lyne,  so  that  his  seconde  altitude 
be  lasse  than  his  firste  altitude  was, 
thanne  is  the  planete  directe.  And  yif 
he  be  on  the  west  syde  in  that  condicion, 
thanne  is  he  retrograd.  And  yif  so  be  20 
that  this  planete  be  up-on  the  est  syde 
whan  his  altitude  is  taken,  so  that  his 
secoiinde  altitude  be  more  than  his  firste 
altitude,  thanne  is  he  retrograde,  and  yif 
he  be  on  the  west  syde,  than  is  he  directe.  2,=; 
But  the  contrarie  of  thise  parties  is  of  the 
cours  of  the  mone  ;  for  sothly,  the  mone 
nioeveth  the  contrarie  from  othere  plan- 
etes  as  in  hir  episicle,  but  in  non  other 
manere.  And  for  the  more  declaracioun.  .^*> 
lo  here  thy  figure. 

36.   The  conclusioun^  of  equaciouns  oj 
houses,  after  the  Astrolabie,  &c. 

Set  the  by-ginning  of  the  degree  that 
assendeth  up-on  the  ende  of  the  8  houre 
inequal ;  thanne  wol  the  by-ginning  of 
the  2  hous  sitte  iip-on  the  Ijnie  of  mid- 
night. Remeve  thanne  the  degree  that  5 
assendeth,  and  set  him  on  the  ende  of  the 
10  hour  inequal ;  and  thanne  wol  the 
byginning  of  the  3  hous  sitte  up-on  the 
midnight  IjTie.  Bring  up  agayn  the  same 
degree  that  assendeth  first,  and  set  him  i<> 
up-(m  the  orisonte ;  and  thanne  wol  the 
beginning  of  the  4  hous  sitte  \ip-on  the 
IjTie  of  midnight.  Tak  thanne  the  nadir 
of  the  degree  that  first  assendeth,  and 
set  him  on  the  ende  of  the  2  houre  15 
inequal ;  and  thanne  wol  the  beginning 
of  the  5  hous  sitte  uji-on  the  lyne  of  mid- 
night ;  set  thanne  the  nadir  of  the  assen- 
dent  on  the  ende  of  the  4  houre,  than  wol 
the  beginning  of  the  6  house  sitte  on  the  20 
midnight  lyne.  The  beginning  of  the 
7  hous  is  nadir  of  the   assendent,  and 


ZU  MstvoiaBt :    (pare  ii. 


413 


the  beginning  of  the  8  hous  is  nadir  of 
the  2  ;  and  the  beginning  of  the  9  hons  is 

25  nadir  of  the  3  ;  and  the  beginning  of  tlie 
10  hons  is  the  nadir  of  the  4  ;  and  the  be- 
ginning of  the  II  hous  is  nadir  of  the  5  ; 
and  the  beginning  of  the  12  hous  is  nadir 
i)f  the  6.     And  for  the  more  declaraoion, 

30  lo  here  the  figure. 

o7.  A-nother  manere  of  equaciottns  of 
houses  by  the  Astrolahie. 

Tak  thyn  assendent,  and  thanne  hastow 
ihy  4  angles  ;  for  wel  thou  wost  that  the 
"pposit  of  thyn  assendent,  that  is  to  seyn, 
thy  beginning  of  tlie  7  hous,  sit  up-on  the 
5  west  orizonte  ;  and  tlie  beginning  of  the 
10  hons  sit  up-on  the  lyne  meridional ; 
and  his  opposit  up-on  the  l\nie  of  mid- 
night. Thanne  ley  thy  label  over  the 
degree  that  assendeth,  and  rekne  fro  the 
10  point  of  thy  label  alle  the  degrees  in  the 
bordure,  til  thou  come  to  the  meridional 
lyne  ;  and  departs  alle  thilke  degi'ees  in 

3  evene  parties,  and  take  the  cvene 
equacion   of  3  ;    for   ley  thy  label  over 

IS  everieh  of  3  parties,  and  than  maistow 
see  by  thy  label  in  which  degree  of  the 
zodiak  [is]  the  beginning  of  everieh  of 
thise  same  houses  fro  the  assendent  : 
that   is   to   seyn,   the   beginning  of  the 

20  12  house  next  above  thyn  assendent ;  and 
thanne  the  beginning  of  the  1 1  house  ; 
and  thanne  the  10,  up-on  the  meridional 
lyne  ;  as  I  first  seido.  The  same  wyse 
wirke  thou  fro  the  assendent  doun  to  the 

25  lyne  of  midnight ;  and  thanne  thus 
hastow  other  3  houses,  that  is  to  seyn, 
the  beginning  of  the  2,  and  the  3,  and  the 

4  houses  ;  thanne  is  the  nadir  of  thiso 
3  houses  the  beginning  of  the  3  houses 

3"  that  folwen.  And  for  the  more  declara- 
cioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

JiS.   To  finde  the  lyne  merytJional  to  dwelle 
fix  in  any  certain  place. 

Tak  a  rond  plate  of  metal ;  for  wari^ing, 
the  brodcre  the  bottre  ;  and  make  ther- 
upon  a  just  compas,  a  lite  with-in  the 
bordure  ;  and  ley  this  ronde  jilate  ui^-on 
5  an  evene  grond,  or  on  an  evene  ston,  or 
"n  an  evene  stoli  fix  in  the  gronde  ;  and 


ley  it  even  by  a  level.     And  in  centre  of 
the  compas  stike  an  evene  pin  or  a  wyr 
upright ;   the  smallere  the  betere.      Set 
thy  pin  by  a  plom-rewle  evene  upi-ight ;  10 
and  let   this    pin    be    no    lengere    than 
a  quarter  of  the  diametre  of  thy  compas, 
fro  the  centre.     And  waite  bisily  abouto 
10  or  II  of  the   clokke  ;    and  whan  the 
Sonne  shyneth,  whan  the  shadwe  of  the  15 
pin  entreth  any-thing  with-in  the  cercle 
of  thy  plate  an  heer-mele,  and  mark  ther 
a  prilike  with  inke.     Abyde  thanne  stille 
waiting  on  the  Sonne  after  i  of  the  clokke, 
til  that  the  schadwe  of  the  wyr  or  of  the  20 
pin  passe  ony-thing  out  of  the  cercle  of 
the  compas,  be  it  never  so  lyte  ;  and  set 
ther  a-nother  prikke  of  inke.     Take  than 
a  compas,  and  mesure  evene  the  middel 
by-twixe  bothe  prikkes  ;   and  set  ther  a  25 
prikke.     Take  thanne  a  rewle,  and  draw 
a  stryke,  evene  a-lyne  fro  the  pin  un-to 
the  middel  prikke ;  and  tak  ther  thy  lyne 
meridional  for  evere-mo,  as  in  that  same 
place.     And  yif  thow  drawe  a  cros-lyne  30 
over-thwart  the  compas,  justly  over  tlie 
lyne   meridional,    than   hastow   est    and 
west  and  south  ;   and,  par  consequence, 
than  the  nadir  of  the  south  lyne  is  the 
north  lyne.     And  for  more  declaracioun,  35 
lo  here  thy  figure. 

39.  Descripcion  of  the  meridional  lyne,  of 
longitudes,    and   latitudes   of  citees  and 
toivnes  from  on  to  a-nother  of  clymatz. 
This  lyne  meridional  is  but  a  maner 
descripcion  of  lyne  imagined,  that  passeth 
uiton  the  poles  of  this  world  and  by  the 
senith  of  oure  heved.    And  hit  isy-cleped 
the  lyne  meridional ;   for  in  what  place  5 
that  any  maner  man  is  at  any  tyme  of 
the  yeer,  whan  that  the  Sonne  by  moeving 
of  the  firmament  cometh  to  his  verrey 
meridian  place,  than  is  hit  verrey  midday, 
that  we  clepen  oiire  noon,  as  to  thilke  10 
man  ;  and  therfore  is  it  cleped  the  lyno 
of  midday.      And   nota,    for   cvcrmo,    of 
2  citees  or  of  2  toiinos,  of  wliiche  that  o 
toun  aprocheth  more  toward  the  est  than 
doth   that   other   toun,    trusto  wel  that  15 
thilke    tonnes    han    diverse     meridians. 
Nota  also,  that  the  arch  of  the  equinoxial, 


14 


ZH  SetvofaU:   (part  ii. 


that  is  conteyned  or  bounded  by-twixe  the 
2  meridians,   is  cleped  the  longitude  of 

20  the  toim.  And  yif  so  be  that  two  tounes 
have  y-lyke  meridian,  or  oon  meridian, 
than  is  the  distance  of  hem  bothe  y-lyke 
fer  fro  the  est ;  and  the  contrarie.  And 
in   this   manere  they    chaunge   nat    her 

25  meridian,  but  sotlily  they  chaungen  her 
almikanteras  ;  for  the  enhausing  of  the 
pool  and  the  distance  of  the  sonne.  The 
longitude  of  a  clymat  is  a  lyne  imagined 
fro  est  to  west,  y-lyke  distant  by-twene 

30  them  alle.  The  latitude  of  a  clymat  is  a 
lyne  imagined  from  north  to  south  the 
space  of  the  erthe,  fro  the  byginning  of 
the  firste  clymat  unto  the  verrey  ende  of 
the  same   climat,   evene   directe  agayns 

?,5  the  pole  artik.  Thus  seyn  some  auctours ; 
and  somme  of  hem  seyn  that  yif  men 
clepeji  the  latitude,  thay  mene  the  arch 
meridian  that  is  contiened  or  intercept 
by-twixe  the  senith  and  the  equinoxial. 

40  Thanne  sey  they  that  the  distaunce  fro 
the  equinoxial  unto  the  ende  of  a  clymat, 
ovene  agayns  the  pole  artyk,  is  the  lati- 
tude of  a  cljTnat  for  sothe.  And  for 
more  declaracioun,  lo  here  thy  figure. 

40.  To  knoioe  with  ivhich  degree  of  the 
zodiak  that  any  planete  assendith  on  the 
orLtonte,  wliether  so  that  7(m  latitude  be 
north  or  south. 

Knowo  by  tliyn  almenak  the  degree  of 
the  ecliptik  of  any  signo  in  which  that 
the  planoto  is  rckned  for  to  be,  and  that 
is  cleped  the  degree  of  his  longitude;  and 

5  knowe  also  the  degree  of  his  latitude  fro 
the  ecliptik,  north  or  south.  And  by 
thise  samples  folwinge  in  special,  may- 
stow  wirke  f  for  sotho  in  every  signe  of 
the  zodiak.     The  degree  of  the  longitude, 

10  par  aventure,  of  Venus  or  of  another 
planete,  was  6  of  Capricorne,  and  the 
latitude  of  him  was  northward  2  degrees 
fro  the  ecliptik  lyne.  I  tok  a  subtil  com- 
pas,  and  cleped  that   oon  poynt  of  my 

15  compas  A,  and  that  other  poynt  F.  Than 
tok  I  the  point  of  A,  and  set  it  in  the 
echptik  lyne  evene  in  my  zodiak,  in  the 
degi-ee  of  the  longitude  of  Venus,  that  is 
to  seyn,  in  the  6  degree  of  Capricorne ; 


and  thanne  sette  I  the  point  of  P  upward  20 
in  the  same  signe,  bycause  that  the  lati- 
tude  was   north,  up-on   the   latitude   of 
Venus,  that  is  to  seyn,  in  the  6  degree  fro 
the  heved  of  Capricorne  ;  and  thus  have 
I   2    degrees    by-twixe  my   two   prikkes.  25 
Than  leide  I  doun   softcly  my   compas, 
and   sette   the   degree   of  the   longitude 
up-on  the  orisonte  ;  tlio  tok  I  and  wexede 
my  label  in  maner  of  a  peyxe  tables  to 
resceyve   distinctly  the   prikkes    of  my  30 
compas.     Tho  tok  I  this  forseide  label, 
and  leide  it  fix  over  the  degree  of  my 
longitude  ;  tho  tok  I  up  my  compas,  and 
sette  the  point  of  A  in  the  wex  on  my 
label,  as  evene  as  I  coude  gesse  over  the  .^5 
ecliptik  lyne,  in  the  ende  of  the  longi- 
tude ;   and  sette  the  point  of  F  endlang 
in  my  label  up-on  the  space  of  the  lati- 
tude, inwarde  and  over  the  zodiak,  that 
is  to  seyn,  north-ward  fro  the  ecliptik.  40 
Than  leide  I  doun  my  compas,  and  lokedo 
wel  in  the  wey  upon  the  prikke  of  A  and 
of  F  ;   tho  turned  I  my  riet  til  that  the 
prikke  of  F  sat  up-on  the  orisonte  ;  than 
saw  I  wel  that  the  body  of  Venus,  in  hir  45 
latitude     of    2    degrees    septentrionalis, 
assendcd,  in  tho   ende  of  the  6  degree, 
in  the  heved  of  Capricorne.      And  nota, 
that  in  tho  same  maner  maistow  wirke 
with   any  latitude  septentrional  in  alle  50 
signcs  ;  but  sothly  the  latitude  meridional 
of  a  planete  in   Capricorne  may  not  be 
take,  by-cause  of  the  litel  space  by-twixe 
the  ecliptik  and  the  bordure  of  the  Astro- 
labie ;   but  sothly,  in  aUe  other  signes  it  55 
may. 

Also  tlie  degree,  par  aventure,  of  Jupi- 
ter or  of  a-nother  planete,  was  in  the 
first  degree  of  Pisces  in  longitude,  and 
his  latitude  wjis  3  degrees  meridional ;  60 
tho  tok  I  the  point  of  A,  and  sette  it  in 
the  firste  degree  of  Pisces  on  the  ecliptik, 
and  thanne  sette  I  the  jwint  of  F  doun- 
ward  in  the  same  signe,  by-cause  that  the 
latitude  was  south  3  degrees,  that  is  to  65 
seyn,  fro  the  heved  of  Pisces;  and  thus 
have  I  3  degrees  by-twixe  botlie  prikkes ; 
thanne  sette  I  the  degree  of  the  longitude 
up-on  the  orisonte.  Tho  tok  I  my  label, 
and  leide  it  fix  upon  the  degree  of  the  70 


ZU  Jl0frofa6e:  ^avt  ii. 


415 


longitude ;  tho  sette  I  the  point  of  A  on 
my  label,  evene  over  the  ecliptik  lyne,  in 
the  ende  evene  of  the  deg^i-ce  of  the  longi- 
tude, and  sette  the  point  of  F  endlang  in 

75  my  label  the  space  fof  3  degrees  of  the 
latitude  fro  the  zodiak,  this  is  to  seyn, 
southward  fro  the  ecliptik,  toward  the 
bordure ;  and  turned  my  riet  til  the 
prikke    of    F    sat    up-on   the    orisonte ; 

8t)  thanne  saw  I  wel  that  the  body  of 
Jupiter,  in  his  latitude  of  5  degrees 
meridional,  ascended  with  14  degrees  of 
Pisces  in  horoscopo.  And  in  this  maner 
maistow  wirke  with  any  latitude  meri- 

85  dional,  as  I  first  seide,  save  in  Capricorne. 
And  yif  thou  wolt  pleye  this  craft  with 


the  arysing  of  the  nione,  loke  thou  rekne 
wel  hir  cours  hoiire  by  houre  ;  for  she  ne 
dwelleth  nat  in  a  degree  of  hir  longitude 
bvit  a  litel  whyle,  as  thou  wel  knowest ;  9'i 
but  natheles,  yif  thou  rekne  hir  verreye 
moeving  by  thy  tables  houre  after  houre, 
f  thou  shalt  do  wel  y-now. 

Explicit  tractahis  de  Conclusionibus  Astro- 
labii,  compilaf.KS  per  Galfridnm  Chau- 
ciers  ad  Filium  suiim  Lodeivicnm, 
scolarem  tunc  temporis  Oxonie,  ac  sub 
tutcla  illius  nobilissimi  j^^iHosophi  Ma- 
f/iifri  N.  Sti'ode,  etc. 


SUPPLEMENTAEY   PROPOSITIONS. 


41.  Umbra  Recta. 

Yif  it  so  be  that  thou  wilt  werke  by 
lanbra  recta^  and  thou  may  come  to  the 
bas  of  the  toure,  in  this  maner  thou 
schalt  werke.  Talc  the  altitude  of  the 
5  tour  by  botho  holes,  so  that  thy  rewle 
ligge  even  in  a  poynt.  Ensample  as 
thus  :  I  see  him  thorw  at  the  poynt  of  4  ; 
than  mete  I  the  space  be-tween  mo  .and 
the   tour,  and  I   finde  it  20  feet ;    than 

10  be-holdc  I  how  4  is  to  12,  right  so  is  the 
space  betwixo  thee  and  the  tour  to  the 
altitude  of  the  tour.  For  4  is  the  thridde 
part  of  12,  so  is  the  space  be-tween  thee 
and   the  tour  the  thridde  part   of  the 

15  altitude  of  the  tour  ;  than  thryes  20  feet 
is  the  heyghte  of  the  tour,  with  adding  of 
thyn  owne  persone  to  thyn  eye.  And 
this  rewle  is  so  general  in  umbra  recta., 
fro  the  poynt  of  oon  to  12.     And  yif  thy 

20  rewle  falle  upon  5,  than  is  5  12-partyes  of 
the  heyghfc  the  space  be-tween  thee  and 
the  toure ;  with  adding  of  thyn  owne 
heyght. 

42.  Umbra  Versa. 

Another  maner  of  werkinge,  by  vmbra 
versa.     Yif  so  be  that  thou  may  nat  come 


to  the  bas  of  the  tour,  I  see  him  thorw 
the  n  ombre  of  1  ;  I  sette  thcr  a  prikke  at 
my  fote  ;  than  go  I  neer  to  the  tour,  and  5 
I  see  him  thorw  at  the  poynt  of  2,  and 
there  I  sette  a-nother  prikke ;  and  I 
beholde  how  i  hath  him  to  12,  and  ther 
finde  I  that  it  hath  him  twclfe  sj-thes; 
than  beholde  I  how  2  hath  him  to  12,  and  '» 
thou  shalt  iinde  it  sexe  sythcs ;  than  thou 
shalt  finde  that  as  12  above  6  is  the 
numbre  of  6,  right  so  is  the  space 
between  thy  two  prikkes  the  space  of  6 
tymes  thyn  altitude.  And  note,  that  at  15 
the  ferste  altitude  of  :,  thou  settest  a 
prikke  ;  and  afterward,  whan  thou  seest 
him  at  2,  ther  thou  settest  an-other 
prikke  ;  than  thoii  findest  between  two 
prilckys  60  feet ;  than  thou  shalt  finde  20 
that  K)  is  the  6-party  of  60.  And  then  is 
10  feet  tho  altitude  of  the  tour.  For 
other  pojTitis,  yif  it  fiUe  in  umbra  versa, 
as  thus  :  I  setto  caas  it  fill  upon  •t-2,  and 
at  the  secunde  upon  f  3  ;  than  schalt  thou  25 
finde  that  2  is  6  partyes  of  12  ;  and  3  is  4 
partyes  of  12 ;  than  passeth  6  4,  by 
nombre  of  2  ;  so  is  the  space  between  two 
prikkes  twyes  the  heyghte  of  the  tour. 
And  yif  the  differens  were  thryes,  than  30 


4i6 


ZH  .HetrofaBe:   (part  ii. 


shulde  it  be  three  tymes  ;  and  thus  mayst 
thou  werke  fro  2  to  12  ;  and  yif  it  be  4,  4 
tymes ;  or  5,  5  tjones  ;  et  sic  de  ceteris. 

43.   Umhra  Recta. 

An-other  maner  of  -wyrking  be  vmhra 
recto.  Yif  it  so  be  that  thou  mayst  nat 
come  to  the  baas  of  the  tour,  in  this 
maner  thou  schalt  werke.  Sette  thy  rewle 
upon  I  till  thou  see  the  altitude,  and 
sette  at  thy  foot  a  prikke.  Than  sette 
thy  rewle  upon  2,  and  beholde  what  is 
the  differense  be-tween  i  and  2,  and  thou 
shalt  finde  that  it  is  i.  Than  mete  the 
space  be-tween  two  prikkes,  and  that  is 
the  12  partie  of  the  altitude  of  the  tour. 
And  yif  ther  were  2,  it  were  the  6  partye  ; 
and  yif  ther  were  3,  the  4  partye ;  et  sic 
deinceps.  And  note,  yif  it  were  5,  it  were 
the  5  party  of  12  ;  and  7,  7  party  of  12  ; 
and  note,  at  the  altitude  of  thy  conclu- 
sioun,  adde  the  stature  of  thyn  heyghte 
to  thyn  ej"e. 


44.  Another  maner  conclusion,  to  knotce  the 
mene  mote  and  the  arginnentis  of  any 
planete.  To  know  the  mene  mote  and 
the  argumenlii  of  every  planete  fro  yere 
to  yere,  from  day  to  day,  from  houre 
to  hotcre,  and  from  smale  fraccionis 
infinite. 

In  this  manor  shalt  thou  worcho  : 
consider  thy  rote  first,  the  whicho  is 
made  the  beginning  of  the  tables  fro  the 
yere  of  oure  lord  i3';7,  and  ontere  hit  in-to 

5  thy  slate  for  the  laste  meridie  of  Decem- 
ber ;  and  than  consider  the  yere  of  oure 
lord,  what  is  the  date,  and  be-hold 
whether  thy  date  be  more  or  lasse  than 
the  yere  1397.     And  yf  hit  so  be  that  hit 

i>  be  more,  loke  how  many  yeres  hit  passcth, 
and  with  so  manj'  cntere  into  thy  tables 
in  the  first  lyne  ther-as  is  writen  anni 
collecti  et  erpansi.  And  loke  where  the 
same  planet  is  ■writen  in  the  hede  of  thy 

15  table,  and  than  loke  what  thou  findest  in 
directe  of  the  same  yere  of  oui'e  lord 
whiche  is  passid,  be  liit  8,  or  9,  or  lo,  or 


what  nombre  that  evere  it  be,  til  the 
tynie  that  thou  come  to  20,  or  40,  or  60. 
And  that  thou  findest  in  directe  •\  wrj-te  20 
in  thy  slate  under  thy  rote,  and  adde  hit 
to-geder,  and  that  is  thy  mene  mote,  for 
the  laste  meridian  of  the  December,  for 
the  same  yere  whiche  that  thou  hast 
purposed.  And  if  hit  so  be  that  hit  passe  25 
20,  consider  wel  that  fro  1  to  20  ben  anni 
expansi,  and  fro  20  to  3000  ben  anni  collecti; 
and  if  thy  nombere  passe  20,  than  take 
that  thou  findest  in  directe  of  20,  and  if 
hit  be  more,  as  6  or  18,  than  take  that  30 
thow  findest  in  directe  there-of,  that  is  to 
sayen,  signes,  degrees,  minutes,  and  se- 
coundes,  and  adde  to-gedere  un-to  thy 
rote  ;  and  thus  to  make  rotes.  And  note, 
that  if  hit  so  be  that  the  yere  of  oure  lord  35 
be  -flasse  than  the  rote,  which  is  the  yere 
of  oure  lord  1397,  than  shalt  thou  wryte 
in  the  same  wyse  furst  thy  rote  in  thy 
slate,  and  after  ■  entere  in-to  thy  table  in 
the  same  yere  that  be  lasse,  as  I  taught  40 
be-fore ;  and  than  consider  how  many 
signes,  degrees,  minutes,  and  secoundcs 
thj-n  entringe  conteyneth.  And  so  be 
that  ther  be  2  entrees,  than  adde  hem 
togeder,  and  after  with-drawe  hem  from  45 
the  rote,  the  yere  of  oure  lord  1397 ;  and 
the  residue  that  leveth  is  thy  mene  mote 
fro  the  laste  meridie  of  December,  the 
whicho  thou  hast  purposed  ;  and  if  hit  so 
be  that  thou  wolt  weten  thy  mene  mote  50 
fur  any  day,  or  for  any  fraccioun  of  day, 
in  this  maner  thou  shalt  worche.  Make 
tliy  rote  fro  the  laste  day  of  Decembere  in 
the  maner  as  I  have  taught,  and  after- 
ward behold  how  many  monethes,  dayes,  55 
and  houres  ben  passid  from  the  meridie 
of  Decembere,  and  with  that  entere  with 
the  laste  moneth  that  is  ful  passed,  and 
take  that  thou  findest  in  directe  of  him, 
and  -vvryte  hit  in  thy  slate ;  and  entere  60 
with  as  mony  dayes  as  be  more,  and  wryte 
that  thou  findest  in  directe  of  the  same 
planete  that  thou  wordiest  for  ;  and  in 
the  same  ^\•J•se  in  the  table  of  houres,  for 
houres  tliat  ben  passed,  and  adde  alio  65 
these  to  thy  rote  ;  .and  the  residue  is  the 
mene  mote  for  the  same  day  and  the 
same  houre. 


ZU  £.6tvohU:   (pavt  II. 


417 


45,    Another  manere  to  Jcnowe  the  viene 
mote. 

Wlian  thou  wolt  make  tlie  mene  mote 
of  eny  planete  to  be  by  Arsecbieles  tables, 
take  thy  rote,  the  whicbe  is  for  the  yere 
of  oi\re  lord  1307  ;  and  if  so  be  tliat  thy 
5  ycre  be  passid  the  date,  wryte  that  date, 
aud  than  wryte  the  nombere  of  the  yeres. 
Than  with-drawe  the  yeres  out  of  the 
yeres  that  ben  passed  that  rote.  En- 
sampul  as  thus  :    the  yere  of  oure  lord 

10  1400,  fl  wolde  witen,  precise,  my  rote  : 
than  ^vToot  I  furst  1400.  And  under  that 
nombere  I  wrote  a  1397 ;  than  witlidrow 
I  the  laste  nombere  out  of  that,  and  than 
fond   I  the  residue  was  3  yere  ;   I  wiste 

15  that  3  yere  was  passed  fro  the  rote,  the 
whiche  was  writen  in  my  tables.  Than 
after-ward  soghte  I  in  mj'  tables  the  annis 
collectis  et  expansis,  and  amonge  myn 
expanse  yeres  fond  I  3  yeer.     Than  tok 

20  I  alle  the  signes,  degrees,  and  minutes, 
that  I  fond  direct  e  under  the  same 
planete  that  I  wroghte  for,  and  wroot  so 
many  signes,  degrees,  and  minutes  in  my 
slate,  and  atter-ward  added  I  to  signes, 

25  degrees,  minutes,  and  secoundes,  the 
whiche  I  fond  in  my  rote  the  yere  of  oure 
lord  1397 ;  and  kepte  the  residue ;  and 
than  had  I  the  mene  mote  for  the  laste 
day  of  Decembere.     And  if  thou  woldest 

30  wete  the  mene  mote  of  any  i^lanete  in 
March,  Aprile,  or  May,  other  in  any  other 
tyme  or  moneth  of  the  yere,  loke  how 
man.v  monetlies  and  dayes  ben  passed 
from  the  laste  day  of  Decembere,  the  yere 

35  of  oure  lord  1400  ;  and  so  with  monethes 
and  dayes  entere  in-to  tliy  table  ther 
thou  findest  thy  mene  mote  y-writen  in 
monethes  and  dayes,  and  take  alle  the 
signes,  degrees,  minutes,  and  secoundes 

40  that  thou  findest  y-writc  in  directe  of  thy 
monethes,  and  adde  to  signes,  degrees, 
minutes,  and  secoundes  that  thou  findest 
with  thy  rote  the  yere  of  oure  lord  1400, 
and  the  residue  that  leveth  is  the  mene 

45  mote  for  that  same  day.  And  note,  if  hit 
so  be  that  thou  woldest  wete  the  mene 
mote  in  any  yere  that  is  lasse  than  thy 


rote,  with-drawe  the  nombere  of  so  many 
yeres  as  hit  is  lasse  than  the  yere  of  ouxe 
lord  a  1397,  aud  kepe  the  residue  ;  and  so  50 
many  yeres,  monethes,  and  dayes  entere 
in-to  thy  tabelis  of  thy  mene  mote.  And 
take  alle  the  signes,  degrees,  and  minutes, 
and  secoimdes,  that  thou  findest  in 
directe  of  alle  the  yeres,  monethes,  and  55 
dayes,  and  wryte  hem  in  thy  slate  ;  and 
above  thilke  nombere  wryte  the  signes, 
degrees,  minutes,  and  secoundes,  the 
whiche  thou  findest  with  thy  rote  the 
yere  of  oure  lord  a  1397  ;  and  with-drawe  60 
alle  the  nethere  signes  and  degrees  fro 
the  signes  and  degrees,  minutes,  and 
secoundes  of  other  signes  with  thj'  rote  ; 
and  thy  residue  that  leveth  is  thy  mene 
mote  for  that  day.  65 

46.  For  to  knowe  at  what  houre  of  the  day, 
or  of  the  night,  shal  be  flode  or  ebbe  * . 

First  wite  thou  certeinly,  how  that 
haven  stondeth,  that  thou  list  to  werke 
for ;  that  is  to  say  in  whiche  place  of  the 
firmament  the  mone  being,  malceth  fulle 
see.  Tlian  awayte  thou  redily  in  what  5 
degree  of  the  zodiak  that  the  mone  at 
that  tyme  is  inne.  Bringe  furth  than 
the  labelle,  and  set  the  point  therof  in 
that  same  cost  that  the  mone  maketh 
flode,  and  set  thou  there  the  degree  of  lo 
the  mone  according  with  the  egge  of  the 
label.  Than  afterward  awayte  where  is 
than  the  degree  of  the  sonne,  at  that 
tyme.  Eemeve  thou  than  the  label  fro 
the  mone,  and  bringe  and  sette  it  justly  15 
upon  the  degree  of  the  sonne.  And  the 
point  of  tlie  label  shal  than  declare  to 
thee,  at  what  houro  of  the  tlay  or  of  the 
night  shal  be  flode.  And  there  also 
maist  thou  wite  by  the  same  point  of  the  20 
label,  whether  it  be,  at  that  same  tyme, 
flode  or  ebbe,  or  half  flode,  or  quarter 
flode,  or  ebbe,  or  half  or  quarter  ebbe  ;  or 
ellis  at  what  houre  it  was  last,  or  shal 
be  next  by  night  or  by  day,  thou  than  1*5 
shalt  esely  knowe,  &c.  Furthermore,  if 
it  so  be  that  thou  happc  to  worke  for  this 
matcre  abouto  the  t.vane  of  the  conjunc- 
cioiin,   bringe  furthe  the  degree  of  the 


*  FerhaiH  not  genuine. 
P 


4i8 


Zi>c  iletrofafie  :    (part  II. 


30  mone  with  the  labelle  to  that  coste  jis  it 
is  before  seyd.  But  than  thou  shalt 
understonile  that  thou  may  not  bringe 
furthe  the  label  fro  the  degree  of  the 
nione  as  thou  dide  before ;  for-why  the 

35  Sonne  is  than  in  the  same  degree  with 
the  mone.  And  so  thou  maj'  ,at  that 
tyme  by  the  point  of  tlie  labelle  un- 
remeved  knowe  the  h<>ure  of  the  flode  or 
of  the  ebbe,  as  it  is  before  seyd,  &c.    And 

41)  evermore  as  thou  findest  the  mone  passe 


fro  the  Sonne,  so  remeve  thoii  the  labelle 
than  fro  the  degree  of  the  mone,  and 
bringe  it  to  the  degree  of  the  Sonne. 
And  worke  thou  than  as  thou  dide  before, 
&c.  Or  elles  knowe  thou  what  houro  it  45 
is  that  thou  art  inne,  by  thyn  instru- 
ment. Than  bringe  thou  furth  i'ro 
thennes  the  labelle  and  ley  it  upon  the 
degree  of  the  mone,  and  therby  maj- 
tliou  wite  also  whan  it  was  flode,  or  whan  50 
it  wol  be  next,  be  it  night  or  day  j  &c. 


THE   CANTERBURY  TALES, 


GEOUP  A.     THE  PROLOGUE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Book  of  the  Tales  of  Caunterbury. 


VVnAX  that  Aprille  with  his  slioures  sote 
The  droghte  of  Marche  hath  jierced  to 

the  rote, 
And  bathed  every  veyne  in  swich  licoiTr, 
Of  which  vertu  engendred  is  the  flour  ; 
Whan  Zephiiiis  eek  with  liis  swete breeth  5 
Inspired  hath  in  every  holt  and  heeth 
The  tendre  croppes,  and  the  yonge  sonne 
Hath  in  the  Earn  his  halfe  coui-s  y-ronne, 
And  smale  fowles  malien  niolodye, 
That  slepen  al  the  night  with  open  ye,  10 
(8<j  priketh  hem  nature  in  hir  corages) : 
Than  longen  folk  to  goon  on  pilgrimages 
(And    palmers    for    to    seken    straunge 

strondes) 
To  feme  halwes,  couthe  in  sondry  londes ; 
And  specially,  from  every  shires  ende    15 
Of  Engelond,  to  Caunterbury  they  wende, 
The  holy  blisful  martir  for  to  seke, 
That  hem  hath  holpen,  whan  that  they 

were  seke. 
Bifel  that,  in  that  seson  on  a  day. 
In  Soxithwerk  at  the  Tabard  as  I  lay      20 
Eedy  to  wenden  on  my  pilgrimage 
To  Caunterbury  with  ful  devout  corage, 
At  night  was  come  in-to  that  hostelrye 
Wei  nyne  and  twenty  in  a  companye, 
Of  sondry  folk,  by  aventure  y-falle  25 

In  felawshipe,  and  pilgrims  were  they  alle, 
That  toward  Caunterbury  woldon  ryde  ," 
The  chambres  and  the  stables  weren  wytle, 
And  wel  we  weren  esed  atte  beste. 
And  shortly,  whan  the  sonne  was  to  reste, 


So  hadde  I  spoken  with  hem  everichon,  31 
That  I  was  of  hir  felawshipe  anon. 
And  made  forward  erly  for  to  rj-se. 
To  take  our  wey,  ther  as  I  yow  devyse. 
But  natheles,  whyl  I  have  tyme  an<l 

space,  35 

Er  that  I  ferther  in  this  tale  pace. 
Me  thinketh  it  acordaunt  to  resoun, 
T<j  telle  yow  al  the  condicioun 
Of  ech  of  hem,  so  as  it  semed  me, 
And  whiche   they  weren,  and  of  what 

degree ;  40 

And  eek  in  what  array  that  they  were 

inne: 
And  at  a  knight  than  wol  I  first  biginne. 
A  KNiGirr  ther  was,  and  that  a  wortlij- 

man.  Knight. 

That  fro  the  tyme  that  he  first  bigan 
To  ryden  out,  he  loved  chivalrye,  45 

Trouthe   and   honour,   fredom   and   cur- 

teisye. 
Ful  worthy  was  he  in  his  lordes  werre. 
And   therto    hadde    he    riden   (no  man 

ferre) 
As  wel  in  Cristendom  as  hethenesse. 
And  ever  honoured  for  his  wortbinesse.  50 
At  Alisavindre   he   was,  whan   it  was 

wonne  ; 
Ful  ofte  tyme  he  hadde  the  bord  bigonno 
Aboven  alle  naciouns  in  Pruce. 
In  Lettow  hadde  he  reysed  and  in  Kuce, 
No  Cristen  man  so  oite  of  his  degree.    55 
In  Gernade  at  the  sege  eek  hadde  he  be 

2 


420 


A.    Z^t  (profo^ue. 


[t.  57-142- 


Of  Algezir,  and  riden  in  Belmarye. 

At  Lyeys  was  he,  and  at  Satalye, 

Whan    they   were   wouue ;    and   in   the 

Grete  See 
At  many  a  uo))le  ary\'e  hadde  he  be.      60 
At  mortal  batailles  hadde  he  been  fiftene, 
And  fonghten  for  oiir  feitli  at  Tramissene 
In  listes  thryes,  and  ay  slayn  his  fo. 
This  ilke  worthy  knight  had  been  also 
Somt\-nie  with  the  lord  of  Palat.\'e,  65 

Ageyn  another  hethen  in  Tnrkye  : 
And  evermore  he  hadde  a  sovereyn  prys. 
And  though  that  he  were  worthy,  he  was 

wys. 
And  of  his  port  as  meke  as  is  a  mayde. 
He  never  yet  no  vileinye  ne  sayde  70 

In  al  his  Ij^,  un-to  no  maner  ^^■igllt. 
He  was  a  verray  parfit  gentil  knight. 
But  for  to  tellen  yow  of  his  array. 
His  hors  were  gode,  biit  he  was  nat  gay. 
Of  fustian  he  wered  a  gipoun  75 

Al  bismotered  with  his  habergeoun  ; 
For  he  was  late  y-come  from  his  'viage, 
And  wente  for  to  doon  his  pilgrimage. 
With  him  ther  was  his  sone,  a  yong 

Squyek,  Squyer. 

A  lo^-yere,  and  a  lusty  bacheler,  80 

With  lokkes  crulle,  as  they  were  leyd  in 

presse. 
Of  twenty  yeer  of  age  he  was,  I  gesse. 
Of  his  stature  he  was  of  evene  lengthe. 
And    wondei'ly    deliver,    and    greet    of 

streugthe. 
And  he  had  been  somtyme  inchivachye,  85 
In  Flaundres,  in  Artoys,  and  Picardye, 
And  born  him  wel,  as  of  so  litel  space. 
In  hope  to  stonden  in  his  lady  grace. 
Embrouded  was  he,  as  it  were  a  mede 
Al  ful  of  frosshe  flourcs,  whyte  and  rede.  90 
Singinge  he  was,  or  floj'tiuge,  al  the  day; 
He  was  as  fresh  as  is  the  month  of  May. 
Short  was  his  goune,  with  sieves  longe 

and  wyde. 
Wel  coude  he  sitte  on  hors,  and  faire  ryde. 
He  coude  songes  niake  and  wel  endyte,  95 
Juste  and  cek  daunce,  and  wel  purtreye 

and  ^vryte. 
So  hote  ho  lovede,  that  by  nightertale 
He  sleep  namore  than  dooth  a  nightingale. 
Curteys  he  was,  lowly,  and  servisable, 
And  carf  biforn  his  fader  at  the  table.  100 


A  Yemak  hadde  he,  and  sers'aunts  namo 
At  that  tyme,  for  him  liste  ryde  so ; 
And  he  was  clad  in   cote   and   hooil  of 

grene ;  Yenian. 

A    sheef    of    pecok-arwes    brighte    and 

kene 
Under  his  belt  he  bar  ful  thriftil^• ;        105 
(Wel  coude  he  dresse  his  takel  yemanly  : 
His  arwes  drouped  noght  with  fetheres 

lowe). 
And  in  his  hand  he  bar  a  mighty  bowe. 
A  not-heed  hadde  he,  with  a  broun  visage. 
Of  wode-craft  wel  covide  he  al  the  usage.  1 10 
Upon  his  arm  he  bar  a  gay  bracer, 
And  by  his  syde  a  swerd  and  a  bokeler. 
And  on  that  other  syde  a  gay  liaggere, 
Harneised  wel,    and   sharp   as   point   of 

spere ; 
A  Cristofre  on  his  brest  of  silver  shene.  1 15 
An  horn   he   bar,   the  bawdrik  was    of 

grene  ; 
A  forster  was  he,  soothly,  as  I  gesse. 

Ther  was  also  a  Nonne,  a  Puioresse, 
That  of  hir  smyling  was  ful  simple  and 

coy ;  Prioresse. 

Hir   gxetteste    00th   was    but    by  se.^rut 

Loy ;  120 

And  she  was  cleped  madanie  Eglentyne. 
Ful  wel  she  song  the  service  divyne, 
Entuned  in  hir  nose  ful  somely  ; 
And  Fronsh  she  spak  ful  faire  and  fetisly, 
After  the  scole  of  Stratford  atte  Bowo,  125 
For  Frensh  of  Paris  was  to  hir  unknowe. 
At  mete  wel  y-taught  was  she  with-alle  ; 
She  leet  no  morsel  from  hir  lippes  falle, 
Ne  wette  hir  fingres  in  hir  sauce  depe. 
Wel  coude  she  carie  a  morsel,  and  wel 

kepe,  130 

That  no  drops  ne  fille  upon  hir  brest. 
In  cui-toisye  was  set  ful  muche  hir  lest. 
Hir  over  lii)i)e  wyped  she  so  clene, 
That  in  hir  cojipe  was  no  ferthing  sene 
Of  grece,  whan  she  dronken  hadde  hir 

draughte.  135 

Ful  somely  after  hir  mete  she  raughte, 
And  sikerly  she  was  of  greet  disport, 
And  ful  plesaunt,  and  amiable  of  port, 
And  peyned  hir  to  countrefeto  chere 
Of  court,  and  been  estatlich  of  manere,  140 
And  to  ben  holden  digue  of  reverence. 
But,  for  to  speken  of  hir  conscience, 


143—.] 


ZU  (profoguc. 


421 


She  was  so  charitable  and  so  pitous, 
She  wolde  wepe,  if  that  she  sawe  a  mous 
Caught  in  a  trappe,  if  it  were  deed  or 

bledde.  145 

Of  sniale  houndes  had  she,  that  she  fedde 
With  rosted  flesh,  or  milk  and  wastel- 

breed. 
But  sore  weep  she  if  oon  of  hem  were 

deed, 
Or  if  men  smoot  it  with  a  yerde  smerte  : 
And  al  was  conscience  and  tendre  herte. 
Ful  semely  hir  wimpel  pinched  was  ;    151 
Hir  nose  tretys  ;  hir  eyen  greye  as  glas  ; 
Hir  mouth  ful  smal,  and  ther-to  softe  and 

reed  ; 
But  sikerly  she  hadde  a  fair  forheed  ; 
It  was  almost  a  spanne  brood,  I  trowe ;  155 
For,  hardily,  she  was  nat  nndergrowe. 
Ful  fetis  was  hir  cloke,  as  I  was  war. 
Of  smal  coral  aboute  hir  arm  she  bar 
A  peire  of  bedes,  gautled  al  with  grene  ; 
And  ther-on  heng  a  broche  of  gold  ful 

shene,  i6<j 

On  which  ther  was  first  write  a  crownetl  A, 
Anil  ailer,  Amur  vincit  omnia.         Nonne. 

Another  Noxne  with  hir  hadde  she, 
That  was  hir  chapeleyne,  and  Pkuestes 

THKEE.  3  Preestes. 

A  Monk  therwas,  a  fair  for  the  maistrye. 

An  out-rydere,  that  lovede  venerye  ;     166 

A  manly  man,  to  been  an  abbot  able. 

Ful  many  a  deyntee  hors  hadde  he  in 

stable  :  MonkV' 

And,    whan   he   rood,    men    mighte   his 

brydel  here 
Gingleu  in  a  whistling  wind  as  elere,    170 
And  eek  as  loxide  as  dooth  the  chapel- 
belle 
Ther  as  this  lord  was  keper  of  tlie  celle. 
The   reule    of  seint    Maure   or   of  seint 

Beueit, 
By-cause  that  it  was  old   ami   som-del 

streit, 
This  ilke  monk  leet  olde  thinges  pace,  175 
And    held    after    the    newe    world    the 

space. 
He  yaf  nat  of  that  text  a  pulled  lien, 
That  seith,  that  hunters  been  nat  holy 

men  ; 
Ne  that  a  monk,  whan  he  is  cloisterlees, 
Is  lykned  tU  a  fish  that  is  waterlees ;    i<So 


This  is  to  seyn,  a  monk  out  of  his  cloistre. 
But  thilke  text  held  he  nat  worth  an 

oistre  ; 
And  I  seyde,  his  opiiiioun  was  good. 
What  sholde  he  studie,  and  make  him- 

selven  wood. 
Upon  a  book  in  cloistre  alwey  to  i^oiu-e,  185 
Or  swinken  with  his  handes,  and  laboure. 
As  Austin  bit  ?    How  shal  the  world  be 

served  ? 
Lat  Austin  have  his  swink  to  him  reserved. 
Therfore  he  was  a  pricasour  aright ; 
Grehoimdes  he  hadde,  as  swifte  as  fowel 

in  flight ;  190 

Of  priking  and  of  hunting  for  the  hare 
Was  al  his   lust,   for  no  cost  wolde  he 

spare. 
I  seigh  his  sieves  purfiled  at  the  hond 
With  grys,  and  that  the  fyneste  of  a  lond  ; 
And,   for  to  festne  his  hood  under  his 

chin,  19s 

He  hadde  of  gold  y-wroght  a  curious  pin : 
A  love-knotte  in  the  gretter  ende  ther  was. , 
His  heed  was  balled,  that  shoon  as  any  1 

glas. 
And  eek  his  face,  as  he  had  been  anoint. 
He  was  a  lord  ful  fat  and  in  good  point ;  j(X) 
His  eyen  stejje,  and  rollinge  in  his  heed. 
That  stemed  as  a  forneys  of  a  leed  ; 
His  botes  souple,  his  hors  in  greet  estat. 
Now  certeinly  he  was  a  fair  prelat ; 
He  was  nat  pale  as  a  for-pyned  goost.  -'05 
A  fat  swan  loved  he  best  of  any  roost. 
His  paltrey  was  as  broun  as  is  a  berye. 
A  Fkere  ther  was,  a  wantown  and  a 

merye,  Frere. 

A  liiiiitoui',  a  ful  solempne  man.  209 

In  alle  the  ordres  foure  is  noon  that  can 
So  muche  of  daliauuce  and  fair  langage. 
He  hadde  maad  ful  many  a  mariago 
Of  yongo  wommen,  at  his  owne  cost. 
Un-to  his  ordro  he  was  a  noble  post. 
Ful  wel  bilove<-l  and  i'amulier  was  he    215 
With  frankeleyns  over-al  in  his  contree. 
And  eek  with   worthy  wommen  of  the 

ton  a  : 
For  he  had  power  of  confessioun. 
As  seyde  him-self,  more  than  a  curat, 
For  of  his  ordre  he  was  licentiat.  220 

Ful  swetely  horde  he  confessioun. 
And  plesauut  was  his  absolucioun  ; 


422 


Z^t  (JJrofoguc. 


[t.  223-306. 


He  was  an  esy  man  to  yeve  penaunce 
Ther  as  he  wiste  to  han  a  good  pitaunce  ; 
For  niito  a  po\Te  ordre  for  to  yive         225 
Is  signe  tliat  a  man  is  wel  y-shrive. 
For  if  he  yaf,  he  dorste  make  avaxmt, 
He  wiste  that  a  man  was  repentannt. 
For  many  a  man  so  hard  is  of  his  herte, 
He  may  nat  wepe    al-thogh    him    sore 

smerte.  230 

Therfore,  in  stede  of  weping  and  preyeres, 
Men  moot  yeve  silver  to  the  povre  freres. 
His  tipet  was  ay  farsed  fill  of  Icnj-s-es 
And  pinnes,  for  to  yeven  faire  w,'»'\-es. 
And  certeinl3-  he  hadde  a  mery  note  ;  235 
Wel  eonde  he  singe  and  plej-en  on  a  rote. 
Of  yeddiuges  he  bar  utterly  the  i)r\-s. 
His  nekke  whyt  was  as  the  flonr-de-lys  ; 
Ther-to  he  strong  Avas  as  a  championn. 
He  knew  tlie  tavornes  wel  in  every  toun, 
And  everich  hostiler  and  tappestere     241 
Bet  than  a  lazar  or  a  beggestere  ; 
For  nn-to  swich  a  worthy  man  as  he 
Acorded  nat,  as  T>y  his  facxiltee,  244 

To  have  with  seke  lazars  aqneyntannce. 
It  is  nat  honest,  it  may  nat  avaunce 
For  to  delen  with  no  swich  poraille. 
But  al  with  riche  and  sellers  of  vitaille. 
And  over-al,  ther  as  profit  sholde  aryse, 
C'nrteys  he  was,  and  lowly  of  servyse.  250 
Ther  nas  no  man  no-wher  so  vertuons. 
He  was  the  beste  beggere  in  his  hoiis  ; 
fAud    yai    a    certeyn    ferme    for    the 

gi'annt  ;  252  b 

fXoon  of  his  bretheren  cam  ther  in  his 

haiaiit ;  252  c 

For  thogh  a  widwe  hadde  noght  a  sho, 
So  plesaunt  was  his  '  In  principio,' 
Yet   wolde   he   have   a    ferthing,   er    he 

wente.  255 

His  purchas  was  wel  V)ettre  than  his  rente. 
And  I'age  he  coude,   as  it  were  right  a 

wholpe. 
In    h)ve-(.la,\es    ther    coude    he    muchel 

lielpe.  (260) 

Fur  there  he  was  nat  lyk  a  cloisterer, 
With  a  thredbar    cope,    as    is  a  po\Te 

scoler,  260 

But  he  was  \y\\.  a  maister  or  a  pope. 
Of  double  worsted  was  his  semi-cope. 
That  rounded  as  a  belle  out  of  the  presse. 
Somwhat  he  lipsed,  for  his  wantownesse. 


To   make   liis   English   swete    np-on   his 

tonge  ;  265 

And  in  his  harping,  whan  that  he  had 

songe, 
His  eyen  twinkled  in  his  heed  aright. 
As    doou     the     sterres     in    the    frosty 

night.  (270) 

This  worthy  liniitour  was  cleped  Huberd. 

A   Marchant  was  ther  with  a  forke<l 

herd,  Marchant 

In  mottelee,  and  hye  on  horse  he  sat,   271 
Up-on  his  heed  a  Flaundrish  bever  hat ; 
His  botes  clasped  faire  and  fetisly. 
His  resons  he  spak  ful  solempnely,        274 
Souninge  alway  th'encrees  of  his  winning. 
He  wolde  the  see  were  kept  for  any  thing 
Bitwixe  Middelbiirgh  and  Orewelle. 
Wel    coude    he    in    eschaimge   sheeldes 

selle.  (j8o) 

This  worth-\-  man  ful  wed  liis  wit  bisette  ; 
Ther  wiste  no  wiglit  that  he  was  in  dette, 
So  estatly  was  he  of  his  goveiiiannce,  281 
With  his  bargaynes,  and  with  his  chevi- 

saiinee. 
For  sothe  he  was  a  worthy  man  with-alle, 
But  sooth  to  sejni,  I  noot  how  men  him 

calle.  "  Clerk. 

A  Ci.EHK  ther  was  of  O.xenlbrd  also. 
That  nn-to  logik  hadde  longe  y-go.        286 
As  lene  was  his  hors  as  is  a  rake, 
And  he  nas  nat  right  fat,  I  undertake ;  (290) 
But  loked  holwe,  and  ther-to  soberly. 
Ful  thredbar  was  his  overest  courtejiy ;  290 
For  he  had  geten  him  yet  no  benefyce. 
No  was  so  worldly  for  to  have  offyce. 
For  him  was   lever  have  at  his  beddes 

heed 
Twenty  bokes,  clad  in  blak  or  reed. 
Of  ArLstotle  and  his  philosophye,  295 

Than  robes  riche,  or  fithele,  or  gay  santr\-e. 
But  al  be  that  he  was  a  philosophre, 
Yet  hadde  ho  \>\\i  litel  gold  in  cofre  ;  (300) 
But   al  that  he   mighte  of  his  freendes 

hente, 
On  bokes  and  on  lerninge  he  it  spente,  300 
And  l)isily  gan  for  the  soules  preye 
Of  hem  that  yaf  him  wher-withto  scoleye. 
Of  studie  took  he  most  cure  and   most 

hede. 
Noght   o  Word   spak  he   more  than  \\as 

uede, 


T.  307-386.] 


ZU  (pvoCogue. 


[23 


And  that  was  seyd  in  forme  and  rever- 
ence, .^05 
And    short    and   quik,    and    ful    of    hy 

sentence. 
Soxininge  in  moral  vertn  was  his  speche, 
And  gladly  wolde  he  lerne,  and  gladly 
teche.  ManofLawe.  (310) 

A  Sergeant  of  the  Lawk,  war  and  wys, 
Tliat  often  hadde  been  at  the  par\'ys,  310 
Ther  was  also,  ful  riche  of  excellence. 
Discreet  he  was,  and  of  greet  reverence  : 
He    semed   swich,    his   wordes  weren  so 

wyse. 
Jnstyce  he  was  ful  often  in  assyse,        314 
By  patente,  and  by  pleyn  commissioun  ; 
For   his   science,    and  for   his  lieigh  re- 
noun 
Of  fees  and  robes  hadde  he  many  oon. 
So    greet    a    purchasour    was    no-wher 
noon.  (320) 

Al  was  fee  simple  to  him  in  effect, 
His  purchasing  mighte  nat  been  infect.  320 
No-wher  so  bisy  a  man  as  he  ther  nas, 
And  yet  he  semed  bisier  than  he  was. 
In  termes  hadde  he  caas  and  domes  alle, 
Tliat  from  the  tyme  of  king  William  were 

falle. 
Therto  he   coude    endyte,    and   make   a 
thing,  325 

Ther    coude    no    wight    pinche    at    his 

wryting  ; 
And  every  statut  coude  he  plejii  by  rote. 
He  rood  but  hoomlj'  in  a  medlee  cote  (330) 
Girt   with  a  ceint  of  silk,  with   barres 

smale ; 
Of  his  array  telle  I  no  lenger  tale.         330 

A  FuANKELEYN  was  iu  his  companj'e  ; 
Whji;  was  his  herd,  as  is  the  dayesye. 
Of  his  complexioun  he  was  sangf^vyn. 
Wei  loved   he  by  the    morwe   a  sop  in 
wjni.  Frankeleyn. 

To  liven  in  dcl,\'t  was  ever  his  wono,     335 
For  he  was  Epicurus  owne  sone. 
That  heeld  opinioun,  that  pleJ^l  delyt 
Was  vcrraily  felicitee  parfj-t.  (340) 

An  housholdere,  and  that  a  greet,  was  he  ; 
Seint  Julian  he  was  in  his  contree.  340 
His  breed,  his  ale,  was  alwey  after  oon  ; 
A  bettre  envyned  man  was  no-wher  noon. 
With-oute  bake  mete  was  never  his  hous. 
Of  fish  and  flesh,  and  that  so  plentevous. 


It    snewed    in    his    liotis    of   mete    and 

drinke,  345 

Of  alle  dejiitees  that  men  coude  thinke. 
After  the  sondry  sesons  of  the  yeer,   (349) 
So  chaunged  he  his  mete  and  his  soper. 
Ful   many   a  fat  partrieh  hadde  he   in 

mewe. 
And  many  a  breem  and  manj-  a  hice  in 

stewe.  350 

Wo  was  his  cook,  biit-if  his  saiice  were 
Poynaunt  and  sharp,  and  redy  al  his  gerc. 
His  table  dormant  in  his  halle  alwaj- 
Stood  redy  covered  al  the  longe  day. 
At  sessiouns  ther  was  he  lord  and  sire  ;  355 
Ful  ofte  tyme  he  was  knight  of  the  shire. 
An  anlas  and  a  gipser  al  of  silk  (359) 

Heng  at  his  girdel,  whyt  as  morne  milk. 
A  shirreve  hadde  he  been,  and  a  countour ; 
Was  no-wher  such  a  worthy  vavasour,  360 
An  Haberdasshek  and  a  Cakpenter, 

Haberdassher.     Carpenter. 
A  Webbe,  a  Dyere,  and  a  Tapicer, 

Webbe.    Dyere.    Tapicer. 
Were  with  its  eek,  clothed  in  o  liveree. 
Of  a  solempne  and  greet  fraternitee.    364 
Ful  fresh  and  newe  hir  gere  apyked  was  ; 
Hir   knyves   were   y-chaped   noght   with 

bras. 
But  al  with  silver,  wroght  ful  clene  and 

weel,  (369) 

Hir  girdles  and  hir  pouches  every-deel. 
Wei  semed  ech  of  hem  a  fair  burgeys. 
To  sitten  in  a  yeldhalle  on  a  deys.         370 
Everich,  for  the  wisdom  that  he  can. 
Was  shaply  for  to  been  an  alderman. 
For  catel  hadde  they  y-nogh  and  rente, 
And  eek  hir  wyves  wolde  it  wel  assente ; 
And  elles  certein  were  they  to  blame.  375 
It  is  ful  fair  to  been  y-clept  '  ma  dame,' 
And  goon  to  vigilyt'S  al  l)ifore, 
And  have  a  mantel  royalliche  y-bore.  (nSo) 
A  Cook  they  hadde  with  hem  for  the 

nones.  Cook. 

To   boille   the    chiknes   with   the   mary- 

bones,  380 

And  poudre-marchant  tart,  and  galingale. 
Wel    coudo    ho    knowe    a    draughte    of 

London  ale. 
He  coude  roste,  and  sethe,  and  broille, 

and  frye, 
Maken  mortreux,  and  wel  bake  a  p\e. 


424 


A.    Z^t  ^rofogue. 


[t.  387-462. 


But   greet  harm  was  it,  as  it  thoughte 
me,  3«5 

That  on  his  shine  a  mormal  hadde  he  ; 
For  blankmanger,  that  made  he  with  the 
beste.  (389) 

A   SniPMAN  was   ther,  woning  fer  by 
weste :  Shipman. 

For  aught  I  woot,  he  was  of  Dertemouthe. 
He  rood  up-on  a  rouncy,  as  he  couthe,  390 
In  a  gowne  of  fakling  to  the  knee. 
A  daggere  hanging  on  a  laas  hadde  he 
Aboute  his  nekke  under  his  arm  adoun. 
The  hote  somer  had  maad  his  hewe  al 

broun  ; 
And,  certeinly,  he  was  a  good  felawe.  395 
Ful   many   a   draughte  of  wyn  had   he 

y-drawe 
From  Burdeux-ward,  whyl  that  the  chap- 
man sleep. 
Of  nyce  conscience  took  he  no  keep.  (4(x>) 
If  that  he  taught,  and  hadde  the  hyer 

hond. 
By  water  he  seute  hem  hoom  to  every 
lond.  400 

But  of  his  craft  to  rekene  wel  his  tydes. 
His  stremes  and  his  daungers  him  bisydes, 
His  herberwe  and   his   mone,   liis  lode- 
menage, 
Tlier    nas    noon    swich    I'rom   Hulle    to 

Cartage. 
Hardy  he  was,  and  wys  to  luidertake  ;  405 
With  many  a  tempest  hadde   his   herd 

been  shake. 
He  knew  wel  alio  the  havenes,  as  they 
were,  (409) 

From  Gootlond  to  the  cape  of  Finistere, 
And    every   cryke    in    Britayne    and   in 
Spayne ;  409 

His  barge  y-cleped  was  the  Maudelayne. 

With  us  ther  was  a  Doctour  ok  Piiisyk, 
In  al  this  world  ne  was  ther  noon  him 
lyk  Doctour. 

To  speke  of  phisik  and  of  surgerye  ; 
For  he  was  grounded  in  astronomye. 
He  kepte  his  pacient  a  ful  greet  del       415 
In  houres,  by  his  magik  naturel. 
Wel  coude  ho  fortunen  the  ascendent 
Of  his  images  for  his  pacient.  (420) 

He  knew  the  cause  of  everich  maladye. 
Were  it  of  hoot  or  cold,  or  moiste,  or 
ilrye,  420 


And    where    engendred,    and    of    what 

humour  ; 
He  was  a  verrey  parfit  practisour. 
The  cause  y-knoM-e,  and  of  his  harm  the 

rote. 
Anon  he  yaf  the  seke  man  his  bote. 
Ful  redy  hadde  he  his  apothecaries,      4J5 
To  sende  him  drogges  and  his  letuaries. 
For    ech    of    hem    made    other    for    to 

winne ; 
Hir  frendschipe  nas  nat  newe  to  biginne. 
Wel  knew  he  th'olde  Esciilapius,        (431) 
And  Deiscorides,  and  eek  Eufus,  430 

Old  Ypocras,  Haly,  and  Galien ; 
Serapion,  Razis,  and  Avicen  ; 
Averrois,  Damascien,  and  Constantyn  ; 
Bernard,  and  Gatesden,  and  Gilbertyn. 
Of  his  diete  mesiu-able  was  he,  43S 

For  it  was  of  no  superfluitee, 
But  of  greet  norissiug  and  digestible. 
His  studie  was  but  litel  on  the  bible.  (440) 
In  sangwin  and  in  pers  he  clad  was  al, 
Lyned  with  taffata  and  with  sendal ;  440 
And  yet  he  was  but  esy  of  dispeuce  ; 
He  kepte  that  he  wan  in  pestilence. 
For  gold  in  phisik  is  a  cordial, 
Thertbre  he  lovede  gold  in  special.        444 
A  good  Wyp  was  ther  of  bisj'de  Bathe, 
But  she  was  som-del  deef,  and  that  was 
scathe.  Wyf  of  Bathe. 

Of  clooth-making  she  hailde  swichc  an 
haunt,  (459) 

She  passed  hem  of  Ypres  and  of  Gaunt. 
In  al   the    jiarisshe   ■wyf    ne    was    ther 

noon 
Tliat    to    th'   oifring   bifore    hir    sholde 
goon ;  450 

And  if  ther  dide,  certeyn,  so  wrooth  was 

she. 
That  she  was  out  <if  alle  charitee. 
Hir  coverchiels  ful  fyne  were  of  ground  ; 
I  dorstc  swere  they  weyeden  ten  pound 
That  on  a  Sonday  were  upon  hir  heed.  455 
Hir  hosen  weren  of  fyn  scarlet  reed, 
Ful  streite  y-teyd,  and  shoos  ful  moiste 

and  newe. 

Bold  was  hir  face,  anil  fair,  and  reed  of 

hewe.  (460) 

She  was  a  worthy  womman  al  hir  lyve, 

Housbondes   at   chirche-dore   she   hadde 

fyve,  460 


T.  463-544.] 


A.    ZU  (prorogue. 


425 


Withouten  other  companye  iu  youtlie  ; 

Bwt  therof  nedeth  nat  to  spekt;  as  noiitlie. 

And  tliryes  liadde  she  been  at  Jernsaleui ; 

She    hadde    passed    many    a    straunge 
streem ;  464 

At  Eome  she  hadde  been,  and  at  Boloigne, 

In  Galice  at  seint  Jame,  and  at  Coloigne. 

She   covide   muche   of  wandring   by  the 
weye  : 

Gat-tothed  was  she,  soothly  for  to  seye. 

Up-on  an  aniblere  esily  she  sat,  (470 

Y-wimpled  wel,  and  on  hir  heed  an  hat 

As  brood  as  is  a  bokeler  or  a  targe  ;       471 

A  foot-mantel  aboute  hir  hipes  large, 

And  on  hir  feet  a  paire  of  spores  sharpe. 

In  felawschip  wel  coude  she  laughe  and 
carpe. 

Of    remedyes    of    love    she    knew    per- 
chaunce,  475 

For  she  coude  of  that  art  the  olde  daunce. 
Persoun. 
A  good  man  was  ther  of  religioun. 

And  was  a  povre  Persoun  of  a  toun  ;  (480) 
But  riche  he  was  of  holy  thoght  and  werk. 
He  was  also  a  lerned  man,  a  clerk,        480 
That  Cristes  gospel  trewely  wolde  preche ; 
His  parisshens  devoutly  wolde  he  teche. 
Benigne  he  was,  and  wonder  diligent, 
And  in  adversitee  ful  pacient  ; 
And  swich  he  was  y-preved  otte  sytlies. 
Ful  looth  were   him  to  cursen  for  his 
tythes,  486 

But  rather  wolde  he  yeven,  out  of  doute, 
Un-to  his  povre  parisshens  aboute      (490) 
Of  his  offring,  and  eek  of  his  substaunce. 
He  coude  in  litel  thing  han  suffisaunce. 
Wyd  was  his  parisshe,   and   houses  fer 
a-sonder,  491 

But  he  ne  lafte  nat,  for  reyn  ne  thonder, 
In  siknt'S  nor  in  meschief,  to  visyte 
The  ferreste  in  his  parisshe,  muche  and 

lyte, 
Up-on  liis  feet,  and  in  his  hand  a  staf.  495 
This  noble  ensample  to  his  sheep  ho  yaf, 
That  fii-st  he  wroghte,  and  afterward  he 

taught  e  ; 
Out  of  the  gospel  he  tho  wordes  caughte  ; 
And  this  figure  he  added  eek  ther-to,  (501) 
That  if  gokl  ruste,  what  shal  iren  do?  500 
For  if  a  preest  be  foul,  on  whom  we  t  ruste, 
Jfo  wonder  is  a  lewed  man  to  ruste  ; 


And  shame  it  is,  if  a  preest  take  keep, 
A  sliiteu  shepherde  and  a  clene  sheep. 
^^'el  oglite  a  preest  ensample  for  to  yive. 
By  his    clennesse,    how  that   his   sheep 
shold  live.  506 

He  sette  nat  his  benefice  to  hyre, 
And   leet   his   sheep    encombred    in   the 
ni.vTe,  (510) 

And  ran  to  London,  un-to  seynt  Poules, 
To  seken  him  a  chaunterie  for  soiiles,  510 
Or  with  a  bretherhed  to  been  witliholde  ; 
But  dwelte  at  hoom,  and  kepte  wel  his 

folde. 
So  that  the  wolf  ne  made  it  nat  miscarie  ; 
He  was  a  shepherde  and  no  mercenarie. 
And  though  he  holy  were,  and  vertuous, 
He  was  to  sintul  man  nat  despitous,     516 
Ne  of  his  speche  daungerous  ne  digne, 
But  in  his  teching  discreet  and  benigne. 
To  drawen  folk  to  lieven  by  fairnesse  (521) 
By  good  ensample,  was  his  bisiuesse  :  520 
But  it  were  any  persone  obstinat, 
What-so  he  were,  of  heigh  or  lowe  estat, 
Him  wolde  he  snibben  sharply  for  the 

nones. 
A   bettre  preest,    I   trowe   that    nowher 

noon  is. 
He  wayted  after  no  pomj)e  and  reverence, 
Ne  maked  him  a  spyced  conscience,      526 
But  Cristes  lore,  and  his  apostles  twelve, 
He  taughte,  and  first  he  folwed  it  hini- 

selve.  (5,^0) 

With  him  ther  was  a  Plowman,  was  his 

brother,  Plowman. 

That  hadde  y-lad   of   dong  ful  many  a 

fother,  5,^o 

A  trewe  swinker  and  a  good  was  he, 
Livinge  in  pees  and  parfit  charitee. 
God  loved  he  best  with  al  his  hole  herte 
At    alle    tymes,    thogh    him    gamed    or 

smerte, 
And  tlianne  his  nuighebour  right  as  him- 

selve.  535 

He  wolde  thresshe,  and  ther-to  dyke  and 

delve, 
For  Cristes  sake,  for  every  povre  wight, 
Withouten  hyre,  if  it  lay  in  his  might. 
His  t,\-thes  payed  he  ful  fairo  and  wel,  (541) 
Bothe  of  his  propre  swink  and  his  catcl. 
In  a  tabard  ho  rood  upon  a  mere.  54 1 

Ther  was  also  a  Reve  and  a  Millere, 


426 


ZU  (profogue. 


[t.   54:,-620. 


A  Somnour  and  a  Pardoner  also, 

A   Maunciple,    and    my-self;    th.er  were 

namo. 
The  MiLi,KR  was  a  stout  carl,  for  the 

nones,  Miller. 

Pnl   big   ho  was   of  brann,   and   eek   of 

bones ;  546 

That  proved  wel,  for  over-al  ther  he  cam, 
At  wrastling  he  wolde  have  alwey  the 

ram.  ^550) 

He  was  short-sholdred,  brood,  a  thikke 

knarre, 
Ther  nas  no  dore  that  he  nolde  heve  of 

harre,  550 

Or  breke  it,  at  a  renning,  with  his  heed. 
His  herd  as  any  sowe  or  fox  was  reed. 
And   ther-to   brood,    as   though   it  were 

a  spade. 
Up-on  the  cop  right  of  his  nose  he  hade 
A  werte,  and  ther-on  stood  a  tuft  of  heres, 
Keed  as  the  bristles  of  a  sowes  eres  ;     556 
His  nose-thirles  blake  were  and  wyde. 
A  swerd  and  bokeler  bar  he  by  his  syde  ; 
His  mouth  as  greet  was  as  a  greet  forneys. 
He  was  a  janglere  and  a  goUardeys,      560 
And  that  was  most  of  sinne   and  har- 

lotryes.  ^563) 

Wel  coude  he   stelen   corn,   and  tollen 

thryes ; 
And  yet   he  hadde   a   thombe   of   gold, 

pardee. 
A  whj't  cote  and  a  blew  hood  wered  he. 
A  baggepyi)e    wel   coude   he  blowe   and 

sowne,  565 

And   ther-with-al  he  broghte  us  out  of 

towne.  Matinciple. 

AgentilMAusciPLE  was  ther  of  a  temple. 

Of  which  achatours  mighte  take  exemple 

For  to  be  wyse  in  bying  of  vitaille       (571) 

For  whether  that  he  payde,  or  took  by 

taille,  570 

Algate  he  wayted  so  in  his  achat, 
That  he  was  ay  bifom  and  in  good  stat. 
Now  is  nat  that  of  God  a  ful  ftiir  grace, 
That  swich  a  lewed  mannes  wit  shal  pace 
Tlie  wisdom  of  an  heep  of  lemed  men  ?  575 
Of  maistres  hadde   he  mo    than   thryes 

ten, 
That  were  of  lawe  expert  and  curiotis  ; 
Of  which    ther  were  a  doseyn  in   that 

hous 


Worthy  to  been  stiwardes  of  rente  and 

lond  (581) 

Of  any  lord  that  is  in  Engelond,  580 

To  make  him  live  by  his  propre  good. 
In  honour  dettelees,  but  he  were  wood. 
Or  live  as  scarsly  as  him  list  desire  ; 
And  able  for  to  helpen  al  a  shire 
In  any  cas  that  mighte  falle  or  happe  ;  585 
And  j-it  this  mavmciple  sette  hir  aller 

cappe.  Reve. 

The  Kevk  was  a  sclendre  colerik  man. 
His  herd  was  shave   as   ny  as   ever  he 

can.  (590) 

His  heer  was  by  his  eres  round  y-shom. 
His  top  was  dokked  lyk  a  preest  biforn. 
Ful  longe  were  his  legges,  and  ful  lene, 
Y-lyk  a  staf,  ther  was  no  calf  y-sene. 
Wel  coude  he  kepe  a  geruer  and  a  binne ; 
Ther  was  noon  auditour  coude  on  him 

winne. 
Wel  wiste  he,  by  the  droghte,  and  by  the 

reyn,  595 

The    yelding    of   his    seed,    ami    of   his 

grejTi. 
His  lordes  sheep,  his  neet,  his  dayerye. 
His  swyn,   his  hors,    his   stoor,  and  his 

pultrye,  (600) 

Was  hoolly  in  this  reves  governing,      599 
And  by  his  covenaunt  yaf  the  rekening. 
Sin  that  his  lord  was  twenty  yeer  of  age  ; 
Ther    coude    no    man    bringe    him    in 

arreriige. 
Ther  nas  baillif,  ne  herde,  ne  other  hyne. 
That  he  ne   knew   his  sleighte  and  his 

covjTie ;  604 

They  were  ailrad  of  him,  as  of  the  deeth. 
His  woning  was  ful  fair  xip-on  an  heeth. 
With  grene  trees  sliadwed  was  his  place. 
He  coude  bettre  than  liis  lord  piarchace. 
Fnl  riche  he  was  astored  prively,         (611) 
His  lord  wel  coude  he  plesen  subtilly,  610 
To  yeve  and  lene  him  of  his  o'wne  good, 
And  have  a  thank,  and  yet  a  cote  and 

hood. 
In  youthe  he  lemed  hadde  a  good  mister; 
He  was  a  wel  good  wriglite,  a  carpenter. 
This  reve  sat  up-on  a  ful  good  stot,        615 
That   was   al   pomely  gre3-,    and    highte 

Scot. 
A  long  surcote  of  pers  up-on  he  hade. 
And  by  his  syde  he  bar  a  rusty  blade.  {620) 


T.  621-696.] 


A.    Z^i  (ptofoguc. 


427 


Of  Northfolk  was  this  reve,   of  which  I 

telle,  619 

Bisyde  a  toun  men  clepen  Baldeswelle. 
Tiilvked  he  was,  as  is  a  frere,  aboute, 
And   ever  he  rood  the  hindreste  of  our 

route. 
A  SoMsouK  was  ther  with  us  in  that 

place,  Somnour. 

That  hadde  a  iyr-reed  cherubinnes  face, 
For  sawcefleem  he  was,  with  eyen  narwe. 
-\s  hoot    he   was,   and    lecherous,   as    a 

sparwe ;  626 

With  scalledbrowes  blake,  and  piled  herd  ; 
Of  his  visage  chiklren  were  aferd.  (630) 
Ther   nas  quik-silver,   litarge,    ne   brim- 

stoon. 
Boras,  ceruce,  ne  oille  of  tartre  noon,  630 
Ne   oynement    that    wolde    dense    and 

byte. 
That  him  mighte  helpen  of  his  whelkes 

whj'te. 
Nor  of  the  knobbes  sittinge  on  his  chekes. 
Wei  loved  he  garleek,  oynons,  and  eek 

Ickes, 
And  for  to  drinken  strong  vryn,  reed  as 

blood.  635 

Than   wolde  he  speke,  and   crye   as  he 

were  wood. 
And  whan  that  he  wel  dronkeu  hadde  the 

Than  wolde  he  speke  no  word  but  Latyn. 
A  fewe  termes  hadde  he,  two  or  three, 
That  he  had  lemed  out  of  som  decree  ;  640 
No  wonder  is,  he  herde  it  al  the  day  ; 
And  eek  ye  knowen  wel,  how  that  a  jay 
Can  clepen  '  Watte,'  as  weU  as  can  the 

pope. 
But   who-so   coude   in   other   thing  him 

grope,  644 

Thanne  hadde  he  spent  al  his  philosophye ; 
Ay  '  Qucstio  qidd  in  rig'  wolde  he  crye. 
He  was  a  gentil  harlot  and  a  kiude  ;  (649) 
A  bettre  felawe  sholde  men  noght  finde. 
He  wolde  sulfre,  for  a  quart  of  wyn, 
A  good  felawe  to  have  his  concubyn      050 
A  twelf-month,  and  excuse  him  atte  fullc  : 
Ful  prively  a  finch  eek  coude  he  pulle. 
And  if  he  fond  o-wher  a  good  felawe, 
He  wolde  techen  him  to  have  non  awe. 
In  swich  cas,  of  the  erchedeknes  curs,  655 
But-if  a  mannes  soule  were  in  his  piirs  ; 


For  in  his  purs  he  sholde  y-punisshed  be. 
'  Purs  is  the  erchedeknes  helle,'   seyde 

he.  (660) 

But  wel  I  woot  he  lyed  right  in  dede  ; 
Of    cursing   oghte    ech   gilty   man    him 

drede —  660 

For  curs  wol  slee,    right    as    assoilling 

saveth — 
And  also  war  him  of  a  significavit. 
In  daunger  hadde  he  at  his  owne  gj'se 
The  j'onge  girles  of  the  diocyse, 
And   knew  hir  counseil,  and  was  al  hir 

reed.  665 

A  gerland  hadde  he  set  up-on  his  heed, 
As  greet  as  it  were  for  an  ale-stake  ; 
A  bokeler  hadde  he  maad  him  of  a  cake. 
With  him  ther  rood  a  gentil  Pakdoxek 
Of  Rouncival,  his  freend  and  his  compeer, 
That  streight  was  comen  fro  the  court  of 

Rome.  Pardoner,  t 

Ful  loude  he  song,  '  Com  hider,  love,  to ' 

me.'  (671))  672 

This  somnour  bar  to  him  a  stif  burdoun, 
Was  never  trompe  of  half  so  greet  a  soun. 
This  jjardoner  hadde  heer  as  yelow  as 

wex,  675 

But  smothe  it  heng,  as  dooth  a  strike  of 

flex; 
By  ounces  henge  his  lokkes  that  he  hadde, 
And   ther-with    he    his    shuldres    over- 

spradde ;  (680) 

But  thinne  it  lay,  by  colpons  oon  and 

oon ; 
But  hood,  for  jolitee,  ne  wered  he  noon, 
For  it  was  trussed  up  in  his  walet.        681 
Him  thoughte,  he  rood  al  of  the  newo  jet ; 
Dischevele,  save   his   cappe,  he   rootl    al 

bare. 
Swiche   glaringe   eyen   hadde  he   !is    an 

hare. 
A  vemicle  hadde  he  sowed  on  his  cappe. 
His  walet  lay  bifom  him  in  his  lappe,  686 
Bret-ful  of  pardoun  come  from  Eome  al 

hoot.  (689) 

A  voys  he  hadde  as  smal  as  hath  a  goot. 
No  herd  hadde  he,  ne  never  sholde  have. 
As  smothe  it  was  as  it  were  late  y-shave  ; 
I  trowe  he  were  a  gelding  or  a  mare.    691 
But  of  his  cralt,  fro  Berwik  into  Ware, 
Ne  was  ther  swich  another  pardoner. 
For  in  his  male  he  hatldo  a  pilwe-beer, 

5 


428 


A.    ZU  (jJrofogue. 


[t.  697-774. 


Which,    that,    he    seyde,    was    our    huly 

ve.yl  :  695 

He  seyde,  he  hadile  a  gobet  of  the  seyl 
That  sej-nt  Peter  hadde,  whau  that  he 

■\vente  (699) 

Vp-ou  the  see,  til  Jesu  Crist  hiru  hente. 
He  hadde  a  croys  of  latoiiu,  fill  of  stoues, 
And  in  a  glas  he  hadde  pigges  hones.    700 
But  with  thise  relikes,  whan    that    he 

f..nd 
A  po\re  person  dwelling  up-ou  lond, 
Up-ou  a  day  he  gat  him  more  raonej'e 
Than  that  the  person   gat   in  monthes 

tweye. 
And  thus,  with  feyned  flaterye  and  japes. 
He  made  the  ijersou  and  the  i)eple  his 

apes.  706 

But  trewely  to  tellen,  atte  laste,  (7<J9) 

He  was  in  chirche  a  noble  ecclesiaste. 
"Wei  coude  he  rede  a  lessoiiu  or  a  storie, 
But  ahlerbest  he  song  an  offertorie  ;     710 
For  wel  he  wiste,  whan  that  song  was 

songe. 
He   nioste    preehe,   and   wel    affyle    his 

tonge, 
To  winne  silver,  as  he  fnl  wel  coude  ; 
Therefore  he  song  so  meriely  and  loude. 

Now  have  I  told  you  shortly,  in  a  clause, 
Th'estat,  th'array,  the  nombre,  and  eek  the 

cause  716 

Why  that  assembled  was  this  companye 
In  Southwerk,  at  this  gentil  hostelrj-e. 
That   highte   the    Tabard,    faste   by   the 

Belle.  (721) 

But  now  is  tyme  to  yow  for  to  telle       720 
How  that  we  Ijaren  us  that  ilke  night. 
Whan  we  were  in  that  hostelrj-e  alight. 
And  after  wol  I  telle  of  our  viage, 
Aiid  al  the  remenaunt  of  our  pilgrimage. 
But  first  I  pray  yow,  of  your  curteisye,  725 
That  yo  n'arette  it  nat  my  vilcinye, 
Thogh    that    I    pleynly    speke    iu    this 

matere,  (729) 

To  telle  yow  hir  wordes  and  hir  chere  ; 
Ne  thogh  I  si)eke  hir  wordes  properly. 
For  this  ye  knowen  al-so  wel  as  I,  730 

Wlio-so  shal  telle  a  tale  after  a  man. 
He  moot  reherce,  as  ny  as  ever  he  can, 
Everich  a  word,  if  it  be  in  his  charge, 
Al    speke    he    never    so    rudeliche    and 

large ; 


Or  elles  he  moot  telle  his  tale  untrewe,  735 
Or  feyue  thing,  or  finde  wordes  newe. 
He  may  nat  spare,  al-thogh  he  were  his 

brother ;  (730) 

He  moot  as  wel  seye  o  word  as  another. 
Crist  spak    him-self  ful    brode  in    holy 

writ. 
And  wel  ye  woot,  no  vileinye  is  it.        740 
Eek   Plato  seith,   who-so  that   can  him 

rede. 
The  wordes  mote  be  cosin  to  the  dede. 
Also  I  prey  j-ow  to  foryeve  it  me, 
Al  have  I  nat  set  folk  in  hir  degree 
Here   in  this  tale,  as   that   thej-   sholde 

stonde ;  745 

My  ^^•it  is  short,  j-e  may  wel  understonde. 
Greet  chere  made  our  hoste  us  e  verichon, 
And  to  the  soper  sette  us  anon  ;  (7,=^<j; 

And  ser^•ed  us  with  vitaille  at  the  beste. 
Strong  was  the  wyn,  and  wel  to  driaike 

us  leste.  750 

A  semely  man  our  hoste  was  with-alle 
For  to  han  been  a  marshal  in  an  halle  ; 
A  large  man  he  was  with  eyen  stepe, 
A  fairer  Ijurgeys  is  ther  noon  in  Chepe  : 
Bold  of  his  speche,   and   wj-s,   and   wel 

3--taught,  755 

And  of  manhod  him  lakkede  right  naught. 
Eek  therto  he  was  right  a  merv-  man. 
And  after  soper  i)leyen  he  bigan,         {'(fo) 
And    sijak   of   mirthc    amonges    othere 

thinges, 
Whan  that  we  hadde  maad  our  reken- 

inges ;  7(>o 

Andseydethus  :  '  Now,  lordinges,  trewely, 
Ye  been  to  me  right  welcome  hertely : 
For  I),v  my  trouthe,  it  that   I  shal  nat 

lye, 
I  ne  saugh  this  year  so  meiy  a  companye 
At  ones  in  this  herberwe  as  is  now.       7(>5 
Fayn  wolde   I   doon  yow  mirthe,  wiste 

I  how. 
And  of  a  mirth*  I  am  right  now  bithoght, 
To    doon    yow    ese,   and    it    shal    coste 

noght.  (770) 

Ye   goon    to    Caunterbuiy ;     God   yow 

spede, 
The     Idisful    martir     <iuyte     yow    >-our 

mede.  770 

And  wel  I  woot,  as  ye  goon  by  the  weye. 
Ye  shapen  yow  to  talen  and  to  pleye  : 


T-   775-^46-] 


A.     ZU  {pvoSo^ut. 


429 


For  trewely,  contort  ne  niirthe  is  iioou 
To  rjile  by  the  weye  doumb  as  a  stoon  ; 
And  theribre  wol  I  maken  yow  disport, 
As  I  seyde  erst,  and  dooii  yow  som  con- 
fort.  776 
And  if  yow  lyketli  alle,  by  oon  assent, 
Now  tor  to  stonden  at  my  jngement,    {780) 
And  for  to  werken  as  I  shal  yow  seye, 
To-niorwe,  whan  j-e  ryden  by  the  weye, 
Now,  by  my  fader  soule,  that  is  deed,   7<Si 
But  j-e  be  merye,  I  wol  yeve  yow  myn 

heed. 
Hold   np    your    hond,    withoiiten    more 

speche.' 
Our    counseil    was    nat    longe    for    to 

seche ; 
Us  thonghte  it  was  noght  worth  to  make 

it  wys,  785 

And     graiinted     him    witliouten     more 

avys. 
And    bad  him    seye  his    verdit,   as  him 

leste. 
'  Lordinges,'  qnod  he,   '  now  herkneth 

for  the  beste  ;  (790) 

But  tak  it  not,  I  prey  yow,  in  desdeyn  ; 
Tliis  is  the  pojTit,  to  speken  short  and 

pleyn,  yqo 

That   ech   of  yow,    to   shorte  with   your 

weye, 
In  this  viage,  shal  telle  tales  tweye, 
To  Caunterbui-y-ward,  I  mene  it  so. 
And   hom-ward    he    shal    tellen    othere 

two. 
Of  aventures  thatwhylom  han  bifalle.  7()5 
And  which  of  yow  that  bereth  liim  best 

of  alle. 
That  is  to  seyn,  that  telleth  in  this  eas 
Tales  of  best  sentence  and  most  solas,  (800) 
Shal  have  a  soper  at  our  aller  cost 
Here  in  this  place,  sitting  by  this  post, 
Wlian  that  we  come  agayn  fro  Caunter- 

bury.  801 

And  for  to  make  yow  the  more  mery, 
I  Wol  my-sclven  gladly  witli  yow  rydc, 
Right  at  myn  owne   cost,  and  be  your 

gycle. 
And  who-so  wol  my  jugement  withseye 
Shal  paye  al    that  we   spenden    by  the 

weye.  8u6 

And  if  ye  vouche-sauf  that  it  be  so, 
Tel  me  anon,  with-outen  wordes  mo,  (810) 


And  I  wol  erly  shape  me  therfore.' 

This  thing  was  graunted,  and  our  othes 

swore  810 

With   fill  glad  lierte,  and  preyden  him 

also 
That  he  wold  vouche-sauf  for  to  do  so. 
And  that  he  wolde  been  oiir  governour. 
And  of  our  tales  juge  and  reportotir. 
And  sette  a  soper  at  a  certeyn  prys  ;      815 
And  we  wold  reuled  been  at  his  devys, 
In  heigh  and  lowe ;    and  thus,  by  oon 

assent. 
We  been  acorded  to  his  jugement.       (Sso) 
And  ther-up-on  the  wjti  was  fet  anon  ; 
We  dronken,  and  to  reste  wente  echon, 
With-outen  any  lenger  taryinge.  821 

A-morwe,  whan  that  day  bigan  to  springe. 
Up    roos    oiu'    host,  and  was    our   aller 

cok. 
And  gadrede  us  togidre,  alle  in  a  flok, 
And  forth  we  riden,  a  litel   more  than 

pas,  S-'s 

Un-to  the  watering  of  seint  Thomas. 
And  there  our  host  bigan  his  hors  areste, 
And  seyde  ;  '  Lordinges,  herkneth,  if  yow 

leste.  (830) 

Ye  woot  your  forward,  and  I  it  yow  re- 

corde. 
If  even-song  and  morwe-song  acorde,    830 
Lat    see   now  who   shal   telle   the   firste 

tale. 
As  ever  mote  I  drinke  wyn  or  ale, 
Who-so  be  rebel  to  my  jugement 
Shal  paye  for    al    that    by  the    weye  is 

spent. 
Now    draweth   cut,    er    that    we    ferrer 

twinne ;  835 

He  which  that  hath   the   shortest  shal 

biginne. 
Sire  knight,'  quod  he,  '  my  maister  and 

my  lord,  (839) 

Now  draweth  cut,  for  that  is  myn  acord. 
Cometh  neer,'  quod  he,   '  my  lady  prior- 

esse  ; 
And  ye,  sir  clerk,  hit  be  your  shamfast- 

nesse,  840 

No  studieth   noght ;    ley  liond  to,   every 

man.' 
Anon  to  drawen  every  wight  bigan, 
And  shortly  for  to  tellen,  as  it  was, 
Were  it  by  aventure,  or  sort,  or  cas, 


430 


A. 


ZU  tCnigOfee  Zak. 


[t.  847-S90. 


The  sotlie  is  this,  the  cut  fil  to  the  knig:ht, 
Of  which  fill  blytbe  and  glad  was  every 

wiffht  ;  846 

And  telle  he  moste  his  tale,  as  was  resotm, 
By  forward  and  by  eomposicioun,  (850) 
As  ye  han  herd  ;  what  nedeth  wordes  mo? 
And    whan    this    gode     man    sangh    it 

was  so,  850 

As  he  that  wys  was  and  obedient 
To  kepe  his  forward  by  his  free  assent, 


He     sej'de  :    '  Sin    I    shal    beginne    the 

game, 
What,    welcome    be   the   ont,    a    Troddes 

name ! 
Now  lat  tis  ryde,  and  horknetli  wh;it   I 

seye.'  855 

And  with  that  w^ord  we  riden  forth  our 

weye  ;  (858) 

And  he  bigan  with  right  a  mery  chere 
His  tale  anon,  and  seyde  in  this  manere. 


Here  endetb  the  prolog  of  this  book;   and  here  biginneth  the  first  tale, 
which  is  the  Knightes  Tale. 


THE    KNIGHTES    TALE. 


Idiiupin  domos  i)atrias,  Scithice  post  aspera  gentis 
Prelia,  lauHgero,  <{r.  [Statius,  Theh.  xii.  519/ 


WiiTLOM,  as  olde  stories  tcllen  ns, 
Thcr  was  a  duk  that  highte  Theseus  ;  86« 
Of  Athenes  lie  was  lord  and  governour, 
And  in  ^Jiis-tytiTS  swich  a  conquerour, 
Tliat  gretter  -was  ther   noon  under  the 

Sonne. 
Ful   many    a    richo    coutree    hadde    he 

wonne  ;  864 

What  with  his  wisdom  and  his  chivalrye, 
Ho  conquered  al  the  regne  of  Femenye, 
That  whylom  was  y-clepod  Seithia  ; 
And  weddede  the  quene  Ipolita,  (10) 

And  broghte  hir  hoom  with  him  in  his 

contree  869 

Wit  hmiifholglorie  and  greet  solempni tee, 
And  eek  liir  yonge  suster  Emelye. 
And  thus  with  victorie  and  with  melodve 


Lote     I     this     noble     dulc     to    Athenes 

ryde, 
And  al  his  boost,  in  armes,  hini  bisyde. 

And  certes,  if  it  nere  to  long  to  here,  875 
I  wolde  han  told  yow  fully  the  manere, 
How  wonnen  was  the  regne  of  Femenye 
By  Theseus,  and  by  his  chivalrye  ;         (20) 
And  of  the  greto  bataiUe  for  the  nones 
Bitwixen  Athenes  and  Amazones  ;        880 
And  how  asseged  was  Ipolita, 
The  faire  hardy  quene  of  Seithia  ; 
And  of  the  feste  that  was  at  hir  weddinge, 
And  of  the  tempest  at  hir  hoom-cominge; 
But  al  that  thing  I  moot  as  now  forJ)ere. 
I  have,  God  woot,  a  large  feeld  to  ere,  886 
And  wayke  been  the  oxen  in  my  plough. 
The  remenant  of  the  tale  is  long  y-nougli. 


T.  891-972.] 


A.    Z^c  Tini^UiQ  Zak, 


431 


I  wol  nat  letten  eek  noon  of  this  route  ; 
Lat  every  felawe  telle  his  tale  aboute,  890 
And  lat   see    now   who    shal   the    soper 

winne ;  (33) 

And  tlier  I  lefte,  I  wol  ageyn  biginne. 

This  duk,  of  whom  I  make  mencioun, 
^^'hen   he   was    come   almost  *iuitQ_jthe 

toun,  J^ 

In  ill  his  wele  and  in  his  moste  pryde,  895 
Hejwas  war,  as  he  caste  his  eye  asyde, 
Wlier  that  ther  kneled  in  the  hye  weye 
A  comiianye  of  ladies,  tweye  and  tweye, 
Ech  after  other,  clad  in  clothes  blake  ;  (41) 
But  smell  a  cry  and  swieh   a  wo  they 

make,  900 

That  in  this  world  nis  creature  livinge, 
That  herde  swich  another  weymentinge  ; 
And  of  this  cry  they  nolde  never  stenten. 
Til  they  the  reynes  of  his  brydel  henten. 
'  "Wliat  foils  ben  ye,  that  at  myn  hoom- 

cominge  905 

Perturben  so  my  teste  with  cryinge  ? ' 
Qiiod  Theseus,  '  have  ye  so  greet  envye 
Of  myn  honour,  that  thus  compleyne  and 

crj'e  ?  (50) 

Or  who  hath  yow  misboden,  or  offended  ? 
And  telleth  mo  if  it  may  been  amended  ; 
And  why  that  ye  ben   clothed  thus  in 

blak?'  911 

The  eldest  lady  of  hem  alle  spak, 
\^'hen  she  hadde  swowned  with  a  deedly 

chere. 
That  it  was  routhe  for  to  seen  and  here, 
And  seyde  :  '  Lord,  to  whom  Fortune  hath 

yiven  915 

Victorie,  and  as  a  conquerour  to  liven, 
Noght  greveth  us  your  glorie  and  your 

honour ; 
But  we  biseken  mercy  and  socour.        (60) 
Have  mercy  on  our  wo  and  our  distresse. 
Som  drope  of  pitee,  thurgh   thy  gentil- 

esse,  920 

Up-on  us  wrecched  wommen  lat  thou  falle. 
For  certes,  lord,  ther  nis  noon  of  us  alle. 
That  she  natli  lieen  a  dadiesse  or  a  queue ; 
Now  be  we  caitifs,  as  it  is  wel  sene  : 
Thanked  be  Fortune,  and  liir  false  wheel, 
That  noon  estat  assurcth  to  be  weel.  926 
And  certes,  lord,  fabyden  your  presence. 
Here    in    the    temple    of   the    goddesso 

Clemence  (70) 


We  han  ben  waytinge  al  this  fourtenight ; 

Now  help  us,  lord,  sith  it  is  in  thy  might. 

I  wrecche,  which  that  wepe  antl  waille 

thus,  931 

Was  whylom  wyf  to  king  Capaneus, 
That  start  at  Thebes,  cursed  be  that  day ! 
And  alle  we,  that  been  in  this  array. 
And  maken  al  this  lameutacioun,  935 

We  losten  alle  our  housbondes   at  that 

toun, 
Whyl  that  the  sege  ther-aboute  lay. 
And  yet  now  th'olde  Creon,  weylaway  I 
The  lord  is  now  of  Thebes  the  citee,      (81) 
Fulfild  of  ire  and  of  iuiquitee,  940 

He,  for  despyt,  and  for  his  tirannye. 
To  do  the  dede  bodyes  vileinye. 
Of  alle  our  lordes,  whiche  that  ben  slawe, 
Hath  alle  the  bodyes  on  an  heep  y-drawe, 
And  wol  nat  suffren  hem,  by  noon  assent, 
Neither  to  been  y-buried  nor  y-brent,  946 
But  maketh  houndes  ete  hem  in  despyt.' 
And  with   that   word,    with-outeu   more 

respyt,  (90) 

They  fillen  gruf,  and  cryden  pitously, 
'  Have    on    us   wrecched  wommen    som 

mercy,  950 

And  lat  our  sorwe  sinken  in  thyn  herte.' 
This  gentil  diik  doun  from  his  courser 

sterte 
With  herte  pitous,  whan  he  herde  hem 

speke. 
Him  thoughte  that  his  herte  wolde  breke, 
MTian   he  saugh  hem  so  pitous  and  so 

mat,  955 

That  whylom  weren  of  so  greet  estat. 
And  in  his  armes  he  hem  alle  up  hente, 
And  hem  conforteth  in  ful  good  entente  ; 
And  swoor   his   ooth,    as  he  was  trewe 

knight,  (">0 

He  wolde  dgOB-STTterlbrtniyiHsagight  960 
Up-on  tire  tyraunt  Creon  hem  to  wf^e, 
That  alljiie  peple  of  Crrece  sholde  spelj 
How  Cre^Tfi-s«£as^)fTlii 
As  he  that  hadde  his  deeth  ful  wel  de- 
served. 964 
And  right  anoon,  with-outen  more  abood. 
His  baner  he  desplayetli,  and  forth  rood 
To  Thebes-ward,  and  al  his  host  bi.«!yde  ; 
No  neer  Athenes  wolde  he  go  ne  ryde, 
Ne  take  his  eso  fully  half  a  day,           ('i') 
But  onward  on  his  wey  that  night  he  lay; 


432 


A.    ZU  %ni^^tt0  Zak. 


[t.  973-1052. 


And  sente  anoon  Ipolita  the  quene,       971 
And  Emelye  hir  yonge  snster  shene, 
Un-to  the  toun  of  Athenes  to  dwelle ; 
And  forth   he    rit ;   tlier  nis  naniore  to 

telle. 
The   rede  statue  of  Mars,   with   sjiere 

and  targe,  975 

So  shyneth  in  his  whyte  baner  large. 
That  alle  the  feeldes  gliteren  up  and  doun  ; 
And  by  his  baner  born  is  his  penoiin  (120) 
Of  gold   ful   riehe,    in   which   ther   was 

y-bete 
The  T^fyiotanr.  which  that  he  slough  in 

Crete.  980 

Thus  rit  this  duk,  thus  rit  this  eonquerour, 
And  in  his  host  of  chivalrye  the  flour, 
Til  that  he  cam  to  Thebes,  and  alighte 
Faire  in  a  feeld,  ther  as  he  thoghte  fighte. 
But  shortly  for  to  speken  of  this  thing,  985 
With   Creon,  which  that  was  of  Thebes 

king, 
He   faught,    and   sloiigh   him   manly   as 

a  knight 
In  pleyn  bataille,  and  pntte  the  folk  to 

flight  ;  (130) 

And  liy  assaut  he  wan  the  citee  after. 
And  rente  adoun  l>othe  wal,  and  sparre, 

and  rafter  ;  990 

And  to  the  ladyes  he  restored  agayn 
The  bones  of  hir  housbondes  that  were 

slayn. 
To  doon  obsequies,  as  was  tho  the  gyse. 
But  it  were  al  to  long  for  to  devyse      994 
The  grete  clamour  and  the  waymentinge 
That  the  ladyes  made  at  the  brenninge 
Of  the  bodyes,  and  the  grete  honour 
That  Tliescus,  the  noble  eonquerour,  (140) 
D'  >th  to  the  ladyes,  whan  they  from  him 

wente ;  999 

But  shortly  for  to  telle  is  myn  entente. 
Whan  that  this  worthy  duk,  this  Theseus, 
Hath   Creon   slayn,    and   wonne   Thebes 

thus, 
Stille  in  that  feelil  he  took  al  night  his 

reste. 
And   dide  with   al  tho   contree    as  him 


leste. 


1004 


To  ransake  in  the  tas  of  bodyes  dede. 
Hem  for  to  strcpe  of  barneys  and  of  wede. 
The  pilf>urs  didon  l)isinesse  and  cure. 
After  the  bataille  and  disconfiture.     (150) 


And  so  Ijifel,  that  in  the  tas  they  founde, 
Thurgh-girt  with  many  a  grevous  blody 

wounde,  1010 

Two  yonge  knigbtes  ligging  by  and  by, 
Bothe  in  oon  armes,  wroght  ful  richely, 
Of  whiche  two,  Arcita  bight  that  oon. 
And  that^tber  knight  bight  Palamon. 
Nat  fully  quike,  ne  fully  dede  they  were. 
But  by  hir  cote-armures,  and  byhirgere. 
The  heraudes  knewe  hem  best  in  special. 
As  they  that  weren  of  the  blood  royal  (160) 
Of  Thebes,  and  of  sustren  two  y-born. 
Out  of  the  tas  the  piloiirs  ban  hem  torn. 
And   ban    hem    caried   softe   un-to    the 

tentc  1021 

Of  Theseus,  and  he  ful  sone  hem  sente 
To  Athenes,  to  dwellen  in  prisoun 
Perpetiielly,  be  nolde  no  raunsoun. 
And  whan  this  worthy  duk   hath  thus 

y-don,  1025 

He  took  his  host,  and  boom  be  rood  anon 
With  laurer  crowned  as  a  eonquerour  ; 
And   there    be   liveth,    in   joye   and    in 

honour,  ( 1 70) 

Terme  of  bis  lyf ;    what  nedeth  wordes 

mo? 
And  in  a  tour,  in  angwish  and  in  wo,  1030 
Dwellen  this  Palamoiin  and  eek  Arcite, 
For   evermore,    ther   may  no   gold   hem 

quyte. 
This  piissetb  yeer  by  yeer,  and  day  by 

day. 
Til  it  iil  ones,  in  a  morwe  of  May, 
That  Emelye,  that  fairer  wa.s  to  sene  1035 
Than  is  the  lilie  upon  his  stalke  grene. 
And  fressher  than  tlie  May  with  floxires 

newo —  (179) 

For  with  the  rose  colour  stroof  hir  bewe, 
I  noot  which  was  the  fairer  of  hem  two — 
Er  it  were  day,  as  was  hir  wone  to  do. 
She  was  arisen,  and  al  redy  dight  ;      1041 
For  May  wol  have  no  slogardj-e  a-nigbt. 
Tho  sesoun  prikoth  every  gentil  herte. 
And  maketh  him  out  of  his  sleep  to  stei-te. 
And   seith,    '  Arys,   and   do   thyn   obser- 

vaunce.'  (187)  1045 

This  maked  Emelye  have  remembraunce 
To  iloon  honour  to  May,  and  for  to  lyse. 
Y-clothed  was  she  fresh,  i'or  to  de\-j'se ; 
Hir  yelow  beer  was  broyded  in  a  tresse, 
Bibindc  hir  bak,  a  yerde  long,  I  gesse. 


T.    1053-1 13c.] 


A. 


ZU  Untg0fe0  Zak, 


433 


And  in  the  gardin,  at  the  Sonne  np-iiste, 
She  'valketh  up   and  doiin,  and  as  hir 

liste 
She  gadereth  floiires,   party  whyte   and 

rede, 
To  make  a  sotil  gerland  for  hir  hede, 
And  as  an  aungel  lievenly  she  song.    1055 
Tlie  grete  toiar,  that  was  so  thikke  and 

strong, 
Which  of  the  castel  was  the  chief  don- 

geoun,  (199) 

(Ther-as  the  knightes  weren  in  prisoiin, 
Of  whiche  I  tolde  yow,  and  tellen  shal) 
Was  evene  joynant  to  the  gardin-wal,  1060 
Ther  as  this  Emelye  hadde  hir  pleyinge. 
Bright  was  the  Sonne,    and    cleer  that 

morweninge, 
And  Palamon,  this  wofnl  prisoner, 
As  was  his  wone,  by  leve  of  his  gayler, 
Was  risen,  and  romed  in  a  chambre  on 

heigh,  1065 

In  which  he  al  the  noLle  citee  seigh. 
And  eek   the  gardin,   fvil  of  braunches 

grene,  (209) 

Ther-as  this  fresshe  Emelye  the  shene 
Was  in   hir   walk,    and   romed   up   and 

donn.  1069 

This  sorweful  prisoner,  this  Palamoun, 
Goth  in  the  chambre,  roming  to  and  fro. 
And  to  him-self  compleyiiing  of  his  wo  ; 
That  he  was  born,  ful  ot'te  he  seyde,  '  alas !' 
And  so  bifel,  by  aventure  or  cas. 
That  thurgh  a  window,  thikke  of  many 

a  barre  1075 

Of  yren  greet,  and  square  as  any  sparre, 
He  caste  his  ej-e  upon  Emelya, 
And  tber-with-al  he  blejnate,  and  cryde 

'a!'  (220) 

As  though   he   stongen  were   un-to  the 

herte.  1079 

And  with  that  cry  Arcite  anon  up-sterte. 
And    seyde,    'Cosin    myn,    what    eyletli 

thee, 
That  art  so  pale  and  deedly  on  to  see  ? 
Why  crytlestow?    who  hath  thee  doon 

offence  ? 
For  Goddes  love,  tak  al  in  pacience    1084 
Our  prisoun,  for  it  may  non  other  be  ; 
Fortune  hath  yeven  us  this  adversitee. 
Som  wikke  aspect  or  disposicioun 
Of  Saturne,  by  sum  constellacioxm,    (230) 


Hath  yeven  us  this,  al-though  we  hadde 

it  sworn  ; 
So  stood  the  heven  whan  that  we  were 

born  ;  1090 

We  moste  endure  it :  this  is  the  short  and 

pleyii.' 
This    Palamon    answerde,   and    seyde 

ageyn, 
'  Cosyn,  for  sothe,  of  this  opinioun 
Thou  hast  a  veyn  imaginacioun. 
This  prison  caused  me  iiat  for  to  crye.  i(X)5 
But   I   was   hurt   right  now  thurgh-out 

myn  ye 
In-to  myn  herte,  that  wol  rny  bane  be. 
The  fairnesse  of  that  lady  that  I  see  (240) 
Yond  in  the  gardin  romen  to  and  fro. 
Is  cause  of  al  my  crying  and  my  wo.   iioo 
I  noot  wher  she  be  womman  or  goddesse ; 
But  Venus  is  it,  soothly,  as  I  gesse.' 
And  ther-with-al  on  knees  doun  he  fil, 
And  seyde  :  '  Venus,  if  it  be  thy  wil 
Yow  in  this  gardin  thus  to  transfigure  1105 
Bifore  me,  sorweful  wrecehe  creature. 
Out  of  this  prisoiin  help  that   we   may 

scapen. 
And  if  so  be  my  destinee  be  shapen    (250) 
By  eteme  word  to  dyen  in  prisoun. 
Of  our  linage  have  som  compassioun,  1 1  id 
That  is  so  Irtwe  y-"brogTrtrI,\v  tirannye.' 
And  with  that  word  Arcite  gan  espye 
Wher-as  this  lady  romed  to  and  fro. 
And  with  that  sighte  hir  beautee  hiirte 

him  so,  1 1 14 

That,  if  that  Palamon  was  wounded  sore, 
Arcite  is  hiirt  as  muche  as  he,  or  more. 
And  with  a  sigh  he  seyde  pitously  :     (259) 
'  The  fresshe  beautee  sleeth  me  sodeynly 
Of  hir  that  rometh  in  the  yonder  place  ; 
And,  but  I  have  hir  mercy  and  hir  grace. 
That  I  may  seen  hir  atte  leeste  weye,  1121 
I  nam  but  deed  ;  ther  nis  namore  to  seye.' 
Tliis   Palamon,   whan    he   tho  wordes 

herde, 
Dispitously  he  loked,  and  answerde  : 
'  Wliether  seistow  this   in   ernest   or  in 

pley  ? '  1 125 

'Nay,'  quod  Arcite,  'in  ernest,  by  my 

fey ! 
God  help  me  so,  me  list  fnl  jf^'ele  pleye.' 
This  Palamon  gan   knitte   his  browes 

tweye  :  (270) 


434 


A.    ZU  ICntg^fee  Zak. 


[t.  1131-1216. 


'  It   nere,'   quod    lie,    '  to   thee   no   greet 

honour 
For  to  be  fals,  ne  for  to  be  traytour  1 130 
To  me,  that  am  thy  cosin  and  thy  brother 
Y-sworn  ful  depe,  and  ech  of  us  til  other, 
That  never,  for  to  dyen  in  the  peyne. 
Til  that  the  deeth  departe  shal  us  tweyne, 
Neither  of  us  in  love  to  hindren  other,  1135 
Ne  in  non  other  cas,  my  leve  brother  ; 
But  that  thou  sholdesttrewelyforthrenme 
In  every  cas,  and  I  shal  forthrenthee.  (280) 
Tliis  was  thyn  ooth,  and  myn  also,  certeyn ; 
I  wot  right  wel,  thou  darst  it  nat  withseyn. 
Thus  artow  of  my  counseil,  out  of  doute. 
And  now  thou  woldest  falslj-  been  aboute 
To  love  my  lady,  whom  I  love  and  serve. 
And  ever  shal,  til  that  myn  herte  ster\'e. 
Now  certes,  fals  Arcite,  thou  shalt  nat  so. 
I  loved  hir  first,  and  tolde  thee  my  wo  1 146 
As  to  my  counseil,  and  my  brother  sworn 
To  forthre  me,  as  I  have  told  biforn.  (290) 
For  which  thoii  art  y-bounden  as  a  knight 
To  helpen  me,  if  it  lay  in  thy  might,  1150 
Or  elles  artow  fals,  I  darwel  sesm.' 

Tliis  Arcite  ful  proudly  spak  ageyn, 
'Thou  shalt,'   quod   he,    'be  rather  fals 

than  I ; 
But  thou  art  fals,  I  telle  thee  utterly ; 
For7>aramoMrIloved  hir  first  erthow.  1155 
What  wiltow  seyn  ?  thou  wistest  nat  yet 

now 
Wlif^ther  she  be  a  womman  or  goddesse  ! 
Thyn  is  afFeccioun  of  holinesse,  (300) 

And  myn  is  love,  <as  to  a  creature  ; 
For  which  I  tolde  thee  myn  aventure  i  i6t) 
As  to  my  cosin,  and  my  brother  sworn. 
I  pose,  that  thou  lovedest  hir  biforn  ; 
Wostow  nat  wel  the  olde  clerkes  sawe, 
That  "  who  shal  yeve  a  lover  any  lawe  ?  " 
Love  is  a  gretter  lawe,  by  my  pan,       1165 
Tlian  may  be  yeve  to  any  erthly  man. 
And  therefore    positif  lawe    and    swich 

decree 
Is  broke  al-day  for  love,  in  ech  degree.  (310) 
A  man  moot  nedes  love,  maugree  his  heed. 
He  may  nat  fleen  it,  thogh  he  sholde  be 

deed,  11 70 

Al  be  she  mayde,  or  widwe,  or  elles  wyf. 
And  eek  it  is  nat  lykly,  al  thy  lyf, 
To  stonden  in  hir  grace  ;  uaniore  shal  I ; 
For  wel  thou  woost  thy-selven,  verraily. 


That  thou  and  I  be  dampned  to  prisoun 
Perpetuelly  ;  lis  gayneth  no  raunsoun. 
We  stryve  as  dide  the  houndes  for  the 

boon,  11-7 

They  fought  e  al  day,  and  yet  hir  part  was 

noon ;  (320) 

Ther  cam  a  kyte,  whyl  that   they  were 

wrothe. 
And   l)ar    awey   the   boon    bitwixe   hem 

bothe.  1 1  So 

And  therfore,  at  the  kinges   court,   my 

brother, 
Ech  man  for  him-self,  ther  is  non  other. 
Love  if  thee  list ;  for  I  love  and  ay  shal ; 
And  soothly,  leve  brother,  this  is  al. 
Here  in  this  prisoun  mote  we  endure,  1185 
And  everich  of  us  take  his  aventure.' 
Greet  was  the  stryf  and  long  bitwixe 

hem  tweye, 
If  that  I  hadde  leyser  for  to  seye  ;       (330) 
But  to  th'eifect.     It  happed  on  a  day, 
(To  telle  it  yow  as  shortly  as  I  may)    1 190 
A  worthy  duk  that  highte  Perotheus, 
That  felawe  was  un-to  duk  Theseus 
Sin  thiike  day  that  they  were  children 

lyte. 
Was  come  to  Athenes,  his  felawe  to  visyte. 
And  for  to  pleye,  as  he  was  wont  to  do, 
For  in  this  world  he  loved  no  man  so  :  1 196 
And  he  loved  him  as  tendrely  ageyn. 
So  wel  they  loved,  as  olde  bokes  seyn,  (340) 
That  whan  that  oon  was  deed,  sothly  to 

telle, 
His  felawe  wente  and  soghte  him  doun  in 

helle ;  1200 

But  of  that  story  list  me  nat  to  wryte. 
Duk  Perotheus  loved  wel  Arcite, 
And  hadde  him  knowe  at  Thebes  yeer  by 

yere; 
And  fj-nally,  at  requeste  and  preyere  1204 
Of  Perotheus,  with-oute  any  raunsoun, 
Duk  Theseus  him  leet  out  of  prisoun, 
Freely  to  goon,  wher  that  him  liste  over-al, 
In  swich  a  gyse,  as  I  you  tellen  shal.  (350) 
This  was  the  forward,  pleynly  for  t'en- 

dyte, 
Bitwixen  Tlieseus  and  him  Arcite  :      12 10 
Tliat  if  so  were,  that  Arcite  were  y-founde 
Ever  in  his  lyf,  by  day  or  night  or  stounde 
In  any  contree  of  this  Theseus, 
And  he  were  caught,  it  was  acorded  thus. 


T.    121 


7-1304-] 


A.    ZU  ICnt's^tee  Zak. 


435 


That  with   a   swerd   he    sholde  lese   his 

heed ;  1215 

Ther  uas  iion  other  remedye  ne  reed, 
But  taketh  his  leve,  and  homward  he  liim 

spedde ;  (359) 

Let  him.  be  war,  his  nekke  lyth  to  wedde  ! 

How  greet  a  sorwe  suffreth  now  Arcite  ! 

The   death   he   f'eleth   thurgh  his  herte 

snij'te ;  1220 

He  wepeth,  wayleth,  crj-eth  pitously  ; 
To  sleen  him-self  he  waji-eth  prively. 
He  seyde, '  Alias  that  day  that  I  was  bom ! 
Now  is  my  prison  worse  than  biforn  ; 
Now  is  me  shape  eternally  to  dwelle    1225 
Noght  in  piirgatorie,  but  in  helle. 
Alias  !  that  ever  knew  I  Perotheiis ! 
For  elles  hadde  I  dwelled  with  Theseus 
Y-fetered  in  his  prisoun  ever-mo.         (371) 
Than  hadde  I  been  in  blisse,  and  nat  in  wo. 
Only  the  sighte  of  hir,  whom  that  I  serve, 
Though  that  I  never  hir  grace  may  deserve, 
Wolde  lian  suffised  right  y-uough  for  me. 
O  dere  cosin  Palamon,'  quod  he, 
'  Thyn  is  the  victorie  of  this  aventure,  1235 
Ful  blisfully  in  prison  maistow  dure  ; 
In  prison  ?  certes  nay,  but  in  paradys  ! 
Wei  hath  fortune  y-turned  thee  the  dys. 
That  hast  the  sighte  of  hir,  and  I  th'ab- 

sence.  (381)  1239 

For  possilile  is,  sin  thou  hast  hir  presence. 
And  art  a  knight,  a  worthy  and  an  able, 
That  by  som  cas,  sin  fortune  is  chaunge- 

able. 
Thou  mayst  to  thy  desyr  som-tyme  atteyne. 
But  I,  that  am  exyled,  and  bareyne 
Of  alle  grace,  and  in  so  greet  despeir,  1245 
That  ther  nis  erthe,  water,  fyr,  ne  cir, 
Ne  creature,  that  of  hem  maked  is, 
That  may  mo  liolpe  or  doou  confurt  in  this: 
Wei  oughto  I  sterve  in  wanhoi^e  antl  dis- 

tresse;  (391) 

Farwel  my  lyf,  my  lust,  and  my  gladnesse ! 
Alias,  why  pleynen  folk  so  in  commune 
Of  purveyaunce  of  God,  or  of  fortune, 
That  yeveth  hem  ful  ofte  in  many  a  gj'se 
Wei  bettre  than  they  can  hem-self  devyse  ? 
Som  man  desyrcth  for  to  han  richesse,  1255 
That  cause  is  of  his  mordre  or  greet  sik- 

nesse. 
And  som  man  woldc  out  of  his  prison  fayn, 
That  in  his  hous  is  of  his  meynec  slayn. 


Infinite  harmes  been  in  this  matere  ;  (401) 
We  witen  nat  what  thing  we  preyen  here. 
We  faren   as   he    that    dronke   is   as   a 

mous ;  1261 

A  dronke  man  wot  wel  he  hath  an  hous, 
But  he  noot  which  the  righte  wey  is  thider ; 
And  to  a  dronke  man  tlie  wey  is  slider. 
And  certes,  in  this  world  so  faren  we  ; 
We  seken  faste  after  felicitee,  1266 

But  we  goon  wrong  ful  often,  trewely. 
Thus  may  we  seyen  alle,  and  namely  I,  (410) 
That  wende  and  hadde  a  greet  opinioun, 
That,  if  I  mighte  escapen  from  prisoun, 
Than  hadde  I   been  in  joye  and  perfit 

hele,  1271 

Ther  now  I  am  exyled  fro  my  wele. 
Sin  that  I  may  nat  seen  yow,  Emelye, 
I  nam  but  deed  ;  ther  nis  no  remedye.' 

~/Up-on  that  other  syde  Palamon,       1275 
Wlian  that  he  wiste  Arcite  was  agon, 
Swich  sorwe  he  maketli,  that  the  grete 

tour 
Resouneth  of  his  youling  and  clamour. 
The  pure  fettres  on  his  shines  grete   (421) 
Weren  of  his  bittre  salte  teres  wete.    1280 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  he,  '  Arcita,  cosin  myn, 
Of  al  our  stiyf,  Godwoot,  the  fruytis  thyu. 
Tliow  walkest  now  in  Tliebes  at  thy  large, 
And  of  my  wo  thou  yevest  litel  charge. 
Thou  mayst,  sin  thou  hast  wisdom  and 

manhede,  1285 

Assemblen  alle  the  folic  of  our  kinrede. 
And  make  a  werre  so  sharp  on  this  citee, 
That  by  som  aventure,  or  som  tretee. 
Thou  mayst  have  hir  to  lady  and  to  wyi\ 
For  whom  that  I  fmot  nedes  lese  my  lyf. 
For,  as  by  wey  of  possibilitee,  (433)  1291 
Sith  thou  art  at  thy  large,  of  prison  free. 
And  art  a  lord,  greet  is  thyn  avauntage. 
More  than  is  myn,  that  stervo  here  in  a 

cage.  1294 

For  I  mot  wepe  and  wayle,  whyl  I  live. 
With  al  the  wo  that  prison  may  me  .vive, 
And  eek  with  peyne  that  love  me  yiveth 

also,  (439) 

That  doubleth  al  my  torment  and  my  wo.' 
Ther-with  the  fyr  of  jelousye  up-sterte 
With-inno  his  brcst,  and  hente  him  by 

the  herte  i3(x3 

So  woodly,  that  he  lyk  was  to  biholde 
The  box-tree,  or  the  asshen  dede  and  colde. 


436 


A. 


ZU  'Rni^^Ue  Zah. 


[t.   T  305-1 3S8. 


Tho   seyclc  ho  :     '0    cruel    oroddes,    that 

governe 
This  world   with   binding   of  yonr  word 

eterne, 
And  wryten  in  the  table  of  atliamaunt  1305 
Your  parlement,  and  your  eterne  grannt, 
What  is  mankinde  more  un-to  yow  holde 
Than  is  the  sheep,  that  ronketh  in  the 

folde  ?  ^  (450) 

For  slayn  is  man  right  as  another  beste, 
And  dwclleth  eek  in  prison  and  areste, 
And  hath  siknesse,  and  greet  adversitee. 
And  ofte  tymes  gilteloes.  pardee  !         131J 
What  governaunce  is  in  this  prescience, 
That  giltelees  tormenteth  innocence? 
And  yet  encreseth  this  al  my  penannce, 
That  man  is  bonnden  to  his  obsei'vannce. 
For  Goddes  sake,  to  letten  of  his  wille, 
Ther  as  a  beest  may  al  his  lust  ftilfiUe.  (460) 
And  whan  a  beest  is  deed,  he  hath  no 

peyne ; 
But  man  after  his  deetli  moot  wepe  and 

pleyne,  1320 

Though  in  this  world  he  have  care  and  wo: 
With-outen  dfiute  it  may  stonden  so. 
Th'  answere  of  this  I  lete  to  di\-ynis. 
But  wel  I  woot,  that  in  this  world  gret 

pyne  is. 
Alias !  I  see  a  serpent  or  a  theef,  1325 

That  many  a  trewe  man  hatli  doon  mes- 

checf, 
Goon  at  his  largo,  and  wherhim  list  may 

turne.  (469) 

But  I  mot  been  in  prison  thurgh  Saturne, 
Andeekthurgh  .Juno,  jahmsand  eek  wood, 
That  hath  destroyed  wel  ny  al  the  blood 
Of  Thebes,  with  his  waste  walles  wyde. 
And  Venus  slceth  me  on  that  other  syde 
For  jelousyc,  and  fere  of  him  Arcite.' 
Xow  wol  I  stinte  of  Palamon  a  Ij^e, 
And  lete  him  in  his  prison  stille  dwelle, 
And  of  Arcitfl,  forth  I  wol  yow  telle.     1336 
The  somer  passeth,   and    the    nightes 

longe  (479) 

Encresen  double  wyse  the  peynes  stronge 
Bothe  of  the  lovere  ancl  the  prisoner. 
I  noot  which  hath  the  wofuUero  mestcr. 
For  shortly  for  to  seyn,  this  Palamoun 
Pei-petuelly  is  dampned  to  prisoun,     134^ 
In  cheynes  and  in  fcttres  to  ben  deed  ; 
And  Arcite  is  exyled  upon  his  heed 


For  ever-mo  as  out  of  that  contree,      1345 
Ne  never-mo  he  shal  his  lady  see. 

Yow  loveres  axe  I  now  this  questioun. 
Who  hath  the  Avorse,  Arcite  or  Palamoun  ? 
Tliat  fion  may  seen  his  lady  day  by  day, 
But  in  prison  he  moot  dwelle  alway.   1350 
That  other  wher  him  list  may  rj-de  or  go, 
But  seen  his  lady  shal  he  never-mo.  (494) 
Now  demeth  as  yow  liste,  ye  that  can. 
For  I  wol  telle  forth  as  I  bigan. 
Explicit  prima  Pars. 
Sequitur  pars  secunda. 

Whan  that  Arcite  to  Tliebes  comen  was, 
Ful  ofte  a  day  he  swelte  and  seyde  '  alias,' 
For  seen  his  lady  shal  he  never-mo.  1357 
And  shortly  to  concluden  al  his  wo,  (500) 
So  muche  sorwe  had  never  creatui-e 
That  is,  or  shal,  whyl  that  the  world  may 

dure.  1360 

His  sleep,  his  mete,  his  drink  is  him  biraft, 
That  lene  he  wex,  and  drye  as  is  a  shaft. 
His  eyen  holwe,  and  grisly  to  biholde  ; 
His  hewe  falwe,  and  pale  as  asshen  colde, 
And  solitarie  he  was,  and  ever  allone,  1365 
And  wailling  al  the  night,   making  liis 

mone. 
And  if  he  herde  song  or  instrument, 
Then  wolde  he  wejie,  he  mighte  nat  be 

stent;  (510) 

So    feble    eek  were  his   spirits,   and   so 

lowe,  1369 

And  chaunged  so,that  no  man  coude  knowe 
His  speche  nor  his  vols,  though  men  it 

herde. 
And  in  his  gere,  for  al  the  world  he  ferde 
Nat  oonly  lyk  the  loveres  maladyo 
Of  Hercos,  liut  rather  lyk  manye 
Engendred  of  humour  malencolyk,      1375 
Biforen,  in  his  celle  fantastyk. 
And  shortly,  turned  was  al  np-so-doun 
Bothe  habit  and  eek  disposicioun        {520) 
Of  him,  this  woful  lovere  daun  Arcite. 

What  sholde  I  al-day  of  his  wo  eudj'te? 
Whan  he  endured  hadde  a  yeer  or  two 
Til  is  cruel  torment,  and  this  peyne  and  wo, 
At  Thebes,  in  his  contree,  as  I  seyde, 
Up-on  a  night,  in  sleep  as  he  him  leyde. 
Him  thoughte  how  that  the  winged  god 

Mercurie  13X5 

Bifom  him  stood,  and  bad  him  to  be  muiye. 


T.   1389-147S.] 


A. 


Z^^  Untg^^ee  Zcik. 


437 


His  slepy  yerde  in  liond  he  bar  uprighte  : 
An  hat  he  werede  up-on  his  heres  brighte. 
Arrayed  was  this  god  (as  he  took  keep) 
As  he  was  whan  that  Argus  took  his  sleep  : 
And  seyde  him  thns  :  '  T' Athenes  shaltou 
wende  ;  i?}.^)  i.W' 

Ther  is  thee  shapen  oftliy  wo  an  ende.' 
And  with  that  word  Arcite  W(  lok  and  sterte. 
'  Now  trewely,  how  sore  that  me  smerte,' 
(^uod  he,  't' Athenes  right  now  wol  I  fare  ; 
Ne  for  the  drede  of  deeth  shal  I  nat  spare 
To  see  my  lady,  that  I  love  and  serve  ; 
In  hir  presence  I  recche  nat  to  sterve.'  (540) 
And  with  that  word  he  canghte  a  greet 
niirour,  '399 

And  saugh  that  channged  was  al  his  colour. 
And  saugh  his  visage  al  in  another  kinde. 
And  right  anf>on  it  ran  hini  in  his  minde, 
That,  sith  his  face  was  so  disfigured 
Of  maladye,  the  which  he  hadde  endured. 
He  niighto  wel,  if  that  he  bar  him  lowe, 
Live  in  Athenes  ever-more  unknowe,  1406 
And  seen  his  lady  wel  ny  day  by  day. 
And  right  anon  he  channged  his  array, 
And  cladde  him  as  a  povre  laborer,     (551) 
And  al  allone,  save  oonly  a  sqnyer,      14 10 
That  knew  his  privetee  and  al  his  cas, 
'WTiich  was  disgj-seil  povrely,  as  he  was, 
T' Athenes  is  he  goon  the  nexte  way. 
Antl  to  the  court  he  wente  up-on  a  day. 
And  at  the  gate  he  profreth  his  servyse, 
To  dnxgge  and  drawe,  what  so  men  wol 
de\'yse.  14 16 

And  shortly  of  this  matere  for  to  seyn. 
He  fil  in  office  with  a  chamberleyn,    (560) 
The  which  that  dwelling  was  with  Emelye ; 
For  he  was  wys,  and  coude  soon  aspye  1420 
Of  eveiy  servaunt,   which  that  serveth 

here. 
Wel  coude  he  he  wen  wode,  and  water  here. 
For  he  was  yong  and  mighty  for  the  nones, 
And  ther-to  ho  was  strong  antl  big  of  bones 
To  doou  that  any  wight  can  him  de^-yse. 
A  yeer  or  two  he  was  in  this  servyse. 
Page  of  the  chanibre  of  Emelye  the  brighte ; 
And  '  Philostrate  '  he  seide  that  he  highte. 
But  half  so  wel  biloved  a  man  as  he   (571) 
Ne  was  ther  never  in  court,  of  his  degree ; 
He  was  so  gentil  of  condicioun,  1431 

That  thnrghout  al  the  court  was  his  re- 
noun. 


They  seyden,  that  it  were  a  charitee 
Tliat  Theseus  wolde  enhauncen  his  degree, 
And  putten  him  in  worsliiptul  servyse, 
Ther  as  he  mights  his  vertu  excercys;-. 
And  thus,  with-iune  a  whyle,  his  name  is 

sjironge  1437 

Bothe  of  his  dedes,  and  his  goode  tongc, 
That  Theseiis  hath  taken  him  so  neer  (581) 
That  of  his  ehanibre  he  made  him  a  squyer. 
And  j'af  him  gold  to  mayntene  his  degree  ; 
And  eek   men   broghte   him   out   of  his 

contree 
From  yeer  to  yeer,  ful  prively,  his  rente  ; 
But  honestly  and  slyly  he  it  spente. 
That  no  man  wondred   how  that  he   it 

hadde.  1445 

And  three  yeer  in  this  wyse  his  lyf  he 

ladde. 
And  bar  him  so  in  pees  and  eek  in  werrc, 
Ther  nas  no  man  that  Theseus  hath  derre. 
And  in  this  blisse  lete  I  now  Arcite,  (591) 
And  speke  I  wol  of  Palamon  a  Ij-te.  1450 
In  derknesse  and  horrible  and  strong 

prisoun  ' 

This  seven  yeer  hath  seten  Palamoun, 
F<jrpjaied,  what  for  wo  and  for  distresse  ■ 
AVho  feleth  double  soor  and  hevinesse 
But  Palamon  V  that  love  destreyneth  so, 
That  wood  out  of  his  wit  he  gooth  for  wo  ; 
And  eek  therto  he  is  a  prisoner  1457 

Perpetuelly,  noght  oonly  for  a  yeer.    (6ix>) 
Who  coude  rjune  in  English  proprely 
His  martirdom '?  for  sothe,  it  am  nat  I ; 
Therefore  I  passe  as  lightly  as  I  may. 

It  fel  that  in  the  seveuthe  yeer,  in  May, 
The  thridde  night,  (as  olde  bikes  seyn, 
That  al  this  storie  tellen  more  i)leyn,) 
Were  it  by  aventure  or  destinee,  1405 

(As,  whan  a  thing  is  shain'n,  it  shal  be, ) 
That,  gone  after  the  midnight,  Pabimoun, 
By  helping  of  a  froend,  brak  his  prisoun, 
And  tleeth  the  citee,  faste  as  lie  may  go  ; 
For  he  had  yive  his  gayler  drinke  so  1470 
Of  a  clarree,  maad  of  a  cortejni  w.yai,  idi^) 
With  nercotikes  and  opie  of  Thebes  fyn, 
That  al  that  night,  thogh  that  men  wolde 

him  shako, 
The  gayler  sleep,  he  mighte  nat  awake  ; 
And  thus  he  fleeth  as  faste  as  ever  he 

may.  1475 

The  night  was  short,  and  faste  bv  the  dav. 


438 


A. 


ZU  '^ni^^tte  Zak. 


[t.    1479-1568. 


That  necles-cost  he  moste  him-selven  hyde, 
And  til  a  grove,  faste  ther  besyde,  (620) 
With   dredful  foot  than   stalketh    Pala- 

moun. 
For  shortly,  this  was  his  opinioun,       1480 
That  in  that  grove  he  wolde  him  hyde  al 

chiy, 
And  ill  the  night  than  wokle  he  take  his 

way 
To  Thebes-ward,  his  freendes  for  to  preye 
On  Theseus  to  helpe  him  to  werreye  ; 
And  shortly,  otither  he  wolde  lese  his  lyf. 
Or  winnen  Emelye  un-to  his  wyf ;        i486 
This  is  th'efifect  and  his  entente  pleyn. 

Now  wol  I  tome  un-to  Arcite  ageyn,  (630) 
That  litel   wiste   how   ny   that  was   his 

care. 
Til  that  fortune  had  broght  him  in  the 

snare.  1490 

The  bisy  larke,  messager  of  day, 
Salueth  in  hir  song  the  morwe  gray ; 
And  fyry  Phebus  i-yseth  up  so  brighte, 
That  al  the  orient  laugheth  of  the  lighte. 
And  with  his  strenies  dryeth  in  the  greves 
The  silver  dropes,  hanging  on  the  leves. 
And  Arcite,  that  is  in  the  court  royal 
With  Theseus,  his  squyer  principal,  (640J 
Is  risen,  and  loketh  on  the  myrie  day. 
And,  for  to  doon  his  observaunce  to  May, 
Kemenibring  on  the  poynt  of  his  desyr, 
He  on  a  courser,  stcrting  as  the  fyr,    1502 
Is  riilen  in-to  the  feeldes,  him  to  pleye. 
Out  of  the  court,  were  it  a  myle  or  tweye  ; 
And  to  the  grove,  of  which  that  I  yow 

tolde,  1505 

By  aventure,  his  wey  he  gan  to  holde. 
To  maken  him  a  gerland  of  the  greves, 
Were  it  of  wodebinde  or  hawethorn-leves. 
And  loude  he  song  ageyn  the  Sonne  shene  : 
'  May,  with  alle  thy  floiu'cs  anil  thygrene, 
Wel-come  be  thou,  faire  fresshe  May,  151 1 
I  hojpe  that  I  som  grcne  gete  may.'    (654) 
And  from  his  courser,  with  a  lusty  herte, 
In-to  the  g^ove  fnl  hastily  he  sterte, 
And  in  a  path  he  roineth  up  and  doun, 
Ther-as,  by  aventure,  this  Palamoun  1516 
Was  in  a  bush,  that  no  man  mighte  liim 

see, 
For  sore  afered  of  his  deeth  was  he.    (660) 
No-thing  lie  knew  he  that  it  was  Arcite  : 
God  wot  he  wolde  have  trowed  it  ful  lyte. 


But  sooth  is  seyd,  gon  sithen  many  yeres, 
That  '  feeld  hath  eyen,  and  the  wode  hath 

eres.'  1522 

It  is  ful  fair  a  man  to  here  him  evene, 
For  al-day  meteth  men  at  unset  stevene. 
Ful  litel  woot  Arcite  of  his  felawe,       1525 
That  was  so  ny  to  herknen  al  his  sawe. 
For  in  the  bush  he  sitteth  now  ful  stille. 

Whan  that  Arcite  had  romed  al  his  fille. 
And  songen  al  the  roundel  lustily,  (671) 
In-to  a  stitdie  he  fil  sodeynly,  1530 

As  doon  thise  loveres  in  hii*  queynte  geres, 
Now  in  the  croppe,  now  doun  in  the  breres. 
Now  up,  now  doun,  as  boket  in  a  welle,_ 
Eight  as  the  Friday,  soothly  for  to  telle, 
Now  it  shyneth,  now  it  reyneth  faste,    1535 
Right  so  can  gery  Venus  overcaste 
The  hertes  of  hir  folk  ;  right  as  hir  day 
Is  gerful,  right  so  chatingeth  she  array. 
Selde  is  the  Friday  al  the  wyke  y-lyke. 
Whan  that  Arcite  had  songe,  he  gan  to 

syke,  (682)  1540 

And  sette  him  doun  with-outenany  more  : 
'  Alas ! '  quod  he, '  that  day  that  I  was  bore ! 
How  longe,  Juno,  thurgh  thy  crueltee, 
Woltow  werreyen  Thebes  the  citee? 
Alias  !  y-broght  is  to  conlusioun  1545 

The  blood  royal  of  Cadme  find  Ampliioun  ; 
Of  Cadmus,   which   that  was   the   iirste 

man  (689) 

That  Thebes  bulte,  or  first  the  toun  bigan, 
And  of  the  citee  first  was  crouned  king. 
Of  his  linage  am  I,  and  his  of-spring  1550 
By  verray  ligne,  as  of  the  stok  royal : 
And  now  I  am  so  caitif  and  so  thral, 
That  he,  that  is  my  mortal  enemy, 
I  serve  him  as  his  squyer  povrely.       1554 
And  yet  doth  .Jiuio  me  wel  more  shame. 
For  I  dar  noght  biknowe  myn  owne  nanae  ; 
But  ther-iis  I  was  wont  to  highte  Arcite, 
Now  highte  I  PhUostrate,  noght  worth  a 

myte.  (jtx)) 

Alias  !  thou  telle  Mai's,  alias  !  Juno,    1559 
Thus  hath  your  ire  our  kinrede  al  fordo, 
Save  only  me,  and  wrecched  Palamoun, 
That  Theseus  martyreth  in  prisonn. 
And  over  al  this,  to  sleen  me  utterly. 
Love  hath  his  fyry  dart  so  brenningly 
Y-stiked  thurgh  my  trewe  careful  herte. 
That  shapen  was  my  deeth  erst  than  my^^ 

sherte.  1566 


T.    1 5  69- 1 646.  J 


A.    ZU  %ni^^U0  Zait, 


439 


Ye  sleen  me  with  yovir  eyen,  Emelye ; 
Ye  been  the  cause  ■wherfor  that  I  dye.  (710) 
Of  al  the  remenant  of  myn  other  care 
Ne  sette  I  nat  the  mountaiince  of  a  tare, 
So  that  I  coude  don  aught  to  your  jile- 

saunce ! '  1571 

And  with  that  word   he   fil   doun    in  a 

trauuce 
A  longe  tyme  ;  and  after  he  up-sterte. 
This    Palamoun,    that    thoughte    that 

thurgh  his  herte  (716)  1574 

He  felte  a  cold  swerd  sodeynliche  glyde, 
For  ire  he  quook,  no  lenger  wolde  he  byde. 
And  whan  that  he  had  herd  Arcites  tale, 
As  he  were  wood,  with  face  deed  and  pale, 
He  sterte  him  up  out  of  the  buskes  thikke. 
And  seyde  :  '  Arcite,  false  traitour  wikke. 
Now  artow  hent,  that  lovest  my  lady  so, 
For  whom  that  I  have  al  this  peyne  and 

wo,  1582 

And  art  my  blood,  and  to  my  coiinseil 

sworn. 
As  I  ful  ofte  have  told  thee  heer-bifom. 
And  hast  by-japed  here  duk  Theseus,  1585 
And  falsly  chaunged  hast  thy  name  thiis ; 
I  wol  be  deed,  or  elles  thou  shalt  dye. 
Thou  shalt  nat  love  ray  lady  Emelye,  (730) 
But  I  wol  love  hir  only,  and  namo  ; 
For  I  am  Palamoun,  thy  mortal  fo.     1590 
And  though  that  I  no  wepne  have  in  this 

place. 
But  out  of  prison  ara  astert  by  grace, 
I  drede  noght  that  outher  thou  shalt  dye. 
Or  thou  ne  shalt  nat  loven  Emelye. 
Chees  which  thou  ^vilt,  for  thou  shalt  nat 

asterte.'  1595 

This  Arcite,  with  ful  despitous  herte, 
Wlian  he  him  knew,  and  hadde  his  tale 

herd. 
As  tiers  as  leotin,  pulled  out  a  swerd,  (740) 
And  seyde  thus  :  '  by  God  that  sit  above, 
Nere  it  that  thou  art  sik,  and  wood  for  love, 
And  eek  that  thou  no  wepne  hast  in  this 

place,  1601 

Thou  sholdest  never  out  of  this  grove  pace. 
That  thou  ne  sholdest  dyen  of  myn  bond. 
For  I  defye  the  seurtee  and  the  bond 
Which  that  thou  seyst  that  I  have  maad 

to  thee.  1605 

What,  verray  fool,  think  wel  tliat  love  is 

free,  (748) 


And  I  wol  love  hir,  maugre  al  thy  might ! 
But,  for  as  muche  thou  art  a  worthy  knight , 
And  wilnest  to  darreyne  hir  by  batayle. 
Have  heer  my  trouthe,  to-morwe  I  wol 

nat  fayle,  1610 

With-outen  witing  of  any  other  wight. 
That  here  I  wol  be  founden  as  a  knight. 
And  bringen  barneys  right  y-nough  for 

thee  ; 
And  chees  the  beste,  and  leve  the  worste 

for  me. 
And  mete  and  drinke  this  night  wol  I 

bringe  1615 

Y-nough  for  thee,    and   clothes   for   thy 

beddinge.  (•758) 

And,  if  so  be  that  thou  my  lady  winne, 
And  slee  me  in  this  wode  ther  I  am  inne. 
Thou  mayst  wel  have  thy  lady,  as  for  me.' 
This  Palamon  answerde  :    '  I  graunte  it 

thee.'  1620 

And  thus  they  been  departed  til  a-morwe, 
When  ech  of  hem  had  leyd  his  feith  to 

borwe. 
O  Cupide,  out  of  alle  charitee  ! 
O  regne,  that  wolt  no  felawe  have  with 

thee! 
Ful  sooth  is  seyd,  that  love  no  lordshipe 
Wol  noght,  his  thankes,  have  no  felawe- 

shipe ;  1626 

Wel  finden  that  Arcite  and  Palamoun. 
Arcite  is  riden  anon  un-to  the  toun,  (770) 
And   on   the   morwe,    er  it   were    dayes 

light, 
Ful  prively  two  barneys  hath  he  dight,  1630 
Bothe  suffisaunt  and  mete  to  darreyne 
The   bataille    in   the   feeld    bitwix   hem 

tweyne. 
And  on  his  hors,  allone  as  he  was  born, 
He  carieth  al  this  barneys  him  bifom  ; 
And  in  the  grove,  at  tyme  and  place  y-set, 
Tliis  Arcite  and  this  Palamon  ben  met. 
Tho  chaungeu  gan  the  colour  in  hir  face  ; 
Right  as  the  hunter  in  the  regne  of  Trace, 
That  stondeth  at  the  gappe  with  a  spere, 
Whan  hunted  is  the  leoun  or  the  here, 
And  hereth  him  come  russhing  in  the 

greves,  (783)  1641 

And  breketh  bothe  bowes  and  the  leves. 
And  thinketh,  '  heer  cometh  my  mortel 

enemy, 
With-oute  faile,  he  moot  be  deed,  or  I ; 


440 


A.    ZU  ICntg^tee  Zak. 


[t.  1647-1732. 


For  outlier  I  luot  sleeu  liini  at  the  gaiJjie, 
Or  lie  mot  slcen  me,  if  that  me  mishappe  :' 
So    ferdeii    they,    iu    chaungring   of   liir 

hewe,  i'>47 

As  fer  as  everich  of  hem  other  kiiewe.  (790) 
Ther  nas  no  good  day,  ne  no  saining ; 
But  st  reight ,  with-outen  word  or  rehersing, 
Everich  t>f  hem  halj)  for  to  armen  other, 
As  freendly  as  he  were  his  owne  brother  ; 
And  after  that,  with  sharpe  speres  stroiige 
Thej'  foynen  ecli  at  other  wonder  longe. 
Thou  mightest  wene  that  this  Palamoiin 
In  his  fighting  were  a  "wood  leoun,      1656 
And  as  a  cruel  tygre  was  Arcite  : 
As  wilde  bores  gonne  they  to  smyte,  (800; 
That    frotheu   whyte    as    fooni   for    ire 

wood. 
T'p  to  the  ancle  foghte  they  in  hir  blood. 
And  iu  this  wyse  I  lete  hem  fighting  dwelle; 
And  forth  I  wol  of  Theseus  yow  telle. 

The  destinee,  miuistre  general. 
That  executeth  in  the  world  over-al 
The  purveyaunce,   that    God   hath   seyn 

biforn,  1665 

So  strong  it   is,   that,   though  the   world 

had  sworn 
The  contrarie  of  a  thing,  by  ye  or  naj'. 
Yet  somtyme  it  shal  fallen  on  a  (hiy  (810) 
That  falleth  iiat  eft  with-inue  a  thousand 

yere. 
For  ceiteinl}',  our  appetytes  here,        1670 
Be  it  of  werre,  or  pees,  or  hate,  or  love, 
Al  is  this  reuled  l)y  the  sighte  above. 
This  meue  I  now  by  mighty  Theseus, 
That  for  to  honten  is  so  desirous. 
And  namely  at  the  grete  liert  in  May,  i()75 
That   in   his   bed   ther   daweth   him   no 

daj-. 
That  he  nis  clad,  and  redy  for  to  ryde 
AMtli  liuiite  and  horn,  and  houndes  him 

bisyde.  •  (820) 

For  in  his  hunting  hath  he  swich  delj't, 
That  it  is  al  his  joye  and  appetyt         1680 
To  been  him-self  the  grete  liertes  bane  ; 
For  after  Mars  he  serveth  now  Diane. 

Cleer  was  the  day,  as  I  have  told  er  this. 
And  Theseus,  with  alle  joye  and  blis, 
AVith  his  IpolitH,  the  fayre  queue,        1685 
And  Emelye,  clotlied  al  in  grene, 
On  hunting  be  they  riden  royally. 
And  to  the  gro%e,  that  stood  ful  faste  by, 


Iu  which  ther  was  an  hert,  as  men  him 

tolde,  (S.u) 

Duk    Theseus    the   streighte    wey    hath 

holde.  1690 

And  to  the  launde  he  rydetli  him  ful  right, 
For  thiiler  was  the  hert  wont  have  his 

flight, 
And  over  a  brook,  and  so  forth  on  his  weye. 
This  duk  wol  han  a  cours  at  him,  or  tweye. 
With  houndes,  swiche  as  that  him  list 

coinaunde.  1695 

And  whan  this  duk  was  comeun-to  the 

launde, 
Under  the  sonne  he  loketh,  and  anon 
He  was  war  of  Arcite  and  Palamon,  (840) 
That  foughten  breme,  as  it  were  bores  two ; 
Thebrighteswerdeswenten  to  and  fro  1700 
So  hidously,  that  with  the  leeste  strook 
It  seemed  as  it  wolde  felle  an  ook  ; 
But  what  they  were,  no-thing  he  ne  woot. 
This   duk    his    covirser  with  his   spores 

smoot, 
And  at  a  stert  he  was  bitwix  hem  two,  1705 
And  pulled  out  a  swerd  and  cryed,  '  ho  ! 
Xamore,  up  peyne  of  lesiiig  of  your  heetl. 
By  mighty  Mars,  he  shal  anon  be  deed,  (850) 
That  smyteth  any  strook,  that  I  may  seen! 
But  telleth  me  what  mister  men  ye  been, 
That  Ijeen  so  hardy  tor  to  tighten  here  171 1 
With-outen  juge  or  other  othcere. 
As  it  were  in  a  listes  royall.A-  ?  ' 

This  Palamon  auswerde  llastil,^• 
And   seyde  :    '  sire,  what  neileth  wordes 

mo?  1715 

We  have  the  deeth  ilesorved  lx)the  two. 
TSvo  woful  wrecches  been  we,  two  cay- 

t>'\'es,  (859) 

That  been  encombred  of  our  owne  lyves  ; 
And  as  thou  ait  a  rightful  lord  and  juge, 
Ne  yeve  us  neither  mercy  ne  refuge,    17J0 
But  slee  me  first,  for  sej-nte  charitee  ; 
But  slee  my  felawe  eek  as  wel  as  me. 
Or  slee  him  first;  for,  though  thou  knowe 

it  lyte, 
This  is  thy  mortal  fo,  this  is  Arcite,    17J4. 
That  fro  thy  lond  is  banished  on  his  heed. 
For  which  he  hath  deserved  to  be  deed. 
For  this  is  he  that  cam  un-to  thy  gate, 
Andseyde.  that  he  higlite  Pliilostrate.  (870) 
Thus  hath  he  japed  thee  ful  many  a  yeer, 
And  thou  has  maked  him  thy  chief  squyer : 


T.    1733-1S16. 


A.    ZU  ICtttg^tee  Zak, 


441 


And  this  is  he  that  loveth  Emelye.       1731 
For  sith  the  day  is  come  that  I  shal  dye, 
I  make  pleynly  my  confessioun, 
That  I  am  thilke  woful  Palamouii, 
That  hath  thy  prison  broken  wikkedly. 
I  am  thy  mortal  fo,  and  it  am  I  1736 

That  loveth  so  hote  Emelye  the  bi-ighte, 
That  I  wol  dj'e  present  in  hir  sighte.  (880) 
Therfore  I  axe  deeth  and  my  juwyse  ; 
But  slee  my  felawe  in  the  same  wj'se,  1740 
For  bothe  han  we  deserved  to  be  slajai.' 

This  worthy  diik  answerde  anon  agayn, 
And  seyde,  '  This  is  a  short  conclnsioun  : 
Yotire  owne  movith,  by  your  eonfessionn, 
Hath  dampned  you,  and  I  wol  it  recorde, 
It  nedeth  noght  to  pyne  yow  with  the 

corde.  1746 

Ye  shul  he  deed,   by  mighty   Mars   the 

rede  ! ' 
The  quene  anon,  tor  verray  womman- 

hede,  (890) 

Gan  for  to  wepe,  and  so  dide  Emelye, 
And  alle  the  ladies  in  the  companye.  1750 
flret  pitee  was  it,  as  it  thoughte  hem  alle. 
That  ever  swich  a  chaunce  sholde  talle  ; 
For  gentil  men  they  were,  of  greet  estat, 
And  no-thing  but  for  love  was  this  debat ; 
And  sawe  hir  blody  woundes  wyde  and 

sore ;  1755 

An<l  alle  cryden,  bothe  lasse  and  more, 
'  Have  mercy,   lord,   up-on   us  wommen 

aUe!' 
And  on  hir  bare  knees  adoun  they  fallc, 
And  wolde  have  kist  his  feet  ther-as  he 

stood,  (901) 

Til  at  the  laste  aslaked  was  his  mood ;  1760 
^or  i)itee  renneth  sone  in  gentil  herte. 
And  though  he  iirst  for  ire  quook  and 

sterte. 
He  hath  considered  shortly,  in  a  clause, 
The  trespas  of  hem  bothe,  and  eek  the 

cause : 
And    al-though    that    his    ire    hir    gilt 

accused,  (907)  1765 

Yet  in  his  reson  he  hem  bothe  excused  ; 
As  thus  :  he  thoghte  wel,  that  every  man 
Wol  helpe  him-self  in  love,  if  that  he  can, 
And  eek  delivere  him-self  out  of  prisoun  ; 
And  eek  his  herte  had  comi)assioun  1770 
Of  wommen,  for  they  wopen  ever  in  oon; 
Ami  in  his  gentil  herte  he  thoghte  auoon, 


And  softe  un-to  himself  he  seyde  :  '  fy 
Up-on  a  lord  that  wol  have  no  mercy. 
But  been   a  leovm,  botlie  in  word   and 

dede,  1775 

To   hem  that  been  in  repentaunce  and 

drede 
As  wel  as  to  a  proud  despitous  man  (919) 
That  wol  maynteyne  that  he  firstbiggji ! 
That  lord  hath  litel  of  disM^eWun^    y 
That  in  swich  cas  can  no  Aivisioun^i  780 
But  weyeth  pryde  and  lr(H»feiesse  after 

oon.' 
And  shortly,  whan  his  ire  is  thu^s  agoon, 
He  gan  to  loken  i\p  witli  eyen  lighte, 
And    spak    thise    same    wordes    al     on 

highte  : — 
'  The  god  of  love,  a  !  henedicite,  1785 

How  mighty  and  how  greet  a  lord  is  he  ! 
Ayeins    his    might    ther   gayneth    none 

obstacles. 
He  may  be  cleped  a  god  for  his  miracles  ; 
For  he  can  maken  at  his  owne  gyse    (93 1 ) 
Of  everich  herte,  as  that  him  list  devyse. 
Lo  heer,  this  Arcite  and  this  Palamoun, 
That  quitly  weren  out  of  my  prisoun,  1792 
And  mighte  han  lived  in  Thebes  royally, 
And  witen  I  am  hir  mortal  enemy, 
And   that   hir   deeth  lyth  in  my  might 

also ;  1 795 

And  yet  hath  love,  maugree  hir  eyen  two, 
Y-l)roght  hem  liider  bothe  for  to  dye  ! 
Now  loketh,  is  nat  that  an  heigh  folye '? 
Who  may  been  afool,  but-if  he  love?  (041) 
Bihold,  for  Goddes  sake  that  sit  above,  1800 
Se  liow  they  blede  !   be  they  noght  wel 

arrayeil  ? 
Thus    hath   hir    lord,    tlio   god   of  lovo, 

y-payed 
Hir  wages  and  hir  fees  for  liir  servyse  ! 
And  yet  they  wenen  for  to  been  ful  wyse 
Tbat   serven   love,   for   aught   that   may 

bifallc!  1805 

But  this  is  yet  the  beste  game  of  alle, 
That  she,  for  whom  they  han  this  jolitec, 
Can  hem  ther-for  as  muche  thank  as  me  ; 
She  woot  namore  of  al  tliis  hote  fare,  (951) 
By  God,  than  woot  a  eokkow  or  an  hare  ! 
But  al  mot  been  assayed,  lioot  and  cold ; 
A  man  mot  been  a  I'ool,  or  yong  or  old  ; 
I  woot  it  by  my-self  ful  yore  agoon  :    1S13 
For  in  my  tyme  a  servant  was  I  oon. 


442 


ZH  %ni^i>k6  Zak. 


[t.  1817 


1817-190C. 


And  therfore,  sin  I  knowe  of  loves  peyne, 
And  woot  how  sore  it  can  a  man  distreyne, 
As  lie  that  hath  hen  canght  ofte  in  his  las, 
I  yow  foryeve  al  liooUj'  this  trespas,   (960) 
Atreqiiesteofthe  quenethat  kneleth  here, 
And  eek  ofEmelye,  my  suster  dere.    1820 
And  ye  shnl  hothe  anon  xin-to  me  swere, 
That  never-mo  ye  shnl  my  contree  dere, 
Xo  make  werre  np-on  me  night  ne  day, 
But  heen  my  freendes  in  al  that  ye  may  ; 
I  yow  foryeve  this  trespas  eveiy  del.'  1825 
And  they  hini  swore  his  axing  fayre  and 

wel, 
And  himof  lordshipeand  of  mercy  preyde, 
And  he  hem  gi-annteth  grace,  and  thus  he 

seyde :  (g/o) 

'  To  speke  of  royal  linage  and  riehesse. 
Though  that  she  were  a  quene  or  a  prin- 

cesse,  1830 

Ech  of  yow  hothe  is  worthy,  doutelees. 
To  wedden  whan  tj-nie  is,  hut  nathelees 
I  speke  as  for  my  suster  Emelye, 
For  whom  ye  have  this  stryf  and  jelousye; 
Ye  woot  yotir-self ,  she  may  not  wedden  two 
At  ones,  though  j'e  fighten  ever-mo  :  1836 
That  oou  of  yow,  al  he  him  looth  or  leef, 
Ho  moot  go  pyi^en  in  an  ivy-leef ;       (980) 
Tliis  is  to  seyn,  she  may  nat  now  han 

hothe, 
Al  he  ye  never  so  jelous,ne  sowrothe.  1840 
And  for-thy  I  yow  putte  in  this  degree. 
That  ech  of  yow  shal  have  his  destinee 
As  him  is  shape  ;  and  herkneth  in  what 

wyse; 
IjO,  heer  your  ende  of  that  I  shal  devyse. 
My  wil  is  this,  ft)r  plat  conclusioim,  1845 
^^'ith-outen  any  replicacioun, 
]f  that  yow  lyketh,  tak  it  for  the  Ixjste, 
That  everich  of  yow  shal  gon  wher  him 

leste  (990) 

Frely,  with-outen  raunson  or  daunger  ; 
And  this  day  lifty  wykes,  fer  ne  ner,  1850 
Everich  of  yow  shal  hringe  an  hiuidred 

knightes. 
Armed  for  listes  up  at  alle  rightes, 
Al  redy  to  darrcyne  hir  liy  bataille. 
And  this  hihote  I  yow,  with-outen  faille. 
I'p-on  my  trouthe,  and  as  I  am  a  knight. 
That   wlu)ther  of  j'ow  hothe  that   hath 

might,  (998)  1856 

This  is  to  sej-u.  that  whether  he  or  thou 


May  with  his  hundred,  as  I  spak  of  now, 
Sleen  his  contrarie,  or  out  of  listes  dryve, 
Him  shal  I  yeve  Emelya  to  wyve,  i860 
To  whom  that  fortune  yeveth  so  fair  a 

grace. 
Tlie  listes  shal  I  maken  in  this  place, 
And  God  so  wisly  on  my  soule  rewe, 
As  I  shal  even  juge  been  and  trewe.    1864 
Ye  shul  non  other  ende  with  me  maken, 
That  oon  of  yow  ne  shal  he  deed  or  taken. 
And  if  yow  thinketh  this  is  wel  y-sayd, 
Seyeth  your  a\TS,  and  holdeth  yow  apayd. 
This  is  yriur  ende  and  your  Conclusioun.' 
^^Tio  loketh  lightly  now  hutPalamoun? 
Who  springetli  up  for  joye  but  Arcite  ?  1871 
Who  coiTthe  telle,  or  who  couthe  it  endyte, 
The  joye  that  is  maked  in  the  place 
Whan  Theseus  hath  doon  so  fair  a  grace? 
But  douu  on  knees  wente  every  nianer 
wight,  1875 

And  thanked  him  with  al  her  herte  and 

might. 
And  namely  the  Thebans  ofte  sythe. 
And  thus  with  good  hope  and  with  herte 
h]>-the  (1020) 

They  take  hir  leve,  and  hom-ward  gonne 

they  ryde 
To  Thebes,  witli  his  oldo  walles  wyde.  1880 
Explicit  secunda  pars. 
Sequitur  pars  tercia. 
I  trowe  men  wolde  deme  it  necligence, 
If  I  loryete  to  tellen  the  dispence 
Of  Theseus,  that  goth  so  bisily 
To  maken  iip  the  listes  royally; 
That  swieh  a  noble  theatre  as  it  was,  1885 
I  dar  wel  seyn  that  m   this  world  ther 

nas. 
The  circuit  a  myle  was  aboiite,  (1029; 

Walled  of  .stoon,  and  diched  al  with-oute. 
Round  was  the  shap,  in  maner  of  compas, 
Ful  of  degrees,  the  huighte  of  sixty  pas,  1890 
That,  whan  a  man  was  set  on  o  degree, 
He  letted  nat  his  felawe  for  to  see. 

Est-ward  ther  stood  a  gate  of  marbel 
whyt. 
West-ward,  right  swich  another  in  the 
opposit.  1894 

And  shortly  to  concluden,  swich  a  place 
Was  noon  in  erthe,  as  in  so  litol  space  ; 
For  in  the  lond  ther  nas  no  crafty  man, 
That  geometric  or  ars-metrik  can,    (1040"; 


T.    1901-1982.] 


A. 


ZU  %ni^^U6  Zak. 


443 


Ne  piirtreyour,  ne  kerver  of  images, 
That  TLesevis  ne  yaf  him  mete  and  wages 
The  theatre  for  to  maken  and  de^yse.  1901 
And  for  to  doon  his  ryte  and  sacrifyse, 
He  est-ward  hath,  iip-on  the  gate  above. 
In  worship  of  Venus,  goddesse  of  love, 
Don  make  an  anter  and  an  oratorie  ;  1905 
And    west-ward,    in   the   minde   and   in 

memorie 
Of  Mars,    he   maked   hath   right   swich 

another. 
That  coste  hirgely  of  gold  a  fother.    (1050) 
And  north-ward,  in  a  touret  on  the  wal, 
Of  alabastre  whyt  and  reed  coral         1910 
An  oratorie  riche  for  to  see, 
In  worship  of  Dyane  of  cliastitee, 
Hath  Theseus  don  wroght  in  noble  wyse. 

But  yet  hadde  I  foiyeten  to  do\'yse 
The  noble  kerving,  and  the  portreitures. 
The   shap,   the   countenaunoe,   and    the 

figures,  1916 

That  weren  in  thise  oratories  three. 
First  i  n  the  temple  of  Venus  maystow 

see  (1060) 

Wroght  on  the  wal,  ful  pitous  to  biholde. 
The  broken  slejies,  and  the  sykes  colde  ; 
The  sacred  teres,  and  the  waymenting  ; 
The  fyry  strokes  of  the  desiring,  1922 

That  loves  servaunts  in  this  lyf  enduren  ; 
The  othes,  that  hir  covenants  assuren  ; 
Plesaunce   and   hope,    desyr,    fool-hardi- 

nesse,  1925 

Beantee  and  youthe,  bauderie,  richesse, 
Charmes  and  force,  lesinges,  flaterye, 
Dispense,  bisynesse,  and  jelousye,      (1070) 
That  wered  of  yelwe  goldes  a  gerland. 
And  a  cokkow  sitting  on  hir  hand  ;     1930 
Fostes,  instruments,  caroles,  daunces. 
Lust   and   array,   and   alle    the   circum- 

staunces 
Of  love,  whiche  that  I  rekne  an<l  rokne 

shal, 
By  ordre  weren  peynted  on  the  wal,   1934 
And  mo  than  I  can  make  of  niencioun. 
For  soothly,  al  the  mount  of  Citlieroun, 
Ther  Venus  hath  hir  principal  dwelling, 
Was  shewed  on  the  wal  in  portreying. 
With  al  the  gardin,  and  the  lustinesse. 
Nat  was  foryeten  the  porter  Ydelnessc, 
Ne  Narcisus  the  faire  of  yore  agon,      194 1 
Ne  yet  the  folye  of  king  Salamon,     (1084) 


Ne  yet  the  grete  strengthe  of  Hercules — 
Th'enchaunteme"ntsofMedeaand  Circes — ■ 
Ne  of  Turnus,  with  the  hardy  fiers  corage. 
The  riche  Cresus,  caytif  in  servage.  1946 
Thus     may    ye    seen    that     wisdom    ne 

richesse, 
Beautee  ne  sleighte,  strengthe,  ne  hardi- 

nesse,  (1090) 

Ne  may  with  Venus  holde  champartye  ; 
For  as  hir  list  the  world  than  may  she 

gJ'e.  1950 

Lo,    alle   thise   folk   so   caught   were   in 

hir  las,  "" 

Til  they  for  wo  ful  ofte  seyde  '  alias  ! ' 
Suffyceth  heer  ensamples  oon  or  two. 
And  though  I  coiide  rekne  a  thousand  mo. 
The  statue  <>f  Venvis,  glorious  for  to  see. 
Was  naked  fleting  in  the  large  see,     1956 
And   fro   the    navele    doun    all   covered 

was 
With  wawes  grene,  and  brighte  as  any 

glas.  (not:)) 

A  citole  in  hir  right  hand  hadde  she. 
And  on  hir  heed,  ful  semely  for  to  see,  i960 
A  rose  gerland,  fresh  and  wel  smellinge  ; 
Above  hir  heed  hir  dowves  flikeringe. 
Biforn  hir  stood  hir  sone  Cupido, 
Up-on  his  shiildres  winges  hadde  he  two ; 
And  blind  he  was,  as  it  is  ofte  sene  ;    1965 
A  bowe  he  bar  and  arwes  brighte  and 

kene. 
Why  sholde  I  noght  as  wel  eek  telle 

yow  al 
The  portreiture,  that  was  up-on  the  wal 
With-inne  the  temple  of  mighty  Mars  the 

rede  ?  (mi) 

Al  peynted  was  the  wal,  in  lengtho  and 

brede,  1970 

Lyk  to  the  estres  of  the  grisly  place. 
That  highte  the  grete  temple  of  Mars  in 

Trace, 
In  thilke  colde  frosty  regioun, 
Thor-as  Mars  hath  his  soveroyn  mansioun. 
First  on  the  wal  was  peynted  a  foreste. 
In  which  ther  dwelleth  neither  man  ne 

beste,  1976 

With  knotty  knarry  ))are.-\ai  trees  olde 
Of  stubbes  sharpe  and  hidousto  biholdo  ; 
In  which  ther  ran  a  rumbel  and  a  swough. 
As  though  a  storm  sholde  bresten  every 

bough  :  1980 


444 


A.    ZU  1Cnt00fe0  Zcik. 


[t.   1983-2066. 


And  downward  from  an  liille,  under  a 

■foente,  (112.V)  198 1 

Ther   stood  the    temple   of  Mars   armi- 

potente, 
Wroglit    al    of    bnrned   steel,    of  which 

thentree 
Was  long  and  streit,  and  gastly  for  to  see. 
And  ther-out  cam  a  rage  and  such  a  vese, 
That  it  made  al  the  gates  for  to  rese.  1986 
The  northren  light  in  at  the  dores  shoon, 
For  windowe  on  the  wal  ne  was  ther  noon, 
Thurgh  which   men   mighten  any  light 

discern  e.  (ii.^O 

Tlie  dores  were  alle  of  adamant  eterne, 
Y-clenched  overthwartand  endelong  1991 
With   iren  tough ;    and,    for  to  make  it 

strong. 
Every  piler,  the  temple  to  sustene, 
Was  tonne-greet,  of  iren  bright  and  shene. 
Ther  saugh  I  first  the  derke  imagining 
Of  felonye,  and  al  the  compassing  ;      1996 
The  cruel  ire,  reed  as  any  glede  ;        ("39) 
The  pykepiirs,  and  eek  the  pale  drede  ; 
The  smyler  with  the  kn j'f  imder  the  cloke  ; 
The    shepne    brenning   with   the    blake 

smoke ;  2000 

Tlie  treson  of  the  mordring  in  the  bedde  ; 
The  open   werre,    with   woundes    al    bi- 

bledde ; 
Contek,    with    blody    knyf    and     sharji 

nianace  ; 
Al  ful  of  chirking  was  that  sm-y  place. 
The  sloorc  of  liim-solf  yet  saugh  Ither,  2005 
His  hei-te-lilood  hatli  bathed  al  his  heer; 
The  nayl  y-driven  in  the  shode  a-night ; 
The  colde  deeth,  with  mouth  g.iping  up- 
right. (1150) 
Amiddes  of  the  temple  sat  moschaunce, 
With  disconfort  and  sory  contenaunce. 
Yet  saugh  I  woodnesse  laughing  in  his 

rage;  201 1 

Armed    compleint,    ont-hees,     and    fiers 

outrage. 
The   careyne   in   the   bush,    with   throte 

y-corve  : 
A  thousand  slayn,    and   nat    of    qualm 

y-storve ;  201+ 

Tlie  tiraunt,  with  the  prey  by  force  y-raft; 
Tliotonn  destroyed,  ther  was  no-thing laft. 
Yft  saugh  I  brent  thoshippeshoppesteres; 
The  hnnte  strangled  with  the  wilde  beres: 


The  sowe  freten  the  child  right  in   the 

cradel ;  (1161) 

The  cook  y-scalded,  for  al  his  longe  ladel. 

Xoght   was   foryeten  by  th'  infortune   of 

Mai'te ;  2021 

The  carter  over-rideu  with  his  carte, 
Under  the  wheel  ful  lowe  he  lay  adoun. 
Ther  were  also,  of  Martes  divisioun. 
The   harbour,   and   the  bocher,  and  the 

smith  2025 

That  forgeth  sharpe  swerdes  on  his  stith. 
And  al  above,  depeynted  in  a  tour,    (1169) 
Saw  I  conquest  sittinge  in  greet  honoiir, 
With  the  sharpe  swerde  over  his  heed 
Hanginge  by  a  sotil  twynes  threed.     2030 
Depejiited  was  the  slaughtre  of  .Julius, 
Of  grete  Nero,  and  of  Antoniiis  ; 
Al  be  that  thilke  tyme  they  were  unborn, 
Yet  was  hir  deeth  depeynted  ther-bifom, 
By  nianasinge  of  Mars,  right  by  figure  ; 
So  was  it  shewed  in  that  portreiture 
As  is  depeynted  in  the  sterres  above,  (1179) 
Wlio  shal  be  slayn  or  elles  deed  for  love. 
Suffyceth  oon  ensample  in  stories  olde, 
I  may  not  rekne  hem  alle,  thogh  I  wolde. 
The  statue  of  Mars  up-on  a  carte  stood, 
Armed,  and  loked  grim  as  he  were  wood ; 
And  over  his  heed  ther  shynen  two  figures 
Of  sterres,  that  been  cleped  in  scriptures, 
That  oon  Puella,  that  other  Eubeus.  2045 
This  god  of  armes  was  an'ayed  thus  : — 
A  wolf  ther  stood  biforu  him  at  his  feet 
With  eyen  rede,  and  of  a  m.an  he  eot ;  ( 1 190) 
With  sotil  pencel  was  dcpeynt  this  storie, 
In  redoutinge  of  Mars  and  of  his  glorie. 

Now  to  the  temple  of  Diane  the  obaste 
As  shortly  as  I  can  I  wol  me  haste,     2052 
To  telle  yow  al  the  descripcioun. 
Depeynted  been  the  walles  up  and  doun 
Of  hianting  and  of  shamfastchastitee.  2055 
Ther  saugh  I  how  woful  Calistopee,  (1198) 
Wlian  that  I)iano  agreved  was  with  liere, 
Was  turned  from  a  womm.an  til  a  here, 
And  after  was  she  maad  the  lode-sten'e  ; 
Thus  was  it  peynt,   I   can  say  yow  no 

ferrc ;  2060 

Hir  sono  is  eek  a  sterre,  as  men  may  see. 
Ther  saugh  I  Dane,  y-turned  til  a  tree, 
I  mene  nat  the  godilesse  Diane, 
But  Penneus  doughter,  which  that  highte 

Dane.  2064 


T.   2067—2144. 


A. 


ZU  %nx^^U&  Cafe. 


445 


Tlier  saugli  I  Attheon  an  liert  y-maked, 
For  veii^eaunce  that  he  sa\igh  Diane  al 

naked ; 
I  saugh  how  that  his  houndes  have  him 

caught, 
And  freten  him,  for  that  they  knewe  him 

nanglit.  (1210) 

Yet  peynted  was  a  litel  further-moor, 
How  AtthaL-inte  hunted  the  wikle  boor. 
And  Meleagre,  and  many  another  mo,  2071 
For  whicli  Diane  wroghte  him  care  and  wo. 
Ther  saugh  I  many  another  wonder  storie, 
The    whiche    me     list    nat     drawen    to 

memorie.  2074 

This  goddesse  on  an  hert  ful  hye  seet. 
With  smale  houndes  al  aboute  hir  feet ; 
And   undernethe   hir   feet   she   hadde   a 

mone,  (1219) 

Wexing  it  was,  and  sholde  wanie  sone. 
In  gaude  grene  hir  statue  clothed  was, 
With  bowe  in  honde,  and  arwes  in  a  cas. 
Hir  eyen  caste  she  ful  lowe  adoun,       2081 
Ther  Pluto  hath  his  derke  regioun. 
A  womman  travailinge  was  hir  Ijit'om, 
But,  for  hir  child  so  longe  was  unborn, 
Ful  pitously  Lucyna  gan  she  calle,      2085 
And  seyde,  '  help,  for  thou  mayst  best  of 

alle.' 
Wei    couthe    he   peynten    lyfly    that    it 

wroghte,  {^--9) 

With  many  a  florin  he  the  hewes  boghte. 

•  Now    been     thise     listes    maad,     and 

Theseus, 
That  at  his  grete  cost  arrayed  thus     2090 
The  temples  and  the  theatre  every  del, 
■\\Tian   it   was  doon,  him  lyked  wonder 

wel. 
But  stiute  I  wol  of  Theseus  a  lyte, 
And  speke  of  Palamon  and  of  Arcite. 

The  day  approcheth  of  hir  retouminge. 
That  everich  sholde  an  hundred  luiightcs 

bringe,  2096 

The  bataille  to  darreyne,  as  I  yow  tolde  ; 
And  til  Ath^nes,  hir  covenant  for  to  holde, 
Hath  everich  of  hem  broght  an  hundred 

knightes  (1241) 

Wel  armed  for  the  werre  at  alio  rightes. 
And  sikerly,  ther  trowed  many  a  man  2101 
That  never,  sithon  that  the  world  bigiin. 
As  for  to  speke  of  knighthod  of  hir  houd, 
As  fer  as  God  hath  maked  see  or  lond, 


Xas,  of  so  fewe,  so  noble  a  companye.  2105 
For  every  wight  that  lovede  chivalrye. 
And  wolde,  his  thankes,  han  a  passant 

name, 
Hath  i^reyed  that  he  mighte  ben  of  that 

game;  (1250) 

And  wel  was  him,  that  ther-to  chosen  M'as. 
For  if  ther  fille  to-morwe  swieh  a  cas,  21 10 
Ye  knowen  wel,  that  every  lusty  knight, 
That    lo^'eth   paramours,    and    hath    his 

might. 
Were  it  in  Engelond,  or  elles-where. 
They  wolde,   hir  thankes,  wilnen   to  be 

there. 
To  fighte  for  a  ladj-,  hen' cite  !  2 1 15 

It  were  a  liisty  sighte  for  to  see. 

And  right  so  ferden  they  with  Palamon. 
W^ith   him   ther  wenten  knightes  many 

oon ;  (1260) 

Som  wol  ben  armed  in  an  habergeoun. 
In  a  brest-plat  and  in  a  light  gipoun ;  2120 
And   somme  woln   have   a   x^eyre   plates 

large  ; 
And  somme  woln  have  a  Pruce  sheld,  or  a 

targe ; 
Somme  woln  ben  armed  on  hirlegges  weel, 
And  have  an  ax,  and  somme  a  mace  of 

steel.  2124 

Ther  nis  no  newe  gyse,  that  it  nas  old. 
Armed  were  they,  as  I  have  you  told. 
Everich  after  his  opiniouu. 

Ther  maistow  seen  coming  with  Pala- 

moun  (1270) 

Ligurge  him-self,  the  grete  king  of  Trace; 
Blak  was  his  berd,  and   manly  was  his 

face. 
The  cercles  of  his  eyen  in  his  heed,      2131 
They  gloweden  bitwixe  yelow  and  reed  • 
And  lyk  a  griffon  lokeil  he  aboiite. 
With  kempe  heres  on  his  browes  stoiite  ; 
His  limes  grete,  his  brauues  harde  and 

stronge,  2135 

His  shuldres  brode,  his  armes  rouude  and 

longe. 
And  as  the  gyso  was  in  his  contree, 
Ful  hye  ui)-on  a  char  of  gold  stood  he, 
With  foure  whyte  boles  in  the  trays.  (1281) 
In-stede  of  cote-armure  over  his  harnays, 
With  nayles  yelwe  and  brighte  as  anj' 

gold,  2141 

He  hadde  a  beres  skin,  col-blak,  for-oM. 


446 


A. 


Z(>t  %n\Q^tt6  Zak. 


[t.  2 1 45-2 23 j. 


His  longe  heerwaskembcl  bihincle  his  bak, 
As  any  raveiies  fether  it  shoon  for-blak  : 
A  wrethe    of  gold    ana-greet,    of   liuge 

wight  e,  2145 

Upon  his  heed,  set  fill  of  stones  brighte, 
Of  fyne  rubies  and  of  dj'aniannts. 
Aboute     his    char     ther   wenten    whyte 

alannts,  {1-90) 

Twent  J'  and  mo.  as  grete  as  any  steer, 
To  hunten  at  the  leoiin  or  the  deer,     2150 
And      fohved     him,     with     mosel     faste 

y-bounde, 
Colers  of  gokl,  and  torets  fyled  rounde. 
An  hundred  lordes  hadde  he  in  his  route 
Armed  ful  wel,  with  hertes  steme  and 

stoute. 
With  Arcita,  in  stories  as  men  tinde,  2155 
The  grete  Emetreus,  the  king  of  Inde, 
Up-on  a  stede  bay,  trapped  in  steel. 
Covered  in  cloth  of  g<dd  diapred  weel,  (1300) 
Cam  ryding  lyk  the  god  of  amies.  Mars. 
His  cote-armnre  was  of  cloth  of  Tars,  2160 
Couched  with  jjerles  whjiie  and  rounde 

and  grete. 
His  sadel  was  of  brend  gold  newe  y-bete  ; 
A  mantelet  upon  his  shuldre  hanginge 
Bi'et-ful  of  mines  rede,  as  fyr  sparklinge. 
His  crisi)e  heer  lyk  ringes  was  y-ronne,  2165 
Ami  that  was  yelow,  and  glitered  as  the 

Sonne. 
His  nose  was  heigh,  his  eyen  bright  citryn, 
Hislippi'S  rounde,  his  colour  was  sangwyu, 
A  fewc  fraknes  in  his  face  y-spreynd,  (1311) 
Betwixen  yelow  and  somdel  blak  y-meynd, 
And  as  a  leoun  he  his  loking  caste.      2171 
Of  fyve  and  twenty  yeer  his  age  I  caste. 
His  herd  was  wcl  bigonne  for  to  springe  ; 
His  voys  was  as  a  trompe  thunderinge. 
Up-on  his  heed  he  wered  of  lavirer  grene 
A  gerland  fresh  and  lusty  for  to  sene.   2176 
I'p-on  his  hand  he  bar.  for  his  deduyt, 
An  egle  tamo,  as  eny  lilie  whyt.         (1320) 
An  hundred  lordes  hadde  he  with  him 

there, 
Al  armed,  sauf  hir  heddes,  in  al  hir  gere, 
Ful  richely  in  <alle  maner  thinges.        2 181 
For  trusteth  wel,  that  dukes,  erles,  kinges, 
Were  gadered  in  this  noble  companye, 
For  love  and  for  encrees  of  chivalrye. 
Aboute  this  king  ther  ran  on  every  part 
Ful  many  a  tame  leoun  and  lepart.     2186 


And  in  this  wyse  thise  lordes,  alle  and 

some, 
Ben  on  the  Sondaj'  to  the  citee  come  (1330) 
Aboute  pryme,  and  in  the  toun  alight. 
This  Theseus,  this    duk,    this   worthy 

knight,  2190 

Whan  he  had  broght  heni  in-to  his  citee. 
And  inned  hem,  everich  in  his  degree, 
He  festeth  hem,  and  dooth  so  greet  labour 
To  esen  hem,  and  doon  hem  al  honour, 
That  yet  men  weneth  that  no  mauues  wit 
Of  noon  estat  ne  coude  amenden  it.     2196 
The  minstralcye,  the  service  at  the  feste, 
The  grete  yiftes  to  the  moste  and  leste, 
The  riche  ai-ray  of  Theseus  i^aleys,     (13+1) 
Xe  who  sat  first  ne  last  up-on  the  deys, 
What  ladies  fairest  been  or  best  daunsinge, 
Or  which  of  hem  can  dauncen  best  and 

singe,  22132 

Xe  who  most  felinglj'  speketh  of  love  : 
What  haukes  sit^en  on  the  perche  above. 
What  houndes  liggen  on  the  floor  adoun: 
Of  al  this  make  I  now  no  mencioun  ;  2206 
But  al   th'effect,    that  thinketh  me  the 

beste ; 
Now  comth  the  poynt,  and  herkneth  if 

yow  leste.  (1350) 

The   Sonday   night,    er   day   bigan    to 

springe. 
When  Palamon  the  larke  herde  singe,  2210 
Although  it  nere  nat  day  by  houres  two, 
Yet  Song  the  larke,  and  Palamon  also. 
With  holy  herte,  and  with  an  heigh  corago 
He  roos,  to  wenden  on  his  pilgrimage 
Un-to  the  blisful  Cithorea  benigne,      2215 
I  mene  Veniis,  honurable  and  digne. 
And  in  hir  houre  he  walketh  forth  a  pas 
Un-to  the  listes,  ther  hir  temple  was,  (1360) 
And  doun  he  knelcth,  and  with  humble 

chere  2219 

And  herte  soor,  he  seyde  as  ye  shnl  here. 

Faireste  of  faire,  o  lady  myn,  Venus, 
Doughter  to  Jove  and  spouse  of  Vulcanus, 
Thou  glader  of  the  mount  of  Citheroun, 
For  thilke  love  thou  haddest  to  Adoun, 
Have  pitee  of  my  bittre  teres  smerte,  2225 
And  tak  myn  humble  preyer  at  thyn  herte. 
Alias  !  I  ne  have  no  langage  to  telle  (1369) 
Th'efFectes  ne  the  torments  of  myn  helle ; 
Myn  herte  may  myne  harmes  nat  biwreye; 
I  am  so  confus,  that  1  can  noght  seye.  2230 


T.   2233-J318.] 


A.    ZU  Kni^^tce  Zak. 


447 


But  mercy,  lady  bright,  that  knowest  weel 
My  thorght,  and  seest  what  harmes  that 

I  feel, 
Considere   al   this,   and   rewe  up-oii   my 

sore. 
As  wisly  as  I  shal  tor  evermore,  ^234 

Emfoith  mj'  might,  thy  trewe  servant  be, 
And  holden  werre  alwey  with  chastitee  ; 
That  make  I  m.\ai  avow,  so  ye  me  helpe. 
I  kepe  noght  of  armes  for  to  yelpe,  (1380) 
Ne  I  ne  axe  nat  to-morwe  to  liave  victorie, 
Xe  renoun  in  tliis  cas,  ne  veyne  glorie  2240 
Of  pris  of  armes  blowen  \ap  antl  doun. 
But  I  wolde  have  fully  possessioun 
Of  Emelye,  and  dye  in  thy  servyse  ; 
Find  thou  the  maner  how,  and  in  what 

wyse. 
I  recche  nat,  but  it  may  bettre  be,       2245 
To  have  victorie  of  hem,  or  they  of  me, 
So  that  I  have  my  lady  in  myne  armes. 
For  tliough  so  be  that  Mars  is    god  of 

amies,  (1390) 

Your  vertu  is  so  greet  in  hevene  above, 
That,  if  yow  list,  I  shal  wel  have  my  love. 
Thy  temple  wol  I  worshipe  evermo,     2251 
And  on  thyn  auter,  wher  I  ryde  or  go, 
I  wol  don  sacrifice,  and  fyres  bete. 
And  if  ye  wol  nat  so,  my  lady  swete,  2254 
Than  preye  I  thee,  to-morwe  with  a  spare 
That  Arcita  me  thurgh  the  herte  here. 
Thanne  rekke  I  noght,  whan  I  have  lost 

mylyf,  (1399) 

Though  that  Arcita  winne  hir  to  his  wyf. 
This  is  th'efFect  and  ende  of  my  preyere, 
Yif  me  my  love,  thou  blisful  lady  dere.' 
'    Whan  th'orisoun  was  dooji  of  Palamon, 
His  Sivcrifice  he  dide,  and  that  anon    2262 
Ful  pitously,  with  alle  circumstaunces, 
Al  telle  I  noght  as  now  his  oliservaunces. 
But  atte  liiste  the  statue  of  Venus  shook, 
And  made  a  signe,  wher-liy  that  he  took 
That  his  preyere  accepteil  was  tliat  day. 
For  thogh  the  signe  shewed  a  delay,  (1410) 
Yet  wistc  he  wel  that  graunted  was  his 

bone ; 
And  with  glad  herte  he  wente  him  hoom 

ful  sone.  2270 

The  thridde  houre  inecjual  that  Palamon 
Bigau  to  Venus  temple  for  to  goon. 
Up  roos  the  Sonne,  and  up  roos  Emelye, 
And  to  the  temple  of  Diane  gan  hye. 


Hir  maydens,  that  she  thider  with  hir 

ladde,  2275 

Ful  redily  with  hem  the  fyr  they  hadde, 
Th'encens,  the  clothes,  and  the  remenant 

al 
That  to  the  saorifyce  longen  shal ;  (1420) 
The  homes  fuUe  of  metli,  as  was  the  gyse  ; 
Ther  lakked  noght  to  doon  hir  sacrifyse. 
Smoking  the  temple,  ful  of  clothes  faire, 
This  Emelye,  with  herte  debonaire,  2282 
Hir  body  wessh  with  water  of  a  welle  ; 
But  how  she  dide  hir  ryte  I  dar  nat  telle, 
But  it  be  any  thing  in  general ;  2285 

Antl  yet  it  were  a  game  to  heren  al  ; 
To   him    that   meneth   wel,    it   were   no 

charge : 
But  it  is  gof)d  a  man  ben  at  his  large.  (1430) 
Hir  brighte  heer  was  kempt,  untressed  al ; 
A  coroune  of  a  grene  00k  cerial  2290 

Up-on  hir  heed  was  set  ful  fair  and  mete. 
Two  tyres  on  the  auter  gan  she  bete, 
And  dide  hir  thinges,  as  men  may  biholde 
In  Stace  of  Thebes,  and  thise  bokes  olde. 
Whan  kindled  was  the  fyr,  with  pitous 

chere  2295 

Un-to  Diane  she  spak,  as  ye  may  here. 

'  O  chaste  goddesse  of  the  wodes  grene, 
To  whom  bothe  heven  and  erthe  and  see 

is  sene,  (i44<>) 

Quene  of  the  regne  of  Pluto  derk   and 

lowe, 
Goddesse  of  maydens,  that  myn  herte  hast 

knowe  2303 

Ful  many  a  yeer,  and  woost  what  I  desire, 
As  keep  me  fro  thy  vengeaunce  and  tliyu 

ire, 
That  Attheon  aboughte  cruelly. 
Chaste  goddesse,  wel  wostow  tliat  I 
Desire  to  been  a  mayden  al  my  lyf,     2305 
Ne  never  wol  I  be  no  love  ne  wyf. 
I  am,  thou  woost,  yet  of  thy  companyc, 
A  mayde,  and  love  hunting  and  venerj-c. 
And  for  to  walken  in  the  wodes  wildo, 
And  noght  to  been  a  wyf,  and  be  wilh 

childe.  (1452)  2310 

Noght  wol  I  knowe  companye  of  man. 
Now  help  me,  lady,  sith  ye  may  and  can, 
For  tho  thre  formes  that  thou  hast  in  thee. 
And  Palamon,  that  hath  swich  love  to  me, 
And  eek  Arcite,  that  loveth  me  so  sore. 
This  grace  I  preye  theo  with-outc  more, 


448 


A.    Ze>t.  %ni^^U&  Zak. 


[t.  2319-2404. 


As  sende  love  and  pees  bitwixe  hem  two  ; 
And  fro  me  turne  awey  hir  liertes  so,  (1460) 
That  al  hir  hote  love,  and  hir  desyr, 
And  al  hir  bisy  torment,  and  hir  fyr  2320 
Be  qneynt,  or  turned  in  another  place  ; 
And  if  so  be  thou  wolt  not  do  me  grace, 
Or  if  my  destinee  be  shapen  so, 
That  I  shal  nedes  have  oou  of  hem  tv/o, 
As  sende  me  him  that  raost  desireth  me. 
Biliold,  goddesse  of  clene  chastitee,     2326 
The  bittre  teres  that  on  my  chekes  falle. 
Sin  thou  are  mayde,  and  keper  of  us  alle, 
My    maydenhede    thou    kepe    and    wel 

conserve,  (1471) 

And  whyl  I  live  a  mayde,  I  vi^ol   thee 

serve.'  2330 

The  lyres  brenne  vip-on  the  auter  clere, 
"^Tiyl  Enielye  was  thus  in  hir  preyere  : 
But  sodeinly  she  saugh  a  sighte  queynte, 
For  right  anon  oon  of  the  fyres  queynte, 
And  quiked  agayn,  and  after  that  anon 
That  other  fjT  was  queynt,  and  al  agon  ; 
And  as  it  queynte,  it  made  a  whistelinge. 
As  doon  thise  wete  brondes  in  hir  bren- 

ninge,  (1480) 

And  at  the  brondes  ende  out-ran  anoon 
As  it  were  blody  dropes  many  oon  ;     2340 
r(.)r  which  so  sore  agast  was  Emelye, 
That  she  was  wel  ny  mad,  and  gan  to  cryo, 
F<ir  she  ne  wiste  what  it  signifyed  ; 
But  only  for  the  fere  thus  hath  she  cryed, 
And  weep,  that  it  was  pitee  for  to  hero. 
And  ther'-w-ith-al  Diane  gan  appere,    2346 
With  bowe  in  hond,  right  as  an  huuter- 

esse, 
And  seyde :   '  Doghter,  stint  thyn  hevi- 

nesse.  (1490) 

Among  the  goddes  hye  it  is  affermed, 
And  l)y  eterne  word  write  and  confermed, 
Thou  shalt  ben  wedded  un-to  oou  of  tho 
That  han  lor  thee  so  muchel  care  and  wo  ; 
But  un-to  which  of  hem  I  may  nat  telle. 
Farwel,  for  I  ne  may  no  longer  dwelle. 
The    fyres  which    that    on    myn    auter 

brenne  2355 

Shul  thee  doclaren,  er  that  thou  go  henno, 
Thyn  aventure  of  love,  as  in  this  cas.' 
And  with  that  word,  the  arwcs  in  the  cas 
Of  the  goddesse  clateren  faste  and  ringe, 
And  forth  she  wente,  and  made  a  vanissh- 

inge;  (1502)  2360 


For  which  this  Emelye  astoued  was. 

And  seyde,  '  ^^^lat  amounteth  tlxis,  alias ! 

I  putte  me  in  thy  proteccioun, 

Diane,  and  in  thy  disposicioun.' 

And  hoom   she    gooth  anon   the   nexte 

weye.  2365 

This  is  th'elfect,  ther  is  namore  to  seye. 

The  nexte  houre  of  Mars  folwinge  this, 
Arcite  un-to  the  temple  wallied  is     (1510) 
Of  lierse  Mars,  to  doon  his  sacrifyse. 
With  alle  the  rj-tes  of  his  payen  ■svj-se.  2370 
With  pitous  herte  and  heigh  devocioun, 
Right  thus  to  Mars  he  seyde  his  orisoun  : 
'  O  stronge  god,  that  in  the  regnes  colde 
Of  Trace  honoitred  art,  and  lord  y-holde, 
And  hast  in  evei-y  regne  and  every  lond 
Of  armes  al  the  brydel  in  thyn  hond,  2376 
And  hem  fortunest  as  thee  list  devyse. 
Accept  of  me  my  pitous  sacrilyse.     (1520) 
If  so  be  that  my  youthe  may  deserve. 
And  that   my   might   be  worthy  for  to 

serve  2380 

Thy  godhede,  that   I  may  been  oon  of 

thyne. 
Than  preye  I  thee  to  rewe  \\p-ou  my  pyne. 
For  thilke  peyne,  and  thilke  hote  fyr. 
In  which  thou  whylom  brendest  for  desyr, 
Whan  that  thou  usedest  the  grete  beautee 
Of  faj-ro  yonge  fresshe  Venus  free,       2386 
And  haddest  hir  in  armes  at  thy  wille, 
Al-though  thee  ones  on  a  tyme  misfille 
A'VTian  Vulcauiis  had  caught  thee  in  his 

las,  (1531) 

And  fond  thee  liggiug  by  his  wyf,  alias  ! 
For  thilke  sorwe  that  was  in  thyn  herte. 
Have  routhe .  as  wel   up-on   my  pejTies 

smerte.  2392 

I  am  yong  and  unkonning,  as  thou  wost. 
And,    as  I   trowe,    with    love    offended 

most. 
That  ever  was  any  lyves  creature  ;      2395 
For  she,  that  dooth  me  al  this  wo  endure, 
Ne  reccheth  never  wher  I  sinke  or  flete 
And  wel  I  woot,  er  she  me  mercy  hete, 
I  moot  with  strengthe  winne  hir  in  the 

place ;  ('54') 

And  wel  I  woot,  withouteu  help  or  grace 
Of   thee,   ne  may   my  strengthe   noght 

availle.  2401 

Than    help   me,   lord,   to-morwe   in   my 

bataille. 


T.   2405-24S8.] 


A.    ZU  ICmg^fe©  Zcik, 


449 


For  thiUce  fjT  that  why  lorn  brente  thee, 
As  wel  as  thilke  Ijt  now  brenneth  me  ; 
And  do  that  I  to-morwe  have  victorie.  2405 
MjTi  be  the  travaille,  and  thyn  bo  the 

glorio  ! 
Thy  soverein  temple  wol  I  most  honouren 
Of  any  phice,  and  alwey  most  labouren 
lu    thy  plesaunce   and    in    thy   craftes 
stronge,  (155O 

And  in  thy  temple  I  wol  mj'  baner  honge, 
And  alle  the  amies  of  my  companye  ;  241 1 
And  evere-mo,  un-to  that  day  I  dye, 
Eterne  fyr  I  wol  biforn  thee  fiude. 
And  eek  to  this  avow  I  wol  me  binde  : 
My  herd,  myn  heer  that  hongeth  long 
adoun,  2415 

That  never  yet  ne  felte  offensioun 
Of  rasour  nor  of  shere,  I  wol  thee  yive, 
And  been  thy  trewe  servant  whyl  I  live. 
Now  lord,  have  routhe  iiii-on  my  sorwes 
sore,  (1561) 

Yifrae  fvictorie,  laske  thee  namore.'  2420 
The  preyere  stinte  of  Arcita  the  stronge. 
The  ringes  on  the  temple-dore  that  honge. 
And  eek  the  dores,  clatereden  fill  faste. 
Of  which  Arcita  som-what  him  agaste. 
The  fyres  brende  up-on  the  auter  brighte. 
That  it  gan  al  the  temple  for  to  lighte  ; 
And  sweto  smel  the  ground  anon  up-yaf, 
And  Arcita  anon  his  hand  iip-haf,     (1570) 
And  more  encens  in-to  the  fyr  he  caste. 
With  othero  rytes  mo  ;  and  atte  laste  2430 
The  statue  of  Mars  bigan  his  hauberk 

ringe. 
And  with  that  soun  he  herde  a  murmiir- 

ingo 
Ful    lowe    and    dim,   that    sayde    thus, 

'  Victorie ' : 
For  which  he  yaf  to  Mars  honour  and 

glorie. 
And  thus  with  joye,  and  hope  wel  to  fare, 
Arcite  anon  un-to  his  inne  is  fare,      2436 
As  fayn  as  fowel  is  of  the  brighte  Sonne. 
And  right  anon  swich  stryf  ther  is  bi- 
gonne  (1580) 

For  thilke  graunting,  in  the  hevono  above, 
Bitwixo  Venus,  tlic  goddosse  of  love,  2440 
And  Mars,  the  sterne  god  arniipotente. 
That  Jupiter  was  bisy  it  to  stento  ; 
Til  that  the  pale  Saturnus  the  colde. 
That  knew  so  manye  of  aventures  olde. 


Fond  in  his  oldc  experience  an  art,    2445 
That  he  ful  sono  hath  plesed  every  part. 
As  sooth  is  sayd,  eklo  hath  greet  avantage  ; 
In  elde  is  bothe  wisdom  and  usage  ;  (1590) 
Men  may  the  olde  at-renue,  and  noght 

at-rede. 
Saturne  anon,  to  stinten  stryf  and  drede, 
Al  be  it  that  it  is  agayn  his  kynde,     2451 
Of  al  this  stryf  he  gan  remedie  fynde. 

'  My  dere  doghter  Venus,'  quod  Saturne, 
'  My  coiirs,  that  hath  so  ■v.yde  for  to  turne, 
Hath  more  power  than  wot  any  man.  2455 
Myn  is  the  drenching  in  the  see  so  wan  ; 
Myn  is  the  prison  in  the  derke  cote  ; 
Myn  is  the  strangling  and  hanging  hy  the 
throte ;  (1600) 

The  miirmure,  and  the  cherles  rebelling, 
The  groyning,  and  the  x:'ryvee  empoyson- 
ing  :  2460 

I  do  vengeance  and  pleyn  correccioun 
Whyl  I  dwelle  in  the  signe  of  the  Leoun. 
Myn  is  the  mine  of  the  hyo  halles, 
The  falling  of  the  toures  and  of  the  walles 
Up-on  the  mynoiir  or  the  carpenter.  2465 
I  slow  Sampsoun  in  shaking  the  piler  ; 
And  myne  be  the  maladyes  colde. 
The  derke  tresons,  and  the  castes  olde  ; 
My  loking  is  the  fader  of  pestilence.  (1611) 
Now  weep  namore,  I  shal  doon  diligence 
That  Palamon,  that  is  thyn  owne  knight, 
Shal  have  his  lady,  as  thou  hast  him  bight. 
Though  Mars  shal  helpe  his  knight,  yet 

nathelees 
Bitwixe  yow  ther  moot  be  som  tyme  pees, 
Al  be  ye  noght  of  o  complo.xioun,         2475 
That  causeth  al  day  swich  divisioun. 
I  am  thin  ayel,  redy  at  thy  wille  ; 
Weep  thou  namore,  I  wol  thy  lust  ful- 
fiUe.'  (1620) 

Now  wol  I  stinten  of  the  goddes  above, 
Of  Mars,  and  of  Venus,  goddosse  of  love. 
And  telle  yow,  as  pleynly  as  I  can,      2481 
The  grete  effect,  for  which  that  I  bigan. 
Explicit  tercia  pars. 
Sequitur  pars  quarta. 
Greet  was  the  festc  in  Athenes  tliat  day. 
And  eek  the  lusty  seson  of  that  May 
Made    every    wight    to    been    in    swich 
plesaunce,  2485 

That   al   that   Monday  justen    they    and 
daunce, 


Q 


450 


C6e  ICntg^fec  Zak. 


[t.  24S9— 2562. 


And  spenden  it  in  Venus  heigh  servyse. 
But  by  the  cause  that  they  sholde  ryse 
Erly,  for  to  seen  the  grete  fight,         (1631) 
Unto  hir  reste  wente  they  at  night.    2490 
And  on  the  morwe,  whan  that  day  gan 

springe, 
Of  hors  and  harneys,  noyse  and  clateringe 
Ther  was  in  hostelryes  al  aboute  ; 
And   to   the   jjaleys   rood    ther   many  a 

route 
Of  lordes,  up-on  stedes  and  paKreys.  2495 
Ther  maystow  seen  devysLng  of  herneys 
So  uncouth  and  so  riche,  and  wroght  so 

weel 
Of    goldsmithrie,    of   browding,    and    of 

steel ;  (i(>4") 

The  sheeldes  brighte,  testers,  and  trap- 

pures  ; 
Gold-hewen    helmes,    hauberks,    cote-ar- 

mures ;  2500 

Lordes  in  paraments  on  hir  coui'seres, 
Knightes  of  retenue,  and  eek  squyeres 
Nailinge  the  spores,  and  helmes  bokelinge, 
Gigginge  of  sheeldes,  with  layneres  ia- 

cinge  ; 
Ther  as  need  is,  they  weren  no-thing  ydel ; 
The  fomy  stedes  on  the  gt)lden  brydel  2506 
Gnawinge,  and  faste  the  armurers  also 
With  fyle  and  hamer   i)rikingo  to  and 

fro ;  (1050) 

Yemen  on  fote,  and  communes  many  oon 
With  shorte  staves,  thikke  as  they  may 

goon ;  2510 

Pypes,  trompes,  nakers,  clariounes. 
That  in  the  batallle  blowen  blody  sounes; 
The  paleys  ful  of  peples  up  and  douu, 
Heer  three,  ther   ten,  holding  hir  ques- 

tioun, 
Di\-yninge  of  thise  Theban  knightes  two. 
Somme  seyden  thus,  somme  seyde  it  shal 

be  so  ;  2516 

Somme  helden  with  him  with  the  blake 

berd, 
Somme  with  the  balled,  somme  with  the 

thikke-herd ;  (1660) 

Somme    sayde,    he    loked   grim   and   he 

wolde  fight e  ; 
He  hath  a  sparth  of  twenty  pound  of 

wighte.  2520 

Thus  was  the  halle  ful  of  divjTiinge, 
Longe  after  that  the  Sonne  gan  to  springe. 


The  grete   Theseus,  that  of  his  sleep 

awaked 
With  minstralcj-e   and   noyse   that  was 

maked. 
Held  yet  the  chambre  of  his  paleys  riche, 
Til  that  the  Thebane  knightes,  bothe  y- 

liche  2526 

Honoured,  were  into  the  paleys  fet. 
Duk  Theseus  was  at  a  window  set,  (1670) 
Arrayed  right  as  he  were  a  god  in  trone. 
The  peple  preesseth  thider-ward  ful  sone 
Him  for  to  seen,  and  doon  heigh  reverence, 
And   eek  to   herkne    his    hest    and   his 

sentence. 
An  heraud  on  a  scaffold  made  an  ho. 
Til  al  the  noyse  of  jieple  was  y-do  ; 
And  whan  he  saugh  the  peple  of  noyse  al 

stille,  2535 

Tho  showed  he  the  mighty  dukes  wille. 

'  The  lord  hath  of  his  heigh  discrecioun 
Considered,  that  it  were  destruccioun  ( 1680) 
To  gentil  blood,  to  fighten  in  the  gyse 
Of  mortal  bataille  now  in  this  empryse  ; 
WTierfore,  to  shapen  that  they  shul  not 

dye,  2541 

He  wol  his  firste  purpos  modifye. 
"So  man  therfor,  up  pej-ne  of  los  of  lyf. 
No  maner  shot,  ne  x>ollax,  ne  short  Icnyf 
Into  the  listes  seudc,  or  thider  bringe ;  2545 
Ne  short  swerd  for  to  stoke,  with  poynt 

bytinge. 
No  man  ne  drawe,  ne  here  it  by  his  syde. 
Ne  no  man  shal  un-to  his  felawe  ryde  (1690) 
But  o  cours,  with  a  sharp  y-grounde  spere ; 
Foyne,  if  him  list,  on  fote,  him-self  to 

were.  2550 

And  he  that  is  at  meschief,  shal  be  take, 
And  noght  slayn,  but  be  broght  un-to  the 

stake 
That  shal  ben  ordeyned  on  either  syde  ; 
But  thider  he  shal  by  force,   and   ther 

abyde. 
And  if  so  falle,  the  chieftayn  be  take  2555 
On  either  syde,  or  elles  slec  his  make, 
No  lenger  shal  the  turncyinge  laste. 
God  spede  yow  ;   goth  forth,  and  ley  on 

faste.  (1700) 

With  long  swerd  and  with  maces  fight 

your  fille. 
Goth  now  your  wey;   this  is  the  lordes 

wUle.'  2560 


T.   2563-2640.] 


A.    ZU  ICm^^^ee  Zak, 


45^ 


The  voys  of  peple  touchede  the  hcvene, 
So  loude  cryden  they  with  meiy  ste%-eue  : 
'  God  save  swich  a  lord,  that  is  so  good, 
He  wikieth  uo  destruccioun  of  Ijlood  ! ' 
Up  goon  the  trompes  and  the  melodye.  2565 
And  to  the  listes  rit  the  eompanye 
By  ordinaunce,  thurgh-out  the  citee  large. 
Hanged  with  cloth  of  gold,  and  nat  with 

sargo.  (1710) 

Ful  lyk  a  lord  this  noble  duk  gan  ryde, 
Thise  two  Thebanes  up-on  either  syde  ;  2570 
And  after  rood  the  quene,  and  Emclye, 
And  after  that  another  eompanye 
Of  oon  and  other,  after  hir  degree. 
And   thus   they  jiassen    thurgh-out  the 

citee, 
And  to  the  listes  come  they  by  tyme.  2575 
It  n:is  not  of  the  day  yet  fully  pryme, 
Whan  S(.t  was  Theseus  ful  riche  and  hye, 
Ipolita  the  quene  and  Emelye,  (J720) 

And  other  ladies  in  degrees  aboute. 
Un-to  the  seetes  preesseth  al  the  route.  2580 
And  west-ward,  thurgh  the  gates  under 

Marte, 
Arcite,  and  eek  the  hundred  of  his  parte. 
With  baner  reed  is  entred  right  anon  ; 
And  in  that  selve  moment  Palamon 
Is  under  Venus,  est- ward  in  the  place,  2565 
With  baner  whyt,  and  hardy  chere  and 

face. 
In  al  the  world,  to  seken  up  and  doun. 
So  even  with-outen  variacioun,  (1730) 

Ther  nere  swiche  companyes  tweye. 
For   ther   nas   noon   so  wys  that   coude 

seye,  2590 

That  any  hadde  of  other  avauntage 
Of  worthinesse,  ne  of  estaat,  ne  age. 
So  even  were  they  chosen,  for  to  gcsse. 
And  in  two  renges  faLre  they  hem  dresse. 
Whan  that  hir  names   rad  were   everi- 

choon,  2595 

That  in  hir  nombre  gyle  were  ther  noon, 
Tho  were  tlie  gates  shet,  and  crycd  was 

loude  : 
'  Do   now  your    devoir,   yonge    knightes 

proude  ! '  (1740) 

The  heraudes  lefte  liir  priking  up  and 

doun ;  2599 

Now  ringcn  trompes  loude  and  clarioun  ; 
Ther  is  namore  to  seyn,  but  west  and  est 
In  goon  the  speres  ful  sadly  in  arest ; 


In  goth  the  sharpe  spore  in-to  the  syde. 
Ther  seen  men  who  can  juste,  and  who 

can  ryde  ; 
Ther    shiveren    shaftes    uji-on    sheeldes 

thikke  ;  2605 

He    feleth    thurgh   the   heite-spoou   the 

prikke. 
Up  springen  speres  twenty  foot  on  highte ; 
Out    goon    the    swerdes    as    the    sUver 

brighte.  (1750) 

The  hehnes  they  to-hewen  and  to-shrede  ; 
Out  brest  the  blood,  with  sterne  stremcs 

rede.  2610 

With  mighty  maces  tho  bones  they  to- 

breste. 
He  thurgh  the  thikkeste  of  the  throng 

gan  threste. 
Ther  stombleu  stedes  stronge,  and  doun 

goth  al. 
He  roUeth  iinder  foot  as  dooth  a  bal.  2614 
He  foyneth  on  his  feet  with  his  tronchoun, 
And  he  him  htirtleth  with  his  hors  adoun. 
He  thurgh  the  body  is  hurt,  and  sithen 

y-take, 
Maugree  his  heed,  and  broght  un-to  the 

stake,  ( 1 760) 

As   forward    was,    right  ther    he   moste 

abyde ; 
Another  lad  is  on  that  other  syde.       2620 
And  som  tyme  dooth  hem  Theseus  to  reste. 
Hem  to  refresshe,  and  drinken  if  hem 

leste. 
Ful  ofte  a-day  han  thise  Thebanes  two 
Togidre  y-met,  and  wroght  his  felawe  wo ; 
Unhorsed  hath  ech  other  of  hem  tweye. 
Ther  nas  no  tygre  in  the  vale  of  Galgo- 

pheye,  2626 

WTian  that  hir  whelp  is  stole,  whan  it  is 

lyte. 

So  cruel  on  the  hunte,  as  is  Arcite    (1770) 
For  jelous  herte  upon  this  Palamoun  : 
Ne  in  Bclniaryo  ther  nis  so  fel  looun,  2650 
That  hunted  is,  or  for  his  hunger  wood, 
Xo  of  his  praye  desircth  so  the  blood, 
As  Palamon  to  sleen  his  fo  Arcite. 
Tho  jelous  strokes  on  hir  holmes  byte  ; 
Out  rennet  h   blood   on   both    hir    sydes 
rede.  2635 

Som  tyme  an  ende  ther  is  of  every  dede ; 
For  er  the  sonne  un-to  the  rcste  wente, 
Tho  stronge  king  Emetreus  gan  hente 


Q  2 


5^5^ 


45  = 


A.    ZH  ICnig^fee  Zak. 


[t.  2641-2726. 


Tliis  Palamon,  as  he  taught  with  Arcite, 
And  made  his  swerd  depe  in  his  flesh  to 
byte  ;  (i/Sa)  26+0 

And  by  the  force  of  twenty  is  he  take 
Unyolden,  and  y-drawe  unto  the  stake. 
And  in  the  rescous  of  this  Palamoun 
The  stronge  king  Ligurge  is  born  adoun  ; 
And  king  Emetreus,  for  al  his  strengthe, 
Is  born  out  of  his  sadel  a  swerdes  lengthe, 
So  hitte  him  Palamon  er  he  were  take  ; 
But  al  for  noght,  he  was  broght  to  the 

stake.  ('790) 

His  hardy  herte  mighte  him  helpe  naught ; 
He  moste  abyde,  whan  that  he  was  caught 
By  force,  and  eek  by  composicioun.  2651 
AYho  sorweth  now  but  woful  Palamoun, 
That  moot  namore  goon  agayn  to  fighte '? 
And  whan  that  Theseus  had  seyn  this 

sighte,  2654 

Un-to  the  folk  that  foghten  thus  echoon 
He  cryde,  '  Ho  !  namore,  for  it  is  doon  ! 
I  wol  be  trewe  juge,  and  no  partye. 
Arcite  of  Thebes  shal  have  Emelye,  (1800) 
That  by  his   fortune   hath  hir   faire   y- 

wonne.' 
Anon  ther  is  a  noyse  of  peple  bigonne  2660 
For  joye  of  this,  so  loude  and  heigh  with- 

alle, 
It  semed  that  the  listes  sholde  falle. 

What  can  now  faire  Venus  doon  above  ? 
What  seith  she  now?    what  dooth  this 

quene  of  love  ? 
But  wepeth  so,  for  wanting  of  hir  wille. 
Til  that  hir  teres  in  the  listes  fille  ;     2666 
She  seyde  :  '  I  am  ashamed,  doutelees.' 
.Saturn us  seydo  :  '  Doghter,  hold  thy  pees, 
liars  hath  his  wille,  his  knight  hath  al 

his  bone,  (iSii) 

And,  by  myn  heed,  thou  shalt  ben  esed 

sone.'  2670 

The  trompes,  with  the  loude  minstral- 

cye, 
The  heraudes,  that  ful  loude  yolle  and 

crye. 
Been  in  hir  wele  for  joye  of  daun  Arcite. 
But  hcrkneth   me,  and   stinteth   now  a 

lyte, 
AVhicli  a  miracle  ther  bifel  anon.  2675 

This  fierse  Arcite  hath  of  liis  helm  y-don, 
And  on  a  courser,  for  to  shewe  liis  face. 
He  priketh  endelong  the  large  place,  (1820) 


Lolung  upward  up-on  this  Emelye  ;    2679 
And  she  agayn  him  caste  a  freendlich  y6, 
(For  wommen,  as  to  speken  in  comune, 
They  folwen  al  the  favour  of  fortune) ; 
And  she  was  al  his  chere,  as  in  his  herte. 
Ou.t  of  the  ground  a  furie  infernal  sterte. 
From  Pluto  sent,  at  requeste  of  Satume, 
For  which  his  hors  for  fere  gan  to  turne, 
And  leop  asyde,  and  foundred  as  he  leep  ; 
And,  er  that  Arcite  may  taken  keep,  (1S30) 
He  pighte  him  on  the  pomel  of  his  heed, 
That  in  the  place   he    lay  as   he   were 

deed,  2690 

His  brest  to-brosten  with  his  sadel-bowe. 
As  blak  he  lay  as  any  cole  or  crowe, 
.So  was  the  blood  y-ronnen  in  his  face. 
Anon  he  was  y-born  out  of  the  place 
With  herte  soor,  to  Theseus  paleys.     2695 
Tho  was  he  corven  out  of  his  barneys. 
And   in  a  bed  y-brought  ful  faire   and 

blyve, 
For  he  was  yet  in  memorie  and  alyve,  (1840) 
And  alway  crying  after  Emelye. 

Duk  Theseus,  with  al  his  companj-e,  27CXJ 
Is  comen  hoom  to  Athenes  his  citee. 
With  alle  blisse  and  greet  solempnitce. 
Al  be  it  that  this  aventure  was  falle, 
He  nolde  noght  disconfortan  hem  alio. 
Men  seyde  eek,  that  Arcite  shal  nat  dye; 
He  shal  ben  heled  of  his  nialailye.        2706 
And  of  another  thing  they  were  as  fayn, 
That  of  hem  alle  was  ther  noon  y-slayn, 
Al  were  they  sore  y-hurt,  and  namely  oon, 
That  with  a  sperc  was  thirled  his  brest- 

boon.  ('852)  2710 

To  othere  woundes,  and  to  broken  armes, 
Some  hadden  salves,  and  some  hadden 

charmes ; 
Fermacies  of  herbes,  and  eek  save 
They  dronken,  for  they  wolde  hir  limes 

have. 
For  which  this  noble  duk,  as  he  wel  can, 
Conforteth  and  honourcth  every  man,  2716 
And  made  revel  al  the  longe  night, 
Un-to  the  straungo  lordes,  as  was  right. 
Nether  was  holden  no  disconfitinge,  (1861) 
But  as  a  justes  or  a  tourneyinge  ;        2720 
For  soothly  ther  was  no  disconfiturc, 
For  falling  nis  nat  but  an  a%'enture  ; 
Ne  to  bo  lad  with  fors  nu-to  tho  stake 
Unyolden,  and  with  twenty  kniglites  take, 


T.  2727-2816.] 


ZU  %nis^k6  Zak, 


453 


O  persone  allone,  with-outen  mo,         2725 
And  haried  forth  by  arme,  foot,  and  to, 
And  eek  his  stede  driven  forthwith  staves, 
With    footmen,    bothe    yemen    and   eek 

knaves,  (1870) 

It  nas  aretted  him  no  vileinye,  2729 

Ther  may  no  man  clejoen  it  cowardye.  ^_i^ 
For  which  anon  duk  Theseus  leet  crye. 
To  stinten  alle  rancour  and  envye, 
The  gree  as  wel  of  o  syde  as  of  other, 
And  either  syde  y-lyk,  as  otheres  brotlier ; 
And  yaf  hem  yiftes  after  hir  degree,   2735 
And  fully  hceld  a  feste  daj^es  three  ; 
And  conveyed  the  kinges  worthily 
Out  of  his  toun  a  journee  largely.      (1880) 
And  hoom  wente  every  man  the  righte 

way. 
Ther  was  namore,  but  '  far  wel,  have  good 

day ! '  2740 

Of  this  bataille  I  wol  namore  endyte, 
But  speke  of  Palamon  and  of  Arcite. 
Swelleth  the  brest  of  Arcite,  and  the 

sore 
Encreesscth  at  his  herte  more  and  more. 
The  clotliered  blood,  for  any  lechecraft, 
Corrupteth,  and  is  in  his  bouk  y-laft,  2746 
Tliat  neither  voyne-blood,  ne  ventusinge, 
Ne  drinke  of  lierbes  may  ben  his  helpinge. 
The  vertu  expulsif,  or  animal,  (1891) 

Fro  thilke  vertu  cleped  natural  2750 

Ne  may  the  venim  voyden,  ne  expelle. 
The  pypes  of  his  longes  gonne  to  swelle, 
And  every  lacei-te  in  his  brest  adoun 
Is  shcnt  with  venim  and  corrupcioun. 
Him  gayneth  neither,  for  to  gete  his  lyf, 
Vomj-t  upward,  ne  dounward  laxatif ;  2756 
Al  is  to-brosten  thilke  regioun. 
Nature  hatli  now  no  dominacioun.  ("iqcx)) 
And  certeinly,  ther  nature  wol  nat  wirche, 
Far-wel,    phisyk !    go    ber    the    man    to 

chirche !  2760 

This  al  and  som,  that  Arcita  mot  dye, 
For  which  he  sendeth  after  Emelye, 
And  Palamon,  that  was  his  cosin  dere  ; 
Than   seyde   he   thus,   as   ye   shul   after 

here. 
'  Naught  may  the  woful  spirit  in  myn 

herte  2765 

Declare  o  poynt  of  aUc  my  sorwes  smerte 
To  yow,  my  lady,  that  I  love  most ; 
But  I  biquethe  the  service  of  my  gost  (1910) 


To  yow  aboven  every  creature. 
Sin  that  my  lyf  may  no  lenger  dure.  2770 
Alias,  the  wo  !  alias,  the  pej-nes  stronge. 
That  I  for  yow  have  suffred,  and  so  longe  ! 
Alias,  the  deeth  !  alias,  myn  Emelye  ! 
Alias,  departing  of  our  companye  !      2774 
Alias,  myn  hertes  qtiene  !    alias,  my  wyf ! 
Myn  hertes  lady,  endero  of  my  ]yf ! 
"WTiat  is  this  world  ?  what  asketh  men  to 

have  ? 
Now  with  his  love,  now  in  his  colde  grave 
Allone,  with-outen  any  companye.    (1921) 
Far-wel.  my  swete  fo  !  myn  Emelye  !  2780 
And  sotte  tak  me  in  your  amies  tweye. 
For  love  of  God,  and  herkneth  what  I  seye. 

I  have  heer  with  my  cosin  Palamon 
Had  stryf  and  rancour,  many  a  day  agon, 
For  love  of  yow,  and  for  my  jolousye.  2785 
And  Jupiter  so  wis  my  soiile  gye, 
To  spelien  of  a  servant  proprely. 
With  alle  circumstaunces  trewelj-,    (1930) 
That   is   to   seyn,    troutlie,   honour,   and 

knightliede. 
Wisdom,   humblesse,  estaat,    and   heigh 
kinrede,  2yc)t~> 

Fredom,  and  al  that  longeth  to  that  art, 
So  Jupiter  have  of  my  soule  part. 
As  in  this  world  riglit  now  ne  knowe  I  non 
So  worthy  to  ben  loved  as  Palamon,  2794 
Tliat  serveth  yow,  and  wol  don  al  his  l.yf. 
And  if  that  ever  ye  shvd  been  a  wyf, 
Foryet  nat  Palamon,  the  gentil  man.' (1939) 
And  with  that  word  his  speche  faille  gan. 
For  from  his  feet  up  to  his  brest  was  come 
The  cold  of  deeth,  that  hadde  him  over- 
come. 28<X) 
And  yet  more-over,  in  his  amies  two 
The  vital  strengtho  is  lost,  and  al  ago. 
Only  the  intellect,  with-outen  more. 
That  dwelled  in  his  herte  sj'k  and  sore, 
Gan  faillcn,  when  the  herte  felto  deeth. 
Dusked  his  eyen  two,  and  failled  breeth. 
But  on  his  lady  yet  caste  he  his  ye;  (1949) 
His  laste  word  was,  '  mercy,  Emelye  ! ' 
His  spirit  chaunged  hous,  and  wente  ther, 
As  I  cam  never,  I  can  nat  tellen  wher.  2810 
Therfor  I  stinte,  I  nam  no  divinistre  ; 
Of  soules  finde  I  nat  in  this  rogistre, 
Ne  me  ne  list  thilke  opiniouns  to  telle 
Of  hem,  thougli  that  they  wryten  wher 
they  dwelle. 


4.")  4 


A. 


ZU  Untg^fea  Zak. 


[t.  281 


7-2902. 


Arcite  is  cold,  ther  Mars  his  soiile  gj-e  ; 
Xow  wol  I  siieken  forth  of  Emelye.  2S16 
Shrighte  Emolye,  andhowletli  Palamon, 
And  Thesens  his  snster  took  anoii  (i960) 
Swo^vninge,  and  bar  hir  fro  the  corps  away. 
What  helpoth  it  to  tarien  forth  tlic  day, 
To  tellen  how  she  ^veep,  hothe  eve  and 

niorwe  ?  2821 

For  in   swich   cas  womnien   have  swich 

sorwe, 
Wlian  that  liir  housbonds  been  from  honi 

That  for  the  more  part  they  sorwen  so. 
Or  ellos  fallen  in  swich  nialadye,  2S25 

That  at  the  laste  certeinly  they  dye. 

Infinite  been  the  sorwes  and  the  teres 
Of  olde  folk,  and  folk  of  tendre  yeres,  ( 1970) 
In  al  the  toiTn,  for  deeth  of  this  Theban  ; 
For  him   ther  weijeth   bothe   child   and 

man ;  2830 

So  greet  a  weping  was  ther  nof>n,  certaj-n. 
Whan  Ector  was  y-broght,  al  fresh  y-slayn. 
To  Troye  ;  alias  !  the  pitee  that  was  ther, 
Cracching  of  chekes,  rending  eek  of  heer. 
'  Why  woldestow  bo  deed,'  thise  woninaen 

crye,  2835 

'  And  haddest  gold  y-nough,  and  Emelye?' 
No  man  mighte  gladen  Theseus, 
Savinge  his  olde  fader  Egeus,  (1980) 

That  knew  this  worldes  transmntacioun. 
As  ho  had  seyn  it  chaungen  up  and  donn, 
Joye  after  wo,  and  wo  after  gladnesse  : 
And  shewed  hem  ensamples  and  lyknesse. 
'  Kight  as  ther  deyed  never  man,'  quod 

ho,  2843 

'  That  he  no  livede  in  erthe  in  som  degree. 
Right  so  ther  livede  never  m;vn,' he  scyde, 
'  In  al  this  world,  that  som  tj-me  he  ne 

deyde.  (1988)  2846 

This  world  nis  but  athurghfarefulof  wo. 
And  we  ben  pilgrimes,  passinge  toandfro ; 
Deeth  i.s  an  cnde  of  every-  worldly  sore.' 
And  over  al  this  yet  seyde  he  muchel  more 
To  this  effect,  ful  \\'y^sly  to  enhorte  2851 
The  peple,  tliat  they  .sholde  hem  rcconforte. 

Duk  Theseus,  with  al  his  bisy  cure. 
Caste  now  whor  that  the  sepulture 
Of  good  Arcite  may  best  y-inaked  be,    2855 
And  eek  most  honurable  in  his  degree. 
And  at  the  laste  he  took  conclusioun,  ( 1999) 
That  ther  as  first  Arcite  and  Palamoun 


Hadden  for  love  the  bataille  hem  bitwene. 
That  in  that  selve  grove,  swoteandgrene, 
Ther  ashehadde  his  amorous  desires,  2861 
His  compleynt,  and  for  love  his  bote  fires, 
He  woldo  make  a  fyr,  in  which  th'oflfiee 
Funeral  he  mighte  al  accomplice  ; 
And  leet  comaundo  anon  to  hakke  and 

hewe  (2007)   2865 

The  okes  olde,  and  leyo  hem  oii  a  rewe 
In  colpons  wel  arrayed  for  to  brenne ; 
His  officers  with  swifte  feet  they  renne 
And  ryde  anon  <at  his  comaundement. 
And  after  this,  Theseus  hath  y-sent    2870 
After  a  here,  and  it  al  over-spradde 
With  cloth  of  gold,  the  richest  that  he 

hadrle. 
And  of  the  same  suyte  he  cladde  Arcite  ; 
Upon  his  hondes  hadde  he  gloves  whj-te ; 
Eek   on   his   heed    a    croiine    of    laurer 

grene,  2875 

And  in  his  bond  a  swerd  ful  bright  and 

kene.  (2018) 

He  leyde  him  bare  the  visage  on  the  here, 
Therwith  he  weep  that  pitee  was  to  here. 
And  for  the  peple  sholde  seen  him  alle. 
Whan  it  was  day,  he  broghte  him  to  the 

haUe,  2Sf-'o 

That  roreth  of  the  crying  and  the  soun. 

Tlio  cam  this  woful  Theban  Palamoun, 
With  flotery  herd,  and  ruggj'  asshy  heres, 
In  clothes  blake,  y-dropped  al  with  teres ; 
And,  passing  othcre  of  weping,  Emelye, 
The  rowfnlleste  of  al  the  companye.    2886 
In  as  muche  as  the  scr%-icc  sholde  be 
The  more  noble  and  riche  in  his  degree, 
Duk  Theseus  leet  forth  three  stedcs  bringe. 
That  trapped  were  in  steel  al  gliteringe. 
And    covered    with    the  armes  of  daun 

Arcite.  (2033)  2891 ' 

Up-on  thise  stedes,  that  weren  grete  and 

whyte, 
Ther  seten  folk,  of  which  oon  bar  hissheeld. 
Another  his  spere  up  in  his  hondes  heeld  ; 
The  thridde  bar  with  him  his  bowe  Tvir- 

keys,  2895 

Of  brend  gold  was  the  cas,  and  eek  the 

barneys ;  (2038) 

And  riden  forth  a  pas  with  sorweful  chere 
Toward  the  grove,  as  ye  shul  after  here. 
The  nobleste  of  the  Grekes  that  ther  were 
Upon  hir  shuldres  carieden  the  here,   2900 


T.  2903-2984.] 


A. 


ZU  ICntg^^ee  Zak. 


455 


With  slakke  pas,  and  eyen  rede  and  wete, 
Thnro;h-onttliecitee,l)ytliemaister-strete, 
That  sprad  was  al  with  blak,  and  wonder 

hye 
Right  of  the  same  is  al  the  strete  y-wxye. 
I'p-on  the  right  hond  wente  old  Egens,  2905 
And  on  that  other  syde  duk  Theseus, 
With  vessels  in  hir  hand  of  gold  ful  fyn, 
Al  ful  of  hony,  milk,  and  blood,  and  wyn  ; 
Eek  Palamon,  with  ful  greet  companye  ; 
And  after  that  cam  woful  Emelye,      2910 
"With  fyr  in  honde,  as  was  that  tyme  the 

gyse,  (2053) 

To  do  th'offico  of  funeral  servyse. 

Heighlabour,  andfulgi'eetapparaillinge 
Was  at  the  service  and  the  fyr-makinge, 
That'vvith  his  grcne  toptheheven  raughte, 
And  twenty  fadme  of  brede  the  armes 

straughto ;  2916 

Tliis  is  to  seyn,  the  bowes  were  so  brode. 
Of  strco  first  thcr  was  leyd  fvil  many  a 

lode.  (2060) 

But  how  the  fjT  was  maked  up  on  highte. 
And  eek  the  names  how  the  trees  highte. 
As  ook,    firre,    birch,    asp,    alder,    holm, 

poplar,  2921 

Wilow,   elm,  plane,  ash,   box,   chasteyn, 

lind,  laurer, 
Mapvil,  thorn,  lieech,  hasel,  ew,  whippel- 

tree, 
How  they  wcren  feld,  shal  nat  be  told  for 

me  ; 
Ne  how  the  goddos  ronncn  up  and  doun, 
Disherited  of  hir  habitacioun,  2926 

In  which  they  woneden  in  resteand  pees, 
Nymphes,  Faunes,  and  Amadrides  ;  (207<<) 
Ne  how  the  bestes  and  the  briddes  alle 
Fledden  for  fere,  whan  the  wodc  was  fallo  ; 
Ne  how  the  ground  agast  was  of  the  light, 
That  was  nat  won  t  to  seen  the  sonne  bright ; 
Ne  how  the  fyr  was  couched  first  with  stree. 
And  than  with  drye  stokkes  cloven  a  three, 
And  than  witli  greno  wode  and  spycerye. 
And  tlian  with  elotli  of  gold  and  with 

perryo,  203'') 

And   gerlandes   hanging  with  ful  manj' 

a  flour. 
The   mirre,    th'encens,   with  al  so  greet 

odour ; 
Ne  how  Arcite  lay  among  al  this,      (2081) 
Ne  what  richesse  aboute  his  body  is  ;  2940 


Ne  how  that  Emelye,  as  was  the  gyse, 

Putte  in  the  1'jt  of  funeral  servyse  ; 

Ne  how  she  swowned  whan  men  made  the 

fyr, 
Ne  what  she  spak,  ne  what  was  hir  desyr  ; 
Ne  what  jeweles  men  in  the  fyr  tho  caste, 
"Whan  that  the  fyr  was  greet  and  brente 

faste ;  2946 

Ne  how  som  caste  hir  sheeld,  and  som  hir 

spere. 
And  of  hir  vestiments,  whiche  that  they 

were,  (2090) 

And  cuppes  ful  of  wyn,  and  milk,  and 

blood. 
Into  the  fyr,  that  brente  as  it  were  wood  ; 
Ne  how  the  Grekes  with  an  htige  route 
Thryts  i-iden  al  the  fyr  aboute  2952 

Up-onthelefthand,  with  a  loud  shovitinge. 
And  thryes  with  hir  speres  clateringe  ; 
And  thryes  how  the  ladies  gonne  crye  ;  2955 
Ne  how  that  lad  was  hom-ward  Emelye  ; 
Ne  how  Arcite  is  brent  to  asshen  colde  ; 
Ne  how  that  liche- wake  was  y-holde  (2100) 
Al  thilke  night,  ne  how  the  Grekes  pleye 
The  wake-pleyes,  ne  kepe  I  nat  to  seye ;  2960 
Who   wrastleth   best   naked,    with    oiUe 

enoynt, 
Ne  who  that  bar  him  best,  in  no  disjoynt. 
I  wol  nat  tellen  eek  how  that  they  goon 
Hoom  til  Athenes,  whan  the  pley  is  doon  ; 
But  shortly  to  the  poynt  than  wol  I  wende. 
And  maken  of  my  longe  tale  an  ende.  2966 
By  processe  and  by  lengthe  of  certeyn 

yeres 
Al  stinted  is  the  moorning  and  the  teres. 
Of  Grekes,  by  oon  general  assent,      (21 11) 
Than  semed  me  ther  was  a  parlement  2970 
At  Athenes,  up-on  certejmpoyntsand  cas; 
Among  the  whiche  poynts  y-spokcn  w^as 
To  have  with  certeyn  contrees  alliaunce, 
And  have  fully  of  Thebans  obeisaunce. 
For  which  this  noble  Theseus  anon     2g75 
Leet  senden  after  gentil  Palamon, 
Unwist  of  him  what  was  tho  caiiso  and 

why ; 
But  in  his  blako  clothes  sorwefnlly  (2120) 
He  cam  at  his  comaundemento  in  hye. 
Tho  sente  Theseus  for  Emelye.  agfo 

Whan  they  were  set,  and  bust  was  al  the 

place. 
And  Theseus  abiden  hadde  a  spa,ce 


456 


A. 


Z^t  Untg^fee  Zak. 


[t.  2985-3068. 


Er  any  ■word  cam  from  liis  wyse  brest, 
His  eyen  sette  he  ther  as  was  his  lest, 
And  with  a  sad  visage  he  syked  stille,    29S5 
And  after  that  right  thus  he  seyde  his  wille. 
'  The  lirste  moevere  of  the  cause  above, 
Whan  he  first  made  the  faire  cheyne  of 

love,  (2130) 

Greet  was  th'effect,  and   heigh  was  his 

entente  ; 
Wei  wiste  he  why,  and  what  ther-of  he 

mente ;  2990 

For  with  that  faire  cheyne  of  love  he  bond 
The   fyr,    the    eyr,   the   water,    and    the 

lond 
In  certeyn  boundes,  that  they  maj^  nat  flee ; 
That  same  prince  and  that  moevere,' quod 

he, 
'  Hath  stablissed,  in  this  wrecched  world 

adoun,  2995 

Certeyne  dayes  and  duracioun 
To  al  that  is  engendred  in  this  place,  (2139) 
Over  the  whiche  day  they  may  nat  pace, 
Al  mowe  they  yet  tlio  dayes  wel  abregge  : 
Ther  needeth  non  auctoritee  allegge,    3000 
For  it  is  preved  by  experience. 
But  that  me  List  declaren  my  sentence. 
Than  may  men  by  this  ordre  wel  discerno, 
That  thilke  moevere  stalile  is  and  eterne. 
Wel  naay  men  knowe,  but  it  be  a  fool,  3005 
That  every  part  der3rveth  from  his  hool. 
For  nature  hath  nat  take  his  beginning 
Of  no  party  ne  cantel  of  a  thing,        (2150) 
But  of  a  thing  that  parfit  is  and  stable. 
Descending  so,  til  it  be  oorrumpable.   3010 
And  therfore,  of  his  wyse  purveyaunce, 
He  hath  so  wel  biset  his  ordinaunce. 
That  speces  of  thingcs  and  progressiouns 
Shullcn  enduren  by  successiouns, 
And  nat  eterne  bo,  with-oute  lye  :       3015 
This  maistow  understondo  and  seen  at  ye. 
'  Lo  the  ook,  that  hath  so  long  a  noris- 

shingo 
From  tyme  that  it  first  biginneth  springe, 
Andhathsolongalyf,aswe  may  see,  (2161) 
Yet  at  the  laste  wasted  is  the  tree.  3020 
'  Considercth  cek,  how  that  the  hardo 
stoon 
I'nder  onr  feet,  on  which  we  trede  and 

goon, 
Yit  wasteth  it,  as  it  lyth  by  the  weye. 
The  brode  river  somtyme  wexeth  dreye. 


The  grete  tounes  see  we  wane  and  wende. 
Than  may  ye  see  that  al  this  thing  hath 

ende.  3026 

'  Of  man  and  womman  seen  -vve  wel  .also, 

That  nedeth,  in  oon  of  thise  termes  two, 

This  is  to  seyn,  in  youthe  or  elles  age,  (2171) 

He  moot  ben  deed,  the  king  as   shal  a 

page ;  3030 

Som  in  his  bed,  som  in  the  depe  see, 
Som  in  the  large  feeld,  as  men  may  se  ; 
Ther  helpeth  noght,  al  goth  that  ilke  weye. 
Tlianne  may  I  sejTi  that  al  this  thing  moot 

deye.  3034 

What  maketh  this  but  Jupiter  the  king? 
The  which  is  prince  and  cause  of  alio  thing, 
Converting  al  un-to  his  propre  welle. 
From  which  it  is  dery^ed,  sooth  to  telle. 
And  here-agayns  no  creature  on  lyve  (2181) 
Of  no  degree  availleth  for  to  stry  ve.    3040 
'  Thanne  is  it  wisdom,  as  it  thinketh  me. 
To  maken  vertu  of  necessitee. 
And  take  it  wel,  that  we  may  nat  eschue. 
And  namely  that  to  us  alle  is  due. 
And  who-so  gniccheth  ought,  he  dooth 

folye,  3045 

And  rebel  is  to  him  that  al  may  gye. 
And  certeinly  a  man  hath  most  honour 
To  dyen  in  liis  oxcelIe)ice  and  flour,  (2190) 
Whan  he  is  siker  of  his  gode  name  ; 
Than  hath  he  doon  hisfreend,  ne  him,  no 

shame.  3050 

And  gladder  oghte  his  froond  ben  of  his 

deeth. 
Whan  with  honour  up-yoblenishisbreeth, 
Tlian  whan  liis  name  apalled  is  for  age  ; 
For  al  forgeten  is  his  vasselage. 
Than  is  it  best,  as  for  a  worthy  fame,  3055 
To  dyen  whan  that  he  is  best  of  name. 
The  contrarie  of  al  this  is  wilfulnesse. 
Why  grucchen  we?  why  have  we  hevi- 

nesse,  (2200) 

That  good  Arcite,  of  chivalrye  flour 
Departed  is,  with  duetee  and  honour,  3060 
Out  of  this  foule  prison  of  this  lyf  ? 
\^^ly  grucchen  heer  his  cosin  and  his  wyf 
Of  his  wel-fare  that  loved  hem  so  weel? 
Can  he  hem  thank  ?  nay,  God  wot,  never 

a  deel. 
That  bothe  his  soule  and  eek   hem-self 

ofFende,  3065 

And  yet  they  mowe  hir  lustes  nat  amende. 


T.   3069—3128.] 


ZU  (mtePer'0  (ptrofogue. 


457 


'  What  may  I  conclude  of  this  longe  serie, 
But,  after  wo,  I  rede  us  to  Le  merie,  (2210) 
And  thanken  Jupiter  of  al  his  grace? 
And,    er    that   we    departen    liom    this 

place,  3070 

I  rede  that  wc  make,  of  sorwes  two, 
O  parfyt  joye,  lasting  ever-mo  ; 
And  loketh  now,  wher  most  sorwe  is  her- 

inne, 
Ther  wol  we  first  amenden  and  biginne. 

'  Suster,"  quod  he,  '  this  is  my  fulle  assent, 
With  alth'avysheerofmyparlement,  3076 
That  gentil  Palamon,  your  owne  knight. 
That  serveth  j-ow  with  wille,  herte,  and 

might,  (2220) 

And  ever  hath  doon,  sin  that  ye  first  him 

knewe,  3079 

That  j'e  shul,  of  j-our  grace,  up-on  him  rewe, 
And  taken   him  for  housbonde  and  for 

lord  : 
Lean  me  your  hond,  for  this  is  our  acord. 
Lat  see  now  of  your  wommanly  pitee. 
He  is  a  kinges  brother  sone,  pardee  ; 
And,  though  he  were  apovre  bachelor,  3085 
Sin  he  hath  served  yow  so  many  a  yeer. 


And  had  for  j-ow  so  greet  adversitee. 

It  moste  been  considered,  leveth  me  ;  (2230) 

For  gentil  mercy  oghte  to  passen  right.' 

Than  seyde  he  thus  to  Palamon  ful  right ; 
'  I  trowe  ther  nedeth  litel  sermoning  3091 
To  make  yow  assente  to  this  thing. 
Com  neer,  and  tak  j'our  lady  by  the  hond.' 
Bitwixen  hem  was  maad  anon  the  bond, 
That  highte  matrimoine  or  mariage,  3095 
By  al  the  counseil  and  the  baronage. 
And  thus  with  alle  blisse  and  melodye 
Hath  Palamon  y-wedded  Emelye.      (2240) 
And  God,  that  al  this  wyde  world  hath 

wroght, 
Sende  him  his  love,   that   hath  it   dere 

a-boght.  3100 

For  now  is  Palamon  in  alle  wele. 
Living  in  blisse,  in  richesse,  and  in  hele ; 
And  Emelye  hin^  loveth  so  tendrely, 
And  he  hir  serveth  al-so  gentilly. 
That  never  was  ther  no  word  hem  bitwene 
Of  jelousye,  or  any  other  tene.  3106 

Tlius  endeth  Palamon  and  Emelye  ; 
And  God  save  al  this  faire  companye  ! — 

Amen.  (2250) 


Here  is  ended  the  Knightes  Tale. 


THE     MILLER'S     PROLOGUE. 


Here  folwen  the  wordes  bitwene  the  Host  and  the  Millere. 


Whan  that  the  Knight  had  thus  his  tale 

y-told. 
In  al  the  route  nas  ther  yong  ne  old   31 10 
That  he  ne  seyde  it  was  a  noble  storie, 
And  worthy  for  to  drawen  to  inemorie  ; 
And  namely  the  gentils  everichoon. 
Our  Hoste  lough  and  swoor, '  so  moot  I  goon. 
This  gooth  aright  ;  unbokeledisthemale  ; 
Lat  see  now  who  shal  telle  another  tale  : 
For  trewely,  the  game  is  wel  bigonne.  31 17 
Nowtelleth  ye,  sir  Monk,  if  that  j-o  conne, 


Sumwhat,    to   quyte  with   the    Knightes 
tale.'  (11) 

The     Miller,    that    for-dronken    was    al 
pale,  3 1 20 

So  that  uiinethe  iip-on  his  hors  he  sat, 
He  noldo  avalen  neither  hood  ne  hat, 
Ne  abyde  no  man  for  his  curtei.sye. 
But  in  Pilates  vols  ho  gan  to  erye, 
And  swoor  by  armes  and  by  blood  and 
bones,  3125 

'  I  can  a  noblo  talo  for  the  nones, 


458 


A.    ZU  Q)Xiffer'0  (profo^ue.  [t.  3129-3186. 


With  which  I  wol  now  quyte  the  Knightes 

tale.' 
Our  Hoste  saugh  that  he  was  dronke  of 

ale,  (20) 

And  seyde  :  '  abyd,  Robin,  my  leve brother, 

Som  bettre  man  shal  telle  us  first  another : 

Abyd,  and  lat  us  werken  thriftily.'      3131 

'  By  goddes  soul,'  quod  he,  '  that  wol 

nat  I  ; 
For  I  wol  sjieke,  or  elles  go  my  way.' 
Our    Hoste   answerde  :    '  tel  on,   a  devel 

way! 
Thou  art  a  fool,  thy  wit  is  overcome.' 3 135 
'  Now  herkneth,'  quod  the  Miller,  'alle 

and  some  ! 
But  first  I  make  a  protestaoioun 
That  I   am  dronke,   I  knowe   it   by  my 

soun  ;  (30) 

And  therfore,  if  that  I  misspake  or  seye, 
Wyte   it  the   ale  of  Southwark,    I   yow 

preye;  3140 

For  I  wol  telle  a  legende  and  a  Ij^ 
Botha  of  a  Carpenter,  and  of  his  wyf. 
How  that  a  clerk  hath  set  the  ■vvrightes 

caj)pe.' 
The  lleve  answerde  and  seyde,  'stint  thy 

clappe,  __\ 

Lat  be  thy  lawed  dronken  liarlotrya.  3145 
It  is  a  sinne  and  eek  a  greet  folye 
To  apeiren  any  man,  or  him  diffame. 
And    eek   to    bringen   wyves    in  *  swich 

fame.  (40) 

Tliou   mayst    y-nogh    of    othere    thinges 

seyn.' 
This  dronkon  Millcrspakfulsoneageyn, 
And  seyde,  '  leve  brother  Osewold,       3 151 
Who  hath  no  wj-f,  lie  is  no  cokewold. 
But  I  sey  nat  therfore  that  thou  art  oon  ; 
Ther  been  ful  gode  wyves  many  oon, 


■j-And  ever  a  thousand  gode  ayeyns  oon 

badde,  3155 

■f That  knowestow  wal  thj--self,  but-if  thou 

niadde. 
Why  artow  angry  with  my  talc  now  ? 
I  have  a  'wyt",  pardee,  as  well  as  thou,  (50) 
Yet  nolde  I,  for  the  oxen  in  my  i)logh. 
Taken  up-on  me  more  than  y-nogh,    3160 
As  demen  of  my-self  that  I  were  oon  ; 
I  wol  baleve  wel  that  I  am  noon. 
An  housbond  shal  nat  been  inquisitif 
Of  goddes  privetee,  nor  of  his  ^vyi'. 
So  he  may  finde  goddes  foyson  there,  3165 
Of  the  remenant  nedeth  nat  enquere.' 
What   sholde   I   mora  seyn,    but    this 

Millera  — --• 

He  nolde  his  wordes  for  no  man  forbere,  (60) 
But  tolde  his  cherles  tale  in  his  manere  ; 
Me  thinketh  that  I  shal  reherce  it  here.  3 1 70 
And     ther-fore     evei-y     gentil     wight    I 

preye. 
For  goddes  love,  denieth  nat  that  I  seye 
Of  evel  entente,  but  that  I  naoot  reherce 
Hir  tales  alle,  be  they  bettre  or  worse. 
Or  elles  falsen  som  of  my  matere.         3175 
And  therfore,  who-so  list  it  nat  y-here, 
Turne  over  the  leef,  and  chese  another 

tale;  (69) 

For  he  shal  finde  y-nowe,  g^eto  and  smale, 
Of  storial  thing  that  toucheth  gentillesse, 
And  eek  moralitec  and  holinesse  ;        3180 
Blameth  nat  me  if  that  j-e  chese  amis. 
The    Miller    is  a  cherl,   j'e    knowe    wel 

this  ; 
So  was  the  Reve,  and  othere  manj-  mo. 
And  harlotrye  they  tolden  bothe  two. 
Avyseth  yow  and  putte  me  out  of  blame ; 
And  eek  men  shal   nat   make  ernest   of 
Ji        game.  (78)  31S6 


Here  endeth  the  prologe. 


T-  3187-3260.] 


A.    Z^t  (mifferea  Zak. 


459 


THE    MILLERES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Millere  his  tale. 


Whylom  ther  was  dwellinge  at  Oxenford 
A  riche  gnof,  that  gestes  lieeld  to  bord, 
And  of  his  craft  he  was  a  Carpenter. 
With   him  ther   was   dwellinge  a  povre 

scoler,  3190 

Had  lerned  art,  but  al  his  fantasye 
Was  turned  for  to  lerne  astrologye, 
And  coude  a  ccrteyn  of  conclusiouns 
To  demon  by  interrogaciouns, 
If  that  men  axed  him  in  certeinhoures,  3195 
Whan  that  men  sholde  have  droghte  or 

ellcs  shoures,  (10) 

Or  if  men  axed  him  what  sholde  bifalle 
Of  every  thing,  I  may  nat  rekene  hem  alle. 
This  clerk  was  cleped  hende  Nicholas  ; 
Of  derne  love  he  coude  and  of  solas  ;  3200 
And  ther-to  ho  was  sleigh  and  ful  privee, 
And  lyk  a  mayden  meke  for  to  see. 
A  chambre  hadde  he  in  that  hostelrye 
AUone,  with-outen  any  companye, 
Fulfetislyy-dight  with  herbes  swote  ;  3205 
And  he  him-self  as  swete  as  is  the  rote  (20) 
Of  licorys,  or  any  cetewale. 
His  Almageste  and  bokes  grete  and  smale, 
His  astrelabio,  longinge  for  his  art, 
His  augrim-stones  layen  faire  a-part  3210 
On  shelves  couched  at  his  bcddes  heed  : 
His  presse  y-covered  with  a  falding  reed. 
And  al  above  ther  lay  a  gay  sautrye, 
On  which  he  made  a  nightes  nielodyo 
So  swetely,  that  al  the  chambre  rong  ;  3215 
And  Antjelus  ad  viryinem  he  song  ;         (30) 
And  after  that  he  song  the  kinges  note  ; 
Ful  often  blessed  was  his  mery  throte. 
And  thus  this  swete  clerk  his  tymespente 
After  his  frccndes  finding  and  his  rente. 

This  Carpenter  had  wedded  newe  a  wyf 
Wliich  that  ho  lovedo  more  than  his  lyf ; 
Of  eightetcno  yoor  she  was  of  age. 
Jalous  he  was,  and  heeld  hir  nar  we  in  cage, 


For  she  was  wilde  and  yong,  and  he  was 

old,  ("39)  3225 

And  domed  him-self  ben  lyk  a  cokowold. 
He  knew  nat  Catoun,  for  his  wit  was  rude. 
That  bad  man  sholde  wedde  his  similitude. 
Men  sholde  wedden  after  hir  estaat, 
For  youthe  and  eldeisoftenatdebaat.  3230 
But  sith  that  he  was  fallen  in  the  snare, 
He  moste  endure,  as  other  folk,  his  care. 

Fair  was  this  yongc  wyf,  and  ther-with-al 
As  any  wesele  hir  body  gent  and  smal. 
A  ceynt  she  werede  barred  al  of  silk,  3235 
A  barmclooth  eek  as  whyt  as  morne  milk 
Up-on  hir  lendes,  ful  of  many  a  gore.  (51J 
Whji;  was  hir  smok  and  brouded  al  bifore 
And  eek  bihinde,  on  hir  color  aboute, 
Of  col-blak  sillv,  with-inne  and  eek  with- 

oute.  3240 

The  tapes  of  hir  whyte  voluper 
Were  of  the  same  suyte  of  hir  color  ; 
Hir  filet  brood  of  silk,  and  set  ful  hye  : 
And  sikerly  she  hadde  a  likerous  ye.  3244 
Fill  smale  y-pullcd  were  hir  browes  two, 
And   tho   were   bent,   and  blake  as  any 

sloo.  (601 

She  was  ful  more  blisful  on  to  see 
Than  is  tlie  newe  pero-jonctto  tree  ;    324S 
And  softer  than  the  wolle  is  of  a  wether. 
And  by  hir  girdcl  heeng  a  purs  of  lother 
Tasseld  with  silk,  and  period  with  latoun. 
In  al  this  world,  to  seken  up  and  doun, 
There  nis  no   man   so   wys,    that   co\ide 

thenche 
So  gay  a  jiopelote,  or  swich  a  wenche.  3254 
Ful  brighter  was  the  shyning  of  hir  howe 
Than  in  tho  tour  tho  noljley-forgcd  newe. 
But  of  hir  song,  it  was  as  loudo  and  yernc 
As  any  swalwe  sittinge  on  a  borne.  (72} 
Thcr-to  she  coude  skippo  and  make  game. 
As  any  lutle  or  calf  folwinge  his  dame.  3260 


460 


A.    ZU  QUifferee  Zak, 


[t.  3261-3352. 


Hir  moiitli  was  swete  as  bragot  or  the 

mceth, 
Or  hord  of  apples  leyd  in  hey  or  heeth. 
Winsingc  she  was,  as  is  a  joly  colt, 
Long  as  a  mast,  and  upright  as  a  bolt, 
A  brooch  she  baar  np-on  hir  lo we  coler,  3265 
As  brood  as  is  the  bos  of  a  bocler.  (80) 

Hir  shoes  were  laced  on  hir  legges  hj-e  ; 
She  was  a  j)rynierole,  a  pigges-nye 
For  any  lord  to  leggen  in  his  bedde,      {__ 
Or  yet  for  any  good  yeman  to  wedde.  3670 

Xow  sire,  and  elt  sire,  so  bifel  the  cas, 
That  on  a  day  this  hende  Nicholas 
Fil  with  this  j-onge  wyf  to  rage  and  pleye, 
Whjl  that  hir  hotisbfmd  was  at  Oseneye, 
As  clerkes  ben  ful  subtile  and  ful  queynte  ; 
Andprivelj'he  caughte  hir  by  the  quejTite, 
And  seyde,  'j'-wis,  but  if  ich  have  my 
wille,  (91)  3277 

For  derne  love  of  thee,  lemman,  I  spille.' 
And  heeld  hir  harde  by  the  haunche-bones. 
And  seyde,  'lemman,  love  me  al  at-ones. 
Or  I  wol  dyen,  also  god  me  save  ! '  3281 
And  she  sprong  as  a  colt  doth  in  the  trave. 
And  with  hir  heed  she  ■w'ryed  faste  awey, 
And  sej'do, '  I  wol  nat  kisse  thee,  by  my  fey, 
Why,  lat  be,'  quod  she,  '  lat  be,  Nicholas, 
Or  I  wol  crye  out  "harrow"  and  "alias." 
Do  wey  your  handes  lor  your  curteisye  ! ' 

This  Xicholas  gan  mercy  for  to  crye, 

And  spak  so  faire,  and  profred  hir  so  faste. 

That  she   hir    love    him    grauuted    atte 

laste,  (104)  3290 

And  swoor  hir  ooth,  by  seint  Thomas  of 

Kent, 
That  she  wol  been  at  his  comandement, 
Whan  that  she  may  hir  loyser  wel  espye. 
'  Myn  housbond  is  so  ful  of  jalousye. 
That  but  ye  wayte  wel  and  been  priveo,  3295 
I  woot  riglit  wel  I  nam  but  deed,'  quod  she. 
'Ye  moste  been  ful  derne,  as  in  this  cas.' 
'  Nay  ther-of  care   thee   noght,'   quod 
Nicholas,  (112) 

'  A  clerk  had  litherly  biset  his  whyle, 
But-if  he  coude  a  carpenter  big^-le.'  330(} 
And  thus  they  been  acorded  and  y-swora 
To  wayte  a  tyme,  as  I  have  told  biforn. 
Whan  Nicholas  had  doon  thus  everydeel. 
And  thakked  hir  aboute  the  Icndes  weel. 
He  kist  hir  swete,  and  taketh  his  sautrye, 
And  pleyeth  faste,  and  maketh  melodye. 


Tlian  fil   it  thus,   that  to  the  parish- 
chirche,  (121) 

Cristes  owne  werkes  for  to  wirehe. 
This  gode  wyf  wente  on  an  haliday  ; 
Hir  forheed  shoon  as  bright  as  any  day,  33 1  o 
So  was  it  wasshen  whan  she  lect  hir  werk. 
Now  was  ther  of  that  chirche  a  parish- 
clerk. 
The  which  that  was  y-cleped  Absolon. 
Crulwas  his  heer,  and  as  the  gold  it  shoon. 
And  stronted  as  a  fanne  large  and  brode  ; 
Ful  streight  and  even  lay  his  joly  shode. 
His  rode  was  reed,  his  eyen  grcye  as  goos  ; 
With  Powles  window  corven  on  his  shoos, 
In  hoses  rede  he  wente  fetisly.  (133) 

Y-clad  he  was  ful  smal  and  proprely,  3320 
Al  in  a  kirtel  of  a  light  wachet ; 
Ful  faire  and  thilcke  been  the  poyntesset. 
And  ther-up-on  he  hadde  a  gay  surplys 
As  whyt  as  is  the  blosme  up-on  the  rys. 
A  mery  child  he  was,  so  god  me  save,  3325 
Wel  coude  he  laten  blood  and  clippe  and 
shave,  (140) 

Andmakeachartreoflondoracquitaunce. 
In  twenty  manere  coude  he  trippe  and 

daunce 
After  the  scole  of  Oxenforde  tho. 
And  with  his  legges  casten  to  and  fro,  333C1 
And  pleycn  songcs  on  a  small  rubible  ; 
Ther-to  he  song  som-tyme  a  loud  quinible ; 
And  as  wel  coude  he  pleye  on  his  giterne. 
In  al  the  toun  nas  brewhous  ne  taveme 
That  he  ne  visited  with  his  solas,         3335 
Ther  any  gaylard  tappestere  was.        (150) 
But  sooth  to  sej-n,he  wassomdel  sqnaymons 
Of  farting,  and  of  speche  danngerous. 

This  Absolon,  that  jolif  was  and  gay, 
Gooth  with  a  sencer  on  the  halidny,  3340 
Sensinge  the  wyvcs  of  the  parish  faste  ; 
And  many  a  lovely  look  on  hem  he  caste, 
And  namely  on  this  cai-pontores  wyf. 
To  loke  on  hir  him  thoughte  a  mery  lyf. 
She  was  so  propre  and  swete  and  likerous. 
I  dar  wel  seyn.  if  she  had  bcenamous,  (160) 
And  he  a  cat,  he  wolde  hir  hentc  anon. 

This  jiarish-clcrk,  this  joly  Absolon, 
Hath  in  his  herte  swich  a  love-Ion ginge. 
That  of  no  -vvyf  ne  took  he  noon  oflringe  ; 
For  curteisye,  he  seyde,  he  wolde  noon. 
The  mone,  whan  it  was  night,  ful  brighte 
shoon,  3352 


T.  3353-3434-] 


A.    ZU  (mtfferea  Zak. 


461 


And  Absolon  his  giterne  hath  y-take, 
For  paramours,  he  thoghte  for  to  wake. 
And  forth  he  gooth,  jolif  andamorous,  3355 
Til  he  cam  to  the  earpenteres  hous     {170) 
A  litel  after  cokkes  hadde  y-crowe  ; 
And  dressed  him  i\p  by  a  shot-windowe 
That  was  np-on  the  earpenteres  wal. 
He  singeth  in  his  vois  gentil  and  snaal, 
'  Now,  dere  lady,  if  thy  wille  be,  3361 

I  preye  yow  that  ye  wol  rewe  on  me,' 
Pul  wel  acordaiiut  to  his  giterninge. 
This   carpenter   awook,   and   herde   him 

singe, 
And    spak    nn-to    his    wyf,   and    seyde 

anon,  3365 

'  What !  Alison  !  herestow  nat  Absolon 
That  channteth  thus  under  our  bonres 

wal?'  (181) 

And   she   answerde  hir   honsbond   ther- 

with-al, 
'  Yis,  god  wot,  John,  I  here  it  every-del.' 
This  passoth  i'ortli ;    what  wol  ye  bet 

than  wel  ?  3370 

Fro  day  to  day  this  joly  Absolon 
So  woweth  hir,  that  him  is  wo  bigon. 
He  wakcth  al  the  night  and  al  the  day ; 
He  kempt  e  hisc  lokkes  brode,  and  made 

him  gay ;  3374 

He  woweth  hir  by  menes  and  brocage, 
And    swoor    he    woldo    been    hir    owne 

page ;  (190) 

He  singeth,  brokkinge  as  a  nightingale  ; 
He  sentc  hir  piment,  meeth,  and  spyccd 

ale, 
And  wafres,  pyping  hote  out  of  the  glede ; 
And   for  she  was   of  toune,  he  profred 

mede.  3380 

For  som  folk  wol  ben  wonncn  for  richesse, 
And  som  for  sti-okes,  and  som  for  gentil- 

lesse. 
Somtyme,  to  shewe  his  lightnesse  and 

maistrye. 
He  pleyeth  Herodes  on  a  scaffold  liye. 
But  what  availleth  him  as  in  this  cas?  3385 
She  lovcth  so  this  hendu  Nicholas,      (sot)) 
That  Absolon  may  blowe  the  bukkes  horn ; 
He  ne  hatlde  for  his  hibour  but  a  scorn  ; 
And  thus  she  maketh  Absolon  hir  ape, 
And  al  his  ernest  turnoth  til  a  jape.    3390 
Ful  sooth  is  this  proverbe,  it  is  no  lye, 
Men  sej'ii  right  tlius,  '  alwcy  the  nyc  slyc 


Maketh  the  ferre  leve  to  be  looth.' 

For  though   that    Absolon   be   wood    or 


wrooth, 


.S394 


By-cause  that  he  fer  was  from  hir  sighte. 
This  nye  Nicholas  stood  inhislighte.  (210) 
Now  here  thee  wel,  thou  hende  Nicho- 
las! 
For  Absolon  may  waiUe  and  singe  '  alias.' 
And  so  bifel  it  on  a  Saterday, 
This  carpenter  was  goon  til  Osenay ;  3400 
And  hende  Nicholas  and  Alisoiui 
Acorded  been  to  this  conclusioun. 
That  Nicholas  slial  shapen  him  a  wyle 
This  sel  J'  jalous  housbond  to  bigyle  ; 
And  if  so  be  the  game  wente  aright,  3405 
She  sholde  slepen  in  his  arm  al  night. 
For  this  was  his  desyr  and  hir  also.    (221) 
And  right  anon,  with-outen  wordes  mo, 
This  Nicholas  no  longer  wolde  tarie, 
But   doth   ful   softo    im-to   his   chambrc 

carie  3410 

Bothe   mete   and   drinke    for    a   day   <iv 

tweye. 
And  to  hir  housbonde  bad  hir  for  to  seye. 
If  that  he  axed  after  Niche  das, 
She  sholde  seye  she  niste  where  he  was. 
Of  al  that  day  she  saugli  him  nat  with  ye  ; 
She  trowed  that  he  was  in  maladye,  (jjo) 
For,  for  no  cry,  hir   mayde   coudc   him 

calle ;  3417 

He    nolde    answere,    for   no-thing    that 

mightc  falle. 
This  passeth  I'orth  al  thilke  Saterday, 
That  Nicholas  stillo  in  his  chambrc  lay, 
And  eet   and   sleep,   or   dide  what   liim 

leste,  34  J I 

Til  Sonday,  that  the  sonne  gooth  to  reste. 

This  sely  carpenter  hath  greet  merveyle 

Of  Nicholas,  or  what  thing  mighte  liiiu 

fyle,  3424 

And  sej'de,  '  I  am  ailrad,  liy  seint  Thomas, 
It  stondcth  nat  aright  with  Nicholas.  (240) 
God  shilde  that  he  doyde  sodcj-nlj' ! 
This  world  is  now  ful  tikel,  sikerly ; 
I  saugh  to-day  a  cors  j'-born  to  chirchc 
That  now,  on  iMondaj-  last,  I  saugh  him 

wii-che.  3430 

Go  up,'  quod  ho  un-to  liis  knave  anoon, 
'  Clepc  at  his  dore,  or  knokke  with  astoon, 
Loke  how  it  is,  and  tel  me  boldcly.' 
This  knave  gooth  him  up  ful  sturdily. 


462 


tU  (mifferee  Cafe. 


[t.  3435-3510- 


And  at  the  cliambre-tlore,  why!  that  he 

stood,  34.V=> 

He  cryde  and  knokked  as  that  he  were 

wood  : —  (■250) 

'  What !     how !      what     do    ye,    maister 

Nicholay  ? 
How  may  ye  slepen  al  the  longe  day  ? ' 

But  al  for  noght,  he  herde  nat  a  word  ; 
An  hole  he  fond,  ful  lowe  iip-on  a  bord, 
Ther  as    the    cat   was   wont    in   for  to 

crepe;  3441 

And  at  that  hole  he  looked  in  ful  depe, 
And  at  thelastehehadde  of  him  asighte. 
This  Xicholas  sat  gaping  ever  up-righte, 
As  he  had  kyked  on  the  newe  mone.  3445 
Adoun  he  gooth,  and  tolde  his  maister 

sone  (260) 

In  what  array  he  saugh  this  Uke  man. 
This  carpenter  to  blesseu  him  bigan, 
And  seyde,  '  help  us,  seinte  Frideswyde  ! 
A  man  woot  litel  what  him  shal  bityde. 
This  man  isfalle,  with  his  astromye,  3451 
In  som  woodnesse  or  in  som  agonye  ; 
I  thoghte  ay  wel  how  that  it  sholde  be  ! 
Men  sholde  natknowe  of  goddes  privetee. 
Ye,  blessed  be  alwey  a  lewed  man,       3455 
That  noght  but  only  his  bileve  can  !    (270) 
So  ferde  another  clerk  with  astromye ; 
He  walked  in  the  feeldes  for  to  pryo 
Up-on  the  sterres,  what  ther  sholde  bifalle. 
Til  ho  was  in  a  marle-pit  y-falle  ;         3460 
He  saugh  nat  that.     But  yet,   by  seint 

Thomas, 
Me  reweth  sore  of  hende  Nicholas. 
He  shal  be  rated  of  his  studjung. 
If  that  I  may,  by  .Jesus,  hevene  king ! 

Get  me  a  staf,  that  I  may  underspore, 
Wliyl  that  thou,  EobLn,  hevest  up   the 

dore.  (280)  3466 

He  slial  out  of  his  studying,  as  I  gesse ' — 
And  to  the  chambre-dore  he  gan  him 

dresse. 
His  knave  was  a  strong  carl  for  the  nones, 
And  by  the  hasi)e  he  haf  it  up  atones  ; 
In-to  the  floor  the  dore  fil  anon.  3471 

This  Nicholas  sat  ay  as  stille  as  stoon, 
And  ever  gaped  upward  in-to  the  eir. 
This  carpenter  wende  he  were  in  dospeir. 
And  hente  him  by  the  sholdres  mightily. 
And   shook  him  harde,  and  crj-de  spit- 

ously,  (290)  3476 


'  What !    Nicholay  !    what,    how  !    what ! 

loke  adoun  ! 
Awake,  and  thenk  on  Cristes  passioun  ; 
I  crouche  thee  from  elves  and  fro  wightes ! ' 
Ther- with  the  uight-spel  seyde  he  aiion- 

rightes  3480 

On  foure  halves  of  the  hous  aboute. 
And  on  the  threshfold  of  the  dore  with- 

oute  : — 
'  Jesu  Crist,  and  seynt  Benedight, 
Blesse  this  hous  from   every   wikked 

wight, 
For   nightes   verye,    the   white   pater- 
noster ! —  3485 
"\Miere  wentestow,  seynt  Petres  soster?' 
And  atte  laste  this  hende  Nicholas     (301) 
Gan  for  to  syke  sore,  and  seyde,  '  alias  ! 
Shal  al  the  world  be  lost  eftsones  now  ? ' 
This      carpenter      answerde,       'what 

seystow  ?  349° 

^^Tiat  !   thenk  on  god,  as  we  don,   men 

that  swinke.' 
This    Nicholas   answerde,   '  fecche   me 

drinke  ; 
And  after  wol  I  speke  in  privetee 
Of  certeyn  thing  that  toucheth  me  and 

thee ;  3494 

I  wol  telle  it  non  other  man,  certeyn.' 
This  carpenter  goth  doun,  and  comtli 

agej-n,  (310) 

And  broghte  of  mighty  ale  a  largo  quart ; 
And  whan  that  ech  of  hem  had  dronke 

his  part. 
This  Nicholas  his  dore  faste  shette,     3499 
And  doun  the  carpenter  by  him  he  sette. 
He  seyde,  '  John,  myn  hoste  lief  and 

dere. 
Thou  shalt  up-on  thy  trouthe  swere  me 

here. 
That  to  no  wight  thou  shalt  this  conseil 

wrcye  ; 
For  it  is  Cristes  conseil  that  I  seye,    3504 
And  if  thou  telle  it  man,  thou  are  forlore  ; 
For  this  vengaunce  thou  shalt  han  ther- 

fore,  (320) 

That  if  thou  wreye   me,    thou  shalt  be 

wood ! ' 
'  Nay,  Grist  forbede  it,  for  his  holy  blood  !' 
Quod  tho  this  sely  man,  '  I  nam  no  labbe, 
Ne,    though    I  seye,  I   nam  nat  lief  to 

gabbe.  3510 


T.  35" 


-3584-] 


A.    ZU  (Tlltffetee  Zak. 


463 


Sey  what  thou  wolt,  I  shal  it  never  telle 
To   child  ne  wyf,   by  him  that  harwed 

helle  ! ' 
'  Now  John,'  quod  Nicholas,  '  I  wol  nat 

lye  ; 
I  have  y-fonnde  in  myn  astrologye, 
As  I  have  loked  in  the  mone  bright,    3515 
That   now,  a  Monday  next,  at  quarter- 
night,  (330) 
Shal  falle  a  reyn  and  that  so  wilde  and 

wood. 
That  half  so  greet  was  never  Noes  flood. 
This  world,'  he  seyde,  '  in  lasse  than  in 

an  honr 
Shal  al  be  dreynt,  so  hidous  is  the  shour; 
Thus   shal  mankynde  drenche  and  lese 

hirlyf.'  3521 

Thiscarjienteranswerde,  'alias,  my  wyf ! 

And  shal  she  drenche  ?  alias !  myn  Ali- 

soun  ! ' 
For  sorwe  of  this  he  fil  almost  adoun. 
And  seyde,  '  is  thcr  no  remedie  in  this 

cas?'  3525 

'  Why,    yis,     for    gode,'    quod    hende 

Nicholas,  (340) 

'  If  thou  wolt  werken  after  lore  and  reed ; 
Thou  mayst  nat  werken  after  thyn  owene 

heed. 
For  thus   seith   Salomon,   that   was    ful 

trewe, 
"  Werk  al  by  conseil,  and  thou  shalt  nat 

rewe."  3530 

And  if  thou  werken  wolt  by  good  conseil, 
I  undertake,  with-oiiten  mast  and  scyl. 
Yet  shal  I  saven  hir  and  thee  and  me. 
Hastow  nat  herd  how  saved  was  Noe, 
Whan   that   our   lord  had  warned   him 

biforn  3535 

That  al  the  workl  with  water  sholde  be 

lorn  ? '  (350) 

'Yis,'  quod   this   carpenter,   'ful   yore 

ago.' 
'  Hastow  nat  herd,'  quod  Nicholas,  'also 
The  sorwe  of  Noe  with  his  felawshipe,  3539 
Er  that  he  mighte  gete  his  wyf  to  shipe? 
Him  had  bo  lever,  I  dar  wel  undertake, 
At  thilke  tynie,  than  alle  hise  wetheres 

blake. 
That  she  hadde  had  a  ship  hir-self  allone. 
And  ther-fore.  wostou    what  is   best  to 

done  ?  3544 


This  asketh  haste,  and  of  an  hastif  thing 
Men  may  nat  preche  or  maken  tarying. 

Anon  go  goto  iis  faste  in-to  this  in  (361) 
A  knoding-trogh,  or  elles  a  kimelin, 
For   ech    of  us,    but   loke  that   they  be 

large. 
In  whiche  we  mowe  swimme  as  in  a  barge, 
And  han  ther-inne  vitaille  suflfisant     3551 
But  for  a  day  ;  fy  on  the  remenant ! 
The  water  shal  aslake  and  goon  away 
Aboute  pryme  up-on  the  nexte  day. 
But   Eobin  may  nat  wite  of  this,   thy 

knave,  (369)  3555 

Ne  eek  thy  mayde  Gille  I  may  nat  save  ; 
Axe  nat  why,  for  though  thou  aske  me, 
I  wol  nat  tellen  goddes  privetee. 
Suffiseth  thee,  biit  if  thy  wittes  madde, 
To  han  as  greet  a  grace  as  Noe  hadde.  3560 
Thy  wyf  shal  I  wel  saven,  out  of  doute. 
Go  now  thy  wey,   and  speed  thee  heer- 

aboute. 
But  whan  thou  hast,  for  hir  and  thee 

and  me, 
Y-geten  ns  thise  kneding-tubbes  three. 
Than  shaltow  hange  hem  in  the  roof  ful 

tye,  3565 

That  no  man  of  oxvc  purveyaunce  spye. 
And  whan  thou  thus  hast  doon  as  I  have 
seyd,  (381) 

And  hast  our  vitaille  faire  in  hem  y-leyd. 
And  eek  an  ax,  to  smyte  the  corde  atwo 
When   that   the   water   comth,  that  we 
may  go,  3570 

And  broke  an  hole  an  heigh,  up-on  the 

gable, 
Unto  the  gardin-ward,  over  the  stable. 
That  we  may  frely  passen  forth  ovir  way 
Whan  that  the  grete  shour  is  goon  away — 
Than  shaltow  swimme  as  myrie,  I  under- 
take, 3575 
As  doth  the  whyte  doko  after  hir  drake. 
Than  wol  I  clepe,   "  how  !  Alison  !  how  ! 
John !                                                   (391) 
Be  myrie,  for  the  flood  wol  passe  anon." 
And    thou    wolt    seyn,    "  hayl,    maister 

Nicholay ! 
Good  morwo,  I  se  thee  wel,  for  it  is  day." 
And  than  shul  wo  bo  lordes  al  our  lyf  3581 
Of  al  tho  world,  as  Noe  and  his  wyf. 

But  of  o  thj-ng  I  warno  thee  ful  right. 
Be  wel  avyscd,  on  that  ilke  night        3584 


464 


A.    ZH  (mifferee  tafe. 


[t.  3585-366S. 


That  wc  ben  entred  in-to  sliippes  bord, 
That  noon  of  us  ne  speke  nat  a  word,  (400) 
Ne  clepe,  ne  crye,  but  been  in  bis  xjreycre  ; 
For  it  is  goddes  owne  heste  dere. 

Thy   wyf  and   thou    mote    hange    fer 
a-twinne, 
For  that  bitwixe  yow  shal  be  no  sinne 
No  more  in  looking   tlian  ther  shal  in 
dede ;  3591 

This  ordinance  is  seyd,  go,  god  thee  spede! 
Tomorwe  at  night,   whan  men  ben  alle 

aslepe, 
In-to  our  kneding-tubbes  wol  ■we  crepe. 
And  sitten  ther,  abydiug  goddes  grace. 
Go  now  thy  wey,  I  have  no  lenger  space 
To  make  of  this  no  lenger  sermoning.  (411) 
Men  seyn  thus,  "  send  the  'wyse,  and  sey 
no-thing;"  3598 

Thou  art  so  wys,  it  nedeth  thee  nat  teche ; 
Go,  save  our  lyf,  and  that  I  thee  biseche.' 
This  sely  carpenter  goth  forth  his  wey. 
Ful  ofte  he  seith  '  alias  '  and  '  weylawey,' 
And  to  his  wyf  he  tolde  his  privetee  ; 
And  she  was  war,  and  knew  it  bet  than 
he,  (418)  3604 

What  al  this  queynte  cast  was  for  to  seye. 
But  natheleessheferde  as  she  woldedeye, 
And  seyde,  '  alias  !  go  forth  thy  wey  anon, 
Help  lis  to  scape,  or  wo  ben  lost  echon  ; 
I  am  thy  trewe  verray  wedded  vryt; 
Go,  dere  spouse,  and  help  to  save  our 
lyf.'  3^>io 

Lo  !  which  a  greet  thjTig  is  affecciouu  ! 
Men  may  dye  of  imaginacioun, 
So  dejio  may  impressioun  bo  take. 
This  scly  carpenter  biginneth  quake;  3614 
Him  thinketh  verraily  that  he  may  see 
Noes  flood  come  walwiug  as  the  see   (430) 
To  drenchen  Alisoun,  his  hony  dere. 
He  wcpeth,  weyleth,  maketh  sory  chere, 
He  syketh  with  ful  many  a  soiy  swogh. 
He  gooth  and  geteth  him  a.  kneding-trogh. 
And  after  that  a  tubbe  and  a  kimclin,  3621 
And  prively  he  sento  hem  to  his  in, 
.\nd  heng  hem  in  the  roof  in  privetee. 
His  owne  hand  ho  made  laddres  three, 
To  climben  by  the  ronges  and  the  stalkes 
Un-to  the  tubbes  hanginge  in  the  balkes, 
And  hem  vitailled,  botlie  trogh  and  tubbe, 
With  breed  and  chese,  and  good  ale  in 
a  jubbe,  (442)  3628 


Suffysinge  right  j--nogh  as  for  a  day. 
But  er  that  he  had  maad  al  this  array, 
He  sente  his  knave,  and  eek  his  wenche 

also,  3631 

Up-on  his  nede  to  Londi:)n  for  to  go. 
And  on  the  Monday,  whan  it  drow  to 

night. 
He  shette  his  dore  witli-oute  candel-light, 
And  dressed  al  thing  as  it  sholde  be.  3635 
And  shortly,  up  they  clomben  alle  three  ; 
They  sitten  stille  wel  a  iurlong-way.  (451) 
'  Now,  Pater-noster,  clom  ! '  seyde  Nicho- 

lay, 
And  '  clom,'  quod  John,  and  '  clom,'  seyde 

Alisoun. 
This  carpenter  seyde  his  devocioun,    3640 
And  stille  he  sit,  and  biddcth  his  preyere, 
Awaytinge  on  the  reyn,  if  he  it  here. 
The  dede  sleep,  for  wcry  bisinesse, 
Fil  on  this  carpenter  right,  as  I  gesse, 
Aboute  corfew-tyme,  or  litel  more  ;     3645 
For   travail    of    his    goost    he    groneth 

sore,  (460) 

And  eft  he  routeth,  for  his  heed  mislay. 
Doun  of  the  laddre  stalketh  Nicholay, 
And  Alisoun,  ful  softe  adoun  she  spedde; 
With-outen    wordes    mo,   they  goon    to 

bedde  3650 

Ther-as  the  carpenter  is  wont  to  lye. 
Ther  was  the  revel  and  the  melodye  ; 
And  thus  lyth  Alison  and  Nicholas, 
In  bisinesse  of  mirthc  and  of  solas,     3654 
TU  that  the  boUe  of  laudes  gan  to  ringe. 
And  freres  in  the  chauncel  gonne  singe. 
This   parisli-elcrk,    this    amorous   Ab- 

solon,  (471) 

That  is  for  love  alwey  so  wo  bigon, 
Up-on  the  Monday  was  at  Oseneye 
With   companye,    liim   to    di.sporte   and 

pleye,  3660 

And  axed  up-on  cas  a  cloisterer 
Ful  prively  after  John  the  carpenter ; 
And  he  drough  him  a-part   out   of  the 

chirche. 
And  seyde,  '  I  noot,  I  saugh  him  here  nat 

wirche 
Sin  Saterday ;  I  trow  tliat  lie  bo  went  3665 
For   timber,    ther    our    abbot    hath    hiin 

sent ;  (480) 

For  he  is  wont  for  timber  for  to  go. 
And  dwellen  at  the  grange  a  day  or  two; 


T-  3669-3742.] 


A.    ZH  (Tlltffetree  Zak. 


46; 


Or  elles  he  is  at  bis  hous,  certeyn  ;      3669 
Wher  that  lie  be,  I  can  nat  sothly  seyn.' 

This  Absolon  ful  joly  was  and  light, 
And  thogbte, '  now  is  tyme  wake  al  night  ; 
For  sikirly  I  sangh  him  nat  stiringe  3673 
Aboute  his  dore  sin  day  bigan  to  springe. 
So  moot  I  thryve,  I  shal,  at  cokkes  crowe, 
ful  prively  knokken  at  his  windowe  (490) 
That  stant  ful  lowe  up-on  his  boures  wal. 
To  Alison  now  wol  I  tellen  al 
My    love-longing,    for    j-et    I     shal    nat 

misse 
That  at  the  leste  wey  I  shal  hir  kisse.  3680 
Som  maner  c(jnfort  shal  I  have,  x^arfay, 
My  mouth   hath   icched    al    this   longe 

day; 
That  is  a  signe  of  Idssing  atte  leste. 
Al  night  me  mette  eek,  I  was  at  a  feste. 
Thcrfor   I   wol   gon   slepe   an    houre   or 

tweyo,  3685 

And  al  the  night  than  wol  I  wake  and 

pleye.'  (5<>o) 

Whan  that  the  firste  cok  hath  crowe, 

anon 
Up  rist  this  joly  lover  Absolon, 
And  him  arrayeth  gay,  at  point-devys. 
But  first  he  cheweth  greyn  and  lycorys. 
To  smellen  swete,  er  he  had  kembd  his 

heer.  3691 

Under  his  tonge  a  trewe  love  he  beer. 
For  ther-by  wende  he  to  ben  gracious. 
He  rometh  to  the  caii>cnteres  hous, 
And    stille    he    stant    under    the    shot- 

windowe  ;  (509)  3695 

Un-to  his  brest  it  raughte,  it  was  so  lowc  ; 
And  softe  he  cogheth  with  a  scmi-soun — 
'  "What  do  ye,  hony-comb,  swete  Alisoun  ? 
My  fairo  brid,  my  swete  cinamome, 
Avvakcth,  Icmman  niyn,  and  speketli  to 

me  !  3700 

Wei  litcl  thenken  ye  up-on  my  wo. 
That  for  your  love  I  swete  ther  I  go. 
No  wonder  is  thogh  that  I  swclte  and 

swete  ; 
I  nioorne  as  doth  a  lamb  after  the  tete. 
Y-wis,  lemman,  I  have  swich  love-long- 

inge,  3705 

That  lyk  a  turtel  trewe  is  my  moorninge  ; 

I  may  nat  ete  na  more  than  a  mayde.'  (5.'  i ) 

'  Go  fro  the  window,  Jakke  fool,'  she 

sayde. 


'  As  help  me  god,  it  wol  nat  be  "  com  ba 
me,"  3709 

I  love  another,  and  elles  I  were  to  blame, 
Wei  bet  than  thee,  by  Jesu,  Absolon  ! 
Go  forth  thy  wey,  or  I  wol  caste  a  ston, 
And  lat  me  slepe,  a  twenty  devel  wey  ! ' 

'Alias,'  quod  Absolon,  'and  weylawey! 
That  trewe  love  was  ever  so  yvel  biset ! 
Than  kisse  me,  sin  it  may  be  no  bet,  (530) 
For  Jesus  love  and  for  the  love  of  me.' 
'  WiltoAv  than  go  thy  wey  ther-with  ?  ' 

quod  she. 
'  Ye,   eertes,   lemman,'    quod   this   Ab- 
solon. 
'  Thanne   make   thee  redy,'  quod  she, 
'  I  come  anon  ; '  37-<> 

•j-And  un-to  Nicholas  she  sej"de  stille, 
•j-'Now  bust,  and  thou  shalt  laughen  al 
thy  fille.' 
This   Absolon   doun   sette  him  on  his 
knees. 
And  seyde,  '  I  am  a  lord  at  alle  degrees  ; 
For  after  this  I  hope  ther  conieth  more  ! 
Lemman,  thy  grace,  and  swete  brid,  thj-n 
ore!'  (540)3726 

The  window  she  undoth,  and  that  in 
haste, 
'  Have  do,'  quod  she,  'com  of,  and  speed 

thee  faste. 
Lest  that  our  neighebores  thee  espye.' 
This  Absolon  gan  wype  his  mouth  ful 
drj-e ;  3730 

Derk  was  the  night  as  picli,  or  as  the  cole. 
And  at  the  window  out  she  putte  hir  hole, 
And  Absolon,  him  fil  no  bet  ne  wers, 
But  with  his  mouth  he  kiste  hir  naked 

ers 

Ful  savourlj-,  er  he  was  war  of  this.    3735 

Abak    he   sterte,   and   thoghte   it   was 

amis,  (5,=^<>) 

For   wel   he   wistc  a  womman   hath  no 

herd  ; 

He  felte  a  thing  al  rough  and  long  y-herd. 

And  seyde,  '  fy  !  alias  !  what  have  I  do  ? ' 

'  Tehee ! '    quod    she,    and    clapte    the 

window  to ;  3740 

And  Absolon  goth  forth  a  sory  pas. 

'  A  berd,  a  herd  ! '  quod  hende  Nicholas, 
'  By  goddes  corjuts,  this  goth  faire  and 
weel ! ' 
This  sely  Absolon  herde  every  deel,  3744 


466 


ZU  (nitfferee  Zak. 


[t.  3743-3820. 


And  on  his  lippe  he  gan  for  anger  bj-te ; 

And   to  him-self  he  seyde,   '  I  shal  thee 
qnyte  ! '  (560) 

A^Tio  rubbeth  now,  who  froteth  now  his 
lippes 

With  dust,  with  sond,  with  straw,  with 
clooth,  with  chippes, 

But  Absolon,  that  seith  ful  ofte,  '  alias  ! 

My  soule  bitake  I  un-to  Sathanas,        3750 

But   me   wer  lever   than   al   this  toun,' 
quod  he, 

'  Of  this  despyt  awroken  for  to  be  ! 

Alias  ! '   quod   he,  '  alias  !    I  ne  hadde  y- 
bleynt ! ' 

His  liote  love  was  cold  and  al  y-queynt ; 

For  fro  that  tynie  that  he  had  kisto  hir 
ers,  3755 

Of  paramours  he  sette  nat  a  kers,        (570) 

For  he  was  heled  of  his  maladye  ; 

Ful  ofte  paramours  he  gan  deffye. 

And  weep  as  dooth  a  child  that  is  y-bete. 

A  softe  paas  he  wente  over  the  strete  3760 

Un-til  a  smith  men  cleped  daun  Gerveys, 

That  in  his  forge  smithed  plough-harneys ; 

He  shariJC'th  shaar  and  culter  bisily. 

This  Aljsolon  knokketh  al  esily. 

And  seyde,    '  undo,    Gerveys,   and    that 
anon.'  3765 

'AVliat,    who   artow?'    'It   am   I,   Ab- 
solon.' (580) 

'  What,  Absolon  !  for  Cristes  swete  tree. 

Why  rj-sc  ye  so  rathe,  ey,  ben'cite  ! 

What  eyleth  yow  ?   som  gay  gerl,  god  it 
woot,  3669 

Hath  broght  j'ow  thus  up-on  the  viritoot ; 

By  sejTit  Note,  ye  woot  wel  what  I  mene.' 
This  Absolon  no  roghte  nat  a  bene 

Of  al  his  pley,  no  word  agajni  he  yaf ; 

He  hadde  more  tow  on  his  distaf 

Than  Gerveys  knew,  and  seyde,  '  freend 
so  dere,  (589)  3775 

That  hote  culter  in  the  chimenee  here, 

As  lene  it  me,  I  have  ther-with  to  done. 

And  I  wol  bringe  it  thee  agayn  ful  sone.' 
Ger\-ej-s  ansvverde,  '  certes,  were  it  gold. 

Or  in  a  poke  nobles  alio  untold,  3780 

Tliou  sholdest  have,  as  I  am  trewe  smith ; 

Ey,   Cristes  foo !    what   wol  yo   do  ther- 
with  ? ' 
'  Ther-of,'  quod  Absolon,  '  be  as  be  may; 

I  shal  wel  telle  it  thee  to-morwe  day ' — 


And   caughte   the    culter   by  the    coldc 

stele.  3785 

Ful  softe  out  at  the  dore  he  gan  to  stele, 
And  wente  \in-to  the  carpenteres  wal.  (601) 
He   cogheth   first,    and   knokketh    ther- 

with-al 
Upon  the  windowe,  right  as  he  dide  er. 

This  Alison  answerde, '  Who  is  ther  3790 

That  knokketh  so  ?  I  warante  it  a  theef.' 

'Why,  nay,'  quod  he,  'god  woot,  my 

swete  leef, 
I  am  thyn  Absolon,  my  dereling  ! 
Of  gold,'   quod  he,  '  I  have  thee  broght 

a  ring ; 
My  moder  yaf  it  me,  so  god  me  save,  3795 
Ful  fyn  it  is,  and  ther-to  wely-grave  ;  (610) 
This  wol  I  yeve  thee,  if  thou  me  kisse  !' 

This  Nicholas  was  risen  for  to  pisse. 
And  thoghte  he  wolde  amenden  al  the 

jape,  3799 

He  sholde  kisse  his  ers  er  that  he  scape. 
And  up  the  windowe  dide  he  hastily. 
And  out  his  ers  he  putteth  prively 
Over  the  buttok,  to  the  haunche-bon ; 
And    ther-with     spak    this    clerk,    this 

Absolon, 
'  Spek,  swete  brid,  I  noot  nat  wher  thou 

art.'  3805 

This  Nicholas  anon  leet  flee  a  fart,  (620) 
As  greet  as  it  had  been  a  thonder-dent. 
That  with    the    strook    he   was   almost 

y-blent ; 
And  he  was  redy  with  his  iren  hoot, 
And  Nicholas  amidde  the  ers  he  smoot. 
Of   gooth    the    skin    an    hande-brede 

aboute,  38 11 

The  hote  culter  brende  so  his  toute. 
And  for  the  smert  he  wende  for  to  dye. 
As  he  were  wood,  for  wo  he  gan  to  crye — 
'  Help  !   water  !   water  !   help,  for  goddes 

herte  ! '  3815 

This  carpenter  out  of  his  slomber  sterte, 

And  herde  oon  cryen  '  water '  as  he  were 

wood,  (631) 

And  thoghte,  '  Alias  !  now  comth  Now^lis 

flood ! ' 
He  sit  him  up  with-outen  wordes  mo,  3819 
And  with  his  ax  he  smoot  the  corde  a-two, 
And  doun  goth  al ;    he  fond  neither  to 

selle, 
Ne  breed  ne  ale,  til  he  cam  to  the  selle 


T.  3821-3880.] 


A.    ZU  (Hc^ve'0  (prorogue. 


467 


Up-on  the  floor  ;  and  ther  aswowne  he  lay. 

Up  sterte  hir  Alison,  and  Nicholay, 
And  cryden  '  out '  and  '  harrow '   in  the 

strete.  (631))  3825 

The  neighebores,  bothe  smale  and  grete, 
In  ronnen,  for  to  gauren  on  this  man, 
That  yet  aswowne  he  lay,  bothe  pale  and 

wan  ; 
For  Avith   the  fal  he  brosten  hadde  his 

arm  ; 
But  stonde    he    moste    un-to    his   owne 

harm.  3830 

For   whan   he   spak,  he  was  anon   bore 

doun 
With  hende  Nicholas  and  Alisonn. 
They  tolden    every  man    that    he    was 

wood, 
He  was  agast  so  of  '  Nowc^'lis  flood ' 
Tliurgh  fantasye,  that  of  his  vanitee  3835 
He  liadde   y-boght   him   kneding-tubbes 

three,  (650) 


And  hadde  hem  hanged  in  the  roof  above ; 
And  that  he  preyed  hem,  for  goddes  love. 
To  sitten  in  the  roof,  j)fjr  companye.     3839 

The  folk  gan  langhen  at  his  fantasye  ; 
In-to  the  roof  they  kyken  and  they  gape, 
And  turned  al  his  harm  iin-to  a  jape. 
For  what  so  that  this  carpenter  answerde. 
It  was  for  noght,  no  man  his  reson  herde ; 
With  othes  grete  he  was  so  sworn  adoun. 
That  he  was  holden  wood  in  al  the  toun  ; 
For   every  clerk   anon-right  heeld  with 

other.  (661)  3847 

They  seyde,  'the  man  is  wood,  my  leva 

brother  ; ' 
And  every  wight  gan  laughen  of  this  stryf. 
Thus  swyv'ed  was  the  carpenteres  wyf, 
For  al  his  keping  and  his  jalousye  ;     3851 
And  Absolon  hath  kist  hir  netlier  ye  ; 
And  Nicholas  is  scalded  in  the  toute. 
This  tale  is  doon,  and  god  save  al   the 

ro'ite !  (668)  3854 


Here  endeth  the  Millere  his  tale 


THE    REEVE'S    PROLOGUE. 


The  prologe  of  the  Reves  tale. 


Whan  folk  had  laiTghen  at  this  nyce  cas 
Of  Absolon  and  hende  Nicholas,  3856 

Diverse  folk  diversely  they  seyde  ; 
But,  for  the  more  part,  they  loughe  and 

pleyde, 
Ne  at  tliis  tale  I  sangh  no  man  him  greve, 
But  it  were  only  Osewold  the  Keve,    3860 
By-cause  he  was  of  carpenteres  craft. 
A  litel  ire  is  in  his  herte  y-laft. 
He  gan  to  grucche  and  blamed  it  a  lyte. 
'  So  thee'k,'   quod  he,   '  ful  wel  coude 

I  yow  quyte  (10) 

With  blering  of  a  proud  milleres  y6,  3865 
If  that  me  list©  speke  of  ribaudye. 
But  ik  am  old,  me  list  not  pley  for  age  ; 
Gras-tjTne   is   doon,   my   fodder  is   now 

forage. 


This  whyte  top  wryteth  myne  olde  yeres, 
Myn  herte  is  al-so  niowled  as  mjTie  heres, 
But-if  I  fare  as  dooth  an  open-ers  ;  3871 
That  ilka  fruit  is  ever  leng  the  wers, 
Til  it  be  roten  in  muUok  or  in  strcc. 
We  olde  men,  I  drede,  so  fare  we  ;  (20) 
Til  we  be  roten,  can  we  nat  be  rype  ;  3875 
We  hoppen  ay,  whyl  that  the  world  wol 

pype. 

For  in  oure  wil  ther  stiketh  ever  a  nayl. 
To  have  an  hoor  heed  and  a  grcno  tayl. 
As  hath  a  leek  ;  for  thogh  our  njight  be 

goon, 
Our  wil  desireth  folie  ever  in  oon.       3880 
For  whan  we  may  nat  doon,  than  wol  we 

speke ; 
Yet  in  our  asshen  olde  is  fyr  y-reke. 


468 


A.    ZH  (Repe0  Zak. 


[t.  38S1-3944. 


Fotire   gletles   han   we,  whiche  I  shal 

<le\-yse, 
Avannting,  lyinp:,  anger,  coveityse  ;      {30) 
Tliise  I'oure  sparkles  longen  nn-to  elcle. 
Our  olde  leines  niowe  wel  been  unwelde. 
But  wil  no  shal  nat  faillen,  ihat  is  sooth. 
And  yet  ik  have  alwey  a  coltes  tooth,  3888 
As  many  a  yeer  as  it  is  passed  henne 
Sin  that  my  tappe  of  lyf  bigan  to  renne. 
For  sikerly,  whan  I  was  bore,  anon     3S91 
Deeth  drogh  the  tappe  of  lyf  and  leet  it 

gon; 
And  ever  sith  hath  so  the  tappe  y-ronne, 
Til  that  almost  al  empty  is  the  tonne.  (40) 
The  streem  of  Ij-f  now  droppeth  on  the 

chimbe ;  3895 

Tlie  sely  tonge  may  wel  ringe  and  chimbe 

Of  wrecchednesse  that  passed  is  ful  yore  ; 

With  olde  i'olk,  save  dotage,  is  namore.' 

"Whan  that  our  host  liadde  herd  this 

sermoning, 
Ke  gan  to  speke  as  lordly  as  a  king  ;  3900 


He  seide,  '  what  amountcth  al  this  wit  ? 
"What  shul  we  speke  alday  of  holy  writ  ? 
The  devel  made  a  reve  for  to  preche, 
And  of  a  souter  a  shipman  or  a  loche.  (50) 
Sey  forth  thy  tale,  and  tarie  nat  the  tj-me, 
Lo,  Depeford  !  and  it  is  half-waj'  pryme. 
Lo,   Gi-enewich,  ther  many  a  shrewe  is 

inne ;  39,17 

It  were  al  tyme  thy  tale  to  biginne.' 

'  Xow,  sires,'  quod  this  Osewoldthe  Eeve, 
'  I  pray  yow  alle  that  ye  nat  yow  greve, 
Thogh  I  answere   and  somdel  sette  his 

howA'e  ;  301 1 

For  lovoful  is  with  force  force  of-showve. 
This  drouke  millere  hath  y-told  us  heer, 
How  that  bigyled  was  a  carpenteor,  (60) 
Peraventure  in  scorn,  for  I  am  oon.  3915 
And,  by  your  leve,  I  shal  him  quyte  anoon ; 
Eight  in  his  cherles  termes  wol  I  speke. 
I  pray  to  god  his  nekke  mote  breke  ; 
He  can  wel  in  myn  ye  seen  a  stalke,  3919 
But  in  his  owne  he  can  nat  seen  <i  balke. 


THE    REVES   TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Reves  tale. 


At  Trumpington,  nat  fer  fro  Cantebrigge, 
Ther  goth  a  brook  and  over  that  a  brigge, 
Up-ou the  whiche brook  therstant  a  melle  ; 
And  this  is  vcrray  soth  that  I  yow  telle. 
A  Miller  was  ther  dwelling  many  a  day  ; 
As  eny  pecok  he  was  proiid  and  gay.  3926 
Pypen  he  coude  and  fisshe,  and   nettes 

bete. 
And  turne  coppes,  and  wel  wrastle  and 

shete  ; 
And  by  his  belt  he  baar  a  long  jianade, 
And  of  a  swerd  ful  trenchant  was   the 

blade.  3930 

A  joly  popper  baar  he  in  his  pouchc  :  (11) 
Ther  was  no  man  for  peril  dorste  him 

touche. 


A  Sheffeld  thwitcl  baar  he  in  his  hose : 
Round  was  his  face,  and  camuso  was  his 

nose. 
As  piled  as  an  ape  was  his  skuUe.         3935 
He  was  a  market-beter  atte  fuUe. 
Ther  dorste  no  wight   hand  up-on  liim 

That  ho  ne  swoor  he  sholdo  anon  abcgge. 
A  theef  he  was  for  sothc  of  corn  and  melo, 
And  that  a  sly,  and  usaunt  for  to  stele. 
His  name  was  hoten  deynous  Simkin.  (21) 
A  wyf  he  hadde,  y-conien  of  noble  kin  ; 
The  person  of  the  toun  hir  fader  was. 
With  hir  he  yaf  ful  many  a  panne  of  bras. 
For  that  Sinakin  sholdc  in  his  blood  allye. 
She  was  y-fostred  in  a  nonneryc  ;       3946 


T.  3945-4028.] 


A.    ZU  (B«ve0  ^afe. 


469 


For  Simkin  wokle  no  wyf,  as  he  saycle, 
But  she  were  wel  y-norissed  and  a  niayde, 
To  sp.ven  his  estaat  of  yomanrye.         3949 
And  she  was  proud,  and  pert  as  is  a  pye. 
A  ful  fair  sighte  was  it  on  hem  two  ;    (31) 
On  haly-dayes  biforn  hir  wolde  he  go 
With  his  tipet  bounden  about  his  heed, 
And  she  cam  after  in  a  gji;e  of  reed  ; 
And  Simkin  haddo  hosen  of  the  same. 
Ther   dorste    no   wight    clepen    hir    but 

'  dame.'  .3956 

Was  noon  so  hardy  that  wente   by  the 

weyc 
That  with  hir  dorste  rage  or  ones  pleye, 
13ut-if  he  wolde  be  slayn  of  Simkin     .3959 
With  panado,  or  with  knyf,  or  boydelvin. 
For  jalous  folk  ben  perilous  evermo,     (41) 
Algate  they  wolde  hir  wyves  wenden  so. 
And  eck,  for  she  was  somdel  smoterlich. 
She  was  as  digne  as  water  in  a  dich  ; 
And  ful  of  hoker  and  of  bisemare.       3965 
Hir  thoughte    that    a    lady  sholde    hir 

spare, 
What  fur  hir  kinrede  and  hir  nortelrye 
That  she  had  lerned  in  the  nonnerye. 

A  doghter  hadde  they  bitwixe  hem  two 
Of  twenty  yeer,  with-oi^ten  any  mo,    3970 
Savinge  a  child  that  was  of  half-yeer  age  ; 
lu  cradel  it  lay  and  was  a  propre  page. 
This  wenche  thikke  and   wel  y-growen 

was,  (53) 

With  camuse  nose  and  yen  greye  as  glas  ; 
With  buttokes  brode  and  brestes  rounde 

and  bye,  3975 

Hut  right  fair  was  hir  heer,  I  wol  nat  lye. 
The  person  of  t  he  toun,  for  she  was  feir. 
In  ])urpos  was  to  maken  hir  his  heir 
Bothc  of  his  catel  and  his  messuage,  3979 
And  straunge  he  made  it  of  hir  mariago. 
His  purpos  was  for  to  bistowc  hir  hye  (61) 
Tn-to  som  worthy  blood  of  auncetryc  ; 
For  holy  chirches  good  moot   been    dc- 

spended 
On  holy  chirches  blood,  that  is  descended. 
Therfore  ho  wolde  his  holy  blood  honoure. 
Though  that  he  holy  chirche  sholde  dc- 

voure.  3986 

Gret  soken  hath  this  miller,  out  of  doute. 

With  whete  and  malt  of  al  the  land  abonte  ; 

And  namolicho  ther  was  a  greet  collegge, 

Men  clepen  the  Soler-halle  atCantebregge, 


Ther  was  hir   whete   and  eek  hir  malt 

y-grounde.  (71)  3991 

And  on  a  day  it  happed,  in  a  stouude, 
Sik  lay  the  niaiinciple  on  a  maladye  ; 
Men  wenden  wisly  that  he  sholde  dye. 
For  which  this  miller  stal  bothe  mele  and 

corn  3995 

An  hundred  tyme  more  than  biforn  ; 
For  ther-biforn  he  stal  biit  ctirteisly, 
But  now  he  was  a  theef  outrageously, 
For  which  the  wardeyn  chidde  and  made 

ftxre.  (79) 

Butther-of  settethe  miller  nat  a  tare ;  4000 
He  craketh  boost,  and  swoor  it  was  nat  so. 
Than  were  ther  yongepovre  clerk es  two, 
That  dwelten  in  this  halle,  of  which  I  seye. 
Testif  they  were,  and  lusty  for  to  pleye, 
And,  only  for  hir  mirthe  and  revelrye, 
Up-on  the  wardeyn  bisily  they  crye,  4006 
To  yeve  hem  leve  but  a  litel  stounde 
To  goon   to  mille  and   seen   hir  corn  y- 

groiinde ; 
And  hardily,  they  dorste  leye  hir  nekke, 
The  miller  shold  nat  stele  hem  half  a 

pekke  (90)  4010 

Of  corn  by  sleighte,  ne  by  force  hem  reve ; 
And  at  the  laste  the  wartleyn  yaf  hem  leve. 
John   hight  that  oon,    and  Aloyn  hight 

that  other  ; 
Of  o  toun  were  they  born,    that    highte 

Strother,  4014 

Fer  in  the  north,  I  can  nat  telle  where. 

This  Aleyn  maketh  redy  al  his  gere, 
And  on  an  hors  the  sak  he  caste  anon. 
Forth  gf>th  Aleyn  the  clerk,  and  also  John, 
With  good  swerd  and  with  bokelor  by  hir 

.'!ydc.  (99)  4019 

Jolwi  knew  the  wey,  hem  nedede  no  gydo, 
And  at  the  mille  the  sak  adoun  he  layth. 
Aleyn  spak  first, '  al  hayl,  Symond,  y-fayth; 
How  fares  thy  faire  doghter  and  thy  wyf  ?' 
'Aleyn!  welcome,' quod  Simkin,  'by  my 

And  Johnalso,  how  now,  whatdo  ye  heer?' 
'Symond,'  quod   John,    'liy  god,    nedo 

has  na  peer  ;  4026 

Him   boi'S  servo    hiiii-solve  that    has    na 

swa.yn, 
Or  elles  ho  is  a  I'ool,  as  clerkos  sayn. 
Our  manciple,  I  hope  he  wil  be  deed,  402(1 
Swa  workes  ay  the  wanges  in  his  heed. 


47° 


A.    ZU  (Hevce  Zak. 


[t.  4029—4104. 


And  fortlij-  is  I  come,  and  eok  Alayn,  (iii) 
To  grinde  our  corn  and  carie  it  ham  agayn; 
I    pray  j'ow    spede   us    hethen   that  ye 

may.' 
'  It  shal  be  doon,'  quod  Simkin,  '  by  my 

fay ;  4034 

What  wol  yo  doon  whyl  that  it  is  in  hande  ? ' 

'  By  god,  right  by  the  hoper  wil  I  stande,' 

Quod  John,  '  and  se  how  that  the  corn 

gas  in  ; 
Yet  sangh  I  never,  liy  my  fader  kin,  4038 
How  that  the  hoper  wagges  til  and  fra.' 

Aleyn  answerde, '  John,  and  wiltow  swa. 
Than  wil  I  be  bynethe,  by  my  croun,  (121) 
And  se  how  that  the  mele  falles  doun 
In-to  the  trough  ;  that  sal  be  my  disport. 
For  John,  in  faith,  I  may  been  of  your 

sort ; 
I  is  as  ille  a  miller  as  are  ye.'  4045 

This  miller  smylcd  of  hir  nycetee, 
And  thoghte,  '  al  this  nis  doon  but  for  a 

wyle  ; 
They  wene  that  no  man  may  hem  bigyle  ; 
But,  by  my  thrift,  yet  shal  I  blere  hir  ye 
Por  al  the  sleighte  in  hir  philosophye.  4050 
The  more  queynte  crekes  that  they  make, 
The  more  wol  I  stele  whan  I  take.  {132) 
In   stede   of  flour,  yet  wol  I  yeve  hem 

bren. 
"The   gretteste   clerkes   been  noght  the 

wysest  men," 
As  whylom  to   the   wolf  thus   spak  the 

mare ;  4055 

Of  al  hir  art  I  coiinte  noght  a  tare.' 

Out  at  the  doro  he  gooth  ful  prively. 
Whan  that  he  saugh  his  tyme,  softely ; 
He  loketh  up  and  doun  til  he  liatli  founde 
The  clerkes  hors,  thcr  as  it  stood  y-bou*ide 
Bihinde  the  mille,  under  a  levesel ;     4061 
And  to  the  hors  he  gooth  him  faire  and 

wel ;  (142) 

Ho  strepeth  of  the  brydel  right  anon. 
.\nd  whan  the  hors  was  loos,  he  ginneth 

gon 
Toward  the  fen,  thor  wilde  mares  renne. 
Forth  with   weliee,    thurgh   thikko   and 

thurgh  thenne.  4066 

This  m.ller  gooth  agayn,  no  word  he 

seyde, 
But  dooth  his  note,  and  with  the  clerkes 

pleydo, 


Til  that  liir  corn   was  faire  and  wel  y- 

grounde. 
And   whan  the  mele   is   sakked  and  y- 

bounde,  (150)  4070 

This  John  goth  out  and  fynt  his  hors  away, 
And  gan  to  crye  '  harrow  '  and  '  weylaway ! 
Our  hors  is  lorn  !  Alayn,  for  goddes  bancs. 
Step  on  thy  feet,  com  out,  man,  al  at  anes  ! 
Alias,  our  wardejai  has  his  palfrej'  lorn.' 
This  Aleyn  al  forgat,  bothe  mele  and  corn, 
Al  was  out  of  his  mynde  his  housbondiye. 
'  What  ?  whilk  way  is  he  geen  ?  '  he  gan 

to  crye. 
The  ^"yf  cam  leping  inward  with  a  ren. 
She  seyde,  '  alias  !  your  hors  goth  to  the 

fen  (i6o)  4080 

With  wilde  mares,  as  faste  as  he  may  go. 
Unthank   come  on  his  hand  that  bond 

him  so, 
And  he  that  bettre  sholde  han  knit  the 

reyne.' 
'  Alias,'  quod  Jolm,  '  Aleyn,  for  Cristes 

jiejTie, 
Lay  doun  thy  swerd,  and  I  wil  myn  alswa ; 
I  is  ful  wight,  god  waat,  as  is  a  raa ;  4086 
By  goddes  herte  he  sal  nat  scape  us  bathe. 
Wliy  nadstow  pit  the  capul  in  the  lathe? 
Il-hayl,  by  god,  Aleyn,  thou  is  a  fonne  ! ' 
This  sely  clerkes  han  ful  faste  y-ronne 
To-ward  the  I'en,   bothe  Aleyn  and   eek 

John.  (171)  4091 

And  wlian  the  miller  saugh  that  they 

Avere  gon. 
He  half  a  busshel  of  hir  flour  hath  take. 
And  bad  his  wj'f  go  knede  it  in  a  cake. 
He  sej'de,  '  I  trowe  the  clerkes  were  aferd  ; 
Yet  can  a  miller  make  a  clerkes  herd  4096 
For  al  his  art ;  now  lat  hem  goon  hir  weyo. 
Lo  wher  they  goon,  ye,  lat  the  children 

pleye ; 
They  geto  himnatsolightly,  by  mycroun  V 
Thise  sely  clerkes  renucn  up  and  doun 
With    '  keep,    keep,    stand,    stand,  jossa, 

warderere,  (181)  4101 

Ga  whistle  thou,  and  I   shal  kepe  him 

here ! ' 
But  shortly,  til  that  it  was  verray  night, 
Thej-  coude  nat,   though  they  do  al  hir 

might,  4104 

Hir  capul  cacchc,  he  ran  alwey  so  faste. 
Til  in  a  dich  they  cauglite  him  atte  laste. 


T.  4105-41S8.] 


A.    ZU  (Retjee  ZaU. 


471 


"Weiy  and  weet,  as  beste  is  in  the  reyn, 
Comth  sely  John,  and  with  him  comth 

Aleyn. 
'Alias,'  quod  John,  'tlie  day  that  I  was 

born  ! 
Now  are  we    drive  til   hetliing  and   til 

scorn.  (190)  4110 

Our  corn  is  stole,  men  ■wil  us  foles  calle, 
Bathe  the  wardeyn  and  our  felawes  alle. 
And  namely  the  miller  ;  weylaway  ! ' 
Thus  pleyneth  John  as  he  goth  by  the 

way 
Toward  the  mille,  and  Bayard  in  his  hond. 
The  miller  sitting  by  the  fyr  he  fond,  41 16 
For  it  was  night,  and  forther  mighte  they 

noght ; 
But,  for  the  love  of  god,  they  him  bisoght 
Of  herberwe  and  of  ese,  as  for  hir  peny. 

The  miller  seyde  agayn,  '  if  ther  be  eny, 
Swich  as  it  is,  yet  shal  ye  have  your  part. 
MjTi  hous  is  streit,  but  ye  han  lerned  art  ; 
Ye  connc  by  argnmentes  make  a  place 
A  myle  brood  of  twenty  foot  of  space.  (204) 
Lat  see  now  if  this  place  may  suftyse,  4125 
Or  make  it  roum  with  speche,  as  is  youre 

gyse.' 
'  Now,  Symond,'  seyde  John,  '  by  seint 

Cutberd, 
Ay  is  thou  mery,  and  this  is  faire  answerd. 
I  have   herd  seyd,  man  sal   taa  of  twa 

thinges  4129 

Slykashe  fyndes,  or  taa  slyk  as  he  bringes. 
But  specially,  I  pray  thee,  hoste  dere,  (211) 
Get  us  som  mete  and  drinke,  and  make 

lis  cherc, 
And  we  wil  payon  trewoly  atte  fulle. 
With  empty  hand  men  may  na  haukes 

tulle  ; 
Lo  here  our  sUvor,  redy  for  to  spende.'  4 135 
This  miller  in-to  toun  his  doghter  sende 
For  ale  and  breed,  and  rosted  hem  a  goos, 
And  bond  hir  hors,  it  sholde  nat  gon  loos  ; 
And  in  his  owne  chambre  hem  made  a 

bed  (219)  4139 

With  shetes  and  with  chalons  faire  y-spretl, 
Noght  from  his  owne  bed  ten  foot  or  twelve. 
His  doghter  hadde  a  bed,  al  by  hir-solve, 
Eight  in  the  same  chambre,  by  and  by ; 
It  mighte  be  no  bet,  and  cause  why,  4144 
Ther  was  no  roumer  herberwe  in  the  place. 
They  soupen  and  they  speko,  hem  to  solace. 


And  drinken  ever  strong  ale  atte  beste. 
Aboute  midnight  wente  they  to  reste. 
Wei  hath   this   miller   vernisshed   his 

heed ; 
Ful  pale   he   was    for-dronken,   aiid    nat 

reed.  4150 

He  yexeth,   and  he   speketh   thurgh   the 

nose  (231) 

As   he  were  on  the   quakke,   or  on   the 

pose. 
To  bedde  he  gooth,  and  with  him  goth 

his  wyf. 
As  any  jay  she  light  was  and  jolj'f. 
So  was  hir  joly  whistle  wel  y-wet.         4155 
The  cradel  at  hir  beddes  feet  is  set, 
To  rokken,  and  to  yeve  the  child  to  souke. 
And  whan  that  dronken  al  was  in  the 

crouke. 
To  bedde  went  the  doghter  right  anon  ; 
To  bedde  gooth  Alej-n  and  also  John  ;  4160 
Ther  nas  na  more,  hem  nedede  no  dwale. 
This  miller  hath  so  wisly  Inbbed  ale,  (242) 
That  as  an  hors  he  snorteth  in  his  sleep, 
Ne  of  his  tayl  biliinde  he  took  no  keep. 
His  wyf  bar  liim  a  burdon,  a  ful  strong. 
Men  mighte  hir  routing  here  two  furlong ; 
The  wenche  routeth  eek  jjwr  companye. 

Aleyn  the  clerk,  that  herd  this  melodye, 
He  poked  John,  and  seyde,  '  slepestow  ? 
Herdestow  ever  slyk  a  sang  er  now  ?  4170 
Lo,  whilk  a  compline  is  y-mel  hem  alle  ! 
A  wilde  fyr  up-on  thair  bodyes  fallo  !  (252) 
Wha  herkned  ever  slyk  a  ferly  thing? 
Ye,  thej'  sal  have  the  flour  of  il  ending. 
This  lange  night  ther  tydos  me  na  reste ; 
But  yet,  na  fors  ;  al  sal  be  for  the  beste. 
For  John,'  seyde   he,    '  als   ever  moot   I 

tliry\'e. 
If  that  I  may,  yon  wenche  wil  I  swj^-o. 
Som  csement  has  lawe  y-shapen  us  ;    4179 
For  John,  ther  is  a  lawe  that  says  thus, 
That  gif  a  man  in  a  point  be  y-greved,  (261) 
That  in  another  he  sal  be  releved. 
Our  corn  is  stoln,  shortly,  it  is  na  nay, 
And  we  han  had  an  il  fit  al  this  day. 
And  sin  I  sal  have  ncen  amendement,  4185 
AgaJ^^  my  los  I  wil  have  csement. 
By  goddes  saule,  it  sal  neen  other  be  ! ' 

This  John  answcrde,  'Alayn,  avysethee, 
The  miller  is  a  perilous  man,'  he  seyde, 
'  And  gif  that  he  out  of  his  sleep  abreyde 


A.    ZU  (Btx>t0  Zak. 


[t.  4189-^268. 


He  mighte  cloon  ns  bathe  a  viloinyo.'  (271) 
Aleyn  aiiswerde,  'I  count  liini   nat  a 

flye;'  4192 

And  up  he  rist,  and  by  the  wenche  he 

crepte. 
This  wenche  lay  upright,  and  foste  slepte, 
Til  he  so  ny  was,  er  she  mighte  espye.  4195 
That  it  had  been  to  late  for  to  crye, 
And  shortly  for  to  seyn,  they  were  at  on  ; 
Now  pley,  Aleyn  !  for  I  wol  speke  of  John. 
This  John  lyth  stille  a  furlong-wey  or 

two, 
And  to  him-sclf  he  maketh  routhe  and 

wo  :  (280)  4200 

'  Alias  ! '  quod  he,  '  this  is  a  wikked  jape  ; 
Xow  may  I  sejTi  that  I  is  but  an  ape. 
Yet  has  my  folawe  som-what  for  his  harm ; 
He  has  the  milleris  doghter  in  his  arm. 
He  auntred  him,  and  has  his  nedes  sped, 
And  I  lye  as  a  draf-sek  in  my  bed  ;      4206 
And  when  this  jape  is  tald  another  day, 
I  sal  been  halde  a  daf,  a  cokenay ! 
I  wil  aryse,  and  auntro  it,  by  my  fayth  ! 
••  I'nbardy  is  unsely,"  thus  men  saj-th.' 
And  up  he  roos  and  softelj'  he  wente  (291) 
Un-to  the  cradel,  and  in  his  hand  it  honte, 
And  baar  it  softe  un-to  his  beddes  feet. 

Sone  after  this  the  wyf  hir  routing  leet. 
And  gan  awake,  and  wente  liir  out  to 

pisse,  4215 

And  cam  agayn,  and  gan  hir  cradel  misso, 
.Vnd  groped  hcor  and  ther,  but  she  fond 

noon. 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  she,  '  I  hadde  almost  mis- 
goon  ; 
I  liadde  almost  gon  to  the  clerkes  I'^d. 
Kv,  bcn'cHe  !  thanne  hadde  I  foule  y-sped  : ' 
And  forth  she  gooth   til  she  the  cradel 

fond.  (.?,v>i)  4221 

She  gropeth  alwcy  forther  with  hir  bond, 
And  fond  tlie  bed,  and  thoghte  noght  but 

good. 
By-cause  that  tlio  cradel  by  it  stood,  4224 
And  nistc  wlier  she  was,  for  it  was  derk  ; 
But  faire  and  wel  she  creep  in  to  the  clerk. 
And  I,^-th  ful  stille,  and  woldo  ban  caught 

a  sleep. 
With-inne  a  whyl  this  John  the  clerk  up 

leep,  4228 

And  on  this  godo  wyf  he  leyth  on  sore. 
So  mery  a  fit  ne  liadde  she  nat  ful  yore; 


He  priketh  harde  and  depe  as  he  were 

mad.  (311) 

This  joly  ]yf  han  thise  two  clerkes  lad 
Til  that  the  thridde  cok  bigan  to  singe. 

Aleyn  wex  wery  in  the  daweningc,  4234 
For  he  had  swonken  al  the  longe  night ; 
And  seyde,  '  far  wel,  Malin,  swete  wight ! 
The  day  is  come,  I  may  no  lenger  byde  ; 
But  cvermo,  wher  so  I  go  or  lyde, 
I  is  thjTi  awen  clerk,  swa  have  I  seel ! ' 
'  Now  dere  lemman,'  quod  she,  '  go,  far 

wecl !  (320)  4240 

Biit  er  tliou  go,  o  thing  I  wol  thee  telle, 
Whan  that  thou  wendest  homward   by 

the  melle, 
Eight  at  the  entree  of  the  dore  bihinde. 
Thou  shalt  a  cake  of  half  a  busshcl  finde 
That  was  y-maked  of  thyn  owne  mele. 
Which  that  I  heelp  my  fader  for  to  stele. 
And,  gode  lemman,   god  thee  save  and 

kepe ! '  4247 

And  with  that  word   almost  she  gan  to 

wepe. 
Aleyn  up-rist,   and  thoughte,   '  or  that 

it  dawe, 
I  wol  go  crepen  in  bj-  my  felawe  ;         42,10 
And  fond  the  cradel  with  his  hand  anon, 
'  By  god,'  thoghte  he,   '  al  wrang  I  liave 

misgon  ;  (.'32) 

Myn  heed  is  totj-  of  my  swink  to-night. 
That  maketh  me  that  I  go  nat  aright.  4254 
I  woot  wel  by  the  cradel,  I  have  misgo, 
Ilcer  lytli  the  miller  and  his  wyf  also.' 
And  forth  he  goth,  a  twenty  dcvcl  way, 
I"n-to  the  bed  ther-as  the  miller  laj'. 
He  wende  have  cropen  bj'  his  felawe  John  ; 
And  by  the  miller  in  ho  creep  anon,  4260 
And  caughte  hym  by  the  nekke,  and  softe 

be  spak  :  (.H') 

Ho  seyde,  '  thou,  John,  thou  swynes-heed, 

awak 
For  Cristos  saulp,  and  beer  a  noble  game. 
For   by   that    lord    that    called    is   seint 

Jamo, 

As  I  have  thrye;;,  in  this  .sin  n  to  night,  4265 

Swyvod  the  milleres  doghter  bolt-upright, 

Whyl  thow  hast  as  a  coward  been  agast.' 

'Ye,    false    harlot,'    quod    the    miller, 

'hast? 
A  !  false  traitour  !  false  clerk  ! '  quod  lie, 
'  Thou  shalt  be  deed,  by  goddes  dignitee  ! 


T.  4269-4322.] 


A.    ZU  (F^tjee  Zak. 


473 


Who  dorste  ^  so  bold  to  disparage     (.^51) 
My  doghter,  that  is  come  of  swich  linage?  ' 
And  by  the  throte-bolle  he  caughte  Alayn. 
And  he  hente  hyni  despitously  agaj-n, 
And  on  the  nose  he  sinoot  him  with  his 

fest.  42-5 

Doun  ran  the  blody  streem  up-on  his  brest ; 
And  in  the  floor,  with  nose  and  moiitli 

to-broke, 
They  walwe  as  doon  two  pigges  in  a  jjoke. 
And  np  they  goon,  and  doun  agayn  anon, 
Til  that  the  miller  sporned  at  a  stoon,  4280 
And  doun  he  fil  bakward  up-on  his  wyf. 
That  wiste  no-thing  of  this  nyce  stryf ; 
For  she  was  falle  aslejje  a  lji;e  wight  (363) 
With  Jolin  the  clerk,  that  waked  hadde 

al  night. 
And  with  the  fal,  out  of  liir  sleexj  she 

breyde — •  4285 

'  Help,    holy  croys   of  Bromeholm,'    she 

seyde, 
'  In  manus  tuas  !    lord,  to  thee  I  calle  ! 
Awak,  Symond  !  the  feend  is  on  us  falle, 
Jlyn  herte  is  broken,   help,  I  nam   but 

deed ; 
There  lyth  oon  \ip  my  wombe   and   up 

mjTi  heed  ;  4290 

Help,  Sinikin,  for  the  false  clerkes  fighte.' 

This  John  sterte  up  as  faste  as  ever  he 

mighte,  (372) 

And  graspetli  by  the  walles  to  and  fro. 
To  finde  a  staf ;  and  she  sterte  up  also. 
And  knew  the  estres  bet  than  dide  this 

John,  429S 

And  by  the  wal  a  staf  she  fond  anon, 


And  saiigh  a  litel  shimering  of  a  light, 
For  at  an  hole  in  shoon  the  mone  bright  ; 
And  by  that  light  she  saugh  hem  bothe 

two, 
But  sikerly  she  niste  who  was  who,    4300 
But  as  she  saugh  a  whyt  thing  in  hir  ye. 
And  whan  she  gan  the  whyte  thing  espye, 
She  wende  the  clerk  hadde  wered  a  volvi- 

peer.  (383) 

And  with  the  staf  she  drough  ay  neer  and 

neer,  43<'4 

And  wende  han  hit  this  Aleyn  at  the  fulle, 
Aiid  smoot  the  miller  on  the  pyled  skulle. 
That  doun  he  gooth  and  cryde,  '  harrow  ! 

I  dye ! ' 
Thise  clerkes  bete  him  weel  and  lete  him 

lye; 
And  greji;hen  hem,  and  toke  hir  hors  anon. 
And  eek  hir  mele,  and  on  hir  wey  they 

gon.  (390)  4310 

And  at  the  mille  yet  they  toke  hir  cake 
Of  half  a  busshel  flour,  ful  wel  y-bake. 
Thus  is  the  proude  miller  wel  y-bete. 
And  hath  y-lost  the  gi-inding  of  the  whete, 
And  payed  for  the  soper  every-deel     4315 
Of  Aleyn  and  of  John,  that  bette  him  weel. 
His  wyf  is  swj^^'ed,  and  his  doghter  als  ; 
Lo,  swich  it  is  a  miller  to  be  fals  ! 
And  therfore  this   proverbe  is   sej'd   ful 

sooth,  4319 

'  Him  thar  nat  wene  wel  that  yvel  dooth  ; 
A  gylour  shal  him-self  bigj'led  be.'      (401) 
And  God,  that  sitteth  heighe  in  magestee. 
Save  al  this  companye  grete  and  smale  ! 
Thus  have  I  quit  the  miller  in  my  tale. 


Here  is  ended  the  Reves  tale. 


474 


A.    ZU  €ooR'0  (JJvofogue. 


[t.  4323-4376. 


THE   COOK'S    PROLOGUE. 


The  prologe  of  the  Cokes  tale. 


The  Cook  of  London,  whyl  the  Eeve  spak, 
For  joye,  him  thoiaghte,  he  clawed  him. 

on  the  hak,  43^6 

'  Ha  !  ha  ! '  quod  ho,  '  for  Cristes  passioun, 
This  miller  hadde  a  sharp  conelusiovin 
Upon  his  argument  of  herbergage  ! 
Wei  seyde  Salomon  in  his  langage,      4330 
'■  Ne    bringe   nat  evcrj-  man  in-to  thjTi 

hous ; " 
For  herberwing  by  nighte  is  perilous. 
Wei  oghte  a  man  a^-ysed  for  to  be  (9) 

■\Miom  that  he  broghte  in-to  his  privetee. 
I  pray  to  god,  so  yeve  me  sorwe  and  care, 
If  ever,  sitli  I  highte  Hogge  of  Ware,  4336 
Herde  I  a  miller  bettre  y-set  a-werlc. 
He  hadde  a  jape  of  malice  in  the  derk. 
But  god  forbede  that  we  stinten  here  ; 
And  therfore,  if  ye  vouche-sauf  to  here 
A  tale  of  me,  that  am  a  povrc  man,    4341 
I  wol  j-ow  telle  as  wcl  as  ever  I  can 
A  litel  jape  that  fil  in  our  citee.' 

Our  host  answerde,  and  seide,  '  I  graimte 

it  thee  ;  (20)  4344 


Now  telle  on,  Roger,  loke  that  it  be  good  ; 
For  many  a  pastee  hasto'w  laten  blood. 
And  many  a  .Jakke  of  Dover  hastow  sold 
That  hath  been  twyes  hoot  and  twj'es  cold. 
Of  many  a  pilgrim  hastow  Cristes  curs. 
For  of  thy  persly  yet  they  fare  the  wors, 
That  they  han  eten  with  thy  stubbel-goos ; 
For  in  thy  shoppe  is  many  a  flye  loos.  (28) 
Now  telle  on,  gentil  Roger,  by  thy  name. 
But  yet  I  pray  thee,  be  nat  wrooth  for  game, 
A  man  may  seye  ful  sooth  in  ganac  and 
pley.'  455.^ 

'  Thou  seist  ful  sooth,'  quod  Roger,  '  by 
my  fey. 
But  "  sooth  pley,  quaad  pley,"  as  the  Flem- 
ing seith ;  (33) 
And  ther-fore,  Herry  Bailly,  by  thy  feith, 
Be  thou  nat  wrooth,  er  •we  doparten  hoer, 
Though  that  mj-  talo  be  of  an  hostileer. 
But  nathelees  I  wol  nat  telle  it  yit,  4361 
But  er  we  parte,  y-wis,  thou  shalt  be  quit. ' 
And  ther-with-al  he  lough  and  made  chere. 
And  seyde  his  tale,  as  yc  shul  alter  here. 


Thus  endeth  the  Prologe  of  the  Cokes  tale. 


THE   COKES   TALE. 


Heer  bigynneth  the  Cokes  tale. 


A  Prextis  whylom  dwelled  in  our  citee, 
And  of  a  craft  of  vitaillers  was  he  ;     4366 
Gaillard  he  was  as  goldfinch  in  the  shawe, 
Broun  as  a  bcrie,  a  propre  short  felawe, 
With  lokkes  blake,  y-kenipt  ful  fetisly. 
Daunccn  he  coude  so  wol  and  jolily,   4370 
That  he  was  cleped  Perkin  Revelour. 
He  was  as  ful  of  love  and  paramour 


As  is  the  hyve  ful  of  hony  swote  ; 

Wei  was  the  wenclie  with  him  mighte 

mete.  (10) 

At    every   brj-dale    woldc    he   singe   and 

hoppe,  4375 

Ho  loved  bet  the  tavern  than  the  shoppe. 
For  whan  ther  any  lyding  was  in  Chepe, 
Out  of  the  shoppe  thider  wolde  he  lepe. 


T.  4377-4432.]    B.    3«^*^o^wcfton  to  QUan  of  Baw'e  $rofoguc.  475 


Til  that  he  hadde  al  the  sighte  y-seyn, 
Aud  dannced  wel,   he   wolde   nat   come 

ag'eyn.  4380 

And  gadered  him  a  meinee  of  his  sort 
To  hoppe  and  singe,  and  maken   swich 

disport. 
And  ther  they  setten  Steven  for  to  mete 
To  pleyen  at  the  dys  in  swich  a  strete.  (20) 
For  in  the  tonne  nas  ther  no  prentys,  4385 
That  fairer  conde  caste  a  jmire  of  dj-s 
Than  Pcrkin  coude,  and  ther-to  he  was  free 
Of  his  dispense,  in  phvce  of  privetee. 
That  fond  his  maister  wel  in  his  cliafFare  ; 
For  often  tyma  he  fond  his  box  ful  bare. 
For  sikorly  a  jirentis  revel otir,  43') i 

That  haunteth  dys,  rirt,  or  paramour, 
His  maister  shal  it  in  his  slioppe  abye, 
Al  have  he  no  part  of  the  minstralcyo  ;  (30) 
For  thefte  and  riot,  they  ben  convertible, 
Al  conne  he  pleye  on  giterne  or  ribible. 
Revel  and  tronthe,  as  in  a  low  degree, 
They  been  ful  wrothe  al  day,  as  men  may 

sec. 
This  joly  prontis  with  his  maister  bood. 
Til  he  were  ny  out  of  his  prontishood,  4400 
Al  were  he  snil>bed  botlie  erly  and  late. 
And  somtyme  lad  with  revel  to  Newgate  ; 
But  atte  laste  his  maister  him  bithoghte. 


Up-on  a  daj-,  whan  heliis  paper  soghtc,  (4ot 
Of  a  proverbe  that  seith  this  same  word, 
'  Wel  bet  is  roten  appel  out  of  hord    44o() 
Tlian  that  it  rotie  al  the  remenaunt.'      / 
So  farcth  it  by  a  riotous  servaiint ; 
It  is  wel  lasse  harm  to  leto  him  pace, 
Than  he  shende  alio  the  servants  in  the 
place.  44'" 

Therfore  his  maister  .yaf  him  acqiTitance, 
And   bad   him   go  with  sorwe  and  with 

meschance  ; 
And    thiis    this    joly  prentis   hadde   his 

love. 
Now  lat  him  riote  al  the  night  or  leve.  (50) 
And  for  ther  is   no  theef  with-oute  a 
louke,  4415 

That  helpeth  him  to  wasten  and  to  souke 
Of  that  he  brybe  can  or  borwe  may. 
Anon  he  sente  his  bed  and  his  array 
Un-to  a  compeer  of  his  owno  sort. 
That  lovede  dys  and  revel  and  disport,  4420 
And  hadde  a  ^vyf  that  heeld  for  count- 
enance (57) 
A  slioppe,  and  swyved  for  liir  sustenance. 


Of  this  Cokes  tale  maked  Chaucer 
na  more. 


GROUP   B. 

INTRODUCTION   TO   THE    MAN   OF 
LAW'S   PROLOGUE. 


The  wordes  of  the  Hoost  to  the  companye. 


Oi.R  Hoste  sey  wel  that  the  brighte  sonne 
Th'ark  of  his  artificial  day  had  ronno 
The  fourtlio  part,  and  half  an  houre,  and 

more  ; 
And  though  ho  ^vere  not  dope  ex^jort   in 

lore. 
Ho  wisto  it  was  the  eightotethe  da>'  5 

(~;f  April,  that  is  messager  to  May  ; 


And  se3'  wel  that  the  shadwc  of  every  tree 
Was  as  in  lengthc  the  Stamo  quantitoo 
That  was  the  body  erect  that  caused  it. 
And  therfor  by  the  shadwe  ho  took  his  wit 
That  riicljus,  which  that  shoon  so  clere 

and  Ijrighto,  1 1 

Degrees  was  fyvo  and  fourty  clonibn  on 

highte  ; 


476    B.    5«^»^o^**^^tOH  ^0  (^Xan  of  Baw'e  ^rofo^ue.  [t.  4433-4520. 


ts 


(>: 


And  for  that  day,  as  in  that  latitude, 
It  was  ten  of  the  clokke,  lie  gan  conchide. 
And  sodeynly  he  plighte  his  hors  aboute. 
'  Lordinges,'  quod  he,  '  I  warne  yow,  al 

this  route,  16 

The  foiirthe  party  of  this  day  is  goon  ; 
Now,  for   the  love  of  god   and  of  seint 

John, 
Leseth  no  tynie,  as  ferforth  as  ye  may  ; 
Lordinges,  the  tyme  wasteth  night  and 

day,  20 

And  steleth  from  us,  what  privelyslepinge. 
And   what    thurgh    necligence     in    our 

wakinge, 
As  dooth  the  streem,  that  turneth  never 

agayn. 
Descending  fro  the  montaigne  in-to  playn. 
Wei  can  Senek,  and  many  a  philosophre  25 
Biwailen  tyme,  more  than  gold  in  cofre. 
'•  For  los  of  catel  may  recovered  be. 
But  los  of  tyme  shendeth  us,"  quod  he. 
It  wol  nat  come  agayn,  with-outen  drede, 
Na  more  than  wol  Malkins  maydenhcde, 
^^^lanshe  hath  lost  it  in  hir  wanto^^^lesse ; 
Lat  us  nat  moulen  thus  in  ydelnesse.     32 
Sir  man  of  lawe,'  quod  he,   'so  have  ye 

Wis, 
Tel  ns  a  tale  anon,  as  forward  is  ; 
Ye    been    submitted   thurgh    your    free 

assent  35 

To  stonde  in  this  cas  at  my  jugement. 

""^^X  'Acquiteth  yow,  and  holdeth  your_bnieste, 

Than  have  ye  doon  your  deiioir  atte  leste.' 

'Hoste,'  quod  he,   ^  deimrdievx  ich  as- 

sente, 
J  To  breke  forward  is  not  myn  entente.    40 
Biheste  is  dette,  and  I  wol  holde  fayn 
Al  my  biheste  ;  I  can  no  better  seyn. 
For  swich  lawe  as  man  yeveth  another 

wight. 
He  sholde  him-selven  tisen  it  by  right ;  44 
Thus  wol  our  text ;  but  nathelcs  certeyn 
I  can  right  now  no  thrifty  tale  seyn, 
f  But  Chaucer,  tlumgh  ho  can  but  lewedly 
On  metres  and  on  ryming  craftily. 
Hath  seyd  hem  in  swich  English  as  he  can 
Of  olde  tj-me,  as  kuoweth  many  a  man.  50 
And  if  he  have  not  seyd  hem,  Icve  brother. 
In  o  l)ook,  he  hath  seyd  hem  in  another. 
For  he  hath  told  of  loveres  up  and  doun 
Mo  than  0\'yde  made  of  mencioun 


^t^Y 


In  his  Epistelles,  that  been  ful  olde.  55 
What  sholde  I  tellen  hem,  sin  they  ben 

tolde  ? 

In  youthe  he  made  of  Ceys  and  Alcion,  ] 

And  sithen  hath  he  spoke  of  everichon, 
Thise  noble  wyves  and  thise  loveres  eke. 
VVho-so  that  wol  his  large  volume  seke  60 
Cleped  the  Seintes  Legende  of  Cupyde,  ! 

Ther  may  he  seen  the  large  woundes  wyde 
Of  Lucresse,  and  of  Babilan  Tisbee  ; 
The  swerd  of  Dido  for  the  false  Enee  ;  | 

The  tree  of  Phillis  for  hir  Demophon  ;  65 
The  pleinte  of  Dianire  and  Hermion,  1 

Of  Adriane  and  of  Isiphilee  ; 
The  barejTie  yle  stonding  in  the  see ;  , 

The  drexnte  Leander  for  his  Erro  ;  pClT  w.£,A£pi 
The  teres  pf  Eleyne,  and  eek  the  wo       70 
Of  Brixseyde,  and  of  thee,  Ladomea  ;  ! 

The  crueltee  of  thee,  queen  Medea,  i 

Thy  litel  children  hanging  bj'  the  hals  , 

F<  ir  thy  Jason,  that  was  of  love  so  fals  !  | 

0  Ypermistra,  Penelopee,  Alceste,  ^^  j 
Your  ^^•yfhod he comendeth  with  the  beste !  ] 

But  certeiuly  no  word  ne  ^v^yteth  he  J 

Of  thilke  wikko  ensample  of  Canacee, 
That  lovede  hir  o\vne  brother  sinfullj' ;  1 

Of  swiche  cursed  stories  I  sey  "  fy  "  ;  8<i 
Or  elles  of  Tyro  Apollonius, 

How  that  the  cursed  king  Antiochtis  1 

Birafte  his  doghter  of  hir  maydenhede. 
That  is  so  horrible  a  tale  for  to  rede,  I 

Whan  he  hir  threw  up-on  the  pavement.  i 

And  therfor  he,  of  ful  avysement,  86  ] 

Nolde  never  wrj-te  in  none  of  his  sermouns  | 

Of  swiche  unkinde  abhominaeiouns,  \ 

No  I  wol  noon  rcherse,  if  that  I  may. 

But  of  my  tale  how  shal  I  doon  this  day  V 
Me  were  looth  be  lykned,  doiiEelees,       91-.;  ..^ 
To  Muses  that  men  clepe  Pierides — 
Mctamorphoseos  wot  what  I  mene  : — 
But  nathelees,  I  rccche  noght  a  bene     94 
Though  I  come  after  him  with  hawe-bake ; 

1  speke  in  prose,  and  lat  him  rymes  make.' 
And  with  that  word  he,  with  a  sobre  chere, 
Bigan  his  tale,  as  ye  shal  after  here. 

The  Prologe  of  the  Mannes  Tale 
of  Lawe. 

O  hateful  harm  !  condicion  of  poverte  1 
With  thurst,  witli  cold,  with  lumger  so 
confounded !  100 


452I-4574-J    B.     ZU  ^<»f«  of  tU  (!(^(^n  of  Bdwi,  477 


To    asken    help   thee   shameth    in   thyn 

herte  ; 
If  thou  noon  aske,  with  nede  artow  so 

wounded, 
That    verray   nede    uiiwrappeth    al   thy 
•  wounde  hid  ! 

»*-  *>'?''  ^^IftUgr^Q  thjai  heed,  thoix  inost  for  indi- 
gence 104 
Or  stele,  or  begge,  or  borwe  thy  despence  ! 

Thou  blamest  Crist,  and  seyst  ful  bitterly, 
I  He  niisdepartetli  richesse  temporal  ; 

^^^,v~^  Thy  neighebour  thou  wjrtestsinfully,  (.-o) 

And  seyst  thou  hast  to  Ijiie,  and  he  hath  al. 
J  ■  Parfay,"soistow,  '  somtynio  lio  rekne  shal, 

^lf4,'^>^l^'Wh.&n  that  his  tayl  shal  l^ennen  iij^he 
J^^Uc^       Jflede.  -^f..      Ill 

For  he  noght   helpeth  needful^   in  hir 
nede.' 

Herkne   what    is    the    sentence    of    the 

wyse : — 
'  Bet  is  to  dyOn  than  have  indigence  ; '  114 
'  Thy  selve  neighebour  wol  thee  despyse ; ' 


If  thovi  be  i^ovre,  farwel  thy  reverence  ! 
Yet  of  the  wyse  man  tak  this  sentence  : — 
' AUe  the  dayes  of  povre  men  ben  wikke  ; ' 
Be  war   therfor,   er   thoii   come   in  that 
prikke  !  (21) 

'If  thou   be   povre,    thj-  brother   hateth 
thee,  I  JO 

And  alle  thy  freendes  fleen  fro  thee,  alas ! ' 
O  riche  marchatints,  ful  of  Avele  ben  ye, 

0  nolite^o  prudent  folk,  as  in  this  cas ! 
Your  bffgges  been  nat  filled  with  ambes  as, 
But  with  sis  cink,  that  renueth  for  your 

chaunce  ;  125 

At  Cristemasse  merie  may  j^e  daunoe  ! 

Ye  seken  lond  and  see  for  your  winninges, 
As  wyse  folk  ye  knowen  al  th'estaat     (30) 
Of  regnes  ;  ye  ben  fadres  of  tydinges 
And  tales,  bothe  of  pees  and  of  debat.  130 

1  were  right  now  of  tales  desolat, 

Nere  that  a  marohaunt,  goon  is  many  a 

j-ere, 
Me  taughte  a  tale,  which  that  ye  shal  here. 


THE -TALE  OF  THE   MAN    OF  LAWE. 


Here  beginneth  the  Man  of  Lawe  his  Tale, 


In  Surrie  whylom  dwelte  a  companye 
*^fi  •-;0f  chapmeri  riche,  and  therto  sadde  and 
<r?v\'       trewe,     V''t*^fi-J^  "     "      135 

That  wyde-wller  senten  her  spyceryc, 
Clothes  of  gold,  and  satins  riche  of  hewe; 
Her  chafFar  was  so  thrifty  and  so  newe,  (4c5) 
That  every  wight  hath  deyntee  to  chaffaro 
With  hem,  and  eek  to  sellen  hem  hir 
ware.  140 

Now  fel  it,  that  the  maistres  of  that  sort 
^      Han^^lijyj^n  hem  to  Kome  for  to  wendo  ; 
Were  it  for  chapinanhode  or  for  disport, 
Non   other    message   wolde    they   thidor 
sende, 


But  comcn  hem-self  to  Rome,  this  is  the 
ende ;  145 

And  in  swich  place,  as  ^houghtc  heni 
avantage  "■ 

For  her  entente,  they  take  herlierbergage. 

Sojourned  hau  thise  marchants  in  that 
toun  (50) 

A  certein  tymc,  as  fel  to  hir  iilcsance. 
And  so  bifol,  that  th'cxcellent  renoun  15C1 
Of  th'emperourcs  doghtor,  dame  Custanco, 
Reported  was,  with  every  circumstance, 
Un-to  thise  Surrien  marchants  in  swich 

wyse. 
Fro  day  to  day,  as  I  shal  yow  devyse. 


478 


B.    ZU  Zak  of  t0e  QlUn  of  Bawt,    [x.  4575-4651. 


/ 


This   was    the    commune   vols   of  every 
man —  i55 

'  Our  Emj^erour  of  Rome,  god  him  see, 
A  iloghtcr  hath  tliat,  sin  theworkl  higan. 
To  rc-kne  as  wel  hir  goodnesse  as  heautee, 
Nas  never  swich  another  as  is  she  ;  (6i) 
I  prey  to  god  in  honotir  hir  sustene,  i6o 
And  wolde  she  were  of  al  Europe  the 
qnene. 

In  hir  is  heigh  heautee,  -with-oute  pryde, 
Yowthe,  with-oute  grenehede  or  folye  ; 
To  alle  hir  werkes  vcrtu  is  hir  gj'de, 
Humblesse  hath  slayn  in  hir  al  tirannye. 
She  is  mirour  of  alle  curteisye  ;  (68)  166 
Hir  herte  is  verray  chanibre  of  holiuesse, 
Hir  hand,  ministre  of  fredom  for  almesse.' 

And  al  this  vois  was  soth,  as  god  is  trewe, 
But  now  to  purpos  lat  us  turne  agayn ;  1 70 
Thise  marchants  han  doon   fraught  hir 

shippes  newe, 
And,  whan  they  han  this  IjlLsful  maydcn 

seyn, 
Hoom  to  Surrye  boon  they  went  ful  faj'u, 
And  doon  her  nedes  as  they  han  don  yore, 
And  liven  in  wele ;  I  can  soy  yow  no  more. 

Now  fol  it,  that  thise  marchants  stodo  in 
grace  1 76 

Of  him,  that  was  the  sowdan  of  Surrye  ; 
For  whan  they  came  ^m  any  strange 
place,  (80) 

He  wolde,  of  his  benigne  curteisye. 
Make  hem  good  chere,  and  bisily  espye  iSo 
Tydings  of  sondry  regnes,  for  to  lere 
The  wondres  that  they  mightc  seen  or  here. 

Amonges  othere  thinges,  specially 

Thise  mjirchiints  han  him  told  of  dame 

Custance, 
So  gret  noblesse  in  emest,  ccriously,     185 
Tliat   this   sowdan  hath  caught  so  gret 

plesance 
To  han  hir  figure  in  his  remembrance. 
That  al  his  lust  and  al  his  bisy  cure     (90) 
Was  for  to  love  hir  whyl  his  lyf  may  dure. 

Paraventuro  in  thilkc  large  book  190 

Which  that  men  clepe  the  heven,  y-writen 
was 


With  sterres,  whan  that  hohis  birthetook, 
That  ho  for  love  shulde  han  his  deiith ,  alias ! 
For  in  the  sterres,  clerer  than  is  glas, 
Is  writen,  god  wot,  who-socoude  it  rede,  195 
The  deeth  of  every  man,  withoutcn  drede. 

In  sterres,  many  a  winter  ther-biforn, 
Was  writen  the  deeth  of  Ector,  Acliilles, 
Of  Pompey,  Julius,  er  they  were  born;  (loi) 
The  stryf  of  Thebes  ;  and  of  Ercules,   200 
Of  Sampson,  Turnus,  and  of  Socrates 
The  deeth ;   bitt  mennos  wittes  been  so 

dulle. 
That  no  wight  can  wel  rede  it  atte  fulle. 

This  sowdan  for  his  privee  conseil  sente, 
And,  shortly  of  this  mater  for  to  pace,  205 
He  hath  to  hem  declared  his  entente, 
And  seyde  hem  certein,  '  hut  ho  mighte 
have  grace  (109) 

To  han  Custance  with-inne  a  litel  sjiace, 
He  nas  but  deed ; '  and  charged  hem,  in 

To  shapen  for  his  lyf  som  remedye.       210 

Diverse  men  diverse  thinges  sej-den  ; 
They  argumenten,  casten  iip  and  doun 
Many  a  subtil  resoun  forth  they  leyden. 
They  spoken  of  magilc  and  abusioun  ; 
But  finally,  as  in  conclusioun,  215 

The.y  can  not  soon  in  that  non  avantage, 
Xc  in  non  other  wey,  save  mariage.    (119) 

Than  sawe  they  ther-in  swich  difficnltee 
By  wey  of  resoun,  for  to  spcko  al  playn, 
By-cause  that  ther  was  swich  diversitee  220 
Bitwcne  hir  bothe  law-os,  that  they  sayn. 
They  trowe  '  that  no  cristen  prince  wolde 

fayn 
Wedden  his  child  under  oure  lawes  swete 
That   us   were    taught   by   Mahoun   our 

prophete.' 

And  he  answerde,  *  rather  than  I  lose  225 
Custance,  I  wol  be  cristned  doutelees  ; 
I  mot  bea  hires,  I  may  non  other  cliese. 
I    prey  yow   holde    your   arguments   in 
pees ;  (130) 

Saveth  my  lyf,  and  beeth  noght  rccchelees 
To  geten  hir  that  hath  my  lyf  in  cure  ;  230 
For  in  this  wo  I  may  not  longe  endure.' 


T.  4652-4728.]    B.    tU  ^<ife  of  tU  Qtlan  of  Bawe. 


479 


What  nedetli  gretter  dilatacioim  ? 

I  seyo,  by  tretis  and  embassadrye, 

And  by  the  ijopes  mediacioiin, 

And  al  the  chirche,  and  al  the  chivaliyo, 

That,  in  destriiccioun  of  Maiinietrye,   2.;(> 

And  in  encrces  of  Cristas  lawe  dere, 

They  ben  acorded,  so  as  ye  shal  here  ;  (140) 

How  that  the  so'wdan  and  his  baronage 
And  alle  his  liges  slmlde  y-cristned  be,  240 
And  lie  shal  ban  Custance  in  niariage, 
And  certein  gokl,  I  noot  what  qnantltec, 
And  her-to  founden  siiffisant  seurtee  ; 
This  same  acord  was  sworn  on  eyther  syde ; 
Xow,  faire  Custance,  almighty  god  thee 
gyde !  245 

Now  ^v•oldc  som  inen  waiten,  as  I  gesso. 
That  I  shuldo  toUen  al  the  inirveyance 
That  th'emxjerour,  of  his  grete  noblesse. 
Hath  shapen  for  his  dogliter  dame  Cus- 
tance. (151) 
Wei  may  men  knowe  that  so  gret  ordin- 
ance 250 
May  no  man  tellen  in  a  litel  clause 
As  was  arrayed  for  so  heigh  a  cause. 

Bisshopes    ben    shapen   with  hir  for   tcj 

wendc, 
Lordes,  ladyos,  knightes  of  renoun. 
And  other  folk  y-nowe,  this  is  the  ende  ; 
And  notifyed  is  thurgh-out  the  toun     256 
That  every  wight,  with  gret  devocioun, 
Shulde  prej-en  Crist  that  he  this  mariage 
Receyve  in  gree,  and  spede  this  viage.  (161) 

Tlie  day  is  comen  of  hir  departinge,     260 
I  scj%  the  woful  day  fatal  is  come, 
That  tloer  may  be  no  longer  taryinge. 
But  forth  ward  they  hem  dressen,  alle  and 

some ; 
Custance,  that  was  with  sorwe   al  over- 
come, 264 
Ful  palo  arist,  anddresseth  hir  to  wcndo  ; 
For  wel  she  sooth  ther  is  non  other  cndu. 

Alias!  what  wonder  is  it  though  she  wopte. 
That  shal  be  sent  to  strange  nacioun(i7o) 
Fro  froendcs,  that  so  tendrcly  hir  kepto. 
And  to  be  bounden  under  subieccioun  270 
Of  oon,  she  knowcth  not  his  condicioun. 


Hoiisbondes  been  aUe  gode,  and  ban  ben 

yore, 
Thatknowen  wy  ves,  I  dar  say  yow  no  more. 

'  F.ider,'  she  saj-de,  '  thy  wrecched  child 

Custance, 
Thy  yonge  doghter,  fostred  up  so  softe,  275 
And  ye,  my  moder,  my  soveraj'n  plesance 
Over  alle  thing,  out  taken  Crist  on-lofte, 
Custance,  "your   child,   hir   recomandeth 

ofte  (uSo) 

Un-to  your  gi-aco,  for  I  shal  to  Surrye, 
No  shal  I  never  seen  yow  more  with  ye.  280 

Alias  !  tin-to  the  Barbre  nacioun 
I  moste  anon,  sin  that  it  is  your  wille  ; 
But  Crist,  that  start  for  oiir  redcmpcioun, 
So  yeve  me  grace,  his  hostes  to  fulfiUo  ; 
I,  wrecche    womman,  no   fors   though    I 

spille.  2S5 

Wommen    are    born    to    thraldom    and 

penance, 
And  to  ben  under  mannes  governance.' 

I  trowe,  at  Troye,  whan  Pirrus  brak  the 
wal  (190) 

Or  Ylion  bronde,  at  Thebos  the  citee,  289 
N'at  Rome,  for  the  harm  thurgh  Hanibal 
That  Romayns  hath  venquisshed   tymes 

three, 
Nas  herd  swich  teudre  weping  for  pitee 
As  in  the  chambre  was  for  hir  departinge  ; 
Bot  forth  she  moot,  wher-so  she  wepe  or 
singe. 

O  firsto  moeving  ciTicl  firmament,  295 
With  thy  diurnal  sweigh  that  crowdest  ay 
And  hurlest  al  from  Est  til  Occident,  (199) 
That  naturelly  wolde  holde  anotlior  way, 
Thy  crowding  sot  the  hevon  in  swich  array 
At  the  beginning  of  this  ficrs  viage,  300 
That  cruel  Mars  hath  slayn  this  mariage. 

Infortunat  ascendent  tortuoiis. 
Of  which  the  lord  is  helples  falle,  aHas  ! 
Out  of  his  angle  in-to  the  dorkost  hous. 
O  Mars,  O  Atazir,  as  in  this  cas  !  305 

O  feble  mono,  unhappy  been  thy  pas  ! 
Thou  knittost    theo   ther   thou   art   nat 

rocej'ved, 
Thor  thou  were  weel,  fro  theniics  artow 

wcyved.  (jio) 


480 


B.      ZU  ^<^f^   of  iU   QU<in   of  Baroe.     [t.  4;29-4835. 


Imprudent  emperour  of  Rome,  alias  !  309 
AN'as  ther  no  philosoplire  in  al  thy  toun  ? 
Is  no  tyme  bet  than  other  in  swich  eas  ? 
Of  viage  is  ther  noon  eleccioiin, 
Namely  to  folk  of  heigh  condicioun, 
Nat  whan  a  rote  is  of  a  birtlie  y-knowe  ? 
Alias  !  we  ben  to  lewed  or  to  slowe.       315 

To  shippe  is  brought  this  wofnl  faire  mayde 
Solempnely,  with  every  circumstance. 
'  Now  Jesu  Crist  be  with  yow  alle,'  she 

sayde ;  {220) 

Ther    nis    namore    but    '  farewel !    faire 

Custance  !  '  319 

She  peyneth  h  ir  to  make  good  countenance, 
And  forth  I  lete  hir  sayle  in  this  manere, 
And  tm-ne  I  wol  agayn  to  my  matere. 

The  moder  of  the  sowdan,  welle  of  vyces, 
Espyed  hath  liir  sones  pleyn  entente, 
How  he  wol  lete  his  olde  saerifyces,      325 
And  right  anon  she  for  hir  conseil  sente ; 
And  they  ben  come,  to  knowe  what  she 

mente. 
And  when  assembled  was  this  folk  in-fere, 
She  sette  hir  douu,  and  saj-de  as  ye  shal 

here.  (231) 

'  Lordes,'  qiiod  she,  'ye knowen  everichon, 
How  that  mj'  soiic  in  point  is  for  to  lete  331 
The  holy  lawes  of  our  Alkaron, 
Yeven  by  goddes  message  Makomete. 
But  oon  avow  to  grote  god  I  hete,  334 

The  lyf  slial  rather  out  of  my  body  stcrto 
Than  Makometes  lawe  out  of  myn  herte  ! 

AMiat  shulde  \is  tyden  of  this  newe  lawe 
But  thraldom  to  our  bodies  and  penance  ? 
(^  And  afterward  in  helle  to  be  drawe    (:!4i) 
'  For  we  reneycd  Mahoun  our  creance  ?  340 
But,  lordes,  wol  j'e  maken  assurance, 
As  I  shal  scjTi,  .assenting  to  my  lore, 
And  I  shall  make  us  sauf  for  evermore  ?  ' 

They  sworen  and  assenten,  every  man,  344 
To  live  with  hir  and  dye,  and  bj-  hir  stonde ; 
And  everich,  in  the  beste  wyse  he  can. 
To  strengtlien  hir  shal  alle  his  freendes 

fonde  ; 
And  she  hath   this   empryse  y-take   on 

honde,  (250) 


Wliich  ye  shal  heren  that  I  shal  devyse. 
And  to  hem  alle  she  spak  right  in  this 
wyse.  350 

'  We  shul  first  feyne  us  cristendom  to  take, 
Cold  watacshal  not  greve  us  but  a  lyte  ; 
And  I  shal  swicli'a  feste  and  revel  make. 
That,  as  I  trowe,  I  shal  the  sowdan  quyte. 
For  though  his  wyf  be  cristned  never  so 

whj-te,  355 

She  shal  have  nede  to  wasshe  awey  the 

rede, 
Thogh  she  a  font-ful  water  with  hir  lede.' 

O  sowdanesse,  rote  of  iniquitec,  (260) 

Virago,  thou  SemjTam  the  secounde, 
O  serpent  under  femininitee,  360 

Lyk  to  the  serpent  depe  in  helle  y-bounde, 
O  feyued  womman,  al  that  nnay  confounde 
Vertu  and  innocence,  thurgh  tliy  malyce, 
Is  bred  in  thee,  as  nest  of  every  vyce  ! 

O  Satan,  envious  sin  thilke  day  365 

That  thou  were  chased  from  our  heritage, 
iVYel  knowestow  to  wommen  the  olde  way  ! 
rriiou  madest  Eva  bringe  lis  in  servage.  (270) 
Thou  wolt  fordoon  this  cristen  mariage. 
Thj-n  instrument  so,  weylawey  the  whyle ! 
Makestow  of  wommen,  whan  thou  wolt 
bogyle.  371 

This  sowdanesse,  whom  I  thus  blame  and 

warie, 
Loot  prively  hir  conseil  goon  hir  way. 
What  sholdo  I  in  this  tale  lenger  tarie  ? 
Slic  rydeth  to  the  sowdan  on  a  day,      375 
And  scyde  him,  that  she  wolde  reneye 

hir  lay, 
And  cristendom  of  preestes  handes  fonge, 
Repenting  hir  she  hethen  was  so  longe,(28o) 

Bisoching  him  to  doon  hir  that  honour, 
That  she  moste  han  the  cristen  men  to 

feste  ;  380 

'  To  plesen  hem  I  wol  do  my  labovu'.' 
The  sowdan  seith, '  I  wol  don  at  yourheste,' 
And  knelingthankethhirof  thatrequestc. 
So  glad  he  was,  he  niste  what  to  seye ; 
She  kiste  hir  sone,  and  hoom  she  gooth 

hir  weye.  385 

Explicit  prima  pars.        Sequitur 
pars  secunda. 


T.  4806-4882.]    B.    ZU  Zak  of  tU  QlXan  of  Bavot. 


Arryved  ben  this  Cristen  folk  to  londe, 
In  Surrie,  with  a  greet  solempne  route, 
And  hastUy  this  sowdan  sente  his  sonde, 
First    to   his    moder,  and   al   the   regne 

aboute,  (291) 

And  seyde,  his  wyf  was  comen,   out  of 

doute,  390 

And  preyde   hir  for  to  ryde  agayn  the 

qnene. 
The  honour  of  his  regne  to  sustene. 

Gret  was  the  prees,  and  riche  was  th'array 
Of  Surriens  and  Romayns  met  y-fere  ; 
The  moder  of  the  sowdan,  riche  and  gay, 
Receyveth  hir  witli  al-so  glad  a  chere  396 
As  any  moder  mighte  hir  doghter  dere, 
And  to  the  nexte  citee  ther  bisyde  (3cxj) 
A  softe  pas  solempnely  ihey  ryde. 

Noght  trowe  I  the  triumphe  of  Julius,  400 
Of  which  that  Lucan  niaketh  swich  a  host, 
Was  royallet,  ne  more  curious 
Than  was  th'assemblee  of  this  blisful  host. 
But  this  scorpioun,  this  wikked  gost, 
The  sowdanesse,  for  al  hir  flateringe,  405 
Casto  under  this  ful  mortally  to  stinge. 

The  sowdan  comth  him-self  sone  after  this 
So  royally,  that  wonder  is  to  telle,  (310) 
And  welcometh  hir  with  iille  joye  and  blis. 
And  thus  in  merthe  and  joye  I  lete  hem 

dwelle.  410 

The  fruyt  of  this  matere  is  that  I  telle. 
Whan  tyme  cam,  men  thoughte  it  for  the 

beste 
That  revel  stinte,  and  men  goon  to  hir 

reste. 

The  tyme  cam,  this  olde  sowdanesse  414 
Ordeyned  hath  this  feste  of  which  I  tolde, 
And  to  the  feste  Cristen  folk  hem  dresse 
In  general,  ye  !  botheyonge  and  olde.  (319) 
Here  may  men  feste  and  royaltee  biholde, 
And  deyntees  mo  than  I  can  yow  devyse, 
But  al  to  dere  they  boughte  it  er  they  ryse. 

O  sodeyn  wo  !  that  ever  art  successour  421 
To   worldly  blisse,  spreynd  with   bitter- 

nesse ; 
Th'  ende  of  the  joye  of  our  workUy  labour ; 
Wo  occupieth  the  fyn  of  our  gladnesse. 
Herke  this  conseil  for  thy  sikernesse,  425 


Up-on  thy  glade  day  have  in  thy  minde 
The  unwar  wo  or  harm  that  comth  bi- 
hinde. 

For  shortly  for  to  tellen  at  o  word,     (330) 
The  sowdan  and  the  Cristen  everichone 
Ben  al  to-hewe  and  stiked  at  the  bord,  430 
But  it  were  only  dame  Custance  allone. 
This  olde  sowdanesse,  cursed  crone, 
Hath  with  hir  frendes  doon  this  cursed 

dede, 
For  she  hir-self  wolde  al  the  contree  lede. 

Ne  ther  was  Surrien  noon  that  was  con- 
verted 435 

That  of  the  conseil  of  the  sowdan  woot. 

That  he  nas  al  to-hewe  er  he  asterted. 

And  Custance  han  they  take  anon,  foot- 
hoot,  (340) 

And  in  a  shippe  al  sterelees,  god  woot, 

They  han  hir  set,  and  bidde  hir  lerne 
sayle  440 

Out  of  Surrye  agaynward  to  Itayle. 

A  certein  tresor  that  she  thider  ladde, 
And,  sooth  to  sayn,  vitaille  gret  plentee 
They  han  hir  yeven,  and  clothes  eek  she 

hadde. 
And  forth  she  sayleth  in  the  salte  see.  445 
O  my  Custance,  ful  of  benignitee, 
O  emperoures  yonge  doghter  dere,      (349) 
He  that  is  lord  of  fortune  be  thy  stere ! 

She  blesseth  hir,  and  with  ful  pitous  voys 
Un-to  the  croys  of  Crist  thus  seyde  she, 
'  O  clere,  o  welful  auter,  holy  croys,  451 
Reed  of  the  lambes  blood  full  of  pitee, 
That  wesh  the  world  fro  the  olde  iniquitee, 
Me  fro  the  feend,  and  fro  his  clawes  kepe. 
That  day  that  I  shal  drenchen  in  the 
depe.  455 

Victorious  tree,  proteccioun  of  trewe, 
That  only  worthy  were  for  to  here      (359) 
The  kingof  heven  with  his  woundes  newe, 
The  whyte  laxnb,  that  hurt  was  with  the 

spere,  459 

Flemer  of  feendes  out  of  him  and  here 
On  which  thy  limes  feithfully  e.\tenden, 
Me  keep,  and  yif  me  might  my  lyf  t'amen- 

den.' 


482 


B.    ZU  ZaU  of  tU  QTlan  of  Bavot.    [t.  4883-495-'. 


Yeres  and  dayes  fleet  this  creature 
Thurgliout  the  see   of  Grece  vin-to  the 

straj-te 
Of  Marrok,  as  it  was  hir  aventure  ;       465 
On  many  a  sory  raeel  now  may  she  bayte  ; 
After  her  deeth  ful  often  may  she  wayte, 
Er  that  the  wilde  wawes  wol  hir  dryve 
Un-to  the  place,  ther  she  shal  arryve.  (371) 

Men  mighten  asken  why  she  was  not 
slayn  ?  470 

Eek  at  the  feste  who  niighte  hir  body  save  ? 

And  I  answere  to  that  demaunde  agaj-n, 

Who  saved  Daniel  in  the  horrible  cave, 

Ther  every  wight  save  he,  maister  and 
knave,  474 

Was  with  the  leoun  frete  er  he  asterte  ? 

Xo  ^vight  biit  god,  that  he  bar  in  his  herte. 

God  liste  to  shewe  his  wonderful  miracle 
In   hir,  for  we   sholde   seen  his  mighty 
werkes  ;  (380) 

Crist,  which  that  is  to  every  harm  triacle. 
By  certein  menes  cite,  as  knowen  clerkes, 
Doth   thing   for    certein    ende    that  ful 
derk  is  481 

To  mannes  wit,  that  for  our  ignorance 
Ne   conne   not  knowe  his  prudent  pur- 
veyance. 

Now,  sith  she  was  not  at  the  feste  y-slawe. 
Who  kepte  hir  fro  the  drenching  in  the 

see  ?  485 

Who  kepte  Jonas  in  the  fisshes  mawe 
Til  he  was  spouted  up  at  Ninivee  ? 
Wei  may  men  knowe   it  was  no  wight 

but  he  (39<>) 

That  kepte  peple  Ebraik  fro  hir  drench- 

inge. 
With  drye  feet  thurgh-out  the  see  pass- 

inge.  49<i 

Who  bad  the  foure  spirits  of  tempest. 
That  power  hau  t'anoyen  land  and  see, 
'Bothe  north  and  south,  and  also  west 

and  est, 
Anoyeth  neither  see,  ne  land,  ne  tree  ?' 
Sothly,  the  comaundour  of  that  was  he. 
That  fro  the  tempest  ay  this  womman 

kepte  496 

As  wel  whan  [that]  she  wook  as  whan  she 

slepte. 


Wher  mighto   this   womman   mete  and 

drinkehave?  (400) 

Three  yeer  and   more    how  lasteth  hir 

vitaille  ?  499 

Who  fedde  the  Egipcien  Marie  in  the  cave. 
Or  in  desert  ?   no  "vvight  but  Crist,  sans 

faille. 
Fyve  thousand  folk  it  was  as  gret  mer- 

vaille 
With  loves  fy^-e  and  fisshes  two  to  fede. 
God  sente  his  foison  at  hir  grete  nede. 

She  dryveth  forth  in-to  our  occean       505 
Thurgh-out  our  wilde  see,  tU,  atte  laste, 
Under  an  hold  that  ncmpnen  I  ne  can, 
Fer  in  Northumberlond   the  wawe   hir 

caste,  (410) 

And  in  the  sond  hir  ship  stiked  so  faste. 
That  thennes  wolde  it  noght  of  al  a  tyde, 
The  wille  of  Crist  was  that  she  shulde 

abyde.  511 

The  constable  of  the  castel  douu  is  fare 
To  seen  this  wrak,  and  al  the  ship  he 

soghte, 
And  fond  this  wery  ^vomman  ful  of  cr^re  ; 
He  fond  also  the  tresor  that  she  brogh'fe. 
In  hir  langage  mercy  she  bisoghte  516 
The  lyf  oixt  of  hir  body  for  to  twinne,  (419) 
Hir  to  deUvero  of  wo  that  she  was  inne. 

A  maner  Latin  corrupt  was  hir  speche,  - 
But  algates  ther-by  was  she  understonde; 
The  constable,  whan  him  list  no  lenger 

seche,  521 

This  woful  womman  broghte  he  to  the 

londe ; 
She  kneleth  doun,  and  thanketh  goddes 

sonde. 
But  what  she  was,  she  wolde  no  man  seye. 
For  foul  nc  fair,  thogh  that  she  shulde 

deye.  525 

She  seyde,  she  was  so  mased  in  the  see 
That  she  forgat  hir  minde,  byhir  trouthe; 
The  constable  hath  of  hir  so  greet  pitee. 
And  eek  his  wyf,  that  they  wepen  for 
routhe,  (430  529 

Slie  was  so  diligent,  with-outen  slouthe. 
To  serve  and  plesen  everich  in  that  place, 
That  alio  hir  loven  that  loken  on  hir  face. 


^ 


T-  4953-5022.]  B.    ZU  'tdk  of  tU  Q1^<^n  of  Bawe. 


483 


This  constable  and  dame  Hemiengild  his 
wyf 

Were  payens,  and  that  contree  every- 
where ; 

But  Hermengild  lovede  hir  right  as  hir 
lyf,  535 

And  distance  hath  so  longe  sojonrned 
there, 

In  orisons,  with  many  a  bitter  tare, 

Til  Jesu  hath  converted  thurgh  his  grace 

Dame  Hermengild,  constablesse  of  that 
place.  (441)  539 

In  al  that  lond  no  Cristen  durste  route, 
Alle  Cristen  folk  ben  fled  fro  that  contree 
Thnrgh     payens,    that    conquereden    al 

about e 
The  plages  of  the  !North,  by  land  and  see  ; 
To  Walls  fled  the  Cristianitee 
Of  olde  Britons,  dwellinge  in  this  yle  ;  545 
Ther  was  hir  refut  for  the  mene  whyle. 

But  yet  nere  Cristen  Britons  so  exyled(449) 
That  ther  nere  somme  that  in  hir  privetcc 
Honoured  Crist,  and  hethen  folk  bigyled  ; 
And  ny  the  castel  svviche  ther  dwelten 

three.  550 

That  oon  of  hem  was  blind,  and  niighto 

nat  see 
But  it  were  with  thilke  yen  of  his  minde, 
With  whiche  men  seen,  after  that  they 

ben  blinde. 

Bright  was  the  sonne  as  in  that  someres 

("lay,  554 

For  which  the  constable  and  his  wyf  also 
And  Custance  h.an  y-take  the  righte  way 
Toward  the  see,  .a  furlong  wey  or  two. 
To  pleyen  and  to  romen  to  and  fro ;   (460) 
And  in  hir  walk  this  blinde  man  they 

mette  55q 

Croked  and  old,  with  yen  faste  y-shette. 

'  In   nivme   of    Crist,'   cryde   this    blinde 

Britoun, 
'  Dame   Hermengild,    yif  mc   my   sighte 

agayn.' 
This  lady  wex  affrayed  of  the  sotin. 
Lest  that  hir  housbond,    shortly  for  to 

sayn, 
Wolde  hir  for  .Jesu  Cristes  love  han  slajTi, 


Til  Custance  made  hir  bold,  and  bad  hir 

werche  566 

The  wil  of  Crist,  as  <loghter  of  his  ehirche. 

Tlie  constable  wex  ab.T-sshed  of  that  sight, 
And  seyde,  '  what  amounteth  al  this  fare?' 
Custance   answerde,    '  sire,    it   is  Cristes 
might,  (472)  570 

That  helpeth  folk  out  of  the  feendes  snare.' 
And  so  ferforth  she  gaji  our  lay  declare, 
That  she  the  constable,  cr  that  it  were  eve. 
Converted,  and  on  Crist  made  him  bileve. 

This  constable  was  no-thing  lord  of  this 
place  (477)  575 

Of  which  I  speke,  ther  he  Custance  fond, 
But  kepte  it  strongly,  many  wintres  space. 
Under  Alia,  king  of  al  ^(jrthumberlond, 
Tli.it  was  ful  wys,  and  worthy  of  his  hond 
Agayn  the  Scottes,  as  men  may  wel  here, 
But  turne  I  wol  agayn  to  my  matere.  581 

Sathan,  that  ever  us  waiteth  to  bigyle, 
Saugli  of  Custance  al  hir  porfoccioun, 
And  caste  anon  how  he  mighte  quyte  hir 

whj'le. 
And  made  a  yong  knight,  that  dwelte  in 

that  toiin,  585 

Love  hir  so  bote,  of  foul  affeccioun. 
That  verraily  him   thoughte   he   shulde 

spille  (489) 

But  he  of  hir  mighte  ones  have  his  willo. 

He  woweth  hir,  but  it  availleth  noght, 
She  wolde  do  no  sinne,  by  no  weye  ;      590 
And,    for   despyt,    he   compassed   in   his 

thoght 
To  maken  hir  on  shamful  deth  to  dcye. 
He  wayteth  whan  the  constable  was  aweyc, 
And  prively,  up-on  a  night,  he  crepte  594 
In  Hermengildes  chambro  whyl  she  slepte. 

Wery,  for-waked  in  her  orisouns, 
Slepeth  Custance,  and  Hermengild  also. 
This   knight,    thurgh   S.athauas   tempta- 

ciouns,  (500) 

Al  softcly  is  to  the  bed  y-go. 
And  kitte  the  throte  of  Hermengild  a-two, 
And    leyde    the    blody    knyf    by    dame 

Custance,  601 

And  wente  his  way,  ther  god  yovo  him 

meschance  ! 


484 


B.    ZU  Zak  of  t^t  QTlan  of  JSaroe.    [t.  5023-5095- 


Sone   after  comth    this    constable   hoom 

agayn, 
And  eek  Alia,  that  king  was  of  that  lend, 
And  saugh  his  wyf  despitously  y-slayn,  605 
For  which  ful  ofte  he  weep  and  wrong  his 

hond, 
And  in  the  bed  the  blody  knyf  he  fond 
By  dame  Custance  ;  alias !  what  niighte 

she  seye?  (510) 

For  verray  wo  hir  wit  was  al  aweye. 

To  king  Alia  was  told  al  this  meschance, 
And  eek  the   tyme,  and  where,  and  in 
what  wyse  611 

That  in  a  ship  was  founden  dame  Custance, 
As  heer-biforn  that  ye  han  herd  devyse. 
The  kinges  herte  of  pitee  gan  agryse, 
Whan  he  sangh  so  benigne  a  creature  615 
Falle  in  disese  and  in  niisaventure. 

For  as  the  lomb  toward  his  deeth  is  broght, 
So  stant  this  innocent  bifore  the  king  ; 
This  false  knight  that  hath  this  tresoun 

wroght  (521) 

Berth  hir  on  hond  that  she  hath  doon 

this  thing.  620 

fBut    nathelees,    ther    was    [ful]    greet 

moorning 
Among  the  peple,  and  seyn,  '  they  can  not 

gesse 
That  she  hath  doon  so  greet  a  wikked- 

uesse.  623 

For  they  han  seyn  hir  ever  so  vertuous, 
And  loving  Hermengild  right  as  her  lyf.' 
Of  this  bar  witnesse  everich  in  that  hous 
Save  he  that  Hermengild  slow  with  his 

knyf. 
This  gentil  king  hath  caught  a  gi-et  motyf 
Of  this  witnesse,  and  thoghte  he  wolde 

enquere  (53,) 

Depper  in  this,  a  trouthe  for  to  lere.     630 

Alias !  Custance !  thou  hast  no  champioun, 
Xe  fighte  canstow  nought,  so  wcylawey  ! 
But  he,  that  starf  for  our  redenjpcioun 
And  bond  Sathau  (and  yit  lyth  ther  he 

lay) 
80  be  thy  stronge  champioun  this  day !  635 
For,  but-if  Crist  open  miracle  kythe, 
Withouten  gilt  thou   shalt   be  slayn  as 

swytho. 


She  sette  her  doun  on  knees,  and  thus 
she  sayde,  (54") 

'  Immiortal  god,  that  savedest  Susanne 

Fro  false  blame,  and  thou,  merciful 
mayde,  640 

Mary  I  mene,  doghter  to  Seint  Anne, 

Bifore  whos  child  aungeles  singe  Osanne, 

If  I  be  giltlees  of  this  felonye. 

My  socour  be,  for  elles  I  shal  dye  ! '       644 

Have  ye  nat  seyn  som  tyme  a  pale  face. 
Among  a  prees,  of  him  that  hath  be  lad 
Toward  his  deeth,   wher-as  him  gat  no 

grace, 
And  swich  a  colour  in  his  face  hath  had, 
Men   niighte   knowe  his  face,   that  was 

bistad,  (551) 

Amonges  alle  the  faces  in  that  route  :  650 
So  stant  Custance,  and  loketh  hir  aboute. 

O  queues,  livinge  in  prosperitee, 
Duchesses,  and  ye  ladies  everichone, 
Haveth  soni  routhe  on  hir  adversitee  ; 
An  omperoures  doghter  stant  allone  ;    655 
She  hath  no  wight  to  whom  to  make  hir 

mone. 
O  blood  royal,  that  stondest  in  this  drede, 
Fer  ben  thy  freendes  at  thy  grete  nede ! 

This  Alia  king  hath  swich  compassionn, 
As  gentil  herte  is  fulfild  of  jiitce,  (,={62)  660 
That  from  his  yen  ran  the  water  doun. 
'  Now  hastily  do  fecche  a  book,'  quod  he, 
'  Aiid  if  this  knight  wol  sweren  how  that 

she 
This  womman  slow,  yet  wolo  we  us  avyse 
Whom  that  we  wole  that  shal  ben  our 

justyse.'  665 

A  Briton  book,  writen  with  Evangyles, 
Was  fct,  and  on  this  book  he  swoor  anoon 
She  gilty  was,  and  in  the  mene  whjdes 
A  hand  him  smoot  upon  the  nekke-boon. 
That  doun  he  fil  atones  its  a  stoon,  (572)  670 
And  bothe  his  yen  broste  out  of  his  face 
In  sight  of  every  body  in  that  place. 

A  vois  was  herd  in  general  audience, 
And    seyde,     '  thou    hast     desclaundred 

giltelees 
The    doghter    of    holy   chirche    in    hey 

l^resenco ;  675 


T.  5096-5169.]    B.    ZU  ^<^f^  of  ^U  QHan  of  Bawt. 


485 


Thus  hastoii  doon,  and  yet  holde  I  my 

pees.' 
Of  this  mervaille  agast  was  al  the  prees  ; 
As  mased  folk  they  stoden  everichone,  (580) 
For  drede  of  wreche,  save  Custance  allone. 

Greet  was  the  drede  and  eek  the  repent- 
ance 680 

Of  hem  that  hadden  wrong  suspeccioun 

Upon  this  sely  innocent  Custance  ; 

And,  for  this  miracle,  in  conclusioun, 

And  by  Custances  mediacioun, 

The  king,  and  manj^  another  in  that 
place,  685 

Converted  was,  thanked  be  Cristes  grace ! 

This  false  knight  was  slayn  for  liis  ain- 

trouthe 
By  ji^gement  of  Alia  hastifly  ;  (590) 

And  yet  Custance  hadde  of  his  deeth  gret 

routhe. 
And  after  this  Jesus,  of  his  mercy,        690 
Made  Alia  wedden  ful  solempnely 
This  holy  mayden,  that  is  so  bright  and 

shene, 
And  thus  hath   Crist   y-maad    Custance 

a  quene.  — ' 

But  who  was  woful,  if  I  shal  nat  lye. 
Of  this  wedding  bvit  Doncgild,  and  na  mo, 
Tlie  kinges  moder,  ful  of  tirannye  ?  696 
Hir  thoughte  hir  cursed  herte  brast  a-two ; 
She  wolde  noght  hir  sone  had  do  so ;  (600) 
Hir  thoughte  a  despit,  that  he  sholde  take 
So  strange  a  creature  un-to  his  make.  700 

Me  list  nat  of  the  chaf  nor  of  the  stree 
Maken  so  long  a  tale,  as  of  the  com. 
"What  sholde  I  tellen  of  the  royaltee 
At  mariage,  or  which  cours  gooth  biforn, 
Wlio  bloweth  in  a  trompe  or  in  an  horn  ? 
The  fruit  of  every  tale  is  for  to  seye  ;    706 
They  cte,  and  drinke,  and  daunce,  and 
singe,  and  pleye. 

Tliey  goon  to  bedde,  as  it  was  skile  and 

right ;  (610) 

For,   thogh    that   wy\'es   been    ful    holy 

thinges. 
They  moste  take  in  pacience  at  night  710 
Swich  manor  necessaries  as  been  plesinges 
To   folk   that   han   y-wedded   hem  with 
ringes, 


And  leye  a  lyte  hir  holinesse  asyde 
As  for  the  tyme  ;  it  may  no  bet  bityde. 

On  hir  he  gat  a  knave-child  anoon,       715 
And  to  a  bishop  and  his  constable  eke 
He  took  his  wyf  to  kepe,  whan  he  is  goon 
To  Scotland-ward,  his  fo-men  for  to  seke ; 
Now  faire  Custance,   that  is  so  humble 

and  meke,  (62 1 ) 

So  longe  is  goon  with  childe,  til  that  stillo 
She   halt  hir   chambre,  abyding  Cristes 

wille.  72 1 

Tlie  tyme  is  come,  a  knave-child  she  ber ; 
Mauricivis  at  the  font-stoon  they  him  callc ; 
This  constable  dooth  forth  come  a  mes- 

sager, 
And  wroot  un-to  his  king,  that  cleped 

was  Alle,  725 

How  that  this  blisful  tyding  is  bifalle. 
And  othere  tydings  speedful  for  to  seye  ; 
He  tak'th  the  lettre,  and  forth  he  gooth 

his  weye.  (630) 

This  messager,  to  doon  his  avantage,    729 
Un-to  the  kinges  moder  rydeth  swythe, 
And  salueth  hir  ful  faire  in  his  langage, 
'  Madame,'  quod  he,  '  ye  may  be  glad  an<l 

blythe. 
And  thanke  god  an  hiindred  thousand 

-  sythe  ; 
My  lady  quene   hath   child,  with-outen 
doute,  7.H 

To  joye  and  blisse  of  al  this  regne  aboute. 

Lo,  heer  the  lettres  seled  of  this  thing. 
That  I  mot  here  with  al  the  haste  I  maj-; 
If  ye  wol  aught  un-to  your  sone  the  king, 
I  am  your  servant,  bothe  night  and  day,' 
Donegild  answerde,  '  as  now  at  this  tyme, 

nay ;  (642)  740 

But  heer  al  night  I  wol  thou  take  thy 

reste, 
Tomorwe  wol  I  seye  thee  what  mo  leste.' 

This  messager  drank  sadly  ale  and  wyn, 
And  stolen  were  his  lettres  prively 
Out  of  his  box,  whyl  he  sleep  as  a  swyn  : 
And  countrefeted  was  ful  subtilly  746 
Another  lettro,  wroght  ful  sinfully, 
Un-to  the  king  direct  of  this  matero  (<)5<)) 
Fro  liis  constable,  as  ye  slml  after  here. 


486 


B.    ZU  'tak  of  tU  (nian  of  Bam.    [x.  5170-5246. 


The  lottrc  spak,  '  the  queen  delivered  was 
Of  so  horrible  a,  feendly  creature,  751 

That  in  the  castel  noon  so  hardy  was 
That  any  whj-lo  dorste  ther  endure. 
The  nioder  was  an  elf,  by  aventure 
Y-corae,  by  charmes  or  by  sorcerye,      755 
And  every  wight  hateth  hir  companye.' 

Wo  was  this   king  whan   he  this  lettre 
had  sejTi,  (659) 

But  to  no  wightc  he  tolde  his  sorwes  sore. 
But  of  his  owene  honde  he  wroot  agcyn, 
'  Welcome  the  sonde  of  Crist  for  evermore 
To  me,  that  am  now  lerned  in  his  lore  ;  761 
Lord,    welcome    be    thy    lust    and    thy 

plesaunce. 
My  lust  I  putte  al  in  thjoi  ordinaunce  ! 

Kepeth  this  child,  al  be  it  foul  or  fair. 
And    eek    my    wyf,    un-to    myn    hooni- 
comingo ;  765 

Crist,  whan  him  list,  may  sende  me  an 

•heir 
More  agreable  than  this  to  my  lykinge.' 
This  lettre  he  seleth,  prively  wepinge,  (670) 
Which  to  the  messager  was  take  sone, 
And  forth  he  gooth ;  ther  is  na  more  to 
,--      done.  770 

O  m.essager,  fulfild  of  dronkenesse, 
Strong  is  thy  breeth,  thy  limes  faltren  ay. 
And  thou  biwrcyost  alle  secreencssc. 
Thy  mind  is  lorn,  thou  janglost  as  a  jay. 
Thy  face  is  turned  in  a  newe  array !      775 
Ther  dronkenesse  regneth  in  any  route, 
Ther  is  no  conscil  hid,  with-outen  doute. 

O  Donegild,  I  ne  liave  noon  English  digne 
L'n-to  thy  malice  and  thy  tirannyc  !  (6<Si) 
And  thorfor  to  the  feend  I  thee  resigne, 
Let  him  endyten  of  thy  traitorye  !         781 
Fy,  mannish,  fj^ !  o  nay,  by  god,  I  lye, 
Fy,  feendly  spirit,  for  I  dar  wel  telle. 
Though  thou  heer  walke,  thy  spirit  is  in 
helle !  784 

This  messager  comth  fro  the  king  agayn. 
And  at  the  kinges  modres  court  he  lighte. 
And  she  was  of  this  messager  ful  fayn, 
And    plesed    him    in   al  that   over    she 

might  c.  (690) 

He   drank,   anil   wel   his    girdel    under- 

pightc. 


He  slepeth,  and  he  snoreth  in  his  g5"80  790 
Al  niglit,  f  un-tU  the  Sonne  gan  aryse. 

Eft  were  his  lettres  stolen  evericJion 
And  countrefeted  lettres  in  this  wj'se  ; 
'  The  king  comandeth  his  constable  anon, 
Up  pej-ne  of  hanging,  and  on  heigh  jiij^e, 
That  he  ne  sholde  suffren  in  no  wyse   796 
Custance  in-with  his  regue  for  t'abyde 
Thre  dayes  and  a  quarter  of  a  tyde  ;  (700) 

But  in  the  same  ship  as  he  hir  fond, 
Hir  and  hir  yonge  sone,  and  al  hir  gere. 
He  sholde  putte,  and  croude  hir  fro  the 

lond,  801 

And  charge  hir  that  she  never  eft  come 

there.' 
O  mj'  Custance,  wel  may  thy  goost  have 

fere 
And  sloping  in  thy  dreem  been  in  penance, 
\^^len  Donegild  caste  al  this  ordinance  ! 

This  messager  on  morwe,  whan  he  wook, 
Un-to  the  castel  halt  the  nexte  wey,  (709) 
And  to  the  constable  he  the  lettre  took  ; 
And  whan  that  he  this  pitous  lettre  sey, 
Ful   ofte   he   seyde    'alias!'    and   '  wey- 

lawey  ! '  810 

'  Lord    Crist,'    quod    he,    '  how  may   this 

world  endure  ? 
So  ful  of  sinno  is  many  a  creature  ! 

O  mighty  god,  if  that  it  be  thy  wille, 
Sith  thou  art  rightful  juge,  how  may  it  be 
That  thou  wolt  suffren  innocents  to  spille, 
And  wikked  folk  regne  in  prosperitee?8i6 
O  good  Custance,  alias  !  so  wo  is  me 
That  I  mot  be  thy  tormentour,  or  deye 
On   shames   deeth ;    ther   is   noon  other 
weye ! '  (721) 

Wepen  bothe  yonge  and  olde  in  al  tliat 

place,  820 

Whan  that  the  king  this  cursed  lettre 

sente. 
And  Custance,  with  a  dcedly  pale  face, 
Tlio  ferthe  day  toward  hir  ship  she  wento. 
But  natlieles  she  taketh  in  good  entente 
The  wiUe  of  Crist,  and,  kneling  on  the 

stronde,  825 

She   seyde,    '  lord  I    ay   wel-com    be   tliy 

sonde  ! 


T.  5247-5314.]    B.    ZH  Zak  of  tU  dUan  of  Bawc. 


487 


He  tliat  me  kepte  fro  the  false  blame 
Whyl  I  was  on  the  loudu  amonges  j'ow, 
He  ca  n  me  kepe  from  harme  and  eek  fro 
shame  (73O 

In  salte  see,  al-thogh  I  see  nat  how.      830 
As  strong  as  ever  he  was,  he  is  yet  now. 
In  him  triste  I,  and  in  his  moder  dere. 
That  is  to  me  my  sej-1  and  eek  mj^  stere.' 


^- 


Hir  lite!  child  lay  weping  in  hir  arm,  834 
And  kneling,  pitously  to  him  she  seydsi 
'  Pees,   litel    sone,    I   wol    do    thee    non 

harm.' 
With  that  hir  kerchef  of  hii*  heed  she 

breyde. 
And  over  his  litel  yen  she  it  leyde  ;     (740) 
And  in  hir  arm  she  lullcth  it  fnl  faste, 
And  in-to  heven  hir  yen  np  she  caste.  840 

'  Moder,'   qnod  she,  '  and  mayde  bright, 

Marye, 
Sooth  is  that  thnrgh  wommanncs  eggc- 

naent 
Mankind  was  lorn  and  damned  ay  to  dj-e. 
For  which   thy  child  was  on  a   croys  y- 

rent; 
Thy  blisful  yen  sawe  al  his  torment ;    845 
Than  is  ther  no  comparisoun  bitwene 
Thy  wo  and  any  wo  man  may  sustene. 

Thou  sawe  thy  child  y-slayn  bifor  thyn 
yen,  (7.S0) 

Aiid  yet  now  liveth  my  litel  child,  parfay ! 

Now,  lady  bright,  to  whom  alle  woful 
cryen,  850 

Thou  glorie  of  wommanhede,  thou  faire 
may, 

Thou  haven  of  refut,  brightc  sterre  of  day, 

Rcwe  on  my  child,  that  of  thy  gentillesse 

Itewest  on  every  rewful  in  distresse  ! 

O  litel  child,  alias  !  what  is  thy  gilt,  855 
That    never    wroughtcst    sinne    as    yet, 

Pardee, 
"N^Hiy  wil  thyn  harde  fader  ban  thee  spilt? 
O  mercy,  dere  constable  ! '  qnod  she  ;  (760) 
'  As  lat  my  litel  child  dwelle  heer  with 

thee ; 
And  if  thou  darst   not   saven   him,   for 

blctme,  860 

So  kis  him  ones  in  his  fadres  name  ! ' 


Ther-with    she   loketh    bakward   to   the 

londo, 
And   seyde,    '  far-wel,    housbond   ronthc- 

lees  ! ' 
And  up  she  rist,  and  walketh  doun  the 

stronde 
Toward  the  ship  ;  hir  folweth  al  the  prees. 
And  ever  she  preyeth  hir  child  to  holde 

his  pees  ;  866 

And  taketh  hir  leve,  and  with  an  holy 

entente 
She   blesseth   hir ;    and    in-to    ship    she 

wente.  (770) 

Yitailled  was  the  ship,  it  is  no  dredo, 
Habundantly  for  hir,  ful  longe  space,  870 
And  other  necessaries  that  sholde  nede 
She  hadde  y-nogh,  heried  be  goddes  grace ! 
For  wind  and  weder  almighty  god  jiur- 

chace, 
And  bringe  hir  hooni !    I  can  no  bettre 

seye ;  874 

But  in  the  see  she  di-j^-eth  forth  hir  weye. 

Explicit  secunda   pars. 
Sequitur  pars  tercia. 

Alia  the  king  comth  hoom,  sone  after  this, 
Unto  his  castel  of  the  which  I  tolde,  (779) 
And  axeth  wher  his  wyf  and  his  child  is. 
The  constable  gan  abouto  his  herte  colde. 
And  j)leynly  al  the  maner  he  him  tolde  880 
As  ye  han  herd,  I  can  telle  it  no  bettre, 
And  sheweth  the  king  his  seel  and  [eek] 
his  lettre. 

And  seyde,  '  lord,  as  ye  comaimded  me 
Up  peyne  of  deeth,  so  have  I  doon,  certein.' 
This  mossagcr  tormented  was  til  ho      885 
Moste  biknowe  and  tellen,  plat  and  plein. 
Fro  night  to  night,  in  what  jilace  he  had 

lejTi. 
And  thus,  by  wit  and  subtil  enquoringo, 
Ymagined  was  by  whom  this  harni  gan 

springe.  (791) 

The  hand  was  knowe  that  the  lettro  wroot. 
And  al  the  venim  of  this  cursed  dede,  891 
But  ill  what  wyse,  certeinly  I  noot. 
Tli'effect  is  this,  that  Alia,  out  of  drede. 
His  moder  slow,  that  men  may  pleinly 
rede, 


488 


B.    Z^t  Zak  of  tU  QUan  of  Bawt.    [t.  ssHS^^-i- 


For  that  she  traitour  was  to  hir  ligeaunce. 

Thus   endeth   olde   Donegild   with    mes- 

chaunce.  896 

The  sorwe  that  this  Alia,  night  and  day, 
Maketh  for  his  wyf  and  for  his  child  also, 
Ther  is  no  tonge  that  it  telle  may.       (801) 
But  now  wol  I  un-to  Custance  go,  900 

That  fleteth  in  the  see,  in  peyne  and  wo, 
Fyve  yeer   and    more,    as   lyked  Cristes 

sonde, 
Er  that  hir  ship  approched  un-to  londe. 

Under  an  hethen  castel,  atte  laste, 

Of  which   the  name  in   my  text  noght 

I  finde,  905 

Custance  and  eek  hir  child  the  see  up- 

caste. 
Almighty  god,  that  saveth  al  mankinde. 
Have  on  Custance  and  on  hir  child  som 

minde,  (,810) 

That  fallen  is  in  hethen  land  eft-sone,  909 
In  point  to  spiUe,  as  I  shal  telle  yow  sone. 

Doun  from  the  castel  comth  ther  many 

a  wight 
To  gauren  on  this  ship  and  on  Custance. 
But  shortly,  from  the  castel,  on  a  night. 
The  lordes  styward — god  yeve  him  mes- 

chaunce ! —  914 

^A  theef,  that  had  reneyed  our  creaunce. 
Com  in-to  ship  allone,  and  seyde  he  sholde 
Hir  lemman   be,   wher-so  she  wolde  or 

nolde.  (819) 

Wo  was  this  wrecched  womman  tho  bigon, 
Hir  rhUd  cry-de,  and  she  cryde  pitously  ; 
But  blisful  Marie  heelp  hir  right  anon  ; 
For  with  hir  strugling  wel  and  mightUy 
The  theef  fil  over  bord  al  sodeinly,        922 
And  in  the  see  he  drcj-nte  for  vengeance  ; 
And   thus   hath   Crist    unwemmed   kept 

Custance. 
*^  Auctor. 

O  foule  lust  of  luxurie  !  lo,  thyn  ende  ! 
Nat    only    that    thou    feyntest    mannes 

minde,  926 

But  verraily  thou  wolt  his  body  shende  ; 
Th'ende   of  thy  werk   or   of   thy   lustes 

blinde  (830) 

Is  compleyning,  how  many-oon  may  men 

finde 


That  noght  for  werk  som-tyme,  but  for 
th 'entente  930 

To  doon  this  sinne,  ben  outher  sleyn  or 
shente  ! 

How  may  this  wayke  womman  han  this 

strengthe 
Hir  to  defende  agayn  this  renegat  ? 

0  Golias,  unmesurable  of  lengthe. 

How  mighte  David  make  thee  so  mat,  935 
So  yong  and  of  armure  so  desolat  ? 
How  dorste  he  loke  up-on  thy  dredful  face? 
Wel  may  men  seen,   it  nas  but  goddes 
grace !  (840) 

Who  yaf  .Jvidith  corage  or  hardinesse 
To  sleen  him,  Olofernus,  in  his  tente,  941) ' 
And  to  deliveren  out  of  wrecchednesse 
The  peple  of  god  ?  I  seye,  for  this  entente, 
That,  right  as  god  spirit  of  vigour  sente 
To  hem,  and  saved  hem  out  of  meschance. 
So  sente  he  might  and  vigour  to  Custance. 

Forth  goth  hir  ship  thurgh-out  the  narwe 
mouth  94^'- 

Of  Jubaltar  and  Septe,  dryving  ay, 

Som-tyme  West,  som-tyme  North  and 
South,  (850) 

And   som-tyme   Est,    ful    many   a  wery 

•lay, 

TU  Cristes  moder  (blessed  be  she  ay !)   950 
Hath  shapen,  thurgh  hir  endelees  good- 

nesse. 
To  make  an  ende  of  al  hir  hevinesse. 

Now  lat  us  stinte  of  Custance  but  a  throwe, 
And  speke  we  of  the  Komain  Emperour, 
That  out  of  Surrie  hath  by  lettres  knowe 
The  slaughtre  of  Cristen  folk,  and  dis- 
honour 956 
Don  to  his  doghter  by  a  fals  traitour, 

1  mene  the  cursed  wikked  sowdanesse. 
That  at  the  feste  leet  sleen  both  more  and 

lesse.  (861 ) 

For  which  this  emperour  hath  sent  anoon 
His  senatour,  with  royal  ordinance,      961 
And  othere  lordes,  got  wot,  many  oon. 
On  Surriens  to  taken  heigh  vengeance. 
They  brennen,  sleeu,  and  bringe^hem  to 
meschance 


T.  5385-5>5S-]    B.    C^e  Zak  of  t^  (ViUn  of  fiawe. 


489 


Fill  many  a  day ;  but  shortly,  this  is 
the  ende,  9')5 

Homward  to  Rome  they  shapeii  hem  to 
wende. 

This  seuatour  repaireth  with  Victoria 
To  Rome-ward,  sayling  ful  royally,     (870) 
And  mette  the  ship  dryving,  as  seith  the 

storie, 
In  which  Custance  sit  ful  pitously.        9/0 
Xo-thing  ne  knew  he  what  she  was,  ne 

why 
Slie  was  in  swich  array ;  ne  she  nil  seye 
Of  hir  estaat,  althogh  she  sholde  deye. 

He  bringeth  hir  to  Rome,  and  to  his  wyf 
He  yaf  hir,  and  hir  yonge  sone  also  ;  975 
And  with  the  senatour  she  ladde  her  lyf. 
Thus  can  our  ladj'  bringen  out  of  wo  (879) 
AVoful  Custance,  and  many  another  mo. 
And  longe  tyme  dwelled  she  in  that  place, 
In  holy  werkes  ever,  as  was  hir  grace.  980 

The  senatoures  wyf  hir  auntc  was,  * 

But  for  al  that  she  knew  hir  never  the 

more ; 
I  wol  no  lenger  tarien  in  this  cas. 
But  to  king  Alia,  which  I  spak  of  yore, 
That  for    his   wyf    wepeth   and    syketh 

sore,  985 

I  wol  retourne,  and  lete  I  wol  Custance 
Under  the  senatoures  governance. 

King  Alia,  which  that  haddo  his  moder 
slayn,  (890) 

Upon  a   day  fil  in  swich  repentance, 
That,  if  I  shortly  tell  en  shal  and  plain,  990 
To    Rome    he    comtli,   to    receyven    his 

penance ; 
And  putte  him  in  the  popes  ordinance 
In  heigh  and  low,  and  Jesu  Crist  bisoghte 
Foryeve     his    wikked    werkes    that     he 
wroghte.  994 

The  fame  anon  thiu'gh  Rome  toun  is  born, 
How  Alia  king  shal  come  in  f)ilgrimage. 
By  herbergeours  that  wenten  him  biforn ; 
For  which  the  senatour,  as  was  usage,  (900) 
Rood  him  ageyn,  and  many  of  his  linage, 
As  wel  to  shewen  his  hoighe  magnificence 
As  to  don  any  king  a  reverence.  looi 


Greet  chere  dooth  this  noble  senatour 
To  king  Alia,  and  he  to  him  also  ; 
Everich  of  hem  doth  other  greet  honour  ; 
And  so  bifel  that,  in  a  day  or  two,       1005 
This  senatour  is  to  king  Alia  go 
To  feste,  and  shortly,  if  I  shal  nat  lye, 
Custances  sone  weute  in  his  companye. 

Som    men   wolde    seyn,   at    requeste    of 
Custance,  (911) 

This  senatour  hath  lad  this  chQd  to  feste ; 
I  may  nat  tellen  every  circumstance,  lou 
Be  as  be  may,  ther  was  he  at  the  leste. 
But  soth  is  this,  that,  at  his  modres  heste, 
Biforn  Alia,  during  the  metes  space. 
The  child  stood,  loking  in  the  kinges  face. 

This  Alia  king  hath  of  this  child  greet 

wonder,  1016 

And  to  the  senatour  he  seyde  anon, 
'  Whos  is  that  faire  child  that  stondeth 

yonder  ? '  (920) 

'  I  noot,'  quod  he,  '  by  god,  and  by  seint 

John !  1019 

A  moder  he  hath,  but  fader  hath  he  non 
That  I  of  woot  '• — but  shortly,  in  a  stounde, 
He  tolde  Alia  how  that  this  child  was 

founde. 

'  But  god  wot,'  quod  this  senatour  also, 
'  So  vertuous  a  livere  in  my  Ij'f,  1024 

Ne  saugh  I  never  as  she,  ne  herde  of  mo 
Of  worldly  wommen,  mayden,  nor  of  wyf ; 
I  dar  wel  seyn  hir  haddo  lever  a  knyf 
Thurgh-out  her  breste,  than  been  a  wom- 

man  wikke  ;  (93<>) 

Ther  is  no  man  cou.do  bringe  hir  to  that 

prikke.' 

Now  was  this  child  as  lyk  un-to  Custance 
As  possible  is  a  creature  to  be.  103 1 

This  Alia  hath  the  face  in  remembrance 
Of  dame  Custance,  and  ther-on  mused  he 
If  that  the  childos  moder  wore  aught  she 
That  was  his  wyf,  and  privcly  he  sighte, 
And  spedde  him  fro  the  table  that  he 
mighte.  1036 

'  Parfay,'  thoghte  he,  '  fantome  is  in  liiyn  ■ 

heed  ! 
I  oghtc  dome,  of  skilful  jugement,      (940) 


X 


49° 


B.    ZH  ^<^^^  of  tU  (nian  of  ^awe.    [t.  5459-5538. 


That  in  the  suite  see  my  wyf  is  deed..' 
And  afterward  he  made  his  argument — 
'  What  -woot  I,  if  that  Crist  have  hider 

y-sent  1041 

My  wyf  by  see,  as  wel  as  he  hir  sente 
To    my    contree    fro    thennes    that    she 

wente  ? ' 

And,  after  noon,  hoom  with  the  senatonr 
Goth  Alia,  for  to  seen  this  wonder  chaunce. 
This  senatour  dooth  Alia  greet  honour, 
And  hastifly  he  sente  after  Custaunce. 
But  trusteth  weel,  hir  liste  nat  to  daunce 
"VVhan  that  she  wiste  wherefor  was  that 
sonde.  (951)  1049 

Unnethe  iip-on  hir  feet  she  mighte  stonde. 

When  Alia  saugh  his  wyf,  faire  he  hir 

grette, 
And  weep,  that  it  was  routhe  for  to  see. 
For  at  the  firste  look  he  on  hir  sette 
He  knew  wel  verraily  that  it  was  she. 
And  she  for  sorwe  as  dr)nib  stant  as  a  tree  ; 
So  was  hir  hei-te  shet  in  hir  distresse  1056 
Whan  she  remembred  his  unkindenesse. 

Twyes  she  swowned  in  his  owne  sighte ; 
He  weeji,  and  him  excuseth  pitously  : — 
'  Now  god,'  quod  he,  '  and  alle  his  halwes 
brighte  (96-2)  1060 

So  wisly  on  my  soule  as  have  mercy, 
That  of  your  harm  as  giltelees  am  I 
As  is  Maurice  my  sone  so  lyk  your  face  ; 
EUesthefeend  mefecche  out  of  tliis  place ! ' 

Long  was  the  sobbing  and  the  bitter  peyne 
Er  that  hir  woful  hertes  mighte  cesse  ; 
Greet  was  the  pitec  for  to  here  hem  pleyne, 
Thurgh  whiche  jileintes  gan  hir  wo  en- 
cresse.  (970) 

I  prey  yow  al  my  labour  to  release  ; 
I  may  nat  telle  hir  wo  un-til  toniorwe,  1070 
I  am  so  wery  for  to  speke  of  sorwe. 

But  fynally,  when  that  the  sooth  is  wist 
That  Alia  gUtclees  was  of  hir  wo, 
I  trowe  an  hundred  tj-mes  been  they  kist, 
And  swich  a  blisse  is  ther  bitwi-vhem  two 
That,  save  the  joye  that  lasteth  evermo, 
Ther  is  non  lyk,  that  any  creature       1077 
Hath  sej-n  or  shal,  whjl  that  the  world 
may  dure,  (980) 


Tho  preyde  she  hir  housbond  mekely, 
In  relief  of  hir  longe  pitous  pyne,        1080 
That  he  wold  preye  hir  fader  specially 
That,  of  his  magestee,  he  wolde  enclyne 
To  vouche-sauf  som  day  with  him  to  dyne ; 
She  preyde  him  eek,  he  sholde  by  no  weye 
Un-to  hir  fader  no  word  of  hir  seye.    1085 

Som  men  wold  seyn,  how  that  the  child 

Maurice 
Doth  this  message  un-to  this  emperour  ; 
But,  as  I  gesse.  Alia  was  nat  so  nyce  (990) 
To  him,  that  was  of  so  sovereyn  honour 
As  he  that  is  of  Cristen  folk  the  flour,  1090 
Sente  any  chUd,  but  it  is  bet  to  deme 
He  wente  him-self,  and  so  it  may  wel  seme. 

This  emperour  hath  graunted  gentilly 
To  come  to  diner,  as  he  him  bisoghte  ; 
And  wel  rede  I,  he  loked  bisily  1095 

Up-on   this   child,    and    on   his    doghter 

thoghte. 
Alia  goth  to  his  in,  and,  as  him  oghte, 
Arrayed  for  this  teste  in  every  -vvyse  (looj) 
As  ferforth  as  his  conning  may  suffyse. 

The  morwe  cam,  and  Alia  gan  him  dresse, 
And  eek  liis  wj'f,  this  emperour  to  mote  ; 
And  forth  they  ryde  in  joye  and  in  glad- 

nesse.  j  102 

And  whan  she  saugh  hir  fader  in  the  strete, 
She  lighte  doun,  and  falleth  him  to  fete. 
'  Fader,'    quod  she,    '  your    yongc    child 

Custance  1 105 

Is  now  ful  clene  out  of  your  remembrance. 

I  am  your  doghter  Custancg,'  quod  she, 
'  That  whylom  ye  han  sent  un-to  Surrye. 
It  am  I,  fader,  that  in  the  salto  see  (loii) 
Was  put  allone  and  dampned  for  to  dye. 
Now,  gode  fader,  mercy  I  yow  crye,  11 11 
Send  me  namore  un-to  non  hethencsse. 
But  thonketh  my  lord  heer  of  his  kinde- 
nesse.' 

Who  can  the  pitous  joye  tellen  al 
Bitwix   heia    three,    sin    they   ben   thus 
y-mette  ?  1 1 15 

But  of  my  tale  make  an  ende  I  shal ; 
The  day  goth  faste,  I  wol  no  lenger  lette. 
This  glade  folk  to  diner  they  hem  sette  ; 


T.  5539-5582.]    B.    ZH  ^<ife  of  tU  i^an  of  Bawt, 


491 


In  joye  and  blisse  at  mete  I  lete  hem 

dwelle  (1021)  1119 

A  thovisand  fold  wel  more  than  I  can  telle. 

T^Tiis  child  Maurice  was  sithen  emperour 
Maad  by  the  pope,  and  lived  Cristenly. 
To  Cristes  chirche  he  dide  greet  honour  ; 
But  I  lete  al  his  storie  passen  by, 
Of  Cvistance  is  my  tale  specially.  1125 

In  olde  Romayn  gestes  may  men  finds 
Maurices  lyf ;  I  bere  it  noght  in  minde. 

This  king  Alia,  whan  he  his  tyme  sey,  (1030) 
With  his  Custance,  his  holy  "wyf  so  swete, 
To  Engelond  been  they  come  the  righte 

wey,  1130 

Wher-as  they  live  in  joye  and  in  quiete. 
But  litel  wliyl  it  lasteth,  I  yow  hete, 
Joye   of  this   world,   for  tyme   wol   nat 

abyde ; 
Fro  day  to  night  it  changeth  as  the  tyde. 

Who  lived  ever  in  swich  dclyt  o  day  1135 
That  him  ne  moeved  outlier  conscience. 
Or  ire,  or  talent,  or  som  kin  aifray,  (1039) 
Envye,  or  pryde,  or  passion,  or  offence  ? 
I  ne  seye  but  for  this  ende  this  sentence. 
That  litel  whyl  in  joye  or  in  plesance  1140 
Leisteth  the  blisse  of  Alia  with  Custance. 


For  deeth,  that  taketh  of  heigh  and  low 

his  rente, 
Wlien  passed  was  a  yeer,  even  as  I  gesse. 
Out  of  this  world  this  king  AUa  he  hente, 
For  whom  Custance  hath  ful  gret  hevi- 

nesse.  1145 

Now  lat  us  preyen  god  his  soule  blesse  ! 
And  dame  Custance,  fynally  to  seye. 
Towards  the  toun  of  Home  gooth  hir  weye. 

To  Rome  is  come  this  holy  creature,  (1051) 
And  fyndeth  ther  hir  frendes  hole  and  .^ 

sounde  :  1150       "% 

Now  is  she  scaped  al  hir  aventure  ;  i 

And  whan  that  she  hir  fader  hath  y-fou.nde,         *" 
Doun  on  hir  knees  falleth  she  to  grounde  ; 
Weping  for  tendrenesse  in  herte  blythe, 
She  herieth  god  an   hundred   thousand 

sythe.  1155 

In  vertu  and  in  holy  almes-dede  (1058) 
They  liven  alle,  and  never  a^sonderwende  ; 
Til  deeth  departed  hem,  this  lyf  they  lede. 
And  fareth  now  weel,  my  tale  is  at  an  ende. 
Now  Jesu  Crist,  that  of  his  might  may 

sende  1160 

Joye  after  wo,  governe  us  in  his  grace, 
And  kepe  us  alle  that  ben  in  this  place  ! 

Amen. 


Here  endeth  the  Tale  of  the  Man  of  Lawe ;  and  next  folweth  the 
Shipmannes  Prolog. 

*»*  For  1.  5583  in  Tyrwhitt's  Text,  see  Group  D,  1.  i. 


C  L 


I) 


R 

0 


^■,y: 


>fA 


ii 


^r^ 


492  "^^e  ^^ipman'o  (profogue.         [t.  12903-12950. 


THE    SHIPMAN'S    PROLOGUE. 

Here  biginneth  the  Shipmannes  Prolog.  J 

'»*  In  Tyrwhitt's  text,  II.  i2()03-i2924. 


Ouit     lioste     iip-on    his     stiropes     stood 

anon. 
And  seyde,  '  good  men,  herkaieth  everich 

on ; 
This  was  a  thrifty  tale  for  the  nones  !  1 165 
Sir  parish  prest,'   quod   he,   'for   goddes 

bones, 
Tel  us  a  tale,  as  was  tlij'  forward  yore. 
I  see  wel  that  ye  lerued  men  in  lore 
Can  mocho  good,  by  goddes  dignitee  ! ' 

ThePersonehimanswerde, '  hen'citel  1170 
What    cyleth   the    man,    so    sinfully   to 

swere?' 
Our  hosts  answerde,  '  O  Jankin,  be  ye 

there?  (10) 

I  smelle  a  loller  in  the  ■wind,'  quod  he. 
•  How  !  good  men,'  quod  ourhoste,  'herk- 

ueth  me  ; 


Aljydeth,  for  goddes  digne  passioun,    1175 
For  we  shal  han  a  predicacioun  ; 
This  loller  heer  wil  prechen  us  som-what.' 
'  Nay,  by  my  fader  soule  !  that  shal  bo 

nat,' 
Seyde  the  Shipman  ;  '  heer  he  shal  nat 

preche. 
He  shal  no  gospel  glosen  heer  neteche.  i  iSo 
We  leve  alle  in  the  grete  god,'  quod  he, 
'  He  wolde  sowen  som  difficultee,  (21)) 

Or  springen  eokkel  in  our  clene  corn  ; 
And  therfor,  hoste,  I  warne  thee  biforn, 
My  joly  body  shal  a  tale  telle,  1185 

And  I  slial  clinken  yow  so  mery  a  belle. 
That  I  shal  waken  al  this  companye  ; 
But  it  shal  nat  ben  of  philosophye, 
Ne  ■fphysices,  ne  termes  queinte  of  lawe  ; 
Ther  is  but  lit  el  Latin  i^  my  ma  we.'  11 90 


Here  endeth  the  Shipman  his  Prolog. 


n  m 
"7 


THE    SHIPMANNES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Shipmannes  Tale. 


A   JIarciiant   whylom   dwelled   at   Seint 

Denys, 
That  riche  was,  for  which  men  Iielde  him 

wys  ; 
A  wj-f  he  hadde  of  excellent  beautee. 
And  compaignable  and  revelous  was  she, 
\Vliich   is  a    thing    that    causeth   more 

dispence  1 195 

Than  worth  is  al  the  chare  and  reverence 
That  men   hem  doon   at  festes   and  at 

daunces ; 
Swiche  salutaciouns  and  conteuaunces 
Passen  as  dooth  a  shadwe  up-on  the  wal. 


But  wo  is  him  that  payen  mootforal ;  1200 
The  sely  housbond,  algate  he  mot  paye  ; 
He    moot    us   clothe,   and   he    moot    us 

arraye,  (12) 

Al  for  his  owene  worship  richely, 
In  which  array  we  daunce  jolily.         1204 
And  ii'  that  he  noght  may,  par-aventure, 
Or  ellcs,  list  no  swich  dispence  endure. 
But  thinketh  it  is  wasted  and  y-lost, 
Tlian  moot  another  payen  for  our  cost. 
Or  lene  us  gold,  and  that  is  perilous. 
This  noble  Marchant  heeld  a  worthy 

hous,  (20)  12 10 


T.  12951 


-13038.] 


ZU  ^^ipmannee  ^afe. 


493 


For  which  he  hadde  alday  so  greet  repair 
For  his  largesse,  and  for  his  wj-f  was  fair, 
Thau  wonder  is  ;  but  herkneth  to  my  tale. 
Amonges  alio  his  gestes,  greteand  smale, 
Ther  was  a  monk,  a  fair  man  and  a  bold, 
I  trowe  of  thritty  winter  ho  was  old,  i-'i6 
That  ever  in  oon  was  drawing  tothat  place. 
This  yonge  monk,  that  was  so  fair  of  face, 
Aqueinted  was  so  with  the  gode  man, 
Sith  that  hir  firste  knoweliche  bigan,  1220 
That  in  his  hous  as  famulier  was  he  (31) 
As  it  possible  is  any  fi-eend  to  be. 

And  for  as  muchel  as  this  gode  man 
And  eek  this  monk,  of  which  that  I  bigan, 
Were  bothe  two  y-born  in  o  village,     1225 
The  monk  him  elaimeth  as  for  cosinage  ; 
And  he  again,  he  seith  nat  ones  nay, 
But  was  as  glad  ther-of  as  fowel  of  day  ; 
For  to  his  liorto  it  was  a  greet  plesaunce. 
Thusbeentlioy  knit  with  eterne  alliaimce, 
And  cell  of  hem  gan  other  for  fassure  1231 
Of  bretherhede,   whyl  that  hir  lyf  may 
dure.  (42) 

Free  was  daun   John,  and  namely  of 
dispence, 
As  in  that  hous  ;  and  ful  of  diligence  1234 
To  doon  plesaunce,  and  also  greet  costage. 
He  noglit  forgat  to  yeve  the  leeste  page 
In  al  that  hous  ;  but,  after  hir  degree. 
He  yaf  the  lord,  and  sittho  al  his  meynee, 
When  that  he  cam,  som  manor  honest 
thing ;  1239 

For  which  they  wore  as  glad  of  his  coming 
As  fowcl  is  I'ayn,  whan  that   the  Sonne 
up-ryseth.  (51) 

Xa  more  of  this  as  now,  for  it  suffyseth. 

But  so  bifel,  this  marchant  on  a  day 
Shoop  him  to  make  redy  liis  array 
Toward  thetoun  of  Bruggos  fortofaro,  1245 
To  bytjn  ther  a  i)orcii)un  of  ware  ; 
For  which  he  hath  to  Paris  sent  anon 
A  mcssager,  and  preyed  hath  daun  John 
That  he  sholde  come  to  Seint  Denys  to 
pleye  1249 

With  him  and  with  his  wyfaday  or  twej'e, 
Er  ho  to  Brugges  wente,  in  alle  wyse.  (61) 
This  noblomonk,  of  which  I  yow  devyse, 
Hath  of  his  abbot,  as  him  list,  licence, 
B3--cause  he  was  a  man  ol  heigh  prudence. 
And  eok  an  officer,  out  for  to  rydc,  1255 
To  seen  hir  graunges  and  hir  berncs  wydo ; 


And  un-to  Seint  Denys  he  comth  anon. 
Who  was  so  welcome  as  my  lord  daun 

John, 
Our  derc  cosin,  ful  of  curteisye  ?  1259 

W^ith  him  broghtehe  a  jubbe  of  Malvesye, 
And  eek  another,  ful  of  fyn  Vernage,  (71) 
And  volatyl,  as  ay  was  his  usage. 
And  thiis  I  lete  hem  ete  and  drinke  and 

pleye, 
This  marchant  and  this  monk,  a  day  or 
tweye. 
The  thridde   day,   this   marchant    up 
aryseth,  1265 

And  on  his  nodes  sadly  him  a\'yseth. 
And  up  in-to  his  countour-hous  goth  he 
To  rekeno  with  him-self,  as  wel  may  be, 
Of  thilke  yeer,  how  that  it  with  him  stood, 
And  how  that  he  despended  hadde  his 
good  ;  i2;o 

And  if  that  he  encressed  were  or  noon.  (81) 
His  bokes  and  his  bagges  many  oon 
He  leith  biforn  him  on  his  counting-bord  : 
Ful  riche  was  his  trosor  and  his  hord, 
For  which  ful  faste  his  countour-dore  he 
shette ;  1275 

And  eek  he  nolde  that  no  man  sholde  liim 

lette 
Of  his  accountes,  for  the  mono  tyme  ; 
And  thns  he  sit  til  it  was  passed  pryme. 

Daiin  .Tohn  was  risen  in  the  morwo  also, 
And  in  the  gardin  walkoth  to  and  fro,  12S0 
And  hath  his  thinges  soyd  ful  curteisly. 

This  gode  'wyf  cam  walking  privcly  (92) 
In-to  the  gardin,  ther  ho  walkoth  softe, 
And  him  saloweth,  as  she  hath  don  ofte. 
A  mayde  child  cam  in  hir  companye,  1285 
Wliichashirlist  she  maygoverneand  gj'e, 
For  yet  under  the  yerde  was  the  mayde. 
'  O  dcre  cosin  m,\ai,  daun  John,'  she  sayde, 
'  What  eyloth  3'ow  so  ratlic  for  to  ryso  ?  ' 
'  Nece,'  quod  ho,  '  it  oghto  ^--nongh  suffj-sc 
Vy^'O.  houres  for  to  slope  up-on  anight,  (101) 
But  it  wore  for  an  old  appalled  wiglit, 
As  been  thise  wedded  men,  that  lye  and 

dare 
As  in  a  forme  sit  a  wory  hare, 
Were  al  I'or-straught  with  houndes  grete 
and  smale.  1205 

But  dere  nece,  wliy  be  ye  so  pale  ? 
I  trowe  certes  that  our  gode  man        (lo;) 
Hath  yow  laliourod  sith  the  night  bigan. 


494 


^^e  ^^ipmannee  'ZaU.  [t.  13039-1 31 26. 


Thatyowwerenedetoresteu hastily?  '  1299 
And  with  that  word  he  lough  ful  merily, 
And  of  his  owene  thought  he  wex  al  reed. 
This  faire  wj^f  gan  for  to  shake  hir  heed, 
And  seyde  thus,  '  ye,  god  wot  al,'  quod  she ; 
'  Nay,  cosin  tnyn,  it  stant  nat  so  with  me. 
For,  by  that  god  that  yaf  me  soule  and  Ij-f, 
In  al  the  reme  of  France  is  ther  no  wyf  1 306 
That  lasse  lust  hath  to  that  sory  pley. 
For  I  may  singe  "  alias  "  and  "  weylawey, 
That  I  was  born,"  but  to  no  wight,' quod  she, 
'  Dar  I  nat  telle  how  that  it  stant  with  me. 
Wherfore  I  thinke  out   of  this   land  to 

wende,  (121)  131 1 

Or  elles  of  my-self  to  make  an  ende, 
So  ful  am  I  of  drede  and  eek  of  care.' 

This  monk  bigan  up-on  this  wyf  to  stare. 
And  seyde,  '  alias,  my  nece,  god  forbede 
That  ye,  for  any  sorwe  or  any  drede,  1316 
Fordo  your-self ;  but  telleth  me  your  grief; 
Paraventure  I  may,  in  your  meschief, 
Conseille  or  helpe,  and  therfore  telleth  me 
Al  your  anoy,  for  it  shal  been  secree  ;  1320 
For  on  my  porthors  here  I  make  an  ooth, 
That  never  in  my  lyf,  for  lief  nelooth,  (132) 
Ne  shal  I  of  no  conseil  yow  biwreye.' 
'The  same  agayn  to   yow,'   quod  she, 

'  I  seye  ;  1324. 

By  god  and  by  this  porthors,  I  yow  swere. 
Though  men  me  wolde  al  in-to  peces  tere, 
Ne  shal  I  never,  for  to  goon  to  helle, 
Biwreye  a  word  of  thing  that  ye  me  telle, 
Nat  for  no  cosinage  ne  alliance. 
But  verraily,  for  love  and  affiance.'  1330 
Thus  been  they  sworn,  and  heer-upon  they 

kiste,  (141) 

And  eeh  of  hem  tolde  other  what  hem  liste. 

'  Cosin,'    quod    she,   '  if   that    I    hadde 

a  space, 
As  I  have  noon,  and  namely  in  tliis  place, 
Than  wolde  I  telle  a  legende  of  my  lyf,  1335 
What  I  have  suifred  sitli  I  was  a  wj'f 
With  mjTi  housbonde,  al  boheyourcosyn. ' 
'  Nay,'  quod  this  monk, '  by  god  and  seint 

Martj-n, 
He  is  na  more  cosin  un-to  nic  1339 

Than  is  this  leef  tliat  hangeth  on  the  tree  ! 
I  clepe  him  so,  by  Seint  Denys  of  Fraunce, 
To  have  the  more  cause  of  aqueintaunce 
Of  yow,  which  I  have  loved  specially  (153) 
Aboven  alle  wommen  sikerly  ; 


This  swere  I  yow  on  my  professioun.  1345 
Telli'tli  your  grief,  lest  that  he  comeadoun. 
And  hasteth  yow,  and  gooth  your  wey 

anon.' 
•  My  dere  love,'  quod  she,  '  o  my  daiin 

John,  (158) 

Ful  lief  were  me  this  conseil  for  to  hyde. 
But  out  it  moot,  I  may  namoreabyde.  1350 
Mj'u  housbond  is  to  me  the  worste  man 
That  ever  was,  sith  that  the  world  bigan. 
But  sith  I  am  a  wyf,  it  sit  nat  me 
To  tellen  no  wight  of  our  privetee,       1354 
Neither  a-bedde,  ne  in  non  other  place  ; 
God  shilde  I  sholde  it  tellen,  for  his  grace  ! 
A  wyf  ne  shal  nat  seyn  of  hir  housbonde 
But  al  honour,  as  I  can  understonde  ; 
Save   un-to   yow  thus    muche    I    tellen 

shal ; 
As  help  me  god,  he  is  noght  worth  at  al  1360 
In  no  degree  the  value  of  a  flye.  (17O 

But  yet  me  greveth  most  his  nigardye ; 
And  wel  ye  woot  that  wommen  naturelly 
Desyren  thinges  sixe,  as  wel  as  I.         1364 
They  wolde  that  hir  housbondes  sholde  be 
Hardy,  and  wyse,  and  riche,  and  ther-to 

free. 
And  buxom  to  his  wyf,  and  fresh  a-bedde. 
But,  by  that  ilke  lord  that  for  us  bledde, 
For  his  honour,  my-self  for  to  arraye, 
A  Sonday  next,  I  moste  nedes  paye     1370 
An  hiuidred  frankes,  or  elles  am  I  lorn. 
Yet  were  me  lever  that  I  were  luiborn  (182) 
Than  me  were  doon  a  sclaundre  or  vil- 

einye ; 
And  if  myn  housbond  eek  it  mighte  espye, 
I  nere  but  lost,  and  therfore  I  yow  preye 
Lene   me  this  somnic,   or  elles  moot  I 

deye.  1376 

Daun  John,  I  seye,  lene  me  thise  hiuidred 

frankes  ; 
Pardee,  I  wol  nat  faille  yow  my  thankes, 
If  that  yow  list  to  dofjn  that  I  yow  praj-e. 
For  at  a  certein  day  I  wol  yow  paye,    1380 
And   doon   to  yow    what    plesance   and 

ser\'yce  ('9') 

That  I  may  doon,  right  as  yow  list  devj'se. 

And  but  I  do,  god  take  on  me  vengeance 

As  foul  as  ever  had  Geniloun  of  France  ! ' 

This  gentil   monk    answerde    in    this 

manere ;  1385 

'  Now,  trewely,  myn  owene  lady  dere. 


T.   13127-1321 


0.] 


ZU  ^^ipmannee  Zak. 


495 


I  have,'  quod  he,  '  on  yow  so  greet  a  routhe, 
That  I  yow  swere  and  plighte  yow  my 

trouthe. 
That  whan  your  hoiisboud  is  to  Flaundres 

fare, 
I  wol  delivere  yow  out  of  this  care  ;     1390 
For  I  wol  bringe  yow  an  hundred  frankes.' 
And  with  that  word  he  caughte  hir  by  the 
flankes,  (202) 

And  hir  embraceth  harde,  and  kiste  hir 

ofte. 
'  Goth  now  your  wey,'  quod  he,  '  al  stille 

and  softe, 
And  lat  us  dyne  as  sone  as  that  ye  may ; 
For  by  mycliilindre  it  isprymeof  day.  1396 
Goth  now,  and  beeth  as  trewe  as  I  shal  be.' 
'  Now,  elles  god  forbede,  sire,'  quod  she, 
And  forth  she  gooth,  as  jolif  as  a  pye, 
And  bad  the  cokes  that  they  sholde  hem 
hye,  1400 

So  that  men  mighte  dyne,  and  that  anon. 
Up  to  hir  housbonde  is  this  wyf  y-gon,  (212) 
And  knokketh  at  his  countour  boldely. 
'  Qui  la  ?  '  quod  he.     '  Peter  !  it  am  I,' 
Quod  she,  '  what,  sire,  how  longe  wol  ye 
faste?  1405 

How  longe  tyme  wol  ye  rekene  and  caste 
Your  sommes,  and  your  bokes,  and  your 

thinges '? 
The  devel  have  part  of  alle  swiche  reken- 

inges  ! 
Ye  have  y-nough,  pardee,  of  goddes  sonde ; 
Com  doun    to-day,  and  lat  your  bagges 
stonde.  14 10 

Ne  be  ye  nat  ashamed  that  daun  John  (221) 
Shal  fasting  al  this  day  elenge  goon  ? 
Wliat !  lat  us  here  a  messe,  and  go  we 
dyne.' 
'  Wyf,'  quod  this  man,  '  litel  canstow 
devyne 
The  curious  bisinesse  that  we  have.     1415 
For  of  us  chapmen,  al-so  god  me  save. 
And  by  that  lord    that  cleped  is  Seint 

Yve, 
Scarsly  amonges  twelve  ten  shul  thryve, 
Continuelly,  lastinge  tm-to  our  age.    1419 
Wc  may  wel  make  chere  and  good  visage. 
And  dryve  forth  the  world  as  it  may  be. 
And  kepen  our  estaat  in  privotee,        (232) 
Til  we  be  deed,  or  elles  that  we  pleye 
A  pilgrimage,  or  goon  out  of  the  weye. 


And  therfor  have  I  greet  necessitee     1425 
Up-on  this  queinte  world  t'avyse  me  ; 
For  evermore  we  mote  stonde  in  drede 
Of  hap  and  fortune  in  our  chapmanhede. 
To  Flaundres  wol  I  go  to-morwe  at  day. 
And  come  agayn,  as  sone  as  ever  I  may. 
For  which,  my  dere  wyf,  I  thee  biseke,  (241) 
As  be  to  every  wight  buxom  and  meke, 
And  for  to  kepe  our  good  be  curious, 
And  honestly  governe  wel  out  hous.  1434 
Thou  hast  y-nough,  in  every  maner  wyse. 
That  to  a  thrifty  houshold  may  suflfyse. 
Thee  lakketh  noon  array  ne  no  vitaille. 
Of  silver  in  thy  purs  shaltow  nat  faille.' 
And  with  that  word  his  countour-dore  he 

shette. 
And  doun  he  gooth,  no  lenger  wolde  he 

lette,  1440 

But  hastily  a  messe  was  ther  seyd,      (251) 
And  spedily  the  tables  were  y-leyd. 
And  to  the  diner  faste  they  hem  spedde  ; 
And  richelythis  monk  the  chapman  fedde. 
At-after  diner  daun  John  sobrely    1445 
This  chapman  took  a-part,  and  prively 
He  seyde  him  thus,  '  cosyn,  it  standeth  so, 
That  wel  I  see  to  Brugges  wol  ye  go. 
God  and  seint  Austin  spede  yow  and  gyde ! 
I  prey  yow,  cosin,  wysly  that  ye  ryde  ;  1450 
Govemeth  yow  also  of  your  diete        (261) 
Atemprely,  and  namely  in  this  hete. 
Bitwix  us  two  nedetli  no  strange  fare  ; 
Fare-wel,    cosyn  ;    god    shilde    yow    fro 

care. 
If  any  thing  ther  be  by  day  or  night,  1455 
If  it  lye  in  my  power  and  my  might. 
That  ye  me  wol  comande  in  any  wyse, 
It  slial  be  doon,  right  as  ye  wol  devyse. 
O  thing,  er  that  ye  goon,  if  it  may  be, 
I  wolde  prey  yow  ;  for  to  lene  me        1460 
An  hundred  frankes,  for  a  wyke  or  tweye. 
For  certein  beestes  that  I  moste  beye,  (272) 
To  store  with  a  place  that  is  oures. 
God  help  me  so,  I  wolde  it  were  youres  ! 
I  shal  nat  faille  surely  of  my  day,        1465 
Nat  for  a  thousand  frankes,  a  myle-way. 
But  lat  this  thing  bo  secree,  I  yow  preye. 
For  yet  to-night  thise  beestes  moot  I  beye  ; 
And    fare-now    wel,   myn    owene   cosin 

dere, 
Graunt  mercy  of  your  cost  and  of  your 
chere.'  (280)  1470 


496 


ZU  ^^tptnannee  Zak. 


[t.    13211-13287. 


Tliis  noble  raarchant  gentilly  anon 
Answerde,  and  seyde,  '  o  cosin  myn,  daun 

John, 
Now  sikerly  tliis  is  a  smal  requeste  ; 
My  gold  is  youres.  whan  that  it  yow  leste. 
And  nat  only  my  gold,  but  my  chaffare  ; 
Talve  what  yow  list,  god  shilde  that  ye 

spare.  1476 

But  o  thing  is,  ye  knowe  it  wel  y-nogh, 
Of  chapmen,  that  hir  moneye  is  hir  plogh. 
We  may  creaunce  whyl  we  have  a  name, 
But  goldlees  for  to  be,  it  is  no  game.  1480 
Paye  it  agajni  whan  it  lyth  in  your  ese  ; 
After  my  might  ful  fayn   wolde  I  yow 

plese.'  (292) 

Thise  hundred  frankes  he  fette  forth 

anon, 
And  prively  he  took  hem  to  daun  .John. 
No  wight  in  al  this  world  wiste  of  this 

lone,  1485 

Savinge  this  marchant  and  daun  John 

allone. 
They  drinke,  and  speke,  and  roruc  a  whyle 

and  pleye, 
Til  that  daun  John  rydeth  to  his  abljeye. 
The  morwe  cam,  and  forth  this  mar- 
chant  rydeth 
To  Flaundres-ward  ;  his  prentis  wel  hini 

gydeth,  1490 

Til  he  cani  in-to  Brugges  merily.  (301) 

Xow  gooth  this  marcliant  fasto  and  bisily 
Abouto  his  nede,  and  byeth  and  creaun- 

ceth. 
He  neither  pleyeth  at  the  dees  ne  daun- 

ceth ; 
But  as  a  marchant,  shortly  for  to  telle,  1495 
He  let  his  lyf,  and  there  I  lete  him  dwelle. 
The  Sonday  next  this  Marchant   was 

agon. 
To  Seint  Denys  y-comen  is  dann  John, 
With  crowne  and  herd  all  fresh  and  newo 

y-shavc. 
In  al  the  hous  ther  nas  so  litel  a  knave,  1501) 
Ne  no  wight  ellcs,  that  he  nas  ful  fayn,  (311) 
For  that  my  lord  daun  John  was  come 

agayn. 
And  shortly  to  the  point  right  for  to  gon. 
This  fairc  wj-f  accorded  with  dann  John, 
That  for  tliise  hundred  frankes  he  sholde 

al  night  15  5 

Have  hir  in  his  armes  bolt-\ipright ; 


And  this  acord  prrfourned  was  in  dede. 
In  mirthe  al  niglit  a  bis.y  lyf  thoj'  ledo 
Til  it  was  day,  that  daun  John  wente  his 

way, 
And  bad  the  meynee  '  fare-wel,  have  good 

day  !'  (320)  1510 

For  noon  of  hem,  ne  no  wight  in  the  toun, 
Hath  of  daun  John  right  no  suspecioiui. 
And  forth  he  rydeth  hoom  to  his  abbeye. 
Or  where  him  list ;  namore  of  him  I  seye. 
This  marchant,  whan  that  ended  was 

the  faire,  15 15 

To  Seint  Dcnys  ho  gau  for  to  repaire, 
And  with  his  wyf  he  maketh  feste  and 

chere, 
And  telleth  hir  that  chaffare  is  so  dere. 
That  nedes  moste  he  make  a  chevisaunce. 
For  he  was  bounde  in  a  reconissavmce  1520 
To  paye  twenty  thousand  sheeld  anon.  ''331) 
For  which  this  marchant  is  to  Paris  gon. 
To  borwe  of  certein  frendes  that  he  hadde 
A  certein  frankes  ;  and  somme  with  him 

ho  ladde. 
And  whan  that  he  was  come  in-to  the  toun, 
For  greet  cherteo  and  greet  affeccioun,  j$j6 
Un-to  daun  John  he  gooth  him  first,  to 

pleye  ; 
Nat  for  to  axe  or  Tiorwo  of  him  monoyc. 
But  for  to  wite  and  seen  of  Jiis  welfare. 
And  for  to  tellen  him  of  his  cliaffare,  1530 
As  freendes  doon   whan  they  ben   met 

y-fere.  .  (341) 

Daun  John  him  maketh  feste  and  mery 

chere  ; 
Aiid  he  him  toldo  agayn  ful  specially, 
How  he  hadde  wel  y-l)oght  and  graciously. 
Thanked  be  god,  al  liool  his  marchandyse. 
Save  that  he  moste,  in  alle  maner  wyse,  i  =36 
Maken  a  chevisaunce,  as  for  his  bcste. 
And  thanne  he  sholdo  been  in  joye  and 

resto. 

Daun  John  answerde,  'certos,  I  am  fayn 

That  ye  in  hele  ar  comen  hoom  agayn.  1540 

And  if  that  I  were  riclic,  as  have  I  blisse, 

Of  twenty  thousand  sheeld  shold  j-e  nat 

misse,  (i?^) 

For  ye  so  kindely  this  other  day 
Lonte  me  gold  ;  and  as  I  can  and  maj-, 
I  thanke  yow,  by  god  and  by  seint  .Tamo ! 
But  nathelecs  I  took  un-to  our  dame,  1546 
Your  '\\-jf  at  hoom,  the  same  gold  ageyn 


T.  1 3288-1 3364.]        B.    ■^^e  ^^tpmannea  ^afe. 


497 


Upon  yonr bench ;  shcwoot  it  wel,  certeyn, 
By  ccrtcin  tokenes  that  I  can  hir  telle. 
Now,  by  yonr  levc,  I  may  no  lenger  dwelle, 
Our  abbot  wol  ont  of  this  toun  anon  ;  (361) 
And  in  his  companyo  moot  I  gon.  1552 
G^reto  wel  our   dame,  myn   owene   nece 

swete, 
And  fare-wel,  dere  cosin,  til  we  jncto  ! ' 
This  Marchant,  which  that  was  ful  war 

and  wys,  i555 

Creaunced  hath,  and  payd  eek  in  Parys, 
To  certeyn  Lumbardes,  redy  in  hir  hond. 
The  somme  of  gold,  and  gat  of  hem  his 

bond  ; 
And  hoom  he  gooth,  mery  as  a  papejay. 
For  wel  he  knew  he  stood  in  swich  array, 
That    nedes    moste    he  winno    in    that 

viage  (37O 

A  thousand  frankes  above  al  his  costage. 
His  -wyf  ful  redy  mette  him  atte  gate, 
As  she  was  wont  of  old  usage  algate,  1564 
And  al  that  night  in  mirtho  they  bisette  ; 
For  he  was  riche  and  cleerly  out  of  dette. 
Whan  it  was    day,    this   marchant   gan 

embrace 
His  -w-yf  al  ncwe,  and  kiste  hir  on  hir  face. 
And   \ip    ho   gooth   and   maketh    it    ful 

tough. 
'Namoro,'  qiiod  she,  'by  god,  j-e  have 

y-nough  ! '  1570 

And   wantounly    agayn    with    him    she 

pleyde;  (381) 

Til,  atte  laste,  that  this  Marchant  seyde, 
'  By  god,'  quod  he,  '  I  am  a  litel  wrooth 
With   yow,  my  wyf,  al-thogh  it   be   me 

looth. 
And  woot  ye   why?    by   god,   as  that  I 

gesse,  1575 

That  j-o  ban  maad  a  manor  straungcncsse 
Bitwixen  me  and  my  cosyn  daun  John. 
Ye  sholde  han  warned  me,  er  I  liad  gon, 
That  he  yow  hadde  an  hundred  frankes 

payed 
By   retly   tokene  ;    and   heeld   him   yvel 

apayod,  15S0 

For  that  I  to  him  spak  of  chcvisaunco. 
Mo  scmed  so,  as  by  his  contenaiinco.  (39.') 
But  nathelees,  by  god  our  hevene  king, 
I  thoghtc  nat  to  axe  of  him  no-thing. 


I  prey  thee,  wyf,  ne  do  namore  so  ;      1585 
Tel  me  alwey,  er  that  I  fro  thee  go. 
If  any  dettour  hath  in  myn  absence 
Y-payed  thee  ;  lest,  thurgh  thy  necligence, 
I  mighte  him  axe  a  thing  that  he  hath 

payed.'  (399)  1589 

This  wyf  was  nat  afered  nor  atifrayed, 
But  boldoly  she  seyde,  and  that  anon  : 
'  Marie,  I  defj'e  the  false  monk,  davin  John  ! 
I  kepe  nat  of  hise  tokenes  never  a  deel ; 
He  took  mo  certein  gold,  that  woot  I  weel ! 
What !  yvel  thedom  on  his  monkes  snoute  ! 
For,  god  it  woot,  I  wende,  withouten  doute, 
That  he  had  yeve  it  me  bycause  of  yow. 
To  doon  ther-with  myn  honoiir  and  my 

prow, 
For  cosinage,  and  eek  for  bele  cliere 
That  he  hath  had  ful  ofto  tymes  here.  i6(X) 
But  sith  I  see  I  stonde  in  this  disjoint,  (411) 
I  wol  answer©  yow  shortly,  to  the  jioint. 
Ye  han  mo  slakker  dettours  than  am  I ! 
For  I  wol  paye  yow  wel  and  redily 
Fro  day  to  day  ;  and,  if  so  be  I  faille,  1005 
I  am  your  wyf ;  score  it  up-on  my  taille, 
And  I  shal  paye,  as  sone  as  ever  I  may. 
For,  by  my  trouthe,  I  have  on  myn  array. 
And  nat  on  wast,  bistowed  every  dcel. 
And  for  I  have  bistowed  it  so  weel      1610 
For  your  hono^^^,  for  goddes  sake,  I  seyc, 
As  be  nat  wrooth,  but  lat  tis  laughe  and 

pleye.  (422) 

Ye  shal  my  joly  body  have  to  wedde  ; 
By  god,  I  wol  nat  paye  yow  but  a-bedde. 
Forgive  it  me,  myn  oweno  spouse  dere  ; 
Turne    hiderward    and    maketh     bettro 

chore.'  161 6 

This    marchant    saiigh    thcr    was    no 

remedye. 
And,  for  to  chyde,  it  nero  but  greet  folye, 
Sith  that  the  thing  may  nat  amended  be. 
'Now,  wyf,'  he  seyde,   'and  I  foryeve  it 

thee ;  1620 

But,  by  thy  lyf,  ne  bo  namoro  so  largo  ; 
Keep  bet  our  good,  this  yeve  I  thee    in 

charge.'  (4,^-) 

Thus  ondeth   now  my   tale,    and  god  us 

son<lo 
Taling   y-nough,  un-to   our   lyvcs   endc. 

Amen. 


Here  endeth  the  Shipmannes  Tale. 


498 


B.    'ZH  ^nonee'e  QJrofogue.     [t.  i  3365-13403. 


THE    PRIORESS'S    PROLOGUE. 

Bihold  the  mery  wordes  of  the  Host  to  the   Shipman  and  to  the 
lady  Prioresse. 


'  Wel  seyd,  by  corptis  dmnintts,'  quod  our 

hoste.  1625 

'  Now  longe  moot  thou  sayle  by  the  coste, 
Sir  gentil  maister,  gentil  marineer  ! 
God  yeve  this  monk  a  thousand  last  quad 

yeer ! 
A  ha !   felawes  !   beth  ware  of  swiche  a 

jape  ! 
The  monk  putte  in  the  mannes  hood  an 

ape,  1 630 

And  in  his  wyves  eek,  by  seint  Austin  ! 
Draweth  no  monkes  more  tin-to  your  in. 
But  now  passe  over,  and  lat  us  seke 

aboute, 


Wlio    shal    now   telle    first,    of    al  this 
route,  (10) 

Another  tale ; '    and  with  that  word  he 
sayde,  1635 

As  eurteisly  as  it  had  been  a  mayde, 
'  My  lady  Prioresse,  by  your  leve. 
So  that  I  wiste  I  sliolde  yow  nat  greve, 
I  wolde  demen  that  ye  tellen  sholde 
A  tale  next,  if  so  were  that  ye  wolde.  1640 
Now  wol  ye  vouche-sauf,  my  lady  dere  V ' 
'  Gladly,'   qviod   she,    and  seyde  as  ye 
shal  here.  (18) 

£xj)licit. 


THE    PRIORESSES    TALE. 


The  Prologe  of  the  Prioresses  Tale. 


Domine,  dominus  nostcr. 

O  Lord  our  lord,   thy  name   how   mer- 

veillous 
Is   in    this  large   worlde  y-sprad — quod 

she  : — 
For  noght  only  thy  laude  precious      1645 
Parfourned  is  by  men  of  dignitee. 
But  by  the  mouth  of  children  thy  bountee 
Parfourned  is,  for  on  the  brest  soukinge 
Som  tyme  shewen  they  thyn  heryinge. 

Whcrfor  in  lavide,  as  I  best  can  or  may, 
Of  thee,  and  of  the  whj-te  lily  flour     1651 
Which  that  thee  bar,  and   is  a  mayde 
alway,  (10) 


To  telle  a  storie  I  wol  do  my  hibour  ; 
Not  that  I  may  encresen  hir  honour ; 
For  she  hir-self  is  honour,  and  the  rote 
Of  bountee,  next  hir   sone,   and  soules 
bote. —  /v'-'^y..  1656 

O  moder  mayde  !  o  mayde  moder  free  ! 
O  bush   unbrent,   brenninge   in    Moyses 

sighte, 
That  ravisedest  doun  fro  the  deitee, 
Thurgh  tliyn  humblesse,  the  goost  that  in 

th'alighte,  1660 

Of    whos   vertu,    whan    he    thyn    herte 

lighte. 
Conceived  was  the  fadres  sapience,       (20) 
Help  me  to  telle  it  in  thy  reverence  ! 


T.  13404-T3480.]         B.    ZH  (pnoreeeee  Zak. 


499 


Lady  !  thy  bountee,  thy  magnificence, 
Tliy  vertu,  and  thy  gxete  hnmilitee  1665 
Ther  may  no  tonge  expresse  in  no  science ; 
For  som-tyme,  lady,  er  men  praye  to  thee, 
Thoii  goost  biforn  of  tliy  benignitee. 
And  getest  us  the  light,  thurgh  thy  preyere, 
To  gyden  us  un-to  thy  sone  so  dere.     1670 

My  conning  is  so  wayk,  o  blisful  quene, 
For  to  declare  thy  grete  worthinesse,    (30) 
That  I  ne  may  the  weighte  nat  sustene, 
But   as  a  child  of  twelf  monthe  old,   or 
lesse,  1674 

That  can  unnethes  any  word  expresse, 
Right  so  fare  I,  and  therfor  I  yow  preye, 
Gydeth  my  song  that  I  shal  of  yow  seye. 
Explicit. 

Here  big^neth  the  Prioresses  Tale. 

Ther  was  in  Asie,  in  a  greet  citee, 
Amonges  Cristen  folk,  a  Jewerye, 
Sustened  by  a  lord  of  that  contree       1680 
For  foule  iisure  and  lucre  of  vilanye, 
Hateful  to  Crist  and  to  his  companye  ; 
And  thurgh  the  strete  men  mighte  ryde 
or  wende,  (41) 

For  it  was  free,  and  open  at  either  ende. 

A  litel  scole  of  Cristen  folk  ther  stood 
Doun  at  the  ferther  ende,  in  which  ther 

were  1686 

Children   an   heep,   y-comen   of   Cristen 

blood, 
That  lerned  in  that  scole  yeer  by  yere 
Swich  maner  doctrine  as  men  used  there. 
This  is  to  seyn,  to  singen  and  to  rede,  i6()o 
As  smale  children  doon  in  hir  childliede. 

Among  thise  children  was  a  widwes  sone, 
A  litel  clergeon,  seven  yeer  of  age,        (51) 
That  day  by  day  to  scole  was  his  wone, 
And  eek  also,  wher-as  lie  saugh  th'image 
Of  Cristes  modcr,  hadde  he  in  usage, 
As  him  was  taught,  to  knele  adoun  and 

seye 
His  Ave  ^farie,  as  he  goth  by  the  weye. 

Thus  hath  this  widwe  hir  litel  sone  y- 

taught 
Our  blisful  lady,  Cristes  moder  dere,  1700 
To  worshipe  ay,  and  he  forgat  it  naught. 


For  sely  child  wol  alday  sone  lere  ;  (60) 
But  ay,  whan  I  remembre  on  this  matere, 
Seint  Nicholas  stant  ever  in  my  presence. 
For  he  so  yong  to  Crist  did  reverence.  1705 

This  litel  child,  his  litel  book  leminge, 
As  he  sat  in  the  scole  at  his  prymer, 
He  Alma  redemptoris  herde  singe. 
As  children  lerned  hir  antiphoner  ; 
And,  as  he  dorste,  he  drough  him  ner  and 
ner,  17,0 

And  herkned  ay  the  wordes  and  the  note. 
Til  he  the  firste  vers  coude  al  by  rote.  (70) 

Noght  wiste  he  what  this  Latin  was  to 
seye. 

For  he  so  yong  and  tendre  was  of  age  ; 

But  on  a  day  his  felaw  gan  he  preye    1715 

T'expoiinden  him  this  song  in  his  langage, 

Or  telle  him  why  this  song  was  in  usage  ; 

This  preyde  he  him  to  construe  and  de- 
clare 

Ful  ofte  tyme  upon  his  knowes  bare. 

His  felaw,  which  that  elder  was  than  he, 
Answerde  him  thus  :  '  this  song,  I  have 

herd  seye, 
Was  maked  of  our  blisful  lady  free,      (80) 
Hir  to  salue,  and  eek  hir  for  to  preye 
To  been  our  help  and  socour  whan  we 

deye.  1724 

I  can  no  more  expounde  in  this  matere  ; 
I  lerne  song,  I  can  but  smal  grammere.' 

'  And  is  this  song  maked  in  reverence 
Of  Cristes  moder  ?  '  seyde  this  innocent ; 
'  Now  certes,  I  wol  do  my  diligence     1 729 
To  conne  it  al,  er  Cristemasse  is  went ; 
Though  that  I  for  my  pi-ymcr  shal   be 

shent. 
And  shal  bo  beten  thryes  in  an  honre,  (90) 
I  wol  it  conne,  our  lady  for  to  honoure.' 

His  felaw  taughte  him  homward  prively, 
Fro  day  to  day,  til  he  coude  it  by  rote. 
And  than  he  song  it  wel  and  boldely 
Fro  word  to  word,  acording  with  the  note ; 
Twytis  a  day  it  passed  thurgh  his  throte, 
To  scoleward  and  homward  whan  he 
wente ;  1739 

On  Cristes  moder  set  was  his  entente. 


r.oo 


B.      Z'H   {ptioUQUe   Z'AiC.  [t.  1 348 1-13559. 


As  I  liave  seyd,  tliairgh-out  the  .Tewerye 
Tliis  litel  child,  as  he  cam  to  and  fi'o,  (100) 
Ful  merilj'  than  wolde  he  singe,  and  crye 
O  Alma  redemptoris  ever-mo. 
The  swetnes  liath  his  herte  perced  so  1745 
Of  Cristes  moder,  that,  to  hir  to  preye, 
He  can  nat  stinte  of  singing  by  the  weye. 

Onr  firste  fo,  the  serpent  Sathanas, 
Tliat  hath  in  Jewes  herte  his  waspes  nest. 
Up  swal,   and   seide,    '  O  Hebraik  peple, 
alias  !  1750 

Is  this  to  yow  a  thing  that  is  honest, 
That  swich  a  boy  shal  walken  as  him  lest 
In  your  despyt,  and  singe  of  swich  sen- 
tence, (ill) 
A\Tiich  is  agayn  your  lawes  reverence  ? ' 

Fro  thennes  forth  the  Jewes  han  con- 
spyred  1 755 

This  innocent  out  of  this  world  to  cliace  ; 

An  homicyde  ther-to  hun  they  hyred. 

That  in  an  aley  hadde  a  privee  place  ; 

And  as  the  child  gan  fbr-by  for  to  pace. 

This  cursed  Jew  him  hente  and  heeld 
him  faste,  1760 

And  kitte  his  throto,  and  in  a  pit  him 
caste. 

I  scye  that  in  a  wardrobe  they  him  threwe 
Wher-as  these  Jewes  purgen  hirontraille. 
O  cursed  folk  of  Herodes  al  ncwe,  (i2j) 
^Vllat  may  your  jn'cl  entente  yow  availle  ? 
Mordre  wol  out,  certein,  it  wol  nat  faille, 
And  namely  ther  th'onour  of  god  shal 

sprede. 
The  lilood  out  cryeth  on  your  cursed  dcdo. 

'  O  martir,  souded  to  virginitee,  1769 

Now  maystou  singen,  folwing  ever  in  oon 
The  whytc  lamb  celestial,'  quod  she, 
'  Of  which  the  grcte  evangelist,  seint  John, 
In  Pathmos  wroot,  which  seith  that  they 

that  goon  (i^i) 

Biforn  this  lamb,  and  singe  a  songal  newe. 
That   never,   fleshly,    wommen    tliey  ne 

knewe.'  1775 

This  povre  widwe  Jiwaiteth  al  that  night 
Alter  hir  litel  child,  but  he  cam  noght ; 
For  which,  as  sone  us  it  was  dayes  light, 


"With  ftice  pale  of  drede  and  bisy  thoght, 
She  hath  at  scole  and  olles-whcr  him  sogh  t, 
Til  finally  she  gan  so  fer  espye  17S1 

That  he  last  seyn  was  in  the  Jewerye.  (140) 

With  modrps  pitee  in  hir  brest  enclosed, 
She  gooth,  as  she  were  half  out   of  hir 

minde. 
To  every  place  wher  she  hath  supposed 
By  lyklihede  hir  litel  child  to  finde  ;  1786 
And  ever  on   Cristes   moder  meke   and 

kinde 
Shecryde,andatto  laste  thus  she  wroghte. 
Among  the  cursed  Jewes  she  him  soghto. 

She  frayneth  and  she  pre.yeth  pitously 
To  every  Jew  that  dwelte  in  thilke  place, 
To  telle  hir,  if  hir  child  wente  oght  for-by. 
They  seyde,  '  nay ' ;  but  Jesu,  of  his  grace, 
Yaf  in  hir  thought,  inwith  a  litel  space. 
That  in  that  place  after  hir  sone  she  cryde, 
Wher  he  was  casten  in  a  pit  bisyde.    1796 

O  grete  god,  that  parfournest  thy  laude 
By  mouth  of  innocents,  lo  heer  thy  might ! 
This  gemme  of  chastitee,  this  emeraude. 
And  eek  of  martirdom  the  ruby  bright. 
Ther  he  with  tlirote  y-corven  lay  upright. 
He  ^  Alma  redemptoris''  gan  to  singe   (iCm)) 
So  loude,  that  al  the  place  gan  to  ringe. 

The  Cristen  folk,  that  thurgh  the  strete 
wente,  1S04 

In  coomen,  for  to  wondre  iip-on  tliis  thing, 
And  hastily  they  for  the  provost  sente  ; 
He  cam  anon  with-outen  tai-ying, 
And  hcricth  Crist  that  is  of  heven  king, 
And  eek  his  moder,  honour  of  mankinde, 
And  after  that,  the  Jewes  leet  ho  binde. 

This  child  with  pitous  lamentacioun  181 1 
Up-taken  was,  singing  his  song  alway; 
And  with  honour  of  greet  processioun 
Thoy  carien  him  un-to  the  nexte  abbay. 
His  moder  swowning  by  the  bere  lay  ; 
Unnethc  might  the  peple  that  was  there 
This  newe  Rachel  bringe  fro  his  bere. 

With  torment  and  with   shamful    deth 

echon  ( 1 76) 

This  provost  dooth  thise   Jewes   for  to 

sterve  1819 


T.  13560-13620]  B.    'Z^t  (prioreeeeo  ^afe. 


iOI 


That  of  this  mordre  wiste,  and  that  anon  ; 
He  nolde  no  swich  cursednesse  observe. 
Yvel  shal  have,  that  j'vel  vi'ol  deserve. 
Therfor  with   wilde   hors  he   dide   hem 
drawe,  (181) 

And  alter  that  he  heng  hem  by  the  hiwe. 

Up-on  his  here  ay  lyth  this  innocent  1825 
Biforn  the  chief  autor,  whyl  masse  Laste, 
And  after  that,  the  abbot  witli  his  covent 
Han  sped  hem  for  to  biirien  him  ful  faste  ; 
And    whan    tliey   lioly   water    on    him 

caste, 
Yet  spak  this  child,  whan  spreynd  was 

holy  water,  1830 

And  song — '  0  Alma  redemptoris  mater  ! ' 

This  abbot,  wliich  that  was  an  holy  man 
As  monkes  been,  or  elles  ogliten  be,   (iqi) 
This  3'onge  child  to  conjure  he  bigan. 
And  seyde,  '  o  dero  child,  I  halse  thee, 
In  vertn  of  the  holy  Trinitee,  1836 

Tel  me  what  is  thy  cause  for  to  singe, 
yith  that  thy  throte  is  cut,  to  my  sem- 
inge  ?  ' 

•  My  throte  is  cut  un-to  my  nekke-boon,' 
Seyde  this  child, '  and,  as  by  wey  of  kindo, 
I  sholde  have  deyed,  ye,  longe  tyme  agoon. 
But  Jesu  Crist,  as  yo  in  bokes  finde,  (200) 
Wil  that  his  glorio  laste  and  be  in  minde  ; 
And,  for  the  worship  of  his  moder  dere. 
Yet  may  I  singe  "0  Alma"  loude  and 
clere.  1845 

Tills  wellc  of  mercy,  Cristes  moder  swete, 
1  lovede  alwey,  as  after  my  conninge  ; 
And  whan  that  I  my  lyf  sholde  forlete. 
To  me  she  cam,  and  bad  mo  for  to  singe 
This  antem  verraily  in  my  deyinge,    1850 


As  ye  han  herd,  and,  whan  that  I  had 

songe. 
Me  thoughte,  she  leyde  a  greyn  up-on  my 

tonge.  (210) 

Wherfor  T  singe,  and  singe  I  moot  certeyn 
In  honour  of  that  blisfvil  mayden  free. 
Til  fro  my  tonge  of-taken  is  tlie  greyn  ; 
And  afterward  thus  seyde  she  to  me, 
"  My  litel  child,  now  wol  I  fecche  thee 
Whan  that  the  greyn  is  fro  thy   tonge 
y-take ;  185S 

Be  nat  agast,  I  wol  thee  nat  forsake." ' 

This  holy  monk,  this  abbot,  him  mene  I, 
Him  tonge  out-caughte,  and  took  a-wey 

the  greyn, 
And  he  yaf  up  the  goost  ful  softely.    (220) 
And  whan  this  abbot  had  this  wonder 

seyn. 
His  salte  teres  trikled  doiin  as  reyn,  1864 
And  grut  he  fil  al  plat  up-on  the  grounde, 
And  stUle  he  lay  as  he  had  been  y-bounde. 

The  covent  eek  lay  on  the  pavement 
Weping,  and  herien  Cristes  moder  dere, 
Ajid  alter  that  they  ryse,  and  forth  ben 
went,  1S69 

And  toke  awey  this  martir  fro  his  here, 
And  in  a  tombe  of  marbul-stones  clero 
Enclosen  they  his  litel  body  swete  ;    (230) 
Ther  he  is  now,  god  leva  us  for  to  mete. 

O  yonge  Hugh  of  Lincoln,  slayn  also 

With  cursed  Jewos,  as  it  is  notable,    1875 

For  it  nis  but  a  litel  whyle  ago  ; 

Preye  eek  for  us,  we  sinful  folk  imstable, 

That,  of  his  mercy,  god  so  merciablo 

On  VIS  his  grete  mercy  multiplye,         (237) 

For  reverence  of  his  moder  Marye.    Amen. 


Here  is  ended  the  Prioresses  Tale. 


\ 


B.    (profo^ue  to  ^iv  Z-^oipae.      [t.  13621-13671. 


PROLOGUE   TO    SIR   THOPAS. 


Bibold  the  murye  wordes  of  the  Host  to  Chaucer. 


Whan  seyd  was  al  this  miracle,  every  man 
As  sobre  was,  that  wonder  was  to  see, 
Til  that  our  hoste  japen  tho  bigan. 
And  than  at  erst  he  loked  up-on  me,  v 
And  seyde  thus, '  what  man  artow  ?  '  quod 

he ;  1885 

'Thou  lokest  as  thou  woldest  finde  an 

hare. 
For  ever  up-on  the  ground  I  see  thee  stare. 

Approche  neer,  and  loke  up  merily. 
Xow  war  yow,  sirs,  and  lat  this  man  have 

place ; 
He  in  the  waast  is  shape  as  wel  as  I ;  1890 
This  were  a  popet  in  an  arm  t'enbrace  (u) 


For  any  womman,  smal  and  fair  of  face. 
He  semeth  elvish  by  his  contenaunce, 
For  un-to  no  wight  dooth  he  daliaunce. 

Sey   now   somwhat,    sin  other  folk  han 
sayd ;  1895 

Tel  us  a  tale  of  mirthe,  and  that  anoon  ; ' — 
'  Hoste,'  quod  I,  '  ne  hcth  nat  yvel  apayd, 
For  other  tale  certes  can  I  noon, 
But  of  a  ryme  I  lerned  longe  agoon.' 
'  Ye,  that  is  good,'  quod  he  ;   '  now  shul 
we  here  1900 

Som  dcyntee  thing,  me  thinketh  by  his 
chere.'  (21) 

Explicit. 


SIR   THOPAS. 


Here  biglnneth  Chancers  Tale  of  Thopas. 


LisTETii,  lordes,  in  good  entent, 
And  I  wol  telle  verrajinent 

Of  mirthe  and  of  solas  ; 
Al  of  a  knyght  was  fair  and  gent 
In  liataillo  and  in  tournej'mcnt. 

His  name  was  sir  Tliopas. 

Y-bom  he  was  in  fer  contree, 
In  Flaundres,  al  biyonde  the  see, 

At  Popering,  in  the  place  ; 
His  fader  was  a  man  ful  free. 
And  lord  he  was  of  that  contree, 

As  it  was  goddes  grace. 

Sir  Thopas  wex  adoghty  swayn, 
Whyt  was  his  face  as  payndemayn,     1915 
His  lippes  rede  as  rose  ; 


'905 


1910 

(10) 


His  rode  is  lyk  scarlet  in  grayn, 
And  I  yow  telle  in  good  certayn, 
Ho  haddo  a  semely  nose. 

His  heer,  his  berd  was  lyk  saffroun, 
That  to  his  girdel  raughte  adoun  ; 

His  shoon  of  Cordewane. 
Of  Brugges  were  his  hosen  broun. 
His  robe  was  of  ciclatoun, 

That  coste  many  a  jane. 


1920 

(20) 


'925 


He  coude  hunto  at  wilde  deer. 
And  ryde  an  banking  for  riveer. 

With  grey  goshaiik  on  honde  ; 
Ther-to  he  was  a  good  archeer, 
Of  wrastling  was  ther  noon  his  peer,  1930 

Ther  any  ram  shal  stonde,  (30) 


T.   13672-13761.] 


B.    ^tr  ^^opae. 


503 


Ful  many  a  mayde,  bright  in  bonr, 
They  moorne  for  him,  paramour, 

Whan  hem  were  bet  to  slepe  ; 
But  he  was  chast  and  no  lechour. 
And  sweet  as  is  the  bremble-flour 

That  bereth  the  rede  hope. 

And  so  bifel  up-on  a  day, 
For  sothe,  as  I  yow  telle  may, 

Sir  Thopas  wolde  out  ryde  ; 
He  worth  upon  his  stede  gray. 
And  in  his  honde  a  launcegay, 

A  long  swerd  by  his  syde. 

He  priketh  thurgh  a  fair  forest, 
Ther-inne  is  many  a  wilde  best, 

Ye,  bothe  bukke  and  hare  ; 
And,  as  he  ]priketh  north  and  est, 
I  telle  it  yow,  him  hadde  alxnest 

Bitid  a  sory  care. 


1935 


1940 

(40) 


1945 


1949 


Ther  springen  herbes  grete  and  smale, 
The  lycorys  and  cetewale,  (50) 

And  many  a  clowe-gilol're  ; 
And  notemuge  to  putte  in  ale. 
Whether  it  be  moyste  or  stale, 

Or  for  to  leye  in  cofre.  1955 

The  briddes  singe,  it  is  no  nay. 
The  sparhauk  and  the  papejay, 

That  joye  it  was  to  here  ; 
The  thrustelcok  made  eek  his  lay. 
The  wodedo'sv^'e  upon  the  spray  i960 

She  sang  ful  loude  and  clere.  (60) 

Sir  Thopas  fil  in  love-longinge 

Al  whan  he  herde  the  thrustel  singe. 

And  priked  as  he  were  w^ood  : 
His  faire  stede  in  his  prikinge  1965 

So  swatte  that  men  mighte  liim  wringe, 

His  sydes  were  al  blood. 

Sir  Thopas  eek  so  wery  was 
For  prikinge  on  the  softe  gras. 

So  fiers  was  his  corage,  1970 

That  doun  he  leyde  him  in  that  plas    (70) 
To  make  his  stede  som  solas, 

And  yaf  him  good  forage. 


'  O  seinte  Marie,  ben'cite  ! 
What  eyleth  this  love  at  me 
To  binde  me  so  sore  ? 


"975 


Me  dremed  al  this  night,  pardee. 
An  elf-queen  shal  my  lemman  be, 
And  slepe  under  my  gore. 

An  elf-queen  wol  I  love,  y-wis,  J9&) 

For  in  this  world  no  womman  is  (80) 

Worthy  to  be  my  make  [T.  13722 

In  tovine  ;  [T.  13722 

AUe  othere  wommen  I  forsake,  [T.  13723 

And  to  an  elf-queen  I  me  take  1985 

By  dale  and  eek  by  doune  ! ' 

In-to  his  sadel  he  clamb  anoon. 
And  priketh  over  style  and  stoou 

An  elf-queen  for  t'espye. 
Til  he  so  longe  had  riden  and  goon     1990 
That  he  fond,  in  a  privee  woon,  (90) 

The  contree  of  Fairye  [T.  13731 

So  wilde  ;  [T.  13734 

For  in  that  contree  was  ther  noon 
•[That  to  him  dorste  ryde  or  goon,       1995 

Neither  wj'f  ne  childe. 

Til  that  ther  cam  a  greet  geaunt, 
His  name  was  sir  Olifaunt, 

A  perilous  man  of  dede  ; 
He  seyde,  '  child,  by  Termagaunt,       2000 
But-if  thou  prike  out  of  myn  haunt,  (uxj) 

Anon  I  slee  thy  stede  [T.  13743 

With  mace.         [T.  13743 
Heer  is  the  queen  of  Fayerye, 
With  harpe  and  pype  and  simphonye  2tx)5 

Dwelling  in  this  place.' 

The  child  seyde,  '  al-so  mote  I  thee, 
Tomorwe  wol  I  mete  thee 

Whan  I  have  myn  armoure  ; 
And  yet  I  hope,  par  ma  fay ^  2010 

That  thou  shalt  with  this  launcegay  (no) 

Abyen  it  ful  soure  ;  [T.  13752 

Thy  mawe  [T.  13752 

Shal  I  percen,  if  I  may, 
Er  it  be  fully  pryme  oi'  day,  2015 

For  heer  thou  shalt  bo  slawe.' 

Sir  Thopas  drow  abak  ful  faste  ; 
This  geaunt  at  him  stones  caste 

Out  of  a  fel  staf-slingo  ; 
But  fairo  escapoth  child  Thopas,  2020 

And  al  it  was  thurgh  goddes  gras,       (120) 

And  thurgh  his  fair  beringe. 


504 


B.     ^iv  Z^pae, 


[t.  13762-13S46. 


Yet  listeth,  lorJes,  to  my  tale 
Merier  than  the  nightingale, 

For  now  I  wol  yow  ronne  2025 

How  sir  Thof)as  with  sydes  smale, 
Priking  over  hil  and  dale, 

Is  come  agayn  to  toune. 

His  merie  men  comanded  he 

To  make  liim  bothe  game  and  glee,     2030 

For  nedes  moste  he  fighte  (130) 

A\'ith  a  geaunt  with  hevedes  three. 
For  paramour  and  jolitee 

Of  oon  that  shoon  ful  brighte. 

'  Do  come,'  he  seyde,  '  my  minstrales,  2035 
And  gestours,  for  to  tellen  tales 

Anon  in  myn  arminge  ; 
Of  romances  that  been  royales, 
Of  popes  and  of  cardinales. 

And  eek  of  love-lykinge.'  204.0 

They  fette  him  first  the  swete  wyn,    (140) 
And  mede  eek  in  a  maselyn. 

And  roj-al  spicerye 
Of  gingebreed  that  was  ful  fyn, 
And  Ij-eorys,  and  eek  comjTi,  2045 

With  sugre  that  is  so  trye. 

He  dide  next  his  whj-te  lere 
Of  clooth  of  lake  fyn  and  clere 

A  breech  and  eek  a  slierte  ; 
And  next  his  sherte  an  aketoun,  2050 

And  over  that  an  habergeoun  (150) 

For  percinge  of  his  herte  ; 

And  over  that  a  fyn  hauberk. 
Was  al  y-wroght  of  Jewes  werk, 

Ful  strong  it  wiis  of  plate  ;  2055 

And  over  that  his  cote-armour 
As  whyt  as  is  a  lily-flour. 

In  which  he  wol  debate. 

His  sheeld  was  al  of  gold  so  reed. 

And  ther-in  was  a  bores  heed,  2(60 

A  charbocle  bisyde  ;  ('60) 

And  there  lie  swoor,  on  ale  and  breed. 
How  that  '  the  geaiint  shal  be  deed, 

Bityde  what  bityde  ! ' 


His  jambcux  were  of  quirboillj', 
His  swerdos  sbothe  of  yvory. 
His  helm  of  laton  bright  ; 


206^ 


His  sadel  was  of  rewel-boon, 
His  bi-ydel  as  the  Sonne  shoon. 
Or  as  the  mone  light. 


2071) 


His  spere  was  of  fyn  ciprees,  ('/O) 

That  bodeth  werre,  and  no-tliing  pees, 

The  heed  ful  sharpe  y-grounde ; 
His  stede  was  al  dappel-gray, 
It  gooth  an  ambel  in  the  way  2075 

Ful  softely  and  rounde  [T.  13815 

In  londe.      [T.  13815 
Lo,  lordes  mj-ne,  heer  is  a  fit ! 
If  ye  wol  anj'  more  of  it. 

To  telle  it  wol  I  fonde.  2080 


[The  Second  Fit.] 

Now  hold  your  mouth,  par  charitee,    (180) 
Bothe  knight  and  lady  free. 

And  herkneth  to  my  spelle  ; 
Of  bataille  and  of  chivalry, 
And  of  ladyes  love-dr\iry  2085 

Anon  I  wol  yow  telle. 


Men  speke  of  romances  of  piys, 
Of  Horn  child  and  of  Ypotys, 

Of  Bevis  and  sir  Gy, 
Of  sir  Libcux  and  Pleyn-damoiir  ; 
But  sir  Thopas,  he  bereth  the  flour 

Of  roj'al  chivalry. 


2090 
(■9") 


2095 


His  gode  stede  al  he  bistrood, 
And  lorth  upon  his  wey  he  glood 

As  sparkle  out  of  the  bronde  ; 
Up-on  his  crest  he  bar  a  tour. 
And  ther-in  stiked  a  lily-flour, 

God  shilde  his  cors  fro  shonde ! 


And  for  he  was  a  knight  auntrous, 

He  nolde  slepen  in  non  hous,  2100 

But  liggen  in  his  bode  ;  (200) 

His  brighte  helm  was  his  wonger, 
And  by  him  baiteth  his  dextrer 

Of  herbes  f3'ne  and  gode. 

Him-self  drank  water  of  the  wel,         2 105 
As  did  the  knight  sir  Percivel, 

So  worthy  under  wede, 
Til  on  a  day (207) 


Here  the  Host  stinteth  Chaucer  of  his  Tale  of  Thopas. 


^ 


T.  1 3847-1 3894.]       B.    (profogue  to  QUeftBeue. 


505 


PROLOGUE    TO    MELIBEUS. 


'No  more  of  this,  for  goddes  dignitee/ 
Quod  oure  hoste,  '  for  thou  makest  me  21 10 
So  wery  of  thy  verray  lewednesse 
That,  also  wisly  god  my  soule  blesse, 
Myn  eras  aken  of  thy  drasty  speche  ; 
Now  swiclie  a  lym.  tlie  devel  I  biteche  ! 
This  may  wel  be  rym  dogerel,'  quod  he. 

'  Wliy  so  ? '  quod  I,  '  why  wiltow  lette  me 
More  of  my  tale  than  another  man, 
Sin  that  it  is  the  beste  rym  I  can  ? '     (10) 
'  By   god,'    quod    he,    '  for  pleynly,    at 

a'  word, 
Thy  drasty  ryming  is  nat  worth  a  tord  ; 
Thou  doost  nought  elles  but  despendest 

tyme,  2 121 

Sir,   at    o   word,    thou   slialt    no   lenger 

ryme. 
Lat  see  wher  thou  canst  tellen  aught  in 

geste. 
Or  telle  in  prose  somwhat  at  the  leste 
In  which   ther   be   som   mirthe   or  som 

doctryne.'  2125 

'  Gladly,'  quod  I,  'by  goddes  swete  pyne, 
I  wol  yow  telle  a  litel  thing  in  prose. 
That  oghte  lyken  yow,  as  I  suppose,     (20) 
Or  elles,  eertes,  ye  been  to  daungerous. 
It  is  a  moral  tale  vertuoiis,  2130 

Al  be  it  told  som-tyme  in  sondry  wyse 
Of  sondry  folk,  as  I  shal  yow  devyse. 


As  thiTS  ;  ye  woot  that  every  evangelist. 
That  telleth  us  the  peyne  of  Jesu  Crist, 
Ne  saith  nat  al  thing  as  his  felaw  dooth, 
But  natheles,  hir  sentence  is  al  sooth,  2136 
And  alle  acorden  as  in  hir  sentence, 
Al  be  ther  in  hir  telling  difference.      (30) 
For  somme  of  hem  seyn  more,  and  somme 

lesse, 
Wlian  they  his  pitous  passioun  expresse  ; 
I  mene  of  Mark  [and]  Mathew,  Luk  and 

John  ;  2141 

But  doutelees  hir  sentence  is  al  oon. 
Therfor,  lordinges  alle,  I  yow  biseche. 
If  that  ye  thinke  I  varie  as  in  my  speche. 
As  thus,  thogh  that  I  telle  som-what  more 
Of  proverbes,  than  ye  han  herd  bifore. 
Comprehended  in  this  litel  tretis  here, 
To  enforce  with  the  th'eflfect  of  my  matere. 
And  thogh  I  nat  the  same  wordes  seye  (41 ) 
As  ye  han  herd,  yet  to  yow  alle  I  preye, 
Blameth  me  nat ;  for,  as  in  my  sentence. 
Ye  shul  not  fynden  moche  difference 
Fro  the  sentence  of  this  tretis  lji;e 
After  the  which  this  mery  tale  I  wryto. 
And  therfor  herkneth  what  that  I  shal 

seye,  2155 

And  lat  me  tellen  al  my  tale^  I  preye.'  (48) 

Explicit. 


THE    TALE    OF    MELIBEUS. 

Here  biginneth  Chaucers  Tale  of  Melibee. 


^1.  A  yong  man  called  Melibeus, 
mighty  and  riche,  bigat  up-on  his  wyf 
that  called  was  Prudence,  a  doghter 
which  that  called  was  Sojihie./ 

§  2.  Upon  a  day  bifel,  that  he  for  his 
desport  is  went  in-to  the  feeldes  him  to 
pleye.  /     His  wyf  and  eek  liis   doghter 


hath  he  left  inwith  his  hous,  of  which  the 
dores  weren  fast  y-shette.  /  Three  of  his 
olde  foos  han  it  espyed,  and  setten  laddres 
to  the  wallos  of  his  hous,  and  by  the 
windowes  ])een  entred,  /  and  betten  his  2160 
wyf,  and  wounded  his  doghter  with  fyve 
mortal  woundes  in  fyve  sondry  places  ;  / 


r,o6 


B.    ZU  ^afe  of  Qllefifieue. 


[t.  §§  3-8. 


this  is  to  sejTi,  in  hir  feet,  in  liir  handcs, 
in  liir  eres,  in  hir  nose,  and  in  hir  mouth  ; 
and  leften  hir  for  deed,  and  wenten 
awey.  / 

§  3.  Whan  Melibeus  retoiirnod  was  in- 
to his  hons,  and  saugh  al  this  meschief, 
he,  Ij-lc  a  mad  man,  rendinge  his  clothes, 
gan  to  wepe  and  crye.  / 

§  4.  Prudence  his  w-j-f,  as  ferforth  as 
she  dorste,  bisoghte  him  of  his  weping  for 
to  stinte  ;  /  but   nat  for-thy  he  gan  to 

■165  crye  and  wepen  ever  lenger  the  more.  / 
§  5.  This  noble  ■wyf  Prudence  remem- 
bered hir  \ipon  the  sentence  of  Ovide,  in 
his  book  that  cleped  is  The  Remedie  of 
Love,  wher-as  he  seith  ;  /  '  he  is  a  fool 
that  destourbeth  the  moder  to  wepcn  in 
the  deeth  of  hir  child,  til  she  have  wept 
hir  fillc,  as  for  a  certein  tymo  ;  /  and 
thanne  shal  man  doon  his  diligence  with 
amiable  wordes  hir  to  reconforte,  and 
preyen  hir  of  hir  weping  for  to  stinte.'  / 
For  which  resoun  this  noble  wj^f  Prudence 
suflVed  hir  housbond  for  to  wepe  and  crye 
as  for  a  certein  space  ;  /  and  whan  she 
saugh  hir  tyme,  she  seyde  him  in  tliis 
wys3.     '  Alias,  my  lord,'  quod  she,  '  why 

1 1 70  make  ye  your-self  for  to  be  lyk  a  fool  ?  / 
For  sothe,  it  aperteneth  nat  to  a  wys 
man,  to  maken  swiche  a  sorwe.  /  Your 
doghter,  with  the  grace  of  god,  shal 
warisshe  and  escape.  /  And  al  were  it  so 
that  she  right  now  were  deed,  ye  ne  oghto 
nat  as  for  hir  deeth  your-self  to  destroye./ 
Senek  seith:  "the  wise  man  slial  nat 
take  to  greet  disconfort  for  the  deeth  of 
his  children,  /  but  certes  he  sholde  sulFrou 
it  in  pacience,  as  wel  as  he  abydeth  the 

.•175  deeth  of  his  owene  propre  persone."  '  / 

§  6.  This  Melibeus  answerde  anon  and 
seyde,  'What  man,'  quod  he,  'sholde  of 
his  weping  stinte,  that  hath  so  greet 
a  cause  for  to  wepe  ?  /  Jesu  Crist,  our 
lord,  him-self  wepte  for  the  deeth  of 
Lazarus  his  frccnd.'/  Prudence  answerde, 
'  Oortcs,  wel  I  woot,  attemprce  wci)ing  is 
no-thing  defended  to  him  that  sorweful 
is,  amonges  folk  in  sorwe,  but  it  is  rather 
graunted  him  to  wepe.  /  Tlie  Apostle 
Paul  un-to  the  Romayns  wry-teth,  "  man 
shal  rejoyse  with  hem  that  maken  joye, 


and  wepen  with  swicli  folk  as  wepen."  / 
But  thogh  attempree  weping  be  y- 
graiinted,  outrageous  weping  certes  is 
defended.  /  Mesure  of  weping  sholde  be  2180 
considered,  after  the  lore  that  techotli  us 
Senek.  /  "  Whan  that  tliy  freend  is 
deed,"  quod  he,  "  lat  nat  thyne  eyen  to 
moyste  been  of  teres,  ue  to  muche  drye  ; 
althogh  the  teres  come  to  tliyne  eyen,  lat 
hem  nat  faJIe."  /  And  whan  thou  hast 
for-goon  thy  freend,  do  diligence  to  gete 
another  freend  ;  and  this  is  more  wysdom 
than  for  to  wepe  for  thy  freend  which 
that  thou  hast  lorn  ;  for  thcr-inne  is  no 
bote.  /  And  therfore,  if  ye  govcrne  yow 
bj-  sapience,  put  awey  sorwe  out  of  your 
herte.  /  Rememlire  yow  that  Jesus  Syrak 
seith  :  "  a  man  that  is  jo3-ous  and  glad  in 
herte,  it  him  conserveth  florisshing  in  his 
age  ;  but  soothlj'  sorweful  herte  maketh 
his  bones  drye."/  He  seith  eek  thus:  2185 
"that  sorwe  in  herte  sleet h  ful  many 
a  man."  /  Salomon  seith  :  "that,  right 
as  motthes  in  the  shepes  flees  anoyeth  to 
the  clothes,  and  the  smalo  wormes  to  the 
tree,  right  so  anf>yeth  sorwe  to  the 
herte."  /  W^horfore  us  oghte,  as  wel  in 
the  deeth  of  our  children  as  in  the  losse 
of  our  goodes  temporels,  have  pacience.  / 

§  7.  Remembre  yow  up-on  the  pacient 
Job,  whan  he  hadde  lost  his  children  and 
his  temporel  substance,  and  in  his  body 
endured  and  receyved  ful  many  a  gi-evous 
tribulacioun  ;  yet  seyde  he  thus  :  /  "  our 
lord  hath  yeven  it  me,  our  lord  hath 
biraft  it  me  ;  right  as  our  lord  hath  wold, 
right  so  it  is  doon  ;  blessed  be  the  name 
of  oiar  lord."  '  /  To  thise  foreseide  thinges  2190 
answerde  Melibeus  un-to  his  wyf  Pru- 
dence :  '  Alle  thy  wordes,'  quod  he,  'been 
sothe,  and  ther-to  profitable  ;  but  trewely 
myn  herte  is  troubled  with  this  sorwe  so 
grevously,  that  I  noot  what  to  done.'  / 
'  Lat  calle,'  quod  Piiulence,  '  thy  trewe 
freendes  alle,  and  thy  linage  whiche  that 
boon  wyse;  tellcth  your  cas,  and  herkneth 
what  they  seye  in  conseiling,  and  yow 
govcrne  after  hir  sentence.  /  Salomon 
seith  :  "  werk  alle  thy  thinges  by  conseil, 
and  tliou  shalt  never  repente."  '  / 

§  8.  Thanne,  by  the  conseil  of  his  wyf 


9-ti.] 


B.    ZU  Z^(^  of  QHefiBeue. 


507 


Prudence,  this  Melibeus  leet  callen  a  greet 
congregacioiiu  of  folk ;  /  as  surgiens, 
phisiciens,  olde  folk  and  yonge,  and 
somme  of  liisc  olde  enemys  reconsiled  as 
by  hir  seniblaunt  to  his  love  and  in-to  his 

>  195  grace;  /and  ther-with-al  ther  comen 
somme  of  hise  neighebores  that  diden 
him  reverence  more  for  dredc  than  for 
love,  as  it  happeth  ofte.  /  Ther  comen 
also  fu.1  many  subtile  flatereres,  and  wyse 
advocats  lerned  in  the  lawe.  / 

§  9.  And  whan  this  folk  togidre  as- 
sembled weren,  this  Melibeus  in  sorweful 
wyse  shewed  hem  his  cas  ;  /  and  by  the 
manere  of  his  sjjeche  it  semed  that  in 
herte  he  bar  a  cruel  ire,  redy  to  doon 
vengeaunce  up-on  hise  foos,  and  sodeynly 
desired  that  the  werre  sholde  biginne  ;  / 
but  nathelecs  yet  axed  he  hir  c<mscil  vipou 

.>--(>i>  this  matcre.  /  A  surgien,  by  licence  and 
assent  of  swiclie  as  weren  wyse,  up  roos 
and  \in-to  Melibeus  seyde  as  ye  may 
here.  / 

§  10.  '  Sir,'  quod  he,  '  as  to  us  siirgiens 
aperteneth,  that  we  do  to  every  wight  the 
beste  that  we  can,  wher-as  we  been  with- 
liolde,  and  to  our  pacients  that  we  do  no 
damage ;  /  wherfore  it  happeth,  many 
tyme  and  ofte,  that  whan  twey  men  han 
cverich  wounded  other,  oon  same  surgien 
heleth  hem  botho  ;  /  wherefore  un-to  our 
art  it  is  nat  pertinent  to  norice  werre,  ne 
pai"ties  to  supporte.  /  But  certes,  as  to 
the  warisshinge  of  your  doghter,  al-be-Lt 
so  that  she  perilously  be  wounded,  wo 
shuUen  do  so  ententif  bisinesse  fro  day 
to  night,  that  with  the  grace  of  god  she 
shal   bo   hool  and   sound   as   sone  as  is 

-•.•05  possible.'  /  Almost  right  in  the  same 
wyse  the  phisiciens  answerden,  save  that 
th(\^-  soytlen  a  fewe  wordcs  more  :  /  'That, 
right  as  maladyes  been  cured  by  hir 
contraries,  right  so  shul  men  warisshe 
werre  by  vengeaunce.'  /  His  neighebores, 
fnl  of  envye,  his  feyned  freendcs  that 
semedcn  reconsiled,  and  his  flatereres,  / 
maden  semblant  of  weping,  and  em- 
peireden  and  agreggeden  muchel  of  this 
matere,  in  preising  greetly  Melibeo  of 
might,  of  power,  of  richosse,  and  of 
freeudes,    despysinge   the   power   of    his 


adversaries,  /  and  seiden  outrely  that  he 
anon  sholde  wreken  him  on  his  foos  and 
biginne  werre.  /  2210 

§  11.  Up  roos  thanne  an  advocat  that 
was  wys,  by  leve  and  by  conseil  of  othere 
that  were  wyse,  and  seyde  :  /  '  Lordinges, 
the  nede  for  which  we  been  assembled  in 
this  place  is  a  ful  hevy  thing  and  an 
heigh  matere,  /  bj'-cause  of  the  wrong 
and  of  the  wikkednesse  that  hath  be 
doon,  and  eek  by  resoun  of  the  grete 
damages  that  in  tyme  cominge  been 
possible  to  fallen  for  thi^  same  caiise  ;  / 
and  eek  by  resoun  of  the  grete  richesse 
and  power  of  the  parties  bothe  ;  /  for  the 
whiche  resou.ns  it  were  a  f^^l  greet  peril 
to  erren  in  this  matere.  /  Wherfore,  2215 
Melibeus,  this  is  our  sentence  :  wo  con- 
seille  yow  aboven  alle  thing,  that  right 
anon  thou  do  thy  diligence  in  kopinge  of 
thy  propre  persone,  in  swich  a  wyse  that 
thou  ne  wante  noon  espyo  newacche,  thy 
body  for  to  save.  /  And  after  that  we 
conseille,  that  in  thyn  hous  thou  sette 
sufflsant  garnisoun,  so  that  they  may  as 
wel  thy  body  as  thyn  hoiis  defende.  / 
But  certes,  for  to  moevo  werre,  or  so- 
deynly for  to  doon  vengeaiuice,  we  may 
nat  domen  in  so  litel  tyme  that  it  were 
profitable.  /  Wlierfore  we  axen  leyser 
and  espace  to  have  deliberacioun  in  this 
cas  to  dome.  /  For  the  commiine  proverbc 
seith  thus:  "he  that  sone  demeth,  sone 
shal  repente."  /  And  eek  men  scyn  that  222" 
thilke  juge  is  wys,  that  sone  under- 
stondeth  a  matere  and  juggeth  by  leyser.  / 
For  al-be-it  so  that  alle  tarying  be 
anoyful,  algates  it  is  nat  to  repreve  in 
ycvinge  of  jugement,  ne  in  vengeance- 
taking,  whan  it  is  suffisant  and  reson- 
ablo.  /  And  that  shewed  our  lord  Jesu 
Crist  by  ensample  ;  for  whan  that  the 
womman  that  was  taken  in  avoutrie  was 
broght  in  his  presence,  to  knowen  what 
sholde  be  doon  with  hir  persone,  al-be-it 
so  that  ho  wiste  wel  him-self  what  that 
he  wolde  answere,  yet  ne  woldo  he  nat 
answere  sodeynly,  but  he  wolde  have 
deliberacioun,  and  in  the  ground  he 
wroot  twyes.  /  And  by  thise  causes  wo 
axen  deliberacioun,  and  wo  shal  thanne, 


;o8 


B.    ZH  Zcik  cf  (meft6eu0. 


b 


12-14. 


by  the  grace  of  god,  conseille  thee  thing 
that  shal  be  profitable.'/ 

§  12.  Up  stirten  thanne  the  yonge  folk 
atones,  and  the  moste  partie  of  that 
companye  han  scorned  the  olde  wyse 
men,  and  bigonnen  to  make  noyse,  and 

2.225  seyden  :  that,  /  right  so  as  whyl  that  iren 
is  hoot,  men  sholden  sniyte,  right  so,  men 
sholde  wreken  hir  ■s\Tonges  whyle  that 
they  been  fresshe  and  newe  ;  and  with 
loud  voys  they  cryden,  '  werre  J  werre  !'/ 
Up  roos  tho  oon  of  thise  olde  wyse,  and 
with  his  hand  made  contenaunce  that 
men  sholde  holden  hem  stille  and  yeven 
liim  audience.  /  '  Lordinges,'  qiiod  he, 
'  ther  is  ful  many  a  man  that  cryeth 
"werre!  werre!"  that  woot  ful  litel  what 
werre  amounteth.  /  Werre  at  his  bi- 
ginning  hath  so  greet  an  entree  and  so 
large,  that  every  wight  may  entre  wlian 
him  lyketh,  and  lightly  fincle  werre.  / 
But,  certes,  what  ende  that  shal  ther-of 

2230  bifalle,  it  is  nat  light  to  knowe.  /  For 
sothly,  whan  that  werre  is  ones  bigonne, 
ther  is  ful  many  a  child  iinborn  of  his 
moder,  that  shal  sterve  yong  by-cause  of 
that  ilke  werre,  or  elles  live  in  sorwe  and 
dye  in  wrecchednesse.  /  And  ther-fore, 
er  that  any  werre  biginne,  men  moste 
have  greet  conseil  and  greet  delibera- 
cioun.y  And  whan  this  olde  man  wende 
to  enforcen  his  tale  by  resons,  wel  ny 
alle  at-ones  bigonne  they  to  rj-se  for  to 
breken  his  tale,  and  beden  him  ful  ofto 
his  wordes  for  to  abregge.  /  For  soothly, 
he  that  precheth  to  hem  that  listen  nat 
heren  his  wordes,  his  sermon  hem 
anoyeth.  /  For  Jesus  Syrak  seith  :  that 
'  musik  in  wcpinge  is  anoyous  thing ' ; 
this  is  to  seyn :  as  muche  availleth 
to  speken  bifore  folk  to  whiche  his 
speche      anoyeth,     as    dooth     to     singe 

2-235  bifom  him  that  wepeth.  /  And  whan 
this  wyse  man  saugh  that  him  wanted 
audience,  al  shamefast  he  sette  him  doun 
agayn.  /  For  Salomon  seith  :  '  ther-as 
thou  ne  mayst  have  noon  audience, 
enforce  thee  nat  to  speke.'/  '  I  see  wel,' 
quod  this  wyse  man,  '  that  the  commune 
proverbe  is  sooth;  that  "good  conseil 
wanteth  whan  it  is  most  nede."'/ 


§  13.  Yet  hadde  this  Melibeus  in  liis 
conseil  many  folk,  that  prively  in  his  ere 
conseilled  him  certej-n  thing,  and  con- 
seilled  him  the  contrarie  in  general 
audience.  / 

Whan  Melibeus  hadde  herd  that  the 
gretteste  partie  of  his  conseil  weren 
accorded  that  he  sholde  maken  werre, 
anoon  he  consented  to  hir  conseilling, 
and  fully  afFermed  hir  sentence.  /  Thanne  2240 
dame  Prudence,  whan  that  she  saugh  how 
that  hir  housbonde  shoop  him  for  to 
wreken  him  on  his  foos,  and  to  biginne 
werre,  she  in  ftil  humble  wyse,  when  she 
saugh  hir  tyme,  seide  him  thise  wordes  :/ 
'My  lord,'  quod  she,  'I  yow  biseche  as 
hertely  as  I  dar  and  can,  ne  haste  yow 
nat  to  faste,  and  for  alle  guerdons  as 
yeveth  me  audience.  /  For  Piers  Alfonce 
seith:  "  who-so  that  dooth  to  that  other 
good  or  harm,  haste  thee  nat  to  quyten 
it ;  for  in  this  wj^se  thy  freend  wol  abyde, 
and  thyn  enemy  shal  the  lenger  live  in 
drede."  /  The  proverbe  seith  :  "hehasteth 
wel  that  wysely  can  abyde " ;  and  in 
wikked  haste  is  no  profit.'/ 

§  14.  This  Melibee  answerde  un-to  his 
wj^  Prudence  :  '  I  purpose  nat,'  quod  he, 
'  to  werke  by  thy  conseil,  for  many  causes 
and  resouns.  For  certes  every  wight 
wolde  holde  me  thanne  a  fool ;  /  this  is  2245 
to  sejTi,  if  I,  for  thy  conseilling,  wolde 
chauugen  thingcs  that  been  ordeyned 
and  affermed  by  so  manye  wyse.  / 
Secoundly  I  seye,  that  alle  wommen  been 
wikko  and  noon  good  of  hem  alle.  For 
"  of  a  thousand  men,"  seith  Salomon, 
"  I  fond  a  good  man  :  but  certes,  of  alle 
wommen,  good  womman  fond  I  never."/ 
And  also  certes,  if  I  governed  me  by  thy 
conseil,  it  sholde  seme  that  I  hadde  yeve 
to  thee  over  me  the  maistrie  ;  .and  god 
forbede  that  it  so  were.  /  For  Jesns 
Syrak  seith;  "that  if  the  wyf  have 
maistrie,  she  is  contrarious  to  hir  hous- 
bonde." /  And  Salomon  seith  :  "  never 
in  thy  lyf,  to  thy  wyf,  ne  to  thy  child,  ne 
to  thy  freend,  ne  yeve  no  power  over  thy- 
self. For  bettre  it  were  that  thy  children 
aske  of  thy  persone  thinges  that  hem 
nedeth,    than   thou   see   thy-self  in   the 


T.  §   I5-] 


B.    ZU  Zdk  of  (nxefi6eu0. 


509 


2250  handes  of  thy  children."/  And  also,  if 
I  wolde  werke  by  thy  conseilling,  certes 
my  conseilling  moste  som  tynie  be  secree, 
til  it  were  tyme  that  it  moste  be  knowe  ; 
and  this  ne  may  noght  be.  /  [f  For  it  is 
writen,  that  "  the  janglerie  of  wommen 
can  hyden  thinges  that  they  witen 
noght."  /  Furthermore,  the  philosophre 
seith,  "  in  wikked  conseil  wommen  ven- 
quisshe  men  "  ;  and  for  thise  resouns  I  ne 
ow  nat  usen  thy  conseil.']  / 

§  15.  Whanno  dame  Prudence,  ful 
debonairly  and  with  greet  pacience, 
hadde  herd  al  that  hir  housbonde  lyked 
lor  to  sej'e,  thanne  axed  she  of  him 
licence  for  to  speke,  and  seyde  in  this 
wyse.  /  '  My  lord,'  quod  she,  '  as  to  your 
lirste  resoun,  certes  it  may  lightly  been 
answered.  For  I  seye,  that  it  is  no  folie 
to  chaunge  conseil  whan  the  thing  is 
chaunged ;     or    elles    whan    the    thing 

J255  semeth  otherweyes  than  it  was  biforn.  / 
And  more-over  I  seye,  that  though  ye  han 
sworn  and  bihight  to  perfourne  your 
emprise,  and  nathelees  ye  weyve  to  per- 
fourne thilko  same  emi^rise  by  juste 
cause,  men  sholde  nat  seyn  therefore  that 
ye  were  a  Iyer  ne  forsworn.  /  For  the 
book  seith,  that  "the  wyse  man  maketh 
no  lesing  whan  he  turneth  his  corage  to 
the  bettre."  /  Aiid  al-be-it  so  that  your 
emprise  be  establissed  and  ordeyned  by 
greet  mviltitvide  of  folk,  yet  thar  ye  nat 
•  accomplice  thilke  same  ordinaunce  but 
yow  lyke.  /  For  the  trouthe  of  thinges 
and  the  profit  been  rather  founden  in 
fewe  folk  that  been  wyse  and  ful  of 
resoun,  than  by  greet  multitude  of  folk, 
ther  every  man  cryeth  and  clatereth  what 
that  him  lyketh.  Soothly  swich  multi- 
tude is  nat  honeste.  /  As  to  the  seconde 
resoun,  where-as  ye  seyn  that  "  alle 
wommen  been  wikke,"  save  your  grace, 
certes  ye  despysen  alle  wommen  in  this 
wyse;  and  "he  that  alle  despyseth  alle 

2260  displeseth,"  as  seith  the  book.  /  And 
Senek  seith  that  "  who-so  wole  have 
sapience,  shal  no  man  dispreise ;  but  ho 
shal  gladly  techen  the  Sfuence  that  he 
can,  with-outen  presumpcioun  or  pryde.  / 
And  swiche  thinges  as  he  nought  ne  can, 


he  shal  nat  been  ashamed  to  lerne  hem 
and  enquere  of  lasse  folk  than  him-self."/ 
And  sir,  that  ther  hath  been  many 
a  good  womman,  may  lightly  be  preved./ 
For  certes,  sir,  our  lord  Jesu  Crist  wolde 
never  have  descended  to  be  born  of 
a  womman,  if  alle  wommen  hadden  ben 
wikke.  /  And  after  that,  for  the  greto 
bountee  that  is  in  wommen,  our  lord  Jesu 
Crist,  whan  he  was  risen  fro  deeth  to 
lyve,  appeered  rather  to  a  womman  than 
to  his  apostles.  /  And  though  that  2265 
Salomon  seith,  that  "he  ne  fond  never 
womman  good,"  it  folweth  nat  therfore 
that  alle  wommen  ben  wikke.  /  For 
though  that  he  ne  fond  no  good  womman, 
certes,  ful  many  another  man  hath 
founden  many  a  womman  ful  good  and 
trewe.  /  Or  elles  per-aventure  the  en- 
tente of  Salomon  was  this  ;  that,  as  in 
sovereyu  bovuitee,  he  fond  no  womman  ;  / 
this  is  to  seya,  that  ther  is  no  wight  that 
hath  sovereyn  bountee  save  god  allone  ; 
as  he  him-self  recordeth  in  his  Evaun- 
gelie.  /  For  ther  nis  no  creature  so  good 
that  him  ne  wanteth  somwliat  of  the 
perfeccioun  of  god,  that  is  his  maker.  /  2270 
Your  thridde  resoun  is  this  :  ye  seyn  that 
"  if  ye  governe  yow  by  my  conseil,  it 
sholde  seme  that  ye  hadde  yeve  me  the 
maistrie  and  the  lordshipe  over  your 
persone."/  Sir,  save  your  grace,  it  is  nat 
so.  For  if  it  were  so,  that  no  man  sholde 
be  conseilled  but  only  of  hem  that  hadden 
lordshipe  and  maistrie  of  his  persone,  men 
wolden  nat  be  conseilled  so  ofte.  /  For 
soothly,  thilke  man  that  asketh  conseil  of 
a  purpos,  yet  hath  he  free  chois,  wheither 
he  wole  werke  by  that  conseil  or  noon.  / 
And  as  to  your  fourthe  resoun,  ther  ye 
seyn  that  "  the  janglerie  of  wommen  hath 
hid  thinges  that  they  woot  noght,"  as 
who  seith,  that  "  a  womman  can  nat  hydo 
that  she  woot "  ;  /  sir,  thise  wordes  been 
undorstonde  of  wommen  that  been  jan- 
gleresses  and  wikked  ;  /  of  whiche  worn-  2275 
men,  men  seyn  that  "  thi-ee  thinges 
dryven  a  man  out  of  his  hous  ;  that  is  to 
seyn,  smoke,  drojiping  of  reyn,  and 
wikked  wyves"  ;  /  and  of  swiche  wommen 
seith    Salomon,    that    "  it    were    bettre 


iio 


B.    ZH  ^<tfe  of  QUeftBeue. 


[t.  §§  16,  17. 


dwelle  in  desert,  than  with  a  womman 
that  is  riotons."  /  And  sir,  >)y  your  levo, 
that  am  nat  I ;  /  for  ye  han  ful  ofte 
assayed  my  grete  silence  and  my  gret 
pacience ;  and  eek  how  wel  that  I  can 
hyde  and  hele  thinges  that  men  oghte 
secreely  to  hyde.  /  And  soothly,  as  to 
your  fifthe  resoun,  wher-as  ye  seyn,  that 
"in  wikked  conseil  wommen  venquisshe 
moil " ;  god  woot,  thillvo  resoun  stant 
-•j8o  here  in  no  stedo.  /  For  understond  now, 
ye  asken  conseil  to  do  wikkednesse ;  /  and 
if  ye  wole  wcrken  wikkednesse,  and  your 
wyf  restreyneth  thilke  wikked  purpos, 
and  overcometh  yow  hy  resoun  and  hy 
good  conseil ;  /  certes,  your  wyf  oghte 
rather  to  he  preised  than  y-blamed.  / 
Thus  sholde  ye  understonde  the  philo- 
sophre  that  seith,  "  in  wikked  conseil 
wommen  venquisshen  hir  housbondes."  / 
And  ther-as  ye  blamcn  alle  wommen  and 
hir  resouns,  I  shal  shewe  yow  by  manye 
cnsamples  that  many  a  ^vomman  hath 
ben  ful  good,  and  yet  been ;  and  hir 
23SS  conseils  ful  hoolsome  and  profitable.  / 
Eek  som  men  han  seyd,  that  "the  con- 
seillinge  of  wommen  is  outlier  to  dere,  or 
elles  to  litel  of  prys."  /  But  al-be-it  so, 
that  ful  many  a  womman  is  badde,  and 
hir  conseil  vile  and  noght  worth,  yet  han 
men  foundc  ful  many  a  good  womman, 
and  ful  discrote  and  wise  in  consoillingp./ 
Lo,  Jacob,  by  good  conseil  of  his  moder 
Robekka,  wan  the  bonisonn  of  Ysaak  his 
fader,  and  the  lordshipe  over  alle  his 
bretheren.  /  Judith,  by  hir  good  conseil, 
delivered  the  citee  of  Bethulie,  in  which 
she  dwelled,  out  of  the  handes  of  Olo- 
fernus,  that  hadde  it  biseged  and  wolde 
have  al  destroyed  it.  /  Abigail  delivered 
Nabal  hir  housbonde  fro  David  the  king, 
that  wolde  have  slayn  him,  and  apaysed 
the  ire  of  the  king  by  liir  wit  and  by  hir 
JJ90  good  conseilling.  /  Hester  by  hir  good 
conseil  enhaunoed  grcetl3'  the  peple  of 
god  in  the  regne  of  Assuerus  the  king.  / 
And  the  same  bountee  in  good  conseilling 
of  many  a  good  womman  may  men  telle.  / 
And  moreover,  whan  our  lord  hadde  creat 
Adam  our  forme-fader,  ho  seyde  in  this 
wyse  :  /  "  it  is  nat  good  to  been  a  man 


allone ;  make  we  to  him  an  help  semb- 
lable  to  himself."  /  Here  may  ye  so  that, 
it  that  wommen  were  nat  goode,  and  hir 
conseils  goode  and  profitable,  /  our  lord  22i;5 
god  of  hevene  wolde  never  han  wroght 
hem,  ne  called  hem  help  of  man,  but 
rather  confusioun  of  man.  /  And  ther 
seyde  ones  a  clerk  in  two  vers  :  "  what  is 
bettre  than  gold  ?  Jasprc.  What  is  bcttrc 
than  jaspre  ?  Wisdom./  And  what  is 
bettre  than  wisdom  ?  Womman.  Aiid 
what  is  bettre  than  a  good  womman  ? 
No-thing."  /  And  sir,  by  manye  of  othrc 
resons  may  ye  seen,  that  manye  wommen 
been  goode,  and  hir  conseils  goode  and 
profitable.  /  And  therfore  sir,  if  ye  wol 
triste  to  my  conseil,  I  shal  restore  yow 
your  doghter  hool  and  sound.  /  And  eek  2300 
I  wol  do  to  yow  so  muche,  that  ye  shnl 
have  honour  in  this  cause.'  / 

§  16.  Milan  Melibee  hadde  herd  the 
wordes  of  his  vryt  Prudence,  he  seyde 
thus  :  /  '  I  see  wel  that  the  word  of 
Salomon  is  sooth  ;  he  seith,  that  "wordes 
that  been  spoken  discreetly  by  ordinaunce, 
been  honycombes ;  for  they  yeven  swet- 
nesse  to  the  soule,  and  hoolsomnesso  to 
the  body."/  And  wyf,  by-cause  of  thy 
swete  wordes,  and  eek  for  I  have  assayed 
and  proved  thy  grete  sapience  and  thy 
grote  trouthe,  I  wol  goveme  me  by  thy 
con.seil  in  alio  thing.'  / 

§  17.  'Now  sii-,' quod  dame  Prudence. 
'  and  sin  ye  vouche-sauf  to  been  governed 
by  my  conseil,  I  wol  enforme  yow  how  ye 
shul  govorne  your-self  in  chesinge  of  your 
conseillours.  /  Yo  .shul  first,  in  alio  your  2.v>5 
wei'kes,  mekely  biseken  to  the  heiglie  god 
that  he  wol  be  your  conscillour ;  /  and 
shapeth  3'ow  to  swich  entente,  that  he 
yeve  yow  conseil  and  confort,  as  tanghtc 
Thobie  his  sone  :  /  "at  alle  tymes  thou 
shalt  blesse  god,  tmd  praye  him  to  dressc 
thy  weyes";  and  looke  that  alle  thy 
conseils  been  in  him  for  evermore.  /  Seint 
Jame  eek  seith  :  "  if  any  of  yow  liave 
node  of  sapience,  axe  it  of  god."  /  And 
afterward  thannc  shnl  ye  taken  conseil 
in  your-self,  and  examine  wel  j'our 
thoghtes,  of  swich  thing  as  yow  thinketh 
that  is  best  for  your  profit.  /  And  thaune  23i<> 


T.    §§    lS-21.] 


B.    tU  Zak  of  (meftBeuff. 


511 


shul  ye  dryve  fro  yoiir  herte  three  thinges 
that  been  contrariouse  to  good  conseil,  / 
that  is  to  seyn,  ire,  coveitise,  and  hastif- 
nesse.  / 

§  18.  First,  he  that  axeth  conseil  of 
him-self,  certes  he  moste  been  with-outen 
ire,  for  manye  causes.  /  The  firste  is 
this  :  he  that  hath  greet  ire  and  wrattho 
in  him-self,  he  weneth  alwey  that  he 
may  do  tiling  that  he  may  nat  do./  And 
secoundely,  he  that  is  irons  and  wroth, 

■23'5  he  ne  may  nat  wel  deme  ;  /  and  he  that 
may  nat  wel  deme,  may  nat  wel  con- 
seille.  /  The  thridde  is  this  ;  that  "  he 
that  is  irons  and  wrooth,"  as  seith  Senek, 
"ne  may  nat  spckebut  he  blame  thinges";/ 
and  with  his  viciouse  wordes  he  stircth 
other  folk  to  angre  and  to  ire.  /  And 
eek  sir,  ye  moste  dryve  coveitise  out  of 
your  herte.  /     For  the  apostle  seith,  that 

J320  "  coveitise  is  rote  of  alle  harmes."  /  And 
trust  wel  that  a  coveitous  man  ne  can 
noght  deme  ne  thinke,  but  only  to  fulfiUe 
the  ende  of  his  coveitise ;  /  and  certes, 
that  ne  may  never  been  accompliced ; 
for  ever  tlie  more  habundannce  that  he 
hath  of  richcsse,  the  more  he  desyreth.  / 
And  sir,  ye  mf)Ste  also  dryve  out  of  your 
herte  hastifncsse ;  for  certes,  /  ye  no  may 
nat  demo  for  the  beste  a  sodeyn  thought 
that  falleth  in  you  re  herte,  but  ye  moste 
avyse  .vow  on  it  ful  otte.  /  For  as  ye 
herde  biforn,  the  commune  proverbe  is 
this,  that  "  he  that  sone  demeth,   sone 

i.?25  repenteth."  / 

§  19.  Sir,  ye  no  be  nat  alwey  in  lyke 
disposicioun ;  /  for  certes,  som  thing 
that  somtyme  semeth  to  yow  that  it  i? 
good  for  to  do,  another  tyme  it  someth 
to  yow  the  contrario.  / 

i?  20.  Whan  ye  han  taken  conseil  in 
j-our-self,  and  lian  demed  liy  good  dolib- 
eracion  swich  thing  as  you  semeth  best,  / 
thanno  rcfU;  I  yow,  that  ye  kcj)e  it 
secrce.  /  Biwrey  nat  your  conseil  to  no 
persono,  but-if  so  bo  that  ye  wenen  sik- 
erly  that,  thurgh  your  biwreying,  your 
condicioun    shal   be   to    yow    the    more 

j^ 30  profitable.  /  For  Jesus  Syrak  seith  : 
"neither  to  thy  foo  ne  to  thy  freend 
discovere  nat  thy  secree  no  tliy  folio  ;  / 


for  they  wol  yeve  yow  aiidience  and 
lokingand  supportacioun  in  thy  presence, 
and  scorne  thee  in  thyn  absence."  / 
Another  clerk  seith,  that  "  scarsly  shaltou 
finden  any  persone  that  may  kepe  con- 
seil secreely."  /  The  book  seith  :  "  whyl 
that  thoit  kepest  thy  conseil  in  thyn 
herte,  thou  kepest  it  in  thy  prisoun :  / 
and  whan  thou  biwreyest  thy  conseil  to 
any  wight,  he  holdeth  thee  in  his 
snare."  /  And  therefore  yow  is  bettre  2335 
to  hyde  your  conseil  in  your  herte,  than 
praye  him,  to  wliom  ye  han  biwi-eyed 
your  conseil,  that  he  wole  kcpen  it  cloos 
and  stille.  /  For  Seneca  seith  :  "  if  so  be 
that  thou  ne  mayst  nat  thyn  owene  con- 
seil hyde,  how  darstou  prayen  any  other 
wight  thy  conseil  secreely  to  kepe?"/ 
But  nathelees,  if  thou  wene  sikerly  that 
the  biwreying  of  thy  conseil  to  a  persone 
wol  make  thy  condicioun  to  stonden  in 
the  bettre  plji:,  thanne  shaltou  toUen 
liim  thy  conseil  in  this  wyse.  /  First, 
thou  shalt  make  no  semblant  whether 
thee  were  lever  pees  or  werre,  or  this  or 
that,  ne  shewe  hini  nat  thy  wille  and 
thyn  entente ;  /  for  trust  wel,  that 
comunly  tliise  conseillours  been  flater- 
eres,  /  namely  the  conseillours  of  grete  2340 
lordes ;  /  for  they  enforcen  hem  alwey 
rather  to  speken  plesanto  wordes,  end yn- 
inge  to  the  lordes  lust,  than  wordes  that 
been  trewe  or  profitable.  /  And  tlierfore 
men  seyn,  tliat  "  the  riche  man  hath  seld 
good  conseil  but-if  he  have  it  of  him- 
self."/ And  after  that,  thou  shalt  con- 
sidere  thy  freendes  and  thj-ne  c.iaoniys.  / 
And  as  touchinge  thy  freendes,  thou  shalt 
considere  whiche  of  hem  boon  most 
feithful  and  most  wyse,  and  eldest  and 
most  approved  in  conscilling.  /  And  of  2345 
hem  shalt  thou  askc  thy  conseil,  as  the 
caas  rcquircth.  / 

§  21.  I  seye  that  first  ye  shul  elope  to 
your  conseil  your  freendes  tliat  been 
trewe.  /  For  Salomon  si^ith  :  that  "  right 
as  the  herte  of  a  man  delyteth  in  savour 
that  is  sotc,  right  so  tlie  conseil  of  trowo 
freendes  yevetli  swetcnoese  to  the  sonic."/ 
He  seith  also:  "ther  may  no-thing  be 
lykncd    to    the    trewe    freend."/      For 


B.    ZU  ^afe  of  (yiUfi6eu0. 


[t.    §§    22,  23. 


certes,  gold  ne  silver  beth  nat  so  muche 
2350  worth  as  the  gode  "ml  of  a  trewe  freend.  / 
And  eek  he  seith,  that  "  a  trewe  freend 
is  a  strong  deiFense ;  who-so  that  it 
findeth,  certes  he  findeth  a  greet  tre- 
sour."  /  Thanne  shul  ye  eek  considere, 
if  that  your  trewe  freendes  been  dis- 
crete and  wyse.  For  the  book  seith : 
"  axe  alwey  thy  conseil  of  hem  that  been 
wyse."  /  And  by  this  same  resoun  shul 
ye  clepen  to  your  conseil,  of  your  freendes 
that  been  of  age,  swiche  as  ban  seyn  and 
been  expert  in  manye  t  hinges,  and  been 
approved  in  conseillinges.  /  For  the 
book  seith,  that  "  in  olde  men  is  the 
sapience  and  in  longe  tyme  the  pru- 
dence." /  And  Tullius  seith  :  that  "  grete 
thinges  ne  been  nat  aj'  aecompliced  by 
strengthe,  ne  by  delivernesse  of  body, 
but  by  good  conseil,  by  auctoritee  of  per- 
sones,  and  by  science ;  the  whiche  three 
thinges  ne  been  nat  feble  by  age,  but 
certes  they  enforcen  and  encreesen  day 
2^55  by  day." /  And  thanne  shul  ye  kepe 
this  for  a  general  reule.  First  shul  ye 
clepen  to  your  conseil  a  fewe  of  your 
freendes  that  been  especiale  ;  /  for  Salo- 
mon seith  :  "  manye  freendes  have  thou  ; 
but  among  a  thousand  chese  thee  oon  to 
be  thy  conseillour."  /  For  al-be-it  so 
that  thou  first  ne  telle  thy  conseil  but 
to  a  fewe,  thou  mayst  afterward  telle  it 
to  mo  folk,  if  it  be  nede.  /  But  loke 
alwey  that  thy  conseillours  have  thilke 
three  condiciouns  that  I  have  seyd  bilbre  ; 
that  is  to  sayn,  that  they  be  trewe,  wyse, 
and  of  old  experience.  /  And  werko  nat 
alwey  in  every  nede  bj-  oon  counseillour 
allone ;  for  somtyme  bihoveth  it  to  been 
2360  conseilled  by  manye.  /  For  Salomon 
seith  :  "  salvacioun  of  thinges  is  wher-as 
tlier  been  manj-e  conseillours."/ 

§  22.  Now  sith  that  I  have  told  yow 
of  which  folk  ye  sholdo  been  counseUled, 
now  wol  I  teche  yow  which  conseil  ye 
oghte  to  eschewe.'  /  First  ye  shul  eschewe 
the  conseilling  of  foles ;  for  Salomon  seith  : 
"  taak  no  conseil  of  a  fool,  for  he  ne  can 
noght  eonseille  but  after  his  owcnc  lust 
and  his  affeccioun."/  The  book  seith: 
that  "the  propretee  of  a  fool  is  this  ;  he 


troweth  lightly  harm  of  every  wight, 
and  lightly  troweth  alle  bountee  in  him- 
self." /  Thou  shalt  eek  eschewe  the  con- 
seUling  of  alle  flatereres,  swiche  as  en- 
forcen hem  rather  to  preise  your  persone 
by  flaterj-e  than  for  to  telle  yow  the 
sothfastnesse  of  thinges.  /  2365 

§  23.  ^^^le^fore  Tullius  seith :  "amonges 
alle  the  pestilences  that  been  in  freend- 
shipe,  the  gretteste  is  flaterye."  And  ther- 
fore  is  it  more  nede  that  thou  eschewe  and 
drede  flatereres  than  any  other  peple.  / 
The  book  seith  :  "  thou  shalt  rather  drede 
and  flee  fro  the  swete  wordes  of  flateringe 
preiseres,  than  fro  the  egre  wordes  of  thy 
freend  that  seith  thee  thy  sothes."  / 
Salomon  seith,  that  "  the  wordes  of  a 
flaterere  is  a  snare  to  cacche  ^vith  inno- 
cents."/ He  seith  also,  that  "he  that 
speketh  to  his  freend  wordes  of  swetnesse 
and  of  plesaunce,  setteth  a  net  biforn 
his  feet  to  cacche  him."  /  And  therfore 
seith  Tullius  :  "  enclyne  nat  thyne  eres  to 
flatereres,  ne  taketli  no  conseil  of  wordes 
of  flaterye."  /  And  Caton  seith  :  "  avyse  2370 
thee  wel,  and  eschewe  the  wordes  of 
swetnesse  and  of  plesaunce."  /     And  eek 

i  thou  shalt  eschewe  the  conseilling  of 
thyne  olde  enemys  that  been  reconsiled.  / 
The  book  seith:  that  "no  wight  re- 
tourneth  saufly  in-to  the  grace  of  his 
olde  enemy."  /  And  Isope  seith  :  "  ne 
trust  nat  to  hem  to  whiche  thou  hast 
had  som-tjTne  werre  or  enmitee,  ne  telle 
hem  nat  thy  conseil."  /  And  Seneca 
telleth  the  cause  why.  "  It  may  nat  be," 
seith  he,    "that,    where   greet   fyr  hath 

I  longe  tyme  endured,  that  ther  ne  dwell- 
eth  som  vapour  of  warmnesse."  /  And  2375 
therfore  seith  Salomon  :  "  in  thyn  olde 
foo  trust  never."  /  For  sikerly,  though 
thyn  enemy  be  reconsiled  and  maketh 
thee  chere  of  humUitee,  and  louteth'to 
thee  with  his  heed,  ne  trust  him  never.  / 
For  certes,  he  maketh  thilke  feyned  hu- 
militee  more  for  his  profit  than  for  any 
love  of  thy  persone  ;  by-cause  that  he 
demeth  to  have  victorie  over  thy  persone 
b3-  swich  feyned  contenance,  the  which 
victorie  he  mighte  nat  have  by  stryf  or 
werre.  /    And  Peter  Alfonce  seith  :  "  make 


T.  §  24.] 


B.    ZH  Zak  of  (meft'Beue. 


513 


no  felawshipe  witli  thyne  olde  enemys ; 
for  if  thou  do  hem  boitntee,  they  wol  per- 
verten  it  in-to  wikkednesse."  /  And  eek 
thou  most  eschewe  the  conseilling  of  hem 
that  been  thy  servants,  and  beren  thee 
greet   reverence ;    for  peraventure    they 

2380  seyn  it  more  for  drede  than  for  love.  / 
And  therfore  seith  a  philosophre  in  this 
wyse  :  "  ther  is  no  wight  parfitly  trewe 
to  him  that  he  to  sore  dredeth."  /  And 
Tullius  seith :  "  ther  nis  no  might  so 
greet  of  any  emperour,  that  longe  may 
endure,  but-if  he  have  more  love  of  the 
peple  than  drede."  /  Thou  shalt  also 
eschewe  the  conseiling  of  folk  that  been 
dronkelewe ;  for  they  ne  can  no  conseil 
hyde.  /  For  Salomon  seith:  "ther  is 
no  privetee  ther-as  regneth  dronke- 
nesse."/  Ye  shul  also  han  in  suspect 
the  conseilling  of  swich  folk  as  conseille 
yow   a  thing  prively,  and  conseille  yow 

2385  the  contrarie  openly.  /  For  Cassidorie 
seith:  that  "it  is  a  maner  sleigh te  to 
hindre,  whan  he  sheweth  to  doon  a  thing 
openly  and  werketh  prively  the  con- 
trarie." /  Thou  shalt  also  have  in  suspect 
the  conseilling  of  wikked  folk.  For  the 
book  seith  :  "  the  conseilling  of  wikked 
folk  is  alwey  ful  of  fraude  : "  /  And  David 
seith :  "  blisful  is  that  man  that  hath 
nat  folwed  the  conseilling  of  shrewes."  / 
Thou  shalt  also  eschewe  the  conseilling 
of  yong  folk  ;  for  hir  conseil  is  nat  rype.  / 
§  24:.  Now  sir,  sith  I  have  shewed  yow 
of  which  folk  ye  shul  take  your  conseil, 
and   of  which   folk   ye    shul    folwe   the 

2390  conseil,  /  now  wol  I  teche  yow  how  ye 
shal  examine  your  conseil,  after  the  doc- 
trine of  Tullius.  /  In  the  examininge 
thanne  of  your  conseiUour,  ye  shul  con- 
sidere  manye  thinges.  /  Alderfirst  thou 
shalt  considere,  that  in  thilke  thing  that 
thou  purposest,  and  upon  what  thing 
thou  wolt  have  conseil,  that  verray 
trouthe  be  seyd  and  conserved  ;  this  is 
to  seyn,  telle  trewely  thy  talo.  /  For  he 
that  seith  fals  may  nat  wel  be  conseilled, 
in  that  cas  of  which  he  lyeth.  /  And 
after  this,  thou  shalt  considere  the  thinges 
that  acorden  to  that  thou  purposest  for 
to    do    by    thy    conseillours,    if   resoun 


accorde  therto ;  /  and  eek,  if  thy  might  2395 
may  atteine  ther-to ;  and  if  the  more 
part  and  the  bettre  part  of  thy  con- 
seillours acorde  ther-to,  or  no.  /  Thanne 
shaltou  considere  what  thing  shal  folwe 
of  that  conseilling ;  as  hate,  pees,  werre, 
grace,  profit,  or  damage ;  and  manye 
otliere  thinges.  /  And  in  aUe  thise  thinges 
thou  shalt  chese  the  beste,  and  wey-ve 
alle  othere  thinges.  /  Thanne  shaltow 
considere  of  what  rote  is  engendred  the 
matere  of  thy  conseil,  and  what  fruit 
it  may  concey\'e  and  engendre.  /  Thou 
shalt  eek  considere  alle  thise  causes,  fro 
whennes  they  been  sprongen.  /  And  2400 
whan  ye  han  examined  your  conseil  as 
I  have  seyd,  and  which  partie  is  the 
bettre  and  more  profitable,  and  hast 
approved  it  by  manye  wyse  folk  and 
olde  ;  /  thanne  shaltou  considere,  if  thou 
mayst  parfourne  it  and  maken  of  it  a 
good  ende.  /  For  certes,  resoun  wol  nat 
that  any  man  sholde  biginne  a  thing, 
but-if  he  mighte  parfourne  it  as  him 
oghte.  /  Ne  no  wight  sholde  take  iip-on 
hym  so  hevy  a  charge  that  he  mighte 
nat  here  it.  /  For  the  proverbe  seith  : 
"  he  that  to  muche  embraceth,  distrey- 
neth  litel."  /  And  Catoun  seith  :  "  assay  2405 
to  do  swich  thing  as  thou  hast  power  to 
doon,  lest  that  the  charge  oppresse  thee 
so  sore,  that  thee  bihoveth  to  weyve 
thing  that  thou  hast  bigonne."  /  And 
if  so  be  that  thou  be  in  doute,  whether 
thou  mayst  parfourne  a  thing  or  noon, 
chese  rather  to  sufFre  than  biginne.  / 
And  Piers  Alphonce  seith  :  "  if  thou  hast 
might  to  doon  a  thing  of  which  thou 
most  repente  thee,  it  is  bettre  '  nay ' 
than  'ye';"/  this  is  to  seyn,  that  thee 
is  bettre  holde  thy  tonge  stille,  than  for 
to  speke.  /  Thanne  may  ye  understonde 
by  stronger  resons,  that  if  thou  hast 
power  to  parfourne  a  werk  of  which  thou 
shalt  repente,  thanne  is  it  bettre  that 
thou  suffre  than  biginne.  /  Wel  seyn  2410 
they,  that  defenden  every  wight  to  assaye 
any  thing  of  which  he  is  in  doute, 
whether  he  may  parfourne  it  or  no.  / 
And  after,  whan  ye  han  examined  your 
conseil  as  I  have  seyd  bifom,  and  knowou 


;m 


t6e  Zak  of  (mefi6eu0. 


[t.  §§  2.^-29. 


•wel  that  ye  may  parfourne  youre  em- 
prise, conferme  it  tharme  sadly  til  it  be 
at  an  ende.  / 

§  25.  Now  is  it  resonn  and  tyme  that 
I  sliewe  yow,  ■whanne,  and  wherfore,  that 
ye  may  chaunge  your  conseil  with-onten 
your  repreve.  /  Soothly,  a  man  may 
chaungen  his  pnrpos  and  his  conseil  if 
the  canse  cesseth,  or  whan  a  newe  caas 
bitydeth.  /  For  the  la  we  seith :  that 
"  upon     thinges     that     newely    bityden 

-i-Ji.i  bihoveth  newe  conseil."/  And  Senek 
seith  :  "  if  thy  conseil  is  comen  to  the 
ereS  of  thyn  enemy,  chaunge  thy  con- 
seil." /  Thou  mayst  also  chaunge  thy 
oonseil  if  so  be  that  thou  fiude  that,  by 
errour  or  by  other  cause,  harm  or  damage 
may  bityde.  /  Also,  if  thy  conseil  be 
dishonest,  or  elles  cometh  of  dishoneste 
cause,  chaunge  thy  conseil.  /  For  the 
lawes  seyn  :  that  "  alle  bihestes  that  been 
dishoneste  been  of  no  value."  /  And 
eek,  if  it  so  be  that  it  be  inpossible,  or 

2420  may  nat  goodly  be  x^arfourned  or  kept.  / 
§  26.  And  take  this  for  a  general  reule, 
that  every  conseil  that  is  affermed  so 
strongly  that  it  may  nat  be  chaunged, 
for  no  condicionn  that  may  bityde,  I 
seye  that  thilke  conseil  is  wikked.'  / 

§  27.  This  Melibeus,  whanne  he  hadde 
herd  the  doctrine  of  his  wyf  dame  Pru- 
dence, answerdc  in  this  wyse.  /  '  Dame,' 
quod  he,  '  as  yet  in-to  this  tyme  ye  ban 
wel  and  covenably  taught  me  as  in 
general,  how  I  sbal  governo  me  in  the 
chesinge  and  in  the  withholdinge  of 
my  conseillours.  /  But  now  wolde  I 
fayn  that  ye  wolde  condescende  in 
especial,  /  and  telle  me  how  lykcth 
yow,  or  what  semeth  yow,  by  our 
conseillours  that  we  ban  chosen  in  our 

2425  present  nede.'  / 

§  28.  '  My  lord,'  quod  she,  '  I  biseke 
yow  in  al  liumblesse,  that  ye  wol  nat 
wilfully  replye  agayn  my  resouns,  ne 
distempre  your  herte  thogh  I  speke 
thing  that  yow  displese.  /  For  god  wot 
that,  as  in  mj-n  entente,  I  speke  it  for 
your  beste,  for  your  honour  and  for  your 
profito  eke.  /  And  soothly,  I  hope  that 
your  benignitee  wol  taken  it  in  jiacience./ 


Tmsteth  me  wel,'  quod  she,  'that  your 
conseil  as  in  this  caas  ne  sholde  nat. 
as  to  speke  properly,  be  called  a  con- 
seiUing,  but  a  mocioun  or  a  moe%-ynff  of 
folyc  ;  /  in  whicli  conseil  ye  ban  erred  in 
many  a  sondry  ^^^se.  /  -4.?o 

§  29.  First  and  forward,  ye  han  erred 
in  th'assemblinge  of  your  conseillours.  / 
For  ye  sholde  first  have  cleped  a  fewe 
folk  to  your  conseil,  and  after  ye  mighte 
han  shewed  it  to  mo  folk,  if  it  hadde 
been  nede.  /  But  certes,  ye  han  sodr-ynly 
cleped  to  your  conseil  a  greet  multitude 
of  peple,  ful  chargeant  and  fitl  anoyous 
for  to  here.  /  Also  ye  han  erred,  for 
there-as  ye  sholden  only  have  cleped  to 
your  conseil  your  trewe  freendes  olde  and 
wyse,  /  ye  han  y-cleped  straunge  folk, 
and  yong  folk,  false  flatereres,  and  enemys 
reconsLled,  and  folk  that  doon  S'ow 
reverence  withouten  love.  /  And  eek  2435 
also  ye  have  erred,  for  ye  han  broght 
with  yow  to  your  conseil  ire,  eovftise, 
and  hastifnesse ;  /  the  whiche  three 
thinges  been  contrariousc  to  every  conseil 
honeste  and  profitable ;  /  the  whiche 
three  thinges  ye  han  nat  anientisseil  or 
destroyed  hem,  neither  in  your-self  ne 
in  your  conseillours,  as  yow  oghte^  /  Ye 
han  erred  also,  for  ye  han  shewed  to 
your  conseillours  your  talent,  and  j-our 
affeccioun  to  make  wcrre  anon  ami  for 
to  do  vengeance ;  /  tliey  han  espyed  by 
your  wordes  to  what  thing  yc  been 
encljTied.  /  And  therfore  han  they  2440 
rather  conseilled  yow  to  your  talent  tlian 
to  your  profit.  /  Ye  han  erred  also,  for 
it  semeth  tliat  yow  suff3-scth  to  han  been 
conseilled  by  thise  conseillours  only,  and 
with  litel  avj-s ;  /  wlier-as,  in  so  greet 
and  so  heigh  a  nede,  it  hadde  been 
nccessarie  mo  conseillours,  and  more 
deliberacioun  to  parfourne  your  emprise.  / 
Ye  han  erred  also,  for  ye  han  nat 
examined  your  conseil  in  the  forseyde 
manere,  no  in  due  manere  as  the  caas 
requireth.  /  Ye  han  erred  also,  for  ye 
han  maked  no  divisioun  bitwi.xe  your 
conseillours ;  this  is  to  seyn,  bitwixen 
your  trewe  freendes  and  your  feyned 
conseillours ;  /    ne   ye    ban    nat    knowe  2445 


T.  §§  30,  3I-] 


B.    ZH  ^<ife  of  (meft6eu0. 


515 


the  wil  of  yotir  trewe  freendes  olde  and 
wysc ;  /  but  ye  haii  cast  alle  hir  wordes 
in  an  hochepot,  and  enclyned  your  herte 
to  the  more  part  and  to  the  gretter 
nombre ;  and  ther  been  ye  condescended.  / 
And  sith  ye  wot  wel  that  men  shal 
alwey  finde  a  gretter  nombre  of  foles 
than  of  •\vyse  men,  /  and  therfore  the 
conseils  that  been  at  congregaciouns  and 
multitudes  of  folk,  ther-as  men  take 
more  reward  to  the  nombre  than  to  the 
sapience  of  jiersones,  /  ye  see  wel  that  in 
swiche  conseillinges  foles  ban  the  mais- 

2450  trie.'  /  Melibeus  answerde  agayn,  and 
seyde  :  '  I  graunte  wel  that  I  have  erred  ;  / 
but  ther-as  thou  hast  told  me  heer-biforn, 
that  he  nis  nat  to  blaine  that  chaungeth 
hise  conseillours  in  certeiu  caas,  and  for 
certeine  juste  causes,  /  I  am  al  redy  to 
channgo  my  conseillours,  right  as  thou 
wolt  devyse.  /  The  proverbe  seith  :  that 
"for  to  do  sinne  is  mannish,  but  certes 
for  to  persevere  longe  in  sinne  is  work  of 
the  devel." '  / 

§  30.  To  this  sentence  answerde  anon 

-455  dame  Prudence,  and  seyde:/  'Examineth,' 
quod  she,  'your  couseil,  and  lat  us  see 
the  whiche  of  hem  han  spoken  most 
resonably,  and  taught  j'ow  best  conseil.  / 
And  for-as-nauche  as  that  the  examin- 
acioun  is  necessarie,  lat  us  biginne  at  the 
surgiens  and  at  the  phisiciens,  that  first 
speken  in  this  matere.  /  I  sey  yow,  that 
the  surgiens  and  phisiciens  han  seyd 
yow  in  your  couseil  discreetly,  as  hem 
oughto ;  /  and  in  hir  speche  scyden  ful 
wj'sly,  that  to  the  oiRce  of  hem  aper- 
teneth  to  doon  to  every  wight  honour 
and  profit,  and  no  wight  for  to  anoye  ;  / 
and,  after  hir  craft,  to  doon  greet  dili- 
gence un-to  the  cure  of  hem  whicho  that 

24(H)  they  han  in  hir  governaunco.  /  And 
sir,  right  as  they  han  answered  wysly 
and  discreetly,  /  right  so  redo  I  that 
they  been  heighly  and  sovereynly  guer- 
doned for  hir  noble  spocho ;  /  and  eek 
for  they  sholde  do  the  more  cntentif 
bisinesse  in  the  curacioun  of  your  doghter 
dere.  /  For  al-be-it  so  that  they  been 
your  freendes,  therfore  shal  ye  nat 
suffreu  that  they  serve  yow  for  noght ;  / 


but  ye  oghte  the  rather  guerdone  hem 
and  shewe  hem  your  largesse.  /  And  as  2465 
touchingo  the  proposicioun  which  that 
the  jihisiciens  entreteden  in  this  caas,  this 
is  to  seyn,  /  that,  in  maladyes,  that  oon 
contrarie  is  warisshed  by  another  con- 
trarie,  / 1  wolde  fayn  knowe  how  ye 
uuderstonde  thilke  text,  and  what  is 
your  sentence.'  /  '  Certes,'  quod  Melibeiis, 
'  I  imderstonde  it  in  this  wyse  :  /  that, 
right  as  they  han  doon  mo  a  contrarie, 
right  so  sholde  I  doon  hem  another.  /  2470 
For  right  as  they  han  venged  hem  on  me 
and  doon  me  wrong,  right  .so  shal  I 
venge  me  upon  hem  and  doon  hem 
wrong ;  /  and  thanne  have  I  ctired  oon 
contrarie  by  another.'  / 

§  31.  '  Lo,  lo  ! '  quod  dame  Prudence, 
'  how  lightly  is  every  man  enclyned  to 
his  owene  desyr  and  to  his  oweno  ple- 
saunce  !  /  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  the  wordes 
of  the  phisiciens  ne  sholde  nat  han  been 
understonden  in  this  wj-se.  /  For  certes, 
wikkednesso  is  nat  contrarie  to  wikked- 
nesse,  ne  vengeaunco  to  vengeaunce,  ne 
wrong  to  wrong ;  but  they  been  sembla- 
ble.  /  And  therfore,  o  vengeaunce  is  nat  2475 
warisshed    by    another   vengeaunce,    no 

0  wrong  by  another  wrong  :  /  but  everich  . 
of    hem     encreesceth     and     aggreggeth 
other.  /     But  certes,  the  wordes  of  the 
Xahisiciens   sholde  been  understonden  in 

this  wyse  :  /  for  good  and  wikkednesse 
been  two  contraries,  and  pees  and  worre, 
vengeaunce  and  suii'raunce,  discord  and 
accord,  and  manye  othero  thinges.  /  But 
certes,  wikkednesso  shal  be  warisshed  by 
goodnesse,  discord  by  accord,  werre  by 
pees,  and  so  forth  of  othero  thinges.  /  2480 
And  heer-to  accordeth  Seint  Paul  the 
apostle  in  manye  places.  /  He  seith : 
"no  j-eldeth  nat  harm  for  harm,  no 
wikked  speche  for  wikked  speche  ;  /  but 
do  wel  to  him  that  dooth  thee  harm,  and 
blesse  hin\  that  seith  to  thee  harm."/ 
And  in  manye  othero  i)laccs  ho  amones- 
teth  pees  and  accord.  /      But  now  wol 

1  spoke  to  j'ow  of  the  conseil  which  that 
was  yeven  to  yow  by  the  men  of  lawe  and 

the  wyse  folk,  /  that  seyden  alio  by  oon  2485 
accord  as  ye  han  herd  biforo  ;  /  that,  over 

2 


6i6 


Z^i.  Zak  of  QlUfificue. 


[I"-  §§  3^.  33- 


alle  thynges,  ye  sliolde  doon  your  dili- 
gence to  kepen  your  persone  imd  to 
■warnestore  your  Iious.  /  And  seyden 
also,  that  in  this  caas  ye  oghteu  lor  to 
werken  ful  avj-sely  and  with  greet  deli- 
beracioun.  /  And  sir,  as  to  the  firste 
point,  that  toucheth  to  the  keping  of 
your  persone  ;  /  ye  shulunderstondethat 
he  that  hath  werre  shal  everuaore  mekely 

2490  and  devoutly  preyen  biforn  alle  thinges,  / 
that  Jesus  Crist  of  his  grete  mercy  wol 
ban  him  in  his  proteccioun,  and  been  his 
soverejai  helping  at  his  nede.  /  For 
certes,  in  this  world  ther  is  no  wight  that 
niay  be  conseillcd  ne  kept  suffisantly 
withouten  the  keping  of  our  lord  Jesu 
Crist.  /  To  this  sentence  accordeth  the 
prophete  David,  that  seith  :  /  "if  god  ne 
kepe  the  citee,  in  ydel  waketh  he  that  it 
kepeth."  /  Now  sir,  thanne  shul  ye  com- 
mitte  the  keping  of  your  persone  to  yovir 
trewe  freendes  that  been  approved  and 

2405  y-knowe  ;  /  and  of  hem  shul  ye  axen  help 
your  persone  for  to  kepe.  For  Catoun 
seith  :  "  if  thou  hast  nede  of  help,  axe  it 
of  thy  freendes ;  /  for  ther  nis  noon  so 
good  a  phisicien  as  thy  trewe  freend."  / 
And  after  this,  thanne  shul  ye  kepe  yow 
fro  alle  straunge  folk,  and  fro  lyeres,  and 
have  alwey  in  suspect  hir  companye.  / 
For  Piers  Alfonce  seith:  "  ne  tak  no 
companye  by  tlie  weye  of  a  straunge  man, 
but-if  so  bo  that  thou  have  knowe  him  of 
a  lenger  tyme.  /  And  if  so  be  that  ho 
fallo    in-to    thy    companye    paraventure 

2500  withouten  thyn  assent,  /  encjuere  thanne, 
as  snbtilly  as  thou  niayst,  of  his  conversa- 
cioun  and  of  his  lyf  bifore,  and  feyne  thy 
wey  ;  soye  that  thou  goost  tbider  as  thou 
wolt  nat  go ;  /  and  if  ho  bereth  a  spere, 
liold  thee  on  the  right  syde,  and  if  he 
here  a  sword,  hold  thee  on  the  lift  syde."  / 
And  after  this,  thanne  shul  ye  kepe  yow 
wj'sely  from  alle  swich  nianore  peple  as  I 
have  soyd  bifore,  and  hem  and  hir  conseil 
escbewe.  /  And  after  this,  thanne  shul 
ye  kepe  yow  in  swich  manoro,  /  that  for 
any  presumpcioun  of  your  strengthe,  that 
ye  ne  dispj-so  nat  ne  acoimte  nat  the  might 
of  your  adversario  so  litel,  that  ye  lete 
tho  keping  of  your  persone  for  your  pre- 


sumpcioun ;  /  for  every  wys  man  dredeth  2505 
his  enemy.  /  And  Salomon  seith  :  "  weleful 
is  he  that  of  alle  hath  drede  ;  /  for  certes, 
he  that  thurgh  the  hardinesso  of  his  herte 
and  thurgh  the  hardinesse  of  him-self 
hath  to  greet  presumpcioun,  him  slial 
5'\'el  bityde."  /  Thanne  shul  ye  evermore 
countrewayte  embusshements  and  alle 
espiaille.  /  For  Senek  seith  :  that  "  the 
wyse  man  that  dredeth  harmes  escheweth 
harmes ;  /  ne  ho  ne  falleth  in-to  perils, 
that  perils  escheweth."  /  And  al-be-it  so  2510 
that  it  seme  that  thou  art  in  siker  place, 
yet  shaltow  alwey  do  thy  diligence  iu 
kepinge  of  thy  persone  ;  /  this  is  to  seyn, 
ne  be  nat  necligent  to  kepe  thy  persone, 
nat  only  fro  thy  gretteste  enemys  but  fro 
thy  leesto  enemy./  Senek  seith:  "a 
man  that  is  wol  avysed,  he  dredeth  his 
leste  enemy."/  Ovide  seith:  that  "  the 
litel  wesele  wol  sloe  the  greto  bole  and  the 
wilde  hert."  /  And  the  book  seith  :  "a  2515 
litel  thorn  may  prikke  a  greet  king  ful 
sore  ;  and  an  hound  wol  holde  the  wilde 
boor."  /  But  natholees,  I  sej'  nat  thou 
shalt  be  so  coward  that  thou  doute 
ther  wher-as  is  no  drede.  /  The  book 
seith  :  that  "  somme  folk  han  greet 
lust  to  deceyve,  but  yet  they  dreden 
hem  to  be  deceyved."/  Yet  shaltou 
drede  to  been  empoisoned,  and  kepe 
yow^  from  the  companye  of  scorneres.  / 
For  tiio  book  seith :  "  with  scorneres 
make  no  companye,  but  flee  hir  wordes 
as  venim."  /  252c 

§  32.  Now  as  to  the  seconde  point, 
wher-as  your  wyse  conseillours  conseilled 
yow  to  warnestore  your  hous  with  gret 
diligence,  /  I  wolde  fayn  knowe,  how  that 
ye  understonde  thilko  wordes,  and  what 
is  your  sentence.'  / 

§  33.  Melibous  answerde  and  seyde, 
'  Certes  I  understando  it  in  this  wise ; 
that  I  shal  warnestore  myn  lious  with 
toures,  swicho  as  han  castcUes  and 
othere  manere  ediiiees,  and  armure 
and  artelleries,  /  by  whicho  thinges  I 
may  my  persone  and  mjTi  hous  so 
kepen  and  defenden,  that  myne  enemys 
shul  been  in  drede  myn  hous  for  to 
approche.'  / 


34-36.] 


B.    ZU  Zak  of  (niefi6eu0. 


517 


§  34.  To  this  sentence  answerde  anon 
Prudence;  ' warnestoring,'  quod  she,  'of 
heighe  tonres  and  of  grete  edifices  apper- 
2525  teneth  som-tymo  to  pryde  ;  /  and  eek  men 
make  heighe  toiires  and  grete  edifices 
with  grete  costages  and  with  greet  tra- 
vaille ;  and  whan  that  they  been  accom- 
pliced,  yet  be  they  nat  worth  a  stree,  bnt-if 
they  be  defended  by  trewe  freendes  that 
been  olde  and  wyse.  /  And  understond 
wel,  that  the  gretteste  and  strongeste 
garnison  that  a  riclie  man  may  have,  as 
wel  to  kepen  his  i^ersone  as  liise  goodes, 
is  /  that  he  be  biloved  amonges  his  sub- 
gets  and  with  hise  neighebores.  /  For 
thus  seith  Tullius  :  that  "  ther  is  a  maner 
garnison  that  no  man  may  venquisse  ne 
disconfite,  and  that  is,  /  a  lord  to  be 
biloved  of  hise  citezeins  and  of  his 
2530  peple."  / 

§  35.  Now  sir,  as  to  the  thridde  point ; 
wher-as  your  olde  and  wise  conseillours 
seyden, that  yow  ne  oghte  nat  sodeynly 
ne  hastilj'  proeeden  in  this  nede,  /  but 
that  yow  oghte  purveyen  and  apparaillen 
yow  in  this  caas  with  greet  diligence  and 
greet  doliberacioun  ;  /  trewely,  I  trowe 
that  thej'  soyden  right  wysly  and  right 
sooth.  /  For  Tullius  seith,  "  in  every 
nede,  er  thou  biginne  it,  apparaille  thee 
with  greet  diligence."  /  Thanne  seye  I, 
that  in  vengeance-taking,  in  werre,  in 
2535  bataille,  and  in  warnestoring,  /  er  thow 
biginne,  I  rede  that  thou  apparaille  thee 
ther-to,  and  do  it  with  greet  delibera- 
cioun.  /  For  Tullius  seith  :  that  "long 
apparailling  bifom  the  bataille  maketh 
short  victorie."/  And  Cassidorus  seith  : 
"  the  garnison  is  stronger  whan  it  is 
longe  tyme  avysed."  / 

§  36.  But  now  lat  us  speken  of  the 
conseil  that  was  accorded  by  your  neighe- 
bores, swiche  as  doon  yow^  reverence 
withouten  love,  /  your  olde  enemys  recon- 
2540  siled,  your  flatcreres  /  that  conseilled  yow 
certeyne  thinges  prively,  and  openly  con- 
seilleden  yow  the  contrarie  ;  /  the  yonge 
folk  also,  that  conseilleden  yow  to  vcngo 
yow  and  make  werre  anon.  /  And  certes, 
sir,  as  I  have  seyd  biforn,  ye  han  greetly 
erred  to  han  cleped  swich  maner  folk  to 


j'our  conseil ;  /  which  conseillours  been 
y-nogh  repreved  by  the  resovins  afore-  • 
seyd.  /  But  nathelees,  lat  us  now  de- 
scende  to  the  special.  Ye  shuln  first 
precede  after  the  doctrine  of  Tullius.  /  2545 
Certes,  the  trouthe  of  this  matere  or  of 
this  conseil  nedeth  nat  diligently  en- 
quere  ;  /  for  it  is  wel  wist  Avhiche  thej' 
been  that  han  doon  to  yow  this  trespas 
and  vileinye,  /  and  how  manye  trespas- 
sours,  and  in  what  manere  they  han  to 
yow  doon  al  this  wrong  and  al  this 
vileinye.  /  And  after  this,  thanne  shul 
ye  examine  the  seconde  condicioun,  which 
that  the  same  Tu.llius  addcth  in  this 
matere.  /  For  Tullius  put  a  thing,  which 
that  he  clepeth  "consentinge,"  this  is  to 
seyn  ;  /  who  been  they  and  how  manye,  2550 
and  whiche  been  they,  that  consenteden 
to  thy  conseil,  in  thy  wilfulnesse  to  doon 
hastif  vengeance.  /  And  lat  us  considere 
also  who  been  they,  and  how  manye  been 
they,  and  whiche  been  they,  that  con- 
senteden to  your  adversaries.  /  And 
certes,  as  to  the  firste  poynt,  it  is  wel 
knowen  whiche  folk  been  they  that  con- 
senteden to  your  hastif  wili'ulnesse  ;  / 
for  trewely,  alle  tho  that  conseilleden 
yow  to  maken  sodeyn  werre  ne  been  nat 
your  freendes.  /  Lat  us  now  considere 
whiche  been  they,  that  ye  holde  so  greetly 
your  freendes  as  to  yoiir  persone.  /  For  2555 
al-be-it  so  that  ye  be  mighty  and  riche, 
certes  ye  ne  been  nat  but  allone.  /  For 
certes,  ye  ne  han  no  child  but  a  doghter ;  / 
ne  ye  ne  han  bretheren  ne  cosins  ger- 
miiyns,  ne  noon  other  neigh  kinrede,  / 
wherfore  that  your  enemys,  for  drede, 
sholde  stinte  to  plede  with  yow  or  to 
destroye  your  persone.  /  Ye  knowen 
also,  that  your  richesses  moten  been  dis- 
pended  in  diverse  parties  ;  /  and  whan  2560 
that  every  wight  hath  his  part,  they  ne 
wollen  taken  but  litel  reward  to  venge 
thy  deeth.  /  Biit  thyno  enemys  been 
three,  and  they  han  manio  children, 
bretheren,  cosins,  and  other  ny  kini-ede  ;  / 
and,  though  so  were  that  thou  haddest 
slayn  of  hem  two  or  three,  yet  dwellen 
ther  y-nowo  to  wreken  hir  deeth  and  to 
slee  thy  persone.  /     And  though  so  be 


5i8 


B.    tU  ^<>f^  of  (niefiBeue. 


[t.  §§  37-^9- 


that  your  kinrodo  be  more  sikcr  and 
stodeCast  than  the  kin  of  your  adver- 
sarie,  /  yet  nathelees  your  Idnredo  nis 
but  a  ler  kinrcde  ;  they  been  but  litel  sib 

2565  to  yow,  /  and  the  kin  of  your  cnemys 
l)oen  ny  sib  to  hem.  And  certes,  as  in 
that,  hir  condicioun  is  bet  tlian  youres.  / 
Thanne  lat  us  considere  also  if  tlie  con- 
seilling  of  hem  that  conseilleden  yow  to 
taken  sodeyn  vengoaunce,  whether  it 
accorde  to  resoun  ?  /  And  cei'tes,  ye 
knowe  wel  "nay."'  /  For  as  by  riglit  and 
resoun,  ther  may  no  man  taken  vengeance 
on  no  wight,  but  the  juge  that  hatli  the 
jurisdiccioun  of  it,  /  whan  it  is  gi-aunted 
him  to  take  thilke  vengeance,  hastily  or 

2570  attemprely,  as  the  lawe  requiroth.  /  And 
;vet  more-over,  of  thilke  word  that  Tullius 
clopeth  "  conscntinge,"  /  thou  shalt  con- 
sidere if  thy  might  and  thy  power  may 
consenten  and  sutfyse  to  thy  wilfulnesse 
and  to  thy  conseillours.  /  And  certes, 
thou  mayst  wol  sej-n  that  "  nay."  /  For 
sikerlj-,  as  for  to  speke  proprely,  we  may 
do  no-thing  but  only  swich  thing  as  we 
may  doon  rightfully.  /  And  certes,  right- 
fully ne  mowe  ye  take  no  vengeance  as  of 

-575  .vour  propre  auctoritee.  /  Thanne  mowe 
ye  seen,  that  your  power  ne  consenteth 
nat  ne  accordeth  nat  with  your  wilful- 
nesso.  /  Lat  us  now  examine  the  thridde 
point  thatTulHus  clepeth  "consequent."/ 
Thou  .shalt  xindorstonde  that  tlie  ven- 
geance tluit  thou  purjiosest  for  to  take 
is  the  consequent.  /  And  tlier-of  folweth 
another  vengeaunce,  jieril,  and  werre ; 
and  othero  damages  with-outo  nombre,  of 
whiclie  we  be  nat  war  as  at  this  tymo.  / 
And  as  touchinge  the  fourthe  point,  that 

2580  Tullius  clepeth  "  cngendringe,"  /  thou 
shalt  considere,  that  this  wrong  which 
that  is  doon  to  thee  is  engendrod  of  the 
liate  of  thyne  cnemys ;  /  and  of  the 
vcngeance-takinge  ui)on  that  wolde  cn- 
gondro  another  vengeance,  and  muchel 
sorwe  and  wastinge  of  ricliesses,  as  I 
seydo.  / 

§  37.  Now  sir,  as  to  the  point  that 
Tullius  clepeth  "  causes,"  which  that  is 
the  lasto  point,  /  thou  shalt  understonde 
that  the  wrong  that  thou  hast  recej-ved 


hatli  certeine  causes,  /  whiche  that 
clerkes  clepen  Oriens  and  Efficient,  and 
Causa  longinqua  and  Causa  propinijHa  ; 
this  is  to  sejTi,  the  fer  cause  and  the  ny 
cause.  /  The  fer  cause  is  almightj^  g^d)  -5^5 
that  is  cause  of  alle  thinges.  /  The  ncer 
caiise  is  thy  three  enemj-s.  /  The  cause 
accidental  was  hate.  /  The  cause  material 
been  the  fyve  woundes  of  thy  doghter.  / 
The  cause  formal  is  the  manere  of  hir 
werkinge,  that  broghten  laddres  and 
cloumben  in  at  ihy  windowes.  /  The  2590 
cavise  final  was  for  to  slee  thy  doghter ; 
it  letted  nat  in  as  muche  as  in  hem  was.  / 
But  for  to  speken  of  the  fer  cause,  as  to 
what  ende  they  shul  come,  or  what  shal 
finally  bityde  of  hem  in  this  caas,  ne  can 
I  nat  deme  but  by  conjeetinge  and  b5' 
supposinge.  /  For  we  shul  suppose  that 
they  shvil  come  to  a  wikked  ende,  /  by- 
cause  that  the  Book  of  Decrees  seith  : 
"  selden  or  with  greet  peyne  been  caiiscs 
y-broght  to  good  ende  whanne  they  been 
baddely  bigonne."  / 

§  38.  Now  sir,  if  men  wolde  axe  me, 
why  that  god  suffred  men  to  do  yow  this 
vileinj-e,  certes,  I  can  nat  wel  answcre  as 
for  no  sotlifastnesse.  /  For  th'apostlc  2595 
seith,  that  "  the  sciences  and  the  jugge- 
mentz  of  our  lord  god  almighty  been  ful 
depe ;  /  ther  may  no  man  comprehende 
ne  serchen  hem  suffisantly."  /  Nathe- 
lees, by  ccrteyne  presumpcions  and  con- 
jectingos,  I  holde  and  bileve  /  that  god, 
which  that  is  ful  of  jiistiec  and  of  right- 
wisncsse,  hath  sutfred  this  bityde  bj' 
juste  cause  resonable.  / 

§  89.  Thy  name  is  Mclibcc,  this  is  to 
seyn,  "  a  man  that  drinketh  hony."  /  26cx) 
Thou  hast  y-dronke  so  muchel  hony  of 
swete  temporel  richesscs  and  delices 
and  honours  of  this  world,  /  that  thou 
art  dronken ;  and  hast  forgeten  Jesu 
Crist  thy  croatour  ;  /  thou  no  hast  nat 
doon  to  hini  swich  honour  and  reverence 
as  thee  ouglite.  /  No  thou  ne  hast  nat 
wel  y-taken  kepe  to  the  wordes  of  Ovide, 
that  .seith:/  "under  the  hony  of  the 
godes  of  the  body  is  hid  the  venim  that 
sleeth  the  soiile."  /  And  Salomon  seith,  2605 
"  if  thou  hast  fouuden  hony,  ete  of  it  that 


4C-42.] 


B.    ZU  Zak  of  dUeKBeue. 


519 


suffyseth  ;  /  for  if  thou  ete  of  it  out  of 
mesiire,  tlion  shalt  sjiewe,"  and  be  nedy 
and  povre.  /  And  peraventure  Crist  hath 
thee  in  despit,  and  hath  turned  awey  fro 
thee  his  face  and  hise  eres  of  miseri- 
corde  :  /  and  also  he  hath  suifred  that 
tlioii  hast  been  punisshed  in  the  manere 
that  thow  hast  y-trespassed.  /  Thou  hast 
2610  doon  sinne  agayn  our  lord  Crist ;  /  for 
certes,  the  three  enemys  of  niankinde, 
that  is  to  sejm,  the  flessh,  the  feend,  and 
the  world,  /  thou  hast  suffred  hem  entre 
in-to  tliyn  lierte  wilfrdly  by  the  windowes 
of  thy  body,  /  and  hast  nat  defended  thy- 
self suffisantly  agayns  hir  assautes  and 
liir  tenij)tacioiins,  so  that  they  han 
wounded  thy  soule  in  fyve  places  ;  /  this 
is  to  seyn,  the  tleedly  sinnes  that  been 
entred  in-to  thyn  herte  by  thy  fyve 
wittes.  /  And  in  the  same  manere  our 
lord  Crist  hath  wold  and  suffred,  that  thy 
three  enemj'S  been  entred  in-to  thyn  hous 

2(j'5  by  the  windowes,  /  and  han  y-wounded 
thy  doghter  in  the  fore-sej'de  manere.'  / 

§  40.  '  Certes,'  quod  Melibee,  '  I  see  wel 
that  ye  enforce  yow  nmchel  by  wordes  to 
ovei'come  me  in  swich  manere,  that  I  shal 
nat  venge  me  of  myne  enemys ;  /  shew- 
inge  me  the  perils  and  the  yveles  that 
mighten  falle  of  this  vengeance.  /  But 
who-so  wolde  considere  in  alle  vengeances 
the  perils  and  yveles  that  mighte  sewe  of 
vengeance-takinge,  /  a  man  wolde  never 

26J0  take  vengeance,  and  that  were  harm  ;  / 
for  by  the  vengeance-takinge  been  the 
wikkod  men  dissevered  fro  the  gode 
men.  /  And  they  that  han  wil  to  do 
wikkedncsse  restreyne  hir  wikked  purjioa, 
whan  they  seen  the  pixnissinge  and  chas- 
tysinge  of  the  trespassotirs.'/  [fAnd  to 
this  answerde  dame  Prudence  :  '  Certes,' 
seyde  she,  'I  graunte  wel  that  of  ven- 
geaunce  cometh  muchel  yvel  and  muchel 
good ;  /  but  vengeaunce-taking  apertenetli 
nat  unto  everichoon,  but  only  iinto  juges 
and  unto  hem  that  han  jurisdiccioun 
iipon  the  trespassours.]  /  And  yet  seyo  I 
more,  that  right  as  a  singiiler  persono 
sinneth  in  takinge  vengeance  of  another 

2625  man,  /  right  so  sinneth  the  jugo  if  he  do 
no   vengeance   of  hem   that   it   han  de- 


served. /  For  Senek  seith  thus  :  "  that 
maister,"  he  seith,  "  is  good  that  provetli 
shrewes."  /  And  as  Cassidore  seith  :  "  A 
man  dredeth  to  do  outrages,  whan  he 
woot  and  knoweth  that  it  disjileseth  to 
the  juges  and  sovereyns."  /  And  another 
seith  :  "  the  juge  that  dredeth  to  do  right, 
maketh  men  shrewes."  /  And  Seint  Paule 
the  apostle  seith  in  his  epistle,  whan  he 
wryteth  un-to  the  Eomayns  :  that  "the 
juges  beren  nat  the  spere  with-outen 
cause;"/  but  they  beren  it  to  punisse  2630 
the  shrewes  and  misdoeres,  and  for  to 
defende  the  gode  men.  /  If  ye  wol  thanne 
take  vengeance  of  your  enemys,  ye  shul 
retourne  or  have  your  recours  to  the  juge 
that  hath  the  jurisdiccion  up-on  hem  ;  / 
and  he  shal  punisse  hem  as  the  lawe 
axeth  and  requyreth.'  / 

§41.  'A!'  quod  Melibee,  'this  ven- 
geance lyketh  me  no-thing.  /  I  bithenke 
me  now  and  take  hede,  how  fortune  hath 
norissed  me  fro  niy  childhe<le,  and  hath 
holpen  me  to  jsasse  many  a  strong  pas.  /  2635 
Now  wol  I  assayen  hir,  trowinge,  with 
goddes  help,  that  she  shal  helpe  me  my 
shame  for  to  venge.'  / 

§42.  'Certes,'  quod  Prudence,  'if  ye 
wol  werke  by  my  conseil,  ye  shul  nat 
assaye  fortune  by  no  wey ;  /  ne  ye  shul 
nat  lene  or  bowe  unto  hir,  after  the  word 
of  Senek  :  /  for  "  thinges  that  been  folily 
doon,  and  that  been  in  hope  of  fortune, 
shullon  never  come  to  good  ende."  /  And 
as  the  same  Senek  seith  :  "  the  more  cleer 
and  the  more  shyning  that  fortune  is,  the 
naore  brotil  and  the  sonner  broken  she 
is."  /  Trusteth  nat  in  hir,  for  she  nis  2640 
nat  stidefast  ne  stable  ;  /  for  whan  thow 
trowest  to  be  most  seur  or  siker  of  liir 
help,  she  wol  faille  thee  and  deccj-A'c 
thee.  /  And  wheras  ye  seyn  that  fortune 
hath  norissed  yow  fro  your  childhede,  / 
I  seye,  that  in  so  muchel  sliul  yo  the 
lasse  truste  in  hir  and  in  hir  wit.  /  For 
Senek  seith  :  "  what  man  that  is  norissed 
by  fortune,  she  maketh  him  a  greet 
fool."  /  Now  thanne,  sin  yo  desyre  and  2645 
axe  vengeance,  and  the  vengeance  that  is 
doon  after  the  lawe  and  biforo  the  juge 
ne  lyketh  yow  nat,  /  and  the  vengeance 


520 


B.    ZU  Zak  of  (nXefi6eu0. 


[t.  §§   43-46. 


that  is  doon  in  hope  of  fortune  is  peril- 
ons  and  vmcertein,  /  thanne  have  ye 
noon  other  rcmedie  hut  for  to  have  your 
recours  vinto  the  sovereyn  juge  that 
vengeth  alle  vileinyes  and  wronges ;  / 
and  he  shal  venge  yow  after  that  him-self 
witnesseth,  wher-as  he  seith  :  /  "  leveth 
2650  the  vengeance  to  me,  and  I  shal  do  it."  '  / 
§  43.  Melibee  answerde,  '  if  I  ne  venge 
me  nat  of  the  ^-ileinye  that  men  han 
doon  to  me,  /  I  sompne  or  warne  hem 
that  han  doon  to  me  that  vileinye  and 
alle  othere,  to  do  me  another  vileinye.  / 
For  it  is  writen  :  "if  thovi  take  no  ven- 
geance of  an  old  vileinye,  thou  sompnest 
thyne  adversaries  to  do  thee  a  newe 
vileinye."  /  And  also,  for  my  sufFrance, 
men  wolden  do  to  me  so  muchel  vileinye, 
that  I  mighte  neither  here  it  ne  sustene  ;  / 
and  so  sholde  I  been  put  and  holden  over 
2655  lowe.  /  For  men  seyn  :  "in  muchel 
siiff'ringe  shul  manye  thinges  falle  un-to 
thee  whiche  thou  shalt  nat  mowe 
suffre."'  / 

§  44.  '  Certes,'  quod  Prudence,  '  I 
graunte  yow  that  over  muchel  suffraunce 
nis  nat  good  ;  /  but  yet  ne  f(jlweth  it  nat 
ther-of,  that  every  persone  to  whom  men 
doon  vileinye  take  of  it  vengeance  ;  /  for 
that  aperteneth  and  longeth  al  only  to 
the  juges,  for  they  shul  venge  the  vileinyes 
and  iniuries,  /  And  ther-fore  tho  two 
auctoritces  that  ye  han  seyd  above,  been 
2660  only  itnderstonden  in  the  juges  ;  /  for 
whan  they  suffren  over  muchel  the 
wronges  and  tho  vileinyes  to  be  doon 
withouten  punisshinge,  /  they  sompne 
nat  a  man  al  only  for  to  do  newe  wronges, 
but  they  comanden  it.  /  Also  a  wys  man 
seith  :  that  "  the  juge  that  correcteth  nat 
the  sinnere  comandeth  and  biddeth  him 
do  sinne."  /  And  the  juges  and  sovereyns 
mighten  in  hir  land  so  muchel  sufFre  of 
the  shrewes  and  misdoeres,  /  that  they 
sholden  by  swich  suffrance,  by  proces  of 
tyme,  wexen  of  swich  power  and  might, 
that  they  sholden  putte  out  the  juges 
2665  and  the  sovere3'ns  from  hir  places,  /  and 
atte  laste  maken  hem  lesen  hir  lord- 
shipes.  / 

§  45.  But  lat   us   now   putte,  that  ye 


have  leve  to  venge  yow.  /  I  seye  ye  been 
nat  of  might  and  power  as  now  to  venge 
yow.  /  For  if  ye  wole  maken  comparisoun 
un-to  the  might  of  j-our  adversaries,  j-e 
shul  finde  in  m.inye  thinges,  that  I  have 
shewed  yow  er  this,  that  hir  condicioun 
is  bettre  than  youres.  /  And  therfore 
seye  I,  that  it  is  good  as  now  that  ye 
suffre  and  be  pacient.  /  2670 

§  46.  Forther-more,  ye  knowen  wel  that, 
after  the  comune  sawe,  "  it  is  a  woodnesse 
a  man  to  stryve  with  a  stronger  or  a  more 
mighty  man  than  he  is  him-self;  /  and 
for  to  stryve  with  a  man  of  evene  strengthe, 
that  is  to  seyn,  with  as  strong  a  man  as 
he,  it  is  peril ;  /  and  for  to  stryve  with  a 
weyker  man,  it  is  folie."  /  And  therfore 
sholde  a  man  flee  stryvinge  as  muchel  .as 
he  mighte.  /  For  Salomon  seith  :  "  it  is 
a  greet  worship  to  a  man  to  kepen  him 
fro  noyse  and  stryf."  /  And  if  it  so  2675 
bifalle  or  happe  that  a  man  of  gretter 
might  and  strengthe  than  thou  art  do 
thee  grevaunce,  /  studie  and  bisie  thee 
rather  to  stille  the  same  grevaunce,  than 
for  to  venge  thee.  /  For  Senek  seith  : 
that  ''  he  putteth  him  in  greet  peril  that 
stryveth  with  a  gretter  man  than  he  is 
him-self."  /  And  Catoun  seith  :  "  if  a 
man  of  hyer  estaat  or  degree,  or  more 
mighty  than  thou,  do  thee  anoy  or  gre- 
vaunce, suffre  him ;  /  for  he  that  ones 
hath  greved  thee  may  another  tjine 
releve  thee  and  helpe."  /  Yet  sette  I  2680 
c.oas,  ye  have  bothe  might  and  licence  for 
to  venge  yow.  /  I  seye,  that  ther  be  ful 
manye  thinges  that  shul  restrejiie  yow 
of  vengeance-takinge,  /  and  make  yow 
for  to  enclyne  to  suffre,  and  for  to  han 
pacience  in  the  thinges  that  han  been 
doon  to  yow.  /  First  and  foreward,  if  ye 
wole  considere  the  defautes  that  been  in 
your  owene  persone,  /  for  whiche  defautes 
god  hath  suffred  yow  have  this  tribula- 
cioun,  as  I  have  seyd  yow  heer-biforn.  /  2685 
For  the  poete  seith,  that  "we  oghte 
paciently  taken  the  tribulacions  that 
comen  to  lis,  whan  we  thinken  and  con- 
sidercn  that  we  han  deserved  to  have 
hem."/  And  Seint  Gregorie  seith  :  that 
"  whan  a  man  considereth  wel  the  nombre 


4S.-] 


B.    ZU  t(xh  of  QUefiBeua. 


S2T 


of  liise  defaiites  and  of  liis  sinnes,  /  tlie 
peynes  and  the  tribulacionns  that  he 
snffreth  semen  tlie  lesse  un-to  hym ;  / 
and  in-as-muche  as  him  thinketh  hise 
sinnes  more  he^'y  and  grevoiis,  /  in-so- 
muche  semeth  his  peyne  the  lighter  and 

2690  the  esier  tin-to  him."  /  Also  ye  owen  to 
<?nclyne  and  bowe  your  herto  to  take  the 
Ijacience  of  our  lord  Jesu  Crist,  as  seith 
seint  Peter  in  hise  epistles :  /  "  Jesu 
Crist,"  he  seith,  "  hath  suffred  for  vis, 
and  yeven  ensample  to  every  man  to 
folwe  and  sewe  him  ;  /  for  he  dide  never 
sinne,  ne  never  cam  ther  a  vileinous 
word  out  of  his  mouth :  /  whan  men 
cursed  him,  ho  cursed  hem  noglit ;  and 
whan  men  betten  him,  he  manaced  hem 
noght."  /  Also  the  grete  pacience,  which 
the  seintes  that  been  in  paradys  han  had 
in  tribulacionns  that  they  han  y-suffred, 

2fi95  with-outen  hir  desert  or  gilt,  /  oghte 
muchel  stiren  yow  to  pacience.  /  Forther- 
more,  ye  sholde  enforce  yow  to  have 
pacience,  /  consideringe  that  the  tribu- 
lacionns of  this  world  but  litel  whyle 
endure,  and  sone  passed  been  and 
goon.  /  And  the  joye  that  a  man 
seketh  to  have  by  pacience  in  tribu- 
laciouns  is  perdurable,  after  that  the 
apostle  seith  in  his  epistle:/  "the  joye 
of  god,"  he  seith,  "  is  perdurable,"  that  is 

z/tx)  to  seyn,  everlastinge.  /  Also  trowoth 
and  bileveth  stedefastly,  that  he  nis  nat 
wel  y-uorissed  ne  wel  y-taught,  that  can 
nat  have  pacience  or  wol  nat  receyve 
pacience.  /  For  Salomon  seith :  that  "the 
doctrine  and  the  wit  of  a  man  is  knowen 
by  pacience."  /  And  in  another  place  he 
seith  :  that  "  he  that  is  pacient  governeth 
him  by  greet  prudence."  /  And  the  same 
Salomon  seith  :  "  the  angry  and  wrathful 
man  makcth  noyses,  and  the  pacient  man 
atemprcth  hem  and  stilleth."  /  He  seith 
also:  "it   is   more  worth  to  bo   pacient 

2705  than  for  to  bo  right  strong  ;  /  and  he  that 
may  have  the  lordshipe  of  his  owono 
lierte  is  more  to  preyse,  than  he  that 
by  his  force  or  strcngthe  takcth  grete 
citees."  /  And  therfore  seith  seint  Jamo 
in  his  eijistlc  :  that  "  pacience  is  a  greet 
vertu  of  perfeccioun." '  / 


§  47.  '  Certes,'  qiTod  Melibee,  '  I  graunte 
yow,  danie  Prudence,  that  pacience  is 
a  greet  vertu  of  perfeccioun  ;/  but  e\cry 
man  may  nat  have  the  perfecciovin  that 
ye  selion ;  /  ne  I  nam  nat  of  the  nombre 
of  right  parfite  men,  /  for  mjTi  herte  may  2710 
never  been  in  pees  u^n-to  the  tyme  it  be 
venged./  And  al-be-it  so  that  it  was 
greet  peril  to  myne  enemys,  to  do  me 
a  vileinye  in  takinge  vengeance  up-on 
me,  /  yet  token  they  noon  hedc  of  the 
peril,  but  fulfilleden  hir  wikked  wil  and 
hir  corage.  /  And  therfore,  me  thinketh 
men  oghten  nat  reprove  me,  though  I 
putte  me  in  a  litel  peril  for  to  vonge  me,  / 
and  though  I  do  a  greet  excesso,  that  is 
to  seyn,  that  I  venge  oon  outrage  by 
another.'  /  2715 

§  48.  '  A  ! '  quod  dame  Prudence,  '  ye 
seyn  your  wil  and  as  yow  lyketh  ;  /  but 
in  no  caas  of  the  world  a  man  sholde  nat 
doon  outrage  ne  excesso  for  to  vengen 
him.  /  For  Cassidore  seith  :  that  '"  as 
yv'el  doth  he  that  vengeth  him  by  outrage, 
as  he  that  doth  the  outrage."/  And 
therfore  ye  shul  vonge  yow  after  the 
ordre  of  right,  that  is  to  seyn  by  the  lawe, 
and  noght  by  oxcesse  ne  by  outrage.  / 
And  also,  if  ye  wol  venge  yow  of  the  out- 
rage of  your  adversaries  in  other  manor 
than  right  comandeth,  ye  sinnon  ;  /  and  2720 
therfore  seith  Senek  :  that  "a  man  shal 
never  vengon  shrewednesse  by  shrewcd- 
nesso."  /  And  if  ye  seye,  that  right  axeth 
a  man  to  defenden  violence  by  violence, 
and  fighting  by  fighting,  /  certes  yo  seye 
Sooth,  whan  the  defense  is  doon  anon 
witli-outen  intervallo  or  with-outen  tary- 
ing  or  delay,  /  for  to  defenden  him  and 
nat  for  to  vengen  him.  /  And  it  bihovoth 
that  a  man  putte  swich  attemperanco 
in  his  defence,  /  that  men  have  no  2725 
cause  ne  matcro  to  repreven  liim  that 
defendeth  him  of  excesso  and  outrage  ; 
for  olles  wore  it  agayn  resoun.  /  Pardee, 
ye  knowen  wel,  that  ye  niaken  no  de- 
fence as  now  for  to  defende  yow,  but  for 
to  venge  yow  ;  /  and  so  seweth  it  that  ye 
han  no  wil  to  do  your  dcde  attomprelj-.  / 
And  therfore,  me  thinketh  that  pacience 
is  good.     For  Stilomon  seith  :  that  "  he 


S3 


522 


B,    Z(>t  Z(i(t  of  (meftfieue. 


[t.  §§  49-51- 


that    is    nat    pacient    shal    have    greet 
harm." '  / 

§  49.  '  Certes,'  quod  Melibee,  '  I  graunte 
3'ow,  that  whan  a  man  is  inpacient  and 
■\vroth,  of  that  that  tovichetli  him  noght 
and  that  apertenetli  nat  nn-to  him,  though 

2730  it  harme  him,  it  is  no  wonder.  /  For  the 
lawe  seith  :  that  "he  is  coupable  that 
entremetteth  or mecUeth  witli  swich  thyng 
as  aperteneth  nat  un-to  him."  /  And 
Salomon  seith :  that  "  he  that  entre- 
metteth him  of  the  noyse  or  stryf  of 
another  man,  is  lyk  to  him  that  taketh 
an  hound  by  the  eres."  /  For  right  as  he 
that  taketh  a  straunge  hound  by  the  eres 
is  outherwhyle  biten  with  the  hound,  / 
right  in  tlie  same  wyse  is  it  resoun  that  he 
liave  harm,  that  by  his  inpacience  med- 
leth  him  of  the  noyse  of  another  man, 
wher-as  it  aperteneth  nat  un-to  him.  / 
But  ye  knowen  wel  that  this  dede,  that  is 
to  seyn,  my  grief  and  my  disese,  toucheth 

2-35  me  right  ny.  /  And  therfore,  though  I 
be  wroth  and  inpacient,  it  is  no  mer- 
veille.  /  And  savinge  your  grace,  I  can 
nat  seen  tliat  it  mighte  greetly  harme 
me  though  I  toke  vengeaunce  ;  /  for  I  am 
richer  and  more  mighty  than  mjTie  ene- 
mj-s  been.  /  And  wel  knowen  ye,  that 
by  moneye  and  by  havinge  grete  posses- 
sions been  all  the  tliinges  of  this  world 
governed.  /      And   Salomon  seith  :   that 

2740  "alle  thingcs  obeyen  to  monoye."  '  / 

§  50.  "Wlian  Prudence  haddo  herd  hir 
housbonde  avanten  him  of  his  richesse 
and  of  his  moneye,  dispreisinge  the 
power  of  hise  adversaries,  she  spak,  and 
seyde  in  this  wyse  :  /  'certes,  der^  sir,  I 
graunte  yf)w  that  ye  been  rich  and 
mighty,  /  and  that  the  richesses  been 
goode  to  hem  that  han  wel  y-geten  hem 
and  wel  conne  usen  hem.  /  For  right  as 
the  body  of  a  man  may  nat  liven  with- 
oute  the  soule,  namore  may  it  live  with- 
outen  temporelgoodes.  /    And  by  richesses 

2745  niay  a  man  gete  him  grete  freendes.  / 
And  therfore  seith  Pamphilles  :  "  if  a  net- 
herdos  doghter,"  seith  he,  "  be  riche,  she 
may  chesen  of  a  thousand  men  which  she 
wol  take  to  hir  housbonde ;  /  for,  of 
a  thousand  men,   oon  wol  nat  forsaken 


hir  ne  refusen  hir."  /  And  this  Pam- 
philles seith  also  :  "if  thou  be  right 
happy,  that  is  to  seyn,  if  thou  be  right 
riche,  thou  shalt  find  a  greet  nombre  of 
felawes  and  freendes.  /  And  if  thy  for- 
tune change  that  thou  wexe  povre,  fare- 
wel  freendshipe  and  felaweshipe  ;  /  for 
thou  shalt  be  allone  with-outen  any  com- 
panye,  bvit-if  it  be  the  companye  of  po\Te 
folk."  /  And  j'et  seith  this  Pamphilles  2750 
moreover  :  that  "  they  that  been  thralle 
and  bonde  of  linage  shuUen  been  maad 
worthy  and  noble  by  the  richesses."  / 
And  right  so  as  by  richesses  ther  comen 
manye  goodes,  right  so  by  poverte  come 
ther  manye  harmes  and  yveles.  /  For 
greet  poverte  constreyneth  a  man  to  do 
manye  yveles.  /  And  therfore  clepeth 
Cassidore  poverte  "the  moder  of  mine,"/ 
that  is  to  seyn,  the  moder  of  over- 
throwinge  or  fallinge  doun.  /  And  ther-  2755 
fore  seith  Piers  Alfonce  :  "oon  of  the 
gretteste  adversitees  of  this  world  is  / 
whan  a  free  man,  by  kinde  or  by  burthe, 
is  constreyned  by  poverte  to  eten  the 
almesse  of  his  enemy."  /  And  the  same 
seith  Innocent  in  oon  of  hise  bokes ; 
he  seith  :  that  "  sorweful  and  mishappy 
is  the  condicioun  of  a  povre  begger  ;  / 
for  if  he  axe  nat  his  mete,  he  dyeth  for 
hunger  ;  /  and  if  he  axe,  he  dyeth  for 
shame;  and  algates  necessitee  constreyn- 
eth him  to  axe."/  And  therfore  seith  2760 
Salomon  :  that  "  bet  it  is  to  dye  than  for 
to  have  swich  poverte."  /  And  as  the 
same  Salomon  seith  :  "  bettre  it  is  to  dye 
of  bitter  deeth  than  for  to  liven  in  swich 
wyse."/  By  thise  resons  that  I  have 
seid  un-to  yow,  and  by  manye  othere 
resons  that  I  coude  seye,  /  I  graunte  yow 
that  richesses  been  goode  to  hem  that 
geten  hem  wel,  and  to  hem  that  wel  usen 
tho  richesses.  /  And  therfore  wol  I  shewe 
j-ow  liow  ye  shul  have  yow,  and  how  ye 
sliul  bere  yow  in  gaderinge  of  richesses, 
and  in  what  manere  ye  shul  usen  hem.  /   2765 

§  51.  First,  ye  shul  geten  hem  with- 
outen  greet  desjT,  by  good  leyser  sokingly, 
and  nat  over  hastily.  /  For  a  man  tliat 
is  to  desyringe  to  gete  richesses  abaun- 
doneth  him  first  to   thefte  and  to   alle 


T.  §  52.] 


B.    Z^t  ZaU  of  (mefi6eu0. 


523 


other  yveles.  /  And  therfore  seith  Salo- 
mon :  "  lie  that  hasteth  him  to  bisily  to 
wexe  riche  shal  be  noon  innocent."  /  He 
seith  also  :  that  "the  richesse  that  hastily 
Cometh  to  a  man,  sone  and  lightly  gooth 
and  passeth  fro  a  man  ;  /  but  that  richesse 
that  Cometh  litel  and  litel  wexeth  alwey 

2770  and  multiplyeth."  /  And  sir,  ye  shul 
geten  richesses  by  yonr  wit  and  by  your 
travaille  un-to  your  profit ;  /  and  that 
■with-outen  wrong  or  harm-doinge  to  any 
other  persona.  /  For  the  la  we  seith  :  that 
"  ther  maketh  no  man  himselven  riche, 
if  he  do  harm  to  another  wight "  ;  /  this 
is  to  seyn,  that  nature  defendeth  and  for- 
bedeth  by  right,  that  no  man  make  him- 
self riche  un-to  the  harm  of  another 
persone.  /  And  TuUius  seith  :  that  "  no 
sorwe  ne  no  drede  of  deeth,  ne  no-thing 

2775  that  may  falle  ixn-to  a  man  /  is  so  muchel 
agayns  nature,  as  a  man  to  encressen  his 
owene  profit  to  the  harm  of  another  man.  / 
And  though  the  grete  men  and  the  mighty 
men  geten  richesses  more  lightly  than 
thou,  /  yet  shaltou  nat  been  ydel  ne  slow 
to  do  thy  profit ;  for  tliou  shalt  in  alle 
wyse  flee  ydelnesse. "  /  For  Salomon 
seith  :  that  "ydelnesse  techeth  a  man  to 
do  manye  yveles."  /  And  the  same  Salo- 
mon seith  :  that  "  he  that  travailleth  and 
bisieth  him  to  tilien  his  land,  shal  eten 

2780  breed  ;  /  but  he  that  is  ydel  and  casteth 
him  to  no  bisinesse  ne  occupacioun,  shal 
falle  in-to  poverte,  and  dye  for  hunger."  / 
And  he  that  is  ydel  and  slow  can  never 
linde  covenable  tyme  for  to  doon  his 
profit.  /  For  ther  is  a  versifiour  seith  : 
that  "  the  ydel  man  excuseth  hym  in 
winter,  by  cause  of  the  grete  cold  ;  and  in 
somer,  by  enchesoun  of  the  hete."  /  For 
thise  causes  seitli  Caton  :  "  waketh  and 
enclyneth  nat  yow  over  muchel  for  to 
slepe ;  for  over  muchel  reste  norisseth 
and  causeth  manye  vices."  /  And  ther- 
fore seith  seint  Jerome  :  "  doth  somme 
gode  dedes,  that  the  devel  which  is  our 

2785  enemy  ne  finde  yow  nat  unoccupied."  / 
For  the  devel  no  taketli  nat  lightly  un-to 
his  werkinge  swiche  as  he  findeth  occu- 
pied in  gode  werkes."  / 
§  52.  Thanne  thus,  in  getinge  richesses, 


ye  mosten  flee  ydelnesse.  /  And  after- 
ward, ye  shul  iise  the  richesses,  whiche  ye 
have  geten  by  your  wit  and  by  your 
travaille,  /  in  swich  a  manere,  that  men 
holde  nat  yow  to  scars,  ne  to  sparinge,  ne 
to  fool-large,  that  is  to  seyn,  over-large 
a  spender.  /  For  right  as  men  blamen 
an  avaricioiTS  man  by-cause  of  his  scarsetee 
and  chincherye,  /  in  the  same  wyse  is  he  2790 
to  blame  that  spendeth  over  largely.  / 
And  therfore  seith  Caton  :  ' '  use,"  he  seith, 
"  thy  richesses  that  thou  hast  geten  /  in 
swich  a  manere,  that  men  have  no  matere 
ne  cause  to  calle  thee  neither  wrecche  ne 
chinche  ;  for  it  is  a  greet  shame  to  a  man 
to  have  apovere  herte  and  a  riche  purs."  / 
He  seith  also  :  "  the  goodes  that  thou  hast 
y-geten,  use  hem  by  mesure,"  that  is  to 
seyn,  spende  hem  mesurably ;  /  for  they  2795 
that  folily  wasten  and  despenden  the 
goodes  that  they  lian,  /  whan  they  han 
namore  propre  of  hir  owene,  they  shapen 
hem  to  take  the  goodes  of  another  man.  / 
I  seye  thanne,  that  ye  shul  fleen  avarice ;  / 
usinge  your  richesses  in  swich  manere, 
that  men  seye  nat  tliat  your  richesses 
been  y-buried,  /  but  that  ye  have  hem  in 
your  might  and  in  your  weeldinge.  /  For  2S00 
a  wys  man  repreveth  the  avaricious  man, 
and  seith  thus,  in  two  vers:/  "wherto 
and  why  burieth  a  man  hise  goodes  by  his 
grete  avarice,  and  knoweth  wel  that  nedes 
moste  he  dye ;  /  for  deeth  is  the  ende  of 
every  man  as  in  this  present  lyf."  /  And 
for  what  cause  or  enchesoun  joyneth  he 
him  or  knitteth  he  him  so  faste  un-to 
hise  goodes,  /  that  alio  his  wittes  mowen 
nat  disseveren  him  or  depai-ten  him  from 
hise  goodes  ;  /  and  knoweth  wel,  oroghte  2805 
knowe,  that  whan  he  is  deed,  he  shal  no- 
thing here  with  him  out  of  this  world?/ 
And  ther-fore  seith  seint  Augustin  :  that 
"the  avaricious  man  is  likned  un-to 
helle  ;  /  that  the  more  it  swelweth,  the 
more  desyr  it  hath  to  swelwe  and  de- 
voure."  /  And  as  wel  as  ye  wolde  eschewe 
to  be  called  an  avaricious  man  or  chinche,  / 
as  wel  sholdo  ye  kepe  yow  and  governe 
yow  in  swich  a  wyse  that  men  calle  j'ow 
nat  fool-large.  /  Therfore  seith  TuUius  :  2810 
"  the  goodes,"  he  seith,  "  of  thyu  hous  ne 


s  5 


5^4 


B.    ZU  Zak  of  (nUfiBeue. 


[t.  §  53- 


slioldo  nat  been  liid,  ne  kept  so  cloos  but 
that  they  mighte  been  opened  by  pitee 
and  dobonairetee  "  ;  /  that  is  to  seyn,  to 
yeven  part  to  hem  that  han  greet  nede;/ 
"  ne  thy  goodes  shuUen  nat  been  so 
opene,  to  been  every  mannes  goodes."  / 
Afterward,  in  getinge  of  your  richesses 
and  in  nsinge  hem.  ye  shul  alwey  have 
three  thinges  in  yoiir  herte  ;  /  that  is  to 
seyn,  our  lord  god,  conscience,  and  good 

2815  name.  /  First,  ye  shul  have  god  in  your 
herte  ;  /  and  for  no  richesse  ye  shullen  do 
no-thing,  which  may  in  any  manere  dis- 
plese god,  f  hat  isyour  creatourand maker. / 
For  after  the  word  of  Salomon  :  "  it  is 
bettre  to  have  a  litel  good  with  the  love  of 
god,  /  than  to  have  muchel  good  and 
tresour,  and  lese  the  love  of  his  lord  god."/ 
And  the  projihete  seith  :  that  "  bettre  it 
is  to  been  a  good  nian  and  have  litel  good 

28JO  and  tresour,  /  than  to  been  holden  a  shrewe 
and  have  grete  richesses."  /  And  yet 
se.ye  I  fertherniore,  that  ye  sholde  alwey 
doon  your  bisinesse  to  gete  yow  richesses,/ 
so  that  ye  gete  hem  with  good  consci- 
ence. /  And  th'apostle  seith  :  that  "ther 
nis  thing  in  this  world,  of  which  we 
sholden  have  so  greet  joye  as  whan  our 
conscienco  bereth  tis  good  witnesse."  / 
And  the  wj'se  man  seith  :  "  the  substance 
of  a  man  is  fill  good,  whan  sinne  is  nat 

2825  in  mannes  conscience."/  Afterward,  in 
getinge  of  yoxiT  richesses,  and  in  usinge 
of  hem,  /  yow  moste  have  greet  bisinesse 
and  greet  diligence,  that  your  goode  name 
be  alwey  kept  and  conserved.  /  For 
Salomon  seith  :  that  "  bettre  it  is  and 
more  it  availleth  a  man  to  have  a  good 
name,  than  for  to  have  grete  richesses."/ 
And  therforo  he  seith  in  another  place  : 
'■  do  greet  diligence,"  seith  Salomon,  "  in 
keping  of  thy  freend  and  of  thy  gode 
name ;  /  for  it  shal  lenger  abide  with  thee 

2830  than  any  tresour,  be  it  never  so  precious."  / 
And  cert  OS  heshi>lde  nat  be  called  agentil 
man,  that  after  god  and  good  conscienco, 
alle  thinges  left,  ne  dooth  his  diligence 
and  bisinesse  to  kepen  his  good  name.  / 
And  Cassidore  seith  :  that  "it  is  signe  of 
a  gentil  herte,  whan  a  man  loveth  and 
desyroth  to  han  a  good  name."  /     And 


therfore  seith  seint  Aug^istin  :  that  "  ther 
been  two  thinges  that  arn  necessarie  and 
nedefuUe,  /  and  that  is  good  conscience 
and  good  loos  ;  /  that  is  to  seyn,  good 
conscience  to  thyn  owene  persone  inward, 
and  good  loos  for  thy  neighebore  out- 
ward." /  And  he  that  trusteth  him  so  2835 
muchel  in  his  gode  conscience,  /  that  he 
displeseth  and  setteth  at  noght  his  gode 
name  or  loos,  and  rekketh  noght  though 
he  kepe  nat  his  gode  name,  nis  but  a  cruel 
cherl.  / 

§  53.  Sire,  now  have  I  shewed  yow  how 
ye  shul  do  in  getinge  richesses,  and  how 
ye  shullen  usen  hem ;  /  and  I  see  wel, 
that  for  the  trust  that  ye  han  in  youre 
richesses,  ye  wole  moeve  werro  and 
bataille.  /  I  conseille  yow,  that  ye  bi- 
ginne  no  werre  in  trust  of  your  richesses  ; 
for  they  ne  suffysen  noght  werres  to  mayn- 
tene.  /  And  therfore  seith  a  philosophre  :  2840 
"  that  man  that  desyreth  and  wole  algates 
han  werre,  shal  never  have  suffisaunce  ;  / 
for  the  richer  that  he  is,  the  grctter 
despenses  moste  he  make,  if  he  wole  have 
worship  and  victorio."  /  And  Salomon 
seith  :  that  "  the  gretter  richesses  that 
a  man  hath,  the  mo  despendours  he 
hath."  /  And  dere  sire,  al-be-it  so  that 
for  your  richesses  ye  mowe  have  muchel 
folk,  /  yet  bihoveth  it  nat,  no  it  is  nat 
good,  to  biginne  werro,  wbere-as  ye  mowe 
in  other  manoro  have  pees,  un-to  your 
worship  and  profit.  /  For  the  victories  2845 
of  batailles  that  been  in  this  world,  lyen 
nat  in  greet  nombre  or  multitude  of  the 
peplo  ne  in  the  vertu  of  man  ;  /  but  it 
lyth  in  the  wil  and  in  the  hand  of  our 
lord  god  almighty.  /  And  therfore  Judas 
Machabens,  wliich  was  goddes  knight,  / 
whan  he  sholde  fighte  agajm  his  adver- 
sarie  that  hadde  a  greet  nombre,  and 
a  grctter  multitude  of  folk  and  stronger 
than  was  this  peple  of  Machabee,  /  yet 
he  reconforted  his  litel  companyo,  and 
seyde  right  in  this  wyse  :  /  "  als  lightly,"  2850 
quod  he,  "  may  our  lord  god  almighty 
yeve  victorie  to  a  fewe  folk  as  to  many 
folk  ;  /  for  the  victorie  of  bataile  cometh 
nat  by  the  grete  nombre  of  peple,  /  but  it 
cometh  from  our  lord  god  of  hevene. "  / 


T.  §§  54-6S-] 


B.    ZU  tak  of  QnefiBeue. 


525 


And  dere  sir,  for  as  niuchel  as  there  is 
no  man  certain,  if  he  be  worthy  that  god 
yevo  him  victorie,  [f  namore  than  ho  is 
certain  whether  he  be  worthy  of  the  love 
of  god]  or  naught,  after  that  Salomon 
seith,  /  therfore  every  man  sholde  greetly 

2855  drede  warres  to  biginne.  /  And  by-cause 
that  in  batailles  fallen  manya  perils,  /  and 
happeth  outher-while,  that  as  sone  is  the 
grete  man  sleyn  as  the  litel  man  ;  /  and, 
as  it  is  written  in  the  seconde  book  of 
Kinges,  "the  dedes  of  batailles  been 
aventurouse  and  nothing  certeyne  ;  /  for 
as  lightly  is  oon  hurt  with  a  spere  as 
another."'  /  And  for  ther  is  gret  peril  in 
■\verre,  therfore  sholde  a  man  flee  and 
cschewe    werro,     in     as     muchel    as    a 

2860  man  may  goodly.  /  For  Salomon  seith  : 
"  he  that  loveth  peril  shal  falle  in 
peril.'"  / 

§  54.  After  that  Dama  Prudence  hadde 
spoken  in  this  manere,  Melibee  answerde 
and  seyde,  /  '  I  see  wel,  dame  Prudence, 
that  by  your  faire  wordes  and  by  your 
resons  that  ye  han  shewed  me,  that  the 
werre  lyketh  yow  no-thing  ;  /  but  I  have 
nat  yet  herd  your  conseil,  how  I  shal  do 
in  this  nede.'  / 

§  55.  '  Certes,'  quod  she,  '  I  conseille 
yow  that  3'a  accorde  with  yovire  adver- 

.2865  saries,  and  that  ye  have  pees  with  hem.  / 
For  seint  Jame  seith  in  hisc  epistles  :  that 
"  by  concord  and  pees  the  smale  richesses 
wexen  grete,  /  and  by  debaat  and  discord 
the  grete  richesses  fallen  doun."  /  And 
ye  knowen  wel  that  oon  of  the  grotteste 
and  most  soverej-n  thing,  that  is  in  this 
world,  is  unitee  and  pees.  /  And  ther- 
fore scydc  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist  to  hise 
apostles  in  this  wyse  :  /  "  wel  hajipy  and 
blessed  been  they  that  lovan  and  pur- 
chacen  pees  ;  for  they  been  called  children 

2870  of  god."  '  /  '  A  ! '  quod  Melibee,  '  now  see 
I  wel  that  ye  loven  nat  myn  honour 
ne  my  worshipe.  /  Yo  knowen  wal  that 
myiae  adversaries  han  bigonnen  this 
debaat  and  brigo  by  hir  outrage  ;  /  and 
ye  sec  wel  that  tliey  no  requcrcn  ne 
preyen  me  nat  of  pees,  no  they  asken  nat 
to  be  reconsiled.  /  Wol  ye  tlianne  that 
•I  go  and  meke  mo  and  obeye  mo  to  hem, 


and  crye  hem  mercy  ?  /     For  sothe,  that 
were  nat  my  worship.  /     For  right  as  men  2'-' 75 
seyn,   that   "  over-greet    homlinesse    en- 
gendreth  dispreysinge,"  so  fareth  it  by  to 
greet  humylitee  or  mekenesse.'  / 

§  56.  Thanno  bigan  dame  Prudence  to 
maken  semblaat  of  wratthe,  and  seyde,  / 
'  certes,  sir,  sauf  your  grace,  I  love  yonr 
honour  and  your  profit  as  I  do  myn 
owene,  and  ever  have  doon  ;  /  ne  ye  ne 
noon  other  syen  never  the  contrarie.  / 
And  j'it,  if  I  hadde  seyd  that  ye  sholde 
han  purchaced  the  pees  and  the  recon- 
siliacioun,  I  ne  hadde  nat  muchel  mis- 
taken me,  ne  seyd  amis.  /  For  the  wj'se  2880 
man  seith  :  "  the  dissensioun  biginneth  by 
another  man,  and  the  reconsiling  bi- 
ginneth by  thy-self."  /  And  the  propheto 
seith  :  "  iiee  shrewednesse  and  do  good- 
nesse  ;  /  seke  pees  and  folwe  it,  as  muchel 
as  in  thee  is."  /  Yet  seye  I  nat  that  ye 
shul  rather  pursue  to  your  adversaries  for 
pees  than  they  shuln  to  yow ;  /  for  I 
knowe  wel  that  ye  been  so  hard-hertad, 
that  ye  wol  do  no-thing  for  me.  /  And  2885 
Salomon  seith  :  "he  that  hath  over-hard 
an  harte,  atte  laste  ho  shal  mishappe  and 
mistyde."  '/ 

§  57.  Whanne  Melibee  haddo  herd  dame 
Prudence  maken  semblant  of  wratthe,  he 
seyde  in  this  wysa,  /  '  dame,  I  prey  yow 
that  ye  be  nat  displesed  of  thinges  that  I 
seye  ;  /  for  ye  knowe  wel  that  I  am  angry 
and  wrooth,  and  that  is  no  wonder ;  / 
and  they  that  been  wrotho  witen  nat  wel 
what  they  doon,  ne  what  they  sejni.  /  2890 
Therfore  the  propheto  seitli :  that  "trou- 
bled eyen  han  no  cleer  sighto."  /  But 
seyeth  and  conscilcth  mo  as  yow  lyketh  ; 
for  I  am  redy  to  do  right  as  yo  wol 
desyi'o ;  /  and  if  ye  reprove  me  of  my 
folyo,  I  am  tho  more  holden  to  love  yow 
andtoprcyso  yow.  /  For  Salomon  seith  : 
that  "  ho  that  roproveth  hini  that  doth 
folj-e,  /  he  shal  findo  grottcr  grace  than 
he  thatdeceyvethhimbj-sweto wordes."'  /  j8()5 

§  58.  Thanno  soldo  dame  Prudence,  '  T 
mako  no  semblant  of  wratthe  no  anger 
but  for  your  groto  profit.  /  For  Salomon 
saith  :  "  he  is  mora  worth,  that  roproveth 
or  chydeth  a  fool  for  his  folye,  shewinge 


526 


B.    Z^t  tafe  of  Q)Uft6eu0. 


[t.  §§  59-65- 


him  semblant  of  wratthe,  /  than  he  that 
supporteth  him  and  preyseth  him  in  his 
misdoinge,  and  lauglieth  at  his  folye."  / 
And  this  same  S.alomon  seith  afterward  : 
that  '"by  tlie  sorweful  visage  of  a  man," 
that  is  to  seyn,  by  the  scry  and  hevy 
countenaunce  of  a  man,  /  "  the  fool  cor- 
2900  recteth  and  amendeth  him-self."  '  / 

§  59.  Thanne  seyde  Melibee,  '  I  shal 
nat  conne  answers  to  so  manye  faire 
resouns  as  ye  putten  to  me  and  shewen.  / 
Seyeth  shortly  your  wil  and  your  conseil, 
and  I  am  al  ready  to  fuliille  and  par- 
fourne  it.'  / 

§  60.  Thanne  dame  Prudence  discovered 
al  hir  wil  to  him,  and  seyde,  /  '  I  conseille 
yow,'  quod  she, '  aboven  alle  thinges,  that 
ye  make  pees  bit  wane  god  and  yow ;  / 
and  beth  reconsiled  un-to  him  and  to  his 
2905  grace.  /  For  as  I  have  seyd  yow  heer- 
biforn,  god  hath  snfFred  yow  to  have  tliis 
tribulacioun  and  disese  for  your  sinnes.  / 
And  if  ye  do  as  I  sey  yow,  god  wol  sende 
your  adversaries  un-to  yow,  /  and  maken 
hem  fallen  at  yoiir  feet,  redj'  to  do  your 
wil  and  yovir  comandements.  /  For 
Salomon  seith  :  '"  whan  the  condicioun 
of  man  is  plesaunt  and  likinge  to  god,  /  he 
chaungeth  the  hertes  of  the  mannes  adver- 
saries, and  constrejTieth  hem  to  biseken 
2910  him  of  pees  and  of  grace."  /  And  I  prey 
yow,  lat  me  speke  with  your  adversaries 
in  privce  place ;  /  for  they  shul  nat  knowe 
that  it  be  of  your  wil  or  your  assent.  / 
And  thanne,  whan  I  knowe  hir  wil  and 
hir  entente,  I  may  conseille  yow  the  more 
seurly.'  / 

§  61.    '  Dame,'    quod    Melibee,    '  dooth 
your  wil  and  your  lykinge,  /  for  I  putte 
me  hooUy  in  your  disposicioun  and  or- 
2915  dinaunce.'  / 

§  62.  Thanne  Dame  Prudence,  whan 
she  saugh  the  gode  wil  of  her  housbonde, 
delibered  and  took  a\'ys  in  hir-self,  / 
tliinkinge  how  she  mighte  bringe  this 
nedo  un-to  a  good  conclusioun  and  to 
a  good  ende.  /  And  whan  she  saugh  hir 
tyme,  she  sente  for  thise  adversaries  to 
come  un-to  hir  in-to  a  privee  place,  /  and 
shewed  wysly  un-to  hem  the  grete  goodes 
that    comeu    of   pees,  /   and    the    grete 


harmes  and  perils  that  been  in  werre ;  /  2920 
and  seyde  to  hem  in  a  goodly  manero, 
how  that  hem  oughte  have  greet  repent- 
auuce  /  of  the  injurie  and  wrong  that 
they  hadden  doon  to  Melibee  hir  lord,  and 
to  hir,  and  to  hir  doghter.  / 

§  63.  And  whan  they  herden  the  good- 
liche  wordes  of  dame  Prudence,  /  they 
weren  so  surprised  and  ravisshed,  and 
hadden  so  greet  joye  of  hir,  that  wonder 
was  to  telle.  /  '  A  !  lady  ! '  quod  they, 
'  ye  han  shewed  un-to  us  "  the  blessinge 
of  swetnesse,"  after  the  sawe  of  David  the 
prophets ;  /  for  the  reconsilinge  which  2925 
we  been  nat  worthy  to  have  in  no  manere,  / 
but  we  oghte  requeren  it  ■with  greet  con- 
tricioun  and  humilitee,  /  .ve  of  your  grete 
goodnesse  have  presented  unto  us.  /  Xow 
see  we  wel  that  the  science  and  the  con- 
ninge  of  Salomon  is  ful  trewe ;  /  for  he 
seith:  that  "swete  wordes  multiply  en 
and  encresen  freendes,  and  maken  shrewes 
to  be  debonaire  and  meke."  /  2930 

§  61.  Certes,'  quod  they,  '  we  putten 
our  dede  and  al  our  matei-e  and  cause  al 
hooliy  in  your  goode  wil ;  /  and  been  redy 
to  obeye  to  the  speche  and  comandement 
of  my  lord  Melibee.  /  And  therfore,  dere 
and  benigne  lady,  we  preyen  yow  and 
biseke  yow  as  mekely  as  we  conne  and 
mowen,  /  that  it  lyke  un-to  your  greto 
goodnesse  to  fulfillen  in  dede  your  good- 
liche  wordes  ;  /  for  we  consideren  and 
knowlichen  that  we  han  offended  and 
greved  my  lord  Melibee  out  of  mesure  ;  /  2935 
so  ferforth,  that  we  bo  nat  of  power  to 
maken  hise  amendes.  /  And  therfore 
we  oblige  and  binden  us  and  our  freendes 
to  doon  al  liis  wil  and  hise  comande- 
ments. /  But  peravcnturo  he  hath  swich 
hevinesse  and  swich  wratthe  to  us-ward, 
by-cause  of  our  offence,  /  that  he  wolo 
enjoyne  us  swich  a  peyne  as  we  mowe  nat 
here  ne  sustene.  /  And  therfore,  noble 
lady,  we  biseke  to  your  wommanly  pitee,  /  2940 
to  taken  swich  avysement  in  this  nede, 
that  we,  ne  our  freendes,  be  nat  desherited 
ne  destroyed  thurgh  our  folj-e.'  / 

§  65.  '  Certes,'  quod  Prudence,  'it  is  an 
hard  thing  and  right  perilous,  /  that 
a  man  putte  him  al  outrely  in  the  arbi- 


T.  §§  66-71.] 


B.    ZU  Zc^k  of  (Dleei6eu0. 


527 


tracioun  and  jiiggement,  and  in  the  might 
and  power  of  liise  enemys.  /  For  Salomon 
seith  :  "  leveth  me,  and  yeveth  credence 
to  that  I  shal  seyn  ;  I  seye,"  qiiod  he, 
"  ye  peple,  folk,  and  governours  of  holy 
chirche,  /  to  thy  sone,  to  thy  wyf,  to  thy 

2945  freend,  ne  to  thy  brother  /  ne  yeve  thou 
never  might  ne  maistrie  of  thy  body,  whyl 
thou  livest."  /  Now  sithen  he  defendeth, 
that  man  shal  nat  yeven  to  his  brother  ne 
to  his  freend  the  might  of  his  body,  /  by 
a  stranger  resoun  he  defendeth  and  for- 
bedeth  a  man  to  yeven  him-self  to  his 
enemy.  /  And  nathelees  I  conseille  yovi, 
that  ye  mistruste  nat  my  lord.  /  For 
I  woot  wel  and  knowe  verraily,  that  he  is 

2950  debonaire  and  meke,  large,  curteys,  /  and 
nothing  desyrous  ne  coveitous  of  good  ne 
richesse.  /  For  ther  nis  no-thing  in  tliis 
world  that  he  desyreth,  save  only  worship 
and  honour.  /  Forther-more  I  knowe 
wel,  and  am  right  sevir,  that  he  shal 
no-thing  doon  in  this  nede  with-outen 
my  conseil.  /  And  I  shal  so  werken  in 
this  cause,  that,  by  grace  of  our  lord 
god,  ye  shul  been  reconsiled  vin-to  us.'  / 

§  66.  Thanne  seyden  they  with  o  vois, 
'  worshipful  lady,  we  putten  us  and  our 
goodes  al  fully  in  your  wil  and  disposi- 

2955  cioun  ;  /  and  been  redy  to  comen,  what 
day  that  it  lyke  un-to  your  noblesse  to 
limite  us  or  assigne  tis,  /  for  to  maken  our 
obligacioun  and  bond  as  strong  as  it 
lyketli  un-to  your  goodnesse  ;  /  that  we 
mowe  fulfilletho  wille  of  yow  and  of  my 
lord  Melibee.'  / 

§  67.  Whan  dame  Prudence  hadde  herd 
the  answeres  of  thise  men,  she  bad 
hem  goon  agayn  prively  ;  /  and  she  re- 
tourned  to  liir  lord  Melibee,  and  tolde 
him   how  she   fond  hise  adversaries  ful 

2560  repentant,  /  knowlechinge  ful  lowely  hir 
sinnes  and  trespas,  and  how  they  were 
redy  to  suffren  al  peyne,  /  requiringe 
and  preyingo  him  of  mercy  and  pitee.  / 

§  68.  Thanne  seydc  Melibee,  '  ho  is  wel 
worthy  to  have  pardoiin  and  foryifnesse 
of  hissinne,  tliat  excuseth  nat  hissinno,  / 
but  knowlecheth  it  and  repenteth  him, 
axinge  indulgence.  /  For  Senck  seith  : 
"  ther  is  the  remissioun  and  foryifnesse, 


whereas  confessioun  is  "  ;  /  for  confession  2965 
is  neighebore  to  innocence.  /  And  he 
seith  in  another  place:  "he  that  hath 
shame  for  his  sinne  and  knowlecheth  it, 
is  worthy  remissioun."  And  therfore  I 
assente  and  conferme  me  to  have  pees  ;  / 
but  it  is  good  that  we  do  it  nat  with-outen 
the  assent  and  wil  of  our  freendes.'  / 

§  69.  Thanne  was  Prudence  right  glad 
and  joyeful,  and  seyde,  /  '  Ceites,  sir,' 
quod  she,  '  ye  han  wel  and  goodly  an- 
swered. /  For  right  as  by  the  conseil,  2970 
assent,  and  help  of  your  freendes,  ye  han 
been  stired  to  veiige  yow  and  maken 
werre,  /  right  so  with-outen  hir  conseil 
shiil  ye  nat  accorden  yow,  ne  have  pees 
with  your  adversaries.  /  For  the  lawe 
seith  :  "  ther  nis  no-thing  so  good  by  wey 
of  kinde,  as  a  thing  to  been  unbounde  by 
him  that  it  was  y-bounde." '  / 

§  70.  And  thanne  dame  Prudence, 
with-outen  delay  or  taryinge,  sonte  anon 
hir  raessages  for  hir  kin,  and  for  hir  oldo 
freendes  wliiche  that  were  trewe  and 
wyse,  /  and  tolde  hem  by  ordre,  in  the 
presence  of  Melibee,  al  this  matere  as  it 
is  aboven  expressed  and  declared ;  /  and  2975 
preyden  hem  that  they  wolde  yeven  hir 
avys  and  conseil,  what  best  were  to  doon 
in  this  nede.  /  And  whan  Melibees 
freendes  hadde  taken  hir  avys  and  de- 
liberacioun  of  the  forseide  matere,  /  and 
hadden  examined  it  by  greet  bisinesse 
and  greet  diligence,  /  they  yavo  ful  conseil 
for  to  have  pees  and  reste  ;  /  and  that 
Melibee  sholde  receyvo  with  good  herte 
hise  adversaries  to  foryifnesse  and  mercy./  2980 

§  71.  And  whan  damo  Prudence  hadde 
herd  the  assent  of  hir  lord  Melibee,  and 
the  conseil  of  hise  freendes,  /  accordo 
with  hir  wille  and  hir  entencioun,  /  she 
was  wonderly  glad  in  hir  hortc,  and 
seyde  :  /  '  ther  is  an  old  provcrbe,'  quod 
she,  'seith:  that  "the  goodnesse  that 
thou  mayst  do  this  day,  do  it ;  /  and 
abyde  nat  ne  dclaye  it  nat  til  to-morwo."  /  2985 
And  therfore  I  conseille  that  ye  sende 
your  messages,  swicho  as  been  discrete 
and  wyse,  /  un-to  your  adversaries  ;  tel- 
llnge  hem,  on  your  bihalve,  /  that  if  they 
wole  trete  of  pees  and  of  accord,  /  that 


528 


B.    ZU  ^<»f«  of  (DUft6eu0. 


[t.  §§  7^-1 


tliey    shape    tern,   -witli-outen    delay  or 
tarying,    to  comeii   im-to  us.'  /     Which 

2990  thing  parfoumcd  was  in  dede.  /  And 
whanne  thise  trespassours  and  repentinge 
folk  of  liir  folies,  that  is  to  sejii,  the  ad- 
versaries of  Melibee,  /  hadden  herd  what 
thise  messagers  seyden  un-to  hem,  /  they 
weren  right  glad  and  joyeful,  and  an- 
swereden  ful  mekely  and  benignely,  / 
yeldinge  graces  and  thankinges  to  hir 
lord  Melibee  and  to  al  his  companye  ;  / 
and  shopen  hem,  with-outen  delay,  to  go 
with  the   messagers,    and   obej-e   to   the 

2995  comandoment  of  hir  lord  Melibee.  / 

§  72.  And  right  anon  they  token  hir 
wey  to  the  court  of  Melibee,  /  and  token 
with  hem  somme  of  hir  trewe  freendes, 
to  maken  feith  for  hem  and  for  to  been 
hir  borwes.  /  And  whan  they  were 
comen  to  the  presence  of  Melibee,  he  seyde 
hem  thise  wordes  :  /  '  it  standeth  thus,' 
quod  Melibee,  '  and  sooth  it  is,  that 
ye,  /  causeless,  and  with-outen  skile  and 

3000  resoun,  /  han  doon  greto  injuries  and 
wronges  to  me  and  to  my  wyf  Prudence, 
and  to  my  doghter  also.  /  For  ye  han 
entred  in-to  myn  hous  by  violence,  /  and 
have  doon  swich  outrage,  that  alle  men 
knowen  wel  that  ye  have  deserved  the 
deeth  ;  /  and  thcrforo  wol  I  knowe  and 
wite  of  yow,  /  whether  ye  wol  putte  the 
punissement  and  the  chastysingo  and  the 
vengeance  of  this  outrage  in  the  wil  of 
me  and  of  my  wyf  Prudence  ;  or  yo  wol 

SfX'o  nat  ?  '  / 

§  7.-J.  Tlianne  the  wyseste  of  hem  three 
answerde  for  hem  alle,  and  seyde  :  / 
'  sire,'  quod  he,  '  we  knowen  wel,  that  we 
l)een  unworthy  to  comen  un-to  the  court 
of  so  greet  a  lord  and  so  worthy  as  j'e 
been.  /  Por  we  han  so  greetly  mistaken 
us,  and  han  offended  and  agilt  in  swich 
a  wyse  agayn  your  heigh  lordshipe,  / 
that  trewely  wc  han  deserved  the  deeth./ 
But  yet,  I'or  the  greto  goodnesse  and 
dobouairetee  that  all  the  world  witnesseth 

3010  of  your  persone,  /  we  submitten  us  to  the 
excellence  and  bcnignitee  of  your  gracious 
lordshipe,  /  and  Ijeen  redy  to  obeie  to  alle 
your  comandements ;  /  bisekinge  yow, 
that  of  your  merciable  piteo  yo  wol  con- 


sidere  our  gretc  repentatmce  and  lowc 
submissioun,  /  and  graunten  \is  foryeve- 
nesse  of  our  outrageous  trespas  and  of- 
fence. /  For  wel  we  knowe,  that  j'our 
liberal  grace  and  mercy  strecchen  hem 
ferther  in-to  goodnesse,  than  doon  our 
outrageouse  giltes  and  trespas  in-to  wik- 
kednesse  ;  /  al-be-it  that  cursedly  and  5015 
dampnably  we  han  agilt  agaj'u  your 
heigh  lordshipe.'  / 

§  74.  Thanne  Melibee  took  hem  up  fro 
the  ground  ful  benignely,  /  and  receyved 
hir  obligaciouns  and  hir  bondes  by  hir 
othes  up-on  hir  plegges  and  borwes,  / 
and  assigned  hem  a  certeyn  day  to  re- 
toume  un-to  his  court,  /  for  to  accepte 
and  recey^-e  the  sentence  and  jugement 
that  Melibee  wolde  comande  to  be  doon 
on  hem  by  the  causes  afore-seyd ;  /  whiche  30^0 
thinges  ordeyned,  every  man  retoumed  to 
his  hous.  / 

§  7.5.  And  whan  that  dame  Prudence 
saugh  hir  tyme,  she  freyned  and  axed 
hir  lord  Melibee,  /  what  vengeance  ho 
thoughte  to  taken  of  hiso  adversaries  ?/ 

§  76.  To  which  Melibee  answerde  and 
seyde,  '  certes,'  quod  he,  'I  thinke  and 
purpose  me  fully  /  to  desherite  hem  of  al 
that  ever  they  han,  and  for  to  putte  hem 
in  exil  for  ever.'  /  ^^oj^ 

§  77.  '  Certes,'  quod  dame  Prudence, 
'  this  were  a  cruel  sentence,  and  muchel 
agayn  resoun.  /  For  ye  been  richo  y- 
nough,  and  han  no  node  of  other  mennes 
good ;  /  and  ye  mighto  lightly  in  this 
wyse  gete  yow  a  coveitous  name,  /  which 
is  a  vicious  thing,  and  oghtc  been 
eschewed  of  every  good  man.  /  For  after 
the  sawo  of  the  word  of  the  apostle  : 
"  coveitise  is  rote  of  alio  harmes."  /  And  3030 
therforo,  it  ■were  bettre  for  yow  to  lese  so 
muchel  good  of  your  oweno,  than  for  to 
taken  of  hir  good  in  this  manere.  /  For 
bettre  it  is  to  lesen  good  with  worshipe, 
than  it  is  to  winne  good  witli  vileinyo 
and  sliame.  /  And  every  man  oghte  to 
doon  his  diligence  and  his  bisinesse  to 
geten  him  a  good  name.  /  And  yet  shal 
he  nat  only  bisio  him  in  kepingc  of  his 
good  name,  /  but  he  shal  also  enforcen 
him  alwey  to  do  som-thing  by  wliich  he 


§  7S-J 


B.    Z^t  Zcik  of  (mefi6eu0. 


529 


303s  may  renovelle  his  good  name ;  /  for  it  is 
writen,  that  "the  okle  gooti  loos  or  good 
name  of  a  man  is  sone  goon  and  jiassed, 
whan  it  is  nat  newed  ne  renovelled."  / 
And  as  touch  inge  that  ye  seyn,  ye  wole 
exile  your  adversaries,  /  that  thinketli 
me  mvichel  agayn  resoun  and  out  of 
mesnre,  /  consitlered  the  power  that  they 
han  yeve  yow  np-on  hem-self.  /  And  it 
is  writen,  that  "he  is  worthy  to  lesen  his 
privilege  tliat  misi^seth  the  might  and 

3040  the  power  that  is  yeven  him.''  /  And  I 
sotte  cas  ye  mighto  enjoj'ne  hem  that 
peyne  by  right  and  by  lawe,  /  which  I 
trowe  ye  mowe  nat  do,  /  I  seye,  ye  mighte 
nat  putten  it  to  execncioun  x^er-aven- 
ture,  /  and  thanne  were  it  lykly  to  re- 
tourne  to  the  ■werre  as  it  v/as  biforn.  / 
And  therfore,  if  ye  wole  that  men  do  yow 
obeisance,    ye   mosto    demen    more   cur- 

3045  teisly ;  /  this  is  to  seyn,  ye  moste  yeven 
more  esy  sentences  and  jugements.  / 
For  it  is  writen,  that  "  he  that  most 
cnrteisly  comandeth,  to  him  men  most 
obeyen."  /  And  therfore,  I  prey  yow 
that  in  this  necessitee  and  in  this  nede, 
ye  caste  yow  to  overcome  yoi^r  herte.  / 
For  Senek  seith  :  that  "  he  that  over- 
comcth  his  herte,  overcometh  twyes.''  / 
And   TuUius    seith  :   "  ther   is   no-thing 

3050  so  comendable  in  a  greet  lord  /  as  whan 
lie  is  debonaire  and  meke,  and  appeseth 
him  lightly."'  /  And  I  prey  yow  that  ye 
wole  for  here  now  to  do  vengeance,  /  in 
swich  a  manere,  that  your  goodo  name 
may  be  kept  and  c<jnserved ;  /  and  that 
men  mowe  have  cause  and  matere  to 
preyse  yow  of  pitee  and  of  mercy  ;  /  and 
that  ye  have  no  cause  to  repente  yow  of 

3055  thing  that  ye  doon.  /  For  Scnek  seith  : 
"  he  overcometh  in  an  yvel  manoro,  that 
repenteth  him  of  his  victorie."  /  Wher- 
fore  I  pray  yow,  lat  mercy  been  in  your 
minde  and  in  your  herte,  /  to  th'efifect 


and  entente  that  god  almighty  have 
mercy  on  yow  in  his  lasio  jugement.  / 
For  seint  Jame  seith  in  his  epistle : 
"jugement  withouten  m.ercy  shal  bo 
doon  to  him,  that  hath  no  mercy  of 
another  wight."  '  / 

§  78.  Whanne  Moliboe  haddo  herd  the 
grete  skiles  and  resouns  of  dame  Pru- 
dence, and  hir  wise  informaciouns  and 
tcchinges,  /  his  herte  gan  enclyno  to  the  3*'6<i 
wil  of  his  w'yf,  consideringe  hir  trewc 
entente ;  /  and  conformed  him  anon, 
and  assented  fully  to  werken  after  hir 
conseil ;  /  and  thonked  god,  of  whom 
procedeth  al  vertti  and  alio  goodnesse, 
that  him  sente  a  wyf  of  so  greet  discre- 
cioun.  /  And  whan  the  day  cam  that 
hise  adversaries  sholde  apperen  in  his 
presence,  /  he  spak  vmto  hem  ful  goodly, 
and  seyde  in  this  wyse  :  /  '  al-be-it  so  that  3065 
of  your  pryde  and  presumpcioun  and 
folie,  and  of  your  necligonce  and  un- 
conninge,  /  ye  have  misborn  yow  and 
trespassed  un-to  me ;  /  yet,  for  as  much 
as  I  see  and  biholde  yoiir  grete  humilitee,  / 
and  that  ye  been  sory  and  repentant  of 
your  giltes,  /  it  constreyneth  me  to  doon 
yow  grace  and  mercy.  /  Therfore  I  re-  3070 
ceyve  yow  to  my  grace,  /  and  foryeve 
yow  outrely  alle  the  offences,  injuries, 
and  wronges,  that  yo  have  doon  agayn 
me  and  mj-ne  ;  /  to  this  effect  and  to  this 
ende,  that  god  of  his  endelees  mercy  / 
wole  at  the  tyme  of  our  dyingo  foryevcn 
lis  our  giltes  that  wo  han  trespassed  to 
him  in  this  wrecclied  world.  /  For  doute- 
lees,  if  we  be  sory  and  repentant  of  the 
sinnes  and  giltes  whicho  we  han  tres- 
passed in  the  sighte  of  our  lord  god,  /  he  3075 
is  so  free  and  so  naerciablo,  /  that  ho 
wole  foryevcn  us  our  giltes,  /  andbringen 
us  to  his  blisse  that  never  hath  ende. 
Amen.'  /  3078 


Here  is  ended  Chaucers  Tale  of  Melibee  and  of  Dame  Prudence. 


THE    MONK'S    PROLOGUE. 


[t.  13895-13956-]    ■ 

The  mery  wordes  of  the  Host  to  the  Monk. 


Whan  ended  was  my  tale  of  Melibee, 
And  of  Prndence  and  hir  benignitee,  3080 
Our  hosto  seyde,  '  as  I  am  faithful  man, 
And  by  the  precious  corpus  ITadrian, 
I  hadde  lever  than  a  barel  ale 
That  goode  lief  my  wyf  hadde  herd  this 

tale! 
For  she  nis  no-thing  of  swich  pacience 
As  was  this  Melibeus  wyf  Prndence.   3086 
By  goddes  bones  !  whan  I  bete  my  knaves, 
She  brmgth  me  forth  the  grete  clobbed 

staves,  (10) 

And  cryeth,  "sloe  the  dogges  everichoon, 
And  brek  liem,bothe  bak  and  every  boon.' 
And  if  that  any  neighebor  of  mjTie       3091 
Wol  nat  in  chirche  to  my  wyf  enclyne. 
Or  be  so  hardy  to  hir  to  trespaco, 
\^'llan  she  comth  hoom,  she  rampeth  in 

my  face,  3<>94 

And  cryeth,  "false  coward,  wreck  tliy  wyf ! 
By  corpus  bones  !   I  wol  have  tliy  knyf. 
And  thou  shalt  have  my  distaf  and  go 

spinne ! " 
Fro  day  to  night  right  thus  she  wol  bi- 

ginne  ; —  (20) 

"Alias!"  she  seith,  "  that  ever  I  was  shape 
To  weddo  a  milltsop  or  a  coward  ape,  3100 
That  wol  be  overbid  with  every  wight ! 
Thou  darst  nat  stonden   by   thy  wyves 

right  I  " 
This  is  my  lyf,  but-if  that  I  wol  fighte  ; 
And  oixt  at  dore  anon  I  moot  me  dighto. 
Or  elles  I  am  biit  lost,  but-if  tliat  I      3105 
Be  lyk  a  wilde  leoun  fool-liardy. 
I  woot  wol  she  wol  do  me  sleo  som  day 
Sum  neighebor,  and  thanne  go  nij'  wey.  (30) 


For  I  am  perilous  with  knyf  in  honde, 
Al  be  it  that  I  dar  nat  hir  withstonde,  31 10 
For  she  is  big  in  amies,  by  my  feith. 
That  shal  he  finde,  tliat  hir  misdooth  or 

seith. 
But  lat  ns  passe  awey  fro  this  matere. 
My  lord  the  Monk,'  quod  he,  '  be  mery 

of  chere ; 
For  ye  shul  telle  a  tale  trewelj'.  31 15 

Lo  !  Rouchestre  stant  beer  faste  by  ! 
|Eyd  forth,  myn  owene  lord,  brek  nat  our 

game,  (39) 

But,  by  my  trouthe,Iknowe  natyourname, 
Wher  shal  I  calle  yow  my  lord  dan  John, 
Or  dan  Thomas,  or  ellos  dan  Albon?     3120 
Of  wliat  hous  be  ye,  by  your  fader  kin  ? 
I  vow  to  god,  thou  hast  a  ful  fair  skin. 
It  is  a  gentil  pasture  ther  thou  goost ; 
Thoii  art  nat  lyk  a  penaunt  or  a  goost. 
Upon  my  feith,  thou  art  som  officer,    3125 
Sonio  worthy  soxteyn,  or  som  celerer. 
For  by  my  fader  soule,  as  to  my  doom, 
Thou  art  a  maister  whan  thou  art  at  hoom; 
No  povro  cloisterer,  no  no  novys,  (51) 

But  a  govornour,  ■wyly  and  wys.     A'  3130 
And  therwithal  of  brawnes  and  of  ftones 
A  wel-faring  jiersone  for  the  nones. 
I  pray  to  god,  yeve  him  confusioun 
That  first  thee  broghte  un-to  religioun  ; 
Thou  woldcst  ban  been  a  trede-foul  aright. 
Haddestow  as  greet  a  leve,  as  thou  hast 

might  3136 

To  parfourno  al  thy  lust  in  engendrure, 
Thou  haddost  bigeten  many  a  creature. 
Alas  !  why  werestow  so  wyd  a  cope  ?       (61) 
Godyevemesorwe  !  but^and  I  were  a  pope, 


T  13957-14018.]  B.    ZH  QUonfte©  Zak. 


531 


Notonly  thou,  but  every  miglityman,  3141 
Thogh  he  were  shorn  i'ul  li.ye  upon  his  pan, 
Sholde  have  a  wyf ;  for  al  the  world  is  lorn  ! 
Eeligioun  hatli  take  up  al  the  corn  3144 
Of  treding,and  we  borel  men  ben  shrimpes ! 
Of  feble  trees  ther  comen  wrecched  impes. 
This    maketh    that   our  heires   been   so 

selendre  (69) 

Andfeble,  that  they  may  natwelengendre. 
This  malcetli  that  our  wyves  wol  assaye 
Eeligious  folk,  for  ye  may  bettre  paye  3150 
Of  Venus  payemcnts  than  mowe  we  ; 
God  woot,  no  lusslieburghes  payen  ye  ! 
But  be  nat  wrooth,  my  lord,  for  that  I 

pleye ;  ^ 

Ful  ofte  in  game  a  sooth  I  have  herd  seye.' 
This  worthy  monk  took  al  in  pacience. 
And  seyde,  '  I  wol  doon  al  my  diligence. 
As  fer  as  souneth  in-to  honestee,  3157 

To  telle  yow  a  tale,  or  two,  or  three.     (80) 
And  if  yow  list  to  herkne  hiderward, 
I  wol  yow  seyn  the  lyf  of  seint  Edward  ; 


Or  elles  first  Tragedies  wol  I  telle  3161 
Of  whiche  I  have  an  hundred  in  my  celle. 
Tragedie  is  to  seyn  a  certeyn  storie, 
As  olde  bokes  maken  us  memorie, 
Of  him  that  stood  in  greet  prosperitee  3165  j 
And  is  y-fallen  out  of  heigh  degree 
Into  miserie,  and  endeth  wrecchedly. 
And  they  ben  versifyed  comunly  (90) 

Of  six  feet,  which  men  clej^e  exametron. 
In  prose  eek  been  endyted  many  oon,  3170 
And  eek  in  metre,  in  many  a  sondry  wyse. 
Lo !  this  declaring  oughte  y-nough  suffise. 
Now  herkneth,  if  .yow  Ij-keth  for  to  here  ; 
But  first  I  yow  biseke  in  this  matere,  3 1 74 
Though  I  by  ordre  telle  nat  thise  thinges, 
Bo  it  of  popes,  emperours,  or  kinges, 
Alter  hir  ages,  as  men  writen  finde,  (99) 
But  telle  hem  som  bifore  and  som  bihinde, 
As  it  now  comth  un-to  my  remembraunce ; 
Haveme  excused  of  mynignoraunce.'  3180 

Explicit. 


1- 


THE   MONKES   TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Menkes  Tale,  de  Casibus  Virorum  Illustrium. 


I  WOL  biwayle  in  maner  of  Tragedie 
The  harm  of  hem  that  stode  in  heigh  de- 
gree, 
And  fiUen  so  that  ther  nas  no  remedie 
To  bringo  hem  out  of  hir  adversitee  ;    3 1 84 
For  certein,  whan  that  fortune  hst  to  flee, 
Ther  may  no  man  the  cours  of  hir  with- 

holde ; 
Lat  no  man  truste  on  blind  prosperitee  ; 
Be  war  by  thise  ensamples  trewe  and  olde. 

LCCIFER. 

At  Lucifer,  though  he  an  angel  were, 
And  nat  a  man,  at  liim  I  wol  biginne ;  3190 
For,  thogh  fortune  may  non  angel  dere,  (.11) 


From  heigh  degree  yet  fel  he  for  his  sinne 
Doun  in-to  helle,  wher  he  yet  is  inne. 
O  Lucifer  !  brightest  of  angels  alle, 
Now    artow    Sathanas,    that    maist    nat 
twinne  3195 

Out  of  miserie,  in  which  that  thou  art  falle, 

Adam. 

Lo  Adam,  in  the  feld  of  Damasseno, 
With  goddes  oweno  finger  wroght  was  he, 
And  nat  bigeten  of  mannes  sperme  un- 

clene. 
And  welte  al  Paradys,  saving  o  tree.     3200 
Had  never  worldly  man  so  heigh  degree 
As  Adam,  til  he  for  uusgovernaunco     {22) 


E.    ZU  (DXottftee  Zak. 


[t.   I4019-I4C94. 


Was  drive  ont  of  his  hye  prosperitec 

T<j  labour,  and  to  helle,  and  to  meschaunce. 

Sampson. 

Lo  Sampson,  wliicli  that  was  annunciat 
Bj'  th'angel,  longe  er  his  nativitcc,      3206 
And  was  to  god  almighty  consecrat. 
And  stood  in  noblesse,  whyl  he  mighte  see. 
Was  never  swich  another  as  was  he, 
To  spoke  of  strengthe,  and  therwith  hardi- 

nesse ;  3210 

Ent  to  his  wyves  tolde  he  his  secree,  (31) 
Through   which    he    slow    him-self,   for 

wrecchednesse. 

Sampson,  this  noble  almighty  champioun, 
Withouten  wepen  save  his  hondes  tweye, 
He  slow  and  al  to-rente  the  leoun,  3215 
Toward  his  wedding  walking  by  the  weye. 
His  false  'wyf  coude   him  so  plese   and 

preye 
Til  she  his  conscil  knew,  and  she  nntrewe 
Un-tohisfooshisconseilganbiwreye,   3219 
And  him  forsook,  and  took  another  newe. 

Three  hundred  foxes  took  Sampson  for  ire, 
And  alle  hii*  tayles  he  togider  bond,     (42) 
And  sette  the  foxes  tayles  alle  on  fire, 
For  he  on  everj-  tayl  had  knit  a  brond  ; 
And  they  brende  alle  the  cornes  in  that 
lond,  3225 

And  alle  hir  oliveres  and  vynes  eek. 
A  thousand  men  he  slow  eek  with  his  hond. 
And  hatl  no  wepen  but  an  asses  cheek. 

Whan  they  were  slayn,  so  thurstcd  him 
tliat  he  3-229 

Was  wel  ny  lorn,  for  which  he  gan  to  preye 
That  god  wolde  on  his  pej-ne  han  som 
pitee,  (51) 

Antl  sende  him  drinke,  or  elles  moste  he 

deye ; 
And  of  this  asses  chekc,  that  was  dreye. 
Out  of  a  wang-tooth  sprang  anon  a  welle, 
Of  which  he  drank  y-nogh,  shortly  to  scye, 
Thus  heelp  him  god,  as  Judicum  can  telle. 

By  vcrray  force,  at  Gazan,  on  a  night,  3237 
Maugree  Philistiens  of  that  citee, 
The  gates  of  the  toun  he  hath  up-plight, 
And  on  his  bak  y-caried  hem  hath  he  3240 


Hye  on  an  hille,  that  men  mighte  hem 
see.  (61) 

O  noble  almighty  Sami:)Son,  leef  and  dere. 
Had  thou  nat  told  to  wommcn  thy  secree, 
In  al  tliis  worlde  ne  hadde  been  thy  pere  ! 

This  Sampson  never  sicer  drank  ne  wyn, 
Xe  on  his  heed  cam  rasour  noon  ne  sherc, 
Bj-  precept  of  the  messager  divyn,  3247 
For  alle  his  strengthes  in  his  heres  were  ; 
And  fully  twenty  winter,  yeer  by  yere, 
He  hadde  of  Isniel  the  govemaunce.  3250 
But  sone  shal  he  wepen  many  a  tere,  (71) 
For  wommen  shal  him  bringen  to  mes- 
chaunce ! 

Un-to  his  lemman  Dalida  ho  toldo 
Tliat  in  his  heres  al  his  strengthe  lay, 
And  falsly  to  his  fo-men  she  him  solde. 
Andslepinginhirbarmeup-onaday    3256 
She  made  to  clippe  or  shere  his  heer  awey, 
And  made  his  fo-men  al  his  craft  cspyen  ; 
And  whan  that  they  him  fonde  in  this 

arr.iy. 
They  bounde  hina  faste,  and  putten  out  his 

yen.  3260 

But  er  his  heer  were  clipped  or  y-shave,  (81) 
Ther  was  no  bond  with  which  men  miglit 

him  binde  ; 
But  now  is  he  in  prisoun  in  a  cave, 
Wher-as  they  made  him  at  the  qnerne 
grindo.  3264 

O  noble  Sampson,  strongest  of  mankinde, 
O  whylom  juge  in  glorie  and  in  richesse, 
Xow  maystow  wepen  with  thyn  j-eu  blinde, 
Sith  thou  fro  wele  art  falle  in  wrecched- 
nesse. 

Th'ende  of  this  caytif  was  as  I  shal  seye  ; 
His  fo-men  made  a  festc  upon  a  day,  3270 
And  made  him  as  hir  fool  bif ore  hem  pleye, 
And  this  was  in  a  temple  of  greet  array.  (92) 
But  atte  last  he  made  a  foul  affray  ; 
For  he  two  pilers  shook,  and  made  hem 
falle,  3274. 

And dovm fil temple  and  al,  and  therit  lay, 
And  slow  him-self,and  eek  his  fo-men  alle. 

This  is  to  seyn,  the  princes  everichoon, 
And  eek  three  thousand  bodies  wer  ther 
slayn  (98) 


I4C9; 


[4174- 


B.    ZU  (monRee  Zak, 


633 


With  falling  of  the  grete  temple  of  stoon. 
Of  Sampson  now  wol  I  na-more  seyn.  32^0 
Beth  war  by  this  cnsanajjle  old  and  playn 
Tliat  no  men  telle  liir  conseil  til  hir  wyves 
Of  swicli  thing  as  they  wolde  han  secree 

fayn, 
If  that  it  touche  hir  limmes  or  hir  lyves. 

Hercules. 

Of  Hercules  the  soverej-n  conquerour  32S5 
Singen  his  worJces  laude  and  heigh  renoun  ; 
For  in  his  tyme  of  strengthe  he  was  the 

flour. 
He  slow,  and  rafte  the  skin  of  the  leoun  ; 
He  of  Centauros  leyde  the  boost  adoun  ; 
He  Ai-pies  slow,  the  cruel  briddes  felle ;  3290 
He  golden  apples  rafte  of  the  dragoun  ;  ( 1 1 1 ) 
Ho  drow  out  Cerberus,  the  hound  of  helle  : 

He  slow  the  cruel  tyrant  Businis, 

And  made  his  hors  to  frete  hina,  flesh  and 

boon  ; 
He  slow  the  firy  serpent  venimous  ;     3295 
Of  Achelois  two  homes,  he  brak  oon  ; 
And  he  slow  Cacus  in  a  cave  of  stoon  ; 
He  slow  the  geaunt  Antheus  the  stronge  ; 
He  slow  the  grisly  boor,  and  that  anoon. 
And  bar  the  heveu  on  his  nekke  longe.  33CX} 

'Was  never  wight,  sith  that  the  world 
bigan,  (121) 

That  slow  so  many  monstres  as  dide  he. 

Thurgh-out  tliis  wyde  woi'ld  his  name  ran. 

What  for  his  sti-engthe,  and  for  his  heigh 
bountee,  3304 

And  every  reauuie  wente  he  for  to  see. 

He  was  so  strong  that  no  man  mighte  him 
lette  ; 

.\t  bothe  tlie  worldes  endes,seith  Trophce, 

In  stede  of  boundes,  he  a  piler  sette. 

A  lemman  hadde  this  noble  champioun. 
That  highte  Dianira,  fresh  as  Maj' ;  3310 
And,asthiseclerkesmakenmencioun,  (131) 
She  hatli  him  sent  a  sherte  fresh  and  gay. 
Alias  !  this  sherte,  alias  and  wejdaway  ! 
Envenimcd  was  so  subtilly  with-alle,  3314 
That,  or  that  he  had  wered  it  half  a  day, 
It  made  his  flesh  al  from  his  bones  falle. 

But  nathelees  somme  clerkes  hir  cxcuscn 
By  oon  that  highte  Nessus,  that  it  makod  ; 


Be  as  be  may,  I  wol  hir  noght  accvTsen  ; 
But  on  his  bak  this  sherte  he  wered  al 
naked,  3320 

Til  that  h  is  flesh  was  for  the  venim  blaked. 
And  whan  he  sey  noon  other  remedye,   (142) 
In  bote  coles  he  hath  him-selven  raked, 
For  with  no  venim  dejiied  him  to  dye. 

Thus  starf  this  worthy  mighty  Hercules  ; 
Lo,    who    may   truste    on    fortune    any 

throwe  ?  3326 

For  him  that  folweth  al  this  world  of  prees, 
Er  he  be  war,  is  ofte  y-lcyd  ful  lowe. 
Ftil  wys  is  he  that  can  him-selven  knowe. 
Beth  war,  for  whan  that  fortune  list  to 

glose,  3330 

Than  wayteth  she  hir  man  to  overthrowe 
By  swich  a  wey  as  he  wolde  least  suii- 

pose.  (152) 

NaBUGODONOSOR  (NEBUCHAnNEZZAR). 

The  mighty  trone,  the  precious  tresor. 
The  glorious  ceptre  and  royal  magestee 
That  hadde  the  king  Nabugodonosor,  3335 
With  tonge  unnethe  may  discryved  be. 
He  twyes  wan  Jerusalem  the  citee  ; 
The  vessel  of  the  tem  pie  he  with  him  ladde. 
At  Babiloyne  was  his  sovereyn  see,      33^9 
In  which  his  glorie  and  his  delyt  he  hadde. 

The  fairest  children  of  the  blood  royal  (161) 
Of  Israel  he  leet  do  gelde  anoon. 
And  maked  ech  of  hem  to  been  his  thral. 
Amonges  othere  Daniel  was  oon,  3344 

That  was  the  wysest  child  of  overichoon  ; 
For  he  the  dremes  of  the  king  expouned, 
WHicr-as  in  Chaldey  clerk  ne  was  t  her  noon 
That  wiste  to  what  fyn  his  dremes  souned. 

Tliis  proude  Iving  leet  make  a  statue  of 
g'>l'lo,  3349 

Si.xty  ci^bytcs  long,  and  seven  in  brede, 
To  which  image  bothe  yongo  and  oldo  {171) 
Comaunded  he  to  loute,  and  have  in  drcde ; 
Or  in  a  fourneys  ful  of  flambos  redo 
He  shal  be  brent,  that  wolde  noght  obeye. 
But  never  wolde  assonto  to  that  dede  3355 
Daniel,  ne  his  yonge  felawes  tweyo, 

Tliis  king  of  kinges  proud  was  and  claat. 
He  wende  that  god,  that  sit  in  magestee, 


534 


B.    ZU  QUonfice  Zak.  [t.  14175-14249. 


Ne  mighte  him  nat  bireve  of  his  estaat : 
But  sodeynly  he  loste  his  dignitee,      3360 
And  lyk  a  beste  him  semed  for  to  be,     (181) 
And  eet  hay  as  an  oxe,  and  lay  ther-oute  ; 
In  reyn  with  ■\vilde  bestes  walked  he, 
Til  certain  tyme  was  y-come  aboute. 

And  lyk  an  egles  fetheres  wexe  his  heres, 
His  nayles  Ij-k  a  briddes  clawes  were  ;  3366 
Til  god  relessed  him  a  certein  yeres. 
And  yaf  him  -wit ;  and  than  with  many  a 

tere 
He  thanked  god,  and  ever  his  lyf  in  fere 
Was  he  to  doon  amis,  or  more  trespace,  3370 
And,  til  that  tjine  he  leyd  was  on  his 

here. 
He  knew  that  god  was  ful  of  might  and 

grace,  (192) 

Balthasak  (Belshazzar). 

His  sone,  which  that  highte  Balthasar, 
That  heeld  the  regiie  after  his  fader  day. 
He  by  his  fader  coude  nought  be  war,   3375 
For  proud  he  was  of  herte  and  of  array  ; 
And  eek  an  ydolastre  was  he  ay. 
His  hye  estaat  assured  him  in  prj-de. 
But  fortune  caste  him  doun,  and  ther  he 

lay, 
And  sodeynly  his  regne  gan  di^-yde.    3380 

A  feste  he  made  tm-to  his  lordes  alle   (201) 
Up-on  a  tyme,  and  bad  hem  blythe  be. 
And  than  his  officeres  gan  he  calle — 
'  Goth,  bringeth  forth  the  vessels, '  [tho] 
quod  he,  3384 

'  Which  that  my  fader,  in  his  prosperitee. 
Out  of  the  temple  of  Jerusalem  birafte. 
And  to  our  hye  goddes  thanke  we 
Of  honour,  that  our  eldres  with  xis  lafte.' 

His  wyf,  his  lordes,  and  his  concubynes 
Ay  dronken,  whyl  hir  appetytes  laste,  3390 
Out  of  thise  noble  vessels  sundry  wj-nes  ; 
And  on  a  wal  this  king  his  yen  caste,    (212) 
And  sey  an  hond  armlees,  that  wroot  ful 

faste. 
For  fere  of  which  he  quook  and  syked 

sore.  3394 

This  hond,  that  Balthasar  so  sore  agaste, 
Wroot  3Iane,  techel,  phares,  and  na-more. 


In  al  that  lond  magicien  was  noon 
That   coude    expoune    what    this   lettre 

mente  ; 
But  Daniel  expouned  it  anoon,  3399 

And  seyde,  '  king,  god  to  thy  fader  lente 
Glorie  and  honour,  regne,  tresour,  rente 
And  he  was  proud,  and  no-thing  god  ne 

dradde,  (222) 

And  therfor  god  gret  wreche  up-on  him 

sente. 
And  hirn  birafte  the  regne  that  he  hadde. 

He  was  out  cast  of  mannes  companye, 
AVith  asses  was  his  habitacioun,  3406 

And  eet  hey  as  a  beste  in  weet  and  drye, 
Til  that  he  knew,  by  grace  and  by  resoun, 
That  god  of  heven  hath  dominacioun 
Over  everj' regne  and  every  creature  ;  3410 
And  thanne  had  god  of  him  compassioun, 
And  him  restored  his  regne  and  his 
figure.  (232) 

Eek  thou,  that  art  his  sone,  art  proud  also. 
And  knowest  alle  thise  thinges  verraily. 
And  art  rebel  to  god,  and  art  his  fo.    3415 
Thou  drank  eek  of  his  vessels  boldely  ; 
Thy  wyf  eek  and  thy  wenches  sinfully 
Dronke  of  the  same  vessels  sondry  wynes. 
And  heriest  ftUse  goddes  cursedly  ;      3419 
Therfor  to  thee  y-shapen  ful  gret  pyne  is. 

This  hand  was  sent  from  god,  that  on  the 

walle  (241) 

Wroot  mane,  techel,  phares,  truste  me  ; 
Thy  regne  is  doon,  thou  weyest  noght  at 

alle; 
Divyded  is  thy  regne,  and  it  shal  be  3424 
To  Medes  and  to  Perses  yeven,'  quod  he. 
And  thilke  same  night  this  king  was 

slawe, 
And  Darius  occupyeth  his  degree, 
Thogh   he   therto  had  neither  right  ne 

lawe. 

Lordinges,  ensample  heer-by  may  ye  take 
How    that     in    lordshipe    is    no    siker- 

nesse ;  343o 

For  whan  fortune  wol  a  man  forsake,  (251) 
Shebereth  awey  his  regne  and  his  richesse, 
And  eek  his  ireendes,  bothe  more  and 

lesse  i 


T.  14250-1^32^.] 


B.    ZU  QUonftee  Zak, 


535 


For  what  man  that  hath  freendes  thurgh 
fortune,  3434 

Mishap  wol  make  hem  enemys,  I  gesse  : 
This  proverbe  is  ful  sooth  and  ful  com- 
mune. 

Cekobia  (Zenobia). 

Cenobia,  of  Palimerie  quene, 
As  writen  Persiens  of  hir  noblesse, 
So  worthy  was  in  armes  and  so  kene,  3439 
That  no  wight  passed  hir  in  hardinesse, 
Ne  in  linage,  ne  in  other  gentillesse.  (261) 
Of  kinges  blode  of  Perse  is  she  descended ; 
I  seye  nat  that  she  hadde  most  fairnesse. 
But  of  hir  shape  she   mighte  nat  been 
amended.  3444 

From  hir  childhede  I  finde  that  she  fledde 
Office  of  wommen,and  to  wode  she  wente ; 
And  many  a  wilde  hertes  blood  she  shedde 
With  arwcs  brode  that  she  to  hem  sente. 
She  was  so  swift  that  she  anon  hem  hente, 
And  whan  that  she  was  elder,  she  wolde 
kille  3450 

Leouns, lepardes, andberesalto-rente,  (271) 
And  in  hir  armes  welde  hem  at  hir  wille. 

She  dorste  wilde  beestes  dennes  seke. 
And  rennen   in  t}ie   montaignes   al  the 

night. 
And  slepen  under  ji  bush,  and  she  coude 

elie  3455 

Wrastlen  by  verray  force  and  verray  miglit 
With  any  yong  man,  were  he  nfev«r  so 

wight ; 
Ther  mighte  no-thing  in  hir  armes  stonde. 
She   kepte    hir    maydenhod   from  every 

wight. 
To  no  man  deigned  hirfor  to  be  bonde.  3460 

But  atte  laste  hir  frendes  han  hir  maried 
To  Odenake,  a  prince  of  that  con  tree,  (282) 
Al  were  it  so  that  she  hem  longe  taried  ; 
And  ye  shul  understonde  how  that  he 
Hadde  swiche  fant.asyes  as  hadde  she.  3465 
But  nathelees,  whan  they  were  knit  in- 

fere. 
They  lived  in  joye  and  in  felicitee  ; 
For  ech  of  hem  hadde  other  leef  and  dere. 

Save  o  tiling,  that  she  never  woldo  assentc 
By  no  wey,  that  he  sholde  by  hir  lye    3470 


But  ones,  for  it  was  hir  plejii  entente  (291) 
To  have  a  child,  the  world  to  multiplye ; 
And  al-so  sone  as  that  she  mighte  espye 
That  she  was  nat  with  childe  with  that 

dede, 
Than  wolde  she  suffre  him  doon  his  fan- 

tasye  3475 

Eft-sone,  and  nat  but  ones,  oiit  of  drcde. 

And  if  she  were  with  cliildo  at  thilke  oast, 
Na-more  sholde  he  pleyen  thilke  game 
Til  fully  fourty  dayes  weren  imst ; 
Than  wolde  she  ones  suffre  him  do  the 

same.  3480 

Al  were  this  Odenake  wilde  or  tame,  (301) 
He  gat  na-more  of  hir,  for  thus  she  seyde, 
'  It  was  to  wyves  lecherye  and  shame 
In   other   cas,    if  that    men    with    hem 

pleyde.'  34S4 

Two  sones  by  this  Odenake  hadde  she, 
The  whiclie  she  kepte  in  vertu  and  let- 

trure ; 
But  now  un-to  our  tale  turne  we. 
I  seye,  so  worshipful  a  creature. 
And  wys  therwith,  and  large  with  mesure, 
So   penible    in   the   werre,   and    curteis 

eke,  ^  3490 

Ne  more  labour  mighte  in  werre  endure. 
Was  noon,  thogh  al  this  world  men  sholde 

seke.  (3,..) 

Hir  riche  array  ne  mighte  nat  be  told 
As  wel  in  vessel  as  in  hir  clothing  ; 
She  was  al  clad  in  perree  and  in  gold,  3495 
And  eek  she  laf  te  noght,  for  noon  hunting. 
To  have  of  sondry  tonges  ful  knowing. 
Whan  that  she  leyser  hadde,  and  for  to 

entende 
To  lernen  bokes  was  al  hir  Ij-king,      3499 
How  she  in  vertu  mighte  hir  lyf  dispende. 

And,  shortly  of  this  storie  for  to  trete,  (321) 
So  doughty  was  hir  housbonde  and  eek 

she, 
That  tliey  conquered  many  rcgncs  grete 
In  th'orient,  with  many  a  fair  citee, 
Apertenaunt  im-to  the  magestce  3505 

Of  Eome,  and  with  strong  hond  helde 

hem  ful  faste ; 
Ne  never  mighte  hir  fo-men  doon  hem  flee, 
Ay  whyl  that  Odeuakes  dayes  laste. 


36 


B.    ZU  Qllonftee  ZaU. 


[t.  14325-14702. 


Hir  Latailes,  who-so  list  hem  for  to  rede, 

Agayn  Sapor  the  king  and  othere  mo,  3510 
And  liow  that  al  this  proces  fil  in dede, (v^ ' ) 
"\Mij'  she  conquered  and  what  title  had 

therto. 
And  after  of  hir  mesehief  and  hir  wo. 
How  that  she  was  liiseged  and  y-take. 
Let  him  un-to  my  maister  Petrark  go,  .^515 
That  writ  y-nough  of  this,  I  undertake. 

When  Odenake  was  deed,  she  mightily 
The  regnes  heeld,  and  with  hir  propre 

honde 
Agayn  hir  foos  she  faught  so  cruelly. 
That  ther  uas  king  ne  prince  in  al  that 

londe  (341J)  3520 

That  he  nas  glad,  if  that  he  grace  fonde, 
That  she  ne  wolde  iip-on  his  loud  werreye  ; 
With  hir  they  made  alliaunce  by  bonde 
"To  been  in  pees,  and  lete  liLr  rj-de  and 

pleye. 

The  emperour  of  Rome,  Claudius,         3525 
Ne  him  bifore,  the  Eomajai  Galien, 
Ne  dorste  never  been  so  corageous, 
Ne  n<xjn  ErmjTi,  ne  noon  Egipeien, 
Ne  Surrien,  ne  noon  Arabicn, 
Within  the  feld  that  dorste  with  hir  fighte 
Lest  that  she  wolde  hem  with  hir  hondes 
slen  (351)  3531 

Or  with  hir  meyneo  putten  hem  to  flighte. 

In  kinges  habit  wonte  hir  sones  two, 
As  heires  of  hir  fadres  regnes  alle, 
And  Hcrrhanno,  and  Thymalao  3535 

Her  names  were,  as  Persiens  hem  calle. 
But  ay  fortune  hath  in  hir  hony  galle  ; 
This  mighty  queue  may  no  whyl  endure. 
Fortune  out  of  hir  regne  made  hir  falle 
To  wrecchednesse  and  to  misaventure.  3540 

Aurelian,  whan  that  the  govemaunce  (361) 
Of  Rome  cam  in-to  his  hondes  tweye, 
He  shoop  up-on  this   queen  to  do  ven- 

geaunce, 
Aiid  with  his  legiouns  he  took  his  weye 
Toward  Cenobie,  and,  shortly  for  to  seyc, 
He   made  hir  flee,   and    atte    laste    hir 

hento,  3546 

And  fettred   hir,  and   eek   hir  children 

tweye. 
And  wan  the  lond,  and  hoom  to  Rome  he 

wente. 


Amonges  othere  thinges  that  he  wan, 
Hir  char,  that  was  with  gold  wrought  and 

perree,  (370)  3550 

Tliis  grete  Romayn,  this  Aurelian, 
Hath  with  him  lad,  for  that  men  sholde 

it  see. 
Biforen  his  triumphe  waUieth  she 
With  gilte  cheynes  on  hir  nekke  hanging ; 
Corounedwas  she,  as  after  hir  degree,  3555 
And  ful  of  perree  charged  hir  clothing. 

Alias,  fortune  !  she  that  whylom  was 
Drcdful  to  kinges  and  to  emperoures. 
Now  gaureth  al  the  peple  on  hir,  alias  ! 
And   she    that   helmed    was    in    starke 

stoures,  (380)  3560 

And  wan   by  force   tonnes   stronge  and 

toures, 
Shal  on  hir  heed  now  were  a  vitremyte  ; 
And   she    that    bar    the    ceptre    ful    of 

floures 
Shal  here  a  distaf,  hir  cost  for  to  quyte. 
[T.  14380 
CS F.Ro  folloiis  in  T.  ;  see  p.  $^7.) 

De  Petro  Eege  Ispasxie. 
O    noble,     o    worthy     Petro,     glorie     of 

Sjjayne,  [T.  14685 

AVhom  fortune  heeld  so  hy  in  magestee, 
Wei  oughten  men  thy  pitous  deeth  com- 

playne  !  3567 

Out  of  thy  lond  thy  brother  made  thee  flee ; 
And  after,  at  a  scge,  by  subtiltee. 
Thou  were  bitrayed,  and   lad   un-to   his 

tentc,  (390)  3570 

^\^ler-as  he  with  his  owene  hond  slow  thee, 
Succeding  in  thy  regne  and  in  thy  rente. 

The  fceld  of  snow,  with  th'egle  of  blak 
ther-inne,  [T.  14693. 

Caught  with  the  Ij-mrod,  coloured  as  the 
glede,  3574 

He  brew  this  curscdnes  and  al  this  sinne. 
The  'wikked  nest' was  werker  of  this  nede; 
Noght  Charles  Oliver,  that  ay  took  hede 
Of  trouthe  and  honour,  but  of  Armorike 
Genilon  Oliver,  corrupt  for  mede,        3579 
Broghte  this  worthy  king  in  swich  a  brike. 

De  Petko  Reoe  de  Cipro. 
0  worthy  Petro,  king  of  Cj-pre,  also,  (401) 
That  Alisaundre  wan  bj-  heigh  maistrye, 


T.  14703-14382.] 


B.    ZU  QUonftee  Zak. 


537 


Ful  many  a  hethen  ■WTOghtestow  fill  wo, 
Of  which  thyn  owene  liges  hadde  envye, 
And,  for  no  thing  but  for  thy  chivaliye, 
They  in  thy  bedde  han  slayn  thee  by  the 

morwe.  3586 

Thus  can  fortune  hir  wheel  governe  and 

gj-e,  [T.  14707. 

And  out  of  joye  bringe  men  to  sorwe. 

De  Barnabo  de  Lumbardia. 

Of  Melan  grete  Barnabo  Viscounte,    3589 
God  of  delyt,  and  scourge  of  Lumbardye, 
Whj'  sholde  I  nat  thyn  infortime  acounte, 
Sith  in  estaat  thou  clombe  were  so  hye  ? 
Thy  brother  sone,  that  was  thy  double 

aUye,  (413) 

For  he  thy  nevew  was,  and  sone-in-lawe, 
With-inne  his  prisoun  made  thee  to  dye  ; 
But  why,  ne  how,  noot  I  that  thou  were 

slawe.  3596 

4 

Dk  Hcgelino,  Oomite  de  Pize. 

Of  the  erl  Hugelyn  of  Pyse  the  langour 
Ther  may  no  tonge  telle  for  pitee  ; 
But  litel  out  of  Pyse  stant  a  tovir, 
In  whiche  tour  in  prisoun  put  was  he,  3600 
And  with   him   been   his   litel   children 

three.  (421) 

The  eldeste  scarsly  fyf  yeer  was  of  age. 
Alias,  fortune  !  it  was  greet  crueltee 
Swiohe  briddes  for  to  putte  in  swiche  a 

cage !  3604 

Dampned  was  he  to  deye  in  that  prisoun. 
For  Roger,  which  that  bisshop  was  of  Pyse, 
Hadde  on  him  maad  a  fals  suggestioun,. 
Thurgh  which  the  peple  gan  upon  him 

ryse,  (428) 

And  putten  him  to  prisoun  in  swich  wyse 
As  ye  han  herd,  and  mete  and  drink  he 

hadde  3610 

So  smal,  that  wel  unnethe  it  may  suffyse. 
And   therwith-al   it   was   ful  povre  and 

badde. 

And  on  a  day  bifil  that,  in  that  hour, 
Whan  that  his  mete  wont  was  to  be  broght. 
The  gayler  shette  the  dores  of  the  tour. 
He  herdo  it  wcl, — but  he  spak  right  noght, 
And  in  his  herte  anon  ther  fil  a  thoght, 
That  they  for  hunger  wolde  doon  him  dyen. 


'  Alias  ! '    quod   he,    '  alias  !    that   I   was 
wroght !'  (439)  3619 

Therwith  the  teres  fillen  from  his  yen. 

His  yonge  sone,  that  three  yeer  was  of  age, 
Un-to  him  seyde,  '  fader,  why  do  ye  wepe  ? 
Whan  wol  the  gayler  bringen  ovir  potage. 
Is  ther  no  morsel  breed  that  ye  do  kepe  ? 
I  am  so  hungry  that  I  may  nat  slepe.  3625 
Now  wolde  god  that  I  mighte  slepen  ever  ! 
Tlian  sholde  nat  hunger  in  my  wombe 

crepe  ; 
Tlier  is  no  thing,   save  breed,  that  me 

were  lever.' 

Thus  day  by  day  this  child  bigan  to  crye, 
Til  in  his  fadres  barme  adoun  it  lay,  3630 
And  seyde,  '  far-wel,  fader,  I  moot  dye,' 
And  kiste  his  fader,  and  deyde  the  same 
day.  (452) 

And  whan  the  woful  fader  deed  it  sey, 
For  wo  his  armes  two  he  gan  to  byte. 
And  seyde,  'alias,  fortune !  and  wejdaway ! 
Thy  false  wheel  my  wo  al  may  I  wj-te  ! ' 

His  children  wende  that  it  for  hunger  was 
That  he  his  armes  gnow,  and  nat  for  wo. 
And  seyde,  '  fader,  do  nat  so,  alias  ! 
But  rather  eet  the  flesh  upon  us  two  ;  3640 
Our  flesh  thou  yaf  us,  tak  our  flesh  us  fro 
And  eet  y-nough  : '  right  thus  they  to  him 

seyde,  (46-') 

And  after  that,  with-in  a  day  or  two. 
They  leyde  hem  in  his  lappe  adoun,  and 

deyde.  '3644 

Him-self,  despeired,  eek  for  hunger  starf ; 
Thus  ended  is  this  mighty  Erl  of  Pyse  ; 
From  heigh  estaat  fortune  awoy  him  carf. 
Of  this  Tragedie  it  oghte  y-nougli  suffyse. 
Wlio-so  wol  here  it  in  a  lenger  wyse,  (469) 
Redeth  the  grete  poete  of  Itaillo,  3650 
That  highte  Dant,  for  he  can  al  devyse 
Fro  point  to  point,  nat  o  word  wol  he  faille. 
[T.  14772. 

{For  T.  14773,  see  p.  542  ;  for  T.  14380, 
see  p.  536). 

Nero. 

[T.  1438.. 
Al-though  that  Nero  were  as  vicious 
As  any  feend  that  lyth  ful  lowe  adoun. 


PJ^^ 


538 


B.    ZU  dUonftee  Zak. 


[t.  143^3-14-1^2. 


Yet  he,  as  telleth  us  Swetonius,  3655 

This  •tt-yde  world  hadde  in  suhjeccioun, 
Both  Est  and  West,  f  South  and  Septem- 

trioun  ; 
Of  rubies,  saphires,  and  of  perles  whyte 
Were  alle  his  clothes  brouded  up  and  doun; 
For  he  in  genimes  greetly  gan  delyte.  3660 

More  delicat,  more  pompous  of  array,  (4S1) 
Jlore  proud  was  never  emperoiir  than  he  ; 
That  ilke  cloth,  that  he  had  wered  o  day. 
After  that  tj'me  he  nolde  it  never  see. 
Nettes  of  gold-thred  hadde  he  gret  plentee 
To  fisshe  in  Tybre,  whan  him  liste  pleye. 
His  lustes  were  al  lawe  in  his  decree. 
For  fortune  as  his  freerid  him  wolde  obeye. 

He  Eome  brende  for  his  delicacye  ; 
The  senatours  he  slow  up-on  a  day,     3670 
To  here  how  men  wolde  wepe  and  crye ; 
And  slow  his  brother,  and  by  his  sister 
lay.  (492) 

His  moder  made  he  in  pitous  array  ; 
For  he  hir  wombo  slitt«,  to  bilaolde 
^^Hior  he  conceyved  was  ;  so  weilawey  ! 
That  he  so  litel  of  his  moder  tolde  !     3676 

No  tere  out  of  his  yen  for  that  sighte 
Ne  cam,  but  seyde,  '  a  fair  womman  was 

she.' 
Gret  wonder  is,  how  that  he  coude  or 

mighte  (499) 

Be  domesman  of  hir  dede  beautee.      3680 
The  w.vn  to  bringen  him  comaunded  he, 
And  drank  anon  ;  non  other  wo  he  made. 
Whan  might  is  joyned  un-to  crueltee, 
Alias !  to  depe  wol  the  venim.  wade  !  3684 

In  youthe  a  maister  hadde  this  emperour, 
To  teche  him  lotterure  and  curteisye, 
For  of  moralitee  he  was  the  flour. 
As  in  his  tyme,  but-if  bokes  lye  ; 
And  whyl   this   maister    hadde  of  him 
maistrye,  3689 

He  maked  him  so  conning  and  so  souple 
That  longe  tyme  it  was  er  tirannye  (511) 
Or  any  vyce  dorste  on  him  uncouiile. 

This  Seneca,  of  which  that  I  devyse, 
By-causo  Nero  hadde  of  him  swich  drcdo, 
For  he  fro  vyccs  wolde  him  ay  chastyso 
Discreetly  as  by  worde  and  nat  bj'  dede  ; — 


'  Sir,'  wolde  he  seyn,  '  an  emperour  moot 
nede  3697 

Be  vertuous,  and  hate  tirannye' — 
For  which  he  in  a  bath  made  him  to  blede 
On  bothe  his  armes,  til  he  moste  dye. 

This  Nero  hadde  eek  of  acustumaunce 
In  youthe  agejai  his  maister  for  to  ryse. 
Which  afterward  him  thoughte  a  greet 
grevaunce ;  (523) 

Therfor  he  made  him  deyen  in  this  wyse. 
But  natheles  this  Seneca  the  wj-se      3705 
Chees  in  a  bath  to  deye  in  this  manere 
Rather  than  ban  another  tormentyse  ; 
And  thus  hath  Nero  slayn  his  maister  dere. 

Now  fil  it  so  that  fortune  list  no  lenger 
The  hye  pryde  of  Nero  to  cheryce  ;      3710 
For  though  that  he  were  strong,  yet  was 

she  strenger ;  (531) 

She  thoughte  thus,  '  by  god,  I  am  to  nyce 
To  sette  a  man  that  is  fulfild  of  \'yce 
In  heigh  degree,  and  emperoiir  him  calle. 
By  god,  out  of  his  sete  I  wol  him  tryce ; 
When  he  leest  weneth,   sonest   shal  he 

falle.'  3716 

The  peple  roos  up-on  him  on  a  night 
For  his  defaute,  and  whan  he  it  espyed. 
Out  of  his  dores  anon  he  hath  him  dight 
Alone,  and,  ther  he  wende  ban  ben  allyed, 
He  knokked  faste,  and  a3',  the  more  he 

cryed,  (541)  3721 

The  faster  shette  they  the  dores  alle  ; 
Tho  wiste  he  wel  he  hadde  liim-self  mis- 

g.ved. 
And  wente  his  wej^,  no  longer  dorste  he 

calle. 

The  peple  cr^-de  and  rombled  up  and  doun, 
That  with  his  eres  herde  he  how  they 

seyde,  3726 

'  Wljor  is  this  false  tyraimt,  this  Neroun  ?' 
For  fere  almost  out  of  his  wit  he  brcyde. 
And  to  his  goddes  pitously  he  preyde 
For  socour,  but  it  mighte  nat  bityde.  3730 
For  drede  of  this,  him  thoughte  that  he 

deyde,  (351) 

And  ran  in-to  a  gardin,  him  tohyde. 

And  in  this  gardin  fond  he  cherles  tweye 
That  seten  by  a  fjT  ful  greet  and  reed, 


T.   I4463-H542.] 


B.    ZU  QUottftee  Zak. 


539 


And  to  thise  cherles  two  he  gan  to  preye 
To  sleen  him,  and  to  girclen  of  his  heed, 
That  to  his  body,  wlian  that  he  were  deed, 
Were  no  despyt  y-doon,  for  his  defame. 
Him-self  he  slow,  he  coude  no  better  reed, 
Of  which  fortune  lough,  and  hadde  a 
game.  3740 

De  Oloff.kno  (Holofernes). 

"Was  never  capitayn  under  a  king       (561) 
That  regnes  mo  putte  in  subjeccioun, 
Xe  strenger  was  in  feeld  of  alle  thing, 
As  in  his  tyme,  ne  gretterof  renoiin,  3744 
Ne  more  pompous  in  heigh  presumpciovin 
Than  Oloferne,  which  fortune  ay  kiste 
80  lilcerously,  and  ladde  him  up  and  doun 
Til  that  his  heed  was  of,  er  that  he  wiste. 

Nat  only  that  this  world  hadde  him  in 

awe 
For  lesinge  of  richesse  or  libertco,       3750 
But  he  made  eveiy  man  reneye  his  lawe. 
'  Xabugodonosor  was  god,'  seyde  he,   (572) 
'  Xoon  other  god  sholde  adoured  be.' 
Ageyus  his  heste  no  wight  dar  trespace 
Save  in  Bethulia,  a  strong  citee,  3755 

AVlier  Eliachim  a  prest  was  of  that  place. 

But  tali  kepe  of  the  deeth  of  Olofern  ; 
Amidde  his  host  he  dronke  lay  a  night, 
With-inne  his  tente,  large  as  is  a  bern, 
And   yit,   for  al   his   ponipe  and  al   his 

might,  3760 

.Tudith,  a  womman,  as  he  lay  upright, 
Sleping,  his  lieed  of  smoot,  and  from  his 

tente  (582) 

Ful  prively  she  stal  from  every  wight, 
And  with  his  heed  unto  hir  toun  she 

wcnte. 

De  Reoe  Antiiiociio  illustui. 

What  nedeth  it  of  King  Anthiochus  3765 
To  telle  his  hj^c  royal  magestee, 
His  hye  prydo,  his  werkes  venimous? 
For  swich  another  was  ther  noon  as  he. 
Kede  which  that  he  was  in  Machabee, 
And  redo  the  proude  wordcs  that  he  seyde, 
And  why  he  fil  i'ro  heigh  prosperiteo,   (591) 
And  in  an  liil  how  wrcchcdlj'  ho  deyde. 


Fortunehini  hadde  enhaunced  so  in  pryde 
That  verraily  he  wende  ho  mighte  attayne 
Unto  the  sterres,  upon  every  syde,  3775 
And  in  balance  weyon  ech  montayne, 
And  alle  the  flodes  of  the  see  restrayne. 
And  goddes  peple  hadde  he  most  in  hate, 
Hem^  wolde  he  sleen  in  torment  and  in 

payne, 
Wening  that  god  no   mighte   his    pryde 

abate.  (600)  3780 

And  for  that  Nichanor  and  Tliimothee 
Of  Jewes  weren  venquisshed  mightily, 
Unto  the  Jewes  swich  an  hate  hadde  he 
That  he  bad  greithe  his  char  ful  hastily, 
And  swoor,  and  seyde,  ful  despitously, 
Unto  Jerusalem  he  wolde  eft-sone,      3786 
To  "wreken  his  ire  on  it  ful  cruelly  ; 
Btit  of  his  purpos  he  was  let  ful  sone. 

God  for  his  manace  him  so  sore  smoot 
With  invisible  w^ounde,  ay  incurable,  3790 
That  in  his  giittes  carf  it  so  and  boot  (611) 
That  his  jieynes  weren  importable. 
And  certeinly,  the  wreche  was  resonable, 
For  many  a  mannes  guttes  dide  he  pejTie  ; 
But  from  his  purpos  cursed  and  damp- 

nable  3795 

For  al  his  smert  he  wolde  him  nat  re- 

streyne  ; 

Biit  bad  anon  ajiparaillen  his  host. 
And  sodeynly,  er  he  of  it  was  war, 
God  daunted  al  his  pryde  and  al  his  host. 
For  he  so  sore  fil  out  of  his  char,         3800 
That  it  his  limes  and  his  skin  to-tar,  (621) 
So  that  he  neither  mighte  go  ne  ryde, 
But  in  a  chayer  men  aboutc  him  bar, 
Al  for-bruscd,  bothe  bak  and  syde.      3804 

The  wreche  of  god  him  smoot  so  cruelly 
That  thurgli   his   body   wikked   wormes 

cropte ; 
And  ther-with-al  he  stank  so  horribly, 
That  noon  of  al  his  meynee  that  him 

kepte, 
Wliethcr  so  ho  wook  or  olles  slepte,   3809 
Ne  mighte  noght  for  stink  of  him  endixre. 
In  this  meschief  he  waylcd  and  eck  wepte. 
And  knew  god  lord  of  every  creature. 

To  al  his  host  and  to  him-self  also       (633) 
Ful  wlatsoni  was  the  stink  of  his  careyne  ; 


54° 


B.    ZU  QfHonftee  Zak. 


[t.  I4543-I4618. 


No  man  ne  mighte  him  here  to  ne  fro. 
And    in    this    stink    and    this   horrible 

peyne  3816 

He  starf  ful  wrecchedly  in  a  monteyne. 
Thus  hath  this  robbour  and  this  homicyde, 
That  many  a   man  made  to   •wepe   and 

pleyne,  3819 

Swich  guerdon  as  bilongeth  unto  prj-de. 

Dk  Alexasdro. 

The  storie  of  Alisaundre  is  so  comune, 
That  every  wight  that  hath  discrecioun 
Hath  herd  somwhat  or  al  of  his  fortune. 
This  -wyde  world,  as  in  conclusioun,  (644) 
He   wan   by  strengthe,    or   for  his    hye 

renoun  3825 

They  weren  glad  for  pees  un-to  him  sende. 
The  pryde  of  man  and  beste   he   leyde 

adoun, 
Wher-so  he  cam,  un-to  the  worldes  ende. 

Comparisoun  might  never  yit  be  maked 
Bitwixe  him  and  another  conquerour  ; 
For  al  this  world  for  drede  of  him  hath 

quaked,  (651)  3831 

He  was  of  knighthode  and  of  fredom  flour ; 
Fortune  him  made  the  heir  of  hir  honour  ; 
Save  wjTi  and  wommen,  no-thing  mighte 

aswage 
His  hye  entente  in  armes  and  labour ; 
So  was  he  ful  of  leonjni  corage.  3836 

What  preys  were  it  to  him,  though  I  yow 

tolde 
Of  Darius,  and  an  hundred  thousand  mo, 
Of  kinges,  princes,  erles,  dukes  bolde, 
Whiche  he  conquered,  and  broghte  hem 

in-to  wo  ?  3840 

I  seye,  as  fer  as  man  may  ryde  or  go,  (661) 
The  world  was  his,  what  sholde  I  more 

devj'se  ? 
For  though  I  write  or  tolde  you  evermo 
Of  his  knighthode,  it  mighte  nat  suffyse. 

Twelf  yeer  he  regned,  as  seith  Machabee  ; 
Philippes  sone  of  Macedoyne  he  was,  3846 
That  first  was  king  in  Grece  the  contree. 
O  worthy  gentil  Alisaundre,  alias  ! 
Tliat  ever  sholde  fallen  swich  a  cas  !  3849 
Empoisoned  of  thyn  owene  folk  thou  were; 


Thy  aya  fortune  hath  turned  into  aa,  (671) 
And  yit  for  thee  ne  weep  she  never  a  tere  ! 

Who  shal  me  yeven  teres  to  compleyne 
The deeth  of  gentillesse  and  of  fraunchyse. 
That  al  the  world  welded  in  his  demejme, 
And    j-it   him    thoughte  it   mighte  nat 
suffyse?  3856 

So  ful  was  his  corage  of  heigh  empryse. 
Alias !  who  shal  me  helpe  to  endyte 
False  fortune,  and  poison  to  despyse. 
The  whiche  two  of  al  this  wo  I  wyte  ?  386CJ 

De  Julio  Cesare. 

Bj'  wisdom,  manhede,  and  by  greet  labour 
Fro  hiimble  bed  to  royal  magestee,     (682) 
Up  roos  he,  Julius  the  conquerour. 
That  wan  al  th'occident  bj'  lond  and  see, 
By  strengthe  of  bond,  or  elles  by  tretee. 
And  un-to  Rome  made  hem  tributarie  ; 
And  sitthe  of  Eome  the  emperour  was  he, 
Til  that  fortune  wex  his  adversarie. 

0  mighty  Cesar,  that  in  Thessalye 
Ageyu  Pompeius,  fader  thjTi  in  lawe,  3870 
That  of  th'orient  hadde  al  the  chivalrye 
As  fer  as  that  the  day  biginneth  dawe. 
Thou  thurgh  thy  knighthode  hast  hem 

take  and  slawe,  (693) 

Save  fewe  folk  that  with  Pompeius  fledde, 
Thurgh  which  thou  puttest  al  th'orient 

in  awe.  3875         \ 

Thanke  fortune,  that  so  wel  thee  spedde !     1,^/ 

But  now  a  litel  whyl  I  wol  biwaiUe 

This  Pompeius,  this  noble  govcrnour 

Of  Rome,  which  that  fleigh  at  this  bataille ; 

1  seye,  oon  of  his  men,  a  fals  traitour,  (7<w) 
His  heed  of  smoot,  to  winnen  him  favour 
Of  Julius,  and  him  the  heed  he  broghte. 
Alias,  Pompey,  of  th'orient  conquerour. 
That    fortune    unto    swich   a  fyn    thee 

broghte ! 

To  Rome  ageyn  repaireth  Julius  3885 

With  his  triumphe,  laureat  ful  hj'e. 
But  on  a  tyme  Brutus  Cassias, 
That  ever  hadde  of  his  hye  estaat  envj-e, 
Ful  prively  hath  maad  conspiracj'e 
Ageins  this  Julius,  in  subtil  wyse,       3890 


T.  1 46 1 9-14684.]  B.    ZU  (TUonftee  Zc^k. 


541 


And  cast  the  place,  in  whiclie  lie  sholde 
dye  (711) 

With  boydekins,  as  I  shal  yow  devyse. 

This  Jtxlitis  to  the  Capitolie  wente 
Upon  a  daj',  as  he  was  wont  to  goon, 
And  in  the  Capitolie  anon  him  licnte  3895 
This  false  Brutus,  and  his  othere  foon, 
And  stikede  him  with  boydekins  anoon 
With  many  a  wounde,  and  thus  they  lete 

him  lye ; 
But  never  gronte  he  at  no  strook  but  oon. 
Or  elles  at  two,  but-if  his  storie  Ij'e.    391XJ 

So  manly  was  this  Julius  at  herte       (721) 
And  so  wel  lovede  estaatly  honestee. 
That,  though   his   deedly   woundes   sore 

smerte, 
His  mantel  over  his  hippes  casteth  he. 
For  no  man  sholde  seen  his  privitee.  3905 
And,  as  he  lay  on  deying  in  a  traunce. 
And  wiste  verraily  that  deed  was  he. 
Of  honestee  yit  hadde  he  remembraunce. 

Lucan,  to  thee  this  storie  I  recomcnde, 
And  to  Sweton,  and  to  f  Valerie  also,  3910 
That   of   this    storie    wryten   word    and 

ende,  (731) 

How  that  to  thise  grete  conqueroiires  two 
Fortune  was  first  freend,  and  sithen  fo. 
>J  o  man  ne  truste  iip-on  hir  favour  longe. 
But  have  hir  in  awayt  for  ever-mo.     3915 
^^'itnesse    on    alle    thise    conqueroures 

stronge. 

Cresus. 

This  riche  Cresus,  whylom  king  of  Lyde, 
Of  whiche  Cresus  Cyrus  sore  him  dradde, 
Yit  was  he  caxight  amiddes  al  his  pryde. 
And  to  be  brent  men  to  the  fyr  him  ladde. 
But  swich  a  reyn  doun  fro  the  welkne 
shadde  ("4')  39-2 1 

That  slow  the  fyr,  and  made  him  to  escape ; 
But  to  be  war  no  grace  yet  he  hadde. 
Til  fortune  on  the  galwes  made  him  gapo. 

Whan  he  escaped  was,  he  can  nat  stente 
For  to  biginno  a  newe  werre  agayn.    3926 


He  wende  wel,  for  that  fortune  him  sente 
Swich  hap,  that  he  escaped  thurgh  the 
rayn,  (748) 

That  of  his  foos  he  mighte  nat  be  slayn  ; 
And  eek  a  sweven  up-on  a  niglit  he  mette, 
Of  which  he  was  so  proud  and  eek  so  fayn, 
That  in  vengeaunce  he  al  his  herte  sette, 

Up-on  a  tree  he  was,  as  that  him  thoughte, 
Ther  Juppiter  him  wesh,  bothe  bak  and 

syde,  (754) 

And   Phebus   eek    a    fair    towaille   him, 

brought  e  3935 

To  drye  him  with,  and  ther-for  wex  his 

pryde ; 
And  to  his  doghter,  that  stood  him  bisj-de, 
Which   that  he  knew  in  heigh   science 

habounde. 
He  bad  hir  telle  him  what  it  signifyde. 
And  she  his  dreem  bigan  right  thus  ex- 

povinde,  3940 

'  The  tree,'  quod  she,   '  the  galwes  is  to 

mene,  (761) 

And  Juppiter  bitokneth  snow  and  reyn, 
And  Phebvis,  with  his  towaille  so  cleno, 
Tho  ben  the  Sonne  stremes  for  to  seyn  , 
Thou  shalt  anlianged  be,  fader,  certeyn  ; 
Eeyn  shal  thee  wasshe,  and  sonne  shal 

thee  drye  ; '  3946 

Thus  warned  she  him  ful  plat  and  ful 

pleyn. 
His    doughter,    which    that    called    was 

Phanye, 

Anhanged  was  Cresus,  the  proude  king, 
His  royal  trone  mighte  him  nat  availle. — 
Tragedie  is  noon  other  maner  thing,  (771 1 
Ne  can  in  singing  crye  ne  biwaille,     3952 
But  for  that  fortune  alwey  wol  assaillo 
With  unwar  strook  the  regnes  that  ben 

proude  ; 
For  when  men  trusteth  hir,  than  wol  sho 

faille,  3955 

And  covere  hir  brighto  face  with  a  cloude. 
[See  1.  3565  on  p.  536. 
Explicit  Tragedia, 


Here  stinteth  the  Knight  the  Monk  of  his  Tale. 


54: 


B.    (ptofo^ue  of  tU  (lto»me  <pvu6t    [t. 


U;73-i4^2'- 


THE    PROLOGUE    OF   THE    NONNE 
PRESTES   TALE. 

The  prologue  of  the  Nonne  Preestes  Tale. 


'  Ho  ! '    quod  the  knight,   '  good  sir,  na- 
more  of  this,  3957 

That  ye  han  seyd  is  right  y-nough,  y-wis, 
And  mochel  more  ;  for  litel  hevinesse 
Is  riglit  _^-nongh  to  mochel  folk,  I  gesse. 
I  sej-e  for  me,  it  is  a  greet  disese  3<,6i 

Wher-as  men  han  hen   in  g^eet  welthe 

and  ese, 
To  heren  of  hir  sodeyn  fal,  alias  ! 
And    the    contrarie    is   joie    and    greet 
solas,  3964 

As  whan  a  man  hath  been  in  po^TO  estaat, 
And  clymbeth  np,  and  wexeth  fortunat, 
And  ther  ahydcth  in  prosperitee,  (11) 

Swich  thing  is  gladsom,  as  it  thinketh  mc, 
And  of  swich  thing  were  goodly  for  to 

telle.' 
'  Ye,'  qnod  our  hoste,   '  by  scint   Poules 
belle,  3970 

Ye   seyc    right    sooth ;     this    monk,    he 

clappeth  loude, 
He  spak  how    "fortune   covered   with  a 

cloude  " 
I  noot  never  what,  and  als  of  a  "  Tragedie" 
Eight   now   ye    horde,    and    pardc !    no 

remedic 
It  is  for  to  biwaille,  ne  complejTie       3975 
That  that  is  doon,  and  als  it  is  a  pe5Tie, 
As  ye  han  scj'd,  to  here  of  hevinesse.   (21) 
Sir  monk,   na-more  of  this,  so  god  yow 

blesse  I 
Your  tale  anoyeth  al  this  companyc  ; 
Swich  talking  is  nat  worth  a  hoterflj-e ; 
Fur  ther-in  is  ther  no  desport  ne  game. 
ANTierfor,  sir  Monk,  or  dan  Piers  by  your 
name,  3982 


Ipreyeyowhertely,  teUo  us  somwhat  elles, 
For  sikerly,  nere  clinking  of  your  belles, 
That  on  your  brydel  hange  on  every  syde, 
By  heven  king,  that  for  us  alio  dyde,  (30) 
I  sholde  or  this  han  fallen  doun  for  slepc, 
Although  the  slough  had  never  been  so 

depe ;  3988 

Than  had  your  tale  al  be  told  in  vayn. 
For  certeinly,  as  that  thise  clcrkes  seyn, 
"  Wher-as  a  man  may  have  noon  audience, 
Xoght  helpeth  it  to  tellen  his  sentence." 
And  wel  I  woot  the  substance  is  in  me, 
If  any  thing  shal  wel  reported  be.       ,39<!4 
Sir,  sey  somwhat  of  hunting,  I  yowpreye.' 
'  Nay,'  quod  this  monk,  '  I  have  no  lust 

to  pleye  ;  (40) 

Now  let  another  telle,  as  I  have  told.' 
Than  spak  our  host,  with  rude  speche 

and  bold. 
And  seyde  un-to  the  Nonnes  Preest  anon, 
'  Com  neer,  thou  preest,  com  liider,  thou 

sir  John,  4oik) 

Tel  lis  swich  thing  as  naay  our  hertes 

glade, 
Be  blytho,  though  thou  ryde  up-on  a  jade. 
What  though  thyu  hors  be  bothe  foule 

and  lone,  .  (47) 

If  ho  wol  serve  thee,  rekke  nat  a  bene  ; 
Look  that  thyn  herte  be  mery  evennc' 
'  Yis,  sir,'  quod  he,  '  yis,  host,  so  mote  I  go, 
But  I  be  mery,  y-wis,  I  wol  be  blamed  : ' — 
And  right  anon  his  tale  he  hath  attamed. 
And  thus  he  seyde  un-to  us  everichon. 
This  swete  preest,  this   goodly  man,  sir 

John.  4010 

Explicit. 


T.  14827- 14S92.]     B.    Z$t  (Uonne  (pvueke  Zak, 


543 


THE   NONNE    PREESTES   TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Nonne  Preestes  Tale  of  the  Cok  and  Hen, 
Chauntecleer  and  Pertelote. 


A  povRE  widwe,  somdel  stape  in  age, 
Was  whylom  dwelling  in  a  narwe  cotage, 
Bisyde  a  grove,  stonding  in  a  dale. 
This  widwe,  of  which  I  telle  yow  my  tale, 
Sin  thilke  day  that  she  was  last  a  wyf. 
In  pacience  ladde  a  ful  simple  Ij'f,      4016 
For  litel  was  hir  catel  and  hir  rente  ; 
By  hoiisbondrye,  of  such  as  God  hir  sente. 
She  fond  hir-self,  and  eek  hir  doghtren 

two. 
Three  large  sowos  hadde  she,  and  name, 
Three  kyn,  and  eek  a  sheep  that  liighte 

Malle,  (11)  4021 

Ful  sooty  was  hir  hour,  and  eek  hir  halle, 
In  which  she  eet  ful   many  a  sclendre 

meel.  ^, 

Of  poynaunt  sauce  hir  neded  never  a  deel. 
No   dejTitee   morsel    passed    thurgh    hir 

throte ;  4025 

Hir  dyete  was  accordant  to  hir  cote. 
Repleccioun  ne  made  hir  never  syk ; 
Attempree  dyete  was  al  hir  phisyk, 
And  exercyse,  and  hertes  suffisaunce.  4029 
The  goute  lette  hir  no-thing  for  to  daunce, 
N'apoplexye  shente  nat  hir  heed  ;  (21) 

No  wyn  ne  drank  she,  neither  whyt  ne 

reed  ; 
Hir  l)ord  was  served  most  with  whyt  and 

blak. 
Milk  and  broun  breed,  in  which  she  fond 

no  lak, 
Seynd  bacoun,  and  somtyme  an  ey   or 

tweye,  4035 

For  she  was  as  it  were  a  maner  deye. 

A  yerd  she  hadde,  enclosed  al  aboute 
With  stikkes,  and  a  drye  dich  with-oute, 
In  which  she  hadde  a  cok,  hight  Chann- 

tecleer,  4039 

In  al  the  land  of  crowing  nas  his  peer.  (30) 
His  vois  was  merier  than  the  mery  orgon 
On  rnesse-dayes  that  in  the  chirche  gon  ; 


Wei  sikerer  was  his  crowing  in  his  logge, 
Than  is  a  clokke,  or  an  abbey  orlogge. 
By  nature  knew  he  ech  ascencioun    4045 
Of  equinoxial  in  thilke  toiin  ; 
For  whan  degrees  fiftene  were  ascended, 
Thanne  crew  he,  that  it  mighte  nat  ben 

amended.  (38) 

His  comb  was  redder  than  the  fyn  coral, 
And  batailed,  as  it  were  a  castel-wal.  4050 
His  bile  was  blak,  and  as  the  jeet  it  shoon  ; 
Lyk  asur  were  his  legges,  and  his  toon  ; 
His  nayles  whytter  than  the  lilie  floi^r, 
And  lyk  the  burned  gold  was  his  colour. 
This  gentil  cok  hadde  in  his  governaunce 
Sevene  hennes,  for  to  doon  al  his  plesaunce, 
Wliiche  were  his  sustres  antl  his  para- 
mours, 4057 
And  wonder  lyk  to  him,  as  of  colours. 
Of  whichethe  faireste  hewed  on  hirthrote 
Was  cleped  faire  damoysele  Pertelote. 
Curteys  she  was,  discreet,  and  debonaire, 
And   comi^aignable,  and  bar  hir-self  so 

faire,  (52) 

Sin  thilke  day  that  she  was  seven  night 

old. 
That  trewely  she  hath  the  herte  in  hold 
Of  Chauntecleer  loken  in  every  lith  ;  4065 
He  loved  hir  so,  that  wel  was  him  ther- 

with. 
But  such  a  joye  was  it  to  here  hem  singe, 
Wlian   that   the    brighte   Sonne    gan   to 

springe,  4068 

In  swete  accord,  '  my  lief  is  faren  in  londe.' 
For  thilke  tj'me,  as  I  have  understonde, 
Bestes  and  briddes  coude  speko  and  singe. 
And  so  bifol,  that  in  a  dawoninge,    (62) 
As  Chauntecleer  among  his  wj'\'es  alio 
Sat  on  his  pcrche,  that  was  in  the  hallo, 
And  next  him  sat  this  faire  Pertelote,  4075 
This    Chauntecleer    gan    grouen    in    his 

throte. 


54  + 


B.    ZU  (Uonne  ^vi^eU^  tak.    [t.  14893-14971. 


As  man  that  in  liis  dreem  is  drocched  sore. 
And  whan  that  Pertelote  thus  herde  him 

rore,  4078 

She  was  agast,  and  seyde,  '  O  herte  dere, 
What  eyleth  yow,  to  grone  in  this  manere? 
Ye  been  a  verray  sleper,  fy  for  shame  ! '  (71) 
And     he     answerde     and     seyde     thus, 

'  madame, 
I  pray  yow,  that  ye  take  it  nat  a-g^ief : 
By  god,  me  mette  I  was  in  swich  meschief 
Eight  now,  that  yet  myn  herte  is  sore 

afright.  4085 

Now  god,'  quod  he,  '  my  swevene  recche 

aright. 
And  keep  my  body  out  of  foul  prisoun  ! 
Me  mette,  how  that  I  romed  up  and  doun 
Withinne    our    yerde,   wher-as   I   saugh 

a  bestc. 
Was  lyk  an  hoitnd,  and  wolde  han  maad 

areste  4090 

Ujion  my  body,  and  wolde  han  had  me 

deed.  (81) 

His  colour  was  bitwise  yelwe  and  reed  ; 
And  tipped  Avas  his  tail,  and  bothe  his  eres, 
With  blak,   unlyk  the  remenant  of  his 

heres  ; 
His   snowte    smal,    with   glowinge    eyen 

tweye.  4t)9S 

Yet  of  his  look  for  fere  almost  I  deye ; 
This  caused  me  my  groning,  doutelees.' 
'  Avoy  ! '  quod  she,  '  fy  on  yow,  herte- 

lees ! 
Alias!'  qiaod  she,  'for,  by  that  god  above. 
Now  han  ye  lost  myn  herte  and  al  my 

love ;  41W) 

1  can  nat  love  a  coward,  by  my  feith.  (91) 
For  certes,  what  so  any  womman  seitli. 
We  alle  desyren,  if  it  might  e  be, 
To  han  housbondes  hardy,  ^^'3•se,  and  free, 
And  secree,  and  no  nigard,  ne  no  fool,  4105 
Ne  him  that  is  agast  of  everj-  tool, 
Ne  noon  .avauntour,  by  that  god  above ! 
How  dorste  ye  seyn  for  shame  unto  your 

love, 
That  any  thing  mighte  make  yow  aferd  ? 
Have  ye  no  mannes  herte,  and  han  a  herd  ? 
Alias !  and  conne  ye  been  agast  of  swe- 

venis?  (loi)     41  n 

No-thing,  god  wot,  but  vanitee,  in  sweven 

is. 
Swevenes  engendren  of  replecciouns, 


And  ofte  of  fume,  and  of  complecciouns, 
Whan  humours  been  to  habundant  in  a 

wight.  4115 

Certes   this   dreem,   which   ye   han   met 

to-night, 
Cometh  of  the  grete  superfluitee 
Of  yonre  rede  colera.  pardee, 
WTiich  causeth   folk  to  dreden  in   here 

dremes  ('09) 

Of  arwes,  and  of  fj-r  with  rede  lemcs,  4120 
Of  grete  bestes,  that  they  wol  heni  byte. 
Of  contek,  and  of  whelpes  grete  and  lyte  ; 
Right  as  the  humour  of  malencolye 
Causeth  ful  many  a  man,  in  sleep,  to  crye. 
For  fere  of  blake  beres,  or  boles  blake,  4125 
Or  elles,  blake  develes  wole  hem  take. 
Of  othere  humours  coude  I  telle  also, 
That  werken  many  a  man  in  sleep  ful  wo ; 
But  I  wol  passe  as  lightly  as  I  can. 

Lo   Catoun,   which   that   was    so   wys 

a  man,  4130 

Seyde   he   nat    thiis,    ne   do   no    fors   of 

dremes?  (121) 

Now,  sire,'  qitod  she,   '  whan  we  flee  fro 

the  hemes, 
-  -.for  Goddes  love,  as  tak  som  laxatyf ; 
Up  peril  of  my  soule,  and  of  mj'  lyf,    4134 
I  counseille  yow  the  beste,  I  wol  nat  lye, 
That  bothe  of  colere  and  of  malencolye 
Ye  purge  yow  ;  and  for  j-e  shul  nat  tarie, 
Though  in  this  toun  is  noon  apotecaric, 
I  shal  my- self  to  herbes  techen  yow. 
That  shul  ben  for  your  hele,  and  for  your 

prow ;  4140 

And  in  oiir  yerd  tho  herbes  shal  I  finde. 
The    whiche    han   of  hir   propretee,   by 

kinde,  (132) 

To  purgen  yow  binethe,  and  eek  above. ' 
Forget  not  this,  for  goddes  owene  love  ! 
Ye  been  ful  colerik  of  compleccioun.  4145 
Ware  the  Sonne  in  his  ascencioun 
Ne  fyiide  yow  nat  repleet  of  humours 

hote ; 
And  if  it  do,  I  dar  wel  leye  a  grote. 
That  ye  shul  have  a  fevere  terciane. 
Or  an  agu,  that  may  be  yonre  bane.    4150 
A  day  or  two  ye  shul  have  digestyves  (141) 
Of  wormes,  er  ye  take  your  laxatyves, 
Of  lauriol,  centaure,  and  fumetere, 
Or  elles  of  ellebor,  that  groweth  there. 
Of  catapuce,  or  of  gaytres  beryis,         4155 


T.  14972-15056.]    B.    ZU  dlonne  ^vu&tte  ZciU, 


545 


Of  erbe  yve,  growing  in  our  yerd,  that 

mery  is  ; 
Pckkfi  hem  tip  right  as  they  growe,  and 

ete  hem  in. 
Be  mery,  housbond,  for  your  fader  kin  ! 
Dredeth  no  dreem  ;    I  can  say  yow  na- 

more.'  (149) 

'Madame,'  quod  he,   '■  graunt  mercy  of 

your  lore.  4160 

But  nathelees,  as  toviching  daun  Catoun, 
That  hath  of  wisdom  such  a  greet  renoun, 
Tiiough   that  he    bad  no  dremes   for  to 

drede, 
By  god,  men  may  in  olde  bokes  rede 
Of  many  a  man,  more  of  auctoritee     4165 
Than  ever  Catoun  was,  so  mote  I  thee. 
That  al  the  revers  seyn  of  his  sentence, 
And  han  wel  founden  by  experience, 
That  dremes  ben  significaciouns. 
As  wel  of  joye  as  tribulaciouns  4i"o 

That  folk  enduren  in  this  lyf  present.  (161) 
Ther  nedeth  make  of  this  noon  argument ; 
The  verray  preve  sheweth  it  in  dede. 
Oon  of  the  gretteste  auctours  that  men 

rede 
Seith    thus,    that    whylom    two   felawes 

wente  4175 

On  pilgrimage,  in  a  ful  good  entente  ; 
And  happed  so,  thay  come  into  a  toun, 
Wher-as  ther  was  swich  congregacioun 
Of  peple,  and  eek  so  streit  of  herbergage 
That  they  ne  founde  as  muche  as  o  cotage 
In  which  they  bothe  mighte  y-logged  be. 
Wherfor  thay  mosten,  of  necessitee,   ( 1 72) 
As  for  that  night,  departen  compaignye  ; 
And  ech  of  hem  goth  to  his  hostelrye, 
And  took  his  logging  as  it  wolde  falle.  4185 
That  oon  of  hem  was  logged  in  a  stalle, 
Fer  in  a  yerd,  with  oxen  of  the  plough  ; 
That  other  man  was  logged  wel  y-nough, 
As  was  his  aventure,  or  his  fortune,    4189 
That  us  governeth  alle  as  in  comm\\ne. 

And  so  bifel,  that,  longe  er  it  were  day. 
This  man  mette  in  his  bed,  ther-as  he  lay. 
How  that    his    felawe    gan   up-on   him 

calle,  (183) 

And  seyde,  "  alias  !  for  in  an  oxes  stallo 
This  night  I  shal  be  mordred  tiier  I  lye. 
Now  help  me,  dere  brother,  er  I  dye ;  4196 
In  alle  haste  com  to  me,''  he  sayde. 
This  man  out  of  his  sleep  for  fere  abraydo ; 


But  whan  that  he  was  wakned  of  his  sleep, 
He  turned  him,  and  took  of  this  no  keep  ; 
Him  thoughte  his  dreem  nas  but  avanitee. 
Thus  twyesin  his  sleping  dremed  he.  (192) 
And  atte  thridde  tyme  yet  his  felawe 
Cam,  as  him  thoughte,  and  seide,  "  I  am 

now  slawe  ; 
Bihold  my  blody  woundes,  depe  and  wyde ! 
Arys  lip  erly  in  the  morwe-tyde,  4206 

And  at  the  west  gate  of  the  toun, "quod  he, 
"  A  carte  ful  of  dong  ther  shaltow  see. 
In  which  my  body  is  hid  ful  prively ; 
Do  thilke  carte  aresten  boldely.  4210 

My   gold   caused   my  mordre,    sooth    to 

sayn;"  (201) 

And  tolde  him  every  poynt  how  he  was 

slayn, 
With  a  ful  pitous  face,  pale  of  hewe. 
And  truste  wel,  his  dreem  he  fond  ful 

trewe  ; 
For  on  the  morwe,  as  sone  as  it  was  day, 
To  his  felawes  in  he  took  the  way ;      4216 
And  whan  that  he  cam  to  this  oxes  stalle, 
After  his  felawe  he  bigan  to  calle. 

The  hostiler  answered  him  anon, 
And  seyde,  "  sire,  your  felawe  is  agon,  4220 
As  sone  as  day  he  wente  out  of  the  toun." 
This  man  gan  fallen  in  suspecioun,  (212) 
Remembring  on  his  dremes  that  he  mette, 
And  forth  he  goth,  no  lenger  wolde  he 

lette,  4224 

Unto  the  west  gate  of  the  toun,  and  fond 
A  dong-carte,  as  it  were  to  donge  lond. 
That  was  arrayed  in  the  same  wyse 
As  ye  han  herd  the  dede  man  devyse  ; 
And  with  an  hardy  herte  he  gan  to  crye 
Vengeaunco  and  justice  of  this  felonye  : — 
"  My  felawe  mordred  is  this  same  night. 
And  in  this  carte  he  lyth  gapinge  vipright. 
I  crye  oiit  on  the  ministres,"  quod  he,  (223) 
"  That  sholden  kepe  and  reulenthis  citee  ; 
Harrow !    alias !     her    lyth    my    felawe 

slayn  ! "  4235 

What  sholde  I  more  un-to  this  tale  sayn  ? 
The  peple  out-sterte,  and  caste  the  cart  to 

grounde, 
And   in   the   middel   of   the   dong  they 

founde 
The  dede  man,  that  mordred  was  al  newe. 
0   blisfvil  god,   that  art   so   just  and 

trewe !  4240 


546 


B.    'Z^i,  (Itonne  ^reeefee  Zak.     [x.  15057-15134. 


Lo,   how   that    thou    biwreyest    mordre 
alway !  (231) 

Mordre  wol  out,  that  see  we  day  by  day. 
Mordre  is  so  wlatsoni  and  abhominable 
To  god,  that  is  so  just  and  resonable, 
That  he  ne  wol  nat  suffre  it  heled  be ;  4245 
Though  it  abyde  a  yeer,  or  two,  or  three, 
Mordre  wol  out,  this  my  conclusioun. 
And  right  anoon,  niinistres  of  that  toun 
Han   hent  the  carter,   and  so  sore  him 

pyned,  (239) 

And  eek  the  hostiler  so  sore  cngyned,  4250 

That  thaybiknewc  hirwikkednesse  anoon, 

And  were  au-hanged  by  the  nekke-boon. 

Here  may  men  seen  that  dremes  been 

to  drede. 
And  cortes,  in  the  same  book  I  rede, 
^JJij^'ht  in  (ho  noxte  chapitre  after  this, 
1,1  galibe  nat,  so  liave  I  joyo  or  blis,)    4256 
Two  men  that  woldo  ban  passed  over  see. 
For  certeyn  cause,  in-to  a  fer  contree, 
If  that  the  wind  ne  hadde  been  contrarie, 
That  made  hem  in  a  citee  for  to  tarie,  4260 
That   stood    ful    mery  tipon   an   haven- 

syde.  (251) 

But  on  a  day,  agayn  the  even-tyde, 
Tlie  wind  gan  chaunge,  and  blew  right 

as  hem  leste. 
Jolif  and  glad  they  wente  un-to  hir  reste. 
And  casten  hem  ful  erly  for  to  saille  ;  4265 
But  f  to  that  00  man  fil  a  greet  mervaille. 
That  oon  of  hem,  in  sloping  as  he  lay, 
Him  mette  a  wonder  dreem,  agayn  the 

day; 
Him  thoughte  a  man  stood  by  his  beddes 

syde, 
And    him    comaunded,   that  ho   sholde 

abyde,  4270 

And  seyde  him  thus,  "  if  thou  to-morwo 

wende,  (261) 

Thou  shalt  be  dreynt ;  my  tale  is  at  an 

ende." 
He  wook,  and  toldo  his  fclawe  what  ho 

mette, 
And  preydo  him  his  viago  for  to  lette  ; 
As  for  that  day,  he  preydo  him  to  abyde. 
His  felawe,  that  lay  by  his  beddes  syde, 
Gan  for  to  laughe,  and  scorned  him  ful 

faste. 
"  No  dreem,"  quod  he,  "  may  so  myn  herte 

agaste, 


That  I  wol  lette  for  to  do  my  thinges. 
I  sette  not  a  straw  by  thy  dremingos,  4280 
For  swevenes  been  but  vanitees  and  japes. 
Men  dreme  al-day  of  owles  or  of  apes,  {272) 
And  eke  of  many  a  mase  therwithal ; 
Men  dreme  of  thing  that  never  was  no 

shal.  4284 

But  sith  I  see  that  thou  wolt  beer  abyde, 
And  thus  for-sleuthen  wilfully  thy  tyde, 
God  wot  it  reweth  me ;    and  have  good 

day." 
And  thus  he  took  liis  Icve,  and  wcnte  his 

way. 
But   er  that  he  hadde   halfo   his   cours 

y-seyled, 
Noot  I  nat  why,  ne  what  mischaunce  it 

eyled,  4290 

But  casuelly  the  shippes  botme  rente,  (281) 
And  ship"and  man  under  the  water  wente 
In  sighte  of  othere  shippes  it  byside. 
That  with  hem  seyled  at  the  same  tyde. 
And  therfor,  faire  Pertelote  so  dere,  4295 
By  swiche  ensamples  olde  maistow  lere. 
That  no  man  sholde  been  to  recchelees 
Of  dremes,  for  I  sej'  thee,  doutelees. 
That  many  a  dreem  ful  sore   is   for  to 

drede.  4299 

Lo,  in  the  Ij'f  of  seint  Kenelm,  I  redo, 
That  was  Konulphus  sone,  the  noble  king 
Of    Morcenrike,    how   Kenelm    mette    a 

thing ;  (292) 

A  lyte  er  he  was  mordred,  on  a  day. 
His  mordre  in  his  avisioun  he  say. 
His  norice  him  expouned  every  del     4305 
His  sweven,  and  bad  him  for  to  kepe  him 

wel 
For  traisoun  ;  but  he  nas  biit  seven  yeer 

old, 
And  therfore  litel  tale  hath  he  told-- 
Of  any  droem,  so  holy  was  his  herte. 
By  god,  I  hadde  lever  than  my  sherte  4310 
That  ye  had  rad  his  legende,  as  have  I. 
Dame  Pertelote,  I  sey  yow  trewely,     (302) 
Macrobeus,  that  wi-it  th'avisioun 
In  AfFrike  of  the  worthy  Cipioun, 
Afformoth   dremes,  and  seith  that  they 

been  4315 

Warning  of  thinges  that  men  after  seen. 

And  forther-more,   I  pray  yow  loketh 

wel 
In  th'olde  testament,  of  Daniel, 


X.  15135-15220.]     B.    ZU  Qtonne  (pteeaiea  Zak. 


547 


If  he  held  clremes  any  vanitse.  4319 

Heed  eek  of  Joseph,  and  ther  shul  ye  see 
Wher  dremes  ben  somtymo  (I  say  nat  alle) 
Warning  of  thinges  that  shul  after  falle. 
Lokeof  Egipttheking,  daun  Pharao,  (313) 
His  bakere  and  his  boteler  also,  4334 

Wher  they  ne  felte  noon  effect  in  dremes. 
Who-so  wol  seken  actes  of  sondry  remes, 
May  rede  of  drernes  many  a  wonder  thing. 
Lo  Cresns,  which  that  was  of  Lyde  king, 
Mette  he  nat  that  he  sat  upon  a  tree,  4329 
Which  signified  he  sholde  anhanged  be '? 
Lo  lieer  Andromacha,  Ectores  wyf,  (321) 
That  day  tliat  Ector  sholde  lese  his  lyf, 
She  dremed  on  the  same  night  biforn, 
How  that  the  lyf  of  Ector  sholde  be  lorn. 
If  thilke  day  he  wente  in-to  bataille  ;  4335 
She   warned    him.   but    it    mighte    nat 

availle ; 
He  wente  for  to  fighte  nathelees, 
But  he  was  slajni  anoon  of  Achilles. 
But  thilke  tale  is  al  to  long  to  telle,    4339 
And  eek  it  is  ny  day,  I  may  nat  dwelle. 
Shortly  I  seye,  as  for  conclusioun,       (331) 
That  I  shal  han  of  this  avisioun 
Adversitee  ;  and  I  seye  forther-more, 
That  I  ne  telle  of  laxatyves  no  store. 
For  they  ben  venimous,  I  woot  it  weTf  4345 
I  hem  defye,  I  love  hem  never  a  del. 
Now  let  us  speke  of  mirthe,  and  stintc 
al  this ; 
Madame  Pertelote,  so  have  I  blis, 
Of  o  thing  god  hath  sent  me  large  grace  ; 
For  whan  I  see  the  beautee  of  your  face, 
Ye  ben  so  scarlet-reed  about  your  yen, 
It  makcth  al  my  drede  for  to  dyen  ;  (342) 
For,  also  siker  as  In  principio^ 
MuUer  est  hominis  confusiu  ;  4354 

Madame,  the  sentence  of  this  Latin  is — 
Womman  is  mannes  joye  and  al  his  blis. 
For  whan  I  fele  a-night  your  softe  syde, 
Al-be-it  that  I  may  nat  on  you  ryde, 
For  that  our  perche  is  maad  so  narwe, 

alas! 
I  am  so  ful  of  joye  and  of  solas  4360 

That  I  defye  bothe  sweven  and  dreem.' 
And  with  that  word  he  fley  doun  fro  the 
beem,  (352) 

For  it  was  day,  and  eek  his  hennes  alle  ; 
And  with  a  chuk  he  gan  hem  for  to  calle. 
For  he  had  founde  a  corn,  lay  in  the  yerd. 


Royal  he  was,  he  was  namore  aferd ;  4366 
He  fethered  Pertelote  twenty  tyme, 
And  trad  as  ofte,  er  that  it  was  pryme. 
He  loketh  as  it  were  a  grim  leoun  ;     4369 
And  on  his  toos  he  rometh  up  and  doun,    1 
Him   deyned  not   to    sette    his    foot   to  ) 

grounde.  (361) 

He    chukketh,    whan    he    hath   a    corn 

y-founde. 
And  to  him  rennen   thanne   his  wyves 

alle. 
Thus  royal,  as  a  prince  is  in  his  halle, 
Leve  I  this  Chauntecleer  in  his  pasture  ; 
And  after  wol  I  telle  his  aventure.      4376 
-4-  Whan  that  the  month  in  which  the 

world  bigan, 
That  highte  March,  whan  god  first  maked 

man. 
Was  complot,  and  [yj-jsassed  were  also. 
Sin  March  bigan,  thrifty  dayes  and  two, 
Bifel  that  Chauntecleer,  in  al  his  pryde. 
His  seven  wyves  walking  by  his  syde,  (372) 
Caste  up  his  eyen  to  the  brighte  Sonne, 
That    in    the    signe     of    Taurus    hadde 

y-ronne 
Twenty  degrees  and   oon,  and  somwhat 
more ;  4385 

And  knew  bj'  kyndo,  and  Ijy  noon  other 

lore, 
That  it  was  pryme,  and  crew  with  blisful 

stevene, 
'  The  Sonne,'  he  sayde,  '  is  elomben  up  <>n 

hevene 
Fourty  degrees  and  oon,  and  more,  y-wis. 
Madame  Pertelote,  my  worldcs  blis,   4390 
Herkneth  thise  blisful  briddes  how  they 
singe,  (381) 

And   see   the   fresshe   flourcs    how  they 

springe  ; 
Ful  is  myn  herte  of  revel  and  solas.' 
But  sodeinly  hini  fil  a  sorweful  cas  ; 
For  ever  the  latter  ende  of  joye  is  wo.  4395 
God  woot  that  worldly  joye  is  sone  ago  ; 
And  if  a  rethor  coude  faire  endj'te. 
Ho  in  a  croniquo  saufly  mighte  it  wryte, 
As  for  a  sovereyn  notabilitoe.  4^99 

Now  every  wys  man,  lat  him  herkne  me; 
This  storie  is  al-so  trewe,  I  undertake,  (391) 
As  is  the  book  of  Launcolot  de  Lake, 
That  wommen  holde  in  ful  gret  reverence. 
Now  wol  I  tome  agayn  to  my  sentence. 


^ 


548 


B.    'C^e  (Itonne  ^vubUb  Zak.     [t.  i522i-i-53oo. 


A  col-fox,  ful  of  sly  iniquitee,  4405 

That   in   the  grove  hadde  woned  yeres 

three,  ■ 

By  heigh  imaginacioun  fom-cast, 
The  same  night  thurgh-out  the  hegges 

brast 
Into  the  yerd,  ther  Chauntecleer  the  faire 
Was  wont,  and  eek  his  wyves,  to  repaire ; 
And  in  a  bed  of  wortes  stille  he  lay,  {401) 
Til  it  was  passed  undem  of  the  day, 
Wayting   his   tyme   on  Chauntecleer  to 

"falle, 
As  gladly  doon  thise  homicydes  alle. 
That  in  awayt  liggen  to  mordre  men.  4415 
O  false  mordrer,  lurking  in  thy  den ! 
O  newe  Scariot,  newe  Genilon  ! 
False  dissimilour,  O  Greek  Sinon, 
That  broghtest  Troye  al  outrely  to  sorwe ! 

0  Chauntecleer,  acursed  be  that  morwe. 
That  thou  into  that  yerd  flough  fro  the 

hemes  !  (411)  4421 

Tlioii    were    ful    wel    y-wamed    by  thy 

dremes, 
That  thilke  day  was  perilous  to  thee. 
3ut  wiiat  mat  god  i'orwoot  mot  nedes  b^^ 
After  the  npinioun'Tsf "CBTtSyiTclerkis.  4425 
Witnesse  on  him,  that  any  perfit  clerk  is. 
That  in  scole  is  gret  altercacioun 
In  this  matere,  and  greet  disputisoun. 
And  hath  ben  of  an  hundred  thousand 

men. 
But  I  ne  can  not  bultc  it  to  the  bren,  4430 
As  can  the  holy  doctour  Augustyn,    (421) 
Or  Boece,  or  the  bishop  Bradwardyn, 
Whether  that  goddes  worthy  forwiting 
Strcyneth  me  nedcly  for  to  doon  a  thing, 
(Nedely  clepe  I  simple  necessitee) ;      4435 
Or  eUes,  if  free  choys  be  graunted  ma       ^ 
To  do  that  same  thing,  or  do  it  noghtj 
Though   god  forwoot   it,   er  that  it  wa/ 

wroght ; 
Or  if  his  Tunting  strej-neth  nevere  a  del 
But  by  necessitee  condicionel.  4440 

1  wol  not  han  to  do  of  swich  matere  ;  (431) 
My  tale  is  of  a  cok,  as  ye  maj'  here, 
That  took  his  counseil  of  his  wyf,  with 

sorwe. 
To  walken  in  the  yerd  upon  that  morwe 
That  he  had  met  the  dreem,  that  I  yow 

tolde.  4445 

Wommennes  counseils  been  ful  oftecolde ; 


Wommannes  counseil  broghte  us  first  to 

wo, 
And  made  Adam  fro  paradys  to  go, 
Ther-as  he  was  ful  mery,  and  wel  at  ese. — 
But    for    I    noot,    to  whom   it  mighte 

displese,  4450 

If  I  counseil  of  wommen  wolde  blame,  (441) 
Passe  over,  for  I  seyde  it  in  my  game.       1a 
Eede  auctours,  wher  they  trete  of  swich 

matere. 
And  what  thay  seyn  of  wonunen  ye  may 

here. 
Thise  been  the  cokkes  wordes,  and  nat 

myne ;  4455 

I  can  noon  harm  of  nowomman  divyne. — 

Faire  in  the  sond,  to  bathe  hir  merily, 

Lyth  Pertelote,  and  alle  hir  sustres  by, 

Agaj-n  the  sonne  ;  and  Chauntecleer  so 

free 
Song  merier  than  the  merruayde  in  the 

see ;  4460 

For  Phisiologus  seith  sikerly,  (451) 

How  that  they  singen  wel  and  merily. 
And  so  bifel  that,  as  he  caste  his  ye. 
Among  the  wortes,  on  a  boterflye,       4464 
He  was  war  of  this  fox  that  lay  ful  lowe. 
No-thing  ne  liste  him  thanne  for  to  crowe. 
But  cryde  anon,  '  cok,  cok,'  and  up  he 

sterte. 
As  man  that  was  affrayed  in  his  herte. 
For  naturelly  a  beest  desyreth  flee 
Fro  his  contrarie,  if  he  may  it  see,      4470 
Though  ho  never  erst  had  seyn  it  with 

his  ye.  (461) 

This  Cliauntecleer,  whan  he  gan  him. 

espye. 
Ho  wolde  han  fled,  but  that  the  fox  anon 
Seyde,  '  Gentil  sire,  alias  !    wher  wol  ye 

gon? 
Be    ye    affrayed  of   me   that    am    your 

freend  ?  4475 

Now  certes,  I  were  worse  than  a  feend. 
If  I  to  yow  wolde  harm  or  vileinye. 
I  am  nat  come  your  counseil  for  t'espye  ; 
But  trewely,  the  cause  of  my  cominge 
Was   only   for   to   herkne   how   that  ye 

singe.  (470)  4480 

For  trewely  ye  have  as  mery  a  stevene 
As  eny  aungel  hath,  that  is  in  hevene  ; 
Therwith  ye  han  in  musik  more  felinge 
Tlian  hadde  Boece,  or  any  that  can  singe. 


^ 


6? 


/ 


T.  15301-15378.]    B.    ZU  (Uonne  ^vusUs  Znk, 


549 


My  lord  your  fader  (god  his  soiile  blesse  !) 
And  eek  yotir  moder,  of  hir  gentilesse, 
Han  in  mjii  hous  y-been,  to  my  gret  ese; 
And  certes,  sire,  ful  fayn  wolde  I  yow 
plese.  4488 

But  for  men  speke  of  singing,  I  wol  saye, 
So  mote  I  brouke  wel  myn  eyen  tweye, 
Save  yow,  I  herde  never  man  so  singe, 
As  dide  your  fader  in  the  morweninge  ; 
Certes,  it  was  of  herte,  al  that  he  song. 
And  for  to  make  his  voys  the  more  strong. 
He  wolde  so  pejme  him,  that  with  bothe 

his  yen  4495 

He  moste  winke,  so  loude  he  wolde  cryen. 
And  stonden  on  his  tiptoon  ther-with-al, 
And  strecche  forth  his  nekke  long  and 

smal. 
And  eek  ho  was  of  swich  discrecioun. 
That  tlier  nas  no  man  in  no  regioun  4500 
That   him   in   song    or  wisdom    mighte 

passe.  (49  0 

I  have  wel  rad  in  datin  Burnel  the  Asse, 
Among  his  vers,  how  that  ther  was  a  cok, 
For  that  a  preestes  sone  yaf  him  a  knok 
Upon   his   leg,   whyl   he   was   yong   and 

nyce,  4505 

He  made  him  for  to  lese  his  benefyce. 
But  certeyn,  ther  nis  no  comparisoun 
Bitwix  the  wisdom  and  discrecioun 
Of  youre  fader,  and  of  his  subtiltee.   (499) 
Now  singeth,  sire,  for  seinte  Charitee,  4510 
Let  see,  conne  ye  yoiir  fader  conntrefete  ? ' 
This  Chauntecleer  his  winges  gan  to  bete. 
As  man  that  coude  his  tresoun  nat  espye, 
So  was  he  ravisshed  with  his  flaterye. 

Alias  !  ye  lordes,  many  a  fals  flatour 
Is  in  your  courtes,  and  many  a  losengeour, 
Tliat  plesen  yow  wel  more,  by  my  feith. 
Than   he  that  soothfastnesse  unto  yow 

seith. 
Redeth  Ecclesiaste  of  flaterye  ; 
Beth  war,  ye  lordes,  of  hir  trecherye.  4520 
This  Chauntecleer  stood  hye  iip-on  his 

toos,  (5") 

Strecching  his  nekke,  and  heeld  his  eyen 

cloos, 
And  gan  to  crowe  loude  for  the  nones  ; 
And  daun  Eussel  the  fox  sterte  up  at 

ones,  4524 

And  by  the  gargat  hente  Chauntecleer, 
And  on  his  bak  toward  the  wode  him  beer. 


For  yet  ne  was  ther  no  man  that  him 

sewed. 
O  destinee,  that  mayst  nat  been  eschewed ! 
Alias,   that   Chauntecleer  fleigh  fro  the 
hemes !  4529 

Alias,  his  wyf  ne  roghte  nat  of  dremes  ! 
And  on  a  Friday  fil  al  this  meschaunce.  (52 1 ) 
O  Venus,  that  art  goddesse  of  plesaunce. 
Sin  that  thy  servant  was  this  Chaunte- 
cleer, 
And  in  thy  service  dide  al  his  poweer, 
More  for  delyt,  than  world  to  multiplye, 
Wliy  woldestow  sufFre  him  on  thy  day  to 
dye  ?  4536 

O  Gaufred,  dere  mayster  soverayn, 
That,    whan   thy   worthy  king   Richard 

was  slayn 
With   shot,    compleynedest   his  deth   so 

sore. 
Why  ne  hadde  I  now  thy  sentence  and 
thy  lore,  4540 

The  Friday  for  to  chyde,  as  diden  ye?  (531) 
(For  on  a  Friday  soothly  slayn  was  he.) 
Than  wolde  I  shewe  j'ow  how  that  I  coude 

pleyne 
For   Chauntecleres    drede,    and    for   his 
peyne. 
Certes,  swich  cry  ne  lamentacioun  4545 
Was  never  of  ladies  maad,  whan  Ilioun 
Was  wonne,  and  Piri-us  with  his  streite 

swerd, 
Whan  he  hadde  hent  king  Priam  by  the 

herd. 
And  slayn  him  (as  saith  us  Eneydos), 
As  maden  alle  the  hennes  in  the  clos,  4550 
Wlian  they  had  seyn  of  Chauntecleer  the 
sighte.  (541) 

But  sovereynly  dame  Pertelote  shrighte, 
Ful  louder  than  dide  Hasdriibales  wyf. 
Whan  that  hir  housbond  hadde  lost  hislj-f, 
And    that    the   Romayns    hadde    brend 
Cartage ;  4555 

She  was  so  ful  of  torment  and  of  rage, 
That  wilfully  into  the  fyr  she  sterte. 
And  brende  hir-selven   with   a   stcdfast 

herte. 
O  woful  hennes,  right  so  cryden  ye. 
As,  whan  that  Nero  brende  the  citee  4560 
Of  Rome,  cryden  scnatoures  wyves,    (551) 
For  that  hir  housbondes  losten  alle  hir 
lyves ; 


a£>^ 


B.    ZU  dlonne  ipvUeUe  Zak.     [t.  i 5379-1 5452. 


Witliouten  gilt  this  Nero  liath  hem  slayn. 
Now  wol  I  tome  to  my  tale  agayn  : — 
This  sely  widwe,  and  eek  hir  doghtres 

two,  4565 

Herden  thise  hennes  crye  and  maken  wo, 
And  out  at  dores  sterten  they  anoon, 
And  syen  the  ibx  toward  the  grove  goon, 
And  bar  upon  his  bak  the  cok  away ; 
And  crj'den,  '  Out !  harrow  !  and  weyla- 

way !  4570 

Ha,  ha,  the  fox ! '    and   after  him  thoy 

ran,  (561) 

And  eek  with  staves  n:iany  another  man ; 
Ean   Colle  our   dogge,   and  Talbot,   and 

Gerland, 
7  Arfd  Mallvin,  with  a  distaf  in  hir  hand  ; 
^Olan  cow  and  calf,   and  eek  the  verray 

hogges  4575 

.So  were   they  fered  for  berking  of  the 

dogges 
And  shouting  of  the  men  and  wimmon 

eke. 
They  ronne  so,  hem  thoughte  hir  herte 

breke. 
They  yelleden  as  feendes  doon  in  helle  ; 
The   dokes   cryden   as   men  wolde   hem 

quelle:  (571)4580 

The  gees  for  fere  flowen  over  the  trees  ; 
Out  of  the  hyve  cam  the  swarm  of  bees  ; 
So  hidous  was  the  noyse,  a  !  benedicife  ! 
Certes,  he  Jakke  Straw,  and  his  meynco. 
No  made  never  shoutes  half  soshrille,  4585 
\Vlian   that  they   wolden   any   Fleming 

kiUe, 
As  thilko  day  was  maad  upon  the  fox. 
Of  bras  thay  broghten  hemes,  and  of  box, 
Of  horn,  of  boon,   in  whicho  they  blcwe 

and  poui)ed. 
And  therwithal  thay  shryked  and  they 

houped ;  4590 

It  semed  as  that  heven  sholde  fallo.    (581) 
Now,  gode  men,  I  pray  yow  herkneth  alle  ! 

Lo,  how  fortune  turneth  sodeinly 
The  hope  and  pryde  eek  of  hir  enemy  ! 
This  cok,  tliat  laj'  iTpon  the  foxes  bak, 4595 
In  al  his  drcdo,  tin-to  the  fox  ho  spak. 
And  seyde,  '  sire,  if  that  I  were  as  ye, 
Yet  sholde  I  soy\\  (as  wis  god  helpo  mo), 
Turneth  agayn,  j-o  proude  chcrles  alle  ! 


A.  verray  pestilence  up-on  yow  falle !  4C00 
Now  am  I  come  un-to  this  wodes  syde, 
Maugree   your  heed,   the  cok  shal  heer 

abydo  ;  ($92) 

I  wol  him  ete  in  feith,  and  that  anon.' — 
The   fox  answerdo,   '  in  feith,  it  shal  be 

don,' — 
And  as  he  spak  that  word,  al  sodeinly  4605 
This  cok  brak  from  his  mouth  deliverly, 
And  heighe  up-on  a  tree  he  fleigli  anon. 
And  whan   the  fox  sangh  that   he  was 

y-gon, 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  he,  '  O  Chauntecleer,  alias ! 
I  have  to  yow,'  qiiod  he,  '  y-doon  trespas, 
In-as-muehe  as  I  maked  yow  aferd,    (601) 
Whan  I  yow  hente,  and  broghte  out  of 

the  yerd  ; 
But,  sire,  I  dide  it  in  no  wikke  entente  ; 
Com   doun,  and  I  shal  telle  yow  what 

I  mente. 
I  shal  seye  sooth  to  yovi-,  god  help  me  so.' 
'  Nay  than,'  quod  he,  '  I  shrewe  us  liothe 

two,  4616 

And  first  I  shrewe   my-self,  bothe  blood 

and  bones, 
If  thou  bigyle  mo  oftor  th.an  ones. 
Thou  shalt  na-more,  thurgh  ihy  flaterye. 
Do  me  to  singe  and  winke  with  myn  ye. 
For  he  that  winketh,  whan  he  sholde  see, 
Al  wilfully,  god  lat  him  never  thee  !'  (612) 
'  Nay,'  quod  the  fox,  '  but  god  yove  him 

meschaunce. 
That  is  so  nndiscreet  of  governaunce, 
That  jangleth  whan  he  sholde  holde  his 

pees.'  4625 

Lo,  swich  it  is  for  to  be  recchelees. 
And  necligent,  and  truste  on  flaterye. 
But  ye  that  holden  this  tale  a  folye. 
As  of  a  fox,  or  of  a  cok  and  hen, 
Takoth  the  moralitee,  good  men.  4630 

For  seint  Paul  seith,  that  al  that  writen 

is,  (621) 

To  our  doctryne  it  is  y-write,  y-wis. 
Taketli  the  fruyt,   and  lat  the  chaf  bo 

stille. 
Now,  godo  god,  if  that  it  lie  thy  wille, 
As  seith  my  lord,  so  make  iis  alle  good 

men ;  4635 

And  bringe  >is  to  his  heighe  blisse.    Amen. 


Here  is  ended  the  Nonne  Preestes  Tale. 


T.  15453-119C3.]   B.    Bpiio^nt  to  tU  (Itonne  fpvueUe  ^afe.    5^ 

EPILOGUE   TO   THE    NONNE 
PREESTES    TALE. 


'  Sir  Nonnes  Freest,'  our  hoste  seyde  anoon, 
'  Y-blessed  be  thy  breclie,  and  every  stoon  ! 
This  was  a  mery  tale  of  Chauntecleer. 
But,  by  my  trouthe,  if  thou  were  seculer, 
Thou  woldest  been  a  trede-foul  a-right.  464 1 
For,  if  thou  have  corage  as   thou   hast 

might, 
Thee  were  nede  of  hennes,  as  I  wene, 
Ya,  nao  than  seven  tymes  seventene. 


See,    whiche    braunes    hath    this    gentil 
Freest,  4645 

So  greet  a  nekke,  and  swich  a  large  breest ! 
He  loketh  as  a  sperhauk  with  his  yen  ;  (u) 
Him  nedeth  nat  his  colour  for  to  dyen 
Witli  brasil,  ne  with  greyn  of  Fortingale. 
Now  sire,  faire  falle  yow  for  youre  tale ! ' 
And  after  that  he,  with  ful  mery  cliere, 
Scide  to  another,  as  ye  shullen  here.  4652 


B.  4652  =T.  15468  ;  C.  I  ^  T.  1 1935. 


/>■  ^ 


'^'-'  GROUP   C. 

THE    PHISICIENS   TALE. 

Here  folweth  the  Phisiciens  Tale. 


TuER  was,  as  telleth  Titus  Livius, 
A  knight  that  called  was  Virginius, 
Fulfild  of  honour  and  of  worthinesse, 
And   strong    of   freendes    and    of    greet 

richesse.  [T.  11938 

This  knight  a  doghter  hadde  by  his  wyf. 
No  children  haddo  he  mo  in  al  his  lyf.  6 
Fair  was  this  maydc  in  excellent  beautcc 
Aboven  every  wight  that  man  may  see  ; 
For  nature  hath  with  sovereyn  diligence 
Y-formed  hir  in  so  greet  excellence,  10 
As  though  she  wolde  scyn,  '  lo !  I,  Nature, 
Thus  can  I  forme  and  peynte  a  creature, 
Wlian  that  me  list ;  who  can  mo  countrc- 

fete? 
Figmalion  noght,  tliough  ho  ay  forge  and 

bete, 


Or  grave,  or  peynte  ;  for  I  dar  wel  seyn,  15 
Apelles,  Zanzis,  sholdo  werche  in  veyn, 
Outlier  to  grave  or  peynte  or  forge  or  bete. 
If  they  presumed  me  to  countrefete. 
For  he  that  is  the  former  principal 
Hath  maked  me  his  vicaire  general,       20 
To  forme  and  peynten  erthely  creaturis 
Eight  as  me  list,  and  ech  thing  in  my 

cuie  is 
Under  the  mono,  that  may  wane  and  waxe, 
And  for  my  werk  right  no-thing  wol  I  axe ; 
My  lord  and  I  ben  ful  of  oon  accord  ;     25 
I  made  hir  to  the  worship  of  my  lord. 
So  do  I  alle  myno  othere  creatures. 
What    colour   that    they    han,   or    what 

figures.' — 
Thus  semeth  mo  that  Nature  wolde  scye. 


552 


c.     ZU  (pU^kkne  Cafe.         [t.  n 964-1 2054. 


This  mayde  of  age  twelf  yeer  was  and 

tweye,  30 

In  which  that  Nature  hadde  swich  delyt. 
Por  right  as  she  can  peynte  a  lilie  whyt 
And  reed  a  rose,  right  with  swich  peyuture 
She  peynted  liath  this  noble  creature 
Er  slie  were  horn,  up-on  hir  limes  free,  35 
Wher-as  by  right  swiche  colours  sholde  be ; 
And  Phebus  dyed  hath  hir  tresses  grete 
Lyk  to  the  stremes  of  his  burned  hete. 
And  if  that  excellent  was  hir  beautee, 
A  thousand-fold  more  vertuous  was  she.  40 
In  hir  ne  lakked  no  condicioun, 
That  is  to  preyse,  as  by  discrecioun. 
As  wel  in  goost  as  body  chast  was  she ; 
For  which  she  floured  in  virginitee 
With  alle  humilitee  and  abstinence,       45 
With  alle  attemperaunce  and  pacience, 
With  mesure  eek  of  bering  and  array. 
Discreet  she  was  in  answering  alway  ; 
Though  she  were  wys  as  Pallas,  dar  I  seyn, 
Hir  facound  eek  ful  wommanly  and  pleyn, 
No  countrefeted  termes  hadde  she  51 

To  seme  wys  ;  but  after  hir  degree 
She  spak,  and  alle  hir  wordes  more  and 

lesse 
Souninge  in  vertu  and  in  gentillesse. 
Shamfast  she  was  in  maydens  shamfast- 

nesse,  55 

Constant  in  herte,  and  ever  in  bisinesse 
To  dryve  hir  out  of  ydel  slogardye. 
Bacus    haddo    of   hir    mouth    right    no 

maistrye  ; 
For  wj'n  and  youthe  doon  Venus  encrece. 
As  men  in  fyr  wol  casten  oile  or  grece.  60 
And  of  hir  owcne  vertu,  imconstrejiied, 
She  hath  ful  ofte  tyme  syk  hir  feyned, 
For  that  she  wolde  fleen  the  company© 
Wher  lykly  was  to  treten  of  folye, 
iAs  is  at  festos,  revels,  and  at  daunces.    65 
/That  been  occasions  of  daliaunces 
Swich  thinges  niakon  children  for  to  be 
To  sone  ryjie  and  bold,  as  men  may  see, 
Wliich  is  ful  perilous,  and  hath  ben  yore. 
For  al  to  sone  may  she  lerne  lore  70 

Of  boldnesse,  whan  she  woxen  is  a  vryf. 

And  ye  maistresses  in  your  olde  lyf, 
That  lordes  doghtreshan  in  govcrnaunce, 
Ne  taketh  of  my  wordes  no  displesaunce  ; 
'fhenkcth  that  ye  ben  set  in  governinges  75 
Of  lordes  doghtres,  only  for  two  thinges  ; 


Outher  for  ye  han  kept  your  honestee, 
Or  ellcs  ye  han  falle  in  freletce. 
And  kuowen  wel  y-nough  the  olde  daunce, 
And  han  forsaken  fully  swich  meschaunco 
For  evermo  ;  therfore,  for  Cristes  sake,  81 
To  teche  hem  vertu  loke  that  ye  ne  slake. 
A  theef  of  venisoun,  that  hath  forlaft 
His  likerousnesse,  and  al  his  olde  craft, 
Can  kepe  a  forest  best  of  any  man.  85 

Now  kepeth  hem  wel,  for  if  ye  wol,  ye  can ; 
Loke  wel  that  ye  un-to  no  vice  assente. 
Lest  ye  be  dampned  for  your  wikke  en- 
tente ; 
For  who-so  doth,  a  traitour  is  certeyii. 
And   taketh   kepe   of  that    that    I   shal 

seyn ;  90 

Of  alle  tresons  sovereyn  pestilence 
Is  whan  a  wight  bitrayscth  innocence. 

Ye  fadres  and  ye  modres  eek  also. 
Though  ye  han  children,  be  it  oon  or  two, 
Your  is  the  charge  of  al  hir  surveyaunce,  95 
Whyl  that  they  been  under  your  govem- 

aunce. 
Beth  war  that  by  ensample  of  your  livinge, 
Or  by  your  necligence  in  chastisinge. 
That  they  ne  perisse  ;  for  I  dar  wel  seye. 
If  that  they  doon,  ye  shul  it  dere  abcye.  100 
Under  a  shcphorde  softe  and  necligent 
The  wolf  hath  many  a  sheep  and  lamb 

to-rent. 
Suflfyseth  oon  ensample  now  as  here. 
For  I  mot  turne  agayu  to  my  mat  ere. 
This  mayde,  of  which  I  wol  this  tale 

expresse,  105 

So  kepte  hir-self,  hir  neded  no  maistresse  ; 
For  in  hir  living  maydens  mighten  rede, 
As  in  a  book,  every  good  word  or  dede, 
That  longeth  to  a  mayden  vertuous ; 
She  was  so  prudent  and  so  bountevous.  1 10 
For  which  the  fame  out-sprong  on  every 

syde 
Bothe  of  hir  beautee  and  hir  bountee  wyde ; 
That  thurgh  that  land  they  preysed  hir 

echouo. 
That  loved  vertu,  save  en%'j-e  allone, 
Tliat  sory  is  of  other  niennes  wele,         115 
And  glad  is  of  his  sorwe  and  his  unhele  ; 
(The  doctour  maketli  this  descripcioun). 
This  mayde  up-on  a  day  wente  in  the  toun 
Toward  a  temple,  with  hir  modcr  dere, 
As  is  of  yonge  maydens  the  nianero.      120 


T.  12055-12140.]         c.    Z'U  (pWctena  Zciic. 


553 


Now  was  tlier  thanno  a  justice  in  that 

tonn, 
Tliat  governour  was  of  that  rogiotin. 
And  so  bifel,  this  juge  his  eyen  caste 
Up-on  this  mayde,  avysinge  liim  ful  faste, 
As  she  cam  forby  ther  this  jnge  stood.  125 
Anon  his  herte  channged  and  his  mood, 
So  was  he  cauglit  with  beautee  of  this 

mayde  ; 
And  to  him-self  fnl  prively  he  sayde, 
'  This  mayde  shal  be  myn,  for  any  man.' 
Anon  the  feend  in-to  his  herte  ran,  130 
And  taiighte  him  sodeynly,  that  he  by 

slighte 
The  mayden  to  his  purpos  winne  mighte. 
For  certes,  by  no  force,  ne  by  no  mede, 
Himthoughte,  hewasnatablefortospede ; 
For  she  was  strong  of  freendes,  and  eek  she 
Confermed  was  in  swich soverayn  bonntee, 
That  wel  ho  wiste  he  mighte  hir  never 

winne  137 

As  for  to  make  hir  witli  hir  body  sinne. 
For  which,  by  greet  deliberacionn, 
He  sento  after  a  cherl,  was  in  the  town,  140 
Which  that  he  knew  for  snbtil  and  for 

bokl. 
This  jnge  nn-to  this  cherl  his  tale  hath  told 
In  secree  wyse,  and  made  him  to  ensure. 
He  sholde  telle  it  to  no  creature. 
And  if  ho  dide,  ho  sholde  lose  his  heed.  145 
Whan  that  assented  was  this  cursed  reed. 
Glad  was  this  juge  and  maked  him  greet 

chore. 
And  yaf  him  yiftcs  preciouso  and  dere. 
Whan  shapen  was  al  hir  conspiracye 
Fro  point  to  point,  how  that  his  leoheryc 
Parfourned  sholde  been  ful  subtilly,      151 
As  ye  shul  here  it  after  openly, 
Hoom  gooth  the  cherl,  tliat  highte  Clau- 
dius. 
This  false  juge  that  highte  Apius, 
So  was  his  name,  (for  this  is  no  fable,   155 
But  knowon  for  historial  thing  notable, 
The  sentence  of  it  sooth  is,  out  of  doute). 
This  false  juge  gooth  now  fasto  aboute 
To  hasten  his  delyt  al  that  he  may. 
And  so  bifel  sone  after,  on  a  day,  160 

This  false  juge,  as  telleth  us  the  storio, 
As  he  was  wont,  sat  in  his  consistorie. 
And  yaf  his  domes  up-on  sondiy  cas. 
This  false  cherl  cam  forth  a  ful  greet  pas, 


And  seyde,  'lord,  if  that  it  beyourwille,  165 
As  dooth  me  right  up-on  this  pitous  bille, 
In  which  I  pleyno  up-on  Virginius. 
And  if  that  he  wol  seyn  it  is  nat  thus, 
I  wol  it  prove,  and  finde  good  witnesse. 
That  sooth  is  that  my  bille  wol  expresse.' 
The  jiTge   answerde,    '  of   this,    in   his 

absence,  171 

I  may  nat  yeve  diffinitif  sentence. 
Lat  do  him  calle,  and  I  wol  gladly  here  ; 
Thou  shalt  have  al  right,  and  no  wrong 

hex-e.'  174 

Virginius  cam,  to  wite  the  juges  wille. 
And  right  anon  was  rad  this  cursed  bille  ; 
The  sentence  of  it  was  as  j'e  shul  here. 
'  To  yow,  my  lord,  sire  Apius  so  dere, 
Sheweth  your  povre  servant  Claudivis, 
How  that  a  knight,  called  Virginius,    i8o 
Agajms  the  lawe,  agayn  al  equitee, 
Holdeth,  expres  agayn  the  wil  of  me, 
My  servant,  which  that  is  my  thral  by 

right, 
Which    fro   myn    hous   was  stole   up-on 

a  night, 
Whyl  that   she   was   ful  yong  ;  this  wol 

I  preve  185 

By  witnesse,  lord,  so  that  it  nat  yow  grove. 
She  nis  his  doghter  nat,  what  so  he  seye  ; 
Wherfore  to  yow,  my  lord  the  juge,  I  proye, 
Yeld  me  my  thral,  if  that  it  be  yovir  wille.' 
Lo  !  this  was  al  the  sentence  of  his  bille. 
Virginius  gan  up-on  the  cherl  biholde. 
But  hastily,  or  he  his  tale  toldo,  192 

And   wolde    have    proved    it,    as    sholde 

a  knight, 
And  eek  by  witnessing  of  many  a  wight. 
That  it  was  fals  that  seydo  ]iis  adversario, 
This  cursed  jugo  wolde  no-thing  tarie,  196 
Ne  here  a  word  more  of  Virginius, 
But  yaf  his  jugement,  and  soyde  thus  : — 
'  I  dome  anon  this  cherl  his  servant  have ; 
Thou  shalt  no  longer  in  thyn  hous  hir 

save.  200 

Go  bring  hir  forth,  and  put  hir  in  oixr 

warde, 
The   cherl   shal   have   his   thnil,    this   I 

awardc. ' 
And  whan  this  worthy  knight  Virginius, 
Thiirgh  sentence  of  this  justice  Apius, 
Mosto  by  force  his  dere  doghter  yiven  205 
Un-to  the  juge,  in  lecherye  to  liven. 


T  3 


554 


c.    'Z^  (p6t0tcten0  ^afe.  [t.  12141-12220. 


He  gooth  him  boom,  and  sette  him  iu  his 

halle, 
And  leet  anon  his  dere  doghter  calle, 
And,  with  a  face  deed  as  asshen  colde, 
Upon  liir  humble  face  he  gan  biholde,  zio 
Withfadrespiteestikingthiirgh  bis  herte, 
Al  wohle  he  from  his  purpos  nat  converte. 
'  Doghter,'  qiiod  he,  '  Virginia,  by  thy 

name, 
Ther  been   two  weyes,  outher  death  or 

shame, 
That  thou  most  suffre  ;  alias  !  that  I  was 

bore  !  215 

For  never  thou  deservedest  wherfore 
To  dyen  with  a  swerd  or  with  a  knyf. 
0  dere  doghter,  ender  of  my  lyf, 
Which   I   have   fostred    up   with    swich 

plesaunce, 
That  thou  were  never  out  of  my  remem- 

braunce !  220 

O  doghter,  which  that  art  my  lasts  wo. 
And  in  mj'  Ij^'  my  laste  joye  also, 
O  gemme  of  chastitee,  in  pacience 
Take  thou  thy  deeth,  for  this  is  my  sen- 
tence. 
For  love  and  nat  for  hate,  thou  most  be 

deed ;  225 

My  pitous  hand  mot  smyten  of  thyn  heed. 
Alias  !  that  over  Apius  thee  say ! 
Thus  liath  ho  falsly  juged  thee  to-day' — 
And  toldc  hir  al  the  cas,  as  yc  bifore  229 
Han  herd  ;  nat  nedeth  for  to  telle  it  more. 
'  O  mercy,  dere  fader,'  quod  this  mayde. 
And  with  that  word  she  both  hir  armes 

layde 
About  his  nokke,  as  she  was  wont  to  do  : 
The  teres  broste  out  of  hir  eyon  two, 
And  seyde,  '  gode  fader,  shal  I  dye  ?      235 
Is  ther  no  grace  ?  is  ther  no  remedye  ? ' 
'  No,  certes,  dere  doghter  myn,'  quod  he. 
'Thanne  yif  me  leyser,  fader  myn,'  quod 

she, 
'  My  deeth  for  to  compleyne  a  litel  space  ; 
For  pardee,  Jepteyaf  his  doghter  grace  240 
For  to  compleyne,  er  he  hir  slow,  alias  ! 
And  god  it  woot,  no-thing  was  hirtrespas. 
But  for  she  ran  hir  fader  first  to  see, 
To  welcome  him  with  greet  solempnitee.' 
And  with  that  word  she  fil  aswowne  anon, 
And  after,  whan  hir  swowning  is  agon,  246 

Here  endeth  the 


She  ryseth  iip,  and  to  hir  fader  sayde, 
'  Blessed  be  god,  that  I  shal  dye  a  mayde. 
Yif  me  my  deeth,  er  that  I  have  a  shame ; 
Doth  with  your  child  your  wil,  a  goddes 

name  I '  250 

And  with  that  word  she  preyed  him  ful 

ofte, 
That  with  bis  swerd  he  wolde  smytesofte, 
And  with  tliat  word  aswowne  dovm  she  fil. 
Hir  fader,  with  ful  sorweful  herte  and  wil, 
Hir  heed  of  smoot,   and   by  the   top   it 

liente,  255 

And  to  the  juge  he  gan  it  to  presente. 
As  he  sat  yet  in  doom  in  consistorie. 
And  whan  the  juge  it  saugh,  as  seith  the 

storie, 
He  bad  to  take  him  and  anhange  him 

faste.  259 

But  right  anon  a  thousandpeple  in  thraste, 
To  save  the  knight,  for  routhe  and  for 

pitee, 
For  knowen  was  the  false  iniqtiitee. 
The  peple  anon  hath  suspect  of  this  thing. 
By  manere  of  the  cherles  chalanging, 
That  it  was  by  th'assent  of  Apius  ;        2^ 
They  wisten  wel  that  he  was  lecherous. 
For  which  tin-to  this  Apius  they  gon, 
And  caste  him  in  a  prison  right  ajjon, 
WTier-as  he  slow  bim-self ;  and  Claudius, 
That  servant  was  un-to  this  Apius,        270 
Was  denied  for  to  hange  upon  a  tree  ; 
But  that  Virginius,  of  his  pitee, 
So  preyde  for  him  that  he  was  exyled ; 
And  elles,  certes,  he  bad  been  big;\-led. 
The  remenant  were  anhanged,  more  and 

lesse,  275 

That   were   consentant    of   this    cursed- 

nesse. — 
Heer  men  may  seen  howsinne  hath  his 

meryte  ! 
Beth  war,  for  no  man  woot  whom  god 

wol  smj-te 
In  no  degree,  ne  in  which  maner  -wyse 
The  worm  of  conscience  may  agryse     280 
Of  wikked  lyf,  though  it  so  privee  be, 
That  no  man  woot  ther-of  but  god  and  he. 
For  be  he  lewed  man,  or  elles  lered, 
He  noot  how  sone  that  he  shal  been  afered. 
Tlierfore  I  rede  yow  this  conseil  take,  285 
Forsaketh  sinne,  er  sinne  yow  forsake. 

Phisiciens  Tale. 


T.    I222I  — I  2262.] 


c.     (^orbe  of  tU  l^oet 


555 


WORDS   OF   THE    HOST. 


The  wordes  of  the  Host  to  the  Phisicien  and  the  Pardoner. 


Our    Hoste    gan   to   swere   as    ho  were 

wood, 
'  Harrow  ! '  quod  he,  '  by  nayles  and  by 

blood ! 
This  was  a  fals  cherl  and  a  fals  justyse  ! 
As  shamful  deeth  as  herte  niay  devyse  290 
Come  to  thise  juges  and  hir  advocats  ! 
Algate  this  sely  niayde  is  slayn,  alias  ! 
Alias  !  to  dere  boghte  she  beautee  ! 
Wlierfore  I  seye  al  day,  as  men  may  see. 
That  yiftes  of  fortune  or  of  nature        295 
Ben  cause  of  deeth  to  many  a  creature.  (10) 
Hir  beautee  was  hir  deeth,  I  dar  wel  sayn  ; 
Alias  !  so  pitously  as  she  was  slayn  ! 
Of  bothe  yiftes  that  I  speke  of  now 
Men  han  ful  ofte  more  harm  than  prow. 
But  trewely,  myn  oweno  mayster  dere,  301 
This  is  a  pitous  tale  for  to  here. 
But  natheles,  passe  over,  is  no  fors  ; 
I  prey  to  god,  so  save  thy  gentil  cors,  304 
And  eek  tliyne  urinals  and  thy  jordanes, 
ThjTi  Ypocras,  and  eek  thy  Galianes,  (20) 
And  every  boist  ful  of  thy  letuarie  ; 
God  blesse    hem,   and    our  lady  seinte 

Marie  ! 
So  mot  I  theen,  thou  art  a  propre  man, 
And  lyk  a  prelat,  by  seint  Ronyan  !     310 


Seyde  I  nat  wel?    I   can   nat  speke  in 

terme  ; 
But  wel  I  woot,  thou  doost  my  herte  to 

erme, 
That  I  almost  have  caught  a  cardiacle. 
By  corpiTS  bones  !  biit  I  have  triacle,     314. 
Or  elles  a  draught  of  moyste  and  corny  ale, 
Or  but  I  here  anon  a  mery  tale,  (30) 

Myn  herte  is  lost  for  pitee  of  this  mayde. 
Thou  bel  amy,  thoii  Pardoner,'  he  seyde, 
'  Tel  vis  som  mirthe  or  japes  right  anon.' 
'It   shall  be   doon,'   qitod  he,   'by   seint 

Ronyon  !  320 

But   first,'  quod   he,  '  heer   at  this   ale- 
stake 
I  wol  both  drinke,  and  eten  of  a  cake.' 
But  right  anon  thise  gentils  gonne  to 

crye, 
'  Nay  !  lat  hira  telle  ixs  of  no  ribaudye  ; 
Tel  us  som   moral  thing,  that  we   may 

lere  325 

Som    wit,    and    tlianne    wol   we   gladly 

here.'  (40) 

'  I  graunte,  y-wis,'  quod  he,  '  biit  I  mot 

thinke 
Up-on   som   honest   thing,    whjl   that   I 

drinke.' 


T6 


Iri6 


C.     (pvoio^ut  of  t^t  (pardoners  Cafe.  [t.  12263-12322. 


THE     PROLOGUE    OF    THE 
PARDONERS    TALE. 


Here  folweth  the  Prologe  of  the  Pardoners  Tale. 
Itadix  malonnn  est  C'upiditas :   Ad  Thimotheum,  sex'.o. 


"  LonnixGs,'  quod  he,  '  in  chirches  whan  I 

preche, 
I  pcyne  me  to  han  an  hauteyn  speche,  330 
And  ringe  it  out  as  round  as  gooth  a  belle, 
For  I  can  al  by  rote  that  I  telle. 
My  theme  is  alwey  oon,  and  ever  was — 
■•  Radix  malorum  est  C'upiditas.'' 

First  I  prononnce  whennes  that  I  come, 
And  than  my  hulles  shewe  I,  allc  and 

somme.  336 

Onr  lige  lordes  seel  on  my  patente. 
That  shewe  I  first,  my  body  towarente,  (10) 
That  no  man  be  so  Ijold,  ne  preest  ne  clerk, 
Mc  to  destoiirbe  of  Cristes  holy  werk ;  340 
Ami  after  that  than  telle  I  forth  my  tales, 
Bulles  of  popes  and  of  cardinal es, 
Of  patriarkes,  and  bishoppes  I  shewe  ; 
And  in  Latyn  I  speke  a  wordes  fowc. 
To  saifron  with  my  predicacionn,  345 

And  for  to  stire  men  to  devocioun.  {18) 
Than  shewe  I  forth  mylongecristal  stones, 
Y-crammed  ful  of  cloiites  and  of  bones  ; 
Reliks  been  they,  as  wenen  they  echoon. 
Than  have  I  in  latonn  a  shoMer-boon  350 
Mliich  that  was  f>f  an  holy  Jcwes  shepe. 
"Good  men,''  seye  I,  "tak  of  my  wordes 

kepe ; 
If  that  this  boon  be  wasshe  in  any  welle. 
If  cow,  or  calf,  or  sheep,  or  oxe  swelle 
That   any  worm   hath  ete,  or   worm  y- 

stonge,  355 

Tak  water  of  that  welle.  and  wash  his 

tonge, 
And  it  is  hool  anon  ;  and  forthermore. 
Of  pokkcs  and  of  scabbe,  and  every sore(3o) 


Shal  every  sheep  be  hool,  that  of  this  welle 
Drinketh  a  draughte  ;  tak  kepe  eek  what 

I  telle.  360 

If  that  the  good-man,  that  thebestesoweth, 
Wol   every  wike,    er  that  the   cok  hinx 

crow^eth, 
Fastinge,  drinken  of  this  welle  a  draughte, 
As  thilke  holy  Jewe  our  eldres  taughte. 
His  bestes  and  his  stoor  shal  multiplye.  365 
And,  sirs,  also  it  heleth  jalousye  ; 
For,  though  a  man  be  falle  in  jalons  rage, 
Let  maken  with  this  water  his  potage,  (40) 
And  never  shal  he  more  his  ^v•J•f  mistriste, 
Though  he  the  sooth  of  hir  defaiite  wiste  ; 
Al  had  she  taken  preestes  two  or  three.  371 
Heer  is  a  mitcyn  eek,  that  ye  may  see. 
He  that  his  hond  wol  pntte  in  this  miteyn, 
He  shal  have  multiplying  of  his  greyn, 
Wlian  he  hath  sowcn,  be  it  whete  or  otcs. 
So  that  ho  offre  pens,  or  ellos  groles.     376 
Good  men  and  wommen,  o  thing  warnr 

I  yow. 
If  any  wight  be  in  this  chirche  now,   (50} 
That  hath  doon  sinne  horrible,  that  he 
Dar  nat,  for  shame,  of  it  y-shrivcn  be,  381) 
Or  any  womman,  be  she  yong  or  old, 
That  hath  y-maad  hir  housbond  cokewold, 
Swich  folk  shul  have  no  power  ne  no  grace 
To  ofFren  to  mj-  reliks  in  this  place. 
And   who-so  findeth   him   out  of  swich 

blame,  385 

He  wol  com  up  and  offre  in  goddes  name, 
And  I  assoille  him  by  the  auctoritee 
^^^lich  that  by  bulle  y-graunted  was  to 

me."  (60) 


T.  12325-12396.]  c.    ^rofogue  of  t^e  (parlonere  Zak. 


557 


By  this  gaudc  liavo  I  wonne,  yeer  by 
yeer, 
An  hundred  mark  sith  I  was  Pardoner. 
I  stonde  lyk  a  clerk  in  my  pulpet,         391 
And  whan  the  lewed  peple  is  donn  y-set, 
I  preche,  so  as  ye  han  herd  hit'ore, 
And  telle  an  hundred  false  japes  more. 
Than  peyne  I  me  to  strecche  forth  the 
nekke,  395 

And  est  and  west  upon  the  peple  I  bekke, 
As  doth  a  dowve  sitting  on  a  heme.      (69) 
Mjii  hondes  and  my  tonge  goon  so  yerne, 
That  it  is  joye  to  see  my  bisinesse. 
Of  avaryce  and  of  swich  cursednesse    400 
Is  al  my  preching,  for  to  make  hem  free 
To  yeve  her  pens,  and  namely  nn-to  me. 
For  my  entente  is  nat  but  for  to  winne, 
And  no-thing  for  correccioun  of  sinne.  404 
I  rc'kke  never,  whan  that  they  ben  beried. 
Though    that   her    soules  goon   a-blake- 

beried  ! 
For  certes,  many  a  predicacioun 
Comth  ofte  tyme  of  y\'el  entencioun  ;  (80) 
Som  ibr  plesaunce  of  folk  and  flaterye, 
To  been  avaunced  by  ipocrisye,  410 

And  somforveyneglorie,  and  som  for  hate. 
For,  whan  I  dar  non  other  weyes  debate. 
Than  wol  I  stinge  him  with   my  tonge 

smerte 
Tn  prechmg,  so  that  he  shal  nat  asterte 
To  been  defamed  falsly,  if  that  he  415 

Hath  trespased  to  my  brethren  or  to  mo. 
Ff)r,  thougli  I  telle  noght  liis  propre  name. 
Men  shal  wel  knowethat  it  is  the  same  (90) 
}5y  signes  and  by  othere  circumstances. 
Tlius    quyte    I    folk    that    doon    us    dis- 
plesances ;  420 

Thus  spitte  I  out  my  venim  under  hewe 
Of  lioljaiessc,  to  seme  holy  and  trewe. 

But  shortly  mjii  entente  I  wol  devj'se  ; 
1  preche  of  no-thing  but  for  coveityse. 
Tlierfor  my  theme  is  yet,  and  ever  was — 


"  Radix  malorum  est  cupiditas."  426 

Thus  can  I  preche  agaj'n  that  same  ^'yce 
Which  that  I  use,  and  that  is  avazyce.  (100) 
Bvit,  thovigh  niy-self  be  gilty  in  that  sinne, 
Yet  can  I  maken  other  folk  to  twinne  430 
From  avaryce,  and  sore  to  rei^ente. 
But  that  is  nat  my  principal  entente. 
I  preche  no-thing  but  for  coveityse  ; 
Of  this  matere  it  oughte  y-nogh  suiFyse. 
Than  telle  I  hem  ensamples  many  oon 
Of  olde  stories,  longe  tjmie  agoon  :        436 
For  lewed  peple  loven  tales  olde  ; 
Swich  thinges  can  they  wel  reporte  and 

holde.  (110) 

What?  trowe  ye,  the  whyles  I  may  preche, 
And  winne  gold  and  silver  for  I  teche,  440 
That  I  wol  live  in  povert  wilfully  ? 
Nay,  nay,  I  thoghte  it  never  trewely  ! 
For  I  wol  preche  and  begge  in  sondry 

londes  ; 
I  wol  not  do  no  labour  with  myn  hondes, 
Ne  make  baskettes,  and  live  therby,     445 
Because  I  wol  nat  beggen  ydelly. 
I  wol  non  of  the  apostles  counterfete  ; 
I  wol  have  money,  wolle,  chose,  and  whete, 
Al  were  it  yeven  of  the  povi'est  page,  (121) 
Or  of  the  povrest  widwe  in  a  village,    450 
Al  sholde  hir  children  sterve  for  famyne. 
Nay  !  I  wol  drinke  licour  of  the  vjnie, 
And  have  a  joly  wenche  in  every  toun. 
But  herkneth,  lordings,  in  conclusioun  ; 
Your  lyking  is  that  I  shal  telle  a  tale.  455 
Now,  have  I  dronke  a  draughte  of  corny 

ale, 
By  god,  I  hope  I  shal  yow  telle  a  thing 
That  shal,  by  resoun,  been  at  your  Ij-king. 
For,    though    myself    be    a    ful   vicious 

man, 
A  moral  tale  yet  I  yow  telle  can,  (132)  460 
Which  I  am  wont  to  preche,  for  to  winne. 
Now   holde    j-our   pees,    my   tale   I   wol 

beginnc.' 


558 


c.    C^e  (pariionere  Cafe.         [t.  12397-12460. 


THE    PARDONERS   TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Pardoners  Tale. 


In  Flaundres  whylom  was  a  companye 
Of  yonge  folk,  that  haunteden  folye, 
As  ryot,  hasard,  stewes,  and  tavernes,  465 
Wlier-as,  with  harpes,  lutes,  and  giternes, 
They  daunce  and  pleye  at  dees  bothe  day 

and  night,  (139) 

And  ete  also  and  drinken  over  hir  might, 
Thurgh  which  they  doon  the  devel  sacri- 

fyse 
With-in  that  develes  temple,  in  cursed 

wj'se,  471) 

By  superfluitee  abhominable  ; 
Hir  othes  been  so  grete  and  so  dampnable, 
That  it  is  grisly  for  to  here  hem  swere  ; 
Our  blissed  lordes  body  they  to-tere  ; 
Hem  thoughte  Jewes   rente   him   noght 

y-nough  ;  475 

And  ech  of  hem  at  otheres  sinne  lough. 
And  right  anon  than  comen  tombesteres 
Fetj-s    and    smale,   and    yonge    fruytes- 

teres,  (150) 

Singers  with  harpes,  baudes,  wafereres, 
Whiohe  been  the  verray  develes  officeres 
To  kindle  and  blowe  the  fyr  of  lecherye. 
That  is  annexed  un-to  glotonye  ;  482 

Tlie  holy  writ  take  I  to  my  witnesse, 
That  luxurie  is  in  wj-n  and  dronkeness^. 
Lo,  how  that  dronken  Loth,  unkindelj% 
Lay  by  his  doghtrcs  two,  unwitingly  ;  4S6 
So  dronke   he  was,   he    niste  what    he 

wroghte.  ( 159) 

Herodes,  (who-so  wel  the  stories  soghte), 
Wlian  he  of  wjti  was  replet  at  his  feste. 
Right  at  his  owene  table  he  yaf  his  heste 
To  sleon  the  Baptist  John  ful  giltelees.  491 
Senek  seith  eek  a  good  word  doutelees ; 
He  seith,  he  can  no  difference  findo 
Bitwix  a  man  that  is  out  of  his  minde 


And  a  man  which  that  is  dronkelewe,  495 
But  that  woodnesse,  y-fallen  in  a  shrewe, 
Persevereth  lengor  than  doth  dronkenesse. 
O  glotonye,  ful  of  cursednesse,  ('70) 

O  cause  first  of  our  confusioun, 
O  original  of  our  dampnacionn,  500 

Til   Crist  had   boght  us  with  his  blood 

agayn  ! 
Lo,  how  dere,  shortly  for  to  sayn, 
Aboght  was  thilke  cursed  vileinye  ; 
Corrupt  was  al  this  world  for  glotonye  ! 

Adam  our  fader,  and  his  wj^  also,     505 
Fro  Paradys  to  labour  and  to  wo 
Were  driven  for  that  vyce,  it  is  no  drede  ; 
For  whyl  that  Adam  fasted,  as  I  rede,  (180) 
He  was  in  Paradys  ;  and  whan  that  he 
Eet  of  the  frujt  defended  on  the  tree,  510 
Anon  he  was  out-cast  to  wo  and  pej'ue. 
O  glotonye,  on  thee  wel  oghto  us  pleyne ! 
O,  wisto  a  man  how  many  maladyes 
Folwen  of  excesse  and  of  glotonyes, 
Ho  woldo  been  the  more  mesurable       515 
Of  his  diete,  sittinge  at  his  table. 
Alias !    the    shorte    throte,    the    tendre 

mouth, 
Maketh  that.  Est  and  West,  and  Nortli 

and  South,  (190) 

In  erthe,  in  eir,  in  water  men  to-swinke 
To  gete  a  glotoun    deyntee    mete    and 

drinke !  sao 

Of  this  matere,  o  Paul,  wel  canstow  trete, 
'  Mete  un-to  wombe,  and  wombe  eek  un-to 

mete, 
Shal  god  destroyen  bothe,'  as  Paulus  seith. 
Alias  !  a  foul  thing  is  it,  by  my  feith,  524 
To  seye  this  word,  and  fouler  is  the  dede, 
Whan  man  so  drinketh  of  the  whyte  and 

rede, 


T.  12461-12542.J  c.     ZU  (p<itri>oner0  Zak. 


559 


That  of  his  throte  he  maketh  his  privee, 
Thurgh  thilke  cursed  siiperfluitee.      (200) 

The  apostel  weping  seith  ful  pitonsly, 
'  Ther  "walken  many  of  whiche  yew  told 

have  I,  530 

I  seye  it  now  weping  with  pitovis  voys, 
[That]  they  been  enemj-s  of  Cristes  croys, 
Of  whiche  the  ende  is  deeth,  wonibe  is 

her  god.' 
O  wonibe  !  O  bely  !  O  stinking  cod, 
Fulfild  of  donge  and  of  eorrupcioun  !    535 
At  either  ende  of  thee  foul  is  the  soun. 
How   greet   labour   and   cost   is   thee   to 

finde ! 
Thise  cokes,  how  they  stanipe,  and  streyne, 

and  grinde,  (210) 

And  turnen  substaunce  in-to  accident. 
To  fulfille  al  thy  likerous  talent  !  540 

Out  of  the  harde  bones  knokke  they 
The  mary,  for  they  caste  noght  a-wey 
That  may  go  thurgh  the  golet  softe  and 

swote  ; 
Of  spicerye,  of  leef,  and  bark,  and  rote 
Shal  been  his  sauce  y-maked  by  delyi,  545 
To  make  him  yet  a  newer  appetyt, 
But  certes,  he  tliat  haunteth  swich  delyces 
Is  deed,  wh5'l  tliat  he  liveth  in  tho  vyces. 
A  lecherous  thing  is  wyn,  and  dronke- 

nesse  (221)  549 

Is  ful  of  stryving  and  of  wrecchednesse. 
O  dronke  man,  disfigured  is  thy  face, 
SoxxT  is  thy  breeth,  foul  artow  to  embrace, 
And  thurgh  thy  dronke  nose  semeth  the 

soun 
As  though  thou  seydest  ay  '  Sampsoim, 

Sampsoun  ' ; 
And  yet,  god  wot,  Samjjsoun  drank  never 

no  wyn.  555 

Thou  fallest,  as  it  were  a  stiked  swyn  ; 
Thy  tonge  is  lost,  and  al  thyn  honest  cure  ; 
For  dronkenesse  is  verray  sepulture  (230) 
Of  mannes  wit  and  his  discrecioun.  559 
In  whom  that  drinke  hath  dominacioun, 
He  can  no  conseil  kepe,  it  is  no  drede. 
Now  kepe  yow  fro  the  whyte  and  fro  the 

rede, 
And  namely  fro  the  whyte  wyn  of  Lepe, 
That  is  to  selle  in  Fish-strete  or  in  Chepe. 
This  wyn  of  Spayne  crepeth  subtilly    565 
In  othere  wynes,  growing  fasto  by, 
Of  which  ther  ryseth  swich  fumositee, 


That  whan  a  man  hath  dronken  draughtes 

three,  (240) 

And   weneth    that    he    be   at    boom   in 

Chepe, 
He  is  in  Spayne,  right  at  the  toune  of 

Lepe,  570 

Nat  at  the  Eochel,  ne  at  Burdeux  toun  ; 
And   thanne   wol   he    seye,    '  Sampsoun, 

Sampsou.n.' 
But  herkneth,  lordings,  o  word,  I  yow 

preye. 
That  alle  the  sovereyn  actes,  dar  I  seye, 
Of  victories  in  th'olde  testament,  575 

Thurgh  verray  god,  that  is  pmnipotent. 
Were  doon  in  abstinence  and  in  preyere ; 
Loketh  the  Bible,  and  ther   ye   may   it 

lere.  (250) 

Loke,  Attila,  the  grete  conquerour, 
Deyde  in  his  sleep,  with  shame  and  dis- 
honour, j;8o 
Bledinge  ay  at  his  nose  in  dronkenesse ; 
A  capitajai  shoulde  live  in  sobrenesse. 
And  over  al  this,  a\'yseth  yow  right  wel 
What  was  comaunded  un-to  Lamuel — 
Nat  Samuel,  but  Lamuel,  seye  I — ■        585 
Redeth  the  Bible,  and  finde  it  expresly 
Of  wyn-yeving  to  hem  that  ban  justyse. 
Na-more  of  this,  for  it  may  wel  suffyse.  (260) 
And  now  that  I  have  spoke  of  glotonye. 
Now  wol  I  yow  defenden  hasardrye.     590 
Hasard  is  verray  moder  of  lesinges. 
And  of  deceite,  and  cursed  forsweringes. 
Blaspheme  of  Crist,   manslaughtre,  and 

wast  also 
Of  catel  and  of  tyme  ;  and  forthermo. 
It  is  repreve  and  contrarie  of  honour   595 
For  to  ben  holde  a  commune  hasardour. 
And  ever  the  hyer  he  is  of  estaat. 
The  more  is  he  holden  desolaat.  (270) 

If  that  a  prince  useth  hasardrye, 
In  alle  governaunce  and  policye  6(X) 

He  is,  as  by  commune  opinioun, 
Y-holde  the  lassc  in  reputacioun. 

Still  )on,  that  was  a  wys  embassadour. 
Was  sent  to  Corinthe,  in  ful  greet  honour, 
Fro  Lacidomie,  to  make  hir  .Tlliaunce.  635 
And   whan   he   cam,    him   happede,  par 

chauncc, 
That  alle  the  grettest  that  were  of  that 

lond, 
Pleyinge  atte  hasard  he  hem  fond.      (28c) 


500 


c.    ZU  (par^otter0  Zak.  [t.  12543-12626. 


l''or  -whicli,  as  sone  as  it  mighte  be,      609 
He  stal  liira  hoom  agayn  to  liis  contree, 
And  seyde, '  ther  wol  I  nat  lese  my  name  ; 
N'  I  wol  nat  take  on  me  so  greet  defame, 
Yow  for  to  allye  un-to  none  basardours. 
Sendetb  otbere  wyse  embassadours  ;     614 
For,  by  my  trouthe,  me  were  lever  dye, 
Than  I  yow  sbolde  to  basardours  allye. 
For  ye  that  been  so  glorious  in  honours 
Sbul  nat  allj'eu  yow  with  basardcjurs  (290) 
As  by  my  wil,  ne  as  by  my  tretee.' 
This  wyse  philosophre  thus  sej'de  he.  620 

Loke  eek  that,  to  the  king  Demetrius 
The  king  of  Parthes,  as  the  book  seith  us, 
Sente  him  a  paire  of  dees  of  gold  in  scorn. 
For  he  hadde  used  hasard  ther-biforn  ; 
For    which   he   heeld   his   glorie   or  his 

renoun  625 

At  no  value  or  reputacioun. 
Lordes  may  finden  other  maner  pley 
Honeste  y-nough  to  dryve  the  day  awey. 
Now  wol  I  speke   of  othes   false   and 

grete  (;3oi) 

A  word  or  two,  as  olde  bokes  trete.        630 
Gret  swering  is  a  thing  abhominable, 
And  false  swering  is  yet  more  reprevable. 
The  heighe  god  forbad  swering  at  al, 
Witnesse  on  Mathew  ;  but  in  special 
Of  swering  seith  the  holy  Jeremj'e,       635 
•  Thou  slialt  seyo  sooth  thyn  othes,  and 

nat  lye. 
And  swere  in  dome,  and  eek  in  rightwis- 

nesse ; ' 
But  ydel  swering  is  a  cursednesse.      (310) 
Bihold  and  see,  that  in  the  firste  table 
Of  heighe  goddes  hestes  honurable,      640 
How  that  the  seconde  hesteof  him  is  this — 
'  Tak  nat  my  name  in  ydel  or  amis.' 
Lo,  rather  he  forbedeth  swich  swering 
Than  homieyde  or  many  a  cursed  thing ; 
I  seyo  that,  as  by  ordre,  thus  it  stondeth  ; 
This    knowen,    that    his    hestes    under- 

stondeth,  646 

How  that  the  second    heste  of   god  is 

that. 
And  forther  over,  I  wol  thee  telle  al  plat. 
That  vengeance  shal  nat  parten  from  his 

hous,  (321) 

That  of  his  othes  is  to  outrageous.         650 
'  By  goddes  precious  herte,   and  by  his 

nayles, 


And  by  the  blode  of  Crist,  that  it  is  in 

Hayles, 
Seven  is  my  chaunce,  and  thyn  is  cink 

and  treye ; 
By  goddes  amies,  if  thou  falsly  pleye. 
This  dagger  shal  thurgh-out  thyn  herte 

go '—  655 

This  fruyt  Cometh  of  the  bicched  bones  two, 
Forswering,  ire,  falsnesse,  homieyde.  (329) 
Now,  for  the  love  of  Crist  that  for  us  dyde, 
Leveth  your  othes,  bothe  grete  and  smale  ; 
But,  sirs,  now  wol  I  telle  forth  my  tale.  6^ 

TiiisE  i-yototires  three,  of  whiche  I  telle, 
Longe  erst  er  prj^me  rong  of  any  belle. 
Were  set  hem  in  a  taveme  for  to  drinke ; 
And  as  they  satte,  they  herde  a  belle  clinke 
Biforn  a  cors,  was  caried  to  his  grave ;  665 
Tliat  oon  of  hem  gan  callen  to  his  knave, 
'  Go  bet,'  quod  he,  '  and  axe  redily,  (339) 
What  cors  is  this  that  passeth  beer  forby; 
And  look  that  thou  reporte  his  name  wel.' 
'  Sir,'  quod  this  boy,  '  it  nedeth  never- 
a-deL  670 

It  was  me  told,  er  ye  cam  heer,  two  houres ; 
He  was,  pardee,  an  old  I'elawe  of  youres ; 
And  sodej-nly  he  was  y-slayn  to-night, 
For-dronke,  as  he  sat  on  his  bench  up- 
right ; 
Ther  cam  a  privee  theef,  men  clepeth 
Deeth,  675 

That  in  this  contree  al  the  peple  sleeth. 
And  with  his  spere  he  sm.oot  his  herte 
a-two,  (.^49) 

And  wente  his  wey  with-onten  wordes  mo. 
He  hatli  a  thousand  slajTi  this  pestilence  : 
And,  maister,  er  ye  come  in  his  iiresence, 
Me  thinketh  that  it  were  necessarie  681 
For  to  be  war  of  swich  an  adversarie  : 
Beth  redj'  for  to  mete  him  evermore. 
Thus  taughte  me  my  dame,  I  sey  na-more.' 
'  By  semte  Marie,'  seyde  this  taverner,  685 
'  The  child  seith  sooth,  for  he  hath  slayn 

this  yeer, 
Henne  over  a  myle,  with-in  a  greet  village. 
Both  man  and  womman,  child  and  hyne, 
and  page.  (360) 

I  trowe  his  habitacioun  be  there  ; 
To  been  avysed  greet  wisdom  it  were,  690 
Er  that  he  dide  a  man  a  dishonour.' 
'  Ye.  goddes  armes,'  quod  this  ryotour. 


T.  1 2627-1 2702.]         c.    'ZH  ^arbonere  Z<xU. 


561 


'  Is  it  swich  peril  with  Iiini  for  to  mete  ? 
I  shal  him  seke  bj'  wey  and  eck  by  strete, 
I  mpke  avow  to  goddes  digne  bones !  695 
Herkneth,  felawes,  we  three  been  al  ones  ; 
Lat  ech  of  iis  holde  up  his  bond  til  other, 
And  ech  of  us  bicomen  otheres  brother,  (370) 
And  we  wol  sleen  this  false  traytonr  Deeth ; 
He  shal  be  slayn,  which  that  so  many 
sleeth,  700 

By  goddes  dignitee,  er  it  be  night.' 

Togidres  han  thise  three  her  tronthes 
plight. 
To  live  and  dyen  ech  of  heni  for  other, 
As  though  he  were   his   owene  y-boren 

brother. 
And  up  they  sterte  al  dronken,  in  this 
rage,  705 

And  forth  they  goon  towardes  that  village, 
Of  which  the  taverner  had  sii(jke  biforn, 
And  many  a  grisly  00th  than  han  they 
sworn,  (380) 

And  Cristes  blessed  body  they  to-rente — 
'  Deeth  shal  be  deed,  if  that  they  may  him 
hente.'  710 

Whan  they  han  goon  nat  fully  half  a 
myle. 
Right  as  they  wolde  han  troden  over  a 

style. 
An  old  man  and  a  povre  witli  hem  mette. 
This  olde  man  ful  mekely  hem  grette. 
And  seyde  thus,  '  now,  lordes,  god  yow 
see!'  715 

The  proudest  of  thise  ryotonres  three 
Answerde  agayn,  '  what  ?  carl,  with  sory 
grace,  (389) 

AVhy  artow  al  forwrapped  save  thy  face  ? 
Why  livestow  so  longo  in  so  greet  age  ? ' 

This  olde  man  gan  loke  in  his  visage,  720 
And  seyde  thus,  '  for  I  ne  can  nat  finde 
A  man,  though  that  I  walked  in-to  Indo, 
Neither  in  citec  nor  in  no  village, 
That  wolde  chauuge  his  youthc  for  myn 

age; 
And  therfore  moot  I  han  mj-n  age  stille. 
As  longe  time  as  it  is  goddes  wille.         726 
No  deeth,  alias  !  ne  wol  nat  han  my  lyf ; 
Thus  walko  I,  lyk  a  restelees  caityf,  (4cxj) 
And  on  the  ground,  which  is  my  modres 

gate, 
Iknokke  with  my  staf,  bothe  erly  and  late, 
And  seye,  "  leve  moder,  leet  me  in  !       731 


Lo.  how  I  vanish,  flesh,  and  blood,  and 

skin  ! 
Alias  !  whan  shul  my  bones  been  at  reste  ? 
Moder,   with  yow  wolde  I  chaunge  my 
cheste,  734 

That  in  my  chambre  longe  tyme  hath  be, 
Ye  !  for  an  heyre  clout  to  wrappe  me  !  " 
But  yet  to  me  she  wol  nat  do  that  grace, 
For  which  ful  pale  and  welked  is  my  face. 
But,  sirs,  to  yow  it  is  no  curteisye  (411) 
To  speken  to  an  old  man  vileinye,         740 
But  he  trespasse  in  worde,  or  elles  in  dede. 
In  holy  writ  ye  may  your-self  wel  rede, 
"  Agayns  an  old  man,  hoor  upon  his  heed. 
Ye  sliolde  aryse;"   wherfor  I  yeve  yow 

reed, 
Ne  dooth  un-to  an  old  man  noon  harm 

now,  745 

Na-more  than  ye  wolde  men  dide  to  yow 
In  age,  if  that  ye  so  longe  abyde  ; 
And  god  be  with  yow,  wher  ye  go  or  ryde. 
I  moot  go  thider  as  I  have  to  go.'         (421) 
'  Nay,  olde  cherl,  ly  god,  thou  shalt  nat 

so,'  750 

Seyde  this  other  hasardour  anon  ; 
'  Thou  partest  nat  so  lightly,  by  seint  John ! 
Thou  spak  right  now  of  thilke  traitour 

Deeth, 
That   in   this   contree    alle    oiir   frendes 

sleeth. 
Have  heer  my  trouthe,   as  thou  art  his 

iispye,  755 

Tel  wher  he  is,  or  thou  shalt  it  abye. 
By  god,  and  by  the  holy  sacrament  ! 
For  soothly  thou  art  oon  of  his  assent,  (430) 
To  sleen  us  yonge  folk,  thou  false  theef ! ' 
'  Now,  sirs,'  quod  he,  '  if  that  yow  be  so 

leef  760 

To   linde   Deeth,    turne   uji   this    croked 

wey, 
For  in  that  grove  I  lafto  him,  by  my  fey. 
Under  a  tree,  and  tlier  he  wol  abydo  ; 
Nat  for  your  boost  he  wol  him  no-thing 

hyde. 
Seo  ye  that  ook  '?  right  ther  yo  shul  him 

finde.  765 

God  save  yow,  that  boghte  agayn  man- 

kinde, 
And  yow  amende ! ' — thus  seyde  this  olde 

m-m. 
And  everich  of  thise  ryotoures  i-an,    (440) 


r;62 


ZU  Cantevfiurp  t-ake. 


[t.  12703— 12772. 


Til  he  cam  to  that  tree,  and  ther  they 

founcle 
Of  florins  fyne  of  golde  y-coj-ned  roiindc 
Wei    ny    an    eighte    busshels,    as    hem 

thoughte.  771 

Nolenger  tlianne  after  Deeth  they  songhte, 
But  ech  of  hem  so  glad  was  of  that  sighte. 
For  that  the  florins  been   so  faire  and 

hrighte, 
That  doun  they  sette  hem  by  this  precious 

hord.  775 

Theworste  of  hem  he  spake  the  firste  word. 

'  Brethren,'  quod  he,  '  tak  kepe  what  I 

seye ; 
My  wit  is  greet,  though  that  I  bourde  and 

pleye.  (450) 

This  tresor  hath  fortune  un-to  us  yiven, 
In  mirthe  and  jolitee  our  lyf  to  liven,  780 
And  lightly  as  it  comth,  so  wol  we  spende. 
Ey  !  goddes  precious  dignitee !  who  wende 
To-day,  that  we  sholde  han  so  fair  a  grace  ? 
But  mighte  tliis  gold  be  caried  fro  this 

place  784 

Hoom  to  myn  hous,  or  elles  un-to  youres — 
For  wel  ye  woot  that  al  this  gold  is  oures — 
Than  were  we  in  heigh  felicitee. 
But  trewely,  Viy  daye  it  may  nat  be ;  (460) 
Men   wolde    seyn   that   we   were   theves 

stronge,  789 

And  for  onr  owene  tresor  doon  us  honge. 
This  tresor  moste  y-caried  be  by  nighte 
As  wysly  and  as  slyly  as  it  mighte. 
Wherfore  I  rede  that  cut  among  us  alle 
Be  drawe,  and  lat  see  wher  the  cut  wol 

falle  ; 
And  he  that  hath  the  cut  with  herte  blythe 
Shal  renne  to  the  toune,  and  that  ful 

swj-tho,  796 

And  bringe  us  breed  and  wyn  ful  prively. 
And  two  of  us  shul  kepen  subtUly  (470) 
This  tresor  wel ;  and,  if  he  wol  nat  tarie, 
Whan   it  is   night,   we   wol    this  tresor 

cario  800 

By  oon  assent,  wher-as  us  thinketh  best.' 
That  oon  of  hem  the  cut  broughte  in  his 

fast. 
And  bad  hem  drawe,  and  loke  wher  it  wol 

falle  ; 
And  it  fil  on  the  yongeste  of  hem  alle  ; 
And  forth  toward  the  toun  he  wente  anon. 
And  al-so  sone  as  that  he  was  gen,        806 


That  oon  of  hem  spak  thus  im-to  that 

other, 
'  Thou  knowest  wel  thou  art  my  swome 

brother,  (480) 

Tliy  profit  wol  I  telle  thee  anon. 
Thou  woost  wel  that  our  felawe  is  agon  ; 
And   heer   is   gold,   and   that    ful   greet 

plentee,  811 

That  shal  departed  been  among  us  three. 
But  natheles,  if  I  can  shape  it  so 
That  it  departed  were  among  us  two, 
Hadde  I  nat  doon  a  freendes  torn  to  thee?' 
That  other  answerde,  '  I  noot  how  that 

may  be ;  816 

He  woot  how  that  the  gold  is  with  us 

tweye. 
What  shal  we  doon,  what  shal  we  to  him 

seye?'  (49'- >) 

'  Shal  it  be  eonseil  ? '  seyde  the  firste 

shrewe, 
'  And  I  shal  tellen  thee,  in  wordes  fewe. 
What  we  shal  doon,  and  bringe  it  wel 

aboute.'  821 

'  I  graunte,'  quod  that  other,  '  oxtt  of 

doute, 
That,  by  my  trouthe,  I  wol  thee  nat  bi- 

wreye.' 
'  Now,'  quod  the  firste,  '  thou  woost  wel 

we  be  tweye,  824 

And  two  of  us  shul  strenger  be  than  oon. 
Look  whan  that  he  is  set,  and  right  anoon 
Arys,  as  though  thou  woldest  with  him 

pleye  ; 
And  I  shal  rj-ve  him  thurgh  the  sydes 

tweye  (500) 

Whyl  that  thou  strogelest  with  him  as  in 

game. 
And  with  thy  dagger  look  thou  do  the 

same ;  830 

And  than  shal  al  this  gold  departed  be, 
My  dere  freend,  bitwixen  me  and  thee  ; 
Than  may  we  bothe  our  lustes  al  fulfille, 
And  plej'e  at   dees  right  at   our  owene 

wille.' 
And   thus    acorded   been   thise    shrewes 

tweye  835 

To  sleen  the  thridde,  as  ye  han  herd  me 

seye. 
This  yongest,  which  that  wente  un-to 

the  toun, 
Ful  ofte  in  herte  he  rolleth  up  and  doun 


T.  12773-1284S.] 


c.    ZU  (parbonere  Zak. 


563 


The  beaviteo  ot'  thise   flox-ins   newe   and 

briglite.  (511) 

'  O  lord  ! '  quod   lie,   •  if  so   were   that  I 

mighte  840 

Have  al  this  tresor  to  my-self  allone, 
Ther  is  no  man  that  liveth  imderthe  trone 
Of  god,  that  shohie  live  so  mery  as  I ! ' 
And  atte  laste  the  feend,  our  enemy, 
Putte  in  his  thought  that  he  shold  poyson 

beye,  845 

With  which  he  mighte  sleen  his  felawes 

tweye  ; 
For-why  the  feend  fond  him   in   swich 

ly\'inge,  (519) 

That  he  had  leve  him  to  sorwe  bringe, 
For  this  was  outrely  his  fulle  entente 
To  sleen  hem  bothe,  and  never  to  repente. 
And  forth  he  gootli,  no  lenger  wolde  he 

taxie,  851 

Into  the  toun,  un-to  a  pothecarie, 
And   preyed    him,    that    he    him   wolde 

selle 
Som.  poyson,   that  ho  mighte  his  rattes 

quelle ; 
And  eck  ther  was  a  polcat  in  his  hawe, 
That,   as    he    seyde,  his    capouns  hadde 

y-slawo,  856 

And   fayn   he   woLle    wreko    him,  if  he 

mighte, 
On  vermin,  that  destroyed  him  by  nighte. 
The   pothecarie   answerde,   '  and   thou 

shalt  have  (531) 

A  thing  that,  al-so  god  mj'  soule  save,  860 
In  al  this  worU  ther  nis  no  creature, 
That  ete  or  dronko  hath  of  this  confiture 
Noght  but  the  mountance  of  a  corn  of 

whete, 
That  he  ne  shal  his  lyf  anon  forlote  ; 
Ye,  sterve  he  shal,  and  that  in  lasse  whyle 
Than  thou  wolt  goon  a  paas  nat  but  a 

myle ;  866 

This  poyson  is  so  strong  and  violent.' 
This   cursed    man   hath    in    his   hond 

y-hent  (540) 

This  poyson  in  a  box,  and  sith  he  ran 
In-to  the  nexto  strcto,  un-to  a  man,      870 
And  borwcd  [of]  him  large  b(jtels  three  ; 
And  in  the  two  his  poyson  poured  ho  ; 
The  thriddo  he  kepte  clenc  for  his  drinke. 
For  al  the   night  he   shoop  him  for  to 

swinke  874 


In  caryinge  of  the  gold  out  of  that  place. 
And  whan  this  ryotour,  with  sory  grace, 
Had  filled  with  wyn  his  grcte  hotels  three, 
To  his  felawes  agayn  repairoth  he.  (55c) 
What  nedeth  it  to  sermone  of  it  more? 
For  right  as  they  had  cast  his  deeth  bifore, 
Right  so  they  han  him  slayn,  and  that 

anon.  88 t 

And  whan  that  this  was  doon,  thus  spak 

that  oon, 
'  Now  lat  us  sitte  and  drinke,  and  make 

vis  merie. 
And  afterward  'we  wol  his  body  berie.' 
And  with  that  word  it  happed  him,  par 

cas,  885 

To  take  the  hotel  ther  the  poj-son  was. 
And  drank,  and  yaf  his  felawe  drinke  also, 
For  which  anon  they  storven  bothe  two. 

But,  certes,  I  suppose  that  Avicen     (561) 
Wroot  never  in  no  canon,  ne  in  no  fen. 
Mo  wonder  signes  of  empoisoning  891 

Than  hadde  thise  wrecches  two,  er  hir 

ending. 
Thus  ended  been  thise  homicydes  two. 
And  eek  the  false  empoysouer  also. 

O  cxirsed  sinne,  fvil  of  cursednesse  !    895 
O  traytours  homicyde,  o  wikkednesse  ! 

0  glotonye,  liixurie,  and  hasardrye  !  (569) 
Thou  blasphemour  of  Crist  with  vileinye 
And  othes  grete,  of  usage  and  of  pryde  ! 
Alias!  mankinde,  how  may  it  bityde,  900 
That   to   thy   creatour  which   that  thee 

wroghte. 
And  with  his  precious  herte-blood  theo 

boghte. 
Thou  art  so  fals  and  so  unkinde,  alias  ! 
Now,  goodo  men,  god  forgevo  yow^  your 

trespas,  904 

And  ware  yow  fro  the  sinne  of  avaryce. 
Myn  holy  pardoun  may  yow  alio  waryce, 
So  that  ye  oflfre  nobles  or  sterlinges, 
Or  elles  silver  brochcs,  sponcs,  ringes.  (580) 
Boweth  your  heed  under  this  holy  bulle  ! 
Cometh   iip,   ye   wj^-es,    offreth    of  your 

wolle !  910 

Your  name  I  entro  heer  in  my  rolle  anon  ; 
In-to  the  Misso  of  hoveno  shul  yo  gon  ; 

1  yow  assoile,  by  myn  hoigh  power, 
Yow  that  wol  offre,  as  cleno  and  eek  aa 

deer 


64 


ZU  Cantcrfiurp  Zakc. 


[t.   12849-129OJ 


As  ye   were   born  ;  and,  lo,  sirs,   thus  I 

lireehe.  915 

And  Jesu  Crist,  that  is  our  soules  leche, 
So  graunte  j'ow  his  pardon  to  receyve  ; 
For  that  is  best ;  I  wol  yow  nat  deceyve. 

But  sirs,  o  word  tbrgat  I  in  my  tale,  (591 ) 
I  have  relikes  and  pardon  in  my  male,  9J0 
As  faire  as  any  man  in  Engelond, 
Whiche  were  me  yeven  by  the  popes  hond. 
If  any  of  yow  wol,  of  devoeioun, 
Offreu,  and  han  myn  absolucioun, 
Cometh   forth   anon,    and    kneleth   heer 

adoun,  925 

And  niekely  receyveth  my  pardoun  : 
Or  elles,  taketh  pardon  as  ye  wende,  (599) 
Al  newe  and  fresh,  at  every  tounes  ende, 
So  that  3'e  ofi'ren  alwej'  newe  and  newe 
Nobles  and  pens,  which  that  be  gode  and 

trewe.  930 

It  is  an  honour  to  everich  that  is  heer, 
That  ye  mowe  have  a  siiifisant  pardoneer 
T'assoille  yow,  in  contree  as  ye  ryde. 
For  aventures  which  that  may  bityde. 
Peraventure  ther  may  falle  oon  or  two  935 
Doun  of  his  hors,  and  breke  his  nekke 

atwo. 
Look  which  a  seuretee  is  it  to  j'ow  alle 
That  I  am  inyourfelaweshipy-falle,  (610) 
That  may  assoille  j'ow,  bothe  more  and 

lassc. 
Whan  that  the  soule  shal  fro  the  body 

passe.  940 

I  rede  that  our  hoste  heer  shal  biginne. 
For  he  is  most  envoluped  in  sinne. 
Com  forth,  sir  hoste,  and  offre  first  anon. 
And  thou  shalt  kisse  the  reliks  everichon. 


Ye,  for  a  grote  !  nnbokel  anon  thy  pnrs.' 
■  Nay,    nay,'   quod    he,    '  than    have    I 

Cristes  curs !  946 

Lat   be,'   quod    he,    'it   shal    nat   be,    so 

thee'ch !  

Thou  woldest  make  me  kisse  thyn   old 

breech,  (620) 

And  swere  it  were  a  relik  of  a  seint, 
Thogh  it  were  with  thy  fundement  de- 

peint !  950 

But  by  the  croys  which  that  seint  Eleyne 

fond, 
I  wolde  I  hadde  thy  coillons  in  myn  hond 
In  stei'.e  ''f  relikes  or  of  seintuarie  ; 
Lat  cutte  hem  of,  I  wol  thee  helpe  hem 

carie  ; 
They  shul  be  shr>-ned  in  an  hogges  tord.' 

This  pardoner  answerde  nat  a  word ;  956_ 
So  wrooth  he  was,  no  word  ne  wolde  he 

seye. 
'  Xow,'  quod  our  host,  '  I  wol  no  lenger 

pleye  (630) 

With  thee,  ne  with  noon  otherangry  man.' 
But  right  anon  the  worthy  Knight  bigan, 
Whan  that  he  saugh  that  al  the  peple 

lough,  961 

'  Na-more  of  this,  for  it  is  right  y-nough  ; 
Sir  Pardoner,  be  glad  and  mery  of  chere  ; 
And  ye,  sir  host,  that  been  to  me  so  dere, 
I  prey  yow  that  ye  kisse  the  Pardoner.  965 
And  Pardoner,  I  prey  thee,  drawe  thee 

neer. 
And,   as   we   didon,    lat    us    laughe  and 

ployo.'  (639) 

Anon   they   kiste,    and   riden    forth  hir 

weye.  [T.  12902 


Here  is  ended  the  Pardoners  Tale. 
{For  T.  12903,  See  p.  492). 


T.  5583-563^-]    D.    ZU  (J^tfe  of  (ga06  (prorogue. 


565 


GROUP  D. 


THE   WIFE   OF   BATH'S   PROLOGUE. 


The  Prologe  of  the  Wyves  Tale  of  Bathe. 


'  ExPERiKNCK,  thoiigrh  noon  auctoritee 
Were  in  this  world,  wero  right  y-nongh 

to  me 
To  speke  of  -wo  that  is  in  mariage  ; 
For,  lordiiiges,  sith  I  twelf  year  was  of  age, 
Thonked  be  god  that  is  eterne  on  lyre,    5 
Honsbondes  at  chirche-dore  I  have  had 

fj^^e ; 
For  I  so  ofte  have  y-wedded  be  ; 
And  fille  were  worthy  men  in  hir  degree. 
But  me  was  told  certeyn,  nat  loiige  agon  is, 
That  sith  that  Crist  ne  wente  never  but 

onis  10 

To  wedding  in  the  Cane  of  Galilee, 
That  by  the  same  ensample  tanghte  he  mo 
That  I  ne  sholde  wedded  be  but  ones. 
Hcrke  eek,  lo !   which  a  sharp  word  for 

the  nones 
Besyde  a  wello  .Tcsns,  god  and  man,        15 
Spak  in  reprevc  of  the  Samaritan  : 
"  Tliou  hast  y-liad  fj-ve  housbondes,"  quod 

he, 
"  And  thilke  man,  the  which  that  hath 

now  thee, 
Is  noght  thyn  hoiisbond  ;  "  thus  seyde  he 

certeyn ; 
'\Miat  that  he  mente  ther-by,  I  can  nat 

seyn ;  20 

But  that  I  axe,  why  that  the  fifthc  man 
"Was  noon  housbond  to  the  Samaritan? 
How  manyo  miglito  she  have  in  mariage? 
Yet  horde  I  never  tellen  in  myn  age 
Upon  this  nombre  diffinicioun  ;  25 

Men  may  dcvyno  and  glosen  up  and  doun. 
But  wel  I  woot  expres,  with-outo  lye, 
God  bad  us  for  to  wexo  and  multiplj-o  ; 
That  gentil  text  can  I  wel  understonde. 
Eek  wel  I  woot  he  seyde,  niyn  hovisbondc 


Sholde  leto  fader  and  moder,  and  take 

me ;  31 

But  of  no  nombre  mencioun  made  he, 
Of  bigamye  or  of  octogamye  ; 
Why  sholde  men  speke  of  it  vileinye  ? 

Lo,  here  the  wyse  king,  dan  Salomon ;  55 
I  trowe  he  hadde  wyves  mo  than  oon  ; 
As,  wolde  god,  it  leveful  were  to  mo 
To  be  refresshed  half  so  ofte  as  he  !  ' 
Which  yifte  of  god  hadde  ho  for  alio  his 

wyvis  ! 
No  man  hath  swich,  that  in  this  world 

alyve  is.  40 

God  woot,  this  noble  king,  as  to  mj-  wit. 
The  firste  night  had  many  a  merj^  fit 
With  ech  of  hem,  so  wel  was  him  on  lyvo ! 
Blessed  be  god  that  I  have  wedded  fj-%-c  !* 
Welcome  the  sixte,  wlian  that  ever  ho 

shal.  ■    45 

For  sothe,  I  wol  nat  kepo  me  chast  in  al ; 
Whan  myn  housbond  is  fro  tho  world 

Som  Cristen  man  shal  weddc  me  anoji : 
For  thanne  th'apostlo  soitli,   that  I  am 

free 
To  wedde,  a  godd's  half,   whor  it  lykoth 

mo.  5c  > 

He  seith  that  to  be  wedded  is  no  sinno  ; 
Bet  is  to  be  wedded  than  to  brinne. 
What  rekketh  nie,  thogh  folk  seye  \'iIeinyo 
Of  shrewed  Lameth  and  his  bigamye? 


*  Here  some  MSS.  insert  the  following  (lenuinr 
(but  rejected)  lines  : — 

Of  wliiclie  I  have  j-piked  out  tlie  beste 
Uothe  of  liir  netlier  puis  and  i  f  liir  clieste. 
Diverse  scoles  lUJikeu  j«irfit  clerkes. 
Divers  pruktik,  in  many  Bondry  weike.'s, 
M.aketli  tlio  workman  partit  sekirly. 
Of  f yve  husbondes  scoloring  am  I. 


566 


ZU  CanferBurp  tahe. 


[t-  5637-5718- 


1  woot  wel  Abx-aham  was  an  holy  man,  55 
And  Jacob  cek,  as  fcrforth  as  I  can  ; 
And  ech  of  liem  liadde  ^vyves  mo  than 

two  ; 
And  many  another  holy  man  also. 
\\'han  sangh  ye  ever,  in  any  maner  age, 
That  hye  god  defended  mariage  60 

By  expres  word  ?    I  pray  you,  telleth  me ; 
Or  wher  comanded  he  virginitee  ? 
I  woot  as  wel  as  ye,  it  is  no  drede, 
Th'apostel,  whan  he  speketh  of  mayden- 

hede ; 
He  seyde,  that  precept  ther-of  hadde  he 

noon.  65 

Men  may  conseille  a  womman  to  been  con, 
But  conseiUing  is  no  comandement ; 
He  putte  it  in  our  owene  jugement 
For  hadde  god  nomanded  maydenhede, 
Thanne  hadde  he  dampned  wedding  vdih 

the  dede  ;  70 

And  certes,  if  ther  were  no  seed  y-sowe, 
Virginitee,  wher-of  than  sholde  it  growe  ? 
Poul  dorste  nat  comandeu  atte  leste 
A  thing  of  which  his  maister  yaf  noon 

heste. 
The  dart  is  set  up  for  virginitee  ;  75 

Cacche  who  so  may,  who  renneth  best  lat 

see. 
But  this  word  is  nat  take  of  every  wight. 
But  ther  as  god  list  give  it  of  his  might. 
I  woot  wel,  that  th'apostel  was  a  mayde  ; 
But  natheless,  thogh  that  he  wroot  and 

sayde,  80 

He  wolde  that  every  wight  were  swich  as 

he, 
Al  nis  but  conseil  to  virginitee  ; 
And  for  to  been  a  wyf,  he  yaf  me  leve 
Of  indulgence  ;  so  it  is  no  repreve 
To  wedde  me,  if  that  my  make  dye,        85 
With-oi^te  excepcioun  of  bigamye. 
Al  were  it  good  no  womman  for  to  touche. 
He  mente  as  in  his  bed  or  in  his  couche  ; 
For  peril  is  bothe  fyr  and  tow  t'assemble ; 
Ye    knowe    what     this    ensample    may 

resemble.  90 

This  is  al  and  som,  he  heeld  virginitee 
More  parfit  than  wedding  in  freletee. 
Freeltee  clepe  I,  but -if  that  he  and  she 
AVolde  loden  al  hir  lyf  in  chastitee. 

I  graunte  it  wel,  I  have  noon  envye,  95 
Thogh  maydenhede  preferre  bigamye  ; 


Hem  lyketh  to  be  clene,  body  and  goost. 
Of  myn  estaat  I  nil  nat  make  no  boost. 
For  wel  ye  knowe,  a  lord  in  his  houshold. 
He  hath  nat  every  vessel  al  of  gold  ;     100 
Somme  been  of  tree,  and  doon  hir  lord 

servyse. 
God  clepeth  folk  to  him  in  sondry  wyse, 
And  everich  hath  of  god  a  propre  yifte, 
Som  this,  som  that, — as  him  lyketh  shifte. 
Virginitee  is  greet  perfeccioun,  105 

And  continence  eek  with  devocioun. 
But  Crist,  that  of  perfeccioun  is  welle. 
Bad  nat  every  wight  he  sholde  go  selle 
All  that  he  hadde,  and  give  it  to  the  pore. 
And  in  swich  wyse  folwe  him  and  his 

fore.  no 

He  spak  to  hem  that  wolde  live  parfitly ; 
And  lordinges.  by  your  leve,  that  am  nat  I. 
I  w^ol  bistowe  the  flour  of  al  myn  age 
In  th'  actes  and  in  fruit  of  mariage. 

Telle  me  also,  to  what  eonclusioun    1 15 
Were  membres  maad  of  generacioun, 
And     for     what     profit     was    a     wight 

y-WTOght  ? 
Trusteth  right  wel,  they  wer  nat  maad 

for  noght. 
Glose  who-so  wole,  and  seye  bothe  tip  and 

dotm. 
That  they  were  maked  for  pnrgaciottn  120 
Of  tirine,  and  our  bothe  thinges  smale 
AVere    eek  to  knowe   a    femele  from   a 

male. 
And  for  noon  other  cause  :  sey  ye  no  ? 
The  e.\perience  woot  wel  it  is  noght  so ; 
So   that    the    clerkes    be    nat   with    me 

wrothe,  125 

I  sey  this,  that  they  maked  been  for  bothe, 
This  is  to  seye,  for  office,  and  for  ese 
Of  engendrure,  ther  we  nat  god  displese. 
"Why  sholde  men  elles  in  hir  bokes  sette, 
That  man    shal    yelde   to    his  wyf  hir 

dette?  130 

Now    wher-with    sholde    he    make    his 

payement. 
If  he  ne  vised  his  sely  instrument? 
Than  were  they  maad  up-on  a  creature. 
To  purge  urj-ne,  and  eek  for  engendrure. 
But  I  seye  noght  that  every  wight  is 

holde,  135 

That   hath  swich  barneys   as  I  to  yow 

tolde, 


'J--  57I9-579-''-]    !>•    ^H  (^tfe  of  (gaf^'e  (pfofo^ue. 


567 


To  goon  and  usen  hem  in  engendrure  ; 
Than  sholde  men   take  of  chastitee  no 

cure. 
Crist  was  a  niayde,  and  shapen  as  a  man, 
And  many  a  seint,  sith  that  the  world 

higan,  140 

Yet  lived  they  ever  in  parfit  chastitee. 
I  nil  envye  no  virginitee  ; 
Lat  hem  be  breed  of  pured  whete-seed, 
And  lat  us  wyves  hoten  barly-breed  ; 
And  yet  with  barly-breed,  Mark  telle  can, 
Our  lord  Jesu  refresshed  many  a  man.  146 
In  swich  estaat  as  god  hath  cleped  us 
I  wol  persevere,  I  nam  nat  precious. 
In  wj'fhode  I  wol  vise  myn  instrument 
As  frely  as  my  maker  hath  it  sent.        150 
If  I  be  daungerous,  god  yeve  me  sorwe  ! 
Myn  housbond  shal  it  have  bothe  eve  and 

morwe. 
Whan  that  him  list  com  forth  and  paye 

his  dette. 
An  housbonde  I  wol  have,  I  nil  nat  lette. 
Which  shal  be  bothe  my  dettour  and  my 

thral,  155 

And  have  his  tribulacioun  with-al 
Up-on  his  flessli,  whyl  that  I  am  his  wyf. 
I  have  the  power  duringe  al  my  lyf 
Up-on  his  propre  body,  and  noght  he. 
Right  thus  th'apostel  tolde  it  un-to  me  ; 
And  bad  our  housbondes  for  to  love  us 

weel.  161 

Al  this  sentence  me  lyketh  every-deel ' — 
Up  sterte  the  Pardoner,  and  that  anon, 
'  Now  dame,'  quod  he,   '  by  god  and   by 

seint  John, 
Ye  been  a  noble  prechour  in  this  cas  !  165 
I  was  aboute  to  wedde  a  wyf ;  alias  ! 
What  sholde  I  bye  it  on  my  flesh  so  dere? 
Yet  hadde  I  lever  wedde  no  wyf  to-yere  ! ' 
'  Abyde  ! '    quod  she,    '  my  tale  is   nat 

bigonne ;  169 

Nay,  thou  shalt  drinken  of  an  other  tonne 
Er  that  I  go,  shal  savoure  wors  than  ale. 
And  whan  that  I  have  told  thee  forth 

my  tale 
Of  tribulacioun  in  mariage, 
Of  which  I  am  expert  in  al  myn  age. 
This    to    seyn,    my-self   have    been    the 

whippe  ; — •  1 75 

Than  maystow  chese  whether  thou  wolt 

sippe 


Of  thilke  tonne  that  I  shal  abroche. 
Be  war  of  it,  er  thou  to  ny  ajiproche  ; 
For  I  shal  telle  ensamples  mo  than  ten. 
Who-so  that  nil  be  war  by  othere  men,  180 
By  him  shul  othere  men  corrected  be. 
The  same  wordes  wryteth  Ptholomee  ; 
Rede  in  his  Almageste,  and  take  it  there.' 
'  Dame,  I  wolde  praye  yow,  if  your  wil 

it  were,' 

Seyde  this  Pardoner,  '  as  ye  bigan,         185 

Telle  forth  your  tale,  sijareth  for  no  man, 

And  teche  us  yonge  men  of  your  praktike.' 

'Gladly,'  quod  she,   'sith  it  may  yow 

lyke. 
But  yet  I  praye  to  al  this  companye. 
If  that  I  speke  after  my  fantasye,  190 

As  taketli  not  a-grief  of  tliat  I  seye  ; 
For  myn  entente  nis  but  for  to  pleye. 
Now  sires,  now  wol   I  telle  forth  my 

tale.  — • 
As  ever  mote  I  drinken  wyn  or  ale, 
I  shal  seye  sooth,   tho  housbondes  that 

I  hadde,  195 

As  three  of  hem  were  gode  and  two  were 

badde. 
The  three  men  were  gode,  and  riche,  and 

olde  ; 
Unnethe  mighte  they  the  statut  holde 
In  which  that  they  were  bounden  un-to 

me.  199 

Ye  woot  wel  what  I  mene  of  this,  pardee ! 
As  help  me  god,  I  laugho  whan  I  thinke 
How  pitously  a-night  I  made  hem  swinke ; 
And  by  my  fey,  I  tolde  of  it  no  stoor. 
They  had  me   yeven  hir  gold   and  hir 

tresoor ; 
Me  neded  nat  do  lenger  diligence         21)5 
To  winne  hir  love,  or  doon  hem  reverence. 
They  loved  me  so  wel,  by  god  above. 
That  I  ne  tolde  no  deyntee  of  hir  love ! 
A  wys  womman  wol  sette  hir  ever  in  oon 
To  getc  hir  love,  ther  as  she  hath  noon.  210 
But  sith  I  hadde  hem  hoolly  in  myn  hond, 
And  sith  they  hadde  me  yeven  all  hir 

lond, 
What  sholde  I  taken  hede  hem  for  to 

lilese, 
But  it  were  for  my  profit  and  myn  ose? 
I  sette  hem  so  a-worko,  by  my  fey,         215 
That  many  a  night   they  songen  "  wei- 

lawey ! " 


68 


ZU  CcinkvBuv^  take. 


[t-  5799-5^7' 


The  bacoxin  was  nat  fet  for  hem,  I  trowe, 
That  som  men  han  in  Essex  at  Dunmowe. 
I  governed  hem  so  wel,  after  my  lawe, 
That  ech  of  hem  fnl  hlisful  was  and  fawe 
To  bringe  me  gaye  thinges fro  the fayre.  22 1 
They  were  ful  glad  whan  I  spak  to  hem 

fayre  ; 
For  god  it  woot,  I  chidde  hem  spitously. 

Now  herkneth,  how  I  bar  me  proprely, 

Ye  wyse  wj-s-es,  that  can  understonde.  225 

Thus  shul  ye  speke  and  here  hem  wrong 

on  honde ; 
For  half  so  boldely  can  ther  no  man 
Swere  and  lyen  as  a  womman  can. 
I  sey  nat  this  by  \v'yves  that  ben  wj-se, 
But -if  it  be  whan  they  hem  misa\-yse.  230 
A  ^vys  wyf,  if  that  she  can  hir  good, 
Shal  beren  him  on  bond  the  cow  is  wood. 
And  take  witnesse  of  hir  owene  mayde 
Of  hir  assent  ;  but  herkneth  how  I  sayde. 
"  Sir  olde  kayuard,  is  this  thyn  array? 
VVhy  is  my  neighebfires  wyf  so  gay  ?     236 
She  is  honoured  over-al  ther  she  goth  ; 
I  sitte  at  boom,  I  have  no  thrifty  cloth. 
What  dostow  at  my  neighebores  hous  ? 
Is  she  so  fair  ?  artow  so  amorous  ?         240 
MTiat  rowne  ye  with  our  mayde  ?    6en'- 

cite  ! 
Sir  olde  lechonr,  lat  thy  japes  be  I 
And  if  I  have  a  gossib  or  a  freend, 
With-outen  gilt,  thou  chj-dest  as  a  feend, 
If  that  I  walke  or  pleye  nn-to  his  hous  I  245 
Thou  comest  hoom  as  dronkcn  as  a  mous, 
And  prechest  on  thj'  bench,  with   yvel 

preef ! 
Thou  seist  to  me,  it  is  a  greet  meschief 
To  wedde  a  povre  womman,  for  costage  ; 
And  if  that  she  be  riche,  of  heigh  parage, 
Tlian  seistow  that  it  is  a  tormentrye     251 
To  sufFre  hir  prydc  and  hir  malencolye. 
And  if  that  she  be  fair,  thou  vorray  knave. 
Thou  seyst  that  evei-j-  holour  wol  hir  have ; 
She  may  no  whyle  in  chastitee  abyde,  255 
That  is  assaillcd  tip-on  ech  a  syde. 

Thou    seyst,   som   folk   desyre    us    for 

richesse, 
Som  for  our  shap,  and  som  for  our  fair- 

nesse ; 
And   som,  for  she  can  outher  singe  or 

daunce,  259 

And  som,  for  gentillesse  and  daliaunce  ; 


Som,  for  hir  handes  and  hir  armes  smale ; 
Tlius  goth  al  to  the  devel  by  thy  tale. 
Tliou  seyst,  men  may  nat  kepe  a  castel- 

wal ; 
It  may  so  longe  assailled  been  over-al. 
And  if  that  she  be  foul,  thou  seist  that 

she  265 

Coveiteth  every  man  that  she  may  see  ; 
For  as  a  spajniel  she  wol  on  liim  lepe. 
Til  that  she  finds  som  man  hir  to  chepe  ; 
Ne  noon  so  grey  goos  goth  ther  in  the 

lake,  269 

As,  seistow,  that  wol  been  with-oute  make. 
And  seyst,  it  is  an  hard  thing  for  to  welde 
A  thing  that  no  man  wol,  his  thankes, 

helde. 
Thus  seistow,  lorel,  whan  thow  goost  to 

bedde ; 
And   that    no   wys   man   nedeth   for   to 

wedde,  274 

Xe  no  man  that  entendeth  un-to  hevene. 

With  wilde  thonder-dint  and  firy  levene 

Mote  thy  welked  nekke  be  to-broke  ! 

Thow  seyst  that  dropping  houses,  and 

eek  smoke, 
And  chyding  -wyves,  maken  men  to  flee 
Out  of  hir  owene  hous  ■;  a!  ben' cite  !      280 
■Wliat  eyleth  swich  an  old   man   for   tf> 

chyde  ? 
Tliow  seyst,  wc  wj-ves  wol   our  vyces 

hydo 
Til  we  be  fast,   and   than   we  wol   hem 

shewe  ; 
Wei  may  that  be  a  proverbe  of  a  shrewe '. 
Tliou  seist,  that  oxen,  asses,  hors,  and 

houndcs,  285 

They  been  assayed  at  diverse  stonndes ; 
Bacins,  lavours,  er  that  men  hem  bye, 
Spones  and   stoles,  and   al  swich   hous- 

bondrye. 
And  so  been  pottes,  clothes,  and  array ; 
But  folk  of  wy\-es  maken  noon  assay    290 
Til  they  be  wedded  ;  olde  dotard  shrewe  ! 
And   than,    seistow,    we   vrol   cure   vices 

shewe. 
Thou  seist  also,  that  it  displeseth  me 
But-if  that  thou  wolt  preyse  my  beautee, 
And   but   thou    poure   alwey  up-on    my 

face,  295 

And    clepe    me    '  fairo   dame '   in    every 

place ; 


T.  5879-594^-]    D-    €H  (^tfe  of  QE>at^'0  (profo^ue. 


569 


And   but  thou  make   a  feste   on  tliilke 

day 
That  I  was  born,  and  make  me  fresh  and 

gay, 
And  biit  tliou  do  to  my  norice  honour, 
And   to   my   chamberere   with-inne   my 

hour,  300 

And  to  my  fadres  folk  and  his  allyes ; — 
Thus  seistow,  olde  barel  ful  of  lyes  ! 

And  yet  of  our  apjirentice  Janekyn, 
For  his  crisp  heer,  shyninge  as  gold  sofyn. 
And  for  he  squiereth  me  bothe  up  and 

doun,  305 

Yet  hastow  caught  a  fals  suspecioun  ; 
I  wol  hym  noght,  thogh  thou  were  deed 

to-morwe. 
But  tel  me  this,  why  hydestow,  with 

sorwe, 
The  keycs  of  thy  cheste  awey  fro  me  ? 
Jt  is  my  good  as  wel  as  thyn,  pardee.   310 
^\^lat  wenestow  make   an   idiot   of  our 

dame  ? 
Now  by  that   lord,   that  called  is  seint 

Jame, 
Thou  shalt  nat  bothe,  thogh   that  thou 

were  wood. 
Be  maister  of  my  body  and  of  my  good  ; 
That  oon  thou  slialt  forgo,  maugree  thyne 

yen ;  315 

What  nedeth  thee  of  me  to  enquere  or 

spyen  ? 
I   trowe,   thou  woldest  loke   mo  in    thy 

cheste  ! 
Thou  sholdest  seye,  '  v/yf,  go  wher  thee 

leste, 
Tak  your  disport,  I  wol  nat  leve  no  talis; 
1  knowe  yow  for  a  trewe  wj'f,  dame  Alis.' 
We   love   no   man   that  taketh   kepe  or 

charge  321 

Wher  that  we  goon,  we  wol  ben  at  our 

large. 
Of  alle  men  y-blessed  moot  he  be. 
The  wyse  astrologien  Dan  Ptholome,    324 
That  seith  this  proverbe  in  his  Almageste, 
'  Of  alle  men  his  wisdom  is  the  hyeste. 
That  rekketh  never  who  hath  the  world 

in  honde.' 
By  this  proverbe  thou  shalt  understonde. 
Have  thou  y-nogh,  what  thar  thee  recche 

or  care 
How  merily  that  othere  folkea  fare  ?    330 


For  certeyn,  olde  dotard,  by  yoiir  leve. 
Ye  shul  have  queynte  right  y-nough  at  eve. 
He  is  to  greet  a  nigard  that  wol  werne 
A  man  to  lighte  his  candle  at  his  lanterne ; 
He    shal    have    never    the    lasse    light, 

Pardee ;  335 

Have  thou  y-nough,  thee  thar  nat  pleyne 

thee 
Thou  seyst  also,  that  if  we  make  us  gay 
With  clothing  and  with  precious  array. 
That  it  is  peril  of  our  chastitee  ; 
And  yet,  with  sorwe,  thou  most  enforce 

thee,  340 

And   seye  thise  wordes  in   the   apostles 

name, 
'  In    habit,     maad    with    chastitee    and 

shame. 
Ye  wommen  shul  apparaille  yow,'   quod 

he, 
'  And   noght   in   tressed    lieer   and    gay 

perree. 
As  perles,  ne  with  gold,  ne  clothes  riche ; ' 
After  thy  text,  ne  after  thj'  rubriche    346 
I  wol  nat  wirche  as  muchel  as  a  gnat. 
Thou  seydest  this,  that  I  was  lyk  a  cat ; 
For  who-so  wolde  senge  a  cattes  skin, 
Thanne   wolde  the   cat   wel   dwollen   in 

his  in  ;  350 

And  if  the  cattes  skin  be  slyk  and  gay. 
She  wol  nat  dwelle  in  house  half  a  day, 
But  forth  she  wole,  er  any  day  be  dawed, 
To   shewe   hir   skin,    and    goon    a-cater- 

wawed  ; 
This  is  to  seye,  if  I  be  gay,  sir  shrewe,  355 
I  wol  renue  out,  my  borel  for  to  sliewe. 
Sire    oldo   fool,    what    eyleth    thee   to 

spyen  ? 
Thogh     thou     prej-e    Argus,    with     his 

hundred  yen, 
To  be  my  warde-cors,  as  he  can  best, 
In   feith,  he  shal  nat  kepe   me  but   me 

lest ;  360 

Yet  coude   I   make   his   herd,    so    moot 

I  thee. 
Thou  seydest  eek,  that  ther  ben  tliinges 

tliree, 
The  whiche  thinges  troublen  al  this  crtho. 
And  that  no  Avight  ne  may  endure  the 

fertile : 
O  leve  sir  shrewe,  Jesu  shorte  thy  lyf !  365 
Yet  prechestow,  and  seyst,  an  hateful  wyf 


or 


Z?>t  tantcv&uv^  Zake. 


[t-  5949-^'024. 


Y-rekened  is  for  oon  of  thise  mescliances. 
Been   tlier   none    othere    maner    resem- 
blances 
That  ye  may  lykne  your  parables  to, 
But-if  a  selj-  wyf  be  oon  of  tho  ?  37c) 

Thou  lykenost  wommanes  love  to  helle, 
To   bareyne   lond,    ther   water  may   not 

dwelle. 
Thou  lyknest  it  also  to  wilde  fyr  ; 
The  more  it  brenneth,  the  more  it  hath 

desyr 
To    consume    everj-    thing     that    brent 

wol  be.  375 

Thou  seyst,  that  right  as  wormes  shende 

a  tree, 
Right  so  a  wyf  destroyetb  liir  housbonde ; 
This    knowe    they   that   been   to   wyves 

bonde." 
Lordiuges,    right    tbus,    as     yc     have 

xmderstonde. 
Bar  I  stifly  myne   olde   lioiisbondes   on 

honde,  380 

That  thus  they  seyden  in  hir  dronkenesse ; 
And  al  was  fals,  but  that  I  took  witnesse 
On  Janekin  and  on  my  nece  also. 

0  lord,  the  pejTie  I  dide  hem  and  the  wo, 
Ful  giltelees,  by  goddes  swete  pync  !  385 
For  as  an  hors  I  coude  byte  and  whync. 

1  coude   pleyne,    thogh    I   were   in    the 

gilt, 
Or  olles  often  tyme  hadde  I  ben  spilt. 
Wlio-so   that   first  to  mille  comth,  first 

grint ; 
I  plejmed  first,  so  was  our  werre  y-stint. 
They  were  ful   glad  t'excnsen  hem  ful 

bly\'e  391 

Of  thing  of  which  they  never  agilte  hir 

lyve. 
Of  wenches   wolde   I    beren    him    on 

honde, 
Whan  that  for  syk  unnethcs  mightc  he 

stondc. 
Yet  tilded  it  hi.s  herte,  for  that  he         395 
Wende   that   I    hadde   of  him   so   greet 

chiortee. 
I  swoor  that  al  my  walkinge  out  by  nighte 
Was  for  t'espyo  wenches  that  he  dighte  ; 
I'nder  that  colour  hadde  I  many  a  mirthc. 
For  al  swich  wit  is  yeven  us  in  our  birthe; 
Decoite,  wcping,  spinning  god  hath  yive 
To  wommen  kindelv,  whvl  thcv  m.av  live. 


And  thus  of  o  thing  I  avaunte  me,  403 
Attc   ende    I   hadde   the   bettre   in   ech 

degree, 
B3-  sleighte,  or  force,  or  by  som  maner 

thing,  405 

As  by  continuel  murmur  or  g^rucching ; 
Namely  a-bedde  hadden  they  meschaunce, 
Ther  wolde   I   clij-de   and   do    hem    no 

plesaunce ; 
I  wolde  no  lenger  in  the  bed  abyde. 
If  that  I  felte  his  arm  over  my  syde,    410 
Til  he  had  maad  his  raunson  un-to  me  ; 
Than  wolde  I  sufFre  him  do  his  nycetee. 
And  ther-fore  every  man  this  tale  I  telle, 
Winne  who-so  may,  for  al  is  for  to  selle. 
With  empty  hand  men  may  none  haukes 

lure :  415 

For  winning  wolde  I  al  his  lust  endure, 
And  make  me  a  feyned  appetyt ; 
And  yet  in  bacon  hadde  I  never  delyt ; 
That  made  me  that  ever  I  wolde  hem 

chyde.  419 

For  thogh  the  pope  had  seten  hem  blsyde, 
I  wolde  nat  spare  hem  at  hir  owene  bord. 
For  by  my  trouthe,  I  qiiitte  hem  word 

for  ■word. 
As  help  me  verray  god  omnipotent, 
Thogh    1   right    now    sholde    make    my 

testament, 
I  ne  owe  hem  nat  a  word  that  it  nis  quit. 
I  broghte  it  so  aboute  by  my  wit,  426 

That  they  moste  yeve  it  up,  as  for  the 

beste  ; 
Or  elles  hadde  we  never  been  in  reste. 
For  thogh  he  loked  as  a  wood  leoun, 
Yet  sholde  he  faille  of  his  conclnsioun.  430 
Tlianne  wolde  I  sej-e,  "  gode  lief,  tak 

keep 
How  mekely  loketh  AVilkin  cure  sheep  ; 
Com    neer,    my   spouse,    lat   me   ba   thy 

cheke ! 
Ye  sholde  been  al  pacient  and  meke, 
And  ban  a  swete  spyced  conscience,     435 
Sith  yc  so  preche  of  Jol>es  pacience. 
Suffreth  alwey,  sin  ye  .so  wel  can  preche  : 
And   but    ye   do,   certein  we   shal    yow 

tcche 
That  it  is  fair  to  have  a  wyf  in  pees. 
Oon  of  us  two  mosto  l)owen,  doutelees ;  440 
And  sith  a  man  is  more  resonable 
Than  womman  is,  yc  moste  been  suflfrable. 


T.  6025-6110.]    D.    ZU  (K)ife  of  (gA06  (profo^ue. 


571 


What  eyleth  yow  to   grncclio  thiis  and 

grone  ? 
Is  it  for  j'e  wolde  have  my  qneyntc  alloue? 
Why  taak  it  al,  lo,  have  it  every-deel ;  445 
Peter !  I  shrewe  yow  hut  ye  hive  it  weel  ! 
For  if  I  wolde  selle  my  bele  chose, 
I  coude  walke  as  fresh  as  is  a  rose  ; 
But  I  wol  kepe  it  for  your  owene  tooth. 
Ye  he  to  blame,  hy  god,  I  sey  yow  sooth." 
Swiche    nianer   wordes   hadde   we   on 

honde.  451 

Now  wol  I  speken  of  my  fourthe  hous- 

honde. 
My  fourthe  housbonde  was  a  revelour, 
This  is  to  seyn,  he  hadde  a  paramour  ; 
And  I  was  yong  and  ful  of  ragerye,      455 
Stiborn  and  strong,  and  joly  as  a  pyo. 
Wei  coude  I  daunce  to  an  harpe  smale, 
And  singe,  j'-wis,  as  any  nightingale. 
Whan  I  had  dronke  a  draughte  of  swete 

wyu. 
Metellius,  the  foiile  cherl,  the  swyn,    461) 
That  with  a  staf  birafte  his  wyf  hir  lyf, 
For  she  drank  wyn,  thogh  I  hadde  been 

his  wyf, 
He  sholde  nat  han  daunted  me  fro  drinke ; 
And,  after  wyn,  on  Venus  mosto  I  thinke  : 
For  al  so  sikor  as  cold  engendreth  hayl, 
A  likerous  mouth  moste  han  a  likerous 

tayl.  466 

In  womman  vinolent  is  no  defence, 
This  knowen  lechours  by  experience. 
But,  lord  Crist !  whan  that  it  remem- 

breth  me 
Up-on  my  yowthe,  and  on  my  jolitee,  470 
It  tikloth  mo  aboute  myn  herte  rote. 
Unto  tbis  day  it  dooth  myn  herte  bote 
That  I  have  had  my  world  as  in  my  tj-me. 
But  ago,  alhis !  that  al  wol  envenymo,  474 
Hath  ine  biraft  my  beautee  and  my  pith ; 
Lat  go,  fare-wel,  the  devel  go  therwith  ! 
The  flour  is  goon,  ther  is  na-morc  to  telle, 
The  bren,  as  I  best  can,  now  moste  I  selle ; 
But  yet  to  be  right  mcry  wol  I  fonde. 
Now  wol  I  tellen  of  my  fourthe    hous- 
bonde. 480 
I  .seyo,  I  hadde  in  herte  greet  despyt 
That  he  of  any  other  had  delyt. 
Biat   ho  was  quit,   by  god  and   by  seint 

Joce  ! 
I  made  him  of  the  same  wode  a  croce  ; 


Nat  of  my  body  in  no  foul  manere,        485 
But  certeinly,  I  made  folk  swich  chere, 
That  in  his  oweno  grecc  I  made  him  frye 
For  angre,  and  for  verray  jaloiisye. 
By  god,  in  erthe  I  was  his  purgatorie,  489 
For  wliich  I  hope  his  soule  lie  in  glorie. 
For  god  it  woot.  he  sat  ful  ofte  and  song 
Whan    that   his   shoo   ful   bitterly   him 

wrong. 
Ther  was  no  wight,  save  god  and  he,  that 

wiste. 
In  many  wyse,  how  sore  I  hini  twiste. 
He  deyde  whan  I  cam  fro  Jerusalem,  4(^5 
And  lyth  y-grave  tinder  the  rode-beem, 
Al  is  his  tombe  noght  so  curious 
As  was  the  sepulcre  of  him,  Darius, 
Which  that  Appelles  wroghte  subtilly  ; 
It  nis  but  wast  to  burie  him  preciously.  500 
Lat  him  fare-wel,  god  yeve  his  sovile  reste. 
He  is  now  in  the  grave  and  in  his  cheste. 
Now  of  my  fifthe  hoiisbond  wol  I  telle. 
God  lete  his  soule  never  come  in  helle  ! 
And  yet  was  he  to  me  the  moste  shrewe  ; 
That  fele  I  on  my  ribbes  al  by  rewe,     506 
And  ever  shal,  iin-to  myn  ending-day. 
But  in  our  bed  he  was  so  fresh  and  gay. 
And  ther-with-al  so  wel  coude  he  me  glose, 
Wh.in  that  he  wolde  han  my  brie  chose,  510 
That  thogh  he  hadde  me  bet  on  every 

boon. 
He  coude  winne  agayn  my  love  anoon. 
I  trowe  I  loved  him  beste,  for  that  he 
Was  of  his  love  daungerous  to  me. 
We  wommen  han,  if  that  I  shal  nat  lye, 
In  this  matere  a  queynte  fantasyo  ;       516 
Wayte  what  thing  we  may  nat  lightly 

have, 
Ther-aftor  wol  we  crye  al-day  and  crave. 
Forbede  us  thing,  and  that  desyren  we  ; 
Frees  on  us  faste,  and  thanne  wol  we  flee. 
With  daunger  oute  we  al  our  chaffaro ;  521 
Greet  prees  at  market  maketh  dere  ware, 
And  to  greet  cheep  is  holde  at  litel  prys ; 
This  knoweth  every  womman  that  is  wys. 
My   fifthe   housbonde,    god    his    soule 

blesse !  525 

Which    that   I   took    for    love    and    no 

richesse. 
He  .som-tymo  was  a  clerk  of  Oxenford, 
And  had  left  scole,  and  wente  at  hoom  ti> 

bord 


o/ 


ZH  CanterSur^  ZaUc. 


[t.  6iii-6if 


With  my  gossib,  dwellinge  in  cure  toun, 
God    have    hir    soule !     hir    name   was 

Alisoun.  530 

She  knew  myn  herte  and  eek  my  privetee 
Bet   than   our  parisshe-preest,   so    moot 

I  thee  ! 
To  hir  biwreyed  I  my  conseil  al. 
For  had  myn  housbonde  pissed  on  a  wal, 
Or  doon  a  thing  that  sholde  han  cost  his 

lyf,  535 

To  hir,  and  to  another  worthy  'wyf, 
And  to   my  nece,    which   that   I    loved 

weel, 
I  wolde  han  told  his  conseil  every-deel. 
And  so  I  dide  ful  often,  god  it  woot, 
That  made  his  face  ful  often  reed  and 

hoot  540 

For  verray  shame,  and  blamed  him-self 

for  he 
Had  told  to  me  so  greet  a  privetee. 

And  so  bifel  that  ones,  in  a  Lente, 
(So  often  tymes  I  to  my  gossib  wente. 
For  ever  yet  I  lovede  to  be  gay,  545 

And  for  to  waike,  in  March,  Averille,  and 

May, 
Fro  hous  to  hous,  to  here  sondry  talis'', 
That  Jankin  clerk,  and  my  gossib  dame 

Alls, 
And  I  my-self,  in-to  the  feldes  wente. 
Mj-n  housbond  was  at  London   al  that 

Lente ;  550 

I  hadde  the  bettre  leyser  for  to  pleye. 
And  for  to  see,  and  eek  for  to  be  seye 
Of  lusty  folk  ;  what  wiste  I  wher  my  grace 
"Was  shapen  for  to  be,  or  in  what  place  ? 
Theretbre  I  made  my  visitaciouns,         555 
To  vigilies  and  to  processiouns. 
To  prechLng  eek  and  to  thise  pilgrimages, 
To  pleyes  of  miracles  and  mariages. 
And  wered  upon  my  gaye  scarlet  gytes. 
Thise  wormes,  ne  thise  motthes,  ne  thise 

mytes,  560 

Upon  my  peril,  frete  hem  never  a  deel ; 
And  wostow  why?    for  they  were  used 

weel. 
Now  wol  I  tellen  forth  what  happed  me. 
I  seye,  that  in  the  feeldes  walked  we, 
Til  trewclj'  we  hadde  swich  daliance,  565 
Tliis  clerk  and  I,  that  of  my  purveyance 
I  spak  to  liim,  and  seyde  him,  how  that  he, 
If  I  were  widwe,  sholde  wedde  me. 


For  certeinly,  I  sey  for  no  bobance, 
Yet  was  I  never  with-outen  purveyance 
Of  mariage,  n'of  othere  thinges  eek.      571 
I  holde  a  mouses  herte  nat  worth  a  leek, 
That  hath  but  con  hole  for  to  sterte  to. 
And  if  that  faille,  thanne  is  al  y-do. 
I   bar  him   on  honde,   he   hadde  en- 
chanted me ;  575 
My  dame  taughte  me  that  soutUtee. 
And  eek  I  seyde,  I  mette  of  him  al  night ; 
He  wolde  han  slayn  me  as  I  lay  ui>right. 
And  al  my  bed  was  ful  of  verray  blood. 
But    yet    I   hope   that    he    shal    do   me 

good ;  580 

For  blood  bitokeneth   gold,  as  me  was 

taught. 
And  al  was  fals,  I  dremed  of  it   right 

naught, 
But  as  I  folwed  ay  my  dames  lore. 
As  wel  of  this  as  of  other  thinges  more. 
But  now  sir,   lat  me  see,  what  I  shal 

seyn  ?  585 

A  !  ha !  bj'  god,  I  have  my  tale  ageyn. 
Whan  that  my  fourthe  housbond  was 

on  here, 
I  weep  algate,  and  made  sory  chere. 
As  wjnes  moten,  for  it  is  usage. 
And   with    my    coverchief    covered    my 

visage ;  590 

But  for  that  I  was  purveyed  of  a  make, 
I  weep  but  smal,  and  that  I  undertake. 
To  chirche   was  myn   housbond   born 

a-morwe 
With  neighebores,  that   for  him  maden 

sorwe ; 
And  Jankin  oure  clerk  was  oon  of  tho.  595 
As   help  me    god,   whan   that    I   saugh 

him  go 
After  the  bere,  me  thoughte  he  hadde  a 

paire 
Of  legges  and  of  feet  so  clene  and  faire. 
That  al  myn  herte  I  yaf  un-to  his  hold. 
He  was,  I  trowe,  a  twenty  winter  old,  600 
And  I  was  fourty,  if  I  shal  seye  sooth  ; 
But  yet  I  liadde  alwey  a  coltes  tooth. 
Gat-tothed  I  was,   and  that  bicam  me 

weel; 
I  hadde  the  prente  of  seynt  Venus  seeL 
As  Iiclp  me  god.  I  was  a  lusty  oon,       605 
And  faire  and  riche,  and  yong,  and  wel 

bigoon  ; 


T.  6189-6276.]    D.    ZH  (^tfe  of  (gat^'6  (ptofogue. 


573 


And  trewely,  as  myno  liousbondes  tolde 

me, 
I  had  the  beste  quoniam  mighte  be. 
For  certes,  I  am  al  Venerien  609 

In  felinge,  and  niyn  herte  is  Maroien. 
Venus  me  yaf  my  lust,  my  likerousnesse, 
And  Mars  yaf  me  my  sturdy  hardinesse. 
Myn  ascendent  was  Taur,  and  Mars  ther- 

inne. 
Alias  !  alias  !  that  ever  love  was  siune  ! 
I  folwed  ay  myn  inclinacioun  615 

By  vertu  of  my  constellacioun  ; 
That  made  me  I  coude  noght  withdrawe 
My  chambre  of  Venus  from  a  good  felawe. 
Yet  have  I  Martes  mark  ixp-on  my  face. 
And  also  in  another  privee  place.  620 

Por,  god  so  wis  be  my  savacioun, 
I  ne  loved  never  by  no  discreciouu, 
But  ever  folwede  myn  appetyt, 
Al  were   he   short   or  long,   or   blak   or 

whyt ; 
I  took  no  kepe,  so  that  he  lyked  me,     625 
How  pore  he  was,  ne  eek  of  what  degree. 
"What  sholde  I  seye,  but,  at  the  monthes 

ende. 
This  joly  clerk  .Jankin,  that  was  so  hende. 
Hath  wedded  me  with  greet  solempnitee. 
And  to  him  yaf  I  al  the  lond  and  fee   630 
That  ever  was  me  j'even  ther-bifore  ; 
But  afterward  repented  me  ful  sore. 
He  nolde  suftre  nothing  of  my  list. 
By  god,  he  smoot  me  ones  on  the  list, 
For  that  I  rente  out  of  his  book  a  leef,  635 
That  of  the  strook  myn  ere  wex  al  deef. 
Stiborn  I  was  as  is  a  leonesse. 
And  of  my  tonge  a  verray  jangleresse. 
And  walke  I  woldo,  as  I  had  doon  biforn. 
From,  hous  to  hous,  al-though  he  had  it 

sworn.  640 

For  which  he  often  tymes  wolde  preche, 
And  me  of  olde  Romayn  gestes  teche, 
How  he,  Simplicius  Gallus,  lefte  his  wyf. 
And  hir  forsook  for  terme  of  al  his  lyf, 
Noght  but  for  open-heeded  he  hir  say  645 
Lokingo  out  at  his  dore  upon  a  day. 

Another  Romayn  tolde  he  me  by  name. 
That,  for  his  wyf  was  at  a  someres  game 
With-outo  his  witing,  ho  forsook  hir  eke. 
And  than  wolde  he  up-on  his  Bible  seke 
That  ilke  proverbe  of  Ecclesiaste,  651 

Wher  he  comandeth  and  forbedeth  faste, 


Man   shal   nat   suffre   his  wyf  go   roule 

aboute ; 
Than  wolde   he   seye   right   thus,    with- 

outen  doute, 
"Who-so  that  buildeth  his  hous  al  of 

salwes,  65s 

And  priketh  his  Uinde  hors  over  the 

falwes. 
And  sufFreth  his  wyf  to  go  seken  halwes. 
Is  worthy  to  been  hanged  on  the  gal- 

wes  !  '■ 
Biat  al  for  noght,  I  sette  noght  an  hawe 
Of  his  proverbes  n'of  his  olde  sawe,       660 
Ne  I  wolde  nat  of  him  corrected  be. 
I  hate  him  that  my  vices  telleth  me, 
And  so  do  mo,  god  woot !  of  us  than  I. 
This  made  him  with  me  wood  al  outrely ; 
I  nolde  noght  forbere  him  in  no  cas.    665 
Now   wol  I  seye  yow   sooth,   by  seint 

Thomas, 
Why  that  I  rente  out  of  his  book  a  leef, 
For  which  he  smoot  me  so  that  I  was 

deef. 
He  hadde  a  book  that  gladly,  night  and 

day. 
For  his  desport  he  wolde  rede  alway.    670 
He  cleped  it  Valerie  and  Thoofraste, 
At  whiche  book  he  lough  .alwey  ful  faste. 
And  eek  ther  was  som-tynae  a  clerk  at 

Rome, 
A  cardinal,  that  highte  Seint  .Terome, 
That  made  a  book  agayn  .Jovinian  ;       675 
In  whiche  book  eek  ther  was  Tertulan, 
Crisippus,  Trotula,  and  Helowys, 
That  was  abbesse  nat  fer  fro  Parys  ; 
And  eek  the  Parables  of  Salomon, 
Ovydes  Art,  and  bokes  many  on,  680 

And  alio  thise  wer  bounden  in  o  volume. 
And  every  night  and  day  was  his  custume, 
Whan  he  had  leyser  and  vacacioun 
From  other  worldly  occupacioun,  684 

To  reden  on  this  book  of  wikked  wyves. 
He  knew  of  hem  mo  legendes  and  lyves 
Than  been  of  gode  wyves  in  the  Bible. 
For  trusteth  wel,  it  is  an  impossible 
That  any  clerk  wol  spoke  good  of  wyves, 
But-if  it  be  of  holy  seintes  Ij^es,  690 

Ne  of  noon  other  womman  never  the  mo. 
Who  poyntede  the  leoun,  tel  me  who  ? 
By  god,  if  wommon  hadde  writen  stories, 
As  clerkes  han  with-inne  hir  oratories. 


ZU  tanUriuv^  Zake. 


[t.  6277-6354. 


They   wolJe   liau    writen   of   men    more 

wikkodnesse  695 

Than  all  the  mark  of  Adam  may  redresse. 
The  children  of  Mercnrie  and  of  Venns 
Been  in  hir  wirking  ful  contrarious  ; 
Mercuric  loveth  wisdom  and  science, 
And  Venus  loveth  ryot  and  dispence.  700 
And,  for  hir  diverse  disiJosicioun, 
Kch  falleth  in  otheres  exaltacioun  ; 
And  thus,  god  woot !  Mercurie  is  desolat 
In  Pisces,  -wher  Venus  is  exaltat ; 
And    Venus    falleth    ther    Mercurie     is 

reysed ;  705 

Therfore  no  womman  of  no  clerk  ispreysed. 
The  clerk,  whan  he  is  old,  and  may  noght 

do 
Of  Venus  werkes  worth  his  olde  sho. 
Than  sit  he  doun,  and  writ  in  his  dotage 
That  wommen  can  nat  kepe  hir  mariage  ! 

But  now  to  purpos,  why  I  tolde  thee 
That  I  was  beten  for  a  book,  pardee.     712 
I'p-on   a   night    Jankin,   that   was    our 

syre, 
Kedde  on  his  book,  as  he  sat  by  the  fyre. 
Of  Eva  first,  that,  for  hir  wikkednesse. 
Was  al  mankinde  broght    to  ■\vrecched- 

nesse,  716 

For  which  that  Jesu  Crist  him-self  was 

slayn. 

That  boghteus  with  his  herte-blood  agayn. 

Lo,  here  expres  of  womman  may  ye  findc, 

That  womman  was  the  los  of  al  mankinde. 

The  redde  he  me  how  Sampson  loste 

his  heres,  721 

Slepinge,  his  lemman  kitte  hem  with  hir 

shores  ; 
Thurgh  whiche  tresoun   loste   he   bothe 

his  yen. 
Tho  redde  he  me,  if  that  I  shal  nat  lyen. 
Of  Hercules  and  of  his  Dianyre,  725 

That  caused  him  to  sette  himself  a-fyre. 
No-thing  forgat  he  the  penauncc  and 

wo 
That  Socrates  had  with  hise  wyves  two ; 
Hiiw  Xantipjia  caste  pisse  up-on  his  heed  ; 
Tjiis  sely  man  sat  stille,  as  he  were  deed  ; 
He  wyped  his  heed,  namore  dorste  he  seyn 
But    "er  that   thonder   stinte,   comth  a 

reyn."  732 

Of  Phasipha,    that   was   the  quene  of 

Crete, 


For  shrewednesse,  him  thoughte  the  tale 

swete ; 
F3' !  spek  na-more — it  is  a  grisly  thing— 
Of  hir  horrible  lust  and  hir  lyking.       736 

Of  Clitemistra,  for  hir  lecherye, 
That  falsly  made  hir  housbond  for  to  dye, 
He  redde  it  with  ful  good  devocioun. 

He  tolde  me  eek  for  what  occasioun   740 
Amjihiorax  at  Thebes  loste  his  lyf ; 
Myn  housbond  hadde  a  legende  of  his  wyf, 
Eriphilem,  that  for  an  ouche  of  gold 
Hath  prively  un-to  the  Grekes  told 
Wher  that  hir  housbonde  hidde  him  in  a 

place,  745 

For  which  he  hadde  at  Thebes  sory  grace. 

Of  Lj-ma  tolde  he  me,  and  of  Lucye, 
They  bothe  made  hir  housbondes  for  to 

dye; 
That   oon  for   love,  that   other  was   for 

hate ; 
Lyma  hir  housbond,  on  an  even  late,    750 
Empoysoned  hath,  for  that  she  was  his  fo. 
Lucya,  likerous,  loved  hir  housbond  so. 
That,  for  he  sholde  alwcy  up-on  hir  thinke, 
She  yaf  him  swich  a  maner  love-drinke, 
That   he   was   deed,    er   it   were   by   the 

morwe ;  755 

And  thus  algates  housbondes  ban  sorwe. 
Than  tolde  ho  me,  how  oon  Latnmius 
Compleyned  to  his  felawe  Arrias, 
That  in  his  gardin  growed  swich  a  tree, 
On  which,  he  sej'de,  how  that  his  ^vyves 

three  760 

Hanged  hem-self  for  herte  despitous. 
"  O  leve  brother,"  quod  this  Arrius, 
"  Yif  me  a  jjlante  of  thilke  blissed  tree. 
And  in  my  gardin  planted  shal  it  be  ! " 
Of  latter  date,  of  wy^'es  hath  he  red. 
That  somme  han  slayn  hir  housbondes  in 

hir  bed,  766 

And  lete  hir  lechour  dighte  hir  al  the 

night 
Whyl  that  the  corps  lay  in  the  floor  up- 
right. 
And  somme  han  drive  nayles  in  hir  brayn 
Whyl  that  they  slepte,  and  thus  they  han 

hem  slayn.  770 

Somme   han  hem   yeve  poysoun  in   hir 

drinka 
He   spak  more   harm    than    herte   may 

bithinke. 


T.  6355-6428.]    D.     Zh  (^tfe  of  (gat^'e  (Ptrofogue. 


,^75 


And    tlier-witli-al,    lie  know   of  nio  pro- 

verbes 
Thar,  in  this  world  tliei'  growen  gras  or 

lierbes. 
"  Bet  is,''  quod  he,  "  thjni  habitacioim  775 
Be  with  a  Icoun  or  a  foul  dragoun. 
Than  with  a  womman  i^singe  for  to  chyde. 
Bet  is,"  quod  he,  "  hyo  in  the  roof  abyde 
Than  with   an   angry  wj'f  dotin  in  the 

hous ; 
They  been  so  wikked  and  contra  rious  ;  7?() 
They  haten  that  hir  housbondes   loveth 

ay." 
He  seyde,    "  a  womman  cast  hir  shame 

away, 
Whan  she  cast  of  hir  smok  ; "  and  forther- 

mo, 
"  A  fair  womman,  but  she  be  chaast  also. 
Is  lyk  a  gold  ring  in  a  sowes  nose."  785 
■Who  wolde  wenen,  or  who  wolde  suppose 
The  wo  that  in  myn  herte  was,  and  pyne  ? 
And  whan  I  saugh  he  wolde  never  fjoie 
To  reden  on  this  cursed  book  al  night, 
Al  sodeynly  three  leves  have  I  plight  790 
Out  of  his  book,  right  as  he  radde,  and 

eke, 
T  with  my  fist  so  took  him  on  the  clieke, 
That  in  our  fyr  he  fil  liakward  adoun. 
And  he  up-stirte  as  dooth  a  wood  leoun. 
And  with  his  fist  he  smoot  me  on   the 

heed,  795 

That  in  the  floor  I  lay  as  I  were  deed. 
And  when  he  saugh  how  stille  that  I  lay. 
He   was  agast,   and  wolde  lian   fled  his 

way, 
Til  atte  laste  oiit  of  my  swogh  I  breyde  : 
"O!    hastow  slayn  me,  false  theef?"   I 

seyde,  800 

"And  for  my  land  thus  hastow  mordred 

me? 
Er  I  be  deed,  j'et  wol  I  kisse  thee." 

And   necr   he   cam,  and   kneled   faire 

adoun. 
And  seyde,  "  dore  suster  Alisoun,  804 

As  help  mc  god,  I  shal  thee  never  smyte  ; 
That  I  have  doon,  it  is  thy-self  to  wyte. 
Foryeve  it  me,  and  that  I  theo  biseke  " — 
And  yet  eft-sones  I  hitto  him  on  the  cheke. 
And  scydo,  "theof,  thus  muchel  am  I 
wreke ;  809 

Now  wol  I  dye,  I  may  no  lenger  sx^eke." 


But  atte  laste,  with  muchel  care  and  wo, 
We  fille  acordfed,  by  us  selven  two. 
He  yaf  me  al  the  brydel  in  myn  liond 
To  han  the  governance  of  hous  and  lond. 
And  of  his  tonge  and  of  his  hond  also,  815 
And   made   him   brenne  his  book   anon 

right  tho. 
And  whan  that  I  hadde  geten  un-to  me. 
By  maistrie,  al  the  soveraynetee. 
And  that  he  seyde,  "  myn  owene  trewe 

"wyf, 
Do  as  thee  lust  the  terme  of  al  thy  lyf, 
Keep  thyn  honour,  and   keej)  eek  myn 

estaat" —  821 

After  that  day  we  hadden  never  debaat. 
(lod  help  me  so,  I  was  to  him  as  kinde 
As  any  wyf  from  Denmark  un-to  Inde, 
And  also  trewe,  and  so  was  he  to  me.  825 
I  prey  to  god  that  sit  in  magestee. 
So  blesse  his  soule,  for  his  mercy  dere  ! 
Now  wol  I  seye  my  tale,  if  ye  wol  here.' 

Biholde  the  wordes  bitween  tlie 
Somonour  and  the  Frere. 

The  Frere  lough,  whan   he   hadde   herd 

al  this, 
'  No'w,  dame,'  quod  he,  '  so  have  I  joye  or 

blis,  830 

This  is  a  long  preamble  of  a  tale  ! ' 
And  whan  the  Somnour  herde  the  Frere 

gale, 
'  Lo  ! '  quod  the  Somnour,  '  goddes  amies 

two ! 
A  frere  wol  entremette  him  cvor-mo. 
Lo,  gode  men,  a  flye  and  eek  a  frere     835 
Wol  falle  in  every  dish  and  eek  matere. 
"\\^iat  spekestow  of  preambulacioun  ? 
What !    amble,  or  trotte,  or  pees,  or  go 

sit  doun  ; 
Thou  lettest  our  disport  in  this  manere.' 
'  Ye,  woltow  so,  sir   Somnour  ? '    quod 

the  Frere,  840 

'  Now,  by  my  feith,  I  shal,  er  that  I  go, 
Telle  of  a  Somnour  swicli  a  talc  or  two. 
That  alle  the  folk  shal  laughen  in  this 

place.' 
'Now    elles,     Frere,    I     bishrewe     thy 

face,' 
Quod  this  Somnour,  '  and  I  bishrewe  mo, 
But-if  I  telle  tales  two  or  three  S46 


B-a 


ZU  tankv&xxv^  Zaks. 


[t.  6429-648' 


Of  freres  er  I  come  to  Sidingbome, 
That  I  shal  make  thyn  herte  for  to  mome ; 
For  wel  I  woot  thy  pacience  is  goon.' 

Our  hoste  cryde  '  pees  !  and  that  anoon ! ' 

And  seyde,   '  lat  the  womman  telle  hir 

tale.  «5i 

Ye  fare  as  folk  that  dronken  been  of  ale. 


Do,    dame,  tel  forth  your  tale,  and  that 
is  best.' 
'  Al  redy,  sir,'  quod  she,  '  right  as  yow 
lest, 
If  I  have  licence  of  this  worthy  Frere.' 
'Yis,  dame,'  quod  he,  'tel  forth,  and 
I  wol  here.'  8s6 


Here  endeth  the  Wyf  of  Bathe  hir  Prologe. 


THE  TALE  OF  THE  WYF  OF  BATHE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Tale  of  the  Wyf  of  Bathe. 


Ix  th'olde  dayes  of  the  king  Arthour, 

Of   which    that    Britons    speken    greet 

honour, 
Al  was  this  land  fulfild  of  fayerye.        859 
The  elf-queen,  with  hir  joly  companye, 
Daunced  ful  ofte  in  many  a  grene  mede  ; 
This  was  the  olde  opinion,  as  I  rede. 
I  speke  of  manye  hundred  yeres  ago  ; 
But  now  can  no  man  see  none  elves  mo. 
For  now  the  grete  charitee  and  prayeres 
Of  limit  ours  and  othere  holy  freres,      (10) 
That  serchen  every  lond  and  every  streem, 
As  tliikke  as  motes  in  the  sonne-beem, 
Blessinge    halles,     chambres,    kichenes, 

boures, 
Citees,  biirghes,  castels,  hye  toures,      870 
Thropes,  hemes, "tehipnes,  dayeryes, 
This  maketh  that  ther  been  no  fayeryes. 
For  ther  as  wont  to  walken  was  an  elf, 
Ther  walketh    now  the    limitour    him- 
self 
In  undermeles  and  in  morweninges,     875 
And  seyth  his  matins  and  his  holy  thinges 
As  he  goth  in  his  limitacioun.  (21) 

Wommen  may  go  saufly  up  and  doun, 
In  overj'  bush,  or  under  every  tree  ; 
Ther  is  noon  other  incubus  but  he,       880 
And  he  ne  wol  doon  liem  but  dishonour. 
"  1  And  so  bifel  it,  that  this  king  Arthour 
Hadde  in  his  hous  a  lusty  bacheler, 


That  on  a  day  cam  rydinge  fro  river ; 
And    happed   that,    allone   as    she    was 

born,  (29)  885 

He  saugh  a  mayde  walkinge  him  biforn, 
Of  whiche  mayde  anon,  maugree  hir  heed, 
By  verray  force  he  rafte  hir  maydenlieed  ; 
For  which  oppressioun  was  swich  clamour 
And  swich  pursute  un-to  the  king  Ar- 
thour, 890 
That  dampned  was  this  knight  for  to  be 

deed 
By  cours  of  lawe,  and  sholde  han  lost  his 

heed 
Paraventure,  swich  was  the  statut  tho  ; 
But  that  the  quene  and  othere  ladies  mo 
So  longe  preyeden  the  king  of  grace,    895 
Til  he  his  Ij-f  him  graunted  in  the  place. 
And  yaf  him   to  the   quene   al    at    hir 

wiUe,  (41) 

To  chese,  whether  she  wolde  him  save  or 

spille. 
The  quene  thanketh  the  king  with  al 

hir  might,       >  899 

And  after  this  thus  spak  she  to  the  knight, 
Whan  that  she  saugh  hir  tyme,  up-on  a 

day: 
'  Thou  standest  yet,'  quod  she,  '  in  swich 

array, 
That  of  thy  lyf  yet  hastow  no  suretee. 
I  grante  thee  lyf,  if  thou  canst  tellen  me 


T.  6487-6565.]    D.    ZH  ^<^f^  of  iU  (J^2f  ^f  ^^i^^' 


577 


What  thing   is    it   that   wommen   most 
desyreu  ?  gcs 

Be  war,  and  keep  thy  nekke-boon  from 
yren,  (50) 

And  if  thou  canst  nat  tellen  it  anon, 
Yet  wol  I  yeve  thee  leve  for  to  gon 
A  twelf-nionth  and  a  day,  to  seche  and 

lere 
An  answere  suffisant  in  this  matere.     910 
And  snretee  wol  I  han,  er  that  thon  pace, 
Thy  body  for  to  yelden  in  this  place.' 
Wo  was  this  knight  and  sorwefully  he 
syketh  ; 
But  what !  he  may  nat  do  al  as  him  lyketh. 
And  at  the  laste,   he  chees  him  for  to 
wende,  915 

And  come  agayn,  right  at  the  yeres  ende, 
With  swich  answere  as  god  wolde  him 
purvey e  ;  (61) 

And  taketh  his  leve,  and  wendeth  forth 
his  weye. 
He  seketh  every  hous  and  every  place, 
Wher-as  he  hopcth  for  to  iinde  grace,  920 
To  lerne,    what    thing    wommen    loven 

most ; 
But  he  ne  coude  arryven  in  no  cost, 
Wher-as  he  mighte  finde  in  this  matere 
Two  creatures  accordinge  in-fere. 

Somme     seyde,    wommen    loven    best 

richesse,  925 

Somme  seyde,  honour,  somme  seyde,  joly- 

nesse ;  (70) 

Soname,  riche  array,  somme  seyden,  lust 

abedde. 

And  ofte  tyme  to  be  widwe  and  wedde. 

Somme   seyde,    that    oiir  hertes   been 

most  esed, 

Whan  that  we   been   y-flatered   and  y- 

plesed.  930 

He  gooth  ful  ny  the  sothe,  I  wol  nat  lye  ; 

A  man  shal  winne  us  best  with  flateryo  ; 

And  with  attendance,  and  with  bisinesse, 

Been  we  y-lymed,  bothe  more  and  lesse... 

And  somme  seyn,  how  that  wo  loven 

best  935 

For  to  be  free,  and  do  right  as  us  lest,  (80) 

And  that  no  man  reprevo  us  of  our  vyco. 

But  seye  that  we  be  wyse,  and  no-thing 

nj'ce. 
For  trcwely,  ther  is  noon  of  us  alle,      939 
If  any  wight  wol  clawo  vis  on  the  galle, 


That  we  nil  kike,  for  he  seith  us  sooth  ; 
Assay,  and  he  shal  finde  it  that  so  dooth. 
For  be  we  never  so  vicious  with-inne, 
We  wol  been  holden  wyse,  and  clene  of 

sinne. 
And  somme  seyn,  that  greet  delyt  han 

we  («9)  945 

For  to  ben  holden  stable  and  eek  secree, 
And  in  o  purpos  stedefastly  to  dwelle. 
And  nat  biwreye  thing  that  men  us  telle. 
But  that  tale  is  nat  worth  a  rake-stele  ; 
Pardee,  we  wommen  conne  no-thing  hele  ; 
Witnesse  on  Myda  ;  wol  ye  here  the  tale  ? 

Ovyde,  amonges  othere  thinges  smale, 
Seyde,  Myda  hadde,  under  his  longe  heres, 
Growinge  up-on  his  heed  two  asses  eres, 
The  whiche  vyce  he  hidde,  as  he  best 

mighte,  955 

Ful  subtilly  from  every  mannes  sighte, 
That,  save  his  wyf,  ther  wiste  of  it  na- 

mo.  (loi) 

He  loved  hir  most,  and  trusted  hir  also ; 
He  preyede  hir,  that  to  no  creature 
She  sholde  tellen  of  his  disfigure.  960 

She  swoor  him  '  nay,  for  al  this  world 

to  winne. 
She  nolde  do  that  vileinye  or  sinne. 
To  make  hir  housbond  han  so  foul  a  name ; 
She  nolde  nat  telle  it  for  hir  oweue  shame.' 
But  nathelees,  hir  thoughte  that  she  dyde, 
That  she  so  longe  sholde  a  conseil  hyde  ; 
Hir  thoughte  it  swal  so  sore  aboute  hir 

herte,  (m) 

That  nedely  som  word  hir  moste  asterte  ; 
And  sith  she  dorste  telle  it  to  no  man, 
Doun  to  a  marej's  faste  by  she  ran  ;      970 
Til  she  came  there,  hir  herte  was  a-fyre, 
And,  as  a  bitore  bombleth  in  the  mj're. 
She  leyde  hir  mouth  un-to  the  water  doun : 
'  Biwreye  me  nat,  thou  water,  with  thy 

soun,'  (118)  974 

Quod  she,  '  to  thee  I  telle  it,  and  namo  ; 
Myn  housbond  hath  longe  asses  eres  two  ! 
Now  is  myn  herte  all  hool,  now  is  it  outo ; 
I  mighte  no  lenger  kepo  it,  out  of  doute.' 
Heer  may  ye  se,  thogh  we  a  tyme  abyde, 
Yet  out  it  moot,  we  can  no  conseil  hyde  ; 
The  remcnant  of  the  tale  if  ye  wol  here, 
Redeth  Ovyde,  and  ther  ye  may  it  lere. 
This  knight,  of  which  my  tale  is  spe- 
cially, 983 


U 


578 


<J^^e  CanferBurp  Cafee. 


[t.  6566-663  = 


Whan  that  he  saugh  he  mighte  nat  come 

therbj% 

This  is  to  seye,  what  wommen  loven  moost, 

With-inne  his  brest  fnl  sorweful  was  the 

goost ;  (130)  986 

But    hoom    he    gooth,    he    mighte    nat 

sojourne. 
The  day  was  come,  that  hooniward  moste 

he  toiu'ne, 
And  in  his  wey  it  happed  him  to  ryde, 
In  al  this  care,  under  a  forest-syde,      990 
Wher-as  he  saugh  up-on  a  daunce  go 
Of  ladies  foure  and  twenty,  and  yet  mo  ; 
Toward  the  whiche  daunce  he  drow  ful 

yerne. 
In  hope  that  som  wisdom  sholde  he  leme. 
But  certeinly,  er  he  came  fully  there,  995 
Vanisshed  was  this  daunce,  he  niste  where. 
Xo  creature  saugh  he  that  bar  lyf,  (141) 
Save  on  the  grene  he  saugh  sittinge  a  wyf ; 
A  fouler  wight  ther  may  no  man  de'V'yse. 
Agayn  the  knight  this  olde  wyf  gan  ryse. 
And  seyde,  '  sir  knight,  heer-forth  ne  Ij-th 
no  wey.  nx)i 

Tel  me,  what  that  ye  seken,  by  your  fey  ? 
Paraventure  it  may  the  bettre  be  ; 
Thise  olde  folk  can  muchel  thing,'  quod 
she. 
'  My  leve   mooder,'   quod  this   knight 
certeyn,  1005 

'  I  nam  but  deed,  but-if  that  I  can  seyn 
AVhat   thing  it   is  that   wommen    most 
desyre ;  (151) 

Coude  ye  me  wisse,   I  wolde  wel  quyte 
your  hyre.' 
'  Plight  me  thj'  trouthe,  heer  in  myn 
hand,'  quod  she, 
'  The  nexte  thing  that  I  requere  thee,  loio 
Thou  shalt  it  do,  if  it  lye  in  thy  might ; 
And  I  wol  telle  it  yow  er  it  be  night.' 
'  Have  heer  my  trouthe,'  quod  the  knight, 
'  I  grante.' 
'  Thanne,'   quod   she,    '  I   dar   me   wel 
avante,  1014 

Tliy  lyf  is  sauf,  for  I  wol  stondo  therby, 
Up-on  my  lyf,  the  queen  wol  seye  as  I. 
Lat  see  which  is  the  proudeste  of  hem 
aUe,  (161) 

That  wereth  on  a  coverchief  or  a  calle, 
That  dar  seye  nay,   of  that  I  shal  thee 
teche ; 


Lat  us  go  forth  with-outen  lenger  speche.' 
Tho  rouned  she  a  pistol  in  his  ere,  loji 
And  bad  him  to  be  glad,   and  have  no 

fere. 
AVhan  they  be  comen  to  the  court,  this 

knight 
Seyde,    '  he  had  holde    his    day,    as   he 

hadde  hight, 
And  redy  was  his  answere,'  as  he  sayde. 
Ful    many  a   noble   wyf,    and    many    a 

mayde,  ('70)  1026 

And  many  a  w^idwe,  for  that   they  ben 

wyse, 
The  quene  hir-self  sittinge  as  a  justyse. 
Assembled  been,  his  answere  for  to  here ; 
And   aftersvard    this    knight    was    bodo 

appere.  1030 

To  every  wight  comanded  was  silence, 
And  that    the    knight    sholde    telle    in 

audience, 
What  thing  that  worldly  wommen  loven 

best. 
Tliis  knight  ne  stood  nat  stille  as  doth 

a  best, 
But  to  his  questioun  anon  answerde   1035 
With  manly  voys,  that  al  the  court  it 

herde :  (iSo) 

'  My  lige  lady,  generally,'  quod  he, 
'  Wommen  desyren  to  have  sovereyntee 
As  wel  over  hir  hovisbond  as  hir  love, 
And  for  to  been  in  maistrie  him  above ; 
This  is  your  moste  desyr,  thogh  ye  me 

kille,  1 04 1 

Doth  as  yow  list,  I  am  heer  at  your  wille.' 

In  al  the  court  ne  was  ther  wyf  ne 

maj-de, 
Ne  widwe,  that  contraried  that  he  sayde. 
But    scyden,    'he   was   ■worthy  han    his 

lyf.'  1045 

And  with  that  word  up  stirte  the  olde 

wyf,  (190) 

Wliich  that  the  knight  saugh  sittinge  in 

the  grene : 
'  Mercy, '  quod  she,    '  my  soverejm  lady 

quene ! 
Er  that  your  court  departe,  do  mo  right. 
I  taughto  this  answere  un-to  the  knight ; 
Por  which   he   plighte  me  his    trouthe 

there,  1051 

The  firste  thing  I  wolde  of  him  requere, 
He  woldo  it  do,  if  it  lay  in  his  might. 


T.  6636-6712.]    D.    ZU  ^afe  of  tU  (Bpf  of  ^atU, 


579 


Bifore  the  court  than  preye  I  thee,  sir 

knight,' 
Quod  she,  '  that  thou  me  talvo  un-to  thy 

■wyf ;  1055 

For  wel  thon  wost  that  I  have  kept  thy 

lyf.  (200) 

If  I  sey  fals,  sey  nay,  up-on  thy  fey  ! ' 
This    knight    answerde,    '  alias !     and 

weylawey ! 
I  woot  right   wel   that    swich   was    my 

hiheste.  1059 

For  goddes  love,  as  chees  a  newe  requeste ; 
Tak  al  my  good,  and  lat  my  body  go.' 
'  Nay   than,'   quod  she,   '  I   shrewe   us 

bothe  two ! 
For  thogh  that  I  be  foul,  and  old,  and 

pore, 
I  nolde  for  al  the  metal,  ne  for  ore, 
'I'hat  under  erthe  is  grave,  or  Ij^h  above, 
But-if   thy    wyf   I    were,    and    eek    thy 

love.'  (210)  1066 

'  My  love  ?  '  quod  he  ;  '  nay,  my  damp- 

nacioun  ! 
Alias  !  that  any  of  my  nacioun 
Sholde  ever  so  foule  disparaged  be  ! ' 
But  al  for  noght,  the  ende  is  this,  that  ho 
Constreyncd    was,   he    nedes    moste   hir 

wedde ;  1071 

And  taketh  his  olde  wyf,  and  gooth   to 

bedde. 
Xow  wolden  som  men  seye,  paraventure. 
That,  for  my  necligence,  I  do  no  cure 
To  tellen  yow  the  joyc  and  al  th'array 
That  at  the  festo  was  that  ilke  day.    (220) 
To  whiche  thing  shortly  answere  I  shal ; 
I  seye,  ther  nas  no  joye  ne  feste  at  al, 
Ther  nas  but  hevinesse  and  muchc  sorwe ; 
For  prively  ho  wedded  hir  on  a  morwe, 
And  al  day  after  hidde  him  as  an  oule  ; 
So  wo  was  him,  his  wj'f  looked  so  I'oule. 
Greet  was  the  wo  the  knight  hadde  in 

his  thoght,  J^ 

Whan  he  was  with  his  wyf  a-bodde  y- 

broght ;  1084 

He  walweth,  and  he  tumcth  to  and  fro. 
His  olde  wyf  lay  smylinge  evermo,      (230) 
And  seyde,  '  o  dere  housbond,  hen  cite  ! 
Fareth  every  knight  thus  with   liis  wyf 

as  ye? 
Is  this  the  lawe  of  king  Arthurcs  hous  ? 
Is  every  knight  of  his  so  dangerous  ?  1090 


I  am  your  owcne  love  and  cek  j'our  wyf; 
I  am  she,  which  that  saved  liath  your  \yi; 
And  certes,  yet  dide  I  yow  never  unright ; 
Why  fare  ye  thus  with  me  this  firste  night  ? 
Ye  faren  lyk  a  man  had  lost  his  wit ;  1095 
What  is  my  gilt?  for  godd's  love,  tel 
me  it,  vv  (240) 

And  it  shal  been  amended,  if  I  may." 
'  Amended  ?  '  quod  this  knight,  '  alias  ! 
nay,  nay  ! 
It  wol  nat  been  amended  never  mo ! 
Thoix  art  so  loothly,  and  so  old  also,    iioo 
And  ther-to  comen  of  so  lowe  a  kinde, 
That  litel  wonder  is,  thogh  I  walwe  and 

winde. 
So  wolde  god  myn  herte  wolde  breste  !  ' 
'  Is  this,'  quod  she,  '  the  cause  of  j'our 
unreste?'  11 04 

'  Ye,  certainly,'  quod  he,  '  no  wonder  is.' 
'  Now,  sire,'  quod  she,  '  I  coude  amende 
al  this,  (250) 

If  that  me  liste,  er  it  were  dayes  three, 
So  wel  ye  ruighte  bere  yow  un-to  me. 

But  for  ye  speken  of  swich  gentillesse 
As  is  descended  out  of  old  richesse,      :iio 
That  therfore  sholden  ye  be  gentil  men, 
Swich  arrogance  is  nat  worth  an  hen. 
Loke  who  that  is  most  vertuous  alway, 
Privee  and  apert,  and  most  entendeth  ay 
To  do  the  gentil  dedes  that  he  can,      11 15 
And    tak    him    for   the    grettest    gentil 
man.  (260) 

Crist  wol,  we  clayme  of  him  our  gentil- 
lesse, 
Nat  of  our  eldres  for  hir  old  richesse. 
For  thogh  they  yeve  us  al  hir  heritage, 
For  which  we  clayme  to  been  of  heigh 
parage,  11-20 

Yet  may  they  nat  biquethe,  for  no-thing. 
To  noon  of  \is  hir  vertuous  living, 
That  made  hem  gentil  men  y-caUcd  be  ; 
And  bad  us  folwen  hem  in  swich  degree. 

Wel  can  the  wysc  poete  of  Florence, 
That  highto  Dant,  speken  in  this  sentence; 
Lo  in  swich  maner  rym  is  Dantcs  tale  : 
"Ful  soldo  up   ryseth   by  his  branches 
smalc  (272)1128 

Prowesso  of  man  ;  for  god,  of  his   good- 

nesse, 
Wol  that  of  him  we  cLiyme  our  gentil- 
lesse ; "'   •  11,^0 


U   2 


580 


ZH  tankvBuv^  Zake. 


[t.  6713-6802. 


For    of    our    elclres    may    we    no-thing  • 

clayme  ".U 

But  temporel  thing,  that  man  may  hurte 
and  mayme. 
Eok  every  wight  wot  this  as  wel  as  I, 
If  gentillesse  were  planted  naturelly 
Un-to  a  certej'n  linage,  doun  the  lyne, 
Privee  ne  apert,  than  wolde  they  never 
fyne  (280)  1136 

To  doon  of  gentillesse  the  faire  ofFj'ce  ; 
They  mighte  do  no  vileinye  or  vyce. 

Tak  fyr,  and  her  it  in  the  derkeste  hous 
Bitwix  this  and  the  mount  of  Caucasus, 
And   lat  men   shette  the   dores   and  go 
thenne ;  u-l' 

Yet  wol  the  fyr  as  faire  lye  and  brenne. 
As  twenty  thousand  men  mighte  it  bilialde ; 
His  office  naturel  ay  wol  it  holde, 
Up  peril  of  my  lyf,  til  that  it  dye.         1145 
Heer  may  ye  see  wel,  how  that  genterye 
Is  nat  annexed  to  possessioun,  (291) 

Sith  folk  ne  doon  hir  operacioun 
Alwey,  as  dooth  the  fjrr,  lo  !  in  his  kinde. 
For,  god  it  woot,  men  may  wel  often  finde 
A  lordes  sone  do  shame  and  vileinye  ;  1 151 
And  he  that  wol  han  prys  of  his  gentrj'e 
For  ho  was  boren  of  a  gentil  hous. 
And  hadde  hise  eldres  noble  and  vertuous, 
And  nil  him-selven  do  no  gentil  dedis,  1 155 
Xe  folwe  bis  gentil  auncestre  that  deed  is. 
He  nis  nat  gentil,  be  he  duk  or  erl ;    (301) 
For  vileyns  sinful  dedes  make  a  cherl. 
For  gentillesse  nis  but  renomee  1159 

Of  tliyno  aiuiccstres,  for  hir  heigh  bountee, 
Which  is  a  strange  thing  to  thy  persone. 
Thy  gentillesse  cometh  fro  god  allone ; 
Than  conith  our  verray  gentillesse  of  grace. 
It  was  no-thing  biquethe  us  with  our  place. 
Thenketh  how  noble,  as  seith  Valerius, 
Was  thilke  Tullius  Hostilius,      (310)  1166 
That  out  of  povert  roos  to  heigh  noblesse. 
Redcth  Senek,  and  rcdeth  eek  Boece, 
Ther  shul  ye  seen  cxpres  that  it  no  drede  is. 
That  he  is  gentil  that  dotli  gentil  dedis ; 
And  therfore,  leve  housbond,  I  thus  con- 
clude, 1 1 71 
Al  were  it  that  myne  auncestros  were  rude, 
Yet  may  the  hye  god,  and  so  hoj>e  I, 
Grante  me  grace  to  liven  vertuously.  1 1 74 
Thannc  am  I  gentil,  whan  that  I  biginne 
To  liven  vertuously  and  weyve  sinne.  (320) 


And  ther-as  ye  of  povert  me  repreve. 
The  hye  god,  on  whom  that  we  bileve. 
In  wilful  povert  chees  to  live  his  lyf.  ii7<; 
And  certes  every  man,  niayden,  or  wyf, 
Maj'  vinderstonde  that  Jesus,  hevene  king, 
Ne  wolde  nat  chese  a  vicious  living. 
Glad  povert  is  an  honest  tiling,  certejai ; 
This  wol  Senek  and  othere  clerkes  seyn. 
■\Mio-so  that  halt  him  payd  of  his  poverte, 
I  holde  him  riche,   al  hadde   he   nat  a 

shertc.  (330)  "86 

He  that  covej'teth  is  a  povre  wight. 
For  he  wolde  han  that  is  nat  in  his  might. 
Blithe  that  noght  hath,  ne  coveyteth  have, 
Is  riche,  al-thovigh  ye  holde  him  but  a 

knave.  iiyu 

Verray  povert,  it  singeth  proprely  ; 
Juvenal  seith  of  povert  merily  : 
"The  povre  man,  whan  he  goth  by  the 

weye, 
Bifore  the  theves  he  may  singe  and  pleye." 
Povert  is  hateful  good,  and,  as  I  gesse,  1 195 
A  ful  greet  bringer  out  of  bisinesse  ;  (340) 
A  greet  amender  eek  of  sapience 
To  him  that  taketli  it  in  pacience. 
Povert  is  this,  al-though  it  seme  elenge  : 
Possessioun,  that  no  wight  wol  chalenge. 
Povert  ful  ofte,  whan  a  man  is  lowe,  1201 
Maketh  his  god  and  eek  him-self  to  knows. 
Povert  a  spectacle  is,  as  thinketh  me, 
Thurgh  which  ho  may  his  verray  frendes 

see. 
And  therfore,  sire,  sin  that  I  noght  yow 

greve,  1205 

Of  my  povert  na-more  ye  me  repreve.  (350) 

Now,  sire,  of  elde  ye  repreve  me  ; 
And  certes,  sire,  thogh  noon  auctoritee 
Were  in  no  book,  ye  gentils  of  honour 
Seyn  that  men  sholde  an  old  wight  doon 

favour,  I2IO 

And  clepe  him  fader,  for  your  gentillesse  ; 
And  auctours  shal  I  finden,  as  I  gesse. 

Now  ther  ye  seyc,  that  I  am  foul  and  old, 
Than  drede  you  noght  to  been  a  cokewold  ; 
For  filthe  and  elde,  al-so  mote  I  thee,  1215 
Been  grete  wardcyns  up-on  chastitee.  (360) 
But  nathelees,  sin  I  knowe  your  delj^t, 
I  shal  fulfille  your  worldly  appetyt. 

Chees   now,'  quod  she,   '  oon   of  thise 

thinges  twcye,  1219 

To  han  me  foul  and  old  til  that  I  deye, 


r^-M^f^^^^J^  ^,      Au,,^^^.,...^^^^^ 


T.  f;8o3-6862.]  D.    •^^e  ^'^iar'e  (ProfogueTjT^ 


'■''^''";f/^Di^-^i 


581 


?^ 


And  be  to  yow  a  trewe  hiinible  'w'j'f, 
And  never  yow  displese  in  al  mj'  lyf, 
Or  elles  ye  wol  han  me  yong  and  fair, 
And  take  your  aventure  of  the  repair  1224 
That  shal  be  to  your  hous,  by-cause  of  me, 
Or  in  som  other  place,  may  wel  be.     (370) 
Now  chees  your-selven,  whether  that  yow 

lyketh.' 
This    knight    avysetli    him    and    sore 

syketh, 
But  atte  laste  he  seyde  in  this  manere, 
'  My  lady  and  my  love,  and  wyf  so  dere, 
I  put  me  in  your  wyse  governance  ;     1231 
Cheseth  your-self,  which   may   be   most 

plesance. 
And  most  honour  to  yow  and  me  also. 
I  do  no  fors  the  whether  of  the  two  ; 
For  as  yow  lyketh,  it  suffiseth  me.'       1235 
'  Thanne  have  I  gete  of  yow  maistrye,' 

quod  she,  (380) 

'  Sin  I  may  chese,  and  governs  as  me  lest  ? ' 

'  Ye,  certes,  wj^f,'  qiiod  he,  '  I  holde  it 

best.' 
'  Kis  me,'  quod  she,  '  we  be  no  lengcr 

wroth  o  ;  1239 

For,  by  my  trouthe,  I  wol  be  to  yow  bothe. 
This  is  to  seyn,  ye,  bothe  fair  and  good. 
I  prey  to  god  that  I  mot  sterven  wood, 


Eut  I  to  yow  be  al-so  good  and  trewe 
As  ever  was  wyf,  sin  that  the  world  was 

newe. 
And,  but  I  be  to-morn  as  fair  to  sene  1245 
As  any  lady,  emperyce,  or  quene,        (390) 
That  is  bitwixe  the  est  and  eke  the  west, 
Doth  with  my  lyf  and  deeth  right  as  yow 

lest. 
Cast  xap  the  curtin,  loke  how  that  it  is.' 
And  whan  the  knight  saugh  verraily  al 

this,  1250 

Tliat  she  so  fair  was,  and  so  yong  ther-to. 
For  joye  he  hente  hir  in  his  armes  two, 
His  herte  bathed  in  a  bath  of  blisse  ; 
A   thousand   tyme    a-rewe    he   gan    hir 

kisse. 
And  she  obeyed  him  in  every  thing      1255 
That  mighte  doon  him  plesance  or  lyking. 
And   thus   they  live,   un-to   hir  lyves 

ende,  {401) 

In  parfit  joye  ;  and  Jesu  Crist  us  sende 
Housbondes  meke,  yonge,  and  fresshe  a- 

bedde,  1259 

And  grace  t'overbyde  hem  that  we  wedde. 
And  eek  I  preye  Jesu  shorte  hir  lyves 
That  wol  nat  be  governed  by  hir  wj'^'es ; 
And  olde  and  angry  nigardes  of  disjience, 
Grod  sende  hem  sone  verray  pestilence. 


Here  endeth  the  Wyves  Tale  of  Bathe. 


THE    FRIAR'S   PROLOGUE. 


The  Prologe  of  the  Freres  tale. 


This  worthy  limitour,  this  noble  Frere,  1 265 
He  made  alwey  a  maner  laming  chere 
Upon  the  Somnour,  but  for  honestee 
No  vileyns  word  as  yet  to  him  spak  he. 
But  atte  laste  he  seyde  un-to  the  Wyf, 
'Dame,'  quod   he,   'god  yeve  yow  right 
good  lyf!  1270 

Ye  han  beer  touched,  al-so  mote  I  thee. 
In  scole-matere  greet  difficultee  ; 


Ye  han  seyd  muchel  thing  right  wel,  I 
seye ;  (9) 

But  dame,  here  as  we  ryden  by  the  weye, 
I's  nedeth  nat  to  spcken  but  of  game,  1275 
And  lete  auctoritees,  on  goddcs  name, 
To  preching  and  to  scolc  eek  of  clergye. 
But  if  it  lyke  to  this  companye, 
I  wol  yow  of  a  somnour  telle  a  game.  1279 
Pardee,  ye  may  wel  knowe  by  the  name. 


58: 


ZU  Canferfiurp  ^afee. 


[t.  6863-6917. 


That   of   a    somnour   may  no   good   be 

sayd ; 
I  praye  that  noon  of  you  be  yvel  apayd. 
A  Somnour  is  a  renner  up  and  doun 
With  niandements  for  fornicacioun,     (20) 
And  is  y-bet  at  every  tonnes  ende.'      1285 
Our  host  tho  spak,  '  a !  sire,  ye  sholde 

be  hende 
And  curteys,  as  a  man  of  your  estaat ; 
In  companye  we  wol  have  no  debaat. 
Telleth  your  tale,  and  lat  the  Somnour 

be.' 


'  Nay,'    quod  the    Somnour,    '  hit  him 
seye  to  me  1290 

j  What  so  Ij  im  list ;  whan  it  comth  to  my  lot, 
By  god,  I  shal  him  quyten  every  grot. 
I  shal  him  tellen  which  a  greet  honour  (29) 
It  is  to  be  a  flateringe  limitour  ;     [T.  6876 
And  his  offj-ce  I  shal  him  telle,  y-wis.' 

[T.  6879 
Our  liost  answerde,  'pees,  na-more  of 
this.'  1296 

And  after  this  he  seyde  un-to  the  Frere, 
'  Tel  forth  your  tale,  leve  maister  deere.' 


Here  endeth  the  Prologe  of  the  Frere. 


THE    FRERES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Freres  tale. 


Whilom  ther  was  dwellinge  in  my  contree 
t>/t.M  ~lAn  erchedeken,  a  man  of  heigh  degree, 
Tliat  Doldely  dide  execucioun  1301 

In  punisshingo  of  fornicacioun. 
Of  wicchecraft,  ami  eek  of  bauderye, 
Of  diffamacioun,  and  avoutrye, 
Of  chirche-rcves,  and  of  testaments,    1305 
Of  contractes,  and  of  lakke  of  sacraments. 
And  eek  of  many  another  maner  cryme 

[T.  om. 
A^'Iiieh  nedeth  nat  rehercen  at  this  tyme  ; 

[T.  om. 
Of  usure,  and  of  symonye  also.  (11) 

But  certes,  Icchours  dido  he  grettest  wo  ; 
They  sholile   sLngen,  if  that   they  were 

hent ;  1311 

And  smale  tytheres  weren  foulc  y-shent. 
If  any  persone  wolde  up-on  hem  pleyne, 
Ther   mighte   astei-te    him    no    pecunial 

peyne. 
For  smale  tythes  and  for  smal  offringe  1315 
Ho  made  the  peple  pitoiisly  to  singe. 
For  er  the  Isisshop  caughte  hem  with  his 

hook, 


They  weren  in  the  erchedeknes  book.  (20) 
Thanne  hadde  he,  thurgh  his  jurisdic- 

cioun, 
Power  to  doon  on  hem  correccioun.     1320 
Ho  hadde  a  Somnour  redy  to  his  bond, 
A  slyer  boy  was  noon  in  Engelond  ; 
For  subtilly  he  hadde  his  espiaille. 
That  taughte  liim,  wher  that  him  mighte 

availle.  1324 

He  coude  spare  of  lechours  oon  or  two. 
To  techen  him  to  foure  and  twenty  mo. 
For  thogh  this  Somnour  wood  were  as  an 

hare, 
To  telle  his  harlotrye  I  wol  nat  spare  ;  (30) 
For  we  been  out  of  his  correccioun  ; 
They  han  of  us  no  jurisdiccioun,  1330 

Xe  never  shullen,  terme  of  aUe  hir  lyves. 
'  Peter !   so  been  the  wommen  of  the 

styves,' 
Quod  the  Somnour,  'y-put  out  of  my  cure ! ' 
'  Pees,  with  mischance  and  with  mis- 

aventure,' 
Thus  seyde  our  host,  '  and  lat  hinx  telle 

his  tale.  1335 


T.  691S-6997.] 


D.    Z^c  funs  Zak. 


583 


Xow  tolleth  forth,  thogh  tliat  the  Som- 

noiir  gale, 
Ne  spareth  nat,  myn  owene  maistor  dere.' 
This  false  theef,   this   Somnour,  quod 
the  Frere,  (40) 

Hadde  alwey  baudes  redy  to  his  hond, 
As  any  hauk  to  lure  in  Eugelond,        1340 
That  tolde  him  al  the  secree  that  they 

knewe ; 
For  hir  acqueyntance  was  nafc  come  of- 

uewe. 
They  weren  hise  approwours  prively  ; 
He  took  hini-self  a  greet  profit  therhy  ; 
His  maister  knew  nat  alwey  what  he  wan. 
With-outen  mandement,  a  lewed  man  1346 
He  coude  somne,  on  peyne  of  Cristes  curs. 
And  they  were   gladde   for   to    fille   his 
purs,  (50) 

And  make  him  grete  festes  atte  nale. 
And  right  as  Judas  hadde  purses  smale. 
And  was  a  theef,  right  swich  a  theef  was 
he ;  1351 

His  maister  hadde  but  half  his  du6tee. 
He  was,  if  I  shal  yeven  him  his  laude, 
A  theef,  and  eck  a  Soninour,  and  a  baude. 
He  hadde  cek  wenches  at  his  retenue,  1355 
That,  whether  that  sir  Eobert  or  sir  Huwe, 
Or  Jakko,  or  Rauf,  or  who-so  that  it  were. 
That  lay  by  hem,  they  tolde  it  in  his  ere ; 
Thus  was  the  wenche  and  he  of  oon  as- 
sent. (61) 
Aud  he  wolde  fecche  a  feyned  mande- 
ment, 1360 
And  somne  hem  to  the  chapitre  bothe  two. 
And  pile  the  man,  and  lete  the  wenche  go. 
Thanne  wolde  he  seyc,  '  frond,  I  shal  for 
thy  sake  1363 
Do  strj-ken  hir  out  of  our  Icttres  blake ; 
Thee  thar  na-more  as  in  tlus  cas  travaille  ; 
I  am  thy  frcend,  ther  I  thee  may  availle.' 
Ccrteyn  he  knew  of  bryberyes  mo 
Than  possible  is  to  telle  in  yeres  two.  (70) 
For  in  tliis  world  nis  dogge  for  the  bowe. 
That  can  an  hurt  deer  from  an  hool 
y-knowe,  1370 
Bet  than  this  Somnour  knew  a  sly  Icchour, 
Or  an  avouter,  or  a  paramour. 
And,  for  that  was  the  fruit  of  al  his  rente, 
Therfore  on  it  he  sette  al  his  entente. 

And  so  bil'el,  that  ones  on  a  day       1375 
This  Somnour,  ever  waiting  on  his  pray, 


Rood  for  to  somne  a  widwe,  an  old  ribybe, 
Feyningo  a  cause,  for  he  wolde  brybe.  (80) 
And  happed  that  he  saugh  bifore  him  ryde 
A  gay  yeman,  under  a  forest- syde.  1380 
A  bowe  he  bar,  and  arwes  brighte  and 

keno  ; 
He  hadde  iip-on  a  court epy  of  grene  ; 
An  hat  up-on  his  heed  with  frenges  blake. 
'  Sir,'  quod  this  Somnour,  '  hayl !  and 
wel  a-take ! ' 
'  Wel-come,'  quod   ho,   '  and   every   good 
felawe !  1385 

Wher  rydestow  under  this  grene  shawe  ?  ' 
Seyde  this  j'eman,  '  wiltow  fer  to  day  ? ' 
This  Somnour  him  auswerde,  and  seyde, 
'  nay ;  (90) 

Heer  faste  by,'  quod  he,  '  is  myn  entente 
To  ryden,  for  to  reysen  up  a  rente  1390 
That  longeth  to  my  lordes  duetee.' 

'  Artow  thanne  a  bailly  ? '    '  Ye  ! '  quod 
he. 
He  dorste  nat,  for  verray  filthe  and  shame, 
Seye  that  he  was   a   somnour,    for  the 
name. 
'  Dejxirdieux,'  quod  this  j-eman,  '  dere 
brother,  1395 

Thou  art  a  bailly,  and  I  am  another. 
I  am  unknowen  as  in  this  contree  ;      (99) 
Of  thyn  aquej'ntance  I  wolde  israye  thee. 
And  eek  of  brotherhede,  if  that  yow  leste. 
I  have  gold  and  silver  in  my  cheste  ;  1400 
If  that  thee  happe  to  comen  in  our  shyre, 
Al  shal  bo  thyn,  right  as  thou  wolt  desyro.' 
'  Grantmercy,'  quod  this  Somnour,  '  by 
my  feith ! ' 
Everich  in  otheres  hand  his  trouthe  leith, 
For  to  be  sworne  bretheren  til  they  deye. 
In  daliance  they  ryden  forth  hir  weye.  1406 
This  Somnour,  which  that  was  as  ful 
of  jangles. 
As  ful  of  vcnini  been  thise  wariaugles,  (no) 
And  ever  enquering  up-on  ever3'  thing, 
'  Brother,'  quod  he,  '  where  is  now  your 
dwelling,  1410 

Another  day  if  that  I  sholde  yow  secho?' 
This    yeman    him    answerde    in    softe 
sjieche, 
'  Brother,'   quod   he,    '  for   in   the   north 

contree, 
Wher,  as  I  hope,  som-t  j-me  I  shal  thee  sec. 
Er  we  departc,  I  shal  thee  so  wel  wissc, 


.%\'^^''    .^^' 


KJ\y 


584  tU  tanttvBuv^  Zake. 


[t.  6998-7078. 


That    of   myn    hous    ne    shaltow  never 

misse.'  i4'6 

•  Now,  brother,'  quod  this  Somnour,  '  I 

yow  preye, 
Teche  me,  -whyl  that  we  ryden  by  th« 

weye,  (120) 

Sin  that  ye  been  a  baillif  as  am  I, 
Som  subtiltee,  and  tel  me  feithfuUy    1420 
In  mjTi  offyce  ho'w  I  may  most  winne  ; 
And  spareth  nat  for  conscience  ne  sinne, 
But  as  my  brother  tel  me,  how  do  ye  ?  ' 
'Now,  by  my  trouthe,   brother   dere,' 

seyde  he, 
'As  I  shal  tellen  thee  a  feithful  tale,  1425 
My  wages  been  ful  streite  and  ful  smale. 
My  lord  is  hard  to  me  and  daungerous, 
And  myn  offyce  is  ful  laborous  ;  ('30) 

And  therfore  by  extorcions  I  live. 
For  sothe,  I  take  al  that  men  wol  me 

yive ;  1430 

AJgate,  by  sleyghte  or  by  violence, 
Fro  j-eer  to  yeer  I  winne  al  my  dispence. 
I  can  no  bettre  telle  feithfully.' 

'  Now,  certes,'  quod  this  Somnour,  '  so 

fare  I ; 
I  spare  nat  to  taken,  god  it  woot,         1435 
But-if  it  be  to  hevy  or  to  hoot. 
\Miat  I  may  gete  in  conseil  prively, 
No  maner  conscience  of  that  have  I ;  (140) 
Nere  myn  extorcioun,  I  mighte  nat  liven, 
Ne  of  swiche  japes  wol  I  nat  be  shri%'en. 
Stomak  ne  conscience  ne  knowe  I  noon  ; 
I  slirewe  thise  shrifte-fadres  everichoon. 
Wei  be  we  met,  by  god   and   by  seint 

Jame ! 
But,  leve  brother,  tel  me  than  thy  name,' 
Quod  this  Somnour;   and  in  this   mene 

whyle,  1445 

Tliis  yeman  gan  a  litel  for  to  smyle. 
'  Brother,'  quod  he,  '  wiltow  that  I  thee 

telle? 
I  am  a  feend,  my  dwelling  is  in  heUe.  (150) 
And  here  I  ryde  about  my  purchasing, 
To  wite  wher  men  wolde  yeve  me  any 

thing.  ,450 

My  purchas  is  th'effect  of  al  my  rente. 
Loke  how  thou  rydest  for  the  same  en- 
tente. 
To  wnne  good,  thoTi  rekkest  never  how  ; 
Kight  so  fare  I,  for  ryde  wolde  I  now 
Un-to  the  worldes  ende  for  a  preye.'    1455 


'  A,'  quod  this  Somnour,  '  ben'cite,  what 

sey  ye  ? 
I  wende  ye  were  a  yeman  trewely. 
Ye  han  a  mannes  shap  as  wel  as  I ;    (160) 
Han  ye  figure  than  determinat 
In  helle,  ther  ye  been  in  your  estat  ? '  1460 
'Nay,  certeinly,'  quod  he,  'ther  have 

we  noon  ; 
But  whan  us  lyketh,  we  can  take  us  oon, 
Or  elles  make  yow  seme  we  ben  shape 
Som-tyme  lyk  a  man,  or  lyk  an  ape  ; 
Or  lyk  an  angel  can  I  ryde  or  go.         1465 
It  is  no  wonder  thing  thogh  it  be  so  ; 
A  lousy  jogelour  can  deceyve  thee, 
And  pardee,  yet  can  I  more  craft  than 

he.'  (170) 

'  'Why,'  quod   the   Somnour,   '  ryde  ye 

thanne  or  goon  1469 

In  sondiy  shap,  and  nat  alwey  in  oon  ? ' 
'  For  we,'  quod  he,  '  wol  us  swich  formes 

ruake 
As  most  able  is  our  preyes  for  to  take.' 
'  What    maketh   yow  to    han    al  this 

labour  ? ' 
'  Ful  many  a  cause,  leve  sir  Somnour,' 
Seyde  this  feend,   '  but  alle   thing  hath 

tyme.  1475 

The  day  is  short,  and  it  is  passed  pryme, 
And  yet  ne  wan  I  no-thing  in  this  day. 
I  wol  entcnde  to  winnen,  if  I  may,      (180) 
And  nat  entendc  our  wittes  to  declare. 
For,  brother  myn,  thy  wit  is  al  to  bare  1480 
To  understonde,  al-thogh  I  tolde  hem  thee. 
But,  for  thou  axest  why  labouren  we  ; 
For,   som-tyme,   we   ben  goddes    instru- 
ments, 
And  menes  to  don  his  comandements, 
^\Tian  that  him  list,  up-on  his  creatures. 
In  divers  art  and  in  divers  figures.      i486 
With-outen  him  we  have  no  might,  cer- 

tayn,  (189) 

If  that  him  list  to  stonden  ther-agayn. 
And  som-tyme,  at  our  prayere,  han  we  leve 
Only  the  body  and  nat  the  soule  greve ; 
Witnesse  on  Job,  whom  that  we  diden 

wo.  1491 

And  som-tyme  han  we  might  of  bothe  two, 
This  is  to  seyn,  of  soule  and  body  eke. 
And  somtyme  be  we  suffred  for  to  seke 
Up-on  a  man,  and  d(X)n  his  soule  unreste, 
Ajid  nat  his  body,  and  al  is  for  the  beste. 


T-   7079-7151-] 


D.    ZU  Sv^ne  Zak, 


585 


Whan  lie  withstaiidetli  our  temistacioun, 
It  is  a  cause  of  his  savaciouu  ;  (200) 

Al-be-it  that  it  was  nat  our  entente 
He  sholde  be  sauf,  but   tliat   we  wolde 
him  hente.  iS'^ 

And  som-tyme  be  we  servant  un-to  man, 
As  to  the  erchebisshop  Seint  Dunstan 
And  to  the  apostles  servant  eek  was  I.' 
'  Yet  tcl  me,'  quod  the  Somnour,  '  feith- 
fiilly, 
Make  ye  yow  newe  bodies  thus  alway  1505 
Of  elements  ? '  the  feend  answerde,  'nay; 
Som-tyme  we  feyne,   and   som-tyme  we 

aryso 
AVith  dede  bodies  in  ful  sondry  wyse,  (210) 
And  spekc  as  renably  and  faire  and  wel 
As  to  the  Phitonissa  dido  Samuel.        15 10 
And  yet  wol  som  men  seye  it  was  nat  he  ; 
I  do  no  fors  of  your  divinitee. 
Eut  o  thing  warne  I  thee,  I  wol  uat  jape, 
Thou  wolt  algates  wite  how  we  ben  shape  ; 
Thou   shalt    her-afterward,   my   brother 
dere,  1515 

Com  ther  thee  nedeth  nat  of  mc  to  lere. 
For  thou  shalt  by  thyn  oweno  experience 
Coune  in  a  chayer  rede  of  this  sentence 
Bet  than  Virgyle,  whyl  he  was  on  lyve, 
Or  Dant  also  ;  now  lat  its  ryde  blj-ve.  1520 
For  I  wol  holde  companye  with  thee  {223) 
Til  it  be  so,  that  thou  forsake  me.' 

'  Xay,'  quod  this  Somnour,  '  that  shal 
nat  bityde ; 
I  am  a  yeman,  knowen  is  ful  wyde  ; 
My  trouthe  wol  I  holde  as  in  this  cas.  1525 
For  though  thou  were  the  devel  Sathanas, 
My  trouthe  wol  I  holde  to  my  brother. 
As  I  am  sworn,  and  ech  of  us  til  other  (230) 
For  to  be  trewe  brother  in  this  cas ; 
And  bothe  we  goon  abouten  our  purchas. 
Tak  thou  thy  part,  what  that  men  wol 
thee  yive,  153 1 

And  I  shal  myn  ;  thits  may  we  bothe  live. 
And  if  that  any  of  us  have  more  than 

other, 
Lat  him  be  trewe,  and  parte  it  with  his 
brother.'         ^ 
'  I  gravinte,'  quod  the  devel, '  by  my  fey.' 
And  with  that  word  they  ryden  forth  hir 
wey.  1536 

And  right  at  the  eutring  of  the  tounes 
ende, 

U 


To  which  this  Somnour  shoop  him  for  to 

wende,  (240) 

Thej'  saugh  a  cart,  that  charged  was  with 

liey. 

Which  that  a  carter  droof  forth  in  his  wey. 

Deep  was  the  wey,  for  which  the  carte 

stood.  1541 

The  carter  smoot,  and  crydo,  as  he  were 

wood, 
'  Hayt,  Brok  !  hayt,  Scot !  what  spare  jo 

for  the  stones  ? 
The  feend,'  quod  he,    '  j-ow  fecche  body 

and  bones, 

As  ferforthly  as  ever  were  ye  foled  !     1545 

So  muche  wo  as  I  have  with  yow  tholed  ! 

The  devel  have  al,  bothe  hors  and  cart 

and  hey ! ' 

This    Somnour    seyde,    '  heer    shal   we 

have  a  pley  ; '  (250) 

And  neer  the  feend  ho  drough,  as  noght 

ne  were, 
Ful  prively,  and  rouned  in  his  ere  :      1550 
'  Herluie,    my    brother,    herkne,   by  thy 

feith ; 
Herestow  nat  how  that  the  carter  seith  ? 
Hent  it  anon,  for  he  hath  yeve  it  thee, 
Bothe  hey  and  cart,  and  eek  hise  caples 
three.' 
'  Nay,'  quod  the  devel,  '  god  wot,  never 
a  deel ;  1555 

It  is  nat  his  entente,  trust  me  weel. 
Axe  him  thy-self,  if  thou  nat  trowest  me, 
Or   elles   stint  a  while,  and  thou  shalt 
see.'  (260) 

This  carter  thakketh  his  hors  upon  the 
crouije, 
And  they  bigonne  drawen  and  to-stoupe  ; 
'  Heyt,  now  ! '  quod  he,  '  ther  Jesu  Crist 
yow  blesse,  1561 

And  al  his  handwerk,   bothe  more  and 

lesse ! 
That  was  wel  twight,  myn  ower.o  lyard 

boy! 
I  pray  god  save  thee  and  s^ynt  Loy  ! 
Now  is  my  cart  out  of  the  slow,  pardee ! ' 
'  Lo  !   brother,'  qitod  the  feend,  '  what 
tolde  I  thee?  1566 

Heer  may  ye  see,  myn  owene  dere  brother, 
The  carl  spak  00  thing,  but  he  thoghte 
another.  (2/0) 

Lat  us  go  forth  abouten  our  viage  ; 


586 


ZH  Caniivinv^  ZaUe. 


[t.  7152-7225. 


Heer  winne  I  no-thing  ujy-on  caxiage.' 
Wliau  that  they  comen  som-what  oiit 

of  toune,  1571 

This  Somnour  to  his  brother  gan  to  roune, 
'Brother,'  quod  he,  ' heer  woneth  an  old 

rebekke, 
That  hadde  almost  as  lief  to  lese  hir  nekke 
As  for  to  yeve  a  peny  of  hir  good.  1575 

I  wol  han  twelf  pens,  though  that  she  be 

wood, 
Or  I  -vv-ol  sompne  hir  un-to  otir  ofiyce  ; 
And  yet,  god  woot,  of  hir  knowe  I  no 

vyce.  (280) 

But  for  thou  canst  nat,  as  in  this  contree, 
Winne  thy  cost,  tak   heer  ensample  of 

me.'  1580 

This  Somnour  clappeth  at  the  widwes 

gate. 
'  Com  out,'  quod  he,  'thou  olde  viritrate  ! 
I  trowe  thou  hast  som  frere   or  preest 

with  thee  ! ' 
'  'Who    clappeth  ? '    seyde  this   widwe, 

'  ben'cite  ! 
God  save  you,  sire,  what  is  your  swete 

wille  ? '  1585 

'  I  have,'  quod  he,   '  of  somonce  here 

a  bille ; 
Up  peyne  of  cursing,  loke  that  thou  be 
Po-mom  bifore  the  erchedeknes  knee  (290) 
T'aiiswere  to  the  court  of  eerteyn  thinges.' 
'  Now,  lord,'  quod  she,  '  Crist  Jesu,  king 

of  kinges,  1590 

So  wisly  helpe  me,  as  I  ne  may. 
1  have  been  syk,  and  that  ful  many  a  day. 
I  may  nat  go  so  fer,'  quod  she,  '  ue  ryde. 
But  I  be  deed,  so  priketh  it  in  my  syde. 
May  I  nat  axe  a  libel,  sir  Somnour,     1595 
And  auswere  there,  by  my  procutour. 
To  swich  thing  as  men  wol  opposen  me?' 
'Yis,'  quod  this  Somnour,   'pay  anon, 

lat  se,  (300) 

Twelf  pens  to  me,  and  I  wol  thee  acquyte. 
I  shall  no  profit  han  ther-by  but  lyte  ;  1600 
My  maistor  hath  the  profit,  and  nat  L 
Com  of,  and  lat  me  ryden  hastily  ; 
Yif  me  twelf  pens,  I  may  no  lenger  tarie.' 
'  Twelf   pens,'    quod    she,    '  now    lady 

Seinte  Marie 
So  wisly  help  me  out  of  care  and  sinne. 
This  wyde   world   thogh   that  I   sholde 

■winne,  1606 


Ne  have  I  nat  twelf  pens  with-inne  myn 

hold.  (309) 

Ye  knowen  wel  that  I  am  povre  and  old ; 

Kythe  your  alnaesse  on  me  povre  wrecche.' 

'  Nay  than,'  quod  he,  '  the  foule  feend 

me  fccche  1610 

If  I  th'excuse,  though  thou  shul  be  spilt  1 ' 

'Alas,'  quod  she,  'god  woot,  I  have  no 

gilt.' 
'  Pay  me,'  quod  he,   '  or  by  the  swete 

seinte  Anne, 
As  I  wol  here  awey  thy  newe  panne 
For  dette,  which  that  thou  owest  me  of 

old,  1615 

Whan  that  thou  madest  thyn  housbond 

coke  wold, 
I  payde  at  hoom  for  thy  correccioun.' 
'  Thou   lixt,'  quod   she,   '  by  my  sava- 

cioun !  (320) 

Ne  was  I  never  er  now,  widwe  ne  wyf, 
Somoned  un-to  your  court  in  al  my  lyf ; 
Ne  never  I  nas  but  of  my  body  trewe  !  1621 
Un-to  the  devel  blak  and  rough  of  hewe 
Yeve  I  thy  body  and  my  panne  also  ! ' 

And  whan  the  devel  herde  hir  cursen  so 

Up-on  hir  knees,  he  seyde  in  this  manere, 

'NowMabely,myn  owene  moder  dere,  1626 

Is  this  your  wil  in  ernest,  that  ye  seye?' 

'  The  devel,'  quod  she,  '  so  fecche  him 

er  he  deye,  (.?3o) 

And  panne  and  al,  but  he  wol  liim  re- 

pente ! '  1629 

'  Nay,  olde  stot,  that  is  nat  myn  entente,' 
Quod  this  Somnour,  '  for  to  repente  me. 
For  any  thing  that  I  have  had  of  thee  ; 
I   wolde   I   hadde   thy  smok   and   every 

clooth ! ' 
'  Now,  brother,'  quod  the  devel,  '  be  nat 

wrooth  ; 
Thy  body  and  this  panne  ben  myne  by 

right.  1635 

Thou  shalt  with  me  to  helle  yet  to-night, 
Where  thou  shalt  knowen  of  our  privetee 
More  than  a  maister  of  divinitee  : '  (.?4o) 
And  with  that  word  this  foule  feend  him 

hente ;  1639 

Body  and  soule,  he  with  the  devel  wente 
Wher-as  that  somnours  han  hir  heritage. 
And  god,  that  maked  after  his  image 
Mankinde,  save   and   gyde   us   alle   and 

some ; 


T.  7226-7278.]        D.    ^^e  ^omnouv'e  (Profo^ue. 


587 


And    leve   this  Somnour  good    man   to 

bicome  ! 
Lordinges,  I  coude  han  told  yow,  quod 

this  Frere,  1645 

Hadde  I  had  leyser  for  this  Somnour  here, 
Afterthetext  ofCrist  [and]  Pouland  John, 
And  of  our  othere  doctours  many  oon, 
Swiche  peynes,  that  your  hertes  mighte 

agryse,  (351) 

Al-be-it  so,  no  tonge  may  devyse,         1650 
Thogh  that  I  mighte  a  thousand  winter 

teUe, 
The  peyne  of  thilke  cursed  hons  of  helle. 
But,  for  to  kepe  vis  fro  that  cursed  place, 
Waketh,  and  preyeth  Jesu  for  his  grace 


So  kepe  ns  fro  the  temptour  Sathanas.  1655 
Herketh  this  word,  heth  war  as  in  this 

cas; 
The  leoun  sit  in  his  await  alway 
To  slee  the  innocent,  if  that  he  may.  (360) 
Disposeth  ay  your  hertes  to  withstonde 
The  feend,  that  yow   wolde  make  thral 

and  bonde.  1660 

He  may  natterapten  yow  over  your  might ; 
For   Crist  wol    be   your    champion    and 

knight. 
And  prayeth   that  thise  Somnours  hem 

repente 
Of  hir  misdedes,  er  that  the  feend  hem 

hente. 


Here  endeth  the  Freres  tale. 


THE    SOMNOUR'S    PROLOGUE. 


The  prologe  of  the  Somnours  Tale. 


This  Somnour  in  his  stiropes  hye  stood  ; 
Up-on  this  Frere  his  herte  was  so  wood. 
That  lyk  an  aspen  leef  he  quook  for  yre. 
'  Lordinges,'  quod   he,  '  but   o  thing  I 
desyro ; 
I  yow  biseke  that,  of  your  curteisye. 
Sin  ye  han  herd  this  false  Frere  lye,  1670 
As  suffereth  me  I  may  my  tale  telle  ! 
This  Frere  bosteth  that  he  knoweth  helle, 
And  god  it  woot,  that  it  is  litel  wonder  ; 
Freres  and  feendes  been  but  lyte  a-sonder. 
For  pardee,  ye  han  ofte  tymo  herd  telle. 
How  that  a  frere  ravisshed  was  to  helle 
In  spirit  ones  by  a  visioun  ;  (13)  1677 

And  as  an  angel  ladde  him  up  and  doun. 
To  shewen  him  the  peynes  that  ther  were, 
In  al  the  place  saugh  he  nat  a  frere  ;  1680 
Of  other  folk  he  saugh  y-nowe  in  wo. 
Un-to  this  angel  spak  the  frere  tho  : 


"Now,  sir,"  quod  he,  "  han  freres  swich 

a  grace  (19) 

That  noon  of  hem  shal  come  to  this  place  ?  " 

"  Yis,"  quod  this  angel,  "many  a  mil- 

lioun  !  "  1685 

And  un-to  Sathanas  he  ladde  him  doun. 
"  And    now   hath    Sathanas,"    seith   he, 

"  a  tayl 
Brodder  than  of  a  carrik  is  the  sayl. 
Hold  up  thy  tayl,  thou  Sathanas  !  "  quod 

he,  1680 

' '  Shewe  forth  thyn  ers,  and  lat  the  frere  see 
Wher  is  the  nest  of  freres  in  this  place  !" 
And,  cr  that  half  a  furlong-wey  of  space, 
Right  so  as  bees  out  swarmen  from  an 

hyve, 
Outof  the  develes  ers  thergonne  dryve(3o) 
Twenty  thousand  freres  in  a  route,     1695 
And  thurgh-out  helle  swarmeden  aboutc 


u  5 


588 


ZU  CanUvBuv^  Zako. 


[T. 


7^79-7342- 


And  Cornell  agaj-ii,  as  faste  as  tliey  may 

And  in  his  ers  they  crepten  everichoii. 
He  clapto  his  tayl  agayn,  and  laylul  stille. 
This  IVore,  whan  he  loked  hadde  his  fille 
Upon  the  torments  of  this  scry  place,  1701 
His  spirit  god  restored  of  his  grace 


Un-to  his  body  agayn,  and  he  awook  ; 
But  natheles,  for  fere  yet  he  quook,     (40) 
So  was  the  de^•eles  ers  ay  in  his  minde, 
Tliat  is  his  heritage  of  verraj'  Ivinde.  1706 
God    save    yow    alle,   save    this    cursed 

Frere ; 
My  xirologe  wol  I  ende  in  this  manere.' 


Here  endeth  the  Prologe  of  the  Somnours  Tale. 


THE    SOMNOURS    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Somonour  his  Tale. 


LonDiNGTs,    ther  is  in  Yorkshire,    as   I 

gesse, 
A  mersshy  contree  called  Holdernesse, 
In  which  ther  wente  a  limitour  aboute,  1 71 1 
To  preche,  and  eek  to  begge,  it  is  no  doute. 
And  so  bifel,  that  on  a  day  this  frero 
Had  preched  at  a  chirche  in  his  manere, 
And  specially,  aboven  every  thing,       1715 
Excited  ho  the  pcplo  in  his  preching 
To  trentals,  and  to  yeve,  for  goddes  sake, 
Wh.er-with    men    mighten   holy   houses 

make,  (10) 

Ther  as  di\'3'ne  service  is  honoured, 
Nat  ther  as  it  is  wasted  and  devoured,  17^0 
Ne  ther  it  nedeth  nat  for  to  be  yive, 
As  to  possessioners,  that  mowen  live, 
Thanked  be  god,  in  welo  and  habundaunce. 
'Trentals,' seydo  he,  '  deliveren  fro  pen- 

aunco  1724 

Hir  frcondos  soules,  as  wel  olde  as  yonge. 
Ye,  whan  that  they  been  hastily  y-songo  ; 
Nat  for  to  holdo  a  preest  joly  ami  gay, 
He  singeth  nat  but  o  masse  in  a  day  ;  (20) 
Delivereth  out,' quod  he,  'anon  the  soules; 
Ful  hard  it  is  with  fleshhook  or  with  oules 
To  been  y-claweil,  or  to  brenne  or  bake  ; 
Now  spcde  yow  hastily,  for  Cristes  sake.' 
And   whan   this  frero   had  seyd   al   his 

entente, 
Withr^Mt  CM?«j>a<re  forth  his  wcy  he  wente. 


Whan  folk  in  chirche  had  yeve  him 

what  hem  leste,  17,55 

Ho  wente  his  wey,   no  longer  wolde  he 

reste, 
With  scrippo  and  tipped  staf,  y-tukked 

bye ;  (29) 

In  every  hous  he  gan  to  poure  and  prye, 
And  beggeth  mele,  and  chese,  or  elles  corn. 
His  felawe  hadde  a  staf  tipped  with  horn, 
A  peyre  of  tables  al  of  yvory,  1741 

And  a  poyntel  polisshed  fctisly, 
And  wi'oot  tlio  names  alwey,  as  he  stood. 
Of  alle  folk  that  yaf  him  any  good,     1744 
Ascaunces  that  ho  wolde  for  hem  preye. 
'  Yeve  us  a  busshel  whete,  malt,  or  reye, 
A  goddes  kechil,  or  a  trip  of  chese, 
Or  elles  what  yow  list,  we  may  nat  chese ; 
A  goddes  halfpony  or  a  masso-peny,     (41) 
Or  yeve  us  of  your  brawn,  if  yc  have  eny  ; 
A  dagon  of  your  blanket,  love  dame,    1751 
Our  suster  derc,  lo !  hero  I  write  your  name ; 
Bacon  or  beef,  or  swich  thing  as  ye  finde.' 
A  sturdy  harlot  wente  ay  hem  bihinde, 
That  was  hir  hostes  man,  and  bar  a  sak, 
And  what  men  yaf  hem,  lej-do  it  on  his 

bak.  1756 

And  whan  that  he  was  out  at  doro  anon. 
He  planed  awcy  the  names  evorichon  (50) 
That  111!  biforn  had  writen  in  his  tables; 
Hesei-vcdhemwithnyfles  and  with  fables. 


T.  7343-7420.] 


D.    ZH  ^omneur©  'ZaU. 


589 


'  Nay,  ther  thou  lixt,  thou  Somnour,' 

quod  the  Frere.  1761 

'Pees,'   qiTod    our    Host,    'for    Cristas 

moder  dere  ; 
Tel  forth  thy  tale  and  spare  it  nat  at  al.' 
Sothrj^-el,  qtiod  this  Somnour,  sol  shal. — 
So  longe  he  wente  hous  by  hous,  til  he 
Cam  tU  an  hous  ther  he  was  wont  to  be 
Refresshed  more   than    in    an  hundred 

placis.  1767 

Sik  lay  the  gode  man,  whos  that  the  place 

is  ;  (60) 

Bedrede  tip-on  a  couche  lowe  lie  lay. 
'■  Deus  hie,''  quod  he, '  O  Thomas,  freend, 

good  day,'  1770 

Ses'de  this  frere  ciirteisly  and  softe. 
'Thomas,'  quod  he,  'god  yelde  yow  !  ful 

ofte 

Have  I  up-on  this  bench  farcn  ful  weel. 

Here  have  I  eten  many  a  mery  meel ;  ' 

|<ind  fro  the  bench  he  droof  awey  the  cat, 

[And  leyde  ndoun  his  potento  and  his  hat, 

And  eek  his  scrippe,  and  sette  him  softe 

adoun.  1777 

His  felawe  was  go  walked  in-to  toun,  (70) 
Forth  with  his  knave,  in-to  that  hostelrye 
Wher-as  he  shoop  him  thilke  night  to  lye. 

'  O  dere  maister,'  quod  this  syke  man, 
'  How  ban  ye  fare  sith  that  March  bigan  ? 
I  saugh  yow  noght  this  fourtenight  or 

more.' 
'  God  woot,'  quod  ho, '  laboured  have  I  ful 

sore  ; 
And  specially,  for  thy  savacioun  1785 

Have  I  seyd  many  a  precious  orisoun. 
And  for   our  othere  frendes,   god   hem 

blesse  ! 
I  have  to-day  been  at  your  chircho  at 

messe,  (80) 

And  seyd  a  sermon  after  my  simple  wit, 
Nat  al  after  the  text  of  holy  writ  ;       1790 
For  it  is  hard  to  yow,  as  I  suppose, 
And  tlierfore  wol  I  teche  yow  al  the  glose. 
Glosinge  is  a  glorious  thing,  certeyn. 
For  lettre  sleeth,  so  as  we  clerkes  seyn. 
Ther  have  I  taught  hem  to  be  charitable, 
And  spende  hir  good  ther  it  is  resonable, 
And  tlier  I  saugh  our   dame ;    a  !   wher 

is  she?'  (89)  1797 

'  Yond  in  the  yerd  I  trowethat  she  be,' 

Seyde  this  man, '  and  she  wol  come  anon.' 


'  Ey,  maister  !  wel-come  be  ye,  by  seint 

John  ! '  i8(X) 

Seyde  this  wyf,  '  how  fare  ye  hertely  ?  ' 

The  frere  aryseth  up  ful  eurteisly. 
And  hir  embraceth  in  his  amies  narwe, 
And  kiste   hir  swete,   and  chirketh   as 

a  sparwe 
With  his  lippes  :  '  dame,'  quod  he,  '  right 

weel,  1805 

As  he  that  is  your  servant  every  deel. 
Thanlied  be  god,  that  yow  yaf  soule  and  lyf. 
Yet  saugh  I  nat  this  day  so  fair  a  wyf  (100) 
In  al  the  chirche,  god  so  save  me  ! ' 

'  Ye,  god  amende  defautes,  sir,'  quod  she, 
'  Algates  wel-come  be  ye,  by  my  fey ! '  181 1 
'  Graunt  mercy,  dame,  this  have  I  founile 

alwey. 
But   of  your  grete  goodnesse,    by  your 

leve, 
I  wolde  prey  yow  that  ye  nat  yow  greve, 
I  wol  with  Thomas  speke  a  litel  throwe. 
Thise  curats  been  ful  necligeiit  and  slowe 
To  grope  tendrely  a  conscience.  (109)  1817 
In  shrift,  in  preching  is  my  diligence, 
And  studie  in  Petres  wordes,  and  in  Poules. 
I  walke,  and  fisslie  Cristen  niennes  soules. 
To  yeldenJesu  Crist  his  propre  rente  ;  1821 
To  sprede    his  word  is  set    al  myn  en- 
tente.' 
'  Now,  by  your  leve,  o  dere  sir, '  quod  she, 
'  Cliydeth  him  weel,  for  seinte  Trinitee. 
He  is  as  angry  as  a  pissemyre,  1825 

Though   that  he   have    al  that  he  can 

desyre. 
Tliough  I  him  wrye  a-night  and  make 

him  warm,  (119) 

And  on  hym  leye  my  log  outher  myn  arm, 
He  groneth  ]yk  our  boor,  lyth  in  our  sty. 
Other  despox-t  right  noon  of  him  have  I ; 
I  may  nat  plese  him  in  no  nianer  cas.' 
'  O    Thomas !     Je    votts    dy,    Thomas ! 

Tiiomas  ! 
This  makcth  the  fecnd,  this  moste  ben 

amended. 
Ire  is  a  thing  thivt  hye  god  defended,  1834. 
And  thcr-of  wol  I  speke  a  word  or  two.' 
'  Now  maister,'  quod  the  wyf,   '  er  that 

I  go, 
Wliat  wol  ye  djTie  ?   I  wol  go  ther-aboutc.' 
'  Now  dame,'  quod  he,  '  Je  voua  dy  sans 
doute,  (130) 


59° 


ZU  tcinUvBuv^  Zakti. 


[t.  74-'i-75oS- 


Have  I  nat  of  a  capon  bnt  tlie  livere, 
And  of  your  softe  breed  nat  but  a  shivere, 
And  after  that  a  rested  pigges  heed,   1841 
(But  that  I  nolde  no  beest  for  me  were 

deed), 
Thanne  hadde  I  with  yow  hoomly  suffi- 

saunce. 
I  am  a  man  of  litel  sustenaimce. 
Mj'  spirit  hath  his  fostring  in  the  Bible. 
The  body  is  ay  so  redy  and  penyble    1846 
To  wake,  that  my  stomak  is  destroyed. 
I  prey  yow,  dame,  ye  be  nat  anoyed,  (140) 
Though  I  so   freendly    yow   my   conseil 

shewe ;  1849 

By  god,  I  wolde  nat  telle  it  but  a  fewe.' 

'  Now,  sir,'  quod  she, '  but  o  word  er  I  go ; 
My  child  is  deed  with/-inne  thise  wykes 

two, 
Sone  after  that  ye  wente  out  of  this  toun.' 
'  His  deeth  saugh  I  by  revelacioun,'  1854 
Seith  this  frere,  '  at  hoom  in  our  dortour. 
I  dar  wel  sejni  that,  er  that  half  an  hoiir 
After  his  deeth,  I  saugh  him  born  to  blisse 
In  myn  avisioun,  so  god  me  wisse  !      (150) 
So  dide  our  sexteyn  and  our  fermerer. 
That  han  been  trewe  freres  fifty  yeer  ; 
Thej'  may  now,   god  be  thanked  of  his 

lone,  1861 

Maken  hir  jubilee  and  walke  allone. 
And  up  I  roos,  and  al  our  covent  eke, 
With  many  a  tere  trikling  on  my  cheke, 
Withouten  noyse  or  clateringe  of  belles  ; 
Te  deum  was  our  song  and  no-thing  elles. 
Save  that  to  Crist  I  seyde  an  orisoun, 
Tliankinge  him  of  his  revelacioun.      (160) 
for  sir  and  dame,  trustetli  me  right  weel. 
Our  orisons  been  more  effectueel,         1870 
And  more  we  seen  of  Cristes  secree  thinges 
Than   burel  folk,  al-though  they  weren 

kinges. 
We  live  in  povert  and  in  abstinence, 
And  burel  folk  in  richesse  and  despence 
Of  mete  and  drinke,  and  in  hir  foul  delyt. 
We  han  this  worldes  lust  al  in  despyt. 
Lazar  and  Dives  liveden  diversly,        1877 
And  diverse  guerdon  haddenthey  ther-by. 
Who-so  wol  preye,  he  moot  fastc  and  be 

clene,  (171)  1879 

Andfattehissouleand  make  his  body  leno. 
We  fare  as  seith  th'apostle ;  cloth  and  fode 
Suffysen  us,  though  they  be  nat  ful  gode. 


The  clennesse  and  the  fastinge  of  us  freres 

Maketh  that  Crist  accepteth  our  preyeres. 

Lo,    Moyses  fourty   dayes   and   fourty 

night  1885 

Fasted,  er  that  the  heighe  god  of  might 
Spak  with  him  in  the  mountain  of  Sinaj'. 
With  empty  wombe,  fastinge  many  a  day, 
Eecey\'ed  he  the  lawe  thatwas  writen  (181) 
With   goddes  finger ;   and  Elie,  wel  ye 

witen,  1890 

In  mount  Oreb,  er  ho  hadde  any  speche 
With  hye  god,  that  is  our  lyves  leche. 
He  fasted  longe  and  was  in  cont  emplaunce. 
Aaron,  that  hadde  the  temple  in  govern- 

aunco,  1S94 

And  eek  the  othere  preestes  everichon, 
In-to  the  temple  whan  they  sholde  gon 
To  preye  for  the  peple,  and  do  sorvyse. 
They  nolden  drinken,  in  no  maner  wyse, 
Xo  drinke,  which  that  mighte  hem  dronke 

make,  (19')  1899 

But  there  in  abstinence  prej-e  and  wake. 
Lest  that  they  deyden  ;  tak  heed  what 

I  seye. 
But  they  be  sobre  that  for  the  peple  preye. 
War  that  I  seye ;  namore !  for  it  suffyseth. 
Our  lord  Jesu,  as  holy  writ  devyseth,  1904 
Yaf  us  ensamplc  of  fastinge  and  preyeres. 
Therfor  ^\•e  mendinants,  we  sely  freres. 
Been  wedded  to  povcrte  and  continence. 
To  eharitee,  htimblesse,  and  abstinence. 
To  perseciicion  for  rightwisnesse,  (201)  1909 
To  wepinge,  misericorde,  and  clennesse. 
And  therfor  mayyeseethat ourpreyeres — 
I  speke  of  us,  we  mendinants,  we  freres — 
Ben  to  the  hye  god  more  acceptable 
Than  youres,  with  your  festes  at  the  table. 
Fro  Paradys  first,  if  I  shal  nat  lye,      1915 
Was  man  out  chaced  for  his  glotonye  ; 
And  ehaast  was  man  in  Paradys,  certeyn. 
But  herkne  now,  Thomas,  what  I  shal 

seyn.  (2'o) 

I  ne  have  no  text  of  it,  as  I  suppose, 
But  I  shall  finde  it  in  a  maner  glose,  1920 
That  specially  our  swete  lord  Jesus 
Spak  this  by  freres,  whan  he  seyde  thus  : 
"  Blessed   bo   they  that   povre  in   spirit 

been." 
And  so  forth  al  the  gospel  may  ye  seen, 
Wher  it  be  lyker  our  professioun,         1925 
Or  hirs  that  swimmen  in  possessioun. 


T-  7509-7586.] 


D.    ZU  ^oittnoui:0  Zc^k. 


691 


Fy  on  hir  pompe  and  on  hir  glotonye  ! 
And  for  hir  lewednesse  I  hem  diifye.  (220) 

Me  thinketh  they  ben  lyk  Jovinian, 
Fat  as  a  whale,  and  walkinge  as  a  swan  ; 
Al  vinolent  as  hotel  in  the  spence.       1931 
Hir  preyer  is  of  fill  gret  reverence  ; 
Whan  they  for  soules  seye  the  psalm  of 

Davit, 
Lo,  "buf!"  they  seye,  '^  cor  meum  eruc- 

tavit !  " 
^Vho  folweth  Cristes  gospel  and  his  fore, 
But  we  that  humble  been  and  chast  and 

pore,  1936 

Werkers  of  goddes  word,  not  auditours  ? 
Therfore,   right    as    an    hauk   up,    at   a 

sours,  (-'30) 

Up  springeth  in-to  their,  right  so  prayeres 
Of  charitable  and  chaste  bisy  freres  1940 
Makon  hir  sours  to  goddes  eres  two. 
Thomas  !  Thomas  !  so  mote  I  ryde  or  go. 
And  by  that  lord  that  clepid  is  seint  Yve, 
Nere   thou   our   brother,   sholdestou  nat 

thryvc  !  '944 

In  our  chapitre  praye  we  day  and  night 
To  Crist,   that  he  thee  sende  hele   and 

might. 
Thy  body  for  to  welden  hastily.' 

'  God  woot,'  quod  he,  '  no-thing  ther-of 

fele  I ;  (240) 

As  help  me  Crist,  as  I,  in  fewe  yeres,  1949 
Han  spended,  up-on  dj^ers  maner  freres, 
Ful  many  a  pound  ;  yet  fare  I  never  the 

bet. 
Certeyn,  my  good  have  I  almost  biset. 
Farwel,  my  gold  !  for  it  is  al  ago  ! ' 

The  frere  answerde, '  O  Thomas,  dostow 

so  ?  1954 

What  nedeth  yow  diverse  freres  seche  ? 
What  nedeth  him  that  hath  a  parfit  leche 
To  sechen  othere  leches  in  the  toun  ? 
Your  inconstance  is  your  confusiouu.  (250) 
Holde  ye  than  me,  or  elles  our  covent, 
To  praye  for  yow  ben  insufficient  ?      i960 
Thomas,  that  jape  nis  nat  worth  a  myte  ; 
Your  malad.ye  is  for  we  han  to  lyte. 
"  A  !  yif  that  covent  half  a  quarter  otes  ! " 
"  A !    yif  that    covent  four  and    twenty 

grotes ! " 
"  A  !  yif  that  frere  a  peny,  and  lat  him 

go !  "  1965 

Nay,  nay,  Thomas  !  it  may  no-thing  be  so. 


What  is  a  ferthing  worth  parted  in  twelve  ? 
Lo,  ech  thing  that  is  oned  in  him-selve 
Is    more    strong    than    whan    it   is  to- 

scatered.  (261) 

Thomas,   of  me  thou  shalt  nat  been  y- 

flatered ;  1970 

Thou  woldest  han  our  labour  al  for  noght. 
The  hye  god,  that   al   this   world   hath 

wroght, 
Seith  that  the  werkman  worthy  is  his 

hyre. 
Thomas  !  noght  of  your  tresor  I  desyre 
As  for  my-self,  but  that  al  our  covent  1975 
To  preye  for  yow  is  ay  so  diligent. 
And  for  to  builden  Cristes  owene  chirche. 
Thomas  !  if  ye  wol  lernen  for  to  wirche, 
Of    buildinge   up    of    chirches   may  ye 

finde  (271) 

If  it  be  good,  in  Thomas  lyf  of  Inde.  1980 
Ye  lye  heer,  ful  of  anger  and  of  yre. 
With    which   the    devel   set   your   herte 

a-fyre. 
And  chyden  heer  this  sely  innocent. 
Your  vryf,  that  is  so  meke  and  pacient. 
And  therfor,  Thomas,  trowe  me  if  thee 

leste,  1985 

Ne  stryve  nat  with  thy  wyf,  as  for  thy 

beste  ; 
And  her  this  word  awey  now,  by  tliyfeith, 
Touchinge  this  thing,  lo,  what  the  wyse 

seith  :  (280) 

"  With-in  thyn  hous  ne  be  thou  no  leoun  ; 
To  thy  subgits  do  noon  oppressioun  ;  1990 
Ne  make  thyne  aqueyntances  nat  to  flee." 
And  Thomas,  .yet  eft-sones  I  charge  thee. 
Be  war  from  hir  that  in  thy  bosom  slepeth ; 
War  fro  the  serpent  that  so  slyly  crepetli 
Under  the  gras,  and  stingeth  subtilly.  19Q5 
Be  war,  my  sone,  and  herkno  paciently. 
That  twenty  thousand  men  han  lost  hir 

Ij-ves, 
For  stryving  with  hir  lemmans  and  hir 

wj-ves.  (29*!) 

Now  sith  ye  han  so  holy  and  meke  a  wyf, 
What    nedeth   yow,  Thomas,  to   maken 

stryf?  2000 

Ther  nis,  y-wis,  no  serpent  so  cruel, 
A^Tian  man  tret  on  his  tayl,  ne  half  so  fel. 
As   womman  is,  whan  she  hath  caught 

an  ire  ; 
Vengeance  is  thanne  al  that  they  desyre. 


592 


ZU  tanttv^uv^  Zciks. 


[t-  7587-7668. 


Ire  is  a  sinne,  oon  of  tlie  grete  of  sevene, 
Abhoruinable  nn-to  the  god  of  lievene  ; 
And  to  hixn-self  it  is  destniccion. 
This  every  lewed  viker  or  person        (300) 
Can  seye,  how  Ire  engendreth  homicyde. 
Ire  is,  in  sooth,  executour  of  pryde.    2010 
I  coude  of  Ire  seye  so  muche  sorwe. 
My  tale  sholde  laste  til  to-morwe. 
And  therfor  preye  I  god  bothe  day  and 
night,  2013 

An  iroiis  man,  god  sende  him  litel  might ! 
It  is  greet  harm  and,  certes,  gret  pitee, 
To  sette  an  irons  man  in  heigh  degpree. 
^Vhilom  ther  was  an  irons  potestat. 
As  seith  Senek,  that,  duringe  his  estaat, 
Up-on  a  day  out  riden  knightes  two,  (311) 
And  as  fortune  wolde  that  it  were  so,  2020 
That  oon  of  hem  cam  hoom.  that  other 

noght. 
Anon  the  knight  bifore  the  juge  is  broght. 
That  seyde  thus,  "  thou  hast  thy  felawe 

slayn. 
For  which  I  deme  thee  to  the  deeth,  cer- 

tayn." 
And  to  another  knight  comanded  he,  2025 
"  Golede  him  to  the  deeth,  I  charge  thee." 
And  happed,  as  they  wente  by  the  weye 
Toward  the  place  ther  he  sholde  deye. 
The  knight  cam,  which  men  wenden  had 

bo  deed.  (321) 

Thanne  thought©  they,  it  was  the  bestc 

reed,  2030 

To  lede  hem  bothe  to  the  juge  agayn. 
They  seiden,  "lord,  the  knight  ne  hath 

nat  slajTi 
His  felawe  ;  here  he  standcth  hool  alyve." 
"  Ye  shul  be  deed,"  quod  he,  "  so  moot  I 

thrj've ! 
Tliat  is  to  seyn,  bothe  oon,  and  two,  and 

three !  "  2035 

And  to  the  firste  knight  right  thus  spak  he, 
"  I  damjincd  thee,  thou  most  algate  be 

deed. 
And  thou  also  most  nodes  lose  thyn  heed, 
For  thou  art  cause  why  thy  felawe  doyth." 
And  to  the  thridde  knight  right  thus  he 

seyth,  (^332)  2040 

"  Thou  hast  nat  doon  that  I  comanded 

thee." 
And  thus  he  dide  don  sleen  hem alle three. 
Irons  Cambyses  was  eek  dronkelewe. 


And  ay  delyted  l::m  to  been  a  shrewe. 
And  so  bifel,  a  lord  of  his  meynee,       2(45 
That  lovede  vorttious  moralitee, 
Seyde  on  a  day  bitwi.x  hem  two  right  thus : 
"  A  lord  is  lost,  if  ho  l)e  vicious  ;  (340) 

And  dronkenesse  is  eek  a  foul  record 
Of  any  man,  and  namely  in  a  lord.      2050 
Ther  is  ful  many  an  eye  and  many  an  ere 
Awaiting  on  a  lord,  and  he  noot  where. 
For  goddes  love,  drink  more  attemprely  : 
Wyn  maketh  man  to  lesen  wrecchedly 
His  mindo,  and  eek  his  limes  everichon."' 
"Therevers  shaltouse,"quodhc,  '•  anon ; 
And  prove  it,  by  thjTi  owene  experience. 
That   wyn    ne    dooth    to   folk  no  swich 

offence.  (35")  205S 

Ther  is  no  wyn  biroveth  mo  my  might 
Of  hand  ne  foot,  ne  of  myn  eyen  sight  " — 
And,  for  dospyt,  he  drank  ful  muchel  more 
An  hondrod  part  than  he  had  doon  bifore : 
And  right  anon,  this  irons  cursed  wrecche 
Leet  this  knightes  sone  bifore  him  fecche, 
Comandinge   him   ho  sholde  bifore  him 

stonde.  2065 

And  sodeynly  he  took  his  lx)we  in  honde, 
And  up  the  strong  he  pulled  to  his  ere. 
And  with  an  arvve  ho  slow  the  child  right 

there :  (360) 

"  Now  whether  have  I  a  sikcr  hand  or 

noon  ?  " 
Quod  he,  "is  al  my  might  and  minde 

agoon  ?  2070 

Hath  wyn  bireved  me  myn  eyen  sight  ?  " 

What  sholde  I  telle  th'answore  of  the 

knight  ? 
His  sone  was  slayn,  ther  is  na-more  to  seye. 
Beth  war  therfor  with  lordes  howyepleye. 
Singeth  riacebo,  and  I  shal,  if  I  can,  21)75 
But  if  it  be  un-to  a  povre  man. 
To  a  iwvre  man  men  sholde  h  isc  \yccs  telle. 
But  nat  to  a  lord,  thogh  he  sholde  go  to 

helle.  (370) 

Lo  irons  Cirus,  thiike  Percien, 
How  he  destroyed  the  river  of  Gysen,  2080 
For  that  an  hors  of  his  was  dreynt  ther- 

inne. 
Whan  that  ho  wente  Babiloignc  to  winne. 
He  made  that  the  river  was  so  smal. 
That  wommen  mighte  wade  it  over-al. 
Lo,  what  seyde  he,  that  so  wcl  tcche  can? 
"  Ke  be  no  felawe  to  an  irons  man,     2-086 


T.   7669-7 74S.] 


D.     'Z^t  ^oinnour0  ^afe. 


Ne  witli  no  wood  man  walke  by  the  weye, 
Lest  thee  repente  ;  "  ther  is  na-more  to 

seye.  (380) 

Xow  Thomas,  leve  brother,  lef  thyn  ire ; 
Thou  shalt  me  finde  as  just  as  is  a  squire. 
Hold  nat  tliedevelesknyf  ay  atthjTi  herte  ; 
Tliyn  angi-e  dooth  thee  al  to  sore  smerte  ; 
But  shewe  to  me  al  thy  confessioun.' 
'  Nay,'  quod  the  syke  man,  '  by  Seint 

Simoun  !  2;)94 

I  have  be  shriven  this  day  at  my  ciirat ; 
I  have  him  told  al  hooUy  niyn  estat ; 
Xedeth  na-more  to  speke  of  it,'  seith  he, 
'  But  if  me  list  of  myn  humilitee.'       (300) 
'  Yif  me  thanno  of  thy  gold,  to  make 

our  cloistre,' 
Quod  he,  '  for  many  a  muscle  and  many 

an  oistre,  2100 

Whan  other  men  han  ben  ful  wel  at  eyse. 
Hath  been  our  fodo,  our  cloistre  for  to  reyse. 
And  yct,godwoot,unnethe  theftmdement 
Parfourned  is,  ne  of  our  pavement  2104 
Xis  nat  a  tjde  yet  with-inne  our  wones  ; 
By  god,  we  owen  fovirty  pound  for  stones  ! 
Xow  help,  Thomas,  for  him  that  harwed 

helle  ! 
For  elles  moste  we  our  bokes  selle.  (400) 
And  if  ye  lakke  our  predicacioun,  2109 
Than  gooth  the  world  al  to  destruccioun. 
For  who-so  wolde  us  fro  this  world  bireve. 
So  god  me  save,  Thomas,  liy  your  leve. 
He  wolde  bireve  out  of  this  world  the  sonne. 
For  who  can  teche  and  werchen  as  we 

conne?  21 14 

And  that  is  nat  of  litel  tyme,'  quod  he  ; 
'  But  sith  that  Elie  was,  or  Elisee, 
Han  freres  been,  that  finde  I  of  record. 
In  charitee,  y-thanked  be  our  lord.    (410) 
Now  Thomas,  help,  for  seinte  Charitee  ! ' 
And  doun  anon  ho  sette  him  on  his  knee. 
This  syke  man  wcx  wel  ny  wood  for  ire  ; 
He  wolde  that  the  frere  had  been  on-fire 
With  his  false  dissimulacioun. 
'  Swich  thing  <as  is  in  my  possessioun,' 
Quod  he,   'that  may  I  yeven,  and  non 

other.  2125 

Ye  sey  me  thus,  liow  that   I   am   your 

brother? ' 
'  Ye,  certes,'  quod  the  frere,  '  trusteth 

weel ; 
I  took  our  dame  our  lettre  with  our  seel.' 


'  Xow  wel,'  quod  he,    '  and   som-what 

shal  I  yive  {42 1 ) 

Un-to  your  holy  covent  whyl  I  live,  2130 
And  in  thyn   hand  thou  shalt  it  have 

anoon  ; 
On  this  condicioun,  and  other  noon. 
That  thou  departe  it  so,  my  dere  brother, 
That  every  frere  have  also  muche  as  other. 
This  shaltou  swere  on  thy  professioun, 
With-outen  fraude  or  cavillacioun.'    2136 
'  I  swere  it,'  quod  this  frere,  '  upon  my 

feith  ! ' 
And  thei--with-al  his  hand  in  his  he  leith  : 
'  Lo,  heer  my  feith  !  in  me  shal  be  no  lak.' 
'  Now  thanne,  put  thyn  hand  doun  b.y 

my  bak,'  (432)  2140 

Seyde  this  man,  '  and  grope  wel  bihinde  ; 
Bynethe  my  buttok  ther  shaltow  finde 
A  thing  that  I  have  hid  in  privetee.' 
'  A  ! '  thoghte  this  frere,  '  this  shal  go 

with  me  ! ' 
And  doim  his  hand  he  launcheth  to  the 

clifte,  2145 

In  hope  for  to  finde  ther  a  yifte.  (438) 

And  whan  this  syke  man  foltc  this  frere 
Aboute  his  tuwel  grope  there  and  here, 
Amidde  his  hand  he  leet  the  frore  a  fart. 
Ther  nis  no  capul,  drawinge  in  a  cart,  2150 
That  mighte  have  lete    <a  fart   of  swich 

a  soun. 
The  frere   \ap  stirte   as   doth   a   wood 

leoun  : 
'  A !   false  cherl,'   quod   he,    '  for   goddes 

bones, 
This   hastow   for   despj-t   doon,    for   the 

nones ! 
Thou  shalt  abye  this  fart,  if  that  I  may  ! " 
His  moynee,  whiche  that  liorden  this 

affray,  2156 

Cam  lopinge  in,  and  chaood  out  the  frere; 
And  forth  he  gooth,  witli   a   ful  ang^y 

chere,  (450) 

And  fetto  his  felawe,  ther-as  lay  hisstoor. 
He  looked  as  it  were  a  wilde  boor  ;  2160 
He  grinte  with  his  teeth,  so  was  he  wrooth. 
A  sturdj'  pas  doun  to  the  court  ho  gooth, 
"Whcr-as   ther  woned    a    man    of  greet 

lionour. 
To  whom  that  he  was  ahvey  confossour ; 
This  worthy  man  was  lord  of  that  village. 
This  frere  cam,  as  he  were  in  a  rage,  2166 


594 


ZU  €anfer6utp  Zake. 


[t-  7749-78:0. 


ANTier-as  this  lord  sat  eting  at  his  bord. 
L'nnethes  mighte  the  frere  speke  a  word, 
Tilattelaste  heseyde  :  'godyowsee!'  (461) 
This  lord  gan  loke,  and  seide,   'ben'- 

cite!  21-0 

What,  frere  John,  what  maner  world  is 

this? 
I  see  wel  that  som  thing  ther  is  amis. 
Ye  loken  as  the  wode  were  fol  of  thevis, 
Sit   doun  anon,   and  tel  me  what   your 

greef  is. 
And  it  shal  been  amended,  if  I  maj-.'  2175 

•  I  have, '  quod  he, '  had  a  despyt  this  day, 
God  yelde  j'ow !  adoun  in  your  village. 
That  in  this  world  is  noon  so  povre  a  page, 
That  he  nolde  have  abhominacioun  (471) 
Of  that  I  have  receyved  in  your  toun.  2180 
And  yet  ne  greveth  me  no-thing  so  sore. 
As  that  this  olde  cherl,  with  lokkes  hore. 
Blasphemed  hath  our  holy  covent  eke.' 

•  Xow,  maister,'  quod  this  lord,  '  I  yow 

biseke.' 
'  No  maister,  sire,'  quod  he,  '  but  ser\'i- 

tour,  2185 

Thogli  I  have  had  in  scole  swich  honour. 

God  lyketh  nat  that  "Baby"  men  ns  calle, 

Neither  in  market  ne  in  yoiir  large  halle.' 

'  No  fors,'  quod  he,  '  but  tel  me  al  your 

grief.'  (481) 

'  Sire,'  quod  this  frere,  '  an  odious  mes- 

chief  2190 

This  day  bitid  is  to  myn  ordre  and  me, 
And  so  pei-  conseqiiens  to  ech  degree 
Of  holy  chirche,  god  amende  it  sone  !' 
■  Sir,'  quod  the  lord,  '  ye  woot  what  is 

to  done. 
Distempre  yow   noght,   ye    be    my   con- 

fessour ;  2195 

Ye  been  the  salt  of  the  erthe  and  the 

savour. 
For  goddes  love  your  pacience  ye  holde  , 
Tel  me  your  grief:'   and  he  anon  him 

tolde,  (490) 

As  ye  han  herd  biforn,  ye  woot  wel  what. 

The  lady  of  the  hous  ay  stille  sat,    2200 

Til  she  had  herd  al  what  the  frere  sayde : 

'  Ey,  goddes  moder,'  quod   she,    '  blisfid 

mayde ! 
Is  ther  oght  elles?  telle  me  fcithfully.' 
'  Madame,'  quod  he,  'how  thinketh  yow 

her-by  ? ' 


'  How  that  me  thinketh  ? '  quod  she ; 
'  so  god  me  speede,  2205 

I  seye,  a  cherl  hath  doon  a  cherles  dede. 
'What  shold  I  seye?  god  lat  him  never 

thee! 
His  syke  heed  is  ful  of  vanitee,  (500) 

I  hold  him  in  a  maner  frenesye.' 

'  Madame,'  quod  he,  '  by  god  I  shal  nat 
lye ;  2210 

But  I  on  other  weyes  may  be  wreke, 
I  shal  diffame  him  over-al  ther  I  speke, 
This  false  blasphemour,  that  charged  me 
To  parte  that  wol  nat  departed  be. 
To  every  man  y-liche,  with  meschaunce  ! ' 

The   lord   sat   stille   as   he  were  in   a 
traunce,  2216 

And  in  his  herte  he  rolled  up  and  doun, 
'  How  hadde  this  cherl  imaginacioun  (510) 
To  shewe  s^vich  a  probleme  to  the  frere  ? 
Never  erst  ernowherde  lof  swichmatere; 
I  trowe  the  devel  putte  it  in  his  minde. 
In  ars-metryke  shal  ther  no  man  finde, 
Biforn  this  day,  of  swich  a  questioun. 
Who  sholde  make  a  demonstracioun, 
That  everj-  man  sholde  have  y-liche  his 
part  2225 

As  of  the  soun  or  savour  of  a  fart  ?      (518) 

0  nyce  proude  cherl,  I  shrewe  his  face  ! 
Lo,  sires,'  quod  the  lord,  \vith  harde  grace, 

]   '  Who  ever  herde  of  swich  a  thing  er  now  ? 

!  To  every  man  j'-lyke  ?  tel  me  how,       2230 

I  It  is  an  inpossible,  it  may  nat  be  ! 

I  Ey,  nyce  cherl,  god  lete  him  never  thee  ! 
The  rumblinge  of  a  fart,  and  every  soun, 
Nis  but  of  eir  reverberacioun,  2234 

And  ever  it  wasteth  Ij-te  and  Ij-te  awey. 
Ther  is  no  man  can  demen,  by  my  fey, 

j  If  that  it  were  departed  equally.  (529) 

What,  lo,  my  cherl,  lo,  yet  how  shrewedly 
Un-to  mj'  confessour  to-day  he  spak  ! 

1  holde  him  cerieyn  a  demoniak  !        2240 
Now  ete  your  raete,  and  lat  the  cherl  go 

pleye, 
Lat  him  go  honge  himself,  a  devel  weye  ! ' 
Now  stood  tlie  lordes  squyer  at  the  bord, 
That  carf  his  mete,  and  herde,  word  by 

word,  2244 

Of  alle  thinges  of  which  I  have  yow  sayd. 
'  My  lord,'  quod  he,  '  be  ye  nat  yvel  apayd  ; 
I  conde  telle,  for  a  goune-olooth, 
To  yow,  sir  frere,  so  ye  be  nat  wrooth,  (540) 


T.  7831-7876.] 


D.    Tt^i.  ^omnoure  ^afe. 


595 


How  that  this  fart  sholde  e%'en  deled  be 
Among  youi-  covent,  if  it  lyked  me.'    2250 
'Tel,'  qnod  the  lord,  'and  thou  shalt 

have  anon 
A  gonne-cloth,  by  god  and  by  Seint  John ! ' 
•  My  lord,'  quod  he,   '  whan   that   the 

weder  is  fair, 
With-outen  wind  or  perturbinge  of  air, 
Lat   bringc  a  cartwheel  here  in-to  this 

halle,  2255 

But  loke  that  it  have  his  spokes  alle. 
Twelf  S]Dokes  hath  a  cartwheel  comunly. 
And  bring  me  than  twelf  freres,  woot  ye 

why?  (550) 

For  thrittene  is  a  covent,  as  I  gesse. 
The  confessonr  lieer,  for  his  worthinesse, 
Shal  parfourne   up   the   nombre   of  his 

covent.  2261 

Tlian  shal  tliey  knele  doun,  by  oon  assent, 
And  to  every  spokes  ende,  in  this  manere, 
Fill  sadly  leye  his  nose  shal  a  frere. 
Your  noble  confessonr,  ther  god  him  save, 
Shal  holde  his  nose  upright,  under  the 

nave.  2266 

Than  shal  this  cherl,  with  bely  stif  and 

toght 
As  any  tabour,  hider  been  y-broght ;  (560) 
And  settc  him  on  the  wheel  right  of  this 

cart,  2269 

Upon  the  nave,  and  make  him  lete  a  fart. 


And  ye  shtil  seen,  iip  peril  of  my  lyf. 
By  preve  which  that  is  demonstratif, 
That  equally  the  soun  of  it  wol  wende. 
And    eek   the   stink,    un-to    the    spokes 

ende  ; 
Save  that   this  worthy  man,    your    con- 

fessour,  2275 

By-cause  he  is  a  man  of  greet  honour, 
Shal  have  the  firste  fruit,  as  reson  is  ; 
The  noble  usage  of  freres  yet  is  this,  (570) 
The  worthy  men   of  hem  shul   first   be 

served ;  2.>7o 

And  certeinly,  he  hath  it  weel  deserved. 
He  hath  to-day  taught  us  so  muehel  good 
With  prechingin  the  jiulpit  ther  he  stood. 
That  I  may  vouche-sauf,  I  sey  for  me. 
He  hadde  the  firste  smel  of  fartes  three. 
And  so  wolde  al  his  covent  hardily ;    2285 
He  bereth  him  so  faire  and  holily.' 

The  lord,  the  lady,  and  ech  man,  save 

the  frere,  (579) 

Seyde  that  Jankin  spak,  in  this  m^atere. 
As  wel  as  Euclide  or  [as]  Ptholomee. 
Touchinge  this  cherl,  thej' seyde,  subtiltee 
And  heigh  wit  made  him  speken  as  he 

spak ;  2291 

He  nis  no  fool,  ne  no  demoniak. 
And  Jankin  hathy-wonne  a  newe  goune. — 
My  tale    is    doon      we    been    almost    at 

toune.  2204 


Here  endeth  the  Somnours  Tale. 


596 


ZU  tanUv&uv^  Zake, 


[t.  7877-793^ 


GEOUP  E. 


THE    CLERK'S    PROLOGUE. 


Here  folweth  the  Prologe  of  the  Clerkes  Tale  of  Oxenford. 


'  Sir  clerk  of  Oxenford,'  out  Loste  sayde, 
'Ye  ryde  as  coy  and   stille  as  dooth  a 

mayde, 
"Were  newe  spoused,  sitting  at  the  bord  ; 
This  day  ne  herde  I  of  your  tonge  a  word. 
I  trowe  ye  studie  aboute  som  sophyrae,   5 
But  Salomon  seith,   "  every  thing  hath 

tyme." 
For  goddes  sake,  as  beth  of  bottrc  chore, 
It  is  no  tyme  for  to  stiidien  here. 
Telle  us  som  mory  tale,  by  your  fey  ; 
For  what  man  that  is  cntrod  in  a  pley,  10 
He  nedes  moot  unto  the  pley  asscnte. 
But  precheth  nat,  as  frcres  doon  in  Lente, 
To  make  us  for  our  olde  sinnes  wope, 
Xe  that  thy  tale  make  us  nat  to  slepe. 

Telle  us  som  incry  thing  of  aventures; — 
Your    termes,   j-our    coloi:rs,    and    your 

figures,  16 

Kepo  hem  in  stoor  til  so  be  ye  cndyte 
Heigh  style,  as  whan  that  men  to  kinges 

wryte. 
Speketh  so  pleyn  at  this  tyme,  I  yow  prcye. 
That  we  may  understonde  what  ye  seye.' 
This  worthy  clerk  benignely  answerdc, 
'  Hoste,'  quod  he,  '  I  am  under  your  yerdo  ; 
Ye  han  of  ns  as  now  the  govcrnaunce. 
And  therfor  wol  I  do  yow  obeisaunce, 
As  fer  as  reson  axeth,  hardily.  25 

I  wol  yow  telle  a  tale  wliich  that  I 
Lerned  at  Padowe  of  a  worthy  clerk, 
As  preved  by  his  wordes  and  his  werk. 


He  is  now  deed  and  nayled  in  his  cheste, 
I  prey  to  god  so  yeve  his  soule  reste  !      ,^0 

Fraunceys  Petrark,  the  laureat  poete. 
Highte  this  clerk,  whos  rethoryke  sweete 
Enlumined  al  Itaille  of  poetrye, 
As  Linian  dide  of  philosophye 
Or  lawe,  or  other  art  partictiler  ;  ^5 

But  death,  that  wol  nat  suffre  us  dwellen 

heer 
But  as  it  were  a  twinkling  of  an  ye, 
Hem  bothe  hath  slayn,  and  alle  shul  we 

dye. 
Bxit  forth  to  tellen  of  this  "worthy  man. 
That  taughte  me  this  tale,  as  I  bigan,    40 
I  seye    that   first   with    lieigh    style    he 

endj-teth, 
Er  he  the  body  of  his  tale  ■wryteth, 
A  prohemc,  in  the  which  discr5'\'cth  he 
Pemond,  and  of  Saluces  the  contree,      44. 
And  speketh  of  Apennyn,  the  hilles  hye, 
Tliat  been  the  boundes  of  West  Liim- 

bardye, 
And  of  Mount  Vesulus  in  special. 
Where  as  the  Poo,  out  of  a  welle  smal. 
Taketh  liis  firstc  springing  and  his  sours. 
That  ostward  ay  encrcsseth  in  his  cours  50 
To  Emelward,  to  Forrare,  and  Venyse  : 
The  which  a  long  thing  were  to  devyse. 
And  trcwcly,  as  to  my  jugement. 
Me  thinkcth  it  a  thing  impertinent, 
Save  that  he  wol  conveycn  his  matere  :  55 
But  this  his  tale,  which  that  ye  may  here.' 


T-  79o3-7993-] 


YJUAiY^^  .H^f^  ^u^D^^- 


^'y  '--i  ^^-/-P"  .^'-^^^  4^?^^<.  ^uy'tU^y' 


/  <;  <>   "   ^ 


-;!t^T">w-« 


--r/,  _/  THE    CLERKES    TALE. 

Here  biginneth  the  Tale  of  the  Clerk  of  Oxenford. 


Theu  is,  at  the  west  syde  of  ItaiHe, 
Doun  at  the  rote  of  Vesulus  the  colde, 
A  lusty  playne,  habimdiint  of  vitaille, 
Wher  many  a  tour  and  toun  thou  mayst 
biholde,  60 

That  founded  were  in  tyme  of  fadres  oldo, 
And  many  another  delitable  sighte, 
And  Saluces  this  noble  contree  highte. 

A  markis  wliylom  lord  was  of  that  londe, 
As  were  his  worthy  eldres  him  bifore  ;  65 
And  obeisant  and  redy  to  his  hondo  (10) 
Were  alle  his  liges,  bothc  lasse  and  more. 
Thus  in  delyt  he  liveth,  and  hath  don  yore, 
Biloved  and  drad,  thiirgh  favour  of  for- 
tune, (9 
Bothe  of  his  lordes  and  of  his  commune. 

Thcrwith  he  was,  to  speke  as  of  linage. 

The  gentilleste  y-born  of  Lumbardye, 

A  fair  persone,  and  strong,  and  yong  of 

age. 
And  ful  of  honour  and  of  curtoisye  ; 
Discreet  y-nogh  his  contree  for  to  gye,   75 
Save  in  somme  thinges  that  he  was  to 

blame,  (I'o) 

And  Walter  was  this  yonge  lordes  name. 

I  blame  him  thus,  that  he  considereth 
uoght  78 

In  tyme  cominge  what  mighte  him  bityde. 
But  on  his  lust  present  was  al  his  thoght. 
As  for  to  hauke  and  hunte  on  every  syde  ; 
Wei  ny  alle  othere  cures  leet  he  slyde, 
.\nd  eek  he  nolde,  and  that  was  worst  of 
alle,  (27) 

Woddo  no  wyf,  for  noght  that  may  bifalle. 

Only  that  point  his  peplo  bar  so  sore,  85 
That  flokmele  on  a  day  they  to  him  wento. 
And  oon  of  hem,  that  wysest  was  of  lore. 
Or  elles  that  the  lord  best  woldo  assento 


That  ho  sholde  telle  hini  what  his  peplc 
mente,  8g 

Or  elles  coude  he  sliewe  wel  swich  matere, 
He  to  the  markis  seyde  as  ye  shul  here. 

'  O  noble  markis,  your  humaniteo 
Assureth  us  and  yeveth  us  hardinesse, 
As  ofte  as  tyme  is  of  necessiteo  94 

That  we  to  yow  mowe  telle  our  hevinesse  ; 
Accepteth,  lord,  now  for  your  gentillesse, 
That   we    with   pitous  herto   un-to   yow 
pleyne,  (41) 

And  lete  your  eres  nat  my  %'oys  disdcync. 

Al  have  I  noght  to  done  in  this  matere 
More  than  another  man  hath  in  this  place, 
Yet   for  as   muche   as    j'e,    my   lord    so 

dere,  loi 

Han  alwej'  shewed  me  favour  and  grace, 
I  dar  the  better  aske  of  yow  a  space 
Of  audience,  to  shewen  our  requffste. 
And  ye,  my  lord,  to  doon  right  as  yow 

leste.  ,  105 

For  certes,  lord,  so  wel  us  Ij-kcth  yow  (50) 
And  al  your  werk  and  ever  han  doon, 

that  wo 
Ne  coude  nat  us  self  devysen  how 
We  mighte  liven  in  more  felicitec. 
Save  o  thing,  lord,  if  it  your  willo  bo,   i  m 
That  for  to  been  a  wedded  man  yow  leste, 
Than  were  your  peple  in  sovereyn  hertes 

reste. 

Boweth  your  nekke  under  that  blisful  yolc 
Of  soveraynetee,  noght  of  servyse, 
Which   that   men   clcpoth  spousaillo  or 

wedlok ;  115 

And  thcnkoth,  lord,  among  your  thoghtes 

wyso,  (60) 

How  that  our  dayes  passe  in  sondry  wyse  ; 


598 


ZU  CanferBurp  Zaka, 


[t.   7994-8069. 


For  though,  we  slepe  or  wake,  or  rome,  or 

rjde, 
Ay  fleeth  the  tyme,  it  nil  no  man  abyde. 

And  though  your  grene  youthe  flours  as 
yit,  120 

In  crepeth  age  alwey,  as  stille  as  stoon, 
And  deeth  manaceth  every  age,  and  sniit 
In  ech  estaat,  for  ther  escapeth  noon  : 
And  al  so  certain  as  we  knowe  echoon 
That  we  shul  deye,  as  uncerteyn  we  alle 
Been  of  that  day  whan  deeth  shal  on  us 
falle.  (70)  126 

Accepteth  than  of  us  the  trewe  entente, 
That  never  yet  refuseden  your  heste, 
And  we  wol,  lord,  if  that  ye  wol  assente, 
Chese  yow  a  wyf  in  short  tyme,  atte  leste, 
Bom  of  the  gentilleste  and  of  the  nieste 
Of  al  this  lond,  so  that  it  oghte  seme 
Honour  to  god  and  yow,  as  we  can  deme. 

Deliver  ns  out  of  al  this  bisy  drede. 
And  tak  a  wyf,  for  hye  goddes  sake  ;     135 
For  if  it  so  bifelle,  as  god  forbede,        (80) 
That    thurgh    your   deeth    your    linage 

sholde  slake, 
And  that  a  straunge  successour  sholde 

take 
Your  heritage,  o  !  wo  were  us  alyve  ! 
A^Hierfor  we  pray  you  hastily  to  wyve.'  140 

Hir  meke  preyere  and  hir  pitous  chere 

Made  the  markis  herte  han  jiitee. 

'  Ye  wol,'   quod  he,    '  mjTi  owene   peple 

dere. 
To  that  I  never  erst  thoghte  streyne  me. 
I  me  rejoysed  of  my  libertec,  145 

That  selde  tyme  is  founde  in  mariage  ;  (90) 
Tlier  I  was  free,  I  moot  been  in  servage. 

But  nathclees  I  see  your  trewe  entente, 
And  truste  upon  your  wit,  and  have  don  ay ; 
Wherfor  of  my  free  wil  I  wol  assente    150 
To  wedde  me,  as  sone  as  ever  I  may. 
But  ther-as  ye  han  profred  me  to-day 
To  ohese  me  a  wyf,  I  yow  relesse 
That  choys,  and  prey  yow  of  that  profre 
ccsse.  154 

For  god  it  woot,"that  children  oftc  been 
Unlyk  her  worthy  eldres  hem  bifore ;  (100) 


Bonntee  comth  al  of  god,  nat  of  the  streen 
Of  which  they  been  engendred  andy-bore; 
I  truste  in  goddes  bountee,  and  therfore 
My  mariage  and  myn  estaat  andreste  160 
I  him  bitake  ;  he  may  don  as  him  leste. 

Lat  me  alone  in  chesinge  of  my  wyf. 
That  charge  up-on  my  bak  I  wol  endure  ; 
But  lyow  preye,  and  charge  up-on  your  lyf. 
That  what  wyf  that  I  take,  ye  me  assure 
To  worshipe  hir,  whyl  that  hir  lyf  may 
diire,  (no)  '66 

In  word  and  werk,  bothe  here  and  every- 
where. 
As  she  an  emperoures  doghter  were. 

And  forthermore,  this  shal  ye  swere,  that 

ye 

Agayn  my  choys  shul  neither  grucchc  ne 
strys'e  ;  170 

For  sith  I  shal  forgoon  my  libertee 
At  your  reqvieste,  as  ever  moot  I  thryve, 
Ther  as  myn  herte  is  set,  ther  wol  I  wyve ; 
And  but  ye  wole  assente  in  swich  manere, 
I   prey   yow,   speketh    na-more    of    this 
matere.'  (up)  i75 

With  hertly  wil  they  sworen,  and  assenten 
To  al  this  thing,  ther  seyde  no  wight  nay  ; 
Bisekinge    him    of  grace,  er    that    they 

wenten, 
That  he  wolde  graunten  hem  a  certain  day 
Of  his  sponsaille,  as  sone  as  ever  he  may  ; 
For  yet  alway  the  peple  som-what  dredde 
Lest  that  this  markis  no  wj^  wolde  wedde. 

He  graunted  hem  a  day,  swich  as  him 

leste, 
On  which  he  wolde  be  wedded  sikerly,  184 
And  seyde,  he  dide  al  this  at  hir  requeste  ; 
And  they,  with  humble  entente,  buxomly, 
Knelinge  up-on  her  knees  ful  reverently 
Him  thanken  alle,  and  thus  they  han  an 

ende  (132^ 

Of  hir   entente,  and  hoom   agayn  thej- 

wende. 

And  heer-up-on  he  to  his  officeres         190 
Comaundeth  for  the  feste  to  purveye. 
And  to  his  privee  knightes  and  squyeres 
Swich  chajge  yaf,  as  him  liste  on  hem  leye  ; 


3  .y 


T.  8070—8151.] 


E.    ZU  UtxUfi  Z<xU. 


599 


And  they  to  his  comandement  obeye, 
And  ech  of  hem  doth  al  his  diligence   195 
To  doon  un-to  the  feste  reverence.      (140) 

Explicit  prima  pars. 

Incipit  secunda  pars. 

Noght  fer  fro  tliilke  paleys  honurable 
Ther-as  this  markis  shoop  his  mariage, 
Ther  stood  a  throp,  of  site  delitable, 
In  which  that  po\'re  folk  of  that  village  200 
Hadden  hir  bestes  and  hir  herbergage, 
And  of  hir  labour  took  hir  sustenance 
After  that  th'erthe  yaf  hem  habundanee. 

Amonges   thise   povre   folk   ther   dwelte 

a  man 
AVliich  that  was  holden  povrest  of  hem 

alle ;  205 

But  hye  god  som  tyme  senden  can      (150) 
His  grace  in-to  a  litel  oxes  stalle  : 
.Tanicula  men  of  that  throp  him  calle. 
A  doghter  hadde  he,  fair  y-nogh  to  sighte, 
And  Grisildis  this  yonge  mayden  highte. 

But  for  to  speke  of  vertuous  beautee,    211 
Than   was   she   oon   the   faireste    under 

Sonne ; 
For  povreliche  y-fostred  up  was  she, 
Xo   likerous  lust  was  thurgh  hir  herte 

y-ronne  ;  (158)  214 

Wei  ofter  of  the  welle  than  of  the  tonne 
She  drank,  and  for  she  wolde  vertu  plese. 
She  knew  wel  labour,  but  non  ydel  ese. 

But  thogh  this  mayde  tendre  were  of  age. 

Yet  in  the  brest  of  hir  virginitee 

Ther  was  enclosed  rype  and  sad  corage  ; 

And  in  greet  reverence  and  charitee     221 

Hir  olde  povre  fader  fostred  she ; 

A  fewe  sheep  spinning  on  feeld  she  kepte. 

She  wolde  noght  been  ydel  til  she  slepte. 

And  whan  she  hoomward  cam,  she  wolde 

bringe  225 

VVortcs  or  othere  herbes  tymes  ofte,    (170) 

The  whiche  she  shredde  and  seeth  for  hir 

livinge, 
And  made  hir  bed  ful  harde  and  no-thing 

softe ; 
And  ay  she  kepte  hir  fadres  lyf  on-lofte 
With  everich  obeisaiince  and  diligence  230 
That  child  may  doon  to  fadres  reverence. 


Up-on  Grisilde,  this  povre  creature, 
Ful  ofte  sythe  this  markis  setto  his  yo 
As  he  on  hvmting  rood  paraventure  ;    2  ^4 
And  whan  it  fil  that  he  mighte  hirespye. 
He  noght  with  wantoun  loking  of  folye 
His  yen  caste  on  hir,  but  in  sad  wyse  (181) 
Up-on  hir  chere  he  wolde  him  ofte  avyse. 

Commending  in  his  herte  hir  womman- 

hede. 
And  eek  hir  vertu,  passing  any  wight  240 
Of  so  yong  age,  as  wel  in  chere  as  dede. 
For  thogh  the  peple  have  no  greet  insight 
In  vertu,  he  considered  ful  right 
Hir  bountee,  and  disposed  that  he  wolde 
Wedde  hir  only,  if  ever  he  wedde  sholde. 

The  day  of  wedding  cam,  but  no  wight 
can  ('90)  246 

Telle  what  womman  that  it  sholde  be  ; 
For  which  merveille  wondred  many  a  man, 
And  seyden,  whan  they  were  in  privetee, 
'  Wol  nat  our  lord  yet  leve  his  vanitee  ?  250 
Wol  he  nat  wedde  ?  alias,  alias  the  whyle  ! 
Why  wol  he  thus  him-self  and  us  bigyle  ?  ' 

But  natheles  this  markis  hath  don  make 
Of  gemmes,  set  in  gold  and  in  asure, 
Broches  and  ringes,  for  Grisildis  sake,  255 
And  of  hir  clothing  took  he  the  mesure 
By  a  mayde,  lyk  to  hir  stature,  (201) 

And  eek  of  othere  ornamentes  alle 
That  un-to  swich  a  wedding  sholde  falle. 

The  tyme  of  undern  of  the  same  day    260 
Approcheth,  that  this  wedding  sholde  be  ; 
And  al  the  paleys  put  was  in  array, 
Bothe   halle   and   chanibres,   ech   in  his 

degree ; 
Houses  of  office  stuffed  with  plcntee      2(14 
Ther  maystow  seen  of  deyntevous  vitaille, 
That  may  be  founde,  as  fer  as  last  Itaille.  \ 

This  royal  markis,  richely  arrayed,     (211) 
Lordes  and  ladj-es  in  his  companye. 
The  whiche  unto  the  teste  wore  y-prayed, 
And  of  his  retentie  the  bachelrye,  270 

With  many  a  soun  of  sondry  melodye, 
Un-to  the  village,  of  the  which  I  tolde. 
In  this  array  the  righte  wey  han  holde. 

Grisilde  of  this,  god  woot,  ful  innocent. 
That  for  hir  shapen  was  al  this  array,  275 


w  h 


6oo 


ZH  CanferBurp  Zake. 


[t.  8152-8231. 


To  fecclien  water  at  a  welle  is  went,  (2-0) 
And  Cometh  liooni  as  sone  as  ever  she  niay. 
For  wel  she  hadde  herd  seyd,  that  thilke 

day 
The    markis   sholde    wedde,  and,  if  she 

might  e. 
She  wolde  fayn  han  seyn  som  of  that 

sighte.  280 

She  thoghte,  '  I  wol  with  othere  niaydens 

stonde, 
That  been  my  felawes,  in  our  dore,  and  see 
The  markisesse,  and  therfor  wol  I  fonde 
To  doon  at  hoom,  as  sone  as  it  may  be. 
The  labour  which  that  longeth  nn-to  me  ; 
And  than  I  may  at  leyser  hir  biholde,  286 
If  she  this  wey  un-to  the  caste!  holde.'  (231) 

And  as  she  wolde  over  hir  threshfold  goon, 
The  marlds  cam  and  gan  hir  for  to  calle  ; 
And  she  set  doiui  hir  water- j)ot  anoon  290 
Bisj-de  the  threshfold,  in  an  oxes  stalle. 
And  doun  up-on  hir  knees  she  gan  to  falle, 
And  ^vith  sad  contenance  kneleth  stillc 
Til  she  had  herd  what  was  the  lordes  wille. 

This  thoghtful   markis   spak  un-to  this 
maydo  (239)  295 

Fid  sobrely,  and  seyde  in  this  manere, 
'  Wher  is  your  fader,  Grisildis  ? '  he  sayde. 
And  she  with  reverence,  in  humble  chere, 
Answerdc,  '  lord,  he  is  al  redy  here.' 
And  in  she  gooth  with-outen  lenger  lette. 
And  to  the  markis  she  hir  fader  fette.  301 

He  by  the  hond  than  took  this  olde  man. 
And   seyde   thus,  whan    he  him   hadde 

asyde, 
'  Janicula,  I  neither  may  ne  can  304 

Lenger  the  plosance  of  myn  herte  hydc. 
If  that  thou  vouche-sauf,  what-so  bityde. 
Thy  doghter  wol  I  take,  or  that  I  wende, 
-\s  for  my  wyf,  un-to  hir  lyves  ende.  (252) 

Thou  lovest  me,  I  woot  it  wel,  certejm. 
And  art  my  feithful  lige  man  y-bore  ;  310 
And  al  that  lyketh  me,  I  dar  wel  seyn 
It  lyketh  thee,  and  specially  therfore 
Tel  me  that  pojnit  that  I  have  seyd  bifore. 
If  that  thou  wolt  iin-to  that  purjios  drawe. 
To  take  me  as  for  thy  sone-in-la\s  e  ? '    315 


This  sodeyn  cas  this  man  astoned  so,  (260) 
That  reed  he  wex,  abayst,  and  al  quaking 
He  stood  ;  unnethes  seyde  he  wordes  mo, 
But  only  thus  :  '  lord,'  quod  he,  '  my  wil- 
ling 
Is  as  ye  wole,  ne  ayeines  your  lyking  320 
I  wol  no-thing  ;  ye  be  my  lord  so  dere ; 
Eight  as  yow  lust  governeth  this  matere.' 

'  Yet  wol  I,'  quod  this  markis  softely, 
'  That  in  thy  chambro  I  and  thou  and  she 
Have  a  collaciou,  and  wostow  why  ?      325 
For  I  wol  axe  if  it  hir  wille  be  (270) 

To  be  mj-  wyf,  and  reule  hir  after  me  ; 
And  al  this  shal  be  doon  in  thy  presence, 
I  wol  noght  speke  out  of  thyn  audience. ' 

And  in   the    chambre    whyl    they  were 
abouto  330 

Hir  tretis,  which  as  j-e  shal  after  here. 
The  peple  cana  un-to  the  hous  with-oute. 
And  wondred  hem  in  how  honest  manere 
And  tentiily  she  kepte  hir  fader  dere.  (278) 
But  outerly  Grisildis  wondro  mighte,  335 
For  never  erst  ne  saugh  she  swich  a  sighte. 

No  wonder  is  thogh  that  she  were  astoned 
To  seen  so  greet  a  gest  como  in  that  place  ; 
She  never  was  to  swiche  gestes  woned, 
For  which  she  loked  with  ful  pale  face. 
But  shortly  forth  this  tale  for  to  chace, 
Tliiso  arn  the  wordes  that   the   markis 
saydo  342 

To  this  benigne  verray  feithful  mayde. 

• '  Grisilde,'  he  seyde,  '  ye  shul  wel  under- 

stonde 
It  lyketh  to  your  fader  and  to  me         345 
That  I  yow  wedde,  and  eek  it  may  so 

stonde,  (290) 

As  I  suppose,  ye  wol  that  it  so  be. 
But  thise  domandes  axe  I  first,'  quod  he, 
'  That,  sith  it  shal  be  doon  in  hastif  wyse, 
Wol  ye  assente,  or  elles  yow  avyse  ?      350 

I  seye  this,  be  ye  redy  with  good  herte 

To  al  my  lust,  and  that  I  froly  may, 

As  me  best  thinketh,  do  yow  laughe  or 

smerte. 
And  never  ye  to  grucche  it,  night  ne  day  ? 
And  eek  whan  I  sey  "ye,"  ne  sey  nat 
'  "nay,"  355 


T.  8. '3 2-8 305.] 


E.    ZU  tkvUe  Zak. 


601 


Neither  by  word  ne  frowning  contenance  ; 
Swer  this,  and  here  I  swere  ovir  alliance.' 

Wondring  npon  this  word,  quaking  for 
drede,  (302) 

She  seyde,  '  lord,  nndigne  and  unworthy 
Am  I  to  thillce  honour  that  ye  me  hede ;  360 
But  as  ye  wol  your-self,  right  so  wol  I. 
And  heer  I  swere  that  never  willingly 
In  werk  ne  thoght  I  nil  yow  disobeye. 
For  to  be  deed,  though  me  were  looth  to 
deye.'  (308)  364 

'  This  is  y-nogh,  Grisilde  myn  ! '  quod  he. 
And  forth  he  gooth  with  a  ful  sobre  chere 
Out  at  the  dore,  and  after  that  cam  she. 
And  to  the  peple  he  seyde  in  this  manere, 
'  This  is  jny  wyf,'  qiiod  he,  '  that  standeth 

here.  369 

Honoureth  hir,  and  loveth  hir,  I  preye, 
Wlio-so  me  loveth  ;    ther  is  na-more   to 

seye.' 

And  for  that  no-thing  of  hir  olde  gere 
She  sholde  bringe  in-to  his  hous,  he  bad 
That  wommen  sholde  dispoilen  hir  right 
there  ;  (318)  374 

Of  which  thise  ladyes  were  nat  right  glad 
To  handle  hir  clothes  wher-in  she  was  clad.  ' 
But  natheles  this  mayde  bright  of  hewe 
Fro  foot  to  heed  they  clothed  han  al  newe. 

Hir  heres  han  they  kembd,  that  lay  un- 

tressed 
Ful  rudely,  and  with  hir  fingres  smale  380 
A  corone  on  hir  heed  they  han  y-dressed, 
And  sette  hir  ful  of  nowches  grete  and 

smale  ; 
Of  hir  array  what  sholde  I  make  a  tale  ? 
Unnethe  the  peple  hir  knew  for  hir  fair- 

nesse, 
Whan  she  translated  was  in  swicli  rich- 

esse.  385 

This  markis  hath  hir  spoused  with  a  ring 
Broght  for  the  same  cause,  and  than  hir 
sette  (331) 

Up-on  an  hors,  snow-whyt  and  wel  am- 
bling. 
And  to  his  paleys,  er  he  lenger  lette. 
With  joyful   peple   that   liir   ladde   and 
mette,  y^o 


Conveyed   hir,    and    thus   the   day   they 

spende 
In  revel,  til  the  sonne  gan  descende. 

And  shortly  forth  this  tale  for  to  chace, 
I  seye  that  to  this  newe  marldsesse 
God  hath  swich  favour  sent  hir  of  his 
grace,  395 

That  it  ne  semed  nat  bj-  lyldinesse     (340) 
That  she  was  born  and  fed  in  rudenesse. 
As  in  a  cote  or  in  an  oxe-stalle. 
But  norished  in  an  emperoures  halle. 

To  every  wight  she  woxen  is  so  dere     41)11 
And  worshipful,  that  folk  tlier  she  was 

bore 
And  from  hir  birthe  knewe  hir  yeer  liy 

yere, 
Unnethe    trowed   they,    but   dorste   han 

swore 
That  to  Janicle,  of  which  I  spak  bifore. 
She  doghter  nas,  for,  as  by  conjecture,  405 
Hem  thoughte  she  was  another  creature. 

For  thogh  that  ever  vertuous  was  she,  (351) 
She  was  encressed  in  swich  excellence 
Of  thewes  gode,  y-set  in  heigh  bountee. 
And  so  discreet  and  fair  of  eloquence,  410 
So  benigne  and  so  digne  of  reverence. 
And  coude  so  the  peples  horte  embrace, 
That  ech  hir  lovede  that  loked  on  hir  face. 

Noght  only  of  Saluces  in  tlie  toun 
Publiced  was  the  bountee  of  hir  name,  415 
But  eek  bisyde  in  many  a  regioun,  (360) 
If  oon  seyde  wel,  another  seyde  the  same  ; 
So  spradde  of  hir  heigh  bountee  the  fame, 
That  men  and  wommen,  as  wel  yonge  as 

oldo, 
Gon  to  Saluce,  upon  hir  to  biholde.       420 

Thus  Walter  lowly,  nay  but  royally, 
Wedded  with  fortunat  honestetee, 
In  goddes  pees  liveth  ful  esily 
At  hoom,  and  outward  grace  y-nogh  had 
he ;  (368)   424 

And  for  he  saiigh  that  under  low  degree 
Was  ofto  vertu  hid,  the  peple  him  helde 
A  prudent  man,  and  that  is  seyn  ful  sclde. 

Nat  only  this  Grisildis  thurgh  hir  wit 
Coude  al  the  feet  of  wyfly  hoomlincsse, 


6o: 


ZU  tankvBut^  Zake. 


[t.  S306-S376. 


But  eek,  -whan  tliat  the  cas  requyred  it, 
The  commnno  profit  coude  she  redresse. 
Thor  nas  discord,  rancour,  ne  hevinesse 
In  al  that  lond,  that  she  ne  coude  apese. 
And  wj-sly  bringe  hem  alio  in  reste  and 
ese. 

Though  that  hir  housbonde  absent  were 
anoon,  435 

If  gentil  men,  or  othere  of  hir  contree 
"Were   wrothe,    she   wolde   bringen   hem 
atoon ;  (381) 

So  wj'se  and  rype  wordes  hadde  she, 
And  jugcments  of  so  greet  eqnitee, 
That  she  from  heven  sent  was,  as  men 
wende,  440 

Peple  to  save  and  every  wrong  t'amende. 

Nat  longe  tyme  after  that  this  Grisild 
Was  wedded,  she  a  doughter  hath  y-bore, 
Al  had  hir  lever  have  born  a  knave  child. 
Glad  was  tliis  markis  and  the  folk  ther- 

fore ;  445 

For  though  a  majxle  child  come  al  bifore, 
She  may  iinto  a  knave  child  atteyne  (391) 
By  Ij-klihed,  sin  she  nis  nat  barej'ne. 
Explicit  secunda  pars. 
Incipit  tercia  pars. 
Ther  fil,  as  it  bifalleth  tymes  mo, 
Whan   that  this  child  had  souked    but 

a  throwe,  450 

This  markis  in  his  herte  longeth  so 
To  t«mpte  his  wyf,  hir  sadnesse  for  to 

knowe, 
That  he  ne  mighte  out  of  his  herte  throwe 
This  merveillous  desyr,  his  wyf  t'assaye. 
Needless,  god  woot,  he  thoughte  hir  for 

t'afFraye.  455 

He  hadde  assayed  hir  y-nogh  bifore,  (400) 
And  fond  hir  ever  gfMxl ;  what  neded  it 
Hir  for  to  tempte  and  alwey  more  and 

more? 
Though  som  men  preise  it  for  a  subtU  wit, 
But  as  for  me,  I  seye  that  yvol  it  sit     460 
-  T'assaye  a  "wyf  whan  that  it  is  no  nede. 
And  putten  her  in  anguish  and  in  drede. 

For  which  this  markis  wroghte  in  this 

inanere  ; 
He  cam  alone  a-night.  ther  as  she  lay, 


A 


With  steme  face  and  with   ful   trouble 
chore,  465 

And  seyde  thus,  '  Grisild,'  quod  he,  '  that 
day  (410) 

That  I  yow  took  out  of  your  po\Te  array. 
And  putte  j-ow  in  estaat  of  heigh  noblesse, 
Ye  have  nat  that  forgeten,  as  I  gesse. 

I  seye,  Grisild,  this  present  dignitee,  470 
In  which  that  I  have  put  yow,  as  I  trowe, 
Maketh  yow  nat  foryetful  for  to  be 
Tliat  I  yow  took  in  povre  estaat  ful  lowe 
For  any  wele  ye  moot  your-selven  knowe. 
Tak  hede  of  every  word  that  I  yow  seye, 
Ther  is  no  wight  that  hereth  it  but  we 
tweye.  (420)  476 

Ye  woot  your-self  wel,  how  that  ye  cam 

here 
In-to  this  hous,  it  is  nat  longe  ago, 
And  though  to  me  that  ye  be  lief  and 

dere, 
Un-to  my  gentils  ye  be  no-thing  so  ;     481) 
They  seyn,  to  hem  it  is  greet  shame  and 

wo 
For  to  be  subgets  and  ben  in  servage 
To  thee,  that  born  art  of  a  smal  village. 

And  namely,  sith  thy  doghter  was  y-bore, 
Thise  wordes  han  they  spoken  dontelees  ; 
But  I  desyre,  as  I  have  doon  bifore,  (430) 
To  live  my  lyf  with   hem  in  reste   and 

pees; 
I  may  nat  in  this  caas  be  recchelees. 
I   moot  don  with  thy  doghter  for  the 

beste, 
Nat  as  I  wolde,  but  as  my  peple  leste.  41,0 

And  yet,  god  wot,  this  is  ful  looth  to  me  ; 
But  nathelees  with-oute  your  witing 
I  wol  nat  doon,  but  this  wol  I,'  quod  he, 
'  That  ye  to  me  assente  as  in  this  thing. 
Shewe  now  your  pacience  in  your  werking 
That  ye  me  highte  and  swore   in  your 
village  (44")  496 

Tliat  day  that  maked  was  our  mariage.' 

\\lian  she  had  herd  al  this,  she  noght 

ameved 
Neither  in   word,  or  chere,  or  connten- 

aunce ; 
For,  as  it  semed.  she  was  nat  agxeved  :  5cx> 


T.  8577-S45C.] 


E.    ZU  Cferftee  ZaU. 


603 


She  seyde,    '  lord,  al  Ij-tli   in  j'our   ples- 

auncc, 
My  cliild  and  I  with  hertly  obeisanuce 
Beu  yoiires  al,  and  ye  mowe  save  or  spillo 
Your  owene  thing  ;    werketh  after  your 

^ville.  504 

Ther  may  no-thing,  god  so  my  soule  save, 
Lyken  to  j'ow  that  may  displese  me  ;  (450) 
Xe  I  desjTe  no-tliing  for  to  have. 
No  drede  for  to  lese,  save  only  ye  ; 
Tliis  wil  is  in  mj-n  herte  and  ay  shal  be. 
X<)  leng^he  of  tymc  or  deeth  may  this 
deface,  510 

Xe  chaunge  my  corage  to  another  place.' 

Glad  was  this  markis  of  hir  answering, 
But  yet  he  fejTied  as  he  were  nat  so  ; 
Al  drery  was  his  chere  and  his  loking 
A^'hau  that  he  sholde  out  of  the  chambre 

g"-  515 

Soue  after  this,  a  furlong  wey  or  two,  (4.60) 
He  prively  hath  told  al  his  entente 
l*n-to  a  man,  and  to  his  wyf  him  sente. 

A  maner  sergeant  was  this  privee  man, 
The  which  that  feithful  ofte  he  founden 

haddo  52t) 

In  thinges  grctc,  and  eek  swich  folic  wel 

can 
Don  execucioun  on  thinges  badde. 
The  lord  knew  wel  that  he  him  loved  and 

dradde ; 
And  whan  this  sergeant  wiste  his  lordes 

willo, 
In-t(j  the   chambre   ho   stalked  him   ful 

stiUe.  525 

•  Uladame,'  he  seyde,  '  ye  mote  foryeve  it 
me,  ^  (470) 

Thogh  I  do  thing  to  which  I  am  con- 
st re  j-ncd  ; 

Ve  ben  so  wys  that  ful  wel  knowe  ye 

That  lordes  hestes  mowe  nat  been  y- 
feyned  ; 

They  mowe  wel  been  biwailled  or  com- 
pleyned,  530 

But  men  mot  nede  un-to  her  lust  obeye. 

And  so  wol  I ;  ther  is  na-more  to  seyc. 

This  child  I  am  comanded  for  to  take ' — 
An<l  spak  na-more,  bxit  out  the  child  he 
hente 


Despitously,  and  gan  a  chere  make       $-1,^ 
As  though  he  wolde  han  slaj-n  it  er  ho 
wente.  (4fo) 

Grisildis  mot  al  suffren  and  consente ; 
And  as  a  lamb  she  sitteth  meke  and  stille, 
And  leet  this  cruel  sergeant  doon  his  wille. 

Suspecioiis  was  the  diffamo  of  this  man. 
Suspect  his  face,  suspect  his  word  also ;  541 
Suspect  the  tyme  in  which  ho  tliis  bigan. 
Alias  !  hir  doghter  that  she  lovede  so 
She  wende  he  wolde  han  slawcn  it  right 
tho.  _c44 

But  natheles  she  neither  weep  ne  syked, 
Consenting  hir  to  that  the  markis  lyked. 

But  atte  laste  speken  she  bigan,  (491) 

And  mekely  she  to  the  sergeant  proydo, 
So  as  he  was  a  worthj'  gentil  man. 
That  she  moste  kisse  hir  child  er  that  it 
deyde ;  550 

And  in  her  barm  this  litcl  child  she  Icydo 
With  ful  sad  face,  and  gan  the  child  to  kisse 
And  lulled  it,  and  after  gan  it  blisse. 

And  thus  she  seyde  in  hir  benigne  voys, 
'  Far  weel,   my  child ;  I  shal  thee  never 

see ;  555 

But,  sith  I  thee  have  marked  with  tho 

croys,  (500) 

Of  thilke  fader  blessed  mote  thou  be. 
That  for  us  deyde  up-on  a  cro.vs  of  tree. 
Thy  soule,  litel  child,  I  him  bitakc. 
For  this  night  shaltow  dyen  for  my  sake.' 

I  trowe  that  to  a  norice  in  this  cas       561 
It  had  ben  hard  this  rewthe  for  to  so  ; 
Wel  mighte  a  mooder  than   han   cryed 

'  alias  ! ' 
But  nathelecs  so  sad  stedfast  was  she. 
That  she  endured  all  adversitee,  565 

And  to  the  sergeant  mekely  she  sayde,  (5 10) 
'  Have  heer  agayn  your  litel  j'ougc  maydK" 

Goth    now,'    quod    she,    '  and    dooth    my 

lordes  hesto. 
But  o  thing  wol  I  prcye  yow  of  your  grace. 
That,  but  my  lord  forbad  JT)W,  atto  Icste 
Burieth  this  litel  body  in  som  place      571 
That  bcstes  ne  no  briddes  it  to-race.' 
But  ho  no  word  wol  to  that  purpos  seye. 
But  took  tho  child  and  wento  upon  liis 

weye. 


6o4 


tU  ^anterBurp  Zake. 


[t.  8451-8520. 


This  sergeant  cam  un-tohis  lord  ageyn,575 
And  of  Grisildis  wordes  and  hir  chere  (520) 
He  tolde  liim  point  for  point,  in  short  and 

phvyn, 
And   him   presenteth  with    his   dogliter 

dere. 
Somwhat  this  lord  hath  rewthe   in   his 

manere ; 
But  nathelees  his  purpos  heeld  he  stUle, 
As  lordes  doon,  whan  they  wol  han  hir 

wille  ;    «=- — -    y,-  ,•  t'<.  •'  J  ,  581 

And  had  his  sergeant  that  he  prively 

Sholde  this    child   ful   softe   winde   and 

wrappe 
With  alle  circTimstanoes  tendrely, 
And  carie  it  in  a  cofre  or  in  a  lappe ;   585 
But,    up-on   pej-ne  his    heed    of   for   to 

swappe,  (530) 

That  no  man  sholde  knowe  of  his  entente, 
Ne  whenne  he  cam,  ne  whider  that  he 

wente ; 

But  at  Boloigne  to  his  suster  dere. 

That  thilke  tyme  of  Panik  was  countesse, 

He   sholde   it  take,  and  shewe  hir  this 

matere,  591 

Bisekinge  hir  to  don  hir  bisinesse 
This  child  to  fostre  in  alle  gentilesse  ; 
And  whos  child  that  it  was  he  bad  hir 

hyde 
From   every  wight,   for   oght   that   may 

bityde.  595 

The  sergeant  gooth,  and  hath  fulfild  this 
thing ;  (540) 

But  to  this  markis  now  retourne  we  ; 
For  now  goth  he  I'ul  faste  imagining 
If  by  his  w_\-A-es  chere  he  mighte  see. 
Or  \>y  hir  word  aperceyve  that  she       600 
Were  chaunged  ;  but  he  never  hir  coude 

finde 
But  ever  in  oon  y-lj-ke  sad  and  kinde. 

As  glad,  as  humble,  as  bisy  in  servyse, 
And  eek  in  love  as  she  was  wont  to  be. 
Was  she  to  him  in  every  maner  ^vyse  ;  605 
Xe  of  hir  doghter  noght  a  word  spak  she. 
Xon  accident  for  noon  adversitee         (551) 
Was  seyn  in  hir,  ne  never  hir  doghter 

name 
Ne  nempned  she.  in  emest  nor  in  game. 
Explicit  tercia  pars. 


Sequitur  psirs  queirta. 
In    this   estaat   ther  passed  been   fonre 

yeer 
Er  she  with  childe  was  ;  but,  as  god  wolde, 
A  knave  child  she  bar  by  this  Walter, 
Ful  gracious  and  fair  for  to  biholde. 
And  whan  that  folk  it  to  his  fader  tolde. 
Xat  only  he,  but  al  his  contree,  merie  615 
W^as  for  this  child,  and  god  they  thanke 

and  herie.  (.^6o) 

Whan  it  was  two  yeer  old,  and  fro  the 

brest 
Departed  of  his  norice,  on  a  day 
This  markis  caughte  yet  another  lest 
To  tempte  his  ■wyf  yet  ofter,  if  he  maj-.  620 

0  needles  was  she  tempted  in  assay  ! 
Biit  wedded  men  ne  knowe  no  mesure. 
Whan  that  they  finde  a  pacient  creature. 

'Wyf,'  qnod  this  markis,  'ye  han  herd  er 

this. 
My  peple  sikly  berth  our  mariage,         62^ 
And  namely,  sitli  my  sone  y-boren  is,  (^570; 
Now  is  it  worse  than  e%-er  in  al  our  age. 
The  murmur  sleeth  myn  herte  and  my 

corage ; 
For  to   myne   eres    comth    the   voys   so 

smerte. 
That  it  wel  ny  destroyed  hath  myn  herte. 

Now  sey  they   thus,    "  whan  Walter   is 

agoon,  6? I 

Then  shal  the  blood  of  Janicle  succede 
And  been  our  lord,  for  other  have  we 

noon  ;  " 
Swiche  wordes   seith   my   peple,   out   of 

drede. 
Wel  oughte  I  of  swich  murmur   taken 

hede ;  635 

For  certeinly  I  drede  swich  sentence,  (580) 
Though   they  nat   pleyn   speke   in   m.vn 

audience. 

1  wolde  live  in  pees,  if  that  I  mighte ; 
"Wlierfor  I  am  disposed  outerly, 

As  I  liis  suster  servede  by  nighte,  640 

Right  so  thenke  I  to  serve  him  prively  ; 
This  warne  I  yow,  that  ye  nat  sodeynly 
Out  of  your-self  for  no  wo  sholde  outraye; 
Beth  pacient,  and  ther-of  I  yow  preye.' 


T.   8521-8593.] 


E.    ZU  tkvU&  Z<Kk. 


6o- 


'  I  have,'  quod  she,  '  seyd  thus,  and  ever 
shal,  (589)  645 

1  wol  no  thing,  ne  nil  no  thing,  certayn. 

But  as  yow  list ;  noght  greveth  me  at  al, 

Tliogh  that  my  doghter  and  my  sone  be 
slayn, 

At  your  comandement,  this  is  to  sayn. 

I  have  noght  had  no  part  of  children 
tweyne  650 

But  first  siknesse,  and  after  wo  and  peyne. 

Ye  been  our  lord,  doth  with  your  owene 

thing 
Right  as  yow  list ;  axeth  no  reed  at  me. 
For,  as  I  lefte  at  hoom  al  my  clothing, 
Whan  I  first  cam  to  yow,  right  so,'  quod 

she,  655 

'  Lefte  I  my  wil  and  al  my  libertee,  (600) 
And  took  your  clothing ;  wherfor  I  yow 

preye, 
Doth   your  plesaunce,    I   wol    your   lust 

obeye. 

And  certes,  if  I  hadde  prescience 

Your  wil  to  knowe  er  ye  your  lust  me 

tolde,  660 

I  wolde  it  doon  with-outen  necllgence  ; 
But  now  I  woot  your  lust  and  what  ye 

wolde, 
Al    your    plesaunce    ferme     and    stable 

I  holde  ; 
For  wiste  I  that  my  deeth  wolde  do  yow 

ese,  664 

Right  gladly  wolde  I  dyen,  yow  to  plese. 

Deth  may  noght  make  no  comparisoun 
Un-to  your  love  : '  and,  whan  this  markis 

sey  (611) 

The  Constance  of  his  wyf,  he  caste  adoun 
His  yen  two,  and  wondreth  that  she  may 
In  pacience  suflfre  al  this  array.  670 

And  forth  he  gooth  with  drery  conten- 

aunce, 
But  to  his  herte  it  was  ful  greet  plesaunce. 

This  ugl.v  sergeant,  in  the  same  wyse 
That  he  hir  doghter  caughte,  right  so  he. 
Or  worse,  if  men  worse  can  devyse,       675 
Hath   hent    hir    sone,   that    ful  was   of 
beautce.  (620) 

And  ever  in  oon  so  pacient  was  she, 
That  she  no  chere  made  of  hevinesse. 
But  kiste  hir  sone,  and  after  gan  it  blesse ; 


Save  this ;  she  preyed  him  that,  if  he 
mighte,  680 

Hir  litel  sone  he  wolde  in  erthe  grave, 

His  tendre  limes,  delicat  to  sighte. 

Fro  foules  and  fro  bestes  for  to  save. 

But  she  non  answer  of  him  mighte  have. 

He  wente  his  wey,  as  him  no-thing  ne 
roghte ;  685 

But  to  Boloigne  he  tendrely  it  broghte. 

This  markis  wondreth  ever  longer  the 
more  (631) 

Up-on  hir  pacience,  and  if  that  he 
Ne  hadde  soothly  knowen  ther-bifore. 
That  parfitly  hir  children  lovede  slie,  690 
He  wolde  have  wend  that  of  som  subtiltee, 
And  of  malice  or  for  cruel  corage. 
That  she  had  sviffred  this  with  sad  visage. 

But  wel  he  knew  that  next  him-self, 
certayn,  694 

She  loved  hir  children  best  in  every  wyse. 

But  now  of  womnien  wolde  I  axen  fayn, 

If  thise  assayes  mighte  nat  suffyse  ?    (64T)~\    M  f^'-*'^^ 

Wliat    coude   a   sturdy  housbond    more  J 
devyse 

To  preve  hir  wyfliod  and  hir  stedfast- 
nesse,  699 

And  he  continvaing  ever  in  sturdinesse  ? 

Biit  ther  ben  folk  of  swich  condicioun, 

That,  whan  they  have  a  certein  purjjos 
take. 

They  can  nat  stinte  of  hir  entencioun. 

But,  right  as  they  were  bounden  to 
a  stake, 

Tliey  wol  nat  of  that  firste  purpos  slake. 

Right  so  this  markis  fulliche  hath  pur- 
posed (650)  706 

To  tempte  his  wj-f,  as  he  was  first  disposed. 

He  waiteth,  if  by  word  or  contenance 
That  she  to  him  was  changed  of  corage  ; 
But  never  coude  he  finde  variance  ;       710 
She  was  ay  oon  in  herte  and  in  visage  ; 
And  ay  the  forther  that  she  was  in  age. 
The  more  trewc,  if  that  it  wore  possible. 
She  was  to  him  in  love,  and  more  penible. 

For  which  it  scmed  thus,  that  of  hem  two 
Ther  nas  but  o  wil ;  for,  as  Walter  leste, 
The  same  lust  was  hir  plesance  also,  (661) 


Co6 


C0e  CanferButp  take. 


[t.  8594-8672. 


.■Vnd,  god  be  thanked,  al  fil  for  the  beste. 
She  shewed  wel,  for  no  worldly  nnreste 
A  wyf,  as  of  hir-self,  no-thing  ne  sholde 
Wille  in  effect,  bnt  as  hir  housbond  wolde. 

The  sclanndre  of  Walter  ofte  and  wyde 
spradde,  "22 

That  of  a  cruel  herte  he  wikkedly. 
For  he  a  povre  womman  ■wedded  hadde, 
Hath  mordred  bothe  his  children  prively. 
Swich  murmur  was  among  hem  comunly. 
No  wonder  is,  for  to  the  peples  ere  (671) 
Ther  cam  no  word  but  that  they  mordred 
were. 

For  which,  wher-as  his  peple  ther-bifore 
Had  loved  him  wel,  the  sclaundre  of  his 
difFame  730 

Made  hem  that  they  him  hatede  therfore ; 
To  been  a  raordrer  is  an  hateful  name. 
But  natheles,  for  ernest  ne  for  game 
He  of  his  cruel  purpos  nolde  stente  ;      734 
To  tempte  his  wyf  was  set  al  his  entente. 

Whan  that  his  doghter  twelf  yeer  was  of 
age,  (680) 

He  to  the  court  of  Eome,  in  subtil  wyse 
Enformed  of  his  wil,  sente  his  message, 
Comaunding  hem  swiche  bulles  to  devyse 
As  to  his  cruel  purpos  may  sufFyse,       740 
How  that  the  pojje,  as  for  his  peples  rcste. 
Bad  him  to  wedde  another,  if  him  leste. 

I  seyc,  he  bad  they  sholde  countrefete 
The  popes  bulles,  making  mencioun 
That  he  hath  leve  his  firsto  wyf  to  lete,  745 
As  by  the  popes  dispensacioun,  (691)) 

To  stinte  rancour  and  dissencioun 
Bitwise  his  peple  and  him  ;  thus  seyde 

the  bulle. 
The  which  they  han  publiced  atte  fulle. 

The  rude  peple,  as  it  no  wonder  is,  750 
Wendon  ful  wel  that  it  had  been  right  so ; 
But  whan  thisc  tydinges  cam  to  Grisildis, 
I  demc  that  hir  herte  was  ful  wo. 
But  she,  y-lyke  sad  for  evermo. 
Disposed  was,  this  humble  creature,  755 
Th'adversiteo  of  fortune  al  fendure.  (700) 

Abyding  ever  liis  lust  and  his  plcsaunce. 
To  whom  that  she  was  yeven,  herte  and  al. 
As  to  hir  verray  worldly  suflS.saunce  ; 


But  shortly  if  this  storie  I  tellen  shal,  760 
This  markis  writen  hath  in  special 
A  lettre  in  wliich  ho  sheweth  his  entente. 
And  secrely  he  to  Boloigne  it  sente. 

To  th'erl  of  Panik,  which  that  hadde  tho 
Wedded  his  suster,  preyde  he  specially  765 
To  bringen  hoom  agayn  his  children  two 
In  honurable  estaat  al  openly.  f7ii) 

But  o  thing  he  him  preyede  outerly, 
That  he  to  no  wight,  though  men  wolde 

enquere, 
Sholde  nat  telle,  whos  children  that  they 

were,  770 

But  seye,  the  mayden  sholde  y-wedded  be 
Un-to  the  markis  of  Saluce  anon. 
And  as  this  erl  was  preyed,  so  dido  he : 
For  at  day  set  he  on  liis  wey  is  goon 
Toward  Saluce,  and  lordes  many  oon,  775 
In  riche  array,  this  mayden  for  to  gyde  ; 
Hir  yonge  brother  ryding  hir  bisyde.  (721) 

Arrayed  was  toward  hir  mariage 

This  fresshe  mayde,  ful  of  gemmes  clere  : 

Hir  brother,  which  that  seven  yeer  was  of 

age,  780 

Arrayed  eek  ful  fresh  in  his  manore. 
And  thus  in  greet  noblesse  and  with  glad 

chere. 
Toward  Saluccs  shaping  hir  journey. 
Fro  day  to  day  thoy  rj-den  in  hir  wey. 

Explicit  quaxta  pars. 
Sequitur  quinta  pars. 

Among  al  this,  after  his  wikke  usage,  785 
This  markis,  yet  his  wj-f  to  tempte  more 
To  the  uttereste  preve  of  hir  corage,  (731) 
Fully  to  han  exjierience  and  lore 
If  that  she  were  as  stedfast  as  bifore, 
He  on  a  daj-  in  open  audience  790 

Ful  boistously  hath  seyd  hir  this  sentence : 

'  Certes,  Grisilde,  I  hadde  y-nough  jiles- 

aunce 
To  han  yow  to  my  wyf  for  yovir  goodnesse, 
As  for  your  trouthe  and  for  your  obeis- 

aunce. 
Nought    for    your    linage    ne    for    your 

richesse ;  795 

But   now  knowe  I  in  verray  soothfast- 

nesse  (740) 


T.  867:-S7M-] 


E.    ZU  tkvUti  Zdk. 


607 


That  in  gret  lordshipe,  if  I  wel  a\'yse, 
Ther  is  gret  servitute  in  sondry  ^vyse. 

I  may  nat  don  as  every  plo-wman  may ; 
My  peple  me  constreyneth  for  to  take  800 
Another  'wyf,  and  cryen  day  by  day  ; 
And  eek  the  pope,  rancour  for  to  slake, 
Consenteth  it,  that  dar  I  iindertake  ; 
And  treweliehe  thns  muche  I  wol  yow 

seye, 
My  newe  "wyf  is  coming  by  the  weye.    805 

Be  strong  of  herte,  and  voyde  anon  hir 
place,  (750) 

And  thilke  dower  that  ye  broghten  me 
Tak  it  agayn,  I  gravmte  it  of  my  grace  ; 
Retourneth  to  your  fadres  hous,'  quod  he ; 
'No  man  may  alwey  han  prosperitee  ;  810 
With  evene  herte  I  rede  yow  t'endure 
The  strook  of  fortune  or  of  aventure.' 

And  she  answerde  agayn  in  pacience, 
'  My  lord,'  quod  she,  '  I  woot,  and  wisto 

alway 
How  that  bitwixen  your  magnificence  815 
And  my  poverte  no  wight  can  ne  may  (760) 
Maken  comparison  ;  it  is  no  nay. 
I  ne  heeld  me  never  digne  in  no  manere 
To  be  your  wyf,  no,  ne  your  chamberere. 

And  in  this  hous,  thor  ye  me  lady  made — 
The  heighe  god  take  I  for  my  witnesse,  821 
And  also  wisly  ho  my  soule  glade — ■ 
I  never  hceld  mo  lady  ne  maistresse. 
But  humble  servant  to  your  worthinesse, 
And  ever  shal,  whyl  that  my  lyf  may 
dure,  825 

Aboven  every  worldly  creature.  (770) 

That  ye  so  longe  of  your  benignitee 
Han  holden  me  in  honour  and  nobleye, 
Wlier-as  I  was  noght  worthy  for  to  be, 
That  thonke  I  god  and  yow,  to  whom 
I  preyo  830 

Foryelde  it  yow  ;  there  is  na-more  to  seye. 
Un-to  liiy  fader  gladly  wol  I  wende. 
And  with  him  dwelle  un-to  mylyves  endo. 

Ther  I  was  fostred  of  a  child  ful  smal, 
Til  I  be  deed,  my  lyf  thor  wol  I  lode     835 
A  widwe  clene,  in  body,  herte,  and  al.  (780) 
For  sith  I  yaf  to  j-ow  my  maydenhcde. 
And  am  your  trewe  ^vyf,  it  is  no  drede, 


God  shilde  swich  a  lordes  wyf  to  take 
Another  man  to  housbonde  or  to  make.  840 

And  of  your  newe  wyf,  god  of  his  grace 
So  graunte  yow  wele  and  prosperitee  : 
For  I  wol  gladly  j^elden  hir  my  place. 
In  which  that  I  was  blisful  wont  to  be, 
For  sith  it   lyketh  yow,   my  lord,'   quod 

she,  845 

'  That  whylom  weren  al  mjTi  liertes  reste, 
That  I  shal  goon,  I  wol  gon  whan  yow 

leste.  (791) 

But  ther-as  ye  me  profre  swich  dowaire 
As  I  first  broghte,  it  is  wel  in  my  minde 
It   were  my  wrecched   clothes,  no-thing 

faire,  S50 

The  which  to  me  were  hard  now  for  to 

finde. 
O  gode  god  !  how  gentil  and  how  Icindo 
Ye  semed  by  your  speche  and  your  visage" 
The  day  that  maked  was  our  mariage  ! 

But  sooth  is  seyd,  algate  I  finde  it  trewe — 
For  in  effect  it  proved  is  on  me —  (8cx))  856 
Love  is  noght  old  as  whan  that  it  is  newe. 
But  certes,  lord,  for  noon  advorsitee, 
To  dyen  in  the  cas,  it  shal  nat  be  859 

That  ever  in  word  or  werk  I  shal  repente 
That  I  yow  yaf  niyn  herte  in  hool  entente. 

My  lord,  ye  woot  that,  in  my  fadres  place, 
Ye  dede  me  strepe  out  of  my  povre  wede. 
And  richely  me  cladden,  of  your  grace. 
To  yow  broghte  I  noght  eUes,  oi^t  of  drede. 
But  feyth  and  nakednesse  and  mayden- 
hcde. («io)  866 
And  here  agayn  my  clothing  I  restore. 
And  eek  my  wedding-ring,  for  evermore. 

The  remenant  of  your  jewels  redy  be    869 
In-with  j'our  chambre,  dar  I  saufly  sayn ; 
Naked  out  of  my  fadres  hous,'  quod  she, 
'  I  cam,  and  naked  moot  I  turne  agayn. 
Al  your  plesaunce  wol  I  folwcn  fayn  ; 
But  yet  I  hope  it  be  nat  your  entente  874 
That  I  smoklees  out  of  your  palcys  wente. 

Ye  coude  nat  doon  so  dishoneste  a  thing. 

That  thilke  wombe  in  which  your  children 

Icye  (821) 

Sholde,  biforn  the  peple,  in  my  walking, 


6o8 


ZU  Canterfiurj  ^afee. 


[x.  S755-8831. 


Be  seyn  al  bare  ;  wherfbr  I  yow  preye, 
Lat  me  nat  lyk  a  worm  go  by  tbe  weye.  8&) 
Remembre  yow,  myn  owene  lord  so  dere, 
I  was  youx  wyf,  thogh  I  unworthy  were. 

'^^^lerfor,  in  guerdon  of  my  maydenhede, 
"SVliich  that  I  broghte,  and  noght  agayn 

I  here,  884 

As  voucheth  sauf  to  yeve  me,  to  my  mede, 
But  swich  a  smok  as  I  was  wont  to  were, 
Tliat  I  tberwith  may  wrye  the  wombe  of 

here  (831) 

That  was  your  wyf ;  and  heer  take  I  my 

leve 
Of  yow,  myn  owene  lord,  lest  I  yow  greve.' 

'  The  smok,'  quod  he.  '  that  thou  hast  on 
thy  bak,  890 

Lat  it  be  stille,  and  ber  it  forth  with  thee.' 
But  wel  unnethes  thilke  word  he  spak. 
But  wente   his  wey  for  rewthe   and  for 

pitee. 
Bifom  the  folk  hir-selven  strepeth  she, 
And  in  hir  smok,  with  heed  and  foot  al 
bare,  (839)  895 

Toward  hir  fader  hous  forth  is  she  fare. 

The  folk  hir  folwe  wepinge  in  hir  weye, 
And  fortune  ay  they  cursen  as  they  goon ; 
But  she  fro  weijing  kepte  hir  yen  dreye, 
Ne  in  this  tyme  word  ne  spak  she  noon.  900 
Hir  fader,  that  this  tyding  herde  anoon, 
Curseth  the  day  and  tyme  that  nature 
Shoop  him  to  been  a  ly\-es  creature. 

For  out  of  doute  this  olde  povre  man 
Was  ever  in  suspect  of  hir  mariage  ;     905 
For  ever  he  demed,  sith  that  it  bigan,(85o) 
That  whan  the  lord  fulfild  had  his  corage, 
Him  wolde  tliinke  it  were  a  disparage 
To  his  estaat  so  lowe  for  t'aUghte, 
And  voj-den  hir  as  sone  as  ever  he  mighte. 

Agayns  his  doghter  hastilich  goth  he,  91 1 
For  he  by  noyse  of  folk  knew  hir  cominge, 
And  with  hir  olde  cote,  as  it  mighte  be. 
He  covered  hir,  ful  sorwefully  wepinge  ; 
But  on  hir  body  mighte  he  it  nat  bringe. 
For  rude  was  the  cloth,  and  more  of  age 
By  daj^es  fele  than  at  hir  mariage.      (861) 

Thus  with  hir  fader,  for  a  certeyn  space, 
Dwelleth  this  flour  of  wyfly  pacience, 


That  neither  by  hir  wordes  ne  liir  face  920 
Bifom  the  folk,  ne  eek  in  hir  absence, 
Xe  shewed  she  that  hir  was  doon  offence; 
Ne  of  hir  heigh  estaat  no  remembraunce 
Ne  hadde  she,  as  by  hir  countenaonce. 

No  wonder  is,  for  in  hir  grete  estaat     925 
Hir  goost  was  ever  in  pleyn  humylitee  ; 
No  tendre  mouth,  non  herte  delicaat,  (871) 
No  pompe,  no  semblant  of  royaltee, 
But  ful  of  pacient  benignitee. 
Discreet  and  prydeles,  ay  honurable,    930 
And   to  hir   housbonde   ever   meke   and 
stable. 

Men  speke  of  Job  and  most  for  his  hum- 

blesse, 
As  clerkes,  whan  hem  list,  can  wel  endyte. 
Namely  of  men,  but  as  in  soothfastnesse, 
Thogh   clerkes    preyse  wommen    but    a 

lyte,  935 

Ther  can  no  man  in  humblesse  him  ac- 

quyte  (880) 

As  womman  can,  ne  can  ben  half  so  trewe 
As  wommen  been,  but  it  be  falle  of-newe. 

[Pars  Sexta.] 

Fro  Boloigne  is  this  erl  of  Panik  come, 
Of  which  the  fame  up-sprang  to  more  and 

lesse,  940 

And  in  the  peples  eres  alle  and  some 
Was  couth  eek,  that  a  newe  markisesse 
He  with  him  broghte,  in  swich  pompe  and 

richesse. 
That  never  was  ther  seyn  with  mannes  y6 
So  noble  array  in  al  West  Lumbardye.  945 

The  markis,  which  that  shoop  find  knew 
al  this,  (890) 

Er  that  this  erl  was  come,  sentehis  message 

For  thilke  sely  povre  Grisildis  ; 

And  she  with  humble  herte  and  glad 
visage,  949 

Nat  with  no  swollen  thoght  in  hir  corage, 

Cam  at  his  heste,  and  on  hir  knees  hir 
sette. 

And  reverently  and  wysly  she  himgrette. 

'  Grisild,'  quod  he,  '  my  wille  is  outerly. 
This  mayden,  that  shal  wedded  been  to  me, 
Eeceyved  be  to-morwe  as  royally  955 


T.  88 3 2-8910.] 


E.    ZU  t(tvUQ  Zak. 


609 


As  it  possible  is  in  myn  hovis  to  he.     (900) 
And  eek  that  every  wight  in  his  degree 
Have  his  estaat  in  sitting  and  servyse 
And  heigh  plesaunce,  as  I  can  best  devyse. 

I  have  no  wommen  suffisaunt  certayn  960 
The  chanibres  for  t'arraye  in  ordinaunce 
After  mj"^  hist,  and  therfor  wolde  I  fayn 
That  thyn  were  al  swich  maner  govem- 

aiince  ; 
Thou  knowest  eek  of  old  al  my  plesaunce  ; 
Thoiigh   thyn   array  be   badde  and  yvel 

biseye,  965 

Do  thoii  thy  devoir  at  the  leeste  weye.'  (910) 

'Xat  only,  lord,  that  I  am  glad,'  quod  she, 
'  To  doon  your  lust,  but  I  desyre  also 
Yow  for  to  serve  and  plese  in  my  degree 
With-outen  fejoiting,  and  shal  everino.  970 
Ne  never,  for  no  wele  ne  no  wo, 
Ne  shal  the  gost  with-in  myn  lierte  stente 
To  love  yow  best  with  al  my  trewe  entente. ' 

And  with  that  word  she  gan  the  hous  to 

dighte. 
And  tables  for  to  sette  and  beddes  make  ; 
And   peyned    hir    to   doon   al   that    she 

mighte,  (920)  976 

Preying  the  chambereres,  for  goddes  sake, 
To  hasten  hem,  and  faste  swepe  and  shake ; 
And  she,  the  moste  servisable  of  alle, 
Hath  every  chamb re  arrayed  and  hishalle. 

Alx)uten  undern  gan  this  erl  alighte,  981 

That  with  liim  broghte  thise  nolile  child- 
ren tweye, 

For  which  the  peple  ran  to  seen  the  sighte 

Of  hir  array,  so  richely  biseye  ; 

And  than  at  erst  amonges  hem  theyseye, 

That  Walter  was  no  fool,  thogh  that  him 
leste  (930)  986 

To  chaunge  his  wyf,  for  it  was  for  the  beste. 

For  she  is  fairer,  as  they  demen  alle, 
Than  is  Grisild,  and  more  tendre  of  age, 
And    fairer    fruit    bitwene   hem    sholde 

falle,  y(;() 

And  more  plcsant,  for  hir  heigh  linage  ; 
Hir  brother  eek  so  fair  was  of  visage, 
That  hem  to  seen  the  peple  hath  caught 

plesaunce. 
Commending    now   the    markis    govern- 

aunce. — 


Aiicfur.  '  O  stormy  peple  !  imsad  and  ever 
untrewe  !  (939)  995  T 

Ay  undiscreet  and  chaunging  as  a  vane, 

Delyting  ever  in  rumbel  that  is  newe. 

For  lyk  the  mone  ay  wexe  ye  and  wane  ; 

Ay  ful  of  clapping,  dere  y-nogh  a  jane  ; 

Your  doom  is  fals,  your  Constance  yvel 
preveth,  1000 

A  ful  greet  fool  is  he  that  on  yow  leveth  ! ' 

Thus  seyden  sadde  folk  in  that  citee. 
Whan  that  the  peple  gazed  up  and  doun, 
For  they  were  glad,  right  for  the  noveltee, 
To  han  a  newe  lady  of  hir  toun.  1005 

Na-more  of  this  make  I  now  mencioun  ; 
But  to  Grisilde  agayn  wol  I  me  dresse,  (951 1 
And  telle  hir  Constance  and  hir  bisinesse. — 

Ful  bisy  was  Grisilde  in  every  thing 
That  to  the  feste  was  apertinent ;         loio 
Eight  noghtwas  she  abaystof  hir  clothing, 
Though  it  were  rude  and  somdel  eek  to- 
rent. 
But  with  glad  chere  to  the  yate  is  went, 
With  other  folk,  to  grete  the  markisesse, 
And  after  that  doth  forth  hir  bisinesse.  1015 

With  so  glad  chere  hisgestes  she  receyveth. 
And  conningly,  everich.  in  his  degree,  (961) 
That  no  defaute  no  man  aperceyveth  ; 
But  ay  they  wondren  what  she  mighte  be 
That  in  so  povre  array  was  for  to  see,  1020 
And  coude  swich  honour  and  reverence  ; 
And  worthily  they  preisen  hir  prudence. 

In  al  this  mene  wliyle  she  ne  stente 
Tliis  mayde  and  eek  hir  brother  to  com- 

mende 
With  al  hir  herte,  in  ful  benigne  entente, 
So   wel,    that   no    man   coude    hir  prys 

amende.  (970)  1026 

But  atte  lastc,   whan   that   thise  lordes 

wende 
To  sitten  doun  to  mete,  he  gan  to  caUe 
Grisilde,  as  she  was  bisy  in  his  halle. 

'  Grisilde,'  quod  he,  as  it  were  in  his 
pley,  1030 

'  How  lyketh  thee  my  wyf  and  hir  beautee  ?' 

'Eight  wel,'  quod  she,  'my  lord;  for,  in 
good  fey, 

A  fairer  say  I  never  noon  than  she. 

I  prey  to  god  yeve  hir  prosperitee  ;      1034 


6io 


ZU  tanUv&uv^  Zake, 


[t.  891 1-8986. 


And  so  hope  I  that  he  wol  to  j'ow  sende 
Plesance  y-nogh  un-to  your  lyves  ende. 

0  thing  biseke  I  yowand  warne  also,  (981) 
Tliat  ye  ne  ijrikke  with  no  tormentinge 
This  tendre  maj-den,  as  ye  han  don  mo ; 
For  she  is  fostred  in  hir  norishinge     1040 
More  tendrely,  and,  to  my  supposinge, 
She  coude  nat  adversitee  endure 

As  coude  a  povre  fostred  creature.' 

And  whan  tliis  Walter  say  hir  pacience, 
Hir  glade  chere  and  no  malice  at  al,  1045 
And  he  so  ofte  had  doon  to  hir  offence, (990) 
And  she  ay  sad  and  constant  as  a  wal, 
Continuing  ever  hir  innocence  overal, 
This  sturdy  markis  gan  his  herte  dresse 
To  rewen  uis-on  hir  wj^y  stedfastnesse.  1050 

'This  is  y-nogh,  Grisilde  myn,'  quod  he, 
'  Be  now  na-more  agast  ne  yvel  apaj-ed  ; 

1  have  thy  feith  and  thy  benignitee. 
As  wel  as  ever  womman  was,  assayed, 

In  greet  estaat,  and  povreliche  arrayed.  1055 
Now  knowe  I,    dere  wyf,    thy   stedfast- 
nesse,'—  (UXX)) 
And  hir  in  amies  took  and  gan  hir  kesse. 

And  she  for  wonder  took  of  it  no  keep  ; 
She  herde  nat  what  thing  he  to  hir  seyde ; 
She  ferde  as  she  had  stert  out  of  a  sleep, 
Til  she  out  of  hir  masednesse  abreyde.  u)6t 
' Grisilde, '  quod  he,  'by  god  that  for  us 

deyde, 
Thou  art  my  wyf,  ne  noon  other  I  ha\e, 
Ne  never  hadde,  as  god  my  soule  save  I 

This  is  thy  doghtcr  which  thou  hast  sup- 
posed 10O5 

To  be  my  wyf;  that  other  feith  full  j'  (loio) 

Shal  be  mjTi  heir,  as  I  have  aj'  purposed ; 

Thou  bare  him  in  thy  body  trewely. 

At  Boloignc  have  I  kept  hem  prively;  1069 

Tak  hem  agayn,  for  now  maystow  nat 
seye 

That  thou  hast  lorn  non  of  thy  children 
tweye. 

And  folk  that  otherweyes  han  seyd  of  me, 
I  warne  hem  wel  that  I  have  doon  this 

dcde 
For  no  malice  ne  for  no  crueltee,         1074 


But  for  t'  assaye  in  thee  thy  wommauhede, 
And  nat  to  sleen  my  children,  god  for- 
bede !  (1020) 

But  for  to  kepe  hem  prively  and  stille, 
Til  I  thy  x^urpos  knewe  and  al  thy  wille.' 

Whan  she  this  herde,  aswowne  doun  she 

falleth  1079 

For  pitous  joye,  and  after  hir  swowninge 

She  bothe  hir  yonge  children  un-to  hir 

calleth. 
And  in  hir  armes,  pitously  wepinge,  i 

Embraceth  hem,  and  tendrely  kissinge^^  •* 
Ful  lyk  a  mooder,  with  hir  salte  teres  tfi^ 
She  bathethbothehir  visage  and  hir  heres. 

O,  which  a  pitous  thing  it  was  to  see  (i03()^ 
Hir  swowning,   and  hir  htimble  voys  to 

here  ! 
'  Grauntmercy,  lord,  that  thanke  I  yow,' 

quod  she, 
'That  ye  han  saved  me  my  children  dere! 
Now  rekke  I   never  to   ben   deed   right 

here ;  1091) 

Sith  Istondeinyourlove  and  in  your  grace. 
No  fors  of  deeth,  ne  whan  my  spirit  pace ! 

O  tendre,  o  dere,  o  yonge  children  myne, 
Your  woful  mooder  wende  stedfastly  1094 
That  cruel  houndes  or  som  foul  vermyne 
Hadde  eten  j'ow  ;  biit  god,  of  his  mercy. 
And  your  benigne  fader  tendrely  (1041) 
Hath  doon  yow  kept ; '  and  in  that  same 

stounde 
Al  sodeynly  she  swapte  adoun  to  grounde. 

And  in  her  swough  so  sadly  holdeth  she 
Hir   children   two,  whan   she  gan  hem 

t'embrace,  iioi 

That  with  greet  sleighte  and  greet  diflfi- 

cultee 
The  children  from  hir  arm  they  gonne 

arace.  (">47) 

O  many  a  teer  on  many  a  pitous  face  1104 
Doun  ran  of  hem  that  stoden  hir  bisyde  ; 
Unnethe  abouten  hir  mighte  they  abyde. 

Walter  hir  gladeth,  and  hir  sorwe  slaketh; 
Sheryseth  up,  abaysed,  from  hir  traunce, 
And  every  wight  hir  joye  and  feste  maketh, 
Til  she  hath  caught  agayn  hir  conten- 
aunce.  1 1 10 


T.  89S7-905S.J 


E.    ZU  CkvUe  ^afe. 


611 


Walter  hir  dooth  so  feithfully  plesatince, 
That  it  was  tleyntee  for  to  seen  the  chere 
Bitwixehem  two,  now  they  hen  niety-itere. 


\\ 


Thise  ladyes,  whan  that  they  hir  tymf  say, 
Han  taken  hir,  and  iu-to  elianibre  goon. 
And  strepen  hir  out  of  hir  rude  array,  ( 1060) 
And  in  a  clotli  of  gokl  that  brighte  shoon. 
With  a  coroune  of  many  a  riche  stoou 
Up-on  hir  heed,  they  in-to  halle  hir 
broghte,  11 19 

And  ther  she  was  honoured  as  hir  oghte. 

Tlius  hath  this  pitou.s  day  a  blisful  ende, 
For  every  man  and  womman  dooth  his 

might 
This  day  in  murthe  and  revel  to  dispende 
Til  on  the  welkne  shoon  the  sterres  light. 
For  more  solempne  in  every  mannes  sight 
This  teste  was,  and  gretter  of  costage,  1 126 
Than  was  the  revel  of  hir  mariage.    (1071) 

Ful  many  a  yeer  in  heigh  prosperitee 
Liven  thise  two  in  concord  and  in  reste. 
And  richely  his  doghter  maried  he      1130 
Un-to  a  lord,  oon  of  the  worthieste 
Of  al  Itaille  ;  and  than  in  pees  and  reste 
His  wyves  fader  in  his  court  he  kepeth, 
Til  that  the  soule  out  of  his  body  crepeth. 

His  sone  succedeth  in  his  heritage        1135 
In  reste  and  pees,  after  his  fader  day ;  (1080} 
And  fortunat  was  eek  in  mariage, 
Al  putte  he  nat  his  wyf  in  greet  assay. 
This  world  is  nat  so  strong,  it  is  no  nay, 
As  it  hath  been  in  olde  tymes  yore,     1140 
And  herkneth  what  this   auctour  seith 
therfore. 

This  storie  is  seyd,  nat  for  that  wjrves 

-     sholde 
Folwen  GrisUde  as  in  humiLitee, 
.  ,  For  it  were  importable,  though  they  wolde ; 
J    But  for  that  every  wight,  in  his  degree,  1145 
Sholde  be  constant  in  adversitee       (1090; 
J*  As  was  Grisilde ;  therfor  Petrark  wryteth 
■^       This  storie,   which  with  heigh  style   he 
endyteth. 

For,  sith  a  womman  was  so  pacient     1149 
Un-to  a  mortal  man,  wel  more  us  oghte 
Keceyven  al  in  gree  that  god  iis  sent ; 


For  greet  skile  is,  heprevethat  he  wroghte. 
But  he  netemptethno  man  tliat  heboghte, 
As  seith  seint  Jame,  if  ye  his  pistel  rede  ; 
He  ijreveth  folk  al  day,  it  is  no  "drede,   1 155 

And  suflfreth  us,  as  for  our  excercyse,(iioa) 
With  sharpe  scourges  of  adversitee 
Ful  ofte  to  be  bete  in  sondry  wyse  ; 
Nat  for  to  knowe  our  wil,  for  certes  he, 
Er  we  were  born,  knew  al  our  freletee ;  1 160 
And  for  our  beste  is  al  his  governaunce ; 
Lat  us  than  live  in  vertuous  suffraunce.* 

But  o  word,  lordinges,  herkneth  er  I  go: — 
It  were  ful  hard  to  finde  now  a  dayes  (i  108) 
In  al  a  toun  Grisildes  three  or  two ;  1165 
For,  if  that  tliey  were  put  to  swiche  assay es, 
The  gold  of  hem.  hath  now  so  badde  alayes 
With  bras,  that  thogh  the  cojme  be  fair 

at  ye. 
It  wolde  rather  breste  a-two  than  plye. 

For  which  heer,  for  the  wyves  love  of 
Bathe,  11 70 

Whos  lyf  and  al  hir  secte  god  majTitene 
In  heigh  maistrye,  and  elles  were  it  scathe, 
I  wol  with  lusty  herte  fresshe  and  grene 
Seyn  yow  a  song  to  glade  yow,  I  wene, 
And  lat  us  stinte  of  ernestfu.1  matere  : — 
Herluietli   my  song,   that   seith   in   this 
manere.  (1120)  1176 

Lenvoy  de  Chaucer.  1 

Grisilde  is  deed,  and  eek  hir  pacience, 
And  bothe  atones  buried  in  ItaUle  ; 
For  which  I  crye  in  open  audience. 
No  wedded  man  so  hardy  be  t'assaille  1 180 
His  wyves  pacience,  in  hope  to  finde 
Grisildes,  for  in  certein  he  shall  faille  ! 

*  It  seems  to  have  been  Chaucer's  intention, 
ill  the  first  instance,  to  end  this  Tale  here.  Hence, 
wc  Jind,  in  MSS.  E.  Hn.  Ciu.  Dd.,  the  following 
genuine,  but  rejected  stanza,  suitable/or  insertion 
at  this  point :  — 

Bihold  the  merye  wordes  of  the  Hoste. 

This  worthy  Clerk,  whan  ended  was  his  tale, 

(^ur  hoste  seyde,  and  swuor  by  goddes  bones, 

'  Me  were  lever  than  a  barel  ale 

My  wyf  at  hoom  had  herd  this  legende  ones ; 

Tills  is  a  gentil  tale  for  the  nones, 

As  to  uiy  purpos,  wiste  ye  my  wiUe ; 

lint  tliiiif,'  that  wol  nat  be,  lat  it  be  .stille.' 


Here  endeth  the  Tale  of  the  Clerk 
of  Oxenford. 


X  2 


6l2 


ZU  tanUvBuv^  Zake. 


[T. 


9059-9120. 


O  noble  'wyves,  f\il  of  lieigh  prudence, 
Lat  noon  lii^militee  your  tonge  naille,  1 184 
Ne  lat  no  clerk  have  cause  or  diligence 
To  vrjiie  of  yt>w  a  storie  of  swicli  niervaille 
As  of  Grisildis  pacient  and  kinde  ;  ( 1 13 1 ) 
Lest  diichevache  yow  swehve  in  liir  en- 
traille  ! 

Fohvetli  Ekko,  tliat  holdetli  no  silence, 
But  evere  answereth  at  the  countretaille  ; 
Beth  nat  bidaflFed  for  your  innocence,   1 1 9 1 
But  sharply  tak  on  yow  the  governaille. 
Emprinteth  welthis  lesson  in  your  niinde 
Por  commune  profit,  sith  it  may  availle. 

Ye  archewyves,  stondeth  at  defence,  1195 
Sinyebestrongeasisagreetcaniaille;(ii4o) 
Ne  suffreth  nat  that  nien  yow  doon  oflfenee. 
And  sclendre  wyves,  feble  as  in  bataille, 


Beth  egre  as  is  a  tygre  yond  in  Inde  ; 
Ay  clappeth  as  a  mille,  I  yow  consaille.  i  2ck> 

Ne  dreed  hem  nat,  do  hem  no  reverence  ; 
For  though  thjn  housboude  armed  be  in 

maille, 
The  arwes  of  thy  crabbed  eloquence 
Shal  percehis  brest,  and  eek  hisaventaille : 
In  jalousye  I  rede  eek  thou  him  binde,  1 21  >-. 
And  thou  shalt  make  him  couche  as  dooth 

a  quaille.  (i'^") 

If  thou  be  fair,  ther  folk  ben  in  presence 
Shew  thou  thy  visage  and  th  jni  apparaille : 
If  thou  be  foul,  be  free  of  thy  dispence,i209 
To  gete  thee  freendes  ay  do  thy  travaille  ; 
Be  ay  of  chere  as  light  as  leef  on  limle. 
And  lat  him  care,  and  wejie,  and  wringe. 
and  waille !  (1156) 


Here  endeth  the  Clerk  of  Oxonford  his  Tale. 


eV 


THE    MERCHANT'S    PROLOGUE. 


The  Prologe  of  the  Marchantes  Tale. 


'Wkpino  and   wayling,  care,  and   other 

sorwe 
I  know  j'-nogh,  on  even  and  a-morwe,' 
Quod  the  Marchaunt,  '  and  so  don  othere 

mo  1215 

Tliat  wedded  been,  I  trowe  that  it  be  so. 
For,  wel  I  woot,  it  fareth  so  with  me. 
I  have  a  wyf,  the  worste  that  may  be  ; 
For  thogh  the  feeud  to  hir  y-eoupled  were, 
She  wolde  him  overmacche,  I   dar  wel 

swere.  1220 

"What  sholdo  I  yow  rehcrce  in  special 
Hir  h.ve  malice?  she  is  a  shrewe  at  al.  (10) 
Ther  is  a  long  and  large  difference 
Bitwix  Grisildis  greto  pacience 
And  of  my  wyf  the  passing  crueltec.    1225 
Were  I  unlx)unden,  al-so  moot  I  thee  I 
I  wolde  never  eft  comen  in  the  snare. 
We  wedded  men  live  in  sorwe  and  care  ; 


Assaye  who-so  wol,  and  he  shal  flnde 
I  scye  sooth,  by  seint  Thomas  of  Inde,  1230 
As  for  the  more  part,  I  sey  nat  alle. 
God  shilde  that  it  sholde  so  bifalle  !     (20) 

A  !  good  sir  boost !  I  have  y-wedtled  be 
Thise  monthestwo,  and  more  nat.pardee; 
And  yet,  I  trowe,  he  that  all  his  lyve  1235 
Wyfleeshath  been,  though  that  men  wolde 

him  I'ys'e 
Un-to  the  herte,  ne  coude  in  no  manere 
Tellen  so  muchel  sorwe,  as  I  now  here 
Coude  tellen  of  my  wyves  cursednesse  ! " 

'  Now,'  quod  our  hoost,  '  Marchaunt,  so 
god  yow  blesse,  1240 

Sin  ye  so  muchel  knowen  of  that  art, 
Ful  hertely  I  pray  yow  telle  us  part. '  (30) 

'  Gladly,'  quod  he,  '  but  of  myn  owene 
sore. 
For  sory  herte,  I  telle  may  na-more."  1244 


T.  91  2  1-9188. J 


E.    ZH  (T1Urc0attfC0  Zak. 


613 


THE    MARCHANTES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Marchantes  Tale. 


Whylom  ther  wasdwcUinge  in  Lumbardye 
A  worthy  kniglit,  that  born  was  of  Pavye, 
In  which  he  lived  in  greet  prosperitee  ; 
And  sixty  yeer  a  wyflees  man  was  he, 
And  folwed  ay  his  bodily  delyt 
On  Avommen,  ther-as  was  his  appetyt,   1250 
As  doon  thise  foles  that  ben  seculeer. 
And  whan  that  he  was  passed  sixty  yeer, 
Were  it  for  holinesse  or  for  dotage, 
lean  natseye,  but  swich  a  greet  corage,  (10) 
Hadde  this  knight  to  been  a  wedded  man, 
That  day  and  night  he  dooth  al  that  he  can 
T'cspyeu  where  he  mighto  wedded  be; 
Preyinge  our  lord  to  granten  him,  that  he 
Mighto  ones  kuowc  of  thilke  blisful  lyf 
That  is  bitwixe  an  housbond  antl  his  wyf ; 
And  for  to  live  under  that  holy  bond     1261 
With   which    that    first    god    man    and 

woniman  bond. 
■  Xon  other  lyf,'  seyde  he,  '  is  worth  a  bene ; 
For  wedlok  is  so  esy  and  so  clene,         {20) 
That  in  this  world  it  is  a  i^aratlys.'       1265 
Thus  seyile  this  olde  knight,  that  was  so 

wys. 
Anil  certcinly,  as  sooth  as  god  is  king, 
To  take  a  wyf,  it  is  a  glorious  thing. 
And  namely  whan  a  man  is  old  and  hoor ; 
Thanne  is  a  wyf  the  fruitof  his  tresor.  1270 
Than  sholde  he  take  a  yong  wyf  and  a  feir. 
On  which  he  mighte  engeudren  him  an 

heii'. 
And  lede  his  lyf  in  joye  and  in  solas, 
Wher-as  thise  bacheleres  singe  "alias,'  (30) 
Whan  that  they  fmden  any  adversitee  1275 
In  love,  which  nis  but  childish  vaniteo. 
Antl  trewely  it  sit  wel  to  be  so, 
That  bacheleres  have  often  peyne  and  wo; 
On  bi-otel  ground  theybuilde,  and  brotel- 

nesse  1279 

Tliey  finde,  whan  they  wene  sikernesse. 


They  live  but  as  a  brid  or  as  a  beste, 
In  libertee,  and  tinder  non  areste, 
Ther-as  a  wedded  man  in  his  estaat 
Liveth  a  lyf  blisful  and  ordinaat,         (40) 
Under  the  yok  of  mariage  y-botinde  ;    1285 
Wel  may  his  herte  in   joye  and  blisse 

habounde. 
For  who  can  be  so  buxom  as  a  wyf? 
Who  is  so  trewe,  and  eek  so  ententyf 
To  kepe  him,  syk  and  hool,  as  is  his  make  ? 
For  wele  or  wo,  she  wol  him  nat  forsake. 
She  nis  nat  wery  him  to  love  and  serve, 
Thogh  that  he  lye  bedrede  til  he  sterve. 
And  yet  somme  clerkes  seyu,  it  nis  nat  so. 
Of  whiche  he,  Theofraste,  is  oon  of  tho.  (50) 
What  force  though  Theofraste  liste  ly  e  ?  1 2  95 
'Ne  take  no  wyf,'  quod   he,    'for   hou.s- 

bondrye, 
As  for  to  spare  in  houshold  thy  dispence; 
A  trewe  servant  dooth  more  diligence. 
Thy  good  to  kepe,  than  thyn  owene  wyf. 
For  slie  wol  clayme  half  part  al  hir  lyf ;  1300 
And  if  that  thou  be  syk,  so  god  me  save. 
Thy  verray  freudes  or  a  trewe  knave 
Wol  kepe  thee  bet  than  she  that  waitethay 
After  thy  good,  and  hath  don  many  a  day.' 
And    if    thou    take    a  wyf   xin-to  thyn 
hold,  (61)  [T.  urn. 

Ful    lightly    maystow     been     a     coke- 
wold.  1306  [T.  VIII, 
This  sentence,  and  an  hundred  tliinges 

worse, 
Wryteth  this  man,   tlier  god   his  bones 

corse  ! 
But  take  no  kepe  of  al  swich  vanitee  ; 
Deffye  Theofraste  and  herkc  me.  1310 

A  wyf  is  goddes  yitto  vcrraily  ; 
Alle  other  maner  yiftcs  hardily. 
As  londes,  rentes,  j)asture,  or  commune, 
Or  moebles,  alle  beu  yiftes  of  fortune,    (70) 


6i4 


€0e  (tanUv&uv^  Zake. 


[t.  9189- 


9274. 


That  passen  as  a  sliadwe  upon  a  wal.    1315 
But  dredelees,  if  pleynly  speke  I  slial, 
A  wyf  wol  laste,  and  in  thyn  hous  endure, 
VTel  lenger  than  thee  list,  paraventure. 

Mariage  is  a  ful  g^et  sacrement ; 
He  -which  that  hath  no  ■wyf,  I  holde  him 

shent ;  1320 

He  liveth  helplees  and  al  desolat, 
I  speke  of  folk  in  seculer  estaat. 
And  herke  why,  Isey  nat  thisfornoght,(-9) 
Tliat  womman  isfor  manneshelpy-wTOght. 
The  hye  god,  whan  he  hadde  Adam maked. 
And  saugh  him  al  allone,  bely-naked,  1326 
God  of  his  grete  goodnesse  seyde  than, 
'  Lat  us  now  make  an  help  vin-to  this  man 
L^-k  to  him-self ; '   and  thanne  he  made 

him  Eve.  1329 

Heer  may  ye  se,  and  heer-by  may  ye  preve. 
That  wyf  is  mannes  help  and  his  confort, 
His  j)aradys  terrestre  and  his  disport 
So  buxom  and  so  vertuous  is  she. 
They  moste  nedes  live  in  unitee.  (90)  1334 
O  flesh  they  been,  and  o  flesh,  as  I  gesse. 
Hath  but  on  herte,  in  wele  and  in  distresse. 

A  wyf  !  a  !  Seinte  Marie,  hen'cite  ! 
How  mighte  a  man  han  any  adversitee 
That  hath  a  w,^-f  ?  certes,  I  can  nat  seye.  1339 
The  blisse  which  that  is  bitwise  hemtweye 
Tlier  may  no  tonge  telle,  or  herte  thinke. 
If  he  be  povre,  she  helpeth  him  to  swinke ; 
She  kepeth  his  good,  and  wasteth  never 

a  dcel ; 
Al  that  hir  housbonde  lust,  hir  lyketh 

weel ;  (kk)) 

She  seitli  not  ones  '  nay,'  when  he  seith 

'ye.'  1345 

'  Do  this,'  seith  he ;  '  al  redy,  sir,'  seith  she. 
O  Idisful  ordre  of  wcdlok  precious. 
Thou  art  so  mery,  and  eek  so  vertuous. 
And  so  commended  and  apprevcd  eek, 
Tliat  everj'  man  that  halt  liini  worth  a 

leek,  1350 

l"p-on  his  bare  knees  oghte  al  his  lyf 
Thanken  his  god  that  him  hath  sent  a 

wyf; 
Or  clles  preye  to  god  him  for  to  sonde 
A  wj^,  to  laste  im-to  his  \y\6s  ende.   (no) 
For  thanne  his  lyf  is  set  in  sikernesse  :  1355 
He  may  nat  be  deceyved,  as  I  gesse, 
So  that  he  werke  after  his  w.\"v-es  reed  ; 
Than  may  he  boldly  beren  up  his  heed, 


They  been  so  trewe  and  thcr-with-al  so 

wyse  ; 
For  which,  if  thou  wolt  werken  as  the 

wyse.  1360 

Do  alwey  so  as  wommen  wol  thee  rede. 
Lo,  how  that  Jacob,  as  thise  clerkes 

rede, 
By  good  conseil  of  his  moder  Eebekke, 
Bond  the  kides  skin  aboiite  his  nekke ;  (120) 
Thurgh  which  his  fadres  benisoun  he  wan. 

Lo,  Judith,  as  the  storie  eek  telle  can. 
By  wj'S  conseil  she  goddes  i^eple  kepte. 
And  slow  him,  Olofernus,  whyl  he  slepto. 
Lo  Abigayl,  by  good  conseil  how  she  1369 
Saved  hir  housbond  Nabal,  whan  that  lie 
Sholde  han  be  slajTi ;  and  loke.  Ester  also 
By  good  conseil  delivered  out  of  wo 
The  peple  of  god,  and  made  him,  Mar- 

dochee. 
Of  Assuere  enhaunced  for  to  be.  (130) 

Ther  nis  no-thing  in  gree  sviperlatyf,  1375 
As  seith  Seuek,  above  an  humble  wyf. 

Suffre  thy  wj'^-es  tonge,  as  Caton  bit ; 
She  shal  comande,  and  thou  shalt  sufFreu 

it; 
And  yet  she  wol  obeye  oi  curteisye. 
A  wj-f  is  keper  of  tliyn  housbondrye  ;  1380 
Wei  may  the  sj'ke  man  biwaille  and  wepe, 
Ther-as  ther  nis  no  wj-f  the  hous  to  kepe. 
I  warne  thee,  if  wysly  thoit  wolt  wirche. 
Love  wel  thy  wyf,   as   Crist  loveth  his 

chirehe.  (140)  1384 

If  thou  lovest  thy-self,  thoulovest  thy  wjrf ; 
No  man  hateth  his  flesh,  but  in  his  Ij-f 
He  fostreth  it,  and  therfore  bidde  I  thee, 
Chorisse  thy  wyf,  or  thou  shalt  never  tliee. 
Hoitsbond  and  wyf,  what  so  men  jape  or 

plcyc. 
Of  worldly  folk  holden  the  siker  weye  ;i39o 
Tliey  l)oen  so  knit,  ther  may  noon  harm 

bityde  : 
And  namel.^-,  up-on  the  wyves  syde. 
For  which  this  Januarie,  of  whom  I  tolde, 
Consideredhath,  in  with  his  dayesolde,(i5o) 
The  lusty  \yi\  the  vertuous  (j;uiete,        1395 
That  is  in  mariage  hony-swete  ; 
And  for  his  freendes  on  a  day  he  sente. 
To  telleu  hem  th'eifect  of  his  entente. 
With  face  sad.  his  tale  he  hath  hem 

told ;  1399 

He  seyde,  '  freendes,  I  am  hoor  and  old. 


T-  9275-9362.] 


E.    ZU  Qllarc^anfee  Zak. 


615 


And  almost,  god  wot,  on  my  pittes  brinke  ; 
Up-on  my  soule  somwbat  moste  I  thinke. 
I  havo  my  body  folily  desjjended  ;        (159) 
Blessed  be  god,  that  it  shal  been  amended  ! 
For  I  wol  be,  certeyn,  a  wedded  man,  1405 
And  that  anoon  in  al  the  haste  I  can, 
Un-to  som  mayde  fair  and  tendre  of  age. 
I  prey  yow,  shapeth  for  my  mariage 
Al  sodeynly,  for  I  wol  nat  abyde  ; 
And  I  wol  fonde  t'espyen,  on  my  syde,  1410 
To  whom.  I  may  be  wedded  hastily. 
But  for-as-miiche  as  ye  ben  mo  than  I, 
Ye  shnllen  rather  swich  a  thing  espyen 
Than  I,  and  wher  me  best  were  to  allyen. 
But  o  thing  warne  I  yow,  my  freendes 

dere,  (171)  1415 

I  wol  non  old  wyf  han  in  no  manere. 
Slie  shal  nat  passe  twenty  yeer,  certayn ; 
Old  fish  and  yong  flesh  wolde  I  have  ful 

fayu. 
Bet  is,'  quod  he,  '  a  pyk  than  a  pikerel ; 
And  bet  than  old  boef  is  the  tendre  veel. 
I  wol  no  womman  thrifty  yeer  of  age,  142 1 
It  is  but  bene-straw  and  greet  forage. 
And  eek  thise  olde  widwes,  god  it  woot, 
They  conne  so  muchel   craft  on  Wades 

boot,  (180) 

So  muchel  broken  harm,  whan  that  hem 

leste,  1425 

That  with  hem  sholde  I  never  live  in  reste. 
For  sondry  scoles  maken  sotil  clerkis  ; 
Womman  of  manye  scoles  half  a  clerk  is. 
But  certej'nly,  a  yong  thing  may  men  gye. 
Eight  as  men  may  warm  wex  with  handes 

plye.  1430 

A^Tierfore  I  sey  yow  pleynly,  in  a  clause, 
1  wol  non  old  wyf  han   right  for  this 

cause.  (188) 

For  if  so  were,  I  liadde  swich  mischaunce, 
That  I  in  hir  ne  coude  han  no  plesaunce, 
Thanne  sholde  I  lede  my  lyf  in  avoiitrye. 
And  go  streight  to  the  devel,  whan  I  dye. 
Ne  children  sholde  I  none  up-on  hir  geten; 
Yet  were  me  lever  houndes  had  me  eten, 
Tlian  that  myn  heritage  sholde  falle    1439 
In  straunge  hand,  and  this  I  tell  yow  alle. 
I  dote  nat,  I  woot  the  cause  why 
Men  sholde  wedde,  and  forthormore  wot  I, 
Ther  speketh  many  a  man  of  mariage. 
That  woot  na-more  of  it  than  woot  my 

page,  (200)  1444 


For  whiche  causes  man  sholde  take  a  wyf. 
If  he  ne  may  nat  liven  chast  his  lyf. 
Take  him  a  wyf  with  greet  devocioun, 
By-caiise  of  leveful  procreacioun 
Of  children,  to  th'onour  of  god  above. 
And  nat  only  for  paramour  or  love  ;     145?) 
And  for  they  sholde  lecherye  eschue, 
And  yelde  hir  dettes  whan  that  they  ben 

due  ; 
Or  for  that   ech  of  hem  sholde  helpen 

other  (209) 

In  meschief,  as  a  suster  shal  the  brother ; 
And  live  in  cliastitee  ful  holily.  1455 

But  sires,  by  your  leve,  that  am  nat  I. 
For  god  be  thanked,  I  dar  make  avaunt, 
I  felo  my  limes  stark  and  suffisaunt 
To  do  al  that  a  man  bilongeth  to  ; 
I  woot  my-selven  best  what  I  may  do.  1460 
Though  I  be  hoor,  I  fare  as  dooth  a  tree 
That  blosmeth  er  that  fruyt  y-woxen  be ; 
A  Ijlosmy  tree  nis  neither  drj'e  ne  deed. 
I  fele  me  nowher  hoor  but  on  myn  heed  ; 
Myn  herte  and   alle  my  limes  been  as 

grene  (221)  1465 

As  laurer  thurgh  the  yeer  is  for  to  sene. 
And  sin  that  ye  han  herd  al  myn  entente, 
I  prey  yow  to  my  wil  ye  wole  assente.' 

Diverse  men  diversely  hina  tolde 
Of  mariage  manye  ensamples  olde.      1470 
Somme  blamed    it,   somme    preysed    it, 

certeyn  ; 
But  atte  laste,  shortly  for  to  seyn, 
As  al  day  falleth  altercacioun  1473 

Bitwixen  freendes  in  disputisoun,       (230) 
Ther  fil  a  stryf  bitwixe  his  bretheren  two, 
Of  whiche  that  oon  was  cleped  Placebo, 
Justinus  soothly  called  was  that  other. 
Placebo  seyde,  '  o  Januarie,  brother, 
Ful  litel  nede  had  ye,  my  lord  so  dere, 
Conseil  to  axe  of  any  that  is  here  ;       1480 
But  that  ye  Ijeen  so  ful  of  sapience. 
That    yow  ne   lyketh,   for  your    heighe 

prudence. 
To  wey\'en  fro  the  word  of  Salomon. 
This  word  seyde  he  un-to  us  everichon : 
"  Wirk  alle  thing  by  conseil,"  thus  seyde 

he,  (241)  1485 

"  And  thanne  shaltow  nat  repente  thee." 
But  though   that   Salomon    spak   swich 

a  word, 
Myn  owene  dere  brother  and  my  lord, 


6i6 


ZH  €anfer6urp  tdka. 


[t.  9363-9450. 


So  wisly  god  my  soule  bringe  at  reste, 
I  hold  yowr  owene  conseil  is  the  beste.  1490 
For  brother  myn,  of  me  tak  this  mot  j'f, 
I  have  now  been  a  court-man  al  my  lyf. 
And  god  it  woot,  though  I  luiworthy  be, 
I  have  stonden  in  fal  greet  degree       (250) 
Abouten  lordes  of  ful  heigh  estaat ;      1495 
Yet  hadde   I   never   with   noon  of  hem 

debaat. 
I  never  hem  contraried,  trewely ; 
I  woot  wel  that  my  lord  can  more  than  I. 
What  that  he  seith,  I  holde  it  ferme  and 

stable ; 
I  seye  the  same,  or  elles  thing  semblable. 
A  fill  gret  fool  is  any  conseillour,         1501 
That  serveth  any  lord  of  heigh  honour, 
That  dar  presume,  or  elles  thenkeu  it, 
That  his  conseil  sholde  passe  his  lordes 

■wit.  (260) 

Nay,  lordes  been  no  foles,  by  my  fay ;  1505 
Ye  han  your-selven  shewed  heer  to-day 
So  heigh  sentence,  so  holilj'  and  weel, 
That  I  consente  and  conferme  every-deel 
Your  wordes  alle,  and  your  opinioun.  1509 
By  god,  ther  nis  no  man  in  al  this  toun 
N'in  al  Itaille,  that  coude  bet  han  sayd  ; 
Crist  halt  him  of  this  conseil  wel  apayd. 
And  trewely,  it  is  an  heigh  corage 
Of  any  man,  that  stapen  is  in  age,      (270 ) 
To  take  a  yong  wyf ;  by  my  fader  kin, 
Your  hertc  hangeth  on  a  joly  pin.        1516 
Doth  now  in  this  matere  right   as  yow 

leste, 
For  finally  I  holde  it  for  the  beste.' 

.lustiniis,  that  ay  stille  sat  and  herde. 
Right  in  this  wyse  to  Placebo  answerde  : 
'  Now  brother  myn,  be  pacient,  I  preye, 
Sin  ye  han  seyd,  and  herkneth  what  I 

seye.  1522 

Senek  among  his  othere  wordes  wyse 
Seith,  that  a  man  oghte  him  right  wel 

avyse,  (280) 

To  whom  he    yeveth    his   loud    or   liis 

catel.  1525 

And  sin  I  oghte  avyse  me  right  wel 
To  whom  I  yeve  my  good  awey  fro  me, 
Wel  muchel  more  I  oghte  avysed  be 
To  whom  I  yeve  my  body  ;  for  alwey 
I  warne  yow  wel,  it  is  no  childcs  plcy  1530 
To  take  a  wyf  with-onte  avysement. 
Men  moste  enquere,  this  is  myn  assent, 


Wlier  she  l)e  wys,  or  sobre,   or  dronke- 

lewe,  (289) 

Or  proud,  or  elles  other-weys  a  shrewe  ; 
A  chydester,  or  wastour  of  thy  good,  1535 
Or  riche,  or  poore,  or  elles  mannish  wood. 
Al-be-it  so  that  no  man  finden  shal 
Noon   in   this  world  that   trotteth   hool 

in  al, 
Ne  man  ne  beest,  swich  as  men  coude 

devyse  ; 
But  nathelees,  it  oghte  y-nough  suifise  1540 
With  any  wyf,  if  so  were  that  she  hadde 
Mo  gode  thewes  than  hir  vj-ces  badde  ; 
And  al  this  axeth  leyser  for  fenquere. 
For  god  it  woot,  I  have  wept  many  a  tere 
Ful  privelj',  sin  I  have  had  a  vs'yf.  (301)  154S 
Preyse  who-so  wole  a  wedded  mannes  lyf, 
Certein,  I  finde  in  it  but  cost  and  care. 
And  observances,  of  alle  blisses  bare.  1548 
And  yet,  god  woot,  my  neigh eboresaboute, 
And  namely  of  wommen  many  a  route, 
Seyn  tliat  I  have  the  moste  stedefast  wyf, 
And  eek  the  mekeste  oon  that  bereth  Ijrf. 
But   I  wot  best  wher  wringeth  me  my 

sho.  (309) 

Ye  mowe,  for  me,  right  as  yow  lyketh  do ; 
Avyseth  yow,  ye  been  a  man  of  age,     1555 
How  that  ye  entren  in-to  mariage, 
And  namely  with  a  yong  wyf  and  a  fair. 
By  him  that  made  water,  erthe,  and  air, 
The  yongest  man  tliat  is  in  al  this  route 
Is  bisy  y-uogh  to  bringcn  it  aboute      1560 
To  han  his  wyf  allonc,  trusteth  me. 
Ye  shul  nat  plese  hir  fully  ycres  three, 
This  is  to  seyn,  to  doon  hir  iul  plesaunce. 
A  wyf  axeth  ful  many  an  observaunce.  (320) 
I  prey  yow  that  ye  be  nat  yvel  apayd.' 
'  Wel,'  quod  this  Januarie,  '  and  hastow 

sayd  ?  1566 

Straw  for  thy  Senek,  and  for  thy  pro- 

verbes, 
I  counte  nat  a  panier  ful  of  herbes 
Of  scole-termcs  ;  wyser  men  tliaii  thow. 
As  thou  hast  herd,  assentedon  right  now 
To  my  purpos  ;  Placebo,  what  sey  ye  ?' 
'  I  seye,  it  is  a  cursed  man,'  quod  he, 
'That  letteth  matrimoine,  sikerlj'.'     (329) 
And  with  that  word  they  rysen  sodeynly, 
And  been  assented  full.v,  that  he  sliolde 
Be  wediled  whanne  him  list  and  wher  he 

wolda.  1576 


•X.  9451-9524.] 


E.    ZH  dttlMcUnUQ  Zak, 


617 


Heigli  fantasye  and  curious  bisinesse 
Fro  day  to  day  gan  in  the  soiile  impresse 
Of  Januarie  aboiito  his  niariage. 
Many  fair  shap,  and  many  a  fair  visage 
Ther  passeth  thnrgh  his  herte,  night  by 

night.  (337)  1581 

As  who-so  toke  a  mirour  polished  bright, 
And  sette  it  in  a  commune  market-place, 
Than  sholde  he  see  many  a  figure  pace 
By  his  mirour  ;  and,  in  the  same  wyse, 
Gan  Janiiarie  inwith  his  thoght  devj'se 
Of  maydens,  whiche  that   dwelten  him 

bisyde.  1587 

He  wiste  nat  wher  that  he  mighte  abyde. 
For  if  that  oon  have  beautee  in  hir  face, 
Another  stant  so  in  the  peples  grace  1590 
For  hir  sadnesse,  and  hir  benignitee, 
That  of  the  peple  grettest  voys  hath  she. 
And  somme  were  riche,  and  hadden  badde 

name.  (349) 

But  nathelees,  bitwixe  ernest  and  game, 
He  atte  laste  apoynted  him  on  oon,      1595 
And    leet   alle    othere    from    his    herte 

goon. 
And  chees  hir  of  his  owene  auctoritee  ; 
For  love  is  blind  al  day,  and  may  nat  see. 
And   whan   that   he  was  in   his   bed   y- 

broght, 
He  purtreyed,  in  his   herte   and   in  his 

thoght,  i6(x> 

Hir  fresslie  beautee  and  hir  age  tendre, 
Hir  myddel  smal,  hir  armes  longe   and 

sclendre, 
Hir  wyse  governaunce,  hir  gentillesse, 
Hir  wommanly  beringe  and  hir  sadnesse. 
And   whan    that    he    on    hir   was   con- 
descended, (361)  1605 
Him  thotighte  his  chois  mighte  nat  ben 

amended. 
For   whan   that   he   him-self   concluded 

hadde. 
Him  thoiighte  ech  other  mannes  wit  so 

badtle. 
That  inpossible  it  wei'e  to  replye 
Agaj-n  his  chois,  this  was  his  fantasye.  i6w 
His  freendes  sente  he  to  at  his  instaunce. 
And  preyed  liom  to  doon  him  that  ples- 

aunce. 
That  hastily  they  wolden  to  him  come  ; 
He  wolde  abregge  hir  lalwur,  alle  and 

some.  (370)  1614 


Nedeth  na-niore  for  liim  to  go  ne  rj-de, 
He  was  apoynted  ther  he  wolde  abyde. 

Placebo  cam,  and  eek  his  freendes  sone, 
And  alderfirst  he  bad  hem  alle  a  bone. 
That  noon  of  hem  none  argumentes  make 
Agajm  the  purpos  which   that   he  hath 

take  ;  ,620 

'  Which  purpos  was  plesant  to  god,'  seyde 

he, 
'  And  ^'erray  ground  of  his  prosperitee.' 
He  seyde,  ther  was  a  mayden  in  the 

toun. 
Which  that  of  beaiitee  hadde  greet  re- 
noun,  (3S0) 
Al  were  it  so  she  were  of  smal  degree  ;  1625 
SufFysetli  him  hir  youthe  and  hir  beautee. 
Which  mayde,  he  seyde,  he  wolde  han  to 

his  wyf. 
To  lede  in  ese  and  holinesse  his  lyf. 
And  thanked  god,  that  he  mighte  han 

hire  al,  1629 

That  no  wight  of  his  blisse  parten  shal. 
And  preyde   hem   to    labouren    in    this 

nede, 
And  shapen  that  he  faille  nat  to  spede  ; 
For  thanne,  he  seytle,  his  spirit  was  at  ese. 
'Thanne  is,'  quod  he,  'no-thing  may  me 

displese,  (390)  1634 

Save  o  thing  priketh  in  my  conscience. 
The  which  I  wol  reherce  in  your  presence. 
I  have,'  quod  he,  '  herd  seyd,  ful  yore 

ago, 
Ther  may  no  man  han  parfito  blisses  two. 
This  is  to   seye,    in    erthe  and   eek    in 

hevene. 
For  though  he  kepe  him  fro  the  sinnes 

sevene,  1640 

And  eek  from   everj'  branche  of  tliilke 

tree. 
Yet  is  ther  so  parfit  felicitee, 
And  so  greet  ese  and  lust  in  mariage,  (399) 
That  ever  I  am  agast,  now  in  myn  age, 
That  I  shal  lede  now  so  mery  a  lyf,     1645 
80  delicat,  with-outen  wo  and  stryf. 
That  I  shal  have  myn  hevene  in  erthe 

here. 
For  sith  that  verray  hevene  is  Iwght  so 

dere, 
With  tribulacioun  and  greet  penaunce, 
How  sholde  I  thanne,  that  live  in  swicli 

plesaunce  1650 


6i8 


ZU  Can^erBurp  Zake. 


[t.  9525-960S. 


As  aUe  wedded  men  don  witli  liir  wyvis, 
Come  to  the  blisse  ther  Crist  eteme  on 

ly\-e  is  ? 
This  is  my  drede,  and  ye,  my  bretheren 

tweye,  (409) 

Assoilleth  me  this  questionn,  I  preye.' 

Justinus,  which  that  hated  his  f'olj-e,  1655 
Auswerde  anon,  right  in  his  japerj-e  ; 
And  for  he  wolde  his  longe  tale  abregge, 
He  wolde  noon  auctorit-ee  allegge,        1658 
But  seyde,  '  sire,  so  tlier  be  noon  obstacle 
Other  than  this,  god  of  his  hye  miracle 
And  of  his  mercy  may  so  for  yow  wirche. 
That,    er  ye    have   yonr    right    of   holy 

ehirche,  (4'^) 

Ye  may  repente  of  wedded  mannes  lyf, 
In  which  ye  seyn  ther  is  no  wo  ne  stryf. 
And  elles,  god  forbede  but  he  sente     1665 
A  wedded  man  him  grace  to  repente 
AVel  ofte  rather  than  a  sengle  man  ! 
And  therfore,  sire,  the  beste  reed  I  can, 
Disi^eire  yow  noght,    but   have   in   j'our 

memorie,  1669 

Paraunter  she  may  be  your  pui'gatorie  ! 
She  may   be   goddes   mene,  and  goddes 

whippe  ; 
Than  shal  your  soule  up  to  hevene  skippe 
Swifter  than  dooth  an  arwe  out  of  the 

bowe  !  (4-9 1 

I  hope  to  god,  her-after  shul  ye  knowe, 
That  their  nis  no  so  greet  felicitee        1675 
In  mariage,  ne  never-nio  shal  be, 
Tliat  yow  shal  lette  of  your  savacioun, 
80  that  ye  use,  as  skile  is  and  resonn. 
The  lustes  of  your  wyf  attemprely,       1679 
And  that  ye  plose  hir  nat  to  amorously. 
And   that  ye  kope  j'ow  eek  from  other 

sinne. 
My  tale  is  doon : — for  my  wit  is  thinne. 
Beth  nat  agast  her-of,  my  brother  dere.' — 
( But  lat  us  waden  out  of  this  matere.  (440) 
The  Wj-f  of  Bathe,  if  ye  han  understonile, 
Of  mariage,  which  we  have  on  honde,  1686 
Declared  hath  ful  wel  in  litel  space). — 
'  Fareth  now  wel,   god  have  yow  in  his 

grace. ' 
And  with  this  word  this  .Justin  and  his 

brother 
Han  take  hir  leve,  and  ech   of  hem  of 

other.  16941 

For  whan  they  sawe  it  moste  nedes  be. 


They  wroghten  so,  by  sly  and  wys  trctee, 
That  she,  this  mayden,  which  that  Mains 

highte, 
As  hastily  as  ever  that  she  mighte,     (450) 
Shal  wedded  be  un-to  this  Januarie.    1695 
I  trowe  it  were  to  longe  yow  to  tarie. 
If  I  yow  tolde  of  every  scrit  and  bond. 
By  which  that  she  was  feffed  in  his  lond; 
Or  for  to  herknen  of  hir  riche  array. 
But  finally  y-comen  is  the  day  17CX) 

That  to  the  ehirche  bothe  be  they  went 
For  to  receyve  the  holy  sacrement. 
Forth  comth  the  preest,  with  stole  aboute 

his  nekke,  (459) 

And  bad  hir  be  lyk  Sarra  and  Rebekke, 
In  wisdom  and  in  trouthe  of  mariage  ; 
And  seyde  his  orisons,  as  is  usage,       1706 
And  crouched  hem,  and  bad  god  sholde 

hem  blesse, 
And  made  al  siker  y-nogh  with  holinesse. 
Thus  been  they  wedded  with  solemi)- 

nitee, 
And  at  the  feste  sitteth  he  and  she      1710 
With  other  worthy  folk  up-on  the  deys. 
Al  ful  of  joye  and  blisse  is  the  paleys. 
And  fitl  of  instriaments  and  of  vitaille, 
The  moste  deyntevous  of  al  Itaille.      (470) 
Biforn  liem  stoode  swiche  instruments  of 

soun,  1715 

That  Oiiiheus,  ne  of  Thebes  Amphioun, 
Ne  maden  never  swich  a  melodye. 

At  every  cours  than  cam  loud  minstral- 

cye, 
That  never  tromped  .Joab,  for  to  here, 
Xor  he,  Theodomas,  yet  half  so  clere,  1720 
At  Thebes,  whan  the  citee  was  in  doute. 
Bacus  the  wyn  hem  skinketh  al  aboute. 
And  Venus  laugheth  up-on  every  wight. 
For  Jan  narie  was  bicome  hir  knight,  (480) 
And  w(jlde  bothe  assayen  his  corage    1725 
In  libertee,  and  eek  in  mariage ; 
And  with  hir  fyrbrond  in  hir  hand  aboute 
Daunceth  biforn   the   bryde   and  al  the 

Tonte. 
And  cei-teinly,  I  dar  right  wel  seyn  this, 
YmeniJus,  that  god  of  wedding  is,         1730 
Saugh  never  his  lyf  so  mery  a  wedded 

man. 
Hold  thou  thy  pees,  thou  poete  Marcian, 
That  wrytest  us  that  ilke  wedding  murie 
Of  hir.  PhUologye,  and  him.  Mercuric, 


T.  9609-96S8.] 


E.    ZU  QUarc^aniee  Zak, 


619 


And  of  the  songes  that  the  Muses  songe. 
To  smal  is  hothe  thy  penue,  and  eek  thy 

tonge,  (A9-)  '736 

For  to  descryven  of  this  mariage. 
Whan  tendre  youthe  hath  weddetl  stoup- 

ing  age, 
Ther  is  swich  mirthe  that  it  may  nat  be 

writen ; 
Assayeth  it  your-self,  than  may  ye  witen 
If  that  I  lye  or  noon  in  this  inatere.  1741 
Maius,  that  sit  with  so  benigne  a  chere, 
Hir  to  biholde  it  semed  fayerye  ;  (499) 
Quene  Ester  loked  never  with  swich  an  ye 
On  Assuer,  so  meke  a  look  hath  she.  1745 
I  may  yow  nat  devj'se  al  hir  beautee  ; 
But  thus  muche  of  hir  beautee   telle   I 

may, 
That  she  was  lyk  the  brighte  morwe  of 

May, 
Fulfild  of  alle  beautee  and  plesaunce. 

This  Januarie  is  ravisshed  in  a  traunce 
At  every  time  he  loked  on  hir  face  ;     1751 
But  in  his  herte  he  gan  hir  to  manace. 
That  he  that  night  in  armes  wolde  hir 

streyne 
Harder  than  ever  Paris  dide  Eleyne.  {510) 
But  nathelees,  yet  hadde  he  greet  pitee, 
That  thilke  night  offenden  hir  moste  he  ; 
And  though te,  'alias  !  o  tendre  creature! 
Now  wolde  god  ye  mighte  wel  endure 
Al  my  corage,  it  is  so  sharp  and  kene  ; 
I  am  agast  ye  shul  it  nat  sustene.        1760 
But  god  forbede  that  I  dide  al  my  might ! 
Now  wolde  god  that  it  were  woxen  night, 
And  that  the  night  wolde  lasten  evermo. 
I  wolde  that  al  this  peple  were  ago.'  (520; 
And  finally,  he  doth  al  his  labour,       1765 
As  he  best  mighte,  savinge  his  honour. 
To  haste  hem  fro    the    mete  in   subtil 

wyse. 
The  tyaxe  cam  that  reson  was  to  ryse  ; 
And  after  that,  men  tlaunce  and  drinkeu 

faste,  1769 

And  spyces  al  aboute  the  hous  they  caste  ; 
And  ful  of  joye  and  blisse  is  every  man  ; 
All  but  a  squyer,  hightc  Damian, 
Which  carf  biforn  the  kniglit  ful  many 

a  day. 
He  was  so  ravisshed  on  liis  lady  May,  (530) 
That  for  the  verray  pej-ne   he   was   ny 

wood ;  1775 


Almost  he  swelte  and  swowned  ther  he 

stood. 
So  sore  hath  Venus  hurt  him  with  hir 

brond, 
As  that    she    bar  it    datinsinge    in  hir 

hond. 
And  to  his  bed  he  wente  him  hastily  ; 
Na-more  of  him  as  at  this  tyme  speke  I. 
But  ther  I  lete  him  wepe  y-nough  and 

pleyne,  (537)  J781 

Til  fresshe  May  wol  rewen  on  his  peyne. 

O  perilous  fyr,  that  in   the   bedstravr 

bredeth  !  Auctor. 

O  famulier  foo,  that  his  sei"vyce  bedeth  ! 
O  servant  traitovir,  false  hoomly  hewe,  1785 
Lyk  to  the  naddre  in  bosom  sly  untrewe, 
God  shilde  us  alle  from  your  aqueynt- 

aunce ! 
O  Januarie,  dronken  in  plesaunce 
Of  mariage,  see  how  thy  Damian, 
Thyn  owene  squyer  and  thy  borne  man, 
Entendeth  for  to  do  thee  vileinye.        1791 
God  gi'aunte  thee  thyn  hoomly  fo  t'espye. 
For  in  this  world  nis  worse  pestilence  (549) 
Than  hoomly  foo  al  day  in  thy  presence. 
Parfourued  hath   the    soone    his  ark 

diurne,  1795 

No  lenger  may  the  body  of  him  sojurne 
On  th"orisonte,  as  in  that  latitutle. 
Night  with  his  mantel,  that  is  derk  and 

rude, 
Gan  oversprede  the  hemisperie  aboute  ; 
For  which  departed  is  this  lusty  route 
Fro  Januarie,  with  thank  on  every  syde.  . 
Horn  to  hir  houses  lustily  they  ryde,  1802 
Wher-as  they  doon  hir  thinges  as  hem. 

leste. 
And  whan  they  sye  hir  tyme,  goon  to 

reste.  (560) 

Sone  after  that,  this  hastif  Januarie  1805 
Wolde  go  to  bedde,  he  woldo  no  lenger 

tarie. 
He  drinketh  ipocras,  clarree,  and  vernage 
Of  spyces  hote,  t'eucresen  his  corage  ; 
And  many  a  letuaric  hadile  he  ful  fyn, 
Swiche  as  the   cursed  monk   dan   Con- 

stantyn  1810 

Hath  writen  in  his  book  de  C'oitu  ;  (567) 
To  eteu  hem  alle,  he  nas  no-thing  eschu. 
And  to  his  privee  freendes  tluis  seyde  he  : 
'  For  gotldes  love,  as  sone  as  it  may  be, 


X5 


620 


ZU  Canterfiurj  Zake. 


[t.  9689-9766. 


Lat  voyden  al  this  lious  in  curteys  ^-yse.' 
And  they  han   doon  right    as    he   vol 
de\'yse.  1816 

Men  drinken,  and  the  tra vers  drawe  anon : 
The  biyde  was  broght  a-bedde  as  stQle  as 

stoou ; 
And  whan  the  bed  was  with  the  preest 

y-blessed, 
Out  of  the  chambre  hath   everj'  wight 

him  dressed.  1S20 

And  Jannarie  hath  faste  in  arnies  take 
His  iresshe  May,  liis  paradys,  his  make. 
He  lulleth  hir,  he  kisseth  hir  ful  ofte 
AVith  tliikke  bristles  of  his  herd  nusofte, 
Lyk  to  the  skin  of  houndiish,  sharp  as 

brere,  (581)  1825 

For  he  was  shave  al  newe  in  his  manere. 
He  mbbeth  hir  abonte  hir  tendre  face, 
And  seyde  thus,  '  alias  !  I  moot  trespace 
To  yow,  my  spouse,  and  yow  gretly  offende, 
Er  tyme  come  that  I  wil  doun  descende. 
But  nathelees,  considereth  tliis,'  quod  he, 
'  Ther  nis  no  werkman,  what-so-ever  he  be, 
That  may  bothe  werke  wel  and  hastily ; 
This  wol  be  doon  at  leyser  parfitly.     (590) 
It  is  no  fors  how  longe  that  we  pleye  ;  1835 
In  trewe  wedlok  wedded  be  we  tweye  ; 
And  blessed  be  the  j'ok  that   we   been 

inne, 
For  in  our  actes  we  mowe  do  no  sinne. 
A  man  may  do  no  sinne  with  his  wyf, 
Ne  hurte  him-sclven  with  his  owenc  kuyf ; 
For  we  han    leve    to  pleye   us  by  the 

lawe.'  1841 

Thus  laboureth  he  til  that  the  day  gan 

dawe ; 
And  than  he  taketh  a  sop  in  fyii  clarree, 
And  upright  in  his  bed  than  sitteth  he, 
And  after  that  he   sang  ful  loude  and 

clere,  (6<Ji)  1845 

And  kiste  his  wyf,  and  made  wantoun 

chere. 
He  was  al  coltish,  ful  of  ragerye. 
And  ful  of  jargon  as  a  flekked  pye. 
The  slakke  skin  aboute  his  nekke  shaketh, 
AATiyl  that  he  sang ;  so  chavinteth  he  and 

craketh.  1850 

But  god  wot  what  that  May  thoughte  in 

hir  herte, 
A\1ian  she  him  saugh  up  sittinge  in  his 

sherte, 


In  his  night-cappe,  and  with  liis  nekke 

lene  ; 
She   preyseth   nat    his   pleying  worth   a 
bene.  (610)  1854 

Than  seide  he  thus,  '  my  reste  wol  I  take  ; 
Xow  day  is  come,  I  may  no  lenger  wake.' 
And  doun  he  leyde  his  heed,  and  sleep 

til  pr\-me. 
And  afterward,  whan  that  he  saugh  his 

tyme, 
Up  ryseth  Jannarie  ;  but  fresshe  May 
Holdeth  hir  chambre  un-to  the  fourthe 
day,  i860 

As  usage  is  of  wyves  for  the  beste. 
For    everj-  labour  som-tyme   moot   han 

reste, 
Or  elles  longe  may  he  nat  endure  ; 
This  is  to  sej-n,  no  ly\-es  creature,       (620) 
Be  it  of  iisli,  or  brid,  or  beest,  or  man.  1865 

Auctor. 
Now  wol  I  speke  of  woful  Damian, 
That  laiiguissheth  for  love,  as  ye   shul 

here  ; 
Til  erf  ore  I  speke  to  him  in  this  manere  : 
I  seye,  '  O  sely  Damian,  alias  ! 
Answere  to  my  dcmaunde,  as  in  this  cas, 
Howshaltowto  thy  lady  fresshe  May  1871 
Telle  thy  wo?  She  wole  alwey  seye  "nay"; 
Eek  if  tliou  siieke,  she  wol  tliy  wo  bi- 
wreye ;  (629) 

Ood  be  thyn  help,  I  can  no  bettre  seye. 

This  syke  Damian  in  Venus  fyr       1875 
So  brenneth,  that  he  dyeth  for  des.\T; 
For  which  he  putte  his  lyf  in  aventure, 
Xo  lenger  mighte  he  in  this  wyse  endure ; 
But  prively  a  iienner  gau  he  borwe. 
And  in  a  lettre  wroot  he  al  his  sorwe,  1880 
In  manere  of  a  compleynt  or  a  lay, 
Vn-t(.  his  faire  fresshe  lady  May. 
And  m  a  purs  of  silk,  heng  on  his  sherte. 
He   hath   it    put,   and     leyde    it   at  his 
herte.  (640)  1884 

The  mone  that,  at  noon,  was,  thUke  day 
That  Jannarie  hath  wedded  fresshe  May, 
In  two  of  Taur,  was  in-to  Cancre  gliden  ; 
So  longe    hath   Mains   in  hir  chambre 

biden, 
As  custume  is  un-to  thise  nobles  alle. 
A  bryde  shal  nat  eten  in  the  halle,      1890 
Til  dayes  foure  or  three  dayes  atte  leste 
Y-passed  been  ;  than  lat  hir  go  to  feste. 


T.  9767-9848.] 


E.    Z^t.  (nUrc^anfee  €afe. 


621 


The  Ibnrthe  tlay  comxileet   fro   noon   to 
noon,  (649) 

Whan  that  the  heigho  masse  was  y-doon, 
In  halle  sit  this  Januarie,  and  May     1895 
As  fresh  as  is  the  brighte  someres  day. 
And  so  bifel,  how  that  this  gode  man 
Remembred  him  upon  this  Damian, 
Andseyde, ' SeinteMarie !  howmaythisbe, 
That  Damian  entendeth  nat  to  me?   1900 
Is  he  ay  syk,  or  how  may  this  bityde? ' 
His  S(juyeres,  whiche   that   stoden   ther 
bisyde,  (658) 

Excused  him  by-cause  of  his  siknesse, 
Which  letted  him  to  doon  his  bisinesse  ; 
Noon  other  cause  mighte  make  him  tarie. 
'  That  me  tbrthinketh,'  quod  this  Jan- 
uarie, 1906 
'  He  is  a  gentil  squyer,  by  my  trouthe  ! 
Ifthat  he  deyde,  it  were  harm  audrouthe ; 
He  is  as  wys,  discreet,  and  as  secree 
As  any  man  I  woot  of  his  degree  ;        1910 
And  ther-to  manly  and  eek  servisable, 
And  for  to  been  a  thrifty  man  right  able. 
But  after  mete,  as  soiie  as  ever  I  roay, 
I  wol  my-self  visyte  liim  and  eek  May, 
To  doon  him  al  the  contort  that  I  can.' 
And  for  that  word  him  blessed  every  man, 
That,  of  his  bountee  and  his  gentillesse. 
He  wolde  so  conforteu  in  siknesse       (674) 
His  squyer,  for  it  was  a  gentil  dede. 
Dame,'  quod  this   Januarie,   'tak  good 
hede,  1920 
At-after  mete  ye,  with  your  wommen  alle, 
Wlian  ye  hau   been  in  chambre  out  of 

this  halle, 
Tliat  alle  ye  go  see  this  Damian  ; 
Dotli  hinx  disjiort,  he  is  a  gentil  man  ;  (680) 
And  tcUeth  him  that  I  wol  him  visyte. 
Have  I  no-thing  but  rested  me  a  lyte  ; 
And  spedc  yow  fiiste,  for  I  wole  abyde 
Til  that  ye  slepe  faste  by  my  syde.' 
And  with  that  word  he  gan  to  him  to  calle 
A  squyer,  that  was  marchal  of  his  halle, 
And  tolde  him  certeyn  thinges,  what  he 
wolde.  1 93 1 

This  fresshe  May  hath  streight  hir  way 
y-holdc. 
With  alle  hir  wommen,  un-to  Damian. 
Doun  by  his  beddes  syde  sit  she  than,  (Oyo; 
Confortinge  him  as  goodly  as  she  may. 
This  Damian,  whan  that  his  tynie  he  say, 


In  secree  wise  his  purs,  and  eek  his  bille, 
In   which  that    he  y-wiiteu  hadde  his 

wille,  1938 

Hath  put  in-to  hir  hand,  with-outen  more, 
Save  that  he  sykoth  wonder  depe  and  sore, 
And  softely  to  hir  right  thus  seyde  he  : 
•  Mercy  !  and  that  ye  nat  discovere  me  ; 
For  I  am  deed,  if  that  this  thing  be  kid.' 
This  purs  hath  she  inwith  hir  bosora  hid, 
And  wente  hir  wey ;  ye  gete  namore  of  me. 
But  un-to  Januarie  y-comen  is  she,     1946 
That  on  his  beddes  syde  sit  ful  softe.  (703) 
He  taketh  hir,  and  kisseth  hir  ful  ofte. 
And  leyde  him  doun  to  slepe,  and  that 

anon. 
She  feyned  hir  as  that  she  moste  gon  1950 
Ther-as  ye  woot  that  every  wight  mot 

nede. 
And  whan  she  of  this  bille  hath  taken 

hede. 
She  rente  it  al  to  cloutes  atte  laste. 
And  in  the  privee  softely  it  caste.        (710) 
Who   studieth   now   but   faire   fresshe 

May?  1955- 

Adoun  by  olde  Januarie  she  lay, 
That  sleep,  til  that  the  coughe  hath  him 

awakeil ; 
Anon  he  preyde  hir  strepen  hir  al  naked ; 
He  wolde  of  hir,  he  seyde,  han  som  ple- 

saunce, 
And  seyde,  hir  clothes  dide  him  enconi- 

braunce,  lyOo 

And  she  obeyeth,  be  hir  lief  or  lootli. 
But  lest  that  precious  folk  be  with  me 

wrooth. 
How  that  he  wroghte,  I  dar  nat  to  yow 

telle ; 
Or  whether  hir  thoughte  it  paradys  or 

helle ;  (720) 

But  here  I  lete  hem  werken  in  hir  wyse 
Til  evensong  rong,  and  that  they  moste 

aiyse.  1966 

Were  it  by  destinee  or  aventure, 
Were  it  by  influence  or  by  nature. 
Or  constellacion,  that  in  swich  estat 
The  hevene  stood,  that  tyme  lortunat  1970 
Was  for  to  i)uttc  a  bille  of  Venus  werkcs 
(For  alle  thing  hath  tyme,  as  seyn  thiso 

clerkes) 
To  any  W(jminan,  for  to  gete  hir  love, 
I  can  nat  seye  ;  but  grete  god  above,  (730) 


622 


ZU  (CanttvBuv^  Zake. 


[t.  9849-9930. 


Tliat  knoweth  that  non  act  is  canselees, 
He  deme  of  al,  for  I  wol  holde  my  pees. 
But  sooth  is  this,  how  that  this  fresshe 

May  1977 

Hath  take  swich  impression  that  day. 
For  pitee  of  this  syke  Damian, 
That  from  hir  herte  she  ne  dryve  can  1980 
The  rememhrannce  for  to  doon  him  ese. 
'  Certeyn,'  thoghte  she,  '  whom  tliat  this 

thing  displese, 
I  rekke  noght,  for  here  I  him  asstire, 
To  love  him  best  of  any  creatnre,        (740) 
Though  he  ua-morehadde  than  his  sherte.' 
Lo,  pitee  renneth  sone  in  gentil  herte. 

Heer  may  ye  se  how  excellent  franchyse 
In  wommen  is,  whan  they  hem   narwe 

avyse.  1988 

Som  tyrant  is,  as  ther  be  many  oon, 
That  hath  an  herte  as  hard  as  any  stoon, 
WT:ich  wolde   han  lete  him  sterven  in 

the  place  1991 

Wei  rather  than  han  graiinted  him  hir 

grace ; 
And  hem  rejoysen  in  hir  cruel  pryde. 
And  rekke  nat  to  been  an  homicyde.  (750) 
This  gentil  May,  fulfilled  of  pitee,   1995 
Right  of  hir  hande  a  lettre  made  she, 
In  wliich  she  graunteth  him  hir  verray 

grace ; 
Ther  lakketh   noght    but  only  day  and 

place, 
"Wlier   that   she   mighte   un-to   his   lust 

suffyse  : 
For  it  shal  be  right  as  he  wol  devyse.  2(xk) 
And  whan  she  saugh  hir  time,  up-on  a  day. 
To  visite  this  Damian  goth  May, 
And  sotilly  this  lettre  doun  she  threste 
Under  his  pilwe,  rede  it  if  him  leste.  (760) 
She  taketh  him  by  the  hand,  and  harde 

him  twiste  2005 

So  secroly,  that  no  wight  of  it  wiste, 
And  l)ad  him  been  al  hool,  and  forth  she 

wente 
To  Januarie,  whan  that  he  for  hir  sente. 

Up  ryseth  Damian  the  nexte  morwe, 
Al  passed  was  his  siknesse  and  his  sorwe. 
He  kembeth  hini,  he  proyneth  him  and 

pyketh,  201 1 

He  dooth  al  that  his  lady  lust  and  lyketh  ; 
And  eek  to  Januarie  he  gooth  as  lowe 
As  ever  dide  a  dogge  for  the  bowe.      (77"  >) 


He  is  so  plesant  un-to  every  man,        2015 
(For  craft  is  al,  who-so  that  do  it  can) 
That  every  wight  is  fayn  to  .speke  him 

good  ; 
And  fully  in  his  lady  grace  he  stood. 
Thus  lete  I  Damian  aboute  his  nede. 
And  in  my  tale  forth  I  wol  procede.   2020 

Somme  clerkes  holden  that  felicitee 
Stant  in  delyt,  and  therefor  certeyn  he, 
This  nolile  .Januarie,  with  al  his  might. 
In  honest  wyse,  as  longeth  to  a  knight. 
Shoop  him  to  live  ful  deJiciously.  (781)  2025 
His  housinge,  his  array,  as  honestly 
To  his  degree  was  maked  as  a  kinges. 
Amonges  othere  of  his  honest  thinges. 
He  made  a  gardin,  walled  al  with  stoon  : 
Sofaira  gardin  woot  I  nowher  noon.  20^0 
For  out  of  doute,  I  verraily  suppose, 
That  he  that  wroot  the  Romance  of  the 

Rose 
Ne  coude  of  it  the  beaxitee  wel  devyse  : 
!Ne  Priapus  ne  mighte  nat  suffyse,      (790) 
Though   he    be   god   of   gardins,   for   to 

telle  2035 

The  beautee  of  the  gardin  and  the  welle, 
That  stood  under  a  laurer  alwey  grene. 
Ful  ofte  tyme  he.  Pluto,  and  his  queue, 
Proserpina,  and  al  hir  i'ayerye 
Disporten  hem  and  maken  melodye    2040 
Alioute  that  welle.  and  daunced,  as  men 

tolde. 
This  noble  knight,  this  .Tanuarie  the  olde, 
Swich  deintee  hath  in  it   to  walke  and 

pleye,  (799) 

That  he  wol  no  wight  suffren  here  the  keye 
Rave  he  him-self ;  for  of  the  smale  wiket 
He  bar  alwey  of  silver  a  smal  cliket,  2046 
With  which,  whan  that  him  leste.  he  it 

iinshette. 
And  whan  he  wolde  paye  liis  w;^^' hir  dette 
In  somer  seson,  thider  wolde  he  go. 
And  May  his  wyf,  and  no  wight  biit  they 

two ;  2050 

And  thinges  whiche  that  were  nat  doon 

a-bedde. 
He  in  the  gardin  parfourupd  hem  and 

spedde. 
And  in  this  wj-se,  many  a  morj-  (\;\y. 
Lived  tliis  .Januarie  and  fresshe  May.  (810) 
]^ut  worldly  joye  may  nat  alwey  dure  2055 
To  Januarie,  ne  to  no  creature. 


T.  9931-10014.]         E.    TtU  QHarc6an^ee  ^afe. 


623 


Auctor. 
O  sodeyn  liap,  o  thou  fortune  instable, 
Lyk  to  the  seorpionn  so  deceivable, 
That  flaterest  with  thyn  heed  when  thou 

wolt  stinge  ; 
Thj-  tayl  is  deeth,  tliurgh  thyn  envcni- 

minge.  2060 

O  1)rotil  joye  !  o  sw^ete  vcnim  queynte  ! 
O  monstre,  tliat  so  subtilly  canst  peynte 
Thy  j-iftes,  under  hewe  of  stedfastnesse, 
That  thou  deceyvest  bothe  more  and  lesse  ! 
AMi.-^-  hastow  Januarie  thiis  deoeyved,  (821 ) 
That  haddest  him  for  thy  ful  frend  re- 

ceyved  ?  2066 

And  now  thou  liast  liiraft  him  bothe  hise 

yen, 
For  sorwe  of  which  desyreth  he  to  dyen. 

Alias  !  this  noble  Januarie  free, 
Aniidde  his  lust  and  his  prosperitee,  2070 
Is  woxen  blind,  and  tliat  al  sodeynly. 
He  wepotli  and  he  wayleth  pitously  ; 
And  ther-with-al  the  fyr  of  jalousye,  (829) 
Lest  that  his  wyf  sholde  falle  in  som  folye. 
So  brentehis  herte,  thathe  woldefayn  2075 
Tliat  som  man  bothe   him  and  hir  had 

slayn. 
For  neither  after  his  deeth,  nor  in  his  lyf, 
Ne  wolde  he  that  she  were  love  ne  wyf, 
But  ever  live  as  widwe  in  clothes  blake. 
Soul  as  the  turtle  that  lost  hath  hir  make. 
But  atte  laste,  after  a  monthe  or  tweye. 
His  sorwe  gan  aswage,  sootli  to  seye ;  2082 
For  whan  he  wiste  it  may  noon  other  be, 
He  pacieiitly  took  his  adversitee  ;        (840) 
Save,  out  of  doute,  he  may  nat  forgoon 
That  he  nas  jalous  evermore  in  oon  ; 
MHiich  jalousye  it  was  so  outrageous, 
Tliat  neither  in  halle,  n'in  noon  other  hous, 
Ne  in  noon  other  place,  never-the-mo, 
He  uolde  suffre  hir  for  to  rj'de  or  go,  2o<)<) 
But-if  that  he  had  hand  on  hir  alway ; 
For  which  ful  ofle  wepeth  fresshe  May, 
That  lovoth  Damian  so  ))enigm!ly. 
That  she  mot  outlier  dyen  sodeynly,  (850) 
Or  elles  she  mot  han  him  as  hir  leste  ;  2095 
Slie  wayteth  whan  hir  herte  wolde  breste. 

Up-on  that  other  syde  Damian 
Bicomen  is  the  sorwefulleste  man 
That  ever  was ;  for  neither  night  ne  day 
Ne  mighte   lie   spcke  a  word  to  fresshe 

May,  2100 


As  to  his  purjjos,  of  no  swich  matere, 
But-if  that  Januarie  moste  it  here, 
That  hadde  an  hand  up-on  hir  evermo. 
But  nathelees,  by  -wryting  to  and  fro  (860) 
And    privee    signes,  wiste    he  what   she 
mente;  2105 

And  she  knew  eek  the  fyu  of  his  entente. 

Auctor. 
O  .Januarie,  what  mighte  it  thee  availle, 
Thou  mightest  see  as  fer  as  shippes  saille  ? 
For  also  good  is  blind  deceyved  be, 
As  be  decey^'ed  whan  a  man  may  see.  21 10 
Lo,  Argus,  which  that  hadde  an  hondred 

For  al  that  ever  he  coude  poure  or  isryen, 
Yet  was  he  blent ;  and,   god  wot,  so  ben 

mo. 
That  wenen  wisly  that  it  be  nat  so.     (S70) 
Passe  over  is  an  ese,  I  sey  na-niore.      2 115 
Tliis  fresshe   May,  that   I  spak  of  so 

yore. 
In  warme  wex  hath  emprented  the  cliket, 
That  Januarie  bar  of  the  sniale  wiket. 
By  which  in-to  his  gardin  ofte  he  wente. 
And  Damian,  that  knew  al  hir  entente, 
The  cliket  countrefeted  prively  ;  2121 

Ther  nis  na-more  to  seye,  but  hastily 
Som  wonder  by  tills  cliket  shal  bityde, 
Which  ye  shul  heren,  if  ye  wole  abyde. 
O  noble  Ovyde,  ful  sooth  seystou,  god 

woot !  Auctor, 

Wliat  sleighte  is  it,  thogh  it  be  long  and 

hoot,  (882)  2126 

That  he  nil  finde  it  out  in  som  manere  ? 
By  Piramus  and  Tesbee  may  men  lere  ; 
Thogh  they  were  kept  ful  longe  streite 

overal. 
They  been  accorded,  rouninge  thurgh  a 

wal,  2130 

Ther   no   wight   coude   han   founde    out 

swich  a  sleighte.  (887) 

But  now  to  purpos ;  er  that  dayes  eighte 
Were  passed,  or  the  monthe  of  ,Tuil,  bifil 
That  .Januarie  hath  caught  sogreeta  wil, 
Thurgh  egging  of  his  wyf,  him  for  to  pleye 
In  liis  gardin,  and  no  wight  but  they  tweye, 
That  in  a  morwe  un-to  this  May  seith  he  : 
'  Rys  up,  my  wyf,  my  love,  my  lady  free  ; 
The  turtles  vois  is  herd,  my  douvo  swete  ; 
The  winter  is  goon,  with  alle  his  reynes 

wete  ;  2 1 40 


624 


Zh  CanierBurp  take. 


[t.  10015— 10102. 


Com  forth  now,  witlithyneyencolumbj'n  ! 
How  fairer  been  tliybrestes  than  is  wyn  ! 
The  gardin  is  enclosed  al  aboute  ; 
Com   forth,    my  whyte    spouse ;    ont    of 

doute,  (900) 

Thou   hast  me  wounded  in  nij-n  herte, 

o  wyf !  2145 

No  spot  of  thee  ne  knew  I  al  my  lyf. 
Com  forth,  and  lat  us  taken  our  disport ; 
I  chees  thee  for  my  ^^•yf  and  my  contort.' 

Swiche  olde  lewed  wordes  used  he  ; 
On  Damian  a  signe  made  she,  2150 

That  he  sholde  go  biforen  with  his  cliket : 
This   Damian   thanne   hath   opened   the 

wiket, 
And  ra  he  stirte,  and  that  in  swich  manere. 
That  no   wight   mighte    it    see    neither 

y-here ;  (910) 

And  stille  he  sit  under  a  bush  anoon.  2155 

This  Januarie,  as  blind  as  is  a  stoon, 
With  Maius  in  his  hand,  and  no  wight  mo, 
In-to  his  fresshe  gardin  is  ago. 
And  clapte  to  the  wiket  sodeynly. 

'  Xow,  wyf,'  quod  he,  '  heer  uis  but  thou 

and  I,  2160 

That  art  the  creature  that  I  best  love. 
For,  by  that  lord  that  sit  in  heven  above. 
Lever  ich  hadde  dyen  on  a  knyf, 
Than  thee  ofFende,  trewe  dere  wyf!    (920) 
For  goddes  sake,  thenk  how  I  thee  chees. 
Noght  for  no  coveityse,  doutelees,        2166 
But  only  for  the  love  I  had  to  thee. 
And  though  that  I  be  old,  and  may  natsee, 
Beth  to  me  trewe,  and  I  shal  telle  yow  why. 
Three  thinges,  certes,  shul  ye  winne  tber- 

by ;  2170 

First,  love  of  Crist,  and  to your-self  honour, 
And  al  myn  heritage,  toun  and  tour ; 
I  yeve  it  yow,  maketh  chartres  as  yow 

leste ;  (929) 

Tliis  shal  be  doon  to-morwe  er  sonne  reste. 
So  wisly  god  my  soule  bringe  in  blisse,  2 1 75 
I  prey  yow  first,  in  covenant  ye  me  kisse. 
Andthogh  that  I  he  jalous,  •w-j'te  me  noght. 
Ye  been  so  depe  enprented  in  my  thoght. 
That,  whan  that  I  considere  your  beautce, 
And  ther-with-al  the  unlykly  elde  of  me 
I  may  nat,  certes,  thogh  I  sholde  dye, 
Forbere  to  been  out  of  j'our  companye 
For  verray  love  ;  this  is  with-<niten  doute. 
Now  kis  me,  wyf,  and  lat  us  rome  aboute.' 


Tliis  fresshe  Maj-,  whan  she  thise  wordes 
herde,  (941)2185 

Benignely  to  Januarie  answerde. 
But  first  and  forsvard  she  bigan  to  wepe, 
'  I  have,'  quod  she,  '  a  soule  for  to  kepe 
As  wel  as  ye,  and  also  myn  honour, 
Andof  my  •ivyfhod  thUke  tendre  flour,  2190 
Which  that  I  have  assured  in  yourhond. 
Whan  that  the  preest  to  yow  my  body 

bond  ; 
VVherfore  I  wole  answere  in  this  manere 
By  the  leve  of  yow,  my  lord  so  dere  :  (^950) 
I  prey  to  god,  that  never  dawe  the  day  2 1 95 
That  I  ne  sterve,  as  foule  as  womman  may, 
If  ever  I  do  un-to  my  kin  that  shame. 
Or  elles  I  empeyre  so  my  name. 
That  I  be  fals  ;  and  if  I  do  that  lakke, 
Do  strepe  me  and  put  me  in  a  sakke,  2200 
And  in  the  nexte  river  do  me  drenche. 
I  am  a  gentil  womman  and  no  wenche. 
"V^Hiy  speke  ye  thus  ?  but  men  ben  ever 
uiitrewe,  (959) 

And  wommen  have  repreve  of  yow  ay  newe. 
Ye  han  non  other  contenance,  I  leve,  2205 
But  speke  to  ns  of  untrast  and  repreve.' 
And  with  that  word  she  saugh  wher 
Damian 
Sat  in  the  bush,  and  coughen  she  bigan, 
And  with  hir  finger  sig^nes  made  she. 
That  Damian  sholde  climbe  up-on  a  tree, 
Tliat  charged  was  with  fruit,  and  up  he 
wente ;  2211 

For  verraily  he  knew  al  hir  entente. 
And  every  signe  that  she  coude  make 
Wel  bet  than  Januarie,  hir  owene  make. 
For  in  a  lettre  she  had  told  him  al      2215 
Of  this  matere,  how  he  werchen  shal.  (972) 
And  thus  I  lete  him  sitte  np-on  the  p.\Tie, 
And  .Januarie  and  May  rominge  mjTie. 
Bright  was  the  day,  and  blew  the  firma- 
ment, 
Phebus  of  gold  his   stremes  doun  hath 
sent.  2220 

To  gladen  every  flour  with  his  warmnesse. 
He  was  that  tyme  in  Geminis,  as  I  gesse, 
But  litel  fro  his  declinacioun 
Of  Cancer,  Jovis  exaltacioun.  (980) 

And  so  bifel,  that  l)righte  morwe-tyde,  2225 
Tliat  in  that  gardin,  in  the  ferther  syde, 
Pluto,  that  is  the  king  of  fayerye, 
And  manj-  a  lady  in  his  companye, 


T.  10103-10187.]         E.    t^t  QlUvc0anie6  Cafe. 


625 


Folwinge  his  wj-f,  tlie  qtiene  Proserpyne, 
Ech  after  other,  right  as  any  lyiie — •   2230 
Whyl  that  she  gaderecl  floures  inthemede, 
In  Clauclian  ye  may  the  story  rede, 
How  in  his  grisly  carte  he  hir  fette : — 
This   king   of  fairye  thanne  adoun  him 

sette  (990)  2234 

Up-on  a  bench  of  turves,  fresh  and  grene. 

And  right  anon  thus  seyde  he  to  his  quene. 

'  My  wj-f,'  qnod  he,  '  ther  may  no  wight 

sey  nay ; 
Th'experience  so  preveth  every  day 
The  treson  whiche  that  wommen  doon  to 

man.  2239 

Ten  hondred  thoiisand  [stories]  telle  I  can 
Notable  of  your  iintroutheandbrotilnesse. 
O  Salomon,  wys,  richest  of  richesse,    2242 
Polfild  of  sajjience  and  of  worldly  glorie, 
Ful  worthy  been  thy  wordes  to  memorie 
To  every  wight  that  wit  and  reson  can. 
Thus  preiseth  he  yet  the  bountee  of  man  : 
"  Amonges  a  thousand  men  yet  fond  loon. 
But  of  wommen  alle  fond  I  noon."    (1004) 
Thus  seith  the  king  that  knoweth  your 

wikkednesse  ; 
And  Jesns/ilius  Syrak',  as  I  gesse,       2250 
Ne  speketh  of  yow  but  selde  reverence. 
A  wilde  fyr  and  cornijit  pestilence 
So  falle  up-on  your  bodies  yet  to-night! 
Ne  see  ye  nat  this  honorable  knight,  (loio) 
By-cause,  alias !  that  he  is  blind  and  old, 
His  owene  man  shal  make  him  cokewold  ; 
Loheer  he  sit,  the  lechour,  in  the  tree.  2257 
Now  wol  I  graunten,  of  my  magestee, 
Un-to  this  olde  blinde  worthy  knight 
That  he  shal  have  ayeyn  his  eyen  sight,  2260 
Whan  that  his  wyf  wold  doon  him  vileinye ; 
Than  shal  he  knowen  al  hir  harlotrye 
Both  in  repreve  of  hir  and  othere  mo.' 

'  Ye  shal,'  quod  Proserjiyiie,  '  wol  ye  so  ; 
Now,  by  my  modres  sires  soule  I  swere. 
That  I  shal  yeven  hir  suffisant  answere, 
And  alle  wommen  after,  for  hir  sake  ; 
That,  though  they  be  in  any  gilt  y-take. 
With    face    bold    they    shulle    hem-self 

excuse. 
And  here  hem   doun  that  wolden   hem 

accuse.  2270 

For  lakke  of  answer,  noon  of  hem  shal  dyen. 
Al  hadde  man  sojti  a  thing  with  bothe  his 

i'un,  (1028) 


Yit  shul  we  wommen  visage  it  hardily. 
And  wepe,  and  swere,  and  chyde  subtillj', 
So  that  ye  men  shul  been  as  lewed  as  gees. 
What  rekketh  me  of  your  auctoritees  ? 

I  woot  wel  that  this  Jew,  this  Salomon, 
Fond  of  us  wommen  foles  many  oon. 
But   though   that  he   ne  fond   no   good 

womman,  2279 

Yet  hath  ther  founde  many  another  man 
Wommen  ful  trewe,  ful  gode,  and   ver- 

tiious. 
Witnesse  on  hem  that  dwelle  in  Cristes 

hous. 
With  martirdom  they  preved  hir  con- 
stance.  (1039) 
The  Eomayn  gestes  maken  remembrance 
Of  many  a  verray  trewe  wyf  also.  2285 
But  sire,  ne  be  nat  wrooth,  al-be-it  so, 
Thovigh  that  he  seyde  he  fond  no  good 

womman, 
I  prey  yow  take  the  sentence  of  the  man ; 
He  mente  thus,  that  in  soverejai  bontee 
Nis  noon  but  god,  that  sit  in  Trinitee.  2290 

Ey  !  for  verray  god,  that  nis  but  oon, 
What  make  ye  so  muche  of  Salomon  ? 
"Wliat  though  he  made  a  temple,  goddes 

hous?  (1049) 

Wliat  though  he  were  riche  and  glorious '? 
So  made  he  eek  a  temple  of  false  goddis. 
How  mighte  he  do  a  thing  that  more  for- 

bode  is  ?  2296 

Pardee,  as  faire  as  ye  his  name  emplastre, 
He  was  a  lechour  and  an  ydolastre ; 
And  in  his  elde  he  verray  god  forsook. 
And  if  that  god  ne  hadde,  as  seith  the  book, 
Y-spared  him  for  his  fadres  sake,  he  sholde 
Have  lost  his  regne  rather  than  he  wolde. 
I  sette  noght  of  al  the  vileinye,         (1059) 
That  ye  of  wommen  wryte,  a  boterflye. 
I  am  a  womman,  nedes  moot  I  speke,  2305 
Or  elles  swelle  til  myn  herte  breke. 
For  sithen   he   seyde  that  we  ben  jau- 

gleresses. 
As  ever  hool  I  mote  brouke  my  tresses, 
I  shal  nat  spare,  for  no  curteisye,        2309 
Tospeke  him  harmthat wolde  us  vileinye.' 
'  Dame,'  quod  this  Pluto,  '  be  no  lenger 

wrooth ; 
I  yevo  it  up  ;  but  sith  I  swoor  myn  ooth 
Tliat  I  wolde  graunten  him   his  sighte 

ageyn,  (1069) 


626 


Z^t  tAnkvixkv^  Zake. 


[t.  10188-10262. 


Wy  word  slialstonde,  I  wai'neyow,  certeyn. 
I  am  a  king,  it  sit  me  noglit  to  lye.'     2315 
'  And  I,'  quod  she,  '  a  qneene  of  fayijrye. 
Hir  answere  shal  she  have,  I  nndertalie  ; 
T^t  VIS  na-more  wordes  heer-of  make. 
For  sothe,  I  wol  no  lenger  yow  contrarie.' 
Now  lat  Tis  turne  agayn  to  Januarie,  2320 
That  in  the  gardin  with  his  faire  May 
Singeth,  fill  merier  than  the  papejay, 
'  Yow  love  I  best,  and  shal,  and  other 

noon.' 
So  longe  aboute  the  aleyes  is  he  goon,  (1080) 
Til  he  was  come  agaynes  thilke  pyrie,  2325 
Wher-as  this  Daniian  sitteth  ful  myrie 
An  heigh,  among  the  f'resshe  leves  grene. 
This  f'resshe  May,  that  is  so  bright  and 

shene, 
Gran  for  to  syke,  and  seyde,  '  alias,  my 

syde ! 
Now  sir,'  quod  she,  '  for  aught  that  may 

bityde,  2330 

I  moste  ban  of  the  peres  that  I  see. 
Or  I  mot  dye,  so  sore  longeth  me 
To  eten  of  the  smale  peres  grene.      (1089) 
Help ,  for  hir  love  that  is  of  hevene  queue  ! 
I    telle    yow    wel,    a   womman     in    my 

Pb't  2335 

May  han  to  fruit  so  greet  an  apisetyt. 
That  she  may  dyen,  but  she  of  it  have.' 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  he,  '  that  I  ne  had  heer 

a  knave 
That  coude  climbe ;  alias !  alias ! '  quod  he, 
'  That  I  am  blind.'       '  Ye,    sir,  no  fors,' 

quod  she  :  2340 

'  But   wolde  ye   vouche-sauf,  for  goddes 

sake, 
The  pyrie  inwith  your  armes  for  to  take, 
(For  wel  I  woot  that  ye  mistrust e  me) 
Thanne  sholde  I  climbe  wel  y-nogh,' quod 

she,  (iiix)} 

'  So  I  my  foot  mighte  sette  uj)on  your  bak.' 

'  Certes,'  quod  he,  '  ther-on  slial  be  no 

lak,  2346 

Mighte  I  yow  lielpeu  with    mj'n    lierte 

blood.' 
He  stoupoth  douu,  and  on  his  bak  she  stood, 
And  caiighte  hir  )iy  a  twiste,  and  up  she 

gooth. 
Ladies,  I  prey  yow  that  ye  be  nat  wrooth  ; 
I  can  nat  glosc,  I  am  a  rude  man.        2351 
And  sodeynly  anon  this  Damiau 


Gan  pullen  up  the  smok,  and  in  he  throng. 
And  whan  that  Pluto  saugh  this  grete 

wrong,  (mo) 

To  Januarie  he  gaf  agayn  his  sighte,  2355 
And   made  him  see,  as  wel  as   ever  he 

mighte. 
And  whan   that   he    hadde   caught   his 

sighte  agayn, 
Ne  was  tlier  never  man  of  thing  so  fayn. 
But  on  his  -wyf  his  tlioght  was  evermo  ; 
Up  to  the  tree  he  caste  his  eyen  two,  2360 
And   saugh   that   Damian   his   wyf   had 

dressed 
In   swicli   manere,   it  may  nat  ben   ex- 
pressed 
But  if  I  wolde  speke  uncurteisly  : 
And  up  he  yaf  a  roring  and  ii  cry      (1120) 
As  doth  the  moder  whan  the  child  shal 

dye  :  2365 

'  Out !  help !  alias !  harrow ! '  he  gan  to  crye, 
'  O  stronge  lady  store,  what  dostow  ? ' 
And  she  answerde,   '  sir,  what    eyleth 

yow  ? 
Have  pacience,  and  reson  in  your  minde, 
I  have  yow  holpe   on  })othe   yoiir   eyen 

blinde.  2370 

Up  peril  of  my  soule,  I  shal  nat  lyen. 
As  me  was  taught,  to  hele  with  your  .ven. 
Was  no-thing  bet  to  make  yow  to  see 
Than  strugle  with  a  man  ujitOu  a  tree.  ( 1 130) 
God  woot,  I  dide  it  in  ful  good  entente.' 
'  Strugle  ! '  quod  he,   '  ye,  algate  in  it 

wente !  2376 

God  yeve  yow  botho  on  shames  deeth  to 

dyen! 
He  swyved  thee,  I  saugh  it  with  myne  yen. 
And  elles  be  I  hanged  by  the  hals  ! ' 
•  Thanne  is,'  quod  she,  '  my  medicyne 

al  fals  ;  2380 

For  certeinly,  if  that  ye  mighte  sec. 

Ye  wolde  nat  soyn  thise  wordes  un-to  me  ; 

Ye  han  som  glimsing  and  no  i)arfit  sighte.' 

'  I   see,'   quod   he,    '  as   wel  as  ever  I 

mighte,  ("40) 

Thonked  be  god  !  with  bothe  myne  eyen 

two,  2385 

And  by  my  trouthe,  me  thoughte  he  dide 

thee  so.' 
'  Ye  maze,  maze,  gode  sire,'  quod  she, 
'  This  thank  have  I  for  I  have  maad  yow 

see : 


T.  10263-314.]    E.  6ptfogue  to  t^t  QUarc^an^w  Zak, 


627 


Alias!'   qiiod  she,    'that    ever   I    was  so 

kinde  ! ' 
'  Now,  dame,'  quod  he,  '  lat  al  passe  out 

of  minde.  2390 

Com  doiin,  my  lief,  and  if  I  have  missayd, 
God  help  me  so,  as  I  am  yvel  apayd. 
But,  by  my  fader  soule,  I  wende  han  seyn. 
How  that  this  Damian  had  by  thee  lejoi. 
And  that  thy  smok  had  leyn  iip-on  his 

brest.'  (1151)  2395 

'  Ye,  sire,'  qxiod  she,  '  ye  may  wene  as 

yow  lest ; 
But,  sire,  a  man  that  waketh  out  of  his 

sleep, 
He  may  nat  sode.-vnily  wel  taken  keep 
Up-on  a  thing,  ne  seen  it  parfitly, 
Til  that  he  be  adawed  verraily  ;  2400 

Right  so  a  man,  that  longehath  blind  y-be, 
Ne  may  nat  sodeynly  so  wel  y-see. 


First  whan  his  sighte  is  newe  come  ageyn. 
As  he  that  hath  a  day  or  two  y-sejTi.  (i  160) 
Til  that  yotir  sighte  y-satled  be  a  whyle, 
Ther  may  ful  many  a  sighte  yow  bigyle. 
Beth  war,   I  jn'cy  yow ;   for,    by  hevene 

king,  2407 

Ful  many  a  man  weneth  to  seen  a  thing, 
And  it  is  al  another  than  it  semeth. 
He  that  misconceyveth,  he  misdemeth.' 
And  with  that  word  she  leep  doun  fro  the 

tree.  241 1 

This  Janiiarie,  who  is  glad  biit  he  ? 
He  kisseth  hir,  and  clippeth  hir  ful  ofte. 
And  on  hir  wombe  he  stroketli  hir  ful 

sof  te,  ( 1 1 70) 

And  to  his  palays  boom  he  hath  hir  lad. 
Now,  gode  men,  I  pray  yow  to  be  glad.  2416 
Thus  endeth  beer  my  tale  of  Januarie  ; 
God  lilesse  us  and  his  moder  Seinte  Marie  ! 


Here  is  ended  the  Marchantes  Tale  of  Jeinuarie. 


EPILOGUE    TO    THE    MARCHANTES 

TALE. 


'  Et  !  goddes  mercy ! '  scyde  our  Hoste  tho, 
'  Now  swich  a  wyt  I  pray  god  kepe  me  fro ! 
Lo,  whiche  sleightes  and  subtilitees    2421 
In  wommen  been  !  for  ay  as  bisy  as  bees 
Ben  they,  us  sely  men  for  to  deceyve. 
And  from  a  sothe  ever  wol  they  we^'ve  ; 
By  this  Marchauntos  Talc^  it  preveth  wcol. 
But  tloutelees,  tis  trewe  as  any  steel    2426 
I  have  a  wyf,  though  that  she  povre  be  ; 
But  of  hir  tonge  a  labljing  shrewe  is  she. 
And  yet  she  hath  an  beep  of  vyces  mo  ;  (i  i) 
Ther-of  no  fors,  lat  alle  swiche  thinges  go. 


But,  wite  ye  what  ?  in  conseil  be  it  seyd. 
Me  i-eweth  sore  I  am  un-to  hir  teyd.   2432 
For,  and  I  sholde  rekenen  every  \-yce 
Which  that  she  hath,  y-wis,  I  were  to 

nyce. 
And  cause  why  ;  it  sholde  reported  be  2435 
And  told  to  hir  of  sommo  of  this  meynee  ; 
Of  whom,  it  nedeth  nat  for  to  declare. 
Sin  wommen  connon  outen  swich  chaf- 

fare ;  (20) 

And  cek  my  wit  saft'yseth  nat  ther-to 
To  tellen  al ;  wherfor  my  tale  is  do.'  2440 


628 


€0e  Cantcrfiur^  Zake. 


[t.  10315-10384, 


GROUP   F. 


THE    SQUIERES    TALE. 


The  Squire's  Prologue. 

'  Squier,  com  neer,  if  it  your  wille  be, 
And  sey  somwhat  of  love  ;  for,  eertes,  ye 
Counen  ther-on  as  muclie  as  any  man.' 
'  Nay,  sir,'  quod  he,  '  but  I  wol  seye  as  I  can 
With  hertly  wille  ;  for  I  wol  nat  rebelle  5 
Agayn  your  lust ;  a  tale  wol  I  telle. 
Have  me  excused  if  I  speke  amis. 
My  wil  is  good  ;  and  lo,  my  tale  is  this.' 

Here  biginneth  the  Squieres  Tale. 

At  Sarray,  in  the  land  of  Tartaryc,  (i) 
Tlier  dwelte  a  king,  that  werreyed  Eussye, 
Tliurgh  which  ther  deyde  many  a  doughty 

man.  1 1 

This  noble  king  was  cleped  Cambinskan, 
Which  in  his  t  jtuo  was  of  so  greet  renoxm 
That  ther  nas  no-wher  in  no  regioun 
So  excellent  a  lord  in  alle  thing  ;  15 

Him  lakked  noght  that  longeth  to  a  king. 
As  of  the  secte  of  which  that  he  was  born 
He  kepte  his  lay,  to  which  that  he  was 

sworn  ;  (10) 

And  ther-to  ho  was  hardy,  wys,  and  richo, 
And  fiiiotous  and  just,  alwey  y-liche  ;    20 
Sooth  of  his  word,  benigne  and  honurablc, 
Of  his  corage  as  any  centre  stable  ; 
Yong,  fresh,  and  strong,  in  armcs  desirous 
As  any  bachelcr  of  al  his  hous. 
A  fair  persone  he  was  and  forti^nat,        J5 
And  kepte  alwey  so  wel  royal  estat, 
That  ther  was  nowher  swich  anotlior  man. 
This  noble  king,  this  Tartrc  Cambinskan 
Haddo  two  soncs  on  Elpheta  his  wyf,  (ii) 
Of  whiche  th'eldeste  highte  Algarsyf,    30 
That  other  sonc  was  cleped  Cambalo. 
A  doghter  hadde  this  worthy  king  also, 
That  yongest  was,  and  higlite  Canacee. 
But  for  to  telle  yow  al  hir  beautee. 


It  lyth  nat  in  my  tonge,  n'in  my  conning  ; 
I  dar  nat  undertake  so  heigh  a  thing.    36 
Jlyn  English  eek  is  insufficient ; 
It  moste  been  a  rethor  excellent,  (30) 

That  coude  his  colours  longing  for  that  art, 
If  he  sholde  hir  discryven  every  part.  40 
I  am  non  swich,  I  moot  speke  as  I  can. 

And  so  bif  el  that,  whan  this  Cambinskan 
Hath  twenty  winter  born  his  diademe, 
As  he  was  wont  fro  yeer  to  yeer,  I  deme. 
He  leet  the  feste  of  his  nativitee  45 

Df)n  cryen  thurghout  Sarray  his  citee, 
The  last  Idus  of  March,  after  the  yeer. 
Phebus  the  Sonne  ful  joly  was  and  cleer  ; 
For  he  was  neigh  his  exaltacioun  (41) 

In  Martes  face,  and  in  his  mansioun      50 
In  Aries,  the  colerik  hote  signe. 
Ful  lusty  was  the  weder  and  benigne, 
For  which  the  foules,   agayn  the  sonne 

sheue, 
Wliat  for  the  seson  and  the  yonge  grene, 
Ful  loude  songen  liir  affecciouns  ;  55 

Hem  semed  han  gctcn  hem  protecciouns 
Agaj-n  the  swerd  of  winter  kene  and  cold. 
This  Cambinskan,  of  which  I  have  yow 

told,  (50) 

In  royal  vestiment  sit  on  his  deys, 
Witli  diademe,  ful  heighe  in  his  paleys. 
And  halt  his  feste,  so  solem^jne  and  so 

riclie  61 

That  in  this  worhl  ne  was  ther  noon  it 

liche. 
Of  which  if  I  shal  tellen  al  th'array, 
Tlian  woldc  it  occupyc  a  someres  day; 
And  eek  it  nedeth  nat  for  to  devyse        65 
At  every  cours  the  ordre  of  hir  servyse. 
I  wol  nat  tellen  of  hir  strange  sewes,  (59) 
Ne  of  hir  swannes,  ne  of  hir  heronsewes, 
Eek  in  that  lond,  as  teUen  knightes  olde, 
Ther  is  som  mete  that  is  ful  dejnitee  holde, 


T.  10385-10469.]  F.    Z^t  ^Cjuiere©  ^afe. 


629 


That  in  this  lond  men  recche  of  it  bnt 

smal ;  71 

Ther  nip  no  man  that  may  reporteu  al. 
I  wol  nat  tarien  yow,  lor  it  is  pryme, 
And  for  it  is  no  fmit  but  los  of  tyme  ; 
Un-to  my  firste  I  wol  have  my  recours.  75 
And  so  bifelthat,  after  the  thridde  cours, 
^^Tiyl  that  this  king  sit  thus  in  his  nobleye, 
Herkninge  his    minstralles    hir    thinges 

pleye  (70) 

Biforu  him  at  the  herd  deliciously, 
In  at  the  halle-dore  al  sodeynly  80 

Ther  cam  a  knight  up-on  a  stede  of  bras, 
And  in  his  hand  a  brood  mirour  of  glas. 
Upon   his  thombe   he  hadde   of  gold   a 

ring, 
And  by  his  syde  a  naked  swerd  hanging  ; 
And  up  he  rydeth  to  the  heighe  bord.    85 
In  al  the  halle  ne  was  ther  spoke  a  word 
For  merveille  of  this  knight ;  him  to  bi- 

holde 
Ful  bisily  ther  wayten  yonge  and  okle. 
Tills  strange  knight,   that    cam    thus 

sodeynlj-,  (81) 

Al  armed  save  his  heed  ful  richelj-,        90 
Saluoth  king  and  queen,  and  lordes  alle, 
By  ordre,  as  they  seten  in  the  halle, 
With  so  heigh  reverence  and  obeisauuce 
As  wel  in  speche  as  in  contenaunce. 
That  Gawain,  with  his  olde  curteisye,    95 
Though  he  were  come  ageyn  out  of  Fairye, 
Ne  coude  him  nat  amende  with  a  word. 
And  after  this,  biforn  the  heighe  bord,  (90) 
He  with  a  manly  voj'S  seith  his  message, 
After  the  forme  used  in  his  langage,     100 
With-outen  vyce  of  sillable  or  of  lettre  ; 
And,  for  his  tale  sholde  seme  the  bettre. 
Accordant  to  his  wordes  was  his  cliere. 
As  techeth  art  of  speche   hem  that   it 

lere; 
Al-be-it  that  I  can  nat  soune  his  style,  105 
Ne  can  nat  climben  over  so  heigh  a  style. 
Yet  seye  I  this,  as  to  commune  entente, 
Thus  muche  amounteth  al  that  ever  he 

mente,  (kx)) 

If  it  so  be  that  I  have  it  in  minde. 

He  seyde,  '  the  king  of  Arabic  and  of 

Inde,  no 

My  lige  lord,  on  this  solempne  da3' 
Salueth  yow  as  he  best  can  and  m.iy, 
And  sendeth  yow,  in  honour  of  your  teste, 


By  me,  that  am  al  redy  at  your  lieste, 
This  stede  of  bras,  that  esily  and  wel    115 
Can,  in  the  space  of  o  day  naturel, 
This isto  seyn,  in  foure  and  twenty  houres, 
WTier-so  yow  list,  in   droghte    or   elles 

shoures,  (no) 

Beren  j'our  body  in-to  every  place 
To  which  your  herte  wihieth  for  to  xjace 
With-outen  wem  of  yow,  thurgh  foul  or 

fair;  121 

Or,  if  yow  list  to  fleen  as  hye  in  the  air 
As  doth  an  egle,  whan  him  list  to  sore, 
This  same  stede  shal  here  yow  ever-more 
With-outen   harm,    til    ye   be   ther  yow 

leste,  I  .'5 

Though  that  ye  slepeu  on  his  bale  or  reste  ; 
And  turne  ayeyn,  with  wrything  of  a  pin. 
He  that  it  wroghte  coiide  fid  many  a  gin  ; 
He  wayted  many  a  constellacioun  (i^i) 
Er  he  had  doon  this  operacioun  ;  130 

And   knew  ful   many  a  seel  and   many 

a  bond. 
This  mirour  eek,  that  I  have  in  niyn 

hond. 
Hath  swich  a  might,  that  men  may  in  it 

see 
Whan  ther  shal  fallen  any  adversitee 
Un-to  your  regne  or  to  your-self  also ;    135 
And  openly  who  is  yoiir  freend  or  foo. 
And  over  al  this,  if  any  lady  bright 
Hath  set  hir  herte  on  any  maner  wight, 
If  he  be  fals,  she  shal  his  treson  see,     (131) 
His  newe  love  and  al  his  subtiltee         140 
So  openly,  that  ther  shal  no-thing  hyde. 
Wherfor,  ageyn  this  lusty  someres  tyde. 
This  mirour  and  this  ring,  that  ye  may  see, 
He  hath  sent  to  my  lady  Canacee, 
Your  exceUente  doghter  that  is  here.    145 

The  vertu  of  the  ring,  if  ye  wol  here, 
Is  this  ;  that,  if  hir  lust  it  for  to  were  (139) 
Up-on  hir  thombe,  or  in  hir  purs  it  bere, 
Ther   is   no  toxd  that  fleeth  under  the 

hevene 
That  she   no  shal  wel  uuderstondc  his 

stevene,  150 

And  knowe  his  meuing  openly  and  ployn, 
And  answere  him  in  his  langage  ageyn. 
And  every  gras  that  groweth  up-on  rote 
She  shal  eek  knowe,  and  whom  it  wol  do 

bote, 
Al  be  his  woundes  never  so  depo  and  wyde. 


630 


ZH  Canterfiur^  Zake. 


[t.  1 04  7c- 1 05 50 


This  naked  swerd,  that  hangeth  by  my 

syde,  i.<i 

Swich  vertu  hath,  that  what  man  so  ^-c 

smyte, 
Thurgh-out  his  armure  it  wol  kerve  and 

byte,  (150J 

Were  it  as  thikie  as  is  a  branched  00k  ; 
And  what  man  that  is  wounded  with  tlie 

strook  i^Kj 

Shal  never  be  hool  til  that  yow  list,  of 

grace, 
To  stroke  him  with  the  platte  in  thilke 

place 
Ther  he  is  hurt :  this  is  as  muche  to  seyn 
Ye  mote  with  the  platte  swerd  ageyn 
Stroke  him  in  the  wounde,  and  it  wol 

close ;  165 

This  is  a  verray  sooth,  with-onten  glose. 
It  failleth  nat  whyl  it  is  in  your  hold.' 
And  whan  this  knight  hath  thus  his 

tale  told,  (160) 

He  rydeth  out  of  halle,  and  doun  he  lighte. 
His   stede,   which   that   shoon   as   sonne 

brighte,  170 

Stant  in  the  court,  as  stille  as  any  stoon. 
This  knight  is  to  his  chambre  lad  anon. 
And  is  unarmed  antl  to  mete  y-set. 

The  presents  been  ful  royally  y-fet, 
Tliis  is  to  seyn,  the  swerd  and  the  mirour. 
And  born  anon  in-to  the  heiglie  tour  176 
With  certeLne  officers  ordeyned  therfore  ; 
And  un-to  Cauacee  this  ring  was  bore  ( 1 70) 
Solcmpnely,  ther  she  sit  at  the  table. 
But  sikerly,  with-outen  any  fable,  180 
The  hors  of  bras,  that  may  nat  be  remewed, 
It  stunt  as  it  were  to  the  ground  y-glewetl. 
Ther  may  no  man  out  of  the  place  it  dryve 
For  noon  engyu  of  wuidas  or  polyve  ;  184. 
And  cause  why,  for  they  can  nat  the  craft. 
And  therefore  in  the  place  they  ban  it 

laft 
Til  that  the  knight  hath  taught  hem  the 

manere 
To  voyden  him,  as  ye  shal  after  here.  (180) 
Greet  was  the  prees,  that  swarmeth  to 

and  fro,  j.S(> 

To  gauren  on  this  hors  that  stondeth  so  ; 
For  it  so  heigh  wiis,  and  so  brood  and  long. 
So  wel  proporcioned  for  to  ben  strong. 
Right  as  it  were  a  stede  of  Lumbardye  ; 
Ther-with  so  horsly,  anil  so  quik  of  yij 


As  it  a  gen  til  Poileys  courser  were.        195 

For  certes,  fro  his  tayl  uu-to  his  ere, 
Nature  ne  art  ue  couile  him  nat  amende 
In  no  degi'ee,  as  al  the  peple  wende.  (lyo) 
But  evermore  hir  moste  wonder  was. 
How   that    it   coude   goon,    and   was    of 

bras ;  -'ixj 

It  was  of  Fairye,  as  the  peple  semed. 
Diverse  folk  diversely  they  demed  ; 
As  many  hedes,  as  many  wittes  ther  been. 
They  murmiu-eden  as  dooth  a  swarm  of 

been, 
And  maden  skiles  after  hir  fantasyes,    205 
Rehersinge  of  thise  olde  poetryes, 
And  seyden,  it  was  lyk  the  Pegasee, 
The  hors  that  liadde  wiuges  for  to  flee ;  (Jiw) 
Or  eUes  it  was  the  Grekes  hors  Synon, 
That  broghte  Troye  to  destruccion,        jio 
As  men  may  in  thise  olde  gestes  rede. 
'  Myn  herte,'  quod  oon,   'is  evermore  in 

drede  ; 
I  trowe  som  men  of  armes  been  ther-inne. 
That  shapen  hem  this  citee  for  to  winue. 
It  were  right  gooil  that  al  swich  thing 

were  knowe.'  215 

Another  rowned  to  his  felawe  lowe. 
And  seyde,  '  he  lyeth,  it  is  rather  lyk 
An  apparence  y-maad  by  som  magyk,  (210) 
As  jogelours  pleyeu  at  thise  testes  grete.' 
Of  sondj-y  doutes   thus  they  janglo  and 

trete,  220 

As  lewed  peple  demeth  comunly 
Of  thinges  that  ben  maad  more  subtilly 
Than  they  can  in  her  leweilnes  compre- 

henile ; 
They  demen  gladly  to  the  badder  ende. 
And  somme  of  hem  wondred  on  the 

mii-our,  225 

That  born  was  up  in-to  the  maister-tour, 
How  naen  miglite  in  it  swiclie  thinges  see. 
Another  answerde,  and  seyde  it  miglite 

wel  be  (220) 

Naturelly,  by  composiciouns 
Of  angles  and  of  slye  reflexiouns,  230 

And  seyden,  that  in  Rome  was  swich  oon. 
They  speken  of  Alocen  anil  Vitulon, 
And  Aristotle,  that  writen  in  hir  lyves 
Of  (lueynte  mirours  and  of  prospectyves, 
As  knowen  they  that  han  hir  bokes  herd. 
And  othere  tblk  hanwondred  on   the 

swerd  236 


T.   10551-10634.] 


F.    ZU  ^<|uteve6  Zak, 


631 


That  wolde  percen  thurgh-out  every-thing ; 
And  iille  in  speche  of  Theloplius  the  king, 
And  of  Achilles  with  his  qnej'nte  spere, 
For  he  coude  with  it  bothe  hele  and  dere, 
Right  in  s%vich  wyse  as  men  may  with  the 

swerd  (233)  241 

Of  which  right  now  ye  han  yoxir-selven 

herd. 
They  speken  of  sondry  harding  of  metal, 
And  speke  of  niedicyues  ther-with-al, 
And  how,  and  whanne,  it  sholde  y-harded 

be ;  245 

Which  is  iinknowe  algates  unto  me. 

Tho  speke  they  of  Canacees  ring. 
And  seyden   alle,  that  swich   a  wonder 

thing  (240) 

Of  craft  of  riuges  herde  they  never  non, 
Save  that  he,  Moyses,  and  king  Salomon 
Hadde  a  name  of  konning  in  swich  art.  251 
Thus  seyn  the   peple,   and  drawen   hem 

apart. 
But  nathelees,  son  me  seyden  that  it  was 
Wonder  to  maken  of  fern-asshen  glas, 
And  yet  nis  glas  nat  lyk  asshen  of  fern  ; 
But  for  they  han  y-knowen  it  so  fern,  256 
Therfore  cesseth  her  jangling  and   her 

wonder. 
As    sore  wondren    somme    on    cause   of 

thonder,  (250) 

On  ebbe,  on  flood,  on  gossomer,  and  on 

mist,  259 

And  alle  thing,  til  that  the  cause  is  wist. 
Thus  jangle  they  and  demen  and  devyse. 
Til  that  the  king  gan  fro  the  bord  aryse. 
Phebus  hath  lalt  the  angle  meridional. 
And  yet  ascending  was  the  beest  royal, 
The  gentil  Leon,  with  his  Aldiran,  265 
Whan  that  this  Tartre  king,  this  Cam- 

binskan,  (258) 

Roos  fro  his  bord,  ther  that  he  sat  ful  hye. 
Tofom  him  gooth  the  loude  minstralcye, 
Til  he  can\  to  his  chambre  of  jiarements, 
Ther  as  theysownen  diverse  instruments, 
That  it  is  lyk  an  heven  for  to  here.  271 
Now  dauncen  lusty  Venus  children  dere. 
For  in  tlie  Fish  hir  lady  sat  ful  hye, 
And  loketh  on  hem  with  a  freendly  ye. 

This  noble  king  is  set  up  in  his  trone.  275 
This  strange  knight  is  fet  to  him  fulsone, 
And  on  the  daunce  he  gooth  with  Canacee. 
Heer  is  the  revel  and  the  jolitee  (270) 


That  is  nat  able  a  dul  man  to  devyse.  279 
Hemoste  han  knowen  love  and  his  servyse. 
And   been   a  festlich   man    as  fresh    as 

May, 
That  sholde  yow  devysen  swich  array. 
Who   coude   telle    yow    the    forme    of 
daunces. 
So  uncouthe  and  so  fresshe  contenaunces, 
Swich  subtil  loking  and  dissimvilinges  285 
For  drede  of  jalouse  mennes  apercey  vin  ges '? 
No  man  but  Launcelot,  and  he  is  deed. 
Therefor  1  passe  of  al  this  lustiheed  ;  (280) 
I  seye  na-more,  but  in  this  jolynesse 
I  lete  hem,  til  men  to  the  soper  dresse.  290 

The  styward  bit  the  spyces  for  to  hye. 
And  eek  the  wyn,  in  al  this  melodye. 
The  usshers  and  the  squyers  ben  y-goon  ; 
The  spyces  and  the  wyn  is  come  anoon. 
They  ete  and  drinke  ;  and  whan  this  hadde 
an  ende,  295 

Un-t<5   the   temple,    as    reson    was,    they 
wende. 
The  service  doon,  they  souiien  al  by  day. 
What  nedeth  yow  rehercen  hir  array ':'(2()<)) 
Ech  man  wot  wel,  that  at  a  kinges  feeste 
Hath  plentee,  to  the  moste   and  to  the 
leeste,  300 

And    deyntees    mo    than    been    in    my 

knowing. 
At-after  soper  gooth  this  noble  king 
To  seen  this  hors  of  bras,  with  al  the  roiUo 
Of  lordes  and  of  ladyes  him  aboute. 

Swich  wondring  was  ther  on  this  hors 
of  bras  305 

That,  sin  the  grete  sege  of  Troye  was, 
Ther-as  men  wondreden  on  an  hors  also, 
Ne  was  ther  swich  a  wondring  as  was  tho. 
Butfynally  the  king  axeth  this  knight(3oi) 
The  vertu  of  this  courser  and  the  might. 
And  iireyede  him  to  telle  his  governaunce. 
This  hors  anoon  bigan   to   trippo  and 
daunce,  3 1 2 

Whan  that  this  knight  leyde  hand  up-on 

his  reyne. 
And  seyde,  '  sir,  ther  is  na-more  to  scyne, 
But,  whan  yow  list  to  rydcn  any-wherc',315 
Ye  moten  trillc  a  pin,  stunt  in  his  ere, 
Which  I  shall  telle  yow  bitwix  vs  two.  (309) 
Ye  mote  iiempne  him  to  what  place  also 
Or  to  what  contreethat  yowlist  to  ryde.3 19 
And  whan  ye  come  ther  as  yow  list  abyde, 


632 


ZU  CanterBur^  Zake. 


[t.  10635-1071; 


Bidde  him  descende,  and  trille  anotlierpin, 
For  ther-in  lyth  the  effect  of  al  the  gin, 
And  he  wol  doun  descende  and  doon  your 

wille  ; 
And  in  that  place  he  wol  abyde  stille, 
Though  al  the  world  the  contrarie  hadde 

y-swore  ;  ,^25 

He  shal   nat  theunes  ben  y-drawe   n'y- 

bore. 
Or,  if  yow  liste  bidde  him  thennes  goon, 
Trille  this  pin,  and  he  wol  vanishe  anoon 
Out  of  the  sighte  of  every  maner  wight, (321) 
And  come  agayn,  be  it  by  day  or  night,  330 
WTien  that  yow  list  to  clepen  him  ageyn 
In  swich  a  gyse  as  I  shal  to  yow  seyn 
Bitwise  yow  and  me,  and  that  ful  sone. 
Eyde  whan  yow  list,  ther  is  na-niore  to 

done.' 
Enformed  whan  the  king  was  of  that 

kniglit,  335 

And  hath  conceyved  in  his  wit  aright 
The  maner  and  the  forme  of  al  this  thing, 
Thus  glad  and  blj'the,  this  noble  doughty 

king  (330) 

Kei^eireth  to  his  revel  as  biforn. 
The  brydel  is  un-to  the  tour  y-born,      340 
And  kept  among   his   jewels  leva    and 

dere. 
The  hors  vanisshed,  I  noot  in  what  manere, 
Out  of  hir  sighte  ;  ye  gete  na-more  of  me. 
Bxat  thus  I  lete  in  lust  and  lolitee 
This  CambjTiskan  his  lordes  festeyinge,345 
Til  wel  ny  the  day  bigan  to  springe. 
Explicit  prima  pars. 
Sequitur  pars  secuada. 
The  norice  of  digcstioun,  the  slepe, 
Gan  on  hem  winke,  and  bad  hem  taken 

kepe,  (340) 

That  muchel  drink  and  labour  wolde  hau 

reste  ; 
And  i\-ith  a  galping  mouth  hem  alle  he 

keste,  350 

And  seyde,  '  it  was  tyme  to  lye  adoun, 
For  blood  was  in  his  dominacioun  ; 
Cherissheth  blood,  natures  freend,'  quod 

he. 
They  thanken  him  galpinge,  by  two,  by 

three, 
And  every  wight  gan  drawe  him  to  his 

reste,  ^^:; 


As  slepe  hem  bad ;  they  toke  it  for  the 

beste. 
Hir  dremes  shul  nat  been  y-told  for  me  : 
Ful  were  hir  hedes  of  fumositee,  (j=ii.>) 

That  causeth  dreem,  of  which  ther  nis  no 

charge.  359 

They  slepen  tO.  that  it  was  pryme  large, 
The  moste  part,  but  it  were  Canacee  ; 
She  was  ful  mesurable,  as  wommen  be. 
For  of  hir  fader  hadde  she  take  leve 
To  gon  to  reste,  sone  after  it  was  eve  ; 
Hir  liste  nat  appalled  for  to  be,  365 

Nor  on  the  morwe  unfestlich  for  to  see  ; 
And  slepte  hir  firste  sleep,  and  thanne 

awook.  (359) 

For  swich  a  joye  she  in  hir  herte  took 
Both  of  hir  queynte  ring  and  hir  mirour. 
That  twenty  tyme  she  changed  hir  colour  ; 
And  in  hir  slepe,  right  for  impressioun  371 
Of  hir  mirour,  she  hadde  a  ^lsioun. 
Wherfore,  er  that  the  Sonne  gan  up  glyde. 
She  cleped  on  hir  maistresse  hir  bisyde. 
And  seyde,  that  hir  liste  for  to  ryse.       375 
Thise  olde  wommen  that  been  gladly 

wj'se, 
As  is  hir  maistresse,  answerde  hir  auoou. 
And    seyde,    '  madame,   whider  •wil    ye 

goon  (370) 

Thus  erly  ?  for  the  folic  ben  alle  on  reste.' 

'  I  wol,'  quod  she,  '  ar\'se,  for  me  leste  380 

No  longer  for  to  slepe,  and  walke  aboute.' 

Hir  maistresse  clepeth  wommen  a  gret 

route, 
And  up  they  rysen,  wel  a  ten  or  twelve  ; 
Up  ryseth  fresshe  Canacee  hir-selve. 
As  rody  and  bright  as  dooth  the  yonge 

Sonne,  385 

That  in  the  Kam  is  four  degrees  up-ronne  ; 
Noon  hyer  was  he,  whan  she  redy  was ; 
And  forth  she  walketh  esily  a  pas,      (380) 
Arrayed  after  the  lusty  seson  sote         389 
Lightly,  for  to  pleye  and  walke  on  fote  ; 
Nat  but  with  fyve  or  six  of  hir  meynee  ; 
And  in  a  trench,  forth  in  the  park,  goth 

she. 
The  vapour,  which  that  fro  the  erthe  glood, 
Made  the  sonne  to  seme  rody  and  brood  ; 
But  natheloes,  it  was  so  fair  a  sighte  395 
That  it  made  aUe  hir  hertes  for  to  lighte, 
\^^lat  for  the  seson  and  the  morweninge. 
And  for  the  foules  that  she  horde  singe  ; 


T.   10713-10796.J 


F.    Z^t  ^qukvee  Zak. 


633 


For  right  anon  she  "wiste  what  they  mente 
Eight  byhir  song,  and  knewal  hir  entente. 
The  knotte,  why  that  every  tale  is  told, 
If  it  be  taried  til  that  hist  be  cold 
Of  hem  that  han  it  after  herkned  yore, 
The  savour  passeth  ever  lenger  the  more, 
For  fulsomnesse  of  his  prolixitee.  405 

And  by  the  same  reson  thinketh  me, 
I  sholde  to  the  knotte  condeseende, 
And   maken    of    hir   walking    sone     an 

eude.  (400) 

Amidde  a  tree  fordrye,  as  wliyt  as  chalk, 
As  Canacee  was  pleying  in  hir  walk,     410 
Ther  sat  a  faiicon  over  hir  heed  ful  hye. 
That  with  a  pitous  voys  so  gan  to  crye 
That  all  the  wode  resonned  of  hir  cry. 
Y-beten  hath  she  hir-self  so  pitously     414 
With  botlie  hir  winges,  til  the  rede  blood 
Ban  endelong  the  tree  ther-as  she  stood. 
And  ever  in   oon   she  cryde  alwey  and 

shriglite. 
And    with    hir    beek    hir-selven   so   she 

prighte,  (410) 

Tliat  ther  nis  tygre,    ne    noon   so   cruel 

beste, 
That  dwelleth  either  in  wode  or  in  foreste 
That  nolde   han    wept,  if  that  he  wepe 

coiKle,  421 

For  sorwe  of  hir,  she  shrighte  alwey  so 

loude. 
For  ther  nas  never  yet  no  man  on  lyve — 
If  that  I  coude  a  favicon  wel  discryve — 
That  herde  of  swich  another  of  fairnesse, 
As  wel  of  plumage  as  of  geutillesse  426 
Of  shap,  and  al  that  mighte  y-rekened  be. 
A  faucon  peregryn  than  senied  she  (420; 
Of  fremde  land  ;    and  evermore,  as  she 

stood. 
She  swowneth  now  and  now  for  lakke  of 

libwd,  430 

Til  wel  neigh  is  she  faUen  fro  the  tree. 

This  faire  kinges  doghter,  Canacee, 
That  on  hir  iinger  bar  the  queynte  ring, 
Tliurgh  which  she  understood  wel  every 

thing 
That  any  foul  may  in  his  ledene  seyn,  435 
And   coude   answere   him  in  his  ledene 

ageyn. 
Hath  understonde  what  this  faiicon  seyde. 
And  wel  neigh  for  the  rewthe  almost  she 

deyde.  ^430) 


And  to  the  tree  she  gooth  ful  hastily. 
And  on  this  faucon  loketli  pitously,      440 
And  heeld  hir  lappe  abrood,  for  wel  she 

wiste 
The  faucon  moste  fallen  fro  the  twiste, 
Wlien  that  it  swowned  next,  for  lakke  of 

blood. 
A  longe  while  to  wayten  hir  she  stood 
Till  atte  laste  she  spak  in  this  manere  445 
Un-to  the  hank,  as  ye  shul  after  here. 

'  Wliat  is  the  cause,  if  it  be  for  to  telle. 
That  ye  be  in  this  furial  pyne  of  helle  ?' 
Quod  Canacee  un-to  this  hauk  above.  (441) 
'  Is  tiiis  for  sorwe  of  deeth  or  los  of  love? 
For,  as  I  trowe,  thise  ben  causes  two    451 
That  causen  moost  a  gentil  herte  wo  ; 
Of  other  harm  it  nedeth  nat  to  speke. 
For  ye  your-self  upon  your-self  yow  wreke, 
Which  proveth  wel,  that  either  love  or 

drede  455 

Mot  been  encheson  of  your  cruel  dede. 
Sin  that  I  see  non  otlier  wight  yow  chace. 
For  love  of  god,  as  dooth  your-selven  grace 
Or  what  may  ben  yoiir  help  ;  for  west  nor 

eest  (45,) 

Ne  sey  I  never  er  now  no  brid  ne  beest 
That  ferde  with  him-self  so  pitously.    461 
Ye  slee  me  with  your  sorwe,  verraily  ; 
I  have  of  yow  so  gret  compassioun. 
For  goddes  love,  com  fro  the  tree  adoun  ; 
And,  as  I  am  a  kinges  doghter  trewe,  465 
If  that  I  verraily  the  cause  knewe 
Of  your  disese,  if  it  lay  in  my  might, 
I  wolde  amende  it,  er  that  it  were  night, 
As  wisly  helpe  me  gret  god  of  kinde  !  (461) 
And  herbes  shal  I  light  y-uowe  y-iinde 
To  hele  with  your  liurtes  hastily.'  471 

Tho  shrighte  this  faucon  more  pitously 
Than  ever  she  dide,  and  fil  to  grounde 

anoon, 
And  lyth  aswowne,  deed,  and  lyk  a  stoon, 
Til  Canacee  hath  in  hir  lappe  hir  take  475 
Un-to  the  tyme  she  gan  of  swough  awake. 
And,  alter  that  she  of  hir  swougli  gan 

breydc. 
Eight  in   hir    haukes    ledene   thus    she 

seyde : —  (470) 

'  Tliat  pitee  rennetli  sone  in  gentil  herte, 
Feling  his  similitude  in  peynessmerte,  480 
Is  preved  al-day,  as  men  may  it  see, 
As  wel  by  werk  as  by  auctoritee  ; 


^34 


ZU  CanferBurj  Zake. 


[t.  10797-108S0. 


For  geiitil  lierte  kytlietli  gentiUesse. 
1  see  wel,  that  ye  han  of  my  <listresse 
Compassioixu,  my  faire  Canaeee,  485 

Of  verray  wommanly  benignitee 
That  nature  in  your  principles  hath  set. 
But  for  non  hope  for  to  fare  the  bet.  (480) 
But  for  to  obej'e  un-to  your  herte  free, 
And  for  to  maken  other  be  war  by  me, 
As  by  the  whelp  chasted  is  the  leoun,  491 
Right  for  that  cause  and  that  concliisioun, 
Whyl  that  I  have  a  leyserand  a  space, 
Myn  harm  I  wol  confesseu,  er  I  pace.' 
And  ever,  whyl  that  oon  hir  sorwe  tolde. 
That  other  weep,  as  she  to  water  wolde. 
Til  that  the  faucon  bad  hir  to  be  stille  ; 
And,  with  a  syk,  right  thus  she  seyde  hir 

wille.  (490)  498 

'  Ther  I  was  bred  (alias  !    that  harde 

day !) 
And  fostred  in  a  roche  of  marbul  gray 
So  tendrely,  that  nothing  eyied  me,      501 
I  niste  nat  what  was  ad\-ersitee, 
Til  I  coude  flee  ful  hye  under  the  sky. 
Tho  dwelte  a  tercelet  me  faste  by, 
That  semed  welle  of  alle  gentillesse  ;    505 
Al  were  he  ful  of  treson  and  falsnesse. 
It  was  so  wrapped  under  humble  chere, 
And   under  hcwe   of  troutlie    in    swich 

manere,  (500) 

Under  plesance,  and  under  bisy  peyne. 
That  no  wight  coude  han  wend  he  coude 

foyne,  510 

So  depe  in  greyn  he  dyed  his  coloures. 
Right  as  a  serpent  hit  him  under  floures 
Til  he  may  seen  his  tyme  for  to  byte. 
Right  so  this  god  of  love,  this  yi)ocr\-te. 
Doth  so  his  cerimouies  and  obeisaunces. 
And  kepeth  in  semblant  alle  his  obser- 
vances 516 
That  sowneth  in-to  gentillesse  of  love. 
As  in  a  toumbe  is  al  the  faire  above,  (510) 
And  under  is  the  corps,  swich  as  ye  woot, 
Swich  was  this  jiJOcryte,  bothe  cold  and 

hoot,  520 

And  in  this  wyse  he  served  his  entente, 
That  (save  the  feend)  non  wiste  what  he 

mente. 
Til  he  so  longe  had  wopen  and    com- 

pleyned. 
And  many  a  yeer  his  service  to  me  feyned. 
Til  that  myn  herte,  to  jntous  and  to  nyce, 


Al  innocent  of  h  is  crouned  malice,       526 
For-fered  of  his  deeth,  as  thoughte  me, 
Upon  his  othes  and  his  seuretee,  (520) 

Graunted  him  love,  on  this  condicioun. 
That  evermore  myn  honour  and  renoun 
Were  saved,  bothe  privee  and  apert ;    5,^1 
This  is  to  sejTi,  that,  after  his  desert, 
I   yaf  him   al   myn    herte    and    al    my 

thoght— 
God  woot  and  he,  that  otherwysenoght — 
And  took  his  herte  in  chaunge  for  myn 

for  ay.  535 

But  sooth  is  seyd,  gon  sithen  many  a  day, 
"  A  trew  wight  and  a  theef  thenken  nat 

oon." 
And,  whan  he  saugh   the   thing  so   fer 

y-goon.  (530) 

That  I  had  gravinted  him  fully  my  love. 
In  swich  a  g,\'se  as  I  have  seyd  above,  540 
And  yeven  him  my  trewe  herte,  as  free 
As  he  swoor  he  his  herte  yaf  to  me  ; 
Anon  this  tygre,  ful  of  donblenesse, 
Fil  on  his  knees  with   so  devout   hum- 

blesse. 
\\'ith  so  heigh  reverence,  and,  as  by  his 

chere,  545 

So  lyk  a  gentil  lovere  of  manere. 
So  ravisshed,  as  it  semed,  for  the  joye. 
That  never  Jason,  ne  Parys  of  Troye,  (540) 
Jason  ?  certes,  ne  non  other  man. 
Sin  Lameth  was,  that  alderfirst  bigan  550 
To  loven  two,  as  writen  folk  biforn, 
Ne  never,  sin  the  firste  man  was  born, 
Ne  coude  man,  by  twenty  thousand  part, 
Count ref etc  the  sophimes  of  his  art ; 
Ne  were  worthy  uubokele  his  galoche,  555 
Ther  doublenesse  or  feyning  sholde  ap- 

proche, 
Ne  so  coude  thanke  a  wight  as  he  did  me ! 
His  m.aaer  was  an  he\'en  for  to  see     (550) 
Til  any   womman,   were    she    never   so 

So  peynted  he  and  kembde  at  point-devys 
As  wel  his  wordes  as  his  contenaunce.  561 
And  I  so  lovede  him  lor  his  obeisaunce, 
And  for  the  trouthe  I  demed  in  his  herte. 
That,   if  so  were  that    any  thing    him 

smerte, 
Al  were  it  never  so  lyte,  and  I  it  wiste,  565 
Me  thoughte,   I  felte  deeth   myn  herte 
.    twiste. 


T.  10881-10956.]  F.    ZU  ^quteree  Zak. 


635 


And   shortly,    so   ferfortli   tins   tliiug  is 
went,  (559) 

That  my  wil  was  his  willes  instrument ; 
This  is  to  sejTi,  my  wil  obeyed  his  wil 
In  alle  thing,  as  fer  as  reson  fil,  570 

Keping  the  boundes  of  my  worship  ever. 
Ne  never  hadde  I  thing  so  leef,  ne  lever. 
As  him,  god  woot  !  ne  never  shal  na-mo. 
This  lasteth  lenger  than  a  yeer  or  two, 
That  I  supposed  of  him  noght  l)ut  good. 
But  fjTially,  thus  atte  laste  it  stood,     576 
That  fortune  wolde  that  he  moste  twinne 
Out  of  that  iilace  which  that  I  was  inne. 
\Alier  me  was  wo,  that  is  no  qtiestioun  ; 
I  can  nat  make  of  it  discripcioun  ;        580 
For  o  thing  dar  I  tellen  boldely,  (573) 

I  knowe  what  is  the  peyne  of  detli  ther-by ; 
Swich   harm   I   felte   for   he   ne  mighte 

bileve. 
So  on  a  day  of  me  he  took  his  leve, 
So  sorwefuUy  eek,  that  I  wende  verraily 
That  he  had  felt  as  muche  harm  as  I,  586 
AVlian  that  I  herde  him  speke,  and  saiigh 

his  hewe.  (579) 

But  nathelees,  I  thoughte  he  was  so  trewe, 
And  eek  that  he  repaire  sholde  ageyn 
With-iune  a  litel  wh j-le,  sooth  to  sejni ;  590 
And  reson  wolde  eek  that  he  moste  go 
For  his  honour,  as  ofte  it  happeth  so, 
That  I  made  vertu  of  necessitee. 
And  took  it  wel,  sin  that  it  moste  be. 
As   I  best   mighte,  I  hidde  fro  him  my 

sorw-e,  595 

And  took  him  by  the  hond,  seint  John  to 

borwe. 
And  seyde  him  thus  :  "  lo,  I  am  youres  al ; 
Beth  swich  as  I  to  yow  have  been,  and 

shal."  (590) 

What  he  answerde,  it  nedeth  noght  re- 

herce. 
Who  can  sey  bet  than  he,   who  can  do 

werse  ?  6(x) 

Whan  he  hath  al  wel  seyd,  tlianno  hath 

he  doon. 
"Tlierfor  liihoveth  him  a  ful  long  spoon 
That  shal  cte  with  a  feend,"  thus  horde 

I  seyo. 
So  atte  laste  lie  moste  forth  his  woye. 
And  forth  he  flceth,  til  he  cam  ther  him 

leste.  605 

Whan  it  cam  him  to  purpos  for  to  reste, 


I  trowe  he  hadde  thilke  text  in  minde, 
That  "  alle  thing,  repairing  to  his  kinde, 
Gladeth  him-self "' ;  thus  seyn  men,  as  I 

gesse :  (601) 

Men  loven  of  propre   kinde   newfangel- 

nesse,  610 

As  briddes  doon  that  men  in  cages  fede. 
For  thoiigh  thou  night  and  day  take  of 

hem  hede, 
And  strawe  hir  cage  faire  and  softe  as 

silk. 
And  j-eve  hem  sugre,  hony,   breed   and 

milk. 
Yet  right  anon,  as  that  his  dore  is  iippe. 
He  with  his  feet  wol  spume  adoun  his 

cuppe,  616 

And  to  the  wode  he  wol  and  wormes  ete  ; 
So  newefangel  been  they  of  hir  mete,  (610) 
And  loven  novelryes  of  propre  kinde  ; 
No   gentillesse  of   blood    [ne]  may  Kem 

binde.  620 

So  ferde  this  tercelet,  alias  the  day  ! 
Though  he  were  gentil  born,  and  fresh 

and  gay, 
And  goodly  for  to  seen,  and  humble  and 

free. 
He  saugh  iip-on  a  tyme  a  kyte  flee. 
And  sodeynly  he  loved  this  kyte  so,      625 
That  al  his  love  is  clene  fro  me  ago, 
And  hath  his  trouthe  falsed  in  this  wyse; 
Thus  hath  the  kyte  my  love  in  hir  ser- 

vyse,  (6  jo) 

And  I  am  lorn  with-outen  remedye  ! ' 
And  with  that  word  this  faucon  gan  to 

erye,  (),?<) 

And  swowned  eft  in  Canacees  barme. 
Greet   was  the  sorwe,   for  the  haukes 

harme. 
That  Canacee  and  alle  hir  wommen  made ; 
They  niste  how  they  mighte  the  faucon 

glade.  614 

But  Canacee  horn  bereth  hir  in  hir  lappe, 
And  softely  in  piastres  gan  hir  wrappo, 
Ther  as  she  with  hir  beek  had  hurt  hir- 

selvc.  (OJ9) 

Now  can  nat  Canacee  but  herbes  delve 
Out   of  the   grounde,   and    make   salves 

newe 
Of  herbes  precious,  and  fyne  of  hewe,  6^0 
Ti)  hclen  with  this  luiuk  ;  fro  daj'  to  night 
She  dooth  hir  bisinesso  and  al  hir  might. 


636 


^0e  CanfevBurp  Zake. 


T.    10957— I I020. 


And  by  hir  beddes  heed  she  made  a  mewe, 

And  covered  it  with  veluettes  hlewe, 

In  sigrie  of  troiithe  that  is  in.  -wommen 

sene.  645 

And  al  with-oute,  the  mewe  is  peynted 

grene, 
In  which  were  peynted  alle  thise  false 

fonles,  (639) 

As  beth  thise  tidifs,  tercelets,  and  onles, 
Right  for  despyt  were  peynted  hem  bisyde, 
And  pyes,  on  hem  for  to  crye  and  ebyde. 
Tims  lete  I  Canacee  hir  hauk  keping  ; 
I  wol  na-more  as  now  speke  of  hir  ring, 
Til  it  come  eft  to  purpos  for  to  seyn 
How  that  this  faucon  gat  hir  love  ageyn 
Eepentant,  as  the  storie  telleth  us,        655 
By  mediaciotin  of  Cambahis, 
The  kinges  sone,  of  whiche  I  yow  tolde. 
But  hennes-forth  I  wol  my  proces  holde 
To  speke  of  aventures  and  of  batailles, 
That  never  yet  was  herd  so  grete  mer- 

vailles.  (652)  660 

First  wol  I  telle  yow  of  Cambinskan, 
That  in  his  tyme  many  a  citee  wan  ; 
And  after  wol  I  speke  of  Algarsjrf, 
How  that  he  wan  Theodora  to  his  wyf, 
For  whom  ful  ofte  in  greet  peril  he  was, 
Ne  hadde  he  ben  holpen  by  the  Steele  of 

bras ;  666 

And  after  wol  I  speke  of  Cambalo, 
That  faught  in  listes  with  the  bretheren 

two  (660) 

For  Canacee,  er  that  he  mightc  hir  winne. 

And  ther  I  lefte  I  wol  ageyn  biginne.  670 

Explicit  secunda  pars. 

Incipit  pars  tercia. 

AppoUo  whirleth  up  his  char  so  hye, 

[T.  om. 
Til   that  the   god    Mercurius    hous    the 

slye—  [T.  om. 

{Unfinished.) 

Here  folwen  the  wordes  of  the  Frankelin 

to  the  Squier,  and  the  wordes  of  the 

Host  to  the  Frankelin. 

'  In   feith,    Squier,    thou   hast    thee   wel 

y-quit. 


And  gentUly  I  preise  wel  thy  wit,' 

Quod  the  Frankeleyn,  'considering  thy 

youthe,  075 

So  feelingly  thou   spekest,    sir,   I   allow 

the! 
As  to  my   doom,   there   is  non   that  is 

here 
Of  eloquence  that  shal  be  thy  pere. 
If  that  thou  live  ;   god  yeve  thee  good 

chaunce,  679 

And  in  vertu  sende  thee  continuaunce  ! 
For  of  thy  speche  I  have  greet  deyntee. 
I  have  a  sone,  and,  by  the  Trinitee,      (10) 
I  hadde  lever  than  twenty  pound  worth 

lond, 
Tho\igh  it  right  now  were  fallen  in  myn 

hond, 
He  were  a  man  of  swich  discrecioun    085 
As  that  ye  been  !  fy  on  possessioun 
But-if  a  man  be  vertuous  with-al. 
I  have  my  sone  snibbed,  and  j'et  shal. 
For  he  to  vertii  listeth  nat  entende  ; 
But  for  to  pleye  at  dees,  and  to  despende, 
And  lese  al  that  he  hath,  is  his  usage.  691 
And  he  hath  lever  talken  with  a  page(2o) 
Than  to  eomune  with  any  gentil  wight 
Ther  he  mighto  lerne  gentillesse  aright.' 
'Straw  for  your  gentillesse,'  quod  our 

host ;  695 

'  What,  frankeleyn  ?  pardee,  sir,  wel  tliou 

wost 
That  eche  of  yow  mot  tellen  atte  leste 
A  tale  or  two,  or  breken  his  biheste.' 
'  That    knowe    I  wel,    sir,'   quod    the 

frankeleyn ; 
'  I  prey  yow,  haveth  me  nat  in  desdeyn 
Though  to  this  man  I  speke  a  word  or 

two.'  701 

'  Telle  on   thy  tale  with-outen  wordes 

mo.'  (30) 

'  Gladly,  sir  host,'  quod  he,  '  I  wol  obeye 
Un-to    your    wil ;    now    herkneth   what 

I  seye. 
I  wol  yow  nat  contrarien  in  no  wyse     705 
As  fer  as  that  my  wittes  wol  suffyse  ; 
I  prey  to  god  that  it  may  plesen  yow, 
Than  woot  I  wel  that  it  is  good  y-now.' 


T.   H02I  — II 


064.]      F.    •^^e  5i"<»«ftf^"'«'  ^rofo^ue. 


637 


THE    FRANKLIN'S    PROLOGUE. 


The  Prologe  of  the  Frankeleyns  Tale. 


Thise  olde  gentil  Britons  in  liir  dayes 
Of  diverse  aventiires  maden  layes,         710 
Ejineyed  in  hir  firste  Briton  tonge  ; 
Which  layes  witli  hir  instninients  they 
songe,  (40) 

Or  elles  redden  hem  for  hir  plesaunce  ; 
And  con  of  hem  have  I  in  remembraunce, 
Which  I  shal  seyn  with  good  wil  as  I 
can.  715 

But,  sires,  by-cause  I  am  a  burel  man, 
At  my  biginning  first  I  yow  biseche 
Have  me  excused  of  my  rude  speche  ; 


I  lerned  never  rethoryk  certeyn  ; 

Thing  that  I  speke,  it  moot  be  bare  and 

pleyn.  720 

I  sleejj  never  on  the  mount  of  Pernaso, 
Ne  lerned  Marcus  TuUius  Citliero.        (50) 
Colours   ne    knowe   I    none,    witli-onten 

drede. 
But  swiche  coloiu'S  as  growen  in  the  mede, 
Or  elles  swiche  as  men  dye  or  pe.^nite.  725 
Colours  of  rethoryk  })en  me  to  queynte  ; 
My  spirit  feleth  noglit  of  swich  matere. 
But  if  yow  list,  my  tale  shul  ye  here. 


THE    FRANKELEYNS    TALE. 


Here  big^neth  the  Frankeleyns  Tale. 


In  Armorik,  that  called  is  Britayne, 
Ther  was  a  knight  that  loved  and  dide 

his  payne  730 

To  serve  a  lady  in  his  beste  wyse  ; 
And  many  a  lalwiir,  naany  a  greet  empryse 
He  for  his  lady  wroghte,  er  she   were 

wonne. 
For  she  was  oon,  the  faireste  under  sonne, 
And  eek  therto  come  of  so  heigh  kinrede, 
That  wel  unnethes  dorste  this  knight,  for 

drede,  7.^6 

Telle    hir    his   wo,    his   peync,    and    his 

distresse. 
But  atte  laste,  she,  for  his  worthinesse,  (10) 
And  namely  for  his  meke  obeysaunce, 
Hath  swich  a,   pitee   caught  of  his  i)en- 
vmce,  740 


That  prively  she  fil  of  his  accord 

To  take  him  for  hir  housbonde  and  hir 

lord. 
Of  swich  lordshipe  as  men  han  over  hir 

wyves  ; 
And  for  to  lede  the  more   in   blisse  hir 

lyves,  744 

Of  his  free  wil  ho  swoor  hir  as  a  knight, 
That   never    iu   al   his    lyf  he,    day   ne 

night, 
Ne  sholdo  up-<>n  him  take  no  maistrye 
Agayu  hir  wil,  ne  kythe  hir  jalousye,  (20) 
But  hir  obej'e,  and  folwe  hir  wil  in  al 
As  any  lovere  to  his  lady  shal ;  750 

Save  that  the  name  of  soveraynetee, 
That   wolde   he   have   for  shame  of  his 

degree. 


638 


'Z^t  €anfer6urp  Zaks.  [t.  11065-11144. 


She  thanked  hixii,  and  with  ful  greet 
humblesse 
She  seyde,  '  sire,  sith  of  your  gentillesse 
Ye  profre  me  to  have  so  large  a  rej-ne,  755 
Xe  wolde  never  god  bitwixe  us  twej-ne, 
As  in  my  gilt,  were  outher  werre  or  stryf. 
Sir,  I  wol  be  yoirr  humble  trewe  wyf,  (so) 
Have  heer  my  trouthe,  til  that  mjm  herte 

breste.' 
Thus  been  they  bothe  in  quiete  and  in 

reste.  '  760 

For  o  thing,  sires,  saufly  dar  I  seye. 
That  frendes  everich  other  moot  obeye. 
It'  they  wol  longe  holden  companye. 
Love  wol  nat  ben  constreyned  by  mais- 

trye; 
Whan  maistrie  comth,  the  god  of  love 

anon  765 

Beteth  hise  winges,  and  farewel !    he  is 

gon! 
Love  is  a  thing  as  any  spirit  free  ; 
Wommen  of  kinde  desiren  liber  tee,      (40) 
And  nat  to  ben  constreyned  as  a  thral ; 
And  so  don  men,  if  I  soth  seyen  shal.  770 
Loke  who  that  is  most  pacient  in  love, 
He  is  at  his  avantage  al  above. 
Pacience  is  an  heigh  vertu  certej-n  ; 
For  it  veuquisseth,  as  thise  clerkes  seyn, 
Thinges  that  rigour  sholde  never  atteyne. 
For  every  word  men  may  nat  chyde  or 

plejme.  776 

Lemeth  to  suffre,  or  elles,  so  moot  I  goon, 
Ye  shul  it  leme,  wher-so  ye  wole  or  noon. 
For  in  this  world,  certein,  ther  no  wight 

is,  (51; 

That  he  ne  dooth  or  seith  som-tj-me  amis. 
Ire,  siknesse,  or  constellacioun,  781 

WjTi,  wo,  or  chaunginge  of  complexioun 
Causeth  ful  ofte  to  doon  amis  or  speken. 
On  every  wrong  a  man  maynat  be  wreken ; 
Alter  the  tyme,  liioste  be  temperaunce  785 
To  every  wight  that  can  on  governaunce. 
And    therfore    hath    this    wyse   worthy 

knight, 
To  live  in  ese,  stiffrance  liir  bihight,     (60) 
And  she  to  him  ful  wisly  gan  to  swere 
Tliat  never  sholde  ther  be  defatite  in  here. 
Heer  may  men   seen   an   humble  ^^■3•s 

accord ;  791 

Thus  hath  she  take  hir  servant  and  hir 

lord, 


Servant  in  love,  and  lord  in  mariagc  ; 
Than    was    he    bothe    in    lordship    and 

servage  ; 
Servage  ?  nay,  but  in  lordshipe  above,  795 
Sith  he  hath  bothe  his  lady  and  his  love  ; 
His  lady,  certes,  and  his  wyf  also. 
The  which  that  lawe  of  love  acordeth  to. 
And  whan  he  was  in  this  prosperitee,  (71) 
Hoom   with    his   vryf  he    gooth    to    his 

contree,  800 

Nat  fer  fro  Penmark,  ther  his  dwelling 

was, 
Wher-as  he  liveth  in  blisse  and  in  solas. 

Who  coixde  telle,  but  he  had  wedded  be, 
The  joye,  the  ese,  and  the  prosperitee 
That  is  bit>vixe  an  housbonde  and  his  wyf? 
A  j-eer  and  ruore  lasted  this  blisful  lyf,  806 
Til  that  the  knight  of  which  I  speke  of 

thus. 
That  of  Kayrrud  was  cleped  Arveragus,  (80) 
Shoop  him  to  goon,  and  dwelle  a  yeer  or 

tweyne 
In  Engelond,  that  cleped  was  eek  Briteyue, 
To  seke  in  armes  worship  and  honour;  811 
For  al  his  lust  he  sette  in  swich  labour ; 
And  dwelled  ther  two  yeer,  the  book  seith 

thus. 
Xow  wol  I  stinte  of  this  Arveragus, 
And  speken  I  wole  of  Dorigene  his  wj-f,8i5 
That  loveth  hir  housbonde  as  hir  hertes 

h< 

For  his  absence  wepeth  she  and  syketh. 
As   doon   thise   noble  wj-ves  whan   hem 

lyketh.  (91)) 

She  moometh,  waketh,  wayleth,  fasteth, 

pleyneth ;  819 

Desyr  of  his  presence  hir  so  distreyneth. 
That  al  this  ■vs'yde  world  she  sette  at  noght. 
Hir  frendes,  whiche  that  knewe  hir  hevy 

thoght, 
Conforten  hir  in  al  that  ever  they  may ; 
They  prechen   hir,  they  telle  hir  night 

and  day. 
That  causelees  she  sleeth  hir-self,  alias !  825 
And  every  contort  possible  in  this  cas 
They  doon  to  hir  with  al  hir  bisinesse, 
Al  for  to  make  hir  leve  hir  hevinesse.  (100) 

By  proces,  as  ye  knowen  everichoon, 
Men  may  so  longe  graven  in  a  stoon,    830 
Til  som  figure  ther-inue  emprented  be. 
So  longe  han  they  confortetl  hir,  til  she 


T,  1114.^-112  20.]        F.    Z-H  ;^vanRefeptt0  Cafe. 


639 


Eeceyved  hath,  hy  hope  and  Isy  resoun, 
Th'emprenting  of  hir  consolacioun,       834 
Thiirgh  which  hir  grete  sorwe  gan  aswage ; 
She  may  nat  alwey  duren  in  s\vich  rage. 

And  eek  Arveragus,  in  al  this  care, 

Hath  sent  hir  lettres  hooni  of  his  welfare, 

And  that  he  wol  come  hastily  agayn  ;  (in) 

Or  elles  hadde  this  sorwe  hir  herte  slayn. 

Hir  freendes  sawe  hir  sorwe  gan   to 

slake,  841 

And   preyede  hir   on   knees,   for  goddes 

sake, 
To  come  and  romen  hir  in  companye, 
Awey  to  dryve  hir  derke  fantasye. 
And  finally,  she  graunted  that  retxiieste  ; 
For  wel  she  saugh  that  it  was  for  the 

beste.  (118)   846 

Now  stood  hir  castel  faste  by  the  see, 
And  often  with  hir  freendes  walketh  she 
Hir  to  disporte  iip-on  the  bank  an  heigh, 
Wlier-as  she  many  a  ship  and  barge  seigh 
Seilinge  hir  cours,  wher-as  hem  liste  go  ; 
Bnt  than  was  that  a  parcel  of  hir  wo. 
For  to  hir-self  ful  ofte  '  alias  ! '  seith  she, 
'  Is  ther  no  ship,  of  so  manye  as  I  see, 
Wol  bringen  horn,   my  lord  ?    than  were 

myn  herte  855 

Al  warisshed  of  his  bittre  peynes  smerte.' 

Another  tyme  ther  wolde  she  sitte  and 

thinke. 
And   caste   hir   eyen   dounward  fro   the 

brinke.  (130) 

But  whan  she  saugh   the   grisly  rokkes 

blake. 
For  verray  fere  so  wolde  hir  herte  quake. 
That  on  hir  feet  she  mighte  hir  noglit 

sustene.  861 

Than   wolde  she   sitte   adonn   i;pon   the 

grene. 
And  pitously  in-to  the  see  biholde, 
And  seyn  right  thus,  with  sorweful  sykes 

colde  : 
'  Eterne  god,  that  thurgh  thy  purvey- 

auncc  S65 

Lcdest  the  world  by  certein  governaunce, 
In  ydel,  as  men  seyn,  ye  no-thing  make  ; 
But,   lord,    thise    grisly   feendly    rokkes 

blake,  (140) 

That  semen  rather  a  foul  confusioun 
Of  werk  than  any  fair  creacioun  870 

Of  swich  a  parfit  ■wys  god  and  a  stable, 


Why  hau  ye  wroght  this  werk  imreson- 

able  ? 
For  by  this  werk,  south,  north,  ne  west, 

ne  eest, 
Ther  nis  y-fostred  man,  ne  brid,  ne  beest ; 
It  dooth  no  gooil,  to  my  wit,  but  anoyeth. 
See    ye    nat,    lord,    how    mankinde    it 

destroyeth  ?  876 

An  hundred  thoiisaud  bodies  of  mankinde 
Han  rokkes  slayn,  al  be  they  nat  in  minde, 
Which  mankinde  is  so  fair  part  of  thy 

werk  (151) 

That  thou  it  madest  Ij'k  to  thyn  owene 

merk.  880 

Than  semed  it  ye  hadde  a  greet  chiertee 
Toward  mankinde  ;    but  how  than  may 

it  be 
That  ye   swiche   menes   make   it   to  de- 
stroy en, 
Whiche   menes    do    no    good,   but    ever 

anoyen  ? 
I  woot  wel   clerkes   wol    seyn,    as   hem 

leste,  885 

By  arguments,  that  al  is  for  the  beste, 
Though  I  ne  can  the  caiises  nat  y-knowe. 
But  thilke  god,  that  made  wind  to  blowe, 
As  kepe  my  lord  !  this  my  conclusioun  ; 
To  clerkes  lete  I  al  disputisoun.    (162)  890 
But  wolde  god  that  alle  thise  rokkes  blake 
Were  sonken  in-to  helle  for  his  sake  ! 
Thise  rokkes  sleen  myn  herte  for  the  fere.' 
Thus  wolde  she  sej-n,  with  many  a  pitous 

tere. 
Hir  freendes  sawe  that  it  was  no  disport 
To  romen  by  the  see,  but  disconfort ;    S96 
And  shopen  for  to  jileyen  somwher  eUes. 
They  leden  hir  by  riveres  and  by  welles. 
And  eek  in  othere  places  delitables  ;  (171) 
They  dauncen,  and  they  pleyen  at  dies 

and  tables.  900 

So  on  a  day,  right  in  the  morwe-tyde, 
Un-to  a  gardin  that  was  ther  bisyde. 
In  which  that  they  had  maad  hir  ordin- 

aunce 
Of  vitaille  and  of  other  purveyaunce. 
They  goon  and  pleye  hem  al  the  longe 

day.  <)o5 

And  this  was  on  the  sixte  morwe  of  May, 
Which  May  hatl  peynted  with  his  solte 

shoures 
This  gardin  fulof  leves  andof  floures;  (180) 


640 


ZH  CanUv&uv^  Zake. 


[t.  1 1 221-1 1 302. 


And  craft  of  mannes  hand  so  curiously 
Arrayed  liadde  this  gardin,  trewely,     910 
That  never  was  ther  gardin  of  swich  prys, 
But -if  it  were  the  verray  paradys. 
Til'  odour  of  floures  and  the  fresshe  sighte 
Wolde  han  maad  any  herte  for  to  lighte 
That  ever  was  bom,  but-if  to  gret  sik- 

nesse,  915 

Or  to  gret  sorwe  helde  it  in  distresse  ; 
So  ful  it  was  of  beautee  with  plesaunce. 
At-after  diner  gonne  they  to  daunce,  (igo) 
And  singe  also,  save  Dorigen  allone, 
"VNHiich  made  alwey  hir  comi^leint  and  hir 

mone ;  920 

For  she  ne  saugh  him  on  the  daunce  go. 
That  was  hir  housboude  and  hir  love  also. 
But  nathelees  she  moste  a  tyme  abyde, 
And  with  good  hope  lete  hir  sorwe  slyde. 
TJp-on  this  daunce,  amonges  othere  men, 
Daunced  a  squyer  biforen  Dorigen,       926 
That  fressher  was  and  jolyer  of  array. 
As  to  my  doom,  than  is  the  monthe  of 

May.  (200) 

He  singeth,  daunceth,  passinge  any  man 
Tliat  is,  or  was,  sith  that  the  world  Ijigan. 
Ther-with   he   was,    if  men   sholde   him 

discryre,  031 

Oon  of  the  beste  faringe  man  on-lyve  ; 
Yong,  strong,  right  vertuoiis,  and  riche 

and  'wys, 
And  wel  biloved,  and  holdeu  in  gret  prys. 
And  shortly,  if  the  sotho  I  tellen  shal,  035 
Unwiting  of  this  Dorigen  at  al. 
This  Ivisty  squyer,  servant  to  Venus, 
Which  that  y-cleped  was  Aurelius,      (210) 
Had  loved  hir  best  of  any  creature 
Two  yeer  and  more,  as  was  his  aventure. 
But  never   dorste  he   telle   hir   his  gre- 

vaunce ;  94 1 

With-outen  coppe  he   drank  al  his  pen- 

aunce. 
He  was  despeyred,  no-thing  dorste  he  seye. 
Save  in  hissonges  somwhat  wolde  he  wre.ve 
His  wo,  as  in  a  general  compleyning ;  945 
He  seyde  he  lovede,  and  was  biloved  no- 
thing. (218) 
Of  swich  matere  made  he  manye  layes, 
Songes,  compleintes,  roundels,  virelayes, 
How  that  he  dorete  nat  his  sorwe  telle. 
But  languissheth,  as  a  fiirie  dooth  in  helle ; 
And  dye  he  moste,  he  seyde,  as  dide  Ekko 


For  Narcisus,  that  dorste  nat  telle  hir  wo. 
In  other  manere  than  ye  here  me  seye, 
Ne  dorste  he  nat  to  hir  his  wo  biwreye  ; 
Save     that,    paraventure,    som-tyme    at 

daunces,  955 

Ther  yonge  folk  kepen  hir  obser^-aunces. 
It  may  wel  be  he  loked  on  hir  face 
In  swich  a  wyse,  as  man  that  asketh  grace ; 
But  no-thing  wiste  she  of  his  entente.  (2^ i ) 
Nathelees,   it   happed,    er  they   thennes 

wente,  960 

By-cause  that  he  was  hir  neighebour. 
And  was  a  man  of  worship  and  honour, 
And  hadde  y-knowen  him  of  t jTne  yore. 
They  fiUe  in  speche  ;  and  forth  more  and 

more 
Un-to  his  purpos  drough  Aurelius,         965 
And  whan  he  saugh  his  tj-me,  he  seyde 

thus  : 
'  Madame,'  quod  he,  '  by  god  that  this 

world  made. 
So   that   I   wiste   it  mighte    your   herte 

glade,  (240) 

I  wolde.  that  day  tliat  your  Arveragus 
Wente  over  the  see,  that  I,  Aurelius,    970 
Had  went  ther  never  I  sholde  have  come 

agayn ; 
For  wel  I  woot  my  service  is  in  vayn. 
My  guerdon  is  but  bresting  of  mj-n  herte  ; 
Madame,  reweth  upon  my  peynes  smerte  ; 
For  with  a  word  ye  may  me  sleen  or  save, 
Heer  at  your  feet  god  wolde  that  I  were 

grave !  976 

I   ne   have   as   now   no    leysec    more   to 

seye  ; 
Have  mercy,  swete,  or  ye  wol  do  me  deye  !' 
She  gan  to  loke  up-on  Aurelius  :      (251) 
'  Is  this  your  wil.'  quod  she,  'and  sey  ye 

thus  ?  980 

Never  erst,'  quod  she,  'ne  wiste  I  what 

ye  mente. 
But  now,  Aurelie,  I  knowe  your  entente. 
By  thiike  god  that  yaf  me  soule  and  lyf. 
Ne  shal  I  never  been  untrewe  wyf        984 
In  word  ne  werk,  as  fer  as  I  have  wit : 
I  wol  ben  his  to  whom  that  I  am  knit  ; 
Tak  this  for  fj-ual  answer  as  of  me.' 
But  after  that  in  pley  thus  seyde  she :  (260) 
'Aurelie,'  quod  she,    'by   heighe  god 

above,  989 

Yet  wolde  I  graunte  yowtolseen  your  love. 


T.  11303-11387.]        F.    ZU  jfranfiefcpe  Zak. 


641 


Sin  I  yow  see  so  pitously  complayne  ; 
Loke  what  day  that,  endelong  Britayne, 
Yeremoeve  alle  the  rokkes,stoon  bystoon, 
That  they  ne  lette  ship  ne  boot  to  goon — 
I  seye,  whan  ye  han  maad  the  coost  so 

clene  995 

Of  rokkes,  that  ther  nis  no  stoon  y-sene, 
Than  wol  I  love  yow  best  of  any  man  ; 
Have  heer  my  trouthe  in  al  that  ever  I 

can.'  {270) 

'  Is  ther  non  other  grace  in  yow  ?  '  qtiod  he. 
'  No,  by  that  lord,'  quod  she,  '  that  niaked 

nxe !  1000 

For  wel  I  woot  that  it  shal  never  bityde. 
Lat  swiche  folies  out  of  your  herte  slyde. 
What  deyntee  sholde  a  man  han  in  his  Ij'f 
For  to  go  love  another  mannes  wyf, 
That  hath  hir  body  whan  so  that  him 

lyketh  ? '  1005 

Aurelius  ful  ofte  sore  syketh  ; 
Wo  was  Aurelie,  whan  that  he  this  herde. 
And  with  a  sorwefvil  herte  he  thvis  an- 

swerde :  (280) 

'Madame,'  quod  he,  'this  were  an  in- 
possible  !  1009 
Than  moot  I  dye  of  sodein  deth  horrible.' 
And  with  that  word  he  turned  him  anoon. 
Tho  come  hir  othere  freendes  many  oon. 
And  in  the  aleyes  romeden  up  and  doun, 
And  no-thing  wiste  of  this  conclusioun. 
But  sodeinly  bigonne  revel  newe  1015 
Til  that  the  brighte  sonne  loste  his  hewe  ; 
For  th'orisonte  hath  reft  the  Sonne  his 

light ;  (289) 

This  is  as  muche  to  seye  as  it  was  night. 
And  hoom  they  goon  in  joye  .and  in  solas, 
Save  only  wrecche  Aurelius,  alias  !  1020 
He  to  his  hous  is  goon  with  sorweful  herte ; 
He  seeth  he  may  nat  fro  his  deeth  astorte. 
Him  semed  that  ho  felte  his  herte  colde  ; 
Up  to  the  hevene  his  handes  he  gan  holde. 
And  on  hisknowesbare  hesettehim  doun. 
And  in  liis  raving  seyde  his  orisoun.  1026 
For  verray  wo  out  of  his  wit  he  breyde. 
He  niste  what  he  spak,  but  thus  he  seyde ; 
With   pitous   herte  his   pleynt  hath  he 

bigonne  (301) 

Un-to    the   goddes,   and   first  un-to  the 

Sonne :  1030 

He  seyde,  '  Appollo,  god  and  govemour 
Of  every  plaunte,  herbe,  tree  and  flour, 


That  yevest,  after  thy  declinacioun, 
To  ech  of  hem  his  tyme  and  his  sesoun, 
As  thyn  herberwe  chaungeth  lowe  or  hyc. 
Lord  Phebus,  cast  thy  merciable  ye    1036 
On  wrecche  Aurelie,  which  that  am  but 

lorn.  (309) 

Lo,  lord  !  my  lady  hath  my  deeth  y-sworn 
With-oute  gilt,  but  thy  benignitee       1039 
Upon  my  dedly  herte  have  som  pitee  ! 
For  wel  I  woot,  lord  Phebus,  if  yow  lest, 
Ye  may  me  helpen,  save  my  lady,  best. 
Now  voucheth  saui'  that  I  may  yow  devyse 
How  that  I  may  been  holpe  and  in  what 

wyse.  :o44 

Your  blisful  suster,  Lucina  the  shene, 
That  of  the  see  is  chief  goddesse  and  quene, 
Though  Neptunus  have  deitee  in  the  see, 
Yet  emperesse  aboven  him  is  she  :       (320) 
Ye  knowen  wel,  lord,  that  right  as  hir 

desyr  1049 

Is  to  be  quiked  and  lightned  of  your  fyr, 
For  which  she  folweth  yow  ful  bisily. 
Right  so  the  see  desyreth  naturally 
To  folwen  hir,  as  she  that  is  goddesse 
Bothe  in  the  see  and  riveres  more  and 

lesse. 
"Wlierfore,  lord    Phebus,    this   is  my  re- 

queste —  1055 

Do  this  miracle,  or  do  myn  herte  breste — 
That  now,  next  at  this  opposicioun,    (329) 
Wliicli  in  the  signe  shal  be  of  the  Leoun, 
As  preyeth  hir  so  greet  a  flood  to  bringe, 
That  fy  ve  fadme  at  the  leeste  it  overspringe 
The  hyeste  rokke  in  Armorik  Briteyne ; 
And  lat  this  flood  endure  yeres  tweyne  ; 
Than  certes  to  my  lady  may  I  seye  : 
"Holdeth  your  heste,  the   rokkes   been 

awoye."  1064 

Lord  Phebus,  dooth  this  miracle  for  me ; 
Preye  hir  she  go  no  faster  cours  than  ye; 
I  sej'e,  preyeth  your  suster  that  she  go 
No  I'aster  cours  than  yo  thise  yeres  two. 
Than  shal  she  been  evene  atte  fuUe  alway, 
And  sjiring-flood  laste  bothe  night  and 

day.  (342)  1070 

And,  but  she  vouche-satif  in  swicho  manere 
To  graunte  me  my  sovereyn  lady  dere, 
Prey  hir  to  sinken  every  rok  adoun 
In-to  hir  owene  derko  rcgioun 
Under  the  ground,  thor  Pluto  dwelleth 

inne,  1075 


642 


ZU  CanferBurp  Zake. 


[t.  11388-11471. 


Or  never-mo  shal  I  my  lady  winne. 
Thy  temple  in  Delphoswol  I  barefoot  sake ; 
Lord  Phebus,  see  the  teres  on  my  cheke, 
And  of  ray  peyne  have  som  compassioun.' 
And  with  that  word  in   swowne  he  fil 
adoun,  (352)  1080 

And  longe  tyme  he  lay  forth  in  a  trauno.e. 
His  brother,  which  that  knew  of  his 
penaunce, 
Up  caughte  him  and  to  bedde  he  hath 

him  broglit. 
Dispeyred  in  this  torment  and  this  thoght 
Lete  I  this  woful  creatnre  lye  ;  1085 

Chese  he,  for  me,  whether  he  wol  live  or 
dye. 
Arveragus,  with  hele  and  greet  honour, 
As  he  that  was  of  chivalrye  the  flour,  (360) 
Is  comen  hoom,  and  othere  worthy  men. 
O  blisful  artow  now,  thou  Dorigen,  1090 
That  hast  thy  lusty  housbonde  in  thyne 

armes. 
The  fresshe  knight,  the  worthy  man  of 

armes, 
That  loveth  thee,  as  his  owene  hertes  lyf. 
^No-thing  list  him  to  been  imaginatyf 
If  any  wight   had   spoke,   whyl  he  was 
oute,  1095 

To  hire  of  love  ;  he  hadde  of  it  no  doute. 
He  noght  entendeth  to  no  swich  matere. 
But  daunceth,  justeth,  maketh  hir  good 
chore ;  (370) 

And  thus  in  joye  and  blisse  I  lete  hem 

dwclle, 
And  of  the  syke  Aurelius  wol  I  telle.  1 100 

In  langour  and  in  torment  furious 
Two  yeer  and  more  lay  wrecche  Aurelius, 
Er  any  foot  he  mighte  on  erthe  goon  ; 
Ne  confort  in  this  tynie  hadde  he  noon, 
Saveof  his  brother,  which thatwasaclerk; 
He  knew  of  al  this  wo  and  al  this  werk. 
For  to  non  other  creature  certeyn       1 107 
Of  this  matcrc  he  dorsto  no  word  seyn. 
Under  his  brest  he  bar  it  more  secree  (381) 
Than  ever  dido  Pamphilus  for  Galathee, 
His  lirest  was  hool,  with-outo  for  to  sene. 
But  in  his  herte  ay  was  the  arwe  kene. 
And  wel  ye  knowe  that  of  a  sursanure 
In  surgerye  is  perilous  the  cure. 
But  men  mighte  touche  the  arwe,  or  come 
therby.  1115 

His  brother  weep  and  wayled  prively. 


Til  atte  laste  him  fil  in  remembraunce. 
That  whyl  he  was  at  Orliens  in  IVaunce, 
As  yonge  clerkes,  that  been  likerous  (391) 
To  reden  artes  that  been  curious,         1120 
Seken  in  every  halke  and  every  heme 
Particuler  sciences  for  to  lerne. 
He  him  remembred  that,  upon  a  day. 
At  Orliens  in  studie  a  book  he  say 
Of  magik  naturel,  which  his  felawe,   1125 
That  was  that  tyme  a  bacheler  of  lawe, 
Al  were  he  ther  to  lerne  another  craft. 
Had  prively  upon  his  desk  y-laft ;       (400) 
Which  bocjk  spak  muchel  of  the  opera- 

ciouns, 
Touchinge  the  eighte  and  twenty  man- 

siouns  1 130 

That  longen  to  the  mone,  and  swich  folye, 
As  in  our  dayes  is  nat  worth  a  flyc ; 
For  holy  chirches  feith  in  our  bileve 
Ne  suflfreth  noon  illusion  us  to  greve. 
And  whan  this  book  was  in  his  remem- 
braunce, 1 135 
Anon  for  joye  his  herte  gan  to  daunce, 
And  to  him-self  he  seyde  prively  : 
'  My  brother  shal  be  warisshed  hastily  ; 
For  I  am.  siker  that  ther  be  sciences,  (411) 
By  whiche  men  make  diverse  apparences 
Swiche  as  thise  subtile  tregetoures  pleye. 
For  ofte  at  festes  have  I  wel  herd  seye. 
That  tregetours,  with-innc  an  halle  large, 
Have  maad  come  in  a  water  and  a  barge. 
And  in  the  hallo  rowen  up  and  doun.  1 145 
Somtyme  hath  semed  come  a  grim  leoun  ; 
And  somtyme  floures  springe  as  in  a  mede ; 
Somtyme  a  vyne,  and  grapes  whyte  and 

rede ;  (420) 

Somtyme  a  castel,  al  of  lym  and  stoon  ; 
And  whan  hem  lyked,  voyded  it  anoon. 
Thus  semed  it  to  every  mannes  sighte. 
Now  than  conclude  I  thus,  that  if  I 

mighte  1 152 

At  Orliens  som  old  felawe  y-finde, 
That  hadde  thismones  mansions  in  minde. 
Or  other  magik  naturel  al)ove,  1 155 

He  sholde  wel  make  my  brother  han  his 

love. 
For   with    an    apparence    a  clerk   may 

make 
To  mannes  sighte,  that  alle  the  rokkes 

blake  (430) 

Of  Britaigne  weren  y-voyded  everichon, 


T.  1 147 2-1 1542.]        F.    Z(>t  ■§v<xnMt^m  t^cik. 


643 


And  shippes  by  the   brinke  comen  and 

gun,  1 160 

And  in  swich  forme  endnre  a  day  or  two  ; 
Than  were  my  brother  warisshed  of  his 

■wo. 
Than  moste  she  nedes  holden  hir  biheste, 
Or  elles  he  shal  shame  hir  atte  leste.' 
What  sholde  I  make  a  longer  tale  of 

this?  1165 

Un-to  his  brotheres  bed  he  comen  is, 
And  swich  confort  he  yaf  him  for  to  gon 
To  Orliens,  that  he  iip  stirte  anon,     (440) 
And  on  his  wey  forthward  thanue  is  he 

fare, 
In  hope  for  to  ben  lissed  of  his  care,   11 70 
Whan  they  were  come  almost  to  that 

citee, 
Bnt-if  it  were  a  two  furlong  or  three, 
A  yong  clerk  rominge  by  him-self  they 

mette. 
Which  that  in  Latin  thriftily  hem  grette, 
And  after  that  he  seyde  a  wonder  thing  : 
■  I  knowe,'  quod  he,   '  the  cause  of  your 

coming ' ;  1176 

And  er  they  ferther  any  fote  wente,  (449) 

He  tolde  hem  al  that  was  in  hir  entente. 

This  Briton  clerk  him  asked  of  felawes 

The  whiche  that  he  had  knowe  in  olde 

dawes ;  1180 

And  he  answerde  him  that  they  dede  were. 
For  which  he  weep  ful  ofte  many  a  tere. 
Doun  of  his  hors  Aurelius  lighte  anon, 
And  forth  with  this  magicien  is  he  gon 
Hoom  to  his  hous,  and  made  hem  wel  at 

ese.  1 1 85 

Hem  lakked  no  vitaille  that  mighte  hem 

plese ; 
So  wel  arrayed  hous  as  ther  was  oon 
Aurelius  in  his  lyf  saugh  never  noon.  (460) 
He  shewed  him,  er  he  wente  to  sopeer, 
Forestes,  parkes  ful  of  wilde  deer  ;       1190 
Ther  saugh  he   hertes  with  hir  homes 

hye, 
The  gretteste  that  ever  were  seyn  with  ye. 
He  saugh  of  hem  an  hondred  slayn  with 

houndes, 
And  somme  with  arwes  blede  of  bittro 

woundes. 
He  saugh,  whan  voided  were  thise  wilde 

deer,  11 95 

Thise  fauconers  upon  a  fair  river. 


That   with   hir   haukes   han    the    heron 

slayn. 
Tho  saugh  he  knightes  justing  in  a  playn  : 
And  after  this,  he  dide  him  swich  ple- 

saunce,  (471) 

That  he  him  shewed  his  lady  on  a  daunce 
On  which  him-self  he  daunced,  as  him 

thoughto.  1201 

And  whan  this  maister,  that  this  magik 

wroughte, 
Saugh  it  was  tyme,  he  clapte  his  handes 

two. 
And  farewel !  al  our  revel  was  ago. 
And  yet  remoeved  they  never  out  of  the 

hous,  1205 

Whyl  they  saugh  al  this  sighte  merveillous. 
But  in  his  studie,  ther-as  his  bookes  be. 
They  seten  stille,  and  no  wight  but  they 

three.  (480) 

To  him  this  maister  called  his  squyer, 
And  seyde  him  thus  :  '  is  redy  our  soperV 
Almost  an  houre  it  is,  I  undertake,     1211 
Sith  I  yow  bad  our  soper  for  to  make. 
Whan  that   thise   worthy   men   wenteu 

with  me 
In-to  my  studie,  ther-as  my  bookes  be." 
'  Sire, '  quod  this  squyer,  '  whan  it  lyketh 

yow,  12 15 

It  is  al  redy,  though  ye  wol  right  now." 
'  Go  we  than  soupe,'  quod  he,  '  as  for  the 

beste ; 
This  amorous  folk  som-tyme  mote  lian 

reste.'  (490,; 

At-after  soper  fille  they  in  tretee, 
Wliat  somme  sholde  this  maistres  guer- 
don be,  1220 
To  remoeven  alle  the  rokkes  of  Britayne, 
And  eek  from  Gerounde  to  the  mouth  of 

Sayne. 
He  made  it  straunge,  and  swoor,  so  god 

him  save, 
Lasse  than  a  tliousand  pound  he  woldu 

nat  have, 
Ne  gladly  for  that  somme  he  wolde  nat 

goon.  1225 

Aurelius,  witli  blisful  hcrte  anoon, 
Answerde  thus, '  fy  on  a  thousand  pound  ! 
This  wyde  world,  which  tliat  men  seye  is 

round,  (500) 

I  wolde  it  yeve,  if  I  were  lord  of  it.      1229 
This  bargayn  is  ful  drive,  for  we  ben  knit. 


Y    2 


644 


^^e  4^an<er6urp  ^afea.  [t.  11543-11622. 


Ye  shal  be  payed  trewely,  by  my  trouthe  ! 
But   loketli   now,    for    no   necligence   or 

slouthe, 
Ye  tarie  us  heer  no  lenger  than  to-morwe.' 
•  Nay,'  quod  this  clerk,  '  have  heer  my 

feith  to  borwe.' 

To  bedde  is  goon  Aurelius  whan  liim 

leste,  1235 

And  wel  ny  al  that  night  he  hadde  his 

reste ;  (50S) 

^Vhat  for  his  labour  and  his  hope  of  blisse, 

His  woful  herte  of  penaunce  hadde  a  lisse. 

Upon  the  morwe,  whan  that  it  was  day. 

To  Britaigne  toke  they  the  righteway,  1240 

Aurelius,  and  this  magicien  bisyde, 

And   been   descended    ther    they  wolde 

abyde  ; 
And  this  was,  as  the  bokes  me  remembre, 
The  eolde  frosty  seson  of  Decembre. 

Phebus  wex  old,  and  hewed  lyk  latoun, 
That  in  his  hote  declinacioun  1246 

Shoon  as  the  burned  gold  with  stremes 
brighte ;  (519) 

But  now  in  Capricorn  adoun  he  lighte, 
^\^ler-as  he  shoon  ful  pale,  I  dar  wel  seyn. 
The  bittre  frostes,  with  the  sleet  and  re3m, 
Destroyed  hath  the  grene  in  every  yerd. 
Janus  sit  by  the  fjrr,  with  double  herd. 
And  driuketh  of  his  bugle-horn  the  wyn. 
Biforn   him  stant  braun  of  the   tusked 
swyn,  1254 

And  •  Xowcl '  cryeth  every  lusty  man. 

Aurelius,  in  al  that  ever  he  can, 
Doth  to  his  maister  chere  and  reverence, 
And  preyeth  him  to  doon  his  diligence 
To  briugen  him  out  of  his  peynes  smerte. 
Or  with  a  swerd  that  he  wolde  slitte  his 
herte.  (532)  1260 

This  subtil  clerk  swich  routhe  had  of 
this  man, 
That  night  and  day  he  spedde  him  that 

he  can, 
To  wayte  a  tyme  of  his  conclusioun  ; 
This  is  to  seye,  to  make  illusioun, 
By  swich  an  apparcnce  or  jogelrye,     1265 
T  ne  can  no  termes  of  astrologye, 
That  she  and  every  wight  sholde  wene 
and  seye,  (539) 

That  of  Britaigne  the  rokkcs  were  aweye, 
Or  elles  they  were  sonkon  under  grounde. 
So  atte  laste  he  hath  his  tyme  y-founde 


To  niaken  his  japes  and  his  wrecched- 

nesse  127: 

Of  swich  a  supersticious  cursednesse. 
His  tables  Toletanes  forth  he  broght, 
Ful  wel  corrected,  nc  ther  lakked  noght, 
Xeither  his  collect  ne  his  expans  yeres, 
Ne  his  rotes  ne  his  othere  geres,  1276 

As  been  his  centres  and  his  arguments. 
And  his  proporcionels  convenients      (550) 
For  his  equaeions  in  every  thing. 
And,  by  his  eighte  spere  in  liis  wirking, 
He   knew  ful  wel   how  fer  Alnath  was 

shove  1 28 1 

Fro  the  heed  of  thilke  fixe  Aries  above 
That  in  the  ninthe  speere  considered  is  ; 
Ful  subtilly  he  calculed  al  this. 

Whan  he  had  founde  his  firste  man- 

sioun,  1285 

He  knew  the  remenant  by  proporcioun  ; 
And    knew   the    arj'sing    of   his    mone 

weel. 
And  in  whos  face,  and  terme,  and  every- 

deel ;  (560) 

And  knew  ful  weel  the  mones  raansioun 
Acordaunt  to  his  operacioun,  1290 

And  knew  also  his  othere  observaunces 
For  swiche  illusioxins  and   swiche   mes- 

chaunces 
As  hethen  folk  used  in  thilke  dayes  ; 
For  which  no  lenger  maked  he  delayes. 
But   thurgh   his   magik,  for  a  wyke   or 

tweye,  1295 

It  semed  that  alle  the  rokkes  were  aweye. 

Aurelius,  which  that  j-et  despeired  is 
Wher  he  shal  han  liis  love  or  fare  amis, 
Awaiteth  night  and  day  on  this  miracle  ; 
And  whan  he  knew  that  ther  was  noon 

obstacle,  (572)   1300 

That  voided  were  thise  rokkes  everichou, 
Doun  to  his  maistrcs  feet  he  fil  anon. 
And  seyde,  '  I  woful  wrecche,  Aurelius, 
Thanke  yow,  lord,  and  lady  myn  Venus, 
That  me  han  holpen  fro  my  cares  colde  :' 
And  to  the  temple  his  wey  forth  hath  he 

holde,  1306 

Wher-as  he  knew  ho  sholde  his  lady  see. 
And  whan  he  saugh  his  tyme,  anon-right 

he,  (580) 

With  dredful  herte  and  with  ful  humble 

chere, 
Salewed  hath  his  sovereyn  lady  dere :  1310 


T.  11623-11698.]        F.    ZU  SvmMi]^m  Zak, 


645 


'  My  riglite  lady,'  quod  this  wofal  man, 
'  Whom  I  most  drede  and  love  as  I  best 

can, 
And  lothest  were  of  al  this  world  displese, 
Nere  it  that  I  for  yow  have  swich  disese. 
That   I   moste   dyen   heer   at    yotir   foot 

anon,  13 15 

Noght  w-olde  I  telle  how  me  is  wo  bigon  ; 
But  certes  outher  moste  I  dye  or  pleyne  ; 
Ye  slee  me  giltelees  for  verray  peyne.  (590) 
But  of  my  deeth,  tliogh  that  ye  have  no 

routhe, 
Avyseth    yow,    er    that    3-e    breke    your 

trouthe.  1320 

Repenteth  yow,  for  thilke  god  above, 
Er  ye  me  sleen  by-cause  that  I  yow  love. 
For,  madame,  wel  ye  woot  what  ye  han 

hight ; 
Nat  that  I  chalange  any  thing  of  right 
Of  yow  my  sovereyn  lady,  but  your  grace ; 
But  in  a  gardin  yond,  at  swich  a  place, 
Ye  woot  right  wel  what  ye  bihighten  me  ; 
And  in  myn  hand  your  trouthe  plighten 

ye  (60C)) 

To  love  me  best,  god  woot,  ye  seyde  so, 
Al  be  that  I  vinwortliy  be  therto.         1330 
Madame,  I  speke  it  for  the  honour  of  yow, 
More  than  to  save  myn  hertcs  Ij^  right 

now; 
I  have  do  so  as  ye  comanded  me  ; 
And  if  ye  vouche-sauf,  ye  may  go  see. 
Doth  as  yow  list,  have   your  biheste  in 

minde,  1335 

For  quik  or  deed,  right  ther  ye  shul  me 

finde ; 
In  yow  lyth  al,  to  do  me  live  or  deye  ; — 
But  wel  I  wtK)t  the  rokkes  been  aweye  ! ' 
He  taketh  his  leve,  and  she  astonied 

stood,  (611) 

In  al  hir  face  nas  a  drope  of  blood  ;     1340 
She  wende  never  han  come  in  swich  a 

trappe  : 
'  Alias  ! '  quod  she,  '  that  ever  this  sliolde 

happe ! 
For  wende  I  never,  by  possibilitee. 
That  swich  a  monstre  or  merveille  mighte 

be! 
It  is  agayns  the  proces  of  nature  : '      1345 
And  boom  she  gooth  a  sorweful  creature. 
For  verray  fere  uimctho  may  she  go. 
She  wepeth,  wailluth,  al  a  day  or  two,  (O20) 


And  swowneth,  that  it  routhe  was  to  see; 
Biit  why  it  was,  to  no  wight  tolde  she  ;  1350 
For  out  of  toune  was  goon  Arveragus. 
But  to  hir-self  she  spak,  and  seyde  thus. 
With   face   pale   and  with   ful   sorwetui 

chere, 
In  hir  compleynt,  as  ye  shul  after  here  : 
'  Alias,'  quod  she,   '  on  thee,  Fortune, 

I  pleyne,  1355 

That   unwar   wrapped   hast    me    in   thj- 

cheyne ; 
For  which,  t'escape,  woot  I  no  sooour 
Save  only  deeth  or  elles  dishonour  ;    (630) 
Oon  of  thise  two  bihoveth  me  to  chese. 
But  nathelees,  yet  have  I  lever  lese     1360 
My  lyf  than  of  my  body  have  a  shame, 
Or  knowc  my-selven  fals,  or  lese  my  name. 
And  with  my  deth  I  maj'  be  quit,  y-wis. 
Hath   ther   nat    many   a   noble   wyf,   er 

this,  1364 

And  many  a  mayde  y-slayn  hir-self,  alias ! 

Rather  than  with  hir  body  doon  trespas  ? 

Yis,  certes,  lo,  thise  stories  beren  wit- 

nesse ; 
Whan   thretty  tyraunts,   ful   of  cursed- 

nesse,  (640) 

Had  slayn  Phidoun  in  Athenes,  atte  feste, 
They  comanded  his  doghtres  for  t'areste. 
And  bringen  hem  biforn  hem  in  despyt 
Al  naked,  to  fulfille  hir  foul  delyt,       13-j 
And  in  hir  fadres  blood  they  made  hem 

daunce 
Upon  the  pavement,  god  yeve  hem  jnis- 

chaunce ! 
For  which  thise  woful   maydens,   ful  of 

drede,  1375 

Rather  than  they  woldo  lese  hir  mayden- 

hede. 
They  prively  ben  stirt  in-to  a  welle. 
And   dreynte   hem-selvcn,   as   the   bokes 

telle.  (650) 

They  of  Messene  lete  enqiicre  and  seke 
Of  Lacedomie  fifty  maydens  eke,  1380 

On  whiche  they  woldcn  doon  hir  leclierye ; 
But  was  ther  noon  of  al  that  companye 
That   she   nas    slayn,    and   with   a  good 

entente 
Chees  rather  for  to  dye  than  assente 
To  been  oppressed  of  hir  maydenhede.  13^5 
Why  sholde   I   thanne   to   dye   been    in 

liredc  ? 


646 


ZU  fianferBur^  ZciUe. 


[t.  11699-1 1 778. 


Lo,  eek,  the  tirannt  Aristoclides  (659) 
That  loved  a  mayden,  lieet  Stimphalides, 
Whan  that  hir  fader  slajai  was  on  a  night, 
Un-to  Diiines  temple  goth  she  right,  1390 
And  hente  the  image  in  hir  handes  two, 
Fro  which  image  wolde  she  never  go. 
No  wight  no  mighte  hir  handes  of  it  arace, 
Til  she  was  slayn  right  in  the  selve  place. 
Xow  sith   that   maydens   hadden   swich 

despj-t  1395 

To  been  defoulcd  with  mannes  foial  delyt, 
Wei  oghte  a  wyf  rather  hir-selven  slee 
Than  he  dcfmiled,  as  it  thinketh  mo.  (670) 

What  shnl  I  seyn  of  Hasdrubales  wyf. 
That  at  Cartage  biraite  hir-self  hir  lyf  ? 
For  whan  she  saugh  that  Eomajms  wan 

the  toiin,  1401 

She  took  hir  children   alle,   and   skijjte 

adoun 
Tn-to  the  fyr,  and  chees  rather  to  dye 
Than  any  Romaj-n  dide  hir  vileinye. 
Hath    nat    Liicresse    y-slayn    hir-self, 

alias !  1405 

At  Rome,  whanne  she  oppressed  was 
Of    Tarquin,    for    hir    thoughte    it   was 

a  shame 
To  liven  whan  she  hadde  lost  liir  name? 
The  seveno  maydens  of  Milesie  also  (681) 
Han  slayn  hem-self,  for  verray  drede  and 

wo,  1410 

Rather  than  folk  of  Ganle  horn  sholdc 

oppresse. 
Mo  than  a  thousand  stories,  as  I  gesse, 
Coudo    I    now    telle    as    touchinge    this 

matcre. 
^^^lan  Habradate  was  slayn,  his  wyf  so 

dero 
Hirselven   slow,    and    loot   hir    blood   to 

glyde  1415 

III  Habradatcs  woundes  depe  and  wyde. 
And  scyde,  "  my  body,  at  the  looste  way, 
Thor  shal  no  wight  dcfoulon,  if  I  may." 
What  sholde  I  mo  ensamplos  heer-of 

sayn,  (691)  1419 

Slth  that  so  manye  ban  hem-selven  sla.-yni 
Wcl  rather  than  they  woldo  dcfouled  be? 
I  wol  conclude,  that  it  is  bet  for  mo 
To  sleen  my-self,  than  been  defoulcd  thus. 
I  wol  be  trewe  un-to  Arveragus, 
Or  rather  sleen  my-self  in  som  manere, 
As  dide  Domocioncs  doghter  dere,        1426 


By-cause  that  she  wolde  nat  defouled  be. 

O  Cedasvis  !  it  is  ful  greet  pitee,       (700) 

To  reden  how  thy  doghtren  deyde,  alias  ! 

That  slowe  hem-selven  for  swich  manor 

cas.  1430 

As  greet  a  pitee  was  it,  or  wel  more. 
The  Theban  maj'den,  that  for  Nichanore 
Hir-selven  slow,   right  for  swich  maner 
wo. 

Another  Theban  mayden  dide  right  so  ; 
For  oon  of  Macedoine  hadde  hir  oppressed, 
She  with  hir  deeth  hir  maydenhede  re- 
dressed. 1436 

What  shal  I  seye  of  Nicerates  wyf, 
That  for  swich  cas  birafte  hir-self  hir  lyf? 

How  trewe  eek  was  to  Alcebiades  (711) 
His  love,  that  rather  for  to  dyen  chees  1441) 
Than  for  to  suffre  his  body  imburied  be  ! 
Lo  which  a  wyf  was  Alcest^,'  quod  she. 

'  What  seith  Omer  of  gode  Penalopee  ? 
Al  Greco  knoweth  of  hir  chastitee. 

Pardee,  of  Laodomya  is  writen  thus,  1^45 
That  whan  at  Troye  was  slayn  Prothe- 

selaus, 
No  longer  wolde  she  live  after  his  day. 

The  same  of  noble  Porcia  telle  I  may  ; 
With-oute  Brutus  coudc  she  nat  live,  (721) 
To  whom   she   hadde  al  hool  hir  herte 
yivo.  1450 

The  parfit  wj^fliod  of  Arthemesye 
Honoured  is  thurgh  al  the  Barbarye. 

O  Teuta,  queen  !  thy  wyfly  chastitee 
To  alio  wyvcs  may  a  mirour  be.  1454 

The  same  thing  I  seye  of  Bilia,        [T.  om. 
Of  Rodogone,  and  eek  Valeria.'        [T.  om. 

Thiis  pleyned  Dorigeno  a  day  or  tweye, 
Purposinge  ever  that  she  wolde  deye.  (730) 

But  nathelees,  upon  the  thridde  night, 

Hom  cam  Arverag:us,  this  worthy  knight, 

And  asked  hir,   why  that   she  weep   so 

sore?  1461 

And  she  gan  wopen  ever  longer  the  more. 

'  Alias  ! '    quod    she,    '  that    ever    was 
I  born  ! 
Thus  have  I  seyd,'  quod  she,  '  thus  liave 

I  sworn ' — 
And  told  him  al  as  ye  ban  herd  bifore ;  1465 
It  ncdoth  nat  rehorce  it  j'ow  na-more. 

This    honsbond    with    glad    chore,    in 
freendly  ^^'yse, 
Answerde  and  seyde  as  I  slial  yow  dovyso  : 


T.  1 1 779-1 1846.  J        F.    ZH  ^vanhU^m  Zak. 


647 


'Is  tlier  oght  elles,  Dorigen,  but  this?'  (741) 
'Nay,  nay,'  quod  she,  'god  help  me  so, 

as  wis  ;  147" 

This  is  to  muche,  and  it  were  goddes  wille.' 

'  Ye,  wyf,'  quod  he,  '  lat  slepen  that  is 

stille  ; 
It  may  be  wel,  paraventure,  yet  to-day. 
Ye  shul  your  trouthe  holden,  by  my  fay  ! 
For  god  so  wisly  have  mercy  on  me,     1475 
I  hadde  wel  lever  y-stikcd  for  to  be. 
For  verray  love  which  that  I  to  yow  have, 
But-if  ye  sholde  your  trouthe  kepe  and 

save.  (750) 

Trouthe   is   the   hyeste  thing  that  man 

may  kepe  : ' — 
Bvit  with   that  word   he  brast  anon   to 

wepe,  1480 

And  seyde,   '  I  yow  forbede,  up  peyne  of 

deeth. 
That   never,   whyl   thee   lasteth    lyf   ne 

breeth, 
To  no  wight  tel  thoai  of  this  aventure. 
As  I  may  best,  I  wol  my  wo  endure, 
Ne  make  no  contenance  of  hevinesse,  1485 
That  folk  of  yow  may  demen    harm   or 


And    forth    ho    cleped   a   squyor    and 

a  maydo  : 

'  Goth    forth    anon    with    Dorigen,'    he 

sayde,  (760) 

'  And    bringeth    hir    to    swich    a   place 

anon.' 
They  take  hir  leve,  and  on  hir  woy  they 
gon ;  1490 

But  they  ne  wiste  why  she  thider  wente. 
He  nolde  no  wight  tellen  his  entente.  (764) 
Paraventure  an  heep  of  yow,  y-wis, 

[T.  om. 
Wol  holden  him  a  lewed  man  in  this, 

[T.  om. 
That  he  wol  putte  his  wyf  in  jupartye  ; 

[T.  oin. 
Herkneth  the  tale,  er  ye  up-on  hir  crye. 

[T.  om. 

She  may  have  bettro  fortune  than  yow 

semeth ;  [T.  om. 

And  whan   that   ye   han  lierd  the  tale, 

demeth.  [T.  om. 

Tliis  squyer,  which  that  highte  Aurelius, 

On  Dorigen  that  was  so  amorous,  (772)  1500 

Of  aventure  happed  hir  to  meto 


Amidde  the  toun,  right  in  the  quikkest 

strete. 
As  she  was  boun  to  goon  the  wey  forth- 
right 
Toward  the  gardin  ther-as  she  had  hight. 
And  he  was  to  the  gardinward  also ;    1505 
For  wel  he  spyed,  whan  she  wolde  go 
Out  of  hir  hous  to  any  maner  place. 
But    thus    they   m.ette,    of    aventure   or 

grace ;  (780) 

And  he  saleweth  hir  with  glad  entente, 
And  asked  of  hir  whiderward  she  wente  ? 
And  she  answerde,  half  as  she  were  mad, 
'  Un-to  the  gardin,  as  myn  housbond  bad. 
My  troiithe  for  to  holde,  alias  !  alias  ! ' 

Aurelius  gan  wondren  on  this  cas, 
And  in  his  herte  had  greet  compassioun 
Of  hir  and  of  hir  lamentacioun,  1516 

And  of  Arveragus,  the  worthy  knight. 
That   bad   hir   holden    al  that  she   had 

hight,  (790) 

So  looth  him  was  his  wyf  sholde  breke 

hir  trouthe  ; 
And  in  his  herte  he  caiighte  of  this  greet 

routhe,  1520 

Consideringe  the  beste  on  every  syde, 
That  fro  his  lust  yet  were  him  lever  abyde 
Than  doon  so  heigh  a  cherlish  wrecched- 

nesse 
Agayns  franchyse  and  alle  gentillesse  ; 
For  which  in  fewe  wordes  seyde  he  thus : 
'  Madame,  seyth  to  your  lord  Arveragus, 
That  sith  I  see  his  grete  gentillesse     (800) 
To  yow,  and  eek  I  see  wel  your  distresse. 
That  him  were  lever  han  shame  (and  that 

were  routhe) 
Than  ye  to  me  sholde   breke  thus  your 

trouthe,  1530 

I  have  wel  lever  ever  to  suffre  wo 
Than  I  departe  the  love  bitwix  yow  two. 
I  yow  relesse,  madame,  in-to  your  hond 
Quit  every  surement  and  every  bond,  1534 
That  ye  han  maad  to  mo  as  heer-biforn, 
Sith  thilke  tymo  which  that  ye  were  born. 
My  trouthe  I  plighte,   I  shal  yow  never 

rcprevo 
Of  no  l>ihesto,  and  here  I  take  my  love. 
As  of  the  treweste  and  the  beste  wyf  (8n) 
That  ever  yet  I  knew  in  al  my  lyf.       1540 
But  e\-ery  wyf  be-war  of  hir  biheste, 
Oil  Dorigene  remembreth  atte  leste. 


648 


ZU  CanferBurp  Cafee. 


_T.    I1847-11928. 


Thus  can  a  squyer  doon  a  gentil  dede, 
As  well  as  can  a  knight,  with-outen  drede.' 

She  thonketh  him  up-on  hir  knees  al 
bare,  1545 

And  hoom  un-to  hir  housbond  is  she  fare, 
And  tolde  him  al  as  ye  han  herd  rue  sayd  ; 
And  be  ye  siker,  he  was  so  weel  apayd,  (820) 
That  it  were  inpossible  me  to  wryte  ; 
What  sholde  I  lenger  of  this  cas  endyte  ? 

Arveragus  and  Dorigene  his  wj-f      155 1 
In  sovereyn  blisse  leden  forth  hir  Ij-f. 
Xever  eft  ne  was  ther  angre  hem  bitwene  ; 
He   cherisseth   hir   as   though   she  weic 
a  queue  ;  1554. 

And  she  was  to  him  trewe  for  evermore. 
Of  thise  two  folk  ye  gete  of  me  na-morc. 

Aurehus,  that  his  cost  hath  al  forlorn, 
Curseth  the  tyme  that  ever  he  was  born  : 
'  Alias,'  quod  he,  '  alias  !  that  I  bihighte 
Of   pured    gold    a    thousand    pound    of 
wighto  (832)  1560 

Un-to  this  philosophre  !  how  shal  I  do  ? 
I  see  na-more  but  that  I  am  fordo. 
Myn  heritage  moot  I  nedes  selle. 
And    been   a   begger ;    heer    may   I   nat 

dwelle. 
And  shamen  al  my  kinrede  in  this  place. 
But  I  of  him  may  gete  bettre  grace.     1566 
But  nathelees,  I  wol  of  him  assaye,    (839) 
At  certeyn  dayes,  yeer  by  yeer,  to  paye, 
And  thanke  liim  of  his  grete  curteisye  ; 
My  trouthe  wol  I  kepe,  I  wol  nat  lye.'  1570 

With  herte  soor  he  gooth  un-to  his  cofrc. 
And  broghte  gold  un-to  this  philosophre. 
The  value  of  fy  vo  hundred  pound,  I  gesse, 
And  him  bisecheth,  of  his  gentillesse, 
To  graunte  him  dayes  of  the  remenaunt. 
And  seyde,  '  maister,  I  dar  wel  make 
avaunt,  1576 

I  failled  never  of  my  trouthe  as  yit ; 
For  sikerly  my  dette  shal  be  quit         (850) 
Towardes  yow,  how-eve  r  that  I  fare 
To  goon  a-begged  in  my  kirtle  bare.     1580 
But  wolde  ye  vouche-sauf,  up-on  scurtee, 
Two  yeer  or  three  for  to  respyten  mo. 
Than  wore  I  wel ;  for  elles  moot  I  selle 
Myn  heritage ;  ther  is  na-more  to  telle.' 

Tliis  philosophre  sobrely  answerde,  1585 


And  seyde  thus,  whan  he  thise  wordes 
herde  :  (858) 

'  Have  I  nat  holden  covenant  un-to  thee?' 
'  Yes,  certes,  wel  and  trewely,'  quod  he. 
'  Hastow  nat  had  thy  lady  as  thee  lykoth?' 
'  No,    no,'   quod    he,   and    sorwefuUy  he 
syketh.  1590 

'  What  was  the  cause  ?  tel  me  if  thou  can.' 
Aurelius  his  tale  anon  bigan, 
And  tolde  him  al,  as  ye  han  herd  bifore ; 
It  nedeth  nat  to  yo-w  reherce  it  more. 

Heseide,  'Arveragus,  of  gentillesse,  1595 
Had  lever  dye  in  sorwe  and  in  distressc 
Than   that  his  wyf  were  of  hir  trouthe 
fals.'  (869) 

The  sorwe  of  Dorigen  he  tolde  him  als, 
How  looth  hir  was  to  been  a  wikked  wyf, 
And  that  she  lever  had  lost  that  day  hir 
lyf,  1600 

And  that  hir  trouthe  she  swoor.  thurgh 

innocence  : 
'  She  never  erst  herde  speke  of  apparence ; 
Tliat  made  me  lian  of  hir  so  greet  pitee. 
And  right  as  frely  as  lie  sente  hir  me, 
As  frely  sente  I  hir  to  liim  ageyn.        1605 
This  al  and  som,  ther  is  na-more  to  seyn.' 
This      philosophre      answerde,      '  leve 
brother, 
Everich  of  yow  dide  gentilly  til  other.  (880) 
Thou  art  a  squyer,  and  he  is  a  knight ; 
But  god  ibrbedo,  for  liis  blisful  might,  1610 
But-if  a  clerk  coude  doon  a  gentil  dede 
As  wel  as  any  of  yow,  it  is  no  drede  ! 

Sire,  I  relesse  thee  thy  thousand  pound, 

As  thou  riglit  now  were  cropen  out  of  the 

ground,  1614 

Ne  never  er  now  ne  liaddest  knowen  me. 

For  sire,  I  wol  nat  take  a  peny  of  thee 

For  al  my  craft,  ne  noght  for  my  travaille. 

Thou  hast  y-payed  wol  for  my  vitaille ;  (890) 

It  is  y-nogh,  and  farewel,  have  good  day:' 

And  took  his  hors,  and  forth  he  gooth 

his  way.  1620 

Lordinges,  this  question  wolde  I  aske 

now. 

Which  was  the  moste  free,as  thinketh  yow? 

Now  telleth  me,  er  that  ye  ferther  wende. 

I  can  na-more,  my  tale  is  at  an  ende.  (896) 


Here  is  ended  the  Frankeleyns  Tale. 
ne  six  lines,  numbered  11929-34  in  Tyrwhitt's  text,  are  spurious;  for  his 
11.  ii93';-i2902,  see  pp.  551-564  ;  /or  11.  12903-15468,  see  pp.  492-551 


T.  15469-15519.]    G.    ZH  ^econbe  (Uonnea  Zak. 


649 


GEOUP   G. 


THE    SECONDE    NONNES    TALE. 


The  Prologe  of  the  Seconde  Nonnes  Tale. 


Tut:  ministre  and  the  norice  nn-to  vyces, 
Wliich  that  men  clepe  in  English  ydel- 

nessG, 
That  porter  of  tlie  gate  is  of  delyces, 
T'escliue,  and  liy  hir   contrarie   hir   op- 

presse, 
That  is  to  seyn,  hy  levefnl  hisinesse,  5 

Wei  oghten  wo  to  doon  al  our  entente, 
Lest  that  the  f'cend  thiirgh  ydelnesse  ns 

hente. 

For  he,  that  with  his  thousand  cordes  slye 
Continuelly  us  waitcth  to  biclappo, 
Whan  ho  may  man  in  ydelnesse  espye,  lo 
He  can  so  lightly  cacclie  him  in  his  trappe, 
Til  tliat  a  man  be  hcnt  right  by  the  lappe, 
He  nis  nat  war  the  feend  hath  him  in 

honde ; 
Wei  oughte  us  werche,  and  ydelnes  witli- 

stonde. 

And  though  men  dradden  never  for  to  dye, 
Yet  seen  men  wel  by  reson  doutelees,     16 
That  ydelnesse  is  roten  slogardye, 
Of  which    thcr    never    comth    no   good 

encrees ; 
And  seen,  that   slouthe  hir  holdetli   in 

a  lees 
Only  to  slepe,  and  for  to  ete  and  drinke. 
And  to  devouren  al  that  othere  swinke.  21 

And  for  to  putte  us  fro  swich  ydelnesse, 
That  cause  is  of  so  greet  confusioun, 
I  have  heer  doon  my  feithful  bisinesse, 
After  the  legende,  in  translacioun  25 

Right  of  thy  glorious  lyf  and  passioun. 
Thou  with   thy  gerland  wroght  of  rose 

and  lilie  ; 
Theo  mene   I,   mayde   and  martir,  seint 

Cecilie ! 


Jnuocacio  ad  Mariam. 

Akd  thou  that  flour  of  virgines  art  alio, 
Of  whom    that   Bernard   list   so   wel   to 

wryte,  30 

To  thee  at  ray  biginning  first  I  calle  ; 
Thou   comfort    of    us   wrecches,    do    me 

endyte 
Thy  maydens  deeth,  than  wan  thurgh  liir 

meryte 
The  eternal  lyf,  and  of  the  feend  victorie. 
As  man  may  after  reden  in  hir  storie.    35 

Thou  mayde  and  mooder,  doghter  of  thy 

sone, 
Tliou  welle  of  mercy,  sinful  soules  cure, 
In  whom  that  god,  for  bountee,  chees  t<> 

wone. 
Thou    humble,    and    heigh    over    every 

creature, 
Thou  nobledest  so  ferforth  our  nature,  40 
That   no   desdeyn   the   maker   hadde   of 

kinde, 
His  sone  in  blodo  and  flesh  to  clothe  and 

winde. 

Withinne  the  cloistre  blisful  of  thy  sydes 
Took  mannes  shap  the  eternal  lovo  and 

pees, 
That  of  the  tryno  compas  lord  and  gydo 

is,  45 

Wliom  crthe  and  see  and  hcven,  out  of 

relees, 
Ay  herien  ;  and  tliou,  virgin  wemmelees, 
Bar  of  thy  body,  and  dweltest  maytlen 

pure. 
The  creatour  of  every  creature. 

Assembled  is  in  thee  raa^iificence  50 

With  mercy,  goodnesse,  and  with  swich 
piteo 

3 


6nO 


ZU  Can^erButp  Zake. 


[t.  i552o-15.:^89. 


That  thou,   that  art  the  soniie  of  excel- 
lence, 
Nat  only  helpest  hem  that  preyen  thee, 
But  ofte  tynie,  of  thy  benignitee,  54 

Ful  frely,  er  that  men  tliyn  help  biseche, 
Thou  goost  biforn,  and  art  hir  ly^'es  leehe. 

Now  help,  thou  meke  and  blisful  fayre 

maj'de. 
Ale,  flemed  wrecche,  in  this  desert  of  galle  : 
Think   on   the   womman    Cananee,   that 

sayde 
That  wholpes  eten  somme  of  the  crommes 

alle  60 

That  from  hir  lordes  table  been  y-falle  ; 
And  though  that  I,  unworthy  sone  of  Eve, 
Be  sinful,  yet  accepte  my  bileve. 

And,  for  that  feith   is   deed  with-outen 

werkes, 
So  for  to  werken  yif  me  wit  and  space,  65 
That  I  be  quit  fro  thennes  that  most  derk 

is! 
O  thou,  that  art  so  fayr  and  ful  of  grace. 
Be  n>yn  advocat  in  that  heighe  place 
Ther-as  withouten  ende  is  songe  'Osanne,' 
Thou   Cristes    mooder,    doghter    dere   of 

Anne !  70 

And  of  thy  light  my  soule  in  prison  lighte. 

That  troubled  is  by  the  contagioun 

Of  my  body,  and  also  by  the  wighte 

Of  erthly  luste  and  fals  affeccioun  ; 

O  haven  of  refut,  o  salvacioun  75 

Of  hem  that  been  in  sorwo  and  in  dis- 

tresse, 
Now  help,  for  to  my  werk  I  wol  me  dresse. 

Yot  preye  I  yow  that  reden  that  I  wryte, 
Forj'eve  me,  that  I  do  no  diligence 
This  ilke  storit;  subtilly  to  endj'te  ;  80 

For  both  have  I  the  wordes  and  sentence 
Of  him  that  at  the  seintes  reverence 
The  storie  wroot,  and  folwe  hir  legende. 
And   iirey  yow,   that    ye   wol   my  werk 
amende. 

Interpretacio  nominis  C'ecilie,  quam  ponit 
/rater  Jacobus  lanttensis  in  Legenda 
Aurea. 

First  wolde  I  yow  the  name  of  seint 
Cecilie  85 

Expoune,  as  men  may  in  hir  storie  see, 


It  is  to  seye  in  English  '  hevenes  lUie,' 
For  pure  ehastnesse  of  virginitee  ; 
Or,  for  she  whytnesse  hadde  of  honestee, 
And   grene  of  conscience,   and   of  good 
fame  90 

The  sote  savour,  '  lilie  '  was  hir  name. 

Or  Cecile  is  to  seye  '  the  wey  to  blinde,' 
For  she  ensample  was  by  good  techinge ; 
Or  elles  Cecile,  as  I  ■\vriten  iinde. 
Is  joyned,  by  a  maner  conjoininge  95 

Of  '  hevene  '  and    '  Lia ' ;    and    heer,   in 

figuringe. 
The  '  heven  '  is  set  forthoght  of  holinesse. 
And  '  Lia '  for  hir  lasting  bisinesse. 

Cecile  may  eek  be  seyd  in  this  manere, 
'  Wanting   of  blindnesse,'  for   hir  grete 

light  100 

Of  sapience,  and  for  hir  thewes  clere  ; 
Or  elles,  lo  !  this  maydens  name  bright 
Of  '  hevene '  and  '  leos  '  comth,  for  which 

by  right 
Men  mighte  hir  wel  '  the  heven  of  peple ' 

calle,  104 

Ensample  of  gode  and  ■vvysc  werkes  alle. 

For  '  leos '  '  peple  '  in  English  is  to  seye. 
And  right  as  men  may  in  the  hevene  see 
The  Sonne  and  nione  and-sterres  every 

weye, 
Right  so  men  gostly,  in  this  mayden  free, 
Seyen  of  feith  the  magnanimitee,  1 10 

And  eek  the  cleernesse  hool  of  sapience. 
And  sondry  werkes,  brighte  of  excellence. 

And  right  so  as  thise  philosophres  wryte 
That  heven  is  swift  and  round  and  eek 

brenninge, 
Right  so  was  fayre  Cecilie  the  whyte  1 15 
Ful  swift  and  bisy  ever  in  good  werkinge, 
And  round  and  hool  in  good  perseveringe. 
And  brenning  ever  in  charitee  ful  brighte ; 
Now  have  I  yow  declared  what  she  liighte. 
E.rplicit. 

Here    biginneth    the    Seconde    Nonnes 
Tale,  of  the  lyf  of  Seinte  Cecile. 

Tills  mayden  bright  Cecilie,  as  hir  lyf 
seith,  120 

Was  comen  of  Komaj'ns,  and  of  noble 
kinde. 


T.  15590-15666.]    G.    "^^e  ^econbe  Qtonnee  Zak. 


651 


And  from  hir  cradel  up  fostred  in  the 

feith 
Of  Crist,  and  bar  his  g<ispel  in  hir  minde ; 
She  never  ccssed,  as  I  writen  finde, 
Of  hir  preyere,  and  god  to  love  and  drede, 
Bisekinghini  to  kepe  hir  maydenhede.  126 

And  when  this  mayden  sholde  unto  a  man 
Y-wedded  he,  tliat  was  ful  yong  of  age, 
Which  that  y-cleped  was  Valerian, 
And  day  was  comen  of  hir  mariage,  130 
She,  Inl  devout  and  humble  in  hir  corage, 
Under  hir  robe  of  gold,  that  sat  ful  fayre, 
Had  next  hir  flesh  y-clad  hir  in  an  heyre. 

Aiid  whyl  the  organs  maden  melodye. 
To  god  alone  in  herte  thus  sang  she  ;    135 
'  O  lord,  mj-  soule  and  eek  my  body  gye 
Unwemmed,  lest  that  I  confounded  be  :' 
And,  for  his  love  that  deyde  upon  a  tree. 
Every  seconde  or  thridde  day  she  faste, 
Ay  biddingo  in  hir  orisons  ful  faste.      140 

The  night  cam,  and  to  bedde  moste  she 

gon 
With  hir  housbonde,  as  ofte  is  tlie  manere, 
And  prively  to  him  slie  seyde  anon, 
'  O  swete  and  wel  biloved  spouse  dere, 
Ther  is  a  conseil,  and  ye  wolde  it  here, 
Which  that  right  fain  I  wolde  unto  yow 

seye,  146 

So  that  ye  swere  ye  shul  me  nat  biwreye.' 

Valerian  gan  faste  iinto  hir  swere, 
That  for  no  eas,  ne  thing  that  mighte  be, 
He  sholde  never-mo  biwreyen  here  ;      150 
And  thanne  at  erst  to  him  thiis  seyde  she, 
'  I  have  an  angel  which  that  loveth  me. 
That  with  greet  love,  wher-so  I  wake  or 

slepe. 
Is  redy  ay  my  body  for  to  kepe.  154 

And  if  that  he  may  felen,  out  of  drede, 
That  ye  me  touclie  or  love  in  vileinye. 
He  right  anon  wol  slee  yow  with  the  dede, 
And  in  yoiir  yowthe  thus  ye  shulden  dye ; 
And  if  that  ye  in  clcne  love  me  gye, 
He  wol  yow  loven  as  me,  for  your  clen- 

nesse,  160 

And  shewen  yow  his  joye  and  his  bright- 

nesse.' 


Valerian,  corrected  as  god  wolde, 
Answerde  agayn,  '  if  I  shal  trusten  thee, 
Lat  me  that  angel  see,  and  him  biholde  ; 
And  if  that  it  a  verray  angel  be,  165 

Than  wol  I  doon  as  thou  hast  preyed  me  ; 
And  if  thou  love  another  man,  for  sothe 
Right  with  this  swerd  than  wol  I  slee  ,yow 
bothe.' 

Cecile  answerde  anon  right  in  this  wyse, 
'  If  that  yow  list,  the  angel  shul  ye  see,  170 
So  that  ye  trowe  on  Crist  and  yow  bap- 

tyse. 
Goth  forth  to  Via  Apia,'  quod  she, 
'  That  fro  this  toun  ne  stant  but  m.yles 

three. 
And,  to  the  povre  folkes  that  ther  dwelle, 
Sey  hem  right  thiis,  as  that  I  shal  yow 

telle.  175 

Telle  liem  that  I,  Cecile,  yow  to  hem  sente. 

To  shewen  yow  the  gode  Urban  the  okle, 

Por  secree  nedes  and  for  good  entente. 

And  wlian  that  ye  seint  Urljan  han  bi- 
holde, 

Telle  him  the  wordes  whiche  I  to  yow 
tolde;  180 

And  whan  that  he  hath  purged  yow  fro 
sinne, 

Thanne  shul  ye  see  that  angel,  er  .ye 
twinne.' 

Valerian  is  to  the  place  y-gon. 

And   right   as   him   was    taught   by   his 

lerninge, 
He  fond  this  holy  olde  Urban  anon        185 
Among  the  seintes  buriels  lotinge. 
And  he  anon,  with-outen  taryinge, 
Dide  his  message  ;  and  whan  that  he  it 

tolde. 
Urban  for  joye  his  hondos  gan  up  hokle. 

The  teres  from  his  yen  leet  he  falle —  igo 
'  Almighty  lord,  O  Jesu  Crist,'  quod  he, 
'  Sower  of  chast  conseil,  herde  of  us  alle, 
The  fruit  of  thilke  seed  of  chastitce 
That  thou  hast  sowe  in  Cecile,  tak  to  thee ! 
Lo,  lyk  a  bisy  bee,  with-outen  gyle,       195 
Thee  serveth  ay  thjii  owcne  thral  Cecile  ! 

For  thilke  spouse,  that  she  took  but  now 
Ful  lyk  a  fiors  leonn,  she  sendeth  here, 


Y  5 


6-;  2 


tU  CanterBurp  Zake,  [t.  15667-1573^5. 


As  nieke  as  ever  was  any  lamb,  to  yow  ! " 
And    with   that    worde,    anon   ther   gau 

ajipere  200 

An  old  man,  clad  in  whyte  clothes  clere, 
That  haddo  a  book  with  lettre  of  golde  in 

hondo, 
And  gan  biforn  Valerian  to  stonde. 

^'ale^ian  as  deed  fil  doim  for  drede 
Whan  he  him  saugh,   and  he  ui)  hente 

him  tho,  205 

And  on   his   liook   right   thus   he  gan  to 

rede  — 

■  Oo  Lord,  00  feith,  00  god  with-onten  mo, 
Oo  Cristendom,  and  fader  of  alio  also, 
Aboven  alle  and  over  al  everywhere ' — 
Thise  Avordes  al  with  gold  y-writen  were. 

"VMian  this  was  rad,  than  seyde  this  olde 
man,  211 

■  Leveitow  this  thing  or  no  ?    sey  ye  or 

nay.' 

■  I  leve  al  this  thing,'  qnod  Valerian, 

■  For  sother  thing  than  this,  I  dar  wel  say, 
Under  the  hevene  no  wight  thinke  may.' 
Tho   vanisshed    th'olde    man,    he    niste 

where,  216 

And   pope    Urban    him   cristened    right 
there. 

Valerian  goth  hoom,  and  fint  Cecilie 
With-inno   his   chambro  with   an   angel 

stonde  ; 
This  angel  hadde  of  roses  and  of  lilie    220 
("loroncs  two,  the  which  he  bar  in  hf)nde  ; 
And  first  to  Cccile,  as  I  imderstonde, 
He  yaf  that  oon,  and  after  gan  he  take 
That  other  to  Valerian,  hir  make. 

■  With  body  clenc  and  with  uuwemmed 

thoght  225 

Kepeth  ay  wel  thise  corones,'  quod  he  ; 

■  Fro  Paradys  to  yow  have  I  hem  broght, 
Xe  never-mo  no  shal  they  roten  be, 

Xe  lose  her  sote  savour,  trusteth  mo  ; 
Nc  never  wight  shal  seen  hem  with  his  ye, 
But  he  be  chaast  and  hate  vileinye.       231 

And  thou.  Valerian,  for  thou  so  sono 
Assentedcst  to  good  conseil  also, 
Sey  what  thee  list,  and  thou  shalt  han 
thy  bone.' 


'  I  have  a  brother,'  quod  Valerian  tho,  235 

'  That  in  this  world  I  love  no  man  so. 

I  pray  yow  that   my  brother   may  han 

grace 
To  knowe  the  trouthe,  as   I  do  in  this 

place.' 

Tho  angel  seyde,  'god  lyketh  thy  request e, 
And  bothe,  with  the  palm  of  martirdom, 
Ye  shullen  come  unto  his  Ijlisful  teste.' 
And  with  that  word  Tiburce  liis  brother 

com. 
And  whan  that  he  the  savour  tindernom 
WTiich  that  the  roses  and  the  lilies  caste, 
With-inne  his  herte   he  gan  to  wondre 

faste,  2^ 

And  seyde,  '  I  wondre,  this  tyme  of  tho 

yeer, 
WTiennes  that  sote  savour  cometli  so 
Of  rose  and  lilies  that  I  smelle  heer. 
For  though  I  hadde  hem  in  myn  hondes 

two,  249 

The  savour  mighte  in  me  no  depper  go. 
The  sote  smel  that  in  myn  herte  I  finde 
Hath  chaunged  me  al  in  another  kinde.' 

Valerian  seyde,  '  two  corones  han  we, 
Snow-whyte  and  rose-reed,  that  shynen 

clere, 
WTiicho  that  thj-n  yen  han  no  might  tf> 

see ;  255 

And   as  thou   smellest  hem  thurgh  my 

preyere. 
So  shaltow  seen  hem,  leve  brother  dore, 
If  it  so  be  thou  wolt,  withouten  slouthe, 
Bileve  aright  and  knowcn  verray  trouthe.' 

Tiburce  answerde,  '  seistow  tliis  to  me  260 
In  soothnosse,  or  in  dreem  I  herknethis?" 
'  In  dromes,'  quod  Valerian,  'han  we  be 
Unto  this  tyme,  brother  mjni,  y-wis. 
But  now  at  erst  in  trouthe  our  dwelling  is.' 
'  How  woostow  this,'  quod  Tiburce,  '  in 
what  wyse  ? '  265 

Quod  Valerian,  '  that  shal  I  thee  devyse. 

The   angel  of  god  hath  me  the  trouthe 

y-tauglit 
Which  thou  shalt  seen,  if  that  thou  wolt 

reneye 


'^-  irTsr-iS'^o!^-]    G-    ^H  ^econbe  (Tlonnee  Cafe. 


653 


The    ydoles    and     be     clene,    and    elles 
naught." —  2G9 

And  of  the  miracle  of  thise  corones  tweye 
Seint  Ambrose  in  his  preface  list  to  seye  ; 
Solempnely  this  noble  doctour  dere 
Commendeth  it,  and  seith  in  this  mauere: 

The  palm  of  martirdom  for  to  recey ve, 
Seinte  Ceeile,  fulfild  of  goddes  yifte,      275 
The  world  and  eek  hir  chambre  gan  she 

weyve ; 
Witnes  Tyburces  and  f  Valerians  shrifte, 
To   whiche    god    of    his   bountee   wolde 

shifte 
Corones  two  of  floures  wel  smellinge, 
And  made  his  angel   hem  the   corones 

bringe :  280 

The   mayde   hath   broght   thise   men    to 

blisse  above  ; 
The  world  hath  wist  what  it  is  worth, 

certeyn, 
Devocionn  of  chastitee  to  love. — 
Tho  shewede  him  Ceeile  al  open  and  pleyn 
Tliat  alle  ydoles  nis  but  a  thing  in  veyn  ; 
For  they  been  dombe,  and   therto   they 

been  deve,  286 

And  charged  him  his  ydoles  for  to  leve. 

'Who  so  that  troweth  nat  this,  a  beste 

he  is,' 
Quod  tho  Tiburce,  'if  that  I  shal  nat  lye.' 
And  she  gan  kisse  his  brest,  that  herde 

this,  29<.) 

Ard  was  ful  glad  he  coude  trouthe  espye. 
'  Tliis  day  I  take  thee  for  myn  allye,' 
Seyde  this  blisful  fa.yro  mayde  dere  ; 
And  after  that  she  seyde  as  ye  may  here  : 

'  Lo,   right  so  as  the  love  of  Crist,'  quod 

she,  295 

'  Made   me   thy  brothercs  wyf,  right  in 

that  wyse 
Anon  for  myn  allye  heer  take  I  thee. 
Sin  that  thou  wolt  thyn  ydoles  dospyse. 
Go  with  thy  brother  now,  and  thee  bap- 

tyse, 
And  make  thee  clene  ;  so  that  tlioii  mowe 

biholde  300 

The  angels   face   of  which   thy   brotlier 

tolde.' 


Tiburce    answerde    and   seyde,    '  brother 

dere, 
First  tel  me  whider  I  slial,  and  to  what 

man?' 
'To  whom?'  quod  he,   'com  forth  with 

right  good  chere, 
I  wol  thee  lede  unto  the  pope  Urban.'  .^05 
'  Til  Urban  ?  brother  myn  Valerian,' 
Quod  tho  Tiburce,  '  woltow  me  thider  lede ? 
Me  thinketh  that  it  were  a  wonder  dede. 

Ne  menestow  nat  Urban,'  quod  he  tho, 
'  That  is  so  ofte  dampned  to  be  deed,    .^10 
And  woneth  in  hallves  alwey  to  and  fro, 
And  dar  nat  ones  putte  forth  his  heed  ? 
Men  sholde  him  brennen  in  a  fyr  so  reed 
If  he  were  founde,  or  that  men  mighte  him 

spye  ; 
And  we  also,  to  here  him  companye—  315 

And  whyl  we  seken  thilke  divinitee 
That  is  y-hid  in  hevene  prively, 
Algate  y-brend  in  this  world  shul  we  be  !" 
To  whom  Ceeile  answerde  boldely,         319 
'  Men  mighten  dreden  wel  and  skilfully 
This  lyf  to  lese,  myn  owene  dere  brother, 
If  this  were  livinge  only  and  non  other. 

But  ther  is  better  lyf  in  other  place. 
That  never  shal  be  lost,  ne  drede   thee 

noght, 
Which  goddes  sone  us  tolde  thurgh  his 

grace ;  325 

That  fadres  sone  hath  alle  thinges  wroght ; 
And  al  that  wroght  is  with  a  skilful  thoght, 
The  goost,  that  fro  the  fader  gan  proccde, 
Hath  sowled  hem,  withouten  any  drede. 

By  word  and  by  miracle  goddes  sone,  330 
Whan  he  was  in  this  world,  declared  here 
That  ther  was  other  lyf  ther  men  may 

wone.' 
To  whom  answerde  Tiburce, '  O  susterdere, 
Ne  seydestow  right  now  in  this  manerc, 
Ther  nis  but  ogod,  lord  in  soothfastnesse ; 
And   now   of  three   how   maystow   here 

witnesse?'  336 

'  Tliat  shal  I  telle,'  quod  she,  '  er  I  go. 
Eight  as  a  man  liath  sapiences  three, 
Memoric,  cngyn,  and  intellect  also. 
So,  in  o  being  of  divinitee,  34(; 


654 


^0e  Canfetfiurp  ^afee.  [t.  15809-15878. 


Three  persoues  may  tlier  right  wel  be.' 
Tho  gan  she  him  ful  bisUy  to  preche 
Of  Cristes  come  and  of  his  peynes  teche, 

And  many  pointes  of  his  passiouu  ; 

How  goddes  sone  in  this  world  was  with- 

holde,  345 

Ti>  doon  mankinde  pleyn  remissioun, 
That   was  y-bounde   in  siime  and  cares 

colde  : 
Al  this  thing  she  unto  Tiburce  tolde. 
And  after  this  Tiburce,  in  good  entente, 
With  Valerian  to  pope  Urban  he  wente, 

That  thanked  god  ;  and  with  glad  herte 
and  light  351 

He  cristned  him,  and  made  him  in  that 
place 

Parfit  in  his  lerninge,  goddes  knight. 

And  after  this  Tiburce  gat  swich  grace, 

That  every  day  he  saugh,  in  tyme  and 
space,  355 

The  angel  of  god  ;  and  every  maner  bone 

That  he  god  axed,  it  was  sped  ful  sone. 

It  were  ful  hard  by  ordre  for  to  seyn 
How    many    wondres    Jesus    for    hem 

wroghte ; 
But  atte  laste,  to  tellen  short  and  pleyn, 
Tlie  sergeants  of  the  toun  of  Rome  hem 

soghte,  361 

And    hem    biforn   Almache    the    prefect 

broghte, 
Which   hem  apposed,  and  knew  al  hir 

entente, 
And  to  the  image  of  Jupiter  hem  sente. 

And  seyde,  '  who  so  wol  nat  sacrifyse,  365 
Swap   of  his   heed,  this  is   my  sentence 

here.' 
Anon  thise  martirs  that  I  j'ow  de^'yse, 
Oon  Maximus,  that  was  an  officere 
Of  the  prefectes  and  his  corniculere. 
Hem   hente ;    and   whan    he   forth    the 

seintes  ladde,  370 

Him-self  he  weep,  for  pitee  that  he  hadde. 

Whan  Maximus  had  herd  the  seintes  lore, 
He  gat  him  of  the  tormentoures  leve, 
And   ladde   hem   to   his   hous   witlioute 
more ;  374 

And  with  liir  preching,  erthat  it  were  eve, 


Tliey  gonnen  fro  the  tormentours  to  reve, 
And  fro  Maxime,  and  fro  his  folk  echone 
The  false  feith,  to  trowe  in  gf)d  allone. 

CeciUe  cam,  whan  it  was  Avoxen  night, 
With  preestes   that    hem    cristned   alle 

y-fere ;  380 

And   afterward,    whan   day   was   woxen 

light, 
Cecile  hem  seyde  with  a  ful  sobre  chere, 
'  Now,  Cristes  owene  knightes  leve  and 

dere. 
Caste  alle  awey  the  werkes  of  derknesse. 
And  armeth   j-ow  in  armure  of  bright- 

nesse.  385 

Ye  han  for  sothe  y-doon  a  greet  bataille, 
Your  cours  is  doon,  your  feith  han  ye 

conserved, 
Goth  to  the  corone  of  lyf  that  may  nat 

faille ; 
The   rightful  juge,    which   that   ye   han 

served,  3S9 

Shall  yeve  it  yow,  as  j-e  han  it  deserved.' 
And  whan  this  thing  was  sej'd  as  I  devyse. 
Men  ladde  hem  forth  to  doon  the  sacrifyse. 

But  whan  they  weren  to  the  place  broglit, 
To  tellen  shortly  the  conclusioun. 
They   nolde    encense   ne   sacrifice    right 
noght,  395 

But  on  hir  knees  they  setten  hem  adoun 
With  humble  herte  and  sad  devocioun, 
And  losten  bothe  hir  hedes  in  the  place. 
Hir  soules  wenten  to  the  king  of  grace. 

This   Maximus,   that    saugh   this    thing 
bityde,  400 

With  pitous  teres  tolde  it  anon-right, 
That  he  hir  soioles  saugh  to  heven  glyde 
With  angels  fvil  of  cleemesse  and  of  light, 
And   with  his  word  converted   many  a 

wight ; 
For  which  Almachius  dide  him  so  to-bete 
With  wliippe  of  leed,  til  he  his  lyf  gan 
lete.  4<i^ 

Cecile  him  took  and  buried  him  anoon 
By  Til)urce  and  Valerian  softely, 
Withinne  hir  burying-place,  under  the 

stoon. 
And  after  this  Almachius  hastily  410 


T.  15879-15953.]    G.    'ZU  ^aconU  (Itonnee  ^afe. 


655 


Bad  his  ministres  fecchen  openly 
Cecile,  so  that  she  mighte  in  his  presence 
Doon  sacrifyce,  and  Jupiter  enceuse. 

But  they,  converted  at  hir  wyse  lore, 
Wepten  ful  sore,  and  yaven  ful  credence 
Unto  hir  word,    and   crj-den   more   and 

more,  416 

•  Crist,  goddes  sone  withouten  difference. 
Is  verray  god,  this  is  al  our  sentence. 
That  hath  so  good  a  ser\'ant  him  to  serve  ; 
This  with   o  voys  we  trowen,  thogh  we 

sterve ! '  420 

Almachius,  that  herde  of  this  doinge, 
Bad  fecchen  Cecile,  that  he  might  hir  see. 
And  alderfirst,  lo  !  this  was  his  axinge, 
'  What  maner  woraman  artow  ? '  tho  quod 
he.  424 

'  I  am  a  gentil  womman  born,'  qi^od  she. 
'  I  axe  thee,'  quod  he,  '  thogh  it  thee  greve. 
Of  thy  religioun  and  of  thy  bileve.' 

'  Ye  han  bigonne  your  question  folily,' 
Qnod   she,   '  that  wolden   two   answeres 

conclude 
In  00  demande  ;  ye  axed  lewedly.'        430 
Almacho  answerde  unto  that  similitude, 
'  Of  whennes  comth  thyn  answering  so 

rude  ? ' 
'  Of  whennes  ? '  quod  she,  whan  that  she 

was  treyned, 
'  Of  conscience    and   of    good   feith   un- 

fejTied.'  434 

Almachius  seyde,  '  ne  takestow  non  hedo 
Of  my  power?'    and  she  answerde  him 

this — 
'  Your  might,'  quod  she,   '  ful  litel  is  to 

drede ; 
For  every  mortal  mannes  power  nis 
But  lyk  a  bladdre,  ful  of  wind,  y-wis.  439 
Por  with  a  nedles  poynt,  whan  it  is  blowe, 
May  al  the  boost  of  it  be  leyd  ful  lowe.' 

'  Ful  wrongfully  bigonne  thou,'  quod  he, 
'  And  yet  in  wrong  is  thy  perseveraunce  ; 
Wostow  nat  how  our  mighty  princes  free 
Han   thus   comanded   and   maad   ordin- 

aunce,  445 

That  every  Cristen  wight  shal  han  pen- 

aunce 


But-if  that  he  his  Cristendom  withseye, 
And  goon  al  quit,  if  he  wol  it  reneye  ? ' 

'  Your  princes  erren,  as  your  nobley  dooth,' 
Quod    tho    Cecile,    '  and    with    a    wood 
sentence  450 

Ye  make  us  gilty,  and  it  is  nat  sooth  ; 
For  ye,  that  knowen  wel  our  innocence. 
For  as  muche  as  we  doon  a  reverence 
To  Crist,  and  for  we  here  a  Cristen  name, 
Ye  putte  on  us  a  cryme,  and  eek  a  blame. 

But  we  that  knowen  thilke  name  so     456 
For  vertuous,  we  may  it  nat  withseye.' 
Almache  answerde,   '  chees  oon  of  thise 

two. 
Do  sacrifyce,  or  Cristendom  reneye. 
That   thou   mowe   now  escapen  by  that 

weye. '  460 

At  which  the  holy  blisful  fayre  mayde 
Gan  for  to  laughe,  and  to  the  juge  seyde, 

'  O  jug9,  confus  in  thy  nycetee, 
Woltow  that  I  reneye  innocence,  464 

To  make  me  a  wikked  wight  ? '  quod  she  ; 
'  Lo  !  he  dissimuleth  here  in  audience. 
He  stareth  and  woodeth  in  his  ad  vertence  ! ' 
To  whom  Almachius,  '  unsely  wrecche, 
Ne  woostow  nat  how  far  my  might  may 
strecche  ? 

Han   noght   our   mighty  princes  to   me 
yeven,  470 

Ye,  bothe  power  and  auctoritee 
To  maken  folk  to  dyen  or  to  liven  ? 
Why  sj)ekestow  so  proudly  than  to  me  ?' 
'  I  speke  noght  but  stedfastly,'  quod  she, 
'  Nat  proudly,  for  I  seye ,  as  for  my  syde, 
We  haten  decdly  thilke  vyce  of  pryde. 

And  if  thou  drede  nat  a  sooth  to  here. 
Than  wol  I  shewe  al  openly,  by  right. 
That  thou  hast  maad  a  ful  gret  lesing  here. 
Thou  seyst,  thy  princes  han  thee  yeven 

might  480 

Bothe  for  to  sleen   and  for  to  quikcn  a 

wight ; 
Thou,  that  ne  mayst  but  only  lyf  bireve, 
Tliou  hast  non  other  power  ne  no  levo  ! 

But   thou  mayst  seyn,  thy  princes   lian 

thee  makcd  484 

Ministrc  of  deeth  ;  for  if  thou  speke  of  mo. 


656 


Z^t  tanUviw^  Zake. 


[t-  15954-16021. 


Thou  lyest,  for  thy  power  is  ful  naked.' 
'  Do  wey  thy  boldnes,'  sej^de  Almachius 

tho, 
'  And  sacrifyce  to  our  goddes,  er  thou  go  ; 
I  recche  nat  what  wrong  that  thou  me 

profre, 
For  I  can  snflfre  it  as  a  philosophre  ;     490 

But  thilke  wronges  may  I  nat  endure 
That  thou  spekest  of  our  goddes  here,' 

quod  he. 
Cecile  answerede,  '  O  nyce  creature, 
Thou  seydest  no  word  sin  thou  spak  to  me 
That  I  ne  knew  therwith  thy  nycetee  ;  495 
And   that  thou  were,   in    every  maner 

wj'se, 
A  lewed  officer  and  a  veyn  justyse. 

Ther  lakketh  no-thing  to  thyn  utter  yen 
That  thou  nart  blind,  for  thing  that  we 

seen  alle  499 

That  it  is  stoon,  that  men  may  wel  espyen. 
That  ilke  stoon  a  god  thou  wolt  it  calle. 
I  rede  thee,  lat  thyn  hand  upon  it  falle. 
And  taste  it  wel,  and  stoon  thou  shalt  it 

finds, 
Sin  that  thou  seest  nat  with  thyn  yen 

blinde. 

It  is  a  shame  that  the  peple  shal  505 

So  scorne  thee,  and  laugho  at  thy  folye  ; 
For  comunly  men  woot  it  wel  overal. 
That  mighty  god  is  in  his  lievenes  hye. 
And  thise  images,  wel  thou  mayst  espye. 
To   thee   ne   to   hem-self  mowe    nought 
profyte,  510 

For  in  effect  they  been  nat  worth  a  myte.' 

Thise  wordes  and  swiche  othere  seyde  she. 
And  he  weex  wroth,  and  bad  men  sholde 

hir  lede 
Horn  til  hir  hous,  '  and  in  hir  hous,'  quod 

he, 
'  Bronne  hir  right  in  a  bath  of  flambes 

rede.'  515 

And  as  he  bad,  right  so  was  doon  in  dede ; 
For  in  a  bath  they  gonno  hirfuste  shetten. 
And  night  and  day  greet  fyr  they  under 

betten. 


Tlie  longe  night  and  eek  a  day  also. 
For  al  the  fyr  and  eek  the  bathes  hete, 
She  sat  al  cold,  and  felede  no  wo,  521 

It  raade  hir  nat  a  drope  for  to  swete. 
But  in  that  bath  hir  Ij-f  she  moste  lete  ; 
For  he,  Almachius,  with  ful  wikko  entente 
To  sleen  hir  in  the  bath  his  sonde  sente. 

Three  strokes  in  the  nekke  he  smoot  hir 

tho,  526 

The  tormentour.  but  for  no  maner  chaunce 
He   mighte    noght  smyte   al   hir   nekke 

a-two  ; 
And  for  ther  was  that  tyme  an  ordin- 

aunce, 
That  no   man   sholde   doon   man   swich 

penaunce  530 

The  ferthe  strook  to  smyten,  softe  or  sore, 
This  tormentour  ne  dorste  do  na-more. 

But  half-deed,  with  hir  nekke  y-corven 

there, 
He  lefte  hir  lye,  and  on  his  wey  is  went. 
Tlie  Cristeu  folk,  which  that  abouto  hir 

were,  535 

With  shetes  han  the  blood  ful  faire  y-hent. 
Three  dayes  lived  she  in  this  torment, 
And  never  cessed  hem  the  feith  to  teche  ; 
That  she  hadde  fostred,  hem  she  gan  to 

preche  ; 

And  hem  she  yaf  hir  moebles  and  hir 
thing,  540 

And  to  the  pope  Urban  bitook  hem  tho. 
And  seyde,  '  I  axed  this  at  hevene  king. 
To  han  respj-t  three  dayes  and  na-mo. 
To  rccomonde  to  j'ow,  er  that  I  go, 
Thise  soules,   lo !    and  that  I  niighte  do 
wercho  545 

Here  of  myn  lious  perpetuelly  a  cherche.' 

Seint  Urban,  with  his  dcknes,  prively 
Tlie  body  fetto,  and  buried  it  by  nighte 
Among  his  othere  seintes  honestly. 
Hir  hous  the   chirche    of   seint  Cecilia 
liighte  I  550 

Seint  Urban  halwcd  it,  as  he  wel  mighte; 
In  which,  into  this  day,  in  noble  wyse, 
Slen  doon  to  Crist  and  to  his  seint  servyse. 


Here  is  ended  the  Seconde  Nonnes  Tale. 


T.  16022-160S7.]   G.  ■^^e  €anon'6  "Peotnan'e  (pvofogue. 


657 


THE  CANON'S  YEOMAN'S  PROLOGUE. 


The  prologe  of  the  Chanons  Yemannes  Tale. 


Wham  ended  was  tlie  lyf  of  seint  Cecyle, 
Er  we  had  riden  fully  fyve  myle,  555 

At  Boghton  under  Blee  us  gan  atake 
A  man,  that  clothed  was  in  clothes  blake, 
And  undernethe  he  hadde  a  whyt  surplys. 
His  hakeney,  that  was  al  pomely  grys, 
So  swatte,  that  it  wonder  was  to  see  ;  560 
It  semed  he  had  priked  myles  three. 
The  hors  cck  that  his  yenian  rood  upon 
So  swatte,  that  unnethe  niighte  it  gon.  (10) 
Aboute  the  peytrel  stood  the  foom  ful  hye. 
He  was  of  fome  al  flekked  as  a  pye.       565 
A  male  tweyfold  on  his  croper  lay, 
It  semed  that  he  caried  lyte  array. 
Al  light  for  somer  rood  this  worthy  man, 
And  in  myn  herte  wondren  I  bigan 
What  that  he  was,  til  that  I  understood 
How   that   his   cloke   was   sowed   to  his 

hood ;  571 

For  which,  when  I  had  longe  avysed  me, 
I  denied  him  som  chanon  for  to  be.  (20) 
His  hat  heng  at  his  bak  doun  by  a  laas. 
For  he  had  riden  more  than  trot  or  paas ; 
He  bad  ay  priked  lyk  as  he  were  wood. 
A  clote-leef  he  hadde  under  his  hood  577 
For  swoot,  and  for  to  kepe  his  heed  from 

hete. 
But  it  was  joye  for  to  seen  him  swete  ! 
His  forheed  dropped  as  a  stillatorie,      580 
Were  ful  of  plantain  and  of  paritorie. 
And  whan  that  he  was  come,  he  gau  to 

crye, 
'  God  save,'  quod  ho,  '  this  joly  companye! 
Faste  have  I  priked,'  qixod  ho,  '  for  your 

sake,  (31) 

By-caijse  that  I  wolde  yow  atake,  585 

To  ryden  in  this  mery  companye.' 
His  yeman  eek  was  ful  of  curteisye, 
And  seyde,  '  sires,  now  in  the  morwe-tyde 
Out  of  your  hostelrye  I  saugh  you  ryde, 


And    warned    beer    my    lord     and     my 

soverayn,  590 

Which  that  to  ryden  with  yow  is  ful  fayn. 
For  his  desport ;  he  loveth  daliaiince.' 
'Freend,  for  thy  warning  god  yeve  thee 

good  chaunce,'  (40) 

Than  seyde  our  host,  '  for  certes,  it  wolde 

seme 
Thy  lord  were  wys,  .and  so  I  may  wel 

deme ;  595 

He  is  ful  jocund  also,  dar  T  leye. 
Can  he  oght  telle  a  mery  tale  or  tweye. 
With  which  ho  glade  may  this  companye  ? ' 
'  Who,  sire  ?  my  lord  ?  ye,  ye,  withouten 

lye, 

He  can  of  murthe,  and  eek  of  jolitee     600 
Nat  but  ynough  ;  also  sir,  trusteth  me, 
And  ye  him  knewe  as  wel  as  do  I, 
Ye  wolde  wondre  how  wel  and  craftily  (50) 
He  coude  werke,  and  that  in  sondry  wyse. 
He    hath    take    on    him    many  a   greet 

empryse,  605 

Which   were   ful   hard   for   any   that   is 

here 
To  bringo  aboute,  but  they  of  him  it  lere. 
As  homely  as  he  rit  amongos  yow. 
If  ye  him  knewe,   it  wolde  be  for   your 

prow ;  6<  9 

Ye  wolde  nat  forgoon  his  aqueyntaunce 
For  mochel  good,  I  dar  leye  in  balaunce 
Al  that  I  have  in  my  possessioun. 
He  is  a  man  of  heigh  discrecioun,         (60) 
I  warne  you  wel,  he  is  a  passing  man.' 
'  Wel,'  quod  our  host,  '  I  pray  thee,  tel 

me  than,  615 

Is  ho  a  clerk,  or  noon  ?  tel  what  ho  is.' 

'Nay,  he  is  grctter  than  a  clerk,  y-wis,' 
Seyde  this  yeman,  '  and  in  wordes  fewe. 
Host,  of  his  craft  soni-what  I  wol  j-ow 

shewe.  619 


658 


Z^i  tankviuv^  Zake. 


[t.  16088-1(^170. 


I  sej'e,  my  lord  can  swicli  subtilitce — 
(But  al  his  craft  ye  may  nat  wite  at  me  ; 
Andsom-whathelpelyet  toliiswerking) — 
That  al  this  ground  on  which  we  been 

ryding,  (70) 

Til  that  we  come  to  Caunterbury  toun, 
He  coude  al  clene  turne  it  np-so-doiin,    625 
And  pave  it  al  of  silver  and  of  gold.' 

And  whan  this  yeman  hadde  thus  y-told 
Unto  our  host,  he  seyde,  '  ben'cite  ! 
This  thing  is  wonder  merveillons  to  me, 
Sin  that  thy  lord  is  of  so  heigh  prudence. 
By-cause  of  which  men  sholde  him  rever- 
ence, 631 
That  of  his  worship  rekketh  he  so  lyte  ; 
His  oversloppe  nis  nat  worth  a  myte,  (80) 
As  in  effect,  to  him,  so  mote  I  go  ! 
It  is  al  baudy  and  to-tore  also.  635 
Why  is  thj'  lord  so  sluttish,  I  thee  preye, 
And  is  of  power  better  cloth  to  beye, 
If  that  his  dede  accords  with  thy  speche? 
Telle  me  that,  and  that  I  thee  biseche.' 
'  Why  ? '  quod  this  yeman,  '  wherto  axe 

ye  nae  ?  640 

God  help  me  so,  for  he  shal  never  thee  ! 
(But  I  wol  nat  avowe  that  I  seye, 
And  therfor  kepe  it  secree,  I  yow  preye). 
Ho  is  to  wys,  in  feith,  as  I  bileve  ;         (91) 
That  that  is  overdoon,  it  wol  nat  preve  645 
Aright,  as  clerkes  seyn,  it  is  a  vyce. 
Wherfor  in  that  I  holde  him  lewed  and 

nyce. 
For  whan  a  man  hath  over-greet  a  wit, 
Ful  oft  him  happoth  to  misiisen  it ; 
So  dooth  my  lord,  and  that  me  greveth 

sore.  650 

God  it  amende,  I  can  sey  yow  na-more.' 
'  Ther-of  no  fors,  good  yeman,'  quod  our 

host; 
'  Sin    of  the   conning   of  thy  lord  thou 

west,  (loo) 

Tel  how  he  dooth,  I  praj'-  thee  hertely, 
Sin  that  he  is  so  cr.afty  and  so  sly.  655 

Whor  dwellen  ye,  if  it  to  telle  be?' 

'  In  the  suburbes  of  a  toun,'  quod  ho, 
'  Lurkinge  in  hemes  and  in  lanes  blinde, 
Wher-as  thise  rol)bours  and  thise  theves 

by  kinde 
Holden  hir  privee  fereful  residence,     660 
As  they  that  dar  nat  shewen  hir  presence  ; 
So  faren  wo,  if  I  ^lial  seye  the  sothe.' 


'  Now,'  quod  our  host,  '  yit  lat  me  talke 

to  the  ;  (no) 

Why  artow  so  discoloured  of  thy  face  ? ' 
'  Peter  ! '  quod  he,   '  god  yeve  it  harde 

grace,  665 

I  am  so  used  in  the  fyr  to  blowe, 
That  it  hath  chaunged  my  colour,  I  trowe. 
I  am  nat  wont  in  no  mirour  to  prye, 
But  swinke  sore  and  Icrne  multiplye. 
We  blondren  ever  and  pouron  in  the  fyr. 
And  for  al  that  we  faj'Ie  of  our  desyr,     671 
For  ever  we  lakken  our  conclusioun. 
To  mocliel  folk  we  doon  illusioun,       (120) 
And  lx)rwe  gold,  be  it  a  pound  or  two. 
Or  ten,  or  twelve,  or  many  sommes  mo,  675 
And  make  hem  wenen,  at  the  leeste  weye, 
That  of  a  pound  we  coude  make  tweye  ! 
Yet  is  it  fals,  but  ay  we  han  good  hope 
It  for  to  doon,  and  after  it  we  grope. 
But  that  science  is  so  for  us  biforn,       680 
We  mowen  nat,  al-though  we  hadde  it, 

sworn. 
It  overtake,  it  slit  awey  so  faste  ; 
It  wol  lis  makon  beggers  atte  laste.'    (130) 
"^'hyl    this    yeman   was    thus    in    his 

talking. 
This  chanoun  drough  him  neer,  and  herde 

al  thing  685 

Which  this  yeman  spak,  for  suspecioun 
Of  mennes  speche  ever  hadde  this  cha- 
noun. 
For  Catoun  seith,  that  he  that  gilty  is 
Demeth  al  thing  be  spoke  of  him,  y-wis. 
That  was  tlie  cause  began  sonyhimdrawe 
To  his  yeman,  to  herknen  al  his  sawe.  691 
And  thus  he  seyde  un-to  his  yeman  tho, 
'  Hold  thou  thy  pees,  and  spek  no  wordes 

mo,  (140) 

For  if  thou  do,  thou  shalt  it  dere  abye ; 
Thou  sclaundrest  me  heer  in  this  com- 

panye,  695 

And  eek  discoverest  that  thou  sholdest 

hyde.' 
'  Ye,'  quod  our  host,  '  telle  on,  what  so 

bityde ; 
Of  al  his  threting  rekke  nat  a  myte  ! ' 
'  In  feith,'  quod  he,  '  namorc  I  do  but  lji;e.' 
And  whan  this  chanon  saugh  it  wolde 

nat  be,  700 

But  his  yeman  wolde  telle  his  privetee. 
He  fledde  awev  for  verray  soi-we  an  d  shame. 


T.  i6i 71-16235.]   G.  'Z^t  €6<ittoun6  'Pemannee  Zak. 


'^59 


'  A  ! '  quod  tlie  yenian,  '  lieer  shal  aryse 
game,  ('5i^) 

Al  that  I  can  anon  now  wol  1  telle.  704 
Sin  lie  is  goon,  the  foulo  feeud  him  quelle  ! 
For  never  her-after  wol  I  with  him  mete 
Por  peuy  ne  for  pound,  I  yow  l^ihete  ! 
He  that  me  broghte  first  imto  that  game, 
Er  that  he  dye,  sorwe  have  he  and  shame  ! 
For  it  is  ernest  to  me,  by  my  feith  ;  710 
That  I'ele  I  wel,  what  so  any  man  seith. 


And  yet,   tor  al  my  smerte   and  al  my 

grief, 
For  al  my  sorwe,  labour,  and  meschief, 
I  coude  never  leve  it  in  no  wyse.         (161) 
Now  wolde  god  my  wit  mighte  suifyse  715 
To  tellen  al  that  longeth  to  that  art  ! 
But  natheles  yow  wol  I  tellen  part ; 
Sin  that  my  lord  is  gon,  I  wol  nat  spare  ; 
Swich  thing  as  that  I  knowe,  I  wol  de- 
clare.'—  71c; 


Here  endeth  the  Prologe  of  the  Chanonns  Yemannes  Tale. 


THE    CHANOUNS   YEMANNES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Chanouns  Yeman  his  Tale. 


[Prima  Pars.] 

With  this  chanoun  I  dwelt  have  seven 
yeer,  720 

And  of  his  science  am  I  never  the  neer. 
Al  that  I  hadde,  I  have  y-lost  ther-by ; 
And  god  wot,  so  hath  many  mo  than  I.  (170) 
Ther  I  was  wont  to  be  right  fresh  and  gay 
Of  clothing  and  of  other  good  array,  725 
Now  may  I  were  an  hose  upon  myn  heed  ; 
And  wher  my  colour  was  bothe  fresh  and 

reed, 
Now  is  it  wan  and  of  a  leden  hewe  ; 
Who-so  it  useth,  sore  shal  he  rewe. 
And  of  my  swink  yet  blered  is  myn  ye,  730 
Lo !  which  avantage  is  to  multiplye  ! 
That  slyding science  hath  me  maad  so  bare. 
That  I  have  no  good,  wher  that  ever  I  fare  ; 
And  yet  I  am  endetted  so  ther-ljy        (181) 
Of  gold  that  I  have  borwed,  trewely,     735 
That  whyl  1  live,  I  shal  it  quyte  never. 
Lat  every  man  be  war  by  me  for  ever  ! 
What  maner  man  that  casteth  him  ther-to. 
If  ho  continue,  I  holde  hi.s  thrift  y-do. 
Sohelpe  megod,  ther-by  shalhe  nat  winne, 
But  empte  his  purs,  and  make  his  wittes 
thinne.  (188)  741 

And  whan he,thurghhismadnesaudfolyi', 


Hath  lost  his  owene  good  thurgh  jupartye, 
Thanne  he  e.xcyteth  other  folk  ther-to. 
To  lese  hir  good  as  he  him-self  hath  do.  745 
For  unto  shrewes  joye  it  is  and  ese 
To  have  hir  felawes  in  peyne  and  disese  ; 
Thus  was  I  ones  lerned  of  a  clerk. 
Of  that  no  charge,  I  wol  speke  of  our  werk. 
Whan  we  been  ther  as  we  shiil  exorcyse 
Our  elvish  craft,  we  semen  wonder  wyse. 
Our    ternies    been     so    clergial    and    so 
queynte.  (199)  752 

I  blowe  the  fyr  til  that  myn  herte  feynte. 

What  sholde  I  tellen  ech  proxjorcioun 
Of  thinges  whiche  that  we  wercho  ui)on, 
As  on  fy\'e  or  sixe  ounces,  may  wel  be,  756 
Of  silver  or  som  other  quantitee. 
And  bisio  mo  to  telle  yow  the  names 
Of  orpiment,  brent  bones,  yren  squames, 
That  into  poudre  grounden  been  ful  smal  ? 
And  in  an  crthen  jiotte  how  put  is  al,  761 
And  salt  y-put  in,  and  also  papeer,     (209) 
Biforn  thise  povidres  that  I  speke  of  heer, 
And  wel  y-covered  with  a  Limpo  of  glas. 
And  mochel  other  thing  which  that  ther 
was  ?  765 

And  of  the  pot  and  glasses  enluting. 
That  of  the  eyre  mighte  passe  out  no-thingf 


C6o 


ZU  Canferfiurp  Zcike. 


[t.  162.^6—16.^27, 


And  of  the  esy  fyr  and  smart  also, 
WTiich  that  was  maad,  and  of  the  care 
and  wo  769 

Tliatwe  hadde  in  our  matires  sublyming, 
And  in  amalganiing  and  ealcening 
Of  qiiik-sUver,  y-clept  Mercurie  crude  ? 
For  alle  owe  sleightes  we  can  nat  con- 
clude. (220) 
Our  orpinient  and  sublymed  Mercuric, 
Our  grounden  litarge  eek  on  the  porphurie, 
Of  ech  of  thise  of  ounces  a  certeyn        776 
Xought  helpeth  us,  our  labour  is  in  veyn. 
Ne  eek  our  spirites  ascencioun, 
Ne  our  materes  that  lyen  al  fixe  adoun, 
Mowe  in  our  werking  no-thing  us  avayle. 
For  lost  is  al  our  labour  and  travayle,     781 
And  al  the  cost,  a  twenty  devel  weye, 
Is  lost  also,  which  we  iipon  it  leye.      (230) 

Ther  is  also  ful  many  another  thing 
Tliat  is  unto  our  craft  apertening  ;         78.^ 
Though  I  by  ordre  hem  nat  reherce  can, 
By-cause  that  I  am  a  lewed  man. 
Yet  wol  I  telle  hem  as  they  come  to  minde. 
Though  I  ne  can  nat  sette  hem  in  hir 

kinde  ; 
As  bole  armoniak,  verdegrees,  boras,    790 
And  sondry  vessels  maad  of  erthe  and  glas. 
Our  urinales  and  our  descensories, 
Violes,  croslets,  and  sublymatories,     (240) 
Cucurbites,  and  alembykes  eek. 
And  othere  swiche,  derc  j'-nough  a  leek. 
Xat  nedetli  it  for  to  reherce  hem  alle,     796 
Watres  rubifying  and  boles  galle, 
Arsenik,  sal  armoniak,  and  brimstoon  ; 
And  herbes  coude  I  telle  eek  many  oon, 
As  egremoine,  valerian,  and  lunarie,    800 
And  othere  swiche,  if  that  me  liste  tarie. 
Our  lampesbrenning  bothe  night  and  day. 
To  bringe  aboute  our  craft,   if  that  we 
may.  (250) 

Our  foumeys  eek  of  calcinacioun, 
And  of  watres  albificacioun,  805 

Unslekketl  lyni,  chalk,  and  gleyre  of  an  ey, 
Poudres  diverse,  asshes,  dong,  pisse,  and 

cley, 
Cered  pokets,  sal  peter,  vitriole  ; 
And  divers  fyres  maad  of  wode  and  cole  ; 
Sal  tartre,  alkaly,  and  sal  preparat,      810 
And  combust  materes  and  coagulat, 
Cley  maad  with  hors  or  mannes  heer,  and 
oile 


Of  tartre,  alum,  glas,  berm,   wort,   and 

argoile,  (260/ 

Resalgar,  and  our  materes  enbibing  ; 
And  eek  of  oiir  materes  encorporing,     815 
And  of  our  silver  citrinacioiin. 
Our  cementing  and  fermcntacioun, 
Our  ingottes,  testes,  and  many  mo. 

I  wol  yow  telle,  as  was  me  taught  also, 
The  foure  spirites  and  the  bodies  sevene. 
By  ordre,  as  ofte  I  herde  my  lord  hem 

nevene.  821 

The  first  e  spirit  quik-silver  called  is,  (269) 
The  second  orpiment,  the  thridde,  y-wis, 
Sal  armoniak,  and  the  ferthe  brimstoon. 
The  bodies  sevene  eek,  lo !  hem  heer  anoon  : 
Sol  gold  is,  and  Luna  silver  we  threpe,  826 
Mars  yren,  Mercurie  quik-sUver  we  clepe, 
Saturnus  leed,  and  Jupiter  is  tin. 
And  Venus  coper,  by  my  fader  kin  !      829 

This  cursed  craft  who-so  wol  exercyse. 
He  shal  no  good  han  that  him  may  suffyse ; 
For  al  the  good  he  spendeth  thor-aboute, 
He  lese  shal,  ther-of  have  I  no  doute.  (2S0) 
^Vho-so  that  listeth  outen  his  folye,      834 
Lat  him  come  forth,  and  lerne  multiplye  ; 
And  every  man  that  oght  hath  in  his  cofre, 
Lat  him  appere,  and  wexe  a  phUosofre. 
Ascaunce  that  craft  is  so  light  to  lere  ? 
Nay,  nay,  god  woot,  al  be  he  monk  or 

frere. 
Freest  or  chanoun,  or  any  other  wight,  840 
Though  he  sitte  at  his  book  bothe  day  and 

night. 
In  lernyng  of  this  elvish  nyce  lore, 
Al  is  in  vej'n,  and  parde,  mochel  more  ! 
To  lerne  a  lewed  man  this  subtiltee,  (291) 
Fy !  spek  nat  ther-of,  for  it  wol  nat  be ;  845 
Al  conne  he  letterure,  or  conne  he  noon. 
As  in  effect,  he  shal  finde  it  al  oon. 
For  bothe  two,  by  my  savacioun, 
Concluden,  in  multiplicacioun, 
Y-lyke  wel,  whan  they  han  al  y-do  ;      850 
This  is  to  seyn,  they  fayleu  b<jthe  two. 

Yet  forgat  I  to  makcn  rehersaille 
Of  watres  corosif  and  of  limaille,         (300) 
And  of  bodyes  mollificacioun, 
And  also  of  hir  induracioun,  855 

Oiles,  ablucions,  and  metal  fusible, 
To  tellen  al  wolde  passen  anj-  bible 
That  o-wher  is;  wherfor,  as  for  the  beste, 
Of  alle  thise  names  now  wol  I  me  reste. 


T.  16328- 16409. J    G.  'ZU  C^anoune  'X)einanne0  Cafe. 


66  r 


Foi',  as  I  trowe,  I  liave  yow  told  y-nowe  860 
To  reyse  a  feend,  al  loke  he  never  so  rowe. 
A  !  nay  !  lat  be  ;  the  philosophres  stoon, 
Elixir  clept,  we  sechen  faste  echoon  ;  (310) 
For  liadde  we  him,  than  were  we  siker 

y-now. 
But,  unto  god  of  heven  I  make  avow,  865 
For  al  our  craft,  whan  we  hau  al  y-do. 
And  al  our  sleighte,  he  wol  nat  come  us  to. 
He  hath  y-maad  us  spenden  mochel  good. 
For  sorwe  of  which  almost  we  wexen  wood, 
But  that  good  hope  crepeth  in  our  herte, 
Supposinge  ever,  though  we  sore  smerte, 
To  he  releved  by  him  afterward  ;  872 

Swich  supposing  and  hoj)e  is  sharp  and 

hard  ;  (320) 

I  warne  yow  wel,  it  is  to  seken  ever  ; 
That  futur  temps  hath  maad  men  to  dis- 
sever, 875 
In  trust  ther-of,  from  al  that  ever  they 

hadde. 
Yet  of  that  art  thcj'  can  nat  wexen  sadde, 
For  unto  hem  it  is  a  bitter  swote  ; 
So  semeth  it ;  for  nadde  they  but  a  shete 
Which  that  they  mighte  wrappe  hem  inne 

a-night,  880 

And  a  bak  to  walken  inne  by  day-light, 
They  wolde  hem  selle  and  sjjenden  on  this 

craft ;  (329) 

They  can  nat  stinte  til  no-thing  be  laft. 
And  evermore,  wher  that  ever  they  goon. 
Men  may  hem  knowe  by  smel  of  brim- 

stoon ;  885 

For  al  the  world,  they  stinken  as  a  goot ; 
Her  savour  is  so  rammish  and  so  hoot, 
Tliat,  though  a  man  from  hem  a  myle  be. 
The  savour  wol  infecte  him,  trusteth  me; 
Lo,  thus  by  smelling  and  threedbare  array, 
If  that  men  liste,  th  is  folk  they  knowe  may. 
And  if  a  man  wol  aske  hem  prively,  892 
Why  they  been  clothed  so  iinthriftily,  (340) 
They  right  anon  wol  rownen  in  his  ere, 
And  seyn,  that  if  that  they  espycd  were, 
Men   wolde  hem   slee,   by-cause    of   hir 

science ;  896 

Lo,  thus  this  folk  bitrayen  innocence  ! 
Passe  over  this  ;  I  go  my  tale  un-to. 
Er  than  the  pot  be  on  the  fyr  y-do, 
Of  metals  with  a  certein  quantitee,      900 
My  lord  hem  tempreth,  and  no  man  but 

he— 


Now  he  is  goon,  I  dar  seyn  boldely — ■ 
For,  as  men  seyn, he  can  don  craftily  ;  (350) 
Algate  I  woot  wel  he  hath  swich  a  name, 
And  yet  ful  ofte  he  renneth  in  a  blame ;  9(\=; 
And  wife  ye  how  ?  ful  ofte  it  happeth  so, 
The  pot  to-breketh,  and  farewel !  al  is  go  ! 
Thise  metals  been  of  so  greet  violence, 
Our  walles  naowe  nat  make  hem  rcsistence, 
But  if  they  weren  wroght  of  ]  ym  and  stoon  ; 
They  percen  so,  and  thurgli  the  wal  they 

goon,  911 

And   somnie    of    hem   sinken    in-to   the 

ground—  (359) 

Thus  han  we  lost  by  tymes  many  a  pound-^- 
And  somme  are  scatored  al  the  floor  aboute, 
Somme  lepe  in-to  the  roof;    with-outen 

doiite,  915 

Though  that  the  feend  noght  in  our  sighte 

him  shewe, 
I  trowe  he  with  us  be,  that  ilke  shrewe ! 
In  helle  wher  that  he  is  lord  and  sire, 
Nis  ther  more  wo,  ne  more  rancour  ne  ire. 
Whan  that  our  pot  is  broke,  as  I  have 

sayd,  920 

Every  man  chit,  and  halt  him  yvel  apayd. 

Som   sej'de,   it   was   long  on   the  fyr- 

making,  (369) 

Som  seyde,  nay  !  it  was  on  the  blowing  ; 
(Than  was  I  fered,  for  that  was  myn  office) ; 
'  Straw ! '  quod  the  thridde,  'ye  been  lewed 

and  nyce,  925 

It  was  nat  tempred  as  it  oghte  be.' 
'  Nay ! '  quod  the  ferthe, '  stint,  and  herkne 

me  ; 
By-cause  our  fyr  ne  was  nat  maad  of  beech , 
That  is  the   cause,  and  other  noon,  so 

theech ! ' 
I  can  nat  telle  wher-on  it  was  long,       930 
But  wel  I  wot  greet  stryf  is  lis  among. 
'  What ! '  quod  my  lord,  'ther  is  na-more 

to  done, 
Of  thise  perils  I  wol  bo  war  eft-sone  ;  (380) 
I  am  right  siker  that  the  pot  was  erased. 
Be  as  bo  may,  be  ye  no-tliing  amascd  ;  935 
As  usage  is,  lat  swepe  the  floor  as  swythe, 
Plukke  np  your  hertes,  and  both  gladde 

and  blytho.' 
The  muUok  on  an  hepe  y-swoped  was. 
And  on  the  floor  y-cast  a  canovas, 
And  al  this  muUok  in  a  sivo  y-throwe,  94(; 
And  sifted,  and  y-piked  many  a  throwe. 


662 


^^e  €an^cr6urp  ^afee.  [t.  i  6410-16493. 


'  Pardee,'   quod  <>on,   '  somwhat  of  oiir 

metal 
Yot  is  tlier  lieer,  though  that  we  han  nat  al. 
Al-though  this  thing  niishapped  have  as 

now,  (391) 

Another  tyme  it  may  be  wel  y-now,      945 
Us  moste  putte  our  good  in  aventure  ; 
A  marchant,  parde  !  may  nat  ay  endure 
Trusteth  me  wel,  in  his  prosperitee  ; 
Somtyme  his  good  is  drunclied  in  the  see, 
And  somtym   comth   it   sanf  iin-to   the 

londe.'  950 

'  Pees ! '  quod  my  lord,  '  the  next  tyme 

I  wol  fonde  (398) 

To  bringe  our  craft  al  in  another  plyte  ; 
And  but  I  do,  sirs,  lat  me  han  the  wyte  ; 
Ther  was  defaute  in  som-what,  wel  I  woot.' 
Another  seyde,  the  fyr  was  over  hoot : — 
But,  be  it  hoot  or  cold,  I  dar  seye  this,  956 
That  we  conckiden  evermore  amis. 
We  fayle  of  that  which  that  we  wolden 

have, 
And  in  our  madnesse  evermore  we  rave. 
And  whan  we  been  togidres  everichoon. 
Every  man  semeth  a  Salomon.  961 

But  al  thing  which  that  shyneth  as  the 

gold  (409) 

Nis  nat  gold,  as  that  I  have  lierd  it  told  ; 
Ne  every  appel  that  is  fair  at  ye 
Ne  is  nat  good,  what-so  men  clappe  or 

crye.  965 

Right  so,  lo  !  fareth  it  amonges  us  ; 
He  that  semeth  the  wysest,  by  .Jesus  ! 
Is  most  fool,  whan  it  cometh  to  the  preef ; 
And  he  that  sen^eth  trewest  is  a  theef ; 
That  shul  .^e  knowe,  er  that  I  fro  yow 

wende,  970 

By  that  I  of  mj^  talc  have  maad  an  ende. 
Explicit  prima  pars. 

Et  aequitur  pars  secunda. 
Ther  is  a  chanoun  of  religiotTn 
Amoiigcs  us,  wolde  infecte  al  a  toun,  (420) 
Though  it  as  greet  were  as  was  Ninivee, 
Uome,Alisaundrc,Troye,  and  othere  three. 
His  sloightes  and  his  infinit  falsnesse     976 
Ther  coude  no  man  wrj-ten,  as  I  gesse, 
Thogh  that  he  mighte  liven  a  thousand 

yeer. 
In  al  this  world  of  falshede  nis  his  peer  ; 
For  in  his  termes  so  he  wolde  him  windo, 


And  speke  his  wordes  in  so  sly  a  kinde,  981 
Whan  he  commune  shal  with  any  wight, 
That  he  wol  make  him  doten  anon  right, 
But  it  a  feend  be,  as  him-selven  is.  (431) 
Fitl  many  a  man  hath  he  bigyled  er  this, 
And  wol,  if  that  he  live  may  a  whyle  ;  986 
And  yet  men  ryde  and  goon  ful  many  a 

myle 
Him  for  to  seke  and  have  his  aqueynt- 

aunce, 
Noght  knowinge  of  his  false  governatince. 
And  if  yow  list  to  yeve  me  audience,    990 
I  wol  it  tellen  hear  in  your  presence. 
But  worshipful  chanouns  religious, 
Ne  demeth  nat  that  I  sclaundre  your  hous, 
Al-though  my  tale  of  a  chanoun  bo.    (441) 
Of  every  ordre  som  shrewe  is,  parde,     995 
And  god  forbede  that  al  a  companyc 
Sholde  rewe  a  singuler  mannes  folye. 
To  sclaundre  yow  is  no-thingmyn  entente, 
But  to  correcten  that  is  mis  I  mente. 
This  tale  was  nat  only  told  for  yow,    1000 
But  eek  for  othere  mo  ;  ye  woot  wel  how 
That,  among  Cristes  apostelles  twelve, 
Ther  nas  no  traj'tour  but  Judas  liim-selve. 
Than  why  sholde  al  the  remenant  have 

blame  (451) 

That  giltlees  were  ?  by  yow  I  seye  the  same. 
Save  only  this,  if  ye  wol  herkne  me,    iot;6 
If  any  Jitdas  in  your-covent  be, 
Remeveth  liim  bitymes,  I  yow  rede, 
If  sliame  t)r  los  may  caitsen  any  drede.  1009 
And  beth  no-thing  displesed,  I  yow  preye. 
But  in  this  cas  herkneth  what  I  shal  seye. 

In  London  was  a  precst,  an  annueleer, 
That  therin  dwelled  haddo  many  a  yeer, 
Which  was  so  plesaunt  and  so  servisable 
Unto  the  wyf,  wher-as  he  was  at  table,  (462) 
That  she  wolde  suffre  him  no-thing  for  to 

paye  1016 

For  bord  ne  clothing,  wonto  ho  never  so 

gaye  ; 
And  spending-silver  hadde  he  right  y-now. 
Therof  no  fors  ;  I  wol  procede  as  now,  1019 
And  telle  forth  my  tale  of  the  chanoun. 
That  broghte  this  preest  to  confusioun. 
This  false  chanoun  cam  up-on  a  day 
Unto  this  preestes  chambre,  wher  he  lay, 
Biseching  him  to  lene  him  a  certeyn  (471) 
Of  gold,  and  he  wolde  quyte  it  him  ageyn. 


T.  16494-16576.]   G.  t^i  t^nourxQ  'X)einannC6  Zak. 


663 


'  Leiie  me  a  mark,'  qviod  he,  '  biit  dayes 

three,  1026 

And  at  my  day  I  wol  it  quyten  thee. 
And  if  so  he  that  thou  me  findc  fals, 
Another  day  do  hangc  me  by  tlie  hals  ! ' 
This  preest  him  took  a  mark,  and  that 

as  swythe,  1030 

And  this  chanoun  him  thanked  ofte  sythe, 
And  took  his  leve,  and  wente  forth  liis 

weye,  (4  79) 

Andatthethriddedaybroghtehismonoye, 
And  to  the  preest  }ie  took  liis  gokl  agayn, 
VVherof  this  preest  was  wonder  glad  and 

fayn.  1035 

'  Certes,'  quod  he,  'no-thing  anoyeth  me 
To  lene  a  man  a  noble,  or  two  or  three. 
Or  what  thing  were  in  my  possessioun, 
\Vlian  he  so  trewe  is  of  condicionn, 
That  in  no  wyse  he  l)reke  wol  his  day ;  1040 
To  swich  a  man  I  can  never  seye  nay.' 
'  'Wliat !'  quod  this  chanoun,  '  sholde  I 

be  untrewe  ?  (489) 

Nay,  tliat  were  thing  y-fallen  al  of-newe. 
Trouthe  is  a  thing  that  I  wol  ever  kepe 
Un-to  that  day  in  which  that  I  shal  crepe 
Tn-to  my  grave,  and  elles  god  forbede ;  1046 
Bileveth  this  as  siker  as  is  your  crede. 
God  thanke  I,  and  in  good  tyme  be  it  sayd. 
That  ther  was  never  man  yet  yvel  apaj'd 
For  gold  ne  silver  that  he  to  me  lente,  1050 
Ne  never  falsliede  in  myn  herte  I  mente. 
And  sir,'  quod  he,  '  now  of  my  privetee. 
Sin  ye  so  goodlich  han  been  un-to  me,  (500) 
And  kythed  to  me  so  greet  gentillesse,  1054 
Somwhat  to  quyte  with  your  kindenesse, 
I  wol  yow  shewe,  and,  if  yow  list  to  lere, 
I  wol  yow  teche  pleynly  the  manere, 
How  I  can  werkeu  in  philosophye. 
Taketh  good  heed,  ye  shul  wel  seen  at  yS, 
That  I  wol  doon  a  maistrie  er  I  go.'     1060 
'  Ye,'  quod  the  preest,  '  ye,  sir,  and  wol 

ye  so? 
Marie  !  ther-of  I  pray  yow  hertely  ! '  (509) 

'  At  your  comandement,  sir,  trewely,' 
Quod  the  chanoun, '  and  elles  god  forbede  ! ' 
Lo,  how  this  theof  coude  his  servyse 

bede  !  1065 

Ful  sooth  it  is,  that  swich  profred  servyse 
Stinketh,  as  witnessen  thise  olde  wyse  ; 
And  that  ful  sone  I  wol  it  verifyc 
In  this  chanoun,  rote  of  al  trecherye,  1069 


That  ever-more  delyt  hath  and  gladnesse — 
Swich  feendly  thoughtes  in  his  herte  im- 

presse — 
How  Cristes  peple   he  may  to  mesehief 

bringe  ;  (519) 

God  kepe  us  from  his  fals  dissimulinge  ! 
Noght  wiste  this  preest  with  whom  that 

he  delte, 
Ne  of  his  harm  coniinge  he  no-thing  felte. 
O  sely  preest !  O  sely  innocent !  1076 

With  coveityse  anon  thou  shalt  be  blent ! 
O  gracelees,  ful  blind  is  thy  conceit. 
No-thing  ne  artow  war  of  the  deceit 
Which  that  this  fox  y-shapen  hath  to  thee ! 
His  wyly  wrenches  thou  ne  mayst  nat  flee. 
Wherfor,  to  go  to  the  conclusioun  io8j 
That  refereth  to  thy  confusioun,  (530) 

Unhappy  man  !  anon  I  wol  me  hye 
To  tellen  thyn  tinwit  and  thy  folye,     1085 
And   eek    the    falsnesse    of    that    other 

wrecchc, 
As   ferforth   as   that   my    conning    may 

strecche. 
This  chanoun  was  mj-  lord,  ye  wolden 

wene  ? 
Sir  host,  in   feith,  and  by  the  hevenes 

quene, 
It  was  another  chanoun,  and  nat  he,  1090 
That  can  an  hundred  fold  more  subtiltee  ! 
He  hath  bitrayed  folkes  many  tyme  ; 
Of  his  falshede  it  dtdleth  me  to  ryme.  (540) 
Ever  whan  that  I  speke  of  his  falshede, 
For  shame  of  him  my  chekes  wexen  rede  ; 
Algates,  they  biginnen  for  to  glowe,    1096 
For  reednesse  have  I  noon,  right  wel  I 

knowe. 
In  my  visage  ;  for  fumes  dyverse 
Of  metals,  which  ye  han  herd  me  reherce. 
Consumed  and  wasted  han  m.y  reednesse. 
Now  tak  heed  of  this   chanouns  cursed- 

nesse !  iioi 

'  Sir,'  quod  ho  to  the  preest,  '  lat  your 

man  gon  (549) 

For  quik-silver,  that  we  it  hadde  anon  ; 
And  lat  him  bringcn  ounces  two  or  three  ; 
And  whan  he  comth,  as  faste  shul  ye  see 
A  wonder  thing,  which  ye  saugh  never  er 

this.'  1 106 

'Sir,'  quod  the  preest,  'it  shal  be  doon, 

y-wis.' 
He  bad  his  servant  fecchen  him  this  thing, 


664 


ZU  ^anUvBuv^  Zake. 


[t.  16577-16656. 


And  he  al  rccly  was  at  his  bidding, 

And  wente  hini   forth,    and   cam   anon 

agayn  1 1 10 

With  this  qiiik-silver,  soothly  for  to  sayn, 
And  took  thise  ounces  three  to  the  cha- 

nonn ;  (559) 

And  he  hem  leyde  fayre  and  wel  adoun, 
And  had  the  servant  coles  for  to  bringe, 
That  he  anon  niighte  go  to  his  werliinge. 
The  coles  right  anon  weren  yfet,     11 16 
And  this  chanoun  took  ont  a  crosselet 
Of  his  bosom,  and  shewed  it  the  preest. 
'This  instrument,'  quod  he,  'which  that 

thou  seest, 
Tak  in  thyn  liand,  and  ptit  thy-self  ther- 

inne  1 1 20 

Of  this  quik-silver  an  ounce,  and  heer  bi- 

ginne, 
In  the  name  of  Crist,  to  wexe  a  philosofre. 
Ther  been  ful  fewe,  whiche  that  I  wolde 

profre  (57o) 

To  shewen  hem  thus  muche  of  my  science. 
For  ye  shul  seen  heer,  by  experience,  1125 
That  this  quik-silver  wol  I  mortifye 
Right  in  your  sighte  anon,  withouten  lye, 
And  make  it  as  good  silver  and  as  fyn 
As  ther  is  any  in  your  purs  or  myn, 
Or  plkswher.  and  make  it  malliable  ;  1130 
And  elles,  holdeth  me  fals  and  unable 
Amonges  folk  for  ever  to  appere  !         (579) 
I  have  a  poudre  heer,  that  coste  mc  dere, 
Shal  make  al  good,  for  it  is  cause  of  al 
My  conning,  which   that  I  yow  shewen 

shal.  1 135 

Voydeth  your  man,  and  lat  him  be  ther- 

oute, 
And  shet  the  dore,  whyls  we  been  aboute 
Our  privetee,  that  no  man  us  espye 
Whyls  that  wo  werkc  in  Ihis  phil(«ophye.' 
Al  as  he  bad,  fulfilled  was  in  dede,      1140 
This  ilke  servant  anon-right  out  yede, 
And  his  maister  shctte  the  dore  anon, 
And  to  hir  labour  speedily  they  gon.  (59c) 
This  preest,  at  this   cursed   chanouns 

bidding, 
Up-on  the  fj-r  anon  sette  this  thing,    1145 
And  blew  the  fyr,  and  bisiod  him  ful  faste; 
And  this  chanoun  in-to  the  croslet  caste 
A  poudre,  noot  I  wher-of  that  it  was 
Y-maad,  other  of  chalk,  otlier  of  glas, 
Or  som-what  dies,  was  nat  worth  a  flye 


To  bljaide  with  the  preest ;  and  bad  him 

bye  1151 

The  coles  for  to  couchen  al  above        (599) 
The   croslet;     'for,   in   tokening  I  thee 

love,' 
Quod  this  chanoun,  '  th^ni  owene  hondes 

two 
Shul  werche  al  thing  which  that  shal  heer 

be  do.'  1 155 

'  Graunt  mercy,'  quod  the  preest,  and 

was  ful  glad. 
And  couched  coles  as  the  chanovm  bad. 
And    whyle    he    bisy   was,   this  feendly 

wrecche, 
This  fals  chanoun,  the  foule  feend  him 

fecche  ! 
Out  of  his  bosom  took  a  bechen  cole,  1160 
In  which  ful  subtilly  was  maad  an  hole, 
And  ther-in  piit  was  of  silver  lymaille 
An  ounce,  and  stopped  was,  with-outen 

fayle,  (610) 

The  hole  with  wex,  to  kepe  the  lymail  in. 
And  understondeth,  that  this  false  gin 
Was  nat   maad  tlier,  but   it  was   maad 

bifore  ;  :  1O6 

And  othere  thingos  I  shal  telle  more 
Herafterward,  which  that  he  with    him 

broghto  ; 
Er  he  cani  ther,  him  to  bigyle  ho  thoghte. 
And    so   he    dide,    er   that    they    wente 

a-twinne ;  1170 

Til  he  had  terved  him,  coude  ho  not  blinne. 
It  dulleth  me  whan  that  I  of  him  speke, 
On  his  falshede  fayn  wolde  I  me  wreke, 
If  I  wiste  how  ;  but  he  is  heer  and  ther  : 
He  is  so  variaunt,  lie  abit  no-wher.      11 75 
But  taketh  heed  now,  sirs,  for  goddes 

love !  (62.0 

He  took  his  colo  of  which  I  spak  above. 
And  in  his  hond  he  baar  it  prively. 
And  whyls  the  preest  couchedo  busily 
The  coles,  as  I  tolde  yow  er  this,  1180 

This  chanoun  scyde, '  freend,  ye  doon  amis ; 
This  is  nat  couched  as  it  oghte  be  ; 
But  sone  I  shal  amenden  it,'  quod  he.  (630) 
'  Now  lat  mc  medle  therwith  but  a  whyle. 
For  of  yow  have  I  pitec,  by  seint  Gyle !  1 185 
Yo  been  right  hoot,  I  sec  wel  how  ye  swete. 
Have  heer  a  cloth,  and  wype  awey  the 

wctc.' 
And  whyles  that  the  preest  wyped  his  face, 


T.  i6r)5 7-1 6737.]   G.  Z-U  €3<ittoun0  '^tmannzQ  Z-ak. 


66r 


This  chanoiin  took  his   cole  with   harde 

grace,  1189 

And  lej'de  it  above,  up-on  the  middeward 
Of  the  croslet,  and  blew  wel  afterward, 
Til  that  the  coles  gonne  faste  breune. 
'  Now  yeve  us  drinke,'  quod  the  chanoun 

thenne,  (640) 

'  As  s^vJi;he  al  shal  be  wel,  I  undertake  ; 
Sitte  we  doun,  and  lat  us  mery  make.'  1 195 
And  whan  that  this  chanounes  bechen 

cole 
Was  brent,  al  the  lymaiUe,  out  of  the  hole. 
Into  the  croslet  fil  anon  adoun  ; 
And  so  it  moste  nedes,  by  resoun, 
Sin  it  so  even  aboven  couched  was  ;    1200 
But ther-of  wiste  the  preest  no-thing,  alas! 
He  denied  alle  the  coles  y-liche  good, 
For  of  the  sleighte  he   no-thing  under- 
stood. (650) 
And  whan  this  alkamistre  saugh  his  tyme, 
'  Rys  up,'  quod  he, '  sir  preest,  and  stondeth 

bj'  me  ;  1205 

And  for  I  woot  wel  ingot  have  ye  noon, 
Goth,  walketh  forth,  and  bring  us  a  chalk- 

stoon ; 
For  I  wol  make  oon  of  the  same  shap 
That  is  an  ingot,  if  I  may  han  hap. 
And  bringeth  eek  with   3'ow  a  bolle  or 

a  panne,  1210 

Ful  of  water,  and  ye  shul  see  wel  thanne 
How  that  our  bisinesse  shal  thryve  and 

preve. 
And  yet,  for  ye  shul  hau  no  misbileve  (660) 
Ne  wrong  conceit  of  me  in  your  absence, 
I  ne  wol  nat  been  out  of  your  presence,  1215 
But  go  with  yow,   and  come  with  yow 

ageyn.' 
The  chambre-dore,  shortly  for  to  seyn, 
They  opened  and  shette,  and  wente  hir 

weye. 
And  forth  with  hem  they  carieden  the 

keye,  1219 

And  come  agayn  with-outeu  any  delay. 
What  sholde  I  tarien  al  the  longe  day  ? 
He  took  the  chalk,  and  shoop  it  in  the 

wyse 
Of  an  ingot,  as  I  shal  yow  devyse.       (670) 

I  seye,  he  took  out  of  his  owene  sieve 
A  teyne  of  silver  (j'vclc  mote  he  cheve  !) 
^Vllich  that  nc  was  nat  but  an  ounce  of 

woighte ;  1226 


And    taketh    heed    now    of    his    cursed 

sleighte  ! 
He  shoop  his  ingot,  in  lengthe  and  eek 

in  brede. 
Of  this  teyne,  with-outen  any  drede. 
So  slyly,  that  the  preest  it  nat  espyde  ;  1230 
Aiid  in  his  sieve  agayn  he  gan  it  hyde  ; 
And  fro  the  fyr  he  took  up  his  mater e. 
And  in  th'iugot  patte  it  with  mery  chere, 
And  in  the  water-vessel  he  it  caste     (681) 
Whan  that  him  luste,  and  bad  the  preest 

as  faste,  1235 

'  Look  what  ther  is,  pxtt  in  th;s-u  hand  and 

grope, 
Thow  finde  shalt  ther  silver,  as  I  hope  ; 
What,  devel  of  helle  !  sholde  it  olles  be  ? 
Shaving  of  silver  silver  is,  pardee  ! ' 
He  putte  his  hond  in,  and  took  up  a  teyne 
Of  silver  fyn,  and  glad  in  every  veyue  1241 
Was  this  preest,  wlian  he  saugh  that  it 

was  so. 
'  Goddes  blessing,  and  his  modres  also,  (690) 
And  alle  halwes  have  ye,  sir  chanoun,' 
Seyde  this  preest, '  and  I  hir  malisoun,  1245 
But,  and  ye  vouche-sauf  to  techen  me 
This  noble  craft  and  this  subtilitee, 
I  wol  be  youre,  in  al  that  ever  I  may  ! ' 

Quod  the  chanoun, '  j^et  wol  I  make  assay 
The  second  tyme,  that  ye  may  taken  hede 
And  been  expert  of  this,  and  in  your  nede 
Another  day  assaye  in  myn  absence  1252 
This  disciplyne  and  this  crafty  science. 
Lat  take  another  ounce,'  quod  he  tho,  (701) 
'Ofquik-silver,  with-outeu  wordes  mo,  1255 
And  do  ther-with  as  ye  hau  doon  er  this 
With  that  other,  which  that  now  silver  is.' 
This  preest  him  bisieth  in  al  that  he  can 
To  doon  as  this  chanoun,  this  cursed  man, 
Comanded  him,  antl  faste  he  blew  the  fyr, 
For  to  come  to  th'efFect  of  his  desyr.  1261 
And  this   chanoun,  right   in    the    mene 

whyle, 
Al  redy  was,  the  preest  eft  to  bigyle,  (710) 
And,  for  a  countenance,  in  hishandehe  bar 
An  holwe  stikke  (tak  keep  and  be  war  !) 
In   the    ende    of   which    an    ounce,  and 
na-more,  1266 

Of  silver  lymail  put  was,  as  bifore 
Was  in  his  cole,  and  stopped  with  wex 

weel 
For  to  kepo  in  his  lymail  every  deel. 


666 


ZU  tanUt^utTp  Zake. 


[t.  16738-16S17. 


And  wlayl  this  preestwas  in  his  bisinesso, 
This  chanonn  with  liis  stikke  gan  him 

dresse  1271 

To  him  anon,  and  his  ponder  caste  in  (719) 
As  he  did  or  ;  (the  devel  out  of  his  skin 
Him  terve,  I  pray  to  god,  for  hisfalshede  ; 
For  he  was  ever  fals  in  thoght  and  dede) ; 
And  with  this  stikke,  above  t}ie  croslet, 
That  was  ordeyned  with  that  false  get, 
He  stired  the  coles,  til  relente  gan 
The  wex  agayn  the  fyr,  as  every  man, 
But  it  a  fool  be,  woot  wel  it  mot  nede,  1280 
And  al  that  in  tlie  stikke  was  out  yede, 
And  in  the  croslet  hastily  it  fcl.  (729) 

Now  gode  sirs,  what  wol  ye  bet  than  wel  ? 
Whan  that  this  preest  thus  was  bigyled 

ageyn,  1284 

Supposing  noght  but  trouthe,  soth  to  seyn, 
He  Avas  so  glad,  that  I  can  nat  expresse 
In  no  manere  his  mirthe  and  his  glad- 

nesse  ; 
And  to  the  ehanoun  he  profred  eftsone 
Body  and  good  ;  '  ye,'  quod  the  ehanoun 

sone, 
'  Though  povre  I  be,  crafty  thou  shalt  me 

finde  ;  1290 

I  warne  thee,  yet  is  ther  more  bihinde. 
Is  ther  any  coper  her-inne  ?  '  seyde  he. 
'  Ye,'  quod  the  preest,  '  sir,  I  trowe  wel 

ther  be.'  (740) 

'  Ellcs  go  bye  us  som,  and  that  as  swythe. 
Now,    gode    sir,   go   forth   thy   wcy  and 

hy  the.' 
He  wente  his  wey,  and  with  the  coper 

cam,  1296 

And  tliis  ehanoun  it  in  his  handes  nam. 
And  of  that  coper  weyed  out  but  an  ounce. 
Al  to  simple  is  my  tonge  to  pronounce, 
As  ministre  of  my  wit,  the  doublenosse 
Ofthis  ehanoun,  rote  of  alcursednesse.  1301 
He  scmed   freendly  to  hem  that  knewe 

him  noght. 
But  he  was  feendly  bothe  in  lierte  and 

thoght.  (750) 

It  werieth  me  to  telle  of  his  falsnesse, 
And  nathelecs  yet  wol  I  it  expresse,    1305 
To  til  "entente  that  menmaybe  war  therby. 
And  for  noon  other  cause,  trewely. 

He   putte   his  ounce  of  coper   in   the 

croslet, 
And  on  the  fyr  as  swj-the  he  hath  it  set. 


And  caste  in  poudre,  and  made  the  preest 

to  blowe,  1310 

And  in  his  werking  for  to  stoupe  lowe, 
As  he  dide  er,  and  al  nas  but  a  jape  ; 
Eight  as  him  liste,  the  preest  he  made 

his  ape  ;  (7<'o) 

And  afterward  in  th'ingot  he  it  caste, 
And  in  the  panne  putte  it  at  the  laste  1315 
Of  water,  and  in  he  putte  his  owene  hond. 
And  in  his  sieve  (as  ye  bifom-hond 
Herde  me  telle)  he  haddo  a  silver  teyne. 
He  slyly  took  it  out,  this  cursed  heyne — 
Unwiting  this  preest  of  his  false  craft — 
And  in  the  pannes  botme  he  hath  it  laft ; 
And  in  the  water  romlded  to  and  fro, 
And  wonder  prively  took  np  also         (770) 
The   coper  tejnie,   noght    knowing    this 

preest. 
And  hidde  it,  and  him  hente  by  the  breest, 
And  to  him  spak,  and  thus  seyde  in  his 

game,  1326 

'  Stoupeth  adoun,  by  god,  ye  be  to  blame, 
Helpeth  me  now,  as  I  dide  yow  whyl-er, 
Putte  in  your  hand,  and  loketh  what  is 

ther.'  1329 

This  preest  took  up  this  silver  teyne  anon, 
And  thanne  seyde  the  ehanoun,  '  lat  us 

gon 
With  thise  three  tej-nes,  which  that  we 

han  wroght. 
To  som  goldsmith,  an<l  wite  if  they  been 

oght.  (78(1) 

For,  by  my  feith,  I  nolde,  for  myn  hood, 
But-if  that   they   were    silver,    fyn   and 

good,  1335 

And  that  as  swythe  preved  shal  it  be.' 
Un-to  the  goldsmith  with  thise  teynes 

three 
They  wente,  and  putte  thise  teynes  in  assay 
To  fyr  and  hamer ;  mighte  no  manseynay, 
But  that  they  weren  as  hem  oghte  be. 
This    sotted    preest,  who  was   gladder 

than  ho?  134' 

Wiis  never  brid  gladder  agayn  the  day, 
Ne  nightingale,  in  the  scsoun  of  May,  (790) 
Nas  never  noon  that  lustc  bet  to  singe  ; 
Ne  lady  lustier  in  carolinge  1345 

Or  for  to  speke  of  love  and  wommanhede, 
Ne  knight  in  armes  to  doon  an  hardy  dede 
To  stonde  in  grace  of  his  lady  dere. 
Than  had  this  preest  this  sory  craft  to  lere; 


T.  I( 


18-16895.]  G.  Z^t  C0anoutt0  "^emannee  Zak. 


66^ 


And  to  the  chanoun  thus  he   spak  a.nd 

seyde,  1350 

'  For  love  of  god,  that  for  iis  alle  deyde, 
Aiid  as  I  may  deserve  it  un-to  yow, 
What  shal  this  receit  coste  ?  telleth  now  ! ' 
'  By  onr  ladj','  quod  this  chanoun,  '  it  is 

dere,  (8<)i) 

I  warne  yow  wel ;  for,  save  I  and  a  frere, 
In  Engelond  ther  can  no  man  it  make.' 
'  No  fors,'  quod  he,  '  now,  sir,  forgoddes 

sake,  1357 

What  shal  I  paye  ?  telleth  me,  I  preye.' 

'  Y-wis,'  quod  lie,  '  it  is  ful  dere,  I  seye  ; 
Sir,  at  o  word,  if  that  thee  list  it  have. 
Ye  shul  paye  fourty  pound,  so  god  me 

save !  1361 

And,  nere  the  freendship  that  yo  dide  er 

this 
To  me,  ye  sholde  payo  more,  y-wis.'     (810) 
This  preest  the  somme  of  fourty  pound 

anon 
Of  nobles  fette,  and  took  hem  everichon 
To  this  chanoun,  for  this  ilke  receit ;  1366 
Al  his  werking  nas  but  fraude  and  deceit. 
'  Sir  xireest,'  he  seyde, '  I  kepe  ban  no  loos 
Of  my  craft,  for  I  w(.lde  it  kept  were  cloos ; 
And  as  ye  love  me,  kepcth  it  secreo  ;  1370 
For,  and  men  knewe  al  my  siibtilitee, 
By  god,  they  woldcn  ban  so  greet  envye 
To  me,  by-cause  of  my  philosophye,    (820) 
I  sholde  be  deed,   ther  were  non  other 

weye.' 
'  G-od    it    forbcdc ! '   quod    the   preest, 

'  what  sey  ye  ?  '  1375 

Yet  liadde  I  lever  spenden  al  the  good 
Which  that  I  have  (and  elles  wexe  I  wood ! ) 
Than  that  ye  sholden  falle  in  swich  mes- 

cheef.' 
'  For  your  good  wil,  sir,  have  yo  right 

good  preef,' 
Quod  the  chanoun,  '  and  far-wel,   grant 

mercy ! '  1380 

He  wente  his  wey  and  never  the  preest 

him  sy 
After  that  day ;  and  whan  that  this  preest 

sholde  (829) 

Maken  assay,  at  swich  tymo  as  he  wolde, 
Of  this  receit,  far-wel !  it  wolde  nat  be  ! 
Lo,  thus  byjaped  and  bigyled  was  he  !  1385 
Thus  makcth  ho  his  introduccioun 
To  bringe  folk  to  bir  destriiecioun. — 


Considercth,    sirs,    how    that,  in    ech 

estaat, 
Bitwixe  men  and  gold  ther  is  debaat 
So  ferforth,  that  unnethes  is  ther  noon. 
This  multiplying  blent  so  many  oon,    1391 
That  in  good  feith  I  trowe  that  it  be 
The  caiTse  grettest  of  swich  scarseteo.  (840) 
Philosophres  sjieken  so  mistily 
In   this   ci-aft,   that  men   can  nat   come 

ther  by,  1395 

For  any  wit  that  men  ban  now  a-daj-es. 
They  mowe  wel  chiteren,  as  doon  thise 

jayes. 
And  inher  termessette  hir  lust  and  peyne. 
But  to  hir  purpos  shiil  the3'  never  atteyne. 
A  man  may  lightly  lerne,  if  he  have  aught, 
To    multiplye,  and    bringe   his   good   to 

naught !  (848)  1401 

Lo  !  swich  a  lucre  is  in  this  lusty  game, 
A  niannes  mirthe  it  wol  tome  un-to  grame. 
And  empten  also  grote  and  bevy  purses. 
And  maken  folk  for  to  purchasen  curses 
Of  hem,  that  ban  hir  good  therto  y-lent. 
0 !  fy  !  for  shame  !   they  that  ban  been 


brent, 


1407 


Alias  !  can  they  nat  flee  the  fyres  bete  ? 

Ye  that  it  use,  I  rede  ye  it  lete, 

Lest  ye   lose  al ;    for  bet  than  never  is 


late. 


1410 


Never  to  thryve  wore  to  long  a  date. 
Though  ye  prolle  ay,  ye   shul   it   never 

finde ;  (S59) 

Ye  been  as  bolde  as  is  Bayard  the  blinde. 
That  blundreth  forth,  and  peril  casteth 

noon  ; 
He  is  as  bold  to  renne  agayn  a  stoon  14 15 
As  for  to  goon  besydes  in  the  weye. 
So  faren  ye  that  multipl3^e,  I  se.^-e. 
If  that  your  yen  can  nat  seen  aright, 
Loke  that  your  minde  lakke  novigbt  his 

sight.  (866) 

For,  though  ye  loko  never  so  brodc,  and 

stare,  1420 

Yo  shul  nat  winnea  mj-ioonthat  chafFare, 
But  wasten  al  that  yo  may  rape  and  rcnne. 
Witbdrawc  the  fyr,  lest  it  to  fasto  brenno ; 
Medleth  na-moro  witli  that  art,  I  mono, 
For,  if  ye  doon,  your  thrift  is  goon  ful 

clene.  1425 

And  right  as  swytho  I  wol  yow  tellon  here, 
What  philosophres  seyn  in  this  matere. 


668 


Z^t  tankv&uv^  Zake. 


[t.  16896-16949. 


Lo,  thus  seith  Arnold  of  the  Newe  Toun, 
As  his  Rosarie  maketh  mencioun  : 
He  seith  right  thus,  with-outen  any  lye, 
'  Ther  may  no  man  Mercurie  mortifye,  1431 
But  it  be  with  his  lirother  knowleching. 
How  that  he,  which  that  first  seyde  this 

thing,  (880) 

Of  philosophres  fader  was,  Hermes; 
He  seith,  how  that  the  dragoun,  doutelees, 
Ne  deyeth  nat,  but-if  that  he  be  slayn  1436 
With  his  brother  ;  and  that  is  for  to  sayn. 
By  the  dragoun,  Mercurie  and  noon  other 
He    understood  ;    and   brimstoon   by  his 

brother, 
That  out  of  sol  and  luna  were  y-drawe. 
And  therfor,'  seyde  he,  '  tak  heed  tc^  my 

sawe,  1441 

Let  no  man  bisy  him  this  art  for  to  seche, 
But-if  that  he  th'entencioun  and  speche 
Of  philosophres  understonde  can  ;      (891) 
And  if  he  do,  he  is  a  lewed  man.  1445 

Forthisscienceandthisconning,'quodhe, 
'  Is  of  the  secree  of  secrees,  parde.' 
Also  ther  was  a  disciple  of  Plato, 
That  on  a  tyme  seyde  his  maister  to, 
As  his  book  Senior  wol  here  witnesse,  1450 
And  this  was  his  demande  in  soothfast- 

nesse : 
'  Tel  me  the  name  of  the  privy  stoon  ?  ' 
And  Plato  answerde  unto  him  anoon. 
'Tak  the  stoon  that  Titanfis  men  name.' 
'  \Vliich  is  that?'  quod  he.     '  Magnesia 

is  the  same,'  (902)1455 


Seyde  Plato.     '  Ye,  sir,  and  is  it  thus  ? 

This  is  ifjnohtm  per  ignotius. 

What  is  Magnesia,  good  sir,  lyowpreye?' 

'  It  is  a  water  that  is  maad,  I  seye, 

Of  elementes  foure,'  quod  Plato.  1460 

'  Tel  me  the  rote,  good  sir,'  quod  he  tho, 

'  Of  that  water,  if  that  it  be  your  wille  ?  ' 

'  Nay,  nay,'  quod  Plato,  '  certein,  that 

I  nille.  (pto) 

The  philosophres  sworn  were  everichoon. 
That    they    sholden   discovere    it  un-to 

noon,  1465 

Ne  in  no  book  it  wryte  in  no  manere  ; 
For  un-t-o  Crist  it  is  so  leef  and  dere 
That  he  wol  nat  that  it  discovered  be. 
But  wher  it  lyketh  to  his  deitee 
ilan  for  fenspyre,  and  eek  for  to  defende 
Whom  that  him  lyketh  ;  lo,  this  is  the 

ende.'  14^1 

Thanne  conclude  I  thus  ;  sith  god  of 

hevene 
Ne  wol  nat  that  the  philosophres  nevene 
How  that  a  man  shal    come    un-to  this 

stoon,  (921) 

I  rede,  as  for  the  beste,  lete  it  goon.     1475 
For  w^ho-so  maketh  god  his  adversarie. 
As  for  to  werken  any  tiling  in  contrarie 
Of  his  wil,  certes,  never  shal  he  thryve, 
Thogh   tliat   he   multiplyc   terme  of  his 

lys"e. 
And  tlier  a  poynt ;  for  ended  is  my  tale  ; 
God  sendo  every  trewo  man  bote  of  his 

bale  ! — Amen.  (928)  14S1 


Here  is  ended  the  Chanoims  Yemannes  Tale. 


T.  1695C-17009.]      H.    C^e  (lUanCipfe'e  (|}rofogue. 


669 


GROUP  H. 


THE    MANCIPLES    PROLOGUE. 

Here  folweth  the  Prologe  of  the  Maunciples  Tale. 


WiTE  ye  nat  wher  ther  stant  a  litel  toun 
"VSTiich  that  y-eleped  is  Bob-up-and-dotin, 
Under  the  Blee,  in  Caunterbury  weye  ? 
Ther  gan  our  hoste  for  to  jape  and  plej-e, 
And  seyde,   '  sirs,  what !  Dun  is  in  the 

myre  !  5 

Is  ther  no  man,  for  preyere  ne  for  hyre. 
That  wol  awake  our  felawe  heer  bihinde  ? 
A  theef  mighte  him  ful  lightly  robbe  and 

binde. 
See  how  he  nappeth  !  see,  for  cokkes  bones, 
As  he  wol  falle  from  his  hors  at  ones.     10 
Is   that   a   cook  of  Londoun,  ■with  naes- 

chaunce  ? 
Do  him  come  forth,  he  knoweth  his  pen- 

aunce, 
For  he  shal  telle  a  tale,  by  my  fey  ! 
Al-though  it  be  nat  worth  a  hotel  hey. 
Awake,  thou  cook,'  quod  he,   '  god  j'eve 

thee  sorwe,  15 

What  eyleth  thee  to  slepe  by  the  morwe  ? 
Hastow   had    fleen    al    night,    or   artow 

dronke. 
Or  haSvOw  with  sona  queue  al  night  y- 

swonke. 
So  that  thou  mayst  nat  holden  up  thyn 

heed  ? ' 
This  cook,  that  was  ful  pale  and  no- 
thing reed,  20 
Seyde  to  our  host, '  so  god  my  soule  blesse. 
As  ther  is  falle  on  me  swich  hevinesse, 
Noot  I  nat  why,  that  me  were  lever  slepe 
Than  the  beste  galoun  wyn  in  Chejie.' 
'  Wei,'  quod  the  maunciple,  '  if  it  may 

doon  ese  25 

To  thee,  sir  cook,  and  to  no  wight  displese 
Wliich  that  heer  rydeth  in  this  companye. 
And  that  our  host  wol,  of  his  curtoisye, 
I  wol  as  now  excuse  thee  of  thy  tale  ; 
For,  in  good  feith,  thy  visage  is  ful  pale. 


Thyn     yen     daswen     eek,    as    that    me 

thinketh,  31 

And  wel   I   woot,   thy   breeth  ful   soure 

stinketh, 
That  sheweth  wel  thou  art  not  ^vel  dis- 
posed ; 
Of   me,    certein,    thou    shalt    nat    been 

y-glosed. 
Se  how  he  ganeth,  lo,  this  dronken  wight, 
As  though  he  wolde  us  swolwe  anon-right. 
Hold  cloos  thy  mouth,  man,  by  thy  fader 

kin  !  37 

The  devel  of  helle  sette  his  foot  ther-in  ! 
Thy  cursed  breeth  infecte  wol  us  alle  ; 
Fy,  stinking  swyn,  fy !  foule  moot  thee 

falle !  40 

A  !  taketh  heed,  sirs,  of  this  lusty  man. 
Now,  swete  sir,  wol  ye  jvisten  atte  fan  ? 
Ther-to  me  thinketh  ye  been  wely-shape  ! 
I  trowe  that  ye  dronken  han  wyn  ape. 
And   that   is  whan   men  pleyen  with  a 

straw.'  45 

And  with  this  speche  the  cook  wex  wrooth 

and  wTaw, 
And  on  the  maunciple  he  gan  nodde  faste 
For  lakke  of  speche,  and  doun  the  hors 

him  caste, 
^^lier  as  he  lay,  til  that  men  up  him  took  ; 
This  was  a  faj'r  chivachee  of  a  cook  !  50 
Alias  !  ho  nadde  holde  him  by  his  ladel ! 
And,  er  that  he  agayn  were  in  his  sadel, 
Ther  was  greet  showving  bothe  to  and  fro, 
To  lifte  him  iip,  and  muchel  care  and  wo, 
So  unweldy  was  this  sory  palled  gost.  55 
And  to  the  maunciple  thanne  spak  our 

host, 
'  By-causo  drink  hath  dominacioun 
Upon  this  man,  bj'  my  savaciouu 
I  trowe  he  lewedly  wolde  telle  his  tale. 
For,  were  it  wyn,  or  old  or  moysty  ale,  60 


670 


ZH  CanfetBurp  Zake. 


[t. 1701C— 17065. 


That  lie  hath  dronke,  he  speketh  in  his 

nose, 
And  fneseth  faste,  and  eek  he  hath  the 

pose. 
He  hath  also  to  do  more  than  y-nough 
To  kepc  him  and  his  capel  out  of  slough  ; 
And,  if'  he  falle  from  his  capel  eft-sone,  65 
Than  shul  we  alle  have  y-nough  to  done, 
In  lifting  up  his  he\^-  dronken  cors. 
Telle  on  thy  tale,  of  him  make  I  no  fors. 
But  yet,  mauuciple,  in  feith  thou  art  to 

nyce. 
Thus  openly  repreve  him  of  his  vyce.     70 
Another  day  he  tvoI,  peraventure, 
Reclayme  thee,  and  bringe  thee  to  lure  ; 
I  mene,  he  speke  wol  of  smale  thinges, 
As  for  to  pinchen  at  thy  rekeninges. 
That  wer  not  honeste,  if  it  cam  to  preef.' 
'  No,'  quod  the  maunciple,   '  that  were 

agreet  mescheef !  76 

So  mighte  he  lightly  bringe  me  in  the 

snare. 
Yet  hadde  I  lever  payen  for  the  mare 
"WTiich  he  rit  on,  than  he  sholde  with  me 

stryve ;  79 

I  wol  nat  -wratthe  him,  al-so  mote  I  thry ve ! 
That  that  I  spak,  I  seyde  it  in  my  bourde  ; 
And   wite   ye    what?    I    have    heer,    in 

a  gourde, 


A  draught  of  wyn,  ye,  of  a  rype  grape, 
And  right  anon  ye  shul  seen  a  good  jape. 
This  cook  shal  drinke  ther-of,  if  I  may  ;  85 
Up  peyne  of  deeth ,  he  wol  nat  seye  me  nay ! ' 

And  certeinly,  to  tellen  as  it  was. 
Of  this  vessel  the  cook  drank  faste,  alias  ! 
What   neded    him  ?   he    drank    y-nough 

bifom. 
And  whan  he  hadde  pouped  in  this  horn. 
To  the   maunciple   he   took   the    gourde 

agayn  ;  91 

And  of  that  drinke  the  cook  was  wonder 

fayn, 
And  thanked  him  in  swich  wyse  as  he 

coude. 
Than  gan  our  host  to  laughen  wonder 

loude, 
And  sej-de,  '  I  see  wel,  it  is  necessarie,   95 
Wher  that  we  goon,  good  drink  we  with 

us  carie ; 
For  that  wol  tume  ranconr  and  disese 
T'acord  and  love,  and  many  a  wrong  apese. 
O  thou  Bachus,  y-blessed  be  thy  name. 
That  so  canst  turnen  ernest  in-to  game  ! 
Worship  and  thank  be  to  thy  deitee  !  101 
Of  that  matere  ye  gete  na-more  of  me. 
Tel  on  thy  tale,  maunciple,  I  thee  preye.' 
'  M^el,    sir,'   quod    he,    '  now  herkncth 

what  I  seye.' 


Thus  endeth  the  Prologe  of  the  Manciple. 


THE    MAUNCIPLES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Maunciples  Tale  of  the  Crov/e. 


Whan  Phebus  dwelled  here  in  this  erthe 
adoun,  105 

As  olde  bokes  maken  mencioun. 
He  was  the  moste  lusty  bachiler 
In  al  this  world,  and  eek  the  beste  archer  ; 
He  slow  Phitoun,  the  serpent,  as  he  lay 
Slepingo  agayn  the  Sonne  upon  a  day;  no 


And  many  another  noble  worthy  dede 
He  with  his  bowe  wroghte,  as  men  may 
rede. 
Pleyen  he  coude  on  every  minstralcye. 
And  singen,  that  it  was  a  melodye,  (10) 
To  heren  of  his  clere  vols  the  soun.  115 
Certes  the  king  of  Thebes,  Amphioun, 


T.  17066-17153.]        H.    ZU  QUaunctpfee  ^afe. 


That  "with  his  singing  walled  that  citee, 
Coiide  never  singen  half  so  wel  as  he. 
Therto  he  was  the  senielieste  man         119 
That  is  or  was,  sith  that  the  world  bigan. 
What  nedeth  it  his  fetures  to  discryve  ? 
For  in  tliis  world  was  noon  so  fair  on  lyve. 
He  was  ther-with  fulfild  of  gentillesse, 
Of  honour,  and  of  isarfit  worthinesse.  (20) 
This  Pliebus,  that  was  flour  of  bachelrye, 
As  wel  in  fredom  as  in  chivalrye,  126 

For  his  desport,  in  signe  eek  of  victorie 
Of  Phitoun,  so  as  telleth  us  the  storie, 
Was  wont  to  beren  in  his  hand  a  bowe. 

Now  had  this  Pliebus  in  his  hous  a  crowe, 
Which  in  a  cage  he  fostred  many  a  day, 
And  taughte  it  speken,  as  men  teche  a  jay. 
Whyt  was  this  crowe,  as  is  a  snow-whyt 

swan,  (29) 

And  countrcfete  the  speche  of  every  man 
He  coude,  whan  he  sholde  telle  a  tale.  135 
Ther-with  in  al  this  world  no  nightingale 
Ne  coude,  by  an  hondred  thousand  deel, 
Singen  so  wonder  merily  and  weel. 

Now  had  this  Phebus  in  his  hous  a  wyf. 
Which  that  he  lovede  more  than  his  Ijd', 
And  night  and  day  dide  ever  his  diligence 
Hir  for  to  plese,  and  doon  hir  reverence, 
Save  only,  if  the  sothe  that  I  shal  sayn, 
Jalous  he  was,  and  wolde  have  kept  hir 

fayn ;  (40) 

For  him  were  looth  by-japed  for  to  he.  145 
And  so  is  every  wight  in  swich  degree  ; 
But  al  in  ydel,  for  it  availleth  noght. 
A  good  wyf,  that  is  clene  of  werk  and 

thoght, 
Sholde    nat    been   kept  in   noon   await, 

certayn  ; 
And  trewely,  the  labour  is  in  vayn        150 
To  kepe  a  shrewe,  for  it  wol  nat  be. 
This  holde  I  for  a  verray  nycetee, 
To  spille  labour,  for  to  kepe  wy ves  ; 
Thus  writen  olde  clorkes  in  hir  lyves.  (50) 
But  now  to  pui'pos,  as  I  first  bigan  :  155 
This  worthy  Phebus  dooth  all  that  he  can 
To  plesen  hir,  weninge  by  swich  plesaunce. 
And  for  hisinanhedeandhis  governaunce. 
That  no  man  sholde  han  put  him  from 

hir  grace. 
But  god  it  woot,  ther  may  no  man  embrace 
As  to  destreyne  a  tiling,  which  that  nature 
Hath  naturelly  set  in  a  creature.  162 


Tak  any  brid,  and  put  it  in  a  cage. 
And  do  al  thyn  entente  and  thycorage(6o) 
To   fostre    it    tendrely   witli    mete    and 

drinke,  165 

Of  alle  deyntees  that  thou  canst  bithinke. 
And  keep  it  al-so  clenly  as  thou  may  ; 
Al-tliough  his  cage  of  gold  be  never  so  gay. 
Yet  hath  this  brid,  by  twenty  thousand 

fold. 
Lever  in  a  forest,  that  is  rude  and  cold,  170 
Gon  ete  wormes  and  swich  wrecchednesse. 
For  ever  this  brid  wol  doon  iiis  bisinesse 
To  escape  out  of  his  cage,  if  he  may  ; 
His  libertee  this  brid  desircth  ay.  (70) 
Lat  take  a  cat,  and  fostre  him  wel  with 

milk,  1 75 

And  tendre  flesh,  and  make  his  couclio 

of  silk. 
And  lat  him  seen  a  mous  go  by  the  wal ; 
Anon  he  weyveth  milk,  and  llcsh,  and  al, 
And  every  deyntee  that  is  in  that  hous, 
Swich  apijetyt  hath  he  to  ete  a  mous.    180 
Lo,  here  hath  lust  his  dominacioun. 
And  appetyt  flemeth  discrecioun. 

A  she- wolf  hath  also  a  vileins  kinde  ; 
The  lewedeste  wolf  that  she  may  finde,  (80) 
Or  leest  of  reputacion  wol  she  take,      185 
In  tyme  whan  hir  lust  to  han  a  make. 
Alle  thise  ensamples  speke  I  by  tliise 

men 
That  been  untrewe,  and  no-thing  by  wom- 

men. 
For  men  han  ever  a  likerous  appetyt 
On  lower  thing  to  parfourne  hir  delyt  190 
Than  on  hir  wyves,  be  they  never  so  faire, 
Ne  never  so  trewe,  ne  so  debonaire. 
Flesh  is  so  newefangel,  with  meschaunce, 
That  we  ne  conne  in  no-thing  han  ple- 
saunce (90) 
That  souneth  in-to  vertu  any  whyle.     195 
This  Phebus,  which  that  thoghte  upon 

no  gyle, 
Deceyved  was,  for  al  his  joliteo  ; 
For  under  him  another  hadde  she, 
A  man  of  litcl  reputacioun,  199 

Noght  worth  to  Phebus  in  comparisoun. 
The  more  harm  is  ;  it  happeth  oite  so. 
Of  which  ther  eometh  muchel  harm  and 

wo. 
And  so  bifel,  whan  Pliebus  was  absent, 
His  wyf  anon  hath  for  hir  lemman  sent: 


67: 


ZH  Cantcrfiurp  ZaUe. 


[t.  171:4-1723:, 


Hir  lemman?   certes,   this  is  a  knavish 

speeho  !  (loi)  205 

Foryeveth  it  me,  and  that  I  yow  biseche. 

The  wyse  Plato  seith,  as  ye  may  rede, 
The  word   mot   node   accorde    with   tlie 

dede. 
Tf  men  shal  telle  proprely  a  thing, 
Tlie  word  mot  cosin  be  to  the  werking.  210 
I  am  a  boistous  man,  right  thvxs  seye  I, 
Ther  nis  no  difference,  trewely, 
Bitwixe  a  wyf  that  is  of  heigh  degree, 
If  of  hir  body  dishonest  she  be,  (no) 

And  a  povre  wenche,  other  than  this — 
If  it  so  be,  they  werke  bothe  amis —      216 
But  that  the  gentile,  in  estaat  above. 
She  shal  be  cleped  his  lady,  as  in  love  ; 
And  for  that  other  is  a  povre  womman, 
She  shal  be  cleped   his  wenche,  or   his 
lemman.  220 

And,  god  it  woot,  myn  owene  dere  brother, 
Men  leyn  that  con  as  lowe  as  Ij'th  that 
other. 
Right  so,  bitwixe  a  titlelees  tiraimt 
And  an  outlawe,  or  a  theef  erraunt,   (120) 
The  same  I  seye,  ther  is  no  difference.  225 
To  Alisaiindre  told  was  this  sentence  ; 
That,  for  the  tyrant  is  of  gretter  might, 
By  force  of  meynee  for  to  sleen  doun-right. 
And  bronnen  hous  and  hoom.  and  make 

al  plain, 
Lo  !  therfor  is  he  cleped  a  capitain  ;     230 
And,  for  the  outlawe  hath  but  smal  mey- 
nee. 
And  may  nat  doon  so  greet  an  harm  as  he, 
Ne  bringe  a  contree  to  so  greet  mescheef, 
Men  clepen  him  an  outlawe  or  a  theef. 
But,  for  I  am  a  man  noght  textuel,      235 
I  wol  noght  telle  of  textes  never  a  del ; 
I  wol  go  to  my  tale,  as  I  bigan.  (133) 

Whan  Phebus  wyf  had  sent  for  hir  lem- 
man. 
Anon  they  wroghten  al  hir  lust  volage. 
The  whyte  crowe,  that  heng  ay  in  the 
cage,  240 

Bihcld  hir  werk,  and  seyde  never  a  word. 
And  whan  that  hoom  was  come  Phebus, 

the  lord. 
This    crowe    sang    '  cokkow  !      cokkow  ! 
cokkow  ! ' 
'  What,    brid  ? '    quod    Phebus,    '  what 
song  singestow  ?  ( 140) 


No  were  thow  wont  so  merily  to  singe  245 
That  to  myn  herte  it  was  a  rejoisinge 
To  here  thy  vois?  alias !  what  song  is  this?' 

'By  god,'  quod  he,  '  I  singe  nat  amis  ; 
Phebus,'  quod  he,  '  for  al  thy  worthinesse, 
For  al  thy  beautee  and  thy  gentilesse,  250 
For  al  thy  song  and  al  thy  minstralcye, 
For  al  thy  waiting,  blered  is  thyn  ye 
With  oon  of  litel  reputacioun,  ('49) 

Noght  worth  to  thee,  as  in  comparisoixn. 
The  mountance  of  a  gnat ;  so  mote  I  thry  ve ! 
Foron  thy  bed  thj^  wyf  Isaugh  him  sw.\"\-e.' 
What  wol  ye  more  ?   the  crowe  anon 

him  tolde,  257 

By  sadde  tokenes  and  by  wordes  bolde. 
How  that  his  vi'yf  had  doon  hir  lecherye, 
Him  to  gret  shame  and  to  gret  vileinye  ; 
Ajid  tolde  him  ofte,  he  saugh  it  with  his 

yen.  261 

This  Phebus  gan  aweyward  for  to  wryen, 
Him  thoughte  his  sorweful  herte   brast 

a-two ; 
His  bowe  he  bente,  and  sette  ther-inne 

a  flo,  (160) 

And  in  his  ire  his  wyf  tlianne  hath  he 

slayn.  265 

This  is  th'effect,  ther  is  na-moro  to  sayn  ; 
For  sorwe  of  which   he   brak   his   min- 
stralcye, 
Bothc  harpe,  and  lute,  and  giterne,  and 

sauti-ye ; 
And   eek   he   brak   his   arwes    and    his 

bowe. 
And  after  that,  thus  spak  he  to  the  crowe : 
'Traitour,'    quod   he,    'with   tonge   of 

scorpioun,  271 

Thou  hast  me  broght  to  my  confusioun  ! 
Alias !    that  I  was  wroght !  why  nere  I 

deed? 
O  dere  wyf,  O  gemme  of  lustiheed,     (170) 
That  were  to  me  so  sad  and  eek  so  trewe. 
Now  lystow  deed,  with  face  pale  of  hewe. 
Fill  giltelces,  that  dorste  I  swere,  y-wis ! 
O  rakel  hand,  to  doon  so  foule  amis  ! 
O  trouble  wit,  O  ire  reccholees, 
That  unavysed  smytest  giltelees  !  280 

O  wantrust,  ful  of  fals  suspecioun. 
Where  was  thy  wit  and  thy  discrecioun  ? 
O  every  man,  be-war  of  rakelnesse, 
Ne  trowe  no-thing  >vith-outen  strong  wit- 

nesse ;  (i8o) 


T.  1 7234-1 731 1.]        H.    ZU  QUauttCtpfee  Zak. 


67: 


Smj-t  nat  to  sone,  er  that  ye  witen  why, 
And  beeth  avysed  wel  and  sobrcly        286 
Er  ye  doon  any  execucioun, 
Up-on  your  ire,  for  suspecioim. 
Alias  !  a  thousand  folk  hath  rakel  ire  289 
Fully  fordoon,  and  broght  hem  in  the  mire. 
Alias  !  for  sorwe  I  wol  my-selven  slee  ! ' 
And   to    the   crowe,    'O   false    theef!' 

seyde  he,  (188) 

'  I  wol  thee  quyte  anon  thy  false  tale  ! 
Thou  songe  whyloni  lyk  a  nightingale  ; 
Now  shaltow,  false  theef,  thy  song  forgon, 
And  eek  thy  whyte  fetheres  everichon, 
Ne  never  in  al  thy  lyf  ne  shaltou  speke. 
Thus  shal  men  on  a  traitour  been  awreke  ; 
Thou  and  thjoi  of-spring  ever  shul  be  blake, 
Xe  never  swete  noise  shul  ye  make,      300 
But  ever  crye  agayn  tempest  and  rayn. 
In  tokeninge  that  thurgh  thee  my  wyf  is 

slayn.' 
And  to  the  crowe  he  stirte,  and  that  anon. 
And  iJulled  his  whyte  fetheres  everichon. 
And  made  him  blak,  and  refte  him  al  his 

song,  (201)  305 

And  eek  his  speche,  and  out  at  dore  hina 

slong 
Uu-to  the  devel,  which  I  him  bitake ; 
And  for  this  caas  ben  alle  crowes  blake. — 
Lordings,  by  this  ensample  I  yow  preye, 
Beth  war,  and  taketh  kepe  what  I  seye  : 
Xe  tellcth  never  no  man  in  your  lyf     311 
How  that  another  man  hathdight  his  wyf ; 
Ho  wol  yow  haten  mortally,  certeyn. 
Daun  Salomon,  as  wyse  clerkes  seyn,  (210) 
Techeth  a  man  to  kepe  his  tonge  wel ;  315 
"  But  as  I  seyde,  I  am  noght  textuel. 
But  nathelecs,  thus  taughte  mc  my  dame : 
'  My  sone,  thenk  on  the  crowe,  a  goddes 

name ; 
My  sone,  keep  wel  thy  tonge  and  keep 

thy  freend. 
A  wikkcd  tonge  is  worse  than  a  feend.  320 
My  sone,  from  a  feend  men  may   hem 

blcsse  ; 
My  sone,  god  of  his  endelees  goodnesse 
Walled  a  tonge  with  teeth  and  lipjics  eke. 
For  man  sliolde  him  avj^se  what  he  spoke. 
My  sone,  ful  ofte,  for  to  muche  speche, 


Hath  many  a  man  ben  spilt,  as  clerkes 

teche  ;  {222)  326 

But  for  a  litel  speche  avysely 
Is  no  men  shent,  to  speke  generally. 
My  sone,  thy  tonge  sholdestow  restreyne 
At  alle  tyme,  but  whan  thou  doost  thy 

peyne  330 

To  speke  of  god,  in  honour  and  preyere. 
The  firste  vertu,  sone,  if  thou  wolt  lere. 
Is  to  restreyne  and  kepe  wel  thy  tonge. — 
Thus  lerne  children  whan  that  they  ben 

yonge.—  (230)  334 

My  sone,  of  miichel  speking  yvel-avysed, 
Ther  lasse  speking  hadde  y-nough  suffj'sed, 
Comth  muchel  harm,  thus  was  me  told 

and  taught. 
In  muchel  speche  sinne  wanteth  naught, 
Wostow  wher-of  a  rakel  tonge  serveth  ? 
Right  asa  swerd  forcutteth  and  forkerveth 
An  arm  a-two,  my  dero  sone,  right  so  341 
A  tonge  cutteth  frendship  al  a-two. 
A  jangler  is  to  god  abhominable  ;         (239) 
Reed  Salomon,  so  wys  and  honnrablo  ; 
Reed  David  in  his  psalmes,  reed  Senekke. 
My  sone,  spek  nat,  but  with  thyn  heed 

thou  bekke.  346 

Dissimule  as  thou  were  deef,  if  that  thou 

here 
A  jangler  speke  of  perilous  matere. 
The  Fleming  seith,  and  lerne  it,  if  thee 

leste,  349 

That  litel  jangling  causeth  muchel  reste. 
My  sone,  if  thou  no  wkked  word  hast  seyd. 
Thee  thar  nat  drede  for  to  be  biwreyd  ; 
Biit  he  that  hath  misseyd,  I  dar  wel  sayn. 
He  niay  by  no  wey  clepe  his  word  agayn. 
Thing  that  is  seyd,  is  seyd ;  and  forth  it 

gooth,  (251)  355 

Though  him  repente,  or  bo  him  leef  or 

looth. 
He  is  his  thral  to  whom  that  ho  hath  sayd 
A  tale,  of  which  he  is  now  yvel  apayd. 
My  sone,  bo  war,  and  be  non  auctour  ncwe 
Of  tydinges,  whether  they  ben  false  or 

trewe.  360 

Wher-so  thou  como,  amongcs  bye  or  lowe, 
Kepe  wol  thy  tonge,  and  thenk  up-on  the 


Here  is  ended  the  Maunciples  Tale  of  the  Crowe. 
Z 


674 


ZU  tanUv^uv^  Zake. 


[t.   17312-173S5. 


GEOUP  I. 

THE    PARSON'S    PROLOGUE. 

Here  folweth  the  Prologe  of  the  Persones  Tale. 


By  that  the  inaunciplc  hadde  his  tale  al 

ended, 
The   Sonne  fro   the   south  Ij-ne  was   de- 
scended 
So  lowe,  that  ho  nas  nat,  to  my  sighte, 
Degrees  nyne  and  twenty  as  in  highte.  4 
Foure  of  the  clokke  it  was  tho,  as  I  gesse  : 
For  eleven  foot,  or  litel  more  or  lesse, 
My  shadwe  was  at  thilke  tyme,  as  there. 
Of  swich  feet  as  my  lengthe  parted  were 
In  six  feet  equal  of  proporcioun. 
Ther-with  the  mones  exaltacioun,  10 

I  mene  Libra,  alwey  gan  ascende, 
As  we  were  cntringe  at  a  thropes  ende  ; 
For  which  our  host,  as  he  was  wont  to  gj'o. 
As  in  this  caas,  our  joly  companye, 
Seyde  in  this  wyse,  '  lordings  everichoon. 
Now  lakketh  us  no  tales  mo  than  oon.  16 
Fulfild  is  my  sentence  and  my  decree  ; 
I  trowe  that  we  han  herd  of  ech  degree. 
Almost  fulfild  is  al  myn  ordinaunce  ; 
I  prey  to  god,  so  j'eve  him  right  good 
chaunce,  20 

That  tclleth  this  tale  to  us  lustily. 
Sir  preest,'  quod  he,  '  artow  a  vicary  ? 
Or  art  a  person  ?  sey  sooth,  by  thy  fey  ! 
Be  what  thou  be,  ne  breke  thou  nat  our 

piey ; 

For  every  man,  save  thou,  hatli  told  his 
tale,  25 

Unbokel,  and  shewe  us  what  is  in  thy  male ; 
For  trewely,  me  tliinketh,  by  thy  cliere, 
Thoii  sholdest  knitte  up  wel  a  greet  matere. 
Tel  us  a  talc  anon,  for  cokkcs  bones  ! ' 

This  Persone  him  answerde,  al  at  ones, 
'  Thou  getest  fable  noon  y-told  for  me  ;  31 
For  Paul,  that  wryteth  unto  Timothee, 
Eepreveth  hem  that  weyven   sootbfast- 

nesse, 

And  tellen  fables   and  swich  wrecched- 

nesse.  34 

Why  sholde  I  sowen  draf  out  of  my  fest. 

Whan  I  may  sowen  whete,  if  that  nae  lest  ? 


For  which  I  seyc,  if  that  yow  list  to  here 
Moralitee  and  vertuous  matere, 
And  thanne  that  ye  wol  yeve  me  audience, 
I  wol  ful  fiiyn,  at  Cristes  reverence,        40 
Do  yow  plesaunce  leefFul,  as  I  can. 
But  trusteth  wel,  I  am  a  Southren  man. 
I  can  nat  geste — rum,  ram,  ruf — by  lettre, 
Xe,  god  wot,  rym  holde  I  but  litel  bettre  ; 
And  therfor,  if  yow  list,  I  wol  nat  glose. 
I  wol  yow  telle  a  mery  tale  in  prose       46 
To  knitte  up  al  this  feeste,  and  make  an 

ende. 
And  .Jesu,  for  his  grace,  wit  me  sende 
To  shewe  yow  the  wey,  in  this  viagc. 
Of  thilke  parfit  glorious  pilgrimage        50 
That  highte  .Terusalem  celestial. 
And,  if  ye  vouche-sauf,  anon  I  shal 
Biginne  tipon  my  tale,  for  whiche  I  preye 
Telle  your  avj-s,  I  can  no  bettre  seyc. 
But  nathelees,  this  meditacioun  55 

I  imtte  it  ay  under  correccioun 
Of  olerkos,  for  I  am  nat  toxtuel ; 
I  take  but  the  scntens,  trusteth  wel. 
Therfor  I  make  protestacionn 
That  I  wol  stonde  to  correccioun.'  60 

Up-on  this  word  we  han  assented  sone, 
For,  as  us  semed,  it  was  for  to  done. 
To  enden  in  som  vertuous  sentence. 
And  for  to  yeve  bim  space  and  audience  ; 
And  bede  our  host  he   sholde   to   him 

seye,  <'>5 

That  alle  we  to  telle  his  tale  liim  preye. 

Our  host  hadde  the  wordes  for  us  alle  : — 
'  Sir  preest,'  quod   he,   '  now  fayre   yow 

bifalle ! 
Sey  what  yow  list,  and  we  wol  gladly 

here ' — 
And  with  that   word   he   seyde   in   this 

manere —  ;o 

'Tellcth,'  quod  he,  '  your  meditacioun. 
But  hasteth  yow,  the  sonne  wol  adoun  : 
Beth  fructuous,  and  that  in  litel  space. 
And  to  do  wel  god  sende  yow  his  grace  ! ' 


Explicit  prohemium. 


T. 


§  1-3- J 


I.    ZU  opereone^  t^afe. 


675 


THE   PERSONES    TALE. 


Here  biginneth  the  Persones  Tale. 


Jer.  6°.  State  super  vias  et  videte  et  inter- 
rogate de  viis  antiquis,  qtie  sit  via  bona; 
et  ambulate  in  ea,  et  inuenietis  refrigerium 
animabus  vestris,  &c. 

§  1.  Our  swete  lord  god  of  lievene,  that 
no  man  wol  perisse,  but  wole  that  we 
comen  alle  to   the  knoweleche  of  him, 

75  and  to  the  blisful  lyf  that  is  perdurable,  / 
amonesteth  us  by  the  prophete  Jeremie, 
that  seith  in  this  wysc  :  /  '  stondeth  upon 
the  weyes,  and  seetli  and  axeth  of  olde 
pathes  (that  is  to  seyn,  of  olde  sentences) 
■which  is  the  goode  wey ;  /  and  walketh 
in  that  wey,  and  ye  shul  finde  refressh- 
inge  for  your  sovdes,'  &c.  /  Manye  been 
the  weyes  espirituels  that  leden  folk  to 
cure  Lord  Jesu  Crist,  and  to  the  regne  of 
glorie.  /  Of  whiche  weyes,  thcr  is  a  ful 
noble  wey  and  a  ful  covenable,  which 
may  nat  faile  to  ruan  ne  to  womman, 
that  thurgh  sinne  hath  misgoon  fro  the 

80  righte  wey  of  Jerusalem  celestial ;  /  and 
this  wey  is  cleped  Penitence,  of  which 
man  sholde  gladly  herknen  and  enquere 
with  al  his  herte  ;  /  to  witen  what  is 
Penitence,  and  whennes  it  is  cleped  Peni- 
tence, and  in  how  manye  maneres  been 
the  accions  or  werkinges  of  Penitence,  / 
and  how  manye  spyces  ther  been  of  Peni- 
tence, and  whiche  thinges  apertenen  and 
bihoven  to  Penitence,  and  whiche  tliinges 
destourben  Penitence.  / 

§  2.  Seint  Ambrose  seith,  that  '  Peni- 
tence is  the  pleyninge  of  man  for  the 
gilt  that  he  hath  doon,  and  na-more  to 
do  any  thing  for  which  him  oghte  to 
(10)  pleyne.'  /  And  som  doctour  seith  :  '  Peni- 
tence is  the  waymentinge  of  man,  that 
sorweth  for  his  sinne  and  pyncth  him- 

85  self  for  he  hath  misdoon.'  /  Penitence, 
with  certeyne  circumstances,  is  verray 
repentance  of  a  man  that  halt  hLm-sclf 


in  sorwe  and  other  peyne  for  hise  giltes.  / 
And  for  he  shal  be  verray  penitent,  he 
slial  first  biwailen  the  sinnes  that  he 
hath  doon,  and  stidefastly  purposen  in 
his  herte  to  have  shrift  of  mouthe,  and 
to  doon  satisfaccioun,  /  and  never  to  doon 
thing  for  which  him  oglite  more  tobiwayle 
or  to  compleyne,  and  to  continue  in  goode 
werkes  :  or  dies  his  repentance  may  nat 
availle.  /  For  as  seith  seint  Isidre  :  '  he  is 
a  japer  and  a  gabber,  and  no  verray  repen- 
tant, that  eftsoone  dooth  thing,  for  which 
him  oghte  repente.'/  Wepinge,  andnatfor 
to  stinte  to  doon  sinne,  may  nat  avaylle.  /  9^ 
But  nathelees,  men  shal  hope  that  every 
tyme  that  man  falleth,  be  it  never  so 
ofte,  that  he  may  arise  thurgh  Penitence, 
if  he  have  grace  :  but  certeinly  it  is  greet 
doute.  /  For  as  seith  Seint  Gregorie  :  '  un- 
nethe  aryseth  he  out  of  sinne,  that  is 
charged  with  the  charge  of  yvel  usage.'  / 
And  therfore  repentant  folk,  that  stinte 
for  to  sinne,  and  forlete  sinne  er  that 
sinne  forlete  hem,  holy  chirche  holdeth 
hem  siker  of  hir  savacioun.  /  And  he 
that  sinneth,  and  verraily  repenteth  him 
in  his  laste  ende,  holy  chirche  yet  hopeth 
his  savacioun,  by  the  grete  mercy  of  ourc 
lord  Jesu  Crist,  for  his  repentaunce  ;  but 
tak  the  siker  wey.  /  i^o) 

§  3.  And  now,  sith  I  have  declared 
yow  what  thing  is  Penitence,  now  shul 
ye  understonde  that  ther  been  three 
accions  of  Penitence.  /  The  firsto  accion  95 
of  Penitence  is,  that  a  man  be  baptized 
after  that  ho  hath  sinned.  /  Seint  Au- 
gustin  seith  :  '  but  he  be  penitent  for  his 
olde  sinful  Ij'f,  he  may  nat  biginno  the 
newe  clone  lif.'  /  For  certes,  if  he  bo 
baptized  withouten  penitence  of  his  olde 
gilt,  ho  receiveth  the  mark  of  baptismo, 
but  nat  the  grace  ne  the  remission  of  his 
sinnes,  til  he  have  repentance  verray.  / 


676 


'ZH  CanferBurp  ^aPee. 


[t.  §§  4-7. 


Another  defaute  is  this,  that  men  doon 
deadly  sinne  after  that  they  han  received 
haptisme.  /  The  thridde  defaute  is,  that 
men    fallen    in   venial  sinnes   after  hir 

ux)  haptisme,  fro  day  to  day.  /  Ther-of  seith 
Seint  Aiignstin,  that  'penitence  of  goode 
and  hvimhle  folk  is  the  penitence  of  everj' 
day.'  / 

§  4.  The  spyces  of  Penitence  heen  three. 
That  oon  of  hem  is  solempne,  another  is 
commune,  and  the  thridde  is  privee.  / 
Thilke  penance  that  is  solempne,  is  in 
two  maneres ;  as  to  be  ptit  ou.t  of  holy 
chirchein  lente,  for  slaughtre  of  children, 
and  swich  naaner  thing.  /  Another  is, 
whan  a  man  hath  sinned  openly,  of  which 
sinne  the  fame  is  openly  spoken  in  the 
contree ;  and  thanne  holy  chirche  by 
jugement  destreineth  him  for  to  do  open 

(?o)  penannce.  /  Commune  penaunce  is  that 
preestcs  enjoinen  men  comunly  in  certeyn 
caas ;  as  for  to  goon,  peraventure,  naked 

105  in  pilgrimages,  or  hare-foot.  /  Privee 
l>enaunce  is  thilke  that  men  doon  alday 
for  privee  sinnes,  of  whiche  we  shryve  us 
prively  and  recej^ve  privee  penaunce.  / 

§  5.  Now  shaltow  understande  what  is 
bihovely  and  necessarie  to  verraj'  parfit 
Penitence.  And  this  stant  on  three 
thinges ;  /  Contricioun  of  herte,  Con- 
fessioun  of  Mouth,  and  Satisfaccioun.  / 
For  which  seith  Seint  John  Crisostom  ; 
'  Penitence  destreyneth  a  man  to  accepte 
benignely  every  peyne  that  him  is  en- 
joyned,  with  contricion  of  herte,  and 
shrift  of  mouth,  with  satisfaccion  ;  and 
in  werkinge  of  alle  maner  humilitee.'  / 
And  this  is  fruitful  Penitence  agayn 
three  thinges  in  whiche  we  wratthe  oure 

no  lord  Jesu  Crist  :  /  this  is  to  seyn,  by  delyt 
in  thinkinge,  by  reccholesnesse  in  spek- 
inge,  and  by  wikked  sinful  werkinge.  / 
And  agayns  thiso  wikkede  giltes  is  Peni- 
tence, that  may  be  lykned  un-to  a  tree.  / 
§  6.  The  rote  of  this  tree  is  Contricion, 
that  hydeth  him  in  the  herte  of  him  that 
is  verray  repentant,  right  as  the  rote  of 
a  tree  hydeth  him  in  the  erthe.  /  Of  the 
rote  of  Contricion  springeth  a  stalke, 
that  beret  h  braunches  and  leves  of  Con- 

(40)  fession,  and  fruit  of  Satisfaccion.  /     For 


which  Crist  seith  in  his  gospel :  '  dooth 
digne  fruit  of  Penitence ' ;  for  by  this 
fruit  maj'  men  knowe  this  tree,  and  nat 
by  the  rote  that  is  hid  in  the  herte  of 
man,  ne  by  the  braunches  ne  by  the 
leves  of  Confession.  /  And  therefore  1 15 
oure  Lord  Jesn  Crist  seith  thus  :  '  by  the 
fruit  of  hem  ye  shul  knowen  hem.'/  Of 
this  rote  eek  springeth  a  seed  of  grace, 
the  which  seed  is  moder  of  sikernesse, 
and  this  seed  is  egre  and  hoot.  /  The 
grace  of  this  seed  springeth  of  god, 
thurgh  remembrance  of  the  day  of  dome 
and  on  the  peynes  of  helle.  /  Of  this 
matere  seith  Salomon,  that  '  in  the  drede 
of  god  man  forleteth  his  sinne.'  /  The 
hete  of  this  seed  is  the  love  of  god,  and 
the  desiring  of  the  joye  perdurable.  /  120 
This  hete  draweth  the  herte  of  a  man  to 
god,  and  dooth  him  baton  his  sinne.  / 
For  soothly,  ther  is  no-thing  that  savour- 
eth  so  wel  to  a  child  as  the  milk  of  his 
norice,  ne  no-thing  is  to  him  more  abho- 
minable  than  thilke  milk  whan  it  is 
medled  with  other  mete.  /  Eight  so  the 
sinful  man  that  loveth  his  sinne,  him 
semeth  that  it  is  to  him  most  swete  of 
any-thing ;  /  but  fro  that  tyme  that 
he  loveth  sadly  our  lord  Jcsu  Crist,  and 
desireth  the  lif  perdurable,  ther  nis  to 
him  no-thing  more  abhominable.  /  For  (50) 
soothly,  the  lawe  of  god  is  the  love  of 
god  ;  for  which  David  the  prophete  seith  : 
'  I  have  loved  thy  lawe  and  hated  wikked- 
nesso  and  hate ' ;  he  that  loveth  god 
kcpeth  his  lawe  and  his  word.  /  This  125 
tree  saugh  the  prophete  Daniel  in  spirit, 
up-on  the  avision  of  the  king  Nabugo- 
donosor,  whan  he  conseiled  him  to  do 
X)onitence.  /  Penaunce  is  the  tree  of  lyf 
to  hem  that  it  receivcn,  and  he  that 
holdcth  him  in  verray  penitence  is 
blessed  ;  after  the  sentence  of  Salomon.  / 
§  7.  In  this  Penitence  or  Contricion 
man  shal  understondo  foure  thinges, 
that  is  to  seyn,  what  is  Contricion  :  and 
whiche  been  the  causes  that  moeven  a 
man  to  Contricion  :  and  how  he  sholde 
be  contrit :  and  what  Contricion  availleth 
to  the  soule.  /  Thanne  is  it  thus  :  that 
Contricion   is  the   verray   sorwe   that   a 


T.  §§  8,  9.] 


'<tU  (})ct6onc6  Z<xk. 


677 


man  receiveth  in  Lis  lierte  for  his  sinnes, 
with  sad  purpos  to  shrj^-e  him,  and  to 
dopenannce,  and  nevermore  todosinne./ 
And  this  sorwe  shal  been  in  this  manere, 
as  seith  seint  Bernard :  '  it  shal  been 
hevy  and  gi-evous,  and  ful  sharpe  and 
'  poinant  in  herte.'  /  First,  for  man  hath 
agilt  his  lord  and  his  creatonr  ;  and  more 
sharpe  and  poinant,  for  ho  hath  agilt  his 
fader  celestial ;  /  and  yet  more  sharpe 
and  poinant,  for  he  hath  wrathed  and 
agilt  him  that  boghte  him  ;  which  with 
his  precious  blood  hath  delivered  us  fro 
the  bondes  of  sinne,  and  fro  the  cruel- 
tee  of  the  de%-el  and  fro  the  peynes  of 
helle.  / 

§  8.  The  causes  that  oghte  moeve  a 
man  to  Contrieion  been  six.  First,  a 
man  shal  remembre  him  of  hise  sinnes  ;  / 
but  loke  he  that  thilko  remembrance  ne 
be  to  him  no  delj-t  by  no  wey,  but  greet 
shame  and  sorwe  for  his  gilt.  For  Job 
seith  :  '  sinful  men  doon  werkes  worthj* 

(60)  of  Confession.'  /  And  therfore  seith 
Ezechie  :  '  I  wol  remembre  me  alle  the 
yercs  of  my  lyf,  in   bittemesse  of  myn 

135  herte.'  /  And  god  seith  in  the  Apocalips  : 
'  remembreth  yow  fro  whennes  that  ye 
been  falle  ' ;  for  bift)rn  that  tyme  that  ye 
sinned,  j'e  were  the  children  of  god,  and 
limes  of  the  regne  of  god  ;  /  but  for  your 
sinne  ye  been  woxen  thral  and  foul,  and 
membres  of  the  feend,  hate  of  aungels, 
sclaundre  of  holy  chirche,  and  fode  of 
the  false  serpent ;  perjietuel  matere  of 
the  fyr  of  helle.  /  And  yet  more  foul 
and  abhominable,  for  ye  trespassen  so 
ofte  tyme,  as  doth  the  hound  that  re- 
toumeth  to  eten  his  spewing.  /  And 
yet  be  ye  fouler  for  your  longo  con- 
tinuing in  sinne  and  your  sinful  usage, 
for  which  ye  be  roten  in  your  sinne, 
as  a  beest  in  his  dong.  /  Swiche  manere 
of  thoghtes  maken  a  man  to  have  shame 
of  his  sinne,  and  no  delj-t,  as  god  seith 

140  by  the  prophetc  Ezechiel :  /  '  ye  slial 
remembre  yow  of  youre  weyes,  and  they 
shuln  displese  yow.'  Sothly,  sinnes  been 
the  weyes  that  leden  folk  to  helle.  / 

§  9.  The  seconde  cause  that  oghte  make 
a  man  to  have  desdeyn  of  sinne  is  this  : 


that,  as  seitli  seint  Peter,  'who-.so  that 
doth  sinne  is  thral  of  sinne  ' ;  and  sinne 
put  a  man  in  greet  thraldom.  /  And 
therfore  seith  the  prophete  Ezechiel : 
'  I  wente  sorwefnl  in  desdayn  of  my-self ' 
And  certes,  wel  oghte  a  man  have  des- 
dayn of  sinne,  and  withdrawc  him  from 
that  thraldom  and  vileinye.  /  And  lo,  what 
seith  Seneca  in  this  matere.  He  seith 
thus  :  '  though  I  wiste  that  neither  god 
ne  man  ne  sholde  nevere  knowe  it,  yet 
wolde  I  have  desdayn  for  to  do  sinne.'  /  (yo) 
And  the  same  Seneca  also  seith  :  '  I  am 
horn  to  gretter  thinges  than  to  be  thral 
to  my  body,  or  than  for  to  maken  of  my 
body  a  thral.'  /  Ne  a  fouler  thral  may  14.^ 
no  man  ne  womman  maken  of  his  bodj-, 
than  for  to  yeven  his  body  to  sinne.  / 
Al  were  it  the  ftmlestc  cherl,  or  the  foul- 
este  womman  tliat  liveth,  and  leest  of 
value,  yet  is  he  thanne  more  foule  and 
more  in  strvitute.  /  Evere  fro  the  hyer 
degree  that  man  falleth,  the  more  is  he 
thral,  and  more  to  god  and  to  the  world 
vile  and  abhominable.  /  O  gode  god, 
wel  oghte  man  have  desdayn  of  sinne ;  sith 
that,  thurgh  sinne,  ther  he  was  free,  now 
is  he  maked  boude.  /  And  therfore  se.\-th 
Seint  Augustin  :  '  if  thou  hast  desdaj-n 
of  thy  servant,  if  he  agilte  or  sinne, 
have  thou  thanne  desdayn  that  then  - 
thj^-self  sholdest  do  sinne.'/  Take  reward  150 
of  thy  value,  that  thou  ne  be  to  foul  to 
thy- self.  /  Alias !  wel  oghten  they  thanne 
have  desdayn  to  been  servauntz  and 
thralles  to  sinne,  and  sore  been  ashamed 
of  hem-self,  /  that  god  of  his  endelees 
goodnesse  hath  set  hem  in  heigh  estaat, 
or  yeven  hem  wit,  strengthc  of  body,  hele, 
beautec,  prosperitee,  /  and  ))oghte  hem 
fro  the  deeth  with  his  herte  blood,  that 
they  so  unkindely,  agayns  his  gentilesse, 
quji^en  him  so  vileinsly,  to  slaughtre  of 
hir  owene  soules.  /  O  gode  god,  j-e  (80) 
wommen  that  been  of  so  greet  beautee, 
remembreth  yow  of  the  proverbe  of 
Salomon,  that  seith  :  /  'he  lykneth  a  155 
fair  womman,  that  is  a  fool  of  hir  body, 
lyk  to  a  ring  of  gold  that  were  in  the 
groyn  of  a  sowe.'  /  For  right  as  a  so  we 
wroteth  in   everich   ordure,   so  wrotetli 


678 


tU  CanferBur^  ZaUe. 


[t.  §  10. 


sho  hir  beautee  in  the  stmkinge  ordure 
of  sinne.  / 

§  10.  The  thridde  cause  that  oghte 
moeve  a  man  to  Contricion,  is  dredo  of 
the  day  of  dome,  and  of  the  horrible 
peyncs  of  helle.  /  For  as  seint  Jerome 
seith  :  '  at  every  tymo  that  me  remem- 
breth  of  the  day  of  dome,  I  quake  ;  /  for 
whan  I  ete  or  drinlie,  or  what-so  that 
I  do,  evere  semeth  me  that  the  trompe 
i6t)  sowneth  in  myn  ere :  /  riseth  up,  ye  that 
been  dede,  and  cometh  to  the  jiigeraent.'/ 
O  gode  god,  mucliel  oghte  a  man  to  drede 
swich  a  jugement,  '  ther-as  we  shullen 
been  alle,'  as  seint  Poul  seith,  '  biforn  the 
sete  of  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist ' ;  /  wher-as 
he  shal  make  a  general  congregacion, 
wher-as  no  man  may  been  absent.  /  For 
certes,  there  availleth  noon  essoyne  ne 
(9t))  excusacion.  /  And  nat  only  that  oure 
defautes  shullen  be  juged,  but  eek  that 

i(>S  alle  oure  werkes  shullen  openlybe  knowe./ 
And  as  seith  Seint  Bernard  :  '  ther  ne 
shal  no  pledinge  availle,  ne  no  sleighte  ; 
"we  shullen  yeven  rekeninge  of  everich 
ydel  word.'/  Ther  shul  we  han  a  juge 
that  may  nat  been  deceived  ne  corrupt. 
And  why?  For,  certes,  alio  our  thoghtes 
been  discovered  as  to  him  ;  ne  for  preyere 
ne  for  mede  he  shal  nat  been  corrupt.  / 
And  therforo  seith  Salomon  :  '  the  wratthe 
of  god  ne  wol  nat  spare  no  wight,  for 
preyere  ne  for  yifte';  and  therfore,  at 
the  day  of  doom,  ther  nis  noon  hope  to 
escape.  /  Wherfore,  as  seith  Seint 
Ansolm :  '  ful  greet  angwissh  shul  the 
sinful  folk  have  at  that  tymo ;  /  ther 
shal  the  steruo  and  wrotho  juge  sitte 
above,  and  under  him  the  horrible  put 
of  hello  open  to  destroycn  him  that  moot 
biknowon  liise  sinnes,  whicho  sinnes 
openly  been  showed  biforn  god  and  bi- 

i/O  forn  every  creature.  /  And  on  the  left 
sydo,  mo  develes  than  herte  may  bithinke, 
for  to  hario  and  drawo  tho  sinful  soules 
to  tho  pj-no  of  hello.  /  And  with-inno 
the  hertes  of  folk  shal  lie  tho  bytingo 
conscience,  and  with-oute-forth  shal  bo 
the  world  al  brenninge.  /  Whider  shal 
tlianne  the  wrecehed  sinful  man  flee  to 
hydonhim?     Certes,  he  may  nat  hyden 


him  ;  he  moste  come  forth  and  shewen 
him.'/  For  certes,  as  seith  seint  Jerome: 
'  tho  erthe  shal  casten  him  out  of  him, 
and  the  see  .ilso ;  and  tho  eyr  also,  that 
shal  be  ful  of  thonder-clappes  and  light- 
ninges.'  /  Now  sothl.v,  who-so  wel  re-  (loo) 
membroth  him  of  thiso  thinges,  I  gesse 
that  his  sinne  shal  nat  turne  liim  in-to 
delj-t,  but  to  greet  sorwe,  for  drede  of  tho 
peyne  of  helle.  /  And  therfore  seith  Job  175 
to  god  :  '  suffre,  lord,  that  I  may  a  whylo 
biwaille  and  wepe,  er  I  go  with-oute 
returning  to  the  derke  lond,  covered  with 
the  derknesse  of  deeth  ;  /  to  the  lond  of 
niisese  and  of  derknesse,  where-as  is  the 
shadwe  of  deoth  ;  where-as  ther  is  noon 
ordre  or  ordinance,  bi\t  grisly  drede  that 
evere  shal  laste.'  /  Lo,  here  may  ye  seen 
that  Job  preyde  respyt  a  whyle,  to  biwcpe 
and  waille  his  trespas  ;  for  soothly  oon 
day  of  respji;  is  bettre  than  al  the  tresor 
of  the  world.  /  And  for-as-muche  as 
a  man  may  acquiten  him-self  biforn  god 
by  penitence  in  this  world,  and  nat  by 
tresor,  therforo  sholdc  he  preye  to  god 
to  yeve  him  respyt  a  whyle,  to  hi  wepe 
and  biwaillon  his  trespas.  /  For  certes, 
al  the  sorsve  that  a  man  mighte  make 
fro  the  beginning  of  the  world,  nis  but 
a  litel  thing  at  regard  of  tho  sorwe  of 
helle.  /  The  cause  why  that  Job  clepeth  180 
helle  'the  lond  of  derknesse ';  /  under- 
stondeth  that  ho  clepeth  it  'londe'  or 
erthe,  for  it  is  stable,  and  nevere  shal 
faille  ;  '  derk,'  for  he  that  is  in  helle  hath 
defaute  of  light  material.  /  For  certes, 
the  derke  light,  that  shal  come  out  of  the 
fyr  that  evere  shal  brenne,  shal  turne 
him  al  to  pe.yne  that  is  in  helle  ;  for  it 
sheweth  him  to  tho  horrible  develes  that 
him  tormenten.  /  '  Covered  with  tlie 
derknesse  of  deeth  ' :  that  is  to  seyn,  that 
ho  that  is  in  helle  shal  have  defaute  of 
tho  sighto  of  god ;  ibr  certes,  the  sighto 
of  god  is  tho  lyf  perdurable./  'The  (no) 
derknesse  of  deeth  '  been  the  sinnes  tliat 
tho  wrecchotl  man  hath  doon,  whiche 
that  destourben  him  to  see  the  face  of 
god  ;  right  as  doth  a  derk  cloude  bitwixe 
lis  and  the  sonne.  /  '  Lond  of  misese  ' :  /  185 
by-cause  that  ther  been  three  manereg 


T.  §   10.] 


ZU  gjereonee  Zak. 


679 


of  defaiites,  agayn  three  thinges  that  folk 

of  this   -world  han   in  this  present   Ij-f, 

that   is   to   seyn,   honours,    delyces,    and 

richesses.  /     Agayns  honour,   have   they 

in  hclle  shame  and  confusion.  /     For  wel 

yo  woot  that  men  clepen  '  honour '  the 

reverence  that  man  doth  to  man  ;  but  in 

helle  is  noon  honour  ne  reverence.     For 

certes,  na-more  reverence   shal  be  doon 

there  to  a  king  than  to  a  knave.  /     For 

which  god  seith  by  the  prophete  .Jeremye : 

'  thilke  folk  that  me  despysen  shul  been 

in    despyt.'/     'Honour'    is    eek    cleped 

greet  lordshipe  ;  ther  slial  no  man  serven 

other  but  of  harm  and  torment.  '  Honour' 

is  eek  cleped  greet  dignitee  and  heigh- 

nesse  ;  but   in   helle   shul   they  been   al 

190  fortroden  of  develes.  /     And  god   seith : 

'  the   horrible   develes   shulle   goon   and 

comen  up-on  the  hevedes  of  the  dampned 

folk.'     And  this  is  for-as-mucho  as,  the 

hyer  that  they  were  in  this  present  lyf, 

the   more  shulle  they  been   abated   and 

defouled  in  helle.  /    Agayns  the  richesses 

of  this  world,  shul  they  han   misese  of 

poverte  ;    and  this  poverte  shal  been  in 

foure  thinges :  /  in  dcfante  of  trcsor,  of 

whitli  that  David  seith  ;  '  the  riche  folk, 

that  embraceden  and  oneden  al  hir  herte 

to  tresor  of  this  workl,  shul  slepe  in  the 

slepinge  of  deeth  ;  and  no-thing  ne  shul 

they   finden    in    hir    handes   of    al   hir 

tresor.'  /     And  more-over,  the  miseise  of 

helle  shal  been  in  defaute  of  meto  and 

(120)  drinke.  /     For  god  seith  thus  by  Moyses  ; 

'  they  shul  been  wasted  with  hunger,  and 

the  briddes  of  helle  shul  devouren  hem 

with  bitter  deeth,  and  the  galle  of  the 

dragon   shal   been   hir   drinke,  and   the 

195  venim  of  the  dragon  hir  morsels.'  /     And 

forther-over,    liir  miseise    shal   been    ih 

defaute  of  clothing:    for  they  shulle  be 

naked  in  body  as  of  clothing,  save  the  fyr 

in  which  thoy  brcnno  and  othere  filthes ;  / 

and  naked  shul  they  been  of  soule,  of  alio 

manere  vertues,  which  that  is  the  clotli- 

ing  of  the  soule.    Where  been  thanne  the 

gaye  robes  and  the  softe  shetes  and  the 

smale  shertes '?  /     Lo,  what  seith  god  of 

hem  by  the  prophete  Isaye  :  '  that  under 

hem  shul  been  strawed  motthes,  and  hir 


coverttires  shulle  been  of  wormes  of 
helle.'  /  And  forther-over,  hir  miseise 
shal  been  in  defaute  of  freendes  ;  for  he 
nis  nat  povre  that  hath  goode  freendes, 
but  there  is  no  freend  ;  /  for  neither  god 
ne  no  creature  shal  been  freend  to  hem, 
and  everich  of  hem  shal  hat  en  other 
with  deedly  hate.  /  '  The  sones  and  the  200 
doghtren  shullen  rebellen  agayns  fader 
and  mooder,  and  kiurede  agayns  kinrede, 
and  chyden  and  despysen  everich  of  hem 
other,'  bothe  day  and  night,  as  god  seith 
by  the  prophete  Michias.  /  And  the 
lovinge  children,  that  whylom  loveden 
so  fleshly  everich  other,  wolden  everich 
ofhem  eten  other  if  they  mighte.  /  For 
how  sholden  they  love  hem  togidre  in  the 
pejTie  of  lielle,  whan  they  hated  ech  of 
hem  other  in  the  prosperitee  of  this  lyf?  / 
For  tniste  wel,  hir  fleshly  love  was  deedly 
hate  ;  as  seith  the  prophete  David :  '  who- 
so that  loveth  wikkednesse  he  hateth  his 
soule.'/  And  who-so  hateth  his  owene  (130) 
soule,  certes,  he  may  love  noon  other 
wight  in  no  manere.  /  And  therefore,  205 
in  helle  is  no  solas  ne  no  frendshipe,  but 
evere  the  more  fleshly  kinredes  that  been 
in  helle,  the  more  cursinges,  the  more 
chydinges,  and  the  more  deedly  hate  ther 
is  among  hem.  /  And  forther-over,  they 
shul  have  defaute  of  alle  manere  delyces  ; 
for  certes,  delyces  been  after  the  appe- 
tytes  of  the  fyve  wittes,  as  sighte,  heringe, 
smellinge,  savoringe,  and  touchinge.  / 
Bvit  in  helle  hir  sighte  shal  bo  ful  of 
derknesse  and  of  smoke,  and  therfore  ful 
of  teres  ;  and  hir  heringe,  ful  of  way- 
mentinge  and  of  grintinge  of  teeth,  as 
seith  Jesu  Crist ;  /  hir  nosethirles  shullen 
be  ful  of  stinkinge  stink.  And  as  seith 
Isaye  the  prophete :  '  hir  savoring  shal 
be  ful  of  bitter  galle.'  /  And  touchinge 
of  al  hir  body,  y-covered  with  '  fyr  tliat 
nevero  shal  quenche,  and  with  wormes 
that  nevore  shul  dyen,'  as  god  seith  by 
the  mouth  of  Isaye.  /  And  for-as-mucho  2 id 
as  they  shul  nat  weno  that  they  may 
dyen  for  peyne,  and  by  hir  deeth  flee 
fro  peyne,  that  may  they  understonden 
by  the  word  of  Job,  that  seith  :  '  ther-as 
is  the   shadwe    of    deeth.'  /      Certes,   a 


68o 


ZU  tanttvBxkv^  Zake. 


[t.  §  n. 


shadwe  liatli  the  lyknesse  of  the  thing 
of  which  it  is  shadwe,  hnt  shadwe  is  nat 
the  same  thing  of  which  it  is  sliadwe.  / 
Right  so  fareth  the  pcyne  of  helle ;  it  is 
lyk  deeth  for  the  horrible  angiiissh,  and 
why?  For  it  pcyneth  hem  evere,  as 
though  they  sholde  dye  anon  ;  but  certes 
they  shal  nat  dye.  /  For  as  seith  Seint 
Gregorie :  '  to  wrecche  caytives  shal  he 
deeth  with-oute  deeth,  and  ende  with- 
outen  ende,  and  defaute  with-oute  fail- 
(140)  inge.  /  For  hir  deeth  shal  alwej'  liven, 
and  hir  ende  shal  everenio  higinne,  and 

215  hir  defaute  shal  nat  faille.'  /  And  ther- 
fore  seith  Seint  John  the  Evangelist : 
'  they  shullen  folwe  deeth,  and  they  shul 
nat  finde  him  ;  and  they  shul  desyren 
to  dye,  and  deeth  shal  flee  fro  hem.'  / 
And  eek  Job  seith :  that  '  in  helle  is 
noon  ordre  of  rule.'  /  And  al-be-it  so 
that  god  hath  creat  alle  thinges  in  right 
ordre,  and  no-thing  with-outen  ordre, 
but  alle  thinges  been  ordeyned  and  noni- 
bred  ;  yet  nathelees  they  that  been 
dampned  been  no-thing  in  ordre,  ne 
holden  noon  ordre.  /  For  the  erthe  ne 
shal  here  hem  no  fruit.  /  For,  as  the 
prophete  David  seith  :  '  god  shal  destroye 
the  fruit  of  the  erthe  as  fro  hem';  ne 
water  ne  sh.al  yeve  hem  no  moisture  ;  ne 

220  the  oyr  no  refresshing,  ne  fyr  no  light.  / 
For  as  seith  seint  Basilie :  '  the  brenninge 
of  the  fyr  of  this  world  shal  god  yeven  in 
helle  to  hem  that  been  dampned  ;  /  but 
the  light  and  the  cleernesse  shal  be  yeven 
in  heveno  to  hise  children  ';  right  as  the 
gode  man  yeveth  flesh  to  hise  children, 
and  bones  to  his  houndes.  /  And  for 
they  shullen  have  noon  hope  to  escape, 
seith  seint  Job  atte  laste :  that  '  ther 
shal  horronr  and  g^i'isly  drede  dwellen 
with-outen  ende.'  /  Horrour  is  alwoy 
drcdc  of  harm  that  is  to  come,  and  tliis 
ilrede  shal  evere  dwello  in  the  hertes  of 
hem  that  been  dampned.  And  therefore 
han  they  lorn  al  hir  hope,  for  sevene 
(150)  causes.  /  First,  for  god  that  is  hir  juge 
shal  be  with-outen  mercy  to  hem  ;  ne 
they  may  nat  plese  him,  ne  noon  of  hise 
halwps ;    ne  they  ne  may  yeve  no-thing 

225  for  hir  raunson  ;  /  ne  they  have  no  vois 


to  speke  to  him  ;  ne  they  may  nat  flee 
fro  peyne  ;  ne  they  have  no  goodnesse  in 
hem,  that  they  mowe  shewe  to  delivere 
hem  fro  pej'ne.  /  And  therfore  seith 
Salomon  :  '  the  wikked  man  dyeth  ;  and 
whan  he  is  deed,  he  shal  have  noon  hope 
to  escape  fro  peyne.'  /  Who-so  thanne 
wolde  wel  understande  these  peynes,  and 
bithinke  him  weel  that  he  hath  deserved 
thilke  peynes  for  his  sinnes,  certes,  he 
sholde  have  more  talent  to  syken  and  to 
wepe  than  for  to  singen  and  to  pleye.  / 
For  as  that  seith  Salomon  :  '  who-so  that 
hadde  the  science  to  knowe  the  pej-nes 
that  been  establissed  and  ordeyned  for 
siune,  he  wolde  make  sorwe.'  /  '  Thilke 
science,'  as  seith  seint  Augustin,  '  maketh 
a  man  to  waymenten  in  his  herte.'/  2.^0 

§  11.  The  fourthe  point,  that  oghte 
maken  a  man  to  have  contricion,  is  the 
sorweful  remembrance  of  the  good  that 
he  hath  left  to  doon  here  in  erthe  ;  and 
eek  the  good  that  he  hath  lorn.  /  Soothly, 
the  gode  werkes  that  he  hath  left,  outher 
they  been  the  gode  werkes  that  he 
wroghte  er  ho  fel  in-to  deedly  sinne,  or 
elles  the  gode  werkes  that  he  wroghte 
while  he  lay  in  sinne.  /  Soothly,  the 
gode  werkes,  that  he  dide  biforn  that  he 
fil  in  sinne,  been  al  mortified  and  astoned 
and  dulled  by  the  ofte  sinning.  /  The 
otherc  gode  werkes,  that  he  wroghte 
whyl  he  lay  in  deedly  sinne,  they  been 
outrely  dede  as  to  the  Ij-f  perdurable  in 
hevenc.  /  Thanne  thilke  gode  werkes  (t6o) 
that  been  mortified  by  ofte  sinning, 
whiche  gode  werkes  he  dide  whyl  he  was 
in  charitee,  ne  mowe  nevere  quiken  agayn 
with-outen  verray  penitence.  /  And  ther-  235 
of  seith  god,  by  the  movith  of  Ezechiel : 
that,  '  if  the  rightful  man  returne  agayn 
from  liis  rightwisnesse  and  werke  wikked- 
ncsse,  shal  he  live?'  /  Nay;  for  alle  the 
gode  werkes  that  he  hath  wroght  ne  shul 
nevere  been  in  remembrance  ;  for  he  shal 
dyen  in  his  sinne.  /  And  up-on  thilke 
chapitre  seith  seint  Gregorie  thus  :  '  that 
we  shuUo  understonde  this  principally;  / 
that  whan  we  doon  deedly  sinne,  it  is 
for  noght  thanne  to  rehercen  or  drawen 
in-to  memorie  the  gode  werkes  that  we 


r.  §  12.] 


I.    ZU  (per0one0  Zak, 


68i 


lian  wroglit  biforu.'  /  For  certes,  in  tlie 
werkiiige  of  the  deeilly  sinne,  ther  is  no 
trust  to  no  good  werk  that  we  han  doon 
biforn  ;  that  is  to  seyn,  as  for  to  have 

240  thorby  the  lyf  perdurable  in  hevene.  / 
But  nathclees,  the  gode  werkes  quUsen 
agayn,  and  conien  agayn,  and  helpen, 
and  availlen  to  have  the  lyf  perdurable 
in  hevene,  whan  we  han  contricion.  / 
But  soothly,  the  gode  werkes  that  men 
doon  whyl  they  been  in  deedly  sinne, 
for-as-muche  as  they  were  doon  in  deedly 
sinne,  they  may  Jievere  quiken  agayn.  / 
For  certes,  thing  that  nevere  hadde  lyf 
may  nevere  quikene ;  and  nathelees,  al- 
be-it  that  they  ne  availle  noght  to  han 
the  lyf  j)crdurable,  yet  availlen  they  to 
abregge  of  the  peyne  of  helle,  or  elles  to 
geten  tiemporal  rich  esse,  /  or  elles  that 
god  wole  the  rather  enlumine  and  lightne 
the  herte  of  the  sinful  man  to  have 
(170)  repentance;  /  and  eek  they  availlen  for 
to  usen  a  man  to  doon  gode  werkes,  that 
the   feend   have   the   lasse  power  of  his 

245  soule.  /  And  thus  the  ciirteis  lord  Jesu 
Crist  wole  that  no  good  werk  be  lost ; 
for  in  somwhat  it  shal  availle.  /  But 
for-as-muche  as  the  gode  werkes  that 
men  doon  whyl  they  been  in  good  lyf, 
been  al  mortified  by  sinne  folwinge  ;  and 
eek,  sith  that  alio  the  gode  werkes  that 
men  doon  whyl  they  been  in  deedly 
synne,  been  outrely  dede  as  for  to  have 
the  lyf  perdurable  ;  /  wel  may  that  man, 
that  no  good  werke  ne  dooth,  singe  thilke 
newo  Frenshe  song  :  '  Jay  tout  perdu  mon 
temps  et  mon  labour.'  /  For  certes,  sinne 
Inreveth  a  man  bothe  goodnesse  of  nature 
and  eek  the  goodnesse  of  grace.  /  For 
soothly,  the  grace  of  tlie  holy  goost 
fareth  lyk  fyr,  that  may  nat  been  ydel ; 
for  fyr  iaileth  anoon  as  it  forleteth  his 
wirkinge,    and    right    so    grace    fayleth 

250  anoon  as  it  forleteth  his  werkinge.  / 
Than  leseth  the  sinful  man  the  goodnesse 
of  glorie,  that  only  is  bihight  to  godo 
men  that  labouren  and  werken.  /  Wel 
may  he  be  sory  thanne,  that  oweth  al 
his  lif  to  god  as  longe  as  he  hath  lived, 
and  eek  as  longe  as  ho  shal  live,  that  no 
goodnesse  ne  hath  to  paye  with  his  dette 


to  god,  to  whom  he  oweth  al  his  lyf.  / 
For  trust  wel,  '  ho  shal  yeven  acountes,' 
as  seith  seint  Bernard,  '  of  alle  the  godes 
that  han  be  yeven  him  in  this  present 
lyf,  and  how  ho  hath  hem  despeuded  ;  / 
in  so  muche  that  ther  shal  nat  perisse  an 
heer  of  his  heed,  ne  a  moment  of  an 
houre  ne  shal  nat  perisse  of  his  tyme, 
that  he  ne  shal  yove  of  it  a  rekening.'  /      (iSo) 

§  12.  The  fifthe  thing  that  oghte  moeve 
a  man  to  contricion,  is  remembrance  of 
the  passion  that  oui-e  lord  Jesu  Crist 
suifred  for  oure  sinnes.  /  For,  as  seith  255 
seint  Bernard  :  '  whyl  that  I  live,  I  shal 
have  remembrance  of  the  travailles  that 
oure  lord  Crist  suffred  in  preching  ;  /  his 
werinesse  in  travailling,  hise  temptacions 
whan  he  fasted,  hise  longe  waldnges 
whan  he  preyde,  hise  teres  whan  that 
he  weep  for  piteo  of  good  peple  ;  /  the 
wo  and  the  shame  and  the  fllthe  that 
men  seyden  to  him  ;  of  the  foule  spitting 
that  nien  spitte  in  his  face,  of  the 
biiffettes  that  men  yaven  him,  of  the 
foule  mowes,  and  of  the  repreves  that 
men  to  him  seyden  ;  /  of  the  nayles  with 
whiche  he  was  nailed  to  the  croys,  and 
of  al  the  remenant  of  his  passion  that  he 
suffred  for  my  sinnes,  and  no-thing  for 
his  gilt.'  /  And  ye  shul  understonde, 
that  in  mannes  sinne  is  every  manere  of 
ordre  or  ordinance  turned  up-so-doun.  /  260 
For  it  is  sooth,  that  god,  and  reson,  and 
sonsualitee,  and  the  body  of  man  been  so 
ordeyned,  that  everich  of  thise  foure 
thinges  sholde  have  lordshipe  over  that 
other  ;  /  as  thus  :  god  sholde  have  lord- 
shipe over  reson,  and  reson  over  sensu- 
alitee,  and  sonsualitee  over  the  body  of 
man.  /  But  sothly,  whan  man  sinneth, 
al  this  ordre  or  ordinance  is  turned 
up-so-doiin.  /  And  therforo  thanne,  for- 
as-muche  as  the  reson  of  man  ne  wol  nat 
be  subget  ne  oboisant  to  god,  that  is  his 
lord  by  right,  thcrfore  leseth  it  the  lord- 
shipe that  it  sholde  have  over  sonsualitee, 
and  eek  over  the  body  of  man.  /  And  (190) 
why?  For  sensualitee  rcbcUeth  thanne 
agayns  reson  ;  and  by  that  wcy  leseth 
reson  the  lordshipe  over  sensualitee  and 
over  the  body.  /     For  right  as  resou  is  26$ 


z  3 


682 


ZU  €anfer6utp  Zake. 


[t.  §  13. 


rebel  to  god,  right  so  is  bothe  sensnalitee 
rebel  to  reson  and  the  body  also.  /  And 
certes,  this  disordinanee  and  this  re- 
bellion oure  lord  Jesu  Crist  aboghte 
np-on  his  precious  body  ful  dere,  and 
herkneth  in  which  "wyse.  /  For-as-muche 
thanne  as  reson  is  rebel  to  god,  therfore 
is  man  worthy  to  have  sorwe  and  to  be 
deed.  /  This  snffred  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist 
for  man,  after  that  he  hadde  be  bitraysed 
of  his  disciple,  and  distrej-ned  and 
bounde,  '  so  that  his  blood  brast  out  at 
every  nail  of  hise  handes,'  as  seith  seint 
Augustin.  /  And  forther-over,  for-as- 
muchel  as  reson  of  man  ne  wol  nat 
daunte  sensnalitee  whan  it  may,  therfore 
is  man  worthy  to  have  shame ;  and  this 
suffred  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist  for  man, 
270  whan  they  spetten  in  his  visage.  /  And 
forther-over,  for-as-muchel  thanne  as  the 
caitif  body  of  man  is  rebel  bothe  to  reson 
and  to  sensnalitee,  therfore  is  it  worthy 
the  deeth.  /  And  this  suffred  oure  lord 
Jesu  Crist  for  man  up-on  the  croys, 
where-as  ther  was  no  part  of  his  body 
free,  with-outen  greet  peyne  and  bitter 
passion.  /  And  al  this  suffred  Jesu 
Crist,  that  nevere  forfeted.  And  therfore 
resonably  may  be  seyd  of  Jesu  in  this 
manere  :  '  to  muchel  am  I  peyned  for 
the  thinges  that  I  nevere  deserved,  and 
to  muche  defouled  for  shendshipe  that 
man  is  worthy  to  have.'  /  And  therfore 
maj'  the  sinful  man  wel  seye,  as  seith 
seint  Bernard  :  '  acursed  be  the  bitter- 
nessc  of  my  sinne,  for  which  ther  moste 
(200)  1)6  suffred  so  muchel  bittemesse.'  /  For 
certes,  after  the  diverse  discordances  of 
oure  wikkednesses,  was  the  passion  of 
275  Jesu  Crist  ordeyned  in  diverse  thinges,  / 
as  thus.  Certes,  sinful  mannes  soule  is 
bitraysed  of  the  devcl  by  coveitise  of 
temporel  prosperitee,  and  scorned  by 
deceite  whan  he  chcseth  fleshly  dclyces  ; 
and  yet  is  it  tormented  by  inpacience  of 
adversitee,  and  bispet  by  servage  and 
subjeccion  of  sinne  ;  and  atte  laste  it  is 
slayn  fynally.  /  For  this  disordinaunce 
of  sinful  man  was  Jesu  Crist  first  bi- 
traysed, and  after  that  was  he  bounde, 
that  cam   for  to  unbynden  us  of  sinne 


and  peyne.  /  Thanne  was  he  biscomed, 
that  only  sholde  han  been  honoured  in 
alle  thinges  and  of  alle  thinges.  /  Thanne 
was  his  visage,  that  oghte  be  desired 
to  be  seyn  of  al  man-kinde,  in  which 
visage  aungels  desyren  to  looke,  vileynsly 
bispet.  /  Thanne  was  he  scourged  that 
no-thing  hadde  agilt ;  and  fynally,  thanne 
was  he  crucified  and  slayn.  /  Thanne  280 
was  acompliced  the  word  of  Isaye :  '  he 
was  wounded  for  oure  misdedes,  and 
defouled  for  oure  felonies.'  /  Now  sitli 
that  Jesu  Crist  took  tip-on  him-self  the 
peyne  of  alle  oiire  wikkednesses,  muchel 
oghte  sinful  man  wepen  and  biwayle, 
that  for  hise  sinnes  goddes  sone  of 
hevene  sholde  al  this  peyne  endure.  / 

§  13.  The  sixte  thing  that  oghte  moeve 
a  man  to  contricion,  is  the  hope  of  three 
thynges ;  that  is  to  seyn,  foryifnesse  of 
sinne,  and  the  yifte  of  grace  wel  for  to 
do,  and  the  glorie  of  hevene,  with  which 
god  shal  guerdone  a  man  for  hise  gode 
dedes.  /  And  for-as-muche  as  Jesu  Crist 
yeveth  us  thise  yiftes  of  his  largesse  and 
of  his  sovereyn  bountee,  therfore  is  he 
cleped  Jestts  Kacarenits  rex  Judeorinn.  /  (210) 
Jesus  is  to  seyn  'saveonr'  or  '  salvacion.' 
on  whom  men  shul  hope  to  have  forj-if- 
nesse  of  sinnes,  which  that  is  proproly 
salvacion  of  sinnes.  /  And  therfore  seyde  285 
the  aungel  to  Joseph  :  '  thou  shalt  clcpen 
his  name  Jesus,  that  shal  saven  his  peplc 
of  hir  sinnes.'  /  And  heer-of  seith  seint 
Peter  :  '  ther  is  noon  other  name  under 
hevene  that  is  yeve  to  any  man,  by  which 
a  man  may  be  saved,  but  only  Jesus.'  / 
Kazareniis  is  as  muche  for  to  seye  as 
'  florisshinge,'  in  which  a  man  shal  hope, 
that  he  that  yeveth  him  remission  of 
sinnes  shal  yeve  him  eek  grace  wel  for  to 
do.  For  in  the  flour  is  hope  of  fruit  in 
tyme  cominge ;  and  in  foryifnesse  of 
sinnes  hope  of  grace  wel  for  to  do.  / 
'  I  was  atte  dore  of  thyn  herte,'  seith 
Jesus,  '  and  cleped  for  to  entre  ;  he  that 
openeth  to  me  shal  have  foryifnesse  of 
sinne.  /  I  wol  entre  in-to  him  by  my 
grace,  and  soupe  with  liim,'  by  the  goode 
werkes  that  he  shal  doon  ;  whiehe  werkes 
been   the   foode   of  god ;    '  and   he   shal 


T.  §§   14,   15.] 


ZU  (pereonee  Zak, 


683 


soupe  vritli  me,'  by  the  grate  joye  that 
290  I  shal  yeven  him.  /  Thus  shal  man  hope, 
for  hise  werkes  of  penaunce,  that  god 
shall  yeven  him  his  regne ;  as  he  bihoteth 
him  in  the  gospel.  / 

§  14.  Now  shal  a  man  understonde,  in 
■which  manere  shal  been  his  contricion. 
I  seye,  that  it  shal  been  universal  and 
total ;  this  is  to  seyn,  a  man  shal  be 
verray  repentant  for  alle  hise  sinnes  that 
he  hath  doon  in  delyt  of  his  thoght ;  for 
delyt  is  ful  perilous.  /  For  ther  been 
two  manere  of  consentinges  ;  that  oon  of 
hem  is  cleped  consentinge  of  aifeccion, 
whan  a  man  is  moeved  to  do  sinne,  and 
delyteth  liim  longe  for  to  thinke  on  that 
sinne  ;  /  and  his  reson  aperceyveth  it 
wel,  that  it  is  sinne  agayns  the  lawe  of 
god,  and  yet  his  reson  refreyneth  nat  his 
foul  delyt  or  talent,  though  he  see  wel 
apertly  that  it  is  agayiis  the  reverence  of 
god ;  al-though  his  reson  ne  consente 
(220)  noght  to  doon  that  sinne  in  dede,  /  yet 
seyn  somme  doctours  that  swich  delyt 
that  dwelleth  longe,  it  is  ful  ijerilous, 
295  al  be  it  nevere  so  lite.  /  And  also  a  man 
sholdc  sorwe,  namely,  for  al  that  evere 
he  hath  desired  agayn  the  lawe  of  god 
with  perfit  consentinge  of  his  reson  ;  for 
ther-of  is  no  doute,  that  it  is  deedly  sinne 
in  consentinge.  /  For  certes,  ther  is  no 
deedly  sinne,  that  it  nas  first  in  mannes 
thought,  and  after  that  in  his  delyt ;  and 
so  forth  in-to  consentinge  and  in-to  dede./ 
WTerfore  I  seye,  that  many  men  no  re- 
penten  hem  nevere  of  swiche  thoghtes 
and  delytes,  ne  nevere  shryven  hem  of  it, 
but  only  of  the  dede  of  grete  sinnes 
outward.  /  Wherfore  I  seye,  that  swiche 
wikked  delytes  and  wikked  thoghtes  been 
subtile  bigyleres  of  hem  that  shuUen  be 
dampned.  /  More-over,  man  oghte  to 
sorwe  for  hise  wikkede  wordes  as  wel  as 
for  hise  wikkede  dedes  ;  for  certes,  the 
repentance  of  a  singuler  sinne,  and  nat 
repente  of  alle  hise  othere  sinnes,  or  elles 
repenten  him  of  alio  hise  othere  sinnes, 
and  nat  of  a  singuler  sinne,  may  nat 
300  availle.  /  For  certes,  god  almighty  is  al 
good ;  and  thcr-fore  he  foryeveth  al,  or 
elles  right  noght.  /     And   heer-of  seith 


seint  Augustin  :  '  I  woot  certeinly  /  that 
god  is  enemy  to  everich  sinnere  ' ;  and 
how  thanne  ?  He  that  observeth  o  sinne, 
shal  he  have  for^-ifnesse  of  the  reme- 
naunt  of  hise  othere  sinnes  ?  Nay.  / 
And  forther-over,  contricion  sholde  be 
wonder  sorweful  and  anguissous,  and 
therfore  yeveth  him  god  pleynly  his 
mercy ;  and  therfore,  whan  my  sotile 
was  anguissous  with-inne  me,  I  hadde 
remembrance  of  god  that  my  preyere 
mighte  come  to  him.  /  Forther-over,  (230) 
contricion  moste  be  continuel,  and  that 
man  have  stedefast  purpos  to  shryven 
him,  and  for  to  amenden  him  of  his  lyf.  /  :?o5 
For  soothly,  whyl  contricion  lasteth,  man 
raay  evere  have  hope  of  foryifnesse  ;  and 
of  this  comth  hate  of  sinne,  that  destroy- 
eth  sinne  bothe  in  himself,  and  eek  in 
other  folk,  at  his  power.  /  For  which 
seith  David  :  '  ye  that  loven  god  hateth 
wikkednesse.'  For  trusteth  wel,  to  love 
god  is  for  to  love  that  he  loveth,  and 
hate  that  he  hateth.  / 

§  15.  The  laste  thing  that  man  shal 
understonde  in  contricion  is  this ;  wher- 
of  avayleth  contricion.  I  seye,  that  som 
tyme  contricion  delivereth  a  man  fro 
sinne ;  /  of  which  that  David  seith : 
'  I  seye,'  quod  David,  that  is  to  seyn, 
'  I  purposed  fermelj^  to  shryve  me  ;  and 
thow.  Lord,  relesedost  my  sinne.'  /  And 
right  so  as  contricion  availleth  noght, 
with-outen  sad  purpos  of  shrifte,  if  man 
have  oportunitee,  right  so  lite!  worth  is 
shrifte  or  satisfaccion  with-outen  con- 
tricion. /  And  more-over,  contricion  310 
destroyeth  the  prison  of  helle,  and  maketh 
wayk  and  feble  alle  the  strengthes  of  the 
develes,  and  restoreth  the  yiftes  of  the 
holy  goost  and  of  alle  gode  vertues  ;/  and 
it  clenseth  the  soule  of  sinne,  and 
delivereth  the  soule  fro  the  peyne  of 
helle,  and  fro  the  companye  of  the  devel, 
and  fro  the  sorvage  of  sinne,  and  restoreth 
it  to  alio  godes  espirituels,  and  to  the 
companye  and  communion  of  holy 
chirche.  /  And  forther-over,  it  maketh 
him  that  wliylom  was  sono  of  ire  to  be 
sone  of  grace  ;  and  alle  thise  thingcs  been 
preved  by  holy  writ.  /     And  therfore,  he 


z  5 


684 


ZU  tcinUvZuv^  Zake. 


[t.  §   ifi-iS. 


that  wolde  sette  his  entente  to  thise 
t  hinges,  he  were  ful  ■wys ;  for  soothly,  he 
ne  sholde  nat  thanne  in  al  his  lyf  have 
corage  to  sinno,  but  yeven  his  body  and 
al  his  hcrto  to  the  service  of  Jesn  Crist, 
(240)  and  ther-of  doon  him  hommage.  /  For 
soothly,  oure  swete  lord  Jesit  Crist  hath 
spared  us  so  debonairly  in  our  folies,  that 
if  he  ne  hadde  pitee  of  mannes  soule, 
315  a  sory  song  we  mighten  alle  singe./ 

Explicit  prima  pars  Penitentie;    et 
sequitur  secunda  pars  eiusdem. 

§  10.  The  scconde  partie  of  Penitence  is 
Confession,  that  is  signe  of  contricion.  / 
Now  shul  ye  understonde  what  is  Con- 
fession, and  whether  it  oghte  nedes  be 
doon  or  noon,  and  whiche  thinges  been 
covenable  to  vcrray  Confession.  / 

§  17.  First  shaltow  understonde  that 
Confession  is  verray  shewinge  of  sinnes 
to  the  preest ;  /  this  is  to  seyn  '  verray,' 
for  he  mosto  confessen  him  of  alle  the 
condiciouns  that  bilongen  to  his  sinne,  as 
ferforth  as  ho  can.  /  Al  moot  be  seyd, 
and  no  thing  excused  ne  hid  ne  for- 
wrapped,  and  noght  avaunte  him  of  his 
320  gode  werkes.  /  And  forther  over,  it  is 
necessarie  to  understonde  whennes  that 
sinnes  springcn,  and  how  they  encresen, 
and  wliicho  tliey  been.  / 

§  18.  Of  the  springinge  of  sinnes  seith 
seint  Paul  in  this  wise  :  that  '  right  as  by 
a  man  sinno  cntred  first  in-to  this  world, 
and  thiirgh  that  sinne  deeth,  right  so 
thilke  dceth  entrcd  in-to  alle  men  that 
sinneden.'/  And  this  man  was  Adam, 
by  whom  sinne  cntred  in-to  this  world 
whan  he  brak  the  comaundement  of 
god.  /  And  thcrfore,  he  tliat  first  was  so 
miglity  tliat  he  sliolde  not  have  dj-ed, 
bitam  swich  oun  that  he  mosto  nedes  dye, 
whetljor  ho  wolde  or  noon  ;  and  all  his 
progenie  in  this  world  that  in  thilke  man 
(250)  sinneden.  /  Loke  that  in  th'estaat  of 
innocence,  when  Adam  and  Eve  naked 
weren  in  paradys,  and  no-thing  ne  haddcn 
325  shame  of  hir  nakednesse,  /  how  that  the 
serpent,  that  was  most  wyly  of  alle  othero 
bcstcs  that  god  hadde  maked,  seyde  to 


the  womman  :  '  why  comaunded  god  to 
yow,  ye  shtdde  nat  etcn  of  every  tree  in 
paradys  ?  '  /  The  womman  answerdc  : 
'of  the  fruit,'  quod  she,  'of  the  trees  in 
paradys  we  feden  us  ;  but  soothly,  of  the 
fruit  of  the  tree  that  is  in  the  middel  of 
paradys,  god  forbad  us  for  to  etc,  ne  nat 
touchen  it,  lest  per-aventure  wo  should 
dyen.'  /  The  ser^jent  seyde  to  the  wom- 
man :  '  nay,  nay,  ye  shul  nat  dyen  of 
deeth  ;  for  sothe,  god  woot,  that  what  day 
that  ye  eten  ther-of,  youre  cyon  shiil 
opene,  and  ye  shul  been  as  goddes, 
knowinge  good  and  harm. '/  The  wom- 
man thanne  saugh  that  the  tree  was  good 
to  fecUng,  and  fair  to  the  eyen,  and 
delytable  to  the  sighte ;  she  tok  of  the 
fruit  of  the  tree,  and  eet  it,  and  yaf  to  hir 
housbonde,  and  ho  eet ;  and  anoon  the 
eyen  of  hem  botlio  openedcn.  /  And 
whan  that  they  knewo  that  they  were 
naked,  they  sowed  of  fige-leves  a  manerc 
of  breches  to  hiden  hir  membrcs.  /  There  330 
may  ye  seen  that  deedly  sinne  hath  first 
suggestion  of  the  feond,  as  sheweth  here 
by  the  naddre  ;  and  afterward,  the  delyt 
of  the  flesh,  as  sheweth  here  by  Eve  ;  and 
after  that,  the  consentinge  of  resoun,  as 
sheweth  here  by  Adam.  /  For  trust  wel, 
thogh  so  were  that  the  feond  tempted  Eve, 
that  is  to  so^Ti  the  flesh,  and  the  flesh  haddo 
delyt  in  the  beautoe  of  the  fruit  defended, 
yet  cci"tes,  til  that  resoun,  that  is  to  seyn, 
Adam,  consented  to  the  etinge  of  the 
fruit,  yet  stood  he  in  th'estaat  of  inno- 
cence. /  Of  thilke  Adam  toke  we  thilke 
sinne  original ;  for  of  him  fleshly  de- 
scended be  we  alle,  and  engcndred  of  vile 
and  corrupt  matero.  /  And  whan  the 
soule  is  put  in  our  body,  right  anon  is 
contract  original  sinno ;  and  that,  that 
was  erst  but  only  pej'no  of  concupiscence, 
is  afterward  botlie  peyno  and  sinne.  /  (260) 
And  thcrfore  bo  wo  alio  born  sones  of 
wratthe  and  of  dampnacion  perdurable,  if 
it  nere  baptesmo  that  we  roceyven,  which 
binimeth  us  the  culpe  ;  but  for  sothe,  tho 
pejTie  dwelleth  with  us,  as  to  tempta- 
cion,  which  peyne  highte  concupiscence.  /  335 
^^Tian  it  is  wrongfully  disposed  or  or- 
deyned  in  man.  it  maketh  him  coveite, 


T.    §    19--^!.] 


I.    ^0e  ^tveontQ  tak. 


685 


by  coveitise  of  flesh,  fleshly  sinne,  by 
sighte  of  hise  ej-en  as  to  erthely  thinges, 
and  coveitise  of  hynesso  hy  pryde  of 
herte.  / 

§  19.  Now  as  for  to  speken  of  the  fi.rste 
coveitise,  that  is,  concupiscence  after  the 
lawe  of  oure  niembres,  that  weren  lawe- 
fulliche  y-maked  and  by  rightful  juge- 
ment  of  god ;  /  I  seye,  for-as-muche  as 
man  is  nat  obeisaunt  to  god,  that  is  his 
lord,  therfore  is  the  flesh  to  him  dis- 
obeisaunt  thiirgh  concupiscence,  which 
j-et  is  cleped  norissinge  of  sinne  and 
occasion  of  sinne.  /  Therfore,  al  the 
whj-le  that  a  man  hath  in  hini  the  pejTie  of 
concupiscence,  it  is  impossible  biat  he  be 
tempted  somtyme,  and  moeved  in  his 
flesh  to  sinne.  /  And  this  thing  may  nat 
faille  as  longe  as  he  liveth  ;  it  may  wel 
wexe  feble  and  faille,  by  vertu  of  baptesme 
and  by  the  grace  of  god  thurgh  peni- 
34"  tence ;  /  but  fully  no  shal  it  nevere 
quencho,  that  he  ne  shal  som  tymo  be 
moeved  in  him-self,  but-if  he  were  al 
refrej'ded  by  siknesse,  or  by  malefice  of 
sorcerie  or  colde  drinkes.  /  For  lo,  what 
seith  soint  Paul :  '  the  flesh  coveiteth 
agayn  the  spirit,  and  the  spirit  agayn  the 
flesh ;  they  been  so  contrarie  and  so 
stryven,  that  a  man  may  nat  alwey  doon 
as  ho  wolde.'  /  The  same  seint  Paul, 
after  his  grete  penaunce  in  water  and  in 
lond  (in  water  by  night  and  by  day,  in 
greet  peril  and  in  greet  peyne,  in  lond, 
in  famine,  in  thvirst,  in  cold  and  cloth- 
lees,  and  ones  stoned  almost  to  the 
deeth)/  yet  sej-de  ho:  'alias!  I,  caytif 
man,  wlio  shal  delivere  me  fro  the 
(270)  prisoun  of  my  caytif  body  ? '  /  And  seint 
Jerome,  whan  he  longe  tyme  hadde  woned 
in  desert,  where-as  he  hadde  no  com- 
Xjanyc  but  of  wild©  bestes,  where-as  ho  no 
hadde  no  mete  but  herbes  and  water  to 
his  drinke,  ne  no  bed  but  the  naked  erthe, 
for  which  his  flesh  was  blak  as  an 
Ethiopen  for  hete  and  ny  destroyed  for 
345  cold,/ yet  seyde ho :  that  'the  brenningo  of 
lecherie  boiled  in  al  his  body.'/  Whcrfore 
I  woot  wcl  sikerlj',  that  they  been 
decoyved  that  seyn,  that  they  ne  bo  nat 
tempted    in    hir    body.  /     Witnesse   on 


Seint  Jame  the  Apostel,  that  seith  :  that 
'  every  wight  is  tempted  in  his  owen  con- 
cupiscence ; '  that  is  to  seyn,  that  everich 
of  us  hath  matoro  and  occasion  to  be 
tempted  of  the  norissinge  of  sinne  that 
is  in  his  body.  /  And  thcrforo  seith 
Seint  John  the  Evaungelist :  '  if  that 
we  seyn  that  we  both  with-oute  sinne, 
we  deceyve  tis-selve,  and  trouthe  is  nat 
in  us.'  / 

§  20.  Now  shal  ye  i^nderstondo  in  what 
manere  that  sinne  wexeth  or  encreseth 
in  man.  The  firste  tiling  is  thilke  noris- 
singe of  sinne,  of  which  I  spak  biforn, 
thilke  fleshly  concupiscence.  /  And  after  350 
that  comth  the  subjeccion  of  the  devel, 
this  is  to  seyn,  the  develes  bely,  with 
which  he  bloweth  in  man  the  fyr  of 
fleshly  concupiscence.  /  And  after  that, 
a  man  bithinketh  him  whether  he  wol 
doon,  or  no,  thilke  thing  to  which  he  is 
tempted.  /  And  thanne,  if  that  a  man 
withstonde  and  weyve  the  firste  entysinge 
of  his  flesh  and  of  the  feend,  tlianno  is  it 
no  sinne ;  and  if  it  so  bo  that  ho  do  nat 
so,  thanne  feleth  he  anon  a  flambe  of 
delyt.  /  And  thanne  is  it  good  to  be 
war,  and  kepen  him  wel,  or  elles  ho  wol 
falle  anon  in-to  consentinge  of  sinne ; 
and  thanne  wol  he  do  it,  if  he  may  have 
tyme  and  place.  /  And  of  this  matere  (280 
seith  Moyses  by  the  devel  in  this  manere  : 
'  the  feend  seith,  I  wole  chace  and  ijursue 
the  man  by  wikked  suggestion,  and  I  wole 
hente  him  by  moevyngo  or  stiringe  of 
sinne.  I  wol  departe  my  pryse  or  mj' 
praye  by  dcliberaeion,  and  my  lust  shal 
been  acconipliced  in  dolyt ;  I  wol  drawc 
my  swerd  in  consentinge:'/  for  certes,  355 
right  as  a  sword  dcparteth  a  thing  in  two 
peces,  right  so  consentinge  departeth  god 
fro  man  :  '  and  thanno  wol  I  slocn  him 
with  myn  hand  in  dede  of  sinno ' ;  thus 
seith  the  feend.  /  For  certes,  thanno  is 
a  man  al  deed  in  soule.  And  thus  is 
sinno  accompliced  by  temptacion,  by 
delyt,  and  by  consentinge  ;  anil  thanno  is 
the  sin  cleped  actucl.  / 

§  21.  For  sotho,  sinno  is  in  two 
maneres;  outlier  it  is  venial,  or  deedly 
sinue.     Soothly,  whan  man  lovetli  any 


686 


tU  tankvBuv^  Zake. 


[t.  § 


creature  more  than  Jesu  Crist  oure 
creatour,  thanne  is  it  deadly  sinne.  And 
venial  sj-nne  is  it,  if  man  love  Jesu  Crist 
lasse  than  him  oghte.  /  For  sothe,  the 
dede  of  this  venial  sinne  is  ful  perilous  ; 
for  it  amenuseth  the  love  that  men 
sholde  han  to  god  more  and  more.  /  And 
therfore,  if  a  man  charge  him-self  with 
manye  swiche  venial  sinnes,  certes,  but-if 
so  be  that  he  som  tyme  descharge  him  of 
hem  by  shrifte,  they  mowe  ful  lightly 
amenuse  in  him  al  the  love  that  he  hath 
360  to  Jesu  Crist ;  /  and  in  this  wise  skippeth 
venial  in-to  deedly  sinne.  For  certes,  the 
more  that  a  man  chargeth  his  soule  with 
venial  sinnes,  the  more  is  he  enclyned  to 
fallen  in-to  deedly  sinne.  /  And  therfore, 
lat  us  nat  be  necligent  to  deschargen  us 
of  venial  sinnes.  For  the  proverbe  seith  : 
that  manye  smale  maken  a  greet.  /  And 
herkne  this  ensamxile.  A  greet  wawe  of 
the  see  comth  som-tyme  with  so  greet 
a  violence  that  it  drencheth  the  ship. 
And  the  same  harm  doth  som-tyme 
the  smale  dropes  of  water,  that  entren 
thurgh  a  litel  crevace  in-to  the  thurrok, 
and  in-to  the  botme  of  the  ship,  it  men 
be  so  necligent  that  they  ne  descharge 
hem  nat  by  tj'me.  /  And  therfore,  al- 
thogh  ther  be  a  difference  bitwixe  thise 
two  causes  of  drenchinge,  algates  the 
(290)  shij)  is  dreynt.  /  Eight  so  fareth  it  som- 
tyme  of  deedly  sinne,  and  of  anoj-ouse 
veniale  sinnes,  whan  they  multiplye  in 
a  man  so  greetly,  that  thilke  worldly 
thinges  that  he  loveth,  thurgh  whiche  he 
sinneth  venially,  is  as  greet  in  his  herte 
365  as  the  love  of  god,  or  more.  /  And  ther- 
fore, the  love  of  every  thing,  that  is  nat 
biset  in  god  no  doon  principally  for 
goddes  sake,  al- though  that  a  man  love  it 
lasse  than  god,  yet  is  it  venial  sinne ;  / 
and  deedly  sinne,  whan  the  love  of  any 
thing  weyeth  in  the  herte  of  man  as 
muchel  as  the  love  of  god,  or  more.  / 
'Deedly  sinne,'  as  seith  seint  Augustin, 
'  is,  whan  a  man  turneth  his  herte  fro 
god,  which  that  is  verray  sovereyn 
hountee,  that  may  nat  chaunge,  and 
j'eveth  his  herte  to  thing  that  may 
chaunge  and  flitte ' ;  /  and  certes,  that  is 


every  thing,  save  god  of  hevene.  For 
sooth  is,  that  if  a  man  yeve  his  love,  the 
which  that  he  oweth  al  to  god  with  al  his 
herte,  un-to  a  creature,  certes,  as  muche 
of  his  love  as  he  yeveth  to  thilke  creature, 
so  muche  he  bireveth  fro  god ;  /  and 
therfore  doth  he  sinne.  For  he,  that  is 
dettour  to  god,  ne  yeldeth  nat  to  god  al 
his  dette,  that  is  to  seyn,  al  the  love  of 
his  herte.  /  37'-' 

§  22.  Now  sith  man  understondeth 
generally,  which  is  venial  sinne,  thanne 
is  it  covenable  to  tellen  specially  of  sinnes 
whiche  that  many  a  man  per-aventure  ne 
demeth  hem  nat  sinnes,  and  ne  shryveth 
him  nat  of  the  same  thinges  ;  and  yet 
nathelees  they  been  sinnes.  /  Soothly, 
as  thise  clerkes  wryten,  this  is  to  seyn, 
that  at  everj'  tyme  that  a  man  eteth  or 
drinketh  more  than  sufFyseth  to  the 
sustenaunce  of  his  body,  in  certein  he 
dooth  sinne.  /  And  eek  whan  he  speketh 
more  than  nedeth,  it  is  sinne.  Eke  whan 
he  herkneth  nat  benignely  the  compleint 
of  the  povre.  /  Eke  whan  he  is  in  hele 
of  bodj-  and  wol  nat  faste,  whan  othere 
folk  faste,  with-outen  cause  resonable. 
Eke  whan  he  slepeth  more  than  nedeth, 
or  whan  he  comth  by  thilke  enchesoun 
to  late  to  chirche,  or  to  othere  werkes  of 
charite.  /  Eke  whan  he  useth  his  v^-yf,  (300) 
with-outen  soverejn  desyr  of  engendrure, 
to  the  honour  of  god,  or  for  the  entente 
to  yelde  to  his  wj-f  the  dette  of  his  body./  375 
Eke  whan  he  wol  nat  visite  the  sike  and 
the  prisoner,  if  he  may.  Eke  if  he  love 
■\vyf  or  child,  or  other  worldly  thing, 
more  than  resoun  requyreth.  Eke  if  he 
flatere  or  blandishe  more  than  him  oghte 
for  any  necessitee.  /  Eke  if  he  amenuse 
or  withdrawe  the  almesse  of  the  povre. 
Eke  if  he  apparailleth  his  mete  more 
deliciously  than  nede  is,  or  ete  it  to 
hastily  by  likerousnessc.  /  Eke  if  he  tale 
vanitees  at  chirche  or  at  goddes  service, 
or  that  lie  be  a  talker  of  ydel  wordes  of 
folye  or  of  vileinye ;  for  he  shal  yelden 
acountes  of  it  at  the  day  of  dome.  /  Eke 
whan  he  biheteth  or  assureth  to  do  thinges 
that  he  may  nat  iMjrfourne.  Eke  whan 
that  he,  by  lightnesso  or  folic,  misseyeth 


M-] 


I.    Z^t  Q)er0one0  Zak. 


687 


or  scorneth  his  neighebore.  /     Eke  wlian 
he  hath  any  wikked  suspeciou  of  thing, 

380  ther  he  ne  woot  of  it  no  soothfastnesse.  / 
Thise  thinges  and  mo  with-oute  nombre 
been  sinnes,  as  seith  seint  Augnstin.  / 

Now  shal  men  understonde,  that  al-be- 
it  so  that  noon  erthely  man  may  eschue 
alle  venial  sinnes,  yet  may  he  refreyne 
him  by  the  brenninge  love  that  he  hath 
to  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist,  and  by  preyeres 
and  confession  and  othere  gode  werkes, 
so  that  it  shal  but  litel  greve.  /  For,  as 
seith  seint  Augustin  :  '  if  a  man  love  god 
in  swiche  nianere,  that  al  that  evere  he 
doth  is  in  the  love  of  god,  and  for  the  love 
of  god  verraily,  for  he  brenneth  in  the 
love  of  god  :  /  loke,  how  muche  that 
a  drojae  of  water  that  falleth  in  a  fourneys 
ful  of  fyr  anoyeth  or  greveth,  so  muche 
anoyeth  a  venial  sinne  un-to  a  man  that 
(310)  is  parfit  in  the  love  of  Jesu  Crist.'  /  Men 
may  also  refrejTie  venial  sinne  by  re- 
ceyvinge  worthily  of  the  precious  body 

385  of  Jesu  Crist ;  /  by  recey  ving  eek  of  holy 
water ;  by  almesdede ;  by  general  con- 
fession of  Confiteor  at  masse  and  at 
complin ;  and  by  blessinge  of  bisshopes 
and  of  preestes,  and  by  othere  gode 
werkes.  / 

Explicit  secunda  pars  Penitentie, 

Sequitur  de  Septem  Peccatis  Mortalibus 
et  eorum  dependenciis  circumstanciis 
et  speciebus. 

§  23.  Now  is  it  bihovely  thing  to  telle 
whiche  been  the  deedly  sinnes,  this  is  to 
seyn,  chieftaines  of  sinnes ;  alle  they 
rennc  in  o  lees,  but  in  diverse  maneres. 
Now  been  they  cleped  chieftaines  for-as- 
muche  as  they  been  chief,  and  -f  springers 
of  alio  othere  sinnes.  /  Of  the  rooto  of 
thise  sevene  sinnes  thanne  is  Prj-de,  the 
general  rote  of  alle  harmes ;  for  of  this 
rote  springen  certein  braunches,  as  Ire, 
Envye,  Accidie  or  Slewthe,  Avarice  or 
Coveitise  (to  commune  understondinge), 
Glotonye,  and  Lccherye.  /  And  cverich 
of  thise  chief  sinnes  hath  hise  braunches 
and  hise  twigge.'j,  as  shal  be  declared  in 
hir  chapitres  folwinge.  / 


De  Superbia. 

§  24.  And  thogh  so  be  that  no  man 
can  outrely  telle  the  nombre  of  the 
twigges  and  of  the  harmes  that  cometh 
of  Pryde,  yet  wol  I  shewe  a  partie  of 
hem,  as  ye  shul  understonde.  /  Ther  390 
is  Inobedience,  Avauntinge,  Ipocrisie, 
Despyt,  Arrogance,  Impudence,  Swellinge 
of  lierte,  Insolence,  Elacion,  Impacience, 
Strif,  Contumacie,  Presumpcion,  Irrev- 
erence, Pertinaoie,  Veyne  Glorie ;  and 
many  another  twig  that  I  can  nat 
declare.  /  Inobedient,  is  he  that  dis- 
obeyeth  for  despyt  to  the  comandements 
of  god  and  to  hise  sovereyns,  and  to  his 
goostly  fader.  /  Avauntour,  is  he  that 
bosteth  of  the  harm  or  of  the  bou.ntee 
that  he  hath  doon.  /  Ipocrite,  is  he  that 
hydeth  to  shewe  him  swiche  as  he  is,  and 
sheweth  him  swiche  as  he  noght  is.  /  (320) 
Despitous,  is  he  that  hath  desdeyn  of  his 
neighebore,  that  is  to  seyn,  of  his  evene- 
cristene,  or  hath  despyt  to  doon  that  him 
oghte  to  do.  /  Arrogant,  is  he  that  395 
thinketh  that  he  hath  thilke  bountees  in 
him  that  he  hath  noght,  or  weneth  that 
he  sholde  have  hem  by  hise  desertes  ;  or 
elles  he  demeth  that  he  be  that  he  nis 
nat.  /  Impudent,  is  he  that  for  his  pride 
hath  no  shame  of  hise  sinnes.  /  Swellinge 
of  herto,  is  whan  a  man  rejoj'seth  him  of 
harm  that  he  hath  doon.  /  Insolent,  is 
he  that  despyseth  in  his  jugement  alle 
othere  folk  as  to  regard  of  his  value,  and 
of  his  conning,  and  of  his  speking,  and  of 
his  boring.  /  Elacion,  is  whan  he  ne  may 
neither  sufFre  to  have  maister  ne  felawe.  /  4oi> 
Impacient,  is  ho  that  wol  nat  been  y- 
taught  ne  undernome  of  his  vyce,  and  by 
stryf  werreyeth  trouthe  witingly,  and 
deffendeth  his  folye.  /  Contuviax,  is  he 
that  thurgh  his  indignacion  is  agajTis 
everich  auctoritee  or  power  of  hem  that 
been  hise  sovereyns.  /  Pi-esumpcion,  is 
whan  a  man  iindertaketh  an  cmpryse 
that  him  oghto  nat  do,  or  elles  that  ho 
may  nat  do  ;  and  that  is  called  Surqui- 
drie.  Irreverence,  is  whan  men  do  nat 
honour  thereas  hem  oghte  to  doon,  and 
waiteu   to   be   reverenced.  /    Pertinaoie, 


Z-U  CantetBur^  Zake. 


[t.  §§  25-27. 


is  whan  man  deffendeth  his  folye,  and 

(330)  trusteth  to  muchel  in  his  owene  wit.  / 

VejTie  glorie,  is  for  to  have  pompe  and 

delj-t    in     his    temporel    liynesse,    and 

405  glorifie  him  in  this  worldly  estaat.  / 
Janglinge,  is  whan  men  speken  to  muche 
biforn  folk,  and  clappeu  as  a  mille,  and 
taken  no  kepe  what  they  seye.  / 

§  25.  And  yet  is  ther  a  privee  spece  of 
Pryde,  that  waiteth  first  to  be  salewed  er 
he  wole  salcwe,  al  be  he  lasse  worth  than 
that  other  is,  per-aventiire ;  and  eek  he 
waiteth  or  desyreth  to  sitte,  or  elles  to 
goon  alx)ve  him  in  the  wey,  or  kisso  pax, 
or  been  encenscd,  or  goon  to  offring  biforn 
his  neighebore,  /  and  swiche  semblable 
thinges  ;  agayns  his  duetee,  per-aventure, 
but  that  he  hath  his  herte  and  his 
entente  in  swich  a  proud  desyr  to  be 
magnifyed  and  honoured  biforn  the 
peple.  / 

§  26.  Now  been  ther  two  maneres  of 
Pryde  ;  that  oon  of  hem  is  with-inne  the 
herte  of  man,  and  that  other  is  with- 
oute.  /  Of  whiche  soothly  thiso  forseyde 
thinges,  and  mo  than  I  have  seyd,  aper- 
tenen  to  pryde  that  is  in  the  herte  of 
man  ;   and  that  othere  speces  of  prj-dc 

410  been  with-oute.  /  But  natheles  that  oon 
of  tliise  speces  of  pryde  is  signe  of  that 
other,  right  as  the  gaye  lecfsol  atte  tavornc 
is  signe  of  the  wyn  that  is  in  the  celer.  / 
And  this  is  in  manye  thinges :  as  in  speche 
and  contenaunce,  and  in  outrageous  array 
of  clothing  ;  /  for  certes,  if  ther  no  hadde 
be  no  sinne  in  clothing,  Crist  woldc  nat 
have  noted  and  spoken  of  the  clothing  of 
thilke  richc  man  in  the  gospel.  /  And,  as 
scith  Scint  Gregorie,  that  precious  clothing 
is  coupable  for  the  derthe  of  it,  and  for 
his  softenesse,  and  for  his  strangenessc 
and  degj'sinesse,  and  for  the  supcrfluitee, 
(40)  or  for  the  inordinat  scantnesso  of  it.  / 
Alias !  may  men  nat  seen,  as  in  oure 
dayes,  the  sinful  costlewe  array  of  cloth- 
inge,  and  namely  in  to  muche  supcrfluitee, 

415  or  elles  in  to  desordinat  scantncssc?  / 

§  27.  As  to  the  firste  sinne,  that  is  in 
snperfluitce  of  clothinge,  which  that 
makoth  it  so  dere,  to  harm  of  the  peple  :/ 
nat  only  the  -cost  of  embroudinge,  the 


degyse  endentinge  or  barringe,  oundinge, 
palinge,  windinge,  or  bendinge,  and 
semblable  wast  of  clooth  in  vanitee  ;  / 
but  ther  is  also  costle^ve  furringe  in  hir 
gounes,  so  muche  poimsoninge  of  chisels 
to  maken  holes,  so  muche  dagginge  of 
sheres  ;  /  forth -with  the  superfluitee  in 
lengthe  of  the  forseide  gounes,  titiilinge 
in  the  dong  and  in  the  myre,  on  liorse 
and  eek  on  fote,  as  wel  of  man  as  of 
womman,  that  al  thilke  trailing  is  verraily 
as  in  effect  wasted,  consumed,  thredbarc, 
and  rotcn  ^vith  dongo,  rather  than  it  is 
yeven  to  the  povTe  ;  to  greet  damage  of 
the  forseyde  povre  folk.  /  And  that  in 
sondry  -vvyse  :  this  is  to  sejTi,  that  the 
more  that  clooth  is  wasted,  the  more  it 
costeth  to  the  peple  for  the  scantnesso  ;  /  420 
and  forther-over,  if  so  be  that  they  woldo 
yeven  swich  pounsoned  and  dagged  cloth- 
ing to  the  povre  folk,  it  is  nat  convenient 
to  were  for  hir  estaat,  ne  siiffisant  to  bete 
hir  necessitee,  to  kepe  hem  fro  the  dis- 
temperance  of  the  firmament.  /  Upon 
that  other  syde,  to  speken  of  the  horrible 
disordinat  scantnesso  of  clothing,  as  been 
thise  cutted  sloppes  or  hainsclins,  that 
thurgh  hir  shortnesse  ne  covere  nat  the 
shameful  membres  of  man,  to  %vikked 
entente./  Alias!  sommo  of  hem  shcwen 
the  boco  of  hir  shap,  and  the  horrible 
swollen  membres,  that  semeth  lyk  the 
maladie  of  hirnia,  in  the  wrappinge  of  hir 
hoses ;  /  and  eek  the  buttokes  of  hem 
faren  as  it  were  the  hindre  part  of  a  she- 
ape  in  the  fulle  of  the  mono.  /  And 
more-over,  the  wrecched  swollen  mem- 
bres that  they  shewo  thurgh  the  degy- 
singe,  in  dcpartinge  of  hir  hoses  in  whyt 
and  reed,  semeth  that  half  hir  shameful 
privee  membres  weren  flayn.  /  And  if  4^5 
so  be  that  they  departen  hire  hoses  in 
othere  colours,  as  is  whyt  and  blak,  or 
whyt  and  blew^,  or  blak  and  reed,  and  so 
forth  ;  /  thanne  semeth  it,  as  bj- variance 
of  colour,  that  half  the  partio  of  hir 
privee  membres  were  corrupt  by  the  fyr 
of  seint  Antony,  or  by  cancro,  or  by  other 
swich  meschaunce.  /  Of  the  hindre  part 
of  hir  buttokes,  it  is  ful  horrible  for  to 
see.     For   certes,  in   that   partie   of  hir 


^5") 


§37.] 


I.    ZU  (Per0onC0  Zc^k. 


body  ther-as  they  purgen  hir  stinkinge 
ordure,  /  that  foule  partio  shewe  they  to 
the  pt'ple  proudly  in  despj-t  of  honestetee, 
the  which  honestetee  that  Jesu  Crist 
and  hise  freendcs  observede  to  shewen  in 
hir  lyve.  /  Now  as  of  the  outrageous 
array  of  womnien,  god  woot,  that  though 
the  visages  of  somme  of  liem  seme  ful 
chaast  and  debonaire,  yet  notifie  they  in 
hir    array    of    atyr    likerousnesse     and 

430  pryde.  /  I  sey  nat  that  honestetee  in 
clothinge  of  man  or  womnian  is  nncoven- 
able,  but  certes  the  superfluitee  or  dis- 
ordinat  scantitee  of  chsthingo  is  reprev- 
able.  /  Also  the  sinne  of  aornement  or 
of  apparaille  is  in  thinges  that  apertenen 
to  rj'dinge,  as  in  to  manye  delicat  horses 
that  been  holdon  for  delyt,  that  been  so 
faire,  fatte,  and  costh^wc  ;  /  and  also  to 
many  a  vicious  knave  that  is  sustened  by 
cause  of  hem  ;  in  to  curious  barneys,  as 
in  sadeles,  in  croiiperes,  peytrels,  and 
brj'dles  covered  with  precious  clothing 
and  richo,  barres  and  plates  of  gold  and 
of  silver.  /  For  which  god  scith  by 
Zakarie  tlie  prophete,  '  I  wdI  confounde 
(360)  the  ryderes  of  swiche  horses.'  /  This 
folic  taken  litol  reward  of  the  rydinge  of 
goddes  sone  of  hevene,  an<l  of  his  barneys 
whan  he  rood  np-on  the  asse,  and  ne 
liadde  noon  other  barneys  but  the  povre 
clothes  of  hise  disciples ;  ne  we  ne  rede 

435  nat  that  evere  he  rood  on  other  beest.  / 
I  speke  this  for  the  sinne  of  superfluitee, 
and  nat  for  reasonable  honestetee,  whan 
reson  it  rcquyreth.  /  And  forther,  certes 
pryde  is  greetly  notified  in  holdinge  of 
greet  meinee,  whan  the.y  be  of  litel  profit 
or  of  right  no  profit.  /  And  namely, 
whan  that  meinee  is  felonous  and  dama- 
geous  to  the  peple,  by  hardinesse  of  lieigh 
lordshipo  or  by  woy  of  offices.  /  For 
certes,  swiche  lordes  sellen  Ihanne  hir 
lordshipe  to  the  devel  of  hellc,  whanne 
they  sustcnen  the  wikkednesso  of  hir 
meinee.  /  Or  cUcs  whan  this  folk  of 
lowe  degree,  as  thilkc  that  holdcn  hostel- 
ries,  sustencn  the  theftc  of  hir  hostilcrs, 

440  and  that  is  in  many  mancre  of  doceites.  / 
Thilkc  manere  of  folk  boon  the  flyrs  that 
folwen   the  bony,  or  clles  the  houndes 


tbat  folwen  the  careyne.  Swiche  for- 
seyde  folk  strangleii  spiritually  hir  lord- 
shipes  ;  /  for  which  thus  seith  David  the 
prophete,  '  wikked  dofith  mote  come  tip-on 
thilke  lordshipes,  and  god  yeve  that  they 
mote  descendon  in- to  belle  al  doun  ;  for 
in  hir  houses  been  iniquitees  and  shrewed- 
nesses,'  and  nat  god  of  hevene.  /  And 
certes,  but-if  they  doon  amendement, 
right  as  god  yaf  liis  benison  to  fLaban  by 
the  service  of  Jacob,  and  to  -j-Pharao  by 
the  service  of  Joseph,  right  so  god  wol 
yeve  his  malison  to  swiche  lordshipes  as 
sustenen  the  wikkednesso  of  hir  ser- 
vaunts,  but-if  they  come  to  amendement./ 
Prvde  of  the  table  apporeth  eek  ful  ofte  ; 
for  certes,  riche  men  been  cleped  to 
festes,  and  povre  folk  been  jiut  awey  and 
rebuked.  /  Also  in  excesse  of  diverse  (37") 
metes  and  drinkes  ;  and  namely,  swiche 
manere  bake  metes  and  dish-metes,  bren- 
ninge  of  wilde  fjT,  and  peynted  and 
castelled  with  papir,  and  semblable  wast ; 
so  that  it  is  abusion  for  to  thinke.  /  And  445 
eek  in  to  greet  preciousnesso  of  vessel  and 
curiositee  of  minstralcie,  bj'  whiche  a  man 
i-!  stired  the  more  to  delyces  of  luxurie,  / 
if  so  be  that  he  setto  his  herte  the  lasse 
tip-on  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist,  certein  it  is 
a  sinne  ;  and  certeinly  the  delyces  mighte 
been  so  grete  in  this  caas,  that  man  mighte 
lightly  falle  by  hem  in-to  deedly  sinne.  / 
The  especes  that  sourden  of  Pryde,  soothly 
whan  they  sourden  of  malice  ymagined, 
avysed,  and  forncast,  or  elles  of  usage, 
been  deedly  synnes,  it  is  no  doitte.  /  And 
whan  they  soiirden  by  freletee  unavysed 
sodeinly,  and  sodcinly  withdrawen  ayein, 
al  been  they  grevouse  sinnes,  I  gcsse  that 
they  ne  been  nat  deedly.  /  Now  mighte 
men  axe  wher-of  that  Pryde  sourdeth 
and  springeth,  and  I  seye  :  somtymc  it 
springeth  of  the  goodes  of  nature,  and 
som-tyme  of  the  goodes  of  fortune,  and 
som-tymeof  the  goodes  of  grace.  /  Certes,  450 
the  goodes  of  nature  stonden  outhcr  in 
goodes  of  body  or  in  goodes  of  soiile.  / 
Certes,  goodes  of  body  been  hele  of  body, 
as  strcngtho,  dolivornesso,  beautec,  gen- 
trye,  franchise.  /  Goodes  of  nature  of 
the  soule   been  good  wit,  sharp   under- 


690 


ZU  Can^erBurp  Zaka. 


[t.  §§  28,  29. 


stondynge,  subtil  engin,  vertu  naturel, 
good  memorie.  /  Goodes  of  fortune  been 
richesses,   liighe   degrees    of   lordsliipes, 

(380)  preisinges  of  thepeple.  /  Goodes  of  grace 
been  science,  power  to  sufFre  spirituel 
travaille,  benignitee,  vertuous  contem- 
placion,  withstondinge  of  temptacion, 
455  and  semblable  t  binges.  /  Of  wliicbe  for- 
seyde  goodes,  certes  it  is  a  ful  greet  folye 
a  man  to  prj-den  him  in  any  of  hem 
alle.  /  Now  as  for  to  speken  of  goodes  of 
nature,  god  woot  that  som-tyme  we  han 
hem  in  nature  as  muche  to  oure  damage 
as  to  oure  profit.  /  As,  for  to  speken 
of  bale  of  body ;  certes  it  passeth  ful 
lightly,  and  eek  it  is  fnl  ofte  encheson  of 
the  siknesse  of  oure  soule  ;  for  god  woot, 
the  flesh  is  a  ful  greet  enem3-  to  the 
soule  :  and  therfore,  the  more  that  the 
body  is  hool,  the  more  be  we  in  peril  to 
falle.  /  Eke  for  to  pryde  him  in  his 
strengthe  of  body,  it  is  an  heigh  folj-e  ; 
for  certes,  the  flesh  coveiteth  agayn  the 
spirit,  and  ay  the  more  strong  that  the 
flesh  is,  the  sorier  may  the  soule  be  :  / 
and,  over  al  this,  strengthe  of  body  and 
worldly  hardinesse  causeth  ful  ofte  many 
460  a  man  to  peril  and  meschaunce.  /  Eek 
for  to  pryde  him  of  his  gentrye  is  ful 
greet  folye  ;  for  ofte  tyme  the  genti-ye  of 
the  body  binimeth  the  gentrye  of  the 
soule  ;  and  eek  we  ben  alle  of  o  fader  and 
of  o  moder  ;  and  alle  we  been  of  o  nature 
roten  and  corrupt,  both  riche  and  povre.  / 
For  sothe,  00  manere  gentrye  is  for  to 
preise,  that  apparailleth  mannes  corage 
with  vertues  and  moralitees,  and  maketh 
him  Cristes  child.  /  For  truste  wel,  that 
over  what  man  sinne  hath  maistrie,  he  is 
a  verray  cherl  to  sinne.  / 

§  28.  Now  been  ther  generate  signes  of 
gentilesse ;  as  eschewinge  of  vyce  and 
ribaudye  and  servage  of  sinne,  in  word, 

(390)  in  werk,  and  contenance  ;  /  and  usinge 
vertu,  curteisye,  and  clennesse,  and  to  bo 
liberal,  that  is  to  seyn,  large  by  mesure  ; 
for  thilke  that  passeth  mesure  is  folye 
465  and  sinne.  /  Another  is,  to  remembre 
him  of  bountce  that  he  of  other  folk  hath 
receyved.  /  Another  is,  to  be  benigne  to 
hise  goode  subgetis ;    wherfore,  as  seith 


Senek,  '  ther  is  no-thing  more  covenable 
to  a  man  of  heigh  estaat  than  debonairetee 
and  pitee.  /  And  therfore  thise  flyes  that 
men  clepeth  bees,  whan  they  maken  liir 
king,  they  chesen  oon  that  hath  no  prikke 
wherwith  he  may  stinge.'  /  Another  is, 
a  man  to  have  a  noble  herte  and  a  dili- 
gent, to  attayne  to  heighe  vertuouse 
thinges.  /  Now  certes,  a  man  to  pryde 
him  in  the  goodes  of  grace  is  eek  an  out- 
rageous folye  ;  for  tliilke  yiftes  of  grace 
that  sholde  have  turned  him  to  goodnesse 
and  to  medicine,  turneth  him  to  venim 
and  to  confusion,  as  seith  seint  Gregorie./  470 
Certes  also,  who-so  j^rydeth  him  in  the 
goodes  of  fortune,  he  is  a  ful  greet  fool ; 
for  som-tyme  is  a  man  a  greet  lord  by  the 
morwe,  that  is  a  caitif  and  a  wrecche  er 
it  be  night :  /  and  somtyme  the  richesse 
of  a  man  is  cause  of  his  deeth  ;  somtyme 
the  delyces  of  a  man  is  cause  of  the 
grevous  maladye  thurgh  which  he  dyeth.  / 
Certes,  the  commendacion  of  the  peple  is 
somtyme  ful  fals  and  ful  brotel  for  to 
triste ;  this  day  they  preyse,  tomorwe 
they  blame.  /  God  woot,  desyr  to  have 
commendacion  of  the  peple  hath  caused 
deeth  to  many  a  bisy  man.  /  (400) 

Remedium  contra  peccatum  Superbie. 

§  29.  Now  sith  that  so  is,  that  ye  han 
understonde  what  is  pryde,  and  whiche 
been  the  speces  of  it,  and  whennes  pride 
sourdeth  and  springeth  ;  /  now  shul  ye  475 
understonde  which  is  the  remedie  agajois 
the  sinne  of  pryde,  and  that  is,  humilitee 
or  mekenesse.  /  That  is  a  vertu,  thurgh 
which  a  man  hath  verray  knoweleche  of 
him-self,  and  holdeth  of  him-self  no  prys 
ne  deyntee  as  in  regard  of  hise  desertes, 
consideringe  evere  his  freletee.  /  Now 
been  ther  three  maneres  of  humilitee  ;  as 
humilitee  in  herte,  and  another  humilitee 
in  his  mouth  ;  the  thriddo  in  hise  werkes./ 
The  humilitee  in  herte  is  in  foure  maneres  : 
that  oon  is,  whan  a  man  holdeth  him-self 
as  noght  worth  biforn  god  of  hevene. 
Another  is,  whan  he  ne  despyseth  noon 
other  man.  /  The  thridde  is,  whan  he 
rekketh  nat  thogli  men  holde  him  noght 
worth.     The  ferthe  is,  whan  he  nis  nat 


§  30.] 


ZU  Cpereonee  tak. 


691 


480  sory  of  his  liumiliacion.  /  Also,  the  hn- 
militee  of  mouth  is  in  foure  tliinges  :  in 
attempree  speche,  and  in  hnmblesse  of 
speche,  and  whan  he  biknoweth  with  his 
owene  mouth  that  he  is  swich  as  him 
thinketh  that  he  is  in  his  herte.  Another 
is,  whan  ho  preiseth  the  botintee  of 
another  man,  and  nothing  ther-of  amen- 
useth.  /  Humilitee  eek  in  werkes  is  in 
foure  maneres  :  the  firste  is,  whan  he 
putteth  othere  men  bifom  him.  The 
seconde  is,  to  chese  the  loweste  place 
over-al.  The  thridde  is,  gladly  to  assente 
to  good  conseil.  /  The  ferthe  is,  to  stonde 
gladly  to  the  award  of  hise  sovereyns,  or 
of  him  that  is  in  hyer  degree  ;  certain, 
this  is  a  greet  werk  of  humilitee.  / 

Sequitur  de  Inuidia. 

§  30.  After  Pryde  wol  I  speken  of  the 
foule  sinne  of  En\^'e,  which  is,  as  by  the 
word  of  the  philosophre,  sorwe  of  other 
mannes  prosperitee  ;  and  after  the  word 
of  seint  Augustin,  it  is  sorwe  of  other 
mannes  wele,  and  joye  of  othere  mennes 
(410)  harm.  /  This  foule  sinne  is  platly  agayns 
the  holy  goost.  Al-be-it  so  that  every 
sinne  is  agayns  the  holy  goost,  yet  nathe- 
lees,  for  as  muche  as  bountee  aperteneth 
proprely  to  the  holy  goost,  and  Envye 
comth  proprely  of  malice,  therfore  it  is 
proprely  agayn  the  bountee  of  the  holy 
485  goost.  /  Now  hath  malice  two  speces, 
that  is  to  seyn,  hardnesse  of  herte  in 
wikkednesse,  or  elles  the  flesh  of  man  is 
so  blind,  that  he  considereth  nat  that  he 
is  in  sinne,  or  rekketh  nat  that  he  is  in 
sinne ;  which  is  the  hardnesse  of  the 
devel.  /  That  other  spece  of  malice  is, 
whan  a  man  werreycth  trouthe,  whan  he 
woot  that  it  is  trouthe.  And  eek,  whan 
he  werreyeth  the  grace  that  god  hath 
yeve  to  liis  neigh ebore  ;  and  al  tliis  is  by 
Envye.  /  Certes,  thanne  is  En^•yo  the 
worste  sinne  that  is.  Eor  soothly,  alle 
othere  sinnes  been  som-tyme  only  agayns 
o  special  vertu ;  /  but  certes,  Envye  is 
agayns  alle  vertues  and  agayns  alle  good- 
nesses ;  for  it  is  sory  of  alle  the  bovmtecs 
of  his  neighebore  ;  and  in  this  niancre  it 
is  divers  from  alle  othere  sinnes.  /     For 


wel  iinnethe  is  ther  any  sinne  that  it  ne 
hath  soni  delyt  in  itself,  save  only  Envye, 
that  evere  hath  in  itself  anguish  and 
sorwe.  /  The  speces  of  En^-ye  been  thise  :  490 
ther  is  first,  sorwe  of  other  mannes  good- 
nesse  and  of  his  prosperitee ;  and  pros- 
peritee is  kindely  matere  of  joye ;  thanne 
is  Envye  a  sinne  agayns  kinde.  /  The 
seconde  spece  of  En\'ye  is  joye  of  other 
mannes  harm  ;  and  that  is  proprely  lyk 
to  the  devel,  that  evere  rejoyseth  him  of 
mannes  harm.  /  Of  thise  two  speces 
comth  bakbyting  ;  and  this  sinne  of  bak- 
byting  or  detraccion  hath  certeine  speces, 
as  thus.  Som  man  preiseth  his  neighe- 
bore by  a  wikke  entente  ;  /  for  he  maketh 
alwey  a  wikked  knotte  atte  laste  ende. 
Alwey  he  maketh  a  '  but '  atte  laste  ende, 
that  is  digne  of  more  blame,  than  worth 
is  al  the  preisinge.  /  The  seconde  spece  (420) 
is,  that  if  a  man  be  good  and  dooth  or 
seith  a  thing  to  good  entente,  the  bakbyter 
wol  turne  all  thilke  goodnesse  up-so-doun 
to  his  shrewed  entente.  /  The  thridde  495 
is,  to  amenvise  the  lx>untee  of  his  neighe- 
bore. /  The  fourthe  spece  of  bak})yting 
is  this  ;  that  if  men  speke  goodnesse  of 
a  man,  thanne  wol  the  bakbyter  seyn, 
'  parfey,  swich  a  man  is  yet  bet  than  he  ' ; 
in  dispreisinge  of  him  that  nacn  preise.  / 
The  fifte  spece  is  this ;  for  to  consente 
gladly  and  herkne  gladly  to  the  harm 
that  men  speke  of  other  follv.  This  sinne 
is  fnl  greet,  and  ay  encreseth  after  the 
vnkked  entente  of  the  bakbj'ter.  /  Atter 
bakbyting  cometh  grticching  or  niur- 
muracion  ;  and  somtj'mo  it  springeth  of 
inpacience  agayns  god,  and  somtyme 
agajTis  man.  /  Agajnis  god  it  is,  whan 
a  man  grnt'cheth  agayn  the  pejTies  of 
helle,  or  agayns  poverte,  or  los  of  catel, 
or  agayn  royn  or  tempest ;  or  dies  gmc- 
chcth  that  shrewes  han  prosperitee,  or 
elles  for  that  goodo  men  han  adversitcc.  /  5cx> 
And  alle  thise  thinges  sholde  men  snffre 
paciently,  for  they  comcn  by  the  rightful 
jugement  and  ordinance  of  god.  /  Som- 
tyme comth  gmcching  of  avarice  ;  as 
Judas  grucchcd  agayns  the  Magda- 
lej-ne,  whan  she  enoynte  the  heved  of 
cure  lord  Jesu  Crist  with   hir  precious 


Cc)'. 


tU  €an^er6uv^  ^afce. 


[t.  §  3' 


oynement.  /  This  maner  murmure  is 
swich  as  whan  man  gruccheth  of  good- 
nessc  that  him-self  dooth,  or  that  other 
folk  doon  of  hir  owene  catel.  /  Som- 
tj-me  conath  naurmure  of  Prj-de  ;  as  whan 
Simon  the  Pharisee  grucched  agajTi  the 
Magdaleyne,  whan  she  approched  to  Jesu 
(43'^)  Crist,  and  weep  at  his  feet  for  hir  sinnes.  / 
And  somtyme  grucching  sourdeth  of 
Envye  ;  whan  men  discovereth  a  mannes 
harm  that  was  privee,  or  bereth  liim  on 
505  houd  thing  that  is  fals.  /  Murmure  eek 
is  oftc  amonges  scrvaunts,  that  grucchen 
wlian  hir  sovereyns  bidden  hem  doon 
leveful  thinges  ;  /  and,  for-as-muche  as 
they  <lar  nat  ojienly  withseyc  the  co- 
maundements  of  hir  soverejTis,  yet  wol 
they  seyn  harm,  and  gnicche,  and  mur- 
mure prively  for  verray  despji; ;  /  whiche 
wordes  men  clepen  tlie  develes  Pater- 
noster^ though  so  be  that  the  devel  ne 
Jiaddc  nevere  Pater-noster,  but  that  lewed 
folk  yeven  it  swich  a  name.  /  Som  tj-me 
grucching  comth  of  ire  or  prive  hate, 
that  norisseth  rancour  in  herte,  as  after- 
ward I  shal  declare.  /  Thanne  cometh 
cek  bitternesso  of  herte ;  thurgh  which 
bitternesse  every  good  dede  of  his  neiglie- 
510  bor  scmeth  to  him  bitter  and  unsavory.  / 
Thanne  cometh  discord,  that  unbindeth 
alio  manere  of  frendshipo.  Thanne  comth 
scorninge,  as  whan  <a  man  sekcth  occa- 
sioun  to  anoyen  his  neighebor,  al  do  he 
never  so  weel.  /  Thanne  comth  aceu- 
singc,  as  whan  man  seketh  occasion  to 
anoj-en  his  neighebor,  which  tliat  is  lyk 
to  the  craft  of  the  devel,  tliat  waiteth 
lx)thc  night  and  day  to  accusen  us  alle.  / 
Thanne  comth  malignitee,  thurgh  which 
A  man  anoycth  his  neighebor  prively  if 
he  may ;  /  and  if  he  noght  may,  algate 
liis  wikked  wil  ne  shal  nat  wante,  as  for 
to  brennen  his  hous  prively,  or  empoy- 
sone  or  sleen  hiso  bestes,  and  semblable 
(.(4o)  thinges.  / 

Remedium  contra  peccatum  Inuidie. 

§  31.  Now  wol  I  speko  of  the  remedie 
agayns  this  foiUe  sinne  of  En\'j'e.  Pirst, 
is  the  love  of  god  principal,  and  loving  of 
his  neighebor  as  liim-self;    for  soothly. 


that  con  ne  may  nat  been  withotite  that 
other.  /  And  truste  wel,  that  in  the 
name  of  thy  neigheborc  thou  shalt  under- 
stonde  the  name  of  thy  brother  ;  for 
certes  alle  we  have  o  fader  fleshly,  and 

0  moder,  that  is  to  seyn,  Adam  and  Eve  : 
and  eek  o  fader  espirituol,  ffhd  that  is  god 
of  hevene./  Thy  neighebore  artow  holden 
for  to  love,  and  wilne  him  alle  goodnesse  ; 
and  therfore  seith  god,  '  love  thy  neighe- 
bore as  thyselve,'  that  is  to  seyn,  to 
salvacion  bothe  of  l3-f  and  of  soule.  / 
And  more-over,  thou  shalt  love  him  in 
word,  and  in  benigne  amonestinge,  and 
chastysinge  ;  and  conforten  him  in  hisc 
anoyes,  and  preye  for  him  with  al  thjii 
herte.  /  And  in  dede  thovi  shalt  love 
him  in  swich  wyse,  that  thon  shalt  doon 
to  him  in  charitee  as  thou  woldest  that  it 
were  doon  to  thjTi  owene  persone.  /  And 
therfore,  thou  ne  shalt  doon  him  no 
damage  in  wikked  word,  ne  harm  in  his 
body,  ne  in  his  catel,  ne  in  his  soule,  by 
entysing  of  wikked  ensample.  /  Tliou 
slialt  natdesyrcn  his  w-yf,  ne  none  of  hise 
thinges.  Understond  eek,  that  in  the 
name  of  neighebor  is  comprehended  his 
enemy.  /  Certes  man  shal  loven  his 
enemy  by  the  comandement  of  god  ;  and 
soothly  thy  frend  shaltow  love  in  God.  / 

1  sej-e,  thjTi  enemy  shaltow  love  for  goddes 
sake,  by  his  comandement.  For  if  it 
were  reson  that  a  man  sholde  haten  his 
enemy,  for  sothe  god  noldc  nat  receiven 
us  to  his  love  tliat  been  hise  enemys.  / 
Agayns  three  manere  of  wronges  that 
his  enemy  dooth  to  hym,  he  shal  doon 
three  thinges,  as  thus.  /  Agayns  hate 
and  rancour  of  herte,  he  shal  love  him  in 
herte.  Agayns  chyding  and  wikkede 
wordes,  he  shal  preye  for  liis  enemy. 
And  agayn  the  wikked  dede  of  his  enemy, 
he  shal  doon  him  bountee.  /  For  Crist 
sfcitli,  '  loveth  j'ourc  enemys,  and  preyeth 
for  hem  that  speke  j-o'wharm  ;  and  eek  for 
hem  that  yow  chacen  and  jiursewen,  and 
doth  bountee  to  hem  that  yow  haten.'  Lo, 
thus  comanndeth  us  onre  lord  Jesu  Crist, 
to  do  to  oure  enemys.  /  For  soothly, 
nature  dry-\-eth  ns  to  loven  oure  freendes, 
and  parfey,  oure  enemys  han  more  nede 


(450) 


T-  §§  3^-34-] 


I.    ZU  (pcrecnee  Zak, 


69; 


to  love  than  onr  freendes  ;  and  they  that 
more  nede  have,  certes,  to  hem  shal  men 
doon  goodnesse  ;  /  and  certes,  in  thilke 
dede  have  we  remembrance  of  the  love 
of  Jesu  Crist,  that  deyde  for  hise  enemys.  / 
And  in-as-muche  as  thilke  love  is  the 
more  grevous  to  perfourne,  in-so-mucho 
is  the  more  gretter  the  merite  ;  and  ther- 
fore  the  lovinge  of  oure  enemy  hath  eon- 
founded  the  venim  of  the  devel.  /  For 
right  as  tlie  devel  is  disconfited  by  humi- 
iitee,  right  so  is  he  wounded  to  the  deeth 
530  by  love  of  oure  enemy.  /  Certes,  thanne 
is  love  the  medicine  that  casteth  out  the 
venim  of  Envye  fro  mannes  herte.  /  The 
speces  of  this  pas  shuJlen  be  more  largely 
in  hir  chapitres  folwinge  declared.  / 

Sequitur  de  Ira. 

§  32.  After  Envye  wol  I  discryven  the 
sinne  of  Ire.  For  soothly,  who-so  hath 
envye  upon  his  neigh ebor,  anon  he  wole 
comunly  finde  him  a  matere  of  wratthe, 
in  word  or  in  dede,  agayns  him  to  whom 
he  hath  envye .  /  And  as  wel  comth  Ire 
of  Pryde,  as  of  Envye  ;  for  soothly,  he 
that  is  proude  or  envious  is  lightly 
(460)  wrooth.  / 

§  33.  This  sinne  of  Ire,  after  the  dis- 
cryving  of  seint  Augustin,  is  wikked  wil 
5^5  to  been  avenged  by  word  or  by  dede.  / 
Ire,  after  the  philosophre,  is  the  fervent 
blood  of  man  y-quiked  in  liis  herte,  thurgh 
which  he  woleharm  to  him  that  he  hateth.  / 
Forcertesthe  herte  of  man, by  eschaufinge 
and  moevinge  of  his  blood,  wexeth  so 
trouble,  that  he  is  out  of  alle  jugement  of 
resoun./  But  ye  shal  understondo  that 
Ire  is  in  two  manercs  ;  that  oon  of  hem 
is  good,  and  that  other  is  wikked.  /  The 
gode  Ire  is  by  jalousye  of  goodnesse,  thurgh 
•which  a  man  is  wrooth  ^vith  wikkednesse 
and  agayns  wikkednesse  ;  and  therforo 
seith  a  wys  man,  that  'Ire  is  bet  than 
pley.'  /  This  Ire  is  with  debonairetee, 
and  it  is  wrooth  withouten  bittornesse  ; 
nat  wrooth  aga^-ns  the  man,  but  wrooth 
with  the  misdede  of  the  man  ;  as  seith  the 
prophete  David,  Irascimini  et  noUte  pec- 
540  core.  I  Now  understondeth,  that  wikked 
Ire  is  in  two  maneres,  that  is  to  seyn, 


sodcyn  Ire  or  hastif  Ire,  withouten  avise- 
ment  and  consentinge  of  resoun.  /  The 
mening  and  the  sens  of  this  is,  that  the 
resoun  of  man  ne  consente  nat  to  thilke 
sodeyn  Ire  ;  and  thanne  it  is  venial.  / 
Another  Ire  is  ful  wikked,  that  comtli  of 
felonye  of  herte  avysed  and  cast  biforn  ; 
with  wikked  wil  to  do  vengeance,  and 
therto  his  resoun  consenteth  ;  and  soothly 
this  is  deedly  sinne.  /  This  Ire  is  so  dis- 
plesant  to  god,  that  it  troubleth  his  hous 
and  chaceth  the  holy  goost  out  of  mannes 
soule,  and  wasteth  and  destroyeth  the 
lyknesse  of  god,  that  is  to  seyn,  the  vertii 
that  is  in  mannes  soule  ;  /  and  put  in  (47°) 
hini  the  lyknesso  of  the  devel,  and 
binimeth  the  man  fro  god  that  is  his 
rightfitl  lord.  /  This  Ire  is  a  ful  greet  545 
plesaunce  to  the  devel ;  for  it  is  the 
develes  fourneys,  that  is  eschaufeol  with 
the  fyr  of  helle.  /  For  certes,  right  so  as 
fyr  is  more  mighty  to  destroyen  ertliely 
thinges  tlian  any  other  element,  right  so 
Ire  is  mighty  to  destroyen  alle  spirituel 
thinges.  /  Loke  how  that  fyr  of  smale 
gledes,  that  been  almost  dede  under 
asshen,  wollen  quiko  agayn  whan  they 
been  touched  with  brimstoon  ;  right  so 
Ire  wol  everemo  quiken  agayn,  whan  it 
is  touched  l)y  the  pryde  that  is  covered  in 
mannes  herte.  /  For  certes  fyr  ne  may 
nat  comen  out  of  no-thing,  but-if  it  were 
first  in  the  same  thing  naturelly  ;  as  fyr 
is  drawen  out  of  flintes  with  steel.  /  And 
right  so  as  pryde  is  ofto  tymc  matere  of 
Ire,  right  so  is  rancour  norice  and  kejicr 
of  Ire.  /  Ther  is  a  maner  tree,  as  seith  550 
seint  Isidre,  that  whan  men  maken  fyr 
of  thilke  tree,  and  covere  the  coles  of  it 
with  asshen,  soothly  the  fyr  of  it  wol 
lasten  al  a  yeer  or  more.  /  And  right  so 
fareth  it  of  rancour  ;  whan  it  is  ones  con- 
ceyvcd  in  the  hertes  of  son^  men,  ocrtoin, 
it  wol  lasten  jieraventuro  from  oon  Estre- 
day  unto  another  Estre-day,  and  more.  / 
But  certes,  thilke  man  is  ful  fer  fro  the 
mercy  of  god  al  thilke  while.  / 

§  34.  In  this  forseydc  develes  fourneys 
ther  forgen  three  shrewes  :  Pryde,  that 
ay  bloweth  and  encrescth  the  fj-r  by  chyd- 
inge  and  wikked  wordes.  /    Thanne  stant  (480) 


694 


ZU  CanferButp  Zaks, 


[t.  §  35- 


Env>-e,  and  holdetli  the  hote  iren  vipon 
the  horte  of  man  with  a  peire  of  longe 
555  tonges  of  long  rancour.  /  And  thanne 
stant  the  sinne  of  contiimelie  or  stryf  and 
cheeste,  and  batereth  and  forgeth  by 
vileyns  reprevinges.  /  Certes,  this  cnrsed 
sinne  anoyeth  bothe  to  the  man  him-self 
and  eek  to  his  neighebor.  For  soothly, 
almost  al  the  harm  that  any  man  dooth 
to  his  neighebore  comth  of  wratthe.  / 
For  certes,  outrageous  wratthe  doth  al 
that  evere  the  devel  him  comaundeth  ; 
for  he  ne  spareth  neither  Crist,  ne  his 
swete  mooder.  /  And  in  his  outrageous 
anger  and  Ire,  alias  !  alias  !  ful  many  oon 
at  that  tyme  feleth  in  his  herte  ful  wik- 
kedly,  bothe  of  Crist  and  of  alle  hise 
halwes.  /  Is  nat  this  a  cursed  \-ice  ?  Yis, 
certes.  Alias  !  it  binimeth  from  man  his 
wit  and  his  resotin,  and  al  his  debonaire 
560  lyf  espirituel  that  sholde  kepen  his  soule.  / 
Certes,  it  binimeth  eek  goddes  due  lord- 
shipe,  and  that  is  maunes  soule,  and  the 
love  of  hise  neighebores.  It  strj-\-etli  eek 
alday  agayn  trouthe.  It  reveth  him  the 
quiete  of  his  herte,  and  subverteth  his 
soule.  / 

§  35.  Of  Ire  comen  thise  stinkinge 
engendrures  :  first  hate,  that  is  old 
■wratthe  ;  discord,  thiirgh  which  a  man 
forsaketh  his  oldc  freend  that  he  hath 
loved  ful  longe.  /  And  thanne  cometh 
■werre,  and  every  manere  of  wrong  that 
man  dooth  to  his  neighebore,  in  body  or 
in  catcl.  /  Of  this  ciirscd  sinne  of  Ire 
cometh  eek  manslaughtrc.  And  under- 
stonde  wel,  that  homicyde,  that  is  man- 
slaughtrc, is  in  dy^'e^se  wj'so.  Som  manere 
(490)  of  homicyde  is  spirituel,  and  som  is  bodily./ 
Spirituel  manslaughtre  is  in  six  tliinges. 
First,  by  hate  ;  as  seint  Jolin  seith,  '  he 
565  that  hatotli  his  brother  is  homicj-de.'  / 
Homicyde  is  eek  by  bakbytingc ;  of  whicho 
bakbj-tcres  seith  Salomon,  that  'they  han 
two  swerdes  with  whicho  they  sleen  hir 
neighebores.'  For  soothly,  .is  wikke  is  to 
binime  his  good  name  as  his  lyf.  /  Homi- 
cyde is  eek,  in  yevinge  of  wikkcd  conseil 
by  fraude  ;  as  for  to  yeven  conseil  to 
areysen  wrongful  custumes  and  taillages.  / 
Of  whiche  seith  Salomon,  '  Leon  rorynge 


and  here  hongry  been  lyke  to  the  cruel 
lordshipes,'  in  withholdinge  or  abregginge 
of  the  shepe  (or  the  hyre),  or  of  the  wages 
of  sei^-aunts,  or  elles  in  usure  or  in  with- 
drawinge  of  the  almesse  of  povre  folk.  / 
For  which  the  wyse  man  seith,  '  fedeth 
him  that  almost  dyeth  for  honger ' ;  for 
sootlily,  but-if  thou  fede  him,  thou  sleest 
him  ;  and  alle  thise  been  deedly  sinnes.  / 
Bodily  manslaughtre  is,  whan  tliow  sleest 
him  with  thy  tonge  in  other  manere  ;  as 
whan  thou  comandest  to  sleen  a  man,  or 
elles  yevest  him  conseil  to  sleen  a  man.  /  570 
Manslaughtre  in  dede  is  in  foure  maneres. 
That  oon  is  by  lawe  ;  right  as  a  justice 
dampneth  him  that  is  coupable  to  the 
deeth.  But  lat  the  justice  be  war  that  he 
do  it  rightfiiUy,  and  that  he  do  it  nat  for 
delyt  to  spille  blood,  but  for  kepinge  of 
rightwisenesse.  /  Another  homicyde  is, 
that  is  doon  for  necessitee,  as  whan  o  man 
sleeth  another  in  his  defendaiuit,  and 
that  he  ne  may  noon  otlierwise  escape 
from  his  owene  deeth.  /  But  certeinly, 
if  he  may  escape  withouten  manslaughtre 
of  his  adversarie,  and  sleeth  him,  he  doth 
sinne,  and  he  shal  here  penance  as  for 
deedly  sinne.  /  Eek  if  a  man,  by  caas  or 
aventure,  shete  an  arwe  or  caste  a  stoon 
with  which  ho  sleeth  a  man,  he  is  homi- 
cyde. /  Eek  if  a  womman  by  necligcnce  (500) 
overlyeth  hir  child  in  hir  sleping,  it  is 
homicyde  and  deedly  sinne.  /  Eek  wlian  575 
man  destourbeth  concepciou  of  a  child, 
and  maketli  a  womman  outher  bareyne 
by  drinkinge  venemouse  lierbes,  thurgh 
which  she  may  nat  conceyve,  or  sleeth 
a  child  by  drinkes  wilfully,  or  elles  put- 
teth  certeine  material  thinges  in  hir 
secrce  places  to  slee  the  child  ;  /  or  elles 
doth  unkindely  sinne,  by  which  man  or 
womman  shedeth  hir  nature  in  manere 
or  in  place  thor-as  a  child  may  nat  be 
conceived  ;  or  elles,  if  a  womman  have 
conceyved  and  hurt  hir-self,  and  sleeth 
the  child,  yet  is  it  homicyde.  /  What 
seye  we  eek  of  ■wommen  that  mordren  hir 
children  for  drede  of  worldly  shame  ? 
Certes,  an  horrible  homicyde.  /  Homi- 
cyde is  eek  if  a  man  approcheth  to  a 
Womman    by   desir   of  lecherye,   thurgh 


T.  §  3?-] 


ZU  (per0one0  Zcik. 


695 


which  the  chiUl  is  perissed,  or  elles 
smyteth  a  womman  witinglj',  thurgh 
■wliic)!  she  leseth  hir  chiki.  Alle  thise 
been  homicycles  and  horrible  deedly 
sinnes.  /  Yet  comen  ther  of  Ire  manye 
jno  sinnes,  as  wel  in  word  as  in  thoght 
and  in  dede  ;  as  he  that  arretteth  upon 
god,  or  blameth  god,  of  thing  of  which  he 
is  him-self  gilty  ;  or  despyseth  god  and 
alle  hise  halwes,  as  doon  thise  cursede 

580  hasardours  in  diverse  contrees.  /  This 
cursed  sinne  doon  they,  whan  they  felen 
in  hir  hertes  ful  wikkedly  of  god  and  of 
hise  halwes.  /  Also,  whan  they  treten 
unreverently  the  sacrenient  of  the  auter, 
thilke  sinne  is  so  greet,  that  unnethe 
may  it  been  relesed,  but  that  the  mercy 
of  god  passeth  alle  hise  werkes ;  it  is  so 
greet  and  he  so  benigne.  /  Thanne  comth 
of  Ire  attry  angre  ;  whan  a  man  is  sharply 
amonested  in  his  shrifte  to  forleten  his 
sinne,  /  than  wole  he  be  angry  and 
answeren  hokerly  and  angrily,  and  deffen- 
den  or  excusen  his  sinne  by  vmstedefast- 
nesse  of  his  flesh  ;  or  elles  he  dide  it  for 
to  holde  companye  with  hise  felawes,  or 
(510)  elles,  he  seith,  the  fend  entyced  him  ;  / 
or  elles  he  dide  it  for  his  youthe,  or  elles 
his  complexioun  is  so  corageoixs,  that  he 
may  nat  forbere  ;  or  elles  it  is  his  destinee, 
as  he  seith,  unto  a  certein  age  ;  or  elles, 
he  seith,  it  cometh  him  of  gentillesse  of 

585  hise  auncestres  ;  and  semblable  thinges./ 
Alle  this  manere  of  folk  so  wrappen  hem 
in  hir  sinnes,  that  they  ne  wol  nat  deli- 
vere  hem-self.  For  soothly,  no  wight  that 
excusetli  him  wilfully  of  his  sinne  may 
nat  been  delivered  of  his  sinne,  til  that 
he  mekely  biknoweth  his  sinne.  /  After 
this,  thanne  cometh  swering,  that  is 
expres  agayn  tlie  comandement  of  god  ; 
and  this  bifalleth  ofte  of  anger  and  of 
Ire.  /  God  seith  ;  '  thou  shalt  nat  take 
the  name  of  thy  lord  god  in  veyn  or  in 
ydeL'  Also  oiire  lord  Jesu  Crist  seith  by 
the  word  f)f  seint  Mathew  :  '  Nolite  iitrare 
omnino  :  /  no  wol  ye  nat  swere  in  alle 
manere ;  neither  by  hevene,  for  it  is 
goddes  trone  ;  ne  by  erthe,  for  it  is  the 
bench  of  his  feet  ;  ne  by  Jerusalem,  for  it 
is  the  citee  of  a  greet  king ;  ne  by  thyn 


heed,  for  thou  mayst  nat  make  an  heer 
whyt  ne  blak.  /  But  seyeth  by  youre 
word,  "ye,  ye,"  and  "nay,  nay";  and 
what  that  is  more,  it  is  of  y\'el,'  seith 
Crist.  /  For  Cristes  sake,  ne  swereth  nat  590 
so  sinfully,  in  disniembringe  of  Crist  by 
soule,  herte,  bones,  and  bodj'.  For  certes, 
it  semeth  that  ye  thinke  that  the  cursede 
Jewes  ne  dismembred  nat  y-nough  the 
preciouse  persone  of  Crist,  but  ye  dis- 
membre  him  more.  /  And  if  so  be  that 
the  lawe  compelle  yow^  to  swere.  thanne 
rule  yow  after  the  lawe  of  god  in  youre 
swering,  as  seith  Jeremye  quarto  capitido, 
'  lurabis  in  I'critate,  in  iudicioct  in  iusticia  : 
thou  shalt  kepe  three  condicions ;  thou 
shalt  swere  in  trouthe,  in  doom,  and  in 
rightwisnesse.'  /  This  is  to  seyn,  thou 
shalt  swere  sooth  ;  for  every  lesinge  is 
agayns  Crist.  For  Crist  is  verray  trouthe. 
And  think  wel  this,  that  every  greet 
swerere,  nat  compelled  lawefully  to  swere, 
the  wounde  shal  nat  departe  from  his 
hous  whyl  he  useth  swich  unleveful 
swering.  /  Thou  shalt  sweren  eck  in 
doom,  whan  thou  art  constreyned  by  thy 
domesman  to  witnessen  the  trouthe.  /  (520) 
Eek  thou  shalt  nat  swere  for  envye  ne  for 
favour,  ne  for  mede,  but  for  rightwis- 
nesse ;  for  declaracioun  of  it  to  the  wor- 
ship of  god  and  helping  of  thjTie  evene- 
cristene.  /  And  therfore,  every  man  that  595 
taketh  goddes  name  in  ydel,  or  falsly 
swereth  with  his  mouth,  or  olles  taketh 
on  him  the  name  of  Crist,  to  be  called  a 
Cristene  man,  and  liveth  aga,^■ns  Cristes 
livinge  and  his  techinge,  alle  they  taken 
god<les  name  in  ydel.  /  Loke  eck  what 
seint  Peter  seith,  Actmim  quarto  capitulo, 
'  Non  est  alitul  nornen  sub  celo,^  &c.  '  Ther 
nis  noon  other  name,'  seith  seint  Peter, 
'  under  hevene.  yeven  to  men,  in  which 
they  mowe  be  saved  ;'  that  is  to  seyn,  but 
the  name  of  Jesu  Crist.  /  Take  kepe  eek 
how  that  the  precious  name  of  Crist,  as 
seith  seint  Paul  ad  rinlipenscs  secundo, 
'  In  nomine  Jenu,  &c.  :  that  in  the  name  of 
Jesu  evei-y  knee  of  hevonely  creatures,  or 
erthely,  or  of  hollo  sholdon  bowe  ' ;  for  it 
is  so  heigh  and  so  worshipful,  that  the 
cursede  feend  in  helle  sholde  tremblen  to 


696 


ZU  £anfer6urj  Zak6. 


[t.  §§  36-4^ 


lieren  it  y-nempiied.  /  Thaune  semeth 
it,  that  men  that  sweren  so  horribly  hy 
liis  blessed  name,  that  they  despyse  him 
more  boldely  than  dide  the  cursede  Jewes, 
or  elles  the  devel,  that  trembletli  whan 
he  hereth  his  name.  / 

§  3G.  Now  certes,  sith  that  swerrng, 
hut-if  it  be  lawefully  doon,  is  so  heighly 
deffended,  mnchc  worse  is  forswering 
(KX)  fiUsly,  and  yet  nedelees.  / 

§  37.  Wliat  seye  we  eelc  of  hem  that 
delyten  hem  in  swering,  and  holden  it  a 
gentrie  or  a  manly  dede  to  swere  grete 
othes  ?  And  what  of  hem  that,  of  yerray 
usage,  ne  cesse  nat  to  swere  grete  othes, 
al  be  the  cause  nat  worth  a  straw  ? 
Certes,  this  is  horrible  sinne.  /  Sweringc 
sodeynly  with-onte  a\ysement  is  eek  a 
sinne.  /  But  lat  us  go  now  to  thilke 
horrible  swering  of  adjuracioun  and  con- 
juracioun,  as  doon  thise  false  enchaiin- 
tours  or  nigromanciens  in  bacins  ful  of 
water,  or  in  a  bright  swerd,  in  a  cerclc, 
or  in  a  fyr,  or  in  a  shtilder-boon  of  a 
sheep.  /  I  can  nat  seye  but  that  they 
doon  cursedly  and  damnably,  agayns 
(530)  Crist  and  al  the  feith  of  holy  cliirche.  / 

§  38.  "What  seye  we  of  hem  that  bileven 
in  divynailes,  as  by  flight  or  by  uoyse  of 
briddes,  or  of  bostes,  or  by  sort,  by  geo- 
mancie,  by  dremcs,  by  chirkinge  of  dores, 
or  crakkinge  of  houses,  by  gnawynge  "f 
605  rattes,  and  s wich  manere  wrecchednesse  ?/ 
Certes,  al  this  thing  is  deffended  by  god 
and  by  al  holy  chirehe.  For  which  they 
been  acursed,  til  they  come  to  amende- 
ment,  that  on  swich  filthe  setten  hir 
bileve.  /  Charmes  for  woundes  or  maladye 
of  men,  or  of  bestes,  if  they  taken  any 
effect,  it  may  be  peravcnture  that  god 
suffreth  it,  for  folk  sholden  yeve  the  more 
feith  and  reverence  to  his  name.  / 

§  39.  Now  wol  I  speken  of  lesinges, 
which  generally  is  fals  significacioun  of 
word,  in  entente  to  deceyven  his  evene- 
cristene.  /  Som  lesinge  is  of  which  ther 
ci>mth  noon  avantage  to  no  wight  :  and 
som  lesinge  tumeth  to  the  ese  or  profit  of 
o  man,  and  to  disese  and  damage  of 
another  man.  /  Another  lesinge  is  for 
to  saven  his  lyf  or  his  catel.     Another 


lesinge  comth  of  delyt  for  to  lye,  in  which 
delyt  they  wol  forge  a  long  tale,  and 
peynten  it  with  alle  circumstaunces, 
where  al  the  ground  of  the  tale  is  fals.  /  610 
Som  lesinge  comth,  for  he  wole  sustene 
his  word ;  and  som  lesinge  comth  of 
recchelesnesse,  with-outen  avysement ; 
and  semblable  thinges.  / 

§  40.  Lat  us  now  touche  the  vyce  of 
flateringe,  which  ne  comth  nat  gladly  but 
for  drede  or  for  coveitise.  /  Flaterye  is 
generally  wrongful  preisinge.  Flatereres 
been  the  develes  norices,  that  norissen 
hise  children  with  milk  of  losengerie.  / 
For  sothe,  Salomon  seith,  that  '  flaterie  is 
wors  than  detraccioun.'  For  som-tyme 
detraccion  maketh  an  haiitein  man  bo 
the  more  humble,  for  he  dredeth  detrac- 
cion ;  but  certes  flaterye,  that  maketh  a 
man  to  enhauncen  his  herte  and  his 
contenannce.  /  Flatereres  been  the  de-  (540) 
veles  enchauntours  ;  for  they  make  a 
man  to  wene  of  him-self  be  lyk  that  he 
nis  nat  lyk.  /  They  been  lyk  to  Judas  615 
that  bitraysed  [god  ;  and  thise  flatereres 
bitraysen]  a  man  to  sellen  him  to  his 
enemy,  that  is,  to  the  devel.  /  Flatereres 
been  the  dovclcs  chapelleyns,  that  singen 
evcre  Placebo,  j  I  rekene  flaterye  in  the 
vyces  of  Ire  ;  for  ofte  tyme,  if  o  man  be 
wrooth  with  another,  thanne  wol  he 
flatero  som  wight  to  susteno  him  in  his 
quei-ele.  / 

§  41.  Speko  we  now  of  swich  cursinge 
as  comth  of  irous  herte.  Malisoun  gener- 
ally may  bo  seyd  every  maner  power  of 
harm.  Swich  cursinge  bireveth  man  fro 
the  regno  of  god,  as  seith  seint  Paul.  / 
And  otte  tyme  swich  cursinge  wrongfully 
retorneth  aga.^Ti  to  him  that  curseth,  as 
a  britl  that  retorneth  agayn  to  his  owene 
nest.  /  And  over  alle  thing  men  oghten  620 
eschewe  to  cursen  hir  children,  andyeven 
to  the  devel  hir  engcndrure,  as  ferforth 
as  in  hem  is  ;  certes,  it  is  greet  peril  and 
greet  sinne.  / 

§  42.  Lat  us  thanne  speken  of  chydinge 
and  reproche,  whiche  been  ful  greto 
woundes  in  mannes  herte  ;  for  they  nn- 
sowen  the  semes  of  frendshipe  in  mannes 
herte.  /     For  certes,  unnethes  may  a  man 


T.  §  43-46.] 


I.    ^0e  Q)er0one0  Zak. 


697 


pleynly  been  accorded  with  him  that 
hath  him  openly  revyled  and  repreved  in 
disclaundre.  Tliis  is  a  ful  grisly  sinne, 
as  Crist  seith  in  the  gospel.  /  And  tak 
kepe  now,  that  he  that  repreveth  his 
neighebor,  oiither  he  repreveth  him  by 
som  harm  of  peyne  that  lie  hath  on  his 
body,  as  '  mesel,'  '  croked  harlot,'  or  by 
(550)  som  sinne  that  he  dooth.  /  Now  if  he 
repreve  him  by  harm  of  peyne,  thanne 
tnrneth  the  repreve  to  .Tesu  Crist ;  for 
peyne  is  sent  by  the  rightwys  sonde  of 
god,  and  by  his  suffrance,  be  it  meselrie, 

625  or  maheym,  or  maladye.  /  And  if  he 
repreve  him  uncharitably  of  sinne,  as, 
'thou  holour,'  'thou  dronkelewe  harlot,' 
and  so  forth ;  thanne  aperteneth  that  to 
the  rojoysinge  of  the  devel,  that  evere 
hath  joj-e  that  men  doon  sinne.  /  And 
certes,  chydinge  may  nat  come  but  out  of 
a  vileyns  herte.  For  after  the  habun- 
dance  of  the  herte  speketli  the  moiith  ful 
ofte.  /  And  ye  shul  imderstonde  that 
loke,  by  any  wey,  whan  any  man  shal 
chastyse  another,  that  he  be  war  from 
chydinge  or  reprevinge.  For  trewely,  but 
he  be  war,  he  may  lul  lightly  quiken  the 
fyr  of  angre  and  of  wi-atthe,  which  that 
he  sholde  quenche,  and  per-aventure 
slaeth  him  which  that  he  mighte  chastyse 
with  benignitee.  /  For  as  seith  Salomon, 
'  the  amiable  tonge  is  the  tree  of  lyf,'  that 
is  to  seyn,  of  lyf  espirituel :  and  sothly,  a 
deslavee  tonge  sleeth  the  spirites  of  him 
that  repreveth,  and  eek  of  him  that  is 
repreved.  /  Lo,  what  seith  seint  Augus- 
tin  :  '  ther  is  no-thing  so  lyk  the  develes 
child  as  he  that  ofte  chydeth.'  Seint  Paul 
seith  eek  :  '  I,  servant  of  god,  bihove  nat 

630  to  chyde.'  /  And  how  that  chydinge  be 
a  vileyns  thing  bitwixe  alle  manere  folk, 
yet  it  is  certes  most  uncovenablc  bitwixe 
a  man  and  his  wyf ;  for  there  is  nevero 
reste.  And  therfore  seith  Salomon,  '  an 
hous  that  is  uncovered  and  droppinge, 
and  a  chydinge  wyf,  been  lyke.'  /  A  man 
that  is  in  a  droppinge  hous  in  many 
places,  though  he  csehewc  the  droppinge 
in  o  place,  it  droppoth  on  him  in  another 
place  ;  so  faroth  it  by  a  chydinge  wyf. 
But  she  chyde  him  in  o  place,  she  wol 


chyde  him  in  another.  /  And  therfore, 
'  bettre  is  a  morsel  of  breed  with  joye  than 
an  lions  ful  of  delyces,  with  chydinge,' 
seith  Salomon.  /  Seint  Paul  seith  :  '  O 
ye  wommen,  be  ye  subgetes  to  youre 
housbondcs  as  bilioveth  in  god  ;  and  ye 
men,  loveth  youre  wyves.'  Ad  Colossenses, 
tertio.  I  (.'if'") 

§  4.3.  Afterward  speke  we  of  scominge, 
which  is  a  wikked  sinne  ;  and  namely, 
whan  he  scorneth  a  man  for  hise  gode 
werkes.  /  For  certes,  swiche  scorneres  635 
faren  lyk  the  foule  tode,  that  may  nat 
endure  to  smelle  the  sote  savour  of  the 
vyne  whanne  it  florissheth.  /  Thise 
scorneres  been  parting  felawes  with  the 
devel ;  for  they  han  joye  whan  the  devel 
winneth,  and  sorwe  whan  he  leseth.  / 
They  been  adversaries  of  Jesu  Crist ;  for 
they  haten  that  he  loveth,  that  is  to  seyn, 
salvacion  of  soule.  / 

§  44.  Sjieke  we  now  of  wikked  conseil ; 
for  he  that  wikked  conseil  yevetli  is  a 
traytour.  For  he  decey\'eth  him  that 
trusteth  in  him,  id  AchHofel  ad  Absolonem. 
But  natheless,  j-et  is  his  wikked  conseil 
first  agayn  him-self  /  For,  as  seith  the 
wyse  man,  every  fals  livinge  hath  this 
propertee  in  him-self,  that  he  that  wole 
anoye  another  man,  ho  anoyeth  first 
him-self.  /  And  men  shul  understonde,  640 
that  man  shal  nat  taken  his  conseil  of 
fals  folk,  ne  of  angry  folk,  or  grevous 
folk,  ne  of  folk  that  loven  .specially  to 
mucliel  hir  owene  profit,  ne  to  muche 
worldly  folk,  namely,  in  conseilinge  of 
soules.  / 

§  4.5.  Now  comth  the  sinne  of  hem  that 
sowen  and  maken  di.scord  amonges  folk, 
which  is  a  sinne  tliat  Crist  hatetli  outrely ; 
and  no  wonder  is.  For  he  deydo  for  to 
make  concord.  /  And  more  shame  do 
they  to  Crist,  than  dido  they  that  him 
crucifyede ;  for  god  loveth  bettre,  that 
frendshipo  be  amonges  folk,  than  he  dido 
his  owene  body,  the  which  that  ho  j^af 
i'or  unitee.  Therfore  been  they  lykned 
to  the  devel,  that  evere  been  aboute  to 
maken  discord.  / 

§  40.  Now  comth  the  sinne  of  double 
tonge ;  swiche  as  speken  faire  biforn  folk, 


698 


ZU  tankr&uv^  Zake. 


[t.  §§  47-51- 


and  ■wikkedly  bihinde  ;  or  elles  they 
maken  semblant  as  thongh  they  speke 
of  good  entencioun,  or  elles  in  game  and 
pley,  and  yet  tliey  speke  of  wikked 
(570)  entente.  / 

§  47.  Xow  comtli  biwreying  of  conseil, 
tliurgh  which  a  man  is  defamed ;  certes, 
645  unnethe  may  he  restore  the  damage.  / 

Now  comth  manace,  that  is  an  open 
folye ;  for  he  that  ofte  manaceth,  he 
threteth  more  than  he  may  perfourne 
ful  ofte  tyme.  / 

Now  cometh  ydei  wordes,  that  is  with- 
outen  profit  of  him  that  speketh  tho 
wordes,  and  eek  of  him  that  herkneth 
tho  wordes.  Or  elles  j'del  wordes  been 
tho  that  been  nedelees,  or  with-outen 
entente  of  naturel  profit.  /  And  al-be-it 
that  ydel  wordes  been  som  tyme  venial 
sinne,  yet  sholde  men  douten  hem ;  for 
we  shul  j-eve  rekeninge  of  hem  bifore 
god./ 

Xow  comth  janglinge,  that  may  nat 
been  withoute  sinne.  And,  as  seith 
Salomon,  'it  is  a  sinne  of  apert  folye.'  / 
And  therfore  a  philosophre  seyde,  whan 
men  axed  him  how  that  men  sholde  plese 
the  iieple ;  and  he  answerde,  '  do  many 
650  gode  werkos,  and  spek  fewe  jangles.'  / 

After  this  comth  the  sinne  of  japeros, 
that  been  the  develes  apes ;  for  they 
maken  folk  to  laughe  at  liir  japerie,  as 
folk  doon  at  the  gandes  of  an  ape.  Swiche 
japeres  deffendeth  seint  Paul.  /  Loke 
how  that  vertuouse  wordes  and  holy 
conforten  hem  that  travaillen  in  the 
service  of  Crist ;  right  so  conforten  the 
rilej-ns  wordes  and  knakkes  of  japeris 
hem  that  travaillen  in  the  service  of  the 
devel.  /  Thise  been  the  sinnes  that  comen 
of  the  tonge,  that  comen  of  Ire  and  of 
othcre  sinnes  nio.  / 

Sequitur  remedium  contra  peccatiim  Ire. 

§  48.  The  remedye    agaj-ns    Ire    is    a 

vertu  that  men  clepen  Mansuetude,  that 

is  Debonairetee  ;  and  eek  another  vertu, 

(5S0)  that  men  callen  Pacience  or  SuSrance.  / 

§  49.  Debonairetee  withdraweth  and 
refrej-neth  the  stiringes  and  the  moe- 
vynges  of  mannes  corage  in  his  herte,  in 


swich  mancre  that  they  ne  skippe  nat 
out  by  angre  ne  by  Ire.  /  Suffranco  655 
suffreth  swetely  aUe  the  anoyaunces  and 
the  ■svronges  that  men  doon  to  man  out- 
warcL  /  Seint  Jerome  seith  thus  of 
debonairetee,  that  '  it  doth  noon  lutrm  to 
no  wight,  ne  seith ;  ne  for  noon  harm 
that  men  doon  or  seyn,  he  ne  esehaufeth 
nat  agayns  his  resoun.'  /  This  vertu 
som-tyme  comth  of  nature ;  for,  as  seith 
the  philosophre,  '  a  man  is  a  quik  thing, 
by  nature  debonaire  and  tretable  to 
goodnesse  ;  but  whan  debonairetee  is 
enformed  of  grace,  tbanne  is  it  the  more 
worth.'  / 

§  50.  Pacience,  that  is  another  remedye 
agaj^ns  Ire,  is  a  vertu  that  suffreth 
swetely  every  mannes  goodnesse,  and  is 
nat  wrooth  for  noon  harm  that  is  doon 
to  him.  /  The  philosophre  seith,  that 
'  pacience  is  thilke  vertu  that  suffreth 
debonairely  alle  the  outrages  of  adver- 
sitee  and  every  wikked  word.'  /  This  660 
vertu  niaketh  a  man  lyk  to  god,  and 
maketh  him  goddes  owene  dere  child,  as 
seith  Crist.  This  vertu  disconfiteth  thj-n 
enemy.  And  therfore  seith  the  wyse 
man,  '  if  thou  wolt  venquisse  thyn  enemy, 
lerne  to  suffre.'  /  And  thou  shalt  under- 
stonde,  that  man  suffreth  foure  manere 
of  grevances  in  outward  thinges,  agayns 
the  whiche  foure  he  moot  have  foure 
manere  of  paciences.  / 

§  51.  The  flrste  grevance  is  of  wikkede 
wordes  ;  thilke  suffrede  Jesu  Crist  with- 
outen  gruccliing,  ful  paciently,  whan  the 
Jewes  despj-setl  and  rcpreved  him  ful 
ofte.  /  Suffre  thou  therfore  pacientls' ; 
for  the  wyse  man  seith  :  '  if  thou  strj-ve 
with  a  fool,  though  the  fool  be  wrooth  or 
though  ho  laughe,  algato  thou  shalt  have 
no  reste.'  /  That  other  grevance  outward  (590) 
is  to  have  damage  of  thy  cateL  Ther- 
agayns  suffred  Crist  ful  paciently,  whan 
he  was  despoyled  of  al  that  ho  hadde 
in  this  lyf,  and  that  nas  but  hise  clothes.  /  665 
The  thriddc  grevance  is  a  man  to  have 
harm  in  his  body.  That  suifred  Crist 
fill  paciently  in  al  his  passioun.  /  The 
fourthe  grevance  is  in  outrageous  labour 
in  werkes.     Wherfore  I  seye,  that  folk 


T. 


52-55- 


I.    ZU  (}>er0Ott^6  Zak, 


699 


that  maken  hir  servants  to  travaillen  to 
grevously,  or  ovit  of  tj-me,  as  on  halydayes, 
soothly  they  do  greet  sinne.  /  Heer- 
agayns  siifFred  Crist  ful  paciently,  and 
tanghte  ns  pacience,  whan  he  bar  up-on 
his  blissed  slivUder  the  croys,  iip-on  which 
he  sholde  suffren  despitoiis  deeth.  /  Heer 
may  men  lerne  to  be  pacient ;  for  certes, 
noght  only  Cristen  men  been  imcient  for 
love  of  Jesu  Crist,  and  for  guerdoun  of 
the  blisful  lyf  that  is  perdurable ;  biit 
certes,  the  olde  payens,  that  nevere  were 
Cristene,  commendeden  and  iiseden  the 
vertxi  of  pacience.  / 

§  52.  A  philosophre  np-on  a  tyme,  that 
wolde  liave  beten  his  disciple  for  his  grete 
trespas,  for  which  he  was  greetly  amoeved, 
670  and  broghte  a  yerde  to  scoiirge  the  child  ;  / 
and  whan  this  child  saugh  the  yerde, 
he  seyde  to  his  maister,  '  what  thenke  ye 
to  do?'  'I  wol  bete  thee,'  quod  the 
maister,  '  for  thy  correccion.'  /  '  -For 
sothe,'  quod  the  child,  'ye  oghten  first 
correcte  youre-self,  that  han  lost  al  youre 
pacience  for  the  gilt  of  a  child.'  /  '  For 
sothe,'  quod  the  maister  al  wepinge,  '  thou 
seyst  sooth ;  have  thou  the  yerde,  my 
dere  sone,  and  correcte  me  for  myn 
inpacience.'  /  Of  Pacience  comth  Obe- 
dience, thurgh  which  a  man  is  obedient 
to  Crist  and  to  alle  hem  to  whiche  he 
(6<x))  oghte  to  been  obedient  in  Crist.  /  And 
imderstond  wel  that  obedience  is  perfit, 
whan  that  a  man  doth  gladly  and  hastily, 
witn  good  herte  entierly,  al  that  he 
675  sholde  do.  /  Oliedience  generally,  is  to 
perfourne  the  doctrine  of  god  and  of  his 
sovereyns,  to  whiche  him  oghte  to  ben 
obeisaunt  in  alle  rightwysnesse.  / 

Sequitur  de  Accidia. 

§  53.  After  the  sinnes  of  Envio  and  of 
Ire,  now  wol  I  speken  of  the  sinne  of 
Accidie.  For  Envye  blindeth  the  herto 
of  a  man,  and  Ire  troubleth  a  man  ;  and 
Accidie  makcth  him  hovy,  tlioghtful,  and 
wrawe.  /  Envye  and  Ire  makon  ))itter- 
nesse  in  herto ;  which  bitternesse  is 
moder  of  Accidie,  and  binimeth  him  the 
love  of  alle  goodnesse.  Thanne  is  Accidie 
the  auguissh  of  a  trouble  herte  ;  and  seiut 


Atigtistin  seith  :  'it  is  anoy  of  goodnesse 
and  joye  of  harm.'  /  Certes,  this  is  a 
dampnable  sinne  ;  for  it  doth  wrong  to 
Jesu  Crist,  in-as-muche  as  it  binimeth 
the  service  that  men  oghte  doon  to  Crist 
with  alle  diligence,  as  seith  Salomon.  / 
But  Accidie  dooth  no  swich  diligence ; 
he  dooth  alle  thing  with  anoy,  and  with 
wrawnesse,  slaknesse,  and  exciisacionn, 
and  with  ydelnesse  and  imlust ;  for  whicli 
the  book  seith  :  '  acursed  be  he  that  dotli 
the  service  of  god  necligently.'  /  Thanne  680 
is  Accidie  enemy  to  everich  estaat  of  man  ; 
for  certes,  the  estaat  of  man  is  in  three 
maneres.  /  Outlier  it  is  th'estaat  of  inno- 
cence, as  was  th'estaat  of  Adam  biforn 
that  he  fil  into  sinne ;  in  which  estaat 
he  was  holden  to  wirche,  as  in  heryinge 
and  adouringe  of  god.  /  Another  estaat 
is  the  estaat  of  sinful  men,  in  which 
estaat  men  been  holden  to  laboure  in 
preyinge  to  god  for  amendement  of  hir 
sinnes,  and  that  he  wole  graunte  hem  to 
arysen  out  of  hir  sinnes.  /  Another 
estaat  is  th'estaat  of  grace,  in  which 
estaat  he  is  holden  towerkes  of  penitence  ; 
and  certes,  to  alle  thise  thinges  is  Accidie 
enemy  and  contrarie.  For  he  loveth  no 
bisinesse  at  al.  /  Now  certes,  this  foiile  {610) 
sinne  Accidie  is  eek  a  ful  greet  enemy 
to  the  lyflode  of  the  body ;  for  it  ne  hath 
no  purveaunce  agayn  temporelnecessitee ; 
for  it  forsleweth  and  forslnggeth,  and 
destroyeth  alle  goodes  temjioreles  by 
reccheleesnessc.  /  6?5 

§  54.  The  foiirthethinge  is,  that  Accidie 
is  lyk  to  hem  that  been  in  the  pcyne  of 
helle,  by-cause  of  hir  slouthe  and  of  hir 
hevinesse;  for  they  that  been  dampncd 
been  so  bounde,  that  they  no  ma,y  neither 
wel  do  ne  wel  thinke.  /  Of  Accidie  comth 
first,  that  a  man  is  anoyed  and  encombred 
for  to  doon  any  goodnesse,  and  makoth 
that  god  hath  abhominacion  of  swich 
Accidie,  as  seith  seint  -Tohan.  / 

§  55.  Now  comth  Slouthe,  that  wol  nat 
suifre  noon  hardnosso  no  no  penauncc. 
For  soothly,  Slouthe  is  so  tendrc,  and  so 
delicat,  as  seith  Salomon,  that  ho  wol 
nat  sufFro  noon  hardnesse  ne  penaunce, 
and   therfore  he   shendeth   al    that    he 


yoo 


ZU  €antet6urp  Zakts. 


[t.  §§  56,  57- 


ilootli.  /  Agayns  this  roten-lierted  sinne 
of  Accidie  and  Slouthe  sliolde  men  exer- 
cise hem-self  to  doon  gode  werkes,  and 
manlj'and  vertuonsly  cacclien  corage  wel 
to  doon  ;  thinkinge  that  oure  lord  Jesu 
Crist  quyteth  every  good  dede,  he  it  never 
so  lyte.  /  Usage  of  labour  is  a  greet 
thing ;  for  it  maketh,  as  seith  seint  Ber- 
nard, the  laborer  to  have  stronge  armes 
and  harde  sinwes  ;  and  Slouthe  maketh 

690  hem  feble  and  tendre.  /  Thanne  comth 
dredo  to  biginne  to  werke  any  gode 
werkes ;  for  certes,  he  that  is  enclyned 
to  sinne,  him  thinketh  it  is  so  greet  an 
empryse  for  to  undertake  to  doon  werkes 
of  goodnesse,  /  and  casteth  in  his  herte 
that  the  circumstaunces  of  goodnesse 
been  so  grevouse  and  so  chargeaunt  for 
to  suffre,  that  he  dar  nat  undertake  to 
do  werkes  of  goodnesse,  as  seith  seint 
Gregorie.  / 

§  56.  Now  comth  wanhope,  that  is  de- 
speir  of  the  mercy  of  god,  that  comth 
somtyme  of  to  muche  outrageous  sorwe, 
and  somtyme  of  to  muche  drede  :  imagin- 
inge  that  he  hath  doon  so  muche  sinne, 
that  it  wol  nat  availlen  him,  though  he 
wolde  repenten  him  and  forsake  sinne  :/ 
thurgh  which  despeir  or  drede  he  abaun- 
doneth  al  his  herte  to  every  nianer  sinne, 
(620)  as  seith  seint  Augustin.  /  Wliich  damp- 
nable  sinne,  if  that  it  continue  un-to  his 

695  endo,  it  is  cleped  sinning  in  the  holy  gost./ 
This  horrible  sinne  is  so  perilous,  that  he 
that  is  despeired,  ther  nis  no  felonye  ne 
no  sinne  that  he  douteth  for  to  do ;  as 
shewed  wel  by  Judas.  /  Certes,  aboven 
alle  sinnes  thanne  is  this  sinne  most 
displesant  to  Crist,  and  most  adversarie.  / 
Sooth  ly,  he  that  despeireth  him  is  lyk  the 
coward  champioun  recreant,  that  seith 
creant  withoute  nede.  Alias  !  alias ! 
nedeles  is  he  recreant  and  nedeles  de- 
speired. /  Certes,  the  mercy  of  god  is 
cvere  redy  to  every  penitent,  and  is 
aboven  alle  hise  werkes.  /  Alias !  can 
nat  a  man  bitliinke  him  on  the  gospel  of 
seint  Luk,  15.,  where-as  Crist  seith  that 
'  as  wel  shal  ther  be  joye  in  hevene  upon 
a  sinful  man  that  doth  penitence,  as 
Tip-on   nynety  and   nyne    rightful    men 


that  neden  no  penitence?'/  Loke  forther.  700 
in  the  same  gospel,  the  joye  and  the 
feste  of  the  gode  man  that  hadde  lost  his 
sone,  whan  his  sone  with  repentaunce 
was  retourned  to  his  fader.  /  Can  they 
nat  remembren  hem  eek,  that,  as  seith 
seint  Luk  xxiii"  capitulo,  how  that  the 
theef  that  was  hanged  bisyde  Jesu  Crist, 
seyde  :  '  Lord,  remembre  of  me,  whan 
thou  comest  in-to  thy  regne?'/  'For 
sothe,'  seyde  Crist,  '  I  seye  to  thee,  to-day 
shaltow  been  with  me  in  Paradys.'  / 
Certes,  ther  is.  noon  so  horrible  sinne  of 
man,  that  it  ne  may,  in  his  lyf,  be  de- 
stroyed by  penitence,  thurgh  vertu  of 
the  passion  and  of  the  deeth  of  Crist.  /  (6?()) 
Alias  I  what  nedeth  man  thanne  to  been 
despeired,  sitli  that  his  mercy  so  redy  is  and 
large  ?  Axe  and  have.  /  Thanne  cometh  705 
Sompnolence,  that  is,  slnggj-  slombringe, 
which  m.aketh  a  man  be  he\-y  and  dul,  in 
body  and  in  soule  ;  and  this  sinne  comth 
of  Slouthe.  /  And  certes,  the  tj-me  that, 
by  wey  of  resoiin,  men  sholde  nat  slepe, 
that  is  bj'  the  morwe  ;  but-if  ther  were 
cause  resonable.  /  For  soothlj-,  the  morwe- 
tyde  is  most  covenable,  a  man  to  seye  his 
preyeres,  and  for  to  thinken  on  god,  and 
for  to  honoure  god,  and  to  yeven  almesse 
to  the  povre,  that  first  cometh  in  the 
name  of  Crist.  /  Lo  !  what  seith  Salomon  : 
'  who-so  wolde  bj'  the  morwe  awaken  and 
seke  me,  he  shal  finde.'  /  Tlianne  cometh 
Xecligence,  or  recchelesnesse,  that  rek- 
keth  of  no-thing.  And  how  that  ignc- 
raunce  be  moder  of  alle  harm,  certes. 
Nccligence  is  the  norice.  /  Necligence  710 
ne  doth  no  fors,  whan  he  shal  doon  a 
thing,  whether  he  do  it  weel  or  baddely.  / 
§  57.  Of  the  remedie  of  thise  two  sinnes, 
as  seith  the  wyse  man,  that  '  he  that 
dredeth  god,  he  spareth  nat  to  doon  that 
him  oghto  doon.'  /  And  he  that  loveth 
god,  he  wol  doon  diligence  to  plese  god 
by  his  werkes,  and  abaundone  him-self, 
with  al  his  jnight,  wel  for  to  doon.  / 
Thanne  comth  ydelnesse,  that  is  the  yate 
of  alle  harmes.  An  ydel  man  is  lyk  to 
a  place  that  hath  no  wallcs  ;  the  develes 
may  entre  on  every  S5'de  and  sheten  at 
him  at  discovert,  by  temptacion  on  every 


T.  §§   58-61.] 


Z^i  (per0one0  Zak, 


701 


{640)  syde.  /  This  ydelnesse  is  the  thurrok  of 
alle  wikked  and  vileyns  thoghtes,  and  of 
715  alle  jangles,  trufles,  and  of  alle  ordure,  / 
Certes,  the  hevene  is  yeven  to  hem  that 
wol  labouren,  and  nat  to  ydel  folk.  Eek 
David  seith  :  that  '  they  ne  been  nat  in 
the  labour  of  men,  ne  they  shul  nat  been 
whipped  with  men,'  that  is  to  seyn,  in 
purgatorie.  /  Certes,  thanne  semeth  it, 
they  shul  be  tormented  with  the  devel 
in  helle,  but-if  they  doon  penitence.  / 

J;  58.  Thanne  comth  the  sinne  that 
men  clepen  Tarditas,  as  whan  a  man  is 
to  latrede  or  taryinge,  er  he  wole  turne 
to  g(  d  ;  and  certes,  that  is  a  greet  folye. 
He  is  lyk  to  him  that  falleth  in  the  dich, 
and  wol  nat  aryse.  /  And  this  vj'ce 
comth  of  a  fals  hope,  that  he  thinketh 
that  he  shal  live  longe ;  but  that  hoi^e 
faileth  ful  ofte.  / 

§  59.  Tlianne  comth  Lachesse ;  that  is 
he,  that  whan  he  biginneth  any  good 
werk.  anon  he  shal  forleten  it  and  stinten  ; 
as  doon  they  that  han  any  wight  to 
governe,  and  ne  taken  of  him.  na-more 
kepe,  anon  as  they  finden  any  contrarie 
720  or  any  anoy.  /  Thise  been  the  newe 
shepherdes,  that  leten  hir  sheep  witingly 
go  renne  to  the  wolf  that  is  in  the  breres, 
or  do  no  fors  of  hir  owene  governaunce.  / 
Of  this  comth  poverte  and  destrucciouii, 
bothe  of  spirituel  and  temporel  thinges. 
Thanne  comth  a  mancre  coldnesse,  that 
freseth  al  the  herte  of  man.  /  Thanne 
comth  undevocioun,  thurgh  which  a  man 
is  so  blent,  as  seith  seint  Bernard,  and 
hath  swiche  langour  in  soule,  that  he 
may  neither  rede  ne  singe  in  holy  chirche, 
ne  here  ne  thinke  of  no  devocioun,  ne 
travaille  with  hise  handes  in  no  good 
werk,  that  it  nis  him  unsavory  and  al 
apalled.  /  Thanne  wexeth  he  slow  and 
slombry,  and  sone  wol   be  wrooth,  and 

{6~i^t)  sone  is  enclyned  to  hate  and  to  envye.  / 
Thanne  comth  the  sinne  of  worldly  sorwe, 
swich  as  is  cleped  tristicia,  that  sleeth 
725  man,  as  seint  Paul  seith.  /  For  certes, 
swich  sorwe  werketh  to  the  deeth  of 
the  soule  and  of  the  body  also;  for  ther- 
of  comth,  that  a  man  is  anoyed  of  his 
owene  lyf.  /    Wherfore  swich  sorwe  short- 


eth  ful  ofte  the  lyf  of  a  man,  er  that  his 
tyme  be  come  by  wey  of  kinde.  / 

Remedium  contra  peccatum  Accidie. 

§  60.  Agayns  this  horrible  sinne  of 
Accidie,  and  the  branches  of  the  same, 
ther  is  a  vertu  that  is  called  Fortitudo 
or  Strengthe ;  that  is,  an  aifeccioun 
thurgh  which  a  man  despyseth  anoyous 
thinges.  /  This  vertu  is  so  mighty  and 
so  vigorous,  that  it  dar  withstonde 
mightily  and  wysely  kepeu  him-self  fro 
perils  that  been  wikked,  and  wrastle 
agayn  the  assatites  of  the  devel.  /  For  it 
enhaunceth  and  enforceth  the  soule,  right 
as  Accidie  abateth  it  and  maketh  it 
feble.  For  this  Fortitude  may  endure  by 
long  suffraunce  the  travailles  that  been 
covenable.  /  730 

§  61.  This  vertix  hath  manye  speces  ; 
and  the  firste  is  cleped  Magnanimitee, 
that  is  to  seyn,  greet  corage.  For  certes, 
ther  bihoveth  greet  corage  agains  Accidie, 
lest  that  it  ne  swolwe  the  soule  by  the 
sinne  of  sorwe,  or  destroye  it  by  wan- 
hope.  /  This  vertu  maketh  folk  to  under- 
take harde  thinges  and  grevouse  thinges, 
by  hir  owene  wil,  wyselj'  and  resonably./ 
And  for  as  muchel  as  the  devel  fighteth 
agayns  a  man  more  by  queyntise  and  by 
sleighte  than  by  strengthe,  therfore  men 
shal  withstonden  him  by  wit  and  by 
resoun  and  by  discrecioun.  /  Thanne  arn. 
ther  the  vertues  of  feith,  and  hope  in  god 
and  in  hise  seintes,  to  aoheve  and 
acomplice  the  gode  werkes  in  the  whiche 
he  purposeth  fermely  to  continue.  /  (660) 
Thanne  comth  seuretee  or  sikernesse ; 
and  that  is,  whan  a  man  ne  doutetli  no 
travaille  in  tyme  comingo  of  the  gode 
werkes  that  a  man  hath  bigonne.  /  735 
Thanne  comth  Magnificence,  that  is  to 
seyn,  whan  a  man  dooth  and  iierfourneth 
grete  werkes  of  goodnesse  that  he  hath 
bigonne  ;  and  that  is  the  ende  why  that 
men  sholde  do  gode  werkes ;  for  in  the 
acomplissinge  of  grete  goode  werkes  lytli 
the  grete  gucrdoun.  /  Thanne  is  ther 
Constaunce,  that  is,  stablenesse  of  corage ; 
and  this  sholde  been  in  herte  by  stcdefast 
feith,  and  iu  mouth,  and  iu  beringe,  and. 


702 


ZU  CanferButp  ^afe«. 


[t.  §§  62-;56. 


in  chere  and  in  dede.  /     Eke  ther  been 

mo  speciale  remedies  ag-ains  Accidie,  in 
diverse  werkes,  and  in  consideraciovui  of 
the  peynes  of  lielle,  and  of  the  joyes  of 
hevene,  and  in  trust  of  the  grace  of  the 
holy  goost,  tliat  wole  yeve  him  might  to 
perfourne  liis  gode  entente.  / 

Sequitur  de  Auaricia. 

g  62.  After  Accidie  wol  I  speke  of 
Avarice  and  of  Coveitise,  of  which  sinne 
seith  seint  Paule,  that  '  the  rote  of  alle 
harmes  is  Coveitise':  Ad  Timotheum,  sexto 
capitulo.  I  For  soothly,  whan  the  herte 
of  a  man  is  confounded  in  it-self  and 
troubled,  and  that  the  soule  hath  lost  the 
contort  of  g  ;d,  thanne  seketh  he  an  ydel 
740  solas  of  worldly  thinges.  / 

§  63.  Avarice,  after  the  descripcion  of 
seint  Augustin,  is  lilieronsnesse  in  herte 
to  have  erthely  thinges.  /  Som  other 
folk  seyn,  that  Avarice  is,  for  to  pur- 
cliacen  manye  erthely  thinges,  and  no- 
thing yeve  to  heni  that  han  nede.  /  And 
nndorstond,  that  Avarice  ne  stant  nat 
only  in  lond  ne  catel,  but  somtyme  in 
science  and  in  glorie,  and  in  every  manere 
of  outrageous  thing  is  Avarice  and 
Coveitise.  /  And  the  difference  bitwixe 
Avarice  and  Coveitise  is  this.  Coveitise 
is  for  to  coveite  swiclie  thinges  as  thou 
hast  nat ;  and  Avarice  is  for  to  withholde 
and  kepe  swiche  tliinges  as  thou  hast, 
(570)  with-oute  rightful  nede.  /  Soothly,  this 
Avarice  is  a  sinne  that  is  ful  dampnable  ; 
for  al  holy  writ  curseth  it,  and  speketh 
agayns  that  ■^'yce ;  for  it  dooth  wrong  to 
745  Jesu  Crist.  /  For  it  bireveth  him  tlie 
love  that  men  to  him  owen,  and  turneth 
it  bakward  agajTis  alle  resoun ;  /  and 
maketh  that  the  avaricious  man  hath 
more  hope  in  his  catel  than  in  Jesu  Crist, 
and  dooth  more  observance  in  kcpinge  of 
liis  trosor  than  he  dooth  to  sersdce  of 
Jesu  Crist.  /  And  therfore  seith  seint 
Paul  ad  Ephesios,  quinto,  that  '  an 
avaricious  man  is  in  the  thraldom  of 
ydolatrie.'  / 

§  64.  "VMiat  difference  is  bitwixe  an 
ydolastre  and  an  avaricious  man,  but 
that  an  ydolastre.  per  aventure,  ne  hath 


but  o  mawmet  or  two,  and  the  avaricious 
man  hath  manye?  For  certes,  every 
florin  in  his  cofre  is  his  mawmet.  /  And 
certes,  the  sinne  of  Mawmetrye  is  the 
firste  thing  that  God  deffended  in  the  ten 
comanndments,  as  bereth  witnesse  Exodi. 
caintulo  xx°  :  /  '  Thou  shalt  have  no  false-  '••'■^ 
goddes  bifore  me,  ne  thou  shalt  make 
to  thee  no  grave  thing.'  Thus  is  an 
avaricious  man,  that  loveth  his  tresor 
biforn  god,  an  ydolastre,  /  thurgh  this 
cursed  sinne  of  Avarice.  Of  Coveitise 
comen  thise  harde  lordshipos,  thurgh 
whiche  men  been  distreyned  by  tallages, 
custumes,  and  cariages,  more  than  hir 
duetee  or  resoun  is.  And  eek  they  taken 
of  hir  bonde-men  amerciments,  whiche 
mighten  more  resonably  ben  cleped 
extorcions  than  amerciments.  /  Of  whiche 
amerciments  and  raunsoninge  of  bonde- 
men,  sommc  lordes  sty^-ardes  seyn,  that 
it  is  rightful ;  for-as-muche  as  a  cherl 
hath  no  temporel  thing  that  it  ne  is  his 
lordes,  as  they  seyn.  /  But  certes,  thise 
lordshipes  doon  wrong,  that  bireven  hir 
bonde-folk  thinges  that  they  nevere  yave 
hem  :  Anfjustimis  de  C'ivitate,  libro  nono.  /  (O80) 
Sooth  is,  that  the  condicioun  of  thraldom 
and  the  firste  cause  of  thraldom  is  for 
sinne  ;  Genesis,  quinto.  /  755 

§  6-5.  Thits  may  ye  seen  that  the  gilt 
disserveth  thraldom,  but  nat  nature.  / 
AVlierfore  thise  lordes  ne  sholde  nat 
muchc  glorifyen  hem  in  hir  lordshipes, 
sith  that  by  naturel  condicion  they  been 
nat  lordes  of  thralles ;  but  for  that 
thraldom  comth  first  by  the  desert  of 
sinne.  /  And  forther-over,  ther-as  the 
lawe  seith,  that  temporel  godes  of  bonde- 
folk  been  the  godes  of  hir  lordshipes,  ye, 
that  is  for  to  understonde,  the  godes  of 
the  emperour,  to  deffenden  hem  in  hir 
right,  but  n.at  for  to  robben  hem  ne  reven 
hem.  /  And  therfore  seith  Seneca  :  '  thy 
prudence  sholde  live  benignely  with  thy 
thralles.'  /  Thilke  that  thou  clepest  thy 
thralles  been  goddes  peple  ;  for  humble 
folk  been  Cristes  freendes ;  they  been 
contubernial  with  the  lord.  /  760 

§  66.  Tliink  eek,  that  of  swich  seed  as 
cherles  springeth,  of  swich  seed  springen 


§67.] 


Z^t  ^eteonee  Zak. 


lordes.  As  wel  may  the  clierl  be  saved  as 
the  lord.  /  The  same  deeth  that  taketh 
the  cherl,  swich  deeth  taketh  the  lord. 
Wherfore  I  rede,  do  right  so  with  thy 
cherl,  as  thou  woldest  that  thy  lord  dide 
with  thee,  if  thou  were  in  his  plyt./  Every 
sinful  man  is  a  cherl  to  sinne.  I  redo 
thee,  certes,  that  thou,  lord,  werke  in 
swiche  wyse  with  thy  cherles,  that  they 
rather  love  thee  than  drede.  /  I  woot  wel 
ther  is  degree  above  degree,  as  reson  is ; 
and  skile  it  is,  that  men  do  liir  devoir 
ther-as  it  is  due ;  but  certes,  extorcions 
and  despit  of  youre  underlinges  is  dami> 
(690)  nable.  / 

§  G7.  And  forther-over  understond  wel, 
that  thise  conquerours  or  tiraunts  maken 
ful  ofte  thralles  of  hem,  that  been  born  of 
as  royal   blood  as  been  they  that  hem 
765  conqueren.  /      This    name  of   thraldom 
was  ncvere  erst  couth,  til  that  Noe  seyde, 
that  his  sone  Canaan  sholde  be  thral  to 
hise   bretheren    for    his   sinne.  /     "What 
seye  we  tlianne  of  hem  that  pilen  and 
doon  extorcions  to  holy  chirche  ?    Certes, 
the    swerd,    that    men    yeven    first    to 
a  knight  whan  he  is  newe  dubbed,  signi- 
fyeth    that    he    sholde    doffenden    holy 
chirche,  and  nat  robben  it  ne  pilen  it ; 
nnd  who  so  dooth,  is  traitour  to  Crist.  / 
And,  as  seith  seint  Angustin,  '  they  been 
the  develes   wolves,  that  stranglen  the 
sheep   of  Jesu   Crist ' ;    and   doon  worse 
than   wolves.  /     For   soothly,  whan   the 
wolf  hath  ful  his  wombe,  he  stinteth  to 
strangle  sheep.     But  soothly,  the  pilours 
and  destroyours  of  goddes  holy  chirche 
ne  do  nat  so  ;  for  they  ne  stinte  nevere  to 
pile.  /     Now,  as  I  have  seyd,  sith  so  is 
that  sinne  was  first  cause  of  thraldom, 
thannc  is  it  thus  ;  that  thilko  tyme  that 
al  this  world  was  in  sinne,  thanne  was  al 
770  this  world  in  thraldom  and  subjeccioun./ 
But  certes,  sith  the  tyme  of  grace  cam, 
god   ordeyned   that  som  folk   sholde   be 
more  heigh  in  estaat  and  in  degree,  and 
som   folk   more  lowe,   and   that   cverich 
sholde  be  served  in  his  cstaitt  and  in  his 
degree.  /     And  therfore,  in  somme  con- 
trees  ther  they  byen  thralles,  whan  they 
han  turned  hem  to  the  feith,  they  maken 


hir  thralles  free  oxit  of  thraldom.     And 
therfore,   certes,  the  lord   oweth   to   his 
man  that  tlie  man  oweth  to  his  lord.  / 
The  Pope  calloth  hini-self  servant  of  the 
servaunts   of  god  ;    but    for-as-mucho    as 
the  estaat  of  holy  chirche  ne  mighte  nat 
han  be,  ne  the  commune  profit  mighte 
nat  han  be  kept,  ne  pees   and  reste  in 
erthe,   but-if  god   hadde   ordeyned   that 
som   men   hadde  hyer  degree  and    som 
men  lower  :  /  therfore  was   sovereyntee 
ordeyned    to  kepe    and    mayntene   and 
deffenden  hir  underlinges  or  hir  snbgets 
in  resoun,  as  ferforth  as  it  lyth  in  hir 
power ;    and  nat   to   destroyen   hem   ne 
confounde.  /  Wherfore  I  seye,  that  thilko  (700) 
lordes  that  been  lyk  wolves,  that  devouren 
the  possessiouns  or  the  catel  of  povre  folk 
wrongfully,  with-outen  mercy  or  mesure,  /  775 
they  shvil  receyven  by  the  same  mesure 
that  they  han  mesvired  to  povre  folk  the 
mercy  of  Jesu  Crist,  but-if  it  be  amended.  / 
Now  comth  deceite  bitwixe  marchant  and 
marchant.    And  thow  shalt  understonde, 
that   marchandyse   is   in   two   maneres ; 
that   oon    is    bodily,    and   that   other  is 
goostly.     That  oon  is  honcste  and  leveful, 
and  that  other  is  deshoneste  and  unleve- 
ful.  /    Of  thilke  bodily  marchandyse,  that 
is  leveful  and  honeste,  is  this  ;  that,  there- 
as  god  hath  ordeyned   that  a  regne  or 
a  contree  is  suffisaunt  to  him-self,  thannc 
is  it  h<meste  and  leveful,  that  of  habi^n- 
daunce  of  this  contree,  that  men  hclpc 
another  contree  that  is  more  nedy.  /  And 
therfore,  ther   mote  been  marchants  to 
bringen  fro  that  o  contree  to  that  other 
hire   marchandyses.  /     That  other  mar- 
chandise,  that  men  haimten  with  fraiide 
and  trecherie  and  deceite,  with  lesinges 
and  false  othes,  is  cursed  and  dampnable.  /  7S0 
Espirituel  marchandyse  is  proprely  Sy- 
monye,  that   is,   ententif  desyr  to   bycn 
thing     espirituel,    that    is,     thing    that 
aperteneth  to  the  seintuarie  of  god  and  to 
cure  of  the  soule.  /     Tliis  desyr,  if  so  be 
that  a  man  do  his  diligence  to  parfournen 
it,  al-be-it  that  his  dosyr  no  take  noon 
effect,  yet  is  it  to  him  a  dcedly  sinne  ; 
and   if  ho  be  ordred,  ho  is  irrcgnlor.  / 
Certes,    Symonye    is    cleped    of    Symon 


704 


Z^t  ^anferBurp  Zake. 


[t.  §  68. 


Magvis,  that  wolde  han  boght,  for  tem- 
pore! catel,  the  yifte  that  god  hadde 
yeven,  by  the  holy  goost,  to  seint  Peter 
and  to  the  apostles.  /  And  therfore 
nnderstond,  that  bothe  he  that  selleth 
and  he  that  byeth  thinges  espirituels, 
been  cleped  Symonials  ;  be  it  by  catel,  be 
it  by  procaringe,  or  by  fleshly  preyere 
of  hise  freendes,  fleshly  freendes,  or 
(710)  espirituel  freendes.  /  Fleshly,  in  two 
maneres ;  as  by  kinrede  or  othere  freendes. 
Soothly,  if  they  praye  for  him  that  is  nat 
■worthy  and  able,  it  is  Symonye  if  he  take 
the  benefice  ;  and  if  he  be  worthy  and 
785  able,  ther  nis  noon.  /  That  other  manere 
is,  whan  a  man  or  womman  preyen  for 
folk  to  avauncen  hem,  only  for  ^vikked 
fleshly  affeccioiin  that  they  have  un-to 
the  xjersone  ;  and  that  is  foul  Sj-monye.  / 
But  certes,  in  sers-ice,  for  which  men 
yeven  thinges  espirituels  un-to  hir 
servants,  it  moot  been  understonde  that 
the  service  moot  been  honeste,  and  elles 
nat ;  and  eek  that  it  be  with-outen  bar- 
gayninge,  and  that  the  persone  be  able.  / 
For,  as  seith  seint  Damasie,  '  alle  the 
sinnes  of  the  world,  at  regard  of  this 
sinne,  am  as  thing  of  noght ' ;  for  it  is 
the  gretteste  sinne  that  may  be,  after  the 
sinne  of  Lucifer  and  Antecrist.  /  For, 
by  this  sinne,  god  forleseth  the  chirche, 
and  the  soule  that  he  boghte  with  his 
precious  blood,  by  hem  that  yeven 
cliirches  to  hem  that  been  nat  digne.  / 
For  theyputten  in  theves,  that  stelen  the 
soules  of  Jesu  Christ  and  destroyen  his 
790  patrimoine.  /  By  swiche  undignc  preestcs 
and  curates  han  lewed  men  the  lasse 
reverence  of  the  sacraments  of  holy 
chirche  ;  and  swiche  yeveres  of  chirches 
putten  out  the  children  of  Crist,  and 
putten  in-to  the  chirche  the  develes  owene 
sone.  /  They  sellen  the  soules  that 
lambes  sholde  kepen  to  the  wolf  that 
strangleth  hem.  And  therfore  shul  they 
novere  han  part  of  the  pasture  of  lambes, 
that  is,  the  blLsse  of  hevene.  /  Now 
comth  hasardrye  with  hise  apurtenauncos, 
as  tables  and  rafles ;  of  which  comth 
deceite,  false  othes,  chydinges,  and  alle 
ravines,  blaspheminge  and  reneyingc  of 


god,  and  hate  of  hise  neighebores,  wast  of 
godes,  misspendinge  of  tyme,  and  som- 
tyme  manslaughtre.  /  Certes,  hasardours 
ne  mowe  nat  been  with-outen  g^eet  sinne 
whyles  they  haunte  that  craft.  /  Of  (720! 
avarice  comen  eek  lesinges,  thefte,  fals 
witnesse,  and  false  othes.  And  ye  shul 
understonde  that  thise  been  grete  sinnes, 
and  e.vpres  agayn  the  comaundements  of 
god,  as  I  have  seyd.  /  Fals  witnesse  is  in  795 
word  and  eek  in  dede.  In  word,  as  for  to 
bireve  thy  neighebores  goode  name  by 
thy  fals  witnessing,  or  bireven  him  his 
catel  or  his  heritage  by  thy  fals  witness- 
ing ;  whan  thou,  for  ire  or  for  mede,  or 
for  envye,  berest  fals  witnesse,  or  accusest 
him  or  excusest  him  by  thy  fals  witnesse, 
or  elles  excusest  thy-self  falsly.  /  Ware 
yow,  quest emongeres  and  notaries !  Certes, 
for  fals  witnessing  was  Susanna  in  ful 
gret  sorwe  and  peyne,  and  many  another 
mo.  /  The  sinne  of  thefte  is  eek  expres 
agayns  goddes  heste,  and  that  in  two 
maneres,  corporel  and  espirituel.  /  Cor- 
porel,  as  for  to  take  thy  neighebores  catel 
agayn  his  wil,  be  it  by  force  or  by  sloighte, 
be  it  by  met  or  by  mesure.  /  By  steling 
eek  of  false  enditements  iipon  him,  and 
in  borwinge  of  thy  neighebores  catel,  in 
entente  nevere  to  payen  it  agayn,  and 
semblable  thinge.?.  /  Espirituel  thefte  is  800 
Sacrilege,  that  is  to  seyn,  hnrtinge  of  holy 
thinges,  or  of  thinges  sacred  to  Crist,  in 
two  maneres  ;  by  reson  of  the  holy  place, 
as  chirches  or  chirche-hawes,  /  for  which 
every  vileyns  sinne  that  men  doon  in 
swiche  places  may  be  cleped  sacrilege,  or 
every  violence  in  the  semblablo  places. 
Also,  they  that  withdrawen  falsly  the 
riglites  that  longen  to  holy  chirche.  / 
And  pleynly  and  generally,  sacrilege  is  to 
reven  holy  thing  fro  holy  place,  or  un- 
holy thing  oiit  of  holy  place,  or  holy  thing 
out  of  unholy  place.  / 

Relevaclo  contra  peccatum  Avaricie. 

§  68.  Now  shul  ye  understonde,  that 
the  relevinge  of  Avarice  is  misericorde, 
and  pitee  largely  taken.  And  men 
mighten  axe,  why  that  misericorde  and 
pitee  is  relevinge  of  Avarice?  /     Certes,  (730) 


T.  §§  69,  70.] 


I.    ZU  Qpereonee  Zak. 


705 


the  avaricious  man  sheweth  no  pitee  ne 
misericorde  to  the  nedefiil  man  ;  for  he 
delyteth  him  in  the  kepinge  of  liis  tresor, 
and  nat  in  the  rescowinge  ne  relevinge  of 
his   evene-cristene.     And  therfore  speke 

805  I  first  of  misericorde.  /  Thanne  is  miser- 
icorde, as  seith  the  philosophre,  a  vertu, 
by  which  the  corage  of  man  is  stired 
by  the  misese  of  him  that  is  misesed.  / 
Up-on  •which  misericorde  folweth  pitee, 
in  parfonrninge  of  charitable  werkes  of 
misericorde.  /  And  certes,  thise  thinges 
moeven  a  man  to  misericorde  of  Jesu 
Crist,  that  he  yaf  him-solf  for  otire  g^lt, 
and  suffred  deetli  for  misericorde,  and 
forgaf  ^^s  onre  originale  sinnes  ;  /  and 
therby  relessed  ns  fro  the  peynes  of  helle, 
and  amenused  the  peynes  of  pnrgatorie 
by  penitence,  and  yeveth  grace  'wel  to  do, 
and  atte  laste  the  blisse  of  hevene.  /  The 
speces  of  misericorde  been,  as  for  to  lene 
and  for  to  yeve  and  to  foryeven  and 
relesse,  and  for  to  han  xiitee  in  herte,  and 
compassioun  of  the  meschief  of  his  evene- 
cristene,  and  eek  to   chastyse  there  as 

810  nede  is.  /  Another  manere  of  remedie 
agayns  Avarice  is  resonable  largesse  ;  but 
soothly,  here  bihoveth  the  considei-acioun 
of  the  grace  of  Jesu  Crist,  and  of  hise 
temporel  goodes,  and  eek  of  the  godes 
perdurables  that  Crist  yaf  to  ns ;  /  and 
to  han  remembrance  of  the  deeth  that  he 
shal  receyve,  he  noot  wbanne,  where,  ne 
how  ;  and  eek  that  he  shal  forgon  al  that 
he  hath,  save  only  that  he  hath  despended 
in  gode  werkes.  / 

§  69.  But  for-as-muche  as  som  folk  been 
unmesurable,  men  oghten  eschue  fool- 
largesse,  that  men  clepen  wast.  /  Certes, 
he  that  is  fool-largo  ne  yevetli  nat  his 
catel,  but  he  Icseth  his  catel.  Soothly, 
■what  thing  that  he  yeveth  for  veyne 
glorie,  as  to  minstrals  and  to  folic,  for  to 
beren  his  renoun  in  the  world,  he  hath 
(740)  sinne  tlier-of  and  noon  almcsse.  /  Certes, 
he  leseth  foule  his  good,  that  ne  seketli 
with  the  yifte  of  his  good  no-thing  but 

815  sinne.  /  Ho  is  lyk  to  an  hors  that  soketh 
rather  to  drinken  dro^'y  or  trouble  water 
than  for  to  drinken  water  of  the  clero 
welle.  /  And  for-as-muchel  as  they  j^even 


ther  as  thej'  sholde  nat  yeven,  to  hem 
aperteneth  thilke  malisoun  that  Crist 
shal  yeven  at  the  day  of  dome  to  hem 
that  shullen  been  dampned.  / 

Sequitur  de  Gula. 

§  70.  After  Avarice  comth  Glotonye, 
which  is  expres  eek  agayn  the  comande- 
ment  of  god.  Glotonye  is  unmesiirable 
appetyt  to  ete  or  to  drinke,  or  elles  to 
doon  y-nogh  to  the  unmesurable  appetyt 
and  desordeynee  coveityse  to  eten  or  to 
drinke.  /  This  sinne  corrumped  al  this 
world,  as  is  wel  shewed  in  the  sinne  of 
Adam  and  of  Eve.  Loke  eek,  what  seith 
seint  Paul  of  Glotonye.  /  '  Manye,'  seith 
seint  Paul,  '  goon,  of  whiche  I  have  ofte 
seyd  to  yow,  and  now  I  seye  it  wepinge, 
that  they  been  the  enemys  of  the  croys  of 
Crist ;  of  whiche  the  ende  is  deeth,  and 
of  whiche  hir  wombe  is  hir  god,  and  hir 
glorie  in  confusioun  of  hem  that  so 
saveren  erthely  thinges.'  /  He  that  is  820 
visaunt  to  this  sinne  of  Glotonye,  he  ne 
may  no  sinne  withstonde.  He  moot  been 
in  servage  of  alle  vyces,  for  it  is  the 
develes  hord  ther  he  hydeth  him  and 
resteth.  /  This  sinne  hath  manye  speces. 
Tlie  firste  is  dronkenesse,  that  is  the 
horrible  sepulture  of  mannes  resoun  ;  and 
therfore,  whan  a  man  is  dronken,  he  hath 
lost  his  resoun  ;  and  this  is  deedly  sinne.  / 
But  soothly,  whan  that  a  man  is  nat 
wont  to  strong  drinke,  and  peraventure 
ne  knoweth  nat  the  strengthe  of  the 
drinke,  or  hath  feblesse  in  his  heed,  or 
hath  travailed,  thurgh  which  he  drinketh 
the  more,  al  be  he  sodeynly  caught  with 
drinke,  it  is  no  deedly  sinne,  but  venial.  / 
The  seconde  spece  of  Glotonye  is,  tliat 
the  spirit  of  a  man  wexeth  al  trouble  ;  for 
dronkenesse  bireveth  him  the  discrecioun 
of  his  wit.  /  The  thridde  spece  of  (750) 
Glotonye  is,  whan  a  man  dcvoureth  his 
mete,  and  hath  no  rightful  manere  of 
etinge.  /  The  fourthe  is  whan,  thnrgh  825 
the  grete  habundaiince  of  his  mete,  the 
humoiirs  in  liis  body  been  destcnipred.  / 
The  fifthe  is,  foryetelnesso  by  to  muchel 
drinkinge ;    for  which   somtyme  a  man 


A  a 


7o6 


ZU  tanUv^ut^  Zake. 


[t.  §§  7'-7r- 


foryeteth  er  the  morwe  wliat  lio  dide  at 
oven  or  on  the  night  bifom.  / 

§  71.  In  other  manere  been  distinct 
the  speces  of  Glotonye,  after  seint  Gre- 
gorie.  The  firste  is,  for  to  ete  biforn 
tyme  to  ete.  Tlie  seconde  is,  whan  a  man 
get  him  to  delicat  mete  or  drinke.  /  The 
thridde  is,  whan  men  taken  to  muche 
over  mesure.  The  fourthe  is  curiositee, 
with  greet  entente  to  maken  and  appa- 
raillen  his  mete.  The  fifthe  is,  for  to  eten 
to  gredily.  /  Thise  been  the  fyve  fingres 
of  the  develes  hand,  by  whiche  he  draweth 
830  folk  to  sinne.  / 

Remedium  contra  peccatum  Gule. 

§  72.  Agayns  Glotonye  is  the  remedie 
Abstinence,  as  seith  Galien ;  btit  that 
holde  I  nat  meritorie,  if  he  do  it  only  for 
the  hele  of  his  body.  Seint  Augnstin 
wole,  that  Abstinence  be  doon  for  vertu 
and  with  pacience.  /  Abstinence,  he 
seith,  is  litel  worth,  but-if  a  man  have 
good  wil  ther-to,  and  but  it  be  enforced 
by  pacience  and  by  charitee,  and  tliat 
men  doon  it  for  godes  sake,  and  in  hope 
to  have  the  blisse  of  hevene.  / 

§  73.  Tlie  felawes  of  Abstinence  been 
Attemperaunce,  that  holdeth  the  mene  in 
alle  thinges :  eek  Shame,  that  eschneth 
alle  deshonestee :  SuiRsance,  that  seketh 
no  riche  metes  ne  drinkes,  ne  dooth  no 
fors  of  to  oiitrageous  apparailinge  of 
mete.  /  Mesure  also,  that  restreyneth  by 
resoun  the  deslavee  appetyt  of  etinge  : 
Sobrenesse  also,  that  restreyneth  the 
(760)  outrage  of  cb-inko  :  /  Sparinge  also,  that 
restreyneth  the  delicat  ese  to  sitte  longe 
at  his  mete  and  softely ;  wherfore  som 
folk  stonden  of  hir  owene  wil,  to  eten  at 
835  the  lasse  leyser.  / 

Sequitur  de  Lnxuria. 
§  74.  After  Glotonye,  thanne  comth 
Lecherie  ;  for  thise  two  sinnes  been  so  ny 
cosins,  that  ofte  tyme  they  wol  nat  de- 
parte.  /  God  woot,  this  sinne  is  ful 
displesaunt  thing  to  god  ;  for  he  seydc 
himself,  '  do  no  lecherie.'  And  therfore 
he  putto  grete  peyncs  agayns  this  sinne 
in  the  oldo  lawe./    If  womman  thral  were 


taken  in  this  sinne,  she  sholde  be  beten 
with  staves  to  the  deeth.  And  if  she 
were  a  gentil  womman,  she  sholde  be 
slaj-n  with  stones.  And  if  she  were 
a  bisshoppes  doghter,  she  sholde  been 
brent,  by  goddes  comandement.  /  For- 
ther  over,  by  the  sinne  of  Lecherie,  god 
dreynte  al  the  world  at  the  diluge.  And 
after  that,  he  brente  fyve  citees  with 
thonder-leyt,  and  sank  hem  in-to  helle.  / 
§  75.  Xow  lat  ns  speke  thanne  of  thilke 
stinkinge  sinne  of  Lecherie  that  men 
clepe  Avoutrie  of  wedded  folk,  that  is  to 
seyn,  if  that  oon  of  hem  be  wedded,  or 
elles  bothe.  /  Seint  John  seith,  that  840 
avoutiers  shuUen  been  in  helle  in  a  stank 
brenninge  of  fyr  and  of  brimston  ;  in  fyr, 
for  the  lecherie ;  in  brimston,  for  the 
stink  of  hir  ordure.  /  Certes,  the  brekinge 
of  this  sacrement  is  an  horrible  thing  ; 
it  was  maked  of  god  him-self  in  paradys, 
and  confermed  by  Jesu  Crist,  as  wit- 
nesseth  seint  Mathew  in  the  gospel : 
'  A  man  shal  lete  fader  and  moder,  and 
taken  him  to  his  wj-f,  and  they  shnllen 
be  two  in  o  flesh.'  /  This  sacrement  bi- 
tokncth  the  knittinge  togidro  of  Ci-ist 
and  of  holy  cliircho.  /  And  nat  only 
that  god  forbad  avoutrie  in  dede,  but  cok 
he  comanded  that  thou  sholdest  nat 
coveite  thy  neigh ebores  wyf.  /  In  this  {77°) 
heeste,  seith  seint  Augustin,  is  forboden 
alle  manere  coveitise  to  doon  lecherie. 
Lo  what  seith  seint  Mathew  in  the  gospel : 
that '  who-so  seeth  a  womman  to  coveitise 
of  his  lust,  he  hatlx  doon  lecherie  with  hir 
in  his  herte.'  /  Here  may  ye  seen  that  845 
nat  only  the  dede  of  this  sinne  is  for- 
boden, but  eek  the  desyr  to  doon  that 
sinne.  /  This  cursed  sinne  anoyeth  gre- 
vousliche  hem  that  it  haunten.  And  first, 
to  hir  soule  ;  for  he  oblygeth  it  to  sinne 
and  to  peyne  of  deeth  that  is  perdur- 
able./ Un-tothe  liodj'  anoyeth  it  grevously 
also,  for  it  dreyeth  him,  and  wasteth, 
and  slient  him,  and  of  his  blood  he  maketh 
sacrifyce  to  the  feend  of  heUe  ;  it  wasteth 
his  catel  and  his  substaunce.  /  And 
certes,  if  it  be  a  foul  thing,  a  man  to 
waste  his  catel  on  wommen,  yet  is  it 
a  fouler  thing  whan  that,  for  swich  ordure, 


T.  §  76.] 


ZU  (pereottea  ^afe. 


■07 


■\vommen  dispenden  iip-on  men  liir  catel 
and  substaunce.  /  This  sinne,  as  seith 
the  proiihete,  bireveth  man  and  womman 
hir  gode  fame,  find  al  hir  hononr ;  and  it 
is  ful  pleasaiint  to  the  devel ;  for  tlier-by 
winneth   he   the   moste    partie    of    this 

850  world.  /  And  right  as  a  marchant  de- 
lyteth  him  most  in  cliaffare  th.at  he  liath 
most  avantage  of,  right  so  delyteth  the 
feend  in  this  ordure.  / 

§  76.  Tliis  is  that  other  hand  of  the 
clcvel,  with  fyve  fingres,  to  cacche  the 
peple  to  his  vileinye.  /  The  firsto  finger 
is  the  fool  lookinge  of  the  fool  womman 
and  of  the  fool  man,  that  sleoth,  right  as 
the  basilicok  slectli  folk  by  the  venim  of 
his  sighte  ;  for  the  coveitise  of  eyen  fol- 
weth  the  coveitise  of  the  herte.  /  The 
seconde  finger  is  the  vileyns  touchinge  in 
wikkede  manere ;  and  ther-fore  seith 
Salomon,  tliat  who-so  toucheth  and  hand- 
loth  a  womman,  he  fareth  lyk  him  that 
handleth  tlio  scorpioun  that  stingeth  and 
sodeynly  sleeth  thurgh  his  enveniminge  ; 
as  who-so  tovicheth  warm  pich,  it  shent 
(780)  his  fingres./  The  thridde, is  foule  wordes, 
tliat  fareth  lyk  fyr,  that  right  anon  bren- 

855  neth  the  herte.  /  The  fourthe  finger  is 
the  kissinge  ;  and  trewely  he  were  a  greet 
fool  that  wolde  kisse  the  mouth  of  a  bren- 
ninge  ovene  or  of  a  fourneys.  /  And 
more  fooles  been  they  that  kissen  in 
vileinye  ;  for  that  mouth  is  the  mouth  of 
hello  :  and  namely,  thise  olde  dotardes 
holours,  yet  wol  they  kisse,  though  they 
may  nat  do,  and  smatre  hem.  /  Certes, 
they  been  lyk  to  houndes  ;  for  an  hound, 
v.han  he  comth  by  the  roser  or  by  othere 
"j-busshes,  thongh  he  may  nat  pisse,  yet 
wole  he  heve  up  his  leg  and  make  a  con- 
tenaunce  to  pisse.  /  And  for  that  many 
man  weneth  that  he  may  nat  sinne,  for 
no  likerousnesse  that  he  doth  with  his  wyf ; 
certes,  that  opinion  is  fals.  God  woot, 
a  man  may  sleen  him.-self  with  his  owene 
knyf,  and  make  him-selven  dronken  of 
his  owcno  tonne.  /  Certes,  l)o  it  'wj'f,  be 
it  child,  or  any  worldly  thing  that  he 
loveth  biforn  god,  it  is  his  maumet,  and 

860  he  is  an  ydolastro.  /  Man  sholde  loven 
his  wyf   by  discrecioun,   i^aciently  and 


atemprely ;  and  thanne  is  she  as  though 
it  were  his  suster.  /  The  fifthe  finger  of 
the  develes  hand  is  the  stinkingo  dede  of 
Lecherie.  /  Certes,  the  fyve  fingres  of 
Glotonie  the  feend  put  in  the  wombo 
of  a  man,  and  with  hise  fyve  fyngres 
of  Lecherie  he  gripeth  him  bj'  the  reynes, 
for  to  throwen  him  in-to  the  fourneys  of 
helle  ;  /  ther-as  they  shul  han  the  fyr 
and  the  wormes  that  evere  shul  lasten 
and  wepinge  and  wailinge,  sharp  hunger 
and  thurst,  and  grimnesse  of  develes  that 
shuUen  al  to-trede  hem,  with-outen  respit 
and  with-outen  ende.  /  Of  Lecherie,  as  (790) 
I  seyde,  sourden  diverse  speces  ;  as  forni- 
cacioun,that  is  bitwixeman  and  womman 
that  been  nat  marled  ;  and  this  is  deedly 
sinne  and  agayns  nature.  /  Al  that  is  8O5 
enemy  and  destruccioun  to  nature  is 
agayns  nature.  /  Parfay,  the  resoun  of 
a  man  telleth  eek  him  wel  that  it  is 
deedly  sinne,  for-as-muche  as  god  forbad 
Lecherie.  And  seint  Paul  j'eveth  hem 
the  regne,  that  nis  dewe  to  no  wight  biit 
to  hem  that  doon  deedly  sinne.  /  Another 
sinne  of  Lecherie  is  to  bireve  a  mayden  of 
hir  maydenhede  ;  for  he  that  so  dooth, 
certes,  he  casteth  a  mayden  out  of  the 
hyeste  degree  that  is  in  this  present  lyf,/ 
and  bireveth  hir  thilke  precious  fruit 
that  the  book  cleiieth  '  the  hundred  fruit.' 
I  ne  can  seye  it  noon  other  weyes  in  Eng- 
lish, but  in  Latin  it  highto  Centesimus 
fructus.  Certes,  he  that  so  dooth  is  cause 
of  manye  damages  and  vileinyes,  mo  than 
any  man  can  rekeno  ;  right  as  he  som- 
tyme  is  cause  of  alio  damages  that  bestes 
don  in  the  feeld,  that  breketh  the  hegge 
or  the  closure ;  thurgh  which  he  de- 
stroyeth  that  may  nat  been  restored.  /  g-Q 
For  certes,  na-more  may  maydenhede  be 
restored  than  an  arm  that  is  smiten  fro 
the  body  may  retourne  agayn  to  wexe.  / 
She  may  have  mercy,  this  woot  I  wcl,  if 
she  do  penitence  ;  but  nevero  shal  it  be 
that  she  nas  corrapt.  /  And  al-bc-it  so 
that  I  have  spoken  somwhat  of  Avoutric, 
it  is  good  to  shewon  mo  perils  that  longen 
to  Avoutric,  for  to  cschue  that  foule 
sinne.  /  Avoutric  in  Latin  is  for  to  sejTi, 
approchinge  of  other  mannes  bed,  thurgh 


A  a  2 


7o8 


tU  tankvBut^  take. 


[t.  §  76. 


■wliich  tho  that  •whylom  weren  o  flessh 
(8fxi)  abavm clone  liir  bodj'es  to  otliere  persones./ 
Of  this  sinne,  as  seith  the  "vv-yse  raan, 
folwen  manye  harnies.  First,  brekinge 
of  feith  ;  and  cartes,  in  feith  is  the  keye 

875  of  Cristendom./  And  whan  that  feith  is 
broken  and  lorn,  soothly  Cristendoni  stant 
veyn  and  with-onten  fruit.  /  This  sinne 
is  eek  a  thefte  ;  for  thefte  generally  is  for 
to  reve  a  wight  his  thing  agayns  his 
wille.  /  Certes,  this  is  the  fouleste  thefte 
that  may  be,  whan  a  womman  steleth  hir 
body  from  hir  housbonde  and  yeveth  it 
to  hire  holour  to  defoulen  hir ;  and  steleth 
hir  soule  fro  Crist,  and  yeveth  it  to  tho 
devel.  /  This  is  a  fouler  thefte,  than  for 
to  breke  a  chirche  and  stele  the  chalice  ; 
for  thise  avoutiers  breken  the  temple  of 
god  spiritually,  and  stolen  the  vessel  of 
grace,  that  is,  the  body  and  the  soule,  for 
which  Crist  shal  destroyen  hem,  as  seith 
seint  Paul,  /  Soothly  of  this  thefte 
douted  gretly  Joseph,  whan  that  his 
lordes  wyf  preyed  him  of  vileinye,  whan 
he  seyde,  '  lo,  my  lady,  how  my  lord  hath 
take  to  me  imder  my  wardc  al  that  he 
hath  in  this  world ;  ne  no-thing  of  hise 
thinges  is  out  of  my  power,  but  only  ye 

88<)  that  been  his  wyf.  /  And  how  sholde 
I  thanne  do  this  wikkednesse,  and  sinne 
so  horribly  agayns  god,  and  agajms  my 
lord?  God  it  forbede.'  Alias  !  al  to  litel 
is  swell  troutho  now  y-founde  !  /  The 
thriddc  harm  is  the  filtho  thtirgh  whicli 
they  breken  the  comandemcnt  of  god,  and 
defoulen  the  auctour  of  matrimoine,  that 
is  Crist.  /  For  certes,  in-so-mucho  as  the 
sacrement  of  mariage  is  so  noble  and  so 
digne,  so  muche  is  it  grctter  sinne  for  to 
breken  it ;  for  god  made  mariage  in 
paradys,  in  the  estaat  of  innocence,  to 
multiplye  man-kinde  to  the  service  of 
god.  /  And  therfore  is  the  brekinge 
ther-of  more  grevous.  Of  which  brekinge 
comen  false  heires  ofte  tyme,  that  wrong- 
fully occupyen  folkes  heritages.  And 
therfore  wol  Crist  putte  hem  out  of  the 
regne  of  hcvcne,  that  is  heritage  to  gode 
(8io)  folk.  /  Of  this  brekinge  comth  eek  oft* 
tyme,  that  folk  unwar  wedden  or  sinnen 
with    hir   owenc   Idnredo ;    and   namely 


thilke  harlottes  that  haunten  bordels  of 
thise  fool  wommen,  that  mowe  be  lykned 
to  a  commune  gonge,  ■where-as  men  purgen 
hir  ordure.  /  \Vliat  seye  we  eek  of  j^utours  885 
that  liven  by  the  horrible  sinne  of  puterie, 
and  constrejme  wommen  to  yelden  to 
hem  a  certeyn  rente  of  hir  bodily  puterie, 
ye,  somtyme  of  his  owenc  wyf  or  his 
child ;  as  doon  this  baudes  ?  Certes, 
thise  been  cursede  sinnes.  /  Understond 
eek,  that  avoutrie  is  set  gladly  in  the  ten 
comandements  bitwixe  thefte  and  man- 
slaughtre ;  for  it  is  the  gretteste  thefte 
that  may  be  ;  for  it  is  thefte  of  body  and 
of  soule.  /  And  it  is  lyk  to  homicj-de ; 
for  it  kerveth  a-two  and  breketh  a-two 
hem  that  first  were  maked  o  flesh,  and 
therfore,  by  the  olde  lawe  of  god,  they 
sholde  be  slajTi.  /  But  nathelees,  by  the 
lawe  of  Jesu  Crist,  that  is  lawe  of  jiitee, 
whan  he  seyde  to  tho  womman  that  was 
founden  in  avoiitrie,  and  sholde  han  been 
slayn  with  stones,  after  the  wil  of  the 
Jewes,  as  was  hir  lawe  :  '  Go,'  quod  Jesu 
Crist,  '  and  have  na-more  wil  to  sinne  ' ; 
or,  '  wille  na-more  to  do  sinne.'  /  Soothly, 
the  vengeaunce  of  avoutrie  is  awarded  to 
the  peynes  of  helle,  but-if  so  be  that  it  bo 
destourbcd  by  penitence.  /  Yet  been  ther  S90 
mo  speces  of  this  cursed  sinne  ;  as  wliau 
that  oon  of  hem  is  religious,  or  elles 
bothe  ;  or  of  folk  that  been  entred  in-to 
ordre,  as  subdekne  or  dekne,  or  preest,  or 
hospitallers.  And  evcre  tho  hycr  that 
he  is  in  ordre,  the  gretter  is  the  sinne. ./ 
The  thinges  that  gretly  agreggen  hir 
sinne  is  the  brekinge  of  hir  avow  of 
chastitee,  whan  they  rcceyvedthe  ordre./ 
And  forther-over,  sooth  is,  that  holy 
ordre  is  chief  of  al  the  tresorie  of  god, 
and  his  especial  signc  and  mark  of  chas- 
titee ;  to  shewe  that  they  been  joyned  to 
chastitee,  which  that  is  most  precious 
lyf  that  is.  /  And  thise  ordred  folk  been 
specially  tytled  to  god,  and  of  the  special 
meyneo  of  god ;  for  which,  whan  they 
doon  deedly  sinne,  they  been  the  special 
traytours  of  god  and  of  his  poplo  ;  for  they 
liven  of  the  peple,  to  preye  for  the  peple, 
and  whyle  they  been  suche  traitours,  hir 
preyersavailennat tothepeple./   Preestes  (820) 


T-  §  77-] 


ZU  {ptv6oni0  Zati. 


709 


been  atingeles,  as  by  the  dignitee  of  liir 
misterye  ;  but  for  sothe,  seint  Paul  seith, 
that  '  Sathanas  transformeth  him  in  an 

895  anngel  of  light.'  /  Soothly,  the  preest 
that  haiinteth  deedly  sinne,  he  may  be 
lykned  to  the  aungel  of  derknesse  trans- 
formed in  the  aungel  of  light ;  he  semeth 
aimgel  of  light,  but  for  sothe  he  is  aungel 
of  derknesse.  /  Swiche  preestes  been  the 
sones  of  Helie,  as  sheweth  in  the  book  of 
Kinges,  that  they  weren  the  sones  of 
Belial,  tliat  is,  the  devel.  /  Belial  is  to 
seyn  '  with-outen  juge ' ;  and  so  faren 
they  ;  hem  thinketh  they  been  free,  and 
han  no  juge,  na-more  than  hath  a  free 
bole  that  taketh  -wliich  cow  that  liim 
lyketh  in  the  toun.  /  So  faren  they  by 
Avommen.  For  right  as  a  free  bole  is 
y-nough  for  al  a  tovin,  right  so  is  a  wikked 
preest  corrupcioun  y-nough  for  al  a  par- 
isshe,  or  for  al  a  contree.  /  Thise  preestes, 
as  seith  the  lx>ok,  ne  conne  nat  the  mis- 
terie  of  preesthode  to  the  pejile,  ne  god 
ne  knowe  they  nat ;  they  ne  helde  hem 
nat  apaj-d,  as  seith  the  book,  of  soden 
flesh  that  was  to  hem  offred,  but  they 

900  toke  by  force  the  flesh  that  is  rawe.  / 
Certes,  so  thise  shrewes  ne  holden  hem 
nat  apayed  of  rosted  flesh  and  sode  flesh, 
■with  which  the  peple  fedden  hem  in  greet 
reverence,  but  they  wole  have  raw  flesh 
of  folkes  wy\-es  and  hir  doghtres.  /  And 
certes,  thise  wommen  that  consenten  to 
hir  harlotrie  doon  greet  wrong  to  Crist 
and  to  holy  chirche  and  alle  halwes,  find 
to  alle  soules  ;  for  they  bireven  alle  thise 
him  that  sholde  worshipe  Crist  and  holy 
chirche,  and  i^rcye  for  Cristene  soules.  / 
And  theri'ore  han  swiche  preestes,  and 
hir  lommanes  eek  that  consenten  to  hir 
lecherie,  the  malisoun  of  al  the  court 
Cristen,  til  they  come  to  amendement.  / 
The  thridde  spece  of  avoutrie  is  som-tyme 
bitwixe  a  man  and  his  wyf ;  and  that  is 
whan  they  take  no  reward  in  hir  assem- 
blinge,  but  onlj-  to  hire  fleshly  delyt,  as 
(830)  seith  seint  Jerome  ;  /  and  ne  rekken  of 
no-thing  but  that  they  been  assembled  ; 
by-cause   that   they  been   maried,  al   is 

905  good  y-nough,  as  thinketh  to  hem.  / 
But  in  swich  folk  hath  the  devel  power, 


as  seyde  the  aungel  Raphael  to  Thobie  ; 
for  in  hir  assemblinge  they  putten  Jesu 
Crist  out  of  hir  herte,  and  yeven  liem-self 
to  alle  ordiire.  /  The  fourthe  spece  is, 
the  assemblee  of  hem  that  been  of  hire 
kinrede,  or  of  hem  that  been  of  con 
affinitee,  or  elles  with  hem  with  wliiche 
hir  fadres  or  hir  kinrede  han  deled  in  the 
sinne  of  lecherie  ;  this  sinne  maketh  hem 
lyk  to  houndes,  that  taken  no  kepe  to 
kinrede.  /  And  certes,  parentele  is  in 
two  maneres,  outlier  goostlj'  or  fleshly  ; 
goostly,  as  for  to  delen  with  liise  god- 
sibbes.  /  Por  right  so  as  he  that  engen- 
dreth  a  child  is  his  fleshly  fader,  right  so 
is  his  godfader  his  fader  espirituel.  For 
which  a  womman  may  in  no  lasse  sinne 
assemblen  with  hir  godsib  than  with  hir 
owene  fleshly  brother.  /  The  fifthe  spece 
is  thilke  abhominable  sinne,  of  which 
that  no  man  unnethe  oghte  speke  ne 
wrj'te,  nathelees  it  is  openly  reherced  in 
holy  writ.  /  This  cursednesse  doon  men  910 
and  wommen  in  diverse  entente  and  in 
diverse  manere  ;  but  though  that  holy 
writ  speke  of  horrible  sinne,  certes,  holy 
writ  may  nat  been  defouled,  na-more 
than  the  sonne  that  shyneth  on  the  mixen./ 
Another  sinne  aperteneth  to  lecherie, 
that  comth  in  slepinge ;  and  this  sinne 
cometh  ofte  to  hem  that  been  maydenes, 
and  eek  to  hem  that  been  corrupt ;  and 
this  sinne  men  clepen  poUucioun,  that 
comth  in  foure  maneres.  /  Somtj^me,  of 
languissinge  of  body;  for  the  humours 
been  to  ranke  and  habundaunt  in  the 
body  of  man.  Somtyme  of  infermetee  ; 
for  the  feblesse  of  the  vertu  retentif,  as 
phisik  maketh  mencioun.  Somtyme,  for 
surfeet  of  mete  and  drinke.  /  And  som- 
tyme of  vileyns  thoghtes,  that  been  en- 
closed in  mannes  minde  whan  he  goth  to 
slepe ;  which  may  nat  been  with-oute 
sinne.  For  which  men  nioste  kepen  lieni 
wysely,  or  elles  may  men  sinnen  ful  gre- 
vously.  /  (8^„) 

Remedium  contra  peccatum  Luxurie. 

§  77.  Xow  comth  the  remcdie  agayns 
Lecherie,  and  that  is,  generallj-,  Chastitee 
and  Continence,  that  restreyneth  alle  the 


lO 


c 


0e  tciYikrBuv^  ZaUs. 


[t.  §§  78-80. 


desordeynee  moevinges  that  comen  of 
gi5  fleshlj*  talentes.  /  And  evere  the  gretter 
merito  shal  ho  han,  that  most  restreyneth 
the  ■wikkede  eschaufingcs  of  the  ordure 
of  this  sinne.  And  this  is  in  two  maneres, 
that  is  to  seyn,  chastitee  in  mariage,  and 
chastitee  in  w-idwehode.  /  Now  shaltow 
Tinderstondo,  that  matrimoLne  is  leefFul 
assemblinge  of  man  and  of  womman,  that 
receyven  by  -"ertn  of  the  sacrement  the 
bond,  thurgh  which  they  may  nat  be 
departed  in  al  hir  Ij'f,  that  is  to  sej-n, 
whyl  that  tlicy  liven  bothe.  /  This,  as 
seitli  the  book,  is  a  ful  greet  sacrement. 
God  maked  it,  as  I  liave  seyd,  in  paradys, 
and  wolde  him-self  be  born  in  mariage.  / 
And  for  to  lialwen  mariage,  he  was  at 
a  weddingo,  where-as  ho  tiu-ned  water 
in-to  wyn  ;  which  was  the  firste  miracle 
that  he  wroghte  in  erthe  bifom  hise  dis- 
ciples. /  Trewe  eifect  of  raariage  clenseth 
fornicacioun  and  replenisseth  holy  chirche 
of  good  linage  ;  for  that  is  the  ende  of 
mariage  ;  and  it  channgeth  deedly  sinne 
in-to  venial  sinne  bitwise  hem  that  been 
y-wedded,  and  maketh  the  hertes  al  oon 
of  hem  that  been  y-wedded,  as  wel  as  the 
920  lx)dies.  /  This  is  verray  mariage,  that 
was  estaldissed  by  god  er  that  sinne  bigan, 
whan  naturel  l.awe  was  in  his  right  point 
in  paradys ;  and  it  was  ordeyned  that  o 
man  slioldo  have  but  o  womman,  and 
o  womman  but  o  man,  as  seith  seint 
Augustin,  Vjy  manye  resouns.  / 

§  78.  First,  for  mariage  is  figured  bi- 
twise Crist  and  holy  chirche.  And  that 
other  is,  for  a  man  is  heved  of  a  womman  ; 
algate,  by  ordinaunce  it  sholde  be  so.  / 
For  if  a  womman  had  mo  men  than  oon, 
thanne  sholde  she  have  mo  hevedes  than 
oon,  and  that  were  an  horrible  tiling 
bifom  god  ;  and  eek  a  womman  ne  mighte 
nat  plese  to  many  folk  atones.  And  also 
thcr  ne  sholde  nevcre  be  pees  nc  reste 
amonges  hem ;  for  everieh  wolde  axen 
his  owene  thing.  /  And  forther-over,  no 
man  ne  sholde  knowe  his  owene  engen- 
dnire,  ne  who  sholde  have  his  heritage  ; 
and  the  womman  sholde  been  the  lasse 
bilovcd,  fro  the  time  that  she  were  con- 
(850)  joynt  to  many  men.  / 


§  79.  Xow  comth,  how  that  a  man 
sholdo  here  him  with  his  wyf;  and 
namely,  in  two  thinges,  that  is  to  seyn  in 
suffraunce  and  reverence,  as  shewed  Crist 
whan  he  made  first  womman.  /  For  he  925 
ne  made  hir  nat  of  the  heved  of  Adam, 
for  she  sholde  nat  clayme  to  greet  lord- 
shipe.  /  For  ther-as  the  womman  hath 
the  maistrie,  she  maketh  to  muche 
desray ;  ther  neden  none  ensamples  of 
this.  The  experience  of  day  by  day  oghte 
suflfyse.  /  Also  certes,  god  ne  made  nat 
womman  of  the  foot  of  Adam,  for  she  ne 
sholde  nat  been  holden  to  lowe ;  for  she 
can  nat  paciently  suffre  :  but  god  made 
womman  of  the  rib  of  Adam,  for  womman 
sholde  be  felawe  un-to  man.  /  Man  sliolde 
here  him  to  his  wjTf  in  feith,  in  troutho, 
and  in  love,  as  seith  seint  Paul :  that 
'  a  man  sholde  loven  his  wj-f  as  Crist 
loved  holy  chirche,  that  loved  it  so  wel 
that  he  deyde  for  it.'  So  sholde  a  man 
for  his  wyf,  if  it  were  nedo.  / 

§  80.  Now  how  that  a  womman  sholde 
be  subget  to  hir  liousbonde,  that  telleth 
seint  Peter.  First,  in  obedience.  /  And  930 
eek,  as  seith  the  decree,  a  womman  that 
is  a  wyf,  as  longe  as  she  is  a  'vryf,  she  hath 
noon  auctoritee  to  swere  ne  bero  witnesse 
with-oute  leve  of  hir  liousbonde,  that  is 
hir  lord ;  algate,  ho  sholdo  be  so  by 
resonn.  /  She  sholdo  eek  serven  him  in 
alle  honestee,  and  been  attempree  of  liir 
array.  I  wot  wel  that  they  sholde  setten 
hir  entente  to  plesen  hir  housbondes,  but 
nat  by  hir  queyntise  of  array.  /  Seint 
.Jerome  scitli,  that  wyves  tliat  been  ap- 
p.arailled  in  silk  and  in  precious  purpre 
ne  mowe  nat  clothen  hem  in  Jesu  Crist. 
Wliat  seitli  seint  John  eek  in  thismatere?/ 
Seint  Gregorio  eek  seith,  that  no  wight 
seketh  precious  an-ay  but  only  for  veyne 
glorie,  to  been  honoured  the  more  bifom 
the  peple.  /  It  is  a  greet  f<  dye,  a  womman  (860) 
to  have  a  fair  array  outward  and  in  hir- 
self  be  foul  inward.  /  A  wyf  sholde  eek  935 
be  mesurable  in  lokinge  and  in  beringo 
and  in  laughinge,  and  discreet  in  alle  hir 
wordes  and  hir  dedes.  /  And  abovcn  alio 
worldly  thing  she  sholdo  loven  hir  lious- 
bonde with  al  hir  herte,  and  to  him  be 


T.   §§  S1-S5.] 


Z^i  Q)er0one0  Zak, 


7n 


trewe  of  hir  body ;  /  so  sholJe  an  liotis- 
bonde  eek  be  to  his  wj-f.  For  sitli  tliat  al 
the  body  is  the  housbondcs,  so  shokle  hir 
herte  been,  or  elles  ther  is  bitwixe  hem 
two,  as  in  that,  no  parfit  mariago.  / 
Thanne  shal  men  understonde  that  for 
three  thinges  a  man  and  his  wyf  fleshly 
mowen  assemble.  The  firste  is  in  entente 
of  engendrure  of  chilolren  to  the  service 
of  god,  for  certes  that  is  the  cause  fynal 
of  matrimoine.  /  Another  cause  is,  to 
yelden  everich  of  hem  to  other  the  dette 
of  hir  bodies,  for  neither  of  hem  hath 
power  over  his  owene  body.  The  thridde 
is,  for  to  eschewe  lecherye  and  vileinye. 

940  The  fertile  is  for  sothe  deedly  sinne.  / 
As  to  the  firste,  it  is  meritorie ;  the 
seconde  also  ;  for,  as  seith  the  decree,  that 
she  hath  merite  of  chastitee  that  yeldeth 
to  hir  housbonde  the  dette  of  hir  body, 
ye,  though  it  be  agayn  hir  Ij-kinge  and 
the  hist  of  hir  herte.  /  The  thridde 
manere  is  venial  sinne,  and  trewely  scar.sly 
may  ther  any  of  tliise  be  with-oute  venial 
sinne,  for  the  corrupcion  and  for  the 
delyt.  /  The  fourtho  manere  is  for  to 
understonde,  if  tliey  assemble  only  for 
amorous  love  and  for  noon  of  the  for- 
seyde  causes,  but  for  to  accomplice  thilke 
brenninge  delyt,  they  rekke  nevere  how 
ofte,  sothly  it  is  deedly  sinne ;  and  j'et, 
with  sorwe,  somme  foUi  wol  peynen  hem 
more  to  doon  than  to  hir  appetyt  suf- 
fyseth.  / 

§  81.  The  seconde  manere  of  chastitee 
is  for  to  been  a  clcne  widewe,  and  eschue 
the  cmbracinges  of  man,  and  desj'ren  the 
(870)  embracinge  of  Jesu  Crist.  /  Thise  been 
tho  that  han  been  wyves  and  lian  forgoon 
hir  liousbondes,  and  eek  wommen  that 
han  doon  Iccherio  and  been  releeved  by 

945  Penitence.  /  And  certes,  if  that  a  wyf 
coude  kepen  hir  al  chaaist  by  licence  of 
hir  honsbonde,  so  that  she  yeve  nevere 
noon  occasion  that  ho  agilte,  it  were  to 
hire  a  greet  merite.  /  Thise  manere 
wommen  that  observon  chastitee  moste 
be  clenc  in  herte  as  well  as  in  body  and 
in  thoght,  and  mesurable  in  clothinge 
and  in  contcnatince  ;  and  been  abstinent 
in  etinge  and  drinkinge,  in  spekinge,  and 


in  dcde.  They  been  the  vessel  or  the 
boyste  of  tho  blissed  Magdalene,  that 
fulfilleth  holy  chirche  of  good  odour.  / 
The  thridde  manere  of  chastitee  is  vir- 
ginitee,  and  it  bihoveth  that  she  be  holy 
in  herte  and  clone  of  body;  thanne  is 
she  spouse  to  Jesu  Crist,  and  she  is  the 
lyf  of  angeles.  /  She  is  the  preisinge  of 
this  world,  and  she  is  as  thise  martirs  in 
egalitee  ;  she  hath  in  hir  that  tongo  may 
nat  telle  ne  herte  thinke.  Virginitoe  baar 
oure  lord  Jesu  Crist,  and  virgine  was 
hini-selve.  /  95° 

8  82.  Another  remedie  agayns  Locherie 
is,  specially  to  withdraweu  swiclie  thinges 
as  yeve  occasion  to  thilke  vileinye ;  as 
ese,  etinge  and  drinkinge ;  for  certes, 
whan  the  pot  boyleth  strongly,  the  beste 
remedie  is  to  withdrawe  the  fyr.  /  Slep- 
inge  longe  in  greet  quiete  is  eek  a  greet 
norice  to  Lecherie.  / 

§  83.  Another  remedie  agajms  Lecherie 
is,  that  a  man  or  a  womman  eschue  the 
companye  of  hem  by  whiclie  he  douteth 
to  be  tempted  ;  for  al-be-it  so  that  the 
dede  is  withstonden,  yet  is  ther  greet 
temptacioun.  /  Soothly  a  whyt  wal,  al- 
though it  ne  brenne  noglit  fully  by 
stikinge  of  a  candele,  yet  is  the  wal  blak 
of  the  leyt.  /  Ful  ofte  tyme  I  rede,  that  (880) 
no  man  truste  in  his  owene  perfeccioun, 
but  he  be  stronger  than  Sampson,  and 
holier  than  f  David,  and  wyser  than 
Salomon.  /  955 

§  84.  Now  after  that  I  have  declared 
yow,  as  I  can,  the  sevene  deedly  sinnes, 
and  sommc  of  hir  braunchos  and  hir  reme- 
dies, soothly,  if  I  coude,  I  woldo  telle 
yow  the  ten  comandements.  /  But  so 
heigh  a  doctrine  I  lete  to  divines.  Nathe- 
lees,  I  hojio  to  god  they  been  touched  in 
tliis  tretice,  everich  of  hem  alio.  / 

De  Confesslone. 

§  85.  Now  for-as-muche  as  the  second 
partie  of  Penitence  stant  in  Confcssioun 
of  mouth,  as  I  bigan  in  the  firste  chapitre, 
I  scye,  seint  Augustin  seith  :  /  sinne  is 
every  word  and  every  dedo,  and  al  that 
men   coveiten  agayn  tho  lawe  of  Jesu 


^0e  CanferBur^  Zake. 


[t.  §§  86,  87, 


Crist ;  and  this  is  for  to  sinne  in  herte,  in 
mouth,  and  in  dede,  by  thy  fyve  wittes, 
that  been  sighte,  heringe,  smellinge,  tast- 
inge  or  savouringe,  and  felinge.  /  Now 
is  it  good  to  understonde  that  that 
960  agreggeth  muchel  every  sinne.  /  Thou 
shalt  considere  what  thou  art  that  doost 
the  sinne,  whether  thoii  be  male  or 
femele,  yong  or  old,  gentil  or  thral,  free 
or  servant,  hool  or  syk,  wedded  or  sengle, 
ordred  or  unordred,  wys  or  fool,  clerk  or 
seculer  ;  /  if  she  be  of  thy  kinrede,  bodily 
or  goostly,  or  noon  ;  if  any  of  thy  kinrede 
liave  sinned  with  hir  or  noon,  and  manye 
mo  thinges.  / 

§  86.  Another  circumstaunce  is  this ; 
whether  it  be  doon  in  fornicacioun,  or  in 
avoutrie,  or  noon  ;  incest,  or  noon  ;  may- 
den,  or  noon  ;  in  manere  of  homicyde,  or 
noon  ;  horrible  grete  sinnes,  or  smale  ; 
and  how  longe  thou  hast  continued  in 
sinne.  /  Tlie  thridde  circumstaunce  is 
the  place  ther  thou  hast  do  sinne ;  whether 
in  other  mennes  hous  or  in  thyn  owene  ; 
in  feeld  or  in  chirche,  or  in  chirche-hawe  ; 
(890)  in  chirche  dedicat,  or  noon.  /  For  if  the 
chirche  be  halwed,  and  man  or  womman 
spille  his  kinde  in-with  that  jilace  by  wey 
of  sinne,  or  by  -vvikked  temptacion,  the 
chirche  is  entredited  til  it  be  reconciled 
965  by  the  bishop  ;  /  and  the  preest  that  dide 
swicli  a  vileinye,  to  termc  of  al  his  lyf,  he 
sholde  na-niore  singe  masse  ;  and  if  he 
dide,  he  sholde  doon  deedly  sinne  at 
every  tyme  that  he  so  songe  masse.  /  Tlie 
fourthe  circumstaiance  is,  by  whiche 
mediatouTS  or  by  whiche  messagers,  as 
for  entycement,  or  for  consentement  to 
here  companye  with  felaweshipe ;  for 
many  a  wrecche,  for  to  here  companye, 
wil  go  to  the  devel  of  hclle.  /  ^^Hier-fore 
they  that  eggen  or  consenten  to  the  sinne 
been  partencrs  of  the  sinne,  and  of  the 
dampnacioun  of  the  sinner.  /  The  fifthe 
circumstaunce  is,  how  manj-e  tymes  that 
he  hath  sinned,  if  it  be  in  his  minde,  and 
how  ofte  that  he  hath  falle.  /  For  he 
that  ofte  falleth  in  sinne,  he  despiscth 
the  mercy  of  god,  and  encreesseth  his 
sinne,  and  is  unkinde  to  Crist ;  and  he 
wexeth   the    more    feble    to    withstonde 


sinne,  and  sinneth  the  more  lightly,  /  9;o 
and  the  latter  aryseth,  and  is  the  more 
eschew  for  to  shrj-ven  him,  namely,  to 
him  that  is  his  confessour.  /  For  which 
that  folk,  whan  they  falle  agayn  in  hir 
olde  folies,  outlier  they  forleten  hir  olde 
confessonrs  al  outrely,  or  elles  they  de- 
parten  liir  shrift  in  diverse  places  ;  but 
soothly,  swich  departed  shrift  deserveth 
no  mercy  of  god  of  liise  sinnes.  /  The 
sixte  circumstaunce  is,  why  that  a  man 
sinneth,  as  by  whiche  temjjtacioun  ;  and 
if  him-self  procure  thilke  temptacioun, 
or  by  the  excytinge  of  other  folk  ;  or  if 
he  sinne  with  a  womman  by  force,  or  by 
hir  owene  assent ;  /  or  if  the  womman, 
maugree  hir  heed,  hath  been  afforced,  or 
noon  ;  this  shal  she  telle  ;  for  coveitise, 
or  for  poverte,  and  if  it  was  hir  procuringe, 
or  noon  ;  and  swiche  manere  barneys.  /  (900^ 
The  seventhe  circumstaunce  is,  in  what 
manere  he  hath  doon  his  sinno,  or  how 
that  she  hath  suffred  that  folk  han  doon 
to  hir.  /  And  the  same  shal  the  man  975 
telle  pleynly,  with  alle  circumstannces  ; 
and  whether  he  hath  sinned  with  comune 
bordel-wommen,  or  noon  ;  /  or  doon  liis 
sinne  in  holy  tymes,  or  noon  ;  in  fasting- 
tjTnes,  or  noon  ;  or  biforn  his  shrifte,  or 
after  his  latter  shrifte ;  /  and  hath,  per- 
avcntiire,  broken  ther-fore  liis  penance 
enjo.^^^ed  ;  liy  whoshelp  and  whosconseil ; 
by  sorcerie  or  craft ;  al  mosto  be  told.  / 
Alio  thise  thinges,  after  that  they  been 
grete  or  smale,  engreggen  the  conscience 
of  man.  And  eek  the  preest  that  is  thy 
juge,  may  the  bettre  been  avysed  of  his 
jugement  in  yevinge  of  thy  penaunce, 
and  that  is  after  thy  contricioun.  /  For 
understond  wel,  that  after  tyme  that 
a  man  hath  defouled  his  baptesme  by 
sinne,  if  he  wole  come  to  salvacioun,  ther 
is  noon  other  wey  but  by  penitence  and 
shrifte  and  satisfaccioun  ;  /  and  namely  980 
by  the  two,  if  ther  be  a  confessour  to 
which  he  may  shryven  him ;  and  the 
thridde.  if  he  have  Ij-f  to  parfournen 
it./ 

§  87.  Thanne  shal  man  looke  and  con- 
sidere, that  if  he  wole  maken  a  trewe  and 
a  profitable   confessiovm,  ther  moste  be 


§  88.] 


I.    Z^  ^tveontQ  Zak. 


713 


foure  condiciouns.  /  First,  it  moot  been 
in  sorweful  bitternesse  of  berte,  as  seyde 
the  king  Ezekias  to  god  :  '  I  wol  remem- 
bre  me  alle  the  yeres  of  my  lyf  in  bitter- 
nesse of  myn  herte.'  /  This  condicioun 
of  bitternesse  hath  fyve  signes.  The  firste 
is,  that  confessioun  moste  be  shamefast, 
nat  for  to  covere  ne  hyden  his  sinne,  for 
he  hath  agilt  liis  god  and  defouled  his 
(910)  soule.  /  Andher-of  seithseintAugustin  : 
'  the  herte  travailleth  for  shame  of  his 
sinne ' ;  and  for  he  hatli  greet  shamefast- 
nesse,  lie  is  digne  to  liave  greet  mercy  of 
9S5  god.  /  Swich  was  tlie  confession  of  tlie 
publican,  that  wolde  nat  heven  np  hise 
eyen  to  hevene,  for  he  liadde  offended  god 
of  hevene  ;  for  which  shamefastnesse  he 
liadde  anon  the  mercy  of  god.  /  And 
ther-of  seith  seint  Augustin,  that  swich 
shamefast  folk  been  next  foryevenesse  and 
remissioun.  /  Another  signe  is  humilitee 
in  confessioun  ;  of  which  seith  seint  Peter, 
'  Humbleth  yow  under  the  might  of  god.' 
The  bond  of  god  is  mighty  in  confession, 
for  ther-by  god  foryeveth  thee  thy  sinnes  ; 
for  he  allone  hath  the  power.  /  And  this 
humilitee  shal  been  in  herte,  and  in  signe 
outward  ;  for  right  as  he  hath  humilitee 
to  god  in  his  herte,  right  so  sholde  he 
humble  his  body  outward  to  the  preest 
that  sit  in  goddes  place.  /  For  which  in 
no  manere,  sith  that  Crist  is  sovereyn 
and  the  preest  mono  and  mediatour 
bitvixe  Crist  and  the  sinnere,  and  the 
99«  sinnero  is  the  laste  by  wey  of  resoun,  / 
thanne  sholde  nat  the  sinnere  sitto  as 
heighe  as  his  coiifessour,  but  knele  biforn 
him  or  at  his  feet,  but-if  maladie  destourbe 
it.  For  he  shal  nat  taken  kepe  who  sit 
there,  but  in  whos  place  that  ho  sitteth.  / 
A  man  that  hath  trespased  to  a  lord,  <and 
comth  for  to  a.xo  mercy  and  maken  his 
accord,  and  set  him  doun  anon  by  the 
lord,  men  wolde  liolden  him  outrageous, 
and  nat  worthy  so  soiio  for  to  have  remis- 
sioun ne  mercy.  /  The  thriddo  signe  is, 
how  that  thy  shrift  sliolde  be  ful  of  teres, 
if  man  may  ;  and  if  man  may  nat  wepe 
with  hise  bodily  eyen,  lat  him  wepo  in 
herte.  /  Swich  was  the  confession  of 
seint   Peter ;    for  after   that    he    hadde 


forsake  Jesu  Crist,  he  wente  out  and 
weep  ful  bitterly.  /  The  fourthe  signe  is,  (920) 
that  he  ne  lette  nat  for  shame  to  shewen 
his  confessioun./  Swich  was  the  con-  995 
fessioun  of  the  Magdelene,  that  ne  spared, 
for  no  shame  of  hem  that  weren  atte 
feste,  for  to  go  to  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist  and 
biknowe  to  him  liir  sinnes.  /  The  fifthe 
signe  is,  that  a  man  or  a  womnian  be 
obeisant  to  receyven  the  penaunce  that 
him  is  enjoyned  for  hise  sinnes  ;  for  certes 
Jesu  Crist,  for  the  giltes  of  a  man,  was 
obedient  to  the  deeth.  / 

§  88.  The  seconde  condicion  of  verray 
confession  is,  that  it  be  hastily  doon  ;  for 
certes,  if  a  man  hadde  a  deedly  wounde, 
evere  the  leiiger  that  he  taried  to  warisshe 
him-self,  the  more  wolde  it  corrupte  and 
haste  him  to  his  deeth ;  and  eek  the 
wounde  wolde  be  the  wors  for  to  hele.  / 
And  right  so  fareth  sinne,  that  longe 
tyme  is  in  a  man  unshewed.  /  Certes,  a 
man  oghte  hastily  shewen  hise  sinnes  for 
manye  causes  ;  as  for  drede  of  deeth,  that 
cometh  ofte  sodenly,  and  is  in  no  certeyn 
what  tyme  it  shal  be,  ne  in  what  place ; 
and  eek  the  drecchinge  of  o  synne  draweth 
in  another ;  /  and  eek  the  lenger  that  he  1000 
tarieth,  the  ferther  he  is  fro  Crist.  And 
if  he  abyde  to  his  laste  day,  scarsly  may 
he  shryven  him  or  remembre  him  of  hise 
sinnes,  or  repenten  him,  for  the  grevous 
maladie  of  his  deeth.  /  And  for-as-muche 
as  he  ne  hath  nat  in  his  lyf  herkned  Jesu 
Crist,  whanne  he  hath  spoken,  ho  shal 
crye  to  Jesu  Crist  at  his  laste  day,  and 
scarsly  wol  he  herkne  him.  /  And  under- 
stond  that  this  condicioun  mosto  ban 
fiiuro  thinges.  Thy  shrift  mosto  be  pur- 
veyed biforo  and  avysed ;  for  wikkod 
haste  doth  no  profit ;  and  that  a  man 
conns  shryve  him  of  hise  sinnes,  be  it  of 
pryde,  or  of  envye,  and  so  forth  of  the 
speces  and  circumstances  ;  /  and  that  ho 
have  comprehended  in  his  mindo  the 
nombre  and  the  greetncsso  of  hise  sinnes, 
and  how  longo  that  ho  hath  Icyn  in 
sinno  ;  /  and  eek  that  he  bo  contrifc  of  (930) 
hiso  sinnes,  and  in  stedefast  purpos,  by 
the  grace  of  god,  nevore  eft  to  falle  in 
sinne  ;  and  eek  that  he  drede  and  countre- 


Aa  3 


714 


ZH  tmUv&\kv^  Zaka. 


[t.  §§  8y,  90. 


waite  liim-self,  that  he  flee  the  occasiouns 

1005  of  sinne  to  ■\vhichc  he  is  enclyned.  /  Also 
thou  shalt  shryve  thee  of  alle  thy  sinnes 
to  o  man,  and  nat  a  parcel  to  o  man  and 
a  parcel  to  another ;  that  is  to  nnder- 
stonde,  in  entente  to  departe  thy  confes- 
sionn  as  for  shanie  or  drede  ;  for  it  nis  hut 
stranglinge  of  thy  soule.  /  For  certes, 
Jesu  Crist  is  entierly  al  good  ;  in  him  nis 
noon  inperfeccioun  ;  and  therfore  outher 
he  foryeveth  al  parfitly  or  never  a  deel.  / 
I  sej-e  nat  that  if  thou  be  assigned  to  the 
jjenitauncer  for  certein  sinne,  that  thou 
art  bounde  to  shewen  him  al  the  reme- 
jiaunt  of  thy  sinnes,  of  whiche  thou  hast 
be  shriven  to  thy  curat,  but-if  it  lyke  to 
thee  of  thyn  humilitee  ;  this  is  no  de- 
partinge  of  shrifte.  /  Ne  I  sej-e  nat, 
ther-as  I  speke  of  divisioun  of  confessioun, 
that  if  thou  have  lycence  for  to  shryve 
thee  to  a  discreet  and  an  honeste  precst, 
wliere  thee  lyketh,  and  by  lycence  of  thy 
curat,  that  thou  ne  maysfc  wel  shryve 
thee  to  him  of  alle  thy  sinnes.  /  But  lat 
no  blotte  be  bihinde  ;  lat  no  sinne  been 
untold,    as    fer    as    thou    hast    remem- 

loio  braunce.  /  And  "whan  thoia  shalt  be 
shriven  to  thy  curat,  telle  him  eek  alle 
the  sinnes  that  thou  hast  doon  sin  tliou 
were  last  y-shriven  ;  this  is  no  wikked 
entente  of  divisioun  of  shrifte.  / 

§  89.  Also  the  verray  shrifte  axeth 
certeine  condiciouns.  First,  that  thou 
shryve  thee  by  thy  free  wil,  noght  con- 
streyned,  ne  for  shame  of  folk,  ne  for 
maladie,  ne  swiche  thinges ;  for  it  is 
rcsoun  that  he  that  trespasscth  by  his 
free  wil,  that  by  his  free  wil  he  confessc 
his  trespas  ;  /  and  that  noon  other  man 
telle  his  sinne  but  he  him-self,  no  he  shal 
nat  nayte  no  denyo  his  sinne,  ne  wratthe 
him  agayn  the  preest  for  his  amonestinge 
to  leve  suine.  /  The  secondo  condicioun 
is,  that  thy  shrift  be  laweful ;  that  is  to 
scyn,  that  thou  that  shryvest  thee,  and 
cek  the  preest  that  hereth  thy  confessioun, 

(941))  been  verraUy  in  the  feith  of  holy  chirche ;  / 
and  that  a  man  ne  be  nat  despeired  of  the 

«oi5  mercy  of  Jcsii  Crist,  as  Caj-m  or  Judas.  / 
And  cek  a  man  moot  aecusen  him-self  of 
his  owene  trespas,  and  nat  another  ;  but 


he  shal  blame  and  wyten  him-self  and 
his  owene  malice  of  his  sinne,  and  noon 
other ;  /  but  nathelees,  if  that  another 
man  be  occasioun  or  entycer  of  his  sinne, 
or  the  estaat  of  a  persone  be  swich  thurgh 
which  his  sinne  is  agregged,  or  elles  that 
he  may  nat  ple.^-nly  shryven  him  but  he 
telle  the  iiersone  with  which  he  hath 
sinned  ;  thanne  may  he  telle  ;  /  so  that 
his  entente  ne  be  nat  to  bakliyte  the 
persone,  but  only  to  declaren  his  con- 
fessioim.  / 

§  90.  Thoii  ne  shalt  nat  eek  make  no 
lesinges  in  thy  confessioun  ;  for  humilitee, 
per-aventure,  to  sej-n  that  thou  hast  doon 
sinnes  of  whiche  that  thou  were  nevere 
gUty.  /  For  seint  August  in  seith  :  if 
thou,  by  cause  of  thyn  humilitee,  makest 
lesinges  on  thy-self,  though  thoii  ne  were 
nat  in  sinne  biforn,  yet  artow  thanne  in 
sinne  thurgh  thy  lesinges.  /  Thou  most  1020 
eek  shewe  thy  sinne  by  thyn  owene  propre 
mouth,  but  thou  be  wexe  doumb,  and  nat 
by  no  lettre  ;  for  thou  that  hast  doon  the 
sinne,  thou  shalt  have  the  shame  therfore.  / 
Thou  shalt  nat  eek  peynte  thy  confessioun 
by  faire  subtile  wordes,  to  covere  the  more 
thy  sinne  ;  for  thanne  bigylesto^v  thy-self 
and  nat  the  preest ;  thou  most  tellen  it 
pleynly,  be  it  nevere  so  foul  ne  so  horri- 
ble. /  Thou  shalt  eek  shrj-ve  thee  to  a 
preest  that  is  discreet  to  conseille  thee, 
and  eek  thou  shalt  nat  shryve  thee  for 
veyne  glorio,  ne  for  jiwcrisye,  ne  for  no 
cause,  but  only  for  the  douto  of  Jesu  Crist 
and  the  hele  of  thy  soulc.  /  Thou  shalt 
nat  eek  renne  to  the  preest  sodeynly,  to 
tellen  hini  lightly  thy  sinne,  as  who-so 
tellcth  a  jape  or  a  tale,  but  avj'sely  and 
with  greet  devocioun.  /  And  generally,  (950) 
shrj^'c  thee  ofte.  If  thou  ofte  falle,  ofte 
thou  aryse  by  confessioun.  /  And  thogh  1025 
thou  shryve  thee  ofter  than  ones  of  sinne, 
of  which  thou  hast  be  shriven,  it  is  the 
more  merite.  And,  as  seith  seint  Augus- 
tin,  thou  shalt  have  the  more  lightly 
relesing  and  grace  of  god,  bothe  of  sinne 
and  of  pej-ne.  /  And  certes,  ones  a  yere 
atte  leeste  wey  it  is  laweful  for  to  been 
housled  ;  for  certes  ones  a  yere  alle  thinges 
renovellen.  / 


9I-95-] 


I.    ZU  (Per0on^0  Zak. 


1^5 


Explicit  secunda  pars  Penitencie ;  et 
sequittir  tercia  pars  eiusdem,  de  Satis- 
faccione. 

§  91.  Now  have  I  told  you  of  verray 
Confessioun,  that  is  the  seconde  partie  of 
Penitence.  / 

The  thridde  partie  of  Penitence  is 
Satisfaccioim  ;  and  that  stant  most  gene- 
rally in  almesse  and  in  bodily  peyne.  / 
Now  been  ther  three  manere  of  almesses  ; 
contricion  of  herte,  where  a  man  ofFreth 
himself  to  god ;  another  is,  to  han  pitee 
of  defaute  of  hise  neighebores ;  and  the 
thridde  is,  in  yevinge  of  good  conseil 
goostly  and  bodily,  where  raen  han  nede, 
and  namely  in  sustenaunce  of  mannes 
1030  fode.  /  And  tak  keep,  that  a  man  hath 
need  of  thise  thinges  generally  ;  he  hath 
need  of  fode,  he  hath  nede  of  clothing, 
and  herberwe,  he  hath  nede  of  charitable 
conseil,  and  visitinge  in  prisons  and  in 
maladie,  and  sepulture  of  his  dede  body.  / 
And  if  thou  maj-st  nat  visits  the  nedeful 
with  thy  persone,  visite  him  by  tliy 
message  and  by  thy  yiites.  /  Thise  been 
generally  almesses  or  werkes  of  charites 
of  hem  that  han  temporel  richesses  or 
discrecioun  in  conseilinge.  Of  thise 
werkes  shaltow  heren  at  the  day  of 
dome.  / 

§  92.  Thise  almesses  shaltow  doon  of 
thyne  owene  propre  thinges,  and  hastily, 
(960)  and  prively  if  thon  mayst ;  /  but  nathe- 
lees,  if  thou  mayst  nat  doon  it  prively, 
thou  shalt  nat  forbere  to  doon  almesse 
though  men  seen  it ;  so  that  it  be  nat 
doon  for  thank  of  the  world,  but  only  for 
1053  thank  of  .Jesu  Crist.  /  For  as  witnesseth 
seint  Mathew,  capitulo  quinto,  '  A  citee 
may  nat  been  hid  that  is  set  on  a  mon- 
tayne  ;  ne  men  lighte  nat  a  lanterns  and 
put  it  under  a  busshel ;  but  men  sette  it 
on  a  candle-stikke,  to  yeve  hght  to  the 
men  in  the  hous.  /  Eight  so  shal  youre 
light  lighten  bifore  men,  that  they  may 
seen  youre  godo  werkes,  and  glorifio  youre 
fader  that  is  in  hevene.'  / 

§  93.  Now  as  to  speken  of  bodily  peyne,  it 
stant  in  preyeres,  in  wakinges,  in  fastinges, 
in  vertuouse  techinges  of  orisouns.  /  And 
ye   shul  understonde,   that   orisouns   or 


preyeres  is  for  to  seyn  a  pitous  wil  of 
herte,  that  redresseth  it  in  god  and 
expresseth  it  by  word  outward,  to  re- 
moeven  harmes  and  to  han  thinges  espiri- 
tuel  and  durable,  and  somtyme  temporel 
thinges ;  of  whiche  orisouns,  certes,  in 
the  orisoun  of  the  Pater-noster,  hath  Jesu 
Crist  enclosed  most  thinges.  /  Certes,  it 
is  privileged  of  three  thinges  in  liis  dig- 
nitee,  for  which  it  is  more  digne  than 
any  other  preyere ;  for  that  Jesu  Crist 
him-self  maked  it ;  /  and  it  is  short,  for  it  1040 
sholde  be  coud  the  more  lightly,  and  for 
to  withholden  it  the  more  esily  in  herte. 
and  helpen  him-self  the  offer  with  the 
orisoun  ;  /  and  for  a  man  sholde  be  the 
lasse  wery  to  seyen  it,  and  for  a  raan  may 
nat  excusen  him  to  lerne  it,  it  is  so  short 
and  so  esy  ;  and  for  it  comprehendeth  in 
it-self  alle  gode  preyeres.  /  The  exposi- 
cioun  of  this  holy  preyere,  that  is  so 
excellent  and  digne,  I  bitake  to  thise 
maistres  of  theologie  ;  save  thus  muchel 
wol  I  seyn  :  that,  whan  thou  prayest  that 
god  sholde  foryeve  thee  thy  giltes  as  thou 
foryevest  hem  that  agilten  to  thee,  be  ful 
wel  war  that  thou  be  nat  out  of  charitee.  / 
This  holy  orisoun  amenuseth  eek  venial 
sinne  ;  andtherforeit  aperteneth  sxsecially 
to  penitence.  /  (970) 

§  94.  This  preyere  moste  be  trewely 
seyd  and  in  verray  feith,  and  that  men 
preye  to  god  ordiuatly  and  discreetly  and 
devoutly  ;  and  alwey  a  man  shal  putten 
his  wil  to  be  subget  to  the  wille  of  god.  /  1045 
This  orisoun  moste  eek  been  seyd  with 
greet  humblesse  and  ful  pure  ;  honestly, 
and  nat  to  the  anoyaunce  of  any  man  or 
womman.  It  moste  eek  been  continued 
with  the  werkes  of  charitee.  /  It  avayleth 
eek  agayn  the  vyces  of  the  soule  ;  for,  as 
seith  seint  Jerome,  '  By  fastinge  been 
saved  the  vyces  of  the  flesh,  and  by 
jireyere  tlie  vyces  of  the  soule.'  / 

§  95.  After  this,  thou  shalt  understonde, 
that  bodily  peyne  stant  in  wakingo  ;  for 
Jesu  Crist  seith,  'wakcth,  and  preyeth 
that  ye  ne  entro  in  wiklied  temptacioun.'  / 
Ye  shul  tinderstandcn  also,  that  fastings 
stant  in  three  thinges  ;  in  forberinge  of 
bodily  mete  and  drinke,  and  in  forbsringe 


A  a  5 


7i6 


^6e  CanfcrBur^  Zake. 


[t,  §9  96-102. 


of  worldly  jolitco,  and  in  forberingo  of 
deedlj'  sinne  ;  this  is  to  seyn,  that  a  man 
shal  kepen  him  fro  deedly  sinne  with 
al  his  might.  / 

§  96.  And  thon  shalt  understanden  eek, 
that  god  ordeyned  fastinge ;  and  to  fast  inge 
1050  appertenen  foure  thinges.  /  Largenessc 
to  povre  folk,  gladnesse  of  herte  espirituel, 
nat  to  been  angry  ne  anoyed,  ne  grucche 
for  he  fasteth  ;  and  also  resonable  houre 
for  to  etc  by  mesure  ;  that  is  for  to  seyn, 
a  man  shal  nat  ete  in  untyme,  ne  sitte  the 
longer  at  his  table  to  ete  for  he  fasteth.  / 

§  97.  Thanne  shaltow  understonde,  that 
bodily  pej-ne  stant  in  disciplyne  or  tech- 
inge,  by  word  or  by  wry  tinge,  or  in 
ensample.  Also  in  weringe  of  hej-res  or 
of  stamin,  or  of  haubergeons  oil  hir  naked 
flesh,  for  Cristes  sake,  and  swicho  manere 
Ijenances.  /  But  war  thee  wel  that  swicdie 
manere  penances  on  thy  flesh  no  make 
nat  thyn  herte  bitter  or  angry  or  anoyed 
of  thy-self ;  for  bettre  is  to  caste  awey 
th.yn  heyrc,  than  for  to  caste  away  the 
sikernesse  of  Jesu  Crist.  /  And  therfore 
seith  seint  Paul :  '  Clothe  yow,  as  they 
that  been  chosen  of  god,  in  herte  of 
niisericorde,  debonaireteo,  suifraiince,  and 
swich  manere  of  clothinge  ' ;  of  whiche 
Jesu  Crist  is  more  apayed  than  of  heyres, 
(980)  or  haubergeons,  or  hauborkes.  / 

§  98.  Thanne  is  disciplyne  eek  in  knok- 
kinge  of  thy  brest,  in  scourginge  with 
1055  yerdes,  in  knelinges,  in  tribulacions  ;  / 
in  sufiVinge  paciently  wronges  that  been 
doon  to  thee,  and  eek  in  paciont  suffraunce 
of  maladies,  or  lesinge  of  worldly  catel, 
or  of  wj'f,  or  of  child,  or  otlierc  froendes.  / 

§  99.  Thanne  shaltow  understonde, 
whicho  thinges  dcstoiirbon  penauncc  ; 
and  this  is  in  four  manercs,  that  is,  drede, 
shame,  hope,  and  wanhope,  that  is,  des- 
peracion.  /  And  for  to  speke  first  of 
dredo  ;  for  which  he  weneth  that  he  may 
suffre  no  penaunce ;  /  ther-aga>Tis  is 
remedie  for  to  thinke,  that  bodily  penaunce 
is  but  short  and  litcl  at  regard  of  the 
peyne  of  hello,  that  is  so  cruel  and  so 
long,  that  it  lasteth  with-outen  cnde.  / 

§  100.  Xow  again  the  shame  that  a  man 
hath  to  shryven  him,  and  namely,  thisc 


ypocrites  that  wolden  been  holden  so 
parfite  that  they  han  no  node  to  shry\'en 
hem;  /  agaj-ns  that  shame,  sholde  a  man  1060 
thinke  that,  by  wey  of  resoun,  that  he 
that  hath  nat  been  ashamed  to  doon 
foule  thinges,  certes  hini  oghte  nat  been 
ashamed  to  do  faire  thinges,  and  that  is 
confessiouns.  /  A  man  sholde  eek  thinke, 
that  god  seeth  and  woot  alle  hise  thoghtes 
and  alle  hise  werkes ;  to  him  may  no 
thing  been  hid  ne  covered.  /  Men  sholden 
eek  remembren  hem  of  the  shame  that  is 
to  come  at  the  day  of  dome,  to  hem  that 
been  nat  penitent  and  shriven  in  this 
present  Ij-f.  /  For  alle  the  creatures  in 
erthe  and  in  helle  shiillen  seen  apertly  al 
that  they  hyden  in  this  world.  /  (990) 

§  101.  Now  for  to  spoken  of  the  hope 
of  hem  that  been  necligent  and  slowe  to 
shrj'-ven  hem,  that  stant  in  two  manores.  /  1065 
That  oon  is,  that  ho  hopeth  for  to  live 
longo  and  for  to  purchacen  muche  richesso 
for  his  delyt,  and  thanne  ho  wol  shryven 
him ;  and,  as  he  seith,  him  semoth  thanne 
tymely  y-nough  to  come  to  shrifto.  / 
Another  is,  surquidrio  that  ho  hath  in 
Cristes  mercy.  /  Agajns  the  firsto  vj'ce, 
lie  shal  thinke,  that  cure  lyf  is  in  no 
sikernesse  ;  and  eek  that  alle  the  richesses 
in  this  world  bon  in  aventuro,  andpassen 
as  a  shadwe  on  the  wal.  /  And,  as  seith 
seint  Gregorie,  that  it  aperteneth  to  tho 
grcte  rightwisnesse  of  god,  that  nevero 
shal  the  peyne  stinte  of  hem  that  nevere 
woldo  withdrawen  hem  fro  sinne,  hir 
tliankes,  but  ay  continue  in  sinne  ;  for 
thilko  perpetuel  wilto  do  sinne  shul  they 
han  perpetuel  peyne.  / 

§  102.  Wanhope  is  in  two  maneres : 
tho  firsto  wanhope  is  in  the  mercy  of 
Crist ;  that  other  is  that  they  thinken, 
that  they  ne  mighte  nat  longo  persevere 
in  goodnesse.  /  The  firsto  wanhopo  comth  1070 
of  that  he  demeth  that  he  hath  sinned  so 
groetly  and  so  ofto,  and  so  longo  leyn  in 
sinne,  that  ho  shal  nat  bo  saved.  /  Certes, 
agayns  that  cursed  wanhope  sholde  he 
thinke,  that  the  passion  of  Jesu  Crist  ia 
more  strong  for  to  unbinde  than  sinno  is 
strong  for  to  bindo.  /  Agayns  the  sccondo 
wanhope,  ho  shal  thinke,  that  as  ofte  as 


T.  §§   103,    104.] 


I.    ZU  (Per0one0  Zak. 


717 


he  faljeth  he  may  aryse  agayn  hy  peni- 
tence. And  thogh  he  never  so  longe 
have  leyn  in  sinne,  the  mercy  of  Crist  is 
alwej'  redy  to  receiven  him  to  mercy.  / 
Agaj'ns  the  wanhope,  that  he  demeth 
that  he  sholde  nat  longe  persevere  in 
goodnesse,  he  shal  thinke,  that  the 
feblesse  of  the  devel  may  no-thing  doon 
( 1000)  but-if  men  wol  sufFren  him ;  /  and  eek 
he  shal  han  strengthe  of  the  help  of  god, 
and  of  al  holy  chirche,  and  of  the  pro- 
1075  teccioun  of  aungels,  if  him  list.  / 

§  103.  Thanne  shal  men  iinderstonde 
what  is  the  fruit  of  penaiince  ;  and,  after 
the  word  of  Jesu  Crist,  it  is  the  cndelees 
blisso  of  hevene,  /  ther  joye  hath  no  con- 
trarioustee  of  wo  ne  grevaunce,  ther  alle 
harmes  been  passed  of  this  present  lyf ; 
ther-as  is  the  sikernesse  fro  the  xiejTie  of 
lielle ;  ther-as  is  the  blisfnl  companye 
that  rejoysen  hem  everemo,  everich  of 
otheres  jo3'e  ;  /  ther-as  the  body  of  man, 
that  whj-loni  was  foul  and  derk,  is  more 
cleer  tlian  the  sonne  ;  ther-as  the  bodj^, 
that  whylom  was  syk,  fi'cele,  and  feble, 
and  mortal,  is  inmortal,  and  so  strong 
and  so  hool  that  tlier  may  no-thing 
apejTen  it ;  /  ther-as  ne  is  neither  hunger, 
thurst,  ne  cold,  but  every  soule  replenissed 
with  the  sighte  of  the  parfit  knowinge  of 
god.  /  This  blisful  regne  may  men  pur- 
chace  by  poverte  espirituel,  and  the  glorie 
l)y  lowenesse  ;  the  plentee  of  joye  by 
hunger  and  thurst,  and  the  reste  by 
travaiUc ;  and  the  Ij'f  by  decth  and 
1080  mortificacion  of  sinne.  / 


Here  taketh  the  makere  of  this  book 
his  leve. 

§  104.  Now  preyo  I  to  hem  alio  that 
herkne  this  litel  tretis  or  rede,  that  if 
ther  be  any  thing  in  it  that  lykcth  hem, 
that  ther-of  they  thanken  oure  lord  Jesu 


Crist,  of  whom  proccdeth  al  wit  and  al 
goodnesse.  /  And  if  ther  be  any  thing 
that  displcse  hem,  I  preye  hem  also  that 
they  arretto  it  to  the  defaute  of  myn 
unconninge,  and  nat  to  my  wil,  that 
wolde  ful  fayn  have  seyd  bettre  if  I  haddc 
had  conninge.  /  For  oure  boke  seith, '  al 
that  is  writen  is  writen  for  oiire  doctrine ' ; 
and  that  is  myn  entente.  /  "Wlierfore 
I  biseke  yow  mekely  for  the  mercy  of 
god,  that  ye  preye  for  me,  that  Crist  have 
mercy  on  me  and  foryeve  me  my  giltes  :  /  (loio) 
— and  namely,  of  my  translacions  and 
endy  tinges  of  worldly  vanitees,  the  whiche 
I  revoke  in  my  retracciouns  :  /  as  is  the  1085 
book  of  Troilus  ;  The  book  also  of  Fame  ; 
The  book  of  the  nynetcne  Ladies  ;  The 
book  of  the  Duchesse  ;  The  booic  of  seint 
Valentynes  day  of  the  Parlement  of 
Briddes  ;  The  tales  of  Caunterbury,  thilke 
that  sounen  in-to  sinne  ;  /  The  book  of 
the  Leoun ;  and  many  another  book,  if 
they  were  in  my  remembrance ;  and 
many  a  song  and  many  a  lecherous  lay ; 
that  Crist  for  his  grete  mercy  foryeve  me 
the  sinne.  /  But  of  the  translacion  of 
Boece  de  Consolacione,  and  othere  bokes 
of  Legendes  of  seintes,  and  omelies,  and 
moralitee,  and  devocioun,  /  that  thanke 
I  oure  lord  Jesu  Crist  and  his  blisful 
moder,  and  alle  the  seintes  of  hevene  ;  / 
bisekinge  hem  that  they  from  hennes- 
forth,  un-to  my  lyves  ende,  sonde  me 
grace  to  biwayle  my  giltes,  and  to  studie 
to  the  salvacioun  of  my  soule  : — and 
graunte  me  grace  of  vcrray  penitence, 
confcssiovin  and  satisfaccioun  to  doon  in 
this  present  lyf;/  thurgh  the  bcnigne  1090 
grace  of  him  that  is  king  of  Ivinges  and 
preest  over  alio  preestes,  that  boghte  us 
with  the  precious  blood  of  his  herte  ;  /  so 
that  I  may  been  oon  of  hem  at  the  day  of 
dome  that  shivUo  bo  saved :  Qui  cuni 
patre,  &c.  J"92 


Here  is  ended  the  book  of  the  Tales  of  Caunterbury,  compiled  by  Geffrey  Chaucer, 
of  whos  soule  Jesu  Crist  have  mercy.    Amen. 


APPENDIX. 


VARIATIONS  AND  EMENDATIONS. 

The  text  of  Chancer  is,  in  some  places,  corrnpt,  and  in  others  can  be  much 
improved  by  some  emendation,  usually  of  a  slight  character. 

The  text  of  the  best  authorities,  as  improved  by  collation  with  other  good 
authorities,  is  here  given.  Variations  from  these  are  denoted  by  an  obelus  (f )  in 
the  text,  "which  may  be  considered  as  marking  a  reading  as  to  which  there  is  some 
doubt.  These  are  m^ost  numerous  in  the  Romaunt  of  the  Rose,  the  Book  of  the 
Duchesse,  and  the  House  of  Fame,  There  are  very  few  doubtful  readings  in  the 
Canterbury  Tales,  for  which  there  are  better  authorities  than  in  other  cases.  In 
the  following  Appendix  all  the  doubtful  readings  and  editorial  emendations  are 
accounted  for.,  I  do  not,  however,  notice  words  which  are  placed  between  square 
brackets,  such  as  the  word  '  a'  on  p.  1, 1.  12.  It  will  be  understood,  once  for  all, 
that  all  such  words  are  supplied,  and  are  missing  in  the  originals,  though  often 
necessary  for  the  sense  or  the  metre,  or  for  both. 


KOMAUNT  OF  THE  HOSE. 

The  authorities  are  G.  (the  Glasgow  MS.) ;  and  Th.  (Thynne's  edition  of  1532). 
Also,  from,  the  nature  of  the  case,  F.  (the  original  French  text,  here  quoted  from 
the  edition  by  M6on,  Paris,  1813),  No  other  authorities  exist.  Many  lines  are 
wholly  missing  in  G.  ;  and  when  it  is  not  cited,  this  must  be  understood.  Tlius,  it 
has  lost  lines  1-44, 

Page  1.  3.  Th.  swenen ;  but  the  plural  is  required.  4.  Tli,  that  false  ne  bene. 
25.  Th.  slepte  ;  (sleep  is  more  usual).     38.  Th.  hatte  ;  read  bote  (be  called). 

Page  2.  66.  G.  Th.  had  ;  read  hath.  102.  G.  Th.  buskes  {not  Chaucer's  form). 
no.  G.  Th.  gan  I.  138.  G.  Th.  Enclosed  was ;  see  1.  1652  ;  F.  Tant  clos.  149.  G.  Th. 
mynoresse  (!) ;  F.  moverresse. 

Page  3.  196.  G.  Th.  myscoueiting  (!) ;  F.  mesconter.  220.  G,  Tli.  courtpy  {see 
Cant.  Tales,  A  290).     248.  Both  peynted. 

Page  4  255.  Both  Upon  any  worthy  man  falle.  277.  Both  and  so  breketh. 
324.  Both  rent. 

Page  5.  382,  Both  may  nener.  442.  Both  ay  {giviny  no  sense) ;  read  shal. 
444.  Both  grace  (!),  for  face  ;  F.  lor  vis. 

Page  6.     485,  G.  laddris  ;  Th.  ladders ;   see  1.  523.     492.  G.  yeer ;  Tli.  yere  ;  read 


720  dRppenbty. 


yerd  ;  see  1.  656.  501.  Both  wolde  (for  nolde  ;  hy  confusion).  505.  Botli  god  kepe  it 
fro  care,  a  false  rime  ;  clsarhj  substituted  for  god  it  kepe  and  were.  Were  is  the 
E.  spelling  of  the  verb  in  the  French  text,  ■which  has  que  Diex  garisse.  520.  Both 
For  ;  read  Ful ;  (wo  is  here  an  adjective  =  sad).     536.  G.  ony ;  Th.  any  ;  read  a. 

Page  7.  564.  Some  lines  lost  here  ;  3  lines  of  F.  left  untranslated.  586.  Both  may ; 
read  mayden.  602.  Both  lande  of  AlexandrjTie  ;  but  Alexandryn  is  an  adjective. 
603.  G.  hidre  be  ;  Th.  lij-ther  be. 

Page  8.  66<J.  Both  iilaces.  668.  Both  Tliat  ;  read  These.  720.  Th.  reuelrye ; 
G.  reuerj-e  ;  F.  reverdie. 

Page  9.  761.  Both  made  ;  read  make.  791.  Both  bode  [no  sense) ;  read  Bede  ;  Ne 
beds  1  =  1  woTild  not  offer. 

Page  10.  859.  G.  seye  ;  Tli.  sey.  860.  G.  pleye  ("!) ;  Th.  pley  (!).  865.  Both  I  -wot 
not  what  of  hir  nose  I  shal  descrj^e  (eleven  si/llable^i}.  866.  Tivo  lines  lost  here. 
879.  Both  Love  and  as  hjon  likith  it  be.  923.  Both  Turke  bowes  two  ful  wel  detiysed 
had  he  [too  long). 

Page  11.  959.  Both  shoten  ;  see  1.  989.  984.  Both  on  ;  read  of.  1007.  Both  And  an  ; 
read  As  was  an;  F.  Ainsinc  cum.  1017.  Bo</i.  wjmtred ;  but  see  1.  1020.  1026.  Both 
thought ;  read  thinketli.     1031.  Both  Sore  (!) ;  F.  Sade.     1034.  Both  And  hight  (!). 

Page  12.  1037.  Both  in  werk  (!).  1058.  Th.  prill ;  G.  prile  ;  (error  for  prikke, 
written  so  as  to  look  like  prilke).  1080.  Th.  amyled  ;  G.  enameled.  1089.  Both  durst  (!  1 ; 
e7-ror  for  thnrfte,  moi'e  commonly  thuHe.     1117.  -Ooift  ragounces  ;  F.  jagonces. 

Page  13.  1188.  G.  sarljTiysh ;  Th.  Sarlj-nysshe ;  F.  Sarrazinesche.  1201.  Both 
gousfaucoun  (!) ;  F.  gonfanon.  1210.  Both  He  caste.  1233.  Th.  hempc  ;  G.  liempe  ne 
(zrhempene).     1236.  Botha.;  read  00  (one).  • 

Page  14.  1244.  Both  Bitokeneth.  1282.  Both  And  she  (!) ;  read  Youthe  ;  F.  Jonesce  : 
see  1.  1302.  1303.  Both  that ;  read  thus  ;  see  1.  1310.  1313.  G.  loreyes  (error yorloreresi; 
Th.  Laurclles.  1315.  Th.  ended  ;  G.  eended  (  -  y-ended).  1324.  Both  durst  (as  in 
1.  1089).  1332.  Both  she  (for  second  he).  1334.  Both  hadde  (for  bad) ;  and  bent  (for 
bende);  both  omit  it.     1335.  Both  a,n  (for  on). 

Page  15.  1341.  G.  hadde  me  shette  ;  Th.  had  me  shete  (but  shete  is  not  a  pp.). 
1343.  Both  had  me  greued.  1348.  Both  hadde  in  all  the  gardj-n  be.  1366.  Both 
gardin  (for  yerd).     1369.  Both  Parj's  (!) ;  for  paradys.     1397-8.  Th.  knj^tte,  sytte. 

Page  16.     1440.  Til.  dilectable.     1447.  Th.  garden  ;  read  yerdo  in  ;  cf.   1348,  1366. 

1448.  Th.  efters  (I) ;    F.  tout  I'estre.     1453.  Th.  shoten  ;  »-«/d  shete.    Th.  goodnesse  (/or 

good  mcs) ;  cf.  3462.      1498.  G.  vela'^Ticsly  ;  Tli.  vilaynously.     1527.  Both  musede  so. 

Page  17.     1591.  Both  entrees ;  F.  Tout  Vestre.     1593.  Both  ye  (for  he).     1594.  Both 

Ye  (for  He).     1608.  Both  laughj-ng  (!) ;  read  loving. 

Page  IS.  1641.  Both  sighed.  1644.  Both  strengthes.  1648.  G.  bitrisshed ;  Tli. 
bytresshed.  1663.  Both  me  ;  read  be  ;  F.  fusse.  1666.  G.  wole  ;  Th.  wol.  1674.  Th. 
ware;  G.  waxe  ;  both  have  E,one.  1698.  Both  hath;  omit  wel?  1700.  Both  roses. 
1713.  BotJi  For  ;  read  Ful. 

Page  19.  1721.  G.  lx>theum  ;  Tli.  botlmm.  1732.  7?o</i  Sithen.  1758.  Both  two  (I). 
J  766.  i?o</i  certis  eucnly  ;  read  certeinlj'.  1771.  JJo^/i  his  ;  read  a.  1814.  J7o</i  lefte  (!); 
read  feltc. 

Page  20.     1848.    Both  mighte  it.     1851.    Both  sene  I  hadde.     1853-4.    Both  thore, 
more ;  see  L  1857.     i860.  G.  Castith  ;  Th.  Casteth.     1913,  1914.   Transposed  in  G.,  Th. 
Page  21.     1924.  Both  softj-ng  ;   see  1925.     1925.    Both  prikkith.      1965.  Both  loue ; 
read  louers.     2002.  Both  of ;  read  to. 


dtlj)penbt>.  72 1 


Page  22.  2038.  Both  queynt.  2044.  Both  taken  ;  read  tan  ;  cf.  2068.  2046.  Both 
disteyned  ;  F.  Deceits.  2067.  Both  susprised.  2068.  Both  taken  ;  read  tan  ;  cf.  2044. 
2076.   G.  flisese;  Tli.  deseso  ;  F.  dessai»ir.     2 116.  Both  degi-ee. 

Page  23.  2154.  Both  bigynneth  to  amende,  2176.  G.  say;  Th.  saye.  2185.  Both 
vnto  ;  for  to.     2195.  Both  in  ;  read  a. 

Page  24.  2264.  Both  on ;  read  upon.  2271.  Th.  aumere  ;  G.  awmere  ;  see  2087. 
2279.  Both  costneth  ;  F.  couste.  2285.  Both  Farce.  2294.  G.  Tli.  knowith  (!) ;  F.  rit, 
2502.  Both  plejTieth  ;  read  pleyeth.     2327.  Both  menen. 

Page  25.  2336.  Both  londes  ;  readlones.  2341.  Both  this  swii'te  ;  j-eaf?  swicli  yift ; 
F.  si  riche  don.  2365.  BotJi  and ;  read  in.  2427.  Th.  sene  ;  read  sende  ;  F.  envoier. 
2432.  Th.  gone  and  visyten. 

Page  26.  2466.  Better  omit  of.  2473.  Both  Thonght ;  reaci  That  sweto  ?  2499.  G. 
yitt ;  Til.  yet ;  read  yif. 

Page  27.  2564.  Th.  forwerede  ;  G.  forweriede  ;  see  3251.  2569.  Both  se  ;  read  seme. 
2(')i7.  Both  I  wote  not;  read  I  noot.  2619.  Both  better.  2621.  Both  on  hir  I  caste. 
j(>j2.  Both  That.     2628.  Both  liggen ;  read  ly. 

Page  28,  2650.  Both  whider  (!).  2675.  Th.  whan  ;  G.  whanne  ;  read  wham  or 
whom  ;  F,  Be  qui  tu  no  jfues  avoir  aise.  2676.  Corrupt.  F.  Au  departir  la  porte  baise 
(i.e.  the  lover  is  to  kiss  the  door).  2709,  2710.  Both  more,  fore.  2712.  Both  to  gon  ; 
omit  to. 

Page  29.  2774.  Both  aftirward.  2796.  G.  Thenkyng  ;  Th.  Thynkjiig  ;  cf.  2S04. 
2824.  Both  not  ben ;  F.  tii  seroies.     2833.  Both  me  ;  read  hem  ;  cf.  2845. 

Page  30,     2917.  2?o</i  thou  (ybr  they).     2935.  -Bo<ft  declared  thee. 

Page  31.     2992.  Both  warrans  ;  F,  Ge  vous  i  puis  Men  garantir. 

Page  32,  3052.  BotJi  Venus  hath  flemed,  31 15.  Both  arise.  3125.  Both  And  late 
(or  lette)  it  growe  {too  long).  3136.  Th,  His  eyes  reed  sparclyng  as  the  f^'re-glowe 
{too  long) ;  sparclj'ng  is  a  gloss  on  reed. 

Page  33.  3150,  G,  it ;  Th,  he  ;  read  I ;  F,  ge.  3207,  Both  For  Nature  ;  /  omit  For, 
3209,  Both  but  if  the. 

Page  34.  3264,  Both  sejme  ;  feyne  seems  better.  3274,  Both  he  be  a ;  /  omit  a. 
3301.  After  gete,  Th,  inserts  the,  and  G,  thee,  3319,  Both  thought ;  read  taughte, 
3331,  2?o(A  Who  that ;  /  omit  that,     3337,  iJoi/i  cherisaunce  ;  F.  chevisance. 

Page  85,  3399,  Th.  forbode  ;  G.  forbede  ;  read  forbad,  3433,  Th.  suchc  ;  G,  sichen  ; 
F,  j)uis  qu'il  me  siet. 

Pago  36,  3447,  Both  where  that  the ;  /  omit  that,  3490,  Both  That  he  had. 
3491,  G,  Thanne ;  Th,  Than;  read  That;  F,  Qti'  Amois.  3522,  Both  ye  {for  he); 
F.  Que  il.      3525.  Both  it  is. 

Page  37.  3548.  Tliis(  =  This  is);  F.  (Test.  3554.  Both  Vpon  (/or  On).  3604.  Bead 
tliar  ;  Th.  dare.     3626.  Th.  eftres.     3643.  Th.  the  god  of  blesse  ;  F.  Diex  la  heneie. 

Page  38.  3660.  Th.  That  so  ;  omit  so.  3690.  Th.  grapes  be  ripe.  3694.  Both  Though. 
3697.  JSo</t  ronnjmg  (!).  3698.  Both  come  {abstirdly)  \  seel.  2^00  ;  read  io  mc.  3710,  G. 
herte  is  ;  Th.  hert  is  ;  read  hertis  (  =  hertes),  3718,  Both  neithir  {for  nor),  3745.  Both 
pleyne  or  playne.     3751.  Both  ye  ;  read  to. 

Pago  39.  3755.  Th.  with  his  bete,  Z7-fi.  Both  insert  me  after  bad,  3774,  G.  it 
wille  ;  Th.  at  wyL    3851.  Both  verge  ;  see  3234. 

Pago  40.  3880.  Both  lye.  3895,  Both  treehours,  3902.  Both  horto  I  crye. 
3907.  Both  lowe  ;  read  loudo,  3928,  Both  rausi  ;  read  mot ;  supply  take,  3942,  Both 
Do ;  read  To.     3943.  Both  Thanne  (or  Than)  close  ;  F.  Qui  les  rosea  clorra  entor. 


722  dtlppenttr. 


Page  41.  3994.  Th.  vilanously ;  G,  vilaj-nesly.  4021.  G.  an  high;  Th.  an  hye. 
4026.  Both  To  make. 

Page  42.    4089.  Both  place  it  afier  I. 

Page  43.  4181.  Both  of;  read  as.  4188.  Both  Eoses ;  F.  rosters.  4194.  Both  vho 
{for  ■w-hiche). 

Page  44.  4272.  Both  walketh  (!).  4285.  Both  "\Miich  {for  Ther) ;  giving  no  sense. 
4291.  Both  except.  4322.  Both  wente  aboute  (!);  read  wende  a  bought  (a  —  have)  ; 
P.  Ges  cuidoie  avoir  achetes  (I  weened  to  have  bought  them).  4339.  G.  tiliers  ;  Th. 
tyllers.     4352.  Both  wente  best  abouen  to  haue. 

Page  45.  4363.  Both  but  ;  read  al.  Both  lust.  4365.  Both  is  ;  read  am.  4366.  Both 
charge.     4372.  G.  wole  ;  Th.  wol ;  read  waL     4425.  Both  good. 

Page  46.  4467.  BotJi  her  {for  his).  4476.  Both  praise.  4550.  Both  Loue  ;  read 
lorde.     4556.  Th.  moche  that  it ;  G.  mych  that. 

Page  47.  4561.  Both  yeue  good  wLlle ;  F.  se  JDiex  plaist.  4587.  Both  ne  fail  id  ; 
I  omit  ne.     4617.  Both  not ;  read  nist;  cf.  4626.     4657.  Bothl;  read  ha,n. 

Page  48,  4705.  Both  And  through  the  ;  read  A  trouthe.  4721.  Th.  lyke  ;  G.  like  ; 
read  sike.  4722.  G.  trust  ;  Th.  truste  ;  (thrust  —  thirst).  Both  and  {for  in). 
4723.  Both  And.     4725.  Both  And.     4731.  Both  Sen. 

Page  49.  4755.  Both  by  {for  be).  4764.  Both  That ;  read  But.  4793.  Both  euer ; 
read  er  (i.e.  before).  4796.  Both  al  by  partuere.  4799.  Both  greven.  4807.  Both 
diffynedhere.  4811.  G.  kned  ;  Th.  loiedde.  4812.  i?o?7^  With.  4823.  J3o<7t  engendrure  ; 
see  6114.     4837.  i?o«7i  han  her  lust.     4S46.  Both -what ;  for -who. 

Page  50.  4S58.  Both  their.  4892.  G.  perell ;  Th.  parel ;  but  read  tymo  {see  4891). 
4921.  iio<7t  But  that  if.     4933.  i?of7t  this.     4935.  JBo<7i  youthes  chambre  (or  chambere) ; 

F.  Jonesce  sa  chartiberiere.  4943.  Both  And  mo  of  (!).  4945.  Both  remembreth. 
4948.  Both  him. 

Page   51.      4955.    Both  gan.      4960    Both   neither  preise.      5004.    Th.    stondeth ; 

G.  stondith.     5010.  Both  weped.     5021.   lioth  he  {for  hir).     5028.  Both  list  to  loue. 
Page  52.     5050.  Both  gouen.     5051.  Both  so;  read  sho  {or  she).     5059.  Both  loued. 

5068.  Both  That ;  read  But ;  cf.  4764.  5085.  Both  to  ;  read  they.  5107.  G.  herberest 
hem;  Th.  herborest.  5116.  Both  the;  read  thy;  F.  ton.  5117.  Both  by  thought; 
F.  ta  jonesce.     5144.  G.  aj' ;  Th.  aye  ;  read  alway. 

Page  53.  5155.  Both  That ;  F.  Lors.  5162.  Perhaps  say  =  assay.  5201  {rubric).  Both 
Aunsete  ;  error  for  Amistie.     5229.  Both  00  state  ;  read  oon  estate  ;  see  5400. 

Page  54.  5278.  UoiTi  botho  the.  5283.  Both  this.  5285.  Both  vnyte(!).  5287.  Both 
And  ;  read  A  man.  5292.  Th.  causes ;  G.  cause ;  see  5301,  5523.  5335.  Both  he ;  c£ 
5337j  ."^.H'-     534I.  Both  hir;  read  the.     5345.  i?o<7t  Thurgh  the  ;  /omit  the. 

Page  55.  5360.  Both  greueth  so  groueth.  5379.  Both  him  silf  {or  selfe). 
5389.  Both  kepcn  ay  his  ;  see  $},C-j.  5393.  /  omit  alle  before  liis.  5401.  Both  ought  to 
be.  5404.  Both  hath.  5408.  G.  it;  read  in;  Th.  omits.  54191  5420,  5425,  5427,  5436. 
Both  hym  (!) ;  F.  les.     5433.  Both  to  {for  so). 

Pago  56.  5452.  Th.  chere  (/or  there) ;  G.  cheer  (!).  5463.  i?o<7i  thus.  5478.  Both 
For  to  shewe  ;  read  She  sheweth.  5486.  Both  affect.  5491.  Both  For  al  that  yeuetli 
hero  out  of  drcde.  5493.  G.  late  ;  Th.  lette.  5544.  Both  fablyng ;  F.  cheans  (i.  e. 
falling).     5546,  Both  caste. 

Pago  57.  5555.  Both  in  {for  is).  5556.  Both  dope  (error /or  do};e  =  doth).  5569.  Tli, 
haue  you  to  haue ;  G.  ha  yow  to  ha.  5577.  Botli  perceyueth.  5590.  G.  ruavis ;  Th. 
mauys  ;  F.  »;(!/w(biishels).     5598.  Z?o<7i  that  (/or  it).    5617.  i?o<7j  heme.    5641.  2?o<ft  take. 


ilpjjenbty.  723 


Page  08.  5699.  Both  where  ;  F.  guerre.  5701.  Both  shal  thogli  he  hath  geten  (!), 
5713.  Both  Thus  is  thurst.  5741.  Gr.  fy ;  Th.  fye ;  read  sy.  (From  fy  to  sy  means 
from  the  first  syllable  oi  fy-sy-cien  (phisician)  to  the  second.) 

Page  59.  s^y^e,.  Both  shewing.  5761-2.  Siipply  it  in  5761 ;  it  occurs  after  Himsilf  in 
5762.     5781.  BothTYiQ;  F.  Trois.     5788.  Both-vnio.     5821.  J5o</i  nyl  not. 

Page  60.  5855.  Both  kepte  ;  F.  qui  mestrie.  5860.  Both  that  ilke.  5883.  Both  As 
my  nede  is.     5900.  BotJi  That  such  toures  ben  ;  /  omit  That  and  ben. 

Page  61.  5942.  Both  folyly.  5959.  Both  beaute  (!).  5960.  Both  That  I ;  I  omit 
That.  5976.  Both  ful  dere.  6002.  Both  grede  ;  error  for  gnede.  6006.  Both  beaute  (as 
iw  5959).     6009.  Th.  wol ;  G.wole. 

Page  62.     6064.  Both  hindreth. 

Page  63.  616=;.  Both  which  ;  F.  tea;  (such).  6169.  Bofhlette.  6174.  Both  nede  ;  F. 
hcsoifjnes.  6205.  I  supply  this  line  ;  went  his  wyle  r=  turns  aside  his  craft.  6206.  Th. 
begylen ;  G.  bygylyng.     6237.  Th.  conjmen  ;  Gr.  comyn. 

Page  64.  6243.  Both  ful  many  ;  omit  ful.  6256.  Both  majieth  the ;  omit  the. 
6292.  Both  planten  most.  6296.  Both  feyne  ;  F.  dire.  6314.  Both  insert  shal  before 
never.    6317,  6318.  Two  half-lines  lost ;  words  supplied  by  Kaluza. 

Page  65.  6341.  Both  and  reyned(!);  for  streyned  ;  see  7366.  6355.  Both  lo\y  (I) ; 
read  bljnide.  /  supply  ther.  672.  A  line  lost ;  supplied  as  in  Morris's  edition  ; 
F.  Si  n'en  sui  mes  si  recet(s.     6378.  Both  I  {for  mc).     6407.  Both  not ;  read  yit. 

Page  66.     6460.  i?o(7i  it  is  ;  F.  Porquoi.     6466.  Both  woth  (\).      6481.  i?o«/i  seruest ; 

F.  sembles.       6491.    Both  bettir.      6493.    Both  of  a  pore.      6500.   Both  me  a  dyne, 
6515.  Both  not.     6522.  Both  Hath  a  soule.     6532.  Gr.  thrittene  ;  Th.  thirtene  (ivronyly). 

Page  67.  6539.  G.  beggith  ;  Th.  beggeth.  6542.  G.  goddis ;  Th.  goddes.  6565.  G. 
ther  ;  Th.  their.  6569.  Both  yaf.  6570.  G.  folkis  ;  Th.  folkes.  6572.  Both  they  ;  read 
leye  ;  F.  yisoient.     6606.  Both  Ben  somtyme  in ;  see  6610. 

Page  68.  6667.  Both  haue  bidde  ;  /  omit  haue.  6688.  Th.  hondis ;  G.  omits. 
6700.  Both  Yit.     6707.  Both  mendiciens  (-ence). 

Page  69,     6819.  i?o<7i  wrine  ;  both  hero.;  both  at.     6823,6824.  i?oi/i.  robbyng,  gilyng. 

Page  70.  6880.  Th.  Ne  wol ;  G.  Wol ;  read  Nil.  6902,  6907.  Both  burdens. 
691 1.  Both  hnrdons  ;  but  borders  are  meant.     6925,6926.  Both  hivn. 

Page  71.  6974.  I  omit  a  after  tyraes.  7018.  G.  werrien  ;  Th.  werryen.  7029.  Both 
these  {for  thefe),  and  that  {for  or) ;  F.  lerres  ou.     7038.  Both  them. 

Page  72.  7041.  G.  cheffis  ;  Th.  cheffes  ;  F.  fromages.  7092.  Th.  "We  had  ben  tur- 
mented  al  and  some ;  (G.  different  line,  in  late  hand) ;  F.  Tout  eust  este  tormente. 
7109.  G.  has  here  1.  71 10,  followed  by  a  blank  line  ;  Th.  has  That  they  [read  he]  ne  might 
the  booke  by,  folloioed  by  a  spurious  line.     71 10.  Tli.  To  the  copye,  if  hem. 

Page  73.  7145.  2?ot A  no.  7159.  iio^A  vpon.  7173,  7174.  I  supply  these  lines  by  con- 
jecture ;  F.  Par  Pierre  roil  le  Pape  entendre.  7180.  Both  T!hi\t  {read  And) ;  to  {read 
that).      7221.  Both  worthy  ;  see  7104.     Both  mynystres  ;  i-ead  maistres. 

Page  74.     7316.  Both  slajai ;  F.  escorchies. 

Page  75.  7368.  G.  gracche ;  Th.  grate  he.  7389.  Th.  deuysed.  7392.  Th.salowc; 
read  falowo.  7394.  Th.  to ;  read  the.  7409.  Th.  And.  7429,  Th.  humbly.  7432.  Th. 
remeued. 

Page  76.  7473.  Th.  hath  hadde  the.  7488.  Th.  doughty  (!) ;  F.  poudreus.  7533.  Th. 
she  nat  herselie  {\m-ongly). 

Page  78.     7653.  G.  wole  ;  Th.  wol.     7662.  Both  wot ;  F.  fait.     7663.  Th.  wc  {for  ye) ; 

G.  omitg. 


724  dtlppenbt^*. 

THE  MINOR  POEMS. 

I.     AN  A. B.C. 

Tlie  M8S.  used  to  form,  this  text  are :  C.  =  MS.  Ff.  5.  30  in  the  Camb.  Univ.  Library ; 
Jo.=  MS.  G.  21,  in  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge;  Gl.=  Glasgow  MS.  Q.  2.  25; 
L.  =  MS.  liSLXul  740,  in  the  Bodleian  Library  ;  Gg.  =  MS.  Gg.  4.  27,  in  the  Camb. 
Univ.  Library  ;  F.  -  Fairfax  16,  in  the  Bodleian  ;  B.  =  Bodley  638  ;  Sion  =  Sion 
Coll.  MS.  The  text  follows  closely  the  first  of  these ;  but  is  corrected  by  collation  with 
the  others. 

Page  81.  i6j.  All  the  MSS.  insert  si^fFred  after  eek  ;  probably  caught  from  the  line 
above.  Or  perhaps  his  herte  was  caught  from  the  line  beloxv  ;  in  which  case,  read  And 
suffred  eek,  that  Longius  him  pighte.  And  note,  that  piglite  should  surely  be  prighte, 
i.e.  pricked,  as  in  Cant.  Tales,  F  418.  VightQ properly  means  pitched.  Hence  read  : 
And  suffred  eek,  that  Longius  him  prighte. 

IL     THE  COMPLEYNTE  UNTO  PITE. 

The  MSS.  are :  Tn.  (Tanner  346) ;  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  B.  (Bodley  638) ;  Sh.  (Shirley's 
MS.,  Harl.  78) ;  Ff.  (Ff.  i.  6,  in  the  Camb.  Univ.  Library) ;  T.,  here  put  for  Trin. 
(Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  E.  3.  19) ;  also  Ha.  (Harl.  7578).     The  textfolloivs  F.  mainly. 

Page  82.     21.  MSS.  was  {fur  nas),  twice  ;  wrongly.     77.  MSS.  is  (for  nis). 

in.     THE  BOOK  OF  THE  DUCHESSE. 

Tlie  authorities  are  only  Th.  (Thynne's  edition,  1532) ;  and  three  3ISS.,  viz.  F.  (Fairfax 
16) ;  Tn.  (Tanner  346) ;  B.  (Bodley  638).  /  folloic  F.  mainly.  B.  and  F.  are  much 
alike. 

Page  83.     6.  All  take  no  kepo.      14.   All  sorwful  (badly) ;  read  sory.      23.  All  this. 

Pago  84.  76.  Not  in  Tn.  B.  ;  Th.  F.  of  Alcyone  his  wyfe.  80.  Not  in  Tn.  B.  ;  Th.  F. 
began  to  yerne  ;  read  gan  to  erme.  82.  Not  in  Tn.  B.  ;  Tli.  F.  her  thought  so  (copied 
from  81) ;  read  he  dwelte  so.  86.  Not  in  Tn.  B. ;  Th.  F.  That  she  had  this  ;  I  omit  she, 
and  supply  alas  from  87,  where  it  occurs  after  him,  and  makes  the  line  too  long. 
loi.  .4 it  this  lady  ;  /or  she.  107.  >liZwepte;  recti  weep.  131.  .AZi  right  so  (^wt  right 
belongs  to  1.  132). 

Page  85.  149.  All  speke  right  so  (but  right  belongs  to  L  150).  158,  159.  All  noght 
(for  nothing).  175.  Tn.  slepte  ;  F.  slept ;  see  177.  185.  All  up  and  axed.  204.  All  am. 
206.  I  supply  lodyi.     207.  .4H  for  sucho  ;  rcotZ  at  whiche.      212.  ylZZ  alias  ;  read  A. 

Pago  86.  264.  ./IZZ  JTiseri  queue  flf/fcr  goddesse.  294.  All  And;  read  L  296.  All 
insert  my  before  sle-pe.  300.  ^ZZ  ouer  al ; /o»i/<  ouer.  328.  yl ZZ  and  of  king.  329.  .4 ZZ 
repeat  of  king  before  Lamedon.  330.  All  insert  And  eke  before  of  Medea.  331.  All 
and  of  (for  and).  332.  (Marked  by  mistake;  so  in  MSS.)  334.  All  And;  read  Of. 
342.  All  insert  to  before  cold. 

Page  87.  348.  All  And  I ;  omit  And.  380.  ..'IZZ  and  so  at ;  omit  so.  443.  All  insert 
right  before  wonder. 

Page  88.  454.  All  but  B.  insert  right  before  yong.  473.  All  insert  ful  before  weL 
479.  After  this  line,  Th.  inserts  And  thus  in  sorowe  lefte  me  alone ;  it  is  spurious. 
[Hence  there  is  no  line  480.]  498.  .4ZZ  for  therno  ;  and  is  (/or  was).  517.  All  had 
ygret ;  read  grctte  ;  see  503.     548.  Insert  good  ;  of.  714,  721. 

Page  89.     570.  All  with  his  ;   omit  his,     571.  All  may  no  ;  omit  no.     583.  All  so  ful; 


SpptnUx.  725 

omit  ful.  584.  All  That;  read  Thogh.  586.  For  the  formc7- hit,  all  have  him. ;  see 
SS5.  589.  F.  B.  Tliesiphus;  Tn.  Tesiphus  ;  Th.  Tesyplms  [misifritten  for  Cesiphus  = 
Sesiphus).  599.  F.  Th.  sorowe(!);  Tn.  sorov(!);  read  song.  630.  Th.  Tn.  floures ; 
F.  B.  flourys ;  read  flour  is. 

Page  90.  660.  All  in  the ;  omit  the.  681.  All  she  my  fers  ;  read  my  fers  she 
(Koch).  693.  All  For  ther  ;  omit  For.  721.  All  yis  parde  ;  omit  yis.  728.  All  also  ; 
read  als.  732.  All  the  quene  ;  omit  the.  740.  All  no  man  ;  read  noon.  745.  F.  Tn. 
Loo  she  that  may  be  ;  Th.  Howe  that  may  be  ;  here  she  is  an  error  for  sir  ;  and  how 
that  may  be  for  how  may  that  be  ;   the  edition  of  1550  has  Howe  may  that  be. 

Page  91.  y  SI.  All  insert  sh&li  after  thoM;  omit  it  (Koch).  771.  Alll  ■puB.yd.e  ;  omit 
I.  779.  All  moste  able  ;  omit  moste.  785.  All  ryght  so  ;  omit  ryght.  802.  All  That 
tyme  and  ;  omit  That  tyme.  805.  All  on  a  day.  806.  All  ther  that  I ;  omit  that. 
823.  All  Than  any  other  planete  in  heven.  828.  All  and  of;  omit  of.  S29.  All  and 
so;  omit  and.  840.  All  counseyl  («  (jloss  tq)on  reed,  the  original  word).  844.  All 
better. 

Page  92.  895.  All  But  which  ;  omit  But.  905.  Was  white  ;  omit  white  (reserved 
/(»•  1.  948).  924.  .4iJ  swere  wel ;  omi<  wel.  930.  All  n&VQV  yet ;  omit  yet.  942.  All 
and  pure  flat ;  omit  iinre.     943.  All  or  ;  read  and. 

Page  93.  959.  All  nere  pure;  omit  pure.  971.  All  swere  wel ;  read  sweren. 
994.  All  And  therto  ;  omit  And.  997.  All  What  harme  was;  but  harm  is  mono- 
sullahic.  1020.  wolde  not ;  ?'ead  nolde.  1028.  All  into;  read  to.  1040.  ylii  and  my 
goddesse(!j;  vertfi  and  my  lisse  (i.  e.  consolation).     1051.   ^ZHokedher;  omit  her. 

Page  94.  1075.  All  nay  trewly  I;  omit  trewly.  1099.  All  coude  tho;  read  tho 
coude.     1 147.  ^?i  hit  not  never  ;  omit  not. 

Page  95.  1188.  Allaxn;  read  nam.  1189.  All  sey  right ;  omit  right.  1234.  All  to 
false;  omit  to.     1239.  ^ii  ryght  as  ;  omit  ryght. 

Page  96.     1264.  All  thynges  ;  read  thing.     1322.  All  ther  was  ;  omit  ther. 

IV.     THE  COMPLEYNT  OF  MAES. 

The  authorities  are :  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  Tn.  (Tanner  346) ;  Ju.  (Julian  Notarj-'s 
edition);  Harl.  (Harl.  7333);  T.  (Trin.  Coll.  Camb.,  R.  3.  20);  Ar.  (Arch.  Selden  B.  24, 
in  tho  Bodleian  Library) ;  Th.  (Thynne's  edition,  1532).     I  follow  F.  mainly. 

Page  98.     89.  All  nygh  dreynt ;  omit  nygh.     125.  All  transpose  hir  and  don. 

Page  99.  141.  All  god  helpe ;  read  helpe  god  ;  and  accent  sely  and  Venus  on  the 
latter  syllable. 

Page  100.     274.  Most  MSS.  have  to  so  ;  T.  omits  to. 

V.     THE  PARLEMENT  OF  FOULES. 

The  authorities  are :  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  Gg.  (Gg.  4.  27,  Camb.  Univ.  Library) ;  Trin. 
(Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  R.  3.  19);  Cx.  (Caxton's  edition);  Harl.  (Harlcian  yx'ii);  O.  (St. 
John's  Coll.,  Oxford) ;  Ff.  (Ff.  i.  6,  Camb.  Univ.  Library).  I  have  also  considted  Tn. 
(Tanner  346);  D.  (Digby  181);  and  others.  I  follow  F.  mainly;  chiefly  corrected 
by  Gg. 

Page  101.     39.  All  he  ;  read  hit ;  see  2,(>-i  43. 

Page  106.     396.  All  have  formed. 

Page  109.     613.  Gg.  reufulles  (!) ;  Pcpys,  rowthfuU  ;  rest  rewful  (!). 


726  dRppcnbtr. 


VI.     A  COMPLEINT  TO  HIS  LADY. 

Only  two  MS.  copies :  Sh.  (Shirley's  MS.,  Harl.  78) ;  Ph.  (PhiUipps  9053,  now  Addit. 
34360).  Also  Ed.  (edition,  of  1561).  I  follow  Sh.  mainly;  hut  correct  many  bad 
spellings ;  and  siippAy  many  words,  and  even  lines.     Lines  124-133  are  in  Ph.  only. 

Page  111.  14.  All  now  doth  ;  I  omit  now.  15.  This  line  is  supplied,  to  rime  loith 
1.  17.  19.  Sh.  and  yit  my;  I  put  iro  for  yit.  24.  This  line  supjplied  ;  to  rime  with 
1.  22  ;  cf.  Compl.  of  Mars,  189.  25,  26.  Supplied  ;  cf.  Compl.  to  Pite,  22,  17;  Anelida, 
307.     33.  I  omit  she  before  sleeth.     56.  A  line  lost ;  supplied  from  AneUda,  181. 

Page  112.  59.  Supplied  from  Anelida,  182.  68.  Sh.  euer  do.  78.  Sh.  youre ;  read  yow. 
79.  Sh.  wist  that  were  ;  /  omit  that.  Sh.  your  hyenesse  {repeated  from  76) ;  read  yow 
distresse.  &2.  {The  dagger  should  precede  is);  Sh.  thane  is  ;  omif  thane.  102,  Sh.  heon 
euer;  read  ever  been.  103.  Imperfect ;  I  suppjly  here.  104.  Sh.  But  the  ;  om,it  But. 
114.  Sh.  nought ;  read  nothing.  120.  Sh.  no  trewer  so  verrayly;  Ed.  no  trewer 
verely  {false  rime).  127.  Ph.  For  wele  ;  om.  For.  129.  Not  in  Sh. ;  Ph.  That  yow 
myght  offenden.     132.  Not  in  Sh.  ;  Ph.  no  blisse;  omit  no.      133.  Ph.  dwelle  withyn. 

VII.     ANELIDA  AND  AECITE. 

Authcn-ities :  Harl.  (Harl.  7333) ;  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  Tn.  (Tanner  346) ;  D.  (Digby  181); 
Cx.  (Caxton's  edition) ;  B.  (BocUey  638);  Lt.  (Longleat  MS.) ;  Th.  (Thj-nne"s  edition, 
1532).     I  follow  F.  mainly. 

Page  114.  91.  Th.  Tn.  Harl.  trusteth ;  rest  trusted;  read  trust  (^trusteth). 
129.  All  lenger  she  ;  oviit  she. 

Page  115.     174.  All  speketh  she.     191.  All  un-to  ;  read  to. 

Page  116.     2\i.  All  \ie  founde ;  but  be  was  copied  in  from  1.  240. 

VIIL     CHAUCEES  WOEDES  UNTO  ADAM. 
From  T.  (Trin.  Coll.  Camb.,  R.  3.  20).     Also  in  Ed.  (edition  of  1561). 
Page  118.     3.  T.  thy  long  lokkes  ;  omit  long.     4.  T.  wryto  more  truwe  ;  omit  more. 

IX.    THE  FORMER  AGE. 

Two  copies:  I.  (li.  3.  21,  Camb.  Univ.  Libi-ary);  Hh.  (Hh.  4.  12,  in  the  same). 
Chiefly  from  I. 

Page  118.  3.  I.  paied  of  the;  omit  the.  11.  I.  gnodded  ;  Hh.  knoddyd ;  correctly 
gulden,  pt.  pi.  oy  gulden. 

Page  119.  23.  Both  No  bataUs  trompes ;  omit  batails.  34.  I.  No  places  wildnesse; 
Hh.  No  place  of  wildnesse  ;  omit  places,  place  of.    56.  A  line  lost ;  I  sup/ply  it. 

X.  FORTUNE. 

Authorities  :  I.  (IL  3.  21,  Camb.  Univ.  Library);  A.  (Ashmolo  59);  T.  (Trin.  ColL 
Camb.) ;  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  B.  (Bodley  638) ;  H.  (Harl.  2251). 

XL     MERCILES   BEAUTE. 
One  copy :  P.  (Pepys  2006).    36.  P.  this  ;  read  ther. 

XIL     TO   ROSEMOUNDE. 
One  copy :  MS.  Rawl.  Poet,  163  ;  leaf  114. 
Page  121.     II.  semy  (sicj ;  read  seemly,     fynall  {for  final,  a  misreading  o/smal). 


cEppenbir.  727 


Xlir.     TRUTH. 

Aidhorities :  At.  (Ad  Jit.  10,^40);  Gg.  (Gg.  4.  27,  Camb.  Univ.  Library);  E.  (EUes- 
mere  MS.) ;  Ct.  (Cotton,  Cleop.  D.  7);  T.  (Trin.  Coll.  E.  3.  20);  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  and 
others.     Cliiefly  from 'E.     The 'Envoy  is  in  At.  only. 

Page  122.  19.  Know  thy  contree ;  Harl.  F.  T.  Loke  vp  on  hie.  20.  Hold  the  hye 
wey ;  Harl.  F.  Wey\'e  thy  lust. 

XIV.     GENTILESSE. 

Authorities :  A.  (Ashmole  59) ;  T.  (Trin.  Coll.  K.  3.  20) ;  Harl.  (Harl.  7333)  ;  Ct. 
(Cotton,  Cleop.  D.  7) ;  Ha.  (Harl.  7578) ;  Add.  (Addit.  22139);  Cx.  (Caxton's  edition). 
I  folloto  Cx.  mainli/. 

Page  123.  20.  Cx.  makes  hem.  eyres,  that  can  hem  qneme  ;  A.  mathe  his  heyre 
him  that  wol  him  qweme  ;  Ct.  That  maketh  his  heires  hem,  &c. 

XV.     LAK  OF  STEDFASTNESSE. 
Authcrities:   Harl.  (Harl.  7333);  T.  (Trin.  Coll.  E.  3.  20);  Ct.  (Cotton,  Cleop.  D.  7); 
F.  (Fairfax   16);    Add.  (Addit.  22139);    Bann.  (Bannatyne) ;   Th.  (Thynne's  edition, 
1532);  and  others.     I  follow  Ct.  mainly. 

XVI.     LENVOY  A   SCOGAN. 

Aidhorities :  Gg.  (Gg.  4.  27,  Camb.  Univ.  Library) ;  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  P.  (Pepys  2(X)6) ; 
Th.  (Thj-nne's  edition,  1532).     I  follow  F.  mainly. 

XVIL     LENVOY  A  BUKTON. 
Authorities:  F.  (Fairfax  16);  Th.  (Thynne's  edition) ;  Jii.  (Julian  Notary's  edition). 
I  follow  F.  mainly. 

XVIII.     THE  COMPLEYNT  OF  VENUS. 
Authorities :   T.  (Trin.  Coll.   E.  3.  20) ;    A.  (Ashmole  59) ;    Tn.  (Tanner   346) ;    F. 
(Fairfax  16);  Ff.  (Ff.  1.6,  Camb.  Univ.  Library) ;  Ar.  (Arch.  Selden,  P.  24) ;  P.  (Pepys 
2006) ;  Th,  (Thynne's  edition,  1532).     J  follow  F.  mainly. 

N.  B.  Another  authority  is  the  set  of  three  original  French  Ballades  bj^  Otes  do 
Graur.son,  which  Chaucer  here  imitates. 

Page  125.  31.  All  Pley  or  Pleyc;  7-ead  Pleyne,  translation  of  original  French 
riaindre. 

XIX.     THE   COMPLEINT   TO   HIS   PURSE. 
Authorities:  F.  (Fairfax  16);  Harl.  (Harl.  7,^33);  Ff.  (Ff.  1.6,  Camb.  Univ.  Library); 
P.  (Pepys  2006) ;   Add.  (Addit.  22139);  Cx.  (Caxton's  edition);  Th.  (Thj'nne's  ed.  1532). 
I  follow  F.  mainly. 

XX.     PROVERBS. 

Authorities:  F.  (Fairfax  16);  Ha.  (Harl.  7578);  Ad.  (Addit.  16165).  I  follow  F. 
tnainly. 

12G.     I.  All  insert  thi\s  after  these  ;  I  omit  thxxs. 


XXL     AGAINST  WOMEN   UNCONSTANT. 
Authorities:  Ct.  (Cotton,  Clco\-,.  !).■;)■,  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  Ha.  (Harl.  3758) ;  Ed.  (Stowe'i 
edition,  1561), 

Page  127.     17.  All  stondeth;   read  stant. 


728 


cS^jpen^tr. 


XXII.     COMPLEINT  DAMOUES. 

Authorities:  Hail.  (Harl.  7333) ;  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  B.  (Bodley  638). 
Page  127.  4.  ^?i  right  thus  ;  omit  right.  9.  AWNe;  read  For. 
Page  128.     86.  I  supplif  th&r  from  Pari.  Foiiles,  310. 

XXIII.     A  BALADE   OF  COMPLEYNT. 
Sole  copy :  MS.  Addit.  16165,  fol.  256,  back. 

XXIV.     WOMANLY   NOBLESSE. 

Sole  copy:  MS.  Addit.  34360,  fol.  21,  back. 

Page  129.     13.    This  line  is  supplied  by  conjecture.      18.   MS.  for  to  ;   I  omit  for. 
25.  And  thjaikith  be  raison  {too  long).     26.  for  til  do  the  ;  /  omit  the,  and  substitute  to 

for  til. 


TRANSLATION  OF  BOETHIUS. 

Authorities :  C.  (Camb.  Univ.  Library,  li.  3.  21) ;  A.  (Addit.  10340) ;  Ed.  (Tliynne's 
edition,  1532);   Cx.  (Caxton's  edition) ;  li.  (li.  i.  38) ;  &c.     I  folloio  C.  viainly. 

Page  131.     Prose  I.  74.  Cx.  Th.  from;  MSS.  omit  from. 

Page  133.     Pr.  III.  6^.  Cx.  Th.  Soranos  {as  in  Latin  text) ;    C.  A.  Sorans.     Met.  IV. 
12.  Cx.  Th.  leyte  ;  li.  leit ;  C.  A.  light. 

Page  134.     Pu.  IV.  97.  Tliis  Gloss  is  misptlaced  in  the  MSS.  ;  it  comes  in  before  Textus 
in  1.  87. 

Page  144. 

Page  153. 

Page  156. 

Page  188. 

Page  190. 
Lat.  spirat. 

Page  196. 


Pr.  III.  66.  I  omit  and  before  fulfuldest ;   it  is  worse  than  needles. 

Pr.  VIII.  28.  C.  A.  windinge  ;  Cx.  \vyndj' ;  Lat.  ttentosam. 

Pr.  II.  125.  I  sitpply  nat,  for  clearness  ;   it  is  imx>lied  in  the  following  ne. 

Pr.  VI.  300.     All  the  ;  read  that. 

Met.  VI.  38.     Head  bretheth  ;  li.  brethith  ;  A.  bredith  ;   C.  Ed.  bereth; 

Pr.  III.  192.  All  of  the  whiche  {no  sense) ;  read  than  whiche. 


TROILUS  AND  CRISEYDE. 

Authorities:  CI.  (Campsall  MS.);  Cp.  (Corp.  Chr.  Coll.  Cam.  61) ;  H.  (Harl.  2280) ; 
H2.  (Harl.  3943);  Cm.  (Gg.  4.  27,  in  Camb.  Univ.  Library) ;  Ed.  (edition  by  Thynne, 
1532).     I  follow  CI.  and  Cp.  mainly,  which  are  much  alike. 

Page  247,     17.  All  hem  ;  read  him  ;  see  1.  19. 

Pago  249.  144.  CI.  Cp.  H.  ben  ay  I-lyke  ;  Ed.  to  ben  aye  ylike  ;  H2.  bene  ylyke  ; 
Cm.  ay  ben  I-lik  ;  read  been  y-like  ay. 

Page  255.  572.  Cm.  thourrste  ;  Cp.  H.  thrusto  ;  CI.  dorste  ;  H2.  Ed.  durst ;  read 
thurfte. 

Page  279.     391.  H.  tmste  (W£//i%) ;  w*^  trust.     .4iZ  to  finden  (or  fmde);  omit  to. 

Page  314.     1109.  .4M  the  est ;  read  th'est. 

Page  821.     1586.  All  That  she  ;  oinit  That.     1618.  All  Come  or  Com. 


J^Tpp^n^ix,  729 


THE  HOUS  OF  FAME. 

Authorities :  F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  B.  (Boclley  638) ;  P.  (Pepys  2006) ;  Cx.  (Caxton's  edition) 
Th.  (ThjTine's  edition,  1532).     I  follow  F.  mainly. 

Page  326.  8.  All  why  this;  omit  why.  11.  why  these;  omit  wliy.  20.  All  is 
more  ;  omit  is.     24.  All  needlessly  insert  the  {or  her)  before  brajm. 

Page  327.  88.  All  pouerte  ;  read  povert ;  or  elide  the  final  e,  iig.  All  slept, 
slejite ;  read  sleep  ;  see  438. 

Page  329.    362.  All  But  al ;  omit  But. 

Page  330.  366.  All  in-to  ;  read  in.  370.  MSS.  Alias  {or  alas  !) ;  read  Eneas.  {Hoic- 
ever  Th.  has  him,  alas.)  399.  Cx.  Th,  Oenone  {which  read  as  four  syllables,  0-e-no-ne, 
as  in  Troil.  i.  654). 

Page  331.     513.  All  sely  ;  read  selly  (i.e.  strange). 

Page  332.  e,^y.  Cx.  Th.  P.  agast  so  ;  read  so  agast.  603.  All  do ;  read  done 
(gerund).  613.  All  herke  ;  read  herkne  ;  see  725.  618.  Deficient;  I stipply  goddesse. 
621.  ^K  lytel  (litell) ;  read  lyte. 

Page  333.     727.  Cx.  Th.  P.  a  worthy  ;  F.  B.  wortho  a  ;  omit  a. 

Page  334.  764.  All  herke  ;  see  725.  827.  F.  And  that  sum  place  stide  ;  B.  Th.  And 
that  sora  styde  ;  {not  in  Cx.  P.) ;  read  And  that  the  mansioun  ;  see  754,  831.  830.  All 
That ;  read  Than. 

Page  335.  896.  Cx.  Th.  gan  to  ;  rest  to  ;  read  gan.  911.  All  token  (!) ;  read  toun  ; 
see  890. 

Page  336.  1007.  F.  Cx.  Th.  B.  Athalantes ;  P.  athlauntres  (cf.  Atlante,  Ovid, 
Fasti,  V.  83). 

Page  337.     11 14.  F.  citee  ;  P.  cite  (  =  site) ;  rest  cyte. 

Page  338.  1177.  Supply  craft  from  1.  1178,  where  it  occurs,  after  cast,  in  Cx.  Th.  P. 
1 189.  B.  Rabewynnes;  P.  Babeweuries  ;  {all  corrupt).  12 10.  F.  Saten  ;  B.  Sate;  Cx. 
Th.  Sat ;  P.  Sett ;  read  Seten. 

Page  339.  1259.  Th.  pleyeng ;  rest  pley.  1271.  All  the  {put  for  thee).  1303.  F. 
hat ;  B.  hate  ;  Cx.  Th.  hackyng  ;  read  hatte. 

Page  340.  1361.  F.  B.  Sit;  Cx.  P.  Sat;  read  Sitte.  1373.  All  wonderly ;  see  1327. 
1415.  ^ii  And  tlms  ;  omii  And. 

Page  341.  1494.  F.  high  the  {for  highthe) ;  Cx.  Th.  heyght ;  read  highte ; 
see  744.     1527.  All  into;  read  in. 

Page  342.     1570.  All  Upon  ;  read  Up. 

Page  343.  1666.  ^ifwerkes;  read  werk  (a«(Z  so  in  1 701,  1720).  1686.  All  oiha\\n\e; 
omit  of.     1725.  F.  B.  Th.  Al  so  ;  rest  And  so  ;  read  So. 

Page  344.     1765.   F.  B.  now  let  se  ;  omit  now.     1813.  All  grete,  gret;  read  gretest. 

Page  345.  1853.  F.  Th.  be  noght  for;  Cx.  B.  be  for;  read  be  but  for.  1887.  All 
thinge,  thing  ;  ?'ead  thinges.  1897.  yl?t  woto  ;  read  wiste  ;  see  1 901.  1902.  .4 Zi  dwelled 
or  dwell j-th,  1907.  B.  Wliithen  ;  rest  Why  than;  read  Wliiche.  1940.  F.  Cx.  B. 
hattes(!);  Th.  hutches;  read  hottes. 

Page  346.  1961,  1962.  All  werres,  restes  ;  read  werre,  reste.  1967.  All  and  ock  of  • 
oviit  and  eek  (cf.  1968).  1975.  All  ivrongly  write  misgovernement  as  one  word. 
2009.  -^'^  these;  read  swiche.  2017.  F.  frot  {for  froit  =  fruit);  B.  foot;  Cx,  Th. 
swote.  2021.  All  yai' in:  omit  in.  2026.  F,  B.  here  ancon  (anon) ;  Cx.  Th.  hero  •  read 
auoon  heer. 


73°  <Jlppettttx. 


Page  347.  2049.  All  lie  (!) ;  read  the  other.  2053.  .4/i  And  thus  (<ifjcc);  omit  And 
(twice),  2061.  F.  B.  forth  ryght  to  ;  Cx.  forth  unto ;  Th.  strejght  to ;  7-ead  forth  to. 
2076.  F.  B.  Went  every  mouthe  (!) ;  Th.  Cx.  Weute  euerj'  t ydjnig  ;  read  Wento  every 
vord.  2083.  All  and  wente  ;  read  hit  wente.  2104.  B.  haue  that  oon ;  F.  haii  on ; 
Th.  have  one.     All  omit  of. 

Page  348.  2152.  B.  nose  ;  F.  Th.  noyse  (!).  F.  an  highen  (!) ;  Th.  on  hyghen  (!) ;  B. 
and  yen  ;  read  on  hyghe  (or  on  hye). 

THE  LEGEND  OF  GOOD  WOMEN. 

Authorities:  for  Text  A  {earlier  version)  of  the  Prologue:  sole  copy  C.  (Gg.  4.  27,  in 
Camb.  Univ.  Library).  For  Text  B  {later  version)  of  the  same,  and  all  the  rest : 
F.  (Fairfax  16) ;  Tn.  (Tanner  346) ;  T.  (Trin.  Coll.  Cam.  E.  3.  19) ;  A.  (Arch.  Selden. 
B.  24);  B.  (Bodley  638);  P.  (Pepys  2006);  Th.  (Thynne's  edition,  1532);  also  C.  {as 
above) ;  Add.  (Addit.  9832). 

Page  353,  col.  i.  135.  C.  is  here  corrupt ;  it  has — The  honour  and  the  humble 
obeysaunce.  I  suggest  They  dide  honour  and  humble  obeysaunces  ;  or  read  Yelding 
honour,  &c.  {as  in  col.  2).     Col.  i  ;  137,  138  ;  imperfect ;  I  fill  up  the  gain. 

Page  370.     842.  All  renten  (rente),  wrongly  ;  read  renden. 

Page  374.  1126.  All  honourable  ;  read  noble  ;  see  1143,  1210,  1222. 

Page  375.  1217.  C.  bestys  wilde  ;  T.  A.  P.  wild  bestys  ;  rest  wilde  hertes ;  read 
hertes  wilde.     1238.  All  and  becom  {against  metre) ;  read  to  been. 

Page  378.     1463.  All  yle  of;  omit  of. 

Page  383.     1879.  All  himself  or  himselfe  ;  read  himselve. 

Page  387.     2138.  All  was  performed  ;  read  performed  was. 

Page  388.     2227.  All  quj-te  him  ;  read  him  quyte. 

Page  393.     2592.  Th.  And  what ;  C.  T.  That  what ;  read  What. 


TREATISE  ON  THE  ASTROLABE. 

Authorities :  A.  (Camb.  Univ.  Library,  Dd.  3.  ^i) ;  B.  (Bodley,  E.  Museo  54) ;  C. 
(Eawlinson  1370);  D.  (Ashmole  391) ;  E.  (Bodley  619) ;  F.  (Corpus  424);  G.  (Trin.  Coll. 
Cam.  E,  15.  18) ;  H.  (Sloane  314) ;  L  (Sloane  291) ;  K.  (Eawlinson,  Misc.  3);  L.  (Addit. 
23002) ;  M.  (St.  John's  Coll.  Cam.) ;  N.  (Digby  72) ;  O.  (Ashmole  360) ;  P.  (Camb.  Univ. 
Library,  Dd.  12.  51);  Q.  (Ashmole  393);  E.  (Egerton  2622);  S.  (Addit.  29250).  J  follow 
A.  mainly ;  collated  tnth  B.  C.  I.  M.  P.  The  latter  part  (after  Part  II.  §  40)  from 
L.  M.  N.  O.  P.  E.  S. 

Part  399.  §  12.  8,  9.  MSS.  wrongly  transpose  umbra  versa,  and  umbra  recta 
(=  umbra  extensa). 

Page  402.     §  3.   51,  53.  For  18,  some  MSS.  have  12. 

Page  403.  §  3.  62, 6^.  Some  MSS.  8  and  2  ;  others,  9  and  10.  64.  Some  23 ;  others  10. 
§  4.  12.  C.  P.  for-seide  same  degree ;  omit  same.  25.  All  15  ;  read  25 ;  Lat.  text, 
viginti  quinque. 

Page  409.  §  25.  45.  Tvvo  sets  of  readings  here ;  the  second  set  puts  the  Sun  in 
10  degrees  of  Leo,  with  an  altitude  of  56,  and  declination,  18 ;  difference,  38. 

Page  410.     §  28.     37.  All  heed  (heued)/ar  cnde,  absurdly;  cf.  27,  31. 


il^jpenbtr.  731 

Page  414.     §  40.     8.  Bead  for  sothe  ;  misu-ritten  for  sonne  in  A.  B.  ;  others  vary. 

Page  415.  §40.  75.  A.  omits  of  a7id  degrees  ;  but  retains  3.  93.  F.  supplies  the  last 
five  tcords,  which  A.  B.  C.  E.  omit.     §  42.   24,  25.  For  2,  M.  has  6  ;  for  3,  M,  has  4. 

Page  416.  §  44.  20.  N.  wreten ;  read  wryte.  36.  L.  N".  O.  passid ;  M.  omits; 
read  lasse. 

Page  417.     §  45.     10.  L.  I  wold  wyttjii ;  N.  Iwyton  ;  O.  ■wrytoun. 


THE  CANTERBURY  TALES. 

Authorities:  E.  (EUesmere  MS.) ;  Hn.  (Hengwrt  MS.);  Cm.  (Gg.  4.  27,  Camb.  Univ. 
Library) ;  Cp.  (Corpus  Cbr.  Coll.  Oxford) ;  Pt.  (Petworth  MS.) ;  Ln.  (Lansdowne  851); 
HI.  (Harl.  7334).  Also,  occasionally,  Dd.  (Dd.  4.  24,  Camb.  Univ.  Library) ;  Eeg.  (Reg. 
17  D.  XV.) ;  Add.  (Addit.  5140) ;  Li.  (Lichfield  MS.)  ;  SI.  (Sloane,  1685). 

Page  421.     179.  HI.  cloysterlees  {see  iSo) ;  Cm.  rekeles ;  rest  recclielees,  recheles. 

Page  422.     252  6,  252  c ;  from  Hn.  ;  rest  omit. 

Page  435.     1290.  All  moste,  muste,  most ;  read  mot. 

Page  443.     1979.  Hi.  swymbul  ;  rest  rumbel. 

Page  449.     2420.  All  insert  the  {or  thy)  before  victorie  ;  it  clogs  the  line. 

Page  458.     315s,  3156.  From  E.  Cm.  HI. ;  rest  omit. 

Page  462.     3451,  3457;  astromye  is  intentional. 

Page  465.     3721,  3722.  From  E.  {also  in  old  editions) ;  rest  omit. 

Page  466.     3818.  Now^lis  is  an  intentional  error;  see  3834. 

Page  476.     47.  Dd.  But ;  rest  Tiiat  {wromjly). 

Page  484.     621.  A  short  line  ;  /  insert  ful. 

Page  466.     791.  HI.  vn-to  ;  Pt.  to ;  rest  til ;  read  un-til. 

Page  492.  1163-1190.  E.  Hn.  Cm.  0)«t< ;  mainly  from  Cp.  1189.  J)/o«<  Jl/^'-S.  pliislyas ; 
Sloane,  phillyas  ;  Ln.  fisleas  ;  read  physices,  i.  e.  physices  liber. 

Page  503.     1995.  Supplied  from  MS.  Reg.  17  D.  xv  ;  most  M.SS.  omit  this  line. 

Page  509.  2252,  2253.  Not  in  the  MSS.,  but  necessary;  supplied  from  2274  and  2280, 
which  see. 

Page  519.     2623,  2624.  Not  in  the  MSS.  ;  supplied  by  translating  the  French  text. 

Page  525.     2854.  From  namore  to  god  is  not  in  the  MSS.  ;  but  is  necessary. 

Page  536.  3564.  After  this  line  most  MSS.  insert  the  stories  from  Neuo  to  Ckesus 
(11.  3653-3956) ;  incorrectly. 

Page  538.     3657.  MSS.  North  ;  read  South. 

Page  541.    3910.  HI.  Valirien  ;  rest  Valerius  ;  ed.  1561,  Valerie  (rightly). 

Page  546.     4266.  All  MSS.  insert  herkneth  or  lierken  after  But. 

Page  582.  1294,  After  this  line  most  MSS.  insert  11.  1307,  1308  ;  -which  are  out  of 
place  here.  MS.  HL  is  riglit.  1307,  1308.  Nearly  all  MSS.  omit  these  lines,  having 
inserted  them  after  1.  1294  above.     MS.  HI.  is  right. 

Page  625.  2240.  The  MSS.  omit  the  -word  stories,  leaving  sense  and  metre 
incomplete. 

Page  628.  20.  Most  MSS.  li&ye  pitous,  which  will  not  scan  ;  but  Hn.  has  pietous, 
which  also  occurs  in  Troilvis. 

Page  635.     620.  /  supply  ne. 

Page  653.  277.  For  '  Valerians,'  the  MSS.  absurdly  have  'Cecilies ' ;  but  the  Latin 
original  has  '  Valerian!.' 


732  ilppenbir. 


Page  664.  1171.  E.  terned  ;  Cm.  torneilo  ;  rest  torned,  tcrongly.  So  also  in  1.  1274 
below. 

Page  6Ti.  10.  Chancer  has  made  a  mistake  ;  for  the  mones  read  Satitrnes.  Libra 
is  the  exaltation  of  Satnm,  not  of  the  Moon, 

Page  687.  387.  HI.  springers ;  Hn.  sprynge ;  E.  Pt.  Ln.  sprjaigen.  Perhaps 
'  springes '  would  be  better. 

Page  689.     443.  All  2ISS.  transpose  Laban  and  Pharao. 

Page  696.  616.  Some  needful  words  are  here  supplied  ;  MSS.  omit  '  god  .  .  . 
bitraysen.' 

Page  707.  858.  Bead  busshes ;  E.  Sold.  Ln.  beaxitees  (!) ;  Cm.  boauteis  (I);  HL 
beautes  (!) ;  Pt.  bewtees  (!). 

Pago  711,     955.  E.  Cm.  Danytd  ;  rest  Dauid,  as  in  the  French  original. 


GLOSSARIAL    INDEX. 


The  references  in  this  Index  are  given  according  to  the  following  scheme. 

Poems  denoted  by  Arabic  numerals  are  Minor  Poems.  Thus,  under  'Abaved,'  the 
reference  '3.  614'  means  Minor  Poem  no.  3,  line  614,  or  1.  614  of  the  Book  of  the 
Duchesse.  The  letter  '  R.'  refers  to  the  Romaunt  of  the  Rose,  Fragment  A,  in  pp.  1-18 ; 
the  rest  of  the  Poem,  not  being  Chaucer's,  is  indexed  separately.  Thus  '  R.  163 '  means 
1.  163  of  the  Romaunt. 

The  five  books  of  Boethius  are  denoted  by  B  I,  B  2,  B  3,  B  4,  B  5,  respectively  ;  and 
the  '  prose  '  and  '  metrical '  sections  are  denoted  by  '  p '  and  '  m.'  Thus,  under  '  Abais- 
sen,'  the  reference  '  B  4.  p  7.  81 '  means  '  Boethius,  bk.  iv.  prose  7,  line  81.'  The  five 
books  of  Troilus  are  denoted  by  T.  i.,  T.  ii.,  T.  iii.,  T.  iv.,  and  T.  v.  Thus  '  T.  iii.  1233 ' 
means  '  Troilus,  bk.  iii.,  line  1233.' 

The  House  of  Fame  and  the  Legend  of  Good  Women  are  denoted  by 'HF.'  and 
'  L.'  respectively.  If,  in  the  latter  case,  the  italic  letter  '  a '  follows  the  number  of  the 
line,  the  reference  is  to  the  earlier  (or  A-text)  of  the  Prologue  to  the  Legend.  Thus 
'  HF.  865  '  means  '  House  of  Fame,  line  865.'  Again,  '  L.  2075  '  means  '  Legend  of  Good 
Women,  line  2075  ; '  and  '  L.  200  a'  means  '  Legend,  &c.,  line  200  of  the  text  in  the  left- 
hand  column.' 

The  Prologue  and  the  two  books  of  the  Treatise  on  the  Astrolabe  are  denoted, 
respectively,  by  'A.  pr.,'  'A.  i.,'  and  'A.  ii.'  Thus  the  reference  'A.  ii.  10.  8'  means 
'  Astrolabe,  bk.  ii.  ^^  10,  line  8  ; '  and  '  A.  pr.  10  '  means  '  Astrolabe,  prologue,  line  lo.' 

References  to  the  Canterbury  Tales  are  known  by  the  use  of  the  letters  A,  B,  C,  D, 
E,  F,  G,  H,  and  I,  which  are  used  to  denote  the  various  Groups  into  which  the  Tales 
are  divided.  In  this  case,  '  A  '  is  never  followed  by  a  full  stop  or  by  Roman  numerals, 
as  when  the  'Astrolabe'  is  referred  to;  and  such  a  reference  as  'B  5,'  meaning 
line  5  of  Group  B,  is  quite  distinct  from  '  B  5.  p  i.  i,'  where  '  B  5 '  means  bk.  v. 
of  Boethius,  and  is  invariably  accompanied  by  the  '  p '  or  '  m  '  denoting  the  '  prose  '  or 
'  metre." 

Siunmary  of  the  Minor  Poems.  The  Minor  Poems  are  all  numbered,  viz.  i  (ABC.)  ; 
2  (Compleynte  unto  Pile);  3  (Book  of  the  Duchesse);  4  (Mars);  5  (Parlement  of 
Foules)  ;  6  (Compleint  to  his  Lady) ;  7  (Anclida)  ;  8  (Wordes  to  Adam)  ;  9  (Former 
Age)  ;  10  (Fortune)  ;  n  (Merciless  Beauty)  ;  12  (To  Rosemounde)  ;  13  (Truth) ;  14  (Gen- 
tilesse)  ;  15  (Lak  of  Stedfastnesse)  ;  16  (Envoy  to  Scogan)  ;  17  (Envoy  to  Bukton); 
18  (Venus);  19  (To  his  Purse);  20  (Proverbs):  21  (Against  Women  Unconstant)  ; 
22  (Amorous  Complaint)  ;  23  (Balade  of  Compleynt)  ;  24  (Womanly  Noblesse). 

Alphabetically,  the  references  are  to  A  (Group  A  of  Cant.  Tales)  ;  A.  (Astrolabe)  ; 
B  (Group  B  of  C.  T.)  ;  B  I  .  .  .  B  5  (Boethius,  books  i  to  5)  ;  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  H,  I 
(Groups  C  to  I  of  C.  T.)  ;  HF.  (House  of  Fame)  ;  L.  (Legend  of  Good  Women)  ; 
R.  (Romaunt  of  the  Rose)  ;  T.  i.  .  .  .  T.  v  (Troilus,  books  i  to  5).  The  Minor  Poems, 
numbered  i  to  24,  are  given  above. 

N.B.  Words  containing  ay,  ey,  oy,  aw,  ew,  ow,  are  sometimes  entered  as  if  spelt  with 
ai,  ei,  oi,  au,  eii,  ow,  respectively. 


(glossarial  Intfi. 


Abbreviations.  Besides  s.,  adj.,  and  adv.,  for  substantive,  adjective,  adverb,  the  fol- 
lowing are  used  in  a  special  sense: — v.,  a  verb  in  the  infinitive  mood;  g^er.,  gerund; 
fr.  s.,  present  tense,  3rd  person  singular;  pr.pl.,  present  tense,  3rd  person  plural. 
Other  persons  are  denoted  by  the  figures  i  or  2. 

Fragments  B  and  C  of  the  '  Romaunt '  are  glossed  in  a  separate  Inde.x. 


A,  the  first  letter  of  the  alphabet,  T.  i.  171 ; 
the  letter  A,  A  161. 

A,  indef.  art.  a,  A  24,  &c. ;  al  a,  the  whole 
of  a,  E  1 165;  one,  D  1396;  one  and  the 
same,  21.  5;  about,  some,  L.  2075. 

A.,  prep,  on,  on  (the),  in,  for;  A-nighte,  by 
night,  B  3758 ;  A-dayes,  a-days,  E  1164; 
A-morwe,  on  the  morrow,  A  822;  A 
three,  in  three,  A  2934;  A  goddes  half, 
'on  God's  side,"  in  God's  name,  D  50; 
A  goddes  name,  in  God's  name,  A  854. 

A  !  tut.  ah  !  3.  213. 

A  !  ha !  ititerj.  aha !  T.  i.  868. 

Abaissen,  ,^,f/-.  to  be  dismayed,  B  4.  p  7. 
81;  //.  amazed,  spell-bound,  abashed, 
cast  down,  disconcerted,  E317,  iio8. 

Abak,  adv.  backwards,  A  3736;  aback, 
back,  L.  864. 

Abak-wrard,  adv.  backward,  B  3.  m  12.66. 

Abandoune,  v.  devote,  I  713 ;  pr.  s.  aban- 
dons, B  2767. 

Abasshen,  v.  fear,  be  abashed,  R.  1552 ; 
//.  abashed,  confused,  confounded,  dis- 
concerted, 5.  447  ;  R.  805,  &c. 

Abate,  v.  lower,  put  down,  B  3780;  de- 
preciate, R.  286 ;  2  pr.  s.  subj.  subtract, 
A.  ii.  10.  8;  //.  enfeebled,  B  3.  p  5.  52; 
put  down,  I  191. 

Abaved,//.  confounded,  disconcerted,  3. 
614. 

Abayst ;  see  Abaissen. 

Abe,  alphabet,  A.  i.  11.  3. 

A-bedde,  in  bed,  T.  i.  915. 

Abeggre.  v.  pay  for  it,  A  3938.  A  Kentish 
form.    See  Abeye,  Abye. 

A-begged,  a-begging,  F  1580. 

Abet,  s.  abetting,  aid,  T.  ii.  357. 

Abeye,  v.  pay  for,  C  100.    See  Abye. 

Abiden,  Abit;  see  Abyde. 

Abite,  r,  habit,  diess,  L.  146  a. 

A-blakeberied ;  see  Blakeberied. 

Able,  adj.  capable,  3.  786;  fit,  suitable, 
adapted,  A  167 ;  fit,  L.  320 ;  fit  for,  3. 
779;  deemed  deserving,  i.  184;  fitting, 
R.  986. 

Ablinge, /r. //.  enabling,  lifting,  B  3.  m 
9.  37  ;  fitting,  B  I.  m  6.  19. 

Abodes,  pi.  c/Abood,  s. 

Aboghte,  Aboght ;  see  Abye. 

Abood,   .f.  delay,  A   965;    tarrying,  T.  v. 


1307;    abiding,  continuance,  HF.   1963; 

pi.  delays,  T.  iii.  854. 
Abood.  //.  s.  of  Abyde. 
Aboute, //-^/.  about,  round,  throughout, 

round  about,  near. 
Abotite,    adv.   about,   engaged  in,  T.  v. 

1645;    in   due    order,   in   turn,   A   890; 

around,    here    and    there ;    been   a.,   go 

about,  endeavour,  A  1142. 
Aboven,  prep,  above. 
Abregge,  ger.  to  abridge,  shorten,  T.  iii. 

262 ;  A.  with  thy  peynes,  to  shorten  thy 

pains  with,  T.  iv.  426. 
Abregginge,  s.  abridging,  B  5.  p  i.  57 ; 

diminishing,  I  568. 
A-breyde,  v.  awake,  T.  iii.  1113;  come  to 

my  senses,  H  F.  559 ;  Abrayd,//.  s.  {strong 

form),    woke    up,   started    up,    3.    192; 

Abreyd,  i  pt.  s.  started  from  sleep,  HF. 

no;  Abra.y de, pt.  s.  (weak  forni),  started, 

B  4198  ;  Abreyde,  awoke,  T.  i.  724. 
Abroche,  v.  broach,  D  177. 
Abs6nte,  ?  pr.  pi.  subj.  absent  yourself, 

I-43- 

Abusioun,  s.  abuse,  absurdity,  T.  iv.  990  ; 
deceit,  B  214  ;  a  shameful  thing,  scandal, 
T.  iv.  1060. 

Abyden,  v.  abide,  await,  i.  131 ;  wait  for, 
HF.  1086;  be  still,  withdraw,  F  1522; 
pr.  s.  awaitj,  B  2175;  dwells,  T.  ii.  987; 
Abit,  pr.  s.  waits  for,  T.  i.  1091 ;  abides, 
G  1175;  iinp.  s.  stay,  wait,  A  3129;  imp. 
pi.  B  1175;  pres.pt.  E7S7;  Abood,//.  J. 
awaited,  T.  iv.  156;  stopped,  HF.  1062; 
expected,  3.  247  ;  Abiden,/)/.  pi.  abode,  T. 
i.  474;  Abiden,/!/.  waited,  B  3.  p  9.  191. 

Abydinge,  s.  expectation,  B  2.  p  3.  66. 

Abye,  -'.  pav  for,  A  4393  ;  pr.  pi.  undergo, 
B  4.  p  4.  86;  Aboughte, //.  .r.  paid  for, 
T.  V.  1756 ;  suffered  for,  A  2303  ;  Aboght, 
//.  paid  for,  L.  2483;  purchased,  18.  37; 
bought  dearly.  L.  1387 ;  atoned  for,  A 
3100.    See  Abegge,  Abeye. 

A-caterwawed,  a-caterwauling,  D  354. 

Acc6sse,  s.  feverish  attack,  T.  ii.  1315. 

Accident,  s.  that  which  is  accidental,  T. 
iv.  1505;  incident,  T.  iii.  918  ;  accidental 
occurrence,  HF.  1976;  unusual  appear- 
ance, E  607 ;  outward  appearance  (see 
note),  C  539. 

Accidie,  s.  sloth,  I  388. 

Accioun,  .r.  action,  i.  e.  accusation,  i.  20. 


#lo0sarial  JEnlJei. 


Accomplice,  v.  accomplish,  A  2864. 
Accord,  3-.  agreement,  B  2988  ;  harmony, 

B406Q;  peace,  I  992.     Sec  Acord. 
Accordaunce,  s.  concord,  harmony,  R. 

496. 
Accordaunt,  adj.  suitable,  B  4026. 
Accorde,  v.  agree  ;  pr.  s.  beseems,  L.  2583. 

See  Acorde. 
Accuseth,  //-.  s.  reveals,  R.  1591. 
Accusement,  s.  accusation  (other),  T.  iv. 

550- 
Accusour,  s.  revealer,  T.  iii.  1450. 
Achdt.  s.  buying,  purchase,  A  571. 
Ach6tours,//.  buyers,  caterers,  A  568. 
Ache,  -(.  ache,  T.  iv.  728. 
A-chekked,  pp.  checked,  hindered,  HF. 

2093. 
Acheve,  v.  achieve,  L.  1614. 
Achoken,  v.  choke,  stifle ;  pp.  L.  2008. 
Acloyeth,  pr.  s.  overburdens,  5.  517. 
A-Compas,  adv.  in  a  circle,  L.  300. 
Acomplissbe,  pr.  s.  subj.  fulfil,  compre- 

liend,  B  3.  p  10.  179. 
Acord,  ,f.  agreement,  5.  371 ;  concord,  5. 

381,  608  ;  accord,  3.  316 ;  in  a.,  in  tune,  5. 

197 ;  al  of  oon  a.,  in  tune,  3.  305.     See 

Accord. 
Acordable,  adj.  harmonious,  B  2.  m  8.  23. 
Acordaunce,  s.  concord,  B  2.  m  8.  14. 
Acordaunt,  udj.  suitable,  A  37,  3363  ;  A. 

to,  in  harmony  with,  5.  203. 
Acorde,  v.  accord,  grant,  allow,  agree, 

concern ;   //.  s.  suited,  A   244 ;    pt.  pi. 

agreed,  L.  168;   pres.  part,  agreeing,  B 

1737  ;  pp.  agreed,  A  818. 
Acorse.  ipr.  s.  curse,  T.  iv.  839. 
Acounte,  v.  consider,  B  3591 ;  pt.  s.  valued, 

cared,  3.  1237;  2//.  s.  didst  reckon,  B  2. 

P5-  113- 
Acountinge,  s.  reckoning,  calculation. 
Acoyede,  pt.  s.  caressed,  B  2.  p  3.  73. 
Acquitance,  s.  release,  A  4411 ;  deed  of 

release,  A  3327. 
Acquyte,  v.  acquit,  D  1599. 
Acurse,  v.  curse,  T.  iii.  1072. 
Acused,  pt.  s.  l)lamed,  T.  ii.  1081. 
Acustomaunce,    s.    system    of   habits, 

liabilual    method  of  life,   HF.   28;    Aad 

of  a.,  was  accustomed,  B  3701. 
Adamant,  s.  adamant,  A  1990 ;  loadstone, 

miignet,  R.  1182. 
Adawe,  v.  awake,  recover,  T.  iii.  1120. 
A-day,  in  the  day,  T.  ii.  60. 
Adding-,  s.  (the)'addition,  A.  ii.  41.  16. 
Adjeccioun,  s.  addition,  B  5.  p  6.  212. 
A-doun,  adv.  downwards,  down,  L.  178 ; 

down  below,  HF.  889;  below,  H  105;  at 

the  bottom,  G  779. 

I',  b 


Adrad,//>.  afraid,  A  605;  Adred,  3.  1190. 

Adressinge,  s.  directing,  B  4.  p  5.  loi. 

Adversaria,  adj.  liostile,  I  697. 

Advertence,  r.  attention,  heed,  T.  iv.  698. 

Adv6cacyes,  //.  pleas,  T.  ii.  1469. 

Advocats,  />/.  advocates  (in  which  the  t 
is  mute),  C  291. 

Afar,  adv.  afar,  HF.  1215. 

A-f6re.  on  fire,  T.  i.  229. 

A-fered,  pp.  afraid,  affrighted,  T.  i.  974; 
Afeul,  A  628. 

Affectis.  p/.  desires,  T.  iii.  1391. 

Affermed,  pp.  agreed  upon,  L.  790; 
established,  A  2349. 

Affiance,  s.  trust,  B  1330. 

Afforced,  pp.  forced,  I  974. 

Affray,  s.  fray,  quarrel,  D  2156;  terror,  B 
1 137;  fiight,  4.  214;  dread,  7.  334. 

Affrayeth,  //-.  s.  a:ouses,  e.xcites,  R.  91 ; 
pp.  frightened,  afraid,  B  563 ;  scared,  B 
4468  ;   roused,  3.  296. 

Affyle,  V.  file,  i.  e.  render  smooth,  A  712. 

Afor-yeyn,/;r/.  over  against,  T.  ii.  1188. 

Afounde,  v.  founder,  perish,  12.  21. 

Afrayad,  adj.  scared,  distracted,  R.  154. 

Afright,  pp.  affrighted,  B  4085. 

After,  prep,  according  to  ;  in  expectation 
of,  for,  B  467  ;  to  get,  A  525  ;  according 
as,  L.  575;  after,  i.  e.  to  fetch,  L.  1130; 
towards,  A  136;  in  accordance  with,  8. 
4;  by  inheritance  from,  L.  1072;  A.  as, 
according  as,  5.  216;  A.  oon,  alike,  A. 
1781 ;  A.  me,  according  to  my  command, 
E  327 ;  A.  the  yeer,  according  to  the 
season  of  the  year,  F  47  ;  A.  that,  accord- 
ing as,  T.  ii.  1347. 

A-fyre,  on  fire,  D  726 ;  i.  94 ;  A-f^re,  T.  i. 
229. 

Again,  prep,  when  exposed  to,  L.  2426; 
Agayn,  against,  BsSo;  towards,  A  2680; 
(so  as)  to  meet,  R.  785;  opposite  to,  R. 
1577;  exposed  to,  H  no;  contrary  to,  F 
748;  just  before,  B  4268;  near,  G  1279; 
to  meet,  B  391  ;  in  comparison  with,  L. 
189;  Ageyn,  against,  A  66;  compared 
with,  R.  ion  ;  turned  towaids,  L.  48. 

Agains,  prep,  against,  contrary  to,  in 
answer  to,  instead  of,  before,  in  presence 
of,  to  moet,  near  to;  against,  near; 
against,  B  3754. 

A-game,  adv.  in  play,  in  jest,  in  mockerv, 
in  sport,  4.  277. 

Agaste,  .fifr.  to  terrify,  T.  ii.  901 ;  pr.  s. 
deters,  frightens,  B  4.  p  6.  323 ;  pt.  s. 
frigtitened,  L.  1221 ;  pt.  s.  rejl.  was 
affrighted,  A  2424  ;  pp.  scared,  frightened, 
terrified,  ,4  2931 ;  aghast,  B  4079;  afraid, 
A  4267. 


(Slossarial  Intei. 


Agayn-ward.  adv.  backward,  at  the  point 
of  return,  A.  i.  17.  14;  back  again,  B  441. 

A^es,  pi.  times,  periods,  B  3177. 

Agrilten,  v.  do  wrong,  I>.  436;  pt.  s.  did 
offence,  D  392;  wrongly  committed,  L. 
2385  ;  I  pt.  s.  wronged,  HF.  329 ;  offended, 
T.  iii.  840;  pr.  s.  subj.   (if    he)   offend, 

1  150 ;  pp.  offended,  i.  122 ;  sinned,  T.  v. 
1684. 

Agon,  V.  to  go  away ;  Ago,  pp.  gone  away, 
T.  V.  1054 ;  gone,  F  1204 ;  passed  away, 
A  2802;  past,  L.  1766;  dead,  L.  916;  to 
ben  ago,  to  be  off,  5.  465;  Agon,//,  de- 
parted, A  1276;  gone  away,  C  810;  past, 
C  246 ;  nat  longe  a.  is,  it  is  not  long  ago, 
D  9 ;  passed  away,  A  1782 ;  dead,  E  631 ; 
ago,  B  1841. 

Agreable,  adj.  pleasing,  HF.  1097 ;  -es,//. 
pleasant,  B  3.  m  2.  31. 

Agreablely,  adv.  complacently,  B  2.  p  4. 
1^0. 

Agreabletee,  s.  equability,  B  2.  p  4.  127. 

A-greef,  in  dudgeon,  lit.  '  in  grief,'  T. 
iii.  862  ;  sadly,  T.  iv.  613  ;  amiss,  5.  543  ; 
in  dudgeon,  B  4083. 

Agregge,  v.  aggravate;  //-.  s.  I  960; 
pr.  pi.  I  892;  //.  //.  aggravated,  B 
2209. 

Agreved,  //.  angry,  A  2057;  vexed, 
L.  345  ;  aggrieved,  E  500. 

Agrief;  see  Agreef. 

Agrisen,  Agroos;  see  Agrysen. 

Agroted,  //.  surfeited,  cloyed,  L.  2454. 

Agrysen,  v.  shudder,  tremble,  feel  terror, 
H  I.  p  3.  22;    V.  feel    terror,  HF.  210; 

2  pr.  s.  dreadest,  B  2.  p  I.  71 ; 
//•.  jr.  trembles,  shivers,  B  i.  m  6. 
11;  As,\  00%,  pt.  s.  shuddered,  was  terri- 
fied, became  frightened,  T.  ii.  930; 
A-grisen,  //.  filled  with  dread,  B  3. 
p  I.  18. 

Agu,  J.  ague,  B  4150. 

Aguiler,  s.  needle-case,  R.  98. 

A-heigh,  adv.  aloft. 

Ajuged,  //. ;  a.  biforn,  prejudged,  B    i. 

p  4.  109. 
Ake,    V.    ache,    T.    ii.    549;    pr.   pi.    B 

2113. 
Aketoun,  s.  a  short  sleeveless  tunic,  worn 

under  the  hauberk,  B  2050. 
Akinge,  s.  pain,  T.  i.  1088. 
Aknowe,  //.  conscious  ;  am  aknowe,  I  ac- 

knrjwledge,  B  I.  p  4.  169. 
Akornes,  s.  pi.  fruits,  B  4.  m  3.  28. 
Al,  adj.  all,  A  10;  Alle,  //.  all,  A  26,  53; 

Al,  every,  R.  1586;  as  s.  everything,  T. 

iii.   1764;   al  a,  the  whole  of  a,  A  854; 

and  al,  and  all,  3.  116;   at  al,  in  every 


respect,  wholly,  C  633 ;  at  all,  D  1078 ; 
al  day,  all  the  day,  3.  1105:  —  Al,  adv. 
quite,  entirely,  altogether,  5.  540;  all 
over,  R.  840;  al  on  highte,  quite  aloud. 
A  1784  ;  al  by  oon  assent,  quite  with  one 
accord,  5.  557:  —  Al,  conj.  although, 
HF.  1740;  whether,  G  839;  al  be,  al- 
though, albeit,  4.  274;  al  be  that,  al- 
though, 5.  8:  — Al  and  soin,  the  whole 
matter  (collectively  and  severally),  D 
91 ;  Al  and  somme,  each  and  all,  all, 
the  whole,  7.  26;  Al  and  som,  5.  650; 
Alle  and  some,  one  and  all,  A  3136; 
Al  only,  adv.  merely,  simply,  2.  62;  Al 
so,  so,  E  1226;  Al  thing,  everything,  R 
53;  Al  thus,  exactly  thus,  5.  30.  iSee 
Alle. 

Al,  ,1.  awl,  13.  II.     See  Oules. 

Alambyk  (alambiik),  s.  alembic,  T.  iv. 
520;  //.  G794. 

Alaunts,  //.  dogs  of  a  huge  size,  A  2148. 

Alayes,  s.  pi.  alloy,  E  1167. 

Al-be-it,  although,  L.  1363. 

Albiflcacioun,  s.  albefaction,  whitening, 
G80S. 

Alday,  Al-day ,  adv.  continually,  A  1163 ; 
aKvays,  L.  1250;  everyday,  at  anytime, 

4-  237. 

Alder,  gen.  pi.  of  all ;   oure   alder,  of  us 

all,  I.  84.    See  Aller. 
Alder-best,  adv.  best  of  all,  3.  87.     See 

Aller. 
Alderbeste,  adj.  best  of  all,  3.  246. 
Alderfaireste,   adj.  /em.  def.   fairest   of 

all,  3.  1050. 
Alderflrst,  adv.  first  of  all,  B  2393 ;  in  the 

first  place,  R.  1000;    for   the   first   time, 

H  I.  p  3.  25. 
Alderfirste,  adj.  first  of  all,  T.  iii.  97. 
Alderlast,  adv.  lastly,  R.  449. 
Alder-lest,  least  of  all,  T.  i.  604. 
Alderlevest,  dearest  of  all,  T.  iii.  239. 
Alderman,    s.   the    head   of  a  guild,   A 

372. 
Aldermost.  adv.  most  of  all,  T.  1.  152. 
Alder-next,    adv.   nearest   of   all,   next, 

5-  244- 

Alderwysest,  adj.  pi.  the  wisest  of  all, 

T.  i.  247. 
Ale  and  breed,  drink  and  meat,  B  2062. 
Alemandres,  //.  almond-trees,  R.  1363. 
Alembykes,  //.  alembics,  G  794. 
Alestake,  s.  ale-stake,  i.  e.  a  horizontal 

stake  or  short  pole   projecting  from  an 

ale-house  to   support  a  sign    or    bush, 

A  667. 
Aley,   s.  an  alley,  B   1758;  pi.  walks,  K 

2324. 


©laggarial  Intiei. 


Aleys,  s.pl.  service-berries,  berries  of  tlie 

service-tree,  R.  1377. 
Alg'ate,  adv.  always,  A  571 ;  at  any  rate, 

3.  887  ;  nevertheless,  L.  238  ;  in  any  case, 

T.  ii.  964 ;  all  the  same,  D  588 ;    at  all 

hazards,  HF.  943. 
Algates,  adv.  in  every  way,  22.  43 ;  by  all 

means,  D  1514;  at  any  rate,  in  any  case, 

3.  1171;  wholly,  F  246;  nevertheless,  B 

2222;  all  the  same,  B  520. 
Aliens,  v.  alienate,  B  i.  p  6.  60. 
Al-if ,  even  if,  T.  iii.  398. 
Alkamistre,  s.  alchemist,  G  1204. 
AUe,    dat.   s.   and  pi.  of  Al ;    at  alle,   in 

every  case,  4.  36 ;   in  alle,  in  any  case, 

3.  141;  Alle,  pi.  all  (of  you),  T.  ii.  402. 

See  Al,  Aller. 
Allegeaunce,  s.  alleviation,  24.  22. 
Allegg'ed,  //.  allayed,  B  4.  p  4.  12. 
Aller,   of  all,,^<f«.  //.  0/  A\;  our  aller,  of 

us   all,   A   823 ;    hir  aller,  of  them   all, 

A  586. 
Alliaunce,  .f.  kindred,  i.  58;   espousal, 

E357- 

Allone,  adj.  alone,  4.  141 ;  lat  me  a.,  let 
me  alone,  i.  e.  trust  to  me,  T.  iii.  413. 

Allow,  ip.s.pr.  (I)  approve,  (I)  applaud, 
F  676. 

AUye,  s.  relative,  B  3593. 

AUyen,  ger.  to  ally  myself,  E  1414 ;  pp. 
allied,  2.  65  ;  provided  with  friendly  aid, 
B  3720. 

Almesse,  s.  alms,  B  168 ;  pi.  almsdoings, 
I  1030. 

Almicanteras,  s.pl.  small  circles  of  de- 
clination (in  the  celestial  sphere),  A.  i. 
i8.  2.  8. 

Almury,  s.  the, '  denticle  '  or  tooth-like 
point  or  pointer  situate  on  the  Rete  near 
the  '  head"  of  Capricorn,  A.  i.  23.  i. 

Aloes,  pi.  aloe,  in  comp.  ligne-aloes,  T.  iv. 
1137.     {Aloes  is  a  pi.,  not  a  gen.  case.) 

A-lofte,  adv.  on  high,  T.  v.  259. 

A-londe,  adv.  on  land,  ashore,  L.  2166; 
him  luere  lever  a-l.,  he  would  rather  be  on 
land,  L.  2413. 

Along  on,  along  of,  owing  to,  T.  iii.  783. 

Al-only,  adv.  solely,  T.  v.  1779. 

Aloon,  adj.  alone ;  her  aloon,  all  by  her- 
self, E.  2478. 

Alose,  v.  commend,  T.  iv.  1473. 

Al-outerly,  adv.  entirely,  absolutely,  3. 
1244;  Ail-utterly,  HF.  296. 

Alpes,  pi.  bull-finches,  R.  658. 

Also,  Al-so,  adv.  and  conj.  as,  R.  212, 1122; 
adv.  so,  A  3104;  Alswa,also  (Northern), 
A  4085 ;  A.  many,  as  many,  L.  528 ;  A. 
muche  as,  as  much  as,  D  2134  ;  Als,  also, 


besides,  3.  728;  as,  B  2850;  frequently 
used  in  expressing  a  wish,  4.  267. 

Altercacioun,  .r.  altercation,  dispute,  B 
4427. 

Alttier-fairest,  adj.  superl.  fairest  of  all 
R.  625. 

Alther-fastest,  adv.  sup.  as  fast  as  pos- 
sible, HF.  2131. 

Altherflrst,  adv.  first  of  all,  at  first,  HF. 
1368. 

Alther-firste,  adj.  first  of  all,  3.  1173. 

Altitude,  s.  the  elevation  of  a  celestial 
object  above  the  horizon,  measured 
along  a  vertical  arc,  A.  pr.  60. 

Al-utterly ;  see  Al-outerly. 

Al^wey,  adv.  always,  ceaselessly,  all  the 
while,  A  185. 

Alyne,  adv.  in  an  exact  line,  A.  ii.  38.  27. 

Am,  ;ini ;   in  phr.  it  am  1  ;   it  is  I,  B  1109. 

Amadrides,  s.  pi.  hamadryads,  A  2928. 

Almalgaming',  s.  the  formation  of  an 
amalgam,  G  771. 

A-mayed,  //.  dismayed,  T.  i.  648. 

Ambages,  //.  ambiguous  words,  T.  v. 
897. 

Am.bel,  s.  amble;  an  a.,  in  an  amble,  at 
an  ambling  pace,  B  2075. 

Ambes  as,  double  aces,  B  124. 

Amblere,  s.  an  ambling  nag,  A  469. 

Ameled,  pp.  enamelled,  R.  1080. 

Amenden,  v.  make  amends,  A  3074;  to 
surpass  in  demeanour,  F  97 ;  pr.  s.  siibj. 
may  (He)  amend,  D  1810 ;  //.  s.  improved, 
R.  1427  ;  did  good, 3.  1102  ;  //.  improved, 
B  4048  ;  remedied,  D  1097  ;  surpassed,  B 
3444. 

Ainendement,  s.  amends,  A  4185. 

Amenuse,  ger.  to  lessen,  I  496 ;  v.  dimin- 
ish, I  360 ;  pr.  s.  diminishes,  I  359 ;  be- 
comes less,  A.  i.  21.  76. 

Amerciments,  s.  pi.  fines,  exactions, 
I752. 

Amesureth,  pr.  s.  measures,  B  2.  j)  i.  95. 

Ameved,  pt.  s.  moved,  changed  ;  nought 
a.,  changed  not,  altered  not,  E  498 ; 
Amoeved,  pp.  perturbed,  1  670. 

Amiable,  adj.  kind,  B  2168;  courteous, 
I  629;   kindly,  R.  1226. 

A-midde,  adv.  in  the  midst,  R.  147. 

Amidde,  prep,  amid,  in  the  midst  of,  F 
409. 

Amiddes,  adv.  in  the  midst,  5.  277. 

A-middes,  prep,  in  the  midst  of,  A.  i.  18. 
4;  in  the  middle.  A  2009. 

Amis,  adv.  amiss,  3. 1141 ;  wrong,  L.  1291  ; 
wrongly,  B  3370;  seyde  amis,  gave  an 
unwelcome  answer,  5.  446. 

Amoeve ;  see  Ameve. 


(^lossarial  3Int)£i. 


Amonesteth,  pr.  s.  admonishes,  I   76 ; 

recommends,  B  2484. 
Amonestinge,  s.  admonition,  I  518. 
Among',  adv.  as  well,  T.  iii.  1816;  all  the 

while.  3.  298. 
Amonges,  adv.  sometimes,  variously,  B  2. 

p  I.  119. 
Amonges,  pre/>.  amongst,  A  759. 
Amonicioun,  .f.  pointing  out,  B  r.  p  4. 10. 
Amorettes,  //.  love-knots,  R.  892. 
Amor  vhtcit  omnia,  love  conquers  all,  A 

162. 
Amor  we,  A-morwe,   on  the  morrow, 

A  822,  1621 ;  in  the  morning,  3.  1103. 
Amounteth,    pr.    s.    means,    A    2362; 

amounts  to,  F  108. 
Amphibologyes,  ;>/.  ambiguities,  T.  iv. 

1406. 
Amy,  s.  friend,  C  318. 
Au,  a,  A  575;  An  eighte  busshels,  a  quan- 
tity equal  to  eight  bushels,  C  771. 
An,  prep,  on ;  An  heigh,  on  high,  E  2326. 
Ancille,  s.  handmaiden,  i.  109. 
Ancre,  s.  anchor,  10.  38 ;  Anker,  L.  2501. 
And,  conj.  if,  6.  112;  L.  217. 
Anes,  adv.  once  (Northern),  A  4074. 
Angle,    s.    angle    (a  technical    term    in 

astrology),  B304;  angular  distance  from 

the  meridian,  A.  ii.  4.  48. 
Angle-hook,  s.  fish-hook,  4.  238. 
Angre,  s.  anguish,  R.  320. 
Anguissh,  s.  anxiety,  B  3.  p  3.  55. 
Anguissheth,  pr.  s.  wounds,  pains,  B  3. 

m  7.  I. 
Anguissous,    adj.    distressed,    R.    520; 

sorry,  I  304;  distressful,  T.  iii.  816. 
Anhainge,  ^er.  to  hang,  C  259;  pp.  B 

3945- 

Anientissed,  pp.  brought  to  naught,  B 
2438. 

A-nlght,  in  the  night,  A  1042;  at  night, 
D  1827. 

A-nightes,  adv.  by  night,  R.  18. 

Anlas,  s.  a  short,  two-edged  knife  or 
dagger,  broad  at  the  hilt  and  tapering 
to  the  point,  formerly  worn  at  the 
girdle,  A  357. 

Annexed,  pp.  tied,  2.  72;  attached,  C 
482. 

.^Ntii  collecti,  collected  years,  A.  ii.  44.  27. 
When  a  table  contains  quantities  de- 
noting the  change  in  a  planet's  place 
during  round  periods  of  years,  such  as 
20,  40,  or  60  years,  such  a  change  is 
entered  under  the  heading  .Anni  Collecti. 

Anni  expansi,  expanse  years,  A.  ii.  44. 
26.  When  a  table  contains  quantities 
denoting  the  change  in  a  planet's  place 


during  only  a  few  years,  viz.  from  i  lo 

19    years,    such    changes    are    entered 

separately    under    the     headings    i,    2, 

3,  &'c.,  years,  which  are  designated  the 

expanse  (or  separate)  years. 
Annts   collectis   et  expansis,  the   collected 

years   and  expanse  years,  A.  ii.  45.  18. 

See  above. 
Annueleer,   s.    a    priest    who    received 

annual  payments,  a  chaplain,  G  1012. 
Annunciat,//.  pre-announced,  i.  e.  whose 

birth  was  foretold,  B  3205. 
Anon,  adv.  anon,  immediately,  at  once, 

A  32,  748. 
Anon-right,   adv.   immediately,   L.    115, 

1503. 
Anon-rightes,  adv.  immediately,  A  3480. 
Anoy,  i.  vexation,  T.  iv.  845;  trouble,  B 

1320 ;  torture,  B  3.  m  12.  25 ;  sadness,  I 

678,  680 ;  pi.  troubles,  I  518. 
Anoye,  v.  annoy,  vex,  T.  iv.  1304;  pr.  s. 

annoys,   vexes,   B   2234 ;    gives   offence, 

5.   518 ;    does   harm,   F   875 ;  impers.   it 

vexes,   G   1036;  pr.  pi.  harm,  B   2187; 

imp.pl.  injure  ye,  B  494;  pp.  displeased, 

D  1848;  wearied,  I  726;  peevish,  I  1051. 
Anoyful,     adj.    annoying,    tiresome,    B 

2222. 
Anoyous,  adj.  annoying,  tedious,  B  2433; 

disagreeable,  B  2235. 
Answere,  v.  answer,  D  1077 ;  a.  of,  answer 

for,  be  responsible  for,  L.  2212 ;  be  suit- 
able for,  B  4.  p  3.  6g. 
Answering,  s.  answer,  E  512. 
Antartik,  adj.  soutiiern,  A.  ii.  25.  11. 
Antem,  s.  anthem,  B  1850. 
Antiphoner,  s.  anthem-book,  B  1709. 
Antony,  fyr  of  seint,  erysipelas,  I  427. 
Anvelt.  f.  anvil,  3.  1165. 
Any-thing,   at  all,  in  any  degree,  T.  i. 

848. 
Aornement,  .f.  adornment,  I  432. 
Apaire ;  see  Apeiren. 
Apalled,  ;>/.  vapid,  I  723;  weakened,  A 

3053;  pale,  F365;  languid,  B  1292. 
Aparayles,  s.  pi.  ornaments,  B  2.  p  4. 

69.     (  Lat.  ornamentis.) 
Aparaile,  v.  apparel,  D  343;  prepare,  L. 

2473;    Apparaillen,   v.  prepare,  B  2532; 

/; .  s.  endues,  I  462 ;  imp.  s.  prepare,  B 

2334- 
Aparailements,  s.  pi.  ornaments,  B   2.. 

Aparcey ve ;  see  Aperceive. 
Apassed,  pp.  passed  away,  B  2.  p  5.  35. 
Apaye,  v.  to  satisfy;  pp.  satisfied,  T.  v. 

1249;    pleased,   T.   iii.   421;  y^jei  a.,   ill 

pleased,  L.  80 ;  E  1052. 


(Sloggarial  Intci. 


Apayre :  see  Apeiren. 

Apayse;  see  Apese. 

Ape,  s.  ape,  HF.  1212;  dupe,  A  3389;  //. 

dupes,  r.  i.  913. 
Apeiren,  ^er.  to  injure,  impair,  A  3147 ; 

V.  I  1079;  grow  worse,  HF.  756;  i  pr. 

pi.  perish,  T.  ii.  329 ;  pp.  impaired,  B  I. 

p  5.  67  ;  injured,  T.  i.  38. 
Aperceive,    v.  perceive,    E   600;   Apar- 

ccyve,  T.  iv.  656 ;  pr.  s.  discerns,  I  294. 
Apercey vingea,  pi.  perceptions,  obser- 
vations, F  286. 
Apart,  adj.  manifest,  I  649. 
Apert,  adv.  openly,  F  531. 
Apertenant,  adj.  belonging  to,  such  as 

belongs  to,  2.  70 ;  suitable,  E  loio. 
Aperteneth,  pr.  s.  impers.  appertains,  B 

2171;  pr.  pi.  I  83;  pres.  pt.   belonging, 

G785. 
Apertly,  adv. op^v^y;  clearly,  I  294. 
Apese,    Apeise,  v.  appease,  pacify;  E 

433;  i-fnp.  pi.  mitigate,  4.  10;  pr.  s.  rejl. 

is  pacified,  B  3051;  1  pr.pl.  T.  iii.  22; 

pt.  s.  B  2290;  pp.  appeased,  T.  i.  250. 
Apeyre :  see  Apeire. 
Apeyse ;  see  Apese. 
Apose ;  see  Appose. 
Apotecaiie,  s.   apothecary,  B  4138 ;  //. 

preparers  of  medicines,  A  425. 
Appalled ;  see  Apalle. 
Apparaunte,  adj.pl.  apparent,  manifest, 

k.5. 
Apparence,  s.  appearance,  F  218 ;  seem- 
ing, HF.  265;  apparition,  F  1602;  false 

show,  F  1157;  pi.  apparitions,  F  1140. 
Appese ;  sec  Apese. 
Appetyt,  s.  desire,  A  1680. 
Appetyteth,  pr.  s.  seeks  to  have,  desires, 

L.  1582. 
Applyen,  v.  be  attached  to,  B  5.  p  4.  14. 
Apposed,  //.  s.  questioned,  G  363 ;   pp. 

opposed,  alleged,  B  i.  p5.  54. 
Apprentys,  adj.   unskilled,   as   novices, 

R.  687. 
Appreved,  pp.  approved,  E  1349. 
Appropred,  pp.  appropriated,  made  the 

|)iop(*rty  of,  14.  18. 
Approwours,  //.  approvers,  informers, 

IJ  1343- 
Aprochen,  v.  approach,  T.  v.  i. 
Apurtenance,    s.   appurtenance;    pi.  I 

793- 
Apyked,     //.     trimmed,     adorned,     A 

Aqueynte  rae,  make  myself  acquainted, 
3.  532;  //.  pi.  became  acquainted,  HF. 
250  ;  pp.  acquainted,  B  1219. 

Aquyte,  imp.  s.  requite,  T.  ii.  1200. 


Arace,  v.  eradicate,  uproot,  T.  v.  954 ; 
tear  away,  6.  20 ;  /;■.  s.  subj.  root  out, 
eradicate,  T.  iii.  1015;  pp.  torn,  borne 
along;  torn  away,  B  3.  p  11.  165. 

Araise ;  see  Areise. 

Aray,  j.  array,  dress,  L.  1505 ;  arrange- 
ment, T.  iii.  536 ;  state,  dress,  A  41,  73 ; 
attire,  I  932 ;  array  of  garments,  L.  2607 ; 
order,  E  262 ;  ordinance,  E  670 ;  position, 
D  902;  condition,  A  934. 

Arayed,  //.  dressed,  ready,  T.  iii.  423 ; 
clad,  R.  472;  adorned,  T.  ii.  1187;  ivel 
a.,  well  situated,  T.  ii.  680;  equipped,  A 
2046;  dressed,  F  389;  ordered,  B  252; 
appointed,  F  1187. 

Arbitre,  s.  will,  choice,  B  5.  p  3.  18. 

Arches ;  see  Ark. 

Archaungel,  s.  titmouse,  R.  915. 

Arche'wyves,  s.  pi.  archwives,  ruling 
wives,  E  1 195. 

Ardaunt,  adj.  ardent,  B  3.  m  12.  15; 
eager,  B  4.  p  3.  116. 

Arede,  v.  explain,  disclose,  T.  ii.  1505; 
counsel,  T.  iv.  1112;  interpret,  3.  289; 
g'er.  to  divine,  T.  ii.  132. 

Areise,  v.  raise;  Areysen,  ^^^^  to  levy, 
I  567 ;  pp.  praised,  L.  1525 ;  raised,  A. 
ii.  2.  7. 

Arest,  s.  rest  (for  a  spear),  A  2602. 

Areste,  s.  arrest,  B  4090;  detention,  A 
1310;  responsibility,  E  1282;  delay,  L. 
806;  hesitation,  L.  1929;  deliberation, 
L.  397- 

Areste,  v.  stop  (a  horse),  A  827;  Do  a., 
cause  to  be  stopped,  B  4210. 

Aretten,  v.  impute,  B  2.  p  4.  14 ;  A.  upon, 
//•.  s.  accuses,  I  580 ;  pr.  pi.  subj.  ascribe, 
I  1002 ;  ye  u'arette  it  nat,  ye  impute  it 
not,  consider  it  not,  A  726;  //.  imputed, 
A  2729. 

A-re^we,  adv.  successively,  lit.  in  a  row, 
D  1254. 

Areyse;  see  Areise. 

Argoile,  s.  crude  tartar,  G  813. 

Arguinge,  s.  argument,  L.  475. 

Argumented,  pt.  s.  argued,  T.  i.  377. 

Axigtit.  adv.  rightly,  well,  A  267;  aright, 
G1418;  properly,  F  694  ;  wholly,  A  189; 
exactly,  T.  v.  364;  certainly,  B  3135. 

Arisen,  Arist;  see  Aryse. 

Ariste,  s.  arising,  rising,  A.  ii.  12.  16. 

Ark,  s.  arc,  referring  to  the  arc  of  the 
horizon  extending  from  sunrise  to  sun- 
set, B  2;  daily  course  of  the  sun,  E 
1795 ;  arc,  the  apparent  angular  dis- 
tance passed  over  by  the  sun  in  a  day 
and  a  night,  A.  ii.  7.  12 ;  Arches,  pi. 
arcs,  A.  ii.  7.  15. 


#los0aiial  IlnliEi. 


Armes,  pi.  arms,  weapons,  7.  i ;  coat-of- 

arms,  A  1012. 
Arm-greet,  adj.  thick  as   one's  arm,  A 

2145- 

Arminge,  s.  putting  on  of  armour,  B 
2037. 

Armipotente,  adj.  powerful  in  arms, 
A  1982. 

Armoniak,  adj.  ammoniac ;  applied  to 
bole,  G  790,  and  sal,  G  798.  It  is  a 
corruption  of  Lat.  armeniacum,  i.  e.  Ar- 
menian. 

Armonye,  s.  harmony,  3.  313. 

Armure,  s.  defensive  armour,  4.  130;  B 
200  I. 

Armurers,  //.  armourers,  A  2507. 

Am,  pr.  pi.  are,  HF.  1008. 

Aroos ;  see  Aryse. 

A-roume,  adv.  at  large,  in  an  open 
space,  HF.  540. 

A-rowe,  adv.  in  a  row,  HF.  1835. 

Arov/e,  s. ;  see  Ar-we. 

Arrace :  see  Arace. 

Array,  Arrays :  see  Aray.  Araj-ed.. 

Arrerage,  s.  arrears,  A  602. 

Arrette ;  see  Aretten. 

Arrivage,  s.  coming  to  shore,  HF.  223. 

Arryve,  v.  arrive,  come  to  land,  10.  38 ; 
pr.  s.  (it)  arrives,  L.  2309 ;  pt.  s.  drove 
ashore,  B  4.  m  3.  i ;  yvel-a.,  ill-fated, 
R.  1068. 

Ars-metryke,  s.  arithmetic,  D  2222. 

Artelleries,  s.  pi.  engines  for  shooting, 
B  2523. 

Arten,  ger.  to  constrain,  urge,  T.  i.  388. 

Artificial,  adj.  A.  ii.  7.  rub.  The  day 
artijicial  is  the  length  of  the  day,  from 
the  moment  of  sunrise  to  that  of 
sunset. 

Artik,  northern,  A.  i.  14.  10. 

Artow,  art  thou,  A   1141;  thou   art,  L. 

Arwe,  s.  arrow,  T.  ii.  641 ;  Arowe,  7.  185  ; 
pi.  arrows,  A  107. 

Aryse,  v.  arise,  be  raised,  T.  iv.  1480; 
pr.  r.  rises,  I  971 ;  Arist,  pr.  s.  {coiitr. 
from  ariseth)  arises,  B  265;  Aroos,  p/.  s. 
arose,  5.  575  ;  stood  up,  L.  831 ;  Arisen, 
//.  pi.  arose,  T.  ii.  1598;  Aryse,  pr.  s. 
subj.  may  arise ;  Fro  the  sonne  aryse, 
from  the  point  where  the  sun  rises. 

Arysing,  s.  rising,  rise,  A.  ii.  12.  i. 

Ary  ve,  s.  lit.  arrival ;  landing,  disem- 
barkation of  troops,  k  60. 

Ary  ve ;  see  Arryve. 

As,  so  (in  asseverations),  3.  838,  1235;  an 
expletive,  expressing  a  wish,  commonly 
used   with   an    imperative,   e.   g.   as  lat. 


pray  let,  B  859;  as  lent,  pray  lend,  A 
3777,  &c. ;  As,  like,  B  1864 ;  as  that, 
Y  1018 ;  As  after,  according  to,  B  3555 ; 
As  ferforth  as,  as  far  as,  B  19;  As  in, 
i.  e.  for,  B  3688 ;  As  now,  at  present,  at 
this  time,  A  2264 ;  on  the  present 
occasion,  G  944;  for  the  present,  G 
1019;  As  nouthe,  as  at  this  time,  at 
present,  A  462;  As  of,  with  respect  to, 
5.  26;  As  swythe,  as  soon  as  possible, 
at  once,  7.  226 ;  As  that,  as  soon  as, 
F  615  ;  as  though,  3.  1200 ;  As  ther,  there, 
4.  117;  As  to,  with  reference  to,  F  107; 
As  to   my   wit,   as  it    seems   to    me,   5. 

547- 

As,  s.  an  ace,  B  3851 ;  Ambes  as,  pi.  double 
aces,  B  124. 

Asay :  see  Assay. 

Ascaunce,  as  if,  perhaps,  G  838 ;  in  case 
that,  L.  2203 ;  Ascaunces,  as  if,  D  1745 ; 
as  if  to  say,  T.  i.205,  292.  Compounded 
of  E.  as,  and  O.  F.  quanses,  as  if. 

Ascencioun,  s.  ascension,  ascending 
degree,  B  4045  ;  rising  up,  G  778. 

Ascende,  v.  ascend,  rise  (a  term  in 
astrology),  I  11;  pres.  part,  ascending, 
in  the  ascendant,  i.  e.  near  the  eastern 
horizon,  F  264. 

Ascendent,  -f.  ascendant,  A  417;  //.  HF. 
1268.  The  '  ascendant '  is  that  degree 
of  the  ecliptic  which  is  rising  above 
the  horizon  at  a  given  moment. 

Asemble ;  see  Assemble. 

Aseuraunce,  .f.  assurance,  T.  v.  1259. 

Ash;  see  Asshe. 

Ashamed,  pp.  put  to  shame,  A  2667  ;  for 
pure  a.,  for  very  shame,  T.  ii.  656. 

Asketh,  //•.  s.  requires,  T.  i.  339. 

Asking',  t.  question,  L.  313. 

Aslake,  v.  diminish,  A  3553 ;  pp.  assuaged, 
.\  1760. 

Asonder,  adv.  asunder,  apart,  A  491. 

Asp,  s.  aspen  tree,  A  2921 ;  collectively, 
R.  1384.     A.  S.  CBps. 

Aspect,  J.  an  (astrological)  aspect,  A 1087. 
An  '  aspect '  is  the  angular  distance 
between  two  planets.  The  principal 
aspects  areyff^,  viz.  conjunction,  sextile, 
quartile,  trine,  and  opposition,  corre- 
sponding to  the  angular  distances  o*^,  60°, 
90^  120^,  and  180^.  respectively. 

Aspen-leef .  s.  leaf  of  an  aspen  tree,  D 
1667. 

Aspre,  adj.  sharp,  bitter,  T.  iv.  827; 
vexatious,  B  3.  p  8.  19 ;  cruel,  B  2.  p 
8.  39 ;  fierce,  hardy,  7.  23. 

Asprenesse,  s.  asperity,  B  4.  p  4.  159. 

Aspye.  f.  spy,  C  755. 


(©lossarial  Intttx. 


Aspye,  V.  spy,  see,  A  1420;  Aspyen,  v. 
behold,  T.  ii.  649. 

Assaut,  s.  assault,  A  989. 

Assay,  s.  trial,  D  290;  doon  his  a.,  make 
his  attempt,  L.  1594;  A-say,  test,  L. 
28  a. 

Assaye,  ia  try,  make  trial  of,  B  3149; 
t'T.  3-  574;  endeavour,  F  1567;  ger.  to 
assail,  T.  i.  928 ;  pr.  s.  experiences,  B  3. 
m  2.  13 ;  /;-.  //.  try,  L.  487 ;  imp.  pi. 
try,  E  1740;  //.  proved,  tested,  tried, 
experienced,  T.  iii.  1220,  1447;  A  1811. 

Assayle;  see  Assaile. 

Assege,  s.  siege,  T.  i.  464,  ii.  107. 

Assege,  v.  besiege ;  //.  //.  T.  i.  60 ;  //. 
A  881. 

Assemble,  v. ;  come  together,  I  909 ;  ger. 
to  amass,  B  3.  p  8.  8 ;  pp.  A  717 ;  united, 
G50. 

Assemblinge,  s.  union,  I  904,  917. 

Assendent ;  see  Ascendent. 

Assente,  v.  agree  to,  A  374;  assent,  A 
3092;  consent,  B  3469;  agree,  E  11, 
88,  129. 

Asshe  (i),  .f.  ash-tree,  5.  176;  collectively, 
ash-trees,  R.  1384. 

Asshe  (2),  s.  ash  (of  something  burnt)  ; 
Asshen,;>/.  ashes,  7.  173;  A  1302. 

Assoilen,  ger.  to  discharge,  pay,  B  5. 
p  1. 15  ;  V.  loosen  ;  pr.  s.  absolve,  pardon, 
C  913 ;  pp.  explained,  B  5.  p  6.  311. 

Assoiling,  s.  absolution,  A  661. 

Assure,  s.  assurance,  protestation,  7.  331. 

Assure,  v.  feel  secure,  trust.  T.  v.  870; 
rely,  T.  v.  1624;  declare  (to  be)  sure, 
7.90. 

Assyse,  s.  assize,  session,  A  314;  judge- 
ment, I.  36;  position,  R.  900. 

Asterte,  v.  escape,  L.  1802;  A  1595;  es- 
cape from,  L.  2338;  D  968;  get  away, 
witiulraw,  3.  1154;  release,  D  1314;  //. 
s.  escaped,  T.    iii.   97;    pp.    escaped,    B 

437- 
Astonie,    v.  astonish ;  pr.  s.  astonishes, 

HF.  1174;  pp.  astonished,  T.  i.  274,  iii. 

1089. 
Astonyingre,  s.  astonishment,  B  4.  p  5.  33. 
Astore,  ?'.  to  store;  //.  A  609. 
Astrolabie,  s.  astrolabe,  A.  pr.  4. 
Astrologien,  s.   astrologer,  astronomer, 

L)  324. 
Astrologye,  s.  astrology,  A  3192,  3514. 
Astromye  ( /&/- Astronomye),  a«  ignorant 

form,  A  3451,  3457. 
Asure,  s.  azure,  R.  477. 
As'weve,  v, ;  //.  dazed,  put  to  sleep,  HF. 

549- 
A-swown,  adv.   {from  pp.)   in  a  swoon. 


L.  2207 ;  Aswowe,  7.  354 ;  hence  As- 
wowne,  in  a  swoon,  T.  iii.  1092 ;  A  3823. 

At,  prep,  at,  A  20,  &c. ;  of,  R.  378  ;  as  to, 
6.  114;  by,  D  2095;  in  the  presence  of, 
T.  ii.  984;  with,  beside,  HF.  1593;  10, 
HF.  1603;  At  me,  with  respect  to  me, 
B  1975;  At  erste,  firste  of  all,  HF.  512; 
At  his  large,  free,  free  to  speak  or  be 
silent,  A  2288 ;  At  on,  at  one,  agreed, 
A  4197 ;  At  shorte  wordes,  briefly,  5. 
481;  At  regard,  with  regard,  I  180;  At 
ye,  at  (your)  eye,  with  your  own  eyes, 
visibly,  A  3016 ;  have  at  thee,  I  attack 
thee,  L.  1383. 

At-after,  prep,  after,  B  1445. 

Atake,  v.  overtake,  G  556,  585. 

Ataste,  2pr.  s.  subj.  taste,  B  2.  p  i.  41. 

Ataynt ;  see  Atteine. 

Atazir,  s.  evil  influence,  B  305. 

Atempraunce,  s.  temperament,  B  4.  p  6. 
214 ;  adjustment,  moderation,  temper- 
ance, C  46. 

Atempre,  adj.  temperate,  mild,  L.  128, 
1483;  moderate,  T.  i.  953;  mild,  5.  204; 
R.  131;  modest,  I  932. 

Atempre,  -■. ;  pr.  s.  attempers,  B  i.  m  2. 
23  ;  refi.  controls  himself,  B  2704. 

Atemprely,  adv.  temperately,  I  861 ; 
moderately,  B  2728. 

Atempringe,  s.  controlling,  B  5.  p  4.  loi. 

Ateyne ;  see  Atteine. 

Athamaunt,  s.  adamant,  A  1305. 

Athinken,  v.  displease,  T.  v.  878;  Athink- 
eth,  pr.  s.  impers.  (it)  repents,  T.  i.  1050. 

At-ones,  adv.  at  once,  at  one  and  the 
same  time,  B  670. 

Atoon,  adv.  at  one,  E  437. 

At-rede,  v.  surpass  in  counsel,  T.  iv. 
1456 ;  A  2449. 

At-renne,  v.  surpass  in  running,  T.  iv. 
1456 ;   A  2449. 

Attamed,  pp.  broached,  B  4008. 

Attayne ;  see  Atteine. 

Atte,  for  at  the,  D  404;  Atte  beste,  in 
the  best  way,  A  29,  749;  Atte  fan,  at 
the  fan,  H  42;  Atte  fulle,  at  the  full, 
completely,  A  651;  Atte  gate,  at  the 
gate,  B  1563 ;  Atte  hasard,  at  dice, 
C  608;  Atte  laste,  at  the  last,  B  506; 
Atte  leste,  at  the  least,  at  least,  B  38 ; 
Atte  Bowe,  at  Bow,  A  125. 

Atteine,  v.  attain,  R.  1495;  succeed  in, 
4.  161 :  pp.  apprehended,  B  3.  p  3.  25. 

Attempre ;  see  Atempre. 

Attry,  adj.  venomous,  I  583. 

A-tweyn,  adv.  in  two,  3.  1193. 

A-t'winne,  adv.  apart,  T.  iii.  1666. 

Atwixe,  prep,  betwixt,  R.  854. 


Bb 


#lo0saiial  hxtstx. 


A-twixen,  prep,  between,  T.  v.  472. 

A-tWO,  in  twain,  7.  94;   L.  758. 

A-tyr,  s.  attire,  dress,  T.  i.  181. 

Auctor:  see  Auctour. 

Auctoritee,  s.  authority,  B  2355 ;  recog- 
nised text,  A  300a;  statements  of  good 
authors,  D  i. 

Auctour,  s.  author,  HF.  314;  originator, 
H  359  ;  creator,  T.  iii.  1765. 

Audience,  s.  hearing,  5.  308 ;  audience, 
B  3991 ;  open  assembly,  D  1032. 

Augrim,  j.  algorism,  i.  e.  numeration,  A. 
i.  7.  6;  Arabic  numerals,  A.  i.  8.  6. 

Augrim-stones,  //.  counters  for  calcu- 
lating, A  3210. 

Auncessour,  s.  ancestor;  p/.  R.  391. 

Auncestre,  s.  ancestor,  5.  41. 

Auncetrye,  s.  ancestry,  A  3982. 

Aungel,  s.  angel,  R.  916. 

Aungellyk,  adj.  angelical,  T.  i.  102. 

Aungellyke,  adv.  like  an  angel,  L.  236. 

Auntre  it,  v.  risk  it,  A  4209 ;  Auntred 
him,/i/.  s.  adventured  himself,  A  4205. 

Auntrous,  adj.  adventurous,  B  2099. 

Autentyke,  adj.  authentic,  3.  1086. 

Auter,  s.  altar,  5.  249. 

Avale,  V.  fall  down,  T.  iii.  626;  doff,  take 
off,  A  3122;  Avalen, />/-. />/.  sink  down. 

Avantage,  s.  advantage,  F  772;  io  don 
his  a.,  to  suit  his  own  interests,  B  729; 
as  adj.  advantageous,  B  146. 

Avante;  see  Avaunte. 

Avaunce,  v.  promote,  L.  2022;  ger.  T.  i. 
518;  be  profitable,  A  246;  cause  to 
prosper,  HF.  640;  help,  10.  31. 

Avaunt,  s.  vaunt,  boast,  A  227,  E  1457. 

Avaunte  (her),  v.  reji.  boast  (herself),  7. 
296;  ger.  to  extol,  HF.  1788;  v.  reJl. 
boast,  vaunt  himself,  D  1014. 

Avaunting,  s.  boasting,  A  3884. 

Avauntour,  s.  boaster,  5.  430. 

Avenaunt,  adj.  graceful,  comely,  R.  1263. 

Aventayle,  s.  ventail,  E  1204. 

Aventure,  J.  chance,  4.  21;  peril,  B  1151; 
misfortune,  L.  657;  fortune,  18.  22; 
luck,  T.  ii.  288,  291 ;  circumstance,  L. 
1907;  o/"  a.,  by  chance,  HF.  2090;  on  a., 
in  case  of  mishap,  T.  v.  298;  in  a.,  in 
the  hands  of  fortune,  T.  i.  784 ;  per  a., 
perchance,  A.  ii.  12.  6 ;  in  a.  and  grace, 
on  luck  and  favour,  4.  60;  good  a.,  good 
fortune,  5.  131,  7.  324;  //.  adventures, 
A  795  ;  accidents.  C  934. 

Aventurous,  adj.  random,  B  i.  p  6.  98; 
adventitious  (L,a.t.  /orti/tia),  B  2.  p  4.  17. 

Avisee,  adj.  deliberate,  L.  1521. 

Avisioun,  s.  vision,  R.  9;  HF.  7. 

Avouterye,  s.  adultery,  5.  361. 


Avoutier,  s.  adulterer;  //.  1  841. 

Avow,  s.  vow,  A  2414,  2237. 

Avowe,  V.  avow,  own,  proclaim,  G  642; 
//•.  s.  vows,  7.  355. 

Avoy,  inierj.  fie  !  B  4098. 

Avys,  s.  advice,  consideration,  opinion, 
A  786,  B  2442. 

Avyse,  v.  consider,  T.  i.  364;  contem- 
plate, T.  v.  1814;  reJi.  consider,  B  664; 
imp.  s.  take  heed,  A  4188;  imp.pl.  con- 
sider, deliberate,  A  3185;  //.  clearly 
seen,  R.  475 ;  with  mind  made  up,  T. 
iii.  1186;  advised,  careful,  A  3584; 
deliberate,  I  448 ;  wary,  A  4333 ;  fore- 
warned, B  2538 ;  ^oell  a.,  well  advised, 
B  2514. 

Avysely,  adv.  advisedly,  B  2488  ;  seriously, 
I  1024;  carefully,  A.  ii.  29.  29. 

Avysement,  s.  consideration,  B  2941 ; 
counsel,  T.  ii.  343;  deliberation,  B  86; 
determination,  L.  1417. 

Await,  s.  watch,  D  1657;  surveillance,  H 
149 ;  waiting,  T.  iii.  579 ;  watchfulness, 
T.  iii.  457;  Have  hir  in  awayt,  watch 
her,  B  3915  ;  //.  plots,  B  3.  p  8.  11. 

Awaite,  v.  await;  pr.  s.  waits,  i.  iii; 
watches,  B  1776. 

Awaiting,  s.  attendance,  7.  250. 

Awaitour,  s.  Her  in  wait,  B  4.  p  3.  122. 

Awake,  v.  wake,  awake;  Awook,  1  pi.  s. 
aroused,  3.  1324;  pi.  s.  awoke,  F  367; 
Awaked,//,  s.  awoke,  A  2523. 

Award,  s.  decision,  I  483. 

Awen,  own  (Northern),  A  4239. 

A-'wepe,  a-weeping,  in  tears,  T.  ii.  408. 

A-vo'erke,  adv.  at  work,  D  215. 

Aweye,  adv.  out  of  the  way,  done  with, 
T.  ii.  123 ;  gone,  7.  319 ;  from  home,  B 
593  ;  astray,  B  609. 

Aw^eyward,  adv.  away,  backwards,  H 
262. 

Awhape,  v.  amaze;  pp.  scared,  L.  132; 
stupefied,  7.  215  ;  confounded,  T.  i.  316. 

Awook ;  see  Awake. 

Awreke,  v.  avenge,  2.  11 ;  pr.  s.  avenges, 
R.  278  ;  //.  H  298  ;  A  3752. 

Awry,  adv.  on  one  side,  R.  291. 

Axen,  V.  ask,  L.  835  ;  Axe  at,  ask  of.T.  ii. 
894;  /;■.  s.  requires,  T.  ii.  227. 

Axing,  s.  question,  L.  239  a;  request,  A 
1826. 

Ay,  adv.  aye,  ever,  A  63,  233;  Ay  vvhyl 
that,  all  the  while  that,  4.  252. 

Ay-dwellinge,  adj.  perpetual,  ever-abid- 
ing, B  5.  p  6.  97. 

Ayein,  prep,  opposite  to,  T.  ii.  920; 
against,  T.  i.  902. 

Ayein,  adv.  again,  back,  5.  100. 


(glossarial  Sntiei. 


Ayein-ledinge,    adj.    returning,    recon* 

ducting,  B  3.  m  9.  42. 
Ayeins,  prep,  against,  A   1787;    towards, 

at  the  approach  of,  5.  342. 
Ayeins,  adv.  against,  to,  A  3155. 
Ayein'ward,   adv.  again,   on   the.    other 

hand,  B  2.  p  4.  126;  back  again,  T.  iii. 

750,  IV.  1581. 
Ayel,  s.  grandfather,  A  2477. 
Azimut,  s.  azimuth,  A.  ii.  31.  22. 


Ba.  V.  kiss,  D  433  ;  imp.  s.  A  3709. 

Babe'winnes,/*/.  (lit. baboons), grotesque 
figures  in  architecture,  HF.  1189. 

Bachelere,  s.  young  knight,  R.  gi8,  1469; 
an  aspirant  to  knighthood,  A  80. 

Bachelrye,  s.  bachelor-hood,  H  125  ;  com- 
pany of  young  men,  E  270. 

Bad:'see'Bid(ie. 

Badder,  adj.  conip.  worse,  F  224. 

Bagge,  V. ;  pr.  s.  looks  askant,  3.  623. 

Baggepype,  s.  bagpipe,  A  565. 

Baggingly,  adv.  squintingly,  R.  292. 

Baite,  v.  bait;  feed,  B  466;  pp.  baited, 
tormented,  R.  1612. 

Bak,  s.  back,  3.  957 ;  cloth  for  the  back, 
coarse  mantle,  rough  cloak,  G  881. 

Bakbyter,  s.  backbiter,  I  495. 

Bake   metes,  baked   meats,  meat  pies, 

I  445- 
Bakhalf,   the  back   or   fiat   side   of   the 

astrolabe,  A.  i.  4.  i. 
Bak-side,  s.  the  back  of  the  astrolabe,  A. 

i-  15-  3- 

Balaunce,  s.  a  balance,  G  611 ;  in  balaunce, 
in  jeopardy,  G  611 ;  in  suspense,  3.  1021. 

Bale,  s.  sorrow,  3.  535  ;  for  bote  tie  bale,  for 
good  nor  for  ill,  3.  227. 

Balke,  s.  balk,  beam,  A  3920;  pi.  trans- 
verse beams  beneath  a  roof,  A  3626. 

Balled,  adj.  bald,  A  198,  2518. 

Bane,  s.  death,  L.  2159;  destruction,  HF. 
408;  cause  of  death,  A  1097;  slayer,  T. 

•v.  333- 

Banes.  ;*/.  bones  (Northern),  A  4073. 

Bar,  Bare  ;  see  Bere,  v. 

Barbe,  s.  barb  (part  of  a  woman's  head- 
dress, still  sometimes  used  by  nuns, 
consisting  of  a  piece  of  white  plaited 
linen,  passed  over  or  under  the  chin, 
and  reaching  midway  to  the  waist),  T. 
ii.  no. 

Barbre,  adj.  barbarian,  B  281. 

Bareine,  adj.  barren,  B  68,  D  372. 

Barel  ale,  barrel  of  ale,  B  3083. 

Bark,  s.  (of  a  tree),  T.  iii.  727. 

Bb 


Barm-clooth,  s.  apron,  A  323  j 
Barme,  s.  (dat.)  bosom,  lap,  B  3256,3630. 
Baronage,  s.  assembly  of  barons,  A  3096. 
Barre,  s.  bar,  A  1075;  Barres,  //.  stripes 

across  a  girdle,  A  329. 
Barred,  //.  furnished  with  '  bars,'  A  3225. 
Barringe,   s.    adorning    with    (heraldic) 

bars,  I  417. 
Basilicok,  s.  basilisk,  I  853. 
Baste,  V.  baste;  pres.part.  basting,  tack- 
ing on,  R.  104. 
Bataile,  s.  battle,  fight,  L.  1647;  troop,  B 

5.  m  I.  4. 
Batailen,  v.  fight,  B  i.  p  4.  251. 
Batailled,   adj.   embattled,  i.  e.  notched 

with  indentations,  B  4050. 
Batere,  v.  batter;  pr.  s.  strikes,  I  556. 
Bathe,  both  (Northern),  A  4087. 
Bathe,  ger.  to  bathe,  to  bask,  T.  ii.  849; 

rejl.  to  bask,  B  4457. 
Bauderye,  s.  bawdry,  act  of  a  pandar,  T. 

iii.  397  ;  mirth,  A  1926. 
Baudrik,    s.    baldric,    belt   worn    trans- 
versely over  one  shoulder,  A  116. 
Baudy'.  adj.  dirty,  G  635. 
Baume,  s.  balm,  HF.  1686. 
Baundon,  s.  power,  disposal,  R.  1163. 
Bay,  adj.  bay-coloured,  A  2157. 
Bayard,  a  horse's  name ;  a  horse,  A  41 15. 
Be-,  prefix  ;  see  also  Bi-. 
Beau,  adj.  fair ;  beau  sir,  fair  sir,  HF.  643. 
Be-bled,  pp.  bloodied,  covered  with  blood, 

B  3.  m  2.  14. 
Beblotte,  mip.  s.  blot,  T.  ii.  1027. 
Bechen,  adj.  made  of  beech,  G  1160. 
Become,  v.  go  to,  L.  2214 ;  //.  gone  to,  7. 

247. 
Bed,  s.  L.  2211;  station,  B  3862;  bed  (of 

herbs),  B  4411. 
Beddinge,  s.  couch,  A  1616. 
Bede,  v.  offer,  proffer,  HF.  32;  G  1065; 

I  pr.   s.   proffer,  7.  304;    Bedeth, //-.   s. 

proffers,  E  1784;   Bede,  ipt.pl.  directed, 

told,  I  65;  Boden,//.  commanded,  T.  iii. 

691 ;  ordered,  L.  266. 
Bede,  pt.pl.  and  pp.  of  Bidde. 
Beden,  pt.  pi.  of  Bidde. 
Bedes,  pi.  beads,  A  159. 
Bedote,  v.  befeol,  L.  1547. 
Bedrede,  adj.  bedridden,  D  1769. 
Beek.  s.  beak,  F  418. 
Beem,  s.  balk,  B  4362;  Bemes,//.  beams, 

R.  1574. 
Been,  pi.  bees,  F  204. 
Beer,  bare ;  //.  s.  of  Bere. 
Beest,  s.  beast,  F  460 ;  Beest  roial  =  royal 

beast,  i.  e.   Leo,  F  264;    brute,  G  288; 

beast,  quarry,  R.  1452. 


(©lossarial  Jzntjcx. 


Beet,  pf.  s.  and  imp.  s.  of  Bete. 

Beeth.  imp.pl.  of  Ben,  to  be. 

Begercstere,  s.  beggar,  properly  a  female 
beggar,  A  242. 

Betiette ;  see  Bihote. 

Bekke,  i  pr.  s.  (I)  nod,  C  396;  pt.  s. 
nodded  to,  T.  ii.  1260. 

Bel  amy,  i.  e.  good  friend,  fair  friend,  C 
318;  Bele,  adj.  fern,  fair,  beautiful,  HF. 
1796 ;  Bele  chere,  excellent  fare,  B  1599  ; 
Bele  chose,  beautiful  part.  D  447. 

Belle,  s.  bell,  T.  ii.  1615;  (of  a  clock),  3. 
1322;  (sign  of  an  inn),  A  719;  bere 
the  l>.,  be  the  first,  T.  iii.  198. 

Bel'weth,  pr.  s.  roars,  HF.  1803. 

Bely,  s.  belly,  B  2167. 

Bely,  s.  a  pair  of  bellows,  I  351. 

Bely-naked,  adj.  entirely  naked,  E  1326. 

Beme.  s.  trumpet,  HF.  1240;  pi.  B  4588. 

Ben,  Been,  v.  be,  i.  182 ;  i  pr.  pi.  are,  3. 
582;  Ben,  2/r./>/.  B  122;  consist,  I  82; 
Beth,  pr.  pi.  are,  F  648;  Be,  pr.  s.  stibj. 
exists,  it  should  be,  4.  49  ;  Be,  i  pr.  s.  subj. 
be,  am,  D  1245 ;  Beth,  imp.  pi.  be,  C 
683;  Been,  //.  3.  530;  A  199;  Be,  pp. 
been,  R.  322;  /  had  be,  I  should  have 
been,  3.  222;  Be  as  be  may,  be  it  as  it 
may,  however  it  be,  L.  1852  ;  Be  what  she 
be,  be  she  who  she  may,  T.  i.  679 ;  Lat 
be,  let  alone,  D  1289. 

Bench,  j.  bench,  T.  ii.  91;  table,  B  1548; 
bench  (law  court) ,  i.  159. 

Bend,  s.  band,  R.  1079. 

Bende,  v.  bend,  R.  1334 ;  turn,  T.  ii.  1250  ; 
Bente,  //.  s.  bent,  H  264;  Bent,  pp.  i. 
29 ;  arched,  A  3246. 

Bendinge,  s.  adorning  with  (heraldic) 
bends,  I  417.  A  bend,  in  heraldry,  is 
a  broad  diagonal  band  upon  a  shield. 

B6ne,  s.  bean,  11.  29. 

Benedicite,  bless  ye  (the  Lord) ,  A  1785 ; 
(pronounced  ben  cite),  T.  i.  780,  &c. 

Benisoun,  s.  benison,  blessing,  B  2288. 

Bent,  s.  grassv  slope  ;  Bente,  dat.  A  1981. 

Berafte;  see  Bireve. 

Berd,  s.  beard,  A  270,  2173;  in  the  berd, 
face  to  face,  T.  iv.  41 ;  make  a  berd,  de- 
ceive, A  4096 ;  make  his  berd,  delude 
him,  D  361. 

B6re,  5.  bear,  L.  1214;  the  constellations 
Ursa  Major  and  Ursa  Minor,  HF.  1004. 

B6re,  s.  bier,  2.  105 ;  19.  5. 

Bere,  v.  bear,  carry,  B  3564;  transport, 
F  119;  confer  on,  J^.  2135;  Bere  yow, 
conduct  yourself,  D  1108;  Beren  on 
honde,  accuse,  D  393;  Beren  him  on 
bond,  assure  him,  D  232  (cf.  226) ;  Bereth 
him,  conducts  himself,  behaves,  A  796; 


•  Bereth  hir,  comports  herself,  T.  ii.  401 ; 
Berth  hir  on  bond,  bears  false  witness 
against  her,  B  620 ;  Bereth  him  on  hond, 
accuses  him,  I  505 ;  Sickly  berth,  take 
ill,  dislike,  E  625 ;  Bere,  pr.  pi.  3.  894 ; 
Bere,  2  //.  s.  barest,  T.  iv.  763  ;  Bar,  pt.  s. 
bare,  carried,  A  105  ;  possessed,  D  997  ; 
pt.  s.  rejl.  conducted  himself,  T.  iii.  490 ; 
Bar  on  honde,  made  him  believe,  D  575  ; 
Bar  her  on  honde,  brought  against  her 
a  charge  which  he  feigned  to  believe,  7. 
158 ;  Baren  us,  i  pt.  pi.  conducted  our- 
selves, A  721 ;  Baren  me  on  hond,  bore 
false  witness  against  me,  B.  i.  p  4.  180 ; 
pr.  s.  subj.  may  pierce,  A  2256 ;  Ber, 
imp,  s.  carry,  D  1139;  Ber  ayein,  take 
back,  T.  ii.  1141;  Boren,  pp.  born,  D 
1 153;  Bore,  pp.  horn. 

Bere,  s.  head-sheet,  pillow-case,  3.  254. 

Berie,  s.  berrj',  A  4368. 

Berie,  v.  bury,  C  884. 

Beringe,  s.  behaviour,  B  2022;  carriage, 
E  1604. 

Berke,  v.  bark ;  Borken,  pp.  shrieked  (lit. 
barked),  B  i.  p  5.  i. 

Berm,  s.  barm,  i.  e.  yeast,  G  813. 

Bern,  s.  barn,  B  3759. 

Beryle.  s.  beryl,  HF.  1184. 

Besaunt-'wight,  s.  weight  of  a  besant,  R. 
1106.  {Besant,  a  gold  coin  of  Byzan- 
tium.) 

Bespreynt ;  see  Bisprenge. 

Bestialitee,   s.   animal    condition,   T.  i. 

735- 
Bet,  adj.  cotnp.  better,  10.  47;   HF.  108. 
Bet.  adv.  better,  A  242 ;  .^ 0  bet,  go  faster, 

go  as  quickly  as  possible,  3.  136 ;  the  bet, 

the  better,  HF.  559;  bet  and  bet,  better 

and  better,  T.  iii.  714. 
B6te,  v.  remedy,  heal,  T.  i.  665;  amend, 

mend,  assist,  I  421 ;  kindle,  A  2253. 
'Qht&,^er.Xo  beat,  flap,  64512',  to  hammer 

out,  C  17 ;  Beet,//,  s.  adjoined  (lit.  beat), 

R.  129  ;  Beten,  pp.  beaten,  B  1732 ;  as  adj. 

beaten,  ornamented  with   the   hammer, 

R.  837. 
Beth,//-.//,  are,  B  2350;  imp.pl.  be,  i. 

134- 
Betraising,  s.  betrayal,  L.  2460. 
Bettre,  adj.  better,  A  256;  b.  arm,  right 

arm,  T.  ii.  1650. 
Bever,  adj.  made  of  beaver,  A  272. 
Beye,  ger.  to  buy,  T.  v.  1843 ;  v.  B  1462. 

See  Bye. 
Bibbe,  v.;  pp.  imbibed,  A  4162. 
Bible,  .f.  bible,  h.  438;  book,  HF.  1334. 
Bi-bledde, //.//.  covered  with  blood,  A 

2002. 


(glossarial  Kntiex. 


13 


Bicched  bones,  s.pl.  dice,  C  656. 
Bi-clappe,  ger.  to  catch  (as  in  a  trap), 

G9. 

Bicome,^<fr.  to  become,  D  1644 ;  Bicomth, 
pr.  s.  goes,  T.  ii.  795. 

Bidaffed,  pp.  befooled,  E  1191. 

Bidde,  v.  ask  (cotifused  with  Bede,  v.  com- 
mand, bid)  ;  ger.  to  request,  L.  838 ; 
I  pr.  s.  pray,  T.  i.  1027  ;  Bit,  pr.  s.  bids, 
A  187  ;  Bad,  pi.  s.  prayed,  begged,  T.  iii. 
1249;  besought,  T.  i.  112;  requested,  E 
373 ;  I  /^-  ^-  bade,  F  1212 ;  p(.  s.  bade, 
commanded,  D  108  ;  Beden,  />/.//.  bade, 
B  2233 ;  Bidde,  pp.  commanded,  B  440 
(where  han  bidde  =  have  bidden)  ;  Bede, 
//.  bidden  {as  if  from  Bede),  3.  194; 
I  pt.  s.  subj.  would  seek,  R.  791 ;  Bid, 
imp.  s.  pray,  T.  iii.  342;  bid,  3.  144;  Bid- 
deth,  inip.pl.  pray,  T.  i.  36. 

Bidding',  s.  request,  L.  837. 

Bidelve,  v. ;  Bidolven,  //.  buried,  B  5.  p 
I.  51. 

Biden,  pp.  of  Byde. 

Bifallinge,  s.  coming  to  pass,  T.  iv. 
1018. 

Biforen,  prep,  before,  B  3553 ;  in  front  of, 
G  680. 

Biforen,  adv.  in  the  front  part  (of  his 
head),  A  1376;  beforehand,  A  1148;  in 
front,  A  590 ;  in  a  good  position,  A  572  ; 
of  old  time,  F  551 ;  first,  E  446. 

Biforn,  prep,  before. 

Bigete,  v.  beget;  Begat,//,  s.  L.  1562; 
Bigeten,//.  B  3138. 

Bxginne,  v.  begin,  A  42 ;  Bigonne,  2  pt.  s. 
G  442;  Began,  2  pt.  s.  {false  form  for 
Bigunne),  L.  2230;  Bigan,  pt.  j.  A  44; 
Bigonne,  pt.pl.  F  1015;  Bigonne,  //.  T. 
ii.  779. 

Big'Oon,  pp.  ornamented,  R.  943 ;  wel  b., 
well  contented,  joyous,  merry,  5.  171 ; 
fortunate,  T.  ii.  294 ;  wel  bigo,  well  con- 
tent, R.  693;  wo  b.,  distressed,  L.  1487, 
2497;  sorwfully  b.,  distressed,  T.  i.  114; 
wers  b.,  more  wretched,  T.  v.  1328. 

Bigyleres,  pi.  beguilers,  I  299. 

Bihalve,  s.  dat.  behalf,  T.  ii.  1458. 

Bihate,  v.  hate ;  pp.  B  3.  m  4.  6. 

Biheste,  s.  promise,  B  37 ;  command,  T. 
ii.  359;  pi.  promises,  i.  e.  all  that  they 
profess  to  prove,  A.  pr.  26. 

Bihete,  i  pr.  s.  promise,  G  707;  2  pr.  s. 
(lost  promise.  B  4.  p  2. 1 ;  pr.  s.  promises, 
I  379.     See  Bihote. 

Bihetinge,  s.  promising,  B  2.  p  8.  16. 

Bihewe,  v.;  Behewe,  //.  carved,  HF. 
1306. 

Bihighte,  //.  s.  promised,  T.  v.   1204; 


Bihighte, //.//.  T.  iii.  319;  Bihight, //. 

T.  V.  354.    See  Bihote. 
Biholde,  v.  behold,  A  2293 ;  Behelde,  v. 

behold,  7.  80 ;  Behelde,  //.  s.  subj.  should 

see,   T.  ii.  378;    Biholde,//.  beheld,  G 

179. 
Bihote,  I /r.  J.  promise,  A  1854;  Behetfe, 

pt.  s.  5.  436. 
Bihove,  s.  dat.  profit  (lit.  behoof),  R.  1092. 
Bihove,  v.  suit,  13.  5;  /;-.  s.  (it)  behoves, 

T.  iv.  1004 ;  pr.  pi.  are  necessary,  I  83. 
Bihovely,  adj.  helpful,  T.  ii.  261 ;  needful, 

I  107. 
Bi-jape,  v.;  pp.  jested  at,   tricked,   T.   i. 

SSI- 
Biker,  s.  quarrel,  L.  2661. 

Biknowe,  v.  acknowledge,  B  886 ;  Bikno- 
weth,  pr.  s.  I  481;  Beknew,  pt.  s.  con- 
fessed, L.  1058 ;  I  am  bi-knowen  =  I  ac- 
knowledge, B  3.  p  10.  88. 

Bilde,^d';-.  to  build,  HF.  1133;  Bilt,  /;■.  s. 
HF.  1135;  Bilt,//.  I.  183.     See  Bulde. 

Bilder,  s.  as  adj.  builder,  used  for  build- 
ing, 5.  176. 

Bileve,  s.  faith,  L.  2109;  creed,  A  3456. 

Bileve  (i),  v.  believe;  imp.pl.  G  1047. 

Bileve  (2),  v.  to  remain,  stay  behind,  F 

583. 

Bilinne,  v.  cease,  T.  iii.  1365. 

Bille,  J.  bill,  petition,  1.  59,110;  letter,  E 
1937  ;  writ,  D  1586. 

Binde,  v.  bind,  enthral,  4.  249;  Bvnt 
{for  Bint),//-,  s.  binds,  4.  47,  48  ;  Bond, 
//.  s.  bound,  fastened,  R.  241 ;  Bounden, 
//.  bound,  B  270;  bound  up,  D  681. 

Binding,  s.  constraint,  A  1304. 

Binime,  v.  take  away,  B  4.  p  3.  36 ; 
Binemen,/n//.  B  3.  p  3.65;  Bi-nomen, 
//.  taken  away,  B  3.  p  3.  69. 

Binne,  s.  bin,  chest,  A  593. 

Biquethe,  v.  bequeath,  D  1121. 

Biraft,  -e ;  see  Bireve. 

Bireine,  v.;  Bireyned, //.  rained  upon, 
T.  iv.  1 172. 

Bireve,  v.  bereave,  B  3359;  restrain,  T.  i. 
685  ;  fake  away,  G  482 ;  me  wo  berevc,  rob 
me  of  woe,  6.  12;  Bireved,  //.  s.  bereft, 
D  2071 ;  Birafte,  pt.  j.  B  83 ;  Biraft,  //. 
bereft,  T.  iv.  225 ;  A  1361. 

Birthe,  s.  birth,  B  192. 

Biscorned,  //.  scorned,  I  278. 

Bisege,  v.  besiege;//-,  s.  L.  1902;  Bise- 
gede,  //.  //.  T.  i.  149. 

Bis6ken,  v.  beseech,  pray,  B  2306,  2910; 
By-seke,  v.  beseech,  T.  iv.  131 ;  Biseken, 
I  pr.  pi.  implore,  A  918 ;  Bisoughtest,  2 
pt.  s.  didst  beseech,  T.  v.  1734  ;  Bisoghte, 
pt.  s.  B  2164. 


14 


v[9lo0sarial  Hzixticx. 


Bisemare,  s.  contemptuous  conduct,  A 

Bisecte,  v.;  Beseite,  v.  employ,  L.  1069; 
bestow,  3.  772 ;  Besette,  disposed  of,  L. 
2558  ;  used  up,  D  1952 ;  bestowed,  A  3715, 
established,  A  3012;  fixed,  I  366;  Beset, 
p/>.  bestowed,  T.  i.  521. 

Biseye,  />/>.  beseen  ;  tveJ  d.,  fair  to  see, 
good-looking,  R.  821 ;  well  provided,  3. 
829;  goodly  b.,  fair  to  see,  good  in  ap- 
pearance, T.  ii.  1262 ;  yvel  b.,  ill-looking, 
E  965 ;  richely  b.,  rich-looking,  splendid, 
E984. 

Bishende,  v. ;  Beshende,  v.  bring  to  ruin, 
L.  2696. 

Bishitte,  v. ;  Bishet,  pp.  shut  up,  T.  ill. 
602. 

Bishrewe,  \pr.  s.  beshrew,  D  844. 

Bisie,  V.  rejl.  take  pains,  B  3034 ;  Bisie  me, 
employ  myself,  G  758;  //.  //.  occupied 
themselves,  5.  192. 

Bisily,  adv.  diligently,  A.  ii.  38.  8;  com- 
pletely, T.  iii.  1153;  eagerly,  F  1051; 
well,  2.  33. 

Bisinesse,  .f.  business,  B  1415 ;  busy  en- 
deavour, A  1007.  G  24  ;  diligence,  3. 1156 ; 
C  56 ;  industry,  G  5  ;  labour,  5.  86 ;  work, 
activity,  T.  i.  795;  trouble,  ado,  7.  99; 
careful  attention,  B  2979;  attentiveness, 
7.  250;  care,  A  520. 

Bi-smokede,  adj.  pi.  dirtied  with  smoke, 
B  I.  p  I.  31. 

Bismotered,  //.  besmutted,  marked  with 
spots  of  rust,  &c.,  A  76. 

Bispet,  pp.  spit  upon,  I  276. 

Bisprenge,  z'. ;  Bespreynt, //.  sprinkled, 
bedewed,  2.  10. 

Bistad, //.  bestead,  in  trouble,  R.  1227; 
hud  b.,  greatly  imperilled,  B  649. 

Bistryden,  v. ;  Bistrood,  //.  s.  bestrode, 
B  2093. 

Bisy,  Besy,  adj.  busy,  industrious,  R. 
1052 ;  active,  L.  103 ;  useful,  I  474 ; 
attentive,  F  509 ;  anxious,  2.  2. 

Bisy de, //-(?/.  beside;  ther  b.,  beside  that 
place,  3.  1316;  ofb.,l\o\Ti  the  neighbour- 
hood of,  A  445 ;  b.  his  leve,  without  his 
leave,  HF.  2105. 

Bisydes,  prep.  ,■  him  b.,  near  him,  A  402. 

Bisydes,  Besydes,  adv.  on  one  side,  G 
1416. 

Bit.//-. ->■.(?/■  Biddc. 

Bitake,  i  ,*;■.  j-.  commend,  I  1043;  commit, 
E  161;  resign,  A  3750;  i  pr.  s.  deliver, 
entrust,  L.  2297;  Bitook,//.  s.  entrusted, 
G  541 ;  Bitaken,  //.  B  3.  m  2.  47. 

Biteche.  i  pr.  s.  commit  (to),  consign 
(to),B2ii4. 


Bithinke,   v.    imagine,   think    of,  T.   iii. 

1694;   Bethinke,  v.  2.  107;  ger.  to  reflect, 

HF.   1176;    Bithoughte,  i  pi.  s.  rejl.  be- 
thought myself,  R.  521 ;  I  am  bithought, 

I  have  thought  (of),  A  767;  Bithought, 

pp.  T.  ii.  225. 
Bitid,  Bitit :  see  Bityde. 
Bitook :  see  Bitake. 
Bitore,  s.  bittern,  D  972. 
Bitraise,  Bitraisshe,  v.  betray;  Bitray- 

seth,  //-.  s.    C  92 ;  pp.   betrayed,  T.  iv. 

1648;   I   269;    Bitraisshed,  R.   1648;   Bi- 

trasshed,  R.  1520. 
Bitrenden,  v. ;    Bi-trent,  pr.  s.  encircles, 

goes  round,  T.  iv.  870 ;  twines  round,  T. 

iii.  1231. 
Bitwixen,/*/-^/.  between,  A  880;  Betwixen, 

5.  148  ;   Bitwixe,  A  277  ;  Bitwix,  L.  729. 
Bityde,  Bityden.  v.  happen,  T.  ii.  623 ; 

arrive,  B  3730;  pr.  5.  subj.  E306;  Bityde 

what  b.,  happen  what  may,  T.  v.  750 ; 

Bitit, /r.  s.  betides,  happens,  T.  ii.  48,  v. 

345 ;     Bitidde,  pt.  s.   befell,  T.  v.  1641 ; 

Bitid,  pp.  T.  iii.  288  ;  Betid,  HF.  384. 
Bitydingre,  s.  an  event,  B  5.  p  i.  37. 
Bitymes,  adv.  betimes,  soon,  G  1008. 
Biware,  v.\  Biwared,//.  spent,  expended, 

laid  out  (as  on  wares),  T.  i.  636. 
Biwepe,  ger.  to  bemoan,  T.  i.  763 ;   Bi- 

wopen,  pp.  bathed  in  tears,  T.  iv.  916. 
Bi"wreye,  v.  make  manifest,  reveal,  T.  iii. 

377  ;   Biwreyest,  2  pr.  s.  revealest,  B  773 ; 

Biwreyd,  pp.   betrayed    (viz.   by   having 

your  words  revealed) ,  H  352. 
Biwreying',  s.  betraying,  B  2330. 
Bi-'wryen,  v.  disclose,  reveal,  T.  ii.  537 ; 

Bewrye,  betray,  5.  348.     (Wrongly  used 

for  Biwreye.) 
Blak,  adj.  black,  A  294 ;  Blake,  //.  A  557  ; 

Blakke,  def.  HF.  1801. 
Blak,  .5.  black  clothing,  3.  445. 
Blake,  s.  black  writing,  ink,  T.  ii.  1320. 
Blakeberied,   a,    a-blackberrying,   i.   p. 

a-wandering  at  will,  astray,  C  406. 
Blaked,  pp.  blackened,   rendered  black, 

B  3321. 
Blandishe,  pr.  s.  subj.  fawn,  I  376. 
Blankmanger,  s.  a  compound  of  minced 

capon    with  cream,  sugar,  and  flour,  A 

387.     Named  from  its  white  colour. 
Blasen,  .^^-r.  to  blow,  HF.  1802. 
Blaspheme,  s.  blaspheming,  16.  15. 
Bldsphemdur,  s.  blasphemer,  C  898. 
Blast,  s.  puff,  T.  ii.  1387. 
Blaste,  ger.  to  blow  a  trumpet,  HF.  1866. 
Blaunche,  adj./em.\\'\\'\le  (see  Fevere). 

r.  i.  QUI. 
Blaundisshinge,  pret.  pt.    as    adj.  be- 


(glossarial  EnlJEi. 


15 


witching,  B  3.  m  12.  23 ;  Blaundissinge, 

flattering,  B  2.  p  1.  31. 
Bleche,  v. ;  //.  bleached,  9.  45. 
Blede,  v.  bleed,   L.   2696;   Biedde, /A  s. 

bled,  T.  ii.  950. 
Blemished,  pp.  injured,  B  i.  p  4.  312. 
Blende,  v.  blind,  T.  iv.  648 ;  ger.  to  de- 
ceive, T.  iii.  207;  to  blind  (or  read  to- 

blende,  v.  blind    utterly),   T.    ii.    1496; 

Blent,//-,  s.  blinds,  5.  600;  Blente,//.  J. 

blinded,   T.  v.  1194;  Blent,  //.   15.   18; 

deceived,  E  2113. 
Blere,  v.  blear,  bedim ;  Blere  hir  ye,  dim 

their  eye,  cajole  them,  A  4049;  //.  de- 
ceived, G  730. 
Blering,  s.  dimming ;  bl.  of  an  ye,  cajoling, 

A  3865. 
Blesse,  J". bless;  Blesseth  hir, /;-.j. crosses 

herself,  B  449. 
Bleve,  V.  remain,  T.  iv.  1484;  remain  (at 

home),  T.  iii. 623;^.?/-.  to  dwell, T.  iv.  1357. 
Blew,  pt.  s.  of  Bio  we. 
Blew,  adj.  blue,  A  564;  3.  340;  as  s.  blue 

cloihing,  21.  7. 
Bleyne,  s.  blain,  blemish,  R.  553. 
Bleynte,;)/'.  J.  blenched,  started  back,  A 

1078  ;  turned  aside,  T.  iii.  1346.    Pt.  s.  of 

Blenche,  v. 
Blinde,   v.;    Blynde   with,  ger.   to   blind 

(the  priest)  with,  G  1151. 
Bllnne,  v.  leave  off,  cease,  G  1171. 
Blisful,  adj.  happy,  9.  I ;  conferring  bliss, 

I.    24;  blessed,   3.   854;    merry,    R.   80; 

sainted,  A  17. 
Blisful,  adv.  joyously,  5.  689. 
Blisfully,  adv.  happily,  A  1236. 
Blisfulnesse,  s.  happiness,  B  2.  p  4.  75. 
Blisse,    V.  bless,   E   553.     Perhaps  read 

b  I  esse,  kesse.     See  Blesse. 
Blissed,  pp.  happy,  9.  43. 
Bio,  adj.  blue,  smoke-coloured,  HF.  1647. 
Blody,  adj.  causing  bloodshed,  A  2512. 
Blondren ;  see  Blundre. 
Blood,  s.  lineage,  7.  65;  offspring,  E  632; 

kinswoman,  T.  ii.  594. 
Blosme,  s.  blossom,  A  3324. 
Blosme,  v.  blossom  ;  pr.  s.  E  1462 ;  //. 

covered  with  blossoms,  R.  108. 
Blosmy,  adj.  blossoming,  T.  ii.  821 ;  full 

of  buds,  5.  183. 
Blowe,  V.  blow,  A  565  ;  Blew,  pt.  s.  3. 182 ; 

(it)  blew,  T.  iii.  678 ;   Blowen,  pp.  pro- 
claimed by  trumpets,  A  2241. 
Blundre,    v.;  pr.  s.  runs   heedlessly,   G 

1414;   I  p.pl.pr.  Blondren,  we  become 

mazed,  G  670. 
Blythly,  adv.  gladly,  3.  749,  755. 
Blyve,  adv.  quickly,  soon,  L.  60;  as  bl.. 


very  soon,  as  soon  as  possible,  T.  i.  965 ; 
forthwith,  R.  706,  992;  also  bl.,  as  soon 

as  possible,  T.  iv.  174. 
Bobance,  s.  presumption,  boast,  D  569. 
Boce,  s.  protuberance  (boss),  I  423. 
Boch,  s.  botch,  pustule,  B  3.  p  4.  14. 
Bocher,  s.  butcher,  A  2025. 
Bocler,  s.  buckler,  A  3266. 
Bode  (1),  s.  foreboding,  omen,  5.  343. 
Bode  (2),  s.  abiding,  delay,  7.  iig. 
Bode,  V.  proclaim ;  pr.  s.  heralds,    B  4. 

m  6.  17. 
Boden,  //.  of  Bede. 

Body,  s.  person,  F  1005 ;   principal   sub- 
ject, E  42;  corpse,  3.  142;   B  1872;  7ny 

b.,  myself,   B    1185;  //.  metallic   bodies 
(metals),  answering  to   celestial   bodies 
(planets),  G  820,  825. 
Boef,  5.  beef,  E  1420. 

Boes.;!'r.  J.  (it)behoves,A4026.  (Northern.) 
Boght,  Boghte  ;  see  Bye. 
Boist,  s.  box,  C  307;  pi.  WY.  2129. 
Boistous,  adj.  rude,  plain,  H  211. 
Boistously,  adv.  loudlv,  E  791. 
Bokel,  ,f.  buckle,  R.  1086. 
Bokeler,  5.  buckler,  A  112.  A  small  round 

shield  usually  cariied  by  a  handle  at  the 

back.     See  Bocler. 
Bokelinge, />/■«.//.  buckling,  A  2503. 
Bokes,  //.  books,  A  294. 
Boket,  s.  bucket,  A  1533. 
Bolas,//.  bullace-plums,  bullaces,  R.  1377. 
Bolde,  V.  grow  bold,  5.  144. 
Bole,  s.  bull,  T.  iii.  723,  iv.  239. 
Bole  armoniak,  Armenian  clay,  G  790. 
Bolle,  s.  a  bowl,  G  1210. 
Bolt,  .r.  crossbow-bolt,  A  3264. 
Bolt-uprigrht,  on  (her)  back,  A  4266,  B 

1506. 
Boinble,  v.;  pr.  s.  booms  (as  a  biitern), 

D  972. 
Bon.  adj.  good,  HF.  1022. 
Bond,  J.  bond,  obligation,  A   1604;  band, 

fetter,  T.  iii.  1766;  obligation  (compelling 

the  service  of  spiiits),  F  131. 
Bonde,  s.  bondman,  D  1660,  I  149. 
Bonde-folk,  s.  pi.  bondmen,  I  754. 
Bonde-men.  .f.  //.  bondmen,  1  752. 
B6ne,  s.  petition,  boon,  prayer,  request, 

3.  129,  835. 
Bood,  pt.  s.  of  Byde. 
Boon,  s.  bone,  R.  1059 ;  ivory,  T.  ii.  926 ; 

Bones,//,  bones,  A  546. 
B66r,  s.  boar,  A  2070;    Bores,  gen.  sing. 

boar's,  B  2060;  Bores,//.  A  1658. 
Boost,  .r.   loud    talk,   A   4001;    boast,    L. 

267;  pride,   B  3289;    boasting,    C  764; 

swelling,  G  441. 


i6 


(^loggarial  hiQex. 


B66t,  s.  boat,  T.  i.  416,  ii.  3. 

B66t,  s.  help,  remedy,  T.  iii.  1208. 

Boot,  /A  s.  of  Byte.  ' 

Boras,  s.  borax,  A  630,  G  790.  . 

Bord,  s.  table,  A  52,  B  430 ;  planlc,  3.  74 ; 

board,    i.  e.   meals,   G    1017 ;    to   b.,   to 

board,  A  3188,  D  528;  into  shippes  bord, 

on   board  the  ship,  A  3585 ;    over-bord, 

overboard,  B  922. 
Bordels,  s.  pi.  brothels,  I  885. 
Bordel-women,//.  women  of  the  brothel, 

I  976 
Bordure,  s.  border,   raised   rim  on   the 

front  of  an  astrolabe,  A.  i.  4.  4. 
Bore,  s.  bore,  hole,  T.  iii.  1453. 
Bore,  Boren,//.  ^Z"  Bere. 
Borel,  5.  coarse  woollen  clothes,  D  356; 

Borel  men,  laymen,  B  3145.    See  Burel, 
Bores :  see  Boor. 
Borken,  //.  of  Berke. 
Borne,    v. ;    Borneth,  pr.    s.    burnishes, 

smoothes,  T.  i.  327. 
Borwe,  s.  pledge,  A  1622;  to  b.,  in  pledge, 

as  a  pledge,  T.  v.  1664;  leyd  to  b.,  laid 

in  pledge,  pawned,  T.  ii.  963 ;  to  b.,  for 

surety,  4.  205;    Venus  here  to  b.,  Venus 

being  your  pledge,  T.  ii.  1524. 
Borwe,  v.  borrow,  B  105. 
Bos.  s.  boss,  A  3266.     See  Boca. 
Bost,  %. ;  see  Boost. 
Boste,  V.  boast ;  pr.  s.  D  1672. 
B6te,   s.  good,  benefit,  D  472;    remedy, 

profit,  3.  38  ;  advantage,  T.  i.  352  ;  heal- 
ing, T.  i.  763;  help,  T.  ii.  345;  healer, 

22.  45  ;  relief,  G  1481 ;  salvation,  B  1656; 

dot/i  b.,  gives    the  remedy    for,  5.  276 ; 

for  b.  ne  bale,  for  good  nor   for   ill,  3. 

227. 
Botel,  s.  bottle  (of  hay),  H  14. 
Botelees,  adj.  without  remedy,  T.  i.  782. 
Boteler,  i.  butler,  HF.  592. 
Boterflye,  s.  butterfly,  B  3980. 
Botes,  pi.  boots,  A  203,  273. 
Bothe,  both,  A  540;  your  bothes,  of  both 

of  vou,  I.  83;  your  bother,  of  you  both, 

T.  iv.  168. 
Botmelees,  adj.  bottomless,  unreal,  T.  v. 

1431- 
Boug-h,  s.  bough,  R.  1403;  Bowes, />/.  R. 

108. 
Boug'ht,  Boughte  ;  see  Bye. 
Bouk,  f.  trunk  of  the  body,  A  2746. 
Boun,  adj.  prepared,  F  1503. 
Bounde,   s.   bound ;    //.   bounds,   limits, 

L.  546,  1673. 
Bountee,  s.  goodness,    kindness,   i.    9; 

good    deed,    I    393;     delightfulness,    R.    i 

1444. 


Bountevous,  adj.  bountiful,  bounteous, 

T.  i.  883;  C  no. 
Bour,  s.  bed-chamber,  HF.  1186;  B  1932; 

lady's  chamber,    R.    1014;    inner   room, 

B  4022. 
Bourde,  s.  jest,  H  8i ;  //.  D  680. 
Bourde,  i  pr.  s.  jest,  C  778 ;  //.  5.  589. 
Box  (i),  s.  box-tree,  A  2922;  boxwood,  L. 

866  ;  money-box,  A  4390 ;  box,  C  869. 
Box  (2),  f.  blow,  L.  1388. 
Boydekin,  s.  dagger,  A  3960. 
Brac6r,  s.  bracer,  a  guard  for  the   arm 

in  archery,  A  in. 
Bragot,  s.  a  beverage  made  of  honey  and 

ale,  A  3261. 
Braid,  s.  quick  movement;  at  a  b.,  in  a 

moment,   R.    1336;    Brayd,   a   start,   L. 

1 166. 
Brak,  pt.  s.  of  Brake. 
Brasil,  s.  dye  made  from   a  certain  dye- 
wood,  B  4649. 
Brast,  Braste ;  see  Breste. 
Braun,  s.  muscle,  A  546;   brawn  (of  the 

boar),  F  1254. 
Braunche,  s.  branch,  T.  v.  844. 
Brayd,  Brayde ;  see  Breyde. 
Brede  (i),  s.  breadth,  R.  825, 1124 ;  space, 

T.    i.    179;     on     brede,    abroad,    T.     i. 

530- 

Brede  (2),  s.  roast  meat,  HF.  1222. 

Brede,  _;o-^/-.  to  breed,  T.  iii.  1546;  grow, 
T.  v.  1027;  Breden,,^<fr.  to  breed,  arise, 
L.  1156  (cf.  Vergil,  .^n.  iv.  2)  ;  Bred,//, 
bred  up,  I"  499. 

Breech,  s.  breeches,  B  2049,  C  948. 

Breem,  s.  bream,  a  fish.  A  350. 

Breke.  v.  break,  A  551,  C  936;  br.  his 
day,  fail  to  pay  on  the  day,  G  1040; 
ger.  to  interrupt,  B  2233 ;  Brak,  //.  s. 
3.  71 ;  Breke,  pr.  s.  subj.  4.  242 ;  Breke, 
2  pr.  pi.  subj.  break  off,  T.  v.  1032  ;  Breke, 
pt.  s.  subj.  would  break,  B  4578 ;  Broke, 
pp.  broken,  A  3571;  Broken,//,  ship- 
wrecked, L.  1487. 

Brekke.  s.  break,  flaw,  defect,  3.  940. 

Bremble-flour,  s.  flower  of  the  bramble, 
B  1936. 

Breme,  adj.  furious,  T.  iv.  184. 

Breme,  adv.  furiously,  A  1699. 

Bren,  s.  bran,  A  4053. 

Brenne,  v.  burn,  17.  18;  to  be  burnt, 
T.  i.  91;  Brinne,  ger.  to  burn,  D  52; 
Brendest,  2  //.  s.  didst  burn,  A  2384 ; 
Brende,  pt.  s.  i.  90;  was  burnt,  HF. 
163;  was  set  on  fire,  H?\  537;  Brenned, 
//.  .r.  was  inflamed  with  anger,  R.  297 ; 
Brende,  pt.  pi.  caught  fire,  HF.  954; 
Brente,//.  //.  L.  731;  Brent,//.  7.  115; 


(glossartal  Inbex. 


17 


Brend,  //.  B  4555 ;  as  adj.  bright,  R. 
1 109. 

Brenning,  s.  burning,  4.  133 ;  greed  of 
gold,  R.  188. 

Brenning-ly,  adv.  ardently,  T.  i.  607  ;  fer- 
vently, A  1564. 

Brere,  s.  briar,  R.  858 ;  Breres,  p/.  under- 
wood, A  1532. 

Brest,  s.  breast,  A  115,  131. 

Brest-boon,  s.  breast-bone,  A  2710. 

Breste,  v.  burst,  T.  v.  looS ;  afflict,  T. 
iii.  1434;  break,  D  1103;  Brest,  pr.  s. 
bursts,  A  2610 ;  breaks,  T.  i.  258 ;  Brast, 
J>i.  s.  burst  out,  T.  v.  1078 ;  burst,  L. 
1033;  broke,  3.  1193;  Brast,//.  s.  burst 
{or  read  braste  =  would  burst),  T.  v. 
180;  Braste,  //.  p/.  burst,  T.  ii.  326; 
Broste,  pi.  pi.  B  671,  C  234;  Brosten, 
pt.  pi.  4.  96 ;  Braste,  pt.  s.  subj.  would 
burst,  T.  ii.  1108;  Brosten,  //.  burst, 
T.  ii.  976;  broken,  L.  1300. 

Bresting',  .?.  bursting,  F  973. 

Bretful,  adj.  brimful,  A  687,  2164. 

Bretherhed,  s.  brotherhood,  religious 
order,  A  511. 

Brew,  pt.  s.  contrived,  B  3575. 

Breyde,  ^^er.  to  start,  T.  iv.  230,348;  v. 
awake,  F  477 ;  Breyde,  i  pr.  s.  start,  T. 
V.  1262 ;  Breyde,  i  pi.  s.  awoke,  D  799 ; 
Breyde,  //.  s.  started,  T.  v.  1243 ;  went 
(out  of  his  wits),  B  3728;  drew,  B  837; 
Brayde, //.  s.  took  hastily,  HF.  1678; 
Brayd,  //.  started,  gone  suddenly,  7. 
124. 

Brid,  J.  bird,  HF.  1003;  young  of  birds, 
5-  192. 

Brige,  s.  contention,  B  2873.     F.  brigue. 

Brigge,  s.  bridge,  A  3922. 

Bright,  adj.  fair,  R.  1009. 

Brighte,  adj.  as  s.  brightness  (a.^tr  for), 
r.  ii.  864. 

Brike,  s.  a  trap,  snare,  '  fi.\,'  dilemma, 
B  3580. 

Bringe,  v.  bring ;  Bringes,  2  pr.  s.  bring- 
est,  HF.  1908  (a  Northern  form)  ; 
Broghten,  pt.  pi.  B  2590;  made  broght, 
caused  to  be  brought,  HF.  155. 

Brinne,,^'^;-.  to  burn,  D  52.    See  Brenne. 

Brocage,  s.  mediation,  A  3375. 

Broche,  J.  brooch,  R.  1193;  small  orna- 
ment, bracelet,  4.  245. 

Brode,  adv.  broadly,  plainly,  A  739;  far 
and  wide,  HF.  1683;  wide  awake,  G 
1420. 

Brodere,  adj.  larger,  A.  ii.  38.  i. 

Brok,    i.  e.    Badger,  a   horse's   name,  D 

1543- 
Broken ;  see  Harm.     And  see  Breke. 


Brokkinge,  pres.  pt.  using  a  quavering 
voice,  A  3377. 

Bromes,  //.  broom  (bushes  so  called), 
HF.  1226. 

Brond,  s.  torch,  L.  2252;  firebrand,  B 
3224;  Bronde,  dat.  piece  of  burning 
wood,  B  2095. 

Brood,  adj.  broad,  A  155,  471 ;  thick, 
large,  F  82;  Brode,  pi.  R.  939;  ex- 
panded, R.  1681. 

Broste,  -en ;  see  Breste. 

Brotel,  adj.  brittle,  frail,  T.  iii.  820; 
fickle,  L.  1885  ;  unsafe,  insecure,  E  1279  ; 
transitory,  E  2061 ;   Brutel,  B  2.  p  5.  6. 

Brotelnesse,  s.  frailty,  T.  v.  1832;  inse- 
curity, E  1279;  fickleness,  10.  63. 

Brotherhede,  s.  brotherhood,  D  1399. 

Brouded,  //.   embroidered,  A    3238,   B 

3659- 
Brouke,  v.  enjoy,  use,   B  4490;  keep,  E 

2308;   \pr.  s.  subj.  {optative),  may  have 

the  use   of,   HF.  273;    Brouken,  pr.  pi. 

subj.  {opt.),  may  (they)  profit  by,  L.  194. 
Browding,  s.  embroidery,  A  2498. 
Broyded,  pp.  braided,  A  1049. 
Brutel ;  see  Brotel. 
Brybe,   v.   steal,   filch,   A  4417 ;    rob,    D 

1378. 
Bryberyes,  pi.  ways  of  robbing,  D  1367. 
Brydale,  s.  wedding,  A  4375. 
Brydel,  s.  bridle,  7.  184. 
Brydeleth,  pr.  s.  controls,  4.  41. 
Buffet,  s.  blow  ;  Buffettes,  //.  I  258. 
Bugle-horn,  s.  drinking-horn  made  from 

the  '  bugle  '  or  ox,  F  1253. 
Buk,   s.   buck,   5.    195 ;    Bukke,    B   1946 ; 

Bukkes,  gen.  buck's,  A  3387. 
Bulde,   V.   build;    Bulte,  pt.  s.   built,    A 

1548. 
Bulle,  s.  papal  bull,  C  909. 
Bulte,  //.  s.  of  Bulde. 
Bulte,  V.  boult,  sift,  B  4430. 
Burdoun,   s.  burden    of   a   song,    bass- 
accompaniment,  A  673. 
Burel,  adj.  rough,  unlettered,  F  716;  lay 

(people),  D  1872,  1874.    The  idea  is  that 

of  a   man    dressed    in   burel,    or  coarse 

woollen  cloth.     See  Borel. 
Burials,    s.  pi,  burial-places,    i.    e.    the 

catacombs,  G  186. 
Burne,  z'.  burnish;  pp.  h  1983;  polished, 

HF.  1387;  lustrous,  C  38.     See  Borne. 
Burnet,  adj.  made  of  coarse  brown  cloth. 

R.  226. 
Busk,  s.  bush,  R.  54 ;  //.  A  1579. 
But,  conj.  except,  unless,  2.  82;  3.  117. 
But,  as  s.  an  exception,  a  '  but,'  I  494. 
But  and,  but  if,  L.  1790. 


C  C 


i8 


vilossaiial  lEntict. 


But-if,  conj.  unless,  R.  250. 

Buxom,  adj.  yielding,  6.   125 ;   obedient, 

B  1287. 
Buxomly,  adv.  obediently,  E  186. 
Buxumnesse,  s.  submission,  13.  15. 
By,  prep,  by,  A  25,  &c. ;  as  regards,  with 

respect    to,    concerning,    6.    126;    with 

reference   to,   5.  4 ;  for,  on   account   of, 

R.  844 ;    by  proces,  in  process,  B   2665 ; 

by  me,  beside  me  (with  accent  en  by),  T. 

ii.  991 ;  by  the  morwe,  in   the   morning, 

L.  49. 
By,  adv.  beside ;  faste  by,  close  at  hand, 

R.  1274. 
By  and  by,  adv.  one    after  another,  in 

due  order,  in  due  place,  L.  304,  A  ion. 
Byde,  v.  wait,  T.  i.  1067 ;  A  1576 ;  Bood, 

//.  s.  waited,  T.  v.  29;  Biden,//.  stayed, 

E  1888. 
Bye,  V.  buy,  pay  for  (it),  D  167 ;  go  by,  let 

us  go  to  buy.  G  1294;  Bye,  pr.  pi.  siibj. 

18.  26 ;    Boghte,  pt.  s.  bought,  A  2088 ; 

redeemed,  E  1153;  b.  agayn,  redeemed, 

C776. 
Byhight,  pp.  promised,  T.  v.  1104. 
Bying,  s.  buying.  A  569. 
By-japed,  pp.  tricked,  made  a  jest  of,  T. 

V.  1 1 19. 
Bynt   him,   binds  himself,   4.  47 ;    Bynt 

her,  4.  48. 
By-path,  s.  by-way,  T.  iii.  1705. 
Byrde,  s.  maiden,  lady,  R.  1014. 
By-seke,  v.  beseech,  T.  iv.  131. 
Byte,  -'.  bite,  T.  iii.  737;    cut  deeply,  F 

158;    burn,  A  631;   Boot,  pt.   s.   bit,    B 

3791 ;  Biten,  pp.  bitten,  L.  2318. 
Bytinge,  s.  wound,  B  3.  m  7.  7. 
By-word,  s.  proverb,  T.  iv.  769. 
By-Tvreye,  v.  reveal,  T.  iii.  367. 


Caas,   s.  circumstance,  I   105;  sette  caas 

=  suppose,  A.  ii.  42.  24;  Caas,//.  cases 

of  law,  A  323. 
Cacche,  v.  catch,  G  11;  lay  hold  of,  3. 

969;  come  by,  HF.  404;  Caughte,//.  s. 

took,   conceived,    E  619;   took,  A   498; 

pulled,  L.    1854 ;  Caught,  pp.   obtained, 

E  mo;  taken,  F  740. 
Caitif,  adj.  captive,  miserable,  wretched, 

A  1552. 
Caitif,   J.   wretch,    R.  340;    pi.  captives, 

.\  924. 
Cake,  s.  a  round  and  rather  flat  loaf  of 

bread    (in    the   shape   of  a   large   bun), 

A  668,  4094,  C  322. 
Calceningr,  s.  calcination,  G  771. 


Calcinacioun,  s.  calcination,  G  804. 
Calcule,  V.  calculate;  Calculed,  pt.  s.  ¥ 

1284. 
Calculer,  s.  the  calculator  or  pointer,  A 

i.  23.  2.    See  Almury. 
Calculinge,  s.  calculation,  T.  i.  71. 
Calendes,  //.    kalends,   introduction    to 

a  new  time,  T.  ii.  7. 
Calle,   s.   caul,    a    net    used    to    confine 

women's  hair,   A.   i.    19.   4;    headdress, 

D  1018  ;  to  '  make  a  hood  above  a  caul ' 

=  to  befool,  T.  iii.  775. 
Camaille,  s.  a  camel,  E  1196. 
Camuse,  adj.  low  and  concave,  A  3934, 

3974- 

Can,  I  pr.  s.  know,  L.  1987 ;  know  how, 
am  able,  E  304,  F  4;  can,  B  42;  under- 
stand, F  1266;  am  able  to  say,  5.  14; 
pr.  s.  knows,  3.  673  ;  has,  E  2245  ;  knows 
(of),  A  1780;  has  skill,  T.  ii.  1197;  can 
on,  has  knowledge  of,  F  786;  c<i«  /lir 
good,  knows  her  own  advantage,  D  231 ; 
can  t/iank,  owes  (them)  thanks,  A  1818; 
■2pr.pl.  know,  B  1 169. 

Canel-boon,  s.  collar-bone  (lit.  channel- 
bone,  with  reference  to  the  depression 
in   the    neck    behind    the   collar-bone), 

3-  943- 
Canelle,  s.  cinnamon,  R.  1370. 
Cankedort,  s.  state  of  suspense,  critical 

position,  T.  ii.  1752. 
Canon,  s.  the  'Canon,'  the  title  of  a  book 

by  Avicenna,  C  890;  rule,  explanation, 

A.  i)r.  105. 
Canstow,  1  p.  s.  pr.  knowest  thou,  A.  pr. 

20;  canst  thou,  T.  iv.  460. 
Cantel,  s.  portion,  A  3008. 
Cape,  ger.  gape  after,  T.   v.    1 133.    See 

Gape. 
Capel,  s.  horse,  nag,  H  64;   cart-horse, 

D  2150. 
Cappe,  s.  cap,  A  586;  set  the  wrightes 

cappe,  i.  e.  made  a  fool  of  him,  A  3143. 
Carboucle,  s.  carbuncle-stone,  R.  1120. 
Cardiacle,  s.  pain  about  the  heart,  C  313. 
Care,  s.  anxietv,  sorrow,  grief,  trouble,  7. 

63;  T.  i.  505,  587;   ill-luck,  5.  363;  //. 

miseries,  T.  i.  264. 
Care,  i-.  feel  anxiety,  E  1212;  Care  thee, 

imp.  s.  be  anxious,  A  3298. 
Careful,  adj.  full  of  trouble,  6.  44,  133 ; 

sorrowful,  A  1565. 
Cai'eyne,  s.  corpse,  carcase,  5.  177. 
Carf,  cut;  see  Kerve. 
Cariage,  s.  a  carrying  away;  upon  c,  in 

the    way    of   carrying    anything    away, 

i.   e.   that    I    can    carry   away,  D    1570; 

Cariages,  s.pl.  tolls  due  from  the  tenant 


(©losgarial  hxOzi. 


19 


to  his  feudal  lord  imposed  by  authority, 
I  752. 
Carl,  s.  man,  A  3469  ;  rustic,  countryman, 

A  545- 

C4role,  s.  a  dance  accompanied  with 
singing,  R.  744,  781,  793. 

Carole,  v.  dance  round  singing,  3.  849; 
/)/>.  danced,  R.  810. 

Carpe,  v.  talk,  discourse,  A  474. 

Carrik,  s.  barge,  D  1688. 

Cart,  s.  chariot,  HF.  943. 

Cartere,  s.  charioteer,  B  5.  p  4.  100. 

Cart-hors, //.  chariot-horses,  HF.  944. 

Cas,  J.  accident,  chance,  HP".  254,  1052; 
affair,  L.  409;  occasion,  B  36;  p^dven- 
ture,  L.  1630;  mischance,  L.  1056;  in 
cas  that,  in  case,  A.  ii.  3.  2 ;  upon  cas,  by 
chance,  A  3661 ;  in  cas  if  that,  in  case 
that,  T.  ii.  758;  in  no  vianer  cas/xn  no 
way,  D  1831 ;  set  a  cas,  suppose  that,  T. 
ii.  729 ;  to  deyen  in  the  cas,  though 
death  were  the  result,  E  859. 

Cast,  s.  occasion,  turn,  B  3477 ;  contri- 
vance, plan,  HF.  1178. 

Caste,  V.  cast  (accounts),  B  1406;  Casten, 
V.  tlirow,  T.  ii.  513;  c.  with  a  spere, 
throw  with  a  spear,  HF.  1048;  fling, 
A  3330;  contrive,  HF.  1170;  Caste,  i 
//-.  s.  conjecture,  A  2172 ;  Casteth,  //-.  s. 
casts  about,  I  692;  considers,  G  1414; 
applies,  B  2781;  tefl.  devotes  himself, 
G  738  ;  Cast,  pr.  s.  casts,  R.  1574 ;  Caste, 
1  pt.  s.  threw,  5.  172;  Casten,  j*/.  thrown, 
B  1796;  Cast,  pp.  overthrown,  T.  ii. 
1389 ;  contrived,  B  3891 ;  c.  biforn,  pre- 
meditated, I  543. 

Castelled,  adj.  castellated,  I  445. 

Castel-yate,  castle-gate,  HF.  1294. 

Catapuce,  s.  caper-spurge  {Euphorbia 
Lathy  lis),  B  4155. 

Catel,  J.  property,  wealth,  possessions, 
goods,  A  373,  540. 

Cause,  J.  cause,  1.26;  A  419;  reason,  T. 
v.  527;  plea,  2.  46;  Cause  causinge, 
first  cause,  T.  iv.  829 ;  by  the  c.  that, 
because,  A  2488 ;  by  that  c,  because, 
T.  iv.  99;  Cause  why,  the  reason  why, 
T.  iii.  795;  the  reason  for  it  (was),  A 
4144. 

Causeles,  adv.  without  cause,  F  825. 

Cave,  .5.  cave,  HF.  70;  used  to  translate 
the  astrological  term  '  puteus,'  4.  119. 

Cavillacioun,  .r.  cavilhng,  D  2136. 

Celebrable,  adj.  celebrated,  B  4.  m  7.  30. 

Celerer,  s.  keeper  of  a  cellar,  B  3126. 

Celle,  s.  cell,  A  172,  1376. 

Centaure,  s.  centaury,  Ccnfanren  nigra, 
l''4iS3- 


Centre,  .c  a  point  on  a  rete  representing 
a  star,  A.  i.  21.  12. 

Ceptre,  s.  sceptre,  B  3334,  3563. 

Cercle,  s.  HF.  791 ;  sphere,  16.  9. 

Cerclen,  ger.  to  encircle,  T.  iii.  1767  ;  /;•.  s. 
R.  1619. 

Cered,  //.  as  adj.  waxed,  G  808. 

Cerial,  adj.  belonging  to  a  species  of 
oak,  the  Quercus  cerris,  A  2290. 

Ceriously,  adv.  minutely,  with  full 
details,  B  185.  Ducange  has  '  Seriose, 
fuse,  minutatim,  articulatim."  From 
Lat.  series,  order. 

Certein,  adj.  sure;  Certeins,  pi.  certain, 
B  5.  p  5.  115;  c.gold,  a  stated  sum  of 
money,  B  242;  c.  tresor,  a  quantity  of 
treasure,  B  442;  c.  yeres,  a  certain 
number  of  years,  B  3367;  Certeyn,  a 
certain  sum,  a  fixed  quantity,  G  776. 

Certein,  adv.  certainly,  indeed,  assuredly, 

A  375- 

Certes,  adv.  certainly,  R.  374,  439. 

Ceruce,  s.  white  lead,  A  630. 

Cese,  V.  cause  to  cease,  T.  i.  445 ;  put  an 
end  to,  4.  II.     See  Cesse. 

Cesse,  V.  cease,  B  1066;  c.  cause,  \s\\qw 
the  cause  ceases,  T.  ii.  483  ;  c.  wind,  when 
the  wind  ceases,  T.  ii.  1388. 

Cetewale,  s.  setwall,  i.  e.  zedoary,  A  3207, 
B  1951.  O.  F.  citoal.  A  medicinal  sub- 
stance obtained  in  the  East  Indies, 
having  a  fragrant  smell,  and  a  warm, 
bitter,  aromatic  taste,  used  in  medicine 
as  a  stimulant.  (The  name  setwall  was 
also  given  to  valerian.) 

Ceynt,  s.  cincture,  girdle,  A  3235. 

Chaffare,  s.  bargaining,  I  851 ;  traffic, 
G  1421 ;  trade,  A  4389;  merchandise, 
ware,  B  1475,  D  521 ;  matter,  subject, 
E  2438. 

Chaffare,  ger.  to  trade,  barter,  deal, 
traffic,  B  139. 

Chaires,  s.pl.  thrones,  B  4.  m  2.  6. 

Chaldnge,  v.;  pr.s.  \p.  claim,  F  1324; 
Chalaunged,  pt.  s.  arrogated,  B  2.  p  6.  36. 

Chalanging',  s.  false  claim,  accusation, 
C  264. 

Chalaundre,  s.  a  species  of  lark  {.Uauda 
calandra) ,  R.  914 ;  //.  R.  663. 

Chalice,  s.  cup,  I  879. 

Chalk-stoon,  j.  a  piece  cjf  chalk,  G  1207. 

Chalons,  pi.  blankets  or  coverlets  for  a 
lied,  A  4140.     Cf.  E.  shalloon. 

Chamberere.-f.  maidservant,  lady's  maid, 
D  300. 

Chambre-roof,  roof  of  my  room,  3.  299. 

Champartye,  s.  equality,  participation 
in  power,  A  1949.     F.  champ  parti. 


(glossarial  h\i}a. 


Chanon,  s.  canon,  G  573. 

Chapeleine,  j.  chaplain,  A  164. 

Chapelet,  s.  fillet,  circlet  for  the  head, 
chaplet,  R.  563,  845,  908. 

Chapitre,  s.  chapter,  D  1945. 

Chapman,  s.  trader,  merchant,  A  397 ; 
Chapmen,/'/.  B  135. 

Chapnaanhede,  s.  bargaining.  B  1428 ; 
trade,  B  143. 

Char.  s.  chariot,  7.  24,  39,  40. 

Charbocle,  s.  carbuncle  (a  precious 
stone),  B  2061. 

Charge,  s.  load,  burden,  R.  1352;  respon- 
sibility, 5.  507;  consideration,  A  1284; 
importance,  3.  894;  care,  A  733;  par- 
ticular note,  D  321 ;  a  heavy  thing, 
HF.  746;  weight,  L.  620:  consequence, 
L.  2383;  0/  that  710  ch.,  for  that  no 
matter,  it  is  of  no  importance,  G749. 

Charge,  v.  load,  L.  2151;  command,  L. 
493;  PP-  burdened,  I  92;  bidden,  L. 
940. 

Chargeant,  adj.  burdensome,  B  2433. 

Char-hors,  pi.  chariot-horses,  T.  v.  1018. 

Charitable,  adj.  loving,  L.  444 ;  kind,  A 

143- 
Charitee,  s.  charity,  love,  T.  i.  49;  for 

seinte  ch.,  i.  e.  either  (i)  for  holy  charity ; 

or    (2)    for  the   sake   of  St.  Charity,  A 

1721,  B4510,  D  2119. 
Charmeresses,  fem.  pi.    workers  with 

charms,  HF.  1261. 
Chaste,    v.    to    chasten ;    pp.   taught,   F 

491.    O.  F.  chastier.    See  Chastyse. 
Chasteyn,    s.    chestnut,    A    2922.     See 

Chesteynes. 
Chdstisinge,  s.  chastening,  i.  129. 
Chastyse,  v.  to  rebuke,  restrain,  B  3695; 

chasten,  i.  39.     See  Chaste. 
Chaunce,  s.  chance,  A    1752;    incident, 

3.   1285;  destiny,  3.  1113;  luck,  G  593; 

'  chance,"  a  technical  term  in  the  game 

of  hazard,  C  653. 
Chaunging,  s.  change,  21.  17. 
Chaunteth.  pr.  s.  sings,  A  3367,  E  1850. 
Chaunte-pleure,   title  of  a  song  upon 

tjrief  following  joy,  7.  320. 
Chaunterie,   s.   an  endowment   for    the 

payment  of  a  priest  to  sing  mass,  agree- 
ably to  the  appointment  of  the  founder, 

A  510. 
Chayer,   s.   chair,   B  3803;    throne,  B  i. 

'"  .■5-  3- 
Cheef,  adj.  chief,  3.  910,  911. 
Cheef,  s.  chief,  head,  L.  2109. 
Cheek,  s.  cheek,  i.  e.  cheekbone,  B  3228. 
Cheep,  s.  market,  price ;  to  greet  cheep, 

too    cheap,    D    523 ;    as  good  chep,   as 


cheaply,  T.  iii.  641 ;  a  time  of  cheapness. 
HF.  1974. 

Chees ;  see  Chese. 

Cheeste,  s.  wrangling,  I  556.     .\.  S.  ciast. 

Chek,  s.  lis  int.  check  (at  chess),  3.  659. 

Chekkere,  s.  chess-board,  3.  660. 

Chekmat.  checkmate,  T.  ii.  754. 

Chelaundre,  R.  81;  see  Chalaundre. 

Chep,  -e  ;  see  Cheep. 

Chepe,^£r/-.  to  bargain  (with  her),  D  268. 

Chere,  .r.  face,  countenance,  T.  i.  14 ;  look, 
mien,  R.  1014;  entertainment,  A  747; 
favour,  7.  108 ;  appearance,  19.  4 ;  be- 
haviour, A  139 ;  look,  glance,  sign,  T. 
i.  312;  good  cheer,  mirth,  A  4363; 
kindly  greeting,  4.  146;  show,  B  2377; 
kindly  expression,  E  11 12;  doth  him 
chere,  makes  him  good  cheer,  L.  2452 ; 
be  of  good  ch.,  be  of  good  cheer,  'i\  i. 
879;  sory  ch.,  mournful  look,  D  588; 
Cheres,  pi.  faces,   R.  813;    looks,  T.  ii. 

1507- 
Cherl,  s.  churl,  boor,  fellow,  5.  596;    L. 

136;  slave,  I  463;  man  (in  the  moon), 

T.  i.  1024;  pi.  violent  men,  fierce  men, 

R.  880. 
Chert6e,  s.  affection,  B  1526. 
Cherubinnes.^if//.  cherub's,  A  624. 
Cheryse,  pi.  cherries,  R.  1376. 
Ches,  s.  chess,  3.  619,  652,  664. 
Ch6se,  V.  choose,  5.  399,  400;  Cheest.^r. 

s.  chooseth,  5.  623;  Chees,  1  pt.  s.  chose, 

3.791;  Chees,//.  J.  chose,  B  3706  ;  Chees, 

imp.  s.  choose,   L.   1449;  Cheseth,  im/>. 

pi.  D  1232;  Chose,//,  chosen,  3.  1004. 
Chesinge,  s.  choosing,  choice,  B  2305,  E 

162. 
Cheste,  s.  chest,  casket,  T.  v.  1368;  box, 

trunk,  L.  510;  coffin,  D  502. 
Chesteynes,  //.  chestnuts,  R.  1375. 
Chevauchee ;  see  Chivachee. 
Cheve,  v.;  in  phr.  yvel    mote   he  cheve 

=  ill  may  he  end,  or  ill  may  he  thrive, 

G  1225. 
Chevesaile,   s.   (ornamented)   collar  or 

neckband  of  a  gown,  R.  1082. 
Chevisaunce,    s.  borrowing,    L.   2434; 

agreement  to   borrow,  B    1519;  dealing 

for  profit,  A  282. 
Chevise,  v.  rejl.  accomplish  (her)  desire, 

4  289.     O.  F.  chevir. 
Chideresse,  s.  a  scold,  R.  150. 
Chieftayn,  s.  captain,  A  2555. 
Chiertee,   s.   fondness,   D   396;    love,   F 

881. 
Chike,  s.  chicken,  R.  541. 
Chiknes,  //.  chickens,  A  380. 
Child,  .r.  young   man,   A   3325 ;    Childes 


i3\os&axml  InHzx. 


pley,  child's  play,  E  1530 ;  Childe,  with, 

with  child,  L.  1323. 
Childhede,  s.  childhood,  R.  399. 
Childly,  ad/,  childlike,  3.  1095. 
Chilindre,  s.  cylinder,  portable  sun-dial, 

R  1396. 
Chimbe,  s.  rim  of  the  barrel,  A  3895. 
Chimbe,  v.  chime  (as  a  bell),  A  3896. 
Chimenee,  s.  fireplace,  A  3776. 
Chinche,  s.  niggard,  miser,  B  2793,  2809. 
Chincherye,    s.    niggardliness,    miserli- 

n<'ss,  B  2790. 
Ctiirche,  s.  church,  A  708,  2760. 
Chirche-ha'we,    s.    churchyard,    I   964; 

fi/.  I  801. 
Chirche-reves,       //.       church-officers, 

churchwardens,  D  1306. 
Chlrketh, />r.  J.  chirps,  D  1804;  pres.pt. 

rustling,  B  i.  m  6.  10. 
Chirking',    s.    creaking,   grating    noises, 

A  2004,  I  605;  Chirkinges, //.  shriekmgs, 

cries,  HF.  1943. 
Chisels,  s.  scissors,  I  418. 
Chit,  chides  ;  pr.  s.  of  Chyde. 
Chiteren,  v.  chatter,  prattle,  G  1397. 
Chiteringe,   s.   chattering,    chirping,   T. 

ii.  68. 
ChivAchee,  s.  feat  of  horsemanship,  H 

50;  Chevauchee,  swift  course  (lit.  ride), 

4.  144.     O.  F.  chevauchee,  an  expedition 

on  horseback. 
Chivachye,  s.  a   military  expedition,  A 

85. 

Chivalrye,  s.  knighthood,  the  accom- 
plishments of  a  knight,  A  45 ;  knightly 
conduct,  valour,  R.  1207  ;  L.  608  ;  troops 
of  horse,  cavalry,  company  of  knights, 
A  878. 

Chogh,  s.  chough,  5.  345. 

Choppen,  v.  strike  downwards,  knock, 
\\V.  1824. 

Chose,  pp.  of  Chese. 

Chuk,    s.    cluck,    '  chucking '     noise,    B 

4364- 
Chukketh,  pr.  s.  clucks,  B  4372. 
Chyde,  v.  chide,  T.  iii.  1433;  complain, 

F  650 ;  reproach,  T.  v.  1093 ;  Chit,  pr.  s. 

chides,  scolds,  G  921 ;  Chidde,   i  pt.  s. 

chid,  D  223. 
Chydester,  s.  (female)  scold,  E  1535. 
Chydinges,  //.  scoldings,  HF.  1028. 
Chyning',    adj.    gaping,    yawning,    B   i. 

p  6.  41.     A.  S.  c'man,  to  gape  open. 
Ciclatoun,  s.  a  costly  kind  of  thin  cloth, 

B  1924. 
Cinamome,   s.  cinnamon,   as  a  term  of 

endearment,  sweet  one,  A  3699. 
Cink,  num.  cinque,  five,  C  653. 


Cipres,  s.  cypress,  5.  179;   {^collectively), 

cypresses,  R.  1381. 
Circumscryve,  v.  enclose,  comprehend, 

T.  V.  1865. 
Citole,  s.  kind  of  harp,  a  stringed  instru- 
ment, A  1959. 
Citrinacioun,  s.  citronising,  the  turning 

to    the    colour   of  citron,   a   process   in 

alchemy,  G  816. 
Citryn,  adj.  citron-coloured,  A  2167. 
Clamb,  //.  s.  of  Climben. 
Clamour,  s.  A  995 ;  outcry,  D  889. 
Claperes,  //.   burrows  (for   rabbits),  R. 

1405. 
Clappe,  s.  thunderclap,  HF.  1040. 
Clappe,  s.  prating,  foolish  talk,  A  3144. 
Clappe,  V.   clap;  hence,   chatter,   prattle, 

G  965;  pr.  s.  knocks,  D   1581,  1584;  pr. 

pi.   talk  unceasingly,    I    406;    Clappeth, 

imp.    pi.    E    1200;    Clapte,    //.    .f.  shut 

quickly,  A  3740. 
Clapping,  s.  chatter,  idle  talk,  E  999. 
Clarioning",  s.  the  music  of  the  clarion, 

WY.  1242. 
Clarioun,  s.  clarion,  trumpet,  HF.  1240, 

1573.  1579- 
Clarree,   s.   clarified   wine,    wine    mixed 

with    honey  and  spices,  and  aftenvards 

strained  till  clear,  A  1471,  E  1807. 
Clasped,  pp.  fastened,  A  273. 
Clatereth,  pr.  s.   says  noisily,  B  2259; 

pt.  pi.  rattled,  A  2423. 
Clateringe,  s.  clanking,  A  2492 ;  clashing, 

D  1865. 
Clatise,    s.    sentence;     also,    agreement, 

stipulation,  T.  ii.  728 ;  in  a  clause,  in  a 

short  sentence,  briefly,  22.  38. 
Clawe,  V.  rub,  D  940;  ger.  to  scratch,  T. 

iv.  728;  pt.  s.  stroked,  A   4326;    Clew, 

I  //.  s.  rubbed,  HF.  1702. 
Clearly,  adv.  entirely,  B  1566. 
Cleernesse,  s.  glory,  G  403. 
C\eite,pt.  s.  o/Clev'e  (i). 
C16ne,   adj.  clean,   A   504;    unmixed,    B 

1183. 
C16ne,  adv.  clean,  entirely,  wholly,  R.  1380. 
Clennesse,  s.  purity,  A  506. 
Clense,  v.  cleanse,  A  631. 
Clepen,  v.  call,  name,  A  643,  2730;  call 

out,  A  3577;  pr.  s.  D  102;  F  382;  men 

cl.,  people  call,  E  115;  Clepe  .  .  .  ayein 

(or  again),   v.   recall,  T.  ii.  521;   pt.  s. 

called,    F    374;    Clepte,    pt.    s.    called, 

R.  1331;  summoned,  B  2432;  Clept,//. 

named,  G  863. 
Clere,  a<^'.  clear,  R.  681;  bright,  3.  340; 

well-sounding,  3.347;  noble,  pure,  HF. 

1575- 


c^lassarial  llnDa. 


Clere,  adv.  clearly,  A  170 ;  L.  139. 
Clere,  v.  grow  clear,  T.  ii.  2,  806 ;  ger.  to 

grow  bright,  T.  v.  519 ;  to  shine  clearly, 

L.  773- 
Clerer.  adj.  comp.  brighter,  3.  822. 
Clergeon,  s.  a  chorister-boy,  B  1693. 
Clergial,  adj.  clerkly,  learned,  G  752. 
Clergye,  s.  learning,  D  1277. 
Clerk,  s.  clerk,  scholar,  student,  A  285  ; 

writer,  D  689. 
Clernesse,  s.  brightness,  L.  84. 
Cleve  (i),  1*.  cleave,  cut,  split,  R.  859;  L. 

758;  Clefte,  pt.  s.  split,  3.   72;    Cloven, 

pp.  A  2934 ;    Clove,  //.    cleft,   dimpled, 

R.  550- 
Cleve  (2),  V.  adhere;  pr.pl.  B  3. p  11.  112. 
Clew,  s.  clew,  L.  2140. 
Clew, /A  s.  of  Clawe. 
Cley,  s.  clay,  G  807. 
Clifte,  s.  cleft,  L.  740;  chink,  B  4.  p  4. 

296. 
Cliket,  s.  latch-key,  E  2046,  2117,  2121, 

2123. 
Clim'ben,  v.  climb,  F  106;  Ciamb,//.  s. 

B    1987;   Clomb,   I  pt.  s.  climbed,  HF. 

1118;  Clomben,;)/.//.  climbed,  A  3636; 

Clamben,  pt.    pi.   climbed,    HF.    2151 ; 

Cloumben,  B  2590;   Clomben,  pp.  T.  i. 

215 ;    ascended,    B    4388 ;    Clombe,  pp. 

risen,  B  12 ;  were  clombe,  hadst  climbed, 

B  3592. 
Clinking,  s.  tinkling,  B  3984. 
Clippe  (I),  1  pr.  s.  embrace,  T.  iii.  1344. 
Clippe  (2),  V.  cut  hair,  A  3326. 
Clipping',  s.  embracing,  R.  342. 
Clobbed,  adj.  clubbed,  B  3088. 
Cloisterer,  s.  resident   in   a   cloister,  A 

259,  3661. 
Cloisterlees,  adj.  outside  of  a  cloister,  A 

179. 
Cloke.  s.  cloak,  T.  iii.  738. 
Clokke,  s.  clock,  B  4044;  0/  the  cl.,  by 

the  clock,  B  14. 
Clom,  mterj.  be  silent,  mum  I  A  3638. 
Clombe,  -n  :  see  Climben. 
CI663,  adj.  close,  secret,  T.  ii.  1534 ;  closed, 

B  4522;  Clos,  closed,  R.  1675. 
C166th,   s.  piece   of    clothing,    D    1633; 

infants'  clothing,  T.  iii.  733. 
Clos,  s.  enclosure,  B  4550. 
Closet,  s.  small  room,  T.  ii.  599,  1215. 
Closing,  s.  enclosure,  boundary,  R.  527. 
Closure,  f.  enclosure,  I  870. 
Clote-leef,  s.  a  leaf  of  the   burdock  or 

clote-bur,   G    577.     A.   S.   elate,   a   bur- 
dock. 
Cloth,  s.  cloth,  garment,  D  238 ;  clothes, 

D  1881. 


Clotlien,  V  clothe,  T.  v.  1418 ;  Cladde, 
pt.  s.  clad,  T.  iv.  1690 ;  rejl.  clothed  him- 
self, 7.  145 ;  Cledde,  pt.  s.  T.  iii.  1521 ; 
Clad,  pp.  R.  409;  covered,  A  294;  fur- 
nished, 3.  352. 

Clothered,  //.  clotted,  coagulated,  A 
2745.     (Other  MSS.  clotered,  clotred.) 

Clothlees,  adj.  naked,  I  343. 

Cloud,  s.  sky,  T.  iii.  433. 

Cloumben ;  see  Climben. 

Clout,  s.  bit  of  cloth,  C  736;  patch,  R. 
458  ;  pt.  fragments,  E  1953  ;  rags,  C  348. 

Clouted,  pp.  patched  up,  R.  223. 

Cloven,//.  ()/ Cleve  (i). 

Clowes,  pi.  claws,  HF.  1785. 

Clow-gelofre,  //.  clove,  the  spice  so 
called,  R.  1368 ;  Clowe-gilofre,  B  1952. 
Fr.  clou  de  girojle. 

Clustred,  pp.  covered  with  clouds,  B  i. 
m  3.  6.     (LaX.glomerantur.) 

Clymat,  s.  a  belt  or  zone  of  the  earth 
included  between  two  given  lines  of 
latitude,  A.  ii.  39.  28 ;  //.  zones  of  lati- 
tude, A.  i.  3.  4;  Clymates,  sets  of  almi- 
canteras  calculated  for  various  terrestrial 
latitudes,  A.  i.  14.  4. 

Cly  ven,  pr.  pi.  cleave,  keep,  B  3.  p  11. 115. 

Cly  ves,  pi.  cliffs,  L.  1470. 

Coagulat, //.  clotted,  G  811. 

Cod,  s.  bag  ;  used  of  the  receptacle  of  the 
stomach,  C  534. 

Coempcioun,  s.  an  imposition  so  called, 
lit.  joint  purchase,  the  buying  up  of  the 
whole  of  any  commodity  in  the  market, 
B  I.  p  4.  90. 

Cofre,  s.  coffer,  chest,  L.  380 ;  money-box, 
F  1571 ;  coffin,  5.  177. 

Cogge,  s.  cock-boat,  L.  1481. 

Coerhe.  ger.  to  cough,  T.  ii.  254. 

Coillons,  pi.  testicles,  C  952. 

Cok,  s.  cock,  5.  350 ;  thridde  c,  third  cock, 
A  4233- 

Cok  !  cok  !  the  noise  made  by  a  cock,  B 
4467. 

Cokenay,  s.  cockney,  effeminate  creature, 
A  4208. 

Cokewold,  s.  cuckold,  A  3152. 

Cokkel,  s.  cockle,  i.  e.  the  corn-cockle, 
Agrostemma  githago,  B  1183. 

Cokkes,  corruption  of  GoAdes,  H  9,  I  29. 

Cokkow,  s.  cuckoo,  HF.  243. 

Col,  f.  coal,  T.  ii.  1332;  Cole,  A  2692. 

Col-blak,  adj.  coal-black,  A  2142. 

Cold,  adj.  cold,  A  420;  chilling  (often  in 
phr.  cares  colde),T.  iii.  1260;  disastrous, 
B  4446. 

Colde,  V.  grow  cold,  B  879,  F  1023. 

Coler,   s.  collar,   T.   v.   811;    Colers,  pi. 


(glossarial  hiOtx, 


23 


collars,  A  2152  (or  read  coleid,  provided 
with  collars). 

CoUra  (Lat.),  choler,  B  4118. 

Colere,  s.  choler,  B  4136. 

Colerik,  adj.  choleric,  A  587,  B  4145. 

Col-fox,  s.  coal-fox,  fox  with  black  marks, 
15  4405. 

CoUacioun,  s.  conference,  E  325. 

Collateral,  adj.  adventitious,  subordinate, 
r.  i.  262. 

Collect,  pp.  collected  in  groups,  F  1275. 

Col6ur,  s.  colour,  7.  173 ;  complexion, 
hue,  R.  213;  outward  appearance,  2.  66; 
pretence,  10.  21 ;  excuse,  D  399 ;  //.  fine 
phrases,  HP".  859;  hues,  pretences  (a 
pun),  F  511. 

Colpons,  pi.  shreds,  bundles,  A  679; 
billets,  A  2867. 

Coltish,  adj.  like  a  colt,  E  1847. 

Columbyn,  adj.  dove-like,  E  2141. 

Colver,  s.  dove,  L.  2319.    A.  S.  culfre. 

Combred,  pp.  encumbered,  B  3.  m  10. 9. 

Combre-world,  s.  one  who  encumbers 
the  world,  who  lives  too  long,  T.  iv.  279. 

Combust,  //.  burnt,  G  811;  quenched 
(as  being  too  near  the  sun),  T.  lii.  717. 

Come,  V.  come ;  come  thereby,  come  by  it, 
acquire  it,  G  1395  ;  Come,  ger.  to  come, 
future,  3.  708 ;  Comestow,  comest  thou, 
L.  1887 ;  Cometh,  pr.  s.  as  fut.  shall 
come,  4.  II;  Comth,  pr.  s.  comes,  B 
407  ;  Cam,  p/.  s.  came,  F  81 ;  Com,  pt.  s. 
3.134;  Comen,  pi.  p/.  L.  1241 ;  CSmen, 
pp.  come,  4.  81 ;  ien  comeii,  are  come,  B 
1130;  Com  of,  i.  e.  seize  the  opportunity, 
be  quick,  T.  ii.  1738;  D  1602;  Cometh, 
imp.  pi.  A  839. 

Come,  s.  coming,  G  343.    A.  S.  cyme. 

Com6die,  s.  comedy,  pleasant  tale,  one 
that  ends  happily,  T.  v.  1788. 

Comeveden,  2  pr.  pi.  as  2  pr.  s.,  didst 
instigate,  T.  iii.  17.     See  Commeveth. 

Comlily,  adv.  in  a  comely  way,  3.  848. 

Commeveth,  pr.  s.  moves,  induces,  T.  v. 
1783;  Conwuave,  pr.  s.  su/>;.  move,  I",  v. 
1386.  See  Commoeve,  Comeveden. 

Coinmoeve,  ger.  to  move,  influence,  B  4. 
P  4-  275. 

Commoevinge,  s.  moving,  disturbing, 
1j  I.  m  4.  6. 

Commune,  adj.  general,  common,  B  155  ; 
///  c,  commonly,  A  1261. 

Commune,  s.  the  commons,  E  70;  pi. 
commoners,  A  2509. 

Compaignable,  adj.  companionable,  B 
1x94. 

Companye,  s.  company,  A  24;  com- 
panionship, 4.  219. 


Comparisoned,  //.  compared,  B  2.  p  7. 

118. 

Compas,  s.  circuit,  4.  137 ;  circlet,  wreath, 
R.  900 ;  circle,  A  1889 ;  a  very  large 
circle,  HF.  798;  circumference,  20.  5; 
enclosure,  orb,  world,  as  in  try/ie  compas, 
the  threefold  world  (earth,  sea,  and 
heaven),  G  45  ;  pair  of  compasses,  A.  ii. 
40.  13;  craft,  contriving,  HF.  462;  //. 
circles  {or,  per/iaps,  pairs  of  compasses), 
HF.  1302. 

Compasment,  s.  plotting,  contrivance, 
L.  1416. 

Compasse,  v.  contrive,  R.  194;  planned, 
L.  1414;  Compassed,  //.  drawn  with 
compasses,  fashioned  circularly,  A.  i. 
18.  I ;  planned,  L.  1543. 

Compassing,  s.  dimension,  R.  1350;  con- 
trivance, A  1996. 

Compeer,  .r.  gossip,  close  friend,  A  670;. 
comrade,  A  4419. 

Compilatour,  s.  compiler,  A.  pr.  70. 

C6mpleynt,  s.  a  '  complaint '  or  ballad,  2. 

43 ;  3-  464- 

Complexioun.  s.  complexion,  A  333; 
temperament,  I  585  ;  the  (four)  tempera- 
ments, HF.  21. 

Compline,  s.  evening  service,  A  4171. 

Complisshen,  v.  accomplish,  B  4.  p  4.  24. 

Comporte,  v.  bear,  endure,  T.  v.  1397. 

Composicioun,  s.  agreement,  A  848, 
2651. 

Competent,  adj.  all-powerful,  B  5.  p  6. 

53- 

Compouned,  pp.  composed,  HF.  1029; 
tempered,  L.  2585;  mingled,  HF.  2108; 
constructed,  drawn,  A.  pr.  11. 

Comprehende,  v.  take  (it)  in,  T.  iv.  891 ; 
take  in  (in  the  mind),  F  223;  //•.  s.  com- 
prises, I  1043. 

Comprende,  v.  comprehend,  contain,  T. 
iii.  1687. 

Comunalitee,  s.  empire,  B  4.  p  6.  402. 

Comune,  adj.  general,  common  to  all,  T. 
iii.  1415  ;  accustomed  to,  3.  812  ;  Comun 
profit,  the  good  of  the  country,  5.  47,  75. 

Comune,  s.  a  common  share  in  a  thing, 
E  1313. 

Comyn,  s.  cummin,  B  2045.  'A  dwarf 
umbelliferous  plant,  somewhat  resem- 
bling fennel,  cultivated  for  its  seeds.'  — 
Webster. 

Con,  imp.  s.  grant ;  Con  me  thank,  grant 
me  thanks,  thank  me,  A.  pr.  62. 

Conceite,  s.  conception,  thought,  L.  1764  ; 
idea,  G  1214;   notion,  T.  i.  996. 

Conclude,  v.  draw  a  conclusion,  B  14; 
include,   put   together,  G  429;  attain  to 


24 


(ilossavial  3int)fx. 


success,  G  773 ;  ger.  to  summarize,  A 
1358 ;  Concluded,  //.  come  to  a  con- 
clusion, E  1607. 
Conclusioun,  s.  decision,  judgement,  A 
1845  ■  i'*?sult,  successful  end  of  an  experi- 
ment, G  672;  purpose,  D  115;  moral,  L. 
2723;  reason,  F  492;  performance,  F 
1263;  result,  summary,  A  1743;  ^"^^  (^^ 
life),  HF.  103;  fate,  22.  23;  as  in  c, 
after  all,  4.  257;  15.  4;  Conclusiouns, 
//.  mathematical  propositions,  theorems, 

^  3193- 
Condys,//.  conduits,  R.  1414. 
Confedred,  pp.  rendered    confederates, 

conjoined,  2.  42,  52. 
Conferme,  v.  confirm,  T.  ii.  1526. 
Confirme,  ger.  B  4.  p  7.  90  (but  an  error 

for  con/orme  ;  Lat.  '  conformandae  '). 
Confiteot\  '  I  confess,'  I  386. 
Confiture,   s.  composition,   C   862.    Fr. 

confiture,  a  mixture,  preserve. 
Conforten,  v.  comfort,  E  1918 ;  pr.  s.  en- 
courages, A  2716 ;  pr.pl.  strengthen,  I  652. 
Confounde,  v.  destroy,  1.40;   12.  10;  pp. 

put  to  confusion,  i.  5 ;  overwhelmed,  B 

100;  destroyed  in  soul,  G  137. 
C6nfus,  pp.  as  adj.  confused,  T.  iv.  356; 

convicted   of  folly,  G  463;   confounded, 

A  2230. 
Congeyen,  v.  give  us  our  cong6e,  tell  us 

to  depart,  T.  v.  479. 
Conjectest,  2  pr.  s.  supposest,  T.  iv.  1026. 
Conjectinges,  pi.  conjectures,  B  2598. 
Conjoining-e,  s.  conjunction,  G  95. 
Conjuracioun,  s.  conjuring,  I  603. 
Conne,  v.  be  able,  L.  2044;  know,  T.  iii. 

83 ;    have  experience,  T.   i.   647 ;    know 

how,   T.   iii.   377;    con,   learn,   B   1730; 

Conne,  i  pr.  s.  can,  T.  ii.  49 ;  2  pr.  s.  subj. 

canst,  knowest  how,  T.  ii.  1497 ;  pr.  s. 

subj.  may,  A  4396  ;   I  pr.pl.  can,  are  able, 

B483;  know,  HF.  335;  Conne,  2//-.//. 

can,  A  4123 ;  can  (do) ,  T.  i.  776 ;  owe  (me 

thanks),   T.   ii.    1466;    Connen,  pr.   pi. 

know    how   to,    E    2438 ;    al  conne  he, 

whether  he  may  know,  G  846. 
Conning,  s.  skill,  knowledge,  L.  68,412; 

T.  i.  83;  experience,  B  1671 ;  learning,  B 

2929. 
Conning,  adj.  skilful,  B  3690. 
Conningest,  most  skilful,  T.  i.  331. 
Conningly,  adv.  skilfully,  E  1017. 
Consecrat,  consecrated,  B  3207. 
Conseil,  s.   council,   B   204;    counsel,   B 

425;  secret  coimsel,  A    1141;  secret,  A 

3504;     advice,    B    221 1;  counsellor,   A 

1147. 
Conseile,  v.  counsel ;  //.//.  B  2554. 


Consentant,  adj.  consentient,  consenting 

(to),  C  276. 

Consentrik,  adj.  having  the  same  centre, 
A.  i.  17.  5;  tending  to  the  same  centre, 
A.  i.  16.  9;  at  the  same  altitude,  A.  ii.  3. 
56. 

Consequent,  s.  sequel,  result,  B  2577. 

Conservatif,  adj.  preserving;  c.  the  seuii, 
preserving  the  sound,  HF.  847. 

Conserve,  v.  keep,  preserve,  1'.  iv.  1664. 

Consist6rie,  s.  council,  T.  iv.  65;  court 
of  justice,  C  162. 

Conspiracye,  s.  plot,  B  3889,  C  149. 

Constable,  j-.  governor,  B  512. 

Constdblesse,  s.  constable's  wife,  B  539. 

Constaunce,  s.  constancy,  I  737. 

Constellacioun,  s.  influence  of  the  stars, 
F  781. 

Constreyneth,  pr.  s.  constrains,  E  800 ; 
pt.  s.  L.  105 ;  pt  s.  rejl.  contracted  her- 
self, B  I.  p  I.  15 ;  pp.  constrained,  com- 
pelled, E  527,  F  764,  769. 

Constreynte,  s.  distress,  T.  iv.  741. 

Constriie,  v.  divine,  make  out,  T.  iii.  33  ; 
^f^-.  to  translate,  B  171S;  inip.pl.  inter- 
pret, L.  152. 

Consulers,  s.  pi.  consuls,  B  2.  p  6.  13. 

Consumpte, //.//.  consumed,  B  2.  m  7. 

27- 
Contagious,  adj.  contiguous,  B  3.  p  12. 5. 
Contek,  s.  strife,  contest,  T.  v.  1479 ;  A 

2003. 
Contemplaunce,   s.   contemplation,    D 

1S93. 
Contenance,  s.  appearance,  F 1485  ;  show, 

B  2378 ;  gesture,  B  2227;  demeanour,  E 

924;  self-possession,    E    iiio;  pretence, 

I  858 ;  fond  his  c,  i.  e.  disposed  himself, 

T.  iii.  979;  //.  modes  of  behaviour,  R. 

looi. 
Contene,  v.  contain,  T.  iii.  502 ;  pt.  s.  held 

toi^L-tlier,  B  3.  p  12.  40. 
Continued,  //,  accompanied,  eked  out, 

I  1046. 
Contract,  pp.  contracted,  incurred,  I  334. 
Contraire,  adj.  contrary,  R.   348;   T.   i. 

212. 
Contraire,   s.  the    contrary,   HF.   1540; 

adversary,  2.  64. 
Contrdrie,  adj.  contrary,  B  3964;   in  c, 

in  contradiction,  G  1477. 
C6ntrarie,  .r.  contrary,  A  3057;  contrary 

thing,    HF.    808;    opponent,    A    1859; 

op|5osition,  'I",  i.  418. 
Contr6rien,  v.  oppose,  F  705  ;  pt.  s.  gain- 
said, D  1044. 
Contrarious,  adj.   contrary,  adverse,    B 

2249;  />/.  B.  2311. 


(glDggarial  InOtx. 


25 


Contrarioustee,  s.  contrary  state,  I  1077. 

Contree,  country,  R.  768;  fatherland, 
iiome,  B  2.  p  4.  120. 

Contree-folk,  people  of  his  country,  L. 
2161. 

Contree-houses,  //.  houses  of  his  coun- 
try, homes,  7.  25.     Lat.  demos  patrias. 

Contree-ward,  to  his,  towards  his 
country,  L.  2176. 

Contubernial,  adj.  familiar,  at  home 
with  (lit.  sharing  the  same  tent  with), 
I  760. 

Contumax,  adj.  contumacious,  I  402. 

Convenient,  adj.  fitting,  suitable,  I  421 ; 
pi.  suitable,  F  1278. 

Convers ;  in  convers,  on  the  reverse  side, 
T.  V.  1 8 10. 

Conversacioun,  s.  conversation,  i.  e. 
manner  of  life,  B  2501. 

Converte,  v.  change,  T.  i.  308 ;  swerve, 
C  212 ;  ge>-.  to  change  his  ways,  T.  iv. 
1412  ;  to  change  her  mind,  T.  ii.  903. 

Convertible,  adj.  equivalent,  A  4395. 

Conveyen,  v.  introduce,  E  55  ;  pr.  s.  ac- 
companies, L.  2305 ;  pt.  pi.  conducted 
on  their  way,  A  2737. 

Convict,  //.  overcome,  i.  86. 

Cony,  s.  rabbit;  Conies,  //.  R.  1404; 
Conyes,  //.  5.  193. 

Cook',  s.  cook,  A  351 ;  Cokes,;*/.  C  538. 

Coomen, //.//.  came,  B  1805. 

Cop,  s.  top,  A  554;  summit,  B  2.  m  4.  6 ; 
hill-top,  HF.  1166. 

Cope,  s.  cope,  A  260 ;  cape,  R.  408  ;  cloak, 
T.  iii.  724;  vault,  L.  1527. 

Coper,  s.  copper,  HF.  1487. 

Copie,  s.  copy,  T.  ii.  1697. 

Coppe,  s.  cup,  A  134,  F  942. 

Cordge,  C6rage,  s.  heart,  spirit,  mind, 
disposition,  mood,  inclination,  R.  257, 
423,  849,  1302,  1614;  A  22;  courage,  B 
1970;  will,  desire,  B  2713;  impetuosity, 
I  655;  attention,  H  164;  spite,  R.  151; 
encouragement,  R.  22;  0/  his  c,  in  his 
disposition,  F  22;  Corages, //.  disposi- 
tions, natures,  A  11. 

Corbets,  pi.  corbels,  HF.  1304. 

Cordeth,  pr.  s.  agrees,  T.  ii.  1043. 

Corde-wane,  s.  Cordovan  leather,  B  1922. 

Corfe^v-tyme,  s.  curfew-time,  about  8 
p.m.,  A  3645. 

Corig^e,  v.  correct ;  pr.  .f.  B  4.  p  7.  39. 

Cormeraunt,  s.  cormorant,  5.  362. 

Cor  metim  eructavit,  D  1934.  See  Ps. 
xlv.  I. 

Corn,  s.  grain,  A  562;  chief  portion,  B 
3144;  Comes,  //.  crops  of  corn,  B  3225  ; 
grains  of  corn,  HF.  698. 


Cornemuse,  s.  bagpipe,  HF.  1218.  Fr. 
cornemuse. 

Cornictilere,  s.  registrar,  secretary,  G 
369.  Lat.  cpniicularius,  a  registrar, 
clerk  to  a  magistrate. 

Corny,  adj.  applied  to  ale,  strong  of  the 
corn  or  malt,  C  315,  456. 

Corone,  s.  crown,  garland,  E  381 ;  Co- 
roune,  crown,  garland,  2.  58;  Coroun, 
crown,  L.  216;  the  constellation  called 
'the  Northern  Crown,'  L.  2224. 

Corosif,  adj.  corrosive,  G  853. 

Coroumpinge,  s.  corruption,  B  3.  p  12. 
82. 

Cor6uned,  pp.  crowned,  B  3555. 

Corpus,  s.  body,  A  3743  ;  Corpus,  the  body 
(e.  g.  of  Christ),  B  3096;  Corpus  Doini- 
Tius,  false  Latin  for  corpus  Domini,  the 
body  of  the  Lord,  B  1625 ;  Corpus 
Madrian,  the  body  of  St.  Mathurin, 
B  3082;  Corpus  bones,  an  intentionally 
tionsensical  oath,  composed  of  '  corpus 
domini,"  the  Lord's  body,  and  '  bones,' 
C  314. 

Correccioun,  s.  fine,  D  1617. 

Corrumpable,  adj.  corruptible,  A  3010. 

Corrumpeth,//-.  J.  becomes  corrupt,  L. 
2237  ;  pt.  s.  corrupted,  I  819. 

Corrupcioun,  s.  destroyer,  5.  614. 

Cors,  s.  body,  L.  676,  876 ;  corpse,  T.  v. 
742. 

Corse,  pr.  s.  subj.  curse,  E  1308. 

Corsednesse,  s.  abomination,  T.  iv.  994. 

Corseynt,  s.  a  saint  (lit.  holy  body)  ;  esp. 
a  shrine,  HI'\  117.     O.  F.  cors  seint. 

Corurape,  f.  become  corrupt,  B  3.  p  11. 
58.    See  Corrumpe. 

Corve, -n;  see  Kerve. 

Cosin,  s.  cousin,  .A  1131;  as  adj.  akin, 
suitable  to,  A  742,  H  210;  Cosins  ger- 
mavns,  cousins-german,  first  cousins,  B 
2558. 

Cosinage,  s.  kinship,  B  1226, 1329. 

Cost  (l),  s.  expense,  A  192,  213. 

Cost  (2),  -f.  choice,  condition;  Nedes 
cost,  of  necessity  (lit.  by  condition  of 
necessity),  L.  2697.  Icel.  kostr,  choice, 
condition,  state. 

Costage,  s.  cost,  expense,  B  1235,  1562. 

Coste,  s.  coast,  B  1626;  region,  I)  922; 
Costes,  pi.  parts  of  the  sky,  A.  i.  19.  10. 

Costeyin^,  pres.  part,  coasting,  R.  134. 

Costlewe,  adj.  costly.  I  415.  Cf.  Icel. 
X'l  'Stligr. 

Costrel.  s.  flask,  kind  of  bottle.  L.  2666. 

Cote,  .f.  cot,  E  398  ;  dungeon,  A  2457. 

Cote,  s.  coat,  jacket  (for  a  man),  A  103, 
328;     skirt,    petticoat,   or   gown    (for   a 


26 


#losgarial  JLnbn. 


woman),  R.  226;  pi.  coats,  surcoats,  or 
coats-of-arms  (see  below),  HF.  1332. 

Cote-armure,  coat-armour,  coat  shew- 
ing the  arms,  coat-of-arms,  T.  v.  1651. 

Couche,  V.  lay  down,  place;  cower,  E 
1206;  //.  s.  laid  in  order,  placed,  5.  216; 
G  1 157;  //.  set,  placed,  laid,  A  2933, 
321 1 ;  beset,  begemmed,  A  2161. 

Couching',  s.  laying  down,  letting  the 
astrolabe  lie  flat  on  the  ground,  A.  ii. 
29.  29. 

Coude,  I  //.  s.  could,  was  able,  L.  116; 
knew  how,  3.  517 ;  //.  s.  knew,  3.  667, 
1012;  understood,  R.  179;  as  aux.  couid, 
R.  17s  ;  Coude  her  good,  knew  what  was 
for  Dido's  advantage,  L.  1182;  Coude 
no  good,  knew  no  good,  was  untrained, 
3.  390;  Coud, //>.  known,  3.  787  ;  learnt, 
I  1041.    See  Can,  Conne. 

Counseil,  s.  advice,  A  784 ;  secrets,  A 
665  ;  Counseyl,  secret,  5.  348. 

Counte,  I  //•.  s.  account,  11.  29;  pt  s.  3. 
718. 

Countenaunce,  s.  appearance,  show,  A 
1926  ;  looks,  appearance,  G  1264 ;  shew- 
ing favour,  3.  1022;  demeanour,  R.  814; 
pretext,  A  4421 ;  //.  looks,  R.  1309. 

Countiug-bord,  s.  counting-house  table, 
B  1273. 

Countour  (i),  s.  arithmetician,  3.  435; 
auditor,  A  359. 

Countour  (2),  s.  abacus,  counting-board, 
3.  436;  counting-house,  B  1403. 

Countour-hous,  s.  counting-house,  B 
1267. 

Countrepeise,  v.  render  equivalent,  HF. 
1750;  countervail,  T.  iii.  1407. 

Coiintrepleted,  pp.  made  the  subject  of 
pleadings  and  counter-pleadings,  argued 
against,  L.  476. 

Countretaille,  s.  lit.  countertally,  i.  e. 
correspondence  (of  sound)  ;  ai  the  c,  in 
reply,  E  1190. 

Couritrewaite,  pr.  s.  subj.  keep  watch 
ovf  r,  I  1005  ;  watch  against,  B  2509. 

Coupable,  adj.  culpable,  blameworthy, 
B  2731,  1  414. 

Coupe,  s.  cup,  L.  1122. 

Coured,  //.  s.  cowered,  R.  465. 

Cours,  s.  course,  T.  ii.  970;  life  on  earth, 
G  387  ;  orbit,  A  2454. 

Courser,  s.  horse,  T.  ii.  loii ;  //.  steeds, 
A  2501. 

Court,  s.  court,  A  140;  manor-house,  D 
2162. 

Courtepy ,  an  upper  short  coat  of  a  coarse 
material,  R.  220;  A  290,  D  1382. 

Coiirt-man,  s.  courtier,  E  1492. 


Couthe,  I  pt.  s.  could,  R.  513;  knew,  3. 
800;  knew  how,  A  390;  Couth,  pp. 
known,  T.  iv.  61;  Couthe,  //.  pi.  well- 
known,  A  14. 

Couthe,  adv.  in  a  known  way,  manifestly, 
WV.  757- 

Coveityse,  s.  covetousness,  A  3884,  C 
424;  bodily  craving,  I  819;  lust,  I  336. 

Covenable',  adj.  fit,  proper,  fitting,  suit- 
able, 18.  25;  agreeable,  B  4.  p  6.  224; 
congruous,  B  3.  p  12.  179. 

Covenably,  adv.  suitably,  fitly,  B  2423. 

Covent,  s.  convent,  conventual  body,  B 
1827,  D  1863. 

Coverchief,  s.  kerchief  worn  on  the  head, 
D  590 ;  //.  A  453. 

Covercle,  s.  pot-lid,  HF.  792. 

Covered,  pp.  covered,  A  354 ;  recovered 
from,  healed  of,  L.  762. 

Covertly,  adv.  secretly,  R.  19. 

Coverture,  s.  disguise,  R.  1588 ;  Cover- 
tures, pi.  coverings,  I  198. 

Covetour,  s.  one  who  covets,  4.  262. 

Covyne,  s.  deceitfulness,  A  604.  '  Covine, 
a  deceitful  agreement  between  two  or 
more  to  the  prejudice  of  another;' 
Cowel,  Law  Dictionary. 

Co-w,  s.  chough,  D  232.    See  Chogh. 

Co'ward,  adj.  cowardly,  5.  349. 

Cowardye,  s.  cowardice,  A  2730. 

Cowardyse,  J.  cowardice,'!'.  iv.6o2,v.4i2. 

Coy,  adj.  quiet,  A  119;  shy,  L.  1548. 

Coye,  V.  quiet,  calm,  cajole,  T.  ii.  801, 

Coynes,  //.  quinces,  R.  1374.  O.  F.  coin, 
quince. 

Crabbed,  adj.  shrewish,  cross,  bitter,  E 
1203. 

Cracching,  s.  scratching,  A  2834. 

Craft,  s.  cunning,  C  84;  skill,  T.  i.  665; 
art,  R.  687;  trade,  occupation,  3.  791;  A 
692;  secret,  mystery,  R.  1634;  might,  B 
3258;  contrivance,  F  249. 

Craftily,  adv.  artfully,  in  a  studied  man- 
nt-r,  T.  ii.  1026;  skilfully,  B  48. 

Crafty,  adj.  skilful,  clever,  A  1897 ;  sensi- 
l>le,  3.  439. 

Craketh,  pr.  s.  utters  boldly,  A  4001 ; 
sings  in  a  grating  tone  (like  a  corn- 
crake), E  1850. 

Crampissheth,  pn  t.  draws  convulsively 
together,  contracts,  7.  171.  Cf.  '  Deth 
crampishing  into  their  hert  gan  crepe ; ' 
Lydgate,  Falls  of  Princes,  bk.  i.  c.  9. 
Cf.  O.V.  crampir, '  gtre  tordu  ; '  Godefroy. 

erased,  pp.  cracked,  G  934. 

Creant,  adj.;  seith  creant,  acknowledges 
himself  beaten,  I  698.  Probably  short 
for  recreant. 


<glo02arial  hibtx. 


27 


Great,  //.  created,  16.  2;  B  2293. 
Creaunce,  s.  credence,  belief,  creed,   B 

915  ;  object  of  faith,  B  340. 
Creaunce,  v.  borrow  on  credit,  B  1479 ; 

/>r.  s.  borrows,  B  1493;  //.  B  1556. 
Creep,  pi.  s.  of  Grepe. 
Crekes,//.  crooked  devices,  wiles,  A  4051. 

See   ("reek,  s.   (i),  ^   7,  in    the    New  E. 

Diet. 
Crepe,  v.  creep,  3.  144 ;  Creep,  pt.  s.  crept, 

A  4226;  Crepten,^/.^/.  D  1698;  Cropen, 

pp.  crept,  T.  iii.  loii. 
Crepul.  s.  cripple,  T.  iv.  1459. 
Crepusculis,  s.  pi.   twilights,    durations 

of  twilight,  A.  ii.  6.  rubric. 
Crevace,  s.  crevice,  crack,  HF.  2086. 
Crinkled,  //.  full  of  turns  or  cranks,  L. 

2012. 
Crips,  adj.  crisp,  curly,  HF.  1386;  Crisp, 

R.  824. 
Cristen,  adj.  Christian,  B  222,  1679. 
Cristendom,  s.  the  Christian  religion,  B 

351 ;  Christianity,  G  447. 
Cristenly,  adv.  in  a  Christian  manner,  B 

1 122. 
Cristianitee,  s.  company  of  Christians,  B 

544- 
Croce,  f.  staff,  stick,  D  484.     See  Crose, 

\  2,  in  the  New  E.  Diet. 
Crois,  s.  cross,  i.  60. 
Croked,  adj.  crooked,  R.  926;   crooked 

(things),  13.  8;  '  tortudiis,'  A.  ii.  28.  32. 
Crokes,  //.  crooks,  hooks,  L.  640. 
Crokke,  s.  earthenware  pot,  13.  12. 
Crommes,  s.pl.  crumbs,  G  60. 
Crone,  s.  crone,  hag,  B  432. 
Cronique,  s.  chronicle,  B  4398. 
Croos-lyne,  s.  cross-line,  the   line   from 

right   to   left   through   the   centre,  A.   i, 

12.  7. 
Crop,  s.  top,  sprout,  new  twig,  T.  ii.  348  ; 

crop  and  rote,  top  and  root,  everything, 

T.  V.  1245 ;  Croppes,  //.  tree-tops,  ends 

of    branches,    R.     1396;     new     shoots, 

A  7. 
Cropen,  pp.  of  Crepe. 
Croper,  s.  crupper,  G  566. 
Cros,  s.  cross,  i.  82;  Crois,  i.  60. 
Croslet,  s.  crucible,  G  1147. 
Crouche,  i  pr.  s.  mark  with  the  cross  (to 

ditcnd  from  elves),  A  3479;   E  1707. 
Croude,  v.  push,  HF.  2095  ;  pr.  s.  ■z p.  dost 

press,  dost  push,  B  296. 
Crouke,  s.  pitcher,  jug,  A  4158. 
Croun,  s.  crown   (of  the  head),  A  4041; 

(referring  to  the  tonsure),  B  1499. 
Crouned,  pp.  crowned,  R.  1266;  supreme, 

F  526. 


Croupe,  s.  crupper,  D  1559. 

Crouperes,  //.  cruppers,  I  433. 

Crowding,  s.  pressure,  motive  power,  B 
299. 

Croys,  s.  cross,  A  699,  4286. 

Crul,  adj.  curly,  A  3314 ;  pi.  A  81.  Friesic 
krul,  curly. 

Crydestow,  didst  thou  cry  out,  A  1083; 
pp.  proclaimed,  HF.  2107. 

Cryinge,  s.  outcry,  A  906. 

Cryke,  s.  creek,  A  409. 

CucTirbit6s,  s.  pi.  cucurbites,  G  794. 
' Citcurbite,  a  chemical  vessel,  originally 
made  in  the  shape  of  a  gourd,  but  some- 
times shallow,  with  a  wide  mouth,  and 
used  in  distillation.' — -Webster. 

Culpa  mea,  i.  e.  I  acknowledge  my  fault, 
T.  ii.  525. 

Culpe,  s.  guilt,  blame,  I  335. 

Culter,     s.    coulter    (of   a    plough),    A 

3763- 

Cunning,  adj.  skilful,  2.  97. 

Cunning,  s.  skill,  5. 167,  487. 

Cuppe,  .f.  a  cup,  F  616. 

Curacioun,  s.  cure,  healing,  B  2463 ;  mode 
of  cure,  T.  i.  791. 

Curat,  s.  parish-priest,  vicar,  A  219  (the 
words  vicar  and  curate  have  now,  practi- 
cally, changed  places). 

Cure,  J.  cure,  remedy,  T.  i.  469;  charge, 
B  2.  p  3.  32  ;  diligence,  A  1007  ;  attention, 
A 303  ;  heed,  care,  2. 82;  endeavour,  B 188  ; 
careful  purpose,  HF.  1298;  supervision, 
D  133;  I  do  no  cure,  I  care  not,  L.  152; 
lyth  ni  his  cure,  depends  on  his  care  for 
me,  L.  1 176 ;  did  his  besy  cure,  was  busily 
employed,  5.  369;  his  lyves  cure,  the  ob- 
ject of  his  thoughts  always,  4.  131 ;  honest 
cure,  care  for  honourable  things,  C  557  ; 
in  cure,  in  her  power,  B  230. 

Curiositee,  s.  curious  workmanship,  HF. 
1178;  intricacy,  18.  81. 

Curious,  adj.  careful,  attentive,  B  1433; 
eager,  R.  1052;  skilful,  A  577;  delicately 
made,  A  196;   magical,  F  1120. 

Currours,  s.  pi.  runners,  couriers,  HF. 
2128. 

Cursednesse,  5.  abominable  sin,  wicked- 
ness, C  276,  400;  shrewishness,  E  1239; 
malice,  B  1821. 

Curteis,  adj.  courteous,  hence,  compas- 
sionate, I  246;  courteous,  R.  538. 

Curteisye,  s.  courtesy,  A  46,  132. 

Custume,  s.  custom,  D  682 ;  //.  payments, 
I  752 ;  imports,  I  567. 

Cut,  f.  lot,  A  835,  845,  854. 

Cutte,  V.  cut,  C  954 ;  Gutted,  //.  cut  short, 
L-  973- 


^8 


#loS0arial  JrnlJex. 


D. 


Daf,  s.  foolish  person,  A  4208. 
Dagged,  adj.  tagged,  cut   into   hanging 

peaks  at  the  lower  edge,  I  421. 
Dagginge,  s.  a  cutting  into  tags,  I  418. 
Dagon,  s.  small  piece,  D  1751. 
Dalf .  pf.  s.  of  Delve. 

Daliaunce,  s.  gossip,  A  211;  playful  de- 
meanour,  favour,    12.   8 ;   //.   dalliance, 

toying,  C  66. 
Damageous,  adj.  injurious.  I  438. 
Dame,  s.  mother,  C  684;  dam,  A  3260; 

madam,  A  3956;  goodwife,  D  1797. 
Daraiselle,  s.  damsel,  R.  1240 ;  pi.  R.  1622. 
Dampnacioun,  s.  condemnation,  C  500; 

curse,  U  1067. 
Dampne,  ger.  to  condemn,  L.  401 ;  //.  A 

1175,  1342;  damned,  I  191. 
Dan,  s.  {for  Dominus),  lord,  sir,  a  title  of 

respect,'  HF.   161;    B  3982;  Daun,  HF. 

Dappel-gray,  adj.  dapple-gray,  B  2074. 

Dar,  \pr.  s.  dare,  A  1151;  Darst,  2pr.s. 
darest,  V.  i.  768  ;  B  860;  Darstow,  darest 
thou,  L.  1450;  Dorste,  i  //.  s.  durst, 
might  venture  (to),  L.  2054;  //.  s.  A 
227 ;  Dorstestow,  wouldst  thou  dare,  T. 
i.  767;  I  pt.  s.  subj.  might  dare,  2.  60. 
See  Dvirre. 

Dare,  //-.  pi.  doze,  B  1293. 

Darketh,  pr.  s.  lies  hid,  L.  816. 

Darreyne,  ger.  to  decide  one's  right  to, 
.A  1853;  to  decide,  A  1631 ;  to  decide 
your  claims  (to) ,  A  1609.  O.  F.  deraisnier. 

Dart,  s.  dart,  6.  40 ;  (given  as  a  prize  in  an 
athletic  contest),  D  75. 

Das'wen,  pt.  pi.  dase,  are  dazzled,  H  31 ; 
//.  confused,  HF.  658.  O.  F.  daser 
(tlodefroy). 

Date-tree,  s.  date-tree,  R.  1364. 

Daun :  see  Dan. 

Daunce,  s.  dance,  R.  808;  play,  T.  iv. 
1431 ;  set,  company,  HF.639  ;  the  newed., 
the  new  dance,  T.  ii.  553  ;  the  olde  d.,  the 
old  game,  the  old  way  of  love,  A  476,  C  79. 

Dauncen,  v.  dance,  A  2202. 

Daunger,  s.  disdain,  R.  1524;  imperious- 
ness,  7.  186;  liability,  A  1849;  sparing, 
stint,  R.  1147;  power,  control,  R.  1470; 
Power  to  harm  (personified),  L.  160; 
in  d.,  within  his  jurisdiction,  under  his 
control,  A  663  ;  in  hir  d.,  at  her  disposal, 
R.   1049;  with   d.,  sparingly,  charily,   D 

521- 
Daungerous,  adj.  forbidding,  sparing,  A 
517;  niggardly,  D  1427;  grudging,  hard 


to  please,  R.  1482, 1492 ;  reluctant,  D  514 ; 
inhospitable,  R.  490. 
Daunten,  v.  tame,  subdue,  R.  880;  pr.  s. 
T.  ii.  399,   iv.  1589;    //.   frightened,   D 

463- 
Dawe,  V.  dawn,  B3872,  E  1832. 
Daweninge,  s.  dawn,  A  4234,  B  4072. 
Dawes,  s.pl.  days,  F  1180. 
Da'wring,   s.  the    Dawn  (Aurora),  T.  iii. 

1466. 
Da'wning,  s.  dawn,  3.  292. 
Day,  J.  day,  A  19 ;  time,  B  3374;  appointed 

time   for   repaying  money,   G    1040;   on 

a   day,   one    day,    some    day,    R.    1493 ; 

Dayes,  pi.  appointed  days  for  payment, 

F  1568,  1575  ;  lifetime,  B  118  ;  now  a  dayes, 

at  this  time,  E  1164. 
Dayerye,  5.  dairy,  A  597;  //.  D  871. 
Dayesye,  s.  daisy,  L.  182,  184,  218. 
Debaat,  s.  strife,  A  3230,  B  2867;  war,  B 

130;  mental  conflict,  3. 1192;  quarrelling, 

T.  ii.  753. 
Debate,  v.  fight,  war,  B  2058;  quarrel,  C 

412. 
Debonair,    adj.     calm,     benign,    gentle, 

I    658 ;   Debonaire,  /em.   well-mannered 

B  4061;  gracious,  courteous,  R.  797 ;  as 

s.  kind  person,  3.  624. 
Debonairely,     adv.     meekly,     I     660; 

graciously,   3.   851,    1284;    with   a  gooti 

grace,    HF.  2013;    courteously,  3.   518 ; 

T.  ii.  1259. 
Debonairetee,    s.    gentleness,     I    467 ; 

giaciousness,  6.  108. 
Deceivable.  adj.  deceitful,  15.  3;  E  2058. 
Declamed. //.//.  discussed,  T.  ii.  1247. 
Declinacioun,    s.    declination,    angular 

distance  N.  or  S.  of  the  equator,  E  2223, 

F  1033. 
Declyneth,  pr.  s.  turns  aside,  B  4.  p  6. 

195  ;  pr.  s.  possesses  declination,  A.  ii. 

ig.  12. 
Declyninge,  adj.  sloping,  B  5.  m  i.  19. 
Decoped,  pp.  lit.    '  cut    down ' ;    hence, 

])ierced,   cut   in   openwork    patterns,   R. 

843- 
D6de,  dead  ;  see  D§^d. 
D6de,  !^er.  to  grow  dead,  become  stupe- 

fii-d,  HF.  552. 
Deden.  pt.  pi.  did,  T.  i.  82.     See  Doon. 
Dedicat.  //.  dedicated,  I  964. 
Deduyt,  s.  pleasure,  .\  2177. 
Deed,  .t.  deed,  act ;   Dede,  dat.   i.  45  ;  B 

1999;   in   dede,   indeed,  A  659,  B  3511; 

with  the  dede,  with   the   act   thereof,  D 

70  ;  Dede,//.  (A.  S.  dceda),  5.  82. 
D66d,  adj.  dead,  R.  215;  dead,  livid  (of 

hue),  R.  441 ;  /or  d.,  as  dead,  T.  iv.  733 ; 


(Slossarial  Jnbex. 


29 


Dede,  def.  L.  876 ;  d.  slepe,  heavy  sleep, 
3.  127 ;  Dede,  //.  sluggish,  5.  187 ; 
woutides  dede,  deadly  wounds,  3.  121 1. 

D66dly,  adj.  mortal,  I  99;  dying,  L.  885; 
deathlike,  3.  162. 

D66dly,  adv.  mortally,  G  476. 

D66f ,  adj.  deaf,  T.  i.  753  ;  Deve,  //.  G  286. 

Deel,  s.  part,  R.  1074 ;  never  a  deel,  not 
at  all,  I  1007;  not  a  bit,  HF.  331 ;  every 
deel,  every  whit,  wholly,  T.  ii.  590 ;  Deel, 
pi.  times,  6.  35 ;  Del,  part,  R.  28 ;  share, 
3.  looi ;  every  d.,  every  whit,  A  1825 ; 
ec/te  a  d.,  every  whit,  T.  iii.  694  ;  a  greet 
del,  to  a  large  extent,  A  415  ;  very  often, 
3.  1159;  no  del,  no  whit,  T.  i.  1089; 
fiever  a  d.,  not  a  whit,  3.  543. 

Deer,  s.  pi.  animals,  B  1926. 

Dees,  //.  dice,  T.  ii.  1347,  iv.  1098. 

Dees,  s.  dais,  HF.  1360,  1658. 

Death,  s.  death,  B  3567 ;  pestilence, 
plague,  T.  i.  483 ;  the  deeth,  the  pesti- 
lence (with  special  references  to  the 
pestilences  of  1349,  1361,  and  1369),  A 
605. 

Defame,  s.  dishonour,  B  3788,  C  612. 

Defaute,  j.  fault,  22.  56;  fault  (as  a 
hunting  term),  3.  384  {were  on  a  defaute 
y-falle,  had  a  check)  ;  lack,  defect, 
want,  3.  5,  25,  223;  sin,  B  3718,  C  370. 

Defence,  s.  resistance,  L.  1931 ;  hin- 
drance, R.  1142;  covering,  5.  273;  pro- 
hibition, T.  iii.  138;  denial,  D  467. 

Defendaunt,  s. ;  in  his  d.,  in  defending 
himself,  in  self-defence,  I  572. 

Defende,  ger.  to  defend,  B.  2631;  to 
forbid,  G  1470. 

Defet,  pp.  e.\hausted  (lit.  defeated),  T. 
v.  618;  cast  down,  T.  v.  1219. 

Deffendeth,  pr.  s.  forbids,  I  651 ;  //.  I 
600. 

Defoulen,  v.  trample  down,  hence,  defile, 
F  1418 ;  pp.  trampled  down,  I  191 ; 
defiled,  T.  v.  1339;  disgraced,  B  4.  m 
7.  47  (Lat.  tiirpatus). 

Defyne,  i  /;■.  s.  pronounce,  declare,  T. 
iv.  390. 

Degree,  J. rank,  5.  453;  condition, position, 
A  1841 ;  step,  R.  485  ;  footstep,  B  4.  m  i. 
42 ;  horizontal  stripes,  B  i.  p  i.  38  ;  of  the 
zodiac,  F  386 ;  at  'lowe  degree,  R.  883 ; 
at  alle  degrees,  in  every  way,  A  3724. 

Degys^,  adj.  elaborate,  I  417. 

Degysinesse,  s.  elaborate  style,  I  414. 

Degysinge.  s.  elaborate  ornamentation, 
I  425. 

Dekne,  s.  deacon,  I  891. 

Del;  see  Deel. 

Delen,  ger.  to  have  dealing  with,  A  247; 


Dele,  ger.  to  have  dealings,  T.  iii.  322; 

to  deal,  L.  1158;    v.  argue,  T.  ii.  1749; 

Deled,  pt.  pi.  had  intercourse,  L.  1517 ; 

Deled,//,  apportioned,  D.  2249. 
Deliberen,  v.  deliberate,  consider,  T.  iv. 

169 ;  pt.  s.  deliberated,  B  2916. 
Delicacye,  s.  amusement,  B  3669;  wan- 
tonness, 9.  58. 
Delicat,  adj.  delicious,  E  1646;  delicate, 

E  682  ;  dainty,  I  432. 
Delices,  s.  pi.  delights,  B  2602;   tender 

feelings,  B  2.  p  4.  78 ;    sinful  pleasures, 

B  3.  p  7.  I. 
Delicious,  adj.  giving  delight,  T.  v.  443. 
Deliciously,  adv.  luxuriously,  E  2025. 
Delitable,  adj.  delightful,    R.    1440;    de- 
licious, R.  1371 ;  //.  delightful,  F  899. 
Delitably,  adv.  pleasingly,  B  4.  p  i.  2. 
Delitous,  adj.  delicious,  R.  489. 
Deliver,  adj.  quick,  active,  A  84. 
Delivere,  v.  set  free,  13. 7  ;  do  away  with, 

T.  iii.  1012;  ger.  to  set  free  (after  a  legal 

decision),  5.  508. 
Deliverly,  adv.  nimblv,  B  4606 ;  quicklv, 

T.  ii.  1088. 
Delivernesse,  s.  activity,  B  2355. 
Delphyn,   j.  the   constellation    Dolphin, 

HF.  1006. 
Delte,  pt.  s.  of  Delen. 
Delve,  V.  dig,  A  536;    Dalf,  i  //.  s.  dug, 

B   5.   p    I.  99;     Dolve,  pt.  s.   subj.   had 

digged,  B  5.  p  I.  87;  Dolven,//.  buried, 

3.  222.     A.  S.  delfan. 
Delyces,  s.  pi.  delights,  pleasures,  C  547, 

G  3;  favourites  (Lat.  delicias),  B  2.  p  3. 

74- 
Dely§,   adj.  delicate,  fine,   B  i.  p  i.  23. 

O.  F.  delie. 
Delyt,    s.   delight,  joy,   3.  606;    pleasing 

ornamentation,  L.  1199. 
Delytable,  adj.  delightful,  L.  321. 
Delyte,   v.   delight,   please,   5.   27;    refl.. 

take  pleasure,  5.  66 ;  Delyte  me,  i  pr.  s. 

delight,  L.  30. 
Delytous,  adj.  delicious,  R.  90. 
Demaunde,  s.  question,  T.  iv.  1694,  v. 

859- 

Deme,  v.  judge,  14.  6;  decide,  conclude, 
r.  ii.  371 ;  suppose,  4.  158 ;  give  a  ver- 
dict, G  595;  Demen,  v.  deem,  judge,  A 
3161 ;  decide,  B  3045  ;  i  pr.  s.  condemn, 
U  2024 ;  decree,  C  199 ;  suppose,  E  753  ; 
Demeth,  imp.  pi.  judge,  decide,  L.  453; 
suppose,  A  3172. 

Demeine,  v.  manage,  HF.  959. 

Denieyne,  s.  doininion,  B  3855. 

Demoniak,  s.   madman,  D  2240. 

Demonstracioun,  s.  proof,  HF.  727. 


30 


(©lossarial  Euticx. 


Demonstratif,    adj.    demonstrable,    D. 

Denticle,  s.  pointer,  A.  i.  23.  i.  See  Al- 
mury. 

Denye,  v.  refuse,  T.  ii.  1489;  Deneyed, 
pp.  denied,  B  3.  p  10.  16. 

Depardieux,  interj.  on  the  part  of  God, 
by  God's  help,  T.  ii.  1058,  1212. 

Departe,  v.  separate,  part,  7.  285;  sever, 
T.  ii.  531;  divide,  I  1006;  imp.  s.  dis- 
tinguish, T.  iii.  404. 

Departinge,  s.  dividing,  I  425,  1008; 
departure,  5.  675  ;  separation,  4.  25. 

Depe,  adv.  deeply,  3.  165;  7.  8. 

Depeynted,  //.  depicted,  L.  1025 ; 
painted,  R.  478  ;  stained,  T.  v.  1599. 

Depper,  adv.  comp.  deeper,  T.  ii.  485 ; 
B630. 

Depraven,  pr.pl.  calumniate,  4.  207. 

Depressioun,  s.  the  anguiar  distance  of 
the  southern  pole  from  the  horizon,  A. 
ii.  25.  10. 

Dere,  adj.  dear,  i.  99;  4.  147. 

Dere,  adv.  dearly,  i.  86;  18.  26. 

Dere,  s.  dot.  deer,  R.  1453. 

D6re,  v.  injure,  harm,  T.  i.  651.  A.  S. 
derian. 

Dereling',  s.  darling,  A  3793. 

Derk,  adj.  dark,  R.  1009;  inauspicious, 
4.  120 ;  as  s.  inauspicious  position,  4. 122. 

Derke,  s.  darkness,  gloom,  3.  609. 

Derkest,  adj.  super/,  darkest,  B  304. 

Derkly,  adv.  darkly,  HF.  51. 

Derknesse,  s.  darkness,  B  1451. 

Derne,  adj.  secret,  A  3200,  3278. 

Derre,  adv.  comp.  more  dearly,  T.  i.  136, 
174;  A  1448. 

Derth,  s.  dearth,  HF.  1974. 

Deryveth,  pr.  s.  is  derived,  A  3006. 

Desceivaunce,  s.  deception,  B  3.  p  8. 53. 

Descencioun,  s.  descension,  A.  ii.  4.  55. 
The  technical  signification  seems  to  be 
—  the  'house'  or  portion  of  the  sky 
just  above  the  western  horizon,  so  that 
a  planet  in  his  descension  is  about  to 
set. 

Descensories,  s.  pi.  G  792.  '  Descenso- 
ries,  vessels  used  in  chemistry  for  extract- 
ing oils/ifr  descensinn  ; '  Tvnvhitt. 

Descerne,  v.  discern,  T.  iv.  200. 

Descharge.  pr.  s.  subj.  disburden,  I  360. 

Desclaundred, />/.  slandered,  B  674. 

Descry  ve,  v.  describe,  R.  705  ;  HF.  1105. 

Desdeyn,  s.  disdain,  contempt,  A  789. 

Desert,  s.  merit,  4.  31 ;  //.  merits,*!",  iii. 
1267. 

Deserte.  adj.  lonely,  HF.  417. 

Deservedest,  ipt.  s.  didst  deserve,  C  216. 


Desespaired,  //.  in  despair,  6.  7. 

Desespeir.  s.  despair,  T.  i.  605,  ii.  6. 

Desesperaunce,  s.  hopelessness,  T.  ii. 
530,  1307. 

Desherite,  ger.  to  disinherit,  B  3025. 

Deshonestee,  s.  unseemliness,  I  833. 

D6sir6us,  adj.  ambitious,  9.  59;  ardent, 
F  23. 

Deslavee,  adj.  foul,  I  629;  inordinate, 
unrestrained,  I  834.  '  Deslave,  pp.  non 
lave,  crasseux,  sale ; '  Godefroy. 

Desordeynee,  adj.  unregulated,  inor- 
dinate, I  818,  915. 

Desordinat,  adj.  inordinate,  I  415. 

Despeired,  //.  sunk  in  despair,  2. 91 ;  T. 
v.  713. 

Despence,  s.  expense,  D  1874;  expendi- 
ture, money  for  expenses,  B  105. 

Despende,  v.  spend,  T.  iv.  921;  zpr.  s. 
wasiest   B  2121 ;  //.  spent,  A  3983. 

Despendours,  pi.  spenders,  B  2843. 

Despenses.  pi.  expenditure,  B  2842. 

Desperacioun,  s.  despair,  i.  21. 

D6spitous,  adj.  spiteful,  R.  173 ;  angry, 
jealous,  D  761 ;  merciless,  A  516;  scorn- 
ful, A  1777,  I  395. 

Despltously,  adv.  scornfully,  B  3785 ; 
angrily,  A  4274;  maliciously,  B  605; 
cruelly,  E  535. 

Desplayeth,  pr.  s.  spreads  open,  A  966. 

Desponeth,  pr.  s.  disposes,  T.  iv.  964. 

Desport,  s.  diversion,  merriment,  amuse- 
ment, T.  i.  592;  B  2158. 

Desporte,  v.  rejoice,  T.  v.  1398. 

Despoyled,  pp.  robbed,  I  665. 

Despyt,  s.  malice,  spite,  T.  i.  207;  con- 
tempt, disdain,  D  1876;  scorn,  L.  372; 
malice,  L.  1771 ;  ill-humour,  I  507;  a 
deed  expressing  contempt,  B  3738 :  in 
d.  of,  in  contempt  of,  5.  281 ;  in  your  d., 
in  contempt  of  you,  B  1753 ;  in  his  d.,  in 
scorn  of  him,  L.  134. 

Desray,  s.  confusion,  I  927. 

Desseveravince,  s.  separation,T.  iii.  1424. 

Destemperaunce,  s.  inclemency,  B  3. 
p  II.  130. 

Destempred,  //.  distempered,  I  826. 

Destinal,  adj.  fatal,  B  4.  p  6.  172;  pre- 
destined, B  4.  p  6.  no. 

Destourbe,  ger.  to  disturb;  d.  of,  to 
disturb  in,  C  340;  pr.  s.  hinders,  I  576; 
interrupts,  B  2167. 

Destoiirbing,  s.  trouble,  18.  44. 

Destrat,  pp.  distracted,  B  3.  p  8.  19. 

Destreyne,  v.  distress,  T.  iii.  1528;  ger. 
constrain,  force,  H  161. 

Destroubled,//.  disturbed,  3.  524. 

Desyringe,  adj.  desirous,  B  27^. 


^loggarial  Entjei. 


31 


Determinat,  adj.  determinate,  exact, 
fixed,  D  1459;  properly  placed  (011  the 
astrolabe),  A.  ii.  18  (rubric). 

D6termyne,  v.  come  to  an  end,  T.  iii. 
379;  Determined,  //.  settled,  B  5.  p 
4.  9. 

Dette,  s.  debt,  L.  541 ;  A  280. 

Dettelees,  adj.  free  from  debt,  A  582. 

Dettoiir,  s.  debtor,  B  1587,  D  155. 

Deus  hic,  God  (be)  here,  D  1770. 

Deve,  //.  of  Deef,  deaf. 

Devil,  s.  L.  2493  ;  what  d.,  what  the  devil, 
L.  2694 ;  how  d.,  how  the  devil,  T.  i.  623  ; 
a  d.  meye,  in  the  way  to  the  devil,  in 
the  devil's  name,  A  3134;  a  twenty  devil 
way,  in  the  way  of  twenty  devils,  i.  e. 
to  utter  destruction,  L.  2177;  an  excla- 
mation of  petulance,  A  3713,  4257. 

Devoir,  s.  duty,  T.  iii.  1045 ;  A  2598. 

Devyn,  s.  astrologer,  T.  i.  66. 

Devyne,  v.  guess,  T.  v.  288 ;  ^er.  T.  iii. 
765;  to  prophesy  (by),  5.  182;  Devyne, 
/>r.  pi.  suspect,  T.  ii.  1745 ;  Devyne, 
pr.  s.  subj.  let  (him)  guess,  HF.  14. 

De vyneresse ,  s.  female  diviner, T.  v.  1522. 

Davys,  s.  contrivance,  R.  1413 ;  suppo- 
sition, R.  651;  direction,  .A  816;  at  his 
d.,  according  to  his  own  wish,  R.  1326; 
at  point  d.,  with  great  exactness  or 
exactitude,  R.  830 ;  Devyses,  //.  heraldic 
devices,  badges,  L.  1272. 

Devyse,  v.  to  relate,  tell,  describe,  T.  iii. 
41;  A  34;  recommend,  T.  ii.  388;  devise, 
suggest,  ordain,  L.  437;  plan,  L.  1453; 
ger.  to  tell,  describe,  5.  398  ;  to  relate, 
A  994 ;  to  frame,  E  739 ;  to  tell  of,  T.  i. 
277  ;  pf-  -f-  narrates,  describes,  5.  317; 
pr.  pi.  imagine,  discourse,  F  261 ;  //. 
described  to,  told,  R.  476. 

Devysing,  s.  arrangement,  A  2496. 

Dewe,  adj.  due,  I  867. 

Dextrer,  s.  a  courser,  war-horse,  B  2103. 
Fr.  destrier,  a  war-horse.  Low  Lat. 
dextrarius.  The  squire  rode  his  own 
horse,  and  led  his  master's  horse 
beside  him,  on  his  right  hand. 

Deye,  s.  dairywoman,  B  4036.  Icel. 
deigja. 

Deye,  v.  die,  5.  469,  651 ;  Deyde,  pt.  s.  A 
2846;  Deyed,  pp.  R.  456;  Deyde,  pt.  s. 
subj.  should  die,  A  3427. 

Deyen,  ger.  to  dye,  to  dip,  B  4.  m  6.  14. 

Deyinge,  s.  death,  B  1850;  lay  on  deytng, 
lav  a-dying,  B  3906. 

Deyne,  v.  deign,  7.  231 ;  Deyneth  him, 
//•.  s.  he  deigns,  7.  181;  L.  395;  him 
deyned,  he  deigned,  B  3324,  4371 ;  hir 
deyned,  she  deigned,  4.  39. 


Deynous,  adj.  scornful,  A  3941. 

Deyntee,  .(.  worth,  value,  D  208;  took 
lesse  d.  for,  set  less  value  on,  7.  143; 
a  peculiar  pleasure,  B  139 ;  pleasure, 
F681,  1003  ;  Deyntees,//.  dainties,  A  346. 

Deyntee,  s.  as  adj.  dainty,  pleasant,  rare, 
T.  V.  438  ;  good,  A  168. 

Deyntevous,  adj.  dainty,  E  265. 

Deys,  s.  dais,  platform,  the  high  table 
in  a  dining-hall,  A  370,  2200. 

Diademe,  s.  diadem,  crown  of  an  em- 
peror, 14.  7. 

Didpred,  pp.  as  adj.  variegated,  diver- 
sified with  figures,  A  2158. 

Dich,  s.  ditch,  A  3964. 

Dichen,  v.  make  a  dyke  round,  L.  708 ; 
pp.  provided  with  a  moat,  A  1888. 

Dide,  Didest ;  see  Doon. 

Diete,  s.  diet,  daily  food,  A  435. 

Diffamacioun,  s.  defamation,  D  1304. 

Diffame.  s.  ill  report,  E  540,  730. 

Diffame.  ger.  to  dishonour,  HF.  1581 ;  v. 
cry  down,  D  2212. 

DifBnicioun,  s.  clear  exposition,  D  25. 

Difanisshe,  pr.  s.  subj.  define,  B  5.  p 
I.  36. 

DiflQnitif,  adj.  definite,  final,  C  172. 

Diffusioun,  s.  prolixity,  T.  iii.  296. 

Diffye,  \  pr.  s.  defy,  spurn,  D  1928. 

Diffyne,  ^^/-.  define,  state  clearly,  5.  529; 
■2pr.pl.  conclude,  HF.  344. 

Digestible,  adj.  easy  to  Ije  digested,  A 

437- 

Dighte,  V.  prepare,  L.  1288 ;  prepare 
(himself),  L.  1000;  Dighte  me,  prepare 
myself  to  go,  B  3104;  ordain,  place, 
T.  iv.  1188;  lie  with,  D  767;  pt.  s.  reft.. 
hastened,  betook  himself,  T.  ii.  948; 
lay  with,  D  398 ;  Dight,  //.  arrayed, 
equipped,  T.  iii.  1773;  served,  H  312; 
prepared,  R.  941;  prepared  him  to  go, 
B  3719;  Dighte,  //.  pi.  prepared,  L. 
261 1.     A.  S.  dihtan  ;  from  Lat.  dictare. 

Digne,  adj.  worthy,  T.  i.  429  ;  honourable, 
noble,  B  1175,  C  695;  suitable,  Ii  778; 
proud,  disdainful,  A  517;  scornful,  re- 
pellent, A  3964. 

Dignely,  adv.  scornfully,  T.  ii.  1024. 

Dignitee,  s.  worth,  dignity,  C  701,  782; 
rank,  E  470.  Dignity,  in  astrology, 
signifies  the  advantages  which  a  planet 
has  when  in  a  particular  position  in 
the  zodiac,  or  in  a  particular  position 
with  regard  to  other  planets  (Bailey). 

Dilatacioun,  s.  diffuseness,  B  232. 

Diluge,  s.  deluge,  I  839. 

Dint,  s.  stroke,  HF.  534. 

Direct,  adj.  directed,  addressed,  18.  75 ; 


32 


v^lossarial  Intifi. 


in  directe,  in  a  line  with,  A.  ii.  44.  26. 
A  planet's  motion  is  direct  when  it 
moves  in  the  same  direction  as  the 
sun  in  the  zodiac. 

Directe,  i  pr.  s.  address,  T.  v.  1856. 

Disavaunce,  v.  defeat,  T.  ii.  511. 

Disaventure,  s.  misfortune,  T.  ii.  415. 

Disblameth,  imp.  pi.  free  (me)  from 
blame,  T.  ii.  17. 

Disceyving,  s.  deception,  R.  1590. 

Dischevele,  cidj.  with  (his)  hair  hanging 
loosely  down,  A  683;  with  hair  in  dis- 
order, L.  1315. 

Disciplyne,  s.  bodily  mortification,  I 
1052. 

Disclaundre,  s.  reproach,  T.  iv.  564; 
slander,  I  623. 

Disconflture,  s.  defeat,  A  ioc8 ;  grief, 
7.  326. 

Disconfort.  s.  discouragement,  discom- 
fort, A  2010;  grief,  woe,  T.  iv.  311. 

Disconforten,  v.  discourage,  A  2704. 

Discordable.  discordant,  T.  iii.  1753. 

Discordances,  s.  pi.  discords,  I  275. 

Discorden,  pr.  pi.  disagree,  B  4.  p  6. 
208. 

Discordinge,  adj.  different,  B  3.  p  2. 140. 
( Lat.  disstdentes.) 

Discovered,  pp.  revealed,  G  1468. 

Discovert,  pp.  uncovered;  at  d.,  when 
unprotected,  I  714. 

Discryve,t'.  describe, T. v. 267 ;  Discreven, 
V.  T.  iv.  802. 

Discure,  v.  reveal,  discover,  3.  549. 

Discussed,  pp.  discussed,  5.  624 ;  driven 
away,  B  I.  m  3.  i. 

Disdeyn.  s.  disdain,  R.  296. 

Disencreseth,  pr.  s.  decreases,  B  5.  p 
6.85. 

Disese,  s.  discomfort,  grief,  misery,  4. 
216,  277;  T.  ii.  987;  sorrow,  7.  226;  dis- 
pleasure, T.  ii.  147;  disease,  ill,  HF.  89; 
inconvenience,  I  609;  distress,  B  616; 
unrest,  F  1314. 

Disesen,  ^er.  to  trouble,  T.  iii.  1468 ;  v. 
vex,  T.  iv.  1304;  distress,  T.  i.  573. 

Disesperat,  adj.  without  hope,  HF.  2015. 

Disflgurat,  adj.  disguised,  5.  222. 

Disfigilre,  s.  disfigurement,  D  960. 

Disflgiire,  v.  disguise,  L.  2046;  //. 
cliansfd,  A  1403. 

Disgressioun,  digression,  T.  i.  143. 

Disgyse,  ger.  to  disguise,  T.  v.  1577. 

Disherited,  //.    disinherited,   deprived, 

r^.  1065. 

Dish-raetes,  pi.  spoon-meat,  broth,  I  455. 
Dishonest,  adj.  unfaithful,  H  214;   Dis- 
honeste,  shameful,  E  876. 


Disjoynt,  s.  failure,  A  2962;  difficult 
position,  B  1601 ;  dixi.  peril,  T.  iii.  496, 
V.  1618. 

Dismal,  s.  unlucky  day,  3.  1206. 

Dismembred,/"/.//.  dismembered,  I  591. 

Dismembringe,  s.  dismembering,  I  591. 

Disobeysaunt,  adj.  disobedient,  5.  429. 

Disordenaunce,  s.  violation  of  rules, 
HF.  27. 

Disparage,  s.  disgrace,  E  908. 

Disparage,  v.  dishonour,  A  4271 ;  pp. 
misallied,  D  1069. 

Dispeire  yow,  imp.pl.  despair,  E  1669. 

Dispence,  s.  expenditure,  expense,  A 
441;  wh^  I  >spend,  D  1432;  cost,  B 
1195;  lavish  help,  HF.  260;  Dispenses, 
//.  expenses,  R.  1144. 

Dispende,  v.  spend,  B  3500;  pp.  spent, 
shared,  B  2560. 

Dispeyred,  adj.  despairing,  F  1084. 

Dispitous,  adj.  spiteful,  R.  156;  T.  iii. 
1458;  grievous,  sad,  T.  v.  199;  Dis- 
pit6use,  vac.  pitiless,  T.  ii.  435 ;  def. 
fern,  cruel,  3.  624. 

Displtously,  arff.  angrily,  A  1124;  spite- 
fully, T.  V.  1806;  cruelly,  HF.  i6i. 

Displesant,  adj.  displeasing,  I  544,  697. 

Displesaunce,  s.  displeasure,  T.  iii.  480; 
offence,  C  74 ;  Displesances,  //.  annoy- 
ances, C  420. 

Dispone,  irtip.  s.  dispose,  T.  v.  300;  pr.  s. 
disposes,  orders,  regulates,  B  4.  p  6.  60. 

Disport,  s.  sport,  pleasantry,  A  137,  775  ; 
amusement,  diversioun,  D  839;  pleasure, 
B  143 ;  sport,  4.  177. 

Disporte.  ger.  to  amuse,  HF.  571;  to 
exhilarate,  T.  ii.  1673  •  ^-  cheer,  T.  iii. 
1 133  ;  pr.pl.  sport,  play,  E  2040. 

Disposed,  pt.  s.  purposed,  E  244;  pp. 
disposed,  T.  ii.  682;  ready,  T.  iv.  230; 
xvel  d.,  in  good  health  (the  reverse  of 
indisposed),  H  33. 

Disposiciotin,  s.  disposal,  T.  ii.  526,  v.  2 ; 
position,  A  1087;  frame  of  mind,  B 
2326. 

Dispoylinge,  s.  spoil,  B  4.  m  7.  32. 

Dispreisen,  ger.  to  disparage,  R.  1053 ; 
V.  blame,  B  2261 ;  pres.  pt.  depreciating, 
B  2741. 

Dispreisinge,  .r.  blame,  I  497 ;  contempt, 
15  2876. 

Disputisoun,  s.  argument,  E  1474 ;  dis- 
pute, \i  4428,  F  890. 

Dispyt,  s.  despite,  scorn,  L.  1822;  dis- 
dain, HF.  1716;  vexation,  R.  1487;  in 
d.  of,  in  spite  of,  HF.  1668. 

Disserveth,  pr.  s.  deserves,  I  756. 

Dissever,  v.  part,  2.  115;  17.  15;  ger.  to 


(^loggartal  Intiei. 


33 


part,   G  875 ;    //.  separated,   B  4.  p  3. 

19- 
Dissevsraunce,  s.  severing.  B  3.  p  11. 64. 
Disshevele,  adj.  with  hair  flowing  down, 

5.  235.    See  Dischevele. 
Dissimulen,  v.  dissimulate,  T.  i.  322,  iii. 

434- 

Dissimulinge,  s.  dissimulation,  dissem- 
bling, T.  V.  1613,  G  1073. 

Dissimulour.  s.  dissembler,  B  4418. 

Disslaundred,  pj>.  defamed,  L.  1031. 

Dissolveth,  /»:  s.  puts  an  end  to,  B  2. 

P  3-  92. 
Distantz,  adj.  pi.  distant ;  evene  distantz, 

equidistant,  A.  i.  17.  52. 
Distemperaunce,  s.  inclemency,  I  421. 
Distempre,  adj.  distempered,  furious,  B 

4-  P  3-  125. 
Distempre,  v.  vex,  B  2426;    imp.  s.  be 

out  of  temper,  D  2195. 
Disteyne,  v.  stain,  bedim,  dull,  L.  255. 
Distingwed,/'/.  distinguished, B  2. p5. 75. 
Distourbe,  v.  disturb,  T.  iv.  563 ;    (to) 

interfere  with,  T.  iv.  934;  prevent,  T.  iv. 

1103.    See  Destourbe. 
Distreyne,   v.    constrain.,   A   1816;    get 

into    his   grasp,   clutch,   20.   8 ;    imp.    s. 

constrain,  T.  v.  596;   Distreyneth,  pr.  s. 

secures,  clutches,  grasps,  5.  337;  afflicts, 

F  820 ;  pp.  misled,  T.  ii.  840 ;  assessed, 

taxed,  1  752. 
Disturbed,  //.  altered,  T.  ii.  622. 
Disturne,  v.  turn  aside,  T.  iii.  718. 
Ditee,  s.  ditty,  song,  B  3.  p  i.  2;  //.  HF. 

622.    See  Dyte. 
Dixirne,  adj.  diurnal,  E  1795. 
Divers,  adj.  diverse,  various,  3.  653  ;  dat. 

different,  2.  17. 
Diversely,   adv.   in    different    ways,  R. 

1629. 
Diversitee,  s.  variety,  T.  v.  1793. 
Divinistre,  s.  theologian,  A  2811. 
Divisioun,  s.  distinction,  A  1781;  differ- 
ence, 10.  33  ;   0/  my  d.,  under  my  influ- 
ence, 4.  273. 
Divynailes,  //.  divinations,  I  605. 
Divynen,  v.  guess,  T.  iii.  458;    i  pr.  s. 

declare,  12.  19  ;  pres.  pt.  guessing,  A  2515. 
Divyninge,  s.  opinion,  A  2521. 
Divynis,  pi.  theologians,  A  1323. 
Divynour,   s.  seer,   soothsayer,   B   5.   p 

3-  149- 

Do  ;  see  Doon. 

Doctour,  5.  doctor,  A  411;  (i.e.  St.  Au- 
gustine), C  117;  theologian,  I  85;  //. 
teachers,  D  1648. 

Dogerel,  adj.  doggrel,  B  2115. 

Dogge,  s.  dog,  D  1369,  E  2014. 


Doghter,  s.  daughter,  L.  114;  B  151; 
Doghtren,  //.  L.  1963 ;  Doughtren,  //. 
T.  iv.  22. 

Doinges,//.  deeds,  L.  1681. 

Doke,  s.  duck,  5.  498,  589;  A  3576. 

Dokke,  s.  dock  (plant),  T.  iv.  461. 

Dokked,  pp.  cut  short,  A  590. 

Dolve,  Dolven;  see  Delve. 

Domb,  adj.  dumb,  HF.  656. 

Domesday,  s.  doom's  day,  HF.  1284. 

Domesman,  s.  judge,  B  3680,  I  594. 

Dominacioun,  s.  power,  A  2758 ;  do- 
minion, C  560;  chief  influence,  F  352; 
supremacy,  H  181. 

Domiiius ;  see  Corpus. 

Domiis  Dedali,  the  labyrinth  of  Daedalus, 
HF.  1920. 

Don,  imp.  s.  don,  put  on,  T.  ii.  954. 

Don,  Done  ;  see  Doon. 

Dong-carte,  s.  dung-cart,  B  4226. 

Dongeoun,  s.  keep-tower,  A  1057. 

Donne,  adj.  pi.  dun,  dusky,  T.  ii.  908 ; 
dun-coloured,  5.  334. 

Doom,  s.  judgement,  F  928 ;  opinion,  B 
3127;  sentence,  decision:  hir  d.,  the 
decision  passed  on  them,  5.308;  Dome,. 
dat.  opinion,  T.  i.  100;  judgement,  HF. 
1905  ;  C  637  ;  to  my  d.,  in  my  opinion,  R. 
901 ;  stonde  to  the  d.,  abide  by  the  de- 
cision, 5.  546;  Domes,  //.  judgements, 
A  323. 

Doon,  V.  do,  execute,  A  960;  do,  3.  194; 
act,  B  90;  cause,  B  3618  ;  doon  us  hoiige^ 
cause  us  to  be  hung,  C  790 ;  don  her 
companye,  accompany  her,  4.  125 ;  leet 
don  cryen,  caused  to  be  cried,  F  46;  Do, 
V.  cause,  T.  iv.  1683;  use,  B  2204;  fulfil, 
B  1653  ;  make,  3.  145  ;  do  werche,  cause 
to  be  built,  G  545;  Done,^^;-.  to  do,  T. 
i.  1026 ;  what  to  done,  what  is  to  be  done, 
3.  689  ;  for  to  done,  a  fit  thing  to  do,  I  62 ; 
to  be  done,  L.  1597  ;  Doon,^^;-.  to  do,  A 
78,  768;  to  commit,  1  90;  to  cause,  R. 
1178  ;  to  force,  5.  221 ;  to  don,  from  doing, 
B  4.  p  6.  323;  'Do,ger.  to  make,  3.  1260; 
to  cause,  T.  ii.  1022 ;  to  commit,  I  129; 
Doost,  2  pr,  s.  makest,  C  312;  Dostow, 
doest  thou,  L.  315  ;  Dooth,  pr.  s.  causes, 
A  2396 ;  Doth,  pr.  s.  makes,  2.  7  ;  causes, 
6.  21 ;  Doth  forth,  continues,  E  1015 ; 
Doon,  pr.pl.  do,  A  268  ;  Do,  imp.  s.  make, 
H  12;  bring  (it)  about,  A  2405;  cause,  G 
32 ;  do  hange,  cause  meto  be  hung,  G  1029  ; 
do  fecche,  cause  to  be  fetchefi,  H  662 ;  do 
wey,  put  away,  lay  aside,  G  487 ;  take 
away,  A  3287  ;  do  stryken  hir  out,  cause 
her  to  be  struck  out,  D  1364 ;  do  come, 
cause  to  come,  B  2035  ;  Dooth,  iinp.pl.  do 


C 


34 


(§los0arial  hxQex. 


ye,  C  745, 1  105 ;  as  dooth,  pray  do,  F  458 ; 
Didest,  2.  pt.  s.  didst,  T.  iii.  363;  Dide, 
pt.  s.  did,  3.  373 ;  caused,  R.  607 ;  put  on, 
B  2047 ;  dide  hem  drawe,  caused  to  be 
drawn,  B  1823  ;  dide  don  sleen,  caused  to 
be  slain,  caused  (men)  to  have  them 
slain  (sleen,  like  don,  is  in  the  infin. 
mood),  D  2042  ;  dide  of,  took  off,  3.  516 ; 
Dide,  pt.  s.  subj.  should  do,  F  1404 ; 
Diden,  //.  pi.  made,  22.  28  ;  //.  //.  subj. 
should  do,  L.  723 ;  Doon,  //.  done, 
I.  54;  past,  ended,  3.  40;  doon  to  dethe, 
done  to  death,  L.  889;  doon  make, 
caused  to  be  made,  E  253 ;  hath  doon 
yow  kept,  has  caused  you  to  be  pre- 
served, E  1098 ;  doon  ther  write,  caused 
to  be  written  (or  described  there),  R. 
413  ;  don  to  dye,  done  to  death,  murdered, 
R.  1063;  Ho,  pp.  done,  L.  957  ;  ended,  E 
2440. 

Dore,  s.  door,  R.  537,  A  550 ;  out  at  d.,  out 
of  doors,  D  1757,  H  306. 

Dormant,  s.  table  dormant,  a  permanent 
side-table,  A  353. 

Dorre,  Dorring ;  see  Durre,  Durring. 

Dorste  ;  see  Dar. 

Dortour,  s.  dormitory,  D  1855. 

Doseyn,  s.  a  dozen,  A  578. 

Dossers,  pi.  baskets  to  carry  on  the  back, 
HF.  1940. 

Dostow,  doest  thou,  D  239. 

Dotard,  adj.  foolish,  D  291.    ' 

Dote,  V.  dote,  grow  foolish,  L.  261  a; 
Doten,  act  foolishly,  G  983. 

Doth,  pr.  s.  causes,  R.  389  ;  Doth  . . .  carie, 
causes  to  be  carried,  A  3410;  makes,  F, 
1257 ;  imp.  pi.  do  ye,  B  2785.    See  Doon. 

Double,  adj.  twofold,  4.  109;  deceitful, 
HF.  285. 

Doublenesse,  s.  duplicity,  7.  159;  9.  63. 

Doucet,  adj.  dulcet,  i.  e.  dulcet  (pipe), 
sweet-sounding  (pipe),  HF.  1221. 

Doughter,  s.  daughter,  T.  iii.  3  ;  Dough- 
tren,  pi.  T.  iv.  22. 

Doumb,  adj.  dumb,  A  774. 

Doun,  s.  down,  soft  feathers,  9.  45. 

Doun,  adv.  down,  F  323;  up  and  doun,  in 
all  directions,  in  all  ways,  B  53. 

Doune,  dat.  down,  hill,'B  1986. 

Dounere,  adv.  more  downward,  A.  ii.  12. 

Doun-right,  adv.  at  once,  H  228. 

Dounward,  adv.  outward,  southward,  A. 
ii.  40.  63. 

Doutance,  .r.  doubt,  T.  iv.  963 ;  //.  per- 
plexities, T.  i.  200. 

Doute,  s.  doubt,  i.  25;  fear,  F  1096, 1  91; 
peril,  L.  1613;  suspense,  E  1721 ;  lack, 


T.  ii.  366 ;  out  of  doute,  doubtless,  A  487  ; 
sans  d.,  without  doubt,  D  1838  ;  with- 
outen  d.,  certainly,  L.  383. 

Doutelees,  adv.  without  doubt,  certainly, 
T.  ii.  494;  A  1831. 

Douten,  v.  fear,  I  648 ;  //■.  s.  fears,  I  953 ; 
Douteth,  imp.pl.  fear,  T.  i.  683. 

Doutous,  adj.  doubtful,  T.  iv.  992. 

D'outremere,  adj.  from  beyond  the  seas, 
foreign,  imported,  3.  253. 

Douve,  t.  dove,  5.  341 ;  pigeon,  C  397. 

Dowaire,  j.  dower,  E  848. 

Dowe,  I  pr.  s.  grant,  give,  T.  v.  230. 

Dow^ve ,  see  Douve. 

Dradde ;  see  Drede. 

Draf,  s.  draff,  refuse  (of  corn),  chaff,  I  35  ; 
L.  312  a. 

Draf-sek,  s.  sack  full  of  draff,'  A  4206. 

Dragges,  //.  digestive  sweetmeats,  A 
426  (in  MS.  Harl.  only;  other  MSS. 
have  drogges). 

Dragoun,  s.  dragon,  L.  1430,  1581 ;  tail 
of  the  dr.,  the  Dragon's  tail,  A.  ii.  4.  36 ; 
the  point  where  a  planet  (esp.  the  moon) 
passed  from  the  northern  to  the  southern 
side  of  the  ecliptic.  (The  opposite  node 
was  called  the  Dragon's  Head.) 

Drasty,  adj.  filthy,  worthless,  B  21 13,  2120. 
Cf.  A.  S.  dresten,  dierstan,  dregs. 

Drat,  pr.  s.  oA Drede. 

Draught  (of  drink),  L.  2667;  move  at 
chess,  3.  682. 

Drawe,  v.  draw,  incline,  E  314;  dr.  him, 
withdraw  himself,  F  355  ;  bring  forward, 
R.  6;  V.  attract,  R.  1183;  recall,  A  2074; 
ger.  to  draw,  to  carry,  A  1416 ;  to  bring 
back,  I  239 ;  Draweth  along,  //•.  s.  pro- 
longs, B  I.  m  I.  32  (Lat.  protrahit)  ;  pr. 
pi.  rejl.  withdraw  themselves,  F  252; 
Drougli,/)/.  s.  drew,  A  4304;  drew  along, 
T.  V.  1558  ;  r<?/?.  drew  himself,  approached, 
B  1710;  Drew,//.  J.  drew,  B  3292;  drew 
near,  D  993  ;  moved  (as  the  sun) ,  5.  490 ; 
hoisted,  L.  1563 ;  Drew,  //.  5.  attracted, 
3.  864 ;  drowe  to  record,  didst  bring  to 
witness,  16.  22;  Drowe,  pt.  pi.  drew,  R. 
1678;  Drawe,  pp.  drawn,  T.  iii.  674; 
pres.part.  resorting,  B  1217. 

Drecche,  v.  be  tedious,  T.  ii.  1264;  ger. 
to  ve.\,  T.  ii.  1471 ;  zpr.  pi.  tarry,  T.  iv. 
1446;  pp.  ve.\ed,  troubled,  B  4077. 

Drecchinge,  s.  prolonging,  I  1000; 
Drecching,  delay,  T.  iii.  853. 

Drede,  s.  dread,  fear,  A  1998  ;  uncertainty, 
17.  28  ;  doubt,  5.  52 ;  it  is  no  drede,  with- 
out doubt,  B  869,  E  1155;  out  0/  drede, 
without  doubt,  E  634;  pi.  fears,  T.  i. 
463- 


(glossartal  Enlici. 


35 


Drede,  z/.  dread,  feiw,  i.  76;  ;<?/.  dread, 
A  660 ;  gt)-.  to  be  dreaded,  to  be  feared, 
B  4253;  Drat,//-,  i.  dreadeth,  dreads,  T. 
iii.  328  ;  Dredde,  ///.  s.  was  afraid,  T.  ii. 
482;  Dradde,  //.  s.  feared,  B  3402; 
Dradde  him,  was/ afraid,  B  3918;  Drad- 
den,/"/.  pi.  G  15  ;/  Drad,  pp.  E  69. 

Dredeles,  adj.  fearless,  B  3.  m  12.  11. 

Dredeles,  adv.  i'ithout  doubt,  certainly, 

3-  764- 

Dredful,  adj.  terrible,  B  3558;  fearful, 
timid,  L.  109;  cautious,  A  1479. 

DredfuUy,  adv.  timidly,  T.  ii.  1128. 

Dreint,  -e ;  see  Drenclien. 

Dremed  me,  pt.s.  I  dreamt,  R.  51. 

Dreminges,  pi.  dreams,  B  4280. 

Drenchen,  (i)  ger.  to  drown,  A  3617; 
Drenche,  v.  drown,  HF.  205;  do  me 
drenche,  make  (men)  drown  me,  cause 
me  to  be  drowned,  E2201 :  Drenchen  (2) 
V.  be  drowned,  A  3521 ;  be  overwhelmed, 
L.  2919;  pr.s.  swamps,  I  363;  Dreinte, 
pt.s.  (i)  drowned,  3.  72;  Dreynte,  j*/.  5. 
drowned,  I  839;  Dreynle,  //.  s.  (2)  was 
drowned,  B  923  ;  Dreynte,  2  pt.  pi.  were 
drowned,  T.  iv.  930 ;  //.  pi.  drowned,  F 
1378;  Drenched,//,  drowned,  L.  2178; 
Dreynt,  //.  3.  148 ;  Dreynte,  //.  as  def. 
adj.  drowned,  B  69;  //.  //.  HF.  233. 

Drenching,  s.  drowning,  A  2456,  B  485. 

Drerinesse,  s.  sadness,  T.  i.  701. 

Drery,  adj.  sad,  E  514;  terrified,  L.  810. 

Dresse,  v.  direct,  14. 3 ;  dispose,  get  ready, 
T.  ii.  71;  prepare,  E  1049;  set  in  order, 
A  106 ;  V.  rejl.  address  oneself,  E  1007 ; 
direct  himself,  go,  A  3468  ;  direct  myself, 
R.  110;  address  himself,  direct  himself 
{or  perhaps,  mount),  T.  v.  37;  Dresse 
her,  settle  herself,  L.  804 ;  Dresse,  ger. 
to  direct,  B  2308 ;  ger.  rejl.  prepare  him- 
self, T.  V.  279 ;  prepare,  5.  88  ;  pt.  s.  rejl. 
raised  himself,  T.  iii.  71 ;  took  up  his 
station,  A  3358 ;  //.  arrayed,  E  2361 ; 
prepared,  5.  665. 

Dreye,  adj.  dry,  A  3024 ;  as  s.,  5.  380. 

Dreyeth,  pr.  s.  dries  up,  drains,  I  848. 

Dreynt,  -e ;  see  Drenche. 

Drogges,  //.  drugs,  A  426. 

Drogh ;  see  Drawe. 

Droghte,  s.  drought,  A  2.  595. 

Dronkelewe,  adj.  addicted  to  drink,  B 
2383.  C  495.  D  2043. 

Drough.  //.  s.  of  Drawe. 

Droughte,  s.  thirst  (siti),  B  2.  p  7.  44. 

Drouped,  //.  s.  were  draggled,  A  107. 

Drovy,  adj.  dirtv,  muddy,  I  816. 

Drow,  -e  ;  see  Draw^e. 

Druerye.  .r.  affection,  R.  844. 


Drugge,,,o'i'n  to  drudge,  A  1416. 
Drunken,  adj.  causing   drunkenness,  5. 

181. 
Drye,  ger.  to  endure,  T.  v.  42 ;  v.  suffer, 

endure,  4.  251. 
Dryve,  v.  drive,  F  183;  hasten,  D  1694; 

whirl  round,    10.  46;   pass   away,  T.  v. 

394 ;    dryve   azvay,  pass    away,    C   628 ; 

Dryveth  forth,  pr.  s.  continues,  goes  on 

with,  T.   i.  1092;    Dryfth, //-.  s.   impels, 

T.  V.  1332 ;   Dry ven  (the  day) ,  pr.  pi.  pass 

(the  day),  L.  2620;  Droof, //.  j.  drove, 

brought,  T.  v.  475 ;  incited,  T.  iii.  994 ; 

Drive,  //.   driven,   passed   away,   T.    v. 

389;  completed,  F  1230. 
Duetee,  s.  duty,  A  3060;  debt,  D  139 1 ; 

sum  due,  D  1352. 
Dulcarnon,  s.  an  inexplicable  dilemma, 

one's  wit's  end,  T.  iii.  931. 
Dulle,  ger.  to  feel  dull,  T.  ii.  1035  ;  makes 

dull,  stupefies,  G  1073,  1172;   Dulled,//. 

made  of  none  effect,  I  233. 
Dun,   adj.  swarthy,   R.    1213;    Donne,//. 

dusky,  T.  ii.  908  ;  dun-coloured,  5.  334. 
Dun,  s.  the  dun  horse,  H  5.    '  Dun  is  in 

the  mire  '  is  the  name  of  an  old  rustic 

game. 
Dungeoun,  s.  keep-tower,  chief  castle,  L. 

937- 
Dure,  v.  last,  endure,  A  2770;  remain,  A 

1236  ;  live,  T.  iv.  765  ;  continue,  F  836. 
Duresse,  s.  hardship,  T.  v.  399. 
Durre ,  ,^^r.  to  dare  (to  do),  T.  v.  840.    See 

Diirren  in  Stratmann  ;  and  see  Dar. 
Durring,    s.    daring,     bravery;     d.   don, 

daring  to  do,  courage  to  execute,  T.  v. 

837. 
Durste ;  see  Dar. 
Dusked,  pt.  pi.  grew  dim,  A  2806. 
Dwale,  s.  soporific  drink,  A  4161. 
Dwelle,  v.  remain,  A  1661 ;  tarry,  stay,  3. 

712;  ger.Xo  delay,  HF.  252;   Dwelled,;*/. 

dwelt,  A  1228;  imp.s.  remain,'!',  iv.  1449. 
Dwellinges,  s.  pi.  delays,  B  i.  m  i.  33 

(  Lat.  moras). 
Dwyned,  //.  as  adj.  dwindled,  R.  360. 
Dy,  say;  jfe  vous  dy,  I  tell  vou,  U  1832, 

1838. 
Dye,  V.  die,  2.  7  ;  ger.  to  die,  B  114  ;  Dyde, 

//.   .f.   died,    HF.    106,   380;  //.   s.   subj. 

would  die,  D  965.     See  Deye. 
Dyen,  ger.  to  dye,  B  4648. 
Dyere.  s.  dyer,  A  362. 
Dyinge,  s.  death,  B  3073. 
Dyke,  v.  to  make  dikes  or  ditclies,  A  536. 
Dys,  //.  dice,  A  1238.    See  Dees. 
Dyte,  -f.  ditty,  23.  16.    See  Ditee. 
Dyverseth,/r.  s.  varies,  T.  iii.  1752. 


C  2 


36 


(^lossarial  Intjei. 


E. 

Ebbe,  s.  low  water,  F  259. 

Ebben,  v.  ebb,  T.  iv.  1145. 

Ecclesiaste,  s.  minister,  A  708. 

Ech,  adj.  each,  A  39,  369. 

Eche,  V.  increase,  augment,  T.  i.  887,  iii. 
1509;  ^cT.  enlarge,  add  to,  HF.  2065. 

Echines,  s.  pi.  sea-urchins,  B  3.  m  8.  20 
( Lat.  echhiis) . 

Echoon,  each  one,  L.  290;  A  2655; 
Echone.//.  (?),  all,  every  one,  C  113. 

Edified,  pp.  built  up,  B  4.  p  6.  284. 

Eek,  adv.  also,  eke,  moreover,  A  5,  41. 

Eem,  s.  uncle,  T.  i.  1022.    A.  S.  earn. 

Eest,  adv.  eastward,  3.  88. 

Eet,  -e  ;  see  Ete. 

Effect,  s.  deed,  reality,  T.  i.  748;  result, 
HF.  5;  Theffect  l^for  the  effect),  the 
sequel,  L.  622;  in  effect,  in  fact,  in 
reality,  in  practice,  A  319. 

Eft,  adv.  again,  A  1669;  another  time,  3. 
41. 

Eft-sone,  adv.  soon  after,  G  1288;  im- 
mediately afterwards,  I  89 ;  soon  after 
this,  H  65 ;  hereafter,  G  933 ;  again,  B 
909 ;  Eftsones,  adv.  very  soon,  L.  2322. 

Egal,  adj.  equal,  T.  iii.  137. 

Egal,  adv.  equally,  T.  iv.  660. 

Egalitee,  5.  equality,  I  949. 

Egaly,  adv.  equably,  B  2.  p  4.  141 ;  im- 
partially, B  5.  p  3.  142. 

Egge,  J.  edge,  sharp  side,  T.  iv.  927  ;  sword, 
9.  19. 

Eggeth,  pr.  s.  incites,  R.  182. 

Eggement,  s.  instigation,  incitement,  B 
842. 

Egging,  s.  instigation,  E  2135. 

Egle,  s.  eagle,  HF.  499. 

Egre,  adj.  sharp,  sour,  R.  217;  bitter,  B 
2367  ;   keen,  I  117. 

Egremoine,  s.  agrimony,  G  800. 

Egren,  v.  incite  (lit.  make  eager),  B  4. 
P  6.  335. 

Eighte.  eighth,  F  1280. 

Eightetene,  eighteen,  A  3223. 

Eightetetbe,  ord.  adj.  eighteenth,  B  5. 

Eir,  s.  air,  A  1246,  3473. 

Eisel,  s.  vinegar,  R.  217. 

Ekko,  5.  echo,  E  1189. 

Elde,  s.  old  age,  age,  T.  ii.  393,  399;  long 
lapse  of  time,  7.  12. 

Elde,  V.  grow  old,  R.  396;  //-.  s.  ages, 
makes  old,  R.  391. 

Elder,  adj.  older,  B  1720,  3450. 

Elder-fader,  5.  grandfather,   B  2.  p  4. 

50- 
Eldres,  pi.  ancestors,  B  3388. 


Eleccioun,  s.  choice,  5. 409, 621 ;  election 

(in  astrology),  B  312. 
Elenge,  adj.  miserable,  B  1412,  D  1199. 
Elevat,  //.  elevated,  A.  ii.  23.  29. 
Elf-queen,  s.  fairy-queen,  B  1978,  D  860. 
Ellebor.  j.  hellebore,  HelUborus  niger.  B 

4154- 
Elles,  adv.  else,  otherwise,  3.  997 ;   elles 

god  forbede,   God    forbid   it    should    be 

otherwise,  G  1046. 
Elongacioun,  s.  angular  distance,  A.  ii. 

25.  66. 
Elvish,  adj.  elvish,  i.  e.  absent  in  demea- 
nour, B  1893;  foolish,  G  751,  842. 
Embassadrye,  s.  embassy,  negociation, 

B  233. 
Embaume,    v.    embalm,     L.    676;    //. 

covered  with  balm,  R.  1663. 
Embelif,  adj.  oblique,   A.  i.   20.   3;    (as 

applied   to   angles)   acute,  A.  ii.  26.  39. 

See  the  New  E.  Diet. 
Embelised,  pp.  beautified,  B  2.  p  5.  75. 
Embosed,  pp.  plunged   deeply  into   the 

thicket,  quite  hidden,  3.  353. 
Embracinge,  s.  embrace,  I  944. 
Embrouded, //.  embroidered,  adorned, 

A  89. 
Embroudinge,  s.  embroidery,  I  417. 
Embussliements,//.ambuscades,B2509. 
Emeraude,  s.  emerald,  B  1799. 
Ernes,  gen.  uncle's,  T.  ii.  466.    See  Eem. 
Emforth,  prep,  as  far  as  extends,  to  the 

extent  of,  A  2235.     Em-   is  from  A.  S. 

e7nn,  for  efeii,  even. 
Emisperies,  j.//.  hemispheres,  A.  i.  18.9. 
Empeireden,  pt.  pi.  made  worse,  B  2209. 
Emplastre,  2 pr.pl.  plaster  over,  bedaub, 

E  2207. 
Empoisoned,  //.  poisoned,  B  2519,  3850. 
Empoisoning,  .r.  poisoning,  C  891. 
Empoysoner,  s.  poisoner,  C  894. 
Emprenting,  s.  impression,  F  834. 
Emprinteth,  imp.pl.  impress,  E  1193; 

Emprented,//.  imprinted,  F  831;  taken 

an  impression  of,  E  21 17. 
Empryse,  s.  enterprise,  undertaking,  L. 

617,  1452. 
Empte,  V.  empty,  make   empty,  G  741; 

pp.  as  adj.  exhausted,  B  i.  p  i.  10;  worn 

out,  shrunken  (Lat.  effeto),  B  i.  m  i.  20. 
Enbasshinge,   s.  bewilderment,   amaze- 
ment, V,  4.  p  I.  43. 
Enbatailled.  adj.  embattled,  R.  139. 
Enbibing,  s.  absorption,  G  814. 
Enbrace.  v.  embrace,  hold  firmly,  21.  11 ; 

Ell  braced.//,  surrounded,  T.  v.  1816. 
Enbrouden,  v.  embroider,  L.  2351 ;  pp. 

L.  119,  227. 


(@Io£)!3artaI  Ilnliex. 


37 


Bncens,  s.  incense,  A  2429. 
Bncense,  v.  to  offer  incense,  G  395,  413. 
EnchantOTors,  //.  wizards,  I  603. 
Enchaufeth,  />/:  s.  burns,  B  5.  m  3.  19. 
EnchauQten,  v.  enchant,  T.  iv.  1395. 
Enchesoun,  s.  occasion,  reason,  B  2783 ; 

cause,  T.  i.  681. 
Enclos.  />/>.  enclosed,  R.  138,  1652. 
Bnclyning-.  s.  inclination,  HF.  734. 
Bncomberous,    adj.    cumbersome,    op- 
pressive, burdensome,  18.  42;   HF.  862. 
Encombraunce,  J-.  encumbrance,  E  i960. 
Encombre,   ?/.   encumber,    L.  2006;   />/. 
endangered,    stuck    fast,   A   508 ;    ham- 
pered, R.  889 ;  hindered,  I  687 ;  embar- 
rassed, weary,  A  718. 
Encorporing,  s.  incorporation,  G  815. 
Encrees,  s.  increase,  A  2184. 
Encrese,  v.  increase,  2.  103;   Encressed, 

/,*.  E  408  ;  enriched,  B  1271. 
Endamagen,  v.  harm,  B  i.  p  4.  91 ;  //. 

compromised,  B  I.  p  i.  73. 
Bnde,   .f.   end,   A    15;    purpose,    B  481; 

point,  R.  973. 
Ended,  p/>.  finite,  B  2.  p  7.  113. 
Endelees,  adj.  infinite,  H  322. 
Bndelong',  adv.  all  along,  A  2678  ;  length- 
ways, A  1991. 
Endelong, //•<■/.  all  along,  F  992;  along, 

L.  1498  ;  down  along,  F  416. 
Endentinge,  s.  indentation,  I  417.     £n- 
denUd  or  Indented  is  an  heraldic  term, 
signifying    notched    with    regular    and 
equal  indentations. 
Endere,  s.  cause  of  the  end,  A  2776;  i.  e. 

who  dost  end,  C  218. 
Endetted.  pp.  indebted,  G  734. 
Ending--day,  s.  death-day,  18.  55. 
Baditements,  s.  pi.  indictments,  I  800. 
Endlang,   adv.  along,    lengthways.    See 

Bndelong. 
Endouted,   pp.    feared    (with    me),    R. 

1664. 
Endyte,  v.  write,  dictate,  A  95,  325 ;  en- 
dite,  compose,  write,  L.  414,  2356;   re- 
late, G  80;  tell,  L.  1678;  indict,  B  3858; 
pp.  related,  B  3170. 
Bndyting,  s.  composing,  18.  77  ;  pi.  com- 
positions, I  1085. 
Enfamyned,  pp.  starved,  L.  2429. 
Enfecteth,//-.  s.  infects,  L.  2242. 
Bnforcen,    ger.    to    enforce,    B    2233 ; 
strengthen  (your  position),  D340;  i //-. 
s.  rejl.  insist,  T.  iv.  1016;  Enforcen,  pr. 
pi.  gain   strength,   B   2355;    imp.  s.  en- 
deavour, B  2237. 
Bnformed,  pp.  informed,  E  738,  F  335 ; 
instructed,  I  6^8. 


Enforttined,  pt.  s.  endowed  with  powers, 
4-  259. 

Engendre,  v.  procreate,  B  3148 ;  pro- 
duce, B.  2582  ;  V.  beget,  E  1272 ;  //•.  //. 
are  produced,  B  4113. 

Bngendringe,  s.  product,  B  2580. 

Bngendrure,  s.  procreation,  B  3137; 
begetting,  5.  306;  generation,  D  128, 
134 ;  progeny,  offspring,  I  621 ;  frater- 
nity, I  375- 

English,  s.  power  of  e.xpression  in  Eng- 
lish, L.  66. 

Engreggen,/^.//.  burden,  I  979. 

Engyn,  s.  contrivance,  T.  iii.  274  ;  device, 
R.  511;  machine,  F  184;   skill,  HF.  528. 

Engyned,  pp.  tortured,  racked,  B  4250. 

Enhabit,  pp.  devoted,  T.  iv.  443. 

Enhauncen,  v.  raise,  A  1434 ;  ger.  to 
e.xalt,  I  614 ;  Enhaunceth,  pr.  s.  elevates, 
I  730 ;  //.  s.  raised,  B  2291 ;  //.  promoted, 
I-.  1411. 

Enhaused,  ;*/.  elevated,  lifted  above 
(the  horizon),  A.  ii.  26.  37. 

Enhausing,  s.  elevation,  .\.  ii.  39.  26. 

Enhorte,  ger.  to  exhort,  A  2851. 

Enlaceth,  pr.  s.  entangles,  B  i.  m  4. 
23 ".  //•  involved,  made  intricate,  B  3.  p 
8.  6. 

Enlumine,  v.  illumine,  I  244;  //.  s.  E 
33- 

Bnluting,  s.  securing  with  '  lute,"  daubing 
with  clay,  &c.,  to  exclude  air,  G  766. 

Enoynt,  //.  anointed,  A  2961. 

Enpeiren,  v.  injure,  B  4.  p  3.  56. 

Enpoysoninge,  j.  poisoning,  B  i.p  3.59. 

Enprented,  pp.  imprinted,  E  2178. 

Enpresse,  v.  make  an  impression  on, 
21.  8. 

Enquere,  v.  enquire,  A  3166;  search 
into,  B  629. 

Enqueringe,  5.  inquiry,  B  888. 

Ensample,  s.  example,  A  496,  505 ;  pat- 
tern, 3.  911 ;  warning,  R.  1539;  instance, 
R.  1584;  hi  e.,  to  signify,  A.  i.  21.  41; 
pi.  examples,  F  1419 ;  cases,  A  2842. 

Ensaumpler,  s.  prototype,  B  3.  m  9.  17. 

Enseigne,  s.  ensign,  standard,  R.  1200. 

Enseled,  //.  sealed  up,  T.  v.  151 ;  fully 
granted,  T.  iv.  559. 

Entaile,  s.  cutting,  intaglio-work,  R.  1081 ; 
Entayle,  shape,  description,  R.  162. 

Entaile,  v.  carve,  R.  609;  //.  R.  140. 

Bntalenten,  pr.  pi.  stimulate,  B  5.  p  5.  6. 

Entame,  v.  re-open  (lit.  cut  into),  i.  79. 
O.  F.  cutamer. 

Enteccheth,  />/-.  s.  infects,  B  4.  p  3.  83; 
//.  endued  with  (good)  qualities,  T.  v. 
832.     O.  F.  entechicr,  erttachier. 


38 


(^lossarial  Inliei. 


Entencioun,  s.  intent,  C  408 ;  attention, 
T.  i.  52;  design,  T.  i.  211. 

Entende,  v.  attend,  T.  iii.  414;  give 
attention  to,  D  1478 ;  dispose  oneself, 
F  689 ;  £'er.  to  apply  oneself,  B  3498 ; 
to  aim  (after),  incline  (to),  T.  ii.  853; 
Entende,  i  pr.  s.  perceive,  T.  iv.  1649; 
attend,  R.  597;  pres.  part,  looking  in- 
tently, B  I.  p  2.  3. 

Entendement,  s.  perception,  HF.  983. 

Entente,  s.  intention,  intent,  A  958,  1000; 
design,  B  3835  ;  wish,  18.  68  ;  meaning, 
F  400,  959 ;  attention,  D  1374 ;  endeav- 
our, G  6;  feeling,  5.  532,  580;  mmd,  B 
1740;  plan,  B  147,  206;  do  thyn  ^.,  give 
heed,  3.  752;  as  to  comun  e.,  in  plain 
language,  F  107. 

Ententeden,  pi.  pt.  gave  their  attention, 
L.  1155. 

Ententif,  Ententyf,  adj.  attentive,  HF. 
1120;  B  2205;  eager,  R.  685;  diligent, 
R.  436;  devoted,  R.  339;  careful,  E 
1288. 

Ententifly,  adv.  attentively,  HF.  616. 

Entermedled,//.  intermixed,  R.  906. 

Entraille,  s.  entrails,  B  1763 ;  inside,  E 
1188. 

Entre,.o'^r.  to  enter,  5.  147,  153.  In  A.  ii. 
44.  4,  en/ere  hit  =  set  do«  n  in  writing. 

Entrechaungeden,  />/".  //.  interchanged, 
exchanged,  T.  iii.  1369;  //.  inter- 
changed, T.  iv.  1043. 

Entrechaunging-es,  s.  pi.  mutations, 
B  I.  m  5.  38;  vicissitudes  (Lat.  uices), 
B  2.  m  3.  20. 

Entrecomunen,    v.    intercommunicate, 

'r.  iv.  1354. 

Entrecomuninge,  s.  interchange,  B  2. 

P  7-  63. 
Entredited,  pp.  interdicted,  I  965. 
Entree,  entry,  entrance,  R.  517,  530,  538 ; 

pi.  entiances,  HF.  1945. 
Entrelaced,  pp.  intricate,  B  3.  p  12.  166. 
Entremedled,    pp.    intermingled,    HF. 

2124. 
Entremes,  s.  intervening  course,  5.  665. 

'Entremets,      certainc      choice       dishes 

served    in    between    the    courses    of   a 

feast;  '   Cotgrave. 
Entremette,   v.  refi.   interfere,   D   834; 

Entremeten  (him),  meddle  with,  5.  515; 

imp.  s.  take   part   (in),   meddle   (with), 

T.  i.  1026. 
Entreparten,  ^er.  to  share,  T.  i.  592. 
Entreteden,  pt.pl.  treated  of,  discussed, 

B  2466. 
Entryketh,  pr.  s.  hold  fast  in  its  subtle 

grasp,  ensnares,  5.  403 ;    Entryked,  pp. 


entrapped,  R.  1642 ;  '  Itttriquer,  to  intri- 
cate, involve ; '  Cotgrave. 

Entune,  v.  intone,  tune,  T.  iv.  4. 

Entunes,  s.  pi.  tunes,  3.  309. 

Entysinge,  s.  allurement,  I  353. 

Enveniminge,  s.  poisonous  effect,  E 
2060;    poison,  I  854. 

Envenyme,  v.  infect,  D  474;  //.  B  3314. 

Environinge,  s.  surface,  B  5.  m  4.  172; 
circumference,  B  4.  p  6.  85. 

Enviroun,  adv.  roundabout,  L.  300. 

Enviroune,  v.  encompass,  B  3.  m  9.  45 ; 
pres.  part,  skirting,  going  round,  R.  526. 

Env61uped,  //.  enveloped,  involved,  C 
942. 

Envye,  s.  envy,  B  3584  ;  longing,  R.  1653  ; 
to  e.,  in  rivalry,  3.  173. 

Envye,  v.  vie,  strive,  3.  406;  vie  (with), 
HF.  1231. 

Envyned,  pp.  stored  with  wine,  A  342. 

Episicle,  s.  epicycle,  A.  ii.  35.  29.  A 
small  circle,  the  centre  of  which  moves 
along  the  circumference  of  a  larger  one. 

Equacion,  s.  equal  partition,  A.  ii.  37. 
24 ;  Equacions,  pi.  equations,  F  1279 ; 
Equaciouns,  A.  ii.  36  (rubric)  ;  calcu- 
lations, A.  i.  23.  5.  By  '  equations  of 
houses '  is  meant  the  division  of  the 
sphere  into  twelve  equal  portions  (or 
'  houses  '),  for  astrological  purposes. 

Equales,  adj.  pi.  of  equal  length;  houres 
eqitalcs,  hours  each  containing  sixty 
minutes,  A.  ii.  8.  3. 

Equinoxial,  s.  equinoxial  circle,  B  4046. 

Er,  adv.  before,  formerly,  A  3789. 

Er,  cotij.  before,  A  1040,  1155;  er  that, 
before,  A  36. 

Er,  prep,  before,  C  892;  er  tho,  before 
then,  L.  1062;  er  now,  ere  now,  F  460. 

Erbe,  s.  herb,  L.  109  a. 

Erbe  y  ve,  s.  herb  ive,  ground  ivy,  Ajuga 
Chamaepitys,  B  4156. 

Erber,  s.  arbour,  L.  97  a.    See  Herber. 

Erchedeken,  s.  archdeacon,  D  1300. 

Ere  (e6ra),  s.  ear,  D  636;  at  ere,  in  (her) 
ear,  T.  i.  106. 

Ere,  s.  ear  (of  corn),  L.  76. 

Ere  {kxa),ger.  to  plough,  A  886;  //.  HF. 
485.     A.  S.  erian. 

Erl,  s.  earl,  B  3597,  3646. 

Erme,  v.  feel  sad,  grieve,  3.  80;  C  312. 
A.  S.  enrmian,  yrman. 

Ernestful,  adj.  serious,  T.  ii.  1727;  E 
1 175. 

Erratik,  adj.  wandering,  T.  v.  1812. 

Erraunt,  adj.  arrant,  H  224;  errant, 
stray  (because  near  the  middle  of  the 
chess-board),  3.  661. 


(©loasarial  hxtiex. 


39^ 


Brrest,  zpr.  s.  wanderest,  T.  iv.  302. 
Ers,  s.  buttocks,  A  3734.  A.  S.  cars. 
Erst,  adv.  first,  at  first,  HF.  2075;  A  776; 

before,  16.  21;  aforetime,  R.  692;  ate., 

first,  for  the   first  time,  B  1884,  G  151; 

at  last,  T.  i.  842 ;  e.  than,  before,  A  1566 ; 

long  e.  er,  long  first  before,  C  662. 
Erthes,     s.   pi.    lands,    countries,     B    i. 

Ill  5.  61. 
Eschaufen,  ger.  to  burn;  //-.  s.  chafes, 

I  657 ;  pp.  heated,  I  546. 
Eschauflng'e,  s.  heating,   I  537 ;  //.  en- 
kindlings,  I  916. 
Eschaunge,  s.  exchange,  A  278;  //.  in- 

terchangings,  HF.  697. 
Eschew,   adj.   averse,    I   971;   Eschii,  E 

1812. 
Eschewe,  v.  escape;   Eschue,  v.  avoid, 

T.  ii.  696;  A  3043;  shun,  G  4;  ipr.  pi. 

eschew,  avoid,  T.  i.  344;  Eschewed,//. 

B  4528  ;  imp.  s.  T.  ii.  1018. 
Ese,    s.    ease,    E   217,   434 ;    amusement, 

delight,  A  768,   G  746 ;   do  yow  e.,  give 

you  pleasure,   6.  78 ;  wel  at  e.,  fully  at 

ease,  T.  ii.  750. 
Ese,  V.  ease,  3.  556;  relieve,  L.  1704;  give 

ease  (to),  R.  316;  Esen,^ifr. to  entertain, 

A  2194;  //.  entertained,  A  29. 
Esement,  s.  benefit,  A  4179,  4186. 
Espace,  s.  space  of  time,  B  2219. 
Especes,  s.pl.  kinds,  varieties  (of  sin),  I 

448. 
Espiaille,  s.  sets  of  spies,  B  2509,  D  1323. 
Espye,  s.  spy,  T.  ii.  1112. 
Espye,  ger.  to  observe,  R.  795 ;    v.   per- 
ceive, HF.  706;  enquire  about,  B  180; 

look  about,  L.  858. 
Essoyne,  s.  excuse,  I  164.   Mod.  E.  essoin. 
Est,  s.  east,  B  297,  493,  3657. 
EstaWeth,  pr.  s.  settles,  causes,   B  4.  p 

4-Si- 
Estat,  s.  state,  condition,    L.   125;   rank, 

T.   V.   1025;    position,   E   1969;    Estaat, 

state,  condition,  rank,  B  973,  3592,  3647; 

way,  E  610 ;  term  of  office,  D  2018. 
Estatlich,  adj.  stately,  dignified,  A  140; 

suitable  to  one's  estate,  B  3902. 
Estatuts,  s.  ordinances,  B  2.  p  i.  48. 
Estraunge,  adj.  strange,  T.  i.  1084. 
Estres,    pi.    inward    parts,    recesses    (of 

a  building),  L.  1715;  A  197 1 ;  recesses, 

R.  1448  ;  interior,  A  4295. 
Esy,  adj.  easy,  A  223 ;  moderate,  A  441 ; 

gentle,  5.  382. 
Ete,  V.  eat,  A  947;  Et,/r.  s.  eats,  L.  1389; 

Eet,  pt.  s.  ate,  T.  v.  1439;  A  2048,  3421 ; 

Eefe,  pt.  pi.  ate,   9.   11 ;   Ete,  //.  //.   3. 

432;  Eten,//.  eaten,  A  4351. 


Eterne,   adj.   eternal,    A    1109,    1990;    s. 

eternity,  T.  iv.  978. 
Ethe,  adj.  easy,  T.  v.  850. 
Etik,  the  Ethics  of  Aristotle,  L.  166. 
Evangyle,  s.  gospel,  R.  445 ;  //.  B  666. 
Even,   adj.   even,  equal,   same,  HF.   10; 

exact,  R.  1350. 
Even,    adv.    exactly,   3.  441 ;    evenly,    D 

2249 ;  regularly,  R.  526 ;   Evene  joynant, 

closely    adjoining,    A    1060;    /ul    even, 

actually,  3.  1329. 
Evene-cristene,    s.    fellow-Christian,    I 

395.  805. 
Even-lyk,  adj.  similar,  B  5.  p  2.  25. 
Ever,  adv.  ever,  always,  A  50,  &c. ;   Ever 

in    oon,   always    alike,    continually,    T. 

V.  451 ;  incessantly,  A  1771. 
Everich,   each,   A    1186;    every,  A   241; 

each   one,   A   371;    every  one,  E   1017; 

e.   of  hem,   either   of   the   two,   B    1004; 

Everich  other,  each  other,  7.  53. 
Everichoon,  every  one,  A  31,  747;  each 

one,  L.  2567 ;   Everichone,  //.  each  one 

(of  us),  HF.  337;  each  of  them  all,  all 

of  them,  T.  iii.  412. 
Ever-mo,    adv.    for    ever,    always,   con- 
tinually, L.  1239,  2035,  2634. 
Everydeel,  adv.  every  whit,  A  368,  D  162 ; 

altogether,  A  3303. 
Evidently,  adv.  by  observation,  A.  ii.  23, 

rubric. 
Ew,  s.  yew-tree,  A  2923  ;  {collectively)  yew- 
trees,  R.  1385. 
Exaltacioun,  s.  (astrological)  exaltation, 

D  702,  E  2224. 
Exaltat,  as  pp.  exalted,  D  704. 
Exametron,  s.  a  hexameter,  B  3169. 
Excusascioun,^. false  excuse,  1 680;  plea, 

I  164. 
Excuse,  s.;  for  7nyn  e.,  in  my  excuse,  7. 

305- 
Executeth,  pr.  s.  performs,  A  1664 ;  Exe- 

cut,  pp.  executed,  T.  iii.  622. 
Executour,  j.  executant,  D  2010. 
Executrice,  s.  causer,  T.  iii.  617. 
Exercitacioun,  s.  exercise,  B  4.  p  6.  298. 
Existence,  v.  reality,  HF.  266. 
Exorsisaciouns,  //.  exorcisms,  spells  to 

raise  spirits,  HF.  1263. 
Expans,   adj.  (calculated)  separately,  F. 

1275.     See  .tnni  cxpansi. 
Expoune,  v.  explain,  B  3398,  G  86;  Ex- 

pouned,//.  s.  B  3346,  3399. 
Expres,   adj.  expressed,   made   clear,  D 

1 1 69. 
Expres,  adv.  expressly,  C  182,  D  719. 
Expresse,^tfr.  to  declare,  17. 5 ;  v.  relate,. 

C  105. 


40 


©lossarial  Hznln. 


Expulsif ,  adj.  expellent,  A  2749. 

Extenden,  pr.pl.  are  extended,  B  461. 

Extree.  -f.  axle-tree,  A.  i.  14.  2. 

Ey,  s.  egg,  B  4035,  G  806. 

Ey,  interj.  eh  !  T.  ii.  128 ;  alas !  T.  iv.  1087 ; 
what!  C  782. 

Eye,  s.  eye;  at  eye,  evidently,  L.  ico; 
Even,//,  eyes,  I.  105  ;  Even  sight,  eye- 
sight, D  2060.    See  Ye. 

Eyed,  adj.  endowed  with  eyes,  T.  iv.  1459. 

Eyle,  V.  ail,  A  3424. 

Eyr,  s.  air,  HF.  954  ;  L.  1482 ;  Eir,  A  1246, 
3473 ;  Eyre,  dat.  air,  gas,  G  767. 

Eyr,  s.  heir,  L.  1598,  1819. 

Eyrish,  adj.  of  the  air,  aerial,  HF.  932, 965. 

Eyse,  s.  ease,  D  2101.    See  Ese. 

F. 

Face,  f.  face,  A  199, 458  ;  a  technical  term 
in  astrology,  signifying  the  third  part 
of  a  sign  (of  the  zodiac),  ten  degrees  in 
extent,  F  50,  1288. 

Facound,  adj.  eloquent,  5.  521. 

Facounde,  J.  eloquence,  fluency,  3.  926 ; 
Cso. 

Facultee,  s.  capacity,  authority,  or  dis- 
position, A  244;  branch  of  studv,  HF. 
248. 

Fade,  adj.  faded,  R.  311. 

Fader,  s.  father,  A  100;  Fader,  gen.  A 
•j^i;  fader  day,  father's  time,  B  3374; 
fader  kin,  father's  race,  ancestry,  G  829 ; 
pi.  ancestors,  E  61 ;  originators,  B  129. 

Fadme,  pi.  fathoms,  A  2916. 

Fadres-in-lawe,//.  parents-in-law,  B  2. 

P  3-  42. 
Faile,     f.    failure;    withouten  f,  without 

fail,  2.  48  ;  sans  faille,  B  501. 
Failen,  v.  fail,  grow  dim,  5.  85;  pres.part. 

failing,  remote,  A.  ii.  4.  30. 
Fair,  adj.  fine,  D  2253;  good,  excellent,  A 

154 ;  a  fair,  a  good  one,  A  165 ;  as  s.,3. 

fair     thing,    excellent     thing    (sarcasti- 
cally), T.  iii.  850;  voc.O  fair  one!   HF. 

518;  //.  A  234;  clean,  R.  571;  specious, 

K.  437- 
Faire,  adv.  fairly,  R.  774,  798 ;  honestly, 

.A  539 ;  courteously,   R.  592 ;  clearly,  D 

1 142;  proiperouslv,  L.  186,  277. 
Faire.  s.  fair,  market,  H  1515. 
Faire  Rewthelees,  Fair  Unpitying  One, 

La  Belle  Dame  sans  Merci,  6.  31. 
Fairnesse,  s.  beauty,  A  1098;  honesty  of 

life,  A  519. 
Fair-Senablaunt,  Fair-show,  R.  963. 
Falding,  s.  a  sort  of  coarse  cloth,  A  391, 

3212. 


Fallen,  v.  happen,  T.  iv.  976;  light,  E 
126  ;  suit,  E  259 ;  prosper,  L.  186  ;  pr.  s. 
subj.  may  befall,  R.  798;  impers.  may  it 
befall,  L.  277;  pr.  s.  comes  as  by  acci- 
dent, 6.  4;  comes,  3.  706;  suffers  de- 
pression (an  astrological  term),  D  702, 
705;  Falles,/r.  s.  (Northern  form),  falls, 
A  4042;  belongs,  3.  257;  Fallen,/;.//, 
happen,  come  to  pass,  R.  20;  Fel,  ipt.s. 
fell,  2.  15 ;  Fil,  //.  s.  fell,  A  845 ;  hap- 
pened, L.  589,  1162;  was  fitting,  L.  2474  ; 
Jil  on  slepe,  fell  asleep,  HF.  114;  yf/  of 
his  accord,  agreed  with  him,  F  741;  as 
fer  as  resonfil,  as  far  as  reason  extended, 
F  570;  Fille,  ipt.pl.  fell,  became,  D 
812;  Fillen,  //.  //.  fell,  B  3183,  3620; 
Fille,//.//.  HF.  1659;  yf//^  in  speche  = 
fell  to  talking,  F  964;  Falle,  //.  fallen, 
L.  1726,  1826;  happened,  .A  324;  acci- 
dentally placed,  F  684;  Falling,  pres. 
pt.  felling,  causing  to  fall,  T.  ii.  1382. 

Fals,  adj.  false,  3.  618;  false  get,  cheating 
contrivance,  G  1277;  voc.  B  4416. 

Falsen,  v.  falsify,  A  3175 ;  deceive,  L.  1640 ; 
betray,  T.  v.  1845  '<  False,  v.  be  untrue 
to,  3.  1234;  //.  falsified,  broken  (faith), 
F  627. 

Fal'we,  adj.  fallow,  yellowish,  HF.  1936; 
.\  1364. 

Falwes, //.  fallow-ground,  D  656. 

Fame,  s.  notoriety,  A  3148;  rumour,  L. 
1242;  good  report,  E  418;  Fames,  //. 
rumours,  HF.  1292. 

Familer.  j.  familiar  friend,  B  4,  p  6.  255. 

Famulier,  adj.  familiar,  at  home,  A  215, 
B  1 221 ;  of  one's  own  household,  E  1784 ; 
Famulere,  affable,  L.  1606. 

Fan.  s.  vane,  quintain,  H  42. 

Fanne,  s.  fan,  A  3315. 

Fantastyk,  adj.  belonging  to  the  fancy, 
A  1376.  Used  with  reference  to  the 
portion  of  the  brain  in  the  front  of  the 
head. 

Fantasye,  s.  fancy,  HF.  593;  delight,  A 
3191 ;  imagining,  HF.  992;  fancy,  pleas- 
ure, D  190;  imagination,  A  3835,  3840; 
imaginary  object,  9.  51;  desire,  will,  B 
3475 ;  Fantasyes,  //.  fancies,  F  205 ; 
wishes.  B  3465. 

Fantbme,  s.  phantasm,  delusion,  B  1037. 

Farced,  pp.  stuffed,  L.  1373. 

Fare,  s.  behaviour,  conduct,  A  1809,  B 
1453;  condition,  2.  62;  good  speed,  HF". 
682;  business,  goings-on,  T.  iii.  1106; 
bustle,  ado,  HF.  1065;  company,  T.  iii. 
605  ;  evel  fare,  ill  hap,  2.  62. 

Faren,  f.  behave,  T.  iv.  1087;  doth  fare, 
causes  to  behave  or  feel,  T.  i.  626;   Fare, 


(gloggarial  Intiei. 


41 


ger.  to  go,  travel,  T.  v.  21,  279;  to  pro- 
ceed, A  2435  ;  Fare,  i  pr.  5.  go,  G  733  ;  it 
is  with  me  (thus),  7.  320;  am,  B  1676; 
Farest,  2  pr.  s.  actest,  5.  599;  art,  HF. 
887 ;  Fareth,  pr.  s.  acts,  D  1088 ;  is,  3. 
113;  happens,  HF.  271 ;  i  pr.pl.  live,  G 
662 ;  2  pr.  pi.  behave,  D  852 ;  pr.  pi. 
seem,  I  414  ;  Fare,  pr.  s.  subj.  may  fare, 
F  1579;  Ferde,  i  pt.  s.  fared,  T.  ii.  1006; 
felt,  3.  99,  785  ;  was  placed,  5.  152 ;  pt.  s. 
behaved,  A  1372;  happened,  T.  i.  225; 
was,  R.  876 ;  seemed,  R.  249 ;  went  on, 
HF.  1522;  Ferden,  //.  //.  behaved,  A 
1647 ;  Ferde,  pt.  s.  subj.  should  fare,  R. 
271;  Faren, />/.  fared,  T.  v.  466  ;  D  1773  ; 
gone,  B  4069 ;  Fare,  pp.  fared,  D  1782, 
gone,  A  2436 ;  walked,  L.  2209 ;  Ferd, 
//.  fared,  '1".  iv.  1094;  Faringe, /;-«.//. 
as  adj.;  best  f.,  best  looking,  fairest  of 
behaviour,  F  932 ;  f.  aright,  prosper,  T. 
i.  878;  /ar  w^/,  farewell,  B  116;  Fareth, 
imp.  pi.  fare,  E  1688 ;  /.  wel,  farewell,  T. 
V.  141 2. 

Fare-cart,  s.  travelling  cart,  T.  v.  1162. 

Fare-wel,  interj.  it  is  all  over!  F  1204,  G 
907  ;  go  farewel,  be  lost  sight  of,  A.  ii.  23. 
12. 

Farsed,  pp.  stuffed,  A  233. 

Fasoun,  s.  fashion,  appearance,  R.  708 ; 
shape,  R.  551. 

Fast,  s.  fasting,  T.  v.  370. 

Fast,  adj.  firm,  7.  313. 

Faste,  adv.  closely,  R.  1346;  close,  near, 
A  1478;  tight,  R.  431;  fast,  quickly,  T. 
i.  748;  aj/;,  very  quickly,  G  1235  ;  hard, 
soundly,  5.  94;  intently,  eagerly,  R. 
793 ;  faste  by,  near  to,  A  1476 ;  faste  by, 
close  at  hand,  3.  369. 

Faster,  adv.  closer,  B  3722. 

Fatte,  V.  fatten,  D  1880. 

Faucon,  s.  falcon,  F  411,  424. 

Fauconers,  s.  pi.  falconers,  F  1196. 

Fauned,  pt.  s.  fawned  on,  3.  389. 

Faunes,  pi.  Fauns,  A  2928. 

Fawe,  adj.  fain,  glad,  D  220. 

Fawe,  adv.  fain,  anxiously,  T.  iv.  887. 

Fay,  J-. ;  see  Fey. 

Fayerye,  s.  troop  of  fairies,  E  2039; 
troops  of  fairies,  D  859;  enchantment, 
E  1743 ;  Fairye,  fairy-land,  F  96 ;  en- 
chantment, F  201 ;  pi.  fairies,  D  872. 

Fayn,  adj.  glad,  L.  130, 1137  ;  fond,  R.  1376. 

Fayn,  adv.  gladly,  A  766;  wolde  f, 
would  be  glad  to,  E  696. 

Feblesse,  .v.  weakness,  T.  ii.  863;   I  1074. 

Fecches,  pi.  vetches,  T.  iii.  936. 

Fecchen,  ger.  to  fetch,  T.  v.  485  ;  ger.  to 
fetch,  to  be  brought  (i.  e.  absent),  T.  iii. 


609;    Fette,  2  pt.  s.  didst  fetch,  T.   iii. 

723;  pt.  s.  fetched,  L.  676;   brought,  T. 

V.  852 ;  //.  //.  B  2041 ;   Fet,  pp.  fetched, 

A  2527 ;  brought,  A  819 ;  brought  home, 

D  217. 
Fecching,  s.  fetching,  rape,  T.  v.  890. 
Fedde,  pt.  s.  fed,  A  146. 
Fee,  s.  reward,  pay,  7.  193 ;  Fee  simple,  an 

absolute   fee   or   fief,   not   clogged   with 

conditions,  A  319. 
Feeld,  j.  field,  A  886,  3032 ;  (in  an  heraldic 

sense),  B  3573. 
Feendly,  adj.  fiendlike,  devilish,  B  751, 

783. 
Feet,  s.  performance,  E  429.     E.  feat. 
Feffe,  v.  enfeoff,  endow,  present,  T.  iii. 

901 ;  ger.  to  present,  T.  v.  1689;  pp.  en- 
feoffed, put  in  possession,  endowed,  E 

1698. 
Fel,  s.  skin,  T.  i.  91. 
Fel,  adj.  dreadful,  T.  v.  50 ;  cruel,  A  2630 ; 

deadly,  D  2002;  terrible,  B  2019;  Felle, 

vpc.  cruel,  A  1559 ;  destructive,  T.  iv.  44. 
Felawe,  s.  companion,  comrade,  A  395, 

648. 
Felaweshipe,  s.  partnership,  A    1626; 

companionship,  B  2749;  company,  A  26. 
Felawshipeth,  //-.  s.  accompanies,  B  4. 

m  I.  12. 
Feld, //..  <7/^ Felle. 
Feldefare,  .r.  field-fare,  5.  364 ;  T.  iii.  861 ; 

farewel  f,  i.  e.  farewell,  and  a  good  rid- 
dance;   because  fieldfares  depart  when 

the  warm  weather  comes. 
Felden.  pt.  pi.  0/ Felle. 
Fele,  adj.  many,  R.  189;  E  917. 
Felen,   v.  feel,  experience,  L.  692;    Fele, 

understand    by    experiment,    HF.    826; 

try  to  find  out,  T.  ii.  387  ;  Felte,  i  //.  s. 

4.  217;   Felede,  //.  .r.  G  521;   Feled,//. 

perceived,  T.  iv.  984. 
Fele-folde,  adj.  manifold,  B  2.  p  i.  16. 
Feling,  s.  affection,  3.  1172. 
Felle,//.  andvoc.  s.  ofY^\,  adj. 
Felle,  v.  fell,  A  1702;  Felden,//.//.  caused 

to   fall,  R.  911;    Feld,  //.  cut  down,  A 

2924. 
Fellen,  //.  //.  happened,  T.  i.  134.    See 

Fallen. 
Felliche,  adj.  bitingly,  severely,  B  2.  m 

3-  13- 

Felnesse,  s.  fierceness,  B  i.  m  6.  11. 

Felon,  adj.  angry,  T.  v.  199. 

Felonous,  adj.  fierce,  wicked,  B  i.  m  4. 
15;   mischievous,  I  438. 

Feionye,  t.  injustice,  B  4.  p  6.  278  ;  crime, 
A  1996;  treachery,  R.  165,  978;  //.  in- 
iquities, I  281. 


C  2 


42 


i^lossarial  JIntJei. 


Femele,  adj.  female,  D  122,  I  961. 
Femininitee,  s.  feminine  form,  B  360. 
Fen,    s.    chapter   or   subdivision    of  Avi- 

cenna's  book  called  the  Canon,  C  890. 
Fenel,  s.  fennel,  R.  731. 
Fenix,  s.  phoenix,  3.  982. 
Fer,  adj.  far,  A  388,  491 ;   Ferre,  def.  A 

3393- 
Fer,  adv.  far,  B  1781 ;  Fer  ne  ner,  neither 

later  nor  sooner,  A  1850;  hoxv /.  so,  how- 
ever far,  5.  440. 
Ferd,  s.  dat.  fear,  T.  iv.  607.     (Always  in 

\)\\x.for  ferd,  or  for  fer de.) 
Ferd,  pp.  o/Fere,  v. 
Ferd,  -e ;  see  Faren,  v. 
Fere,  s.  dut.  fear,  B  3369;  panic,  HF.  174. 
Fere,  s.  companion,  L.  969 ;  mate,  5.  410, 

416;  wife,  T.  iv.  791 ;  //.  companions,  T. 

i.  224. 
Fere,  s.  dat.  fire,  T.  iii.  978. 
Fere,  v.  frighten,  T.  iv.  1483;  Fered,//. 

afraid,  G  924  ;   Ferd,  pp.  afraid,  T.  ii.  124. 
Ferforth,  adv.  far;  as  /.  as,  as  far  as,  T. 

iv.  891 ;    as  long  as,  T.  i.  121 ;  so  f.  to 

such  a  degree,  i.  170;  thus  f.,  thus  far, 

T.  ii.  960. 
Ferforthly,    adv.   thoroughly;    so  /.,  to 

such  an  extent,  A  960;    so  far,  L.  682; 

as  f.,  as  completely,  D  1545. 
FertuUeste,  most  timid,  T.  ii.  450. 
Ferly.  adj.  strange,  A  4173. 
Fermacies, />/.  remedies,  A  2713. 
Fernie,  adj.  firm,  E.  663. 
Ferme,  imp.  s.  make  firm,   B  i.  m  5.  61 

(  V.wX.jirma). 
Ferme,  s.  rent,  A  252  b. 
Fermely,  adv.  firmly,  T.  iii.  1488. 
Fermerere,  s.  friar  in  charge  of  an  infirm- 
ary, D  1859. 
Ferrnour,  s.  farmer  of  taxes,  L.  378. 
Fern,  adv.  long  ago  ;    so  fern  =  so  long 

ago,  F  256. 
Fern-asstien,  s.  pi.  ashes  produced  by 

burning  ferns,  F  254. 
Feme,    //.    of  Ferren,    distant,   remote, 

A  14. 
Ferne  ;  f.yere,  last  year,  T.  v.  1176. 
Ferre,  adj.  def.  distant,  A  3393. 
Ferre,    camp.    adv.    farther,     HF.    600; 

Ferrer,  A  835. 
Ferreste,  superl.pl.  farthest,  A  494. 
Fers,  s.  queen    (at   chess),   3.   654,  655; 

Ferses,  //.  the  pieces  at  chess,  3.  723. 
Fers,  adj.  fierce,  T.  i.  225;  voc.  7.  I. 
Fersly,  adv.  fiercely,  T.  iii.  1760. 
Ferthe,  fourth,  T.  iv.  26,  v.  476. 
Ferther,  adj.  farther,  B  1686,  E  2226. 
Ferther,  adv.  further,  i.  148,  3.  1254. 


Ferther-over,  conj.  moreover,  A.  ii.  26. 

13- 

Ferthing,  s.  farthing,  D  1967;  a  very 
small  portion,  A  134. 

Fery,  adj.  fiery,  T.  iii.  1600. 

Fest,  s.  fist,  A'4275,  C  802. 

Feste,  s.  feast,  festival,  A  883,  B  418 ;  to 
f,  to  the  feast,  B  380;  encouragement, 
T.  ii.  361 ;  meniment,  T.  ii.  421 ;  Maketh 
feste,  flatters,  3.  638 ;  pi.  tokens  of 
pleasure,  T.  v.  1429. 

Festeth,  pr.  s.  feasts,  A  2193. 

Festeyinge,  pres.  part,  feasting,  enter- 
taining, F  345. 

Festeyinge,  j.  festivity,  T.  v.  455. 

Festlich.  adj.  fond  of  feasts,  F  281. 

Festne,  ger.  to  fasten,  A  195. 

Fet ;  see  Fecchen. 

Fete,  dat.  pi.  feet,  3.  199,  400,  502. 

Fether,  s.  wing,  A  2144. 

Fetis,  adj.  neat,  well-made,  handsome, 
A  157;  R.776;  splendid,  R.  1133;  grace- 
ful, C  478. 

Fetisly ,  adv.  elegantly,  A  124,  273 ;  neatly, 
irimlv,    A    3205,    3319;    exquisitely,    R. 

837-  ' 
Fette ;  see  Fecchen. 
Fetys,  adj.  well-made,  R.  532 ;  handsome, 
R.    821;     splendid,    R.    1133;    graceful, 
C  478. 
Fetysly,  adv.  exquisitely,  neatly,  R.  1235. 
Fey,  s.  faiih,  A  1126,  3284  ;  fidelity,  L.  778. 
Feyn,  adj.  glad,  7.  315. 
Feyne,  v.  feign,  pretend,  A  736;   speak 
falsely,    2.   4;    feyne   us,   feign,   pretend, 
B  351;    Feigne,  who-so  f.  may,  let  him, 
who  can,  pretend,  B  3.  p  10.  93. 
Feynest,  adv.  most  gladly,  5.  480. 
Feyning,  s.  pretending,  cajolery,  F  556; 
j        pretence,  feigning,  L.  1556. 
I   Feynt,  adj.  feigned,  R.  433. 
I   Feyntest,  2  pr.  s.  enfeeblest,  B  926. 
I  Ficchen,  ger.  to  fix,  B  5.  m  4.  18. 

Fiers,  adj.  fierce,  A  1598;  proud,  R.  1482. 
'  Fifte,  fifth,  R.  962,  982;  16.  9. 
1   Figes,  //.  fig-trees,  R.  1364. 
i  Fighten.  v.  fight,  L.  1996;  Fight,  pr.  s. 
\       fights,  5.  103;    Faughf,  //.  s.  fought,  A 
399;  Foughten, /i/i.  A  62. 
Figure,  s.  shape,  i6.  27  ;  form  (as  a  man). 
B3412;  figure,  1.94;  figure  (of  speech), 
A  499  ;   Figure,  type,  i.   169  ;  pi.  figures 
(of  speech),  E  16;  markings,  A.  pr.  75. 
Figuringe,  s.  form,  L.  298;  figure,  G  96. 
Fil,  pt.  s.  oA Fallen. 
Fild,  //.  filled,  5.  610. 
Finch,  s.  finch    (bird),   R.  915;   pulle  a 
finch,  pluck  a  dupe,  A  652. 


(glossarial  IntJer. 


43 


Finde,   v.  find,    i.  72;    A    648;    invent, 

A  736 ;  ger.  to  provide  for,  C  537 ;  Fint, 

pr.  s.  finds,  G  218;   Fynt,  pr.  s.   L.  1499; 

Fond,  //.  s.  discovered,  A  2445 ;   found 

out,   T.  i.  659 ;    provided  for,    B   4019 ; 

Fonde,  //.  s.  subj.  could  find,  5.  374  ;  pp. 

found,    E     146;    Founden,    //.    found, 

B  612;   provided,  B  243. 
Finding",  s.  provision,  A  3220. 
Fint.  pr.  s.  finds,  G  218. 
Firre,  s.  fir-tree,  A  3921. 
Firsts,    adj.  def.  first,  3.  1166;  my  firste, 

my  first  narration,  F  75;  with  the  firste, 

very  soon,  T.  iv.  63. 
Fish,  s.  the  sign  Pisces,  F  273. 
Fit,   s.  a  '  fyt '   or  '  passus,"  a  portion  of 

a  song,  B  2078  ;  bout,  turn,  A  4184. 
Fithele,  s.  fiddle,  A  296. 
Fixe,  //.  as  adj.  fixed,  T.  i.  298  ;  solidified, 

G779. 
Flambe,  s.  flame,  I  353. 
Flatour,  s.  flatterer,  B  4515. 
Flaumbe,  s.  flame,  HF.  769. 
Flayn,  pp.  flayed,  I  425. 
Fledde,  pt.  J.'fled,  avoided,  B  3445,  3874; 

Fledde  herself,  took  refuge,  L.  1225. 
Flee   (i),  V.  flv,  F  503;  /eet  Jiee,  let  fly, 

A   3806;  Fleigh,  pt.   s.    flew,   HF.   921, 

2087;  Fley,//.  J.  B4362;  Flowen, />/.//. 

flew,  B  4581 ;  pp.  flown,  HF.  905. 
Fleen  (2),^/.  escape,  A  1170;  flee,  L.  1307, 

2020;  Fleeth,  «/;//. //.  4.6;  Fleigh,//.  s. 

fled,  B  3879. 
Fleen,  s.pl.  fleas,  H  17. 
E'lees,  s.  fleece,  L.  1428,  1647. 
Fleet,  pr.  s.  floats,  B  463. 
Flekked,  pp.  spotted,  E  1848,  G  565. 
Flemen,  ^^r.  to  banish,  T.  ii.  852;//-.  j. 

H  182;  pp.  banished,  G  58. 
Flemer,  s.  banisher,  driver  away,  B  460. 
Fleminge,   s.  banishment,   flight,  T.  iii, 

933- 

Flen,  pr.pl.  fly,  T.  iv.  1356. 

Fleshly,  adv.' cArnaWy.  B  1775. 

Flete,  V.  float,  bathe,  T.  iii.  1971 ;  i  pr.  s, 
subj.  may  float,  A  2397 ;  Fleteth,  pr.  s. 
floats,  B  901 ;  flows,  abounds  (Lat.  in- 
Jluat),  B  I.  m  2.  28  ;  Fleet, /r.  5.  floats, 
B  463 ;  pres.  pt.  floating,  A  1956 ;  Flet- 
\nge,  pres.  pt.  flowing,  B  i.  p  3.  78  (Lat. 
itmphante) . 

Flex,  s.  flax.  A  676. 

Fley,  pt.  s.  flew,  B  4362. 

Flikered,  //.  s.  fluttered,  T.  iv.  1221 ; 
pres.  pt.  pi.  flutlering,  A  1962. 

Flitte,  V.  pass  away,  I  368 ;  pp.  removed, 
T.  V.  1544;  pres.pt.  unimportant,  3.  801. 

Flo,  s.  arrow,  H  264. 


Flokmele,   adv.  in  a  flock,    in   a  great 

number,  E  86. 
Flood,  s.  flood-tide,   F-259;  on  a  Jl.,  in 

a  state  of  flood,  T.  iii.  640. 
Florisshing-es,//.  florid  ornaments,  HF. 

1301. 
Florouns,  s.  pi.  florets,  L.  217,  220. 
Floteren,  pr.  pi.  fluctuate,   waver,  B  3. 

p  II.  227. 
Flotery,  adj.  fluttering,  wavy,  A  2883. 
Flough,  ■zpt.  s.  didst  fly,  B  4421. 
Flour,  J.  (i)  flower,  L.  48;  of  alle  jloures 
Jiour,  flower  of  all  flowers,  i.  4 ;  flower, 

i.  e.  choice,  A  4174 ;  choice  part,  A  982 ; 

time  of  flourishing,  A  3048 :    (2)  flour, 

R-  356. 

Flotir-de-lys,  s.  fleur-de-lis,  lily,  A  238. 

Floureth.  pr.  s.  flourishes,  T.  iv.  1577; 
blooms,  7.  306. 

Flourettes,  s.  pi.  flowerets,  buds,  R.  891. 

Floury,  adj.  flowery,  3.  398. 

Floute.  s.  flute,  HF.  1223. 

Floutours,  //.  flute-players,  R.  763. 

Flowen,  pt.  pi.  and  pp.  of  Flee  (i). 

Floytinge, /;-«.//.  playing  on  the  flute, 
A  91. 

Fneseth,  pr.  s.  breathes  heavily,  puffs, 
snorts,  H  62. 

Fo,  s.  foe,  enemy,  B  1748 ;  Foo,  A  63 ; 
Foon,  pi.  B  3896;  Foos,  pi.  B  2160. 

Fode,  s.  food,  D  1881,  I  137. 

Poisoun,  s.  plenty,  abundance,  R.  1359. 

Folde,  s.  fold,  sheepfold,  A  512. 

Folden,  pp.  folded,  T.  iv.  359,  1247. 

Foled,  //.  foaled,  born,  D  1545. 

Folily,  adv.  foolishly,  B  2639. 

Folk,  s.  folk,  people,  A  12,  25  ;  sort,  com- 
pany, 5.  524;  pi.  companies,  5.  278. 

Folowed  "wel,  followed  as  a  matter  of 
course,  3.  1012;  Folweth,  imp.pl.  imi- 
tate, E  1189. 

Fol^,  adv.  foolishly,  3.  874. 

Folye,  s.  folly,  foolishness,  A  3045. 

Folyen,  pr.  pi.  act  foolishly,  B  3.  p  2. 
100. 

Fomen,  pi.  foe-men,  T.  iv.  42. 

Fomy.  adj.  foaming,  covered  with  foam, 
A  2506. 

Fond ;  pt.  s.  of  Finde. 

Fonde,  v.  endeavour,  R.  1584;  w.  attempt, 
try,  E  283  ;  try  to  persuade,  B  347. 

Fonde,//.  s.  subj.  could  find,  5.  374. 

Fonge,  V.  receive,  B  377. 

Fonne,  j.  fool  (Northern),  A  4089. 

Font-ful  •wrater,  fontful  of  water,  B  357. 

Pontstoon,  s.  font,  B  723. 

Foo ;  see  Fo. 

Foo,  s.  ioo',  for  foot,  A  3781. 


44 


(^lossarial  lutiex. 


Pool,  adj.  foolish,  silly,  R.  1253. 

Fool,  J.  fool,  A  3005;  jester,  B  3271;  //. 
wicked  persons,  E  2278. 

Fool-large,  adj.  foolishly  liberal,  B  2789, 
2810. 

Fool-larg'esse,  j.  foolish  liberality,  I  813. 

Foom,  t.  foam,  A  1659,  G  564. 

Foomen,  s.pl.ioes,  B  3255,  3507. 

Foon,  Foos  ;  see  Fo. 

Foot,  as  pi.  feet,  A  4124. 

Foot-brede,  s.  foot-breadth,  HF.  2042. 

Foot-hot,  adv.  instantly,  on  the  spot, 
B438. 

Foot-mantel,  s.  foot-cloth, '  safeguard '  to 
cover  the  skirt,  A  472. 

For,  prep,  for,  A  486,  &c. ;  in  respect  of, 
5.  336;  by  reason  of,  R.  1564;  for  the 
sake  of,  B  4.  p  6.  190 ;  /or  me,  by  my 
means,  T.  ii.  134 ;  for  which,  wherefore, 
F  1525 ;  against,  to  prevent,  in  order 
to  avoid,  L.  231 ;  for  fayling,  to  prevent 
failure,  T.  i.  928  ;  in  spite  of,  C  129;  for 
al,  notwithstanding,  A  2020;  for  my 
dethe,  were  I  to  die  for  it,  4.  186 ;  to 
have  for  excused,  to  excuse,  A.  pr.  31. 

For,  conj.  for,  A  126,  &c. ;  because,  3.  735, 
789 ;  in  order  that,  B  478,  F  102. 

For  to,  with  infin.  in  order  to,  to,  A  13, 
78,  &c. 

Fordge,  s.  provision  of  fodder,  E  1422; 
food,  B  1973;  winter-food,  as  hay,  &c., 
A  3868. 

For-bede,  v.  forbid,  T.  iii.  467;  For- 
bedeth,  pr.  s.  B  2774;  Yovh&\,  for  For- 
bedeth,  pr.  s.  forbids,  T.  ii.  717  ;  in  phr. 
god  f.,  or  Crist  f.  =  God  forbid,  Christ 
forbid,  T.  ii.  113,  716;  Forbad,  //.  s. 
Es7o;  Forbode,  pp.  forbidden,  E  2206. 

Forbere,  v.  forbear  (to  mention),  A  885; 
leave  (him)  alone,  D  665  ;  spare,  A  3168  ; 
little  consider,  T.  ii.  1660;  Forbar,  pt. 
s.  forbare,  T.  i.  437 ;  iynp.  pi.  forgive,  L. 
80. 

For-blak,  adj.  extremely  black,  A  2144. 

Forbode,  s.  prohibition  ;  goddes  forbode, 
it  is  God's  prohibition  (i.  e.  God  forbid), 
L.  10  a. 

Forbrak,  i  pt.  s.  broke  off,  interrupted, 
B  4.  p  I.  7. 

For-brused,  pp.  badly  bruised,  B  3804. 

Forby,  adv.  by,  past,  L.  2539. 

Forbyse.^^r.  to  instruct  by  examples,  T. 
ii.  1390.  (A  false  form;  lox forbisne{n) , 
the  former  ti  licing  dropped  by  confusion 
with  that  in  the  suffix.) 

Force ;  see  Fors. 

Forcracchen,^<f/-.  to  scratch  excessively, 

R-  323- 


Forcutteth, /r.  s.  cuts  to  pieces,  H  340. 

For-do,  V.  destroy,  '  do  for,"  T.  i.  238,  iv. 
1681 ;  For-dide,//.  s.  slew,  L.  2557;  For- 
doon,  pp.  overcome,  vanquished,  T.  i. 
525 ;  ruined,  T.  v.  1687 ;  destroyed,  H 
290 ;  slain,  L.  939. 

Fordriven,  pp.  driven  about,  B  i.  p  3. 71. 

For-dronken,  //.  extremely  drunk,  A 
3120,  4150. 

Fordrye,  adj.  very  dry,  withered  up, 
F  409. 

Fordwyned,  adj.  shrunken,  R.  366. 

Fore,  s.  path,  trace  of  steps,  D  no; 
course,  track,  D  1935.     A.  S.for. 

Foreyne,  adj.  extraneous,  B  3.  p  3.  73. 

Foreyne.  s.  outer  chamber  {or  court- 
yard ?),  L.  1962. 

Forfered.  //.  exceedingly  afraid;  for- 
fered  of=  very  afraid  for,  F  527. 

Forfeted,//.  s.  did  wrong,  I  273. 

Forgaf ,  pt.  s.  of  Foryeve. 

Forgat.  pt.  s.  of  Foryete. 

Forgift.  s.  forgiveness,  L.  1853. 

For-go,  //.  overwalked,  exhausted  with 
walking,  HF.  115. 

Forgon,  ger.  to  give  up,  forego,  (better 
foigo),  T.  iv.  195  ;  lose,  R.  1473  ;  Forgoon, 
//.  lost,  B  2183. 

Forheed,  s.  forehead,  R.  860;  Forheved, 
B  I.  p  4.  139. 

For-hoor,  adj.  very  hoary,  R.  356. 

Forkerveth,  /;-.  s.  hews  in  pieces,  H  340. 

Forlaft,  pp.  abandoned,  C  83. 

Forleseth,  //-.  s.  loses,  I  789.  See  For- 
lorn. 

For-leten,  v.  abandon,  give  up,  C  864 ; 
yield  up,  B  1848;  Forlete,  pr.  pi.  for- 
sake, I  93 ;  Forleten,  //.  abandoned, 
given  up,  HF.  694. 

Forliven,  v.  degenerate,  B  3.  p  6.  56; 
Forlived,  pp.  as  adj.  degenerate,  ignoble, 
B  3.  m  6.  13. 

Forlorn,  pp.  utterly  lost,  L.  2663.  See 
Forlese. 

Forlost,//.  utterly  lost,  T.  iii.  280. 

Forloyn,  s.  note  on  a  horn  for  recall,  3. 
386. 

Forme,  s.  form,  A  305;  form,  lair  (of 
a  hare),  B  1294. 

Forme-fader,  s.  fore-father,  first  father, 
B  2293. 

Formel,   s.   companion   (said   of  birds), 

5-  371.  373- 
Formely,  adv.  formally,  T.  iv.  497. 
Former,  s.  Creator,  C  19. 
Former  age,  the  Golden  Age  of  old,  9.  2. 
Formest,  adj.  sup.  foremost,  3.  890. 
Forn-cast,  pp.  premeditated,  B  4407. 


(©lossaiial  hxOtx. 


45 


Forneys,  s.  furnace,  A  202,  559. 

For-old,  ,idj.  extremely  old,  A  2124. 

Forpampred,//.  exceedingly  pampered, 
spoilt  by  pampering,  9.  5. 

For-pyned,  //>.  wasted  away  (by  torment 
or  pine),  A  205. 

Fors,  s.  force,  A  2723;  nofors,  no  matter, 
no  consequence,  A  2723,  B  285  ;  no  force, 
no  matter,  i8.  53 ;  no  fors  is,  it  is  no 
matter,  T.  iv.  322  ;  no  force  of,  no  matter 
for,  10.  13 ;  no  fors  of  tne,  no  matter 
about  me,  4.  197  ;  thereof  ?to  fors,  never 
mind  that,  3.  1170;  make  tw  fors,  pay 
no  heed,  H  68;  I  do  no  fors,  I  care  not, 
D  1254  ;  /  do  no  fors  thereof,  it  is  nothing 
to  me,  3.  542 ;  doth  no  fors,  takes  no  ac- 
count, I  711;  what  fors,  what  matter, 
T.  ii.  378. 

Forsake,  v.  deny,  B  i.  p  4.  164;  leave, 
B  3431 ;  Forsook,  //.  s.  forsook,  R.  1538  ; 
Forsaken,  //.  R.  1498  ;  imp.  pi.  give  up, 
C  286. 

Forseid,  pp.  as  adj.  aforesaid,  5.  120. 

Forseinge,  s.  prevision,  T.  iv.  989. 

Forshapen,  pp.  metamorphosed,  T.  ii.  66. 

For-shright,  //.  exhausted  with  shriek- 
ing, T.  iv.  1 147. 

For-sig-ht,  s.  foresight,  T.  iv.  961. 

For-sleuthen,  v.  waste  in  sloth,  B  4286. 

Forsleweth, /r.  s.  wastes  idly,  I  685. 

Forslugg-eth,  pr.  s.  spoils,  allows  (goods) 
to  spoil,  I  685. 

Forsongen,  pp.  tired  out  with  singing, 
R.  664. 

Forster,  s.  forester,  A  117. 

Forstraug-ht,  pp.  distracted,  B  1295. 

ForSAVor  him,  pt.  s.  was  forsworn,  HF. 
389 ;  Forswore,  //.  falsely  sworn  by,  L. 
2522;  Forsworn,  forsworn,  L.  927. 

Fortli,  adv.  forth,  on,  further,  onward,  5. 
27 ;  D  1569,  F  604,  605,  964 ;  forward, 
HF.  2061;  out,  5.  352;  continually,  F 
1081 ;  away,  T.  i.  118;  still,  4.  148;  tho 
f.,  thenceforth,  T.  i.  1076;  forth  to  love, 
i.  o.  tliey  proceed  to  love,  T.  ii.  788. 

Forther,  adv.  more  forward,  A  4222 ; 
Further,  (go)  further,  A  41 17. 

Fortheren,^^/-.  to  further,  T.  v.  1707. 

Forthering,  s.  furtherance,  aid,  L.  69  a. 

Forther-moor,  adv.  further  on,  A  2069  ; 
Portherniorf,  moreover,  C  357. 

Forther-over.  adv.  moreover,  C  648. 

Forthest,  adj.  and  adv.  furthest,  B4.  p  6. 
136. 

For-thinke,  v.  seem  amiss,  {or  here)  seem 
serious,  T.  ii.  1414 ;  pr.  s.  impers.  seems 
a  pity  (to  me),  E  1906;  Forthoughte, 
//.  s.  subj.  should  displease,  R.  1671. 


Forthren,  ger.  to  further,  help,   assist, 

L.   71,  472,  1618;  ger.  to  further,  T.  v. 

1707. 
Forth-right,       adv.      straightforwardly, 

straightforward,  R.  295 ;    F  1503. 
Forthward,  adv.  forwards,  B  263,  F  1169. 
For-thy,  adv.  therefore,  on  that  account, 

A  1841,  4031. 
Fortroden,  //.   trodden    under   foot,    I 

190. 
Fortuit,  adj.  fortuitous,  B  5.  p  i.  91. 
Fortuna  jnator,  a  name  for  the  auspicious 

planet  Jupiter,  T.  iii.   1420.      (Or  else, 

a  cluster  of  stars  near  the  beginning  of 

Pisces  ;  cf.  Dante,  Piirg.  xix.  4.) 
Fortunel,  adj.  accidental,  B  5.  m  i.  16. 
Fortunen,   v.   to    give    (good   or   bad) 

fortune  to,  A  417 ;    Fortunest,  2  pr.  s. 

renderest  lucky  or  unlucky,  A  2377 ;  //. 

pi.  happened,  chanced,  3.  288 ;  //.  en- 
dowed by  fortune,  4.  180. 
Fortunous,    adj.   fortuitous,   accidental, 

B  I.  p  6.  9. 
For-waked,  pp.  tired  out  with  watching, 

3.  126;  B596. 
Forward,    adv.  foremost;  first  and  f, 

first  of  all,  B  2431. 
Forward,  s.  agreement,  covenant,  A  33, 

829. 
Forwelked,     adj.     withered,    wrinkled, 

deeply  lined,  R.  361. 
Forweped,  //.  weary,  exhausted  through 

weeping,  3.  126. 
Forwered,  //.  worn  out,  R.  235. 
For-wery,  adj.  very  tired,  5.  93. 
Forwes,  pi.  furrows,  g.  12. 
For-why,   conj.  for  what  reason,  T.  iii. 

1009;  wherefore,  why,  HF.  20;  because, 

3.  461,  793. 
For-'witer,  s.  foreknower,  B  5.  p  6.  329. 
Forwiting,  t.  foreknowledge,  B  4433. 
For-wot,  // .  s.  foreknows,  foresees,  HF. 

45-   ' 

Porwrapped,  //.  wrapped  up,  C  718 ; 
concealed,  I  320. 

For-yede,  pt.  s.  gave  up,  T.  ii.  1330. 

Foryelde,  v.  yield  in  return,  requite,  E 
831. 

Foryetelnesse,  s.  forgetfulness,  I  827. 

Foryeten,  v.  forget,  '1'.  iii.  55 ;  /;-.  s.  for- 
gets, T.  ii.  375;  Forget,  for  Forgcteth, 
pr.  s.  forgets,  R.  61 ;  Forgat,  i  pt.  s. 
forgot,  C  919;  For-yat,  pt.  s.  T.  v.  1535; 
For-yetcn,  pp.  forgotten,  A  2021;  For- 
getcn,  pp.  B  2602. 

Foryetful,  adj.  forgetful,  E  472. 

Foryetinge,  .v.  forgetfulness,  B  2.  p  7.  98. 

Foryeve,  v.  forgive,  B  994;   Foryaf,//.  .r. 


46 


({^lossaiial  Entifi. 


forgave,  T.  iii.  1129,  1577;  Forgaf,  pt.  s. 
L.   162 ;  Foryeve,  ft.  pi.  L.  1848 ;    For- 

yeven,//.  forgiven,  T.  ii.  595. 
Foryifnesse,  s.  forgiveness,  B  2963. 
Fostreth,    pr.    s.    cherishes,     E     1387; 

Fostred,    //.    s.     nourished,    fed,    kept, 

E  222,  H  131 ;  //.  nurtured,  nourished, 

C  219. 
Postring,  s.  nourishment,  D  1845. 
Fote,  s.  foot,  short  distance,  F  1177;  dat. 

L.  2711 ;  hi7n  to  /.,  at  his  foot,  L.  1314; 

on  f.,  on  foot,  F  390. 
Fother,  s.  load,  properly  a  cart-load,  A 

530 ;  great  quantity,  A  1908. 
Pot-hoot,    adv.   hastily,   immediately,  3. 

375- 

Poudre,  s.  thunderbolt,  HF.  535. 

Fougliten,  pp.  fought,  A  62. 

Foul,  f.  bird,  F  149 ;  //.  birds,  L.  37,  130. 

Foule,  adv.  vilely,  D  1069;  foully,  3.  623  ; 
5.  517;  evilly,  A  4220;  shamefully,  L. 
1307;  hideously,  D  1082;  meanly,  R. 
1061. 

Fouler,  adj.  comp.  uglier,  D  999. 

Fouler,  s.  fowler,  L.  132. 

Founde  (i),ger.  to  found,  T.  i.  1065. 

Founde  (2),  v.  seek  after,  7.  241 ;  i  pr.  s, 
try,  endeavour,  7.  47. 

Foundement,  s.  foundation,  HF.  1132. 

Foundred,  //.  s.  foundered,  stumbled, 
A  2687. 

Pounes,  s.  pi.  fawTis,  3.  429;  Fownes 
( metaphorically') ,  young  desires,  T.  i.  465. 

Fourneys,  s.  furnace,  B  3353. 

Pourtenigtit,  fourteen  nights,  a  fort- 
night, T.  iv.  1327. 

Fowel,  s.  bird,  A  190,  2437. 

Foyne,  pr.  s.  imp.  let  him  thrust,  A  2550; 
//•.  J.  A  2615 ;  pr.  pi.  A  1654. 

Foyson,  s.  abundance,  plenty,  A  3165. 

Praknes,  //.  freckles,  A  2169. 

Frame,  ger.  to  put  together,  build,  T.  iii. 
530. 

Franchyse,  i.  liberality,  E  1987;  noble- 
ness, F  1524  ;  privilege.  I  452. 

Frankeleyn,   s.   franklin,  freeholder,  A 

331- 

Frankes,//.  franks,  B  1371,  1377. 

Frape,  s.  company,  pack,  T.  iii.  410. 
O.  F.  prafe,  troop. 

Fraught,  pp.  freighted,  B  171 ;  han  doon 
fr.,  have  caused  to  be  freighted. 

Prayneth,  pr.  s.  prays,  beseeches,  B  1790. 

Free,  adj.  liberal,  generous,  B  1366,  1854; 
bounteous,  liberal,  3.  484;  noble,  beau- 
tiful, C  35 ;  profuse,  lavish,  A  4387 ;  as 
s.  noble  one,  6.  104. 

Freedom,  s.  liberality,  L.  1127. 


Freele,  adj.  frail,  fragile,  I  1078. 

Freend.  ,f.  friend,  A  670. 

Freendlich,  adj.  friendly,  A  2680. 

Freletee,  s.  frailty,  C  78,  D  92. 

Premede,  adj.  foreign  ;  Fremed  (before  a 
vo-vel),  strange,  wild;  /rented  and  tame, 
wild  and  tame,  every  one,  T.  iii.  529; 
Fremde,  foreign,  F  429.    A.  S. /remede. 

Frenesye,  s.  madness,  D  2209. 

Frenetyk,  adj.  frantic,  T.  v.  206. 

Frenges,  pi.  fringes,  D  1383 ;  borderings, 
HF.  1318. 

Prere,  s.  friar,  A  208,  D  829. 

Presshe,  adv.  newly,  L.  204. 

Presshe,  v.  refresh,'  R.  1513. 

Fret,  s.  ornament,  L.  215,  225,  228. 

Freten,  v.  eat  (governed  by  saugh),  A 
2019 ;  pr.  s.  devours,  R.  387  ;  //.  pi.  con- 
sumed, D  561 ;  Freten,  pp.  eaten,  de- 
voured, A  2068 ;  Frete,  pp.  B  475. 

Fretted,//,  adorned,  set,  L.  1117. 

Freyne,  v.  ask,  question,  T.  v.  1227 ;  //.  j'. 
B  3022 ;  //.  G  433. 

Fro.  prep,  from,  A  44;  out  of,  4.  254;  to 
and  fro,  L.  2358,  2471. 

Progges,  //.  frogs,  R.  1410. 

From.  prep,  from,  A  128  ;  apart  from,  T. 
iv.  766 ;  from  the  time  that,  R.  850. 

Frosty,  adj.  frosty,  cold,  A  268;  which 
comes  in  the  winter,  5.  364. 

Prote,  ger.  to  rub,  T.  iii.  1115;  pr.  s.  A 

3747- 
Prothen,  pr.  pi.  become  covered  with 

foam,  A  1659. 
Pro-this-forth,  hencefor^vard,  T.  iv.  314. 
Frounced,  adj.  wrinkled,  R.  365. 
Frounceles,  adj.  unwrinkled,  R.  860. 
Prount,  s.  true  countenance,  B  2.  p  8.  7. 
Pructuous,  adj.  fruitful,  I  73. 
Fruit,  -f.  fruit,  I.  38 ;  result,  F  74. 
Fruytesteres,  s.  pi.  fem.  fruit-sellers,  C 

478. 
Prye,  v.  fry,  A  383,  D  487. 
Pugitif,  adj.  fleeing  from  {^jiX..  profugtis) , 

HF.  146. 
Ful,  adj.  satiated,  T.  iii.  1661 ;    atte  fulle, 

at  the  full,  completely,  A  651. 
Pill,  adv.  fully,   F   1230;    very,   quite,   B 

3506,  F  52 ;  /!  many,  very  many,  F  128. 
PuiflUe,  v.  fulfil,  6.  17;  Fulfelle  (Kentish 

{oxvc\),ger.  T.  iii.  510;  Fulfuldest,  2//.  s. 

didst  satisfy,  B  2.  p  3.  66;   Fulfilled,//. 

qiiiie  full,  L.  54. 
Pulsomnesse,  s.  copiousness,  excess,  F 

405- 
Fume,  s.  vapour,  B  4114. 
Fumetere,  s.   fumitory,  Fumaria  offici 

Jialis,  B  4153. 


(3lo&&mal  Unliei. 


47 


Fumositee,  s.  fumes  arising  from  drunk- 
enness, C  567,  F  358. 

Fundement  (i),  f'  foundation,  D  2103; 
(2)  fundament,  C  950. 

Funeral,  atff.  T.  v.  302;  funereal,  A  2864, 
2912. 

Furial,  ad/,  tormenting,  furious,  F  448. 

Furie,  s.  monster,  A  2684;  rage,  T.  v.  212. 

Furlongs,  ;>/.  furlongs,  A  4166 ;  Furlong- 
wey,  a  short  distance,  B  557 ;  Forlong- 
vvey,  a  brief  time  (lit.  time  of  walking 
a  furlong,  21  minutes),  T.  iv.  1237. 

Furre.  r.  fur,  R.  228. 

Furred,  pp.  furred,  trimmed  with  fur, 
R.  227,  408. 

Furriuge.  s.  fur-trimming,  I  418. 

Further-over,  moreover,  2.  85. 

Furthre,  ^er.  to  help,  HF.  2023  ;  pp.  ad- 
vanced, 7.  273. 

Fusible,  adj.  capable  of  being  fused, 
G  856. 

Fustian,  s.  fustian,  A  75. 

Futur,  adj.  future,  T.  v.  748. 

Fyle,  V.  file,  smoothe  by  filing,  5.  212; 
Vyled,  pp.  A  2152. 

Fyn,  s.  end,  R.  1558;  death,  T.  ii.  527; 
result,  B  3348,  3884;  aim,  E  2106;  object, 
T.  ii.  425,  iii.  553 ;  for  fyn,  finally,  T.  iv. 

477- 
Fyn,    adj.  fine,   strong,   A   1472 ;    of  fyne 

force,  of  very  need,  T.  v.  421. 
Fyne,  v.  finish,  T.  iv.  26 ;  cease,  end,  T.  ii. 

1460. 
Fynt,  pr.  s.  finds,  A  4071 ;  Fint,  G  218. 
Fyr,  s.  fire,  B  3734 ;  Fyr  of  Seint  Antony, 

erysipelas,  I  427. 
Fyr-makinge,  s.  making  of  the  fire,  A 

2914. 
Fysicien,  s.  physician,  B  i.  p  3.  4. 


G. 


Gabbe,  ^^r.  to  boast,  prate,  A  3510 ;  ipr.  s. 

lie,  speak  idly,  3.  1075;  Gabbestow,  liest 

thou,  T.  iv.  481. 
Gabber,  s.  liar,  idle  talker,  I  89. 
Gable,  s.  gable-end,  A  3571. 
Gadeling,  s.  idle  vagabond,  gad-about,  R. 

938- 
Gadereth,  pr.  s.  gathers,  A  1053. 
Gaderinge,  s.  gathering,  B  2765. 
Gaillard,   adj.  joyous,    merry,    lively,   A 

4367- 
\       Galantyne,  s.  a  kind  of  sauce,  galantine, 
9.  16;  12.  17. 
Galaxye,  s.  the  Galaxy,  Milky  Wav,  5. 
56;  HF.936. 


Gale,  V.  sing,  cry  out,  D  852;  pr.  s.  stibj. 
exclaim,  D  1336. 

Galianes,  s.  pi.  medicines,  C  306.  So 
named  after  Galen. 

Galingale,  s.  sweet  cyperus,  A  381.  (A 
spice  was  prepared  from  the  root  of  the 
plant.) 

Galle,  s.  sore  place,  D  940. 

Galles,  pi.  feelings  of  envy,  9.  47. 

Galoche,  s.  a  shoe,  F  555. 

Galoun,  s.  gallon,  H  24. 

Galping,/;-fj.  //.  gaping,  F  350. 

Galwes,  s.pl.  gallows,  B  3924. 

Gamed,  pt.  s.  impers.  it  pleased,  A  534. 

Gamen,  s.  game,  sport,  T.  ii.  38,  iii.  250 ; 
joke,  jest,  E  733  ;  amusement,  fun,  merri- 
ment, A  2286,  4354. 

Gan,  pt.  s.  of  Ginne. 

Ganeth,/r.  s.  yawneth,  H  35. 

Gape,  V.  gape,  gasp,  B  3924;  Gapeth,/r. 
s.  opens  his  mouth,  L.  2004;  Gape  (also 
d^'pe) ,  pr.  pi.  gape,  stare,  A  3841. 

Gapinges,  s.  pi.  greedy  wishes,  B  2.  m  2. 
17  ( Lat.  kuitiis). 

Gappe,  s.  gap,  A  1639,  1645. 

Gardin-'wal,  s.  garden-wall,  A  1060. 

Gardinward,  adv.  gardenward ;  to  the  g., 
towards  the  garden,  F  1505. 

Gargat,  s.  throat,  B  4524. 

Garleek,  s.  garlick,  A  634. 

Garnement,  s.  garment,  R.  896. 

Garnere,  s.  garner,  granary,  R.  1148. 

Garnisoun,  s.  garrison,  B  2217. 

Gas,  //-.  s.  goes  (Northern),  A  4037. 

Gastly,  adv.  terrible,  A  1984. 

Gastnesse,  s.  terror,  B  3.  p  5.  29. 

Gat,//.  ,f.  p/Ceten. 

Gat-tothe'd,  adj.  having  the  teeth  far 
apart,  A  468,  D  603. 

Gaude,  s.  gaud,  toy,  pretence,  T.  ii.  351 ; 
trick,  C  389;  pi.  pranks,  I  651. 

Gaud6,  adj.  dyed  with  weld,  A  2079.  Fr. 
gander,  to  dye  with  weld. 

Gauded,//.  furnished  with  beads  called 
gauds,  A  159.  (The  bead  or  gaud  was 
formerly  called  gaudee,  from  Lat.  imp. 
^A.  gaudete.) 

Gaure,  v.  stare,  T.  ii.  1157;  ger.  to  stare, 
gaze,  A  3827. 

Gay,  adj.  finely  dressed,  A  74,  iii ;  joyous, 
R.  435  ;  wanton,  A  3769. 

Gaylard,  adj.  lively,  A  3336. 

Gayler,  s.  gaoler,  A  1064. 

Gayneth./r.  s.  avails,  A  1176;  //.  s.  pro- 
fited, T.  i.  352. 

Gaytres  beryies,  berries  of  the  gay-tree 
or  gait-tree  (goat-tree),  berries  of  the 
Rhamnus  catharticus,   or  buckthorn,  B 


48 


(glogsarial  UnDei. 


4155.  Called getbars  tra,  goat-berry-tree, 
in  Swedish  dialects  (Rietz). 

Geaunt,  s.  giant,  B  1997, 3298. 

Gebet,  s.  gibbet,  gallows,  HF.  106. 

Geen,  pp.  gone  (Northern),  A  4078. 

Geeth,/r.  s.  goes,  L.  2145. 

Generally,  adv.  everj^vhere,  T.  i.  86. 

Gent,  adj.  refined,  exquisite,  noble,  B 
1905;  slim,  A  3254;  fem.  graceful,  R. 
1032. 

Genterye,  s.  nobility,  magnanimity,  L. 
394;  gentility,  D  1146;  gentle  birth,  I 
452 ;  rank,  I  461 ;  sign  of  good  birth, 
I  601. 

Gentil,  adj.  gentle,  refined,  A  72;  gentle, 
worthy,  B  1627;  excellent,  A  718;  mild 
in  manner,  compassionate,  A  647  ;  well- 
bred,  D  III;  beautiful,  R.  108 1 ;  charm- 
ing, R.  1016. 

Gentiillesse,  s.  gentleness,  noble  kindness, 
courtesy,  good  breeding,  L.  610,  loio, 
1080;  A  920;  nobility,  B  3854 ;  gentility, 
D  1109;  worth,  E  96;  kindness,  G  1054; 
condescension,  B  853  ;  high  birth,  I  585  ; 
slenderness,  symmetry,  F  426;  delicate 
nurture.  E  593. 

Gentilleste,  adj.  sup.  noblest,  E  72,  131. 

Gentilly,  adv.  gently,  honourably,  A 
3104;  courteously,  B  1093;  frankly,  F 
674. 

Gentils,  s.  pi.  gentlefolk,  A  3113. 

Geomancie,  s.  divination  by  figures  made 
on  the  earth,  I  605. 

Geometriena,  s.pl.  geometricians,  B  3. 
P  10.  143. 

Gere,  s.  gear,  armour,  A  2180;  equip- 
ment, A  4016;  property,  B  800;  utensils, 
A  352;  apparel,  A  365;  //.  contrivances, 
F  1276. 

Gere,  s.  changeful  manner,  A  1372;  //. 
changeful  ways,  A  1531. 

Gerfu'l,  adj.  changeable,  T.  iv.  286;  A 
1538.    Cf.  Gary. 

Gerland,  s.  garland,  R.  566. 

Garner,  s.  garner,  A  593. 

Gary,  adj.  changeable,  A  1536. 

Gesse,  v.  suppose,  imagine,  R.  1115;  ipr, 
s.  suppose,  A  82, 117 ;  B  3435,  3960. 

Gessinge,  s.  opinion,  B  i.  p  4.  315. 

Gest.  .f.  guest,  HV.  288. 

Gesta,  s.  romance,  tale,  story,  T.  ii.  83, 
iii.  450;  in  gesie,  in  romance-form,  like 
the  common  stock-stories,  B  2123;  //. 
stories,  D  642;  occurrences,  T.  i.  145; 
exploits,  affairs,  T.  ii.  1349;  histories, 
historv,  B  1126;  deeds,  HF.  1434. 

>Gestours,    s.  pi.    story-tellers,  B  2036; 

\  Gestiours,  HF.  1198. 


Get  (jet),  s.  contrivance,  G  1277. 

Geten,  v.  obtain,  get,  L.  2370;  beget,  E 
1437 ;  Get,  pr.  s.  procures,  I  828 ;  Gete, 
2pr.pl.  as  fut.  (ye)  will  get,  5.  651;  Gat, 
pt.  s.  begat,  B  715  ;  got,  7.  206;  procured 
for,  A  703;  Geten, /I/,  gotten,  obtained, 
A  291 ;  won,  L.  1753;  begotten,  L.  1402; 
han  geten  hem,  to  have  acquired  for 
themselves,  F  56. 

Gif,  conj.  if  (Northern),  A  4181,  4190. 

Gigges,//.  rapid  movements,  HF.  1942. 

Gigginge,  pres.  pt.  pi.  fitting  with  straps, 
A  2504.  From  O.  F.  guigue,  a  handle  of 
a  shield. 

Gildan,  adj.  golden,  3.  338. 

Gilt,  .f.  guilt,  offence,  F  757,  1039 ;  //.  sins, 
B  3015. 

Giltelees,  adj.  guiltless,  innocent,  A  1312. 

Giltif,  adj.  guilty,  T.  iii.  1019. 

Gin,  s.  contrivance,  snare,  G  1165;  //. 
traps,  snares,  R.  1620. 

Gingebraed,  s.  gingerbread,  B  2044. 

Gingare,  s.  ginger,  R.  1369. 

Ginglen,  v.  jingle,  A  170. 

Ginna,  z'.  begin,  attempt,  HF.  2004;  Can, 

1  //.  s.  began,  T.  i.  266;  {as  auxiliary 
verb),  did,  R.  734,  1129;  Gonne,//.  did, 
E  1 103;  HF.  944,  1002;  began,  C  323; 
Gonnen , />/. //.  began,  5.  531;  Gunne, 
pt.pl.  began,  HF.  1658;  did,  HF.  1384: 
Gunnen,//.  //.  did,  T.  ii.  150. 

Ginninge,  s.  beginning,  T.  i.  377. 
Gipoun,  .(.  a   short  cassock   or   doublet, 

A  75,  2120. 
Gipsar,  s.  pouch,  purse,  A  357. 
Girdal,  j.  girdle,  A  358,3250;  central  line, 

or  great  circle,  A.  i.  17.  49. 
Givden.  ger.  to  strike,  B  3736.     Properly 

to  switch. 
Girdilstede,  s.  waist,  R.  826. 
Girlas,  pi.  young  people,  whether   male 

or  female,  A  664. 
Girt,//-,  s.  girds,  L.  1775  ;  //.  girded,  A  329. 
Gisar.  s.  gizzard,  liver,  B  3.  m  12.  47. 
Giterne,  s.  kind  of  guitar,  cittern,  A  3333. 
Giterninge,  s.  playing  on  the  gittern,  or 

cittern,  .A  3363. 
Glade,  ger.   to   gladden,  cheer,  E  1174; 

ger.  to  console,  A  2837  ;  to  rejoice,  5.  687  ; 

Gladed,  //.  s.  cheered,  T.  i.  116;   imp.  s. 

2  p.  may  he  comfort,  E  822;  Gladeth, 
imp.  pi.  rejoice.  4.  i. 

Glader,  s.  one  that  cheers,  A  2223. 

Gl&dly.  adv.  fitly,  887;  willingly,  F  224; 
by  preference,  L,  770;  that  been  gl.  wyse.       f 
tliat  would  be  thought  wise,  F  372. 

Gladsom,  adj.  pleasant,  B  3968. 

Glareth,  pr.  s.  glistens,  shines,  HF.  272. 


(©lossarial  lEntJei. 


49 


Glase,  ger.  to  glaze,  furnish  with  glass,  T. 
V.  469.  To  glaze  one's  hood  =  to  provide 
with  a  useless  defence. 

Glasing",  s.  glass-work,  3.  327. 

Glede,  s.  burning  coal,  glowing  coal  or 
ashes,  B  in;  coloured  iis  the  glede,  of 
a  bright  red,  gules,  B  3574 ;  pi.  glowing 
coals,  L.  235.     See  Gleed. 

Gledy,  adj.  glowing  (as  a  coal),  burning, 
L.  105. 

Glee, -f.  music,  T.  ii.  1036;  entertainment, 
B  2030;  //.  musical  instruments,  HF. 
1209. 

Gleed,  r.  glowing  coal,  L.  735. 

Glente, //.//.  glanced,  T.  iv.  1223. 

Glewe,  V.  fasten,  glue,  HF.  1761. 

Gleyre,  .f.  white  (of  an  egg),  G  806. 

Gliden,  pp.  <j/'Glyde. 

Glimsing,  j.' imperfect  sight,  E  2383. 

Gliteren, //-.//.  glitter,  A  977. 

Glood,  //.  s.  o/Glyde. 

Glose,  s.  glosing,  comment,  L.  328;  F 
166;  explanation,  D  1792;  commentary, 
hence  margin,  3.  333. 

Glose,  ger.  to  interpret,  explain,  T.  iv. 
1410 ;  to  flatter,  B  3330 ;  speak  with 
circumlocution,  E  2351 ;  persuade  cun- 
ningly, T.  i  v.  147 1 ;  cajole,  D  509;  com- 
ment on,  B  1180. 

Glosing-e,  s.  explaining,  D  1793. 

Glyde,  f.  glide,  A  1575;  ascend,  G  402; 
slip,  T.  iv.  1215  ;  up  gl.,  rise  up  gradually, 
F  373 ;  Glood,  pt.  s.  went  quickly,  B 
2094;  Gliden,//.  glided,  passed,  E  1887. 

Gniden,  pt.  pi.  rubbed,  9. 1 1.  From  A.  S. 
gnldan. 

Gnof,  .r.  churl  (lit.  thief),  A  3188.  Mod. 
E.  gonoph. 

Gnow.  pt.  s.  gnawed,  B  3638. 

Gobet;,  s.  piece,  morsel,  fragment,  A  696. 

God,  5.  A  769;  God  be  with  yon,  farewell, 
C  748;  Goddes,  God's,  Christ's,  B  1166; 
{^pronounced  god's),  D  1096;  Goddes, 
//.  gods,  false  gods,  3.  1328. 

Godhede,  s.  divinity,  A  2381. 

Godlihede,  s.  beauty,  T.  iii.  1730. 

Godsib,  s.  sponsor,  I  909. 

Gold.  ,f.  made  of  gold,  R.  1193. 

Gold-bete,  adorned  with  beaten  gold, 
gilt,  7.  24.    Cf.  Y-bete. 

Goldes,  //.  marigolds,  A  1929. 

Gold-he-wen,  //.  hewn  of  gold,  cut  out 
of  <n'  made  of  gold,  A  2500. 

Goldlees,  adj.  moneyless,  B  1480. 

Goldsmithrle,  s.  goldsmiths'  work,  A 
2498. 

Golee,  s.  gabble  (lit.  mouthful),  5.  566. 
O.  F.  golee. 


Golet,  J.  throat,  gullet,  C  543. 

Goliardeys,  s.  buffoon,  scurrilous  talker, 
A  560. 

Gomme,  s.  gum,  L.  121. 

Gon,  V.  go,  proceed,  F  200 ;  walk,  L.  1399 ; 
move,  A  2510;  lete  it  goon,  let  it  go,  G 
1475  ;  to  walk,  1  105  ;  move,  F  921 ;  roam, 
L.  2066;  Goost,  2  //•.  s.  goest,  G  56; 
Goth,  pr.  s.  goes,  i.  68 ;  Gooth  about, 
seeks  for,  T.  i.  1091 ;  Gooth,  goes,  B  385  ; 
Geeth,  L.  2145;  Gas  (Northern),  A 
4037  ;  Goow, pr.pl.  proceed,  go  along,  E 
898;  Goon,//,  gone,  L.  792;  B.  17;  Go, 
//.  gone,  G  907;  Geen  (Northern),  A 
4078  ;  Go,  pr.  s.  subj.  may  walk,  L.  2069; 
Go  we,  let  us  go,  T.  ii.  615;  Goth,  imp. 
pl-  go,  B  3384. 

Gonfanoun,  s.  gonfanon,  gonfalon,  a 
sacred  banner,  R.  1201. 

Gonge,  s.  privy,  I  885. 

Gonne,  s.  missile,  L.  637;  gun,  cannon, 
HF.  1643. 

Gonne,  -n;  see  Ginne,  v. 

Good,  s.  property,  goods,  5.  462;  Gode, 
dat.  benefit,  HF.  i,  58  ;  property,  wealth, 
L.  2638  ;   Godes,//.  goods,  B  2605. 

Goodlich,  adj.  kind,  bountiful,  G  1053. 

Goodliheed,  s.  seemliness,  T.  ii.  842; 
goodly  seeming,  HF.  330;  a  goodly  out- 
side, HF.  274. 

Goodly,  adj.  kindly,  B  2921;  excellent, 
L.  T];  pleasing,  right,  B  3969;  portly, 
B  4010. 

Goodly,  adv.  patiently,  T.  iii.  1035 ;  well, 
B2420;  kindly,  HF.  565;  reasonably,  T. 
iii.  990;  favoiirably,  T.  iii.  654;  rightly, 
B  2860. 

Good-man,  s.  master  of  the  house,  C  361 ; 
householder,  L.  1391. 

Goos,  i.  goose,  5.  358 ;  Gees,//.  E  2275. 

Goosish,  adj.  goose-like,  foolish,  T.  iii. 

584- 
Goost,  2/r.  s.  goest,  B.  2501. 
Goot,  s.  goat,  A  688,  G  886. 
Gore,  s.  'gore'  or  gusset  of  a  garment,  B 

1979 ;  a  triangulf.r  piece  cut  out,  A  3237. 
Goshauk,  s.  goshawk,  B  1928. 
Gossib.   s.   female    companion,    D    529; 

male  (spiritual)  relation,  D  243 ;  Godsib, 

sponsor,  I  909. 
Gossomer,  s.  gossamer,  F  259. 
Gost,  s.  spirit,  ghost,  HF.  185  ;  soul,  i.  56 ; 

mind,  L.  103;  ghost  (ironically),  H  55; 

the    Holy  Spirit,  i.  93;   G  328;  yeldeth 

up  the  gost,  gives  up  the  ghost,  L.  886. 
Gostly,'  Goostly,  adj.  spiritual,  I  392. 
Gostly,    adv.    spiritually,    mystically,    G 

109 ;  devoutly,  truly,  T.  v.  1030. 


^■3 


5° 


©loggarial  Intjcx. 


Goter,   s.  gutter,   channel  for  water,  L. 

2705. 

Goune-clootn,  s.  cloth  to  make  a  gown, 
D  2247,  2252. 

Governaille,  s.  mastery,  E 1192 ;  //.  rules, 
B  I.  p  6.  32. 

■Governaunce,  s.  management,  control, 
rule,  HF.  945,  958;  providence,  T.  ii. 
467 ;  dominion,  B  3541 ;  manner  of 
action,  F  311;  self-control,  T.  ii.  1020; 
charge,  care,  C  73 ;  demeanour,  T.  ii. 
219. 

<Gov6rne,  v.  control,  T.  iii.  475;  imp.pl. 
arrange,  regulate,  B  1451,  E  322. 

•Gov6meresse,  s.  /em.  governor,  ruler, 
mistress,  i.  141 ;  2.  80. 

Governour,  s.  ruler,  umpire,  A  813 ; 
leader,  L.  1060. 

Grace,  s.  favour,  i.  46;  mercy,  F  999; 
pardon,  B  647;  good  opinion,  R.  1169; 
virtue,  R.  1099 ;  hir  j^race,  her  favour 
(i.e.  that  of  the  Virgin),  B  980;  of  grace, 
out  of  favour,  in  kindness,  F  161 ; 
sory  grace,  an  ill  favour,  HF.  1790;  dis- 
favour, D  746 ;  harde  grace,  displeasure, 
5.  65;  displeasure,  disgust,  D  2228; 
severity,  HF.  1586;  disfavour,  misfor- 
tune, T.  i.  713  ;  ill  luck  (i.  e.  a  curse  upon 
him),  G  665  ;  Graces,//,  thanks,  B  2994. 

Gracelees,  adj.  unfavoured  by  God,  G 
1078  :  out  of  favour,  T.  i.  781. 

Grarae,  s.  anger,  grief,  harm,  7.  276. 

Grange,  s.  barn,  granary,  A  3668. 

Grant  mercy,  best  thanks,  G  1380. 

Grapenel,  s.  grapnel,  L.  640. 

Gras  (\),s.  grass,  R.  1419. 

Gras  (2),  s.  grace,  B  2021. 

Graspe,  v.  grope,  T.  v.  223. 

Gras-tyme,  s.  time  of  eating  grass,  time 
of  youth,  A  3868. 

Graiinges,  pi.  granges,  barns,  granaries, 
HF.  698. 

Graunt,  s.  grant,  R.  851. 

Graunt  mercy,  best  thanks,  G  1 156. 

Graunten,  v.  grant,  R.  1483;  fix,  name, 
E  179  ;  pt.  s.  assented  to,  L.  2665 ;  pt.  pi. 
consented  to,  A  786. 

Grave,  s.  A  2778 ;  pit,  L.  680. 

Graven,  v.  engrave,  F  830 ;  Grave,  v.  dig ; 
doth  she  gr.,  she  causes  to  be  dug,  L.  678  ; 
bury,  E  681;  to  engrave,  C  17;  Graven, 
//.  engraved,  graven,  HF.  193;  buried, 
1-.  785;  Grave,//,  graven,  HF.  157. 

<3-rayn,  s.  dye ;  in  grayn,  in  dye,  i.  e. 
dyed  of  a  fast  colour,  B  1917. 

Graythe,  ger.  to  clothe,  dress,  R.  584. 

Grece,  s.  grease,  A  135. 

Gredy,  adj.  greedy,  ready,  T.  iii.  1758. 


Gree  (i),  j.  favour,  good  part,  R.42 ;  good 
will,  18.  73  ;  in  gree,  favourably,  T.  ii.529. 
Gree  (2),  s.  degree,  rank,  L.  1313;  supe- 
riority, A  2733. 

Greef,  s.  grievance,  D  2174. 

Gv&Qt.adj.  great,  3. 954;  principal,  B  1181 ; 
vac.  B  1797;  //.  L.  929;  luxuriant,  C  37; 
a  greet,  a  great  one,  .A  339 ;  Grete,  def. 
adj.  as  s.,  the  chief  part,  L.  574. 

Grehoundes,  s.pl.  greyhounds,  A  190. 

Greithe,  v.  prepare,  B  3784. 

Gr6ne,  adj.  as  s.,  green  colour,  R.  573 ;  A 
103;  green  clothing  (the  colour  of  in- 
constancy), 21.  7;  green  place,  green 
space,  F  862. 

Grenehede,  v.  greenness,  wantonness,  B 
163. 

Grenamg ,  pres.  part,  grinning,  R.  156. 

Gres,  s.  grass,  1".  ii.  515 ;  //.  grasses,  HF. 

1353- 
Grete,  v.  greet;  imp.  s.  L.  2299;   Grette, 

I  pt.  s.  L.  116. 
Gretter,  adj.  comp.  greater,  A  197. 
Grevaunce,   s.  grievance,  trouble,  hard- 
ship, B   2676;    complaint   (against   us), 

I.  63;  discomfort,  5.  205;  affliction,  10. 

47 ;  //.  distresses,  T.  i.  647. 
Greve,  s.  grove,  T.  v.  1144;  //.  A  1495; 

boughs,  sprays,  L.  227. 
Greve,  ^^r.  to  harm,  R.  1042;  feel  vexed, 

grumble,  T.  i.  343  ;  pr.  s.  grieves,  harms, 

A  917  ;  impers.  it  vexes,  E  647. 
Grevous,    adj.   grievous,   painful,    T.   v. 

1604. 
Greyn,  s.  grain,  corn,  A  596;  grain  (dye), 

B  4649  ;  in  greyn,  of  a  fast  colour,  F  511 ; 

Greyn    de    Paradys,  grains  of  paradise, 

R.    1369;    Greyn,   grain    (of  paradise), 

caiclamom,  A  3690. 
Grey  then,  pr.  pi.  prepare  (themselves), 

get  ready,  A  4309;  ger.  to  adorn,  clothe, 

dress,  R.  584.     \z&\.grei5a. 
Griffon,  s.  griffin,  A  2133. 
Grille,  adj.  pi.  horrible,  R.  73. 
Grim,  adj.  angry,  A  2042;  fierce,  A  2519. 
Grimnesse,  s.  horror,  I  864. 
Grinte,  pt.  s.  grinned,  D  2161. 
Grintinge,  s.  gnashing  (of  teeth),  I  208. 
Grisel,   s.  name   given   to   an   old   man, 

whose  hair  is  gray  (lit.  old  horse),  16.  35. 
Grisly,    adj.   horrible,   terrible,   awful,   A 

1363.  1971 ;  very  serious,  T.  ii.  1700. 
Grobbe,  v.  dig,  grub  (up),  9.  29. 
Grome,  s.   man ;   gr.   and  wenche,    man 

and  woman,  HF.  206;  //.  men,  R.  200. 
Gronte,  pt.  s.  groaned,  B  3899. 
Grope,  V.  try,  test,  examine,  A  644;  ger. 

to  search  out,  D  1817. 


(3lo&&axml  ILxxQtx. 


51 


Grot,  s.  particle,  atom,  D  1292. 
Grote,  s.  groat,  (Dutch)  coin,  C  945. 
Grounded,  //.   well   instructed,  A  414; 

founded,  T.  iv.  1672. 
Groyn  (i),s.  (a  swine's)  snout,  I  156. 
Groyn  (2),  s.  murmur,  T.  i.  349. 
Groyning',  s.  murmuring,  A  2460. 
Grucche,  v.  murmur,  T.  iii.  643;   o-f/-_  to 

grumble,  D  443. 
Grucching,   s.  grumbling,   complaining, 

murmuring,  D  406,  I  499. 
Gruf,    adv.   on    their  faces,   grovellingly, 

in  a  grovelling   posture,  A  949,  B  1865.   { 

Cf.  I  eel.  a  gruf u,  face  downwards.  I 

Grypen,^^^r.  to  grasp,  R.  204.  j 

Grys,  adj.  gray,  G  559;  pomely  grys,  i.  e.   1 

dapple-gray.  I 

Grys,  s.  a  gray  fur,  A   194.     The  fur  of  : 

the  gray  squirrel. 
Guerdon,  s.  recompense,  meed,  reward, 

R.  1526 ;  him  to  g.,  as  a  reward  for  him, 

L.  2052. 
Guerdons,  v.  reward,  I  283 ;  pp.  B  2462.   ! 
Guerdoningr,  s.  reward,  5.  455. 
Gyde,   s.  guide,    A    804;    ruler,    G  45; 

guide,  wielder,  5.  136.  j 

G-yde,  ger.  to  direct,  lead,  T.  i.  183 ;   to    j 

guide,  T.  iii.  1811 ;  pr.  pi.  conduct,  T. 

ii.  1104. 
Gyderesse,  s.  conductress,  B  4.  p  i.  9. 
Gydingr,  s.  guidance,  T.  v.  643. 
Gye,  V.  guide,  A  1950,  E  1429;  conduct 

(myself),  L.  2045;  govern,  A  3046;  rule, 

B  3587;  instruct,  control,    B  1286;  ger. 

to  guide,  T.  v.  546;  to  regulate,  I    13; 

as  wisly  he  gye,  so  verily  may  he  guide, 

25.  8. 
Gyle,  s.  deceit,  A  2596;  trick,  T.  iii.  777. 
Gylour,  s.  beguiler,  trickster,  A  4321. 
Gyse,    s    guise,   way,    A    663;    manner, 

R.  789,  A  1208,  1789 ;   custom,  A  993 ; 

way,  plan,  T.  iv.  1370. 
Gyte,    s.   dress,  perhaps  skirt  or   mantle, 

A  3954 ;  pi.  D  559.    QA.gyde  in  Jamieson's 

Diet.,   where   the   sense   is   dress,   skirt, 

or  mantle.    Gascoigne   uses  gite  in  the 

sense  of  dress  in  his  Philomena,  1.  117: 

'A  stately  Nimph,  a  dame  of  heauenly 

kinde.  Whose  glittering  gite  so  glimsed 

in  mine  eyes.' 

H. 

Ha !  ha  I   interj.  B  4571. 
Haberdassher,  j-.  seller  of  hats,  A  361. 
Habergeoun,  s.  a  hauberk  or  coat  of 

mail,  A  76,  21 19. 
Habitacle,  s.  habitable  space,  B  2.  p  7. 

59;  Habitacles,//.  niches,  HF.  1194. 


Haboiiudaunt,  pres.  pt.  abounding,  B 

3-  P  2.  32. 
Habounde,  v.  abound,  B  3938,  E  1286. 
Habundant,  adj.  abundant,  E  59. 
Habundaunce,  j-.  plenty,  B  2322. 
Habyten,/;-.  pi.  inhabit,  R.  660. 
Hacches,  //.  hatches,  L.  648. 
Hailes,  pi.  hail-storms,  HF.  967. 
Hainselins,  s.  pi.  short  jackets,  I   422. 

O.  F.  hainselhi,  hamcellin,  a  sort  of  robe  ; 

cf.  G.  Heind,  shirt. 
Haire,  s.  hair-shirt,  R.  438. 
Hakeney,  s.  old  horse,  R.  1137;  G  559. 
Halde, //.  held,  esteemed  (Northern),  A 

4208. 
Hale,    V.    draw,    attract,    5.    151;  pr.    s. 

draws  back,  i.  68. 
Half,   .r.   side,   HF.    1136;    behalf,    T.    ii. 

1734;  Halfe,  dat.  5.   125;    on   my  halfe, 

from    me,    3.    139 ;    a  goddes    halfe,   on 

God's  side,  in  God's  name,  D  50;  Halve, 

dat.    side,   part,   T.     iv.   945 ;   //.    sides, 

A  3481. 
Half-goddes,  pi.  demi-gods,  L.  387. 
Half-yeer  age,  of  the  age  of  half  a  year, 

A  3971. 
Haliday,  s.  holiday,  A  3309,  3340. 
Halke,  s.  corner,   R.   464 ;    hiding-place, 

L.  1780 ;  nook,  F  1121 ;  //.  G  311. 
Halle,  s.  hall,  A  353 ;  dining-room,  T.  ii. 

1 170  ;  parlour,  B  4022. 
Halp,  pt.  s.  of  Helpe. 
Hals,  J.  neck,  HF.  394;  B73;  cut  the  hals, 

cut  in  the  throat,  ll.  292  a. 
Halse,   I  pr.  s.  I  conjure,  B  1835.    The 

proper  meaning  of  A.  S.  healsian   is  to 

clasp  round  the  neck  (A.  S.  heals),  and 

thence  to  beseech,  supplicate. 
Halt,  pr.  s.  of  Holde  and  Halten. 
Halten,  ger.  to  limp,  T.  iv.  1457 ;  Halt, 

pr.  s.  goes  lame,  3.  622. 
Halve    goddes,   //.   demigods,    T.    iv. 

IS45- 

Halvendel,  s.  the  half  part  (of),  T.  v. 
335. 

Halwen,  ger.  to  hallow,  I  919. 

Halwes,  pi.  saints,  B  1060;  apostles,  3. 
831 ;  shrines  of  saints,  A  14. 

Haly-dayes,  //.  holy-days,  festivals,  A 
39S2,  I  667. 

Ham,  s.  home  (Northern),  A  4032. 

Hameled,  //.  cut  off,  T.  ii.  964.  (It 
refers  to  the  mutilation  of  dogs  that 
were  found  to  be  pursuing  game 
secretly.  They  were  mutilated  by 
cutting  off  a  foot.)  A.  S.  hamelian,  to 
mutilate. 

Hamer,  .?.  hammer,  A  2508. 


52 


(glossarial  EntJei. 


Hampred,  //.   hampered,  burdened,  R. 

1493- 

Hand,  s.  hand,  A  io8 ;  i/i  Ins  hande, 
leading  by  his  hand,  L.  213. 

Handebrede,  s.  hand's  breadth,  A  3811. 

Hand'werk,  s.  creatures,  things  created, 
D  1562. 

Hangeth,  ;>r.  J.  asfut.  will  hang,  R.  193; 
Heeng, //.  J.  hung,  A  3250;  Heng,//.  j^. 
hung,  R.  224,  240 ;  (which)  hung,  E 
1883;  hung  down,  T.  ii.  689;  Hanged, 
pp.  hung  round,  A  2568 ;  hung,  T.  ii.  353. 

Hap,  s.  chance,  E  2057 ;  luck,  success, 
B  3928,  G  1209;  good  fortune,  3.  1039; 
//.  other  grace,  a  mere  chance  or  a 
special  favour,  3.  810;  pi.  occurrences, 
3.  1279. 

Happe,  V.  happen,  befall,  A  585 ;  h.  how 
h.  >'!jv,  happen  what  may,  T.  v.  796. 

Happen, /r.  s.  subj.  (it)  may  happen,  L. 
78. 

Happy,  adj.  lucky,  T.  ii.  621. 

Hard,  adj.  hard,  A  229;  of  hard,  with 
difficulty,  T.  ii.  1236;  def.  cruel,  6.  106; 
F  499 ;  ivith  h.  grace,  with  displeasure, 
severity  (see  Grace). 

Harde.'drfi'.  tightly,  A  3279. 

Hardely ,  adv.  boldly,  R.  270 ;  unhesitat- 
ingly, 6.  118;  scarcely,  R.  4;  certainly, 
HF.  359. 

Hardiment,  s.  boldness,  T.  iv.  533. 

Hardinesse,  s.  boldness,  A  1948,  B  3210; 
fool-hardiness,  B  2508  ;  insolence,  I  438. 

Harding',  s.  hardening,  tempering,  F  243. 

Hardn6sse,  s.  cruelty,  4.  232;  hardship, 
I  688. 

Hardy,  adj.  bold,  A  405 ;  sturdy,  F  19 ; 
rash,  R.  1038. 

Harie,  ger.  to  drag,  I  171 ;  Haried,  pp. 
pulled  forcibly,  A  2726. 

Harlot,  s.  a  person  of  low  birth,  servant- 
lad,  D  1754;  ribald,  A  647;  rogue, 
rascal,  A  4268;  Harlotes,  pi.  thieves, 
pick-pockets,  R.  191.  (Used  of  both 
sexes.) 

Harlotrye,  s.  ribaldry,  A  3145 ;  wicked- 
ness, U  1328 ;  evil  conduct,  E  2262 ;  pi. 
ribald  jests,  A  561. 

Harm,  s.  harm,  3.  492;  A  385;  broken 
harm,  occasional  injury,  petty  annoy- 
ance, E  1425. 

Harneised,  pp.  equipped  (lit.  harnessed), 
A  114. 

Harneys,  s.  armour,  A  1006;  gear,  ar- 
rangement, I  974;  fittings,  A  2896; 
harness,  1  433;  provision,  D  136. 

Harpe-stringes,    //.   harp-strings,   HF. 


Harping,  s.  playing  on  the  harp,  A  266. 

Harpour,  s.  harper,  T.  ii.  1030. 

Harre,  s.  hinge,  A  550.    A.  S.  heorra. 

Harrow  !  interj.  help  !  A  3286.  O.  F.  haro. 

Harwed,//.  s.  harried,  despoiled,  A  3512, 
D  2107.  (Alluding  to  the  harrying  or 
harrowing  of  hell  by  Christ.)  A.  S. 
hergian. 

Hasard,  s.  dice-play,  C  465,  591. 

Hasardour,  j.  gamester,  C  596. 

Hasardrye,  s.  gaming,  playing  at  hazard, 
C  590. 

Hasel-wode,  s.  hazel-wood,  i.  e.  no  news 
(see  below),  T.  v.  505,  1174;  //.  hazel- 
bushes,  T.  iii.  890.  (Hazel-woods  shake, 
i.  e.  that  is  no  news,  it  is  of  no  use  to 
tell  me  that.) 

Haspe,  s.  hasp,  A  3470. 

Hast,  hast  thou  (so)?  A  4268. 

Hast,  s.  haste,  T.  iii.  1438. 

Hasteth,  imp.pl.  make  haste,  I  72. 

Hastif .  adj.  hasty,  A  3545. 

Hastifnesse,  s.  hastiness,  B  2312. 

Hastow,  2  pr.  s.  hast  thou,  A  3533. 

Hateful,  adj.  hateful,  D  366;  odious 
(Lat.  odibile),  D  1195. 

Hateredes,  s.  pi.  hatreds,  B  4.  m  4.  2. 

Haubergeons,  ^//.hauberks,!  1052, 1054. 

Hauberk,  s.  coat  of  mail,  A  2431,  B  2053. 

Haunche-bon,  s.  thigh-bone,  A  3803; 
//.  haunch-bones,  A  3279. 

Haunt,  .f.  abode,  B  abode,  B  2001 ;  '  limit,' 
usual  resort,  A  252  c;  use,  practice, 
skill,  447. 

Haunteth,  pr.  s.  habitually  uses,  T.  v. 
1556;  is  used  to,  A  4392;  practises,  C 
547 ;  P*"-  P^-  resort  to,  I  885 ;  practise, 
I  780,  847. 

Hauteyn,  adj.  proud,  stately,  5.  262; 
loud,  C  330 ;  Hautein,  haughty,  I  614. 

Haven,  v.  have,  T.  iii.  1463 ;  Han,  v.  F  56 ; 
keep,  retain,  C  725 ;  take  away,  C  727 ; 
obtain,  G  234;  possess  (cf.  'to  have  and 
to  hold'),  B  208;  Hast,  2  pr.  s.  hast 
thou  so?  A  4268 ;  Hath,  pr.  s.  has, 
L.  2700;  Han,  i  pr.  pi.  have,  L.  28; 
2pr.pl.  A  849;  Hati, pr.pl.  E  188,  381; 
possess,  A.  pr.  24 ;  Hadde,  i  //.  s.  pos- 
sessed, 2.  34;  Hadde,//.  J.  had,  L.  1859; 
had,  possessed,  E  438;  took,  E  303; 
Hade  (used  for  the  rime),  pi.  s.  A  554, 
617 ;  Hadden,  pi.  pi.  had,  kept,  E  201 ; 
Hadde,//.//.  L.  1841;  I  hadde  lever,  I 
would  rather,  B  3083;  Have,  imp.  s. 
take,  F  759 ;  Have  doon,  make  an  end, 

5-  492. 
Havinge,    f.   possession    {habendi),  B  2. 

m  5-  33- 


(@Io00arial  £nt)ei. 


53 


Ha'we,  (i),  s.  haw,  yard,  enclosure,  C  855. 

Hawe,  (2),  J.  haw  (fruit  of  dog-rose),  D 
659 ;  w/V/i  Aawe  bake,  with  baked  haws, 
i.  e.  with  coarse  fare,  B  95. 

Hay,  s.  hedge,  R.  54. 

Hayl,  interj.  hail !  A  3579. 

Hayt,  interj.  come  up !  D  1543. 

He,  pron.  he,  A  44,  &c. ;  used  for  it,  G  867, 
868  ;  that  he,  that  man,  HF.  2069 ;  He  .  .  . 
he,  this  one  .  .  .  that  one,  5.  166;  He  and 
he,  one  man  and  another,  T.  ii.  1748; 
Him,  dat.  and  ace.  himself,  A  87;  Him 
or  here,  him  or  her,  HF.  1003;  him 
seined,  it  seemed  to  him,  he  appeared, 
B  3361;  Hem,  pi.  dat.  and  ace.  them, 
A  II;  hem  seemed,  it  seemed  to  them, 
they  supposed,  F  56. 

Hed,  pp.  hidden,  L.  208. 

Hede,  s.  heed,  A  303;  tak  /<.,  take  care, 
1.47. 

Hede,  v.  provide  with  a  head,  T.  ii.  1042. 

H66d,  s.  head,  A  198,  293,  455 ;  source, 
16.  43;  beginning,  F  1282;  on  his  h., 
at  the  risk  of  his  head,  A  1725;  malgre 
hir  hede,  in  spite  of  all  they  can  do, 
4.  220;  maugree  hir  heed,  in  spite  of  all 
she  could  do,  D  887 ;  maugre  thyn  heed, 
in  spite  of  all  thou  canst  do,  B  104; 
Hedes, />/.  heads,  or  first  points  of  signs, 
A.  i.  17.  20;  Hevedes,  heads,  B  2032. 

Heef ,  pt.  s.  of  Heve. 

Heeld,  //.  s'.  of  Holde. 

Heelp,  //.  s.  of  Helpe. 

Heeng,  pt.  s.'of  Hange. 

H66p,  s.  heap,  i.  e.  crowd,  host,  A  575 ; 
great  number,  crowd,  T.  iv.  1281. 

H66r,  s.  hair.  R.  549;  H6res,  //,  HF. 
1390. 

H66r,  adv.  here,  B  1177;  Heer  and  ther, 
never  long  in  one  place,  G  1174;  ^^^ 
and  ther,   hither    and    thither,    B   5.    p 

5-  33- 
Heer-agayns,  prep,  against  this,  I  668. 
Heer-biforn,    adv.    here-before,    before 

this,  F  1535. 
Heer-forth,  adv.  in  this  direction,  D  looi. 
Heer-mele,  s.  the  thickness  of  a  hair, 

a  hair's  breadth,  A.  ii.  38.  17. 
Heeste,  s.  commandment,  I  845. 
Heet,  pt.  s.  of  Hote. 
Heg-ge,  s.  hedge,  T.  v.  1144;  pi.  B  4408. 
Heigh,   adj.   high,  A  316,  522;  great,  A 

1798;    lofty,    B    3192;    learned,   E    18; 

severe,  B  795 ;    Heighe,  def  C  633 ;    in 

h.    and    lowe,   in    both    high   and    low 

things,  i.  e.  wholly,  A  817,  B  993. 
Heighe,  adv.  high  up,  T.  iv.  996;  heigh, 

B  4607  ;  an  heigh,  on  high,  F  849. 


Heighly,  adv.  strongly,  T.  ii.  1733. 

Helde,  v.  hold,  retain,  D  272.  See  Holde 
(the  usual  form). 

Helde,  //.  //.  poured  out,  HF.  1686. 
( Better  than  '  held.')     See  Hielde. 

Hele,  s.  health,  L.  1159;  recovery,  well- 
being,  I.  80 ;  prosperity,  L.  296.  A.  S. 
hielu. 

H61e,  dat.  heel,  T.  iv.  728. 

Hele,  V.  conceal,  B  2279;  //.  hidden,  B 
4245.     A.  S.  helan, 

Helelees,  adj.  out  of  health,  T.  v.  1593. 

Helen,  v.  heal,  11.  4;  pp.  K  2706. 

Helle,  s.  hell,  4.  120;  L.  2,  6. 

Helpe,  s.  helper,  assistant,  L.  1616. 

Helpe, I'. help,  A  258;  H.  of,  cure  of,  A  632; 
Heelp,  X  pt.  s.  helped,  A  4246;  Heelp, 
//.  s.  B  920  ;  Halp,//.  s.  A  1651 ;  Helpeth, 
imp.  pi.  L.  68  ;  Hoipe,//.  s.  subj.  helped, 
R.  1230;  Holpen,  pp.  helped,  aided, 
F  666;    healed,  A  18. 

Helply,  adj.  helpful,  T.  v.  128. 

Hem.  them  ;  see  He. 

Heml-spere,  hemisphere,  T.  iii.  1439. 

Hem-self,  pron.  pi.  themselves,  B  145; 
Hem-selven,  F  1420. 

Hen,  s.  hen,  A  177;  (as  a  thing  of  small 
value),  D  1112. 

Hende,  adj.  courteous,  polite,  gentle, 
A  3199.  3272.  3462. 

Henne,  adv.  hence,  T.  i.  572. 

Hermes,  adv.  hence,  T.  v.  402;  now,  HF. 
1284. 

Hennes-forth,  adv.  henceforth,  R.  701. 

Hente,  v.  catch,  I  355 ;  seize,  A  3347 ; 
acquire,  get,  A  299;  circumvent,  T.  iv. 
1371 ;  dide  her  for  to  hente,  caused  her 
to  be  seized,  L.  2715 ;  Hent,//-.  s.  seizes, 
catches,  T.  iv.  5 ;  Hente,  pr.  s.  subj. 
may  seize,  G  7 ;  Hente,  //.  s.  caught, 
took,  A  957;  caught  away,  B  1144; 
seized,  caught  hold  of,  T.  ii.  924  ;  grasped, 
C  255 ;  took  forcibly,  E  534 ;  took  in 
hunting,  B  3449;  lifted,  G  205;  pt.  pi. 
seized,  A  904;  caught,  R.  773;  pp. 
caught,  A  1581. 

Henteres,  s.pl.  filchers,  B  i.  p  3.  89. 

H6pe,  s.  hip,  the  fruit  of  the  dog-rose,  B 

1937- 
Hepen,/r.  //.  augment,  B  5.  p  2.  46;  //. 

accumulated,  T.  iv.  236. 
Her,  Hir,  pron.  poss.  their,  B  136.    A.  S. 

heora,  liira,  of  them  ;  gen.  pi.  of  he,  he. 
Heraud,  s.  herald,  A  2533. 
Heraude.  ger.   to  proclaim  as   a  herald 

does,  HF.  1576. 
Herber,  s.  garden,  T.  ii.  1705 ;  arbour,  L. 

203. 


54 


(^lossarial  Intex. 


Herbergage,  s.  a  lodging,  abode,  A  4329 ; 

B  4179. 
Herbergeours,   s.  pi.   harbingers,   pro- 
viders of  lodgings,  B  997. 
Herberwe,  or  Herberw,  .f.  harbour,  A 

403 ;    inn.   A   765 ;     lodging,   shelter,   A 

41 19;  dwelling,  position,  F  1035. 
Herberwe,  ger.  to  shelter,  R.  491 ;  Her- 

berweden, //.//.  lodged,  B  2.  p  6.  75. 
Herberwing,  s.  lodging,  sheltering,  A 

4332. 
Her-biforn,  adj.  before  this  time,  L.  73 ; 

a  while  ago,  3.  1136. 
Her-by,  adv.  with  respect  to  this  matter, 

I)  2204;  hence,  HF.  263. 
Herde,   s.  shepherd,   G    192;    keeper  of 

cattle,  A  603. 
Herde-gromes,//.  herdsmen,  HF.  1225. 
Herdes,  pi.  coarse  flax, '  hards,'  R.  1233. 
Herdesse,  s.  shepherdess,  T.  i.  653. 
Here,/^<p«.  her,  R.  1260;  &c. 
Heve,  poss.  pron.  her,  T.  i.  285;  &c. 
Here,    adv.   here,   in   this   place,  on  this 

spot,  T.  V.  478.   (Dissyllabic.)    See  Heer. 
Here,  v.  hear,  A  169;  Heren,  v.  HF.  879; 

Herestow,  2pr.  s.  hearest  thou,  A  3366; 

Herth,  pr.  s.  hears,    L.    327   a;    Herde, 

pt.  s.  heard,  A  221 ;   Herdestow,  heardest 

thou,  A  4170;   Herd,//,  heard,  3.  129. 
Here-agayns.  against  this,  A  3039;  Here- 

ayeins,  in  reply  to  that,  T.  ii.  1380. 
Here  and  howne,  T.  iv.  210;  perhaps 

gentle    and    savage,    i.  e.    one   and    all 

(doubtful).     Cf.   here,   gentle,   in   Strat- 

mann ;  and  A.  S.  Huna,  a  Hun. 
Herie.    v.  praise,   T.   iii.    1672;    Heriest, 

2  pr.  s.   worshippest,   B  3419;   //•.  s.  B 

1 155;  pt.pl.  worshipped,  L.  786;  //.  B 

872.     A.  S.  kerian. 
Herke.  /w/.  5.  hearken,  E  1323;  Herketh, 

imp.  pi.  D  1656. 
Herknen,   v.   hearken,  listen,  I  81;  ger. 

to  listen  to,  3.  752;   Herkne,  v.  G  1006; 

ger.  B  3159;  pt.  s.  listened  to,  A  4173; 

Herkned,  //.  listened,  R.  630;  //.  after, 

expected,  F  403. 
Heme,  s.  corner,  F  1121 ;  //.  G  658. 
Herneys,  5.  armour,  A  2496 ;  //.  sets  of 

ai  inour,  A  1630. 
Heroner,  s.  falcon  for  herons,  T.  iv.  413. 
Heronere,  adj.  used  for  flying  at  herons, 

L.  1 1 20.     Said  of  a  falcon. 
Heronsew^es,   s.  pi.   hernshaws,    young 

herons,    F    68.      Heronsew    is    derived, 

regularly,   from  A.   F.    heroiincel,     later 

lierounceau ;  a   diminutive  from  heroun, 

like  lioncel  from  lion. 
Herse,  .t.  hearse,  2.  15,  36. 


Hert,  s.  hart,  3.  351 ;  5.  195. 

Herte,  s.  heart,  A  150, 229 ;  dear  one,  T.  ii. 

1096;    courage,    3.    1222;    Hertes,  gen. 

heart's,   i.  164;   WftxXfi,  gen.   T.   ii.  445; 

Herte  rote,  root  (bottom)  of  the  heart. 

R.  1026 ;  myn  hertes,  of  my  heart,  4.  57. 
Herte,  pt.  s.  hurt,  3.  883. 
Herte-blood,  heart's  blood,  A  2006, C  902. 
Hertelees,  adj.  heartless,  without  heart. 

T.  V.  1594 ;  deficient  in  courage,  B  4098. 
Hertely,  adv.  heartily,  A  762 ;  thoroughly, 

L.  33  ;  earnestly,  3.  1226 ;  truly,  3.  85. 
Herte-rote,  s.  root  of  the  heart,  depth  oi 

the  heart,  L.  1993. 
Herte-spoon,  s.  '  the  concave  part  of  the 

breast,   where    the    ribs    unite   to   form 

the   cartilage  ensiformis'   (Tyrwhitt),  A 

2606. 
Hert-hunting,  s.  hunting  of  the  hart,  3. 

1313- 
Herth,  pr.  s.  heareth,  L.  327  a. 
Hertly,   adj.  heartfelt,   honest,  L.   2124 ; 

hearty,  E  176,  502,  F  5. 
Heryinge,  s.  praising,  I  682;  praise,    B 

1649  ;  glory,  T.  iii.  48. 
Heste.  s.  command,  commandment,  be- 
hest,  B  382;  promise,   F  1064;    Heesfe,^ 

commandment,  I  845. 
H6te,  J-.  heat,  R.   1508 ;  passion,  4.   127 ; 

heat,  but  put  for  surge,  B  I.  m  7.  4. 
Hete,  V.  promise,  vow,  6.  77 ;  pr.  s.  subj. 

promise,  A  2398 ;   i  pr.  s.  B  334 ;  Hette, 

//.  s.  4.  185.    See  Hote. 
Heterly,  adv.  fiercely,  L.  638. 
Hethen,  adv.  hence  (Northern),  A  4033. 
Hethenesse,  s.  heathen   lands,  A  49,  B 

1112. 
Hething,    j.    contempt,    A    41 10.      I  eel. 

hceSing. 
Hette,  pt.  s.  heated,  inflamed,  5.  145. 
Hette,  pt.  s.  promised,  4.  185.  See  Hote. 
Heve,  V.  heave,  lift,  A  550;  ger.  to  use 

exertion,  labour,  T.  ii.   1289;  pr.  s.  lifts 

up,  B  5.  m  5.   18 ;   Haf,  pt.  s.  heaved,  A 

3470;   Heef, /A  s.  lifted,  B  i.  p  i.  19. 
Heved,  s.  head,  HF.  550;  beginning,  A. 

ii.  16.  3;   Hevedes,//.  B  2032. 
Heven,   s.  heaven,   A   519;  the  celestial 

sphere,  B  3300;  supreme  delight,  F  558; 

beautiful  sight,  T.  ii.  637;   Vi.(t\ene,gen. 

heaven's.  D  n8i,  G  542. 
Hevenisb,  adj.  heavenly,  HF.    1395;  of 

the  spheres,  4.  30. 
Hevieth,  pr.  pi.  weigh  down,  B  5.  m  5. 16. 
Hevy,  adj.  heavy,  R.  229;  sad,  4.  12. 
Hewe,    (i),  s.  hue,   colour,   complexion, 

A  394,  1364 ;  outward  appearance,  mien, 

D  1622 ;  preience,  C  421. 


iglossarial  Irntci. 


55 


Hewe,  (2),  J.  (household)-servant, domes- 
tic, E  1785.    A.  S.  h'lwa. 

Hewed,  adj.  coloured,  R.  213. 

Hey,  s.  hay,  A  3262 ;  grass,  B  3407. 

Hey  !   interj.  hey !   L.  1213. 

Heye.  adj.  def.  high,  A.  i.  16.  11. 

Heyghte,  s.  height,  A.  ii.  22.  8. 

Heyne,  s.  wretch,  G  1319. 

Heynous,  adj.  heinous,  odious,  T.  ii.  1617. 

Heyre,  adj.  hair,  made  of  hair,  C  736. 

Heyre.  s.  hair-shirt,  G  133. 

Heysug'g'e,  s.  hedge-sparrow,  5.  612. 

Heyt,  iuterj.  come  up,  D  1561. 

Hider,  adv.  hither,  4.  165. 

Hidous,  adj.  hideous,  A  3520;  terrible, 
horrible,  dreadful,  A  1978,  B  4583 ;  ugly, 
R.  158. 

Hidously,  adv.  terribly,  A  1701. 

Hielde,  pr.  s.  subj.  pour  out,  shed,  B  2, 
m  2.  2  {'L.-AX.  fundat) . 

Hierdes,  female  guardian,  protectress, 
T.  iii.  619.    See  Herdesse. 

Hight,  Highte  ;  see  Hote. 

Highteth,  pr.  s.  adorns,  gladdens,  B  i. 
m  2.  25. 

Hild,  pt.  s.  bent,  inclined,  3.  393. 

Hinde,  s.  hind,  3.  427. 

Hindre,  v.  hinder,  R.  1039. 

Hindreste,  superl.  hindmost,  A  622. 

Hipes,  pi.  hips,  A  472. 

Hir,  (i),  pers.  pron.  dat.  and  ace,  to  her, 
her,  A  126,  B  162,  &c. 

Hir,  {•2),poss.  pron.  her,  A  120,  B  164,  &c. 

Hir,  (3),  gen.  pi.  of  them;  Hir  aller,  of 
them  all,  A  586;  Hir  bothe,  of  both  of 
them,  B  221. 

Hir,  (i\), pass. pron.  their,  A  11,  B  140,  &c. ; 
Her,  B  3536,  &c. 

Hir  thankes,  with  their  good  will,  will- 
ingly, A  21 14. 

Hires,  hers,  5.  482,  588. 

Himia,  s.  hernia,  I  423. 

His,  gen.  masc.  his,  A  47,  50,  &c. ;  neut. 
its,  I.  178;  T.  iii.  1088,  V.  1379;  in  phr. 
Mars  his  =  of  Mars,  L.  2593. 

His  thankes,  with  his  good  will,  will- 
ingly. A  2107. 

Historial,  adj.  historical,  C  156. 

Hit,  pron.  it,  2.  117  ;  Hit  am  I,  it  is  I,  3.  186, 
L.  314;   Hit  weren,  they  were,  HF.  1323. 

Hit,  pr.  s.  hides,  F  512.  Hit  is  a  con- 
tracted form,  equivalent  to  hideth. 

Ho,  interj.  hold  !  stop  !   B  3957. 

Ho,  s.  exclamation  commanding  silence, 
A  2533;  stop,  cessation,  T.  ii.  1083. 

Hochepot,  s.  hotch-potch,  mixture,  B 
2447. 

Hoke,  dat.  of  WooV. 


Hoker,  s.  scorn,  frowardness,  A  3965. 
A.  S.  hbcor. 

Hokerly,  adv.  scornfully,  I  584. 

Hold,  s.  possession,  B  4064  ;  grasp,  F  167  ; 
keeping,  D  599 ;  fort,  castle,  B  507. 

Holde,  V.  keep,  preserve,  D  1144;  hold, 
keep,  B  41 ;  continue,  go  on  with,  T.  ii. 
965;  restrain,  7.  309,  310;  keep  to  (see 
Proces),  F  658  ;  Holden,  v.  hold,  keep, 
F  763;  keep,  F  1163;  think,  consider, 
L.  857 ;  do  than  holde  herto,  keep  to  it 
then,  3.  754;  Holde  up,  hold  up,  2.  24; 
Holde  his  pees,  hold  his  peace,  B  4625 ; 
Holde,  I  pr.  s.  consider,  deem,  G  739 ; 
Holdest,  2  pr.  s.  accountest,  L.  326; 
Halt,  pr.  s.  holds,  11.  16;  T.  v.  348; 
keeps,  T.  ii.  37  ;  holds  fast,  T.  iii.  1636  ; 
considers,  G  921 ;  esteems,  D  1185  ;  per- 
forms, 3.  621 ;  remains  firm,  10.  38 ; 
Holt,//-,  s.  holds,  T.  iii.  1374;  Holden, 
2  //-.  //.  keep,  L.  2500;  Holde,  2  pr.pl. 
esteem,  deem,  T.  v.  1339;  Heeld,  i  pt.  s. 
considered,  E  818;  Heeld,//.  j.  held,  A 
175  ;  took  part,  A  3847 ;  esteemed,  C  625  ; 
ruled,  B  3518 ;  Holden,  //.  esteemed, 
held,  A  141 ;  considered,  E  205  ;  observed, 
F  1587 ;  esteemed,  L.  1709 ;  bound,  T.  ii. 
241 ;  made  to  be,  C  958 ;  Holde,  pp. 
esteemed,  A  1307  ;  bet  for  the  have  holde, 
better  for  thee  to  have  held,  5.  572 ; 
Hold  up,  imp.  pi.  hold  up,  A  783; 
Holdeth,  imp.  pi.  keep,  B  37;  consider, 
A  1868. 

Holdinge  in  hondes,  cajolery,  HF. 
692. 

Holly,  adv.  wholly,  T.  iii.  145. 

Holm,  s.  evergreen  oak,  A  2921. 

Holour,  s.  lecher,  adulterer,  D  254. 

Holpe. -n;  see  Helpe. 

Holsora,  adj.  wholesome,  T.  i.  947;  heal- 
in?,  5.  206. 

Holt,  s.  plantation,  A  6. 

Holt.  pr.  s.  holds,  T.  iii.  1374. 

Holwe,  adj.  hollow,  G  1265. 

Holwe,  adv.  hollow,  A  289. 

Horn,  adv.  homewards,  F  635. 

Homicyde  (i),  j.  man-slayer,  E  1994. 

Horaicyde  (2),  manslaughter,  murder, 
C  644. 

Hond,  s.  hand,  A  193,  399 ;  Beren  him  on 
h.,  make  him  believe,  T.  iv.  1404;  Bere 
on  h.,  accuse  (of),  D  226;  Bar  on  ii., 
made  (them)  believe,  D  380;  Bar  him 
on  h.,  assured  him,  T.  iii.  1154;  Holden 
in  h.,  retain,  cajole,  T.  ii.  477;  Holde 
in  h.,  T.  iii.  773  ;  delude  with  false  hopes, 
3.  1019. 

Honest,  adj.  creditable,  A  246;  honour- 


56 


(©loggatial  3rnti£X. 


able,  worthy,  B  175 1 ;  seemly,  decent, 
C  328  ;  luxurious,  E  2028. 

Honestee,  j.  honour,  L.  1673 ;  goodness, 
B  3157  ;  honourableness,  2.  40  ;  womanly 
virtue,  C  77. 

Honestetee,  s.  honour,  E  422  ;  modesty, 
I  429 ;  neatness,  I  431. 

Honestly,  adv.  honourably,  B  1434; 
richly,  E  2026. 

Honge,  V.  hang,  A  2410 ;  be  hung,  C  790 ; 
</()  >/!e  h.,  cause  me  to  be  hanged,  T.  i. 
833  ;  2  pr.  pi.  stibj.  hesitate,  T.  ii.  1242. 

Hony,  s.  honey,  A  2908 ;  beloved  one, 
A  3617. 

Hony-comb,  a  term  of  endearment, 
sweet  one,  A  3698. 

Hony-S"wrete,  sweet  as  honey,  E  1396. 

Hoodless,  adj.  without  a  hood,  3.  1028. 

H66k,  s.  hook,  T.  v.  777 ;  sickle,  B  3.  m  i. 
3  ;  crosier,  D  1317. 

Hbbl,  adj.  whole,  T.  i.  961 ;  sound,  D 
1370;  unwounded,  F  iiii;  perfect,  G 
III,  117;  restored  to  health,  L.  2468; 
entire,  3.  554. 

Hobl,  adj.  as  adv.  wholly,  T.  i.  1053 ;  a/ 
//('()/,  entirely,  T.  iii.  1013. 

Hoolly,  adv.  wholly,  R.  1163. 

Hoolnesse,  s.  integrity,  B  4.  p  6.  202. 

Hoolsome,  adj.  wholesome,  B  2285. 

Hoolsomnesse,  s.  health,  B  2303. 

H66m,  s.  as  adv.  home,  homewards,  L. 
1019. 

Hoomlinesse,  s.  domesticity,  E  429; 
familiarity,  B  2876. 

Hoomly,  adj.  belonging  to  one's  house- 
hold, E  1785. 

Hoomward,  adv.  liomeward,  T.  iii.  621 ; 
Homward,  A  2956. 

H66r,  adj.  hoary,  white-haired,  grey- 
headed, A  3878. 

Hoors,  adj. ;  see  Hors. 

Hoost,  s.  army,  A  874. 

Hd6t,  adj.  hot,  L.  914;  fervent,  I  117;  as 
s.  5.  380;  Hole,  def.  hot,  5.  266;  vora- 
cious, 5.  362 ;  (as  epithet  of  Aries,  which 
induced  heat  of  blood),  F  51. 

Hope,  s.  expectation,  G  870. 

Hope,  I  /;•.  s.  fear,  A  4029. 

Hoper,  jr.  hopper,  A  4036,  4039. 

Hoppe,  v.  dance,  A  4375. 

Hoppesteres,  pi.  dancers;  used  as  adj., 
dancing,  A  2017. 

Hord,  s.  hoard,  treasure,  C  775  ;  store  (of 
apples),  A  3262;  treasure-house,  I  821; 
avarice,  13.  3. 

Hore,  //.  <7/Hoor,  adj. 

Horn,  s.  horn,  T.  ii.  642;  (musical  instru- 
ment,  used   metaphorically),  H  90;  pi. 


drinking-horns,  A  2279;  horns  (of  the 
moon),  T.  v.  652. 

Horoscopo ;  in  lioroscopo,  within  that  part 
of  the  sky  considered  as  the  ascendent, 
.■\.  ii.  4.  14. 

Horowe,  adj.  pi.  foul,  scandalous,  4.  206. 
Cf.  A.S.  horig,  filthy. 

Hors,  s.  hors,  A  168  ;  the  '  horse,'  a  name 
for  the  little  wedge  that  passes  through 
a  hole  in  the  end  of  the  '  pyn,'  A.  i.  14. 
7  (Arabic  alpheraz,  the  horse)  ;  Hors,  pi. 
A  74-  598. 

Hors,  adj.  hoarse,  3.  347 ;  Hoors,  T.  iv. 
1 147.     h.  S.  has. 

Horsly,  adj.  like  all  that  a  horse  should 
he,  F  194. 

Hose,  s.  hose,  covering  for  the  feet  and 
legs,  A  3933,  G  726 ;  Hosen,  //.  A  456 ; 
Hoses,//.  A  3319. 

Hospitallers,  s.  pi.  knights  hospitallers, 
I  891. 

Hoste,  s.  host  (of  an  inn),  keeper  of  a 
lodging,  A  747.     Often  spelt  oste. 

Hostel,  s.  hostelry,  HF.  1022. 

Hostelrye,  s.  hostel,  inn,  A  23. 

Hostiler,  ,f.  innkeeper,  A  241 ;  //.  ser- 
vants at  an  inn,  I  440. 

Hote,  adj.;  see  Hoot. 

Hote,  adv.  hotly,  .\  97,  1737. 

Hote,  v.  command,  promise ;  also,  be 
called,  R.  38  ;  Hoten,  v.  be  called,  D  144 ; 
Hote,  I  p7-.  s.  command,  HF.  1719; 
Hight,  //.  s.  as  pr.  s.  is  called,  L.  417 ; 
Highten,  pt.  pi.  as  pr.  pi.  are  called,  L. 
423;  Hight,  //.  s.  was  named,  L.  725; 
Highte,  //.  s.  was  called,  was  named, 
R.  588,  745;  I  pt.  s.  was  called,  A  4336; 
1  pt.  s.  promised,  17.  5;  Highte,  //.  s. 
promised,  T.  v.  1636;  2  pt.pl.  promised, 
E  496;  Hatte,  //.  s.  as  pr.  s.  is  called,  is 
named,  T.  iii.  797;  Hatte,  pt.  pi.  were 
called,  were  named,  HF.  1303;  Hette, 
I  pt.  s.  promised,  4.  185  ;  Heet,  pt.  s.  was 
named,  HF.  1604;  (who)  was  called,  F 
1388;  Hete  {for  Heet),  3.  200;  Hoten, 
//.  called,  A  3941;  Hight,//.  prom[sed, 
T.  ii.  492 ;  named,  HF.  226.  A.  S.  Iiatan. 
The  parts  of  the  verb  show  great  con- 
fusion. 

Hottes,  //.  baskets  carried  on  the  back, 
HF.  1940.     O.  F.  hotte. 

Hound,  s.  dog,  T.  iii.  764. 

Houndflsh,  s.  dogfish,  E  1825. 

Houped,  //.  //.  whooped,  B  4590. 

Hous,  s.  house,  A  252,  343;  to  hous,  to 
a  reception  by,  L.  1546;  Hous  and  hoom, 
house  and  home,  H  229 ;  Hous  by  hous, 
to  each  house  in  order,  D  1765  ;  a  house- 


(§Io0satial  Entiei. 


57 


hold,  F  24;  a  'mansion'  of  a  planet  (in 
astrology),  F  672;  a  'house'  or  portion 
of  the  sky  (in  astrology),  B  304.  The 
whole  celestial  sphere  was  divided  into 
twelve  equal  portions,  called  houses,  by 
six  great  circles  passing  through  the 
north  and  south  points  of  the  horizon ; 
two  of  these  circles  being  the  meridian 
and  the  horizon.  A  house,  when  used 
for  a  '  mansion,'  is  a  sign  of  the  zodiac; 
tlius  Aries  was  the  mansion  of  Mars. 

H6usbonde,  s.  husband,  B  2241. 

Housbondrye,  s.  economy,  A  4077 ; 
household  goods,  D  288. 

Housled,  //.  made  a  recipient  of  holy 
communion,  I  1027. 

Hove,  V.  hover,  dwell,  T.  iii.  1427 ;  pr.pl. 
wait  in  readiness,  hover,  L.  1196;  pt.  s. 
waited  about,  T.  v.  33. 

How,  interj.  ho  I   A  3437,  3577. 

Howne,  savage  (?) ,  T.  iv.  210.  See  Here. 

Howve,  J.  hood,  T.  iii.  775 ;  Sette  his 
liowve,  set  (awry)  his  hood,  make  game 
of  lihn,  A  391 1. 

Humanitee,  s.  kindness,  E  92. 

Humbely,  adv.  humbly,  T.  v.  1354. 

Humblely , adv.humhXy,  T. ii.  1719 ;  L.  156. 

Humblesse,  s.  meekness,  A  1781,  B  165. 

Humbling',  s.  low  growl  (lit.  humming), 
\\V.  1039. 

Humme,  ger.  to  hum,  T.  ii.  1199. 

Hunte,  s.  huntsman,  A  2018,  2628. 

Hunter,  s.  huntsman,  A  1638. 

Hunteresse,   j-.  fern,   female   hunter,   A 

^347- 
Hurlest,    2  pr.  s.   dost  hurl,  dost   whirl 

round,  B  297. 
Hurt,  f>r.  s.  hurteth,  hurts,  T.  v.  350. 
Hurtleth,  pr.  s.  pushes,  A  2616;  pr.  pi. 

dash  together,  L.  638. 
Husht,  pp.  hushed,  silent,  L.  2682;   Hust, 

as  imp.  s.  be  silent,  A  3722. 
Hy,  adj.  high,  A  306  ;   Hye,  dat.  HF.  1133 ; 

great,  E  135;   Hye  weye,  dat.  (the)  high 

way,  main  road,  A  897. 
Hyde,  v.  hide,  A  1477, 148 1 ;  lie  concealed, 

F  141 ;    Hydestow,  hidest  thou,  D  308 ; 

Hit,//-,  s.  hides,  F  512;   Hidde,  i  pt.  s. 

hid,  F  595;  Had,  pp.  hidden,    L.  208; 

Hid,  ;>/.  hidden,  R.  1598. 
YLye,  adv.  high,  aloft,  HF.  905;   L.  1200; 

loudly,  3.  305  ;  proudly,  T.  ii.  401. 
Hye,  V.  hasten,  hie,  A  2274,  G  1151 ;  h.  me, 

make    haste,    G     1084 ;    ger.    to    bring 

hastily,  F  291;  to  hasten,  HF.  1658;  Hy 

thee,  imp.  s.  refl..  G.  1295. 
Hye,    s.    hast'- ;    only   in    phr.    in   hye,    in 

haste,  T.  ii.  88,  1712. 


Hyene,  s.  hyaena,  10.  35. 

Hyer,  adj.  higher,  upper,  HF.  1117. 

Hyne,  s.  hind,  servant,  peasant,  A  603, 
C  688.     A.  S.  hina. 

Hyre,  j.  hire,  A  507  ;  reward,  i.  103;  pay- 
ment, D  1008  ;  ransom,  T.  iv.  506. 

I. 

I-,  common  prefix   0/ past  participles  ;  see 

Icched,  pp.  itched,  A  3682. 
lch.,pron.  I,  T.  i.  678,  iii.  1818. 
I   I-comen,  pp.  come,  T.  iii.  1668. 
!   Idus,  s.pl.  ides,  F  47. 
I   Ignotum,   s.   an   unknown    thing,   G    1457. 

Lat.  ignotum,  an  unknown  thing ;  comp. 

ignotius,  a  less  known  thing. 
I-g-raunted,  pp.  granted,  T.  iv.  665. 
I   I-halowed,    //.    view-hallooed    (of    the 
I        liart),  3.  379. 

Ik,  1,  A  3867,  3888. 
I    II,  adj.  evil,  A  4174.     (A  Northern  word.) 
Il-hayl,  bad  luck  (to  you),  A  4089.     (A 

Northern  form.) 
like,   adj.    same,   very,   A   64,    175 ;    that 

ilke,  that  same,  B  3663 ;  ilke  same,  very 

same,  L.  779. 
Imaginatyf,  adj.;  No-thing  list  him  to 

been     imaginatyf  =  it    did     not    at    all 

please  him  to  imagine,  he  did  not  care 

to  think,  F  1094. 
Imagining',   s.  plotting,   A    1995 ;    fancv, 

18.  36. 
Imperie,  s.  government,  rank,  B  2.  p  6. 13. 
Impertinent,  adj.  irrelevant,  E  54. 
Impes,  pi.  grafts,  scions,  B  3146.    A.  S. 

imp. 
Impetren, //-.//.  impetrate,  ask  for,  B  5. 

P  3-  225. 
Importable,  adj.  insufferable,  B  3792,  E 
•    1 144. 
Impossible,    adj.  impossible,  T.  i.  783 ; 

as  s.,  thing  impossible,  D  688. 
Impressen.  v.  imprint,  T.  iii.  1543;  im- 

|)rint   (themselves),  find   an  impression, 

K    1578 ;    //-.  pi.   make    an    impression 

(upon ).  G  1071. 
Impressioun,  s.  remembrance,  I*'  371 ;  //. 

notions,  HF.  39. 
In,  s.  dwelling,  house,  A  3547,  3622;  inn, 

B  4216;  lodging,  B  1097. 
In,  prep,  in,  A  3,  &c. ;  into,  B  119  ;  =  come 

within,  20.  6;  on,  I  105;  against,  I  695. 
///  manus  tuas,  into  Thy  hands  (1  commend 

my  spirit),  A  4287. 
In  principio,  in    the    beginning,  A  254,   B 

4353.     Part  of  St.  John,  i.  i. 


C4 


58 


©lossarial  h\t\:x. 


Inde,  iidj.  indigo,  dark  blue,  R.  67. 
Indeterminat.  adj.  not  marked  upon  the 

A^troialio,  A.  ii.  17.  rubric. 
Indifferently,  adv.  impartially,  B  5.  p  3. 

142. 
Induracioun,  s.  hardening,  G  855. 
Inequal,  adj.  unequal,  A  2271 ;  Inequales, 

//.   of  varying  length;    /lourcs  inci/ua/rs, 

hours  formed   by  dividing  the  duration 

of  daylight  by  twelve,  A.  ii.  8.  i. 
Infect,  adj.  of  no  effect,  A  320;  dimmed, 

B  4.  m  5.  12. 
In-fere,  adv.  together,  B  328,  D  924.  Orig. 

/;;  fere,  in  company. 
InfoVtunat.    adj.    unfortunate,   unlucky, 

in.ius|iicious,  B  302. 
Infortiine,  j-.  misfortune,  ill  fortune,  T. 

iii.  1626,  iv.  185. 
Infortiined,  pp.  ill-starred,  T.  iv.  744. 
Infortuning,  s.  unlucky  condition,  A.  ii. 

4-  43- 
Ingot,  s.  a  mould  for  pouring  metal  into, 

G  1206,  1209. 
Inhelde,  imp.  s.  pour  in,  infuse,  T.  iii.  44. 
Injure,  s.  injury,  T.  iii.  1018. 
In-knette,  pt.  s.  knit  up,  drew  in,  T.  iii. 

1088. 
Inly,      adv.     inwardly,      intimately,      ex- 
tremely, greatly,   T.   i.   140;  exquisitely, 

3.  276. 
In-mid,  prep,  amid,  HF.  923. 
Inmortal.  adj.  immortal,  T.  i.  103. 
Inne,  dat.  of  In,  s. 
Inne,  adv.  in,  within,  T.  i.  387,  821. 
Inned,  pp.  housed,  lodged,  A  2192. 
Inobedience,  s.  disobedience,  I  391. 
Inobedient,  adj.  disobedient,  I  392. 
Inordinate,  adj.  unusual,  I  414. 
Inpacience,  >■.  impatience,  B  2734. 
Inpacient,  adj.  impatient,  B  2730. 
Inparfit,  adj.  imperfect,  B  3.  p  10.  18. 
Inplitable,  adj.  intricate,    impracticable, 

B  I.  y)  4.  90. 
Inpossible,  ,f.  impossible  thing,  F  1009. 
Inset,  pp.  implanted,  B  2.  p  3.  iq. 
Inspired,  pp.  quickened,  A  6. 
Instable,  adj.  unstable,  E  2057. 
Instance,  s.  suggestion,  T.  ii.  1441 ;  urgent 

reciui-st,  v.  161 1. 
Intendestow,  dost  thou  intend,  T.  v.  478. 
Intervalle,  s.  interval,  B  2724. 
In-tll,  prep,  unto,  as  far  as,  R.  624. 
Into,  prep,  unto,  B  2423. 
Intresse,  s.  interest,  10.  71. 
In-with,  prep,  within,  in,    B    1794,    2159, 

E  870,  1394,  1586,  1944. 
Ipocras,  a  kind  of  cordial  drink,  E  1807. 

Named  after  Hippocrates. 


Ipocrlte,  s.  hypocrite,  R.  414. 

Ire,  s.   irritability,   R.   314;    quickness  of 

temper.  I  665;  anger,  .\  1997. 
Irous,  adj.  angry,  B  2315,  D  2014. 
Irreguler,  adj.  asinner  against  hisorders, 

1  782. 
Is,  I  //-.  .f.  am  (Northern),  A  4031,  4045, 

4202;  2pr.  s.  art  (Northern),  A  4089. 
Issest,  ipr.  s.  issuest,  B  3.  p  12.  168. 
Issue,  s.  outlet,  vent,  T.  v.  205. 
It  am  I,  it  is  I,  A  1736. 
I-wis,  adv.  certainly,  truly,  verily,  6.  48. 


Jade, .(.  a  jade,  i.e.  miserable  hack,  B  4002. 
Jag'Ounces,;>/.garnets(<7rrubies),R.iii7. 
Jalous.  adj.  jealous,  A  1329. 
Jalousye,  s.  jealousy,  A  3294. 
Jambeux,  s.  pi.  leggings,  leg-armour,  B 

2065.     From  Y.janibe,  the  leg. 
Jane,  s.  a  small  coin  of  Genoa,  B  1925, 

E  99Q. 
Jangle,  v.  chatter,  prate,  T.  ii.  666. 
Janglere,   s.  story-teller,  jester,  babbler, 

A  500;  talkative  person,  H  343. 
Jangleresse,     s.    (female)     chatterbox, 

prattler,  D  638. 
Janglerye,  .f.  gossip,  T.  v.  755  ;  talkative- 
ness, 15  2252. 
Jangles,   s.  pi.  idle  pratings,  HF.  i960; 

disputes,  arguments,  D  1407. 
Janglinge,    s.   chattermg,    idle    talking, 

I  649. 
Jape,  s.  jest,  trick,  A  3390,  3799, 4201 ;  jest, 

foolish  conduct,  D  1961 ;  laughing-stock, 

HF.  414. 
Jape,  V.  jest,  T.  i.  929;  ger.  to  jest,  L. 

1699;   H  4;  Japedest,  2pt.  s.  didst  jest, 

T.  i.  508,  924;  //.  tricked,  A  1729. 
Japere,  .f.  jester,  T.  ii.  340;  mocker,  I  89. 
Japerie,   s.  buffoonery,    I    651;    jesting 

mood,  E  1656. 
Jape-'worthy,  adj.  ridiculous,  B  5.  p  3. 

148. 
Jargon,  t.  talk,  E  1848. 
Jargoning,   s.  jargoning,  chattering,   R. 

716. 
Jaunyce,  s.  jaundice,  R.  305. 
Jeet,  f.  jet,  B  4051. 

Jelous,  adj.  jealous,  suspicious,  4.  140. 
Jet.  f.  fashion,  mode,  A  682. 
Jeupardyes,  s.  pi.  problems  (at  chess), 

3.  66fi. 
Je'werye,  s.  Jewry,  Jews'  quarter,  B  1679. 
Jo,  V.  take  effect,  come  about,  T.  iii.  33. 

O.  V.joer  {V.joiter). 
Jogelour,  r.  juggler,  D  1467 ;  //.  R.  764. 


(glossarfal  InQtx. 


59 


Jog'elrye,  s.  jugglery,  F  1265. 

Jolif,  adj.  joyful,  merry,  R.  109,  A  3355 ; 

in  good  spirits,  B  4264 ;   jovial,  R.  435 ; 

frisky,  A  4154 ;  pretty,  R.  610. 
Jolily,  adv.  merrily,  A  4370. 
Jolitee,  s.  sport,  amusement,  merriment, 

A  1807;  joviality,  jollity,  mirth,  R.  616; 

enjoyment,    F    344;     comfort,    A    680; 

excellence,  H  197;   happiness,  HF.  682. 
Joly,    adj.    full    of    merriment,    D    456; 

jolly,  joyous,  R.  620;  delightful,  L.  176; 

festive,  B  11S5.    See  Jolif. 
Jolyer,  adj.  comp.  handsomer,  F  927. 
Jolyf ;  see  Jolif. 
Jolynesse,  s.  festivity,  F  289 ;  amusement, 

D  926. 
Jolytee ;  see  Jolitee. 
Jompre,  imp.  s.  jumble,  T.  ii.  1037. 
Jordanes,  //.  chamberpots,  C  305. 
Jossa,    down   here,  A   4101.     O.  F.  jos, 

down ;  ca,  here. 
Jouken,  v.  slumber,  T.  v.  409.      O.  F. 

joquier,Jouquier,  6tre  en  repos,  jucher. 
Journee,   s.  day's   work,   R.  579;   day's 

march,  A  2738  ;  journey,  E  783. 
Jowes,  s.  pi.  jaws,  B  I.  p  4.  107  (where 

the    Latin    text    has   faitcibus)  ;     jaws, 

jowls,    HF.    1786    (riming   with    clowes, 

claws). 
Joynture,  s.  union,  B  2.  p  5.  51. 
Jubbe,  s.  vessel  for  holding  ale  or  wine, 

A  3628,  B  1260.     (It  held  4  gallons.) 
Judicial,    adj'.    judicial,    A.    ii.    4.    59. 

yudicial  astrology  pretended  to  forecast 

the     destinies     of    men     and    nations ; 

natural  astrology  foretold  natural  events, 

such  as  the  weather  and  seasons. 
Juge,  s.  judge,  A  814;    umpire,  A   1712, 

1864. 
Juge,   s.  judge ;    but    an    error  for  jug, 

a  yoke,  I   898.    Belial  is   explained  to 

mean  '  absque  iugo,"  in  the  Vulgate. 
Juge.   I  pr.  s.  judge,  decide,  5.  629;  //. 

HF.  357. 
Jugeraent,    s.   judgement,    decision,    A 

778  ;  opinion,  B  1038  ;  sentence,  5.  431. 
Jugrgen,   V.  judge,  T.   ii.  21 ;    deem,  T. 

v.  1203;  imp.pl.  judge  ye,  T.  iii.  1312. 
Juparte,   2  pr.  pi.  jeopard,  imperil,  en- 
danger, T.  iv.  1566. 
Jupartye,  s.  jeopardy,  peril,  hasard,  T. 

ii.  465,  772.     O.  F.  jeu  parti  (Lat.  iocus 

partitas),  a  divided  game. 
Just,  adj.  just,  exact,  correct,  D  2090. 
Juste,  V.  joust,  tourney,  tilt,  A  96,  2604. 
Justes,   f.  //.  as  sing,  a  jousting-match, 

A  2720. 
Justing,  J-.  jousting,  L.  1115. 


Justyse,  s.  judge,  B  665,  C  289. 

Justyse,  s.  judgement,  condemnation,  i. 
142;  administration  of  justice,  C  587. 

Juyse,  J.  justice,  judgement,  8795;  sen- 
tence, A  1739.     O.F.  juise. 


K. 


Kalender,  s.  calendar,   almanack,  A.  i. 

II.  I ;  hence,  a  complete  record  of  exam- 
ples, L.  542;  pi.  I.  73. 
Kalendes,  i.  e.  beginning,  introduction, 

T.  v.  1634.     (Because  the  Kalends  fall 

on  Xhejirst  of  the  month.) 
Karf,  pt.  s.  o/Kerve. 
Kaynard,  j.  dotard,  D  235.     O.  F.  caig- 

inird,  cagnard,  sluggard. 
Kecche,  v.  catch,  clutch,  T.  iii.  1375. 
Kecbil,   s.   small   cake,   D    1747.     O.   E. 

coecd,  small  cake. 
Keep,  s.  care,  heed,  notice  (only  in  the 

phrase  take  keep) ;  tak  keep,  take  notice, 

D431. 
Keep,  imp.  s.  take  care  !  mind !  A  4101. 
Kek!   interj.  (represents  the  cackle  of  a 

goose) ,  5.  499. 
Kembe,  ger.  to  comb,  R.  599;  pr.  s.  E 

201 1 ;    Kembde,  //.  s.  F  560;    Kempte, 

//.    s.    A    3374;     Kembd,  //.    combed, 

trimmed,  A  2143. 
Kempe,  adj.  pi.  shaggy,  rough,  A   2134. 

Cf.     I  eel.     kampr,    beard,     moustaches, 

whiskers  of  a  cat ;  and  see  Camp,  s.  (4) 

in  the  New  E.  Diet. 
Ken,   s.   kin,   kindred,   men,  3.  438.     (A 

Kentish  form.) 
Kene,  adj.  keen,  eager,  21.  6;  cruel,  10. 

27;  bold,  B  3439;  sharp,  A  2876. 
Kene,  adv.  keenly,  6.  63;  11.  3. 
Kenne,  v.  discern,  HF.  498. 
Kepe,   V.  take   care   (of),  A  130;   keep, 

preserve,  L.  384 ;   i  pr.  s.  care,  L.  1032 ; 

intend,  T.  i.  676 ;   regard,  reck,  A  2238 ; 

/  kepe  han,  I  care  to  have,  G  1368;  pr. 

s.  subj.  may  (He)   keep,   F  889;    pt.   s. 

E  223;    retained,  A  442;    took  care  of, 

A  415,  512,  B  269;    imp.  s.  take  caie! 

A  4101 ;   imp.pl.  keep  ye,  B  764. 
Kepe,  s.  heed    (only  in  the  phrase  take 

kepe  or  take  keep) ;  I  take  kepe,  3.  6. 
Keper,  s.  keeper,  i.  e.  prior,  A  172. 
Kerchief,  finely  woven  loose  covering,  5. 

272;  kerchief,  B  837. 
Kers,   s.   cress ;    thing  of  small  value,  A 

3756- 
Kerve,   v.  carve,  cut,  T.  ii.  325,  F  158 ; 

Karf,  pt.  s.  carved,  A  100;   cut,  B  3647,. 


6o 


(©lossarial  JInliei. 


3791;  Corven, //.  cut,  A  2696;  carved 
HF.  1295  ;  slashed,  A  3318. 

Kerver,  s.  carver,  A  1899. 

Kerving-,  s.  carving,  A  1925 ;  cutting 
crossing  over,  A  i.  19.  4. 

Kerving'-toles,  s.  pi.  tools  to  cut  with 
T.  i.  632. 

Kesse.  v.  kiss,  E  1057  ;  Kesti-,  //.  f.  F  350, 
(A  Kentish  form.)     See  Kissen. 

Kevere,  v.  to  recover,  T.  i.  917 ;  // 
covered,  HF.  275,  352. 

Keye,  j.  G  1219;  key  i^ht place  (7/^rudder) 
B  3.  p  12.  80.  Chaucer  has  translated 
cLiiio  (rudder),  as  if  it  were  claue  (key) 

Kichenes,//.  kitchens,  D  869. 

Kid,  Kidde ;  see  Kythen. 

Kike,  V.  kick,  D  941. 

Kimelin,  s.  a  large  shallow  tub,  A  3548, 
3621. 

Kin,  s.  kindred,  R.  268 ;  sorn  kin,  of  some 
kind,  B  1137;  alles  kinnes,  of  every  kind, 
HF.  1530. 

Kinde,  s.  nature,  R.  412,  1699;  race, 
lineage,  stock,  D  iioi;  seed,  I  965;  the 
natural  world,  HF.  584;  natural  bent, 
F  608,  619;  natural  disposition,  HF.  43; 
natural  ordinance,  3.  494  ;  kind,  species, 
5.  174;  of  k.,  by  nature,  naturally,  F 
768  ;  pi.  sorts,  HF.  204. 

Kinde,  adj.  kind,  A  647;  natural,  HF. 
834.  836. 

Kinde,  adv.  kindly,  7.  267. 

Kindely,  adj.  natural,  HF.  842. 

Kindely,  adv.  by  nature,  D  402 ;  natu- 
rally, HF.  832. 

Kindenesse,  j-.  kindness,  4.  298 ;  love, 
dfvotion,  L.  665. 

Kinges  note,  the  name  of  a  tune,  A  3217. 

Kinrede,  .f.  kindred,  B  2558;  relations, 
A  1286;  birth,  A  2790;  family,  L.  2094. 

Kirtel,  .f.  kirtle,  A  3321.  A  kirtle  usually 
means  a  short  skirt  with  a  body. 

Kissen,  v.  kiss,  L.  761 ;  Kiste,  pf.  pi.  R. 
788 ;  kist  they  been,  they  have  kissed 
each  other,  B  1074.     See  Kesse. 

Kifcte.  //.  s.  cut,  B  600,  1761. 

Knakkes,  s.  pi.  tricks,  I  652;  contempti- 
ble ways,  3.  1033. 

Knarre,  s.  a  thickset  fellow,  sturdy  churl, 
A  549- 

Knarry,  adj.  gnarled,  A  1977. 

Knave,  s.  boy,  servant-lad,  page,  R.  886; 
man-servant,  servant,  L.  1807 ;  peasant, 
D  1190;   Knavf  child,  male  child,  B  715. 

Knavish,  adj.  rude,  H  205. 

Knede,  v.  knead,  A  4094;  Kneden,  //. 
kneaded,  R.  217. 

Knet.  Knette;  see  Knitte. 


Knettlnge,  s.  chain,  B  5.  p  i.  39. 
Knig-htly,  adv.  bravely,  L.  2085. 
Knitte,  ger.  to  knit,  I  47 ;    2  //•.  s.  refi. 

joinest    (thyself),   art  in  conjunction,   B 

307  ;   Knit,  pp.  L.  89;   conjoined,  5.  381 ; 

agreed,  F  1230;   wedded,  F  986;  joined 

in  love,  4.  50;  Knet,//.  R.  1397. 
Knittinges,  //.  connections,  B  5.  m  3. 18. 
Knobbes,  //.  large  pimples,  A  633. 
Knoppe,  s.  bud,  R.  1702. 
Knotte,  s.  knot,  gist  of  a  tale,  F  401,  407. 
Knotteles,  adj.  without  a  knot,  T.  v.  769. 
Knotty,  adj.  covered  with  knots,  A  1977. 
KnoAve,  dat.  knee,  T.  ii.  1202. 
Knowe,   v.  know,  A   382;    Knowestow, 

thou  knowest,  A  3156;    Knewe,  2//.  s. 

knewest,   10.  21;    Knew,  //.  s.  A  240; 

Knewe,  i  pt.  s.  subj.  could  know,  F  466 ; 

Knewe,  pt.  pi.  D    1341 ;    Knewe,  pt.  s. 

subj.  were  to  know,  R.  282;  Knowen,//. 

known,  L.  421 ;  shown,  B  2702;  Knowe, 

//.  known,  L.  1382. 
Knowing:,  s.  knowledge,  R.  1699;    con- 
sciousness, 6.  114. 
Knowinge,  adj.  conscious,  B  3.  p  11. 168 ; 

Knowinge  with    me,  i.  e.  my  witnesses, 

B  I.  p  4.  50. 
Knowlecheth.   /;-.  s.  acknowledges,  B 

2964. 
Knowleching,  .r.  knowing,   knowledge, 

G  1432;  cognition,  B  5.  p  5.  3. 
Konning-,  s.  cunning,  skill,  F  251. 
Konninge,  adj.  skilful,  T.  i.  302. 
Kukkow  !   inf.  cuckoo  !  5.  499. 
Kyken,  pr.  pi.  peep,  A  3841 ;  //.  gazed, 

A  3445-     I  eel.  kikja,  Svved.  kika. 
Kyn.  pi.  kine,  cows,  B  4021. 
Kyndely,  adj.  natural,  3.  761. 
Kyndely,    adv.  naturally,   by   nature,  3. 

77S. 
Kyte,  .f.  kite  (bird),  A  1179. 
Kythe,   v.   shew,   shew   plainly,   display, 

V  748 ;  declare  to  be,  7.  228 ;   shew,  10. 

63 ;  /'•.  s.  shews,  L.  504 ;    Kidde,  //.  s. 

shewed,  T.  i.  208  ;  Kid,  pp.  made  known, 

L.    1028;    known,    9.   46;    Kythed,  pp. 

shewn,   (j  1054;   Kythe,  pr.  s.  subj.  may 

shew,  B  636;   Kyth,  imp.  s.  shew,  T.  iv. 

538;    display,    T.    iv.    619;    HF.    528; 

Kytheth,  imp.pl.  4.  298. 


L. 

Laas ;  see  Las. 

Labbe,  s.  blab,  tell-tale,  A  3509. 

Labbingr,  pres.  part,  blabbing,  babbling, 

E  2428. 
Label,   s.   the   narrow  revolving   rod   or 


(glossarial  lEnliex. 


6i 


rule  on  the  front  of  the  astrolabe,  A.  i. 

22.   I. 

L^borous,  adj.  laborious,  D  1428. 

Lacche,  s.  snare,  springe,  R.  1624. 

Lace ;  see  Las. 

Laced,  pp.  laced  up,  A  3267. 

Lacerte,  s.  a  fleshy  muscle,  A  2753. 

Lache,  adj.  lazy,  dull,  B  4.  p  3.  132. 

Lachesse,  s.  laziness,  I  720. 

Lacinge,  s.  lacing  ;  with  layneres  /.,  with 
the  fastening  up  of  straps,  A  2504. 

Lad,  Ladde ;  see  Lede. 

Lade,  ger.  to  load,  cover,  T.  ii.  1544. 

Lady,  gen.  lady's,  A  88,  695. 

Laft,  Lafte ;  see  Leve. 

Lak,  s.  want,  defect,  lack,  3.  958 ;  blame, 
dispraise,  L.  298  a ;  Lakke,  dat.  lack, 
want,  5.  87,  615 ;  loss,  F  430 ;  ace.  fault, 
E  2199. 

Lake,  s.  a  kind  of  fine  white  linen  cloth, 
B  2048.  The  word  probably  was  im- 
ported from  the  Low  Countries,  as 
laken  is  a  common  Dutch  word  for 
cloth  or  a  sheet. 

Lakken,  v.  find  fault  with,  disparage, 
blame,  R.  284 ;  pr.  s.  lacks,  B  1437 ;  /r. 
s.  impers.  lacks  ;  me  lakketk,  I  lack,  2.  105. 

Lakking,  s.  lack,  stint,  R.  1147. 

Lambish,  adj.  gentle  as  lambs,  9.  50. 

Lampe,  s.  lamina,  thin  plate,  G  764. 
F.  lame,  a  thin  plate,  Laf.  lamina. 

Lange,  adj.  long  (Northern),  A  4175. 

Langdur,  s.  weakness,  i.  7  ;  slow  starva- 
tion, R.  214;  B  3597;  languishing,  R. 
304;  sickness,  F  iioi. 

Languisshe,  v.  fail,  HF.  2018. 

Lapidaire,  a  treatise  on  precious  stones, 
HF.  1352. 

Lappe,  s.  fold,  lappet,  or  edge  of  a  gar- 
men',  P"  441,  G  12;  lap,  A  686;  a  wrap- 
per, E  585. 

Lappeth,  pr.  s.  enfolds,  embraces,  4.  76. 

Large,  <. ••^'.  large,  A  472. 753 ;  great,  I  705  ; 
wide,  broad,  R.  1351 ;  liberal,  bounteous, 
R.  1 168;  at  liis  I.,  free  (to  speak  or  to  be 
silent),  A  2288;  free  to  move,  HF.  745; 
at  our  /.,  free  (to  go  anywhere),  D  322. 

Large,  adv.  liberally,  i.  174. 

Largely,  adv.  fully,  A  1908 ;  in  a  wide 
senst-.  I  804. 

Largenesse, .?.  liberality,  I  1051. 

Largesse,  s.  liberality,  R.  1150;  bounty, 
B  2465 ;  liberal  bestovver,  i.  13. 

Las,  s.  lace,  snare,  entanglement,  L.  600; 
net,  A  2389 ;  Laas,  lace,  i.  e.  thick  string, 
A 392;  band,  G  574;  lace  (i.  e.  laces),  R. 
843;   Lace,  snare,  entanglement,  18.  50. 

Lasse,    adj.   comp.   less,   R.    118;    lesser. 


A  1756;    smaller,  B  2262;    less   (time), 
A   3519;    lasse   and  more,   smaller   and 
greater,    i.  e.   all,    E   67 ;    the   lasse,  the 
lesser,  R.  187. 
Lasse,  adv.  less,  3.  927;   the  las,  the  less, 

3-67S- 

Last,  s.  pi.  lasts,  i.  e.  burdens,  loads, 
B  1628.  A.  S.  hlcBst,  a  burden,  load, 
a  ship's  freight. 

Laste,  adj.  last,  10.  71 ;  atte  I.,  at  last,  3. 
364 ;  lastly,  A  707. 

Laste,  V.  endure,  4.  226 ;  Last,  pr.  s.  lasts, 
E  266;  Laste,  //.  j-.  lasted,  B  1826; 
delayed,  L.  791. 

Late,  adj.  late;  bet  than  never  is  late, 
G  1410;  //■/  no2v  late,  till  it  was  already 
late,  3.  45. 

Late,  -n,  let;  see  Lete. 

Lathe,  s.  barn  (Northern),  HF.  2140; 
A  4088.     Icel. /i/atJrz. 

Latis,  .f.  lattice,  T.  ii.  615. 

Latitude,  s.  (i)  breadth,  A.  i.  21.  43; 
(2)  the  breadth  of  a  climate,  or  a  line 
along  which  such  breadth  is  measured, 
A.  ii.  39.  42;  (3)  astronomical,  the  angu- 
lar distance  of  any  body  from  the  ecliptic, 
measured  along  a  great  circle  at  right 
angles  to  the  ecliptic,  A.  pr.  no;  (4)  ter- 
restrial, the  distance  of  a  place  N.  or  S. 
of  the  equator,  E  1797. 

Latoun,  s.  latten,  a  compound  nu'tal, 
like  pinchbeck,  containing  chiefly  copper 
and  zinc,  A  699. 

Latrede,  adj.  tardy,  dawdling,  I  718. 
A.  S.  latrcBde. 

Latter,  adv.  more  slowly,  I  971. 

Laude,  j.  praise,  honour,  HF.  1575 ;  //. 
lauds,  a  service  held  at  2  or  3  A.M.,  A 

3655- 
Laughe,  v.  laugh,  A  474;   Laugheth  of, 

smiles  on  account  of,  A   1494;    Lough, 

strong  pt.  s.  laughed,  R.  248  ;  Laughede, 

weak  pt.  pi.  R.  863. 
Launce,  v.  rear,  HF.  946. 
Launcegay,  s.  a  kind  of  lance,  B  1942, 

201 1.     Originally  of  Moorish  origin. 
Launcheth,  /;-.  s.  pushes,  lets   slide,    D 

2145- 
Launde,  s.  a  grassy  clearing  (called  dale 

in  5.  327), 5. 302;  glade, plain  surrounded 

by  trees,  A  1691. 
Laure,  s.  laurel-tree,  HF.  1107. 
Laureat,    adj.  crowned    with    laurel,    B 

3886,  E  31. 
Laurer,  s.  laurel-tree,  5.  182. 
Laurer-crouned,  laurel-crowned,  7.  43. 
Lauriol,   s.   spurge-laurel.    Daphne  Lau- 

reola,  B  4153. 


62 


(^lossartal  hxtitx. 


Laus,  adj.  loose,  B  4.  p  6.  147. 

Laven,  ^er.  to  exhaust,  B  4.  p  6.  14; 
Laved,  />/>.  drawn  up,  B  3.  m  12.  125. 
A.  S.  lafian. 

Lavender,  s.  laundress,  L.  358. 

Laverokkes,  pi.  sky-larks,  R.  662. 

Lavours./A  basins,  D  287. 

Laxatif ,  adj.  as  s.  looseness,  A  2736 ;  s. 
laxative,  B  4133. 

Lay  (i),  s.  song,  lay,  B  1959;  Layes, //. 
songs,  F  710,  712,  947. 

Lay  (2),  s.  law;  hence  belief,  faith,  T.  i. 
340 ;  creed,  L.  336. 

Layneres,  pi.  straps,  thongs,  A  2504. 
O.  F.  laiiiere  ;  mod.  E.  lanyard. 

Layser,  f.  leisure,  T.  ii.  227. 

Lazar,  s.  leper,  A  242. 

Leche,  s.  pliysician,  A  3904,  C  916. 

Lechecraft,  s.  art  of  medicine,  T.  iv.  436 ; 
skill  of  a  physician,  A  2745. 

Lecher,  s.  healer,  B  4.  p  6.  238. 

Lechour,  s.  lecher,  B  1935. 

Lede,  v.  lead,  T.  i.  259;  carry,  T.  iv.  1514; 
lead,  take,  L.  2021 ;  draw,  R.  1608 ; 
govern,  B  434;  lead  (his  life),  R.  1321 ; 
lead,  R.  1129;  Lede,  _,fi?/-.  to  lead,  spend, 
F744;  to  guide,  R.  400 ;  Let, /r.  5.  leads, 
T.  ii.  882;  Ladde,  //.  s.  led,  R.  581; 
brought,  7.  39;  carried,  L.  114;  con- 
ducted, B  3747;  continued,  R.  216; 
Ladden,  pt.  pi.  led,  R.  1310;  Ledden, 
pt.pl.  9.  2;  Ladde, //.//.  B  3920 ;  Lad, 
//.  led,  L.  1108,  1948;  brought,  A  2620; 
conducted,  A  4402;  carried,  L.  74. 

Leden,  adj.  leaden,  G  728. 

Ledene,  s.  {dat.)  language,  talk,  F  435, 
478. 

Leed,  s.  lead  (metal),  HF. 739, 1448, 1648; 
a  copper,  or  caldron,  A  202. 

Leaf,  adj.  lief,  A  1837;  dear,  R.  103;  pre- 
cious, G  1467  ;  lief,  pleasing,  T.  v.  1738  ; 
pleasant,  R.  1688  ;  yow  so  leef,  so  desired 
by  you,  C  760;  thai  leef  me  were,  which 
I  should  like,  HF.  1999;  Leve,  def.  dear 
(one),  A  3393;  vocative,  HF.  816;  Lefe, 
adj.  fern.  voc.  HF.  1827;  Leve,  pi.  dear, 
'r.  iv.  82,  v.  592. 

Leef,  adj.  as  s.  what  is  pleasant ;  for  I.  ne 
looth,  for  weal  nor  for  woe,  L.  1639 ; 
what  is  dear  (to  him),  T.  iv.  1585;  be- 
loved one,  lover,  lady-love,  T.  iii.  3. 

Leef,  s.  leaf,  L.  72 ;  Leves,  //.  leaves,  R. 
56 ;   (of  a  book) ,  D  790. 

Leefful;  see  Leveful. 

Leefsel,  s.  the  '  bush  '  or  leafy  bundle  (as 
a  sign),  at  a  tavern-door,  I  411 ;  Levesel, 
arbour  of  leaves,  A  4060.  Cf.  Swed. 
lofsal,  a  hut  made  of  green  boughs. 


Leek,  s.  leek,  R.  212 ;  a  thing  of  no  value, 

(5  795- 
Lean,  imp.  s.  of  Lene. 
Leep  (16ep), ;>/.  s.  of  L6pe. 
Lees  (16s6),  s.  leash,  G  19;  snare,  7.  233. 
Lees,  adj.  untrue,  R.  8. 
Lees  (166s) ,  s.  deceit,  fraud ;    a  shrewed 

lees,  a  wicked  fraud,  L.  1545 ;  withouten 

lees,  without  deceit,  verily,  HF.  1464. 
Lees,  pt.  s.  of  Lese. 
Leeste,   adj.  sup.  least,  B   2513;    atte  I. 

weye,  at  the  very  least,  A  1121. 
Leet,//.  s.  of  Lete. 
Lef,  imp.  s.  of  Leve  (leave). 
Lefe.  adj.  fern.  voc.  dear,  HF.  1827. 
Leful :  see  Leveful. 
Legge,  -n ;  see  Leye,  v. 
Leide,  i  pt.  s.  of  Leye. 
Leigh,  pt.  s.  of  Lye  '(2). 
Lekes,  //.  leeks,  A  634. 
Lemes,  pi.  flames,  B  4120.    A.  S.  lloma. 
Leraman,  s.  masc.   (male)   lover,  sweet- 
heart, A  4240,  4247;  fern,  (female)  lover, 

lady-love,  A  3278, 3280 ;  concubines,  I  903. 
Lendes,  pi.   loins,  A  3237,  3304.    A.  S. 

lenden,  pi.  letidenu. 
Lene,  adj.  lean,  thin,  R.  218,444;  weak, 

T.  ii.  132. 
Lene,  ger.  to   lend,  give,  A  611 ;   Lene, 

imp.  s.  lend,  B  1376 ;  Leen,  imp.  s.  give, 

A  3082.     A.  S.  lanan. 
Lene,  v.  lean,  incline,  B  2638. 
Leng,  adv.  longer;    ever  I.  the  wers,  the 

worse,  the  longer  it  lasts,  A  3872. 
Lenger,  adj.  longer,  L.  450,  2025. 
Lenger,  adv.  longer,  B  374,  2122,  3709; 

ever  the  I.,  the  longer,  the  more,  7.  129; 

ever  I.  the  more,  E  687. 
Lengest,  adv.  sup.  longest,  5.  549. 
Lente,  s.  Lent-season,  D  543. 
Lenvoy,  s.  I'envoy,  i.  e.  tiie  epilogue  or 

postscript   addressed  to  the  hearers  or 

readers,  E  1177  {rubric'). 
Leonesse,  s.  lioness,  L.  805. 
Leonyn,  adj.  lionlike,  B  3836. 
Leos,  s.  people,  G  103,  106.    Gk.  Aetis. 
Leoun,  s.  lion,  L.  627,  829;    L6on,  the 

sign  Leo,  F  265. 
Lep6rt,  J.  leopard,  A  2186;  Libardes,  ^/. 

R.  894. 
Lepe,  v.  run,  A  4378 ;  leap,  L.  2008 ;  Lepe 

up,  V.  leap  up,  HF.  2150;    L66p,  pt.  s. 

leapt,  A  2687. 
Lere,  s.  flesh,  skin,  B  2047.     Properly  the 

muscles,  especially   the   muscles  of  the 

thigh,  which  special   sense   is   perfectly 

suitable  here.    A.  S.  lira,  flesh,  muscle. 
\jerQ,ger.  (i)  to  teach,  7. 98;  i^.teach,  T.  iv. 


(§l000arial  Kntex. 


63 


441 ;  (2)  to  learn,  T.  v.  161 ;  here,^er.  to 

learn,  find  out,  D  909;  here,  p/-. p/.  (i) 

teach,  5.  25;  (2)  learn,  F  104;  Lered,//. 

(2)  learnt,  T.  iii.  406. 
Lered,   adj.   instructed,   learned,  C  283 ; 

A.  S.  Idred. 
Leme,  v.  learn,  A  308,  D  994;  Lerned  of, 

taught  by,  G  748.     (Chaucer  here  uses 

the  word  wrongly,  as  in  mod.  provincial 

English.) 
Lese,  s.  dat.  pasture,  T.  ii.  752;  HF.  1768. 

A.  S.  Ices. 
Lese,  V.  lose,  A  1215,  1290;  Lese  me,  v. 

lose  myself,  be  lost,  5.  147 ;    Lees,  pt.  s. 

lost,    L.    945 ;     Leseth,    irnp.  pi.    B    19 ; 

Loren,//.  lost,  L.  1048;  Lorn,//,  lost, 

T.   i.   373,    iii.    1076,    iv.    1613;    forlorn, 

wasted,  R.  366. 
Losing,   s.  falsehood,   lie,   HF.  20B9;   G 

479;    Lesinges,  pi.    lies,   deceits,    R.    2; 

lying  reports,  HF.  2123. 
Lesinge,  s.  loss,  1  1056;  Lesing,  A  1707; 

for  lesbige,  for  fear  of  losing,  B  3750. 
Lessoun,  s.  lesson,  lection,  A  709. 
Lest,  s.  pleasure,  3.  908 ;  delight,  A  132 ; 

desire,    E    619;    inclination,    HF.    287; 

Lestes,//.  desires,  HF.  1738.    A  Kentish 

form ;  for  lust. 
Lest,//.  J.  impers.  (it)  pleases,  L.  1703; 

(it)   pleases    (me),  D  360;  Thee  lest,  it 

pleases  thee,  5.  114;  Lesteth,  (it)  pleases, 

L.  480  a;  \^e%X.e,pt.s.  impers.  (it)  pleased, 

T.  V.  517;  pers.  was  pleased,  T.  iii.  452; 

Leste,;>r.  s.  subj.  (it)  may  please,  L.  1338  ; 

As  yow  leste,  as  it  may  please  you,  L. 

449;   (it)  would  please,  F  380;  Her  leste, 

it  should  please   her,  5.   551.     Kentish 

forms. 
Leste,  adj.  super  I.  least,  T.  i.  281 ;  at  the 

/.,  at  least,  3.  973  ;  atte  I.,  at  least,  B  38  ; 

Leste,  as  s.,  the  least  one,  3.  283 ;  at  the 

leeste  weye,  at  any  rate,  E  966. 
Let,  pr.  s.  of  Lede. 
Lete,  V.  let,  B  3524;  let,  leave,  A  1335; 

give  up,  let  go,  T.  v.  1688 ;  forsake,  T. 

iv.  1 199;  let  alone,  leave,  D  1276;  quit, 

I.  72  ;  give  up,  lose,  G  406  ;  omit,  depart 

from,  5.  391;   Lete  of,  ger.  to  leave  off, 

18.  52  ;   Leten,  v.  let,  L.  2107  ;  give  up,  R. 

1690  ;  forsake,  T.  iv.  1556 ;  Leten,  ger.  to 

let  go,  T.  i.  262  ;  Late,  v.  let,  T.  iii.  693  ; 

Laten,  v.  let,  A  3326 ;   Lete,  i  pr.  s.  leave, 

7.  45 ;   Let,  pr.  s.  lets  go,  repels,  5.  151 ; 

Lat,  ;>/•.  J.  lets,  permits,  T.  iv.  200;  Lete, 

2  //•.  //.  abandon,   B  2505  ;    L6et,  //.  s. 

let,  A  128;  let  go,  A  1206;  allowed,  HF. 

243;  left  off,  A  3311;  left, -A  508;  caused, 

permitted,     B     373;     caused,    B    2194; 


caused  (to  be),  B  959;  leet  .  .  .  fecche, 
commanded  (men)  to  fetch,  D  2064;  leet 
don  cryeii,  caused  to  be  proclaimed,  F 
45 ;  leet  make,  caused  to  be  made,  B 
3349;  leet  biridc,  caused  to  be  bound,  B 
1810;  Let,  //.  s.  caused,  L.  2624;  let 
calle,  caused  to  be  called,  L,  1684  ;  let,  5. 
279;  Lete,//.//.  let,  B  3898;  Lete,  ;>/.  .?. 
subj.  were  to  let,  T.  iii.  1762 ;  Leet,  imp. 
s.  let,  C  731;  Lat,  imp.  s.  let,  i.  79,  84; 
let  alone,  give  up,  T.  ii.  1500 ;  Lat  be,  let 
be,  do  away  with,  A  840;  let  me  alone, 
A  3285  ;  give  up,  HF.  992  ;  Lat  do,  cause, 
C  173;  Lat  take,  take,  G  1254,  H  175; 
Lat  see,  let  us  see,  A  831 ;  Lat  goon,  let 
slip  (the  dogs),  L.  1213;  Laten  blood,//, 
let  blood,  A  4346.     A.  S.  Icstan. 

Lette,  s.  hindrance,  T.  i.  361 ;  delay,  T. 
iii-  235. 

Lette,  V.  hinder,  T.  ii,  732;  prevent,  L. 
732 ;  oppose,  stay,  B  3306 ;  cause  delay, 
B  1 1 17;  wait,  B  1440;  tarry,  B  4224; 
stop,  desist,  B  4279;  cease,  R. 279;  Letten, 
ger.  to  put  obstacles  in  the  way  (of  j ,  to 
decline  (from),  A  1317;  Let, /r.  s.  pre- 
vents, B  3.  p  10.  162  ;  Lette,  pr.  s.  subj. ; 
lette  him  no  man,god  forbede,  God  forbid 
that  any  should  hinder  him,  T.  iii. 
545 ;  Letted,  //.  s.  hindered,  A  1891 ; 
was  hindered,  B  2591;  Letteth,  itnp.  pi. 
hesitate,  T.  ii.  1136. 

Lette-game,  s.  '  let-game,"  one  who  hin- 
ders sport,  T.  iii.  527. 

Lettres,//.  letters  (also  as  sing,  a  letter), 
B  736 ;  5-  19- 

Lettrure,  s.  learning,  B  3486;  book-lore, 
B  3686. 

Letuarie,  s.  electuary,  remedy,  C  307; 
//.  electuaries,  A  426.     Lat.  electuarium. 

Leve,  dear;  see  Leef. 

Leve,  s.  leave,  B  1637,0  908;  permission, 
L  2261 ;  bisyde  hir  leve,  without  her 
leave,  T.  iii.  622. 

Leve  (i),i'. leave,  E  250;  let  alone, G 714; 
Ist  go,  3.  iiii;  go  away,  5.  153;  leave 
alone,  T.  i.  688 ;  ger.  to  leave  off,  T.  i. 
686 ;  to  forsake,  G  287 ;  Leve,  1  pr.  s. 
leave,  2.  50;  Leveth,  //'.  s.  remains,  3. 
701 ;  Lafte,  i  pt.  s.  left,  C  762;  Lefte,  left 
off,  F  670;  Laften,  //.  //.  L.  168;  Left, 
//.  omitted,  I  231 ;  Laft,  //.  left,  L. 
1260;  Leef,  imp.  s.  leave,  T.  iv.  852; 
leave  (it)  alone,  T.  v.  1518 ;  Lef,  imp.  s. 
forego,  D  2089 ;  Leve,  imp.  s.  leave,  A 
1614 ;  Leveth,  imp.  pi.  leave,  C  659. 
A.  S.  Icefan. 

Leve  {■2.),v.  believe,  5.  496 ;  L.  10 ;  ger.  to 
be    believed,   HF.  708 ;    Levestow,    be- 


64 


(glossarial  InlJci. 


lievest  thou,  G  212  ;    Leveth,    hnp.  pi. 
believe,  6.  88.     A.  S.  I'cfayi,  lyfan. 

Leve  (s),,^^/".  to  allow,  L.  2280;  godleve, 
God  grant,  L.  2083,  2086.  A.  S.  lefan, 
lyfan. 

Leveful,  adj.  allowable,  A  3912;  per- 
missible, D  37;  Leefful,  allowable,  I  41, 
917  ;  Leful,  permissible,  T.  iii.  1020. 

Levene,  s.  flash  of  lightning,  D  276. 

Lever,  adj.  comp.  liefer,  rather ;  me  were 
lever,  I  had  rather,  T.  i.  1034,  iii.  574 ;  me 
nis  lever,  L.  191 ;  tkee  were  /.,  thou  hadst 
rather,  B  2339 ;  him  was  /.,  A  293 ;  him 
were  I.,  L.  2413;  have  1 1.,  I  would  rather. 
T.  ii.  471 ;  F  1360 ;  hadde  I  I.,  D  168 ; 
hath  I.,  F  692  ;  hadde  I.,  L.  1536;  had  hir 
I.,  she  would  rather,  E  444 ;  him  had 
be  A,  he  would  rather,  A  3541. 

Levesel ;  see  Leefsel. 

Levest,  sup.  dearest,  most  desirable,  HF. 
87. 

Lewed,  adj.  ignorant,  A  502,  574 ;  tm- 
learned,  C  283;  unskilled,  rude,  HF. 
1096;  wicked,  foolish,  F  1494;  wanton, 
E  2129.    A.  S.  lawed. 

Lewedly,  adv.  simply,  HF.  866 ;  igno- 
rantly,  B  47  ;  ill,  G  430. 

Le'wednesse,  s.  ignorance,  ignorant  be- 
haviour, D  1928. 

Ley,  lied  ;  pt.  s.  of  Lye. 

Leye,  v.  lay,  4.  205 ;  lay,  cause  to  lie,  T. 
iii.  659;  lay  a  wager,  HF.  674;  pledge, 
T.  iii.  1605 ;  Leyn,  ger.  to  lay  up,  to 
hoard,  R.  184;  Leggen,  ger.  to  lay,  A 
3269;  Legge,  V.  A  3937;  Leyth,/r.  j.  A 
4229;  Leith,/r.  s.  D  2138;  Leye,  \ pr.pl.  \ 
lay  out,  expend,  G  783 ;  Leyn,  pr.  pi. 
lay,  H  222  ;  Leyde,  pt.  s.  3.  394 ;  Leyde, 
2  pt.  pi.  L.  2501 ;  Leyden  forth,  pt.  pi.  ' 
brought  forward,  B  213;  Leyd,//.  laid, 
A  3262;  placed,  R.  1184;  overlaid,  R. 
1076 ;  /  was  leyd,  I  had  laid  myself 
down,  L.  208 ;  Leyd,  //.  laid,  A  81 ; 
fixed,  3.  1 146;  set,  3.  1036;  Ley  on,  lay 
on,  A  2558. 

Leyser,  s.  leisure,  R.  462;  A  1188;  de- 
liberation, B  2766;  opportunity,  A  3293.     ] 

Leyt,  J.  flame  (of  a  candle),  I  954.    A.  S.   i 
leget,  lyget,  M.  E.  leit,  lightning.  j 

Libardes,  //.  leopards,  R.  894. 

Libel,  s.  written  declaration,  D  1595. 

Licentiat,  adj.  one  licensed  by  the  pope 
to  hear  confessions,  independently  of 
the  local  ordinaries,  A  220. 

Liche,  adj.  like,  R.  1073;  similar,  7.  76; 
//  liche,  like  it,  F  62. 

Liche,  adv.  alike,  HF.  10. 

Liche-vrake , j. watch overacorpse, A  2958.  ■ 


Licorycd,  s.  liquorice,  R.  1368. 

Lic6ur,  s.  moisture,  A  3;  liquor,  T.  iv. 
520 ;  Licour,  juice,  C  452. 

Lief,  adj.  dear,  A  3501 ;  Lief  to,  glad  to, 
given  to,  A  3510 ;  cherished,  E  479 ; 
goode  leef  my  wyf,  my  dear  good  wife, 
B  3084 ;  hadde  as  lief,  would  as  soon,  D 
1574  ;  as  s.  dear  one,  B  4069. 

Lift,  adj.  left  (said  of  the  left  hand  or 
side),  R.  163. 

Lige,  adj.  liege,  C  337;  Lige  man,  vassal, 
L.  379 ;  Liges,  s.  pi.  vassals,  L.  382 ;  //. 
subjects,  B  240.  F.  lige,  from  O.  H.  G. 
ledic  (G.  ledig) ,  free.  A  liege  lord  was  a 
free  lord  ;  in  course  of  time  his  subjects 
were  called  lieges,  from  confusion  with 
Lat.  ligare,  to  bind. 

Ligeaunce,  s.  allegiance,  B  895. 

Ligrgen,  v.  lie,  B  2101;  Ligginge,/r<fj. //. 
lying,  T.  iv.  29;  Ligging,  A  ion. 

Light,  adj.  lightsome,  joyous,  R.  77 ;  3. 
1175;  active,  nimble,  R.  832;  easy,  3. 
526 ;  wearing  but  few  clothes  (rtA^J, fickle) , 
21.  20;  Lighte, //.  light  (of  weight),  5. 
188  ;  easy,  A.  pr.  36. 

Lighte,  adv.  brilliantly,  R.  1109. 

lAghte,  ger.  (i)  to  make  light,  rejoice,  T. 
v.  634;  to  render  cheerful,  T.  i.  293; 
alleviate,  T.  iii.  1082;  (2)  ger.  to  feel 
light,  to  be  glad,  F  396,  914;  Lighte, 
//.  .f.  lighted;  either  in  the  sense  (i) 
lightened,  made  light,  made  happy,  or 
(2)  illuminated,  B  1661. 

Lighte,  V.  alight,  descend,  HF.  508 ;  //.  s. 
alighted,  B  786. 

Lighten,  v.  shine,  I  1037;  Lighted,//, 
brightened,  i.  74;  Light,//,  illuminated, 
L.  2506;  Lighte,  imp.  s.  illumine,  G  71. 

Lightly,  adv.  lightly,  F  390;  readily,  4. 
205;  quickly,  I  534;  easily,  T.  ii.  289; 
carelessly,  I  1023 ;  joyfully,  A  1870. 

Lightned,  pp.  enlightened,  illuminated, 
F  1050. 

Lightnesse  (1),  s.  brightness,  5.  263. 

Lightnesse  (2),  s.  agility,  .\  3383. 

Lightsom,  adj.  gay,  R.  936. 

Ligne,  s.  line,  T.  v.  1481. 

Ligne-aloes,  wood  of  the  aloe,  T.  iv. 
1137.  (Properly  a  compound,  i.  e.  ligne- 
aloes  :  where  aloes  is  a  plural  form.) 

Likerous,  adj.  lecherous,  H  189 ;  wanton, 
A  3244,  3345,  E  214;  gluttonous,  C  540; 
greedy  after  indulgence,  D  466;  eager, 
F  1 1 19;  very  vile  {LaA.  nequissimi) ,  B  3. 

P4-  31- 
Likerousnesse,  s.  lecherousness,  D  611 ; 
licentiousness,  I  430;  greediness,  I  377; 
eagerness,  I  741 ;  appetite,  C  84. 


1 


(©lossarial  InDci, 


65 


Lilting-home,  s.  horn  to  be  played  for 
a  lilt,  HF.  1223. 

Limaille :  see  Lymaille. 

Lime,  s.  limb,  3.  499;  Limes,//.  R.  830. 

Limitacioun,  s.  limit,  D  877. 

Liimitour,  s.  limitor,  a  fiiar  licensed  to 
beg  for  alms  within  a  certain  limit,  A 
209,  D  874. 

Linage,  s.  lineage,  race,  A  mo;  family, 
D  1 135;  noble  family,  R.  258;  high 
birth,  B  3441;  kinsfolk,  B  2192;  kin- 
dred, B  999  ;  consanguinity,  L.  2602. 

Lind,  s.  lime-tree,  A  2922. 

Lipsed,  /A  s.  lisped,  A  264. 

Lisse,  s.  comfort,  T.  v.  550;  joy,  T.  iii. 
343;  assuaging,  HF.  220;  solace,  3. 1040 ; 
alleviation,  F  1238.     A.  S.  /iss. 

Lissen,  v.  alleviate,  T.  i.  702 ;  soothe,  6. 
6;  Lissed, //.  relieved,  F  1170.  A.  S. 
//ssian. 

List  (i),  s.  pleasure,  T.  iii.  1303;  will, 
U  633. 

List  (2),  s.  ear,  D  634.    A.  S.  Afyst 

List,  pr.  s.  impers.  it  pleases  {usually  with 
dat.),  A  1021,  B  521 ;  me  list  right  evel,  I 
was  in  no  mind  to,  3.  239 ;  you  list, 
it  pleases  you,  11.  77;  List,  pr.  s. 
pers.  is  pleased,  pleases,  T.  i.  518,  797; 
wishes,  A  3176;  Listeth,  //-.  s.  impers. 
(it)  pleases,  T.  ii.  700;  pers.  pleases,  is 
pleased,  HF.  511;  likes,  F  689;  Listen, 
2.  pr.pl.  are  pleased,  T.  iii.  1810;  Listen, 
pr.  pi.  list,  choose,  B  2234 ;  Listen 
trete,  choose  to  write,  L.  575 ;  Liste, 
pt.  s.  impers.  (it  pleased),  L.  332;  her 
liste,  it  pleased  her,  she  cared,  7.  190 ; 
him  liste,  he  wanted,  4.  92;  hem  liste, 
(it)  pleased  them,  F  851.     A.  S.  lystan. 

Listes,  //.  in  sing,  sense,  lists,  a  place 
enclosed  for  tournaments,  A  63. 

Listes,  s.  pi.  wiles  ;  tn  his  I.,  by  means  of 
his  wiles,  i.  85. 

Listeth,  imp.  pi.  listen  ye,  B  1902. 

Litarge,  s.  litharge,  ointment  prepared 
from  protoxide  of  lead,  A  629  ;  protoxide 
of  lead,  G  775. 

Litargie,  s.  lethargy,  B  i.  p  2.  22. 

Lite,  adj.  little,  I  295 ;  as  s.,3.  little,  T.  i. 
291 ;  adv.  little,  T.  iv.  1330. 

Litestere,  s.  dyer, 9. 17.    Icel.  lita,  to  dye. 

Lith,  s.  limb  (viz.  of  herself),  B 4065.  A.  S. 
US. 

Litherly ,  adv.  ill,  A  3299.   A.  S.  lySer,  evil. 

Livere  {1),  s.  liver,  D  1839. 

Livere  (2),.f.liver  (one  who  lives),  B  1024. 

Liveree,  s.  livery,  A  363. 

Livinge,  s.  life-time,  7.  188;  manner  of 
life,  C  107 ;  state  of  life,  G  322. 


Lixt,  liest;  see  Lye  (2). 

Lode,  s.  load,  A  2918. 

Lodemenage,  s.  pilotage,  A  403.  Lode- 
manage  is  the  hire  of  a  pilot,  for  con- 
ducting a  ship  from  one  place  to  another. 

Lodesmen,  s.  pi.  pilots,  L.  1488. 

Lode-sterre,  s.  polar  star,  lodestar,  A 
2059. 

Lofte,  dat.  upper  room,  L.  2709;  on  lofte, 
in  the  air,  HF.  1727 ;  aloft,  B  277. 

Logge,  s.  resting-place,  B  4043. 

Logging,  s.  lodging,  B  4185. 

Loke,  V.  \weak)  lock  up,  D  317. 

Loken,  ger.  to  look,  A  1783;  v.  behold, 
R.  812;  Loked, /A  s.  looked,  A  289; 
Lokeden,//.  //.  L.  1972;  imp.s.  see,  HF. 
893 ;  take  heed,  D  1587 ;  Loke  he,  let 
him  take  heed,  I  134;  Loketh,  imp.pl. 
behold,  G  1329;  search  ye,  C  578. 

Loken,  pp.  of  strong  verb  (Louken) ,  locked 
up,  B  4065. 

Loking,  s.  look,  gaze,  3.  870;  counte- 
nance, B  2332 ;  glance,  L.  240 ;  glance  (of 
the  eye),  A  2171 ;  aspect,  4.  51 ;  examin- 
ing, 5.  no;  appearance,  R.  290;  looks, 
F  285. 

Lokkes,//.  locks  of  hair,  A  81,  677. 

Loller,  s.  a  loUer,  a  lollard,  B  1173.  Loller 
(one  who  is  sluggish)  was  confused  with 
the  name  Lollard. 

Lomb,  s.  lamb,  L.  1798. 

Lond,  s.  land,  A  194,  400,  579;  country, 
B  3548 ;  upon  lond,  in  the  country,  A 
702. 

Lone,  s.  dat.  loan,  B  1485 ;  gift,  grace,  D 
1861. 

l^ong,  prep.;  the  phvASs  wher-on  .  .  long 
=  long  on  wher,  along  of  what,  G  930 ; 
Long  on,  along  of,  because  of,  G  922. 

Long,  adj.  {before  a  vowel),  tall,  R.  817; 
//.  tall,  high,  R.  1384;  long,  A  93. 

Longe,  adv.  long,  A  286 ;  for  a  long  time, 
L.  2261. 

Longe  (i),  V.  desire,  long  for,  L.  2260; 
yearn,  T.  ii.  546;  Longen  (2),  v.  belong, 
A  2278 ;  pr.  s.  belongs,  R.  754;  (it)  con- 
cerns, T.  ii.  312;  pr.  pi.  belong,  F  1131; 
pt.  s.  befitted,  R.  1222;  Longing  for, 
suitable  for,  F  39. 

Longes,  pi.  lungs,  A  2752. 

Longitude,  j-.  the  distance  between  two 
given  meridians,  A.  ii.  39.  19;  the  length 
or  extent  of  a  '  climate,"  in  a  direction 
parallel  to  the  equator,  or  rather  a  line 
along  which  to  measure  this  length ; 
A.  ii.  39.  28.  The  longitude  of  a  star  is 
measured  along  the  zodiac ;  that  of  a 
town,  from  a  fixed  meridian. 


66 


(glossarial  Intiei. 


Loos,   s.  praise,  renown,   B    2834,  3036. 

O.  F.  /OS. 
Loos,  aJj.  loose,  A  4064,  4138  ;   Lous,  free, 

HF.  1286. 
Looth  (166th),  adj.  loath,  odious,  A  486; 

hatetul,   A   3393;    >/ie   were  I.,  it  would 

displease  me,  B  91 ;  as  s.,  what  is  hate- 
ful, misery,  L.  1639. 
Loothly,  adj.  hideous,  D  iioo. 
Loppe.  s.  a  spider,  A.  i.  3.  6. 
Loppewebbe,  s.  cobweb,  A.  i.  21.  3. 
Lordeth,  pr.  s.,  rules  over,  4,  166. 
Lordings,  s.pl.  sirs,  C  329,  573. 
Lore,   s.  teaching,  L.  2450;  advice,  T.  i. 

1090;  lesson,  T.  i.  645,  754;  instruction, 

B  342;  learning,  B  761;  study,  G  842; 

profit,  5.  15  ;  doctrine,  A  527.     A.  S.  lar. 
Lore ,  //.  of  Lese. 
Loral,     s.    worthless     man,     abandoned 

wretch,  D  273. 
Loren,  //.  of  Lese. 
Lorer,  s.  laurel,  R.  1379. 
Lorn,  pp.  of  Lese. 

Los  ( I ) ,  -f.  loss,  A  2543 ;  occasion  of  per- 
dition, D  720. 
Los  (2),  s.  praise,  renown,  fame,  L.  1514  ; 

report,  L.  1424 ;  til  her  loses,  in  praise 

of  them,  HF.  1688.     O.  F.  los. 
Losengere,  s.  flatterer,  R.  1050;  //.  R. 

1050.     O.  F.  losengeur. 
Losengerie,  s.  flattery,  I  613. 
Losenges,//.  lozenges,  HF.  1317;  small 

diamond-shaped  shields,  R.  893. 
Lost,  s.  loss,  B  2,  p  4.  185. 
Loth,  adj.  loath,  3.  8 ;  displeasing,  R.  233. 
Lother,  adj.  camp,  more  hateful,  L.  191. 
Lothest,  adj.  supcrl.  most  loath,  F  1313. 
Lotinge,  pres.  part,  lurking,  G  186.    A.  S. 

I  lit  I  an,  to  lurk. 
Loude,  adv.  loudly.  A  171. 
Lough,  //.  s.  of  Laughe. 
Louke,  s.  accomplice,  A  4415. 
Loured,  pp.  frowned,  HF.  409. 
Lous,  adj.  loose,  free,  HF.  1286. 
Lousy,  adj.  full  of  hce,  miserable,  D  1467. 
Loute,  V.  bow,  do  obeisance,  T.  iii.  683; 

ger.  to  bow  down,  B  3352  ;  \pt.  s.  stooped, 

bent,  R.  1554. 
Love,  s.  love,  A  475  ;  fern,  lady-love,  4.  31 ; 

vac.  O  my  love,  A  672;  tiiasc.  lover,  L. 

862. 
Lovedayes,  pi.  days  for  settling  disputes 

l>v  arliitration,  A  2^8;  HF.  695. 
Love-drury,  s.  affection,  B  2085.    The 

latter  part  of  the  word  is  O.  F.  drurie, 

druerie,  love,  passion. 
Loveknotte,  s.  looped  ornament,  A  197. 
Loves,  s.pl.  loaves,  B  503. 


Lovyere,  s.  lover,  A  80. 

Lov^enesse,  s.  lowliness,  I  1080. 

Lowly,  adj.  humble,  .A  99. 

Luce,  s.  luce,  pike,  A  350. 

Lucre,   s.   lucre,  gain,   G  1402;   lucre  of 

vilanye  =  vile  gain,  B  1681. 
Lufsom,  adj.  lovely,  T.  v.  911 ;  lovable,  T. 

V.  465. 
LuUeth,  pr.  s.  lulls,  soothes,  B  839. 
Luna,  s.  the  moon,  G  826;  a  name  for 

silver,  G  1440. 
Lundrie,  s.  lunary,  moon-wort,  G  800. 
Lure,  s.  a  hawk's  lure,  D  1340;  //.  entice- 
ments, L.  1371. 
Lussheburghes,  //.    spurious  coin,   B 

3152.     Named  from  the  town  of  Luxevt- 

hourg. 
Lust,  s.  desire,  R.  1653;  amusement,   R. 

1287;  pleasure,  R.  616;  delight,  i.  106; 

will,  desire,  wish,  B   188;    interest  in   a 

story,  F402;  //.  delights,  3.  581.    A.  S. 

lust. 
Lusteth,/;-.  5.  impers.  (it)  pleases,  L.  996; 

Lust,//-,  s.pers.  pleases,  E  1344;  impers. 

(it)    pleases,    E  322;   Luste,  //.  s.  pers. 

desired,  G   1344;  Luste,//.  s.  impers.  it 

pleased,  G  1235. 
Lustier,  more  joyous,  G  1345. 
Lustihede,  s.  cheerfulness,  3.  27  ;  delight, 

H   274 ;   enjoyment,   F  288 ;   vigour,   L. 

1530. 
Lustily,  adv.  gaily,  merrily,  R.  1319. 
Lustinesse,  s.  pleasure,  jollity,  A  1939; 

vigour,  R.  1282. 
Lusty,  adj.  pleasant,  gay,  A  80;  jocund, 

F   272;    lusty,   H  41;    joyous,   R.  581; 

happv,  R.  1303 ;  joyful,  A  1513 ;  vigorous, 

L.  1038. 
Luxures,  s.  pi.  lusts,  B  3.  p  7.  12. 
Luxurie,  s.  lechery,  B  925,  C  484. 
Lyard,  adj.  grey,  D  1563. 
Lycorys,  s.  liquorice,  A  3690. 
Lye  (i),  V.  lie,  remain,  10.  52;  \^ye,ger.  to 

lodge,  D  1780 ;   Lye  .  .  by,  v.  lie  beside, 

B3470;  Lye  upright,  lie  on  one's  back, 

lie  dead,  R.  1604;   Lystow,  thou  liest,  H 

276;    Lyth,  pr.  s.   lies,   is,   remains,    R. 

782;  lies,  3.  146,  181;   (he)  lies,  B  634; 

(that)  lies,  D  1829;  remains,  resides,  B 

3654;  lies   (dead),  3.   143;   Lyth  therto, 

belongs   here,   is   needed,  3.  527;    Lay, 

I  //.  s.  lodged,  A  20 ;  was,  A  538  ;  Laye, 

//.  s.  subj.  would  lie,  T.  iv.   1560;    Ly, 

imp.  s.  T.  ii.  953. 
Lye    (2),  V.  tell  lies,  lie,  A  763;  Lixt,   2 
/;-.   s.   liest.   D    1618,   1761 ;  Ley,  strong 
pt.  s.  lied,  T.  ii.  1077 ;  Lyed,  weak  pt.  s. 

lied,  A  659.    A.  S.  leogan. 


(glossarial  Intici. 


67 


Lye  (3),  V.  blaze,  D  1142.  A.  S.  lyge,  s. 
flame. 

Lyer,  s.  liar,  B  2256. 

Lyes,  s.pl.  lees,  dregs,  HF.  2130. 

Lyes,  //.  (i)  lees;  or  (2)  lies,  D  302. 
Perhaps  a  double  meaning  is  intended. 

Lyf,  s.  life,  A  71,  2776;  l^yves,  gen.  life's, 
6.  60;  of  my  life,  3.  920;  Our  present 
worldes  lyves  space,  the  space  of  our 
present  life  in  the  world,  5.  53;  Lyves 
day,  lifetime,  L.  1624 ;  Lyve,  dal.  L.  59 ; 
On  lyve,  alive,  L.  1792;  in  his  time,  D 
43;  Upon  lyve,  alive,  T.  ii.  1030;  Of 
lyve,  out  of  life,  T.  v.  1561 ;  Bringe  of 
lyve,  cause  to  die,  T.  ii.  1608 ;  My  lyve, 
in  my  life,  T.  ii.  205 ;  By  thy  lyf,  during 
thy  life,  B  1621 ;  Thy  lyf,  during  thy 
lifetime,  17.  19;  His  lyve,  in  his  lite,  L. 
1099;  Hir  lyve,  in  their  life,  D  392; 
Lyves,  pi.  B  3284. 

Lyflode,  .5.  means  of  living,  I  685.  Mod. 
E.  livelihood. 

Lyfly,  adv.  in  a  lifelike  way,  A  2087. 

Lyke,  v.  please,  T.  i.  431 ;  ger.  HF.  860; 
to  be  liked,  R.  1357;  Lyketh,  pr.  s. 
pleases,  E  1031 ;  impers.  (it)  pleases,  E 
311,  845;  us  I.  yaw,  it  pleases  us  with 
respect  to  you,  E  106  ;  Lyke,  pr.  s.  subj. 
may  please,  D  1278;  thee  I.  nat,  it  may 
not  please  you,  L.  490;  Lyked,  pt.  s. 
impers.  pleased,  R.  1312. 

Lyking,  s.  pleasure,  C  455 ;  delight,  B 
3499- 

Lyking,  adj.  pleasing,  R.  868;  pleasant, 
R.  1416;  thriving,  R.  1564. 

Lyklihed,  s.  dat.  likelihood,  E  448. 

Lyklinesse,  s.  probability,  22.  15. 

Lykly,  adj.  likely,  like,  16.  32. 

Lykne,  \pr.  s.  compare.  3.  636. 

Lyknosse,  s.  parable,  A  2842. 

Lym.  ,f.  lime,  F  1149;  quicklime,  L.  649. 

Lymaille,  s.  filings  of  any  metal,  G  1162; 
Lymail,  G  1164;   Limaille,  G  853. 

Lyme.  ;v/-.  to  cover  with  birdlime,  '1\  i.353. 

Lymere,  s.  hound  held  in  leash,  3.  365. 

Lymrod,  s.  lime-twig,  B  3574. 

Lyne,  j-.  line,  T.  i.  1068 ;  fishing-line,  4. 
242;  line  of  descent,  D  1135;  as  lyne 
right,  straight  as  a  line,  T.  iii.  228. 

Lyned.  //.  lined,  A  440. 

Lyne-right,  adj.  in  an  exact  line,  exactly 
in  a  line  with,  A.  i.  21.  31. 

Lyoun,  s.  lion,  T.  iii.  1780;  v.  830; 
Lyouns, //.  R.  894.    See  Leoun. 

Lyst,  2  pr.  s.  liest,  reclinest,  T.  ii.  991 ; 
Lystow,  liest  thou,  H  276. 

Lytargye,  .f.  lethargy,  T.  i.  730. 

Liyte,    adj.    small,    little,    R.   532 ;    slight. 


I  689  ;   Lyte,  s.  a  little,  L.  29,  535  ;  Lyte, 

pi.  little,  A  494.     , 
Lyte,  adv.  little,  3.  884;    a  little,  E  935; 

in  a  small  degree,  G  632,  699;   /.  and  I., 

by  little  and  little,  D  2235. 
Lythe,  adj.  easy,  soft,  HF.  118. 
Lythe,^!?/-.  to  alleviate,  cheer,  T.  iv.  754. 
Lyve ;  see  Lyf. 

Lyveiy,  adv.  in  a  lively  way,  3.  905. 
Lyves;  see  Lyf. 
Lyves,  adv.  in  life ;    hence,  as  adj.  living, 

alive,  T.  iv.  252;    no  lyves  creature,  no 

living  creature,  T.  iii.  13. 

M. 

M',  sometimes  put  for  y[Q  (before  a  vowel)  ; 
as  in  mastertey2)r  me  asterte. 

Ma  fey,  my  faith  I  T.  iii.  52. 

Maad ;  pp.  o/Make. 

Maat,  adj.  dejected,  B  2.  p  4.  42. 

Mad,  pp.  made,  L.  286.     See  Make. 

Madde,  v.  go  mad,  4.  253;  ger.  to  be 
furious,  T.  i.  479. 

Mader,  s.  madder,  9.  17. 

Mag-ik,  s.  magic,  A  416. 

Magistral,  s.  magistracy,  B  3.  p  4.  26. 

Maheym,  s.  maiming,  I  625.  Mod.  E. 
maim. 

Maille,  s.  mail,  ringed  armour,  E  1202. 

Maister,  s.  master,  B  1627 ;  doctor,  D 
2184;  doctor  (of  divinity),  D  1638;  (as 
a  term  of  address) ,  17.  i ;  one  in  authority, 
A  261. 

Maisterful,  adj.  masterful,  T.  ii.  756. 

Maister-strete,  s.  main  street,  L.  1965. 

Maister-temple,  s.  chief  temple,  L.  1016. 

Maister-toun,  s.  chief  town,  L.  1591. 

Maister-tour,  v.  chief  tower,  F  226. 

Maistow,  mayest  thou,  HF.  699. 

Maistresse,  s.  mistiess,  L.  88;  govern- 
ess, C  106. 

Maistrye,  s.  mastery,  great  skill,  A  3383; 
mastery,  F  747,  764;  control,  B  3689,  C 
58 ;  superiority ;  for  the  maistrye,  as 
regards  authority,  A  165 ;  victory,  B 
3582;  specimen  of  skill,  HF.  1074;  art, 
elegance,  R.  842 ;  a  masterly  operation 
(cf.  F.  coup  de  mal/re),  G  1060. 

Majestee,  s.;  his  real  majestec  =  his  royal 
majesty,  i.  e.  liigh  treason,  B  i.  p  4.  162. 

Make,  s.  mate,  D  270,  H  186;  equal, 
match,  A  2556 ;  wedded  companion,  wife, 
B  700;  bride,  E  1882;  husband,  U  85. 

Make,  v.  make,  A  184;  compose,  write, 
L.  69;  ger.  to  compose,  to  write  (about), 
R.  41;  pretend  to,  counterfeit,  T.  ii. 
1522;  cause  (it),  T.  ii.  959;   Makestow, 


68 


(glossarial  hxbex. 


2  pr.  s.  B  371 ;  Maketh,  /r.  s.  causes,  A 
3035;  Maken,  //•.  //.  make,  utter,  A  9; 
Maked,  //.  s.  made,  A  526;  Makeden, 
pt.pl.  T.  iv.  121;  Made, //.  J.  J«^y.  may 
have  made,  4.  227 ;  Made  .  .  .  broglit, 
caused  to  be  brought.  HF.  155;  Maked, 
pp.  made,  A  1247 ;  composed,  5.  677 ; 
Maad,  pp.  made,  A  394  ;  Mad,  pp.  3.  415. 

Makelees,  adj.  peerless,  T.  i.  172. 

Making,   s.  poetry,  composition,   L.  74, 

413.  4S3- 

Malapert,  adj.  forward,  T.  iii.  87. 

Male  i  I ) ,  J.  bag,  wallet,  A  694,  3115. 

Male  (2),  J.  male,  D  122. 

Maleflce.  s.  evil  contrivance,  I  341. 

Mal6ncolyk,  adj.  melancholy,  A  1375. 

Malgre./rt/.  in  spite  of,  4.  220. 

Malison,  s.  curse,  I  443 ;  cursing,  I  619. 

Malliable,  adj.  malleable,  such  as  can 
be  worked  by  the  hammer,  G  1130. 

Malt,  pt.  s.  melted,  HF.  922. 

Maltalent,  s.  ill-will,  ill-humour,  resent- 
ment, R.  273,  330. 

Man,  s.  A  167,  209,  223 ;  (used  indefinitely) 
one,  B  43,  D  2002  ;  hero,  B  3331 ;  servant, 
I  772;  Mannes,  gen.  of  mankind,  T.  ii. 
417;  Men,  pi.  men,  people,  i8.  26;  A 
178  ;  sing,  (unemphatic  form  c/man),  one 
{with  sitig.  verb) ,  A  149,  232,  C  675,  G  392. 

Manace,  V**^-  to  threaten,  E  1752. 

Manasinge,  j^.  threatening,  A  2035. 

Mandement,  s.  summons,  D  1346. 

Maner,  s.  manor,  place  to  dwell  in,  3. 1004. 

Manere,  s.  manner,  A  858,  D  1229;  de- 
portment, A  140;  disposition,  L.  251; 
manner,  way,  3.  1130;  ease  of  behaviour, 
3.  1218 ;  goodly  courtesy  of  manner,  4. 
294;  of  manere,  in  his  behaviour,  F  546; 
Maner,  way,  3.  433;  manner,  kind,  sort 
{used  without  oi  following) ,  as  in  maner 
doctrine,  B  1689;  pi.  kinds,  R.  1406. 

Manhede,  s.  manliness,  A  1285. 

Mannish,  adj.  manlike,  T.  i.  284;  human, 
B  2454  ;  unwomanly,  B  782. 

Mannisli,  adv.  like  a  man,  boisterously, 
E  1536. 

Mansioun,  s.  dwelling,  A  1974;  (a  term 
in  astrology),  F  50;  mansion  (of  the 
moon),  F  1285;  pi.  daily  positions  or 
'stations'  of  the  moon,  F  1130.  A  man- 
sion of  a  planet  is  the  sign  (or  signs)  of 
the  zodiac  in  which  the  planet  was 
thought  to  be  peculiarly  at  home.  A 
mansion  of  the  moon  refers  to  its  posi- 
tion dav  by  day  in  the  sky. 

Mansuete.  adj.  courteous,  T.  v.  194. 

Mansuetude.  s.  meekness,  I  654. 

Mantelet,  -.  short  mantle,  A  2163. 


Manye,  s.  mania,  A  1374. 
Mappemounde,  map  of  the  world,  12.  2. 

Mapul,  s.  maple-tree,  A  2923. 

Marble-stoon,  s.  piece  of  marble,  R. 
1462. 

Marchal,  s.  marshal,  E  1930. 

Marchandyse,  s.  barter,  I  777. 

Marchant,  j-.  merchant,  A  270. 

Marcial,  adj.  warlike,  T.  iv.  1669. 

Marcien,  adj.  devoted  to  Mars.  D  610. 

Mareys,  s.  marsh,  D  970;  Mareys, //. 
marshes,  B  2.  p  7.  42. 

Marie,  interj.  marry,  i.  e.  by  St.  Mary,  G 
1062. 

Mark  ( i) ,  j.  mark,  fixed  spot,  L.  784 ;  sex, 
race,  D  696;  sign,  I  98. 

Mark  (2),  s.  a  piece  of  money,  of  the 
value  of  135.  4^.  in  England,  G  1026;  //. 
Mark,  C  390. 

Market-beter,  s.  swaggerer  in  a  market, 
A  3936. 

Markis.  j.  a  marquis,  E  64;  gen.  sing. 
marquis's,  E  994. 

Markisesse.  s.  a  marchioness,  E  283. 

Martyre,  s.  martyrdom,  T.  iv.  818. 

Martyreth,  pr.  s.  torments,  A  1562. 

Mary,  .f.  marrow,  pith,  C  542. 

Mary-bones,  s.  pi.  marrow-bones,  A  380. 

Mase,  J-.  maze,  labyrinth,  L.  2014;  be- 
wilderment, T.  v.  468  ;  bewildering  posi- 
tion, B  4283. 

Mased,  adj.  bewildered,  B  526;  stunned 
with  srief,  7.  322. 

Masednesse,  s.  amaze,  E  1061. 

Maselyn,  s.  a  bowl  made  of  maplewood, 
H  2042. 

Massedayes,  pi.  massdays,  B  4041. 

Masse-peny,  s.  penny  for  a  mass,  D  1749. 

Mast,  s.  mast,  i.  e.  the  fruit  of  forest- 
trees,  acoins  and  beech-nuts,  9.  7,  37. 

Masty,  adj.  fattened,  sluggish,  HF.  1777. 
Lit.  '  fattened  on  mast.' 

Mat,  adj.  dejected,  A  955  ;  exhausted,  T. 
iv.  342;  dead,  L.  126;  defeated  utterly, 

B  935- 

Mate,  interj.  checkmate!  3.  660;  adj. 
exhausted,  7.  176. 

Materes.  pi.  materials  (of  a  solid  char- 
acter), (j  779. 

Matrimoine,   s.  matrimony,  A  3095,  E 

1573- 
Maugre,  Maugree,  in  spite  of;  as  in 
maugre  al  thy  might,  .\  1607;  maiigree 
hir  eyen  two,  A  1796;  maitgree  thyne yen, 
D  315  ;  m.  her,  L.  1772;  /;/.  Philistiens,  B 
3238 ;  m.  my  heed,  in  spite  of  all  I  can 
do,  3.  1201 ;  m.  tliyn  heed,  B  104;  tn.  his 
heed,  .\  1169;  ni.  her  {hir)  heed,  L.  2326, 


(§los0arial  JintJtx. 


69 


D  887;  m.your  heed,  in  spite  of  all  you 

can  do,  B  4602. 
Maumet.  s.  idol,  I  860. 
Maumetrye,  s.  Mahometanism,  idolatry, 

R    236.      Maumet    is    a    corruption    of 

Mahomet  or  Muhammed  ;  our  ancestors 

wrongly  held    the    Mahometans   to   be 

idolaters. 
Maunciple,    s.    manciple,    A    544.    An 

officer  who    purchases   victuals    for  an 

inn  or  college. 
Mavis,  s.  song-thrush,  R.  619. 
Mawe,  s.  maw,  stomach,  B  486. 
May,  s.  maiden,  B  851. 
Mayde  child,  girl,  B  1285. 
Maydenheed,  s.  maidenhood,  virginity, 

D  888. 
Mayle,  s.  mail-armour,  T.  v.  1559. 
Mayntene,  v.  maintain,  R.  1144  ;  uphold, 

A  1778. 
Mayster-hunte,  s.  chief  huntsman,  3. 

375- 
Maystres,  s.pl.  masters,  B  3.  m  2.  12. 
Maystrie,  s.  masterly  act ;  No  maystrie, 

an  easy  matter,  L.  400. 
Maze,  2, pr.pl.  are  in  a  state  of  bewilder- 
ment, E  2387. 
Mechel,  adj.  much  ;  for  as  mechel,  for  as 

much,  A.  pr.  6. 
Mede  (i),  s.  mead  (drink),  B  2042.    See 

Meeth. 
Mede,  s.  (2),  mead,  meadow,  A  89. 
Medeleth, /;-.  s.  mingles,  L.  874. 
Medeling,  j.  admixture,  B  i.  p  4.  279. 
Medewe,  s.  meadow,  R.  128. 
Mediatours,  s.  pi.  go-betweens,  I  967. 
Medle,  v.  mingle,  HF.  2102;  meddle,  take 

part  in,  G  1184;  dye  {miscere),  B  2.  m  5. 

10 ;  Medly,  v.  mingle,  mix,  B  2.  m  3.  7 ; 

imp.  pi.  meddle,  G  1424. 
Medlee,  adj.  of  a  mixed  colour,  A  328. 
Meed,  s.  reward,  L.  1662;  M6de,  meed, 

reward,  A  770;  to  medes,  for  my  meed, 

for  my  reward,  T.  ii.  1201. 
Meel-tyd,  s.  meal-time,  T.  ii.  1556. 
Meeth,  s.  mead,  A  3261.  3378;  Meth,  A 

2279. 
Megre,  adj.  thin,  R.  218,  311. 
Meinee ;  see  Meynee. 
Meke,  i  pr.  s.  humble,  B  2874. 
Meke,  adv.  meekly,  7.  267. 
Melancolious  {accented  m6!anc61ious), 

adj.  melaTicholy,  HF.  30. 
Meldncolye,  s.  melancholy,  3.  23. 
Mele,  s.  meal  (of  flour),  A  3995. 
Melle,  -v.  mill,  A  3923,  4242. 
Melte,    V.    melt,  T.   iv.  367;    Malt, /A  s. 

HF.  922;  Molte, //.  HF.  1145,  1149. 


Memorial,  adj.  which  serves  to  record 
events,  7.  18. 

Mem6rie,  s.  memory,  G  339;  remem- 
brance, A  3112,  B  3164. 

Men,  //.  (7/"Man  ;  also  a  weakened  form  of 
Man,  in  the  sense  of  '  one,'  or  '  some 
one  ' ;  used  with  a  singular  verb.  See 
Man. 

Mendinants,  //.  mendicant  friars,  D 
1907,  1912. 

Mene,  adj.  middle,  B  3.  m  9.  28;  mene 
whyle,  mean  while,  G  1262;  of  middle 
size,  T.  V.  806;  Mene,  adj.  pi.  inter- 
mediate, 7.  286. 

Mene,  s.  means,  way,  11.  36;  middle 
course,  T.  i.  689 ;  instrument,  E  1671 ; 
mediator,  i.  125  ;  go-between,  T,  iii.  254 ; 
intermediary,  I  990;  the  mean,  L.  165; 
pi.  means,  instruments,  D  1484. 

Meneliche,  adj.  moderate,  B  i.  p  6.  iii. 

yienen,  ger.  to  say,  HF.  1104;  to  signify, 
B  3941 ;  i/r.  J.  intend,  A  793;  Menestow, 
meanest  thou,  G  309 ;  Mente,  i  pt.  s. 
meant,  intended,  B  4614;  purposed,  18. 
50;  declared,  7.  160;  Ment,//.  intended, 
5-  158. 

Mene-w^hyle,  mean  time,  D  1445. 

Mening,  s.  intent,  F  151. 

Menivere,  s.  miniver,  a  fine  fur,  R.  227. 

Menstralcies,  //.  minstrelsies,  HF.  1217. 

Mente,  pt.  t.  of  Menen. 

Mentes,  //.  plants  of  mint,  R.  731. 

Mercenarie,  s.  hireling,  A  514. 

Merciable,  adj.  merciful,  B  1878,  3013. 

Mercy,  s.i.j;  (have)  mercy,  i.  36 ;  graunt 
mercy,  much  thanks,  10.  29. 

Mere.  s.  mare,  A  541 ;  Mare,  A  4055. 

Meridian,  adj.  at  the  moment  of  south- 
ing, southern,  A.  pr.  93. 

Meridie,  s.  midday,  A.  ii.  44.  48. 

Meridional,  adj.  southern,  F  263. 

Merier,  adj.  pleasanter,  sweeter,  B  2024, 
4041. 

Meritorie,  adj.  meritorious,  I  831. 

Merk,  s.  image,  F  880. 

Merken,  v.  brand,  B  i.  p  4.  139. 

Merlion,  s.  merlin,  small  hawk,  5.  339. 

Mermaydens,  sirens,  R.  680,  682. 

Mersshy,  adj.  marshy,  D  1710. 

Merveille,  r.  marvel,  B  2736. 

Merveillous,  adj.  marvellous,  B  1643. 

Mery,  adj.  merry,  gay,  R.  580;  pleasant, 
A  235,  757;  pleasant  to  liear,  B  1186; 
Meriemen,  followers,  B  2029. 

Mes ;  at  good  mes,  at  a  favourable  distance, 
so  as  to  have  a  fair  shot,  R.  1453.  O.  F. 
mes. 

Meschaunce,  s.  misfortune,  A  2009;  evil 


70 


(glossarial  Jinbex. 


occurrence,  T.  i.  92;  a  miserable  con- 
dition, B  3204;  unfortunate  conduct,  C 
80;  ill  luck,  B  4623;  ill  luck  (to  him), 
B   896;    wM   m.,   with    a    mischief,   H 

193- 
Meschief,  s.  misfortune,  A  493,  B  3513; 

trouble,  mishap,  A  2551 ;  tribulation,  H 

76. 
Mesel,  s.  leper,  I  624.     O.  F.  mesel. 
Meselrie,  s.  leprosy,  I  625. 
Messdge,   s.   (i),   message,   T.   iii.  401; 

errand,  B   1087 ;   (2)   messenger,  B  144, 

333- 
Messag'er,  s.  messenger,  A  1491. 
Messagerye,  s.  a  sending  of  messages 

(personified),  5.  228. 
Messanger,  s.  messenger,  HF.  1568. 
Messe,  s.  mass.  B  1413. 
Messuage,  s.  dwelling-house,  A  3979. 
Meste,  />/.   most,   i.   e.  highest   in   rank, 

greatest,  E  131 ;  at  the  vi.,  at  most,  T.  v. 

947- 

Mester,  s.  service,  ortice,  occupation,  A 
1340.     O.  F.  mester ;  Lat.  ministerium. 

Mesurable,  <7i(^'. moderate,  A  435 ;  modest, 
I  936. 

Mesurably,  adv.  moderately,  B  2795. 

Mesure,  s.  moderation,  3.  881 ;  measure, 
E  256  ;  plan,  5.  305  ;  by  yii.,  not  too  much, 
3.  872 ;  moderately,  R.  543 ;  over  m., 
immeasurably,  5.  300;  out  of  m.,  im- 
moderately, B  2607  ;  withoute  m.,  beyond 
measure,  3.  632. 

Mesviring,  s.  measure,  R.  1349. 

Met,  s.  measure  of  capacity,  1  799. 

Metamorphoseos,  ^dr«.  s.  (the  book)  of 
Metamorphosis;  it  should  be  pi.  Meta- 
niorpkoscon  ;    B  93. 

Mete,  adj.  meet,  befitting,  3.  316;  fit,  L. 

1043  ;  //.  meet,  A  2291. 
Mete,  s.  equal,  3.  486. 
Mete,  s.  meat,  food,  A  136,  1900;  meat, 

L.   iiq8;  repast,    T.  ii.  1462;  eating,  A 

127. 
Mete,  V.  meet,  L.  148 ;    find,  5.  698 ;   to 

meet   together,  B    1873;    Meteth,  pr.   s. 

meets    (men    being    singular  =  (?««■),   A 

1524:  Mette,  />t.  pt.  met,  E  390;  Metlen, 

f>t.  pi.  H  F.  227  ;  wel  met,  D  1443. 
Mete,  V.  dream,  T.  iii.  1559,  iv.  1396,  v.  249 ; 

Met,  pr.  s.  5.  104,  105  ;  Mette,  i  pt.  s.  5. 

95 ;  Me  mette,  I  //.  s.  rejl.  I  dreamt,  R. 

26 ;  pt.  s.  impers.  3.  276 ;  Met,  pp.  B  4445. 
Mete,  \ pr.  J.  (I)  measure,  A.  ii.  41.  8. 
Metely,  adj.  well-proportioned,  R.  822. 
Meth,  s.  mead  (drink),  A  2279. 
Meting'  (i),  s.  meeting,  L.  784. 
Meting  (2),  s.  dream,  3.  282. 


Meve,  V.  move,  stir,  T.  i.  472;  to  him 
meved,  urged  against  him,  L.  344. 

Mewe,  s.  mew,  i.  e.  coop  wherein  fowls 
were  fattened,  A  349 ;  properly,  a  coop 
for  hawks  w  hen  moulting,  F  643 ; 
hiding-place,  T.  iii.  602. 

Mewet,  adj.  mute,  T.  v.  194. 

Mexcuse,y&r  Me  excuse,  excuse  myself, 
16.  36. 

Meynee,  s.  household,  B  1238;  company, 
R.  1305 ;  followers,  suite,  retinue,  re- 
tainers, household-servants,  R.  615,  634; 
household,  menials,  A  1258  ;  army,  troop, 
B  3532;  assembly,  HF.  933;  Meinee, 
retinue,  I  437 ;  troop,  A  4381 ;  Meiny, 
crew,  L.  2201.  O.  F.  meisiiee,  maisnee, 
household. 

Meyntenaunce,  s.  demeanour,  3.  834. 

Michel,  adj.  much,  A.  ii.  23.  30. 

Mid.  adj.  middle,  3.  660. 

Middel,  s.  waist,  R.  1032. 

Midel,  adj.  neither  tall  nor  short,  7.  79. 

Mikel,  adj.  great,  7.  99;  much,  L.  1175. 

Mile-wey,  s.  a  space  of  5^,  which- answers 
to  twenty  minutes  of  time,  the  average 
time  for  walking  a  mile ;  hence  the 
term,  A.  i.  7.  ii. 

Milksop,  s.  a  piece  of  bread  sopped  in 
milk;  hence,  a  weak,  effeminate  man, 
B  3100. 

Milne-stones,  pi.  mill-stones,  T.  ii.  1384. 

Minde,  s.  remembrance,  T.  ii.  602; 
memory,  B  527  ;  m  m.,  in  remembrance, 
F  109,  607. 

Ministres,  //.  officers,  B  4233. 

Ministreth,  pr.  s.  administers,  governs, 
B  3.  m  6.  3. 

Minne.  imp.  s.  remember,  mention,  16.48. 

Minstralcye,  s.  minstrelsy,  E  1718; 
musical  instrument,  H  113;  sound  of 
music,  F  268. 

Mintinge,//«. //■.  intending,  B  i.  m  2.  3. 

Mir6.cle,  s.  wonder,  A  2675 ;  legend,  B 
1881 ;  pleyes  of  m..  miracle-plays,  D  558. 

Mirour.  s.  mirror,  R.  567,  1585. 

Mirre.  f.  myrrh,  A  2938. 

Mirthe.  .t.  pleasure,  amusement,  R.  601; 
Mirthe,  Sir  Mirth  (personified),  R.  733. 

Mirtheles.  adj.  sad,  5.  592. 

Mis,  adj.  wrong,  amiss,  T.  iv.  1348  ;  bad, 
HF.  197s  ;  blameworthy,  G  999. 

Mis,  .f.  wrong,  evil,  L.  266  a. 

Mis,  adv.  amiss,  wrongly,  T.  i.  934. 

Mis.  I  pr.  s.  lack,  have  not,  6.  47. 

Misacounted,  //.  miscounted,  T.  v. 
1185. 

Misaunter,  s.  misadventure,  misfortune, 
T.  706. 


(glossarial  Jinlici. 


/ 


Misaventiire,  s.  misadventure,  mishap, 

B  6i6;   mischief,  R.  422. 
Misavyse, //-.//.  re^.  act  unadvisedly,  D 

230. 
Misbileve,  s.  suspicion,  G  1213. 
Misbileved,  infidels,  i.  146. 
Misboden.  />/.  offered  (to  do  you)  evil, 

insulted,  A  909. 
Misborn,  />/>.   misbehaved,    B  3067    (lit. 

'  borne  amiss '). 
Miscarie,  v.  go  amiss,  A  513. 
Mischaunce,  s.  ill  luck,  R.   1548;   mis- 
chance, R.  251;  misfortune,  L.  1826;  (o 

mischaunce,  i.  e.  to  the  devil,  T.  ii.  222, 

V.  359 ;  how  m.,  how  the  mischief,  T.  iv. 

1362. 
Mischeef ,  s.  misfortune,  L.  1278  ;  danger, 

4.  58  ;  harm,  R.  253. 
Misconceyveth,  pr.  s.  misunderstands, 

E  24  [o. 
Miscounting,  s.  fraudulent  reckoning,  R. 

196. 
Misdemeth,  pr.  s.  misjudges,  E  2410. 
Misdeparteth,  pr.  s.  parts  or   divides 

amiss,  B  107. 
Misdooth,  pr.  s.  ill-treats,  B  31 12. 
Misdrawinges,   s.  pi.  way  of  drawing 

aside,  B  3.  p  12.  107. 
Misericorde,  s.  (there  is)  mercy,  pity,  T. 

lii.  1177;  pity,  B  2608. 
Mis6rie,  s.  misery,  B  3167. 
Misese,   s.    trouble,    I    806;    discomfort, 

I  177 ;  pi.  injuries,  B  i.  p  4.  73. 
Misesed,  pp.  vexed,  I  806. 
MisflUe, />/.  s.  subj.  it  went  amiss  (with), 

A  2388. 
Misforyaf ,  /;■.  s.  misgave,  T.  iv.  1426. 
Misg-oon,  pp.  gone  astray,  I  80. 
Misgovernaunce,  s.  misconduct,  B3202. 
Misgyed,  pp.  misconducted,  B  3723. 
Mishap,  s.  ill  luck,  B  3435. 
Mishappe,   v.   meet   with   misfortune,  B 

2886 ;  pr.  s.  subj.  (it)  may  happen  ill  for, 

A  1646. 
Misbappy,  adj.  unhappy,  B  2758. 
Misknowinge,  j'.  ignorance,  B  3.  m  11.  27. 
Mislay,  pt.  s.   lay   in   an   uncomfortable 

l^osition,  A  3647. 
Misledden,  pt.pl.  misconducted,  T.  iv.  48. 
Misledinges,  //.  misguiding  ways,  B  3. 

p  8.  2. 
Mislyketh,  pr.  s.  displeases,  L.  1293. 
Mislyved,  pp.  of  ill  life,  treacherous,  T, 

iv.  330. 
Mismetre,  pr.  s.  subj.  scan  amiss,  T.  v. 

1796. 
Mis-sat,  //.  s.  was  not  where   it   should 

be,  3.  941 ;  misbecame,  R.  1194. 


Misse.  V.  fail,  D  1416;  draw  to  an  end,  5.. 

40;  pf.  s.  was  wanting  (to),  T.  iii.  445; 

pp.  missing,  T.  iii.  537. 
Mis-set,  //.  misplaced,  3.  1210. 
Misseye,  ipr.  s.  speak  amiss,  7.  317  ;  pr.  s. 

slanders,  I  379 ;   »iissayd  or  do,  said  or 

done  wrong,  3.  528. 
Misspeke,  i  pr.  s.  subj.  speak  wrongly,  A 

3139- 

Mistaketh,  2  pr.  pi.  transgress,  trespass,. 
R.  1540. 

Mister,  s.  trade,  handicraft,  occupation, 
A  613 ;  need,  R.  1426 ;  Master,  occupa- 
tion, A  1340;  what  m.  men,  men  of  what 
occupation,  what  sort  of  men,  A  1710. 
See  Mester. 

Misterye,  s.  ministry,  profession,  I  895. 
From  Lat.  ministerium. 

Mistihede,  s.  mystery,  4.  224. 

Mis-torneth,  pr.   pi.   turn    aside,   B  3. 

P3-9- 
Mistyde,  v.  be  unlucky,  B  2886. 
Miswanderinge,    adj.    straying     (Lat. 

dei(iiis),  B  3.  p  2.  27. 
MisTsrent,  pp.  gone  amiss,  T.  i.  633. 
Mis-weyes,  s.  pi.  by-paths,  B  3.  m  11.  3. 
Miteyn,  j-.  mitten,  glove,  C  372. 
Mixen,  s.  dunghill,  I  911. 
Mo  (moo),  adj.  more,  A.  pr.  27  ;   more  (in 

number),  A  576,  849;   besides,  L.  917; 

others,  E2113;  another,  E  1039 ;  (others) 

besides,  E   2263 ;    many  others  besides, 

D  663;  tymes  mo,  at  other  times,  E449; 

othere  mo,  others  besides,  G  looi ;  na  mo, 

no  more,  none  else,  B  695. 
Mo,  adv.  more,  any  longer,  D  864;  never 

the  mo,  tiever  tno,  never,  D  691,  1099. 
Mocbel,  adj.  great,  L.  1966 ;  much,  G  611. 
Mocbel,  adv.  much,  B  3959. 
Mochel,  s.  size,  3.  454,  861. 
Moder,   s.  mother,   B   276;    the   thickest 

plate  forming  the  principal   part  of  the 

astrolabe  (Lat.  mater  or  rotula),  A.  i.  3. 

i;    Modres,  gen.   B   1783;    Modres,  //. 

C93- 
Moeble,  adj.  moveable,  A.  i.  21.  80. 
Moeble,    s.    moveable    goods,    personal 

property,  T.  iv.  1380,  1460 ;  //.  G  540. 
Moedes,  s.pl.  moods,  strains  (of  music),. 

B  2.  p  I.  50. 
Moevable,  adj.  fickle,  B  4.  m  5.  32;  as  s. 

The  firste  m.,  the  '  primum  mobile,"  A.  i- 

17.  50. 
Moevabletee,  s.  mobility,  B  4.  p  6.  126. 
Moeve,  ger.  to  stir  up,  B  2218  ;  v.  move, 

'  133- 
Moevere,  s.  mover,  A  2987. 
Moevinge,  s.  moving,  motion,  A.  pr.  99 : 


72 


(glossarinl  hxtitx. 


Firste  moeving,   the   '  primum   mobile," 

A.  i.  17.  45. 

Moiste,  />J.  supple,  A  457. 

Moiste.  ad/,  us  s.  moisture,  R.  1564. 

Mokereres,  s.  pi.  misers,  B  2.  p  5.  18. 

Mokre,  v.  hoard  up,  T.  iii.  1375. 

Molestie,  s.  tioublc,  B  3.  p  9.  105. 

MoUiflcacioun.  s.  softening,  G  854. 

Molte.//. ;  see  Melte. 

Monche,  v.  munch,  T.  i.  914. 

Mone,  s.  moon,  A  2077;  '•  c.  position  or 
'  quarter  '  of  the  moon,  A  403  ;  Mone, 
gen.  B  2070;  Mones,^^//.  F  1154. 

Mone,  s.  moan,  complaint,  A  1366,  F  920. 

Mone,  V.  refi.  to  lament,  T.  i.  98. 

Monstre.  s.  prodigy,  F  1344;  //.  B3302. 

Montaigne,  s.  mountain,  B  24. 

Mood,  s.  anger,  A  1760;  thought,  C  126. 

Moon.  ,r.  moan,  lamentation,  complaint, 
I-.  1 169,  1799. 

Moorne.  ipr.  s.  mourn,  A  3704. 

Moorninge,  s.  mourning,  plaint,  A  3706. 

Moot,  s.  pi.  notes  on  a  horn,  3.  376. 

Moot,  \pr.  s.  must,  shall,  B  1853;  pr.  s. 
must,  ought  to,  A  232;  is  to  (go),  B  294; 
Mot,  I  pr.  s.  may,  4.  267 ;  must,  have 
to,  B  227 ;  Most,  2  pr.  s.  B  104 ;  Mot, 
pr.  s.  must,  has  to,  L.  388,  1945 ;  Mote, 
•zpr.  pi.  may,  T.  ii.  402;  Moten,  must, 
L.  343  ;  Mote  {or  'Wioo\),pr.  s.  subj.  may, 
HF.  102;  L.  843;  is  sure  to,  L.  1632; 
Moot  {or  Mote)  I  goon,  may  I  still  go, 
may  I  still  retain  the  power  to  walk, 
F  777 ;  So  moot  {or  inote)  I  thee,  as 
I  may  thrive,  as  I  hope  to  thrive,  C 
309;  As  ever  mote  I,  A  832;  Foule 
moot  thee  falle,  ill  may  it  befall  thee, 
H  40;  Moot  {or  Mote)  thou,  maystthou, 
B  1626;  Moste,  1  pt.  J-. must  (go),  B282; 
Moste,  //.  s.  must,  4.  250;  had  to,  B 
886 ;  ought  to  (be) ,  F  38 ;  was  made  to, 
B  3700;  Mosten,  pt.  pi.  should,  L.  99; 
Moste,  pt.  s.  subj.  might,  L.  1573 ;  us 
moste,  we  must  resolve  to,  G  946. 

Moral,  adj.  excellent  in  character,  T.  iv. 
1672. 

Moralitee,  s.  moral  tale,  I  38;  moral 
writing,  I  1088. 

Mordre,  s.  murder,  R.  1136;  /«.  -wol  out, 
15  4242. 

Mordre,  ger.  to  murder,  kill,  L.  1536. 

Mordrer,  s.  murderer,  5.  353,  612. 

Mordring,  s.  murdering,  A  2001. 

More,  adj.  greater,  B  2396,  E  1231 ;  larger, 
HF.  500;  More  and  lesse,  all  alike, 
every  one,  B  959;  More  and  more,  HF. 
532;  witk-outen  more,  without  further 
trouble,  T.  iv.  133. 


More,  adv.  more,  A  219;  in  a  greater 
degree,  B  3745. 

More,  s.  root,  1'.  v.  25.    A.  S.  moru. 

Mormal,  s.  sore,  gangrene,  A  386. 

Morne.  s.  morning;  tnorne  miik,moTn\ng- 
niilk,  A  358,  3236. 

Morsel,  s.  morsel,  bit,  A  128 ;  m.  breed, 
morsel  of  bread,  B  3624. 

Morter,  s.  mortar,  9. 15 ;  a  metal  bowl  for 
holding  wa.\,  with  a  wick  for  burning. 
T.  iv.  1245. 

Mortifye,  v.  kill ;  used  of  producing 
change  by  chemical  action,  G  1431; 
pp.  deadened,  I  233. 

Mortreux,  //.  thickened  soups  or  pot- 
tages, A  384.  (Also  spelt  tnortrewes  ; 
thus  X  is  for  s.) 

Morwen,  s.  morning,  morrow,  T.  ii.  1555  ; 
Moiwe,  L.  49,  108;  fore  part  of  a  day, 
T.  iv.  1308 ;  by  the  morwe,  early  in  the 
morning.  A  334. 

Morweninge.5.  morning,  A  1062;  dawn- 
ing, 4.  26. 

Morwe-song,  s.  morning-song,  A  830. 

Morwe-tyde.  s.  morning-hour,  E  2225 ; 
///  t/ie  III.,  in  the  morning,  B  4206. 

Mosel,  s.  muzzle,  A  2151. 

Most,  2  //.  s.  oughtest  (to),  8.  3;  Moste, 
//.  s.  must,  ought  (to),  A  3088;  must 
(go),  HF.  187;  had  to  go,  T.  v.  5;  was 
obliged  to,  T.  iii.  540;  must,  miglit,  E 
2102 ;  //.  s.  subj.  might,  L.  1594  ;  Mosten, 
//.  //.  must,  might,  T.  ii.  1507 ;  could, 
HF.  2094. 

Moste,  adj.  sup.  greatest,  F  199;  chief, 
D  1041 ;  chiefest,  F  361. 

Mote  (i),  s.  atom,  T.  iii.  1603;  Motes,//, 
specks  of  dust,  D  868. 

Mote  (2),  s.  motion  (Lat.  motus),  A.  ii.44. 
22.  The  '  mene  mote'  or  mean  motion 
is  the  average  motion  of  a  planet  dur- 
ing a  given  period. 

yiaXxe .  ger .  to  mutter,  T.  ii.  541. 

Mottelee,  s.  motley  array,  A  271. 

Motthes,  s.pl.  moihs,  B  2187. 

Motyf.  f.  motive;  hence  idea,  notion,  B 
628,  E  1491. 

Moulen.  v.  grow^  mouldy,  B  32;  //.  A 
3870. 

Mountance,  s.  amount,  value,  quantity, 
A  1570;  amount  (of  time),  L.  307;  length, 
T.  ii.  1707;  value,  H  255. 

Mourdaunt,  s.  chape,  or  metal  tag,  at 
the  end  of  a  girdle,  R.  1094.  (Not  '  the 
tongue  of  a  buckle.') 

Moustre,  s.  pattern,  3.  912. 

Moveresse,  s.  a  fomentress  of  quarrels, 
R.  149. 


(glosgarial  Entiei. 


73 


Mowe,  s.  grimace,  T.  iv.  7 ;  //.  HF.  1806. 

Mowen,  v.  be  able ;  vioiven  s/iewen,  be- 
come evident,  B  5.  p  4.  163;  Mowen, ^^^/-. 
to  have  power,  T.  ii.  1594;  May,  ipr.  s. 
may,  B  89;  can,  B  231;  Maystow,  may- 
est  thou,  A  1918;  Mowe,  1  pr.  pi.  can, 
B  2939;  may,  HF.  1735;  Mowen,  2 /r. 
//.  can,  19.  25  ;  Mowe,  2  pr.  pi.  may,  L. 
92;  can,  3.  552;  Mowen,  pr.  pi.  are 
able  to,  D  1722;  Mowe,  //•.  //.  may, 
can,  A  2999;  Mowe,  2.  pr.  s.  subj.  mayest, 
G  460 ;  Mighte,  pt.  s.  might,  A  169,  &c. ; 
I  pt.  s.  subj.  could,  E  638. 

Mowing'e,  s.  ability,  B  4.  p  4.  32. 

Mo'wled,  //.  decayed,  A  3870. 

Moysoun,  s.  crop,  growth,  R.  1677.  O.  F. 
inoisflu  ;  I^at.  ace.  mensioncm. 

Moyste,  adj.  fresh,  new,  B  1954,  C  315. 

Moysty,  adj.  new  (applied  to  ale),  H  60. 

Muable.  adj.  changeable,  T.  iii.  822. 

Muchel,  adj.  much,  great,  A  2352;  a 
great  deal  of,  F  349;  in  so  m.,  in  so 
much,  B  2644;   many,  G  673. 

Muchel,  adv.  greatly,  A  258;  much,  F 
1 129. 

Mulier  est  hominis  coiifiisio,  woman  is 
man's  confusion,  B  4354. 

MuUok,  s.  a  heap  of  refuse,  .A  3873 ;  con- 
fused heap  of  materials,  G  938,  940. 

Multiplicacioun,  s.  multiplying,  i.  e. 
the  art  of  alchemy,  G  849. 

Multiplye,  v.  to  make  gold  and  silver  by 
tlie  arts  of  alchemy,  G  669. 

Murmuracion,  j.  murmuring,  I  499. 

Murmuringe,  s.  murmur,  A  2432. 

Murche,  s.  mirth,  joy,  E  1123. 

Murye,  adj.  merry,  A  1386. 

Mu3cle,  s.  mussel,  D  2100. 

Muse,  jr.  muse,  poetic  faculty,  16.  38. 

Muse,  ger.  to  consider,  T.  iii.  563;  pr.  s. 
gazes  into,  R.  1592;  pp.  gazed,  R.  1645. 

Musice,  Music,  B  2.  p  i.  49. 

Musyke,  music,  5.  62;   Musik,  B  4483. 

Muwe,  s.  mew,  pen  (for  hawks),  cage, 
T.  i.  381 ;  in  muwe,  cooped  up,  T.  iv. 
496. 

Muwe,  'd.  change,  T.  ii.  1258. 

Myle,  s.  mile,  HF.  1038;  firve  m.,  five 
miles,  G  555. 

Mynde,  s.  dat.  mind,  recollection,  3.  15 ; 
ace.  reason,  2.  34;  3.  511;  have  minde 
upon,  remember,  19.  26. 

Myne,  v.  undermine,  T.  iii.  767. 

Mynour,  s.  one  who  mines,  A  2465. 

Myrie,  adj.  merry,  A  1499. 

Myrie,  adv.  merrily,  A  3575. 

Myrier,  adv.  comp.  merrier,  R.  876. 

Mys,  pi.  mice,  B  2.  p  6.  37. 


Myte   (i),  s.  mite,  thing  of  no  value,  A 

1558. 
Myte  (2),  mite,  insect;  //.  D  560. 

N. 
N',  for   ne,   not;    as  in  nachevetk  for  ne 

acheveth,  and  the  like. 
Na,  no  (Northern),  A  4175. 
Na  mo,  i.  e.  no  more,  none  else,  B  695. 
Nacheveth,  for  ne  acheveth,   achieves 

not,  T.  V.  784. 
Nadde,//.  s.  {forne  hadde),had  not,  R. 

457- 
Naddre,  s.  adder,  E  1786. 
Nadir,  s.  the  point  of  the  ecliptic  e.xactly 

opposite    to    that    in   which    the   sun    is 

situate,  A.  ii.  6.  i ;  see  1.  12. 
Nadstow,  2  //.  s.  haddest  thou  not,  didst 

thou  not,  A  4088. 
Naille.  imp.  s.  3  /.  let  it  nail,  let  it  fasten, 

E  1184. 
Naiteth,  pr.  s.  refuses,  B  i.  m  i.  25. 
Nake,  2 pr.pl.  make  naked,  B  4.  m  7.  70; 

Naked,  pp.  as  adj.  naked,  A  1956,  I  105  ; 

bare,    HF.    133;    destitute,   void,    weak, 

G  486;  simple,  plain,  A.  pr.  30. 
Nakers, />/.  kettle-drums,  A  2511.     From 

the  Arabic. 
Nale ;    atle  nale,   at   the   ale,  at   the  ale- 
house, D  1349. 
Nam,   (for  ne  am),  i  pr.  s.  am  not,  A 

1 122,  B  2710;  nam  but  deed,  am  only  a 

dead  man,  3.  204. 
Nam,  pt.  s.  took,  G  1297. 
Name.  s.  good  name,  reputation,  L.  1812; 

title,  B  3.  p  6.  36. 
Namely,  adv.  especially,  A  1268,  2709. 
Namo.  (for  na  mo),  no  more  in  number, 

A   loi,  544;    none   other,   no    one   else, 

D  957- 
Namore,  adv.  no  more,  A  98. 
Napoplexye,    for   Ne    apoplexye,    nor 

apoplexy,  B  4031. 
Nappeth,  pr.  s.   naps,  slumbers,  nods, 

H9. 
Narette;  see  Arette. 
Nart,  ( for  ne  art),  art  not,  G  499. 
Narwe,    adj.  small,   R  4012;  pi.  A  625; 

close,  closely  drawn,  D  1803. 
Narwe.  adv.  narrowly,  closely,  A  3224; 

tightly,  L.  600;  carefully,  E  1988. 
Nas,  (for  ne  was),  was  not,  A  251,  288; 

/  nas  but,  I  was  simply,  2.  21. 
Nassayeth,    for   ne    assayeth,   attempts 

not,  T.  V.  784. 
Nat,    adv.    not,    A    74;    Nat    but,  only, 

merely,  L.  1899;  quite,  L.  2091. 
Nat,  (  for  ne  at),  nor  at,  B  290. 


D  2 


74 


©lossarial  Entia. 


Nat  forthy,  adv.  notwithstanding,  B  2165. 
Natal,  adj.  who  presides  over  nativities, 

T.  iii.  150. 
Natli,    {for  ne  hath),  pr.  s.  hath  not,  A 

923- 

Nathelees,  nevertheless,  A  35. 

Nature,  s.  nature,  A  11;  kind,  race,  5. 
615  ;  sped,  I  577. 

Naturel,  adj.  natural,  A  416.  A  '  day 
natural '  is  a  period  of  24  hours. 

Naug'ht,  adv.  not,  B  1701 ;  not  so,  G  269. 

Nave,  s.  nave  (of  a  wheel),  D  2266. 

Naxe,  (  for  ne  axe),  ask  not,  T.  v.  594. 

Nay.  adv.  nay,  no,  G  1339;  {opposed  to 
yea) ,  E  355  ;  (answers  a  direct  question) , 
B  740 ;  surely  not  I  3.  1309 ;  as  s.  nay, 
untruth,  3.  147 ;  It  is  no  nay,  there  is 
no  denying  it,  B  1956. 

Nayte,  v.  withhold,  deny,  I  1013. 

Ne,  adv.  and  conj.  not,  A  70;  nor,  A  179, 
526 ;  lie  .  .  .  tie,  neither  .  .  .  nor,  A  603  ;. 
(when  used  with  a  verb,  a  second  neg- 
ative is  often  added). 

Nece,  s.  niece,  B  1290. 

Necesseden,  pt.  pi.  compelled,  B  3.  m 
9.8. 

Neddre,  s.  adder ;  pi.  L.  699. 

Nede,  s.  need,  extremity,  B  102,  658, 
2360;  extremity,  difficult  matter,  B 
2917;  peril,  B  3576;  at  nede,  at  need, 
I.  112;  for  nede,  if  needful,  R.  1123; 
s.  as  adj.  needful,  A  304;  //.  matters  of 
business,  B  174,  1266;  necessities,  T.  ii. 
954 ;  needs,  G  178 ;  for  nedes,  for  very 
need,  3.  1201. 

Nede,   adv.  necessarily,  of  necessity,   R. 

144 1.  1473- 
Nede,  v.  be   necessary,  B  871 ;   Nedeth, 

pr.  s.  (it)  is  necessary,  (it)  needs,  A  462; 

7v/iaf  n.,  what   is  the  need   of,   A    849 ; 

Xeded6,  pt.  s.  impers.  (there)  needed,  A 

4020,  4161 ;   us   neded,  we  should  need, 

'!'•  iv.  1344- 
Nedely,    adv.    of   necessity,   necessarily, 

I''  4435- 

Nedes,  adv.  needs,  necessarily,  of  neces- 
sity, L.  1298. 

Nedes-cost,  adv.  of  necessitv,  A  1477, 
I..  2'.g7. 

Needly,  adv.  necessarily,  B  3.  p  9.  87. 
See  Nedely. 

Neen,  no  (Northern),  A  4185,  4187. 

Near,  adv.  comp.  nearer,  A  839,  968 ;  neer 
and  neer,  A  4304 ;  as  pos.  adv.  near,  A 
1430  ;  fer  or  neer,  far  or  near,  T.  i.  451. 

Neet,  pi.  neat,  cattle,  A  597. 

Negardye,  s.  niggardliness,  10.  53. 

Neghen,  v.  draw  nigh,  L.  318. 


Neigh,  adj.  near,  nigh,  B  2558. 
Neigh,  adv.  nearly,  'I',  i.  60. 
Neighebour,  s.  neighbour,  A  535. 
Neighen,  v.  draw  near,  T.  ii.  1555. 
Neither  nother,    (in)   neither  the   one 

nor  the  other,  B  5.  m  3.  53. 
Nekke-boon,  s.  neck-bone,  B  1839;  neck, 

U  906 ;  nape  of  the  neck,  B  669. 
Nel,  1  pr.  s.  will  not,  T.  ii.  726. 
Nempnen,  v.  name,  B  507. 
Nenvye,  for  ne  envye,  imi>.  s.  envy  not, 

T.  V.  1789. 
Ner,  adv.  comp.  nearer,  3.  888 ;  T.  i.  448  ; 

Nere,  3.  38;   ner  and  ner,  B  1710;  Ner 

the  les,  nevertheless,  4.  130. 
Nercotikes,  //.  narcotics,  A  1472. 
Nere  {for  ne  were),  2  pt.  s.  wast  not,  4. 

112;   pt.  pi.  were  not,  A  875,  D   1944; 

I  //.  s.  subj.  should  not  (I)  be,  T.  ii.  409  ; 

Nere,  //.  s.  subj.  would  not  be,  should 

not  be,  A  1129;  were  not,  B  3984;  were 

it  not,  B    132;    were  it  not  (for),  i.  24, 

180. 
Nere,  adv.  nearer,  R.  1454. 
Nerf,  s.  nerve,  i.  e.  sinew,  T.  ii.  642. 
Nescapest  {for  Ne  escapest),  escapest 

not,  L.  2643. 
Nest,  .(.  D  1691 ;  wikked  nest,  i.  e.  mau  ni, 

or     Mauny     (referring     to     Sir     Oliver 

Mauny),  B  3573;  //.  HF.  1516.  _ 

Net-herdes,  gen.  neat-herd's,  B  2746.  Ai 

Nether,  adj.  lower,  A  3852.  w 

Netherest,  adj.  superl.  lowest,  i.e.  outer- 
most, A.  i.  18.  7. 
Nevene,  v.  name,  G  821 ;  herd  hir  name 

n.,   heard    (him)    name   her    name,    T. 

i.   876;   pr.  pi.  subj.   may   mention,    G 

1473- 
Never,   adv.   never,   A  70;    n.  dide  but, 

never  did   aught  that  was   not,  4.  297 ; 

n.  the  nr-er,  none  the  nearer,  G  721. 
Neveradel,  adv.  not  a  bit,  C  670. 
Never-mo,    adv.    never    oftener,    never 

(with  two  exceptions),  A.  ii.  31.  5  ;  never, 

3-  II2S- 

Nevew,  s.  nephew,  L.  1442;  grandson, 
L.  2650. 

Ne'we.  adv.  newly,  freshly,  afresh,  A  365, 
428  ;  of  newe,  new,  fresh,  T.  ii.  20;  Newe 
and  newe,  again  and  again,  T.  iii.  116; 
continually,  C  929. 

Newed,  //.  s.  had  something  fresh  in  it, 
3.  906;  pp.  renewed,  B  3036. 

Newefangel,  adj.  fond  of  novelty,  F  618, 
H  IQ3. 

New-fangelnesse,  s.  fondness  for  nov- 
elty, L.  154  ;   V  610. 

Newe-thought,  s.  Inconstancy,  R.  982. 


(^loggarial  Jntio. 


75 


Nexte,  adj.  sup.  nearest,  A  1413  ;  easiest, 
T.  i.  697. 

Ney,  adj.  nigh,  A.  ii.  3.  78. 

Nigard,  adj.  niggardly,  R.  1172. 

Nigard,  s.  miser,  niggard,  B  4105. 

Nigardye,  s.  miserliness,  B  1362. 

Nighte,  ^''(>/-.  to  grow  dark,  become  night, 
l'-  V.  515. 

Nig-hter-tale,  s.  ;  by  «.,  in  the  night-time, 
A  97.  This  expression  seems  to  have 
resulted  from  a  confusion  of  Icel.  a 
nattar-peli,  in  the  dead  of  night,  with 
Icel.  natlar-tal,  a  tale  or  number  of 
nights. 

Nigiit-spel,  s.  night-spell,  night-incan- 
tation, A  3480. 

Nigromanciens,  s.  pi.  necromancers, 
I  603. 

Nil,  I  pr.  s.  will  not,  3.  92,  1125;  will  (I) 
not,  shall  (I)  not,  T.  v.  40,  43,  44;  desire 
not,  dislike,  E  646;  Nille,  i  pr.  s.  will 
not,  G  1463;  Nil,//-,  s.  will  not,  B  972; 
will  not  (have),  3.  586;  will  (she)  not, 
3.  1140 ;  Nilt,  2  pr.  s.  wilt  not,  T.  ii.  1024  ; 
Niitow,  thou  wilt  not,  T.  i.  792. 

Nillingre,  s.  refusing,  B  5.  p  2.  23. 

iHin, /or  Ne  in,  nor  in,  E  1511,  F  35. 

Nis,  for  ne  is,  is  not,  2.  77;  Ther  nis  no 
more  but,  all  that  remains  is  that,  L. 
847. 

Niste,  I  //.  s.  knew  not,  F  502 ;  //.  s. 
knew  not,  A  3414,  4225. 

Noble,  s.  a  gold  coin,  A  3256;  //.  HF. 
1315.     (Worth  6s.  8d.) 

Nobledest,  pi.  s.  2  p.  ennobledest,  didst 
ennoble,  G  40.  A  translation  of  Dante's 
nobilitasti. 

Noblesse,  s.  nobleness,  R.  780;  noble 
cheer,!",  v.  439;  nobility,  D  1167;  (title 
of  respect),  B  2956;  magnificence,  B 
3438 ;  high  honour,  B  3208 ;  nobility, 
rank,  R.  1034 ;  worthy  behaviour,  B 
185,  248. 

Nobley,  s.  nobility,  dignity,  splendour, 
HF.  1416;  noble  rank,  T.  iv.  1670; 
assembly  of  nobles,  G  449;  state,  F  77. 

Nof  (for  Ne  of),  nor  of,  D  571,  660. 

Noghit,  adv.  not,  A  107 ;  by  no  means, 
in  no  respect,  A  1226;  Noght  but  for, 
only  because,  D  645. 

Noght,  J-.  nothing,  C  542;  N.  worth, 
worth  nothing,  H  200. 

Noisen,  ■z  pr.pl.  cry  aloud,  B  3.  m  6.  10. 

Nokked,  pp.  notched,  R.  942. 

Nolde,  I  //.  s.  would  not,  did  not  want, 
5.  90;  (I)  should  not  desire,  G  1334; 
Noldest,  2  pt.  s.  wouldst  not,  3.  482 ; 
Noldesiow,   if  thou  wouldst  nof,  T.  iii. 


1264;    Nolde,  //.  J.   would   not,    i.  31; 

would  not  (have),  A  1024. 
Nombre,    s.  number,    A   716;    amount, 

sum,  A.  ii.  24.  5. 
Nombred,  //.  counted  in,  T.  iii.  1269. 
Nomen,  //.  taken,  T.  v.  514 ;  put,  R.  408  ; 

Nome,  //.  L.  822,  1018,   1777.     Pp.   of 

7iimen. 
Nones,  for  the,  for  the  nonce,  for  the 

occasion,  for  this  occasion,  A  379,  523, 

545,  879;  on  the   spur   of  the   moment, 

T.  i.  561 ;  for  the  time,  T.  ii.  1381 ;  With 

the  nones,  on  ihe  condition,  HF.  2099, 

L.   1540.     Originally  for   tlien   a?!es,   for 

the  once;  where  then  is  the  dat.  of  the 

def  article  (A.  S.  tSdin). 
Nonne,   s.   nun,  A   118;   Nonnes  Freest, 

Xun's  Priest,  B  4637. 
Nonnerye,  s.  nunnery,  A  3946. 
Noon,  none,  no,  A  318,  449;  or  noon,  or 

not.  or  no,  D  2069. 
Noot,  I  pr.^s.  know  not,  L.  2660;   Not,  L. 

193;  Nost,  knowest  not,  3.  H37  ;  Nostow, 

thou  knowest  not,  HF.  loio;  NooX, pr.s. 

knows  not,  C  284;  Not,  4.  214.    A.  S. 

not. 
Norice,  s.  nurse,  B  4305. 
Norice,  v.  nourish,  foment,  B  2204;  pp. 

brought  up,  E  399. 
Norissing,  s.  nutriment,  A  437;  growth, 

A   3017 ;    Norishinge,    bringing    up,    E 

1040 ;    //.    refections,     B    4.    p    6.    38 ; 

sustenance,  B  i.  p  6.  93  (Lat.  /omih'ni). 
Noriture,  s.  nourishment,  T.  iv.  768. 
Nortelrye,  s.  education,  A  3967. 
Northren,  northern,  A  1987. 
Norttire,  s.   instruction,  good   manners, 

R.  179. 
Nory,   s.    pupil     (lit.    foster-child),   B  3. 

p  II.  233 ;   Norry,  B  I.  p  3.  14. 
Nose-thirles,  p/.  nostrils,  A  557,  I  209. 
Noskinnes, /o/-  Noneskinnes,  of  no  kind, 

HF.    1794.     From    nones,   gen.   of  noon, 

none  ;  and  kinnes,  gen.  of  kin. 
Nost,  Nostow,  Not;  see  Noot. 
Not  but,  only,  4.  121 ;  T.  iii.  1636. 
Nota,  \.  e.  observe,  A.  ii.  26.  33. 
Notabilitee,  s.  notable  fact,  B  4399. 
Notable,  adj.   notorious,  remaikable,   B 

1875- 
Notaries,  s.  pi.  scribes,  I  797. 
Note,  J.  (i),note(in  music),  A  235,  B  1737; 

musical  note,  peal,  HF.   1720;   tune,  5. 

677 ;  by  n.,  accordmg  to  musical  notes, 

by  note,  R.  669;  in  concord,  all  at  once, 

T.  iv.  585. 
Note,  s.  (2),  employment,  business,  task,. 

job,  A  4068.     A.  S.  notu. 


76 


(glossarial  Cnli£i. 


Noteful,  adj.  useful,  A.  pr.  120. 

Notemuge,  f.  nutmeg,  B  1953. 

Notes,  s.pl.  nuts,  R.  1360. 

Not-heed,  s.  crop-head,  a  head  with  hair 
cropped  short,  A  109. 

Nother,  neither, 7. 253;  neither  (of them), 
L.  192. 

Nothing,  adv.  in  no  respect,  in  no  degree, 
not  at  all,  A  2505;  for  n.,  by  no  means, 
D  1 121. 

Notiflcacions,  //.  hints,  B  5.  m  3.  23. 

Notifle.  //-.  //.  indicate,  I  430;  //.  pro- 
claimed, B  256. 

Nouchis,  s.  pi.  jewelled  ornaments,  jewels 
(properly,  setting  for  jewels),  clasps, 
HF.  1350;   Nowches,  E  382.     Y..  ouc/i. 

Nought,  adv.  not,  T.  ii.  575,  673 ;  not  at 
ail,  3.  3  ;  B  2262. 

Noumbre,  s.  number,  3.  440. 

Noumbre,  v.  number,  3.  439 ;  //.  counted 
in,  T.  iii.  1269. 

Noun-certeyn,  s.  uncertaii^fy,  18.  46;  T. 

i-  337- 
Noun-power,  s.  impotence,  B  3.  p  5.  22. 
Nouthe,   now,  T.  i.  985;   as  noitthe,   at 

present,  A  462. 
Novelrye,  s.  novelty,  T.  ii.  756. 
Now,  adv.  now,  A  715 ;  for  noiu,  for  the 

present,  7.  343 ;  ?iow  and  ?iow,  from  time 

to  time,  occasionallv,  ?"  430. 
Nowches ;  see  Nouchis. 
Noyous.  adj.  troublesome,  HF.  574.  Short 

for  anoyous. 
Ny,  adj.  near,  B  2562  ;   Nye,  def.  the  one 

who  is  near,  A  3392. 
Ny,   adv.  nigh,  nearly,  B  2735;  as  ny  as, 

as   close  to,  A  588  ;  w<?/  ny,  almost,  A 

1330. 
Ny.  //r/.  nigh,  B  550. 
Nyce,  adj.  foolish,  B  3712,4505;  ignorant, 

k.  1257;  foolish,  weak,  B  1083,  G  493; 

ludicrous,  A  3855 ;  scrupulous,  A  398. 
Nycely,  adv.  foolishly,  T.  v.  11^52. 
Nycetee,  s.  folly,  G  463;   simplicity,  A 

4046 ;    foolish    behaviour,    pleasure,    D 

412;  scrupulousness,  T.  ii.  1288. 
Nye ;  see  Ny. 
Nyfles,  //.  mockeries,  pretences,  U  1760. 

Lit. '  sniffings  ' ;  O.  F.  nijier,  to  sniff. 


O  (66),  one,  A  304,  363 ;  a  single,  B  5.  p  6. 
158;  one  and  the  same,  T.  ii.  37;  one 
continuous  and  uniform,  HF.  iioo.  See 
Oon. 

Obeisant,  adj.  obedient,  E  66,  I  264. 

Obeisaunce,  s.  obedience,   E  24,  502; 


obedient  act,  E  230;  obedient  farewell, 
L.  2479;  in  your  o.,  in  obedience  to  you, 
2.  84;  uvto  her  o.,  in  obedience  to  her, 
L.  587 ;  Obeisaunces,  //.  acts  of  dutiful 
attention,  L.  149;  observances,  L.  1268. 

Obeising,  adj.  yielding,  L.  1266. 

Objecte.  adj.  presented,  B  5.  p  5.  5. 

Obligacioun.j^.bond,  15.2;  Obligaciouns, 
//.  sureties,  B  3018. 

Oblige,  v.;  o.  to  you,  lay  an  obligation  on 
you  (to  make  me),  'I",  iv.  1414. 

Obsequies,  pi.  funeral  rites,  A  993. 

Observaunce.j.  respect,  A 1045  ;  homage, 
7.  218  ;  observance,  L.  1608  ;  ceremony, 
T.  ii.  112;  heed,  I  747;  //.  customary 
nttentions,  F  956;  duties,  L.  150. 

Observe,  v.  favour,  B  1821 ;  pr.  s.  takes 
heed,  I  303. 

Occasioun,  s.  cause,  L.  994. 

Occident, .?.  west.  B  297. 

Occidentale.  adj.  western,  A.  i.  5.  9. 

Occupye,  z.  take  up,  F  64;  pr.  s.  follows 
close  upon,  T.  iv.  836;  dwells  in,  B  424; 
i»/p.  s.  hold  to,  B  4.  p  7.  103. 

Octogamye,  s.  marrying  eight  times,  D 

33- 

Of,  prep,  of,  A  2,  &'C. ;  by,  R.  1260;  con- 
cerning, about,  F  1179;  during,  B  510; 
for,  13.  19;  off,  from,  3.  964;  on  account 
of,  B  2208 ;  as  to,  as  regards,  in  respect 
of,  F  425 ;  as  to,  3.  966 ;  upon,  5.  555 ; 
over,  B  2947 ;  with,  A  2055 ;  some,  A 
146 ;  0/  a  purpos,  on  purpose,  deliber- 
ately, B  2273  ;  of  al  my  /if  in  all  my  life, 
5.  484;  of  grace,  by  his  favour,  out  oi 
his  favour,  E  178;  fuljild  of,  filled  with, 
7.42. 

Of,  adv.  off,  away,  5.  494 ;  (come)  off,  T. 
iv.  1 106;  off,  A  2676;  com  of,  be  quick, 
have  done,  A  3728. 

Offensioun,  damage,  A  2416. 

Offertorie,  s.  offertory,  A  710. 

Office,  s.  office,  employment  of  a  secular 
character,  A  292 ;  employment,  B  3446 ; 
duty,  5.  236;  property,  D  1144;  place  of 
office,  D  1577 ;  with  o.,  by  the  use  of 
(Lat.  officio),  B  I.  p  I.  3;  houses  of  0., 
servants'  ofiices,  E  264. 

Of-new^e,  adv.  newly,  again,  R.  1613 ; 
lately,  E  938. 

Of-shbw^ve,  v.  repel  (lit.  shove  off),  A 
3912. 

Of-taken,  pp.  taken  away,  B  1855. 

Ofte,  adj.  pi.  many;  Ofte  sythes,  often- 
times, .A  485;  Ofte  tyme,  often,  A  52; 
Tymes  ofte,  E  226. 

Ofter.  adv.  comp.  oftener,  E  215. 

Of  that.  conj.  because,  L.  815. 


(§lo0sartal  JnliEi. 


77 


Of-thowed,//.  thawed  awav,  HF.  1143. 

Oght,  s.  aught,  anything,  F  1469 ;  any- 
thing oi  value,  G  1333 ;  as  adv.  ought, 
at  all,  B  1792. 

Oghte ;  see  Owen. 

Oke.  Okes;  see  Ook. 

Olifaunts,  s.p/.  elephants,  B  3.  p  8.  29. 

Oliveres,  s.p/.  olive-trees,  R.  1314;  olive- 
yards,  B  3226. 

Olyve.  s.  olive-tree,  5.  181. 

Omelies,  s.  pi.  homilies,  I  1088. 

On,  prep,  on,  A  12;  in,  F  921 ;  at,  T.  iii. 
32 ;  of,  T.  iii.  18 ;  as  regards,  E  1424 ; 
against,  T.  ii.  865 ;  towards,  4.  298 ; 
binding  on,  10.  43  ;  hir  on,  upon  her,  3. 
1217;  on  eve,  in  the  evening,  E  1214;  on 
reste,  at  rest,  F  379. 

On,  one  ;  see  Oon. 

Onde,  s.  envy,  R.  148.    A.  S.  anda. 

Oneden,  pt.  pi.  united,  I  193;  pp.  united, 
complete,  D  1968. 

Ones,  adv.  once,  B  588;  united  in  design, 
C  696 ;  at  ones,  at  once,  A  765. 

On-lofte,  adv.  aloft,  up  in  the  air,  in  the 
sky,  5.  203,  683 ;  above  ground,  E  229. 

On-ly  ve,  adv.  alive,  F  932.     Lit. '  in  life.' 

Oo,  one ;  see  Oon. 

Ook,  s.  oak,  A  1702 ;  Oke,  dat.  3.  447 ; 
{collectively) ,  oaks,  R.  1384. 

Oon,  one,  R.  624;  always  the  same,  the 
same,  one  and  the  same,  B  2142;  united, 
agreed,  T.  ii.  1740;  alone,  unwedded,  D 
66;  the  same,  i.  e.  of  small  consequence, 
3.  1295;  the 'same  thing,  alike,  F  537; 
oon  the  fairesie,  one  of  the  fairest,  E 
212;  in  oon,  in  the  same  state,  un- 
changeably; ever  in  oon,  ever  alike, 
always  in  the  same  manner,  E  602; 
continually,  D  209;  oon  and  oon,  one  by 
one,  A  679 ;  after  oon,  equally  good,  A 
341 ;  that  oon,  one  thing,  T.  iv.  1453 ; 
the  one,  C  666;  many  con,  many  a  one, 
A  317,  E  775 ;  felle  at  oon,  came  to  one 
agreement,  T.  iii.  565 ;  many  on,  many 
a  one,  D  680 ;  everich  on,  every  one,  B 
1164;  Oo,  one,  G207;  a  single,  R.  1236; 
one  and  tlie  same,  3.  1293. 

Ooned,  pp.  united,  B  4.  p  6.  81. 

Open-ers,  s.  fruit  of  the  medlar,  A  3871. 

Open-heeded,  with  head  uncovered,  D 

645- 
Opie.  s.  opium,  A  1472 ;  Opies,//.  opiates, 

L.  2670. 
Opned,  pp.  opened,  T.  iii.  469. 
Opposen.  V.  oppose;    o.  me,  lay  to  my 

charge,  D  1597. 
Oppresse,  v.  suppress,  10.  60;  violate,  F 

141 1 ;  ger.  to  put  down,  G  4. 


Oppressioun,  s.  oppression,  wrong,  L. 
2S92;  tyranny,  10.  19;  violation,  L. 
1808. 

Or,  conj.  ere,  G  314. 

Or,  prep,  before,  R.  864. 

Or,  conJ.  or,  A  91,  &c. ;   Or  .  .  .  or,  either 
...  or,  R.  261. 
i   Oratorie,  s.  closet  for  prayers,  A  1905. 

Ordal,  s.  ordeal,  T.  iii.  1046. 

Orde,  dat.  point,  L.  645.  A.  S.  ord.  And 
see  Word. 

Ordenee,  adj.  well-ordered,  B  4.  p  i.  46. 

Orden61y,  adv.  conformably,  in  order, 
B  4.  p  6.  313. 

Ordenour,  s.  ruler,  B  3.  p  12.  102. 

Ordeyned,  //.  provided,  A  2553;  ap- 
pointed, F  177 ;  prepared,  G  1277 ; 
ordered,  I  336;  (=  ordeynee),//.  regu- 
lated, T.  i.  892. 

Ordinaat,  ,idj.  orderly,  E  1284. 

Ordinatly,  adj.  methodically,  I  1045. 

Ordinaunce,  s.  arrangement,  A  3012; 
provision,  B  250;  orderly  arrangement, 
A  2567 ;  consideration,  18.  38  ;  order,  B 
2303;    resolve,   B   2258;    command,   10. 

44- 
Ordred,  pp.  as  adj.  ordained,  I  782. 
Ordure,  s.  filthiness,  I  841;  rubbish,  T. 

V.  385- 

Ore,  s.  grace;  thyn  0.,  (I  pray  for)  thy 
grace,  A  3726.     A.  S.  dr. 

Ore,  s.  ore  (of  metal),  D  1064.    A.  S.  dr. 

Ores,  s.pl.  oars,  L.  2308. 

Orfrays,  s.  gold  embroidery,  gold  braid, 
fringe  with  golden  threads,  R.  462,  869, 
1076.     A.  F.  orfreis,  O.  F.  orfrois. 

Organs,  s.  pi. '  organs,'  the  old  equivalent 
of  organ,  G  134. 

Orgon,  pi.  as  sing,  organ  (Lat.  organ  a),  B 
4041. 

Orient,  s.  east,  A  1494. 

Oriental,  adj.  eastern ;  (hence)  of  supe- 
rior quality,  L.  221. 

Orisonte,  s.  horizon,  T.  v.  276. 

Orisoun,  s.  prayer,  A  2372. 

Orizon  rectum,  or  right  horizon,  A.  ii.  26. 
35.  This  means  the  horizon  of  any 
place  situate  on  the  equator,  which 
could  be  represented  by  a  straight  line 
uiion  A  disc  of  the  astrolabe. 

Orloge.  s.  clock,  5.  350 ;  B  4044. 

Orphelin,  adj.  orphaned,  B  2.  p  3.  33. 

Orpiment,  s.  orpiment,  G  759,  774,  823. 
'  Orpiinent,  trisulphide  of  arsenic"; 
Webster. 

Oruscupum,  i.  e.  horoscope,  A.  ii.  3.  rubric. 

Osanne,  i.  e.  Hosannah,  B  642. 

Ost,  s.  host,  army,  L.  1906. 


78 


(©lossatial  Intjcx. 


Ostelments,  s.  pi.  furniture,  household 
goods,  B  2.  p  5.  135.  (L.  supellectilis). 
Cf.  F.  outil. 

Ostesse,  s.  hostess,  B  4.  m  3.  23. 

Otes.  .(.  pi.  (of)  oats,  D  1963. 

Other,  adj.  second,  R.  953,  976 ;  the  other, 
A  427;  what  o.,  what  else,  T.  i.  799; 
that  o.,  the  other,  F  496;  Other,  //. 
others,  R.  1304;  Othere,  //.  other,  A 
794;  others,  HF.  215 1 ;  ^<f«. //.  others', 
HF.  2153;  Otheres,  gen.  sing,  each 
other's  (lit.  of  the  other),  C  476. 

Other,  ccnj.  or,  3.  810;  Other  ...  or, 
either  ...  or,  G  1149. 

Other-whyle,  adv.  sometimes,  B  2.  p  i. 
120. 

Ouche,  s.  nouch,  clasp,  D  743.  See  Nou- 
chis. 

Ought,  s.  anything,  3.  459;  as  adv.  at  all, 
T.  ii.  268;  in  ought  that,  in  as  far  as,  T. 
iii.  1241. 

Oughtestow,  oughtest  thou,  L.  1957. 

Oule,  s.  owl,  D  1081. 

Gules,  pi.  awls;  spiked  irons  for  tor- 
menting men,  D  1730.    A.  S.  awel. 

Ounces,  //.  small  portions,  A  677 ;  ounces, 
G  756. 

Ounded,  pp.  wavy,  T.  iv.  736. 

Oundinge,  s.  adornment  with  waved 
lines,  I  417. 

Oundy,  adj.  wavy,  HF.  1386.    F.  onde. 

Out,  adv.  out,  A  45,  &c. ;  used  for  come 
out.  HF.  2139;  go  out,  T.  iv.  210;  fully, 
T.  iii.  417 ;  niordre  ivil  out,  murder  will 
out,  B  1766;  Out  and  out,  entirely,  T.  ii. 

739- 
Out,  interj.  alas  I   A  3825  ;  Out  I  harrow  1 

B  4570. 
Out  of,  prep,  without,  C   157 ;   out  of,  A 

452- 
Out-breke,  v.  break  out,  break  silence, 

2.    12. 

Out-breste,  v.  burst  out,  T.  iv.  237. 

Out-bringe,  v.  utter,  L.  1835. 

Outcast,  pp.  cast  out,  T.  v.  615. 

Out-caughte,  pt.  s.  drew  out,  B  i86i. 

Out-drawe,  pp.  drawn  out,  T.  iv.  1226. 

Oute,  adv.  away,  T.  v.  553 ;  out,  i.  e. 
uttered,  D  977. 

Outen,  V.  put  out,  utter,  exhibit,  G  834; 
utter,  E  2438 ;  Oute,  i  pr.  s.  utter,  offer, 
D  521.     A.  S.  atian. 

Outereste,  adj.  superl.  uttermost,  far- 
thest. B  2.  m  6.  17. 

Outerly,  adv.  utterly,  entirely,  E  335. 

Outfleyinge,  s.  flying  out,  HF.  1523. 

Out-hees,  s.  outcry,  hue  and  cry,  alarm, 
A  2012. 


Outher,  conj.  either,  R.  250. 
Outherwhyle,  adv.  sometimes,  B  2733, 

2857. 
Outlandish,  adj.  foreign,  9.  22. 
Outrage,  s.  excess  {luxu),  B  2.  m  5.  5; 

cruelty,  injustice,  A  2012. 
Outrageous,  adj.  excessive,  B  2180;  im- 
moderate,   1    743;    violent,  rampant,  R. 

174;  excessively  bold,  R.  1257. 
Outrageously,  adv.  excessively,  A  3998. 
Outrance,  s.  great  hurt,  excessive  injury, 

24.  26. 
Outraye,  v.  lose  temper,  E  643.     O.  F. 

outreer,  to  surpass. 
Outrely ,  adj.  utterly,  B  4419 ;  entirely,  B 

2943.  3072;  decidedly,  B  2210. 
Out-ringe,  v.  ring  out,  T.  iii.  1237. 
Out-rood,  //.  s.  rode  out,  T.  v.  604. 
Out-rydere,  s.  rider  abroad,  A  166.    The 

name  of  a  monk  who  rode  to   inspect 

granges,  &c. 
Out-springe,  v.  come  to  light,  T.  i.  745; 

Out-sprong,  pt.  s.  spread  abroad.  Cm. 
Out-sterte.  pt.pl.  started  out,  B  4237. 
Out-straughte,  pt.  s.  stretched  out,  R. 

1515- 
Out-taken,  pp.  excepted,  B  277. 
Out-twyne,  2  pr.  pi.  twist  out,  utter,  12. 

II. 
Out-wende,  v.  proceed,  HF.  1645. 
Over,  prep,  above,  R.  1475 ;    beyond,  D 

1661 ;  besides,  F  137 ;    Over  hir  might, 

to  excess,  C  468. 
Over,  adj.  upper,  A  133 ;  Overest,  superl. 

uppermost,  A  290. 
Over-al,    adv.   everywhere,  A   216,   249, 

1207 ;  in  all  directions,  T.  i.  928 ;  on  all 

sides,   D   264 ;    in   every  way,  E  2129 ; 

throughout,    E   1048 ;    Over   al    and   al, 

beyond  every  other,  3.  1003. 
Over-bloTve!//.  past,  L.  1287. 
Overcaste,  v.  overcast,  sadden,  A  1536. 
Overcomer,  s.  conqueror,  B  i.  m  2.  15. 
Overdoon,  pp.  carried  to  excess,  G  645. 
Over-gilt.  adj.  worked  over  with   gold, 

R.  873. 
Over-goon,  v.  pass  away,  T.  i.  846 ;  over- 
spread, B  2.  p  7.  42. 
Overkerveth,  pr.  s.  cuts  across,  crosses, 

A.  i.  21.  90. 
Overlad,//.  put  upon,  B  3101.    Lit.  led 

over. 
Overlade,  v.  overload,  L.  621. 
Overlight,  adj.  too  feeble,  B  4.  m  3.  34. 
Over-loked,  pp.  perused,  3.  232. 
Overlyeth,  pr.  s.  lies  upon,  I  575. 
Over-passeth,  pr.  s.  surpasses,  B  5.  p  6. 

117. 


(glaggarial  InlJei. 


79 


Over-raughte,  //.  s.  reached  over,  hence, 
urged  on,  T.  v.  1018. 

Over-shake,//,  shaken  off,  5.  681. 

Overahote,  pp. ;  had  overshote  hem,  had 
over-run  the  scent,  3.  383. 

Over-skipte,  i  pt.  s.  skipped  over, 
omitted,  3.  1208. 

Oversloppe.  s.  upper-garment,  G  633. 
Cf.  leel.  yfirsloppr,  an  upper  garment. 
See  Sloppes. 

Oversprede,  v.  spread  over,  cover,  E 
1799;  Over-sprat, /r.  s.  over-spreadeth, 
T.  ii.  767 ;  Overspradde,  pt.  s.  covered, 
A  2871. 

Overspringe,  pr.  s.  sub;,  overpass,  F 
1060. 

Overtake,  v.  overtake,  attain  to,  G  682; 
Overtook,  i  pt.  s.  caught  up,  3.  360. 

Overte,  adj.  open,  HF.  718. 

Overthrowe ,  v.  be  overturned,  be  ruined, 
HF.  1640. 

Over-throwinge,  adj.  overwhelming,  B 
I.  m  2.  2;  headlong  (Lat.  praecipiti), 
B  2.  m  7. 1 ;  headstrong  (Lat.  praecipiti) , 
B  I.  m  6.  25 ;  revolving,  B  3.  m  12.  43. 

Overthroudng'e,  s.  falling  down,  B  2755  ; 
pi.  destruction  (Lat.  minis),  B  2.  m  4.  17. 

Overthwart,  adv.  across,  A  1991 ;  op)- 
posite,  T.  iii.  685;  askance,  R.  292. 

Overtynaeliche,  adv.  untimely,  B  1.  m 
I.  18. 

Over-whelveth,  pr.  s.  overturns,  turns 
over,  agitates,  B  2.  m  3.  17. 

Owen,  V.  owe,  own,  possess;  Oweth, 
pr.  jr.  owns,  possesses,  C  361;  Oweth, 
pr.  s.  rejl.  it  is  incumbent  (on  him), 
L.  360  a ;  Oghte,  1  //.  s.  ought,  4.  216 ; 
Oughtestow,  2  //.  s.  oughtest  thou,  T. 
V.  545 ;  L.  1957 ;  Oghte,  pt.  s.  impers.  it 
were  necessary,  B  2188 ;  him  oghte,  he 
ought,  L.  377;  it  became  him,  B  1097; 
hir  oghte,  becaine  her,  E  1120;  us  oghte, 
it  behoved  us,  we  ought,  i.  119;  hem 
oghte,  they  ought,  G  1340;  us  oghte 
(subj.),  it  should  behove  us,  we  ought, 
E  1150;  Oghte,  //.  s.  owed,  L.  589; 
ought,  A  505 ;  Owed,  pp.  due,  B  4.  p 
5.18. 

Owene,  adj.  def.  own,  C  834 :  myn  owene 
woman,  independent,  T.  ii.  750;  his 
owne  hand,  with  his  own  hand,  A  3624. 

Owh,  interj.  alas,  B  I.  p  6.  25. 

Owher,  adv.  anywhere,  A  653. 

Oxe,  s.  ox,  C  354 ;  Oxes,  gen.  E  207  ;  O.xen, 
//.  A  887. 

Oxe-stalle,  s.  ox-stall,  E  398. 

Oynement,  s.  ointment,  unguent,  A  631. 

Oynons,//.  onions,  A  634. 


P. 

Paas,  s.  pace,  step,  L.  284;  goon  a  paas, 
go  at  a  footpace,  C  866. 

Pace,  V.  pass,  go,  A  1602;  pass,  T.  i.  371 ; 
go  away,  15.  9  ;  pass  away,  A  175  ;  sur- 
pass, go  beyond,  T.  iii.  1272;  walk,  T.  v. 
1791 ;  overstep,  HF.  392;  come,  HF. 
720  ;  p.  of,  pass  over,  T.  ii.  1568  ;  0/  this 
thing  to  p.,  to  pass  this  over  in  review, 
HF.  239;  to  pace  of,  to  pass  from,  B 
205;  zpr.  s.  pass  over  (it),  go  on,  HF. 
1355;  proceed,  go  on,  A  36;  i  pr.  s. 
subj.  depart,  F  494;  2  pr.  s.  subj.  go, 
D  911. 

Paillet,  s.  pallet,  T.  iii.  229. 

Paire,  s.  pair,  A  473;  set,  A  159;  as  pi. 
pairs,  5.  238.  {Pair,  in  the  sense  of 
'  set,'  is  applied  to  many  things  of  the 
same  kind  and  size.) 

Paisible,  adj.  peaceable,  9.  i. 

Palasye,  s.  palsy,  R.  1098. 

Pale,  s.  perpendicular  stripe,  HF.  1840. 

Palestral,  adj.  athletic,  pertaining  to 
wrestling,  T.  v.  304. 

Paleth,  pr.  s.  renders  pale,  B  2.  m  3.  3. 

Paleys-,  or  Paleis  -  chauinbres,  //. 
palace-chambers,  9.  41. 

Paleys-gardyn,  palace-garden,  T.  ii.  508. 

Paleys-ward,  to,  toward  the  palace,  T. 
ii.  1252. 

Paleys-yates,  //.  gates  of  the  palace, 
4.  82. 

Palinge,  s.  adorning  with  (heraldic) 
pales,  or  upright  stripes,  I  417. 

Palis,  s.  palisade,  stockade,  B  i.  p  6.  41 ; 
paling,  rampart,  B  i.  p  3.  86.  O.  F. 
palis,  paleis. 

Palled,  pp.  pale,  languid,  H  55. 

Pan,  s.  brain-pan,  skull,  A  1165. 

Panade,  s.  kind  of  knife,  A  3939,  3960. 

Panier,  s.  pannier,  E  1568 ;  //.  baskets 
for  bread,  HF.  1939. 

Panne,  s.  pan,  A  3944. 

Panter,  s.  bag-net  for  birds,  L.  131 ;  //. 
nets,  R.  1621.     O.  Y.pantiere. 

Papejay,  s.  popinjay,  B  1559, 1957,  E  2332 ; 
applied  in  England  to  the  green  wood- 
pecker (  Gecinus  viridis) . 

Paper,  s.  account-book,  A  4404. 

Paper-whyt,  adj.  white  as  paper,  L. 
iig8. 

Papingay,  s.  popinjay,  R.  81.  See  Pape- 
jay. 

Par  amour ;  see  Paramour. 

Par  COS,  by  chance,  C  885. 

Par  companye,  for  company,  A  3839,  4167. 

Paradys,  s.  paradise,  R.  443. 


8o 


t^loggartal  Mtitx. 


Pardge, -f.  kindred,  birth,  D  250;  rank, 
D  1 120. 

Paraments, //.  mantles,  splendid  cloth- 
ing, A  2501.    See  Parements. 

Paramour,  {forpar amour),  adv.  for  love, 
B  2033 ;  longingly,  B  1933 ;  with  devo- 
tion, A  1 155;  Paramours,  passionately, 
T.  V.  332;  A  2112 ;  with  excessive 
devotion,  L.  260  a  ;  by  way  of  passionate 
love,  T.  v.  158 ;  for  p.,  for  the  sake  of 
passion,  E  1450 ;  for  paramours,  for  love's 
sake,  A  3354. 

Paramour,  s.  (i)  concubine,  wench,  D 
454 !  P^-  ^  3756 ;  lovers,  paramours,  T. 
ii.  236;  Paramour  (2),  love-making,  A 
4372. 

Paraunter,  perhaps,  L.  362. 

Paraventure,  perad venture,  perhaps,  F 

955- 

Parcel,  s.  part,  F  852;  small  part,  2. 106. 

Parchemin,  s.  parchment,  B  5.  m  4.  14. 

Pardee,  {F.par  Dieu),  a  common  oath, 
A  563,  3084 ;  Pardieux,  T.  i.  197. 

Pardoner,  s.  seller  of  indulgences,  A 
543,  C  318. 

Paregal,  adj.  fully  equal,  T.  v.  840. 

Parements,  s.  pi.  rich  hangings  or  orna- 
ments, (applied  to  a  chamber),  L.  1 106; 
F  269.    See  Paraments. 

Parentele,  s.  kinship,  I  908. 

Parfey,  by  my  faith,  in  faith,  HF.  938. 

Parflt,  adj.  perfect,  A  72,  422. 

Parfltly,  adv.  perfectly,  R.  771 ;  wholly, 
B  2381. 

Parfourne,  v.  perform,  B  2402;  Par- 
fourne,  ger.  to  fulfil,  B  3137;  /.  up, 
complete,  D  2261. 

Parfourninge,  s.  performance,  I  807. 

Parisshens,//.  parishioners,  A  482. 

Paritorie,  (.  pellitory,  Parietaria  offici- 
nalis, G  581. 

Parlement,  s.  (i)  deliberation,  decision 
due  to  consultation,  A  1306;  (2)  par- 
liament, T.  iv.  143 ;  /.  0/  Briddes, 
Parliament  of  Birds,  I  1086. 

Parodie,  s.  period,  duration,  T.  v.  1548. 
(A  curious  confusion  of  parodie  (so 
pronounced)  with  period.) 

Parsoneres,  s.  pi.  partners,  partakers, 
B  5.  p  5.  loi. 

Parten,  v.  share,  T.  i.  589;  ger.  To  p. 
with,  participate  in,  L.  465;  i  pr.  s. 
part,  depart,  T.  i.  5  ;  Parteth,  pr.  s. 
departs,  L.  359;  Parted,  pp.  dispersed, 
T.  i.  960 ;  gone  away,  taken  away,  L. 
mo. 

Parteners.  s.  pi.  partners,  partakers,    I 


Parting-felawes,  s.  pi.  fellow-partakeis, 

I  637. 

Part-les,  adj.  without  his  share,  B  4.  p  3. 
44. 

Partrich,  s.  partridge,  A  349. 

Party,  adv.  partly,  A  1053. 

Party e,  J.  portion,  A  3008;  partial  um- 
pire, taker  of  a  side,  A  2657 ;  portion, 
T.  ii.  394. 

Parvys,  s.  church-porch,  A  310. 

Pas,  s.  pace,  B  399;  step,  D  2162;  dis- 
tance, R.  525 ;  foot-pace,  A  825 ;  grade, 
degree,  4.  134 ;  grade,  I  532  ;  passage, 
B  2635 ;  a  pas,  at  a  footpace,  T.  ii.  627, 
v.  60;  F  388;  //.  paces,  yards,  A  1890; 
thousand  pas,  a  mile,  B  i.  p  4.  270. 

Passage,  s.  period,  R.  406. 

Passant,  pres.  pt.  as  adj.  surpassing,  A 
2107. 

Passen,  ger.  to  surpass,  exceed,  conquer, 
A  3089 ;  overcome,  L.  162 ;  outdo,  G 
857 ;  pr.  s.  passes  away,  F  404 ;  Paste, 
pi.  s.  passed,  T.  ii.  658 ;  passed  by,  T. 
ii.  398 ;  Passing,  pres.  pt.  surpassing, 
A  2885;  //.  past,  spent,  E  610;  sur- 
passed, 7.  82 ;  passed  by,  5.  8i ;  over- 
blown, gone  off,  R.  1682. 

Passing,  adj.  excellent,  F  929;  extreme, 
E  1225. 

Passioun,  s.  suffering,  B  1175;  passion, 
I.  162;  passive  feeling,  impression,  B 
S-  m  4.  52. 

Pastee,  s.  pasty,  A  4346. 

Patrimoine,  /.  patrimony,  I  790. 

Patroun,  s.  patron,  4.  275 ;  protector,  7. 
4  ,  pattern,  3.  910. 

Pawmes,//.  palms  (of  the  hand),  T.  iii. 
1114. 

Pax,  s.  the  '  osculatorium,'  or  '  paxbrede," 
a  disk  of  metal  or  other  substance,  used 
at  Mass  for  the  '  kiss  of  peace,'  I  407. 

Pay,  s.  pleasure,  5.  271 ;  more  to  pay,  so 
as  to  give  more  satisfaction,  5.  474. 

Paye,  v.  pay,  A  806;  //.  s.  A  539;  pp. 
satisfied,  pleased,  9.  3;  holde  her  payd, 
think  herself  satisfied,  3.  269. 

Payen,  adj.  pagan,  A  2370. 

Payens,  s.  pi.  pagans,  L.  786. 

Payndemayn,  .r.  bread  of  a  peculiar 
whiteness,  B  1915.  Lat.  panis  Domini- 
cus. 

Payne,  s.  pain ;  dide  his  payne,  took 
pains,  F.  730. 

Payre,  s.  a  pair,  R.  1386;  Paire,//.  pairs, 
R.  1698. 

Pece,  s.  piece,  5.  149;  pi.  pieces,  T.  i.  833. 

Peches,  //.  peaches,  R.  1374. 

Pecok,  f.  peacock,  5.  356. 


(^lossarial  Intitx. 


Si 


Pecok-arwes,  //.  arrows  with  peacocks' 

feathers,  A  104. 
Pecunial,  adj.  pecuniary,  D  1314. 
Pees,   s.   peace,   A   532,    1447 ;    in  /.,  in 

silence,  B  228. 
Pees,  peace !  hush  !  be  still !  B  836. 
Pekke,  s.  peck  (quarter  of  a  bushel),  A 

4010. 
Pekke,  hnp.  s.  peck,  pick,  B  4157. 
Pel,  s.  peel,  small  castle,  HF.  1310.     O.  F. 

pi/ ;  from  Lat.  ace. /«/«»?. 
Pelet,  s.  pellet,  stone   cannon-ball,    HF. 

1643. 
Peaaunt,  s.  a  penitent,   one   who   does 

penance,  B  3154. 
Pencel  (i),  s.  pencil,  brush,  A  2049. 
Pencel  (2),^.  small  banner,  sleeve  worn 

as  a  token,  T.  v.  1043.    Short  iox penoncel. 
P6nible,  tj^'.  painstaking,  B  3490;   Feni- 

ble,  careful  to  please,  E  714;    Penyble, 

inured,  D  1846. 
Penitauncer,  s.  confessor  who  assigns  a 

penance,  I  1008. 
Penitence,  s.  penance,  I  loi,  126. 
Penne.  s.  pen,  quill,  L.  2357. 
Penner,  s.  pen-case,  E  1879. 
Penoun,  s.  pennon,  ensign  or  small  flag 

borne  at  the  end  of  a  lance,  A  978. 
Pens ;  see  Peny. 
Peny,  s.  penny,  R.  451;  money,  A4119; 

Penyes,   //.    pence,   R.    189 ;    Pens,  //. 

pence,  C  376. 
Per  cas,  by  chance,  L.  1967. 
Per  coiiseguens,  consequently,  D  2192. 
Peraventure,  adv.  perhaps,  HF.  304;  C 

935- 
Percen,  v.  pierce,  B  2014 ;  pr.  s.  pierces 

with  his  gaze,  5.  331. 
Perche,  s.  perch   (for  birds  to  rest  on), 

A  2204;  wooden  bar,  R.  225;  a  horizon- 
tal rod,  A.  ii.  23.  44.     L,a.t.  per/ica. 
Percing'e,  s.;   for  percinge  =  to  prevent 

any  piercing,  B  2052. 
Perdurable,    adj.    everlasting,    eternal, 

B  2699 ;  Perdurables,  adj. pi.  everlasting, 

I  811. 
Perdurabletee,  s.  immortality,  B  2.  p  7. 

63.  103. 
Pere  s.  peer,  equal,  B  3244,  F  678. 
Peregryn,  adj.  peregrine,  i.  e.   foreign, 

F  428. 
Pere-jonette,   s.   a   kind    of   early-ripe 

pear.  A  3248. 
Peres,  p/.  pears,  R.  1375,  E  2331. 
Perfit.  iidj.  complete,  A.  i.  18.  4. 
Perfltly,  adv.  perfectly,  A.  pr.  21. 
Perfourne,  ^er.  to  perform,  B  2256;  be 

equivalent  to,  A.  ii.  10.  16. 


Peril,  J.  B  2672 ;   in  p.  in  danger,  4.  108 ; 

upon  my  p.,  (I    say  it)   at  my  peril,  D 

561. 
Perisse,  v.  perish,  I  254. 
Perle,  s.  pearl,  L.  221. 
Perled,  //.  fitted  with  pearl-like  drops, 

A  3251. 
Perr6e,    s.    jewellery,    precious    stones, 

gems,  B  3495.  3550. 
Perrye,  s.  jewellery,  A  2936;  Perrie,  HF. 

1393- 
Pers,    adj.    of    Persian    dye,    light-blue, 

R.  67. 
Pers,  5.  stuff  of  a  sky-blue  colour,  A  439, 

617. 
Pers^veraunce,  s.  endurance,  T.  i.  44; 

constancy,  3.  1007. 
Persevere,  v.  continue,   D    148;  pr.  s. 

lasts,  C  497. 
Pers6veringe,  s.  perseverance,  G  117. 
Persly,  s.  parsley,  A  4350. 
Pers6ne,   s.  person,   figure,   T.   ii.  701 ; 

Persoun,  parson.  A  478. 
Pert,  adj   forward,  frisky,  A  3950.    Short 

for  apert. 
Pertinacie,  s.  pertinaciousness,  I  391. 
Pertinent,  adj.  fitting,  B  2204. 
Pertourbe .  ^^r.  to  perturb,  T.  iv.  561. 
Perturbacioun,  s.  trouble,  B  i.  p  i.  98. 
Perturbinge,  s.  perturbation,  D  2254. 
Pervenke,   s.  periwinkle,  R.  903 ;    Per- 

vinke,  R.  1432. 
Pesen,//.  peas,  L.  648. 
Pesible,  adj.  calm,  B  i.  p  5.  3. 
Pestilence,  s.  the  (great)  pestilence,  A 

442,  C  679;  curse,  B  4600,  D  1264. 
Peter,  interj.  by  St.  Peter,  B  1404,  G  665. 
Peyne,  s.  pain  of  torture,  A  1133,  T.  i. 

674 ;    in    the   p.,   under   torture,   T.    iii. 

1502  ;  care,  F  509  ;  toil,  G  1398  ;  penalty, 

B   3041 ;    endeavour,  R.  765 ;    penance, 

B  2939;  zipon  p.,  under  a  penalty,  E  586. 
Peyne,  v.  rejl.  take  pains,  endeavour,  B 

4495;  put  (myself)  to  trouble,  HF.  246; 

Peyne,   i  /;■.  s.  rejl.  take  pains,  C  330, 

395;    Peyned  \\\x,pt.  s.  rejl.  took  pains, 

A  139,  E  976;  Peyned  hem,//.  //.  rejl. 

R.  107. 
Peynte,   v.  paint,  C  12;   colour  highly, 

HF.  246;  smear,  L.  875  ;  do  p.,  cause  to 

be  painted,  3.  259;  pt.  s.  F  560;   Peynted, 

pp.  painted,  L.  1029;   Pevnt,//.  R.  248. 
Peyntour,  c  painter,  T.  ii.  1041. 
Peynture.  s.  painting,  C  33. 
Peyre,  s.  pair,  A  2121 ;  a  set  (of  similar 

things),  D  1741. 
Peysible,   adj.  tranquil,   B  3.   m  9.  51. 

(L.  tranquilla.) 


D3 


«2 


(§Io0sarial  h\ti£x. 


Peytrel,  s.  poitrel,  breast-piece  of  a 
horse's  harness;  properly,  the  breast- 
plate of  a  horse  in  armour,  G  564;  //. 
I  433.     A.  Y.peitrel,  'LaX.  pectorale. 

Phitonesses,  //.  pythonesses,  witches, 
HF.  1261. 

[Physices,  gen.  of  physics,  or  natural 
philosophy,  B  1189.  Lat.  physices,  gen. 
oi  physice,  natural  philosophy.  (I  pro- 
pose this  reading.)] 

Pich,  s.  pitch,  A  3731,  I  854. 

Pietee,  s.  pity,  T.  iii.  1033,  v.  1598. 

Pietous,  adj.  piteous,  sad,  T.  iii.  1444 ; 
sorrowful,  1'  v.  451 ;  merciful,  F  20. 

Pigges-nye  (lit.  pig's  eye),  a  dear  little 
thing,  A  3268. 

Pighte,//.  s.  refi.  pitched,  fell,  A  2689; 
//.  s.  subj.  should  pierce,  should  stab, 
I.  163  (but  this  is  almost  certainly  an 
error  iox  prig/ite,  pt.  s.  subj.  oiprikke). 

Piked,  pt.  s.  stole,  L.  2467. 

Pikerel,  s.  a  young  pike  (fish),  E  1419. 

Pilche,  s.  a  warm  furred  outer  garment, 
20.  4. 

Pile,  ger.  to  pillage,  plunder,  I  769;  v. 
rob,  despoil,  D  1362. 

Piled,  //.  deprived  of  hair,  very  thin, 
A  627  ;  bare,  bald  (lit.  peeled),  A  3935. 

Pileer,  s.  pillar,  HF.  1421. 

Pilled,  pp.  robbed,  L.  1262. 

Pilours,  fl.  robbers,  pillagers,  A  1007, 
1020. 

Pilwe,  s.  pillow,  E.  2004. 

Pilwe-beer,  s.  pillow-case,  A  694. 

Piment,  s.  sweetened  wine,  A  3378. 

Pin,  s.  pin,  small  peg,  F  127,  316;  fasten- 
ing, brooch,  A  196;  thin  wire,  A.  ii. 
38.  8 ;  Hangeth  on  a  joly  pin,  is  merry, 
E  1516. 

Pinciie,  V.  find  fault  (with),  pick  a  hole 
(in),  A  326;  Pinchest  at,  ipr.s.  blamest, 
10.  57;  pp.  closely  pleated,  A  151. 

Piper,  s.  as  adj.  suitable  for  pipes  or 
horns,  5,  178. 

Pissemyre,  s.  pismire,  ant,  D  1825. 

Pistel,  s.  ei)istle,  E  1154;  message,  sen- 
tence, D.  1021. 

Pit.  pp.  put  (Northern),  A  4088. 

Pitaunce,  s.  pittance,  A  224. 

Pitee,  -f.  pity,  i.  68;  Pite  were,  it  would 
be  ,1  pity  (if),  3.  1266. 

Pith,  v.  strength,  R.  401 ;  D  475. 

Pit6us,  Pitous,  adj.  compassionate,  A 
143;  merciful,  C  226;  pitiful,  A  953; 
plaintive,  R.  89,  497 ;  mournful,  R. 
420;  piteous,  sad,  sorrowful,  A  955; 
pitiable,  B  3673 ;  Pitouse,  /em.  full  of 
■compassion,  L.  2582. 


Pitously ,  adv.  piteously,  B  1059 ;  pitiably, 

B  3729;  sadly,  A  11 17. 
Place,    s.  place,    A    623 ;    manor-house 

(residence  of  a  chief  person  in  a  small 

town  or  village),  B  1910,  D  1768. 
Placebo,   vespers   of   the   dead,   so   called 

from    the  initial  word   of  the   antiphon 

to  the  first  psalm  of  the  office  (see  Ps. 

cxiv.  9  in  the  Vulgate  version),  I  617;  a 

song  of  flattery,  D  2075. 
Plages,  s.  pi.  regions,  B  543 ;  quarters  of 

the  compass,  A.  i.  5.  12. 
Plain,  adj.;  see  Playn. 
Plane,  s.  plane-tree,  A  2922. 
Planed,  pt.  s.  planed,  made   smooth,   D 

1758. 
Plante,  s.  slip,  cutting,  D  763;  piece  of 

cut  wood,  R.  929. 
Piastres,  s.pl.  plasters,  F  636. 
Plat,   adj.  flat,   certain,  A    1845;    Platte, 

dat.  flat  (side  of  a  sword),  F  162,  164. 
Plat,   adv.  fiat,  B   1865;  plainly,  B  886; 

fully,  T.  ii.  579. 
Plate,  s.  plate-armour,  9.  49;  stiff  iron 

defence    for  a    hauberk,   B    2055 ;    the 

'  sight '  on  the  '  rewle,'  A.  i.  13.  2. 
Plated.  //.  covered  wiih  metal  in  plates, 

HF.  1345. 
Platly,  adv.  flatly,  plainly,  T.  iii.  786,  881. 
Plaunte,  s.  plant,  F  1032.' 
Plaunte,  imp.  s.  plant,  T.  i.  964. 
Playen  me,  v.  refi.  to  amuse  myself,  R. 

113- 
Playing,  s.  sport,  R.  112. 
Playn,    adj.   smooth,   even,   R.   860;     /// 

short  and  pi.,  in   brief,   plain   terms,   E 

577 ;   Plain,  flat,  H  229. 
Playn,  s.  plain,  B  24. 
Plede...;'(r.  to  dispute,  B  2559. 
Pleding.  s.  pleading,  3.  615. 
Pledoures,  //.  pleaders,  lawyers,  R.  198. 
Plee,  s.  plea,  5.  485;  //.  suits,  5.  loi, 
Plegges,  s.pl.  pledges,  B  3018. 
Pleinedest,  2  pt.  s.  didst  complain,  B  4. 

ji.  4.  168. 
Pleinte.  v.  complaint,  lament,  B  66. 
Plen6re.  adj.  jjlenary,  full,  L.  1607. 
Plentee,   s.   plenitude,  fulness,   I    1080; 

abundance,  R.  1434. 
Plentevous,  adj.  plentiful,  A  344. 
Plentevously,  adv.  plenteously.  B  2.  p  2. 

86. 
Plesaunce,  s.  pleasure,  C   219,  D  408; 

delight,  A  2409 ;  pleasant  thing,  3.  773 ; 

pleasure,  will,  A  1571 ;  kindness,  E  mi ; 

pleasing  behaviour,  F  509 ;  pleasantness, 

L.  1373 ;  happiness,  L.  1150;  amusement, 

F  713  ;  will,  delight,  B  149. 


#lo00arial  Intiei. 


83 


^ 

Plowman,  s.  ploughman,  E  799. 
Plukke,  V.  pluck,  pull,  T.  iv.  1403. 
Plye.  V.  ply,  mould,  E  1430;  bend,  E  1169. 
Plyght,//.  plighted,  T.  iii.  782. 
Plyt,  J-.  plight,  T.  ii.  712,  1731 ;   condition, 

B  2338;   position,  T.  ii.  74;    Plyte,  daf. 

mishap,    wretched     condition,    5.    294; 

plight,  23.  19;  state,  G  952. 
Plyte,  j^er.   to   fold,    T.    ii.    1204;   />f.   s. 

turned  backwards  and  forwards,  T.  ii. 

697. 
Poeplish,  popular,  T.  iv.  1677. 
Poesye,  s.  poetry,  T.  v.  1790. 
Poinant,  adj.  poignant,  I  130,  131. 
Point,  Poynt,  s.  point,  A  114;  position, 

I  921 ;    in  point,  on  the  point  of,  about 

to,  B  331,  910;    at  point,  ready,   T.    iv. 

1638 ;  in  good  p.,  in  good  case,  A  200 ; 

fro  p.  to  p.,  from   beginning  to  end,  B 

3652;  p.  for  p.,  in  every  detail,  E  577. 
Point-devys ;  at  p.,  with  great  neatness, 

exactly,  carefully,  HF.  917;    A  3689,  F 

560. 
Pointel,  s.  style,  i.  e.  stylus,  writing  im- 
plement, B  I.  p  I.  3. 
Poke,  s.  bag,  A  3780,  4278. 
Poked,  pt.  s.  incited,  T.  iii.  116;  nudged, 

.-\  4169. 
Pokets,  s.pl.  little  bags,  G  808. 
Pokkes,  s.pl.  pocks,  pustules,  C  358. 
Pol  (i),  J.  pole,  long  stick;   Pole,  dat.  L. 

2202. 
Pol  (2),  J.  pole  (of  the  heavens),  A. i.  14.9. 
Polax,  s.  pole-axe,  L.  642. 
Polcat,  s.  polecat,  C  855. 
Policye,  s.  public  business,  C  600. 
PoUax,  s.  pole-axe,  A  2544. 
Polut,//.  polluted,  B  I.  p  4.  281. 
Poly  ve,  J.  pulley,  F  184. 
Ponael,  s.  round  part,  top,  A  2689. 
Pomely,  adj.  marked  with  round  spots 

like  an  apple,  dappled,  A  616  ;   Pomely- 

gris,  dapple-gray,  G  559. 
Pomgarnettes,  s.  pi.  pomegranates,  R. 

1356. 

Pompe,  s.  pomp,  A  525. 

Pool,  f.  pole  (of  the  heavens),  A.  i.  18.  20. 

Pope-Holy,  i.  e.  Hypocrisy,  R.  415. 

Popelote,  s.  poppet,  darling,  A  3254. 

Popet,  s.  puppet,  doll;  spoken  ironically, 
and  really  applied  to  a  corpulent  person, 
B  1 891. 

Popinjay,  s.  popinjay,  R.  913. 

Popl§r,  .f.  poplar-tree,  A  2921 ;  (collec- 
tively) poplar-trees,  R.  1385. 

Popped,  //.  s.  refl..  tricked  herself  out, 
R.  1019. 

Popper,  f.  small  dagger,  A  3931. 


Plesaunt,  adj.  pleasant,  satisfactory, 
pleasing,  A  138,  222. 

Plesen,  v.  please,  A  610,  F  707. 

Plesinges,  adj.pl.  pleasing,  B711. 

Plesure,  s.  pleasure,  6.  126. 

P16te,  ger.  to  plead,  bring  a  law-suit,  T. 
ii.  1468. 

Pleting-es,  //.  law-suits,  B  3.  p  3.  67. 

Pley,  s.  play,  sport,  A  1125;  dalliance,  4. 
178;  jesting,  I  539;  delusion,  3.  648; 
//.  games,  T.  v.  304;  plays,  D  558; 
funeral  games,  1".  v.  1499. 

Pleye,  v.  amuse  oneself,  B  3524,  3666; 
ger.  to  play,  be  playful,  be  amused,  A 
772;  to  amuse  (myself),  B  3996;  to 
amuse  (ourselves),  L.  1495;  play  (on 
an  instrument),  A  236;  i  pr.  s.  jest,  B 
3153;  I  pr.  pi.  play,  B  1423;  //-.  //.  F 
900;  //.  s.  played,  rejoiced,  T.  i.  1013; 
was  in  play,  3.  875;  Pleyd,//.  3.  618. 

Pleyinge,  s.  amusement,  sport,  A  1061. 

Pleyinge,  adj.  playful,  B  3.  m  2.  27. 

Pleyn  (i),  adj.  full,  A  2461;    complete, 

A  315.  337- 
Pleyn  (2) ,  adj.  plain,  clear,  L.  328  ;  honest, 

5.  528;    plain,   i.  e.  open,  A  987;    as  s. 

plain  (fact),  A  1091;  //.  smooth,  5.  180. 
Pleyn  (i),  adv.inW,  T.  v.  1818;   entirely, 

A  327. 
Pleyn  (2),  adv.  plainly,  A  790;  openly,  E 

Pleyne,   v.   complain,   lament,    B    1067 ; 

refl..  6.  50;  V.  to  whinny  (as  a  horse),  7. 

157  ;  //.  upon,  cry  out  against,  L.  2525  ; 

I  //•.  s.  make  complaint,   L.  2512;  pp. 

said  by  way  of  complaint,  L.  326  a. 
Pleyning,  s.  complaining,  lamenting,  3. 

599- 
Pleynly,  adv.  plainly,  openly,  (or,  fully), 

A  1733- 
Pleynte,  s.  plaint,  complaint,  2.  47;    PI. 

of  Kynde,  Complaint  of  Nature,  5,  316. 
Plighte  (i),  //.  s.  plucked,  drew,  T.  ii. 

1 120;  pulled,  B   15;  //.  plucked,  torn, 

D   790.    The  infin.  would   be  pUcchen, 

variant  oi  plukkien  ox  plukken. 
Plighte  (2),  I  pr.  s.  plight,  pledge,  F  1537 ; 

pt.  s.  L.  2466;  pp.  pledged,  C  702. 
Plomet,  s.  plummet,  heavy  weight,  A.  ii. 

23.  42. 
Plom-re'wle,j.  plummet-rule,  A. ii.  38. 10. 
Plough-harneys,  s.  harness  for  a  plough, 

i.  e.  parts  of  a  plough,  as  the  share  and 

coulter,  A  3762. 
Ploumes,  s.pl.  plums,  R.  1375. 
Ploungen,  ger.  to  plunge,  bathe,  B  3.  p 

2.  48. 
Ploungy,  adj.  stormy,  rainy,  B  i.  m  3.  9. 


84 


(lilosgarial  Untiei. 


Poraille,  s.  poor  people,  A  247. 

Porche,  s.  Porch,  B  5.  m  4.  i. 

Pore.  adj.  poor,  L.  388. 

Porisme,  s.  corollary,  B  3.  p  10.  166. 

Porphilrie,  s.  a  slab  of  porphyry  used  as 

a  mortar,  G  775. 
Port  (i),  s.  port,  carriage,  behaviour,  A 

69  ;  bearing,  mien,  L.  2453. 
Port  (2),  s.  haven,  T.  i.  526,  969. 
Portatif,  adj.  portable,  3.  53. 
Porttiors,  s.  portesse,  breviary,  B   1321. 

From  porter,  to  carry,  hors,  abroad. 
Portours.  pi.  porters,  T.  v.  1139. 
Portreiture,  s.  drawing,  picture,  R.  827 ; 

set  of  drawings,  A  1968 ;  picturing,  HF. 

131- 
Portreye,    v.    pourtray,    depict,    i.    81 ; 

Portrayed,  pp.  painted  in  fresco,  R.  140; 

full  of  pictures,  R.  1077. 
Portreying.  s.  a  picture,  A  1938. 
Pose,  s.  a  cold  in  the  head,  A  4152,  H  62. 

A.  'Ss.ge-pose. 
Pose,  I  pr.  s.  put  the  case,  (will)  suppose, 

A  1162. 
Positif,  adj.  positive,  fixed,  A  1167. 
Positioun,    s.    supposition,    hypothesis, 

B  5.  p  4.  48. 
Possessioners,  s.  pi.  men  who  are  en- 

dowetl,  D  1722. 
Possessioun,  s.  great  possessions,  wealth, 

F  686;  endowments,  D  1926. 
Posseth,  pr.  s.  pusheth,  tosseth,  L.  2420. 
Post.  s.  support,  A  214;  pillar,  A  800. 
Postum,  s.  imposthume,  abscess,  B3.  p  4. 

U- 
Potdge,  s.  broth,  B  3623,  C  368. 
Potente.  s.  crutch,  R.  368;  staff,  D  1776. 
Potestat.  s.  potentate,  D  2017. 
Pothec^rie.  s.  apothecary,  C  852. 
Poiache,    s.  pocket,  A  3931;  pi.  money- 
bags, .\  368. 
Poudre,  s.  dust,  HF.  536 ;  powder,  G  760 ; 

gunpowder,  HP'.  1644. 
Poudred.  pp.  besprinkled,  R.  1436. 
Poudre-marchaunt,  s.  the  name  of  a 

kind  of  s[)ice,  A  381. 
Pounage,  s.  pannage,  swine's  food,  9.  7. 
Pound,  pi.  pounds,  A  454. 
Poune.  f.  pawn  at  chess,  3.  661. 
Pounsoned,  pp.  as  adj.  stamped,  pierced, 

I  421. 
Pounsoninge,  s.  punching   of  holes  in 

garments,  I  418. 
Pouped,  pi.  pi.  blew  hard,  puffed,  B  4589 ; 

pp.  blown,  H  90. 
Po\xre,_^^/-.  to  pore,  look  closely,  A  185; 

to  poic  over  (it),  R.  1640;   ipr.pl.  (we) 

pore,  gaze  steadily,  G  670. 


Poured,//,  poured,  R.  1148. 
Pouring-,  s.  pouring  (in),  T.  iii.  1460. 
Pous,  s.  pulse,  T.  iii.  11 14. 
Poustee,  J-.  power,  B  4.  p  5.  13. 
Povertee,  s.  poverty,  3.  410;  Pov6rte,  -f. 

poverty,   T.   iv.    1520;    P6vert,   poverty, 

R.  450;  Pov6rt,  C  441. 
Povre,  adj.  poor,  R.  466,  A  225. 
Povre,  adj.  as  s.  poor,  hence  poverty,  lo.  2. 
Povre.  adv.  poorly,  E  1043. 
Povreliche,  adj.  poorly,  in  poverty,  E  213, 

1055- 

Povrely,  adv.  in  poor  array,  A  1412. 

Povrest,  adj.  superl.  poorest,  C  449,  E  205. 

Poynaunt,  adj.  pungent,  A  352,  B  4024. 

Poynt,  s.  sharp  point,  7.  211 ;  very  object, 
aim,  A  1501;  point,  bit  (of  it),  part,  R. 
1236 ;  a  stop,  G  1480 ;  up  /.,  on  the 
point,  T.  iv.  1153;  in  p.  is,  is  on  the 
point,  is  ready,  i.  48 ;  fro  p.  to  p.,  in 
every  point,  5.  461 ;  to  the  p.,  to  the 
point,  5.  372 ;  at  p.  devys,  exact  at  all 
points,  R.  830;  to  perfection,  exquisitely, 
R.  1215 ;  //.  tags,  A  3322. 

Poynte,  ger.  to  describe,  T.  iii.  497 ;  pr^ 
pi.  stab,  R.  1058 ;  //.  pointed,  R.  944. 

Poyntel,  s.  style  for  writing,  D  1742. 

Practisotir,  s.  practitioner,  A  422. 

Praktike,  s.  practice,  D  187. 

Praye,  j.  prey,  i.  64. 

Praye,  //■.  //.  petition,  make  suit,  I  785. 

Praying,  s.  request,  prayer,  R.  1484. 

Preamble,  s.  D  831. 

Preambulacioun,  s.  preambling,  D  837. 

Precedent,  adj.  preceding,  A.  ii.  32.  4. 

Preche,  v.  preach,  A  481,  712;  Preche- 
stow,  thou  preachest,  D  366. 

Prechour,  s.  preacher,  D  165. 

Preciousness.  .f.  costliness,  I  446. 

Predestinee,  s.  predestination, 'I",  iv.  966. 

Predicacioun,  s.  preaching,  sermon,  B 
1179. 

Preef,  s.  proof,  assertion,  D  247;  ex- 
perience, L.  528  a;  test,  proof,  G  968; 
the  test,  H  75. 

Frees,  s.  press,  crowd,  B  393,  646;  the 
throng  of  courtiers,  13.  4  ;  press  of  battle, 
9.  33  ;  in  p.,  in  the  crowd,  5.  603. 

Preesseth,/;-.  s.  throngs,  A  2580. 

Prefectes.  gen.  prefect's,  G  369.  Lit. '  an 
ofticcr  of  tiic  prefect's  (officers).' 

Preferre,  //■.  s.  subj.  precede,  take  pre- 
cedence of,  D  96. 

Preignant,  pres.  pt.  plain,  convincing, 
r.  iv.  1 179. 

"PveiseTi,  ger.  to  praise,  (worthy)  of  being 
praised,  R.  70;  v.  appraise,  estimate,  R. 
1115  ;  prize,  esteem,  R.  1693. 


(Slosgarial  Kntifi. 


85 


Prelseres,  s.pl.  praisers,  B  2367. 

Preisingre,  s.  honour,  glory,  I  949. 

Prel6,t,  f.  prelate,  A  204. 

Premisses,  //.  statements  laid  down, 
B  3.  p  10.  121. 

Prenostik,  s.  prognostic,  prognostication, 
10.  54. 

Prente,  s.  print,  D  604. 

Prenten,  ger.  to  imprint,  T.  ii.  900. 

Pr6ntis,  s.  apprentice,  A  4365. 

Prentishood,  s.  apprenticeship,  A  4400. 

Prescience,  s.  foreknowledge,  A  1313. 

Prese,  ger.  to  press  forward,  T.  i.  446; 
V,  hasten,  2.  19. 

Presence,  s.  i.  19;  in  pr.,  in  a  large 
assembly,  E  1207. 

Present,  adv.  immediately,  5.  424. 

Presentarie,  adj.  ever-present,  B  5. p  6.78. 

Presented,  pp.  brought,  L.  1297. 

Presentingr,  s.  offering,  L.  1135. 

Presently,  adv.  at  the  present  moment, 
B  5.  p  6.  123. 

President,  s.  the  one  who  presided  in 
parliament,  T.  iv.  213. 

Pres6un,  s.  prison,  T.  iii.  380. 

Press,  s.  throng,  T.  i.  173;  Presse,  dat. 
instrument  exercising  pressure,  A  81 ; 
mould,  A  263 ;  on  presse,  imder  a  press, 
in  a  suppressed  state,  down,  T.  i.  559; 
press,  a  cupboard  with  shelves  (for  linen, 
&c.),  A  3212. 

Prest,  s.  priest,  B  1166. 

Prest,  adj.  ready,  prepared,  prompt,  5. 
307  ;  pi.  prompt,  T.  iv.  661. 

Pretende,  v.  attempt  to  reach,  seek 
(after),  T.  iv.  922. 

Preterit,  s.  past  time,  D  5.  p  6.  48. 

Pretorie,  s.  the  Roman  imperial  body- 
guard, tlie  Pretorian  cohort,  B  1.  p  4.  94. 

Prevo,  s.  proof,  B  4173 ;  experimental 
proof,  A.  ii.  23  rubric ;  at  p.,  (when  it 
comes)  to  the  proof,  T.  iii.  1002;  at  p., 
in  the  proof,  T.  iv.  1659 ;  amies  preve, 
proof  of  fighting  power,  T.  i.  470. 

Preve,  v.  prove,  C  169 ;  bide  the  test, 
G  645;  succeed  when  tested,  G  1212; 
Preved,  pp.  proved  to  be  so,  T.  i.  239 ; 
tested,  G  1336 ;  approved,  E  28 ;  ex- 
emplified, E  826;  shewn,  F  481. 

Prevetee,  s.  secret  place,  recess,  T.  iv. 
iiir. 

Prevey,  adj.  secret,  B  4.  p  3.  122. 

Previdence,  s.  seeing  beforehand,  B  5. 
p6.  131. 

Prevy,  adj.  privy,  unobserved,  3.  382;  not 
confidential,  HF.  285. 

Preye,  ger.  to  beseech,  T.  ii.  1369;  to 
pray,    2.     20 ;     Preyde,    //.     s.    B    391 ; 


Preyeden,  //.  //.  D  895 ;  Preyed,  //.  E 
773- 

Preys,  s.  praise,  B  3837. 

Pricasour,  s.  a  hard  rider,  A  189. 

Prighte,  pt.  s.  pricked,  F  418  {inferior 
MSS.  have  pighte).  No  doubt,  the 
reading  pighte  in  i.  163  should  also  be 
prighte.    See  Priken. 

Priken,  v.  incite,  urge,  T.  iv.  633 ;  Prik, 
I  pr.  s.  spur,  rouse,  5.  389;  Priketh,/n 
s.  excites,  A  11,  1043;  spurs,  D  656; 
pricks,  aches,  D  1594;  Prighte,  //.  s. 
F  418  (see  above)  ;  Priked,//.  .f.  spurred, 
B  1964. 

Priking,  s.  hard  riding,  A  191,  2599. 

Prikke,  s.  point,  HF.  907;  sting,  I  468; 
a  small  mark,  a  peg,  A.  ii.  42.  4;  a  dot, 
A.  ii.  5.  20;  piercing  stroke,  A  2606; 
point,  critical  condition,  B  119. 

Principals,  adj.pl.  cardinal,  A.  ii.  31.  17. 

Principio  in,  in  the  beginning  (St.'  John, 
i.  i),A254. 

Pris,  s.  prize,  A  2241. 

Privee,  adj.  secret,  A  3295 ;  private, 
I  102;  intimate,  R.  600;  closely  atten- 
dant, E  192 ;  privee  man,  private  in- 
dividual, B  2.  p  3.  77. 

Privee,  adv.  secretly,  F  531 ;  Privee  and 
apert,  secretly  and  openly,  D  11 14;  pr. 
ne  a/.,  neither  secretly  nor  openly,  D  1 136. 

Privee,  s.  privy,  C  527,  E  1954. 

Prively,  adv.  secretly,  A  652 ;  unper- 
ceived,  R.  784. 

Privetee,  s.  privacy,  R.  1294;  secrecy, 
B  548  ;  secrets,  secret,  D  531,  542,  1637  ; 
private  affairs,  A  1411;  private  apart- 
ment, A  4334;  privy  parts,  B  3905. 

Privy,  adj.  secret,  L.  1267,  1780. 

Proces,  s.  process,  B  2665 ;  proceeding, 
f  1345 ;  process  of  time,  F  829 ;  argu- 
ment, B  3.  p  10.  62;  matter,  T.  ii.  485; 
L.  1914;  story,  HF.  251;  occurrence  of 
events,  B  3511;  dat.  course  (of  time),  3. 
1331- 

Procutour,  used  for  Procurator,  proctor, 
D  1596. 

Proeve,  s.  proof,  B  5.  p  4.  83. 

Proeve,  i  pr.  s.  approve,  B  5.  p  3.  28 ; 
pr.  s.  shews,  B  2.  m  i.  17. 

Professioun,  s.  profession  of  religion, 
D  1925;  oath  of  profession  (as  a  monk), 
B  1345- 

Proferestow,  dost  thou  offer,  T.  iii.  1461. 

Profre.  .f.  offer,  L.  2079. 

Proheme,  s.  proem,  prologue,  E  43. 

Prolaciouns,  s.pl.  utterances,  B  2.  p  i.  50. 

ProUe,  2  pr.  pi.  prowl  about,  search 
widely,  G  1412. 


86 


(©losgarial  JEnlJei. 


Pronounced,  //.  announced,  T.  iv.  213. 

Proporcionables,  adj.pl.  proportional, 
B  3.  in  9.  20. 

Proporcioned,  pp.  made  in  proportion, 
F  192. 

Proporcionels,  s.pl.  proportional  parts, 
F  1278. 

Propre,  adj.  own,  T.  iv.  83 ;  especial,  B 
2175;  peculiar,  D  103;  well-grown,  A 
3972  ;  well-made,  A  3345  ;  comely,  A  4368  ; 
handsome,  C  309;  Propres, //.  own,  B 
I.  m  6.  20  ;  of  propre  kinde,  by  their  own 
natural  bent,  F  610. 

Proprely,  adv.  fitly,  A  1549;  literally,  I 
285;  naturally,  D  1191;  appropriately, 
A  729. 

Propretee,  s.  peculiarity,  10.  69 ;  charac- 
teristic, B  2364;  peculiar  possession,  T. 
iv.  392. 

Prose,  V.  write  in  prose,  16.  41. 

Prospectyves,  s.  pi.  perspective-glasses, 
lenses,  F  234.  Chaucer  here  makes  the 
usual  distinction  between  reflecting  mir- 
rors and  refracting  lenses. 

Prospre,  adj.  prosperous;  prospre  for- 
tunes, well-being,  B  i.  p  4.  62. 

Protestacioun,  s.  protest,  A  3137. 

Prove,  V.  test,  A.  ii.  23,  rubric ;  Proveth, 
pr.  s.  proves,  F  455. 

Prov6rbed, //.  said  in  proverbs,  T.  iii. 

293- 

Provost,  s.  prefect,  B  i.  p  4.  64;  chief 
magistrate,  B  1806. 

Provostrie,  s.  praetorship,  B  3.  p  4.  90. 

Prow,  s.  profit,  advantage,  B  1598,  4140, 
C  300,  G  609. 

Prowesse,  s.  prowess,  T.  i.  438 ;  excel- 
lence, U  1129;  profit,  B  4.  p  3.  71. 

Proyneth,  //-.  s.  prunes,  i.  e.  trims,  makes 
(himself)  neat,  E  2011.     O.Y.  proigner. 

Prydelees,  adj.  without  pride,  6.  29. 

Prye,  ^^er.  to  pry,  peer,  T.  ii.  404 ;  to  gaze, 
A  3458 ;  V.  spy,  T.  ii.  17 10. 

Pryme,  s.  prime  (of  day),  usually  9  A.M., 
A  2189,  2576,  3554;  fully  pr.,  the  end  of 
the  first  period  of  the  day  (from  6  A.M. 
to  9  A.M.), B  2015  ;  pr. large, \)iiS\.  90'clock, 
F  360  ;  passed  pr.,  past  9  o'clock,  D  1476  ; 
half  xvay  pryme,  half  way  between  6  and 
9  A.M.,  half-past  seven,  A  3906. 

Pryme  face,  s.  the  first  glance,  T.  iii.  919. 

Prymerole,  s.  primrose,  A  3268. 

Prys,  .f.  price,  value,  R.  1134;  worth,  ex- 
cellence, F911;  praise,  E  1026;  esteem, 
I'  934  i  g'ory.  L-  2534 ;  reputation,  D 
1152;  renown,  A  67,  237;  prize,  I  355. 

Pry8e,_^<rr.  to  esteem,  to  be  esteemed,  R. 


Pry  ved,  pp.  deprived,  exiled,  i.  146. 
Pryvee,  adj.  secret,  A  2460. 
Puffen,^^r.  to  blow  hard,  HF.  1866. 
PuUe,   s.  a  bout   at  wrestling,   a  throw, 

5.  164. 
Pulle,  V.  pluck,  T.  i.  210;  to  draw,  T.  ii. 

657;  pulle  a  fitiche,  pluck  a  finch,  cheat 

a  novice,  A  652;  a  pulled  ken,  a  plucked 

hen,  A  177. 
Pultrye,  s.  poultry,  A  598. 
Puplisshen,  pr.pl.  refl..  are  propagated, 

B3.  p  II.  135. 
Purchacen,  ger.  to  procure,  acquire,    I 

742,   1066;   gain,    I    1080;   win,   21.    19; 

buy,  A   608 ;   pr.  pi.  promote,   B  2870 ; 

imp.  s.  3  p.  may  (He)  provide,  B  873; 

Purchace,  imp.pl.  provide  (for yourself), 

T.  ii.  1125. 
Purchas,   s.  proceeds,  gifts  acquired,  A 

256;  gain,  D  1451,  1530. 
Purchasing,   s.    conveyancing,    A   320 ; 

acquisition  of  property,  D  1449. 
Purchasour,  s.  conveyancer,  A  318. 
Pure,  adj.  very  (lit.  pure),  A  1279;  utter, 

3.  1209  ;  the  p.  deth,  death  itself,  3.  583. 
Pure,  adv.  purely,  3.  loio. 
Pured,  //.  as  adj.  pure,  F  1560;  very  fine, 

D  143- 

Purffled,  //.  ornamented  at  the  edge, 
trimmed,  A  193. 

Purgacioun,  s.  discharge,  D  120. 

Purgen,  ger.  to  purge,  B  4143;  pt.  j. 
expiated,  B  4.  m  7.  4  ( Lat.  piauit)  ;  pp. 
cleansed  (by  baptism),  G  181. 

Purpos.  s.  purpose,  R.  1140;  design,  A 
1684 ;  to  purpos,  to  the  subject,  5.  26 ;  it 
cam  him  to  p.,  he  purposed,  F  606. 

Purposen,  v.  purpose,  I  87 ;  pr.  pi.  pro- 
pose, T.  iv.  1350. 

Purpre,  adj.  purple,  T.  iv.  869. 

Purpre,  s.  purple, R.  1071 ;  purple  raiment, 

'  933- 
Purs.  -r.  purse,  A  656. 
Pursevauntes,  s.  pi.  pursuivants,  HF. 

1321. 
Piirsuit,    s.   continuance,    perseverance, 

T.  ii.  959;  continuance  in  pursuit,  T.  ii. 

1744 ;  appeal  to  prosecute,  D  890. 
Purtreye,  v.  draw,  A  96;  pt.  s.  E  i6oo. 
Purtreyour,  s.  draughtsman,  A  1899. 
Purveyable,   adj.  with   provident   care, 

B  3.  m  2.  5. 
Purveyaunce,  J.  providence, A  1252,1665 ; 

foresight,  D  566,  570;  equipment,  B  247; 

provision,  A    3566,  F  904;   pre-arrange- 

ment,  T.  iii.  533;  unto  his  p.,  to  provide 

himself  with  necessaries,  L.  1561. 
Purveyen.  v.  provide,  B  2532 ;  pr.  s.  fore- 


(glossaiial  Entjex. 


8  7 


sees,  T.  iv.  1066;  /.  of,  provided  with, 

D591. 
Purveying-e,  s.  providence,  T.  iv.  986. 
Put.  -f.  pit,  1".  iv.  1540. 
Puterie,  s.  prostitution,  I  886. 
Putours,  f.  pi.  pimps,  procurers,  I  886. 
Putten,  V.  put,  lay,  7.  344;  v.  suppose,  B 

2667;   Put,  pr.  s.  puts,  I   142;    Put  him, 

puts  himself,  L.  652  ;   Putte,  pt.  s.  B  1630 ; 

set,  L.  675 ;  /.  up,  put  away,  2.  54. 
Pye,  s.  magpie,  A  3950,  B  1399. 
Pye,  s.  pie,  pasty,  A  384. 
Pyk,  s.  pike  (fish),  12.  17. 
Pyke,  V.  (i)   peep,  T.  iii.  60;  ger.  (2)  to 

pick   at,   T.   ii.   1274;   pr.  s.   (3)  makes 

(himself)  tidy  or  smooth,  E  2011. 
Pykepurs,  s.  pick-purse,  A  1998. 
Pyled,  pp.  peeled,  bare,  bald,  A  4306. 
Pyn,    the  pin  which  passes   through  the 

central    hole   in   the  Astrolabe  and    its 

plates,  A.  i.  14.  i. 
Pyn,  s.  pine-tree,  R.  1379. 
Pyne,  s.  pain,  torment,  T.  v.  6;  hurt,  5. 

335;    toil,   HF.  147;    place   of  torment, 

HF.  1512;  suffering,  A  1324,  2382;  woe, 

torment,  B  3420;    the  passion,  B  2126. 

A.  S.  p'm. 
Pyne,  ger.  to  torture,  A  1746 ;  pr.  s.  pines 

away,  7.  205 ;    grieves,  bemoans,  I  85 ; 

pp.  examined  by  torture,  B  4249. 
PyPQ.  -f-  pipe,  musical  instrument,  B  2005  ; 

pi.  pipes,  tubes,  A  2752. 
Pypen,  v.  pipe,  whistle,  A  1838 ;  play  on 

the   bag-pipe,   A   3927 ;    Pype,   make   a 

piping  noise,  T.  v.  1433 ;   play  upon  a 

pipe,  A   3876;   //.  faintly  uttered,  HF. 

785  ;  pres.pt.  piping  (hot) ,  hissing, A  3379. 
Pyrle,  s.  pear-tree,  E  2217,  2325.    A.  S. 

pyrige. 

Q. 

Quaad,  adj.  evil  (Flemish),  A  4357; 
Quad,  bad,  B  1628.     Du.  kwaad. 

Quaille,  s.  quail,  E  1206. 

Quake,  v.  tremble,  shiver,  R.  462;  quake, 
A  3614;  shake,  T.  iii.  542  ;  Quook, //.  .c. 
quaked,  A  1576,  1762;  Quaked,  pp.  B 
3831 ;  Quaketh,  imp.  pi.  quake,  fear,  T. 
ii.  302. 

Quaking,  s.  fear,  7.  214. 

Quakke,  s.  a  state  of  hoarseness,  A  4152. 

Qualm,  s.  pestilence,  A  2014 ;  evil,  plague, 
R.  357  ;  foreboding  of  death,  T.  v.  382. 

Quappe,  V.  heave,  toss  (lit.  shake,  pal- 
pitate), L.  1767  ;  beat  repeatedly,  L.  865  ; 
palpitate,  T.  iii.  57. 

Quarter-night,  the  time  when  a  fourth 
part  of  the  night  is  gone,  9  P.M.,  A  3516. 


Quayles,  ge>i.  pi.  quails,  5.  339. 

Queinte,  adj.  curious,  B  1426. 

Quek  !   int.  quack  I  5.  499,  594. 

Quelle,  -.'.  kill,  C  854;  pr.pl.  strike,  T.  iv. 
46. 

Queme,  v.  please,  T.  695 ;  pr.  pi.  sub- 
serve, T.  ii.  803. 

Quenche,  v.  put  a  stop  to,  T.  iii.  846 ;  be 
quenched,  I  341 ;  Queynte,  //.  s.  was 
quenched,  A  2334,  2337  ;  Queynt,//.  ex- 
tinguished, A  2321,  2336. 

Quene,  j.  queen,  R.  1266. 

Querele,  s.  quarrel,  I  618  ;//.  complaints, 
B  3.  p  3.  67. 

Quern,  s.  hand-mill,  9.  6;  dat.  B  3264. 

Questenaoageres,  s.pl.  questmen,  jury- 
men, I  797. 

Questio,  quid  iuris,  the  question  is,  how 
stands  the  law,  A  647. 

Questioun,  5.  dispute,  A  2514;  problem, 
D  2223. 

Queynt,  adj.  strange,  3.  1330;  curious, 
dainty,  R.  65 ;  adorned,  R.  1435  '•  well- 
devised,  HF.  228;  neat,  R.  98;  sly,  A 
3275;  curiously  contrived,  HF.  126;  F 
234 ;  hard  to  understand,  3.  531 ;  grace- 
ful, R.  610. 

Queynte,  adv.  artfully,  HF.  245. 

Queynte,  s.  pudendum,  A  3276,  D  332, 

444- 
Queynteliche,  adv.  curiously,  cunningly,. 

HF.   1923;    daintily,  R.  569;    strangely, 

R.  783. 
Queyntise,  s.  finery,  I  932;   art,  I  733; 

ornament,  R.  840. 
Qui  cjitn  patre,  D  1734,  I   1092.     The  for- 
mula used  at  the  end  of  a  sermon. 
Qui  la,  who's  there?  B  1404. 
Quik,  adj.  alive,  F  1336;    lively,  A  306; 

ready,  I  658. 
Quiken,  v.  quicken,  revive,  T.  i.  443 ;  ger. 

to  grow,  T.  i.  295  ;  to  make  alive,  quicken, 

G  481 ;  ger.  to  take  life,  burst  forth,  HF. 

2078;   pt.  s.  burst    into  flame,  .A.  2335; 

pp.  endowed  with  life,  F  1050. 
Quikkest,  adj.  superl.   liveliest,   busiest,. 

F  1502. 
Quiknesse,  s.  life,  3.  26. 
Quinible,  s.  shrill  treble,  A  3332. 
Quirboilly,  s.  boiled  leather,  B  2065. 
Quisshin,  s.  cushion,  T.  ii.  1229. 
Quistroun,    s.   scullion,   kitchen-drudge,. 

R.  886.     O.  F.  coistron. 
Quit,  -te;  see  Quyte. 
Quitly,  adv.  freely,  wholly,  A  1792. 
Quod,  pt.  s.  said,  A  1234. 
Quoniam,  pudendum,  D  608. 
Quook,  //.  s.  <y Quake. 


ss 


#lo00aiial  hxbex. 


Quyfce,  V.  requite,  reward,  repay,  recom- 
pt-nse,  give  in  return,  R.  1542;  5.  112; 
10.  75;  HF.  670;  free,  ransom,  A  1032; 
^er.  to  remove,  free,  7.  263 ;  i/uyte  7uifh, 
to  requyte  with,  A  31 19;  hir  cost  for 
to  quyte,  to  pay  for  her  expenses,  B 
3564;  quyte  hir  wliyle,  repay  her  time, 
i.  e.  her  trouble,  B  584;  //.  s.  repaid,  R. 
1526 ;  //.  //.  released,  T.  iv.  205 ;  Quit, 
pp.  rewarded,  requited,  HF.  1614;  set 
free,  G  66;  discharged,  quit,  F  1758;  as 
adj.  free,  F  1534. 

R. 

Baa,  s.  roe  (Northern),  A  4086. 

Raby,  Rabbi,  D  2187. 

Bad,  -de  ;  see  Rede. 

Radevore,  s.  piece  of  tapestry,  L.  2352. 
From  F.  ras  de  Vore,  serge  from  La 
Vaur. 

Rafles,  s.  pi.  raffles,  I  793. 

Raft,  -e ;  sec  Reve. 

Rage,  J.  passion,  R.  1613  ;  craving, R.  1657  ; 
madness,  3.  731;  L.  599;  violent  grief, 
F  836;  violent  rush,  fierce  blast,  .\  1985. 

Rage,  V.  romp,  tov  wantonlv,  A  257,  3273, 
3Q58. 

Rag-erye,  s.  wantonness,  E  1847 ;  passion, 
I'  4x^. 

Raked,  //.  raked,  B  3323.  Literally,  the 
sentence  is  —  'Amongst  hot  coals  he 
hath  raked  himself;  the  sense  is,  of 
course,  '  he  hath  raked  hot  coals  around 
himself.' 

Rakel,  adj.  rash,  T.  i.  1067;  hasty,  T.  iii. 
1437- 

Rakelnesse,  .r.  rashness,  H  283. 

Rake-stele,  s.  handle  of  a  rake,  D  949. 
Sec-  Stele. 

Raket,  v.  the  game  of  rackets,  T.  iv.  460. 

Rakle,  -'.  behave  rashly,  T.  iii.  1642. 

Ram,  f.  ram,  L.  1427  ;  (as  prize  at  a  wrest- 
ling-match), A  548;  Aries,  the  first  sign 
in  the  zodiac,  A  8. 

Rammish,  adj.  ramlike,  strong-scented, 
(i  887. 

Rampeth,  pr.  s.  (lit.  ramps,  romps,  rears, 
but  here)  rages,  acts  with  violence,  B 
3094.  We  should  now  say  —  "S>\\&  jlies 
in  my  face.' 

Rancour,  s.  ill-feeling,  ill-will,  malice,  R. 
1261. 

Ransaked,  pt.  s.  ransacked,  came  search- 
ing out,  4.  28. 

Rape,  s.  haste,  8.  7.     Icel.  hrap. 

Rape,  V. ;  in  phrase  rape  and  reritte,  cor- 
rupted from  an  older  phrase  repen  and 
r'tnett   [\.  S.  hrepian  and  hr'inan),  i.  e. 


handle  and  touch,  clutch  and  seize,  G 

1422. 
Rascaille,  s.  mob,  T.  v.  1853. 
Rated.   //.   reproved,    scolded,   A  3463. 

Short  for  arated,  variant  of  aretted ;  see 

Arette. 
Rathe,  adv.  soon,  HF.  2139 ;  early,  A  3768. 
Rather,  adj.  comp.  former,  T.  iii.  1337. 
Rather,  adv.  sooner,  3.  562;    more  will- 
ingly, A  487  ;   t/ie  r.,  the  sooner,  2.  82. 
Raughte ;  see  Reche. 
Raunson,  s.  ransom,  A  1024. 
Rave.  2  pr.  pi.  are  mad,  T.  ii.  116. 
Raven,  s.  the  constellation  Corvus,  HF. 

1004. 
Ravines,  s.  pi.  rapines,  thefts,  I  793. 
Ravinour,  s.  plunderer,  B  4.  p  3.  117. 
Ravisshe,  v.  snatch  away,  B  2.  m  7.  32; 

,^0  r.,  go  and  ravish,  T.  iv.  530;  //.  rapt, 

E    1750;    overjoyed,  F  547;  part.  pies. 

snatching  away,  15  4.  m  6.  39. 
Ravisshing,  adj.  swift,  violent,  B  i.  m  5. 

4;  enchanting,  5.  198;   destroying,  B  i. 

m  5.  6q  (Lat.  rapidos). 
Ravyue,  s.  ravening,  greediness,  5.  336; 

ravin,   prey,   5.   323;    Ravines,   thefts,    I 

793.     O.  F.  ravine,  L.  rapina. 
Ravysedest,  2/.  s.pl.  didst  draw  (down) , 

B  1659. 
Rayed.  //.  striped,  3.  252. 
Real,  adj.  royal,  regal,  T.  iii.  1534  ;   L.  214, 

284,  1605. 
Realtee,  s.  rovalty,  sovereign  power,  10. 

60. 
Reaume,  .(.  realm,  kingdom,  L.  2091. 
Rebekke,  s.  old  woman,  dame,  D  1573. 
Rebel,  adj.  rebellious,  A  833,  3046. 
Rebelling,  s.  rebellion,  A  2459. 
Rebounde.  v.  return,  T.  iv.  1666. 
Rebuked,  pp.  snubbed,  I  444. 
Recche  (i),  v.  reck,  care,  heed,  5.  593;  is 

noui,'ht  to  r.,  no  matter  for,  T.  ii.  434; 

//-.  s.  recks,  cares,  A  2397 ;  Recche  of  it, 

care  for  it,  pr.  pi.  F  71 ;  /'/  recche,  pr.  s. 

subj.  may  care  for  it,  T.  iv.  630 ;  Roghte, 

pt.   s.    recked,   cared,   regarded,  3.  887; 

impers.  he  cared,  L.  605  ;   Roughte, //.  s. 

recked,  cared,  T.  i.  496. 
Recche  {2),pr.  s.  suhj.  interpret,  expound, 

H  4086. 
Recchelees,   adj.   careless,   reckless,  R. 

340;  regardless,  HF.  668. 
Recchelesnesse,  s.  recklessness,  1   iii, 

611. 
Receit,  s.  receipt,  i.  e.  recipe  for  making 

a  mixture,  G  1353. 
Rechased,  //.  headed  back,  3.  379. 
Reche,  v.  reach,  give,  hand  over,  3.  74 ; 


(gloissartal  lEntiei. 


89 


Raughte,  pt.  s.  reached,  A  3696 ;  reached 
up  to,  A  2915  ;  reached  (out,  or  forward), 
A  136;  proceeded,  T.  ii.  446;  Reighte, 
pt.  .r.  reached,  touched,  HF.  1374. 

Reclaiming,  s.  enticement,  L.  1371. 

Reclayme,  v.  reclaim  (as  a  hawk  by 
a  lui'),  i.  e.  check,  H  72. 

Recomaunde,  v.  recommend, T.  ii.  1070. 

Recomende,  ger.  to  commit,  G  544. 

Recomforte,  ger.  to  comfort  again,  T.  ii. 
1672. 

Recompensacioun,  s.  recompense,  HF. 
665. 

Reconciled,//,  re-consecrated,  I  965. 

Reconforte,  v.  comfort  again,  A  2852,  B 
2168. 

Record,   s.   report,    D    2049 ;    testimony, 

3.  934- 
Recorde,   v.   witness,  bear   m   mmd,   A 

1745;  remember,  T.  V.  445;   (to)  record, 

recording,  5.  609 ;  Recorde,  i  /;■.  s.  bring 

(it)  to  your  remembrance,  A  829. 
Recours,  s.  recourse,  B  2632 ;  resort,  T.  ii. 

1352;  wol  have  my  r.,  will  return,  F  75; 

fil.  orbits,  B  1.  m  2.  14. 
Recovere,  v.  regain,  T.  iv.  406. 
Recoverer,  s.  recovery,  22.  3.     O.  F.  re- 

i  Ci'ricr,  recoverer. 
Reddour,  s.  violence,  vehemence,  10.  13. 
Rede,  v.  read,  A  709;  advise,  counsel,  L. 

2217;    interpret,    3.     279;    Ret,    pr.    s. 

advises,  T.  ii.  413  ;   Redeth,//-.  s.  advises, 

T.   iv.   573;   Redde,  pt.  s.  read,  D   714, 

721;  interpreted,   3.   281;    Raddi",  //.   s. 

read,  T.  ii.  1085  ;  D  791 ;  advised,  5.  579  ; 

Red,  pp.  read,  3.  224;  Rad,  pp.  read,  B 

4311- 
Rede,  dat.  counsel,  T.  iv.  679 ;  see  Reed. 
Rede,  ady.  red  ;  see  Reed. 
Rede,   adj.   made   of    reed ;    referring   to 

a     musical     instrument    in    which    the 

sound  was  produced  by  the  vibration  of 

a  reed,  HP".  1221. 
Rede,  s.  rod  (i.  e.  gold),  T.  iii.  1384;  the 

blood,  B  356;  red  wine,  C  526,  562. 
Redelees,     adj.    without    counsel ;     not 

knowing  which  way  to  turn,  2.  27. 
Redely,   adi'.   soon,    HF.   1392;    readily, 

truly,  HF.  1127. 
Redoute,  ?'.  fear,  B  i.  p  3.  21. 
Redoutinge,  s.  reverence,  A  2050. 
Redresseth,  pr.  s.  amends,  I  1039 ;  pr.pl. 

refi.  erect  (themselves)  again,  rise  again, 

T.  ii.  969;   Redressed,  //.  s.   reasserted, 

vindicated,    F    1436;    Redresse,  imp.    t. 

reform,    i.    129;    Redressed,//,   roused, 

B  4.  p  2.  139. 
Reducen,  v.  sum  up,  B  3.  p  8.  61. 


Bedy,  a<^'.  ready,  A  21,  352;  dressed,  F 
387 ;  at  hand,  2.  104. 

Reed,  s.  counsel,  advice,  plan,  A  1216, 
3527 ;  profit,  help,  remedy,  3.  203 ; 
counsel,  adviser,  A  665 ;  /  can  tio  r., 
I  know  not  what  to  do,  3.  1187;  without 
reed,  helpless,  3.  587 ;  to  rede,  for  a 
counsel ;  best  to  rede,  best  for  a  counsel, 
best  to  do,  T.  iv.  679  (not  a  verb). 

Reed,  adj.  red,  A  153;  (of  the  com- 
plexion), 3.  470;  Rede,  adj.  def.  red, 
A  957;  indef.  {rare),  L.  2589;  Rede,//. 
I.  89. 

Reed,  s.  redness,  L.  533. 

Reed,  i^np.  s.  read,  H  344. 

Reednesse,  s.  redness,  G  1097. 

Rees,  -f.  great  haste,  T.  iv.  350. 

Refect,  //.  restored,  B  4.  p  6.  414. 

Refere,  v.  return,  T.  i.  266;  Referred,//, 
brought  back,  B  3.  p  10.  180. 

Refiguringe,//w. //.  reproducing,  T.  v. 

473- 
Refreininge,  s.  refrain,  burden,  R.  749. 
Refreyden,  v.  grow    cold,    T.   v.  507; 

Rcfreyd,  cooled  down,  12.  21. 
Refreyn,  s.  refrain,  T.  ii.  1571. 
Refreyne,  v.  bridle,  curb,  I  385. 
Refresshinge,  s.  renewing,  I  78. 
Reft,  -e;  see  Reve. 
Refus,  //.  as  adj.  refused,  rejected,  T.  i.570. 
Refut,  s.  place  of  refuge,  refuge,  i.   14; 

safety,  I.  33. 
Regals,//.  royal  attributes,  L.  2128. 
Regalye,  s.  rule,  authority.  2.  65. 
Regard ;    to    the    r.   of,  in     comparison 

with,  B  2.  p  7.  126;   at  r.  of,  5.  58. 
Registre,  s.  narrative,  A  2812. 
Regne,  s.  kingdom,  dominion,  realm,  A 

866;  dominion,  rule,  A  1624. 
Regnen, /?-.//.  reign,  4.  50. 
Reherce,  v.  rehearse,  repeat  with  exacti- 
tude, A  732 ;  ger.  to  enumerate,  I  239 ; 

recount,  B  89. 
Rehersaille,  s.  enumeration,  G  852. 
Rehersing,  s.  rehearsal,  A  1650;  recital, 

L.  1185. 
Reighte,  //.  s.  reached,    touched,    HF. 

1374.     Pt.  t.  oireche. 
Reines,  s.pl.  rain-storms,  HF.  967. 
Rejoye,  v.  rejoice,  T.  v.  395. 
Rejoyse,,4't'/-.  to  make  rejoice,  i.  loi ;  feel 

glad,  T.  V.  1165. 
Rekene,  ger.  to  reckon,  A  401. 
Rekening,  ^.  reckoning,  account,  3.  699; 

A  600. 
Reketh,  pr.  s.  reeks,  smokes,  L.  2612. 
Rekever,  \  pr.  s.  {{or  future),  (I)  shall 

retrieve,  do  away,  HF.  354. 


D4 


9° 


(gloggartal  hidex. 


Rekke,  i  pr.s.  care,  C  405,  E  1090;  pr.  s. 
iinpers.  (it)  recks  (him),  he  cares,  L. 
365;  yozu  r.,  you  reck,  7.  303;  what  r. 
me,  what  do  I  care,  D  53. 

Rekne.  v.  reckon  {also  1  pr.  .f.),  A  1933. 

Belayes,  s.  pi.  fresh  sets  of  hounds,  re- 
serve packs,  3.  362. 

Relees,  s.  release,  i.  3;  ceasing;  out  of 
relecs.  without  ceasing,  G  46. 

Relente,  v.  melt,  G  1278. 

Relesedest,  2  //.  s.  forgavt-st,  I  309; 
Relessed,//.  s.  forgave,  B  3367. 

Relesing',  s.  remission,  I  1026. 

Releve.  ger.  to  raise  up,  relieve,  'I",  v. 
1042;  pp.  restored,  I  945;  Releved,  //. 
revived,  L.  128;  recompensed,  A  4182; 
made  rich  again,  G  872. 

Relevinge,  s.  remedy,  I  804. 

Religioun,  s.  religion,  A  477 ;  state  of 
religion,  life  of  a  nun,  R.  429;  a  re- 
ligious order,  B  3134;  the  religious 
orders,  B  3144. 

Religious,  adj.  belonging  to  a  religious 
order,  B  3150;  devoted  to  a  religious 
order,  T.  ii.  759;  as  s.,  a  monk  or  nun, 
I  891. 

Relik,  s.  relic,  L.  321. 

Reme,  .f.  realm,  B  1306. 

Remede,  s.  remedy,  T.  i.  661. 

Remedies,  pi.  (Ovid's)  Remedia  Amoris, 
3.  56f.. 

Remembre,  v.  remember,  I  135  ;  pr.  pi. 
remind,  V  1243;  //'.  s.  recurs  to  the 
mind,  4.  150;  Remembringe  him,  call- 
ing to  remembrance,  T.  ii.  72. 

Remenant,  s.  rem.ainder,  rest,  A  888. 

Remeve,  v.  remove,  1".  i.  691. 

Remorde,/'/-.  J.  j//^'.  cause  (you)  remorse, 
T.  iv.  1491 ;  pr.  s.  vexes,  plagues, 
tioul)les,  B  4.  p  6.  293. 

Remors,  s.  remorse,  T.  i.  554. 

Remounted,  pp.  comforted,  B  3.  p  i.  9. 

Remuable  (i),  adj.  changeable,  variable, 
T.  iv.  1682. 

Remuable  (2),  adj.  capable  of  motion 
(Lat.  mobilibus),  B  5.  p  5.  37. 

Remuen,  v.  remove,  B  2.  p  6.  55.  (Lat. 
aiiioiiebis.) 

Ren,  ,t.  run,  A  4079. 

Renably,  adv.  reasonably,  D  1509. 

Rende,  -o.  rend,  T.  iv.  1493;  Rent,  pr.  s. 
rinds,  tears,  L.  646  a ;  Rente,//,  s.  tore, 
A  qqo. 

Rending,  s.  tearing,  A  2834. 
Renegat,  s.  renegade,  aposiate,  B  932. 
Reneye,  v.   deny,    renounce,    abjure,   B 

376.  3751- 
Reneyinge,  s.  denying,  I  793. 


Renged.  //.  ranged,  placed  in  rows,  R. 
13S0. 

Renges,  //.  ranks,  A  2594. 

Renue  (i),  v.  run,  I  721;  ger.  A  3890; 
pr.  s.  runs,  D  76 ;  is  current,  E  1986 ; 
approaches  quickly,  T.  ii.  1754;  goes 
easily,  A.  i.  2.  i ;  arises,  L.  503;  spreads. 
L.  1423 ;  renneth  for,  runs  in  favour  of, 
B  125;  Ronnen,  pt.  pi.  ran,  A  2925, 
3827 ;  Ronnen,  //.  advanced,  lit.  run, 
R.  320;  IS  r.,  has  run,  has  found  its 
way  (into),  HF.  1644. 

Renne  (2),  v.;  only  in  the  phrase,  rape 
and  lenne,  G  1422.     See  Rape. 

Renomed,  pp.  renowned,  B  3.  p  2.  124. 

Renomee,  s.  renown,  L.  1513. 

Renoun,  s.  renown,  fame,  2.  88. 

Renovelances,  s.  pi.  renewals,  HF.  693. 

Renovelle,  v.  renew,  B  3035 ;  are  re- 
new ed,  I  1027. 

Rente,  s.  revenue,  income,  A  256;  pay- 
ment, tribute,  3.  765 ;  to  r.,  as  a  tribute, 
T.  ii.  830. 

Repair,  s.  resort,  repairing,  B  1211,  D 
1224. 

Repaire,  ger.  to  go  home,  B  1516;  to 
repair,  find  a  home,  T.  iii.  5 ;  to  go 
back  (to),  HF.  755;  v.  return,  F  589. 

Reparaciouns, //.  reparations,  makings 
up,  HF.  688. 

Repentaunce,  s.  penitence,  A  1776. 

Repentaunt,  adj.  penitent,  \  228. 

Repenting,  s.  repentance,  L.  147. 

Repeyre,  v.  repair,  return,  T.  v.  1571. 

Repleccioun,  s.  repletion,  B  4027. 

Repleet,  adj.  replete,  full,  B  4147. 

Replenissed, //.  fiik-d,  I  1079. 

Replicacioun,  s.  reply,  A  1846;  involu- 
tion, B  3.  p  12.  170. 

Replye,  v.  object,  E  1609. 

Reporte.  v.  relate,  tell,  C  438. 

Reportour,  s.  reporter,  A  814.  (The  host 
is  so  called  because  he  receives  and 
remembers  the  tales ;  they  were  all 
addressed  to  him  in  particular.  Thus 
'  reporter '  has  here  almost  the  sense  of 
'  umpire.') 

Reprehencioun,  s.  reproof,  T.  i.  684. 

Reprehende,  v.  reproach,']'.  \.^\o;  pr.pl. 
blaiiu',  criticise,  B  3.  p  12.  134. 

Repressed.  //.  kept  under,  L.  2591. 

R6prevdble,  adj.  reprehensible.  C  632; 
r.  to,  likely  to  cast  a  slur  on,  15.  24. 

Repreve,  s.  reproof,  B  2413;  shame,  C 
595  ;  reproach,  E  2206. 

Repreve,  v.  reproach,  F 1537 ;  reprove,  H 
70. 

Reproved,  pp.  as  adj.  blamed,  accused, 


(glossattal  EntJKC. 


91 


R.  1135;    Repioeved,  //.  stultified,  B  2. 
p  6.  127. 
Repugnen,  ger.  to  be  repugnant  (to),  B 

5-  P  3-  6. 

Requerable,  adj.  desirable,  B  2.  p  6.  32. 

Requeren,  v.  entreat,  seek,  B  2927 ;  ask, 
D  1052;  pp.  necessitated,  T.  iii.  405. 

Resalgar,  s.  realgar,  G  814.  '  Realgar,  a 
combination  of  sulphur  and  arsenic,  of 
a  brilliant  red  colour  as  existing  in 
nature  ;  red  orpiment ; '  Webster. 

Resceived.  //.  received ;  wel  resceived, 
favourably  situated  with  respect  to  other 
planets,  Sic;  A.  ii.  4.  51. 

Rescous,  s.  a  rescue,  help,  T.  iii.  1242 ;  A 
2643. 

Resco'we,  v.  (to)  rescue,  save,  T.  iii.  857 ; 
rescue,  T.  v.  231. 

Resco'winge.  s.  rescuing,  I  805. 

Rese,  ger.  to  shake,  A  1986. 

R§sembldble,  adj.  alike,  R.  985. 

Resolven,  pr.  pi.  flow  out,  B  5.  m  i.  i ; 
Resolved,//,  dissolved,  melted,  B  2.  p  7. 
164. 

Resonable,  adj.  talkative,  3.  534. 

Resort,  s.  resource,  T.  iii.  134. 

Resoun,  s.  reason,  right,  A  37,  847; 
argument,  speech,  sentence,  T.  i.  796. 

Res6uneth, /r.  s.  resounds,  A  1278. 

Resport.  s.  regard,  T.  iv.  86,  850. 

Respyt,  s.  delay,  B  948;  respite,  delay, 
reprieve,  G  543;  withoute  7>io>e  respyt, 
without  delay,  forthwith,  R.  1488;  out 
of  more  respyt,  without  any  delay,  with- 
out any  hesitation,  T.  v.  137. 

Respyte,  ger.  to  hesitate,  7.  259. 

Reste,  s.  rest,  repose,  F  355;  at  reste,  at 
rest,  fixed,  T.  ii.  760;  at  his  reste,  as  in 
its  home,  5.  376 ;  to  reste,  (gone)  10  rest, 
A  30 ;  Restes,  //.  times  of  repose,  T.  ii. 
1722. 

Reste,  V.  remain  (with),  T.  iii.  1435  ;  rest, 
repose,  T.  ii.  1326. 

Restelees.  adv.  restlessly,  R.  370. 

Resurreccioun,  s.  resurrection,  i.  e.  re- 
opening (of  the  daisy),  L.  no. 

Ret,  for    Redeth,   pr.    s.    advises,   T.   ii. 

413-' 
Retenue,   s.  retinue,  troop  of  retainers, 

suite,  A  2502;   E  270;  at  his  r.,  among 

those  retained  by  him,  D  1355. 
Rethor.  s.  orator,  B  4397,  F  38. 
Rethorien,  adj.  rhetorical,  B  2.  p  i.  46. 
Rethorien  {written  Retorien),  s.  orator, 

B  2.  p  3.  61. 
Retorneth,  pr.  s.  brings  back,  B  5.  p  6. 

301 ;  pres.pt.  revolving,  T.  v.  1023. 
Retourningre,  s.  return,  A  2095. 


Retracciouns,  j.  //.  retractions,  things 

which  I  withdraw,  I  1085. 
Retreteth,  //-.  s.  reconsiders,  B  5.  m  3. 

57. 
Retrograd,  adj.  moving  in  a  direction 

contrary  to  that  of  the  sun's  motion  in 

the  ecliptic,  A.  ii.  4.  53. 
Reule,  .f.  rule,  A  173. 
Reulen,  v.  rule,  B  4234;  Reule  hir,  guide 

her  conduct,  E  327. 
Reuthe,  s.  ruth,  1. 127. 
Rave,   s.   reeve,   steward,  bailiff,   A   542, 

3860. 
Reve,  ger.  to  rob  (from),  T.  iv.  285;  to 

take  away,  G  376 ;  to  r.  no  man  fro  his 

lyf  to  take  away  no  man's  life,  L.  2693  ; 

Reven,  ger.  to  reave,  plunder,  I  758;  to 

bereave,  T.  i.  188;   Reveth, /r.  j'.  forces 

away,  5.  86 ;   Ratte,  pt.  s.  bereft,  D  888 ; 

reft,   B   3288 ;    Refte,  //.   s.   bereft,   HF. 

457;     Raft,  //.   torn,    reft,   T.   v.    1258; 

taken  from,  L.  2590;   bereaved,  F  1017. 
Revel,   s.  revelry,   sport,  A    2717;    min- 

strelsv.  A  4402. 
Revelour,  s.  (the)   Reveller,  A  4371;   a 

reveller,  A  4391. 
Revelous,  adj.  fond  of  revelry,  B  1194. 
Reverberacioun,  s.  vibration,  D  2234. 
Reverdye.   j-.   rejoicing,   R.  720.     O.  F. 

reverdie,   '  feuill6e,    verdure;    joie,    all6- 

gresse ;  '  Godefroy. 
Reverence,  s.  respect,  A  141 ;  respectful 

manner,  A  305 ;   fear,  I  294 ;   thy  r.,  the 

respect  shewn  to  thee,  B  116. 
Revers,  s.  reverse,  contrary,  18.  32. 
Revesten,  pr.  pi.   clothe   again,   T.   iii. 

353- 
Revoken.  ger.  to  recall,  T.  iii.  1118. 
Revolucioun,  s.  revolving  course  (orbit), 

4-3'3- 
Reward,  s.  regard,  attention,  T.  ii.  1133, 

V.  1736  ;  having  r.  to,  considering,  5.  426 ; 

take  r.  of  have  regard,  I  151. 
Rewde,  adj.  plain,  unadorned,  A.  pr.  49. 
Rewe,  s.  row,  line,  A  2866;   6y  rewe,  in 

order,  D  506. 
Rewe,  ger.  to  have  pity,  A  2382  ;  be  sorry, 

T.  ii.  455 ;    do  penance  for,  G  447 ;  pr. 

s.  impers.  makes  (me)  sorry,  I  am  sorry, 

A  3462,  B  4287. 
Rewel-boon,  s.  (probably)   ivory   made 

from  the  teeth  of  whales,  B  2068. 
Rewful,    adj.  lamentable,  sad,  L.   1838 ; 

sad  (one),  B  854. 
Rewfulleste,  adj.  sup.  most  sorrowful,  A 

2886. 
RewfuUy,  adv.  sadly,  T.  iii.  65. 
Rev7le,  s.  the  revolving  long  and  narrow 


92 


(^lossarial  EntiEi. 


plate   or  rod   used  for  measuring  and 

taking  altitudes,  A.  i.  1.6;  it  revolves  at 

the  back  of  the  Astrolabe ;  //.  rules,  A. 

pr.  44. 
Rewledest,  2  pr.  s.  didst  control,  B  i.  p 

4.  238. 
Rewliche,  adj.  pitiable,  B  2.  p  2.  67. 
Rewme,  s.  realm,  R.  495. 
Rewthe,   s.  ruth,  pity,  E  579;   a  pitiful 

sight,  E  562. 
Re"wthelees,  ddf.  ruthless,  unpitying,  5. 

013  ;  6.  31. 
Reye.  s.  rye,  D  1746. 
Reyes,  //.  round  dances,  HF.  1236.    Mid. 

Du.  reye, '  a  round  daunce ' :  Hexham. 
Reyn,   s.  rain,  A  492;    storm  of  rain,  A 

3517- 
Reyne,  s.  rein,  A  4083. 
Reyne,  v.  rain  down,  T.  v.  1336;  rain,  4. 

287.    See  Ron. 
Reynes,  s.pl.  loins,  I  863. 
Reyse,  ^er.  to  build  up,  D  2102 ;  r.  up,  to 

exact, '  realise,'  D  1390. 
Reysed,  pp.  gone  on  a  military  expedi- 
tion,   A   54.      O.   F.    reise,   'expedition 

militaire,  incursion  sur  une  terre  enne- 

mie ; '  Godefroy. 
Rhetorice,  Rhetoric,  B  2.  p  i.  48. 
Riban,  s.  as  pi.  ribbons,  HF.  1318. 
Ribaninges,  //.  silk  trimmings,  borders, 

R.  1077. 
Ribaudye,  s.  ribaldry,  ribald  jesting,  A 

3866.  C  324. 
Ribible,  .f.  rebeck,  lute  with  two  strings, 

A  4396. 
Ribybe,  s.  term  of  reproach  for  an  old 

woman,  D  1377. 
Riche,  adj.  pi.  rich  people,  A  248. 
Richely,  adv.  richly,  F  90. 
Richesse,  s.  riches,  wealth,  D  mo,  1118; 

Richesses,  pi.  wealth,  riches,  B  2560. 
Rideled,  //.  plaited,  gathered  in  (at  the 

neck,  or  waist),  R.  1235,  1243.     '  Ridele, 

plisse ; "  Godefroy. 
TXiden,  pt.  pi.  and  pp.  rode,  ridden. 
Riet,   '  rete,"   A.   i.   3.   5.     The  '  rete '   or 

'  net '   is   the   circular   plate   with    many 

openings     which     revolves    within     the 

'  mother.' 
Right,    adj.   straight,    upright,    R.    1701 ; 

right,  I.  75;  voc.  own,  F  1311. 
Right,    adv.   just,    exactly,   A   257,    535; 

wholly,  C  58  ;  even,  B  2173  ;   Right  that, 

that  very  thing,  3.  1307. 
Right,  s.  I.  21 ;  by  right,  justly,  B  44;  /^v 

alle  r.,  in  all  justice,  T.  ii.  763;  at  alle 

r/^trlites,  in  all  respects,  fully,  A  iioo. 
Rightful,  adj.  perfect ;  rightful  age,  (in) 


her  prime,  R.  405  ;  just,  1.  31 ;  righteous, 

5.  55  ;  lawful,  I  744. 
Righfwis,  adj.  righteous,  just,  L.  905. 
Right wisnesse,  s.  righteousness,  C  637, 

D  1909 ;  justice,  14.  8. 
Rikne,  itup.  s.  reckon,  compute,  A.  ii.  27. 

10.    See  Relcene. 
Rinde,  s.  rind,  bark,  T.  iv.   1139;    hard 

skin,  T.  ii.  642. 
Ring,  s.  ring,  F  83 ;    concourse,  L.  1887 ; 

lyk  r.,  i.  e.  in  ringlets,  A  2165. 
Ringe,  v.  make  to  resound,  A  2431 ;  ring, 

resound,  T.  ii.  233 ;  Rong,  pt.  s.  rang,  5. 

492  ;   Ronge,//.  T.  ii.  805. 
Riot,  s.  riotous  conduct,  gaming,  A  4395, 

4392. 
Riote,  V.  riot,  gamble,  A  4414. 
Risen,  //.  of  Ryse. 
Risshe,  s.  rush,  T.  iii.  1161. 
RiSt.  pr.  s.  of  Rvse. 
Rit./r.  s.  (j/Ry'de. 
Riveer,  s.  river,  B  1927. 
Robbour,  5.  robber,  B  3818. 
Roche,  s.  rock,  F  500;  //.  HF.  1035. 
Rode,  s.  complexion,  A  3317,  B  1917. 
Rode.  .f.  nom.  rood,  cross,  HF.  57. 
Rode-beem,  s.  rood-beam,  D  496.     (A 

beam  across  the  entrance  to  the  choir  of 

a  church,  supporting  a  rood  or  cross.) 
Rody,  adj.  ruddy,  F  385,  394. 
Roes,  pi.  of  Roo. 
Roggeth  '  ( Ruggeth) ,  pr. 

2708.     I  eel.  rugga. 
Roket,    s.   rochet,   tunic,    R. 

1243.      An    outer    garment,    usually    of 

fine  white  linen. 
Rokke,  s.  rock,  L.  2195. 
Rokken,  ger.  to  rock,  A  4157. 
RoUe,  s.  roll,  C  911. 
RoUen,  ger.  to  roll,  revolve,  T.  ii.  659 ; 

//.  s.  revolved,  D  2217;  pp.  much  talked 

of.  T.  v.  1061. 
Romaunce,  s.  romance,  T.  iii.  980. 
Rombled,  //.  .r.  fumbled,  moved   about 

with  his  hands,  groped  about,  G  1322. 
Rombled,   pt.    s.    buzzed,    muttered,    B 

3725- 
Romen,  v.  roam,  wander,  A  1099 ;  Romed, 

//.  s.  A  1065,  1069 ;  //.  gone,  L.  1589. 
Ron.  pt.  s.  rained,  T.  iii.  640,  677.    A.  S. 

ran,  pt.  s.  rained. 
Rond,  adj.  round,  circular,  A.  ii.  38.  i. 
Rong,  -e  ;  see  Ringe. 
Ronges,  //.  rungs,  rounds  of  a  ladder,  A 

3625.     A.  S.  hriing. 
Roniie, -n;  see  Renne. 
Roo.  s.  roe,  5.  195  ;  Roes,  //.  roes,  R.  1401. 
Rood,  //.  .(.  of  Ryde. 


shakes,    L. 


1240,   1242, 


(glogsarial  Inter. 


93 


Roof,  pt.  s.  of  Ryve. 

Roon,  s.  rose-bush,  R.  1674.  Halliwell 
gives  roan,  a  clump  of  whins,  as  a 
Northumberland  word ;  and  we  find 
the  spelling  rancs  in  the  allit.  Morte 
Arthure,  923. 

Roos,  pt.  s.  of  Ryse. 

Roost,  s.  roast  meat,  A  206. 

Ropen,  pp.  reaped,  L.  74. 

Rore,  s.  uproar,  T.  v.  45. 

Rore,  ger.  to  roar,  T.  iv.  373 ;  pr.  s.  re- 
sounds, A  2881. 

Roring,  s.  loud  lament,  E  2364. 

Rose,  s.  rose,  R.  1700;  £^er.  of  the  rose,  A 
1038. 

Rose-leef ,  s.  rose-leaf,  R.  905. 

Rose-garlond,  s.  garland  of  roses,  HF. 

135- 

Rosen,  adj.  made  of  roses,  R.  845 ;  Ro- 
sene,  adj.  def  rosy,  B  2.  m  8.  6. 

Roser.  s.  rose-bush,  R.  1651,  1659;  I  858. 

Rose-reed,  adj.  red  as  a  rose,  G  254. 

Roste,  V.  roast,  A  383;  //.  A  147. 

Rosy  he^wed,  of  rosy  hue,  T.  ii.  1198. 

Rote,  s.  {1)  root,  A  2,  423  ;  the  radix,  fun- 
damental principle,  G  1461 ;  source, 
B  358;  i.  e.  foot,  E  58;  on  rote,  firmly 
rooted,  T.  ii.  1378 ;  htrte  rote,  bottom 
of  the  heart,  D  471 ;  (2)  root,  the  tabu- 
lated number  written  opposite  a  given 
fixed  date,  A.  ii.  44.  2;  the  'epoch'  of 
a  nativity,  B  314. 

Rote,  s.  rote;  by  rote,  by  rote,  by  heart, 
A  327,  B  1712. 

Rote,  s.  a  musical  stringed  instrument, 
a  kind  of  fiddle,  of  Celtic  origin ;  said 
to  be  a  fiddle  with  three  strings,  A  236. 
O.  F.  rote,  from  O.  H.  G.  hrotta,  rotta, 
Low  Lat.  chrotta  ;  of  Celtic  origin,  from 
O.  Irish  crot  (Gael,  emit,  W.  crwth)  ; 
whence  also  E.  crowd. 

Rotelees,  adj.  rootless,  T.  iv.  770. 

Roten.  adj.  rotten,  A  3873;  corrupt,  filtliy, 

I  139- 

Roten-herted,  adj.  rotten-hearted,  I 
689. 

Rotie.  pr.  s.  stibj.  render  rotten,  A  4407. 

Roughte ;  see  Recche. 

Rouketh,  pr.  s.  cowers,  crouches,  is  hud- 
died  up,  A  1308. 

Roule,  V.  gad  (lit.  roll),  D  653. 

Roum,  adj.  roomy,  spacious,  A  4126. 

Roum,  f.  room,  spare,  L.  1999. 

Roumer,  adj.  larger,  A  4145. 

Rouncy,  s.  a  hackney,  nag,  A  390. 

Rounde,  adv.  roundly,  i.  e.  easily,  with 
an  easy  (not  jerky)  motion,  B  2076; 
melodiously,  C  331. 


Rounded,//,  s.  stood  out  in  a  rounded 

form,  A  263. 
Roundel,  s.  roundel,  roundelay,  a   kind 

of  poem,  A   1529,    a   small   circle,  HF. 

791,  798. 
Roundnesses,  pi.  orbs,  orbits,  B  4.  m 

6.  52. 
Roune,  v.  whisper,  B  2025;  ger.  D  1572; 

pt.  s.  HF.  2044.     A.  S.  runian. 
Route,   s.   company,   rout,   troop,    band, 

train,  A  622,  889,  2153  ;  number,  R.  1667  ; 

flock,  R.  909;  //.  T.  ii.  620. 
Route  (i),  V.  roar,  T.  iii.  743;   murmur, 

HF.  1038;  ger.  to  snore,  3.  172;  //-.  s. 

snores,  A  3647.     A.  S.  hrutan. 
Route  (2),  V.  assemble  in  a  company,  B 

540. 
Routhe,  s.  pity,  ruth,  compassion,  mercy, 

F   1261,   1349;    lamentation,   L.   669;    a 

pity,  a  sad  thing.  A"  914. 
Routhelees,    adj.    ruthless,    pitiless,    B 

863. 
Routing,  s.  snoring,  A  4166,  4214;  whiz- 
zing noise,  HF.  1933. 
Rowe,  s.  row,  3.  975  ;  line,  HF.  448  ;  by  r., 

in  a  row,  T.   ii.  970 ;    Rowes,  //.   rays, 

beams  (of  light),  4.  2. 
Rowe,  adv.  roughly,  angrily,  G  861. 
Rowed,  //.  rowed,  T.  i.  969. 
Rowna,    adj.    roomy,    large,    wide,  A.    i. 

2.3- 
Rowue,  ger.  to  whisper,  T.  iii.  568. 
Rowthe,   s.   ruth,    pity,   3.   465 ;    sorrow, 

3-  97- 
Royaltee,  j.  royalty,  E  928. 
Royleth,  pr.  s.  meanders,  wanders,  B  i. 

m  7.  10. 
Royne,  s.  roughness,  R.  553. 
Roynous,  adj.  rough,  R.  988. 
Rubbe,  V.  rub  out,  8.  6. 
Rubee.  s.  ruby,  HF.  1362. 
Rubible,  s.  ribibe,  rebeck,  A  3331. 
Rubifying,  s.  rubefaction,  reddening,  G 

797- 
Rubriche,  s.  rubric,  D  346. 
Ruby,  f.  ruby,  12.  4.     Rubies,//.  4.  246. 
Ruddok,  s.  redbreast,  robin,  5.  349. 
Rude,    adj.  harsh,  R.  752;  poor,  E  916; 

inhospitable,   H   170;    of  humble  birth, 

D  1 172. 
Rudeliche,  adv.  rudely,  A  734. 
Rudenesse,  s.  boorishness,  T.  iv.  1677; 

rusticity,  E  397. 
Ruggy,'ij(^'.  rough,  A  2883. 
Rule,  //;//.  //.  regulate,  order,  I  592;  //. 

as  adj.  well-mannered.  L.  163. 
Rum,   ram,    ruf;    nonsense    words,  to 

imitate  alliteration,  I  43. 


94 


(!lio0sarial  Intitx. 


Rumbel,  .f.  rumbling  noise,  A  1979; 
rumour,  E  997. 

Rumbleth,  />/•.  s.  moves  to  and  fro  with 
an  indistinct  murmuring  noise,  HF. 
1026. 

Rumblinge,  s.  noise,  D  2133. 

Rused,  //.  J-.  roused  herself,  rushed  away, 
3-  381. 

Russhing',  />res.  pt.  rushing,  A  1641. 

Ruste,  ger.  to  rust,  A  502;  //•.  s.  subj. 
rust,  A  500. 

Rusty,  adj.  rusty,  A  618  ;  besmirched  as 
\Mt:i  rust,  R.  159. 

Ryal,  adj.  royal,  i.  144;  Rial,  2.  59. 

Ryde,  v.  ride,  A  27,  94,  102;  ride  at 
anchor,  L.  968;  Ryden,,^^/-.  (with  ovX), 
to  go  on  expeditions,  A  45 ;  Ryde,  ger. 
[luith  out),  to  ride  abroad  to  inspect,  B 
1255;  (see  Outrydere) ;  Rydestow, 
ridest  thou,  D  1386;  Rit,  pr.  s.  rides, 
A  974;  Rood,//,  s.  rode,  A  169;  Riden, 
ipt.pl.  (we)  rode,  A  825;  //.//.  C  968; 
Riden,//.  ridden,  B  1990. 

Ryding,  s.  jousting,  or  riding  in  proces- 
sion, A  4377. 

Rym,  s.  rime  (usually  misspelt  rhyme), 
B  2115,  2118;  Ryme,  dat.  HF.  623;  a 
tale  in  verse,  B  1899;  verse,  D  1127; 
//.  B  96.     A.  S.  r'lm. 

Ryme,  v.  describe  in  verse,  put  into  rime 
{or  rhyme),  A  1459,  B  2122. 

Rymeyed, />/.  rimed,  or  rhymed,  F711; 
see  above. 

Ryming,  s.  riming,  or  rhyming,  verse- 
making,  B  2120;  the  art  of  riming,  B 
48. 

Ryot,  s.  riotous  living,  C  465. 

Ryotour,  s.  roysterer,  C  692. 

Rys,  s.  spray,  branch,  twig,  R.  1015;  A 
3324.     A.  S.  Iir'is. 

Ryse,  ger.  to  rise,  A  33  ;  to  get  up,  F  375  ; 
Rist,/r.  s.  rises,  A  3688,  4193 ;  arises,  T. 
i.  944;  Roos,  xpl.  s.  rose,  2.  17;  //.  s.  A 
823;  Risen,//.  A  1065;  Riseth,  j>///. //. 
I  161. 

Ryve,  ger.  to  pierce,  T.  v.  1560;  v.  thrust, 
L.  1793;  pierce,  C  828;  tear,  E  1236; 
Roof,  pt.  s.  rove,  rived,  pierced,  L.  661, 
1351.     Icel.  rl/a. 

S. 

Sable,  s.  sable,  black,  4.  284. 
Sachels,  s.  pi.  bags,  B  i.  p  3.  83. 
Sacrement,  s.  the  eucharist,  I  582. 
Sacrifye,  v.  do  sacrifice,  L.  1348. 
Sacrifyse,  s.  sacrifice,  L.  1310. 
Sacrilege,   s.    I    801 ;  sorcery,  B  i.  p  4. 


Sad,  adj.  stable,  firm,  I  129,  310;  staid, 
A  2985 ;  sober,  E  220,  237 ;  fixed,  con- 
stant, unmoved,  settled,  E  693,  754; 
sad,  R.  211;  devoted,  23.  9;  trusty, 
H  275;  serious,  grave,  3.  918;  calm, 
settled,  G  397;  staid,  L.  1581,  1876; 
earnest,  HF.  2089;  Sadde,  //.  grave, 
E  1002 ;  steady,  3.  860 ;  discreef,  B  135  ; 
sure,  H  258. 

Sadel,  .r.  saddle,  L.  1199. 

Sadel-bo'we.  s.  saddle-bow,  A  2691. 

Sadly,  adv.  firmly,  A  2602 ;  discreetly,  B 
1266;  steadfastly,  I  124;  carefully,  D 
2164;  firmly,  tightly,  E  iioo;  unstint- 
insjly,  B  743. 

Sadnesse,  s.  soberness,  staidness,  E  1591 ; 
patience.  E  452. 

Saffron  with,  ger.  to  tinge  with  saffron, 
to  ciilour,  C  345. 

Saffroun.  s. ;  like  saffron  =  of  a  bright 
yellowish  colour,  B  1920. 

Sak,j.sack,R.4S7  ;  Sakkes,//.bags,L.in8. 

Sakked,  //.  put  in  a  sack,  A  4070. 

Sal.  p> .  s.  shall  (Northern),  A  4043. 

Sal  armoniak,  y.  sal  ammoniac,  G  798, 
824.  Lat.  sal  artiieniacum,  Armenian 
salt.  Sal  amvumiac,  chloride  of  am- 
monium. The  word  arinoniac  certainly 
answers  to  the  Lat.  Arnieniacum  in  the 
old  treatises.  Yet  the  right  spelling  is 
ammoniac. 

Sal  peter,  s.  saltpetre,  G  808.  Lat.  sal 
petrcr,  rock-salt ;  nitrate  of  potassa ;  — 
called  also  nitre. 

Sal  preparat,  s.  prepared  salt,  G  810. 

Sal  tartre,  s.  salt  of  tartar,  G  3io.  '  Salt 
of  tartar,  carbonate  of  potash ;  .  .  . 
first  prepared  from  cream  of  tartar ; ' 
Webster. 

SalO'wre,  adj.  sallow,  R.  355.  (But  read 
falowe.^ 

Salte,  adj.  def.  salt,  L.  1462. 

Salevre.  v.  salute,  I  407 ;  pr.  s.  B  1284 ; 
Sak-ued,//.  F  1310. 

Saluing,  s.  salutation,  A  1649. 

Saluwe.^;";-.  to  salute,  T.  iii.  1785  ;  Salued, 
I  pt.  s.  L.  315. 

Salvacioun,  s.  salvation,  4.  213;  security, 
B  2361. 

Salve,  s.  salve,  cure,  T.  iv.  944;  //.  heal- 
ing remedies,  A  2712. 

Salwes,  //.  willow-twigs,  osiers,  D  655. 

Samit,  s.  samite,  a  rich  and  glossy  silk 
material,  T.  i.  109;  robe  made  of  samite, 
R.  836,  873. 

Sang,  s.  song  (Northern),  A 4170. 

Sangwin,  s.  stuff  of  a  blood-red  colour, 
A  439- 


(glossarial  Jtntici. 


95 


Sangwyn,  adj.  very  ruddy,  A  2168  ;  blood- 

reil,  A  333. 
Sans,  prep,  without,  B  501. 
Saphires,  s.  pi.  sapphires,  B  365S. 
Sapience,  wisdom,  B  21S4;  pL.  kinds  of 

iiiielligence,  G  338. 
Sarge.  s.  serge,  A  2568. 
Sarpulers,  s.  pi.  sacks  made  of  coarse 

canvas,  B  i.  p  3.  82.     Cf.  F.  serpilliere. 
Sarsinesshe.    adj.   Saracenic,    R.    1188. 

If  sarsiuesslie  can  be  taken  as  a  sb.,  it 

niav  refer  to  sarsiiet. 
Sat;'//.  J.  <)/'Sitte. 
Satin,  ,f.  satin,  3.  253. 
Satisfaccioun,  s.  penance,  I  87 ;   resti- 
tution, I  108. 
Sauf,   adj.  safe,   safely   kept,  G  950;    in 

safety,  4.  197. 
Sauf,  prep,  save,  except,  A  2180. 
Saufly,    adv.  safely,  with  safety,  B  2373, 

4398. 
Saugh,  pt.  s.  of  See. 
Saule,  5.  soul  (Northern),  A  4187. 
Sauns,  prep,  without ;  sauns  faille,  with- 
out fail,  certainly,  HF.   188,  429.      See 

Sans. 
Sauter,  s.  psalter,  R.  431. 
Sautrye,  s.  psaltery,  a  kind  of  harp,  A 

■2p,  3213,  3305,  H  268. 
Savacioun,  s.  salvation,  T.  ii.  381,563; 

withoiite   any  savacioun,  without  saving 

any,  HF.  208. 
Save,  s.  sage  (the  plant),  A  2713. 
Save,  prep,  and  conj.  save,  except,  A  683  ; 

Save  your  grace,  by  your  leave,  B  2260. 
Saven,  ger.  to  save,  keep,  i.  117;  //■.  s. 

siibj.  may  (He)   save,  A  3108;  //.  kept 

inviolate,  F  531. 
Save-garde,  s.  safe-conduct,  T.  iv.  139. 
Saveour,  s.  saviour,  19.  16. 
Saveren,  pr. pi.  mind,  care  for,  I  820. 
Savinge,/;-^/.  except,  A  2838. 
Savoringe,  s.  taste,  I  207. 
Savorous,  adj.  pleasant,  R.  84. 
Savory,  adj.  pleasant,  T.  i.  405. 
Savour,  s.  savour,  D  2196  ;  pleasantness, 

F  204;  pleasure,  10.  20;   smell,  G  887; 

scent,   R.   925;    interest,  T.  ii.  269;  //. 

odours,  5.  274. 
Savoure,  v.  taste,  D  171;  pr.pl.  mind, 

care  for,  I  820;  imp,  s.  have  relish  for, 

13-  5- 
Savoured,  adj.  perfumed,  R.  547. 
Savouringe,  s.  tasting,  I  959. 
Savourly,  adj.  enjoyably,  A  3735. 
Sawcefleem,  adj.  covered  with  pimples 

(due    to    an    excess   of  humour   called 

salsa  phlegm  a),  A  625. 


Sawe,  s.  saying,  speech,  A  1163;    word, 

B  2925  ;  discourse,  G  691. 
Sawe,  Say;  see  See. 
Sayde,  said;  see  Seye. 
Saylours,  //.  dancers  (who  leap  in  danc- 
ing) ,  R.  770.    '  Sailleor,  Sailleur,  sauteur, 

danseur ;  '  Godefroy. 
Scabbe,   s.  scab,   R.  553 ;    a  disease  of 

sheep,  C  358. 
Scalded,  //.  burnt,  A  3853. 
Scale,  s.  scale,  or   rather,  double  scale, 

for  measuring  both  by  umbra  recta  and 

umbra  versa,  A.  i.  12.  3. 
Scalle,  s.  scab,  8.  3. 
Scalled,  pp.  having    the    scall,   scabby, 

scurfy,  A  627. 
Scantitee,  j^.  scantiness,  I  431. 
Scantnesse,  s.  scarcity,  I  420. 
Scapen,  v.  escape,  T.  v.  908. 
Scarlet-reed,  adj.  scarlet-red,  B  4351. 
Scarmishing,  s.  skirmish,  L.  1910. 
Scarmyche,  s.  skirmish,  T.  v.  1508. 
Scars,  ad;,  jjarsimonious,  B  2789. 
Scarsetee,  s.  scarcity,  B  2790. 
Scarsly,  adv.  parsimoniously,  A  583. 
Scatered, //.  scattered,  G  914. 
Scathe,  s.  scathe,  harm,  misfortune,  '  a 

l^ity,'   A   446 ;    Polymites  to  sc,   to    the 

harm  of  P.,  T.  v.  938. 
Scatheles,  adv.  harmlessly,  R.  1550. 
Science,    s.   science,   knowledge,   5.   25 ; 

learned  writing,  B  1666;  wisdom,  I  229. 
Sclat,  s.  slate,  II.  34. 
Sclaundre,   s.   slander,    HF.    1580;    ill- 
fame,  disgrace,  E722;  scandal,  I  137. 
Sclave,  s.  slave,  T.  iii.  391. 
Sclendre,   adj.  slender,  slight   in   make, 

A  587  ;  thin,  Ii  3147  ;  poor,  B  4023. 
Scochouns,    pi.    escutcheons,    painted 

shields,  R.  893. 
Scole,  s.  school,  B  1685,  1694;  manner, 

fashion,   A    125,   3329;    discipline,  T.  i. 

634;   '  the  schools  ' ;   D  2186. 
Scole-mat6re,  s.  subject  for  disputation 

in  the  schools,  D  1272. 
Scoler,  s.  scholar,  A  260. 
Scolering,  s.  young  scholar,  note  to   D 

44 ;   line  6. 
Scole-termes,  pi.  school-terms,  E  1569. 
Scole  ward;       to      scoleward  =  toward 

school,  B  1739. 
Scoleye,  ger.  to  study,  A  302. 
Scomes,  s.  pi.  foam,  lather,  B  4.  m  7.  61. 

I.it.  'scums.' 
Score,  imp.  s.  notch,  cut,  mark,  B  1606. 
Scorkleth,  pr.  s.  scorches,  shrivels,  B  2. 

m  6.  28. 
Scorned,  pt.  s.  3.  927 ;  jested  at,  B  4277. 


96 


(^lossarial  Kntei. 


Scorning',  s.  scorn,  T.  i.  105. 
Scorpion,   s.  E  2058 ;    sign  of  Scorpio, 

HF.  948. 
Scot,  a  horse's  name,  A  6i6,  D  1543. 
Scourges,  s.p/.  whips,  plagues,  E  1157. 
Scourging,  s.  correction,  4.  42. 
Scrippe,  f.  scrip,  bag,  D  1737. 
Scripture,  s.  writing,  inscription   (on   a 

ring),  '1'.  iii.   1369;    passage  of  writing, 

L.  1144;  //.  manuscripts,  A  2044. 
Scrit,  s.  writing,  deed,  E  1697  ;  T.  ii.  1130. 
Scrivenish,  adv.  like  a  scrivener,  T.  ii. 

1026. 
Scriveyn,  s.  scribe,  8.  i. 
Seche,^er.  to  seek,  i.  e.  to  be  sought  for 

(it  was  easily  had),  A  784;  to  seek  out, 

D  909. 
Secree,  ad/,  secret,  trusty,  5.  395 ;  secret, 

B  2251 ;  able  to  keep  secrets,  D  946. 
Secree,  adv.  secretly,  F  1109. 
Secree,  s.  a  secret,   B  3211;    Secree  of 

secrees,  secret   of  secrets,  Lat.  Secreta 

Secretorum   (the  name   of  a  book),  G 

1447. 
Secreenesse,  s.  secrecy,  B  773. 
Secrely,  adv.  secretly,  E  763. 
Secte,  s.  sect,  company,  E  1171 ;  religion, 

faith  (lit.  '  following')',  F  17. 
Seculer,  s.  a  layman,  B  4640. 
Sede,  V.  bear  seed,  7.  306. 
See,  s.  sea,  A  59;  /ul/e  see,  high  tide,  A. 

ii.  46.  4. 
See,  .f.  seat,  HF.  1361 ;  seat  of  empire,  B 

3339;  /''•  seats,  HF.  1210. 
See,  V.  see,  L.  2560;  ger.  to  see,  look,  F 

366;   to   look   (upon),  3.   1177;    as  fut. 

shall  see,  4.   190;    Seestow,  seest  thou, 

HF.  911;    Say,  i  //.  s.  saw,  T.  v.  992; 

Say,  pt.  s.  saw,  B  4304;   Sey,  pt.  s.  B  i, 

7;    Seigh,   I  pt.  s.  saw,  A   193;    Seigh, 

//.   s.  A    1066,   F   850;    Saugh,    i  pt.  s. 

saw,  A  764 ;  pt.  s.  A  850,  1400 ;  Sy,  //.  s. 

G  1381 ;    Sawe,  2  //.  s.  sawest,  B  848 ; 

Saugh,  2  //.//.  G  1106  (with  ye);  Sawe, 

pt.  pi.  B  218 ;    Seye,  //.  //.  saw,  T.  iv. 

720;  Seven, //.//.'  G  no;    ^yen,  pt, pi. 

B  2879, '4568;    Sye, //.  pi.  E    1804;  pr. 

s.  subj.  may  (he)  behold   or  protect,   B 

156;    Sawe,  pt.  s.  subj.  were  to  see,  A 

144;  Seyn, //.  seen,  B  1863;    Seye,//. 

D  552. 
Seed-foul,   s.  birds   living   on   seeds,   5. 

512. 
Seek,  adj.  sick,  ill,  L.  2409,  2436;  def.  A 

424 ;  Seke,  def.  as  s.  man  in  a  fever,  5. 

104  ;   Seke,  //.  A  18,  245. 
Seel  (i),s.  bliss,  A  4239.    A.  S.  sal. 
Seel  (2),  s.  seal,  B  882. 


Seemlinesse,  s.  dignity  of  bearing,  L. 

1041. 
Seemly,  adj.  delicate,  pleasing,   12.  11; 

seemly,  L.  2074. 

Seestow,  seest  thou,  HF.  911. 

Seet,  //.  s.  sat  (false  form,  due  to  pi. 
st'te/i),  A  2075. 

Seetes,  //.  seats,  A  2580. 

Seeth,//.  s.  seethed,  boiled,  E  227. 

Sege,  s.  throne,  B  i.  p  4.  285 ;  siege,  L. 
1696. 

Seggen,  i  pr.pl.  say,  T.  iv.  194. 

Seigh,  pt.  s.  of  See. 

Sein,  .^ifr.  /  That  is  to  sein,  that  is  to  say, 
A.  pr.  26. 

Seinte,  adj.  fern,  holy,  D  1824. 

Seintuarie,  s.  sanctuary,  I  781 ;  a  conse- 
crated object,  C  953. 

SeistovT",  sayest  thou,  A  1125. 

Seith,/;-.  -f.  says,  A  178. 

Seke ;  see  Seek,  adj. 

Seke,  V.  search  through,  B  60;  seek,  B 
1633;  ger.  A  13,  510;  to  seek,  i.  e.  a 
matter  for  search,  G  874;  Sekestow, 
seekest  thou,  T.  iii.  1455;  Seken  to,  \pr. 
pi.  press  towards,  2.  91 ;  2  //•.  //.  search 
through,  B  127;  Soghte,  i //.  .r.  sought, 
A.  ii.  45.  II ;  pt.  s.  subj.  were  to  examine, 
C488. 

Sekernes.  ,f.  security,  7.  345. 

Sekirly,  adv.  certainly,  L.  163  a. 

Selde,  adj.pl.  few,  E  146. 

Selde,  adv.  seldom,  A  1539,  B  2343; 
Selden,  B  2594;  Seid,  B  2343. 

Seled,  //.  sealed,  B  736. 

Seles,  //.  seals,  T.  iii.  1462. 

Selily,  adv.  happily,  B  2.  p  4.  96. 

Selinesse,  s.  happiness,  T.  iii.  813. 

Selle,  s.  dat.  boarding,  A  3822.  A  Kentish 
form;  M.  E.  sulle,  sille ;  A.  S.  syll. 
{Flore  =  ground  beneath  the  boards.) 

Selle,  V.  sell,  F  1563;  barter,  A  2y8\ /or 
to  selle,  for  sale,  D  414 ;  to  selle,  for  sale, 
A  3821;  Solde,  //.  s.  subj.  were  to  sell, 
R.  452. 

Selly,  adj.  wonderful  (MSS.  sely),  HF. 
513.     A.  S.  sell'ic,  seldlic,  strange. 

Sely,  adj.  happy,  T.  iv.  503;  kind,  4.  89; 
good,  B  1702;  holy,  B  682;  innocent, 
simple,  A  3404;  poor,  pitiable,  T.  i.  871 ; 
wretched,  A  3896;  hapless,  L.  1254,  1336. 
.A.  S.  sa-lig. 

Semblable,  adj.  like,  B  2294. 

Semblaunce,  s.  likeness,  R.  425  ;  appear- 
ance, R.  145. 

Semblaunt,  s.  appearance,  semblance', 
look,  E  928,  F  516;  in  Air  s.,  apparently, 
R.  863. 


I 


(glossarial  hxtttx. 


97 


Seme,  f.  appear,  seem,  F  102;  ^er.  to 
seem  (to),  T.  i.  747  ;  //•.  //.  F  869 ;  />/.  s. 
(there)  seemed,  A  2970;  impcrs.  (it) 
seemed,  A  39,  E  296;  him  semed,  it 
seemed  to  them,  they  supposed,  F  56; 
the  pepic  semed  —  it  seemed  to  the 
people,  tlie  people  supposed,  F  201. 

Semelihede,  s.  seemlmess,  comeliness, 
R.  1130;  gracefulness,  R.  777. 

Semely,  adj.  seemly,  comely,  A  751. 

Semely,  adv.  becomingly,  A  123. 

Seines,  s.  pi.  seams,  I  622. 

Semicope,  s.  half-cope,  short  cope,  A  262. 

Seming',  s.  appearance,  3.  944 ;  to  my  s., 
as  it  appears  to  me,  B  1838. 

Semisoun,  s.  half-sound,  i.  e.  suppressed 
sound,  A  3697. 

Senatorie,  s.  senatorial  rank,  B  3.  p  4.  93. 

Senatour,  s.  senator,  L.  584. 

Sencer,  s.  censer,  A  3340. 

Sencinge,  pres.  pt.  censing,  perfuming 
with  incense,  A  3341. 

Sendal,  c  a  thin  silk,  A  440. 

Sende,  v.  send,  B144;  Sent,//-,  .r.  E  1151 ; 
Sende, />/.  s.  sent,  A  4136;  Sente,  pf.  s. 
B  3927  ;  Sendeth,  imp.pl.  send  ye,  C  614  ; 
Sente,//.  s.  siihj.  would  send,  B  1091. 

Sene,  adj.  visible,  manifest,  apparent,  A 
134,  924,  F  645.  A.  S.  gesene,  gesyrie,  adj. 
evident,  visible. 

Sene,,4'^r.  to  behold,  to  see,  L.  1034;  to 
look  at,  L.  2649 ;  to  look  on,  D  1245 ;  to 
seem,  L.  224;  on  to  sene,  to  look  on, 
I..  2425. 

Senge,  z'.  singe,  D  349;  Seynd,//.  broiled, 
B  4035. 

Sengle,  adj.  single,  unmarried,  E  1667. 

Senith,  s.  (i)  the  zenith,  A.  i.  18.  4,  22.  6; 
(2)  the  point  where  a  given  azimuth- 
circle  meets  the  horizon,  A.  i.  19.  12; 
the  point  of  sunrise,  A.  ii.  31.  13. 

Sensibilitees,  s.  pi.  perceptions,  B  5. 
m  4.  8. 

Sensible,  adj.  perceptible  by  the  senses, 
B  5.  p  4.  212. 

Sent,  -e  :  see  Sende. 

Sentement,  s.  feeling,  fancy,  T.  ii.  13; 
susceptibility,  T.  iii.  43  ;  passion,  L.  69. 

Sentence,  s.  meaning,  drift,  E  2288 ;  con- 
tents, C  190;  subject,  B  1753;  opinion, 
B  113,3992;  decision,  5.  530;  meaning, 
sentiment,  instruction,  A  306,  798  ;  tenor, 
theme,  HF.  iioo;  decision,  speech,  5. 
383;  judgement,  order,  I  17;  verdict, 
G  3^16:  general  meaning,  I  58. 

Septemtrioun,  .f.  north,  B  3657. 

Septentrional,  adj.  northern,  A.  ii.  40. 
50;  Septentrionalis, //.  A.  ii.  40.  36. 


Sepulcre,  s.  tomb,  D  498. 

Sepulture,  s.  mode  of  burial,  T.  v.  299; 
burial,  L.  2553;  tomb,  .\  2854. 

Serchen,  v.  search,  B  2597;  /;-.  //.  ga 
about,  haunt,  D  867. 

Sereyns,  s.  pi.  sirens,  R.  684. 

Sergeaunt  of  the  LaAve,  sergeant-at- 
l;iw,  A  309. 

Serie,  s.  process,  argument,  A  3067. 

Sermone,  ger.  to  preach,  speak,  C  879. 

Sermoning,  s.  argument,  A  3091 ;  talk, 
A  3597- 

Sermoun,  s.  discourse,  L.  2025 ;  T.  ii.  965 ; 
tale,  T.  ii.  1115;  //.  writings,  B  87. 

Servag'e,  s.  servitude,  thraldom,  A  1946, 
B368. 

Servant,  ,f.  lover,  A  1814 ;  servant,  D  1501. 

Servisable,  adj.  willing  to  serve,  A  99; 
serviceable,  E  1911 ;  useful,  E  979. 

Servitour,  s.  servant,  D  2185. 

Servitute,  s.  servitude,  E  798. 

Servyse,  s.  service,  serving,  A  250 ;  reli- 
gious service,  T.  i.  315 ;  musical  per- 
formance, 3.  302. 

Sese,  pr.  s.  sufij.  seize,  5.  481 ;  //.  caught, 
4.  240;  seised,  possessed,  T.  iii.  445. 

Sesoun,  s.  season,  F  1034 ;  prime,  R.  1678. 

Sesto-w,  seest  thou,  T.  iii.  46. 

Sete,  t.  seat,  throne,  B  3715,  1  162. 

Sete,  -n ;  see  Sitte. 

Setewale,  s.  zedoary,  setwall,  R.  1370. 
Set-  Cetewale. 

Sethe,  V.  seethe,  boil,  A  383. 

Sette,  ger.  to  set,  place,  L.  540;  setten 
a  tiiyte,  care  a  mite,  T.  iii.  900;  Sette, 
I  pr.  s.  suppose,  T.  ii.  367  ;  B  2681 ;  Sette 
Ciis,  imagine  the  case,  B  3041;  2pr.  pi. 
esteem,  T.  ii.  432  ;  Sette,  i  pr.  s.  subj.  set, 
A  3911;  Set,//',  s.  setteth,  sets,  2.  loi ; 
D  1982;  cares,  T.  iii.  832;  puts,  3.  635; 
Sette,  \  pt.  s.  counted,  regarded,  D  659; 
Sette  me,  placed  myself,  L.  115;  sette 
nat  a  kers,  7\cco\xn\&A  not  worth  a  cress, 
A  3756;  Sette  at  nought,  counted  as 
nothing,  F  821;  Seite  him,  sat  down. 
C  207;  Sette  hir,  sat,  B  329;  Sette  her 
on  knees,  knelt  down,  B  638;  Sette  hem, 
seated  themselves,  L.  301 ;  C  775  ;  Settetv 
hein  adoun,  set  themselves,  (1  396;  Set, 
//.  placed,  A  132,  2528;  put,  B  440;  set, 
R.  846;  appointed,  4.  52;  E  774  ;  wholly 
devoted,  6.  100;  wel  set,  seemly,  3.  828; 
set  the  lorightes  cappe  =  made  a  fool  of 
him,  A  3143;  Set,  imp.  s.  stake  (as  at 
rlice),  T.  iv.  622. 

Seur,  adj.  sure,  B  2642,  2953. 

Seur,  adv.  surely,  T.  iii.  1633. 

Seurly,  adv.  surely,  B  2913. 


98 


(glossaiial  hxOtx. 


Seurtee,  s.  surety,  A  1604,  B  243. 
Sewe,  V.  follow,  25.  12;   ensue,  B  2619, 

2092;  //.  .(.  pursut^d,  B  4527. 
Sewes,   s.  pi.    lit.  juices,   gravies;    used 

here    for    seasoned    dishes,    delicacies, 

F  67. 
Sewing,  adj.  conformable,  in  proportion, 

similar,  3.  959.     Lit.  '  following.' 
Sexte,  sixth,  JdF.  1727. 
Sexteyn,  s.  sacristan,  B  3216. 
Sey,  I//.  J.  saw,  3.  1089;  Seyn, //.  seen, 

B  172,  624.    See  See. 
Seye,  v.  say,  A  738  ;  to  be  told,  B  706;  to 

sey II,  A  284 ;  for  to  seye,  to  say,  A  468 ; 

this  is  to  seyn,  A  181 ;  that  is  to  seyn,  A 

797;    Seistow,   sayest   thou,    B   no;    as 

who  seyth,  like  one  who  says,  i.  e.  so  to 

speak,  T.  v.  883  ;  Seggen,  \'p)  .pi.  say,  T. 

iv.  194;  Seydestow,  saidest  thou,  G  334; 

Sevd,//.  B  49;  Seyeth,  imp.pl.  say  ye, 

A  1868. 
Seyl,  s.  sail,  A  696,  3532. 
Seyn,  pp.  seen,  B  1863,  4471. 
Seynd.  //.  singed,  i.  e.  broiled,  B  4035. 
Seynt,  5.  saint,  3. 1319 ;  Seynt  (dissyllabic), 

A   120,  509,  687,  D    1564 ;    Seynte,  saint 

{or  holy),  A  1721. 
Seyst,    2  pr.  s.   sayest,  B  109;  Seystow, 

2  pr.  f.  sayest  thou,  A  3490. 
Shaar,  s.  a  plough-share,  A  3763. 
Shad,  -de  ;  see  Shede. 
Shadwe,  s.  shadow,  B  7,  10;  shade,  3. 

426;  scene,  B  2.  p  3.  89;   Shadowe,  re- 
flection, R.  1529. 
Shadwed,  pp.  shadowed,  shaded,  A  607. 
Shaft,  s.  wooden   part  of   an   arrow,  A 

i3')2;  //.  shafts  of  spears,  A  2605. 
Shal,  I /r.  T.  owe,  T.  iii.  1649;  owe  (to),  T. 

iii.  791;  shall  (do  so),  F  688;   must,  A 

853  ;  am  to  be,  2.53;  am  to  (go),  G  303; 

Shalt,  2pr.s.  must  go,  D  1636;  Shaltow, 

2  pr.  s.  shalt  thou,  A  3575;   Shai,  pr.  s. 

shall  be,  T.  v.  833;    is  to  be,    HF.   82; 

must,  is  to,  A  187;  must  (come),  T.  iv. 

1106;  wiil,L.  1276;  must  (do  so),  R.  387  ; 

owes,    F   750;     Sholde,    I  pt.   s.   should, 

B  56;  ought  (to  have  done  so),  3.  1200; 

Sholdestow,     shouldst     thou,      10.     60; 

wouldst   thou,    D    1944;    Sholde,  //.    s. 

should,  A  184;  ought  to,  B  44;  had  to, 

E515;  was  to,  B  3891;  would,  B  3627; 

Shul,    I  pr.  pi.    must,  have   to,    B  351; 

must,   B  1900;   Shullen,  2  pr.  pi.  shall, 

B  461^2;  SUuWen,  pr.  pi.  must,  A  3014. 
Shale,  .(.  shell,  HF.  1281. 
Shalmyes, />/.  shawms,  HF.  1218. 
Shame,  s.  A  503 ;  Shame  of  his  degree, 

i.  e.  lest  it  should  shame   his  condition 


(as  husband),    F    752;    Shames   deth, 

shameful  death,  B  819,  E  2377. 

Shamen,  v.  put  to  shame,  F  1565 ;  thee 
shanieth,  it  shames  thee,  thou  art 
ashamed,  B  101. 

Shamfast,  adj.  modest,  shy,  A  2055,  C  55  ; 
sliaiiie-faced,  ashamed,  R.  467. 

Shamfastnesse,.f.  modesty, A  840;  sense 
of  shame,  I  985. 

Shap,  s.  A  1889 ;  privy  member,  I  423. 

Shapen,  v.  plan,  devise,  A  3403 ;  find 
means  (to  do),  A  809;  pr.  s.  intends,  L. 
1289;  Shape, /n  //.  dispose,  B  2989; 
Shapen  hem,  intend,  F  214;  Sh66p,  pt. 
s.  befel,  T.  ii.  61 ;  devised,  planned,  T.  i. 
207  ;  made,  gave,  L.  2569  ;  prepared  for, 
E198;  plotted,  B  2543;  created,  E  903; 
contrived,  E  946;  Shoop  me,  \pt.  s.  rcjl. 
addressed  myself,  2.  20 ;  prepared  my- 
self, L.  180;  Shoop  him,//,  s.  rejl.  got 
ready,  L.  625;  determined,  F  809; 
Shopen,  pt.  pi.  made  ready,  B  2995 ; 
Shapen,  //.  determined,  A  1108;  des- 
tined, A  1392;  shaped,  L.  2014;  planned, 
B  951;  prepared,  B  249;  appointed,  B 
253  ;  disposed  (themselves),  B  142;  built, 
7.  357 ;  cut  out,  T.  iii.  734 ;  Shape,  pp. 
destined,  ordained,  A  1225 ;  allotted,  T. 
ii.  282;  created,  B  3099;  imp.  pi.  refl.. 
dispose  yourself,  B  2307. 

Shaply,  adj.  fit,  A  372;  likely,  T.  iv.  1452. 

Sharpe.  adv.  sharply,  B  2073. 

Shave,  v.  shave,  A  3326;  Shaven,//,  cut 
smooth,  R.  941 ;  Shave,  //.  shaven,  A  588. 

Shaving",  s.  a  thin  slice,  G  1239. 

Sha'we,  s.  wood,  A  4367,  D  1386. 

She,  she,  A  446;  She  .  .  .  she,  one  woman 
and  another,  T.  ii.  1747. 

She-ape,  s.  female  ape,  I  424. 

Shedeth,  pr.  s.  sheds,  I  577 ;  Shedde,//.  s. 
shed,  B  3447 ;  Shadde,  //.  s.  poured,  B 
3921 ;  Shad,//,  distributed,  B  i.  m  i.  18. 

Sheef,  s.  sheaf,  A  104;  Sheves,  //.  HF. 
2140. 

Sheep,  s.  a  sheep,  A  506 ;  a  meek  person, 
D  432. 

Sheld,  s.  shield,  A  2122;  //.  French 
crowns  (coins  worth  -y.  4a?.),  A  278; 
Slieeld,//.  B  1521. 

Shelde.  pr.  s.  subj.  may  he  shield,  HF.  88. 

Shende,  v.  disgrace,  T.  iv.  1577 ;  ruin,  B 
927 ;  render  contemptible,  T.  v.  893 ; 
reproach,  T.  v.  1060;  destroy,  HF.  1016; 
Shent, //-.  J.  ruins,  I  848;  defiles,  I  854; 
Shcnte,  //.  s.  harmed,  injured,  B  4031 ; 
Shente,//.  s.  subj.  should  destroy,  T.  " 
357;  Shent,//.  spoilt,  T.  ii.  37;  defeated, 
L.  652;  scolded,  B  1731. 


i^lossarial  lutia. 


99 


Shendshipe,  5.  shame,  I  273. 

Shene,  adj.  bright,  A  115;  glistening,  R. 

127 ;    fair,  E  2528 ;    beautiful,  B  692,  V 

1045.     A.  S.  scene,  scyne. 
Shene,  adv.  brightly,  4.  87. 
Shape,  s.  hire,  I  568.    See  Shipe. 
Shepne,   s.  stable,  shed,  A  2000.    A.  S. 

scypen.     See  Shipnes. 
Shere,  s.  pair  of  shears,  A  2417. 
Shere,  .^v/-.  to  she:\r,  cut,  B  3257. 
Shering'-hokes,//.  shearing-hooks,  con- 
trivances for  severing   ropes   in   a   sea- 
fight,  L.  641. 
Sherte,  J.  shirt,  A  1566;  chemise,  T.  iv. 

96. 
Shet.  pp.  o/Shette. 
Shete.  s.  sheet,  G  879 ;  //.  A  4140. 
Sheten,  v.  shoot,  I  714;    Sheteth,  //•.  s. 

sho;)ts,  R.  960. 
Sheter,   ,c.   as  adj.   fit   for   shooting   (lit. 

shooter),  5.  180. 
Shethe,  s.  sheath,  R.  2066. 
Shette,   V.   shut,   enclose,    T.   iii.    1549; 

shut,  close,  D  1141;  Shette,//.  s.  shut, 

A  3499;  closed,  fastened  up,  T.  ii.  1090; 

Shetten,  //.  //.  shut  up,  enclosed,  T.  i. 

148  ;  Shet,  pp.  shut,  R.  529. 
Sheves,  pi.  sheaves,  HF.  2140. 
Sheweth,/r.j-.  pretends,  appears,  B  2386; 

appears  as,  is  shewn,  A.  i.  7.  9. 
Shifte,  V.  provide,  distribute,  ordain,   D 

104;  assign,  G  278. 
Shilde,  pr.  s.  subj.  shield,  T.    ii.   1019; 

defend,  B  2098;  forbid,  A  3427. 
Shiroeringr,  s.  glimmer,  A  4297. 
Shine,  s.  shin,  A  386. 
Shined.  //.  s.  shone,  I^.  2194. 
Ship,  s.  I.  16;  Shipe,  dat.  (into  the)  ship, 

(into  the)  ark,  A  3540. 
Shipe,  J-.  hire,  pay,  reward,  7.  193;  Shepe, 

hire,  I  568.     A.  S.  scipe,  stipendium. 
Shipnaan,  s.  sailor,  skipper,  A  388. 
Shipnes,  //.  stables,  sheds,  D  871.     See 

Shepne. 
Shirreve,  s.  sheriff,  A  359.     Lit.  '  shire- 

recve.' 
Shiten,//.  defiled,  dirty,  A  504. 
Shitting,  f.  shutting,  R.  1598. 
Shivere,  s.  thin  slice,  D  1840. 
Shiveren,  pr.  pi.  break,  A  2605. 
Sho.  shoe,  A  253. 

Shod,  pp.  provided  with  shoes,  HF.  98. 
Shode,  s.  parting  of  the  hair,  A  3316;  the 

temple  of  the  head,  A  2007. 
Shof,  pt.  s.  pushed,  T.  iii.  487. 
Shoken,  //.  pi.  shook,  R.  363. 
Sholder-bone,  .f.  shoulder-blade-bone,  C 

350- 


Shonde,  s.  disgrace,  HF.  88 ;  B  2098. 
Shoo,  s.  shoe,  D  492 ;  Shoos,  //.  A  457 ; 

Shoon,//.  B  1922. 
Shoof,  //.  s.  I  /.  shoved,  pushed,  R.  534; 

pt.  s.  drove,  L.  2412. 
Shoon  (sh66n),//.  0/  Shoo. 
Shoon  (shoon),  //.  s.  of  Shyne. 
Shorn,  pp.  shaven,  B  3142. 
Shorte,    v.   shorten,    D    1261 ;    to   shorte 

tvitk  your  weye,   to   shorten    your  way 

with,  A  791. 
Shortly,  adv.  briefiy,  A  30. 
Short-sholdred,  adj.  short  in  the  upper 

arm,  A  549. 
Shot,  s.  a  missile,  B  4539 ;  arrow,  A  2544. 
Shot-windowe,  s.  a  window  containing 

a   square    division   which    opens    on    a 

hinge,  A  3358,  3695. 
Shotir,  s.  shower,  T.  iv.  751 ;  onset,  con- 
flict, T.  iv.  47 ;  //.  assaults,  T.  i.  470. 

Cf.  E.  ■  a  shower  of  darts.' 
Show^ving,  s.  shoving,  pushing,  H  53. 
Shredde./A  s.  shred,  cut,  E  227. 
Shrewe,  s.  scoundrel,   accursed   wretch, 

D  284;  shrew,  peevish  woman,  E  1222, 

2428 ;   planet  having  an   evil   influence, 

A  ii.  4.  54  ;  evil  one,  G  917. 
Shrewe,  adj.  evil,  wicked,  G  995. 
Shrew^e.  i  pr.  s.  beshrew,  curse,  B  4616. 
Shrewed,  adj.  evil,  wicked,  bad,  I.  1545 ; 

accursed,  D  54. 
Shrewedly,  adv.  cursedly,  D  2238. 
Shrewednesse,   s.   wickedness,   evil,  B 

2721 ;  cursedness,  D  734;  //.  evil  deeds, 

I  442. 
Shrifte-fadres,  //.  father-confessors,  D 

1442. 
Shrighte,  //.  ?.  shrieked,  A  2817;  //.  T. 

V.  320. 
Shrimpes,  //.   small    creatures,   dwarfs, 

B  3145- 

Shroud,  .f.  robe,  R.  64. 

Shrouded,//,  clad,  R.  55. 

Shryked,  pt.  pi.  shrieked.  B  4590. 

Shryking,  s.  shrieking,  T.  v.  382. 

Shryned,  //.  enshrined,  C  955 ;  canon- 
ised (ironically),  21.  15. 

Shryve,  s^er.  to  confess,  I  129. 

Shulder-boon,  s.  blade-bone,  I  603. 

Shuldres.//.  shoulders,  R.  328. 

Shull,  ShuUen.  Shulde  ;  sec  Shal. 

Shyne,  j,'er.  to  shine,  10.  62  ;  Shoon,  strong 
pt.  s.  shone,  A  198  ;  Shynede,  iveakpt.  s. 
shone.  L.  11 19;  Shined,  L.  2194. 

Sib,  adj.  related,  akin,  B  2565. 

Sicamour,  s.  sycamore,  HF.  1278. 

Sicer,  s.  strong  drink,  B  3245. 

Sigh.  I  //.  s.  saw,  R.  818. 


lOO 


©losssarial  EntJei. 


Sighte,//.  J.  of  Syke. 
Signet,  s.  signet-ring,  T.  ii.  1087. 
Signiflaunce,   s.   signification,    R.   91^3 ; 

significance,  HF.  17;  prediction,  R.   16. 
Si^mficaz'it,   a   writ  of  excommunication, 

A  662. 
Sik,  adj.  sick,  ill,  A  1600. 
Siker,    adj.   sure,  A   3049,  B  4353 ;   safe, 

G   864 ;    certain,   G   1047 ;    sure,  steady, 

U  2069;  in  security,  17.  28. 
Siker,  adv.  uninterruptedly,  T.  iii.  1237; 

surely,  T.  ii.  991. 
Sikered,//.  assured,  L.  2128. 
Sikerer,  adj.  surer,  more  to  be  trusted, 

B  4043. 
Sikerly,  adv.  certainly,   surely,  truly,  A 

137- 
Sikernesse,    s.    security,    safety,    confi- 
dence, B  425;    state  of  security,   T.   ii. 

773- 

Sikly,  adv.  ill,  with  ill  will,  E  625. 

Silver,  s.  money,  A  232,  713. 

Silver,  adj.  silvery,  A  1496. 

Similitude,  s.  comparison ;  hence,  pro- 
position, statement,  G  431 ;  sympathy, 
likeness,  F  480;  one  like  himself,  A  3228. 

Simphonye,  s.  a  kind  of  tabor,  B  2005. 

Simple,  adj.  modest,  R.  1014 ;  innocent, 

3-  8'>i- 
Simplesse,   s.   Simplicity    (personified), 

}<■  954- 

Sin,  conj.  and  adv.  since,  4.  273. 

Singe,  V.  sing,  A  236;  Singestow,  singest 
thou,  H  244;  Song,  I//',  j^.  sang,  3.  1 158  ; 
Songe,  2  pt.  s.  didst  sing,  H  294 ;  Song, 
//.  s.  A  1055  ;  Songen,  //.  //.  sang,  F  55  ; 
Songe,  pt.  s.  siibj.  were  to  sing,  3.  929 ; 
Songen,  pp.  sung,  T.  v.  645  ;  Songe,  pp. 
A  266;  recited,  T.  v.  1797. 

Singularitees,  s.  pi.  separate  parts,  par- 
ticulars, B  5.  m  3.  45. 

Singuler,  adj.  particular,  B  2.  p  7.  64; 
single,  I  300;  a  single,  G  997;  private, 
B  2625  ;  singular  profyte,  special  advan- 
tage, HF.  310. 

Singulerly,  adv.  singly,  B  4.  p.  6.  77. 

Sinne,  .r.  sin,  A  561. 

SinAwes,  s.  pi.  sinews,  I  690. 

Sippe,  V.  sip,  taste,  D  176. 

Sire,  sir,  my  master,  A  355 ;  Sires,  gen. 
sire's,  father's,  i.  e.  Saturn's,  E  2265. 

Sis  cink,  i.  e.  six-five,  a  throw  with  two 
dice,  B  125. 

Sisoures,//.  scissors,  HF.  690. 

Sit,  //•.  s.  sits  ;  see  Sitte. 

Site,  -f.  situation,  HF.  11 14;  E  199. 

Sith,  conj.  since,  A  930;  Sith  that,  since, 
F  930,  H  120. 


Sith,  adv.   afterwards,   C   869;    then,    L. 

302. 

Sithen,  conj.  since,  B  2947 ;  Sithen  that, 
since,  A  2102. 

Sithen,  adv.  since,  ago,  A  1521 ;  since 
then,  R.  1641 ;  since,  T.  iii.  244;  after- 
wards, A  2617;  then,  next,  L.  304;  g»on 
s.  a  greet  wliyl,  a  great  while  ago,  L. 
427;  ^on  s.  longe  whyle,  long  ago,  T.  i. 
718.  ■ 

Sithes,  pi.  times,  A.  ii.  42.  9. 

Sitte,  V.  sit,  A  94;  Sit,  pr.  s.  sits,  dwells, 
A  1599.  3641;  befits,  suits,  B  1353;  is 
fitting,  T.  i.  246:  yvel  it  sit,  it  is  un- 
becoming, E  460;  Sat,  //.  s.  sat,  A  469; 
affected,  T.  iv.  231;  suited,  L.  1735; 
became,  R.  750;  sat  on  knees,  knelt,  3. 
106  ;  hit  sat  me  sore,  it  was  very  painful 
for  me,  3.  1220;  T.  iii.  240;  Sect, /A  s. 
sat  (false  form,  due  to  pi.  j^/<?n),  A  2075; 
Seten,  //.  //.  sat,  A  2893;  Sete,  //.  s. 
subj.  would  befit,  T.  i.  985,  ii.  117;  were 
to  sit,  3.  436 ;  was  sitting,  3.  501 ;  Seten, 
pp.  sat,  D  420  ;  dwelt,  A  1452 ;  welsittinge, 
well  suited,  R.  986. 

Sittingest,  sup.  adj.  most  fitting,  5.  551. 

Sive,  s.  sieve,  G  940. 

Sixte,  sixth,  D  45,  F  906. 

Skant,  adj.  scanty,  sparing,  niggardly,  i. 

175- 

Skarmish,  j.  skirmish,  T.  ii.  611. 

Skars,  adj.  scarce,  9.  36. 

Skathe,  s.  harm,  T.  iv.  207. 

Skile,  s.  reason,  cause,  HF.  726;  grtt  si., 
good  reason,  E  1152;  reasonable  claim, 
L..  1392;  //.  reasons,  arguments,  HF. 
867. 

Skilful,  adj.  reasonable,  L.  385 ;  discern- 
ing, B  1038. 

Skilfully,  adv.  reasonably,  with  reason, 
G  320;  particularly,  4.  155. 

Skilinge,  s.  reason,  B  4.  p  6.  155. 

Skinketh,/^  s.  pours  out,  E  1722. 

Skippe,  ger.  to  skip,  jump,  T.  i.  218 ; 
V.  dance,  A  3259;  leap,  E  1672;  pass 
over.  I^.  622;  Skiptc,//.  s.  leapt,  F  1402. 

SkuUe,  s.  skull,  A  3935,  4306. 

Skye,  s.  cloud,  HF.  1600. 

Slake,  V.  assuage,  R.  317  ;  slacken,  abate, 
F  841;  desist  (from),  E  705;  cease, 
E  137;  end,  E  802;  Slake  of,  omit,  L. 
619;  Slake, /^.  s.  subj.  grow  slack,  wane, 
T.  ii.  291 ;  Slakede,  //.  s.  subj.  should 
relax,  B  2.  m  8.  18. 

Slakke,  adj.  slow,  A  2901 ;  def.  slack, 
E  1849. 

Slakker,  adj.  pi.  slacker,  more  tardy, 
B  1603. 


(^lossarial  Entei. 


Sledes,  s.  pi.  sledges,  vehicles,  B  4.  p  i. 

78.     ^\.oisled. 
Slee,  V.  A  661 ;  Sleen,  ger.  to  slay,  A  1222 ; 

Slee,  I  //-.  s.  as  fut.  shall  slay,  B  2002 ; 

Sleeth,//-.  J.  slays,  A  in8;   Siowe,  2 /^ 

s.   didst   slay,   T.   iv.   506;    Slow,  //.   s. 

slew,    B    627;     extinguished,    B    3922; 

Slough,  pt.  s.  7.  56;    Slawe,  pp.  slain, 

A  943 ;    Slawen,  //.  E  544 ;    Slayn,  pp. 

slain,  A  63. 
Sleep,  //.  s.  of  Slepe. 
Sleere,  s.  slayer,  A  2005. 
Sleet,  s.  sleet,  L.  1220;  F  1250. 
Sleig'h,  adj.  sly,  artful,  A  3201. 
Sleigrhly,  adv.  cunningly,  T.  v.  83. 
Slelgphte,  s.  trickery,  T.  iv.   1459;    trick, 

B  2386;  sleight,  T.  ii.  1512;  contrivance, 

E1102;  plan,E2i3i;  dexterity,  A  1948; 

cunning,  L.  1382  ;  skill,  G  867  ;  //.  plans, 

T.  iv.  1451;  devices,  tricks,  E  2421. 
Slely,  adv.  slily,  i.  e.  skilfully,  A.  ii.  29.  20. 
Slepe,  s.  sleep,  F  347;  on  slepe,  asleep,  L. 

209. 
Slepe,  V.  sleep,  3.  3 ;  Slepestow,  sleepest 

tliou,  A  4169;    Sleep,  i  pt.  s.  slept,  HF. 

119 ;  Sleep,  pi.  j.  A  98  ;  Slepte,  wea^  pt. 

s.  E  224  ;  Slepe,  pt.  pi.  3.  166,  177. 
Sleping,  s.  sleep,  B  4202. 
Sleping-tyme,  s.  time  to  sleep,  6.  54. 
Slepy.  adj.  sleep-bestowing,  A  1387. 
Slewthe,  s.  sloth,  I  388. 
Sleye,  pi.  sly,  subtle,  T.  iv.  972. 
Sleyly,  adv.  slily,  T.  ii.  1185;  subtly,  T. 

ii.  462. 
Slider,  adj.  slippery,  A  1264. 
Slighte,  s.  sleight,  cunning,  C  131. 
Slike,  adj.  sleek,  R.  542. 
Slinge-stones,  //.  stones  from  a  sling, 

T.  ii.  941. 
Slinke,  ^^er.  to  slink,  T.  iii.  1535. 
Slippe,  v.  slip,  L.  623. 
Slit./>/-.  s.  o/S\yde. 
Slitten,  V.  pierce,  F  1260. 
Slivere,  s.  a  slice,  portion,  T.  iii.  1013. 
Slo,  c.  sloe,  R.  928  ;  Sloo,  A  3246. 
Slogardye,   s.  sluggishness,   sloth,  lazi- 
ness, A  1042. 
Slom'bresto'W,  slumberest  thou,  T.  i.  730. 
Slombry,  ,idj.  sleepy,  I  724. 
Slomeringe,  s.  slumber,  T.  ii.  67. 
Slong,  pt.  s.  threw,  flung,  H  306.     Pt.  t. 

of  slingen. 
Sloo,  s.  sloe,  A  3246 ;  Slo,  R.  928. 
Sloppes,  s.  pi.  loose  garments,  I  422. 
Slougrh,  s.  slough,  mire,  H  64. 
Sloug-h,  //.  s.  slow,  A  980;  see  Slee. 
Slouthe,  s.  sloth,  T.  ii.  959. 
Slow,  V.  slough,  D  1565;  Slough,  H  64. 


Slow,  pt.  s.  of  Slee. 

Slowh,  pt.  s.  slew,  B  4.  m  7.  43. 

Slug-g-y,  adj.  sluggish,  I  706. 

Sluttish,  adj.  slovenly,  G  636. 

Sly,  adj.  L.  1369;  sly  (one),  A  3940;  Sl^e, 

def.  cunning,  crafty,  7.  48  ;  skilful,  F  672; 

pi.  artfully  contrived,  F  230. 
Slyde,  V.  slide,  T.  v.  351 ;  pass,  go  away, 

E  82,  F  924 ;    Slit,  pr.  s.  passes  away,  5. 

3 ;  G   682 ;    Slydinge,  pres.  pt.   as    adj. 

moving,  i.  e.  unstable,  T.  v.  825. 
Slyk  {for  Slyke?),  adj.  sleek,  D  351. 
Slyk,  adj.  such  (NorthernJ,  A  4130,  4170. 
Slyly,  adv.  sagaciously,  A  1444. 
Smal,  adj.  small,  A  153;  a  smal,  a  little, 

0.  113. 
Smal,   adv.  little,   D  592;    but  smal,  but 

little,  F  71;  high  (of  musical  notes),  12. 

II. 
Smalish,  adj.  smallish,  R.  826. 
Smart,  adj.  brisk  (said  of  a  fire),  G  768. 
Smatre, //-.//.  reji.  taste  slightly,  I  857. 
Smart,  adj.  smart,  quick,  R.  831 ;   brisk, 

G  768  ;  //.  painful,  3.  507. 
Smerte,  s.  pain,  smart,  F  480,  856,  974; 

anguish,  A  3813. 
Smerte,    adv.   smartly,   sharply,   A   149; 

sorely,  E  629. 
Smerte,  ger.  to  smart,  L.  502  ;  Smert,  pr. 

s.  pains  (me),  i.  152;  Smerte,//'.  s.subj. 

(it)    may  pain,  A   1394;    Smerte,  pt.  s. 

felt  pain,  T.  ii.  930 ;   Smerte,  pt.  s.  subj. 

impers.  (it)  might  give  pain  to,  A  230. 
Smit,  -en;  see  Smyte. 
Smithed,  //.  s.  forged,  A  3762. 
Smitted,  //.  smutted,  i.  e.  besmirched, 

sullied  with  dishonour,  T.  v.  1545. 
Smoking,  pres.  pt.  reeking  with  incense 

or  perfume,  A  2281. 
Smokless,  adj.  without  a  smock,  E  875. 
Smoky,  adj.  smoke-like,  T.  iii.  628. 
Smoot,  pt.  s.  of  Smyte. 
Smoterliche,  adj.  smirched   in   reputa- 
tion, A  3963. 
Smothe,  adj.  smooth,  A  690. 
Smothe,  adv.  smoothly,  A  676. 
Smyler,  s.  smiler,  flatterer,  A  1999. 
Smyte,   v.  strike,   A    1220;    Smyten   of, 

smite    off,    L.    1817;     Smyteth,    pr.    s. 

knocks,    L.    393;    Smit,   /;-.    s.    smites, 

E   122 ;   Smoot,  //.  s.  smote,  struck,  A 

149:  Smiten,/|/>.  struck,  T.  ii.  1145. 
Sne'wed,//.  s.  abounded,  A  345. 
Snibtaen,   v.   reprove,  chide,  lit.  '  snub,' 

A  523 ;  pp.  reprimanded,  A  4401. 
Snorteth,  pr.  s.  snorts,  A  4163  ;  pt.  s.  was 

diawn  together  (as  in  sniffing),  R.  157. 
Snow,  s.  R.  558;    argent    (in   heraldry), 


(3\o&mxm\  Cnliei. 


white,    B    3573;    //.    snow-storms,   HF. 

967. 
Snowish,  ad/,  snowy,  white,  T.  iii.  1250. 
S9,  adv.  so,  A  102;  such,  B  2205 ;  in  such 

a  way,  such,  T.  iii.  1579;   so,  i.  e.  pray 

(with  verb  in  subj.  mood),  T.  iii.  1470; 

So  as,  as  well  as,  as  far  as,  4.  161 ;  so 

have  I  Joye,  as  I  hope  to  have  bliss,  3. 

1065. 
So,  cotij.  provided  that,  L.  1319;   So  as, 

whereas,  B  4.  p  3.  40;  So  that,  provided 

that,  C  186. 
Sobrely.  adv.  gravely,  F  1585;  Soberly, 

sadly,  with  a  melancholy  look,  A  289. 
Sobrenesse,  j.  sobriety,  I  834. 
Socour,  succour,  help,  A  918,  F  1357  ;  do 

yow  s.,  help  you,  4.  292. 
Sbcouren,  v.  aid,  T.  iii.  1264. 
Socours,  s.  help,  L.  1341. 
Soden,//.  sodden,  boiled,  I  900. 
Sodein,  adj.  prompt,  forward,  T.  v.  1024. 
Sodeinly,  adv.  suddenly,  F  1015. 
Softe,   adj.  soft,  A    153;    gentle,  slow,  B 

399  ;  mild,  D  1412. 
Softe,  adv.  softly,  A  2781 ;  gently,  C  252; 

tenderly,  B  275;  timidly,  3.  1212. 
Softely,   adv.   softly,   F  636;    quietly,  G 

408  ;  in  a  low  tone,  L.  2126. 
Softneth,  pr.  s.  assuages,  L.  50. 
Sojourne,  v.  dwell,  T.  v.  1350;    tarry,  R. 

381 ;  remain,  D  987. 
Soken,  s.  toll,  A  3987.    A.  S.  socn. 
Sokingly,  adv.  gradually,  B  2766.    '  So- 

kyngly,    idem     quod    esyly ' ;      Prompt. 

Parv. 
Sol,  Sol  (the  sun),  G  826. 
Solas,   s.  amusement,  A  798 ;    solace,   I 

206;  comfort,  F  802;   consolation,  T.  ii. 

460;   relief,  B  1972;   diversion,  B  1904; 

pleasure,  B  3964 ;    playfulness,   R.  844 ; 

jov,  T.  i.  31 ;  ease,  L.  1966. 
Solde,/A  s.  (7/"Selle. 
Solempne,  adj.  festive,  grand,  E   1125; 

cheerful,    A    209 ;     important,    A    364 ; 

illustrious,  B  387;  superb,  F  61;  public, 

I  102. 
Solempnely,     adv.     pompously,     with 

pomp,  .A.  274. 
Solempnitee,  .r.  pomp,  A  870;  outward 

show,  C  244;  due  ceremony,  E  1709. 
Soleyn,   adj.  sole,  solitary,   3.  982;    un- 

matcd.  5.  607,  614. 
Solsticioun,  s.  the  solstice,  or  point  of 

the  ecliptic  most  remote  from  the  equa- 
tor, A.  i.  17.  9. 
Som  (sum),  indef.  pron.  some,  A  640,  B 

1182;  one,  a  certain  man,  G  922;  one, 

3.  305 ;   another,  5.  476 ;   som  shrewe  is, 


some  one  (at  least)  is  wicked,  G  995 ; 

Som  .  .  .  som,  one  . .  .  another,  A  3031 ; 

Somme,  //.   some,   B   2139;    some   (of 

them),  L.  1050. 
Somdel,  adv.  somewhat,  B4011;  a  little, 

L.  1183;  in  some  measure,  A  3911. 
Somer,    s.    summer,    A    394;     Someres 

game,  summer-game,  athletic  exhibition, 

D  648. 
Somer-sesoun,  t.  spring,  early  summer, 

B  3.  p  8.  43. 
Somme, /A  some,  T.  iv.  995 ;  see  Som. 
Somme,   s.  sum,   F    1220;    chief   point. 

upshot,    L.   1559;   pi.   sums   of  money, 

B  1407,  G  675. 
Somne,  v. ;  see  Sompne. 
Somnour,   .f.   summoner,    apparitor,    an 

officer  who  summoned  delinquents  be- 
fore the  ecclesiastical  courts,  A  543. 
Somonce,  s.  summons,  D  1586. 
Sompne,  v.  summon,  D  1577;  Somne,  v. 

^  1347- 

Sompnolence,  s.  somnolence,  I  706. 

Somtyme,  adv.  once,  A  65,  85;  some- 
times, B  1667;  some  day,  B  no. 

Sond,  s.  sand,  B  509,  4457. 

Sonde,  s.  message,  B  388,  1049;  sending, 
I  625 ;  gifts,  B  1049 ;  visitation,  B  760, 
826;  trial,  B  902;  message  {or  messen- 
ger), G52S. 

Sonded,  //.  sanded,  T.  ii.  822. 

Sondry,  adj.  various,  A  14,  25. 

Sone  (suns),  s.  son,  A  79,  336. 

Sone,  adv.  soon,  A  1022;  speedily,  D  1264. 

Sone-in-la'we,  s.  son-in-law,  E  315. 

Sonest,  adv.  super!,  soonest,  B  3716. 

Song,  -e,  -en;  see  Singe. 

Sonne,  s.  sun,  A  7,  30. 

Sonne-beem,  s.  sunbeam,  D  868. 

Sonnish,  adj.  sun-like,  golden,  T.  iv.  736, 
816. 

Soor,  s.  sore,  wound,  A  1454. 

Soor,  adj.  wounded,  grieved,  A  2695; 
sore,  F  1571 ;  sad,  T.  v.  639. 

Soot,  s.  soot,  an  emblem  of  bitterness,  T. 
iii.  1194. 

Sooth,  adj.  true,  L.  14 ;  as  adv.  truly,  C 
636. 

Sooth,  s.  truth,  A  284;  Sothe,  G  663; 
Sothe,  dat.  B  1939. 

Soothfabtnesse,  s.  truth,  B  4518. 

Soothly,  adv.  truly,  A  117. 

Sooty,  adj.  begrimed  with  soot,  B  4022. 

Sop,  -f.  sop  (of  toasted  bread),  E  1843; 
Sop  in  wyn,  wine  with  bread  soaked  in 
it,  A  334. 

Soper,  s.  supper,  A  348 ;  Sopeer,  F  1189. 

Sophistrye,  s.  evil  cunning,  L.  137. 


(Sloissarial  Jntei. 


103 


Sophyme,  s.  a  sophism,  trick  of  logic,  E 

5  ;  //.  deceits,  F  554. 
Sore,  (Jiiv.  sorely,  A  148;  dar  so  sore,  bore 

so  ill,  E85. 
Sore,  ^cr.  to  soar,  HF.  531 ;    to  mount 

aloft,  F  123. 
Sorer,  adv.  more  sorely,  L.  502. 
Sorest,  adv.  most  sorely,  5.  404. 
Sormounte,  ^er.  to  surpass,  R.  667 ;  //•. 

s.  rises  above,  T.  iii.  1038. 
Sort,  s.  lot,  T.  ii.  1754;  destiny,  chance, 

A  844;    kind,  A  4381;   divination,  T.  i. 

76. 
Sorted,//,  s.  allotted,  T.  v.  1827. 
Sor'we,  s.  sorrow,  grief,  A  951 ;    mourn- 
ing, B  2171;    sympathy,  compassion,  F 

422 ;  witA  sonve,  with  ill  luck  to  you,  D 

308. 
Sorwestow,   thou  sorrowest,  B  i.  p  6. 

80 ;  pr.  J-.  I  85  ;  pr.  pi.  A  2824. 
Sor-weful,  adj.  sorrowful,  L.  1832. 
Sorwefxxlleste,  adj.  most  sorrowful,  E 

2098. 
Sorwefully,  adv.  sadly,  A  2978. 
Sorwing',  s.  sorrow,  3.  606. 
Sory,  adj.  sorrowful,  mournful,  A  2004, 

2010;  sad,  B  2899;  unlucky,  B  1949;  ill, 

C  876;  miserable,  H  55. 
Sory,  adv.  sorely,  B  2.  p  4.  100. 
Soster,  s.  sister,'  A  3486. 
Sote,  adj.  sweet,  A  i,  B  2348.      '* 
Sote.  adv.  sweetly,  L.  2612. 
Sotel,  adj.  subtle,  cunning,  18.  43. 
Soteltee,  subtlety,  skill,  18.  77. 
Soth.  adj.  true,  B  169;  Sooth,  L.  14. 
Sothe,  -r.  truth,  A  845.    See  Booth. 
Sother,  adj.  comp.  truer,  G  214. 
Sothfastnesse,  s.  truth,   B  2365;    cer- 
tainty, I  380. 
Sothly,  adv.  verily,  soothly,  A.  pr.  23. 
Soth-sawe,    s.    true   saying,  truth,   HF. 

2089;  pi.  HF.  676. 
Sotil,  adj.  subtle,  cunning,  L.  1556,  2559; 

subtly  woven,  A  1054;  thin,  A  2030. 
SotiUy,  adv.  skilfully,  R.  11 19;  cleverly, 

R.  772. 
Sotted,  adj.  besotted,  befooled,  G  1341. 
Souded,//.  confirmed,  B  1769. 
Sought,  -e;  see  Seke. 
Souke,  ger.  to  suck,  A  4157  ;  to  embezzle, 

A  4416 ;  pp.  been  at  the  breast,  E  450. 
Soul.  adj.  sole,  single,  E  2080. 
Soule,  s.  soul,  A  656,  781. 
Soulfre,  s.  sulphur,  HF.  1508. 
Soun,  s.  sound,  musical  sound,  A  674,  E 

271 ;  vaunt,  L.  267;  //.  sounds,  A  2512. 
Sound,  adj.  unhurt,  L.  1619 ;  pi.  in  strong 

health,  T.  iii.  1526. 


Sounde.  ger.  to  heal,  make  sound,  7.  242 ; 
V.  heal,  R.  966. 

Soune,  ger.  to  sound,  to  utter,  T.  ii.  573 ; 
imitate  in  sound,  speak  alike,  F  105; 
Sounen,  v.  sound,  hence,  tend,  redound, 
T.  i.  1036;  Souneth,  //•.  s.  tends  (to- 
wards), relates  (to),  T.  iii.  1414;  is  con- 
sonant (with),  B  3157;  makes  (for),  H 
195  ;  Sounen,  pr.  pi.  tend,  I  1068  ;  pt.  s. 
inclined,  T.  iv.  1676;  pres.  pt.  accordant 
with,  in  agreement  with,  A  275;  Soun- 
inge  in,  tending  to,  A  307. 

Souned ;  teste  s.,  best-sounding,  T.  ii.  1031. 

Soupe,  V.  sup,  T.  ii.  944. 

Souper,  s.  supper,  T.  ii.  947. 

Souple,  adj.  pliant,  A  203. 

Sourdeth,  pr.  s.  arises,  I  475. 

Soiire,  adj.  bitter,  cruel,  B  i.  p  4.  88. 

Soure,  adv.  sourly,  bitterly,  B  2012. 

Soures,  s.  pi.  sorrels,  bucks  of  the  third 
year,  3.  429. 

Sourmounteth,  pr.  s.  surmounts,  rises 
above,  T.  iii.  1038. 

Sovirs,  s.  source,  origin,  T.  v.  1591 ;  E  49; 
a  springing  aloft,  HF.  544;  swift  uf>- 
ward  flight,  D  1938,  1941. 

Souter,  s.  cobbler,  A  3904. 

Soutiltee,  s.  device,  D  576. 

Souvenance,  s.  remembrance,  24.  14, 

Soveraynetee,  s.  sovereignty,  E  114,  F 
751  ;   supremacy,  D  818. 

Sovereyn,  adj.  supreme,  very  high,  A  67 ; 
chief,  B  3339;  sovereign,  D  1048;  supe- 
rior, A.  ii.  28.  39  (a  technical  term, 
applied  to  the  western  signs  of  the 
zodiac)  ;  as  s.  lord,  i.  69  ;  master,  G  590; 
Sovereyne,  fem.  5.  422 ;  Sovereyns,  //. 
superiors,  I  392,  402. 

Sovereynly,  adv.  royally,  B  2462 ;  chiefly, 
B  4552. 

Sovereyntee,  s.  supremacy,  D  1038. 

Sowdan,  s.  sultan,  B  177. 

So'wdanesse.  s.  sultaness,  B  358. 

Sowe,  V.  sew  up,  T.  ii.  1201,  1204;  pp. 
sewn.  A  685. 

Sowen,  V.  sow,  B  1182;  Sowen,  //.  R. 
i6r7;  Sowe,  pp.  T.  i.  385. 

So'wrle,  s.  soul,  life,  T.  ii.  1734. 

Sowled,  pp.  endued  with  a  soul,  G  329. 

Sowne,  V.  sound,  play  upon,  A  565; 
sound,  T.  iii.  189;  Sowneth,  pr.  s. 
sounds,  I  160;  signifies,  A.  i.  21.  62;  pr. 
pi.  play,  F  270;  Sowneth, /r. //.  tend 
(to),  are  consonant  (with),  F517;  Souned, 
pt.  pi.  tended,  B  3348.     See  "Soune. 

Space,  s.  room,  T.  i.  714;  space  of  time, 
A  87;  while,  C  239;  opportunity,  spare 
time,  A  35  ;  course,  A  176. 


I04 


(glossarial  Icuticx. 


Spak,//.  s.  spake,  A  124;  see  Speke. 

Span.  />f.  s.  spun,  L.  1762. 

Spanne,  j.  span,  A  155. 

Span-newe,  ady.  span-new,  T.  iii.  1665. 
Lit.  '  newly  spun.' 

Spare,  z'.  spare,  refrain,  A  192;  cease,  5. 
699  ;  /fl.  passed  over,  L.  2602. 

Spartiauk,  s.  sparrow-hawk,  B  1957. 

Sparinge,  s.  moderation,  I  835. 

Sparkle,  s.  small  spark,  B  2095. 

Sparow,  s.  sparrow,  5.  351. 

Sparre,  s.  wooden  beam,  A  990,  1076. 

Sparth,  s.  battle-axe,  A  2520. 

Sparwe,  s.  sparrow,  A  626. 

Spaynel,  s.  spaniel,  D  267. 

Spece,  f.  species,  sort,  I  407 ;  //.  kinds,  A 
3013,  I  865. 

Speche,  s.  speech,  L.  1084;  discourse,  A 
307  ;  talk,  A  783,  D  1020 ;  address,  3. 
1131 ;  oratory,  F  104. 

Special,  acij.  special ;  in  special,  espe- 
cially, in  particular,  A  444,  1017. 

Spectacle,  5.  eye-glass,  D  1203. 

Spade,  ^<?r.  to  succeed,  C  134 ;  Spede  me, 
V.  be  quick,  5.  385 ;  Spede,  pr.  s.  subj. 
speed,  prosper,  A  769;  Spedde,  pt.  s. 
hastened,  moved  quickly,  A  3649;  made 
to  prosper,  B  3876;  //.  s.  rejl.  hasted,  A 
1217  ;  I  //.  s.  icfi.  L.  200 ;  pp.  terminated, 
determined,    5.    loi ;    accomplished,    G 

357- 
Speed,  s.  help,  T.  ii.  9;  success,  T.  i.  17 ; 
for  commie  spede,  for  the  good  of  all,  5. 

507- 
Speedful,  adj.  advantageous,  B  727. 
Speere,  s.  sphere,  F  1283. 
Speke,    V.    speak,    3.    852;    Spekestow, 

speakest   thou,   G  473 ;    Spak,   i  //.   s. 

spake,  L.  97  ;  //.  .f.  3.  503  ;  Speken,  //. //. 

3.  350;   Spaken   (better  Speken),//.  pi. 

spake,  T.  i.  565  ;  Speke,//.  s.  subj.  might 

speak,  T.  ii.  1119;  Spoken,//.  A  31. 
Speking:,   s.  speech-making,   oratory,  5. 

488  ;  speaking,  H  335. 
Spelle,  s.  dat.  a  story,  B  2083. 
Spence,  s.  buttery,  D  1931. 
Spending--sllver,    s.    silver    to    spend, 

money  in  liand,  G  1018. 
Spere,  s.  spear,  A  114;  as  nigh  as  men 

)iiav  casten  with  a  spere,  a  spear's  cast, 

\\V.  1048. 
Spere,  s.  spliere,  orbit,  4.  137;   16.  11. 
Sperhauk,  .r.  sparrowhawk,  B  4647. 
Sperme,  s.  seed,  B  3199. 
Sperred,//.  barred,  T.  v.  521. 
Spete,  V.  spit,  T.  ii.  1617  ;  Spetten,//.  //. 

I  270. 
Spewe,  V.  vomit,  B  2607. 


Spewing,  s.  vomit,  I  138. 

Spicerye,  s.  mixture  of  spices,  B  2043. 

Spille,  V.  spill,  drop,  T.  v.  880;  kill,  L. 
1574;  destroy,  ruin,  E  503;  perish,  6. 
121 ;  ger.  to  destroy,  T.  v.  588 ;  to  sp. 
labour,  to  lose  labour,  H  153 ;  doth  me 
sp.,  causes  me  to  die,  6.  14;  Spillestow 
teres,  lettest  thou  tears  fall  (Lat.  manas), 
B  I.  p  4. 4 ;  //.  killed,  B  857  ;  lost,  i.  180  ; 
ruined,  D  1611;  confounded,  D  388. 

Spirit,  s.  A  2809 ;  Spirites,  the  (four) 
spirits  in  alchemy  (sulphur,  sal  ammo- 
niac, quicksilver,  arsenic),  G  820;  vital 
forces,  3.  489. 

Spitous,  adj.  malicious,  R.  979 ;  inhospi- 
tMlMle,  22.  13. 

Spitously,  adv.  spitefully,  D  223 ;  vehe- 
mently, A  3476. 

Spoke'  //.  of  Speke. 

Sponne,  2. pt.pl.  did  spin,  T.  iii.  734. 

Spoon,  s.  spoon,  F  602;  Spones,  //.  C 
908. 

Spore,  s.  spur,  A  2603  ;  //.  A  473. 

Sporne,  ger.  to  spurn,  kick,  13.  11 ;  pt.  s. 
spurns,  treads,  T.  ii.  797;  pt.  s.  tripped 
himself  up,  A  4280. 

Spot.  s.  defect,  E  2146. 

Spousaille,  J.  espousal,  wedding,  E  115, 
iSo. 

Spoused,  //.  wedded,  E  3,  386. 

SpouteSp//.  vomited,  B  487. 

Sprayned :  see  Springen. 

Sprede.  v.  spread,  open,  4.  4;  ger.  to  ex- 
pand, R.  1679;  Spradde,  pt.  s.  spread,  E 
418,  722;  covered,  7.  40;  Sprad,  //. 
spread,  A  2903 ;  dispersed,  3.  874 ; 
Spradde.//.//.  wide  open,  T.  iv.  1422. 

Spreynd;  see  Sprlngen, 

Spring,  .f.  dawn,  A.  ii.  6.  6;  first  growth, 
R.  834;  //.  merry  dances,  HF.  1235. 

Springe,  strong  v.  spring  up,  grow,  A 
3018;  rise,B4o68;  spread  abroad,  7.  74  ; 
spring,  be  carried,  L.  719;  ger.  to  rise 
(as  the  sun) ,  A  2522 ;  to  dawn,  A  822 ;  to 
arise,  i.  133;  Sprang,  pt.  s.  grew  up,  R. 
1425  ;  Sprong,  pt.  s.  spread  out,  R.  1704  ; 
Spronge,  //.  become  famous,  A  1437 ; 
grown,  L.  1054;  spronge  amis,  alighted 
in  a  wrong  place,  HF.  2079. 

Springen,  weak  v.  sprinkle,  scatter, 
sow  broadcast,  B  1183;  Spreynd,  pp. 
sprinkled,  B  422,  1830;  Sprayned,  //. 
H  2.  p  4.  132.     A.  S.  sprengan. 

Springers,  s.pl.  sources,  origins,  I  387. 

Springing,  s.  source,  E  49. 

Spurne,  v.  spurn,  kick,  F  616. 

Spyce,  s.  spice,  R.  1367, 1371 ;  //.  spicery, 
L.  II 10;  species,  kinds,  I  83,  102. 


■ 

J 


(3\a&mxia\  Intnei. 


105 


Spyced,  //.  spiced,  A  3378 ;  scrupulous, 

A  526,  D  435. 
Spycerye,  s.  collection  of  spices,  mixture 

of  spices,  A  2935,  B  136. 
Spyr,  s.  spire,  shoot,  T.  ii.  1335. 
Squames,  s.  pi.  scales,  G  759. 
Squaymous,    ad/,    squeamish,    sparing 

(.■xccpt  rarely),  A  3337. 
Squiereth,  />r.  s.  attends,  accompanies, 

L*  305- 

Squire,  .f.  a  '  square,'  a  carpenter's  instru- 
ment for  measuring  right  angles,  D 
2090;  p/.  measuring-rules,  A.  i.  12.  3. 

Squyer,  s.  squire,  A  79. 

Stable,  cid/.  abiding,  A  3004,  3009;  firm, 
3.  645;  sure,  E  1499;  constant,  4.  281; 
steadfast,  F  871. 

Stablissed,  pp.  established,  A  2995. 

Stadia,  s.  race-course,  B  4.  p  3.  11. 

Staf.  ,r.  staff,  stick,  I>.  2000;  (perhaps  a 
bed-staff) ,  A  4294,  4296  :  Staves,  j^en.  of 
tile  shaft  of  a  car,  7.  ib4. 

Staf-slinge,  s.  a  staff-sling,  sling  with  a 
handle,  B  2019. 

Stages,  p/.  positions,  HF.  122. 

Stak,  p/.  s.  stuck,  T.  iii.  1372;  was  fast- 
ened on,  R.  458. 

Stakereth,  //-.  s.  staggers,  L.  2687. 

Stal.//.  s.  o/Stelen. 

Stalks,  s.  stalk,  A  1036;  piece  of  straw, 
A  3919;  Stalkes, />/.  {La.i.  pah/i i/es) ,  B  i. 
m  6.  15  ;  stems,  T.  ii.  968  ;  uprights  of  a 
ladder,  A  3625. 

Stalke,  V.  creep  up  (to) ,  T.  ii.  519  ;  move 
stealthily,  L.  178 1 ;  pr.  s.  walks  stealthily, 
A  1479 ;  moves  slowly,  A  3648. 

Stalls,  s.  dat.  ox-stall,  T.  v.  1469. 

Stamin.  s.  a  coarse  harsh  clotli,  tamine, 
tamrny,  L.  2360 ;   I  1052.    O.Y .  e^tamine. 

Stamps,  /;•.  pi.  bray  in  a  mortar,  C  538. 

Stanchsd,  pp.  staunched,  B  2.  p  2.  53. 

Stank,  s.  lake,  tank,  pool,  I  841.     E.  tank. 

Stant,  stands;  see  Stonds. 

Stapen,  pp.  advanced,  B  4011,  E  1514  {in 
MS.  E.). 

Stare,  .r.  starling,  5.  348. 

Starf,  pt.  5.  of  Sterve. 

Stark,  adj.  strong,  E  1458 ;  severe,  B 
3560. 

Startlingr,  moving  suddenly,  L.  1204. 

Staunchsn,  v.  satisfy,  B  3.  m  3.  3. 

Stede,  s.  place,  HF.  731 ;  in  stede  of,  in- 
stead of,  B  3308. 

Stede,  J-.  steed,  A  2157. 

Stedfastnesse,  s.  constancy,  firmness, 
\\  6qg  ;   stability,  15.  7. 

Steer,  t.  bullock,  .A  2149. 

Steksd,  pp.  stuck,  L.  161  a. 


Stele,  J-,  lit.  handle ;  i.  e.  the  (cool)  end 

A  3785. 
Stolen,   V.  steal,  A  562;    Steleth,  pr.  s. 

steals  away,  B  21 ;    Stal,  //.  s.  stole,  L. 

796;    came    (or   went)    cunningly,    HF. 

418  ;  went  stealthily,  B  3763 ;  stal  away, 

stole  away,  3.  381-^  Stole,//,  stolen,  A 

2627. 
Stsllifye,  v.  make  into   a   constellation, 

HF.  586,  1002. 
Stemed,  //.  s.  shone,  glowed,  A  202.   A.  S. 

sti//uin. 
Stsnten,  v.  leave  off,  A  903 ;  j^er.  to  stay, 

A  2442 ;    V.   cease,    leave    off,    B    3925 ; 

Stente,  2/r.  s.  subj.  cease,  18. 61 ;  Stente, 

//.  s.  ceased,  stopped,  3.  154;   L.  1240; 

remained,    L.    821;    stayed,    T.   i.   273; 

Stente,  //.  pi.  ceased,  T.  i.  60;   delayed, 

L.  633 ;  //.  stopped,  A  1368. 
Steps,  adj.  pi.  glittering,  bright,  A  201, 

753.     A.  S.  steap. 
Steppes,  pi.  foot-tracks,  L.  829,  2209. 
Stere,    j.    helm,    rudder,    B   833;    pilot, 

helmsman,  guide,  B  448 ;  in  sterc,  \x\>ox\ 

my  rudder,   1".  v.  641. 
Stere,  v.  steer,  rule,  T.  iii.  gio;    i  //.  s. 

steer,  T.  ii.  4;  //.  controlled,  L.  935. 
Stere,  v.  stir,  move,  excite,  T.  i.  228  ;  pro- 
pose, T.  iv.  14.51 ;  pr.  s.  stirs,  HF".  817. 
Sterelees,  adj.  rudderless,  B  439. 
Steresman,  s.  steersman,  HF.  436. 
Steringe,  s.  stirring,  motion,  HF.  800. 
Stsrlinges,//.  sterling  coins,  C  907. 
Sterne,  adj.  stern,  E  465;  violent,  T.  iii. 

743- 

Sterre,  .t.  star,  5.  68,  300;  constellation, 
HF.  599. 

Stsrt,  s.  start,  T.  v.  254 ;  at  a  stert,  in  a 
moment,  A  1705. 

Stsrte,  V.  start,  go  quickly,  T.  ii.  1634; 
move  away,  T.  iii.  949;  pass  away,  B 
335 ;  leap,  skip,  R.  344 ;  Stert,  //•.  s. 
rouses,  HF.  681 ;  Sterte,  i  pt.  s.  departed, 
T.  iv.  93;  rushed,  L.  811 ;  leapt,  A  952; 
went,  T.  ii.  1094;  went  at  once,  L.  660; 
Starting,  pres.  pt.  bursting  suddenly, 
L.  1741. 

Stervs,  V.  die,  A  1249;  die  of  famine,  C 
451 ;  Starf,  pt.  s.  L.  1691 ;  A  933,  B  283  ; 
Storven,  pt.pl.  C  888. 

Stevsns,  s.  voice,  sound,  language,  A 
2562;  rumour,  talk,  T.  iii.  1723;  time, 
moment,  esp.  of  an  appointment,  A 
1524;  sound,  L.  1219;  meeting  by  ap- 
pointment, 4.  52;  sftte  St.,  made  ap- 
|)(iintnient,  A  4383. 

Stswe,  s.  a  fish-pond,  A  350;  a  small 
room,  closet,  T.  iii.  601 ;  brothel,  1 1 F.  26. 


io6 


(glossarial  Ent)ri. 


Stewe-dore,  f.  closet-door,  T.  iii.  698. 

Steyre,  s.  degree  (Lat.  ^radus),  4.  129; 
Stfvres.^'tv/.  stair's,  T.  iii.  205. 

Stiborn.  adj.  stubborn,  D  456,  637. 

Stidefast,  adj.  steadfast,  B  2641. 

Stif,  adj.  strong,  A  673;  boid,  R.  1270; 
hard,  D  2267. 

Stiken,  ger.  to  stick,  T.  i.  297 ;  Stiked, 
//.  s.  stuck,  B  509  ;  fixed,  B  2097  ;  Stikede, 
pi.  s.  pierced,  B  3897;  Stikked,  fixed, 
L.  2202;  //.  stabbed,  B  430;  a  stiked 
szi'vir,  a  stuck  pig,  C  556. 

Stikinge,  s.  sticking,  setting,  1  954. 

Stikkes,  //.  palings,  B  4038. 

Stillatorie,  s.  still,  vessel  used  in  distil- 
lation, G  580. 

Stille.  adv.  quietly,  L.  816;  still,  D  2200. 

Stille,  .ft-/-,  to  silence,  T.  ii.  230. 

Stingeth,  //•.  s.  pierces,  L.  645. 

Stinte,  V.  leave  off,  A  1334 ;  cease,  G  883 ; 
cause  to  cease,  i.  63  ;  end,  E  747  ;  g'er.  to 
cease,  B  2164  ;  to  stop,  T.  ii.  383  ;  cease, 
I  720;  restrain,  R.  1441 ;  stop,  avert, 
L.  1647 ;  Stinte,  i  //•.  s.  leave  off  telling, 
HF.  1417;  pr.pl.  cease,  I  93;  pt.  s.  subj. 
may  cease,  B  413 ;  Stinte,  //.  s.  ceased, 
A  2421;  was  silent,  3.  1299;  //.  pi. 
stopped  {or pr. pi.  sXo'p),  L.  294;  Stinte, 
//.  s.  subj.  should  cease,  T.  i.  848 ;  pp. 
stopped,  T.  iii.  1016;  stint  thy  clappe, 
hold  your  tongue,  A  3144;  Stinteth, 
imp.  pi.  stay,  T.  ii.  1729. 

Stintingre,  s.  ceasing,  end,  B  2.  m  7.  37. 

Stiren,  v.  stir,  excite,  B  2696. 

Stiropes,  s.pl.  stirrups,  B  1163. 

Stirte,  //.  s.  started,  D  1046;  rushed,  H 
303  ;  went  quickly,  E  2153. 

Stith.  .f.  anvil,  A  2026.     Icel.  sti^i. 

Stod,  -e  ;  see  Stonde. 

Stok,  s.  a  block  of  wood,  A.  ii.  38.  6; 
source,  14.  i;  race,  A  155 1 ;//.  stumps, 
A  2934 ;  posts,  T.  iii.  589. 

Stoke.  ^^/-.  to  stab,  thrust,  A  2546. 

Stokked,  //.  fastened  in  the  slocks,  T. 
iii.  380. 

Stole,  s.  stool,  frame  for  tapestry-work, 
L.  2352;  //.  chairs,  D  288. 

Stole,  pp.  o/Stelen. 

Stomak,  s.  stomach,  T.  i.  787;  appetite, 
I)  1847;  compassion,  D  1441. 

Stomblen,  pr.pl.  stumble,  A  2613. 

Stonde,  v.  stand,  B  1050;  be  placed,  A 
745  ;  be  understood,  be  fixed,  E  346;  be 
set  in  view  (as  a  prize  at  a  game),  B 
1931 ;  fynt  stonde,  finds  standing,  L. 
1499  ;  Stont,  pr.  s.  stands,  is,  T.  iii.  1562  ; 
Stant,  pr.  s.  stands,  B  618 ;  consists,  I 
107,  1029  ;  is,  B  1304 ;  Stood,  pt.  s.  A  354 ; 


stuck   fast.  D   1541;    Stonden,  ff.  HF. 

1928. 
Stongen.//.  stung,  A  1079. 
Stoon,  s.  stone,  A  774;    precious  stone, 

gem,  R.  1086. 
Stoon-wal,  stone-wall,  L.  713. 
Stoor,  s.  store,  stock  (of  a  farm),  A  598; 

store,  D  2159 ;  value,  D  203. 
Stopen,//.  advanced,  E  1514  (MS.  E.  has 

stapen ) . 
Stoppen,  V.  stop,  T.  ii.  804. 
Store,  s.  store,  value,  B  4344;  possession, 

L-  2337. 
Store,  i(er.  to  store,  B  1463. 
Store,  adj.  voc.  audacious,  bold,  E  2367. 

Icel.  storr. 
Storial,  adj.  historical,  A  3179;    Storial 

sooth,  historical  truth,  L.  702. 
Storie,  s.  history,  legend  of  a  saint  (or 

the  like) ,  A  709 ;  history,  E  1366 ;  tale, 

story,  7.  10;  //.  books  of  history,  T.  v. 

1044. 
Storven.  //.  //.  (j/Sterve,  died,  C  888. 
Stot,    s.   2l   stallion,   horse,    cob,   A   615 ; 

heifer  (a  term  of  abuse),  D  1630. 
Stounde,  s.  hour,   time,  while,   A    1212, 

4007 ;    short  time,  B  1021 ;    moment,  L. 

949 ;    in  a  stounde,  at  a  time,  once,  A 

3992;  upon  a  stounde,  in  one  hour,  T.  iv. 

625 ;  //.  hours,  seasons,  T.  iii.  1752. 
Stoundemele,   at   various   times,   from 

time  to  time,  T.  v.  674. 
^X,0\X^Q,  ger.  to  stoop,  G  1311. 
Stour,  s.  battle,  contest,  R.  1270. 
Stout,  adj.  strong,  A  545. 
Straighter,    adj.    more    stretched    out, 

more  expanded,  R.  119. 
Strake,  v.  move,  proceed,  3.  1312. 
Strange,  adj.  strange,  F  89;  external,  D 

1161 ;    not  its  own,  A.  ii.  19.  7.     Every 

star  has  its  o-lUh  degrees  (of  longitude) 

in  the  equator  and  ecliptic. 
Strangenesse,  s.  estrangement,  B  1576. 
Stranglen,  pr.  pi.  strangle,  worry,  I  768. 
Strangling,  s.  A  2458 ;  ofstr.,  caused  by 

stnui^ling,  L.  807. 
Straught.  -e;  see  Strecche. 
Straunge,  adj.   strange,    foreign,  A  13; 

unwonted,    7.    202;     difficult,    hard    to 

agree  upon,  F  1223 ;  like  a  stranger,  T. 

ii.  1660 ;   unfriendly,  estranged,  R.  1065 ; 

distant,    unbending,    5.    584 ;    not   well 

known,  \.  ii.  17.  rub.;   [a  strange  star  is 

one   that    is   not   represented   u|)on   the 

Rete  of  the  Astrolabe]  ;  //.  strangers,  T. 

ii.  411. 
Straungely.  adv.  distantly,  T.  v.  955. 
Straw,  t.r. iii. 859  ;  (7.f;>7/<'r;'.  astraw!  F695. 


(§Io0sarial  Jtiitiex. 


107 


Strawen,  v.  strew,  L.  207 ;  2  pr.  s.  subj. 

F  613;  //.  strewn,  1  918. 
Strayts,  s.  strait,  B  464. 
Strecche,  v.  stretch,  B  4498 ;  extend,  T. 

ii.  341 ;    reach,  7.  341 ;    Streighte,  pt.  s. 

stretched,  HF.   1373 ;    Straughte,  //.  //. 

extended,   A   2916;    Straughten,  pt.  pi. 

stretched  out,  R.  1021 ;  Streight,  stretched 

out;    long  str.,  stretched   at  full  length, 

T.  iv.  1163;    p>p.  as  adv.  straight,  T.  ii. 

599- 
Stree,  s.  straw,  A  2918 ;  //.  3.  718. 
Streem,  j^. river, current,  L.  2508;  stream, 

A  464;  ray  (of  light),  2.  94. 
Streen,   s.  strain,   i.  e.    stock,    progeny, 

race,  E  157. 
Streight,  adj.  straight,  3.  957. 
Streight,    a.dv.  straight,    straightway,   A 

671. 
Streight,  -e ;  see  Strecche. 
Streit,  adj.  narrow,  A   1984;    scanty,  R. 

457 ;    B  4179 ;   strict,  A  174 ;  pi.  scanty, 

small,  D  1426.     A.  F.  estreit. 
Streite,  pp.  as  adj.  def.  drawn,  B  4547. 

(It  here  represents  Lat.  str  ictus.) 
Streite,  adv.  closely,  T.  iv.  1689;  strictly, 

L.  723  ;  tightly,  A  457. 
Streitnes,  s.  smallness,  A.  i.  21.  55. 
Stremeden, //. />/.  streamed,  T.  iv.  247. 
Streng,  s.  string,  D  2067;  //.  5.  197. 
Strenger,  adj.  comp.  stronger,  B  2410. 
Strengest,  strongest,  T.  i.  243. 
Strengest-feythed,  strongest  in  faith, 

T.  i.  1007. 
Strengthe,  j.  strength,  A  84;    force,  3. 

351 ;  //.  sources  of  strength,  B  3248. 
Strepen,   v.   strip,   E   1958 ;    do  str.  me, 

cause  me  to  be  stripped,  E  2200. 
Strete,   s.   street,    T.    ii.   612;    dat.   HF. 

1049:  street,  road,  way,  i.  70;   B  1683. 
Streyne,  v.  compress, T.  iii.  1205;  strain, 

press,  E  1753;    constrain,  E  144;    hold, 

confine,  R.   1471;  ger.  to  compress,  T. 

iii.    1071;     Streyne,    pr.  pi.    strain    (as 

through  a  sieve),  C  538. 
Streyt,  adj.  small,  B  3.  m  2.  26. 
Strike,  f.  hank  (of  flax),  A  676. 
Strogelest ;  see  Strugle. 
Stroke,  ger.  to  stroke,  T.  iii.  1249. 
Strokes,  //.  of  Strook. 
Strompetes,  5.  //.  strumpets,  B  i.  p  i. 

54- 
Stronde,  dat.  shore,  L.  2189;  Strondes, 

pi.  shores,  A  13. 
Strong,  adj.  difficult,  B  2635;  pi.  severe, 

A  1338,  2771. 
Stronge,  adv.  securely,  R.  241. 
Stroof.  pt.  s.  of  Stryve. 


Strook,  s.  stroke,  A  1701 ;  Strokes,  //.  T. 

iii.  1067. 
Strouted,  //.  s.  stuck  out,  A  3315. 
Strowe,  V.  strew,  L.  loi  a. 
Stroyer,  destroyer,  5.  360. 
Strugle,  V.  struggle,  E  2374;  Strogelest, 

2  p> .  s.  C  829. 
Stryf,   s.   quarrel,   strife,   A    1187,   2784; 

took  stryf  =' took  up  the  cudgels,'  B  i. 

P  4-  93- 

Stryk,  s.  stroke,  mark,  A.  ii.  12.  19. 

Stryke,  v.  strike;  Stryken  out,  strike 
out,  D  1364;  Strike, /I/,  struck,  11.  35. 

Stryve,  v.  strive,  struggle,  10.  30 ;  oppose, 
E  170 ;  Stroof,  //.  s.  strove,  vied,  A  1038. 

Stryvinge,  s.  striving,  strife,  B  2674. 

Stubbel-goos,  s.  fatted  goose,  A  4351. 

Stubbes,  pi.  stumps,  A  1978. 

Studie,  s.  study,  A  303 ;  state  of  medi- 
tation, A  1530;  Study,  library,  F  1207, 
1214 ;  Studies,  //.  endeavours,  B  3.  p  2. 
93  ;  desires,  B  4.  p  2.  56. 

Studie,  V.  study,  A  184;  ^^r.  give  heed,  I 
1090 ;  Studieth,  pr.  s.  deliberates,  E  1955. 

Stuffed,  pp.  filled,  E  264. 

Sturdely,  adv.  boldly,  4.  82. 

Sturdinesse,  s.  sternness,  E  700. 

Sturdy,  adj.  cruel,  hard,  harsh,  stern,  E 
698,  1049;  firm,  T.  ii.  1380;  D  2162. 

Sty,  s.  pig-sty,  D  1829. 

Stye,  ger.  to  mount  up,  B  4.  p  6.  414. 

Style  (i),  s.  a  stile,  a  means  to  get  over 
a  barrier  by  climbing,  C  712,  F  106. 

Style  (2),  s.  style,  mode  of  writing,  F  105. 

Sty  ves,  pi.  stews,  D  1332. 

Styward,  s.  steward,  B  914. 

Suasioun,  s.  persuasiveness,  B  2.  p  i.  45. 

Subdekne,  s.  subdeacon,  I  891. 

Subgit,  adj.  subject,  T.  v.  1790;  Subget, 
T.  i.  231. 

Subgit,  s.  subject,  T.  ii.  828;  pi.  servants, 
D  1990. 

Subjeccion,  J. '(i),  suggestion,  (a  thing 
subjected  to  the  mind),  I  351;  (2),  sub- 
jection, obedience,  B  270;  submission, 
4.  32;  subjection,  governance,  B  3656, 
3742. 

Sublymatories,  s.  pi.  vessels  for  subli- 
mation, G  793. 

Sublymed,  pp.  sublimed,  sublimated,  G 
774.  'Sublimate,  to  bring  by  heat  into 
the  state  of  vapour' ;   Webster. 

Sublyming,  s.  sublimation,  G  770. 

Submitted,  pp.  subjected,  B  5.  p  i.  44; 
ye  ben  s.,  ye  have  submitted,  B  35. 

Subtil,  adj.  subtle,  C  141 ;  ingenious,  A. 
pr.  60;  skilful,  L.  672;  finely  woven,  5. 
272, 


io8 


(@lo00artal  hxOtx. 


Subtilitee,  s.  subtlety,  craft,  secret  knowl- 
edge, G  620 ;  skill,  craft,  G  844 ;  //. 
tricks,  E  2421. 

Subtilly.  adv.  craftily,  A  610;  subtly,  F 
222. 

Subtiltee,  s.  subtlety,  F  140;  specious 
reasoning,  HF.  855;  skill,  64509;  trick, 
D  1420. 

Succedent,  si.  a  '  succedent '  house,  A. 
ii.  4.  48.  The  succedent  houses  are  the 
second,  fifth.,  eighth,  and  eleventh,  as 
these  are  about  to  follow  the  most  im- 
portant houses,  which  are  the  first, 
fourth,  seventh,  and  tenth. 

Sucre,  J-.  sugar,  T.  iii.  1194. 

Sucred.  pp.  sugred,  T.  ii.  384. 

Sufflsaunce.  s.  sufficiency,  A  490 ;  suffi- 
cient food,  D  1843 ;  enough,  a  com- 
petence, 10.  15 ;    contentment,  B  4029 ; 

3-  703- 

Sufl&saunt,  adj.  sufficient,  good  enough, 
A  1631 ;  A.  pr.  7 ;  capable,  L.  2524 ;  well 
endowed,  L.  1067. 

SuflBsaiintly,  adv.  sufficiently,  A.  pr.  43 ; 
availal>lv,  B  2492. 

Suffrable,  adj.  patient,  D  442. 

Suffraunce,  s.  longsuffering,  B  2479; 
patience,  E  1 162;  Suffrance,  longsuffer- 
ing, B  2654;  permission,  F  788. 

Suffravint,  pres.  pt.  as  s.  patient  man, 
T.  iv.  1584;  as  adj.  patient,  tolerant,  3. 
1010. 

Suffre,  V.  suffer,  permit,  A  649;  endure, 
3.  412. 

Suffyse,  V.  suffice,  B  3648 ;  SufFyseth,  (it) 
suffices,  12.  15 ;  Suffyce,  imp.  s.  be  con- 
tent (spend  frugally),  13.  2. 

Suggestioun,  s.  a  criminal  charge,  B 
3607  ;   hint,  1  331. 

Sugre,  s.  sugar,  B  2046. 

Sukkenye,  s.  short  frock,  tunic,  R.  1232. 
O.  F.  souquanie  ;  V.  souquenie  (Cotgrave). 

Summitted,  //.  submitted,  B  3.  p  10. 15 ; 
sul:)iected,  B  4.  p  6.  145. 

Superflce,  s.  surface,  A.  i.  21.  42;  in  the 
s.  of,  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood 
of,  A.  i.  21.  32. 

Superfluitee,  s.  superfluity,  excess,  A 
436  ;  over-abundance,  A.  pr.  50. 

Supplien,  v.  supplicate,  entreat,  B  3. 
p  8.  II. 

Supportacioun,  s.  support,  B  2332. 

Supprysed,  pp.  surprised,  T.  iii.  1184. 

Surcote,  jr.  upper  coat,  A  617. 

Surement,  s.  pledge,  F  1534. 

Suretee,  s.  security,  D  903 ;  careless  con- 
fidence, 7.  215. 

Surfeet,  s.  surfeit,  I  913. 


Surmounteth,  pr.  s.  surpasses,  L.  123. 

Surplys.  s.  surplice,  A  3323,  G  558. 

Surquidrie,  s.  over-confidence,  presump- 
tion, 1  403;  arrogance,  T.  i.  213.  O.  F. 
surquidci  ie. 

Sursanure,  f.  a  wound  healed  outwardly, 
Init  not  inwardly,  F  1113. 

Surveyaunce,  s.  surveillance,  C  95. 

Suspecioim,  s.  suspicion,  T.  ii.  561. 

Suspecious,  adj.  ominous  of  evil,  E  540. 

Suspect,  adj.  suspicious,  ominous  of  evil, 
E  541. 

Suspect,  s.  suspicion,  B  2385. 

Sustenance,  s.  support,  living,  E  202. 

Sustene,  v.  sustain,  support,  F  861 ;  main- 
tain, I.  22;  endure,  B  2654;  uphold, 
preserve,  B  160;  hold  up  (herself),  7. 
177. 

Suster,  .f.  sister,  L.  592,  986;  Her  suster 
love,  love  for  her  sister,  L.  2365;  Sus- 
tren,//.  T.  iii.  733  ;  Sustres,  pi.  B  4057. 

Suwe,,§rr.  to  follow,  T.  i.  379. 

Suyte,  s.  suit,  array  (of  like  kind) ,  A  2873  ; 
Sute,  uniform  pattern,  3.  261. 

Swa,  so  (Northern),  A  4040. 

Swal.  pt.  s.  of  Swelle. 

Swalowe,  v.  swallow,  HF.  1036. 

Swalwe,  s.  swallow,  A  3258. 

Swappe.  s.  a  swoop,  the  striking  of  a 
bird  of  prey,  HF.  543. 

S'wappe,  ger.  to  swap,  strike,  E  586; 
Swapte,  //.  s.  dashed,  T.  iv.  256;  fell 
suddenly,  E  1099;  Swap,  imp.  s.  strike 
off,  G  366. 

Swartish,  adj.  as  adv.  dark,  HF.  1647: 

Swatte,  //.  s.  of  Swete. 

Swayn,  s.  servant-lad,  young  man,  A 
4027. 

Sweigh,  s.  motion,  sway,  B  296. 

Swelleth,  pr.  s.  swells,  A  2743;  Swal, 
//.  s.  D  967 ;  up  swal,  was  puffed  up 
with  anger,  B  1750;  Swollen, //.  proud, 
E  950. 

Swelte,  V.  die,  T.  iii.  347;  Swell,  pr.  s. 
dies,  4.  128;  pt.  s.  died,  E  1776;  lan- 
guished, fainted,  A  1356. 

STvelwe,  V.  swallow,  B  2808. 

Sw^erd,  s.  sword,  A  112. 

Severe,  v.  swear,  A  454;  Swoor,  i  pt.  s. 
E2312;  Swore,  2 //.  5.  L.  1378;  Swoor, 
pt.  s.  swore,  7.  loi ;  Sworen,  pt.  pi.  swore, 
B  344;  Sworn,  pp.  sworn  (to  the  con- 
trary), T.  iv.  976;  A  1089;  sworn  (to  do 
it),  G  681 ;  bound  by  oath,  F  18;  sworr. 
(it  should  not  be  so),  D  640. 

S'wering',  s.  swearing,  C  631. 

Swete,  adj.  sweet,  A  5,  2427;  as  s.  sweet 
one,  love,  3.  832. 


©lossarial  Intstx. 


109 


I 


Swete,  s.  sweetness,  5.  161. 

Swete,  V.  sweat,  G  579;  Swatte,  />f.  s. 
sweated,  B  1966. 

Swete  herte,  sweetheart,  T.  iii.  69. 

Swete-Loking',  Sweet-Looking,  R.  920. 

Swetnesse,  s.  sweetness,  i.  51 ;  nourish- 
ment, 3.  415. 

Swetter,  adj.  comp.  sweeter,  R.  622,  768. 

Swetj'',  adj.  sweaty,  9.  28. 

S'weven,  s.  dream,  R.  28 ;  //.  dreams, 
R.3. 

Sweveningr,  s.  dream,  R.  26;  Sweven- 
inges  (pron.  swev'ningez),  R.  i. 

Sweynte,^.  as  def.  adj.  tired  out,  sloth- 
ful, HF.  1783.     ^'(i.o\  sweiuhen. 

Swich.  adj.  such,  A  3,  243,  313;  such  a 
thmg,  B  4626;  Swich  a,  such  a,  B  3921; 
S«  ich  oon,  such  a  one,  F  231. 

Swimme,  v.  swim,  A  3550,  L.  2450 ;  Swom- 
men,  pt.  pi.  were  filled  with  swimming 
things,  5-  188. 

S-wink,  s.  labour,  toil,  A  188,  540. 

Swinke,  z<.  toil,  labour,  T.  v.  272;  to 
cause  to  labour,  HF.  16;  pr.pl.  work 
for,  G  21 ;  Swonken,//.  toiled,  A  4235. 

Swinker,  s.  labourer,  toiler,  A  531. 

S'wire.  s.  neck,  throat,  R.  325. 

Swogh,  s.  (i)  sough,  low  noise,  5.  247; 
murmur,  HF.  1031 ;  sigh,  groan,  A  3619; 
rustling  noise,  blast,  A  1979;  whizzing 
noise,  HF.  1941 ;  Swogh,  (2)  swoon,  D 
799 :  Swow,  grief,  3.  215. 

Swollen,  //.  proud,  E  950. 

Swolow,  s.  gulf,  L.  1 104. 

Swolwe.  V.  swallow,  H  36. 

Swommen.  pr.  pi.  were  filled  with  swim- 
ming thmgs,  5.  188. 

Swonken,  pp.  toiled,  .\  4235. 

Swoot,  .r.  sweat,  G  578. 

Swote,  adj.  sweet,  A  2860,  3205 ;  //.  R. 
60.    See  Sote,  Swete. 

Swote,  adv.  sweetly,  T.  i.  158. 

Swough.  Swow^ :  see  Sw^ogh. 

Swoune,  Swowne,  v.  swoon,  faint,  T. 
ii.  574;  Swowned,  pt.  s.  swooned,  A 
2943 ;  //■  A  913. 

Swow,  s.  swoon  ;  hence,  anguish,  3.  215. 

Swowne,  s.  swoon,  F  1080;  Aswowne,  in 
a  swoon,  C  245. 

Swowning,  s.  swooning,  C  246. 

Swyn,  1.  swine,  boar,  F  1254 ;  hog,  D  460. 

Swynes-heed,  s.  pig's  head  (a  term  of 
abuse),  A  4262. 

Swythe,  adv.  quickly,  C  796;  as  sw.,  as 
soon,  T.  V.  1384;  as  quickly  as  possible, 
immediately,  B  637,  G  936. 

Swyve,  V.  lie  with,  A  4178;  pp.  dis- 
honoured, A  3850. 


Sy,  saw ;  pt.  t.  of  Sec. 

Syej^^r.  to  sink  down,  T.  v.  182. 

Sye,  Syen,  saw;  see  See. 

Syk,  adj.  sick,  ill;  for  syk,  on  account 
of  being  sick,  D  394  ;  Syke,  def.  F  iioo  ; 
//.  sick  persons,  T.  iii.  61. 

Syk,  s.  sigh,  F  498. 

Syke,  V.  sigh,  T.  iii.  1360;  Syke,  ger.  to 
sigh  {but perhaps  read  syte,  i.  e.  to  grieve, 
for  the  ritne),  T.  ii.  884;  Syketh,  pr.  s. 
sighs,  5.  404 ;  22.  62  (men  sigh) ;  Syked, 
pt.  s.  sighed,  A  2985 ;  Sighte,  pt.  s. 
sighed,  B  1035. 

Sykliche,  adj.  sickly,  T.  ii.  1528. 

Symonials,  s.pl.  simoniacs,  1  784. 

Symonye,  s.  simony,  D  1309. 

Syre,  s,  master  of  the  house,  D  713;  mas- 
ter, 5.  12. 

Sys,  ?iii7)i.  six  (at  dice),  B  3851. 

[Syte,  V.  to  grieve;  perhaps  the  right 
reading  in  T.  ii.  884.] 

Sythe,  s.  time,  R.  80 ;  Sythe,  //.  (orig.  a 
gen.  pi.),  A  1878;  ofte  sythe,  oftentimes, 
E  233.  G  1031 ;  Sythes,//.  times,  A  485. 

Sythe,  s.  scythe,  L.  646. 


T',  for  To,  frequently  prefixed  to  verbs  ;  as 
tabyde,  tamende,  iSrc. 

Taa.  V.  take  (Northern),  A  4129. 

Tabard,  s.  a  herald's  coat-of-arms,  hence, 
(i)  the  same,  as  an  inn-sign,  A  20;  (2) 
a  ploughman's  loose  frock,  A  541. 

Tabernacles,  //.  shrines,  HF.  123,  1190. 

Table,  s.  table,  A  100;  table  dormaunt, 
permanent  side-table,  A  353;  tablet, 
writmg-tablet,  3.  780;  tablet,  plate, 
HF.  142;  table  (of  the  law),  C  639;  one 
of  the  thin  plates  on  which  almican- 
teras  are  engraved,  A.  ii.  21.  6;  at  table, 
at  board,  i.  e.  entertained  as  a  lodger, 
G  1015 ;  Tables,  //.  tables  (for  calcula- 
tion), F  1273;  dining-tables,  B  1442; 
writing-tablets,  D  1741 ;  plates,  A.  i.  14. 
3  ;  the  game  of 'tables 'or  back-gammon, 
F  qoo. 

Taboiir,  s.  small  drum,  D  2268. 

Tabouren, //•.//.  drum,  din,  L.  354. 

Tabregge,  for  To  abregge,  to  abridge, 
shorten,  T.  iii.  295. 

Tabreyde,  for  To  abreyde,  to  awake.  T. 
V.  520. 

Tabyde,   for  To  abyde,  to  abide,  T.  v. 

33- 
Tache,  s.  defect,  21.  18.    See  Tecches. 
Tacheve,  for  To  acheve,  to  achieve,  L. 

2111. 


(glossarial  Inbtx. 


Tacompte,  /or  To  acompte,  to  reckon 

up,  22.   17. 

Tacord,  /or  To  accord,  i.e.  to  agreement, 

H  98. 
Tacorde,  /or  To  acorde,  to  agree,  i.  27. 
Tacoye,  /or  To  acoye,  to  decoy,  T.  v. 

782. 
Taffata,  s.  taffeta,  A  440. 
Taffraye,  /or  To  aftraye,  to  frighten,  E 

455- 
Taillages,  s.p/.  taxes,  I  567. 
Taille,  s.  tally,  an  account  scored  upon 

two  similarly  notched  sticks,  A  570,  B 

1606. 
Take,  v.  seize,  T.  ii.  289;  present,  offer, 

G  223 ;  ^a^er.  to  take,  A  34 ;    Takestow, 

takest  thou,  G  435 ;    Take  me,  i  /r.  s. 

betake  myself,  B  1985 ;    Took,    i  pi.  s. 

drew  in,  breathed  in,  B  I.  p  3.  3  (Lat. 

haitsi)  ;  hit.  D  792 ;  pt.  s.  iianded  over, 

gave,  B  1484  ;  had,  B  192  ;  Toke,  2  //.  s. 

tookest,  3.  483;    Toke,  /A  //.  took,   F 

1240;  received,  F  356;  Take, />j*.  taken, 

A  3007 ;    entrusted,  I  880 ;    brought,    1. 

20;  Tak,  imp.  s.  receive,  B  117;  accept 

as  a  result,  A.  ii.  25.  57 ;  iak  kepe,  take 

heed,  observe,  B  3757;  tak  she,  let  her 

take,    5.    462 ,    Taketh,    imp.   pi.    take, 

4.9. 
Takel,  s.  tackle,  archery-gear,  arrows,  A 

106. 
'^9X6.,  pp.  told  (Northern),  A  4207. 
Tale,  s.  tale,  A  3126;   story,  A  36,  831; 

account,  B  4308;    enumeration,  P2  383; 

/  gan  fiiide  a  tale  to  him,  I  thought  of 

something  to  say  to  him,  3.  536;   telle 

talc,  give  an  account  of,  A  330. 
Tale,   V.   tell   a   tale,   talk,  speak,   T.   iii. 

1235;    Talen,  ger.  to  tell   tales,  A  772; 

//•.  s.  subj.  talk  about,  I  378. 
Talent,   s.    inclination,    wish,    desire,    B 

2439;    desire,  appetite,  C  540;    longing, 

15  2.  p  I.  12. 
Taling.  s.  tale-telling,  B  1624. 
Talig-hte,  /or  To  alighte,  i.  e.  to  alight, 

E  909. 
Talle,  adj.  docile,  obsequious,  4.  38      (A 

rare  sense.) 
Tamende,  /or  To  amende,  to  redress,  E 

441- 
Tanoyen,   for  To   anoyen,  to  injure,  B 

492. 
Tanswere,  i.  e.  to  answer,  D  1589. 
Tapes,  //.  tapes,  A  3241. 
Tapicer,  s.  upholsterer,  maker  of  carpets, 

A  362. 
Tapite,  v.  cover  with  tapestry,  3.  260. 
Tappe,  s.  tap,  A  3890,  3892. 


Tappestere,  s.  female  tapster,  barmaid, 

A  241,  3336. 
Tarditas,  s.  slowness,  I  718. 
Tare,  s.  tare,  kind  of  weed,  A  1570. 
Tareste.yi';-  To  areste,  to  arrest,  F  1370. 
Targe,  s.  target,  shield,  A  471;  defence, 

I.  176. 
Tarien,   v.    tarry,   B    983;    delay    (used 

actively),   F  73 ;     i  pr.  s.   tarry,  T.   iii. 

1 195  ;  //.  delayed,  T.  ii.  1739. 
Tarraye, /or  To  arraye,  to  array,  arrange, 

E  961. 
Tart.  adj.  of  sharp  flavour,  pungent,  A  381. 
Tartre,  s.  tartar,  G  813,  oille  0/  Tartre, 

(probably)  cream  of  tartar,  or  bitartrate 

of  potassmm,  A  630. 
Taryinge,  s.  tarrymg,  delay,  A  821. 
Tas,  s.  heap,  A  1005, 1009, 1020.    O.  F.  tas. 
Tassaille,  /or  To  assaiUe,  i.  e.  to  assail, 

E  1 180. 
Tassaye,  for  To  assaye,  to  test,  prove, 

trv,  E  454.  1075. 
Tasseled.    pp.    fringed,    provided    with 

tassels,  R.  1079,  A  3251. 
Tassemble,  /or  To  assemble,  to   bring 

together,  D  89. 
Tassoille,  /or  To  assoile,  i.  e.  to  absolve, 

C  933. 
Tassure,/or  To  assure,  B  1231. 
Tast,  s.  taste,  relish  (for),  5.  160. 
Taste,   V.    try,   test,    L.    1993;    pt.   s.  ex- 
perienced, T.  i.  639 ;  imp.  s.  feel,  G  503. 
Taughte,  pt.  s.  o/Teche. 
Tavemer,  s.  innkeeper,  C  685. 
Tavyse./;/'  To  avyse  (me),  to  deliberate, 

H  1426. 
Tawayte.y^r To  awayte,  to  dwell,  remain, 

25-  7- 

Taylage,  s.  taxation,  9.  54. 

Tecches,  //.  evil  qualities,  defects,  T.  iii. 
935;  characteristics,  HF.  1778. 

Teche,  v.  teach,  instruct,  A  308,  ger.  to 
show,  R.  518 ;  Techen,  v.  direct,  B  4139 ; 
ger.  to  inform  (him  of),  D  1326;  Taughte, 
\pt.  s.  taught,  told,  D  1050. 

Tc  deiim,  the  anthem  so  called,  D  1866. 

Teer,  s.  tear,  E  1104. 

Tehee,  iuterj.  (denoting)  laughter,  hee- 
hee !  A  3740. 

Telle,  z'.  tell,  recount,  relate,  A  38;  com- 
pute, 3.  440;  ger.  to  tell,  to  be  told,  F 
447;  I  pr.  s.  account,  B  4344;  Telle  no 
tale,  set  no  store,  5.  326 ;  Telles,  pr.  s. 
(Northern  form),  tells,  3.73;  HF.  426; 
Tolde,  I  pt.  s.  counted,  HF.  1380;  ac- 
counted, D  203,  208;  pt.  pi.  esteemed, 
T.  i.  131;  herd  told,  heard  (it)  told,T.  i. 
197;  Tolde,//.//.  told,  B56. 


(gloggarial  Intiei. 


Tembrace,  for  To  embrace,  T.  v.  224; 
E  not. 

Temen,  v.  bring ;  temen  us  on  here,  bring 
us  on  our  bier,  let  us  die,  HF.  1744. 

Temper,  s.  mood,  R.  346. 

Temperaunce,  s.  temperance,  modera- 
tion. F  785. 

Tempest,  s.  storm,  A  406;  tempest  (al- 
luding to  a  passage  in  Statins),  A  884. 

Tempest  thee,  imp.  s.  violently  distress 
thyself,  13.  8  ;  2  pr.  s.  subj.  vex,  perturb, 
B  2.  p  4.  75. 

Tempestous,  adj.  tempestuous,  T.  ii.  5. 

Temple,  s.  inn  of  court,  A  567. 

Temprede,  //.  s.  modulated,  B  3.  m  12. 
22;  //.  tempered,  G  926.  (In  alchemy, 
to  temper  is  to  adjust  or  moderate  heat.J 

Temps,  s.  tense ;  futur  temps,  future 
tense,  time  to  come,  G  875. 

Temptour,  s.  tempter,  D  1655. 

Ten,  ten,  A  454;  ten  so  wood,  ten  times  as 
mad,  L.  735. 

Tenbrace,  to  embrace,  B  1891. 

Tencresen,  to  increase,  E  1808. 

Tendure,  to  endure,  E  756,  811. 

Tendyte,  for  To  endyte,  to  compoae, 
write,  T.  i.  6 ;  to  relate,  A  1209. 

Tene,  s.  vexation,  A  3106;  sorrow,  grief, 
T.  V.  240 ;  cross,  trouble,  T,  ii.  61.  A.  S. 
teona. 

Tenour.  s.  outline  of  the  story,  L.  929. 

Tenquere,/i)/-  To  enquere.toask,  E1543. 

Tenspyre,  for  To  enspyre,  i.  e.  to  in- 
spire, G  1470. 

Tenthe,  tenth,  HF.  63,  in;  Tenthe 
some,  company  of  ten,  T.  ii.  1249. 
(Sometimes  tenthe  some  means  '  ten  in 
all.'} 

Tentifly,    adv.    attentively,    carefully,    E 

334- 

Tercel,  adj.  male  (of  an  eagle),  5.  393, 
449 ;  pi.  5.  540 ;  as  s.  male  eagle,  5.  405. 

Tercelet,  s.  male  falcon,  5.  529,  533;  F 
504,  621 ;  Tercelets,  pi.  male  birds  of 
prey,  5.  659 ;  male  hawks,  F  648. 
'  Tiercelet,  m.  the  tassell,  or  male  of 
any  kind  of  hawke,  so  tearmed,  be- 
cause he  is,  commonly,  a  third  part 
lesse  then  the  female  ' ;  Cotgrave. 

Tere,  s.  tear,  B  3251. 

Tere,  v.  tear,  B  1326;  scratch,  R.  325; 
Torn,//.  L.  2103. 

Terins,  s.  pi.  tarins,  siskins,  R.  665.  F. 
tariu. 

Terme,  s.  set  time,  appointed  time,  T.  v. 
696;  period,  space  of  time,  'term,'  a 
portion  of  the  zodiac,  being  one-third 
of  a  '  sign,"  or  lo"^,  F  1288  ;   (during  tiie) 


term,  A  1029;  /eriiie  of  his  lyve,  while 
he  lives,  G  1479 ;  ///  terme,  in  set  phrases, 
C311 ;  //.  pedantic  phrases,  A  323;  legal 
jargon,  R.  199;  periods,  A  3028;  terms, 
C  SI.  F  1266. 

Terine-day,  s.  appointed  day,  3.  730. 

Termyne,  v.  determine,  express  in  'good 
set  terms,'  5.  530. 

Terrestre,  adj.  earthly,  E  1332. 

Terve,//-.  s.  subj.  flay,  G  1274  {so  in  MS. 
E.)  ;  Terved  {not  TernedJ,  //.  skinned, 
G  1171  {so  in  MS.  E.).  This  is  certainly 
the  right  word;  in  G  1171,  read  terved 
[not  torned],  and  in  G  1274,  read  terve 
[not  tor?te'\.  See  my  letter  in  the  Athe- 
naeum, Mar.  24,  1894.  So  in  Havelok, 
603,  for  tirneden  read  tirueden  =  tirve- 
dcn,  i.  e.  rolled  back. 

Tery,  adj.  tearful,  T.  iv.  821. 

Tescape,  to  escape,  F  1357. 

Tespye,  for  To  espye,  to  spy  out,  espy, 
B  19B9,  4478. 

Testers,  //.  head-pieces,  A  2499. 

Testes,  f.  //.  vessels  for  assaying  metals 
(Tyrwhitt),  G  818. 

Test'if ,  adj.  heady,  headstrong,  T.  v.  802 ; 
A  4004. 

Tete,  s.  teat,  A  3704. 

Texpounden,  to  expound,  B  1716. 

Text,  c  text,  quotation  from  an  author, 
B  45;  saying,  A  177,  182;  text  (as  op- 
posed to  a  gloss),  3.  333. 

Textuel,  adj.^N&\\  versed  in  texts,  learned, 
H  235  ;  I  57. 

Teyd,  //.  tied,  bound,  E  2432. 

Teyne,  s.  a  thin  plate  of  metal,  G  1225, 
1229.     Lat.  icsnia. 

Th',  for  The;  common,  as  in  thabsence, 
for  the  absence. 

Thabsence,  the  absence,  A  1239. 

Thadversitee,  the  adversity,  E  756. 

Thakketh,  pr.  s.  strokes,  jjats,  D  1559. 
A.  S.  /'accian. 

Thalighte,  for  Thee  alightc;  ///  thee 
atii^hte,  alighted  in  thee,  R  1660. 

Thank,  .r.  expression  of  thanks,  A  612; 
thanks,  E  2388 ;  can  th.,  owes  thanks, 
A  1808;  his  th.,  the  thanks  to  him, 
L.  452;  my  thankes,  by  my  goodwill, 
willingly,  R.  1666;  his  thankes,  of  his 
free  will,  willingly,  A  1626;  hir  thankes, 
of  their  own  will,  A  2114. 

Thanke,  i  pr.  s.  thank,  E  1088;  Th.  hit 
thee,  thank  thee  for  it,  10.  51. 

Thanne,  adv.  then,  D  2004,  I  104;  Tiian, 
tlien,  .A  12;  next,  5.  324;  cr  than ,  %Qox\f^r 
than,  before,  G  899. 

Thar,  pr.  s.   impers.   (it)   is  necessary,  is 


112 


(gloggarial  InlJci. 


needful ;  thar  ye,  it  is  needful  that  ye, 
B  2258 ;  thar  thee,  it  is  needful  for  thee, 
you  need,  or  thou  needst,  D  329,  336, 
1365,  H  352;  him  thar,  it  is  needful  tor 
him,  he  needs,  T.  ii.  1661 ;  he  must, 
A  4320 ;  Thurte,  pt.  s. ;  th.  him,  he 
needed,  R.  1089,  1324;  yow  thurfte,  you 
vvoulii  need,  you  need,  T.  iii.  572. 
Tharivaile,     the    arrival,    the    landing, 

HF.4SI- 

Tharmes,  the  arms,  armorial  bearings, 
HF.  1411. 

Tharray,  the  array,  A  716. 

Thascry,/br  The  ascry,  the  alarm,  T.  ii. 
611. 

Thassay,  the  assay,  the  endeavour,  5.  2. 

Thassege,  the  siege,  T.  iv.  1480;  the 
besieging  force,  T.  iv.  62. 

Thassemblee.  the  assembly,  B  403. 

Thassemblinge.the  assembling,  B  2431. 

That,  rel.pron.  that  which,  whom,  3.  979; 
that  of,  from  whom,  3.  964;  That  oon, 
the  one,  A  4013 ;  That  other,  the  other, 
A  4013 ;  That,  with  reference  to  whom, 
G  236;   if  that,  if,  3.  969,  971. 

Thaventayle,  for  The  aventayle,  the 
mouthpiece  of  a  helmet,  T.  v.  1558. 

Thavision,  for  The  avision,  the  vision, 
3-  285. 

Thavys.  the  advice,  A  3076. 

The,  def.  art.  A  2,  &c. 

The ;  as  in  The  bet,  by  so  much  the 
better,  3.  668 ;  The  las,  by  so  much  the 
less,  3.  675. 

The.  /'/-  Thee,  pers.  pron.  F  676,  &c. 

Theatre,  s.  theatre,  area  for  a  tourna- 
ment, A  1885. 

Thedom,  5.  success,  B  1595. 

Thee,  v.  thrive,  prosper,  R.  1067;  7iever 
mot  she  thee,  may  she  never  prosper, 
5.  569 ;  mot  he  never  thee,  may  he  never 
prosper,  T.  ii.  670 ;  lat  him  never  thee, 
let  him  never  prosper,  B  4622  ;  thou 
shalt  never  thee,  E  1388 ;  he  shal  nez'er 
thee,  G  641 ;  also  moot  I  thee,  as  I  may 
thrive,  as  I  hope  to  prosper,  D  1215, 
E  1226;  so  moot  I  thee,  D  361 ;  as  mote 
I  thee,  T.  i.  341 ;  so  theech,  for  so  thee  ich, 
as  I  may  thrive,  as  I  hope  to  prosper, 
C  947,  G  929 ;  so  theek,  for  so  thee  ik,  as 
I  hope  to  prosper,  A  3864. 

Theef,  s.  thief,  robber,  D  1338. 

Theefly.  adv.  like  a  thief,  L.  1781. 

Theffect,  for  The  effect,  the  result,  A 
1 1 89;  the  substance,  pith,  L.  11 80,  2403; 
the  matter,  contents,  2.  56;  the  source, 
D  1451;  the  moral,  B  2148;  the  sum  (of 
the  matter),  A  2366. 


Thegle,  the  eagle,  B  3573. 

Their,  the  air,  U  1939. 

Thembassadours,  the  ambassadors,  T. 
iv.  140,  145. 

Theme,  s.  text,  thesis,  C  333,  425. 

Themperour,  the  emperor,  3.  368. 

Then,  conj.  than,  L.  1693,  2092. 

Thencens,  the  incense,  A  2277,  2938. 

Thenchauntements,  //.  the  enchant- 
ments. A  1944. 

Thenche,  -■.  imagine,  A  3253. 

Thencheson,  for  The  encheson,  the 
reason,  cause,  T.  v.  632. 

Thencrees,  the  increase,  A  275. 

Thende,  the  end,  B  423,  965,  3269. 

Thengendring,  the  engendring,  the  pro- 
cess of  production,  HF.  968. 

Thengyn,    the    (warlike)     engine,    HF. 

1934- 
Thenke,  -■.  think  of,  5.  311;   ipr.  j.  think, 

intend,    E    641 ;     Thenkestow,    thinkest 

thou,  T.  iv.  849,  1088 ;  Thoghte,  i  //.  s. 

thought,  3.  448 ;    Thenke  on,  think   of, 

16.  47. 
Thenne,  adj.  thin,  A  4066. 
Thenne,  adv.  then,  T.  ii.  210. 
Thenne,  adv.  thence,  D  1141. 
Thennes,   adv.  thence,    i.  e.   away    from 

that  place,  T.  iv.  695;   thence,  R.  791; 

as  s.  ihc  place  that,  G  66. 
Thenne s-forth,  adv.  thenceforth,  B  1755. 
Thentencioun,  the  intention,  G  1443. 
Thentente,  for  The  entente,  the  design. 

B   930;    the  pur|50se,  end,  G  1306;    the 

meaning,  T.  v.  1630. 
Thentree,  the  entrance,  A  1983. 
Thenvyous,  for  The  envyous,  the  spite- 
ful, malicious,  3.  642. 
Theologie,  s.  theology,  I  1043. 
Theorik,  j-.  theory,   theoretical   explana- 
tion, A  pr.  98. 
Ther,  adv.  there,  B  62,  1190,  &c. ;  where, 

T.   ii.   618;    when,    B  474;    whither,  at 

which,  B  469;  whereas,  D  1213,  G  724; 

wherefore,  T.  iii.  1437 ;  wherever,  D  128  , 

as  to  which,  T.  ii.  588  ;  wherefore  (I  pray 

that),  D  1561. 
Ther-aboute,    adv.  about    it,   D    1837 ; 

therein,  G  832;  round  it,  A  937. 
Therafter,  adv.  afterwards,  3.  66. 
Ther-agayns,  prep,  against  that,  I  665 ; 

in  reply,   T.  ii.  369. 
Ther-as,  Ther  as,  there  where,  where, 

B  2384 ;  there,  I   162;  whereas,  D  1177; 

where   that,   A   34,   172;    when  thajL   L. 

1277;  Ther-as  that,  where,  i.  160;  Ther 

that,  where,  F  267. 
Therbe,  the  herb,  HF.  290. 


©lossarial  Inbtx, 


113 


Tber-bifore.  adv.  before  that  time,  D  631 ; 
beforehand,  E  689,  729. 

Ther-bifom,  adv.  beforehand,  A  2034; 
previously,  A  3997. 

Therby,  by  it,  to  it,  D  984;  into  posses- 
sion of  it,  F  1115  ;  beside  it,  R.  1184. 

Ther-fore,  adv.  therefore,  A  189;  for  that 
purpose,  A  8og ;  on  that  account,  L. 
1863 ;  on  that  point,  E  1141 ;   for  it,  L. 

1391- 

Therfro.  therefrom,  from  it,  HP.  895. 

Ther-inne,  therein,  in  it,  B  1945,  3573. 

Ther-of,  adv.  with  respect  to  that,  E  644; 
concerning  that,  3.  1132;  A  462;  from 
that,  3.  1166;  thereby,  I  314;  of  it,  20.  8. 

Ther-on,  adv.  thereupon,  A  160;  thereof, 

F3. 

Ther-oute,  adv.  out  there,  out  in  the  open 
air,  B  3362;  outside  there,  G  1136. 

Therthe,  the  earth,  R.  1423. 

Therto,  adv.  liesides,  moreover,  D  1251 ; 
to  it,  2.  iQo;  hl<e\vise,  R.  1262. 

Ther-upon,  adv.  immediately,  A  819. 

Ther-whyles,  whilst,  B  5.  p  6.  250. 

Therwith,  adv.  withal,  for  all  that,  3.  954; 
moreover,  F  931 ;  thereupon,  3.  275 ;  at 
the  same  time,  B  3210. 

Ther-with-al,  thereupon,  A  1078  ;  there- 
with, with  it,  by  means  of  it,  A  566; 
beside  it,  besides,  R.  226 ;  at  once,  L. 
148  ;  thereat,  L.  864. 

Theschaunge,  the  exchange,  T.  iv.  146. 

Theschewing',  the  avoiding  (of  any- 
thing), 5.  140. 

Thestat,  the  estate,  the  rank,  condition, 
A  716. 

The'wed,  //. ;  luel  thewed,  of  good  dis- 
position, 4.  180. 

Thewes,  s.  pi.  habits,  natural  qualities, 
E  409,  1542;  good  qualities,  virtues, 
G  loi ;  customs,  habits,  manners,  T.  ii. 
723;  morals,  HF.  1834. 

Thexcellent,  the  excellent,  B  150. 

Thexcuse.  thee  excuse,  D  1611. 

Thexecucion,  the  execution,  10.  65. 

Thexp6ri6nce,  the  experience,  E  2238. 

Thider.  adv.  thither,  A  1263. 

Thider-ward,  adv.  thither,  A  2530. 

Thikke,  adj.  thicli,  A  549;  stout,  plump, 

A  3973- 
Thikke.  adv.  thickly,  R.  1396. 
Thikke-herd,  (7^/.  thick-haired,  A  2518. 
Thikke-sterred,'    adj.    thickly    covered 

with  stars,  A.  ii.  23.  2. 
Thilke,  that,  R.  660,  &c. ;  such  a,  A  182; 

that  same,  A   1193;    that  sort  of,   I  50; 

//.  those,  HF.  173. 
Thimage,  the  image,  L.  1760. 


Thing,  s.  fact,  C   156;   property,  wealth, 

R.  206;    deed,  legal  document,  A  325; 

for  any  thing,  at  any  cost,  A  276;  Thing, 

//.    things,    L.    II,   2140;    Thinges,   //. 

things,  A   175 ;    matters  of  business,  B 

1407 ;   poems,  L.  364 ;    pieces  of  inusic, 

F  78;  services,  pravers,  B  1281. 
Thingot,  the  ingot,  G  1233. 
Thinke,   v.  seem,   T.   i.  405;    Thinketh. 

pr.  s.  impers.  (it)  seems,  B  1901 ;  me  th., 

it  seems  to  me,  A  37,  2207 ;  how  th.  yow, 

how    does    it    seem    to    you,   D   2204; 

Thoghte,  //.  s.  impers.  (it)   seemed,  L. 

1697;  me  thoughte,  it  seemed  to  ine,  A 

385;  him  th..  It  seemed  to  him,  A  682; 

us  th.,  it  seemed  to  us,  A  785  ;  hir  th.,  it 

seemed  to  her,  D  965,  967. 
Thinne,  adj.  thin,  A  679;    poor,  feeble, 

9.  36;   E  1682;  scanty,  limited,  G.  741. 
Thirleth,  pr.  s.  pierces,  7.  211;  //.  A 

2710. 
This,  A  175,  &c. ;  contracted  form  o/"  this 

is,  T.  ii.  363,  iii.  936,  v.   151;    This   is, 

pronounced  this,   5.   411,   620;    A    1091, 

D  91;  Thise  (dhiiz),//.  (monosyllabic), 

A  701,  B  59,  &c. 
Tho,  //.  those,  A  498,  1123,  2351,  3246. 
Tho,  adv.  then,  at  that  time,  A  993,  3329, 

iS:c. ;   siill,  3.  1054. 
Thoccident,   the   Occident,   the  west,  B 

3864. 
Thofflce,  the  office,  the  duty,  B  2863. 
Thoght,  s.  anxiety,  B  1779,  E  80. 
Thoghtful.  adj.  moodv,  I  677. 
Tholde,  pi.  the  old,  D  857. 
Tholed,  pp.  suffered,  D  1546.   A.  S.  polian. 
Thombe,  s.  thumb,  A  563. 
Thonder,  s.  thunder,  A  492. 
Thonder-dint,    s.    stroke    of    lightning, 

D  276  ;  -dent,  thunder-clap,  A  3807. 
Thonder-leyt,  s.  thunder-bolt,  B  i.  m  4. 

12;  lightning,  I  839. 
Thonke.  \pr.  s.  thank,  E  380. 
Thon6ur,  the  honour,  B  1767,  E  1449. 
Thorgh.  prep,  through,  5.  127,  129. 
Thorient,   the   orient,  the   east,  B  3871, 

3883. 
Thoriginal,  the  original,  L.  1558. 
Thorisonte,  the  horison,  E  1797,  F  1017. 
Thorisoun,   the    orison,    the    prayer,   A 

2261. 
Thorpes,//,  villages,  5.  350. 
Thorugh-passen, //-.//.  penetrate,  B  4. 

m  3.  49. 
Thought,  s.  anxiety,  T.  i.  579. 
Thoumbe,  s.  thumb,  A.  i.  i.  2. 
Thourgh-girt,  pp.  struck  through,  T.  iv. 

627.     From  '^\.¥,. gurdeii ,  to  strike. 


E3 


114 


(§l000arial  Jnliei. 


Thral,   s.  thrall,  slave,   subject,    servant, 

B  3343,  C  183,  D  155. 
Thral,    adj.   enthralled,  A    1552,    I    137; 

'11)1  alle,//.  enthralled,  B  2751;  Thral,  as 

pi.,  L.  1940. 
Thraldom,  s.  slavery,  B  286,  338. 
Thralle,  v.  subject,  T.  i.  235;  subjugate, 

R.  882.  . 
Thraste.//.  s.  thrust,  T.  ii.  1155. 
Threde,  v.  thread,  R.  99. 
Threed,  s.   thread,  A   2030;    thread    (of 

destiny),  T.  v.  7. 
Threpe,  i  pr.  pi.  (we)  call,  assert  to  be, 

G  826.     A.  S.  pieapian. 
ThresMold,  s.  threshold,  A  3482. 
Threste,  v.  thrust,  push,  A  2612; //.//. 

vexed,  T.  iv.  254. 
Threte,  v.  threaten,  L.  754. 
Threting',  s.  menace,  G  698. 
Thretty,  adj.  thirty,  F  1368. 
Thridde,  third,  A  1463.  2271. 
Thrift,   s.  success,   welfare,    T.    ii.    847; 

profit,  success,  G  739,  1425 ;  good  tkrift 

bad,  prayed  for  the  welfare  (of),  blessed, 

T.  iii.   1249 ;  by  my  thrift,  if  I  succeed, 

T.  ii.  1483. 
Thriftieste,  most  successful,  T.  i.  1081 ; 

most  thriving,  T.  ii.  737. 
Thriftily,  adv.  carefully,  A    105 ;    profit- 

ablv,  A  3131;  encouragingly,  F  1174. 
Thrifty,  adj.   profitable   (to   the   buyer), 

B   138 ;    serviceable,  D  238 ;    provident, 

7.  197. 
Thringe,  v.  press,  T.  iv.  66 ;  Throng,  pt.  s. 

forced  his  way,  7.  55  ;  thrust,  E  2353. 
Thriste,  pt.  s.  thrust,  T.  iii.  1574. 
Thrittene,  thirteen,  D  2259. 
Thritty,  thirtv,  E  1421. 
Throf,  pt.  X.  o/Thryve. 
Throng,  //.  s.  c/Thringe. 
Throp.  s.  thorp,  small  village,  E  199,  208. 
Throstel,  s.  throstle,  song-thrush,  5.  364. 
Throte,  .f.  throat,  3.  945. 
Throte-bolle,  .f.  ball  of  the  throat,  '  the 

protuberance  in  the  throat  called  Adam's 

apple,'  A  4273. 
Through-out,  quite  through,  11.  3. 
Throwe,   t.  short  space  of  time,  while, 

]3eriod,  B  953,  3326. 
Throwe,  ger.  to  throw,  T.  ii.  971 ;  Threw, 

pt.  s.  T.  iii.  184 ;  Threwe,  //.  //.  R.  786 ; 

Throwe, /;;>.  thrown,  L.  i960:  Throwen, 

pp.  cast,    HF.    1325;     twisted,    turned, 

T.  iv.  1 159. 
Throwes,  pi.  torments,  T.  v.  206 ;  throes, 

T.  V.  1201. 
Thrustel.  s.  thrush.  B  1963. 
Thrusteth,  //■.  s.  thirsts,  yearns,  L.  103. 


Thrustle-cok,  s.  male  thrush,  B  1959. 
Thrye,  adv.  thrice,  T.  ii.  89,  463. 
Thryes,  adv.  thrice,  A  63,  463. 
Thryve,  v.  thrive,  prosper,  E   172;  ger. 

G  1411 ;    so  tlir.  I,  as  I  hope  to  thrive, 

D  1764 ;    Throf,  pt.   s.  flourished,  B  3. 

m  4.  5. 
Thryvinge,  adj.  vigorous,  B  5.  m  4.  24 

(  Lat.  iiigens). 
Thunworthiest,  the  unworthiest,  22.  19. 
Thurfte,  //.  s.  impers.   (with  yow),  you 

would  need,  you  need,  T.  iii.  572.     See 

Thar. 
Thurgh,  prep,  through,  i.  27 ;  by  means 

of,  ,\  920. 
Thurgh-darted.  pp.  transfixed  with  a 

dart,  T.  i.  325. 
Thurghfare,  s.  thoroughfare,  A  2847. 
Thurgh-girt,   //.    pierced    through,    A 

lOIO. 

Thurghout,  prep,  throughout,  F  46 ;  all 
through,  B  256,  464;    quite   through,  C 

655- 
Thurgh-shoten,  //.  shot  through,  T.  i. 

325- 
Thurrok,    s.    sink,    the    lowest    internal 

part  of  a  ship's  hull,  I  363,  715.    A.  S. 

purruc. 
Thurst,  s.  thirst,  B  100. 
Thursteth,  pr.  s.  thirsts,  T.  v.  1406 ;  //.  s. 

i»ipers.  he  was  thirsty,  B  3229. 
Thurte ;  see  Thar. 
Thwitel,  s.  large  knife,  whittle,  A  3933. 
Thwyte,  pr.  pi.  whittle,  cut  up  for,  WY . 

1938 ;    Thwiten,  //.  carved,  whittled,  R. 

933- 
Tid,  pp.  of  Tvde. 
Tidifs,  s.  //.'small  birds,  F  648.    Cf.  Eng. 

titmouse,  titlark.    See  Tydif. 
Tikel,  adj.  unstable,  A  3428. 
Tikelnesse,  s.  instability,  13.  3. 
Tikled.  pt.  s.  tickled,  D  395. 
Til  (before  a  vowel),  prep.  \o,  A  \Zo\  as  a 

Northern  ivord  (before  a  consonant),  A 

4110;  Til  and  fra, toandfro  (Northern), 

A  4039.     Icel.  til. 
Til,  conj.  until,  A  1760 ;  til  that,  A  1490,  V 

360. 
Tilyere,  s.  tiller,  B  5.  p  i.  86. 
Timber,  f.  material,  T.  iii.  530. 
Timbestre,     s.     female     timbrel-player, 

t.imbourine-player,  R.  769. 
Timbres,  s.  pi.  timbrels,  tambourines,  R. 

772. 
Tipet,  f.  tippet,  cape,  A  233. 
Tiptoon,  pi.  tiptoes,  B  4497. 
Tisse'w,  f.  a  band,  'I",  ii.  639. 
Tit,/;-,  s.  betides,  T.  i.  333.    See  Tyde. 


(Jllossarial  Entici. 


15 


Titering',  s.  hesitation,  vacillation,  T.  ii. 

1744. 
Titleless,  adj.  without  a  title,  usurping, 

H  223. 
To  (too),  J.  toe,  A  2726;  Toon,//.  B  4052; 

Toos,  pi.  B  4370. 
To   (t66),  pre/>.  to,  A  2;  gone  to,  A  30; 

(used  after  its  case),  G  1449;  for,  1. 184; 

as  to,  as  for,  L.  2096;  Aim  to,  for  him,  3. 

771 ;  to  that,  until,  4.  239. 
To,  adv.  too,  B  2129  ;  moreover,  beside,  T. 

i.  540;  overmuch,  G  1423;  to  badde,  too 

evil,  very  evil,  L.  2597. 
To-  (i),  intensive  prefix,  lit.  in  twain,  asun- 
der.    A.  S.  to-,  G.  zer-. 
To-  (2),  prepositional  prefix,  as  in  To-forn. 

A.  S.  to-,  G.  ZU-. 
To-bete,  v.  beat  amain,  T.  v.  1762;  beat 

severely,  G  405. 
To-breke,  v.  break  in  pieces;  pr.  s.  (it) 

breaks  in  pieces,  R.  277;  breaks  asun- 
der,  G   907;    is    violently   broken,    HF. 

779;  To-broken,  //.   broken   in   pieces, 

destroyed,  16.  i ;    To-broke,  pp.  broken 

in  half,  D  277 ;  severely  bruised,  A  4277. 
To-breste,  v.  burst  in  twain,    T.  ii.  608; 

pr.  s.  subj.  may  (she)  break  in  twain,  T. 

iv.  1546;  may  be  broken  in  twain,  i.  16; 

pr.  pi.   break   in   pieces,   A    261 1;    To- 

brosten,//.  broken  in  twain,  A  2691. 
To-cleve,  v.  cleave  in  twain,  T.  v.  613. 
To-dasshte , //.  J.  dashed  violently  about, 

R.  337 ;  //.  much  bruised,  T.  ii.  640. 
Tode,  s.  toad,  I  636. 
To-drawen,  pr.  pi.  allure,  B  4.  m  3.  46; 

To-drowen,  //.  //.  tore  in  pieces,   B    i. 

p  3.  42 ;  To-drawen,  pp.  distracted,  B  1. 

P  5-  76. 
To-driven,  pp.  scattered,  L.  1280. 
To-torv,  prep,  before,  F  268;  ^od  to-forn, 

in  CJod"s  sight,  T.  i.  1049. 
To-forn,   adv.  in  front,  beforehand,  B  5. 

p  6.  30Q. 
To-geder,  adv.  together,  5. 555  ;  To-gider, 

B  3222;  To-gidre,  A  824. 
Toght,  iidj.  taut,  D  2267. 
To-go,  pp.  dispersed,  L.  653. 
To-greve,   v.    grieve    excessively,   T.   i. 

100 1. 
To-hangen,  v.  put  to  death  by  hanging, 

HF.  1782. 
To-hepe,  (j(/z^.  (lit.  into  a  heap),  together, 

T.  iii.  1764  ;  L.  2009. 
To-be  wen,  ;>r.//.  hew  in  twain,  A  2609; 

pp.  c\it  through,  T.  ii.  638;  To-hewe, //. 

hewn  in  pieces,  B  430. 
Toke,  2pt.  s.  tookest,  3.  483;  pt.pl.  took, 

F  1240;  received,  F  356. 


To-laugh,  pr.  s.  laughs  out,  laughs  exces- 
sively, T.  ii.  1 108.    (Short  iaxto-laiigheth.) 

Told,  -e  ;  see  Telle. 

Tollen  (i),  V.  take  toll,  A  562. 

Tollen  (2),  V.  attract,  entice,  B  2.  p  7.  18. 

Tombesteres,  s.  pi.  fern,  dancing  girls, 
lit.  female  tumblers,  C  477.  A.  S.  tum- 
biau,  to  tumble,  dance. 

Tomblinge,  pres.  pt.  as  adj.  fleeting, 
transitory,  B  2.  m  3.  21  (Lat.  caducis). 

To-melte',  v.  melt  utterly,  T.  iii.  348. 

Tonge,  s.  tongue,  3.  930 ;  A  265 ;  dat. 
speech,  language,  16.  21. 

Tonged,  pp.  tongued,  3.  927. 

Tonges,  s.  pi.  tongs,  I  555. 

Tonne,  s.  tun,  barrel,  cask,  A  3894. 

Tonne-greet,  adj.  great  as  a  tun,  A  1994. 

Toon, Toos,  pi.  o/To,  s. 

Tooth-ake,  s.  toothache,  R.  1098. 

Top,  s.  top,  A  2915;  top  (of  the  mast), 
main-top,  L.  639;  tuft  of  hair,  C  255; 
top  (of  the  head),  A  590;  crown  (of  the 
head),  T.  iv.  996;  Top  and  tail,  begin- 
ning and  end,  HF.  880. 

To-race,  pr.pl.  subJ.  tear  in  pieces,  E  572. 
Here  race  is  probably  short  for  arace,  to 
tear  up. 

Tord,  s.  piece  of  dung,  B  2120,  C  955. 

To-rende,  pr.  pi.  subj.  tear  in  pieces,  T. 
ii.  790;  To-rente,  pt.  s.  distracted,  T.  iv. 
341;  rent  asunder,  B  3215;  tore  in 
pieces,  L.  820;  To-rent,  pp.  rent  in 
pieces,  C  102,  E  1012. 

Torets,  //.  small  rings  on  the  collar  of  a 
doij,  A  2152.     See  Turet. 

Tormentinge,  s.  torture,  E  1038. 

T6rment6ur,  s.  tormentor,  10.  18 ;  exe- 
cutioner, B  818. 

Tormentrye,  s.  torture,  D  251. 

Tormentyse,  s.  torment,  B  3707. 

Torn,  s.  turn,  C  815. 

Tornen,  v.  turn,  G  1403 ;  return,  A 
1488. 

Torney,  s.  tourney,  T.  iv.  1669. 

To-romblen,  v.  rumble,  crash,  L.  1218. 

Tortuos,  adj.  lit.  tortuous,  i.  e.  oblique, 
applied  to  the  six  signs  of  the  zodiac 
(Capricorn  to  Gemini),  which  ascend 
most  rapidly  and  obliquely ;  Tortuous, 
B  302. 

To-scatered,/"/.  dispersed,  D  1969. 

To-shake,  pp.  shaken  to  pieces,  L.  962 ; 
losseil  about,  L.  1765. 

To-shivered,  pp.  been  destroyed,  5.  493. 

To-shrede,  pr.  pi.  cut  into  shreds,  A 
260Q. 

To-slitered,  //.  slashed  with  numerous 
cuts,  R.  840. 


ii6 


(glogsarial  Intiex. 


To-Sterte,  v.  start  asunder,  burst,  T.  ii. 

980. 

To-stoupe,  V.  stoop  forwards,  D  1560. 

To-swinke,  pr.  pi.  labour  greatly,  C  519. 

To-tar,  pf.  .(.  tore  in  pieces,  rent,  B  3801. 

Totelere,  subst.  as  adj.  tattling,  tale- 
bearing, L.  353. 

To-tere,  pr.  pi.  rend,  tear  in  pieces,  C 
474  ;  To-tar,  //.  s.  rent,  B  3801 ;  To-tore, 
//.  G  635 ;  To-torn,  pp.  much  torn,  5. 
no;  defaced,  T.  iv.  358 ;  dishevelled,  R. 
327- 

Tother  ;  the  tother  {for  that  other),  the 
other,  L.  325  a. 

To-trede,  v.;  al  to-trede,  trample  under 
foot,  I  864. 

Toty,  adj.  dizzy,  A  4253.  Spenser  has 
totty ;  F.  Q.  vii.  7.  39. 

Touchinge.  s.  touch,  I  207. 

Tough,  adj.  troublesome,  pertinacious,  in 
phr.  make  it  tough,  to  behave  in  a 
troublesome,  pertinacious,  and  forward 
manner,  T.  v.  loi ;  made  it  tough,  was 
captious,  3.  531 ;  behaved  pertinaciously, 
T.  iii.  87. 

Toumbling'.  ndj.  perishing,  B  3.  p  9.  168. 
S -e  Tomblinge. 

Toun,  s.  town,  A  217;  farm,  B  4138; 
neighbourhood,  R.  446. 

Tour,  s.  tower,  V  176;  tower  (of  London), 
A  3256;  mansion  (in  astrology),  4.  113. 
(In  B  2096,  the  sense  is  that  his  crest 
was  a  miniature  tower,  with  a  lily 
above  it.) 

Touret,  s.  turret,  A  1909. 

Tourne.  v.  turn,  T.  ii.  688;  return,  D 
()88. 

Tourneyinge.  s.  tournament,  R.  1206. 

Tourneyment.  s.  tournament,  B  1906. 

Tourning.  s.  turning  round,  R.  761. 

Toute,  5.  buttocks,  backside,  A  3812,  3853. 

Toverbyde,.,f<;r.  to  survive,  D  1260. 

Towayle,  f.  towel,  cloth,  R.  161 ;  Towaille, 

^  3935.  3943- 
Towne  ;  out  oft.,  away,  T.  iii.  570,  577, 

loqi. 

To-wonde,//.  s.  {with  substitution  of  the 
weak  for  the  strong  form,  as  in  abreyde), 
flew  in  pieces,  became  broken,  4.  102. 
The  form  towond,  flew  in  pieces,  occurs 
in  Sir  Ferumbras,  2568. 

To-yere,  adv.  this  year,  HF.  84;  D  168. 

Trace,  s.  trace,  steps,  14.  3;  Traas,  pro- 
cession, L.  285. 

Trace,  i  pr.  pi.  go,  5.  54. 

Trad.;^/.  .1.  (>/Trede. 

Tragedian,  r.  writer  of  tragedy,  B  3. 
p6.  3. 


Traisoun,  s.  treason,  B  4307. 
Traitorye,  treachery,  B  781. 
Traitour,  s.  traitor,  HF.  267. 
Translate!!,  ^<fr.  to  translate,  L.  370;  //. 

changed,  dressed  afresh,  E  385. 
Transmuwe,  v.   transform,  T.   iv.  467 ; 

//.  T.  iv.  830. 
Transporten,  v.  extend,  B  i.  p  4.  241. 
Trappe,  s.  trap,  snare,  A  145;  irap-door, 

entrance,  T.  iii.  741. 
Trapped,  //.  furnished  with  trappings,  A 

2890. 
Trappe-dore.  f.  trap-door,  T.  iii.  759. 
Trappures,  //.  trappings  for  horses,  .K 

2499. 
Traunce,  i.  trance,  A  1572;  half-conscious 

state,  B  3906 ;  brown  study,  D  2216. 
Traunce,  ger.  to  tramp  about,  T.  iii.  690. 
Trave,  s.  wooden  frame  for  holding  un- 
ruly horses,  A  3282.     O.  F.  tref,  from  Lat. 

ace.  trabem,  beam. 
Travers,  s.  'traverse,'  a  curtain,  screen, 

T.  iii.  674;  E  1817. 
Trayed,  //.  f.  betrayed,  HF.  390 ;  L.  2486. 
Trays,  s.  traces,  T.  i.  222 ;  A  2139.     O.  F. 

trais,  pi.  of  trait,  a  trace.     The  E.  traces 

is  a  double  plural. 
Tray  sen,  ger.  to  betray,  T.  iv.  438. 
Trayteresse,  s.   fern,  traitress,  3.    620, 

813. 
Tray  tour,  s.  traitor,  A  1130;  gen.  pi.  of 

traitors,  hence  traitorous,  C  896. 
Trecherye,     s.     treachery,     trickery,    B 

4520. 
Trechoures,//.  traitors,  R.  197. 
Trede,  i //-.//.  tread,  A  3022;  Tret,//-,  .v. 

treads,    D    2002;   Trad,  //.   s.   trode,   B 

4368;  Trodcn, //.//.  HF.  2153;  Troden, 

pp.  stepped,  C  712. 
Trede-foul.  s.  treader  of  fowls,  B  3135, 

4641. 
Trag6die,   s.  tragedy,   sad    story,   T.   v. 

1786. 
Tregetour,  5.  a  juggler   who   used    me- 
chanical  contrivances,  HF.  1277;  //.  F 

1141. 
Trench,  s.  a  hollow  walk,  alley,  F  392. 

F.  trancher,  to  cut. 
Trenchant,  adj.  cutting,  sharp,  A  3930. 
Trenden,  v.  revolve,  B  3.  m  11.  4. 
Trentals,  //.  (sets  of)   thirty  masses  for 

the  dead,  D  1717,  1724. 
Tresor,  s.  treasure,  wealth,  B  442,  C  779. 
Tresorere,  j.  treasurer,  i.  107;  19.  18. 
Tresorie,  s.  treasury,  HF.  524. 
Trespas,  .(.  wrong,  B  2547 ;  transgression, 

L.  408,  463. 
Trespassours,  s.pl.  offenders,  B  2548. 


(©l000arial  IntiEi. 


117 


Tresae,  s.  a  (three-fold)  plait   (of  hair), 

R.  779;  HF.  230;  A  1049. 
Trease,  ^^er.  to  dress  (my)  hair,  to  plait, 

K.  599;  //.  plaited,  D  344. 
Tressour,  s.  head-dress,  R.  568.     Proba- 
bly a  '  caul,'  or  net  of  gold  thread. 
Tret,  pr.  s.  o/Trede. 
Tretable,    adj.   tractable,   docile,  I  658; 

yielding,  L.  411;  inclinable,  3.  923;  in- 
clined to  talk,  3.  533. 
Trete,  v.  treat,    r.  iv.  58 ;  treat  of,  tell,  5. 

34 ;  j^er.  to  speak,  converse,  C  64 ;  pp. 

explained,  B  5.  p  i.  3. 
Tretee,  s.  treaty,  A  1288 ;    discussion,  F 

1219;  agreement,  E  1892. 
Tretis,  s.  treaty,  B   233 ;    account,  T.  ii. 

1697  ;  treatise,  A.  pr.  5  ;  story,  B  2147. 
Tretys,  ad/,  well-proportioned,   long,   A 

152;    vveli-fashiiined,  R.  1016;    graceful, 

R.  932.     O.  F.  tretis. 
Trewe,  adj.  true,  A  531 ;  honest,  L.  464; 

pt.  the  faithful,  B  456. 
Trewe,  adv.  correctly,  8.  4. 
Trewe,  s.  truce,  T.  iii.  1779,  iv.  58  ;  Trewes, 

pi.  the  days  of  truce,  T.  v.  401. 
Trewe  love,  s.  true-love  (probably  a  leaf 

of  herb  paris  or  some  aromatic  confec- 
tion), A  3692. 
Trewely,  adv.  truly,  certainly,  A  481. 
Trew^er,  adj.  truer,  6.  117. 
Trewer,  adv.  more  truly,  3.  927. 
Treweste,  adj.  superl.  truest,  F  1539. 
Treye,  num.  '  tray,'  three,  C  653. 
Triacle,  s.  a  sovereign  remedy,  B  479,  C 

314.     O.  F.  triacle. 
Trikled,  pt.  pi.  trickled,  B  1864. 
Trtlle,  V.  turn,  twirl,  F  316.     Cf.   Swed. 

frUla,  to  turn  round. 
Trip,  ,f.  small  piece,  D  1747. 
Trlppo,  V.  dance,  A  3328  ;  ger.  to  trip,  to 

move  briskly  with  the  feet,  F  312. 
Trist,  s.  trust,  T.  i.  154,  iii.  403. 
Trlste,  s.  tryst,  station,  T.  ii.  1534. 
Triste,  v.  trust,  L.  333;  ger.  to  trust  (to), 

L.  1885. 
Tristicia,  sadness,  I  725. 
Troden ;  see  Trede. ' 
Trogh,  s.  trough.  A  3627. 
Trompe,  s.  trumpet,  L.  635. 
Tromped,  //.  s.  sounded  the  trumpet,  E 

1719. 
Trompes,  pi.  trumpeters,  7.  30;  A  2671. 
Tronchoun,  s.  broken  shaft  of  a  spear, 

A  2615.     O.  F.  tronchon. 
Trone.j.throne,  A  2529;  throne  (of  God), 

heaven,  C  842. 
Tropik,  s.  the  turning-point,  a  name  for 

the  solstitial  points,  A.  i.  17.  13. 


Tropos,   s.   a   turning ;  but  interpreted  by 

Chaucer    to    mean    'agaynward,'     i.  e. 

backward,  A.  i.  17.  13. 
Trotteth,  pr.  s.  trots,  i.  e.  goes,  is,  E  1538. 
Troublable,  adj.  disturbing,  B  4.  m   2. 

12. 
Trouble,   adj.  tempestuous,  turbid,  B  i. 

ni  7.  3 ;  dull,  H  279 ;  disturbed,  I  537 ; 

anxious,  E  465  ;  vexed,  6.  133. 
Troubly,  adj.  cloudy,  obscure,  B  4.  m  5. 

35- 
Trouthe,  s.  truth,  A  46 ;  fidelity,  L.  267 ; 

troth,  promise,  A  1610. 
Tro^wen,  v.  believe,  HF.  699 ;  i  pr.  s.  trow, 

believe,    imagine,    A    155 ;    Irowestow, 

dost  thou  tliink,  B  i.  p  3.  24. 
Troyew^ardes,  to,  towards  Troy,  T.  i.  59. 
Trufles,  s.  pi.  trifles,  I  715. 
Trumpen,  v.  blow  the  trumpet,  HF.  1243. 
Trussed,  //.  packed,  A  681. 
Truwe,  s.  truce,  T.  iv.  1312,  1314. 
Tryce,  v.  pull,  drag  away,  B  3715.     Cf.  E. 

trice  up  (nautical  term). 
Trye,  adj.  choice,  excellent,  B  2046. 
Tryne  compas,  the  threefold  world,  con- 
taining earth,  sea,  and  heaven,  G  45. 
Tubbe,  s.  tub,  A  3621. 
Tuel,  s.  pipe,  slender  chimney,  HF.  1649. 

O.  F.  tuel,  F.  tuyau. 
Tukked,  //.  tucked,  A  621. 
Tulle,  V.  entice,  allure,  A  4134. 
Tunge,  s.  tongue,  i.  128. 
Turet,  s.  the  eye  in  which  the  ring  of  the 

astrolabe   turned,  A.  i.  2.   I.     Cotgrave 

has  '  Touret,   the   little  ring  by  which  a 

Hawkes  luiie  or  leaslt  is  fastened   unto 

the  jesses.'     See  Torets. 
Turrdent,  s.  torment,  R.  274. 
Turmente,  ger.  to  vex,  L.  871. 
Turne,  ger.  to  turn,  A  2454 ;  v.  turn  (in  a 

lathe),  A  3928;     Turnen,  v.  return,    L. 

2619;  pp.  at  an  end,  3.  689. 
Turneyinge,    s.    tournament,    A    2557 ; 

mock  tournament,  R.  1407. 
Turtel.  s.  turtle-dove,  A  3706,  E  2080. 
Turves,  s.  pi.  turf-plots,  patches  of  turf, 

L.  204 ;  E  2235. 
Tusked,  provided  with  tusks,  F  1254. 
Tuskes,  //.  tusks,  T.  v.  1238. 
Tuwel,  s.  hole,  D  2148.     See  Tuel. 
Twelf.  twelve,  C  30. 
Tw^elfmonth,   s.  twelvemonth,   year,   A 

651,  U  909. 
Twelfte,  adj.  twelfth,  4.  139. 
Tw^eye,  two,  A  704,  792;  Twey,  B  2203; 

tiv.  and  tiv.,  in  pairs,  A  898. 
Tw^eyfold,  adj.  double,  G  566. 
Tweyne,  twain,  2.  76;  4.  95. 


©loasarial  Intiei. 


Twigges,  s.pl.  twigs,  HF.  1936. 

Twighte,  pt.  s.  twitched,  drew  quickly, 
T.  iv.  1185;  Twight,  //.  distraught,  (Ht. 
twitched),  T.  iv.  572;  pulled,  D  1563. 
The  infin.  is  twicchen. 

Twinkeling,  s.  twinkling,  4.  222;  mo- 
mentary blinking,  E  37. 

Twinkled,  //.  //.  twinkled,  A  267 ;  pp. 
winked,  B  2.  p  3.  79. 

Twinne,  v.  sever,  part,  T.  iv.  1197;  tw. 
from  his  wit,  lose  his  mind,  7.  102 ;  de- 
part, B  3195,  F  577;  ger.  to  separate, 
B  517  ;  to  depart  (from),  C  430. 

Twinninge,  s.  separation,  T.  iv.  1303. 

Twiste,  s.  (i)  twist,  tendril,  T.  iii.  1230; 
(2)  twig,  spray,  E.  2349. 

Twiste,  V.  wring,  torment,  F  566;  i  pt.  s. 
tortured,  D  494;  pt.  s.  wrung,  E  2005; 
Twiste,  pt.  s.  subj.  would  compel,  con- 
strain, 'I',  iii.   1769;    Twist,  pp.  twisted, 

HF.775- 
Tw^o  so  riche,  twice  as  rich,  L.  2291. 

Cf.  Ten. 
Twyes,  adv.  twice,  A  4348 ;  Twye,  A.  i. 

16.  13. 
Tyd,  sb.  time,  hour,  T.  ii.  1739;   (usually) 

Tyde,  R.  1452;    season,  F  142;    Tydes, 

pi.  tides,  A  401. 
Tyden,  v.  befall,  happen,  B  337;  pr.  s. 

conies  (to),  (a  Northern  form)  A  4175; 

Tit,  pr.  s.  betides,  T.  i.  333 ;    Tid,  pp. 

happened,  T.  i.  907. 
Tydif,  s.  small  bird,  perhaps  the  titmouse, 

L.  154.     See  Tidifs. 
Tyme,  s.  time,  A  35,  44 ;  by  tyme,  early, 

betimes,  L.  452;    in  good  tyme,  3.  370; 

Tymes,  //.  hours,  5.  283 ;   moments,  R. 

380 ;   {preceded  by  a  number)  Tyme,  gen. 

pi.  times,  T.  i.  441. 
Tyne,  s.  barrel,  12.  9.    O.  F.  tine. 
Tyren.  v.  tear,  rend,  B  3.  m  12.  49;  pr. 

pi.  pull  to  pieces,  T.  i.  787. 
Tytled,  //.  dedicated,  I  894. 

U. 

Umbra  extensa,  or  recta,  the  lower  part  of 

the   '  skale  ' ;     Umbra  versa,   the   upper 

part  of  the  same,  A.  i.  12.  8. 
Umbreyde,  //.  s.  upbraided,  reproached, 

L.  1671. 
Unagreable,  adj.  miserable,  B  i.  m  i. 

32  (  F.at.  in gr at  as). 
Unbityde,  v.  fail  to  happen,  B  5.  p  4.  39. 
Unbodie,  v.  leave  the  body,  T.  v.  1550. 
Unbokele,  v.  unbuckle,  F'555. 
Unbrent,  pp.  unburnt,  B  1658. 
Unbroyden,  pp.  unbraided,  T.  iv.  817. 


Unbuxumnesse,    s.   unsubmissiveness, 

24.  27. 

Uncircumscript,  //.  boundless,  T.  v. 
1865. 

Unconning,  adj.  unskilful,  6.  75. 

Unconninge,  s.  ignorance,  B  3066. 

Unconvenable,  adj.  unsuitable,  I  431. 

Uncouple,  v.  to  let  loose,  B  3692. 

Uncouth,  adj.  curious,  A  2497;  strange, 
HF.  1279  (where  the  text  has  uncouthe, 
but  read  uncouth). 

Uncouthly,  adv.  uncommonly,  strik- 
ing y,  R.  584. 

Uncovenable,  adj.  unseemly,  I  631 ; 
unfit  (for  good),  B  4.  p  6.  333. 

Uncunninge,  adj.  ignorant,  B  i.  p  i.  68. 

Uncurteisly,  adv.  rudely,  E  2363. 

Undefouled,  undefiled,  B  2.  p  4.  24. 

Undepartable,  adj.  inseparable,  B  4.  p 
3.  62. 

Undergrowe,  //.  of  short  stature,  A  156. 

Undermeles.  //.  undem-times,  perhaps 
afternoons,  D  875.     See  below. 

Undern,  s.  B  4412,  E  260,  981.  A  par- 
ticular time  in  the  morning  is  here 
implied,  either  about  9  a.m.,  or  some- 
what later.  (Also  applied  to  signify 
mid-afternoon.) 

Undernom,  pt.  s.  perceived,  G  243; 
Undtrnome,/'/.  reproved,  I  401. 

Underput.//.  subjected,  B  i.  p  6.  97. 

Underpyghte,  pt.  s.  stuffed,  tilled  under- 
neath, B  789. 

Underspore,  v.  thrust  (the  staff)  under, 
push  beneath,  A  3465. 

Understonde,  v.  understand,  A  746;  pr. 
pi.  C  646;  Understode,//.  J.  subj.  should 
understand,  T.  i.  1035 ;  Understonde, 
//.  understood,  T.  v.  1186. 

Undertake,  v.  affirm,  E  803  ;  ger.  to  con- 
duct an  enterprise,  A  405;  warrant,  R. 
461 ;  dare  say,  B3516. 

Undevociouh,  s.  lack  of  devotion,  I  723. 

Undigne,  adj.  unworthy,  E  359. 

Undo.  ger.  to  unfold,  reveal,  3.  899;  v. 
unfasten,  T.  iii.  741 ;  pr.  s.  opens,  A  3727. 

Undoutous,  adj.  undoubting,  B  5.  p  i. 

32. 
Uneschewably,  adv.  inevitably,  B  5.  p 

3-  J3?- 
Uneschuable,  adj.  inevitable,  B  5.  p  i. 

105. 
Unethe,  adv.  scarcely ;  welunethe,  scarcely 

at  all,  HF.  2041. 

Unethes,  adv.  with  difficulty,  T.  ii.  566. 
Unfamous,  adj.  lost  to  fame,  HF.  1146. 
Unfestlich,  adj.  unfestive,  jaded,  F  366. 
Ungiltif,  adj.  guiltless,  T.  iii.  1018. 


(§lo0sarial  Inbcx. 


119 


Un-grobbed,  adj.  not  digged  round,  9. 14. 
Unhap,  s.  ill  luck,  T.  i.  552. 
Unhappily,  adv.  unluckily,  T.  v.  937. 
Unhardy,  adj.  cowardly,  A  4210. 
Unhele,  s.  misfortune,  sickness,  C  116. 
Unholsom,  adj.  ailing,  weak,  T.  iv.  330. 
Universe  ;  hi  universe,  universally,  T.  iii. 

Universitee,  s.  the  universal,  B  5.  p  4. 

187. 
Unkinde,    adj.   unnatural,    B   88 ;    cruel, 

5-  434- 
Unkindely,  adv.  unnaturally,  C  485. 
Unkindenesse,  s.  unkindness,  B  1057. 
Unkonning,  adj.  unskilful,  A  2393. 
Unkorven,  adj.  uncut,  unpruned,  9.  14. 
Unkouth,  adj.  strange,  T.  ii.  151. 
Unkunninge,  adj.  ignorant,  R.  686. 
Unlaced,  pp.  disentangled,  B  3.  p  12.  166. 
Unleveful,  adj.  not  permissible,  I  593, 777. 
Unloven,  ^i";-.  to  cease  to  love,  T.  v.  1698. 
Unlust,  s.  disinclination,  I  680. 
Unlyklinesse,  s.  difificulty  in  pleasing,  T. 

i.  16. 
Unlykly,  adj.  unpleasing,  E  2180. 
Unraanhod,  s.  an  unmanly  act,  T.  i.  824. 
Unmerie,  adj.  sad,  HF.  74. 
Unmig-hty,  adj.  unable,  T.  ii.  858. 
Unneste,  imp.  s.  leave  thy  nest,  T.  iv.  305. 
Unnethe,    adv.    scarcely,    hardly,     with 

difficulty,  A  3121,  B  1050,  1816,  3611. 
Unnethes,  adv.  scarcely,  B  1675,  D  2168. 
Unordred,  adj.  not  belonging  to  a  re- 
ligious order,  I  961. 
Unparig-al,  adj.  unequal  (Lat.  inparem), 

B  3.  p  I.  13. 
Unpleyten,   v.  unplait,  explain,  unfold, 

H  2.  p  8.  II. 
Unpurveyed,  adj.  unprovided,  uncared 

for.  B  2.  p  I.  22. 
Unraced,   adj.  unbroken,   untorn,   B  4. 

P  I-  S3- 
Unremeved,   pp.    unremoved,    without 

(its)  being  moved,  A.  ii.  46.  37. 
Unreste,  s.  restlessness,  D  1104. 
Unright,   s.  wrong,   T.    iv.   550;    injury, 

r.  ii.  453. 
Unrightful,  adj.  wicked,  L.  1771. 
Unsad,  adj.  unsettled,  E  995. 
Unsavory,  adj.  displeasing,  I  510. 
Unscience,    s.    unreal     knowledge,    no 

knowledge,  B  5.  p  3.  113. 
Unselinesse,  s.  unhappiness,  B  4.  p  4. 

38. 
Unsely,  adj.  unhappy,  B  2.  p  4.  8. 
Unset,  adj.  unappointed,  A  1524. 
Unshethe,   i  //-,  s.  unsheathe,  remove, 

T.  iv.  776. 


Unshette,//.  s.  unlocked,  E  2047. 
Unshette,  adj.pl.  not  shut,  HF.  1953. 
Unshewed, //.  unconfessed,  I  999. 
Unsittinge,  adj.  unfit,  T.  ii.  307. 
Unskilful,  adj.  foolish,  T.  i.  790. 
Unskilfully,  adv.  unreasonably,  B  i.  p  4. 

223. 
Unslekked,  adj.  unslacked,  G  806. 
Unsofte,  adj.  harsh,  E  1824. 
Unsolempne,    adj.    uncelebrated,    B   i. 

P  3-  64- 
Unspeedful,  adj.  unprofitable,  B  5.  p  6. 

337- 
Unstaunchable,  adj.  inexhaustible,  B  2. 

p  7.  126  (Lat.  inexfiausta) . 
Unstaunched,   adj.  insatiate,  B  2.  p  6. 

115  (Lat.  inexpletam'). 
Unstraunge,  adj.  well-known,  A.  ii.  17. 

rubric. 
Unswelle,  v.  become  less  full,  T.  iv.  1146. 
Unswete,  adj.  bitter,  HF.  72. 
Unthank,  s.  no  thanks,  want  of  thanks, 

T.  v.  699 ;  a  curse,  A  4081. 
Unthrift,  s.  nonsense,  T.  iv.  431. 
Unthriftily,  adv.  poorly,  G  893. 
Unthrifty,  i7<^'.  profitless,  T.  iv.  1530. 
Untold,  adj.  uncounted,  A  3780. 
Untressed,  adj.  with  hair  loose,  5.  268 ; 

unarranged,  E  379  ;  unplaited,  A  1289. 
Untretable,  adj.  inexorable,  B  2.  p  8.  2. 
Untrewe,  adv.  untruly,  A  735. 
Untriste,  v.  distrust,  T.  iii.  839. 
Untyme;  in  mityme,  out  of  season,  I  1051. 
Unwar,   adj.  unaware,  T.  i.  304;    unex- 
pected, B  427. 
Un'war,  adv.  unexpectedly,  unawares,  1". 

i-  549- 

Unwelde,  adj.  (unwieldy),  too  weak  to 
support  herself,  R.  359;  difficult  to  move, 
H  55  ;  difficult  to  control,  A  3886. 

Unwemmed,  adj.  unspotted,  spotless, 
B  924,  G  137,  225. 

Unwened,  adj.  unexpected,  B  4.  p  6.  260. 

Unwist,  adj.  unknown,  T.  ii.  1294;  vn- 
wist  of,  uninformed  of,  T.  i.  93 ;  unknown 
by,  L.  1653. 

UnAvit,  s.  folly,  4.  271. 

Un'wot,  //-.  s.  fails  to  know,  B  5.  p  6.  177. 

Unwrye,  v.  reveal,  T.  i.  858. 

Unyolden,  //.  without  having  yielded, 
A  2642. 

Up,  adv.  up;  open  (outwards,  not  up- 
wards), A  3801 ;  as  V.  up  with,  HF.  1021 ; 
///  and  doiin,  T.  ii.  659;  in  all  directions, 
A  977 ;  backwards  and  forwards,  A 
1052. 

"Up, prep,  on,  upon,  A  2543;  up  peril,  on 
peril,    D    2271 ;    up    peytte,    under    the 


(^losgartal  Jrnliei. 


penalty,  D  1587;  uppoynt,  on  the  pioint, 

ready,  T.  iv.  1 153. 
Up-bounde,//.  bound  up,  T.  iii.  517. 
Up  caste,  //.  s.  cast  up,  B  906. 
Up-drow,  pt.  s.  drew  up,  L.  1459. 
Upenbossed,//.  raised,  L.  1200. 
Up-haf, //.  s.  uplifted,  A  2428. 
Upon,  />rg/>.    upon,   A    131 ;    in,   F   925 ; 

against,  D  1313. 
Upon,    used  adverbially,    upon    (him    or 

her),  on,  D  559,  1382. 
Uppe,  adv.  up,  i.  e.  left  open,  F  615. 
Up-plight,  pp.  plucked   up,   pulled    up, 

B  3239- 
Upright,  adv.  i.  e.  reversed,  D  2266;  also, 

lying   on  ones   back  (mostly  of  people 

asleep  or  dead)  ;   A  4194;  B  1801. 
Up-rist,  py.  s.  rises  up,  L.  1188;  A  4249. 
Up-riste,  s.  dat.  up-rising,  A  1051. 
Upronne,  //>.  ascended,  F  386. 
Up-so-doun.  adv.  upside  down,  A  1377, 

G  625. 
Upspringe,  v.  rise  (as  the  sun),  4.  14. 
Upsterte,  pt.  s.  upstarted,  arose,  A  1080, 

1299. 
Up-yaf ,  pt.  s.  yielded  up,  gave,  A  2427. 
Up-yolden,  //.  yielded  up,  A  3052. 
Usdge,  s.  usage,  habit,  A  no;  hadde  in 

nsdge,  was  accustomed,  B  1696;  ^uas  in 

usdi,^e,  B  1717. 
Usaunce,  s.  custom,  R.  683. 
Usaunt,//rj.  pi.  as  adj.  addicted,  I  821 ; 

accustomed,  A  3940. 
Usen,  ^<r/-.  to  accustom,  I  245  ;  v.  use,  B  44  ; 

Useth,  pr.  s.  is  accustomed,  L.  364. 
Us-selve,  pron.  ourselves,  I  349. 
Usshers.  s.pl.  ushers,  F  293. 
Usure,  .f.  usury,  B  168 1. 
Us-ward,  to,  towards  us,  B  2938. 
Utter,  adj.  outward,  G  498. 
Uttereste,  adj.  superl.  supreme,  E  787. 

V. 

Vache,  s.  cow,  beast,  13.  22.  The  reference 
is  to  a  quadruped  that  looks  down  to  the 
carl  It. 

Valance,  s.  {possibly)  sign  of  zodiac  op- 
posite the  mansion  of  a  planet,  4.  145; 
if  so,  the  reference  here  is  to  the  sign 
of  Aries. 

Val6ur,  s.  worth,  R.  957. 

Vane,  s.  a  weather-cock,  E  996. 

Vanish,  i  pr.  s.  shrink  up,  waste  away, 
C  732- 

Variaunce,  s.  variation,  T.  iv.  985  ;  Vari- 
ance, difference,  I  427. 

Variaunt,  adj.  varying,  G  1175. 


Vassalage,  s.  prowess,  L.  1667. 

Vavassour,  s.  a  sub-vassal,  next  in  dig- 
nity to  a  baron,  A  360. 

Veine,  adj.  fern,  vain,  R.  447. 

Veluet,  s.  velvet,  R.  1420;  Veluettes.  ;>/. 
F  fc>44. 

Venerian,  adj.  devoted  to  Venus,  D  609. 

Venerye,  s.  hunting,  A  166,  2308. 

Venge,  v.  revenge,  13  2471. 

Vengeresses,  s.pl.  avengeresses,  aveng- 
ing deities,  B  3.  m  12.  38. 

Venim,  s.  venom,  poison,  R.  1089 ;  malice, 
B  891,  C  421;  corruption,  A  2751;  dye 
(Lat.  iieneno),  B  2.  m  5.  12. 

Ventusinge,5.  cupping  (a  surgical  opera- 
tion), A  2747. 

Venus,  venereal  pleasure,  D  464. 

Ver.  tlie  spring,  T.  i.  157. 

Veray,  adj.  very,  true,  real,  L.  1068. 

Verdegrees,  s.  verdigrease,  G  791. 

Verdit,  s.  verdict,  A  787. 

Verndge,  s.  a  wine  of  Italy,  B  1261. 

Vernicle,  s.  vernicle,  A  685.  A  copy  of 
the  sacred  handkerchief  on  which  the 
impression  of  the  Saviour's  face  was 
distinguishable. 

Vernisshed,  //.  s.  varnished ;  hence 
(jocularly),  lined  in  a  lavish  way,  A 
4149. 

Verre,  s.  glass,  T.  ii.  867. 

Verray,  adj.  very,  true,  A  72, 422;  v.foice, 
main  force,  B  3237. 

Verrayly,  adv.  verily,  truly,  2.  73. 

Verrayment,  adv.  verily,  B  1903. 

Versiflour.  s.  jjoet,  B  2783. 

Vertu,  s.  virtue,  A  307  ;  quickening  power, 
A  4;  power,  A  2249;  valour,  R.  1208; 
mental  faculty.  111-'.  550;  magic  in- 
fluence, F  146,  157;  v.  plese,  satisfy 
virtue,  be  virtuous,  E  216. 

Vertuous,  adj.  virtuous,  A  251 ;  full  of 
virtue,  D  1113;  full  of  healing  power, 
R.  1097  ;  holy,  1  455. 

Verye  (a  word  used  in  a  charm),  A  3485. 
Perhaps  for  weri,  an  accursed  creature  ; 
A.  S.  wearg. 

Vese,  s.  rush  (Lat.  impetus),  A  1985. 

Vessel,  s.  (collectively),  vessels,  plate,  B 
3338. 

Vestiment,  s.  clothing,  F  59. 

Veyne,  s.  vein,  A  3. 

Veyne-blood,  s.  bleeding  at  a  vein,  A 

P747- 
Vi&ge,  s.  voyage,  travel,  journey,  T.  ii.  75  ; 

expedition,  attempt.  T.  iii.  732. 
Vicaire,  s.  deputy,  deputed  ruler,  5.  379; 

Vicary,  a  vicar,  1  22. 
Victor,  .f.  as  adj.  of  victory,  5.  182. 


(glosgarial  UntJEi. 


Vigile,  s.  wake,  T.  v.  305. 

Vigilyes,  pi.  vigils.  A  377. 

Viker,  c  vicar,  D  2008. 

Vileinous,  adj.  evil,  B  2693. 

Vileins,  Vileyns,  a^^'.  villainous,  L.  1824 ; 
rude,  D  1268 ;  sinful,  I  854,  914 ;  evil, 
wicked,  I  556. 

Vileinsly,  adv.  evilly,  I  154;  Vilaynsly, 
shamefully,  R.  1498. 

Vileinye,  J-.  vile  conduct,  B  2547;  great 
harm,  A  4191 ;  despiteful  language,  re- 
proach, D  34,  53  ;  disgrace,  A  942  ;  unfit 
speech,  A  70;  servitude,  I  143;  dis- 
courtesy, rudeness,  C  740;  vileness,  HF. 
96;  reproach,  T.  iv.  21;  evil-doing,  B 
1681. 

Viaolent,  adj.  full  of  wine,  D  467,  1931. 

Violes,  s./>/.  vials,  phials,  G  793. 

Virelayes,  j.//.  ballads  with  a  particular 
leturn  of  rime,  F  948  ;   L.  423. 

Viritoot,  s.  brisk  movement,  A  3770. 

Viritrate.  s.  hag,  D  1582. 

Visage,  V.  put  a  face  (on  it),  disguise,  E 
2273. 

Visitaciouns,  .?.//.  visits,  D  555. 

Visyte,^6v.  to  visit,  A  493,  1194. 

Vitaille,  s.  victuals,  provisions,  A  248,  569. 

Vitaille.  z\  provide  with  victuals,  L.  1093. 

Vitamers,  />/.  victuallers,  A  4366. 

Vitremyte,  s.  (probably)  a  woman's  cap, 
an  effeminate  head-dress,  B  3562. 

Voided,  pp.  removed,  F  1195;  cleared, 
emptied,  L.  2625. 

Vols,  s.  voice,  R.  751.    See  Voys. 

Voiage,  adj.  giddy,  volatile,  R.  1284; 
wanton,  H  239. 

Volatyl,  f.  as  pi.  fowls,  B  1262. 

Voltor,  f.  vulture,  B  3.  m  12.  46 ;  pi.  T.  i. 
788. 

Volupaer,  s.  night-cap,  A  4303  ;  Voluper, 
W(jman's  cap,  A  3241. 

Vouche,  v.;  only  used  with  sauf,  safe; 
Vouche  sauf,  v.  to  avouch  as  safe,  call 
safe,  vouchsafe,  grant,  deign,  permit, 
A  812,  B  1641,  E  2341 ;  I  py.  s.  am  content, 
T.  iv.  90;  2  pr.  pi.  vouchsafe,  grant, 
deign,  L.  2038;  Voucheth  sauf,  imp.  pi. 
vouchsafe,  E  885,  F  1043. 

Voyde(voidee),j.  'voidee,'  alight  dessert, 
with  wine  and  spices,  T.  iii.  674. 

Voyden,  v.  get  rid  of,  expel,  A  2751,  E 
910,  F  i88  ;  imp.  s.  depart  from,  E  806; 
\'ovdeth,  imp.pl.  send  away,  G  1136. 

Voys,  s.  voice,  A  688,  C  531 ;  rumour, 
E  629;  commendation,  E  1592;  report, 
T.  iii.  1723. 

Vulgar,  adj.  A.  ii.  9.  5.  Tlie  day  vulgar 
is   the    length    of    the    '  artificial '    day, 


with     the    durations    of    morning    and 
evening  twilight  added  to  it. 
Vyce,  J.   fault,   error,  T.  i.  689;   F  loi ; 
defect,  D  955. 

W. 

Waast,  s.  waist,  B  1890. 

Waat,  pr.  s.  knows  (Northern),  A  4086. 

Wacche,  s.  sentinel,  B  2216. 

Wachet,   s.  light   blue   colour,   A   3321. 

Later  E.  watchet. 
Waden,  v.  pass,  E  1684 ;  wade  (through), 

D   2084;    enter   (into),   T.   ii.    150;    go, 

descend,  B  3684. 
Waf ,  pt.  s.  wove,  L.  2364. 
Wafereres,  s.  pi.  makers  of  gaufres  or 

wafer-cakes,  confectioners,  C  479. 
Wages,  pi.   A    1803 ;    pay,   recompense, 

4.  244. 

Wagging,  s.  shaking,  T.  ii.  1745. 
Waiten,   v.  attend   on,   L.   1269 ;  pr.  s. 
watches,  E  708 ;    imp.  s.   observe,  A.  ii. 

5.  18. 

Wake,  V.  be  awake,  lie  awake,  18.  27 ; 
Waken,  v.  act.  awake,  B  1187;  pr.  s. 
watches,  F  819;  Wook,  i  //.  s.  awoke,  5. 
695;  remained  awake,  B  3809;  Waked, 
//.  awaked,  3.  294;  kept  wake,  caroused, 

3-  977- 
Wake-pleyes,  //.  funeral  games,  A  2960. 
Waker,  adj.  vigilant,  5.  358. 
Waking,   s.   watching,    being   awake,  3. 

6n ;   period   of  wakefulness,    B   22;//. 

vigils,  I  257. 
Wdlet,  a  wallet,  A  686;  Walet,  A  681. 
Walked   (for  Walketh),  f.  walking;    /'// 

phr.  go  walked,  for  go  a-\valketh,  gone 

a-walking,  3.  387  ;  D  1778. 
Walken,  ger.  to   walk,   roam,   A   2309; 

Welk,    I  pt.  s.   walked,   T.   ii.  517 ;    is 

walked,  is  gone,  went,  A  2368. 
Walsh-note,  gen.    sing,  walnut's,    HF. 

1281. 
Walwe,  ger.  to  wallow,  roll  about,  T.  i. 

699 ;    pr.  pi.   wallow,   tumble,    A   4278 ; 

pr.  s.  tosses,  L.  1 166 ;  rolls  about,  D  1085  ; 

//.   involved,    immersed,    12.    17 ;    Wal- 

winge,  pres.  part,  causing   to  roll,  B  I. 

m  7.  4  (Lat.  uoluens). 
Wanges,  s.  pi.  molar  teeth,  A  4030. 
Wang-tooth,  s.  molar  tooth,  B  3234. 
Wanhope,  .f.  despair,  A  1249. 
Wanie,  v.  wane,  A  2078. 
Wante,  v.  be  wanting,  be  absent,  L.  361 ; 

fail,  be  lacking,  I  514;  /;-.  s.  is  lacking, 

Ii  338. 
Wantownesse,   s.  wantonness,    B   31; 
mannerism  (of  speech),  A  264. 


E4 


(©lossarial  Cntjei. 


Wantrust,  s.  distrust,  T.  i.  794 ;  H  280. 
"War,  ad/,  prudent,  discreet,  cautious,  T. 

i.  203  ;  aware,  A  157,  896, 3604  ;  7vas  I  w., 

I  observed,  5.  218,  298  ;  /  was  w.,  3.  445  ; 

ben  w.,  beware,  T.  i.  635  ;  be  w.,  beware, 

13.  II;  take  warning,  G  737;  be  w.fro, 

beware  of,  L.  473 ;  beth  w.,  beware,  T.  iii. 

1180;  B  1629,  3281. 
War  him,  let  him  beware,  A  662 ;  war 

yow,  make  way,  B  1889. 
Warde,  s.  dat.  (?)   keeping;  on  w.,  into 

his  keeping,  3.  248;  in  our  w.,  C   201; 

under  my  w.,  I  880. 
Wardecors,  s.  body-guard.  D  359. 
Warderere,  for  warde    rare,  look  out 

behind,  A  4101. 
Wardrobe,  s.  privy,  B  1762. 
Ware,  adj.  aware,  3.  1030. 
Ware,  s.  wares  (for  sale),  merchandise,  B 

140,  1246. 
Ware.  imp.  pi.  beware,  B  4416. 
Warente,  ger.  to  warrant,  protect,  C  338. 
Wariangles,  //.   shrikes,   butcher-birds, 

D  140S. 
Warien,  ger.  to  curse,  T.  ii.  1619;   \  pr.  s. 

B  372. 
Warisoun,  s.  requital,  R.  1537. 
Warisshe,  v.  cure,   I   998;    recover,   be 

cured,  B  2172;  pp.  cured,  B  2467. 
Warisshinge,  .r.  cure,  B  2205. 
Warly.  udv.  warily,  carefully,  T.  iii.  454. 
Warne,    v.  reject,   refuse,  i.  11;  i  pr.  s. 

warn,  bid  you   take   heed,  B    16,   1184; 

invite,  B  2652;  2pr.  s.  subj.  inform,  HF. 

893 ;    //.   forewarned,    L.    2658 ;    given 

notice,  B  IS78. 
Warnestofe,  ger.  to   fortify,  defend,  B 

2487;    to    garrison,    B    2521;    pp.    pro- 
visioned, B  I.  p  3.  85. 
Warnestoring,  s.  fortifying,  B  2525. 
Waryce,  v.  heal,  cure,  C  906. 
Waste,  (?t^'.//.  wasted,  partially  destroyed, 

A  1331- 
Wastel-breed,  s.  cake-bread,  bread  of  the 

very  best  quality,  A  147. 
Wastour,  s.  waster,  E  1535. 
Wateringr,  5.  watering-place  (for  horses), 

A  826. 
Wa^ve,  s.  wave.  B  508,  I  363. 
Waxen, //.  become,  T.  V.  1014,  1374, 1376. 
Wayk,  adj.  weak,  L.  2428,  2713. 
Wayken,   ger.    to    grow    weak,    lessen, 

T.  iv.  1 144. 
Waymenten,  ger.  to  lament,  I  230. 
Waymentinge,   s.  lamenting,   lamenta- 
tion, A  995,  1921, 
Wayn,  f.  car,  B  4.  m  i.  34. 
Wayten,  ger.  to  observe,  T.  i.  190;   to 


watch  for,  F  1263;  to  watch,  F  444; 
V.  to  expect,  B  467 ;  pr.  s.  seeks  occasion, 
A  1222. 

Webbe.  .»-.  a  weaver,  A  362. 

Wedde,  j-.  dat.;  to  -m.,  as  a  pledge,  in 
pledge,  A  1218,  B  1613. 
;   Wedde,  ger.  to  wed,  T.  v.  863. 
1    Wedding,  s.  wedlock,  17.  24. 
•   Wede,  s.  weed,   robe,  garment,  A    1006, 
B  2107,  E  863. 

Weder,  s.  weather,  D  2253,  F  52;  storm, 
T.  ii.  2,  iii.  657. 

Wedes,//.  weeds,  T.  i.  946. 

Weel.   adv.    well,   A   926;    well    placed, 
I        luckily  situated,  B  308. 
!   Weeldinge,  s.  power,  control,  B  2800. 

Weep.  pt.  s.  of  Wepe. 
I   Weeply,  adj.  tearful,  sorrowful,  B  i.j)  i.  3. 
I   Weet,  J-.  wet,  A  4107. 

Weex,//.  J.  wa.xed,  grew,  G  513. 
I   Weg'ge,  -f.  a  wedge,  A.  i.  14.  6. 

W^ehee,  s.  a  whinnying  noise,  A  4066. 

Weilawey,  alas !  D  216. 

Wei.  adv.  well,  A  384,  B  25;  much,  L. 
1386;  many.  L.  11;  certainly,  L.  452; 
fully,  A  29,  49;  about  (used  witli  num- 
bers), A  24;  luel  royal,  very  royal,  F  26; 
wel  fiy,  very  nearly,  B  3230 ;  wel  the  bet, 
much  better,  T.  ii.  92 ;  loel  unethe, 
scarcely  at  all,  L.  33  a;  to  be  wel,  to 
be  in  favour,  3.  845 ;  wel  is  him,  it  is 
well  for  him,  T.  i.  350;  well  was  him, 
it  was  well  for  him,  B  4066;  ftl  wel, 
very  well,  A  122. 

Welaw^ey,  int.  alas!  T.  iii.  1695. 

Welde.  s.  weld.  Reseda  Luteola,  9.  17. 

Welde.  .f.  power,  control,  R.  395. 

Welden,  ger.  to  have  control  over,  to 
move  with  ease,  D  1947;  to  control, 
D  271;  to  wield,  L.  2000;  Welte, //.  s. 
B  3200. 

Weldy,  adj.  wieldy,  active,  T.  ii.  636. 

Wele,  s.  happiness,  success,  prosperity, 
well-being,  good  fortune,  A  895,  3101, 
B  122. 

Weleful.  adj.  prosperous,  happy,  B  2507  ; 
blcssfd.  B  451. 

Welefulnesse,  s.  happiness,  B  i.  p  3. 35. 

Welk.  pt.  s.  of  Walken. 

Walked,  pp'.  as  adj.  withered,  C  738, 
D277. 

Welken,  s.  heaven,  sky,  HF.  1601 ; 
W'elkne,  10.  62. 

Welmeth,//-.  s.  wells,  gushes,  R.  1561. 

Welte,//.  .(.  wielded,  i.  e.  lorded  it  over, 
possessed  for  use,  B  3200. 

Wel-willy,  adj.  benevolent,  benign,  bene- 
ficent, T.  iii.  1257. 


(^lassartal  Intci. 


123 


"Wem,  -r.  blemish,  R.  930;  hurt,  F  121. 

Wemmelees,  adj.  stainless,  G  47. 

Wenden,  ger.  to  go,  A  21,  2214;  pass 
away,  A  3025  ;  go,  pass,  B  1683  ;  Went, 
pr.  s.  goes,  T.  ii.  36,  812;  Wente,  //.  s. 
went,  A  78,  B  1739;  Wente  him,  //.  s. 
went,  G  no;  Wentestow,  2  /;•.  s.  hast 
thou  gone,  A  3486;  Went,  pp.  gone,  L. 
165 1 ;  ben  went,  are  gone,  B  173  ;  is  went, 
is  gone,  G  534. 

Wending,  s.  departure,  T.  iv.  1344,  1436. 

Wene,  s.  supposition,  doubt,  T.  iv.  1593 ; 
■withouten  zuene,  without  doubt,  R.  574, 
732- 

Wenen,  v.  ween,  suppose,  imagine,  con- 
sider, L.  12 ;  G  676 ;  expect,  A  4320 ; 
Wenestow,  weenest  thou,  thinkest  thou, 
D  311;  Weneth,  pr.  s.  iinagines  (with 
men  =  one),  A  2195;  Wende,  i  pt.  s. 
imagined,  T.  v.  693;  supposed,  F  585; 
fancied,  A  1269;  Wendest,  2  />r.  s.  sudj. 
shouldst  ween,  T.  i.  1031 ;  Wende,  pt.  s. 
subj.  would  have  thought,  C  782 ;  Wend, 
pp.  supposed,  T.  iv.  384;  imagined,  T.  v. 
1682. 

Wenged,  adj.  winged,  HF.  2118. 

Wenges.  //.  wings,  L.  168  a. 

Weninge,  s.  imagination,  supposition, 
T.  iv.  992. 

Went,  pr.  s.  and  pp.  of  Wenden. 

Wente,//.  s.  of  Weiiden. 

Wente,  s.  turn,  T.  ii.  63 ;  path,  passage, 
T.  iii.  787  ;  footpath,  18.  69. 

Wepe,  V.  weep,  A  144,  230;  Weep,  //.  s. 
wept,  A  148,  B  606,  1052;  Wepte,  pt.  s. 
{weak  forni),  B  267;  Wepen, //.  T.  i. 
941 ;  Wopen,  pp.  F  523. 

Wepen,  s.  weapon,  L.  1994. 

Werbul,  s.  tune  (warble),  T.  ii.  1033. 

Werche,  v.  work,  perform,  B  566 
Wroghtestow  {for  Wroghtest  thou) 
thou  didst  cause,  B  3583  ;  Wroghte,//.  j, 
worked,  A  497 ;  contrived,  B  1788 
made,  E  1152;  Wroughte,  i  pt.  s.  acted 
A.  ii.  3.  46;  did,  R.  701;  Wrought,// 
made,  formed,  R.  559;  born,  B  3619 
created,  G  326;  composed,  L.  372. 

Werde,  //.  s.  of  Were  (wear). 

Werdes,  s.  pi.  fates,  destinies,  B  i.  m  i. 
14. 

Were,  s.  weir,  5.  138 ;  T.  iii.  35. 

Were,  s.  doubt,  3.  1295;  HF.  979;  men- 
tal struggle,  L.  2686.     Lowl.  Sc.  weir. 

Were,  •2  pt.  s.  wast,  T.  iv.  762;  /'/  were, 
they  were,  E  850;  al  were  it,  though  it 
were,  D  1172. 

Were  (wfera),  v.  wear,  21.  7;  Werede, 
//.  s.  wore,  A  1388,  3235  ;  Werde,  R.  875  ; 


Wered,  A  75 ;  Wered  upon,  i  //.  s.  wore 

upon  (me),  D  559. 
Were,  ger.  to  defend,  A  2550. 
Weringe,  s.  wearing,  I  1052. 
Werk,  s.  work,  A  479;  act,  L.  891. 
Werken,  v.  act,  A  3527 ;  pr.  s.  acts,  L. 

1385. 
Werkers,//.  doers,  D  1937. 
Werkes,  pr.pl.  ache,  A  4030. 
Werking,   s.    deed,    H    210;    mode    of 

operation,  G  1367. 
Werne,  ger.  to  refuse,  T.  iii.  149,  iv.  in  ; 

V.  refuse,   R.    1485 ;    warn   off,    R.   636 ; 

Werned,//.  forbidden,  R.  442. 
Werning,  s.  let,  forbidding,  R.  1142. 
Werre,  s.  war,  T.  ii.  868 ;  trouble,  T.  v. 

13931  of  werre,  in  war,  T.  i.  134;  to  w., 

in  enmity,  i.  116. 
Werre,  adv.  worse,  3.  616. 
Werreye,  ger.  to  make  war,  A  1484;  v. 

war  against,  A   1544 ;   pr.  s.  opposes,  I 

487. 
Werreyour,  s.  warrior,  L.  597. 
Wers,  adj.  worse,  A  3872. 
Werste,  adj.  superl.  worst,  T.  ii.  304. 
Werte,  s.  wart,  A  555. 
Wery,    adj.   (being)   weary,   T.   iv.  707 ; 

worn,  R.   440,   664;    beaten   repeatedly, 

lit.  wean',  B  4.  m  5.  17. 
Wesele.  s.  weasel,  A  3234. 
Wesh.  //.  s.  of  Wasshe. 
Weste,  V.  turn  to  the  west,  L.  61,  197. 
Westren,  v.  to  go  to  the  west,  T.  ii.  906. 
Wete,  .f.  perspiration,  G  11 87. 
Wete,  V.  wet,  HF.  1785. 
Wether,  s.  sheep,  T.  iv.  1374. 
Weven,  v.  weave,  L.  2352;   Waf, //.  s. 

wove,  L.  2364. 
Wex,  s.  wax,  A  675,  E  1430. 
Wexen,  v.  wax,  grow,  become,  B  2265,  G 

877  ;   I  //•.  s.  subj.  may  I  become,  G  1377  ; 

Wexe,  2  pr.  pi.  increase,  grow  (in  ap- 
plauding),   E  998;    Wex,   //.    s.   grew, 

became,   A    1362;    increased,    L.    727; 

Woxe,//.  grown,  R.  1460;  become,  HF. 

1494. 
Wexede,  //.  s.  coated  with  wax,  .\.  n. 

40.  28. 
Wey,  .f.  way,  A  34;    path,  R.  1345;   ttie 

sun's  apparent  daily  path,  A.  ii.  30.  5 ; 

the  sun's  apparent   annual   orbit,   A.  i. 

21.  49;   a  furlong  wey,  a  short  time  (lit. 

short  distance),  E  516;  go  wey,  go  thy 

way,  T.    i.  574;    do  luey,  take  away,  A 

328'7. 
Weyen,  v.  weigh,  B  3776;    oghte  weyen, 

ought  to  weigh,  L.  398. 
Weyere,  s.  the  '  weigher,'  a  translation 


124 


(^lossarial  Jrnliei. 


of  the  Lat.  equator ;  because  the  days 

and  nights,  at  the  equinoxes,  are  equal ; 

A.  i.  17.  25. 
Weyk.  adj.  weak,  7.  341. 
Weylaway,  interj.  alas!  A  938. 
Weymenting'e,   s.  lamenting,    A    902; 

lainent,  T.  ii.  65. 
Weynes,  s.pl.  chariots,  B  4.  m  5.  6. 
Weyven,  ger.  to  turn  aside,  E  1483;  v. 

uaive,  neglect,  T.  ii.  284;  put  aside,  D 

1176;  forsake,  G  276;  abandon,  B  2406. 
Whan,  when.  A  5,  18,  179. 
What,  whatever,  4.  170 ;  what  sort  of  a, 

L.  1305;  what  with,  B  21,  22;    why,  T. 

ii.  262,  292;  what!  how!  L.  1800;  VVhat 

that,  whatever,  E  165 ;  What  man  that, 

whoever,  B  2645 ;  What  .  .  what,  partly, 

.  .  partly,  liF.  2058. 
Wheelen,  ger.  to  cause  to  revolve,  T.  i. 

139- 
Whelkes,  //.  pimples,  blotches,  A  632. 
Whelp,  s.  cub,  A  2627. 
Whenne,  adv.  whence,  E  588. 
Whennes,  adv.  w  hence,  B  2400. 
Wher,  adv.  where,  B  1785,  &c. ;  wherever, 

R.  1669;  Wher  as  {or  Wher-as),  where 

that,  where,  B  647,  1311. 
Wher,   whether,    (a    common    contracted 

form  of  whether),  3.  91. 
Wher-as,  adv.  where  that,  where,  T.  iii. 

516. 
Whereof,  prep,  in  what  respect,  R.  703 ; 

lor  what,  R.  1552. 
Wherfore,  for  any  cause,  C  216. 
Wher-on ;  long  w'ker-on,  because  of  what, 

G  930. 
Wher-so,  whether,  B  294;  wherever,  L. 

439- 
Wher-through,  adv.  by  means  of  which. 

3.  120. 
Wherto,  adv.  for  wherefore,  T.  i.  409. 
Whete,  s.  wheat,  C  375. 
Whether,  adj.  which  (of  two),  A  1856. 
Whette. //.//.  sharpened,  T.  v.  1760. 
Which,  pron.  which,  A    161 ;    whom,  A 

568;   what  kind  of,  L.  1883;  Which  a, 

what  kind  of  a,  what  a,  L.  668,  869,  &c. 
Whider,  whither,  T.  v.  428,  486. 
Whilk,  which  (Northern),  A  4078. 
W^hilom,  adv.  once,  D  2017. 
"\^''hippeltree  (better  Wippeltree), cornel- 
tree,  A  2923. 
Whirle,  ger.  to   rush,  go   swiftly,  T.  v. 

1019;  V.  be  whirled  round,  5.  80. 
Who,   interrog.  who,  T.  v.  371;    D  692; 

indef.  who    (it  might  be),  3.  244;    one 

who,  3.559;  whoever,  who,  T.  v.  1115; 

Who  was  who,  which  was  which,  A  4300. 


Whyle,  s.  time,  A  3299;  worth  the  wh., 

worth  while,  T.  v.  882. 
Whyl-er.  adv.  formerly,  G  1328. 
Why  les,  gen.  s.  as  adv. ;  the  whyles,  whilst, 

3-  151- 
Whylom,  adv.  once,  formerly,  once  on  a 

time,  R.  10.  362. 
Whyne,  v.  whine,  whinny,  D  386. 
Whyt,  adj.  white,  A  238;    as  sb.,  white 

wine,  C  526,  562 ;  //.  innocent,  guileless, 

T.  iii.  1567;   specious,  flattering,  T.  iii. 

901. 
Whyte,  s.  white  (i.  c.  silver),  T.  iii.  1384. 
Widwe,  s.  widow,  A  253. 
Widwehode,    s.    widowhood,    I    916; 

W'idwehed,  L.  295  a. 
Wierdes,  //.  fates,  T.  iii.  617 ;  Wirdes, 

L.  2580.     A.  S.  wyrd. 
Wight,  s.  a  person,  creature,  man,  living 

being,  A  71,  280;  whit,  short  while,  A 

4283  ;  Wightes,;>/.  creatures,  men, beings, 

A  3479- 
Wight,  adj.  active,  B  3457 ;  fleet,  A  4086. 
Wighte,  s.  weight,  HP.  739;  A  2145,  2520. 
Wike,  s.  week,  C  362.    See  Wyke. 
Wiket,  s.  wicket-gate,  small  gate,  E  2045, 

2118. 
Wikke,  adj.  evil,  wicked,  bad,  A    1087, 

1580 ;    false,  B  2247 ;  depraved,  10.  55 ; 

much  alloyed,  HE.  1346. 
Wikked,  adj.  bad,  wicked,  L.  2395;  //. 

wicked.  I  112.     In  B  3576.  wikked  nest  \s 

put  for  Y.maii  ni,  i.  e.  Sir  Oliver  Mauny ; 

See  the  note  in  the  larger  edition. 
Wikkednesse,  s.  evil,  17.  7. 
Wil.  s.  will,  6.  83.    See  Wille. 
Wil,   I  //-.  s.  desire,  wish,  7.  244 ;  pr.  s. 

dosires,  B  1843. 
Wilde,   adj.  wild;    Wilde  fyr,  wild   fire, 

fire   not   easily   put   out,  Greek   fire,  D 

373;    flaming  spirits,  I  445;    a  disease, 

erysipelas,  A  4172,  E  2252 ;  Wilde,  //.  A 

2o'i8. 
Wildnesse,  s.  wilderness,  9.  34. 
Wilen,/r.//.  will,  R.  1683. 
Wilful,  adj.  voluntary,  B  3.  p  11.  167. 
Wilful,  as  adv.  wilfully,  willingly,  5.  429. 
Wilfulhed,  s.  wilfulness,  L.  355  a. 
Wilfully,  adv.   willingly,   voluntarily,   of 

fret'  will,  by  choice,  B  4486,  C  441. 
Wilfulnesse,  s.  wish.  B  2572. 
Wille,  s.  own  accord,  will,  i.  45,  57 ;  plea- 
sure, desire,  E  326,  F  i,  8 ;  Willes,  geii. 

F  568  ;  as  by  his  w.,  willingly,  17.  12. 
Wille,  V.  will,  desire,  E  721. 
Willing,  s.  desire,  E  319. 
Willingly,  adv.  of  free  will,  E  362. 
Wilnen,  v.  desire,  .\  2114;  Wilnest.  2/r. 


(3\a&9iBxiB\  Intiex. 


125 


s.  desirest,  A  1609 ;  Wilned,  i  /A  s.  3. 
1262,  1267.     A.  S.  wilnian. 

Wilninge,  s.  willing,  wishing,  B  3.  p  11. 
88 ;  pi.  desires,  B.  3.  p  11.  175. 

Wilow,  s.  willow-tree,  A  2922. 

Wiltow,  2  p}-.  s.  wilt  thou,  A 1 156 ;  wishest 
thou,  B  2116;  wilt  thou  (go),  D  1387. 

Wimpel,  s.  wimple,  a  covering  tor  the 
head,  gathered  round  it,  and  pleated 
under  the  chin,  A  151. 

Wimpleth,  pr.  s.  conceals  (as  with  a 
wimple),  B  2.  p  I.  66. 

Windas,  j.  windlass,  F  184. 

Winde,  ger.  to  turn,  T.  iii.  1541 ;  to  re- 
volve, T.  ii.  601 ;  to  roam  about,  L.  818  ; 
Winde,  v.  wind,  entwine,  T.  iii.  1232; 
intertwine,  5.  671;  ply,  bend,  T.  i.  257; 
bind  with  cloths,  E  583 ;  twist  and  turn, 
G  980 ;  Winde,  2  pr.  s.  subj.  niayst  go, 
T.  iii.  1440;  Wond, //.  s.  wound,  went 
about,  L.  2253. 

Windinge.  s.  twisting,  I  417. 

Wind-melle,  s.  wind-mill,  HF.  1280. 

Windre,  ger.  to  trim,  R.  1020;  pp. 
trimmed,  R.  1018.     Cf.  O.  Y. guignier. 

Windy,  adj.  unstable  as  wind,  B  2.  p  8. 
28. 

Winged,  provided  with  wings,  A  1385. 

Winke,  v.  wink,  B  4496 ;  nod,  F  348 ; 
remain  awake,  T.  iii.  1537  ;  Winke,  i  pr. 
s.  am  asleep,  5.  7. 

Winne,^<?r.  to  win,  gain,  A  427;  to  con- 
quer, F  214;  to  get  gain,  C  461 ;  iv.fro, 
to  get  away  from,  T.  v.  1125;  Wan,  i 
//.  s.  got,  D  1477 ;  won,  gained,  A  442, 
989 ;  pt.  s.  used  as  pt.  pi.  F  1401 ;  Won- 
nen,  pp.  won,  A  877,  3381. 

Winning,  s.  gain,  profit,  A  275,  D  416. 

Winsinge,  pres.  pt.  wincing,  starting 
aside,  i.  e.  skittish,  A  3263. 

Winter,  //.  years,  T.  i.  811. 

Wirche,  v.  work,  A  3430 ;  provide,  E 1661 ; 
give  relief,  A  '2r]^i:)\  in  passive  sense,  to 
be  made,  HF.  474;  ger.  to  perform,  A 
3308  ;  Wirk,  imp.  s.  do,  E  1485. 

Wirdes,  //.  Fates,  L.  2580 ;  Wierdes,  T. 
iii.  617. 

Wirk,  imp.  s.  work,  do,  E  1485. 

Wirkinge,  s.  efificiency,  B  3.  p  11.  26; 
actions,  D  698  ;  calculation,  F  1280. 

Wis,  adv.  certainly,  verily,  surely,  T.  ii. 
381,  474,  563  ;  A  2786,  D  621 ;  as  wis,  as 
sure  (as),  T.  iv.  1655;  assuredly,  F  1470. 
See  Ywis. 

Wisly,  adv.  certainly,  truly,  verily,  .A 
1863,  3994,  4162. 

Wisse,  V.  instruct,  T.  i.  622;  inform,  D 
1415 ;  show,  tell,  D   1008  ;    2  pr.  s.  subj. 


teach,  5.  74;  imp.  s.  direct,  guide,  i.  155. 
A.  S.  wissian. 

Wissh,  I  //.  s.  washed,  R.  96,  125. 

Wisshe,  V.  wish,  T.  ii.  406. 

Wist,  -e  ;  see  Witen. 

Wit,  s.  reason,  R.  1535 ;  understanding,  B 
2702;  judgement,  A  279;  niind.R.  1694; 
knowledge,  mental  power,  R.  401 ;  wis- 
dom, T.  iv.  1508 ;  proof  of  intelligence, 
E  459;  Wittes, //.  senses,  B  202;  wits, 
F  706;  opinions,  F  203. 

Witen,  ger.  to  know,  to  wit,  T.  v.  1324 ; 
Wite,  ger.  to  know,  3.  493 ;  to  discovt-r, 
D  1450;  do  you  -wite,  make  you  know, 
inform  you,  T.  ii.  1635  ;  Woot,  i  pr.  s. 
wot,  know,  A  389 ;  //-.  s.  knows,  2.  30 ; 
Wot,  I  pr.  J.  L.  4 ;  pr.  s.  knows,  B  195  ; 
Woost,  2.  pr.  s.  knowest,  T.  i.  633  ;  Wost, 
•zpr.  s.  L.  542;  Wostow,  thou  knowest, 
A  2304;  Witen,  i  pr.  pi.  wit,  know,  .A. 
1260;  Witen,  2 /^-./Z.  D  1890;  know  ye, 
H  1,82;  Woot  {wrongly  used  for  V\/'\\.s), 
2  pr.  pi.  know,  A  740;  Wiste,  i  pt.  s. 
wist,  knew,  E  814;  Wistest,  2  pt.  s. 
knewest,  A  1156;  Wistestow,  knewest 
thou,  T.  iii.  1644;  Wiste,  pt.  s.  knew, 
R.  1344 ;  Wist,  pp.  known,  B  1072 ; 
Witeth,  imp.  pi.  kiiow,  T.  i.  687.  A.  S. 
witan ;  pr.  t.  wat,  ruast,  wat,  pi.  witon ; 
pt.  t.  wiste. 

With,  with,  A  5,  10,  &c. ;  to  hele  with  your 
hurtes,  to  heal  your  wounds  with,  F  471. 

With-drow,  \pt.  s.  subtracted,  A.  ii.  45. 

12. 

Withholden,^d?r.  to  retain,  I  1041 ;  With- 

holde,  //.    retained,    B   2202;   detained, 

G  345;    shut   up,  kept   in   confinement, 

A  511. 
Withinne-forth,  adv.  within,  B  5.  p  5. 

14. 
With-oute-forth,  adv.  outwardly,  I  172. 
Withouten,  prep,  besides,  as  well  as,  .A. 

461 ;  excepting,  T.  ii.  236. 
Withseye,  v.  contradict,  gainsay,  A  805  ; 

refuse,  L.  367;  renounce,  G  457. 
Withstonde,   v.  withstand,    oppose,    B 

31 10;  Withstonde,  //.   withstood,   T.  i. 

253- 

Witing,  s.  knowledge,  cognizance,  .\ 
1611. 

Witingly,  adv.  knowingly,  I  401. 

Witnesfully,  adv.  publicly,  B  4.  p  5.  11. 

Witterly,  adv.  plainly,  truly,  L.  2606. 

Wivere,  s.  wyvern,  snake,  T.  iii.  loio. 
O.  F.  wivre,  lit.  viper. 

Wlatsom,  adj.  disgusting,  B  3814;  hein- 
ous, B  4243. 

Wo,  s.  woe,  R.  319;  me  is  wo,  I  am  sorry. 


126 


(^lossarial  EutiEX. 


L.  1985 ;  wo  were  us,  woe  would  be  to 
us,  E  139. 
"Wo,  adj.  unhappv,  R.  312;  sad,  grieved, 

A  351. 

Wode,  adj. ;  see  Wood. 

Wode-binde,  s.  woodbine,  honeysuckle, 
A  1508. 

Wodedowve,  s.  wood-pigeon,  B  i960. 

Wodewale,  s.  the  green  woodpecker, 
Gecinus  viridis,  R.  914. 

Wodnesse,  s.  madness,  T.  iii.  794. 

Wol,  ipr.  s.  (I)  will,  A  42;  desire,  E  646; 
Wole,  I //-.  s.  am  ready  to,  T.  i.  589; 
Wolt,  2  pr.  s.  wilt,  E  314;  Woltow,  wilt 
thou,  A  1544;  dost  thou  wish,  D  840; 
Wol,  pr.  s.  will,  B  60 ;  wills,  desires, 
HF.  662;  wishes  for,  T.  ii.  396;  wishes 
(to  go),  will  go,  L.  1191 ;  permits,  H  28  ; 
Wole,  will  go,  D  353  ;  7vo/  adoun,  is  about 
to  set,  I  72 ;  Wol  ye  so,  if  you  so  wish  it, 
E  2264;  Wil  ye,  wish  ye,  F  378 ;  Woln, 
pr.pl.  will,  wish  (to  have),  A  2121 ;  Wol- 
len,  pr.  pi.  will,  B  2561 ;  Wolde,  \pt.  s. 
desired,  6.  48 ;  should  like,  B  1637 ; 
Woldestow,  if  thou  wouldst,  L.  760; 
wouldst  thou,  B  4536;  Wolde,  pt.  s. 
would,  A  144;  would  like  to,  B  1182; 
wished,  L.  952;  required,  F  577;  would 
go,  would  turn,  F  496;  wished  to,  4. 
124;  T.  ii.  514;  Wolde  .  .  .  unto,  would 
go  to,  B  3786 ;  god  wolde,  oh  !  that  God 
would  grant,  3.  665  ;  wolde  god,  oh  I  that 
God  would  be  pleased,  D  1103;  Wolde 
whoso  nolde,  i.  e.  whoever  would  or 
would  not,  T.  i.  77 ;  Wold,  //.  desired, 
18.  II ;  willed,  B  2190,  2615. 

Wolde,  s.  dat.  possession,  R.  451. 

Wolle,  t.  wool,  L.  1791. 

Woln,  Woltow  ;  see  Wol. 

Wombe,  s.  belly,  A  4290 ;  womb,  E  2414 ; 
the  depression  in  the  front  of  an  astro- 
labe, A.  i.  3.  3. 

Wombe-side,  the  front  of  the  astro- 
labe, .\.  i.  6.  10. 

Wommanhede,  s.  womanhood,  B  851. 

Wond  ;  pt.  s.  of  Winde. 

Wonde,  v.  desist,  L.  1187. 

Wonder,  adj.  wonderful,  wondrous, 
slranwe,  T.  i.  419. 

Wonder,  adv.  wondrously,  R.  242. 

Wonderly,  adv.  wondrously,  A  84. 

Wonder-most,  adj.  sup.  most  wonderful, 
HF.  2059. 

Wonders,  adv.  wondrously,  R.  27. 

Wone  (wuna),  s.  custom,  usage,  wont, 
T.  ii.  318;  HP".  76. 

Wone,  V.  dwell,  inhabit,  G  332;  Woneth, 
pr.  s.  dwells,  lives,  D   1573 ;    Woneden, 


//.  //.  dwelt,  A  2927 ;  Woned,  pp.  dwelt, 

T.  i.  276 ;  wont,  accustomed,  T.  ii.  400, 

V.  277. 
Wones  (vvoonez),  pi.   places  of  retreat, 

hence,  range  of  buildings,  D  2105.    See 

"Woon. 
Wong'er,  s.  pillow,  B  2102. 
"Woning,  s.  habitation,  house,  A  606. 
Wonne,  -n  ;  see  Winue. 
Wood  (wood),  s.  woad,  9.  17. 
Wood  (wood),  adj.  mad,  A  184,  582,  636; 

mad  with   anger,  D   313 ;  for  wood,   as 

being  mad,  madly,   furiously,    L.   2420; 

for  pure   wood,   for   very  rage,  R.   276 ; 

ten  so  wood,  ten  times  as  fierce,  L.  736 ; 

Wode,  def.  adj.  mad,  T.  ii.  1355. 
Woodeth',  pr.  s.  rages,  G  467. 
Woodly.  adv.  madly,  A  1301. 
Woodnesse,   s.  madness,  rage,  A  201 1, 

3452. 
Woon  (woon) ,  s.  resource,  T.  iv.  1181 ; 

plenty,    abundance,   L.    1652;    number, 

L.  2161 ;  retreat,  secure  place,  HF.  1166; 

of  sorwe  woon,  abundance  of  sorrow,  3. 

475  ;  W'ones,  pi.  places  of  retreat,  range 

of  buildings,  D  2105. 
Woost,  W^oot:  see  Wlte. 
Wopen.  pp.  of  Wepe. 
W^orcher,  s.  worker,  maker,  4.  261. 
Worchetla,/^.  s.  works,  3.  815. 
Word,  s.  word,  A  304 ;  good  word,  ap- 
proval, T.  v.  1081 ;    w.  by  w.,   word  by 

word,  D  2244 ;  at  shorte  wordes,  briefly, 

in  a  word,  L.   2462;   hadde   the  wordes, 

was  spokesman,  I  67. 
Word  and  ende  {for  Ord  and  ende), 

beginning  and  end,  T.  ii.  1495,  iii.  702, 

V.  1669;  B  3911. 
Worm-foul,  s.  birds  which   eat  worms, 

5-  SOS- 
Wort,  s.  unfermented  beer,  wort,  G  813. 
Wortes.//.  herbs,  B  4411,  E  226. 
Worthen,   v.  be,   dwell,   T.   v.  329;    to 
become,  4.  248;  Worth, /r.  s.  is,  {or,  as 
fut.)    shall  be ;   {/lence)   Wo  worth,  it  is 
woe  to,   it  shall  be  woe  to,  it  is  ill  for, 
it  shall  be  ill  for,  T.  ii.  344;   Wei  worth 
of   dremes   ay   thise    olde   wyves,   it    is 
well    for    these    old    wives    as    regards 
dreams,   i.  e.  dreams  are   all   very  well 
for  old  women,  T.  v.  379;  Wei  worth 
[not  worthe]  of  this  thing  grete  clerkes, 
it   is   well    for  great  writers   as   regards 
this   thing,  i.  e.   this   thing    is    all   very 
well  for  great  writers,    HF.   53;   Worth 
upon,   gets  upon,   B    1941 ;    Worth   up, 
get  up  on,  mount,  T.  ii.  loii. 
Wost,  Wostow,  Wot  ;  see  Wite. 


(Slossarial  Sntiex. 


127 


Wouke,  s.  week,  T.  iv.  1278,  v.  492. 
Wounde,  s.  wound,  i.  79;  plague  (Lat. 

p/a^a),  I  593;   Woundes  of  Egipte, //. 

plagues    of    Egypt    (unlucky    days    so 

called),  3.  1207. 
Wowe.  ger.  to  woo,  T.  v.  1091. 
Wowingr,  s.  wooing,  L.  1553. 
Woxen,  //.  of  W'exe. 
Wrak,  J.  wreck,  B  513. 
"Wrak,  //.  s.  avenged,  T.  v.  1468. 
Wrang,  adv.  wrongly,  amiss  (Northern), 

A  4252. 
Wrastlen.  v.  wrestle,  B  3456. 
Wrathen,  ger.  to   render  angry,  T.  iii. 

174. 
Wraw,  adj.  angry,  H  46 ;  Wrawe,  peevish, 

fretful,  I  677. 
WraAwnesse,  s.  peevishness,  fretfulness, 

I  68q. 
Wrecche,  s.  sorrowful  creature,  A  931 ; 

wretched  man,  T.  i.  708. 
"Wrecche,  adj.  wretched,  F  1020. 
Wrecchednesse,   s.    misery,    B    3540; 

mean  act,  F  1523 ;  folly,  I  34;   miserable 

performance,  F  1271 ;  miserable  fare,  H 

171. 
Wreche,  s.  vengeance,  T.  v.  890,  896. 
Wreek,  hnper.  s.  ^/Wreke. 
Wreen,  v.  cover,  clothe,  R.  56 ;  Wreigh, 

fl.  s.  covered,  hid,  T.  iii.  1056. 
Wreke  (wrSka) ,  v.  wreak,  avenge,  C  857  ; 

pr.  s.  subj.  avenge,  L.  2340 ;    2  pr.  pi.  F 

454;  Wrak, /A  s.  T.  v.  1468;   Wreken, 

pp.  revenged,  F  784 ;  Wroken,  //.  T.  i. 

88. 
Wreker,  s.  avenger,  5.  361. 
Wrenches,    s.   pi.    frauds,     stratagems, 

tricks,  G  1081. 
Wreste,  v.  constrain,  force,  T.  iv.  1427. 
Wreye,  v.  bewray,  reveal,  A  3503. 
"Wrighte,  s.  workman,  A  614. 
Wringe,  v.  squeeze,   force   a  way,  HF. 

2110;    wring,    HF.   299;    Wrong,  pt.  s. 

wrung,  pinched,  D  492. 
Writ,  s.  scripture,  A  739. 
Writ,  -e,  -en;  see  Wryte. 
Wrog-ht,  -e;  see  Werche. 
Wroken,  pp.  of  Wreke. 
Wrong,  s.;   had  zvrorig,   was   wrong,   3. 

1282. 
Wrong,  adv.  astray,  A  1267. 
Wrooth  (wrooth),  adj.  wroth,  angry,  3. 

513.  519- 

Wrot,//.  s.  wrote,  T.  i.  655. 

Wroteth,  pr.  s.  tears  with  the  snout, 
buries  the  snout,  pokes  about,  I  157. 

Wrye,  ger.  to  hide,  T.  iii.  1569;  to  dis- 
guise, T.  i.  329;   V.  cover,  E  887. 


Wrye,  v.  reveal,  discover,  flood  with 
light,  4.  91.  Variant  of  Wreye,  q.  v. 
[It  might  be  better  to  read  wreye,  and 
deye  in  1.  90.] 

Wryen,  v.  turn  aside,  3.  627 ;  ger.  to  turn, 
go,  T.  ii.  906 ;  pt.  s.  bent,  A  3283. 

Wryte,  v.  write,  A  96;  Writ,  pr.  s. 
writeth,  writes,  T.  i.  394;  Wroot,  //.  s. 
B  725  ;  Wrot,  T.  i.  655  ;  Writen,  pt.  pi. 
wrote,  HF.  1504;  Write,  i  //.  .f.  subj. 
were  to  write,  B  3843;  Writen,  //. 
written,  2.  43. 

Wrythe,  ger.  to  turn  aside,  T.  iv.  9;  to 
wriggle  out,  T.  iv.  986;  Wrytheth,  pr. 
s.  writhes  out,  throws  forth  wreaths  of 
smoke  (Lat.  torquet),  B  I.  m  4.  10; 
Wryth,  pr.  s.  writhes,  wreathes,  T.  iii. 
1231. 

Wyd,  adj.  wide,  A  491. 

Wyde,  adv.  widely,  far,  T.  i.  629. 

Wyde-where,  far  and  wide,  everywhere, 
B136. 

Wyf,  s.  woman,  C  71 ;  wife,  3.  1082;  mis- 
tress of  a  household,  G  1015;  to  w.,  for 
wife,  A  i860;  Wyves,  //.  women,  wives, 
L.  484. 

Wyfhood,  s.  womanhood,  B  76. 

Wyflees,  adj.  wifeless,  E  1236. 

Wyfly,  adv.  womanly,  wife-like,  L.  1737. 

Wyke,  s.  week,  T.  ii.  430,  1273. 

Wyle,  s.  wile,  plot,  T.  iii.  1077 ;  subtlety, 
5-  215. 

Wyn,  s.  wine,  A  334;  luyn  ape,  H  44, 
wine  which  made  a  man  behave  like  an 
ape  (so  also  lion-wine,  pig-wine,  skeep- 
wine) . 

Wynt,  pr.  s.  turns,  directs,  L.  85  ;  Wond, 
pt.  s.  wound,  L.  2253. 

Wyr,  s.  bit,  L.  1205. 

Wys,  adj.  wise,  prudent,  A  68 ;  to  make 
it  ivys,  to  make  it  a  subject  for  delibera- 
tion, to  hesitate,  A  785. 

Wyse,  s.  way,  manner,  L.  20. 

Wyser,  adj.  wiser,  one  wiser  than  you, 
L.  2634. 

Wyte,  s.  blame,  reproach,  G  953 ;  yotu  to 
vyte,  for  a  blame  to  you,  i.  e.  laid  to 
your  charge,  R.  1541. 

Wyte,  ger.  to  blame,  T.  i.  825  (under- 
stand is  before  nought)  ;  Wyten,  v. 
accuse,  I  1016. 


Y-,  a  prefix  used  especially  with  the  pp., 
like  the  A.  ^.  ge-  and  G.ge-.  See  below. 
It  .tIso  occurs  in  the  infinitive,  as  in 
y-finde,    y-kere,    y-knowe,    y-see,   y-thee. 


128 


(glossarial  Jinbtx. 


It  also  occurs  in  the  adjective  y-sene. 
For  further  information,  see  under  the 
forms  of  the  infinitive  mood ;  e.  g.  for 
the  infin.  ol y-bake,  see  Bake. 

Yaf ;  //.  s.  of  Yeve,  to  give. 

Yald,//.  s.  of  Yelden,  to  yield. 

Yare,  adj.  ready,  L.  2270. 

Yate,  J.  gate,  T.  ii.  617. 

Yave:  see  Yeve. 

Y-bake,//.  baked,  L.  709. 

Y-banisht,//.  banished,  L.  1863. 

Y-barred,//.  barred,  R.  480. 

Y-bathed,  pp.  bathed,  T.  iv.  815. 

Y-bedded,//.  put  to  bed,  T.  v.  346. 

Y-been,  //.  been,  B  4487. 

Y-benched,//.  furnished  with  benches, 
L.  98  a. 

Y-beten,  //.  beaten,  T.  i.  741 ;  beaten, 
forged,  A  2162;  formed  in  beaten  gold, 
A  979;  struck,  coined,  L.  1122. 

Y-blent,  //.  blinded,  R.  1610;  A  3808; 
deceived,  3.  647. 

Y-blessed, //.  blessed,  B  4638. 

Y-bleynt,   //.  blenched,    turned    aside, 

„A  3753- 

Y-blowe,  pp.  blown,  T.  i.  384. 

Y-boren,  //.  born,  C  704,  E  626 ;  Y-bore, 

born,  E  158;  borne,  carried,  T.  v.  1650; 

moved,  F  326. 
Y-bought,  pp.  bought,  T.  i.  810. 
Y-bounden,  //.  bound,  5.  268. 
Y-bowed,  //.  diverted,  B  4.  p  6.  179. 
Y-brend,//.  burnt,  G  318;  V-brent,  HF. 

940. 
Y-brog-ht.  pp.  brought,  L.  938. 
Y-brouded.  //.  embroidered,  L.  159  a. 

Cf.  -A.  S.  brcgden,  pp.  of  bregdan. 
Y-caught,  //  fixed,  3.  838. 
Y-chaped,  pp.  furnished  with  chapes  or 

metal  caps  (which  were  placed   at   the 

end  of  the  sheath),  A  366. 
Y-cheyned, //.  chained,  17.  14. 
Y-clad,  pp.  clad,  clothed,  R.  890. 
Y-clawed,  />/.  clawed,  torn,  D  1731. 
Y-clenched,    //.    clinched,    riveted,    A 

1991. 
Y-cleped,  pp.  called,  A  410,  867,  G  129, 

H  2 ;  invoked,  T.  iv.  504 ;    summoned, 

B  2435  ;  named,  A  3313 ;  Y-clept,  called, 

A  376. 
Y-Comen,  //.   come,    HF.   1074;  ycome 

aboute,  come  about,  passed,  B  3364. 
Y-c6rouned.//.  crowned,  L.  219. 
Y-corumped,  pp.  corrupted,  B  5.  p  2.28. 
Y-corven,  pp.  cut,  G  533;   Y-corve,  A 

2013.    See  Kerve. 
Y-coupled,  pp.  coupled,  wedded,  E  1219. 
Y-coyned,//.  coined,  C  770. 


Y-crased,//.  cracked,  broken,  3.  324. 
Y-cristned,  //.  baptized,  B  240. 
Y-crowe.//.  crowed,  A  3357. 
Y-dampned, //.  condemned,  L.  2030. 
Y-darted,//.  pierced  with  a  dart,  T.  iv. 

240. 
Ydel,  adj.  idle,  empty,  vain,  B  2778;    in 

ydel,  in  vain,  B  2494,  F  867. 
Y-dight,  pp.  decked,  A  3205. 
Ydolastre,  s.  idolater,  B  3377. 
Ydole,  s.  idol,  3.  626. 
Y-doon,   pp.    done,    B    4610 ;     over,    E 

1894. 
Y-drad,  pp.  dreaded,  T.  iii.  1775. 
Y-drawe,  pp.  drawn,  A  396,  944. 
Y-dressed,  pp.   dressed,   arranged,    set, 

E381. 
Y-dronke.  //   drunk,  B  2601. 
Y-dropped,  //.  bedropped,  covered  with 

drops,  A  2884. 
Ye,  s.  eye,  R.  296;  at  ye,  at  eye,  to  sight, 

evidently,  G  964,  1059;   Saugh  with  ye, 

perceived,  A  3415 ;  Yen,  //.  eyne,  eyes, 

B  3260,  3392. 
Ye.  adv.  yea,  verily,  T.  i.  534. 
Yeddinges,  pi.  songs,  A  237. 
Yede,  //.  s.  walked,  went,  G  1141,  1281. 

A.  S.  eode. 
Year,  s.  year,  A  347 ;  Yere  {in  phr.  many 

a  yere),  B  132;  Yeres  ende,  year's  end, 

D  916;    Yeer  by  yere,  year  after  year, 

B  1688 ;  Fro  yeer  to  yere,  5.  321 ;  Yeer, 

{archaic)  pi.  A  82;  Yeres,  {new)  pi.  B 

463- 
Yef,  imp.  s.  give,  T.  v.  308. 
Yeftes,  //.  gifts,  T.  iv.  392. 
Yelden.  ,l>^r.  to  yield  up,  D  912;  to  yield 

to,  pay,  D  181 1 ;  Yelt,  pr.  s.  yields,  T.  i. 

385 ;  Yelde,  pr.  s.  subj.  requite,  D  1772, 

2177  ;  Yald,  //.  s.  afforded,  B  4.  m  7.  25  ; 

Yeld,   imp.  s.   restore,  C   189;    Yolden, 

pp.  yielded,  T.  i.   801 ;    submissive,   T. 

iii.   96;    Yeldinge,  pres.  pt.  giving,    B 

2994. 
Yeldhalle,  s.  guild-hall,  A  370. 
Yelding,  s    produce,    lit.    "yielding,"    A 

596. 
Yelleden,  //.//.  yelled,  B  4579. 
Yelpe,  £er.  to  boast,  A  2238 ;  pr.pl.  prate, 

T.  iii.  307. 
Yelwe,  adj.  yellow,  R.  310. 
Yeman,  s.  yeoman,  A  loi. 
Yemanly,  adv.  in  a  yeomanlike  manner, 

A  106. 
Yen  =  Yen,//,  eyes;  see  Ye. 
Y-ended,  pp.  ended,  R.  1315. 
Yerd,  s.  yard,  garden,  R.  492. 
Yerde,  s.  rod,  stick,  T.  i.  257, 740 ;  switch. 


(ilossarial  Intiei. 


129 


A    149;   rod,   'caduceus,'  A  1387;  yard 

(in  length),  A  1050;  correction,  E  22. 
Yerne,  adj.  eager,  brisk,  lively,  A  3257. 
Yerne,  tit/f. eagerly, soon,  D  993;  briskly, 

quickly,  glibly,  5.  3 ;  C  398;  as  y.,\&ry 

soon,  HF.  910. 
Yerne,  ger.   to  yearn  for,  to  be   longed 

for,  T.  iv.  198 ;  v.  desire,  T.  iii.  152. 
Yeten  (yeetan),  v.  pour,  shed,  B  i.  m  7.  i. 

A.  S.  geotan. 
Yeve,   V.   give,   A   232;  Yevest,   2  pr.  s. 

givest,    F    1033;    Yeveth,  /;•.    s.   E  93; 

Yeve,/r.  s.  subj.  may  (he)  give,  E  30; 

Yaf,  I  //.  s.  gave,  E  861;  Yaven,//.  //. 

G  415;  Yeven,  pt.  pi.  subj.  would   give, 

HF.    1708;  Yeven,  //.  given,   A    1086; 

devoted,  7.  iii. 
Yeveres,//.  givers,  I  791. 
Yeving-,  s.  giving,  18.  37;  what  one  gives, 

4.  230. 
Yexeth, /r.  s.  hiccoughs,  A  4151. 
Y-fallen,  //.  fallen,    B  3166;   happened, 

G  1043  ;  having  befallen,  C  496. 
Y-fare,  //.  gone,  T.  iii.  577. 
Y-felawshiped,  //.  made  companions, 

B  2.  p  6.  91. 
Y-fere,  together,  B  394,  E  1113,  G  380.    Cf. 

Infere. 
Y-fet,  p[>.  fetched,  F  174,  G  1116. 
Y-fetered,//.  fettered,  A  1229. 
Y-fethered, //.  feathered,  R.  951. 
Y-feyned,    //.     feigned,     invented,     L. 

327  a  ;  evaded,  E  529. 
Y-flcched,//.  fixed,  B  4.  p  6.  125. 
Y-flnde,  v.  find,  F  470;  Y-founde,//.  L. 

1668. 
Y-flit,  pp.  moved,  whirled  along,  B  i.  m 

2.  14. 
Y-folowed, //.  followed,  3.  390. 
Y-forgred,  //.  made,  A  3256. 
Y-formed,  pp.  created,  HF.  490. 
Y-fostred,  //.  fostered,  sustained,  E  213 ; 

brought  up,  A  3946. 
Y-founde,  pp.  found,  A  121 1,  3514. 
Y-founded,  //.  set  on  a  foundation,  5. 

231 ;  based,  3.  922. 
Y-freten,  //.  eaten,  devoured,  L.  1951. 
Y-frounced,  adj.  wrinkled,  R.  155. 
Y-fyned,  adj.  refined,  delicately  formed, 

R.  1696. 
Y-fyred,  pp.  fired,  L.  1013. 
Y-g-erdoned,  //.  rewarded,    B  5.  p  3. 

182. 
Y-geten,//.  gotten,  procured,  A  3564. 
Y-glased,  //.  glazed,  3.  323. 
Y-glewed,  //.  fixed  tiglit,  F  182. 
Y-glosed, //.  flattered,  H  34. 
Y-goon,//.  gone,  L.  2206,  2213. 


Y-graunted,  //.  granted,  C  388. 
Y-grave,  //.  dug  up,  cut,  L.  204;  dug 

out,  3.   164;  engraved,  graven,  A  3796; 

buried,  D  496. 
Y-greved,//.  harmed,  A  4181. 
Y-grounde,  //.  ground,  A  3991 ;  sharp- 
ened, pointed,  A  2549. 
Y-grounded,//.  grounded,  3.  921. 
Y-growen,  //.  grown,  A  3973. 
Y-hal'wed, //.  consecrated,  L.  1871. 
Y-harded,  //.  hardened,  F  245. 
Y-hated,//.  hated,  HF.  200. 
Y-hent,  //.  seized,  caught,  C  868. 
Y-herd,  //.   as  adj.   covered   with    hair, 

A  3738. 
Y-here,  v.  hear,  T.  iv.  1313. 
Y-heried, />/.  praised,  T.  ii.  973. 
Y-hevied,//.  weighed  down,  B  5.  m  5. 

26. 
Y-hid,  //.  hid,  G  317. 
Y-hight,//.  called,  T.  v.  541. 
Y-holde,  pp.   esteemed   to   be,   A   2374; 

celebrated,  A  2958;  considered,  C  602; 

indebted,   L.   1954;  continued,  E    1932; 

restrained,  HF.  1286. 
Y-hurt,  //.  hurt,  A  2709. 
Y-japed,//.  jested,  T.  i.  318. 
Yif,  conj.  if,  L.  2059,  2312. 
Yif,  imp.  s.  give;  see  Yive. 
Yift,  s.  gift,  3.  247,  695,  1270. 
Yilden,    ger.    to    repay,    B  5.   p    i.    14 ; 

Yildeth,    pr.    s.    yields,   produces,   B   4. 

m  6.  31.     See  Yelden. 
Y-joigned,//.  joined,  B  2.  p  6.  93. 
Yis,  yes,  L.  517. 
Yisterday,  yesterday,  R.  1040. 
Yit,  yet,  L.  4,  106. 
Yive,  ger.  to  give,  A  225 ;  Yiveth,  pr.  s. 

gives,  18.  38 ;  pr.  s.  subj.  may  (he)  give, 

3.  683  ;  Yiven, pp.  given,  granted,  3.  765. 
Yiver,  s.  giver,  L.  2228. 
Y-kempt,  //.  combed,  A  4369. 
Y-kist,//.  kissed,  T.  iv.  1689. 
Y-kneled,  //.  kneeled,  L.  1232. 
Y-knet,  //.    knotted,   tightly  bound,   T. 

iii.  1734  ;  Y-knit,  joined,  6.  32. 
Y-knowe,    v.   know,   F   887;    recognize, 

HF.  1336;  discern,  D  1370;  //.  known, 

3-  392- 
Y-korven,  pp.  cut,  B  1801. 
Y-koud,//.  known  well,  3.  666. 
Y -lad,  pp.  carried  (in  a  cart),  A  530. 
Y-laft,    //.    left,    A    2746;    left   behind, 

F  1128. 
Y-laid,  //.  laid,  L.  2141. 
Y-lain,  pp.  lain,  remained,  L.  2410. 
Yle,  s.  isle,  island,  HF.  416,  440;  region, 

province,  L.  1425. 


I30 


(glassarial  Intitx. 


Y-\ent,  pp.  lent,  G  1406. 

Y-lered,//.  educated,  T.  i.  976. 

Y-let,   //.    hindered,     obstructed,    B     5. 

P  4-  34- 
Y-leten,  //.    left,    allowed,    B    4.    p    4. 

308. 
Y-leyd.//.  laid,  A  3568. 
Y-liche,  iic/J.  alike,  similar,  L.  389. 
Y-liche.  adv.  alike,  equally,  A  2526. 
Y-lissed,  //.  eased,  T.  i.  1089. 
Y-lived,  //.  lived,  T.  v.  933. 
Y-logged,  pp.  lodged,  B  4181. 
Y-loren,  //.  lost,  L.  26;  Y-lorn,//.  lost, 

T.  IV.  1250. 
Y-lost.  pp.  lost,  HF.  183. 
Y-loved,  //.  loved,  T.  i.  594. 
Y-lyk,  adj.   like,  A  592;   alike,  A   2734; 

Y-lyke,  like,  A  1539. 
Y-lyke,  adv.  alike,  equally,  L.  55,  731. 
Y-lymed,//.  caught  (as  birds  with  bird- 
lime), D  934. 
Y-maad,//.  made,  caused,  HF.  691. 
Yniag'6ries,  //.  carved  work,  HF.  1190, 

1304. 
Ymagined,  //.   considered,   intentional, 

I  448. 
Y-maked.//.  made,  L.  122,  222. 
Y-marked,  //.  set  down,  marked  out, 

planned,  HF.  1103. 
Y-masked,//.  enmeshed,  T.  iii.  1734. 
Y-medled, //.  mingled,  T.  iii.  815. 
Y-mel,  /»ep.  among  (Northern),  A  4171. 
Y-ment, pp.  intended,  HF.  1742. 
Y-met,  //.  met,  A  2624;   Y-mette,  as  pi. 

adj.  met.  B  11 15. 
Y-meynd,  //.  mi.xed,  mingled,  A  2170. 
Y-moeved,  //.  moved,  13  4.  m  6.  7. 
Ympne,   s.   lyric    poem    (lit.   hymn),    L. 

422. 
Y-mused.   //.     mused,     reflected,     HF. 

1287. 
Y-nempned,//.  named,  I  598. 
Y-nogh,  adj.   enough,  sufficient,  A   373, 

3149;    Y-now,   G    1018;    Y-nowe,  //.   5. 

233- 
Y-nogh,  adv.  enough,  sufficiently,  6.  13 ; 

Y-nough,  R.  247. 
Y-nome,//.  caught,  overcome,  T.  i.  242; 

taken,  L.  2343. 
Y-norisshed,  //.  educated,  T.  v.  821. 
Y-offred,//.  offered,  dedicated,  L.  932. 
Yok,  t.  yoke,  E  113.  1285. 
Yolde.  -n  ;  see  Yelden. 
Yolle,  pr.  pi.  cry  aloud,  A  2672. 
Yomanrye,  s.  yeomanry,  A  3949. 
Yon,  adj.  yon,  A  4178. 
Yond,  adv.  yonder,  A  1099. 
Yong,  adj.  young,  A  79. 


Yonghede,  s.  dat.  youth,  R.  351. 

Yore,  adv.  formerly,  of  old,  B  174,  272; 
for  a  long  time,  a  long  while,  A  1813 ; 
long  ago,  long.  i.  150;  yore  agon,  long 
ago.  5-  17  ;  yo*''  ego,  A  3437  ;  fitly.,  very 
long  ago,  7.  243,  346 ;  of  tyme  y.,  of  old 
time,  F  963. 

Youlingr,  s.  loud  lamentation,  A  1278. 

Y-painted,  //.  painted,  R.  892. 

Y-passed,  //.  passed,  R.  380;  past, 
E  1892. 

Y-payed,//.  paid,  A  1802. 

Y-piked.  //.  picked  over,  G  941. 

Y-plesed.  //.  pleased,  D  930. 

Y-pleyned,//.  complained,  T.  iv.  1688. 

Y-pleynted,  //.  fuil  of  complaint,  T.  v. 

1597- 
Y-ploung-ed,    pp.    plunged,    sunk,  B   3. 

p  II.  122. 
Y-plyted,  //.    pleated,    gathered,    B    i. 

P  2.  31- 
Ypocras,    Hippocrates;  hence  a  kind  of 

cordial,  C  306. 
Ypocryte,  s.  hypocrite,  F  514. 
Y-portreyd,  //.  covered  with   pictures, 

R.  897. 
Y-porveyed,  pp.  foreseen,  B  5.  p  3.  45. 
Y-prayed,//.  invited,  E  269. 
Y-preised. //.  praised,  HF.  1577. 
Y-preved,//>.  proved  (to  be),  A  485. 
Y-pulled,  //.    plucked,  i.  e.  with  super- 
fluous hairs  plucked  out,  A  3245. 
Y-purveyed,  //.  foreseen,  B  5.  p  3.  88. 
Y-queynt,//.  quenched,  A  3754. 
Y-quiked,//.  kmdled,  I  536. 
Y-quit,//.  quit,  acquitted,  F  673. 
Y-raft.//.  bereft,  snatched  away,  A  2015; 

reft,  robbed,  L.  1572. 
Yre,  s.  ire,  anger,  vexation,  i.  30. 
Y-red.//.  read,  T.  iv.  799. 
Y-reke,  //.  raked  together,  A  3882. 
Y-rekened.  //.  accounted,  D  367  ;  taken 

into  account,  F  427. 
Yren,  s.  iron,  R.  1184. 
Yren,  adj.  iron,  G  759. 
Y-rent,  //.    taken,  T,  v.  1654;   torn,   B 

844. 
Y-ronge,    //.     rung,    told    loudly,    HF. 

1655- 

Y-ronne,  //.  run,  A  8,  3893;  continued, 
L.  1943 ;  run  together,  A  2693 ;  inter- 
laced, R.  1396;    clustered,  A  2165. 

Y-rouned. //.  whispered,  HF.  2107. 

Y-satled,  pp.  settled,  E  2405. 

Y-sayd,  pp.  said,  3.  270. 

Y-scalded,  pp.  scalded,  A  2020. 

Y-schette,  pp.pl.  shut,  B  560. 

Yse,  s.  ice,  HF.  1130. 


©lassarial  Enljcx. 


131 


Y-see,  V.  behold,  T.  ii.  354;  imj>.  s.  see, 

look,  T.  ii.   1253;   Y-seyn,  //.  seen,  L. 

2076. 
Y-sene,  adj.  visible,  A  592,  F  996;  mani- 
fest, T.  iv.  1607  ;  L.  1394.     A.  S.  gesene, 

gesyne. 
Y-set,  //.  set,  A  4337;  placed,  5.  149;  set 

down,  F  173;   seated,  C  392;   appointed, 

A  1635 ;  planted,  R.  604. 
Y-seye,  pp.  seen,  HF.  1367 ;  Y-seyn,  T.  v. 

448. 
Y-seyled,  //.  sailed,  B  4289. 
Y-shad,  //.  scattered  (Lat.  sparsas),  B  3. 

Ill  2.  33. 
Y-shaken,  pp.  quivering,  sparkling,  B  i. 

m  3.  17. 
Y-shamed,//.  put  to  shame,  HF.  356. 
Y-shapen,  (strong)  pp.  shaped,  prepared, 

B  3420;    provided,  A  4179;    contrived, 

G  1080;  Y-shaped,  (w^a.^) //.  prepared, 

T.  iii.  1240. 
Y-shave,  //.  shaven,  A  690. 
Y-shent,    //.    put    to    shame,    severely 

blamed,  D  1312. 
Y-shette,  pp.  pi.  shut,  B  2159. 
Y-shewed,  //.  shown,  T.  v.  1251 ;  made 

manifest,  4.  181. 
Y-shore,  //.  shorn,  T.  iv.  996. 
Y-shove,//.  borne  about,  L.  726. 
Y-slayn,  pp.  slain,    HF.    159;    Y-slawe, 

B484. 
Y-smite,   //.    smitten,    wounded,    B    3. 

m  7.7. 
Y-songe,  pp.  sung,  D    1726;    Y-songen, 

L.  270. 
Y-sought,  pp.  sought,  T.  iii.  1317. 
Y-sounded,//.  sunk,  T.  ii.  535. 
Y-sowen,  pp.  sown,  HF.  1488. 
Y-sped,  //.  sped,  A  4220. 
Y-spended,//.  spent,  B  5.  p  4.  15. 
Y-sprad,  //.   spread,  B  1644;    Y-spred, 

A  4140. 
Y-spreynd,//.  sprinkled,  A  2169. 
Y-spronge,//.  sprung,  shot  out,  R.  718; 

divulged,  HF.  2081. 
Y-stalled, //.  installed,  HF.  1364. 
Y-stiked,  //.  stuck,  A    1565;    stabbed, 

F  1476. 
Y-stint,/;>.  stopped,  D  390. 
Y-stonde,  pp.  stood,  been,  T.  v.  1612. 
Y-stonge,  pp.  stung,  C  355. 
Y-storve,  pp.  dead,  A  2014. 
Y-8trawed, //>.  bestrewn,  3.  629. 
Y-8trike,  pp.  struck,  11.  34. 
Y-8uffred,  pp.  suffered,  T.  v.  415. 
Y-sweped,  pp.  swept,  G  938. 
Y-sworn,  pp.  sworn,  A  1132;   sworn   (to 

do  it),  T.  V.  283. 


Y-swowned, //.  swowned,  L.  1342. 
Y-take,  //.  caught,  B   3514;    taken,   L. 

617. 
Y-thanked, //.  thanked,  D  2118. 
Y-thee,  v.  thrive,  T.  iv.  439. 
Y-thewed,  //.  disposed  ;   wel  y-theiued, 

well-conducted,  5.  47;   R.  1008. 
Y-thonked,  pp.  thanked,  T.  iv.  2. 
Y-throngen,//.  confined,  B  2.  p  7.  53. 
Y-ttirowe, //.  thrown,  T.  iv.  6;  cast  out, 

2.  89. 
Y-told,  pp.  told,  A  3109. 
Y-torned,//.  turned,  B  4.  m  5.  i. 
Y-travailed,  //.  laboured,  with  difficulty, 
i       E  5.  p  3.  45. 

Y-trespassed,  //.  sinned,  B  2609. 
i   Y-tressed,  pp.  plaited   in  tresses,   T.  v. 

810. 
Y-treted,//.  discussed,  B  4.  p  i.  70. 
Y-tukked,  pp.  tucked  up,  L.  982. 
Y-turned,  pp.  turned,  A  1238,  2062. 
Y-twinned,  pp.  parted,  T.  iv.  788. 
Yve,  B4156;  see  Erbe. 
Yvel,  adj.  ill,  evil,  T.  ii.  looi. 
Yvel,  adv.  ill,  R.  213,  1067. 
Yveles,  s.pl.  evils,  B  2618. 
Yvory,    s.    ivory,    B    2066;     Yvoire,    3. 

946. 
Y-voyded, //.  removed,  F  1159. 
Y-war,  adj.  aware,  T.  ii.  398. 
Y-warned,  pp.  warned,  B  4422. 
Y-'waxen,  pp.  grown,  become,  T.  v.  275; 

Y-waxe,  3.  1275. 
Y-wedded,  pp.  wedded,  L.  1179. 
Y-went,  //.  gone,  HF.  976. 
Y-went,   //.    weened,    imagined,   T.    v. 

444. 
Y-wet,  pp.  wetted,  A  4155. 
Y-whet,  pp.  whetted,  7.  212. 
Y-wimpled,  //.  provided  with  a  wimple, 

A    470 ;     covered    with    a    wimple,    L. 

797- 
Y-wis,    adv.    certainly,    truly,    verily,    R. 

279.  350,  357. 
Y-'wist,  pp.  known,  B  5.  p  3.  36. 
Y-wonne,  pp.  gained,  T.  iv.  1315 ;  won, 

D  2293  ;  arrived,  L.  2427. 
Y-'worthe,//.  become,  3.  579. 
Y-wounde,  //.  wound,  covered  up,  12. 

18. 
Y-woven,    pp.    woven,     completed,    L. 

2360. 
Y-woxen,  pp.  grown,  E  1462. 
Y-'writen, //.  written,  5.  124,  141. 
Y-writhen,     //.     wreathed,      wrapped 

round,  R.  160. 
Y-'wroght,  //.   made,  A    196,   B   2054; 

shaped,  L.  1 173  ;  depicted,  3.  327  ;  orna- 


132 


(ilossarial  IntJex. 


mented,  R.  897 ;  Y-wroghte,  //.  pi. 
fashioned,  5.  123. 

Y-wroken,  //.  avenged,  i6.  26;  Y-wroke, 
wreaked,  T.  v.  589. 

Y-wronge,  //  forced,  L.  2527. 

Y--TOTyen,  //.  Hidden,  T.  iii.  1451 ;  cov- 
ered, A  2904. 

Y-yeve,  pp.  given,  T.  iii.  1376;  Y-yive, 
T.  iii.  1611. 


Zeles,  //.  zeal,  T.  v.  1859. 

Zodid,  s.  pi.  beasts,  A.  i.  21.  61. 

Zodiac,  s.  zodiac,  A.  pr.  log.  An  imagi- 
nary belt  in  the  heavens,  of  the  breadth 
of  12^,  along  the  middle  of  which  runs 
the  ecliptic.  The  Astrolabe  only  showed 
the  northern  hal/oi  this  belt. 


GLOSSARY  TO   FRAGMENTS   B  AND   C  OF 
THE    ROMAUNT   OF    THE    ROSE. 

FRAGMENT   B  =  11.  1706-5810. 
FRAGMENT   C  =  11.  5811-7698. 

The  following  Glossary  (which  includes  proper  names)  is  separated  from  the  preceding  because 
Fragments  B  and  C  of  the  Romaunt  are  not  by  Chaucer. 

Fragment  B  abounds  in  Northern  words  and  forms.     Words  in  Fragment  C  have  '  C  '  prefixed 
to  the  number  of  the  line. 


A,  V.  (to)  have,  4322. 

Abandoun:    in  abandoun,  fully,  without 

stint,  2342. 
Abawed,   //.   amazed,   3646;    Abawid, 

4041. 
AbaysBhed,  pp.  cast  down,  3370. 
Abey,  v.  (y^r  Abeye),  suffer  (for  it),  pay 

{for  it),  C  6713.    See  Abye. 
Abidingr,  s.  delay,  2222. 
Abit,  s.  habit,  dress,  religious  dress,  4914. 
Abit,  Abood  ;  see  Abyde. 
Abood,  f.  delay,  C  7697. 
Aboven,  adv.  in  luck,  4352. 
Abraide,  v.  start  up,  break  forth,  5156; 

Abraid,  i  //.  s.  awoke,  1806;   Abreyde, 

//.  s.  broke  out,  3967. 
Abrede.  adv.  abroad,  2563. 
Absente,    pr.    s.    subj.   abstain,    refrain, 

4911. 
Abstinence-Streyned,  i.  e.  Constrained 

Abstinence  (personified),  C  6341,  7366. 
Abyde,  ger.  to  await,  4910;    v.   expect, 

5329 ;     watch    for,    4913 ;     Abit,   pr.    s. 

dwells,  4977,  4989 ;  stays,  5012 ;  Abood, 

I  pt.  s.  endured,  waited,  3694. 
Abye,  v.  pay  for,  C  5888,  5976;  Abyeth, 

pr.  s.  C  7642. 
Accord,  I  pr.  s.  agree  to,  2083 ;  Accorded, 

//.  //.  agreed,   C   5815 ;   pp.  reconciled, 

C  5846. 


A-cold,  adj.  cold,  chilly,  2658. 

Acoye,  v.  quiet,  allay,  3564. 

Acquyte,  v.  defray  the  expense,  pay  for, 

C  6742. 
Ado  (/or  at  do),  to  do,  5080. 
A-fere,  adv.  on  fire,  4073. 
Afered,  pp.  afraid,  3604. 
Affray,  s.  terror,  3866;  fear,  2034. 
Affrayed, //.  frightened,  3113. 
Affye,  V.  trust,  3155. 
Aforn,  adv.  formerly,  3952. 
Aftir,  prep,  according  to,  2255. 
Afyne,  adv.  completely,  3690. 
Ag'ast,  adj.  afraid,  C  6106. 
Ag-eyn-coming',  s.  returning,  2518. 
Ageyns,  prep,  in  comparison  with,  5536. 
Agilte,  pr.  s.  sinned   against,  offended, 

<^  5833.  6784;  Agiltest,  2/A  s.  C  7572. 
Ag'O,  pp.  gone,  2932. 
A-gree.  adv.  in  good  part,  4349. 
A-greef ,  adv.  in  bad  part ;  fake  not  agree/, 

take  it  not  amiss,  C  7573. 
Aken,  v.  ache,  C  6908. 
Al,  coiij.  although,  1754. 
Al-day,  adv.  continually,  2484. 
Alder,  adj.gen.pl.  of  (us)  all,  C  6948. 
Alderfirst,  adv.  first  of  all,  C  7505. 
Aleg-ged,  //.  //.  alleviated,   1768.     See 

Allege. 
Aleg'g'ement.  s.  alleviation,  1890,  1923. 


133 


134 


(glossarial  Irnliei. 


Algate,  adv.  alway,  always,  5157,  C  7477; 

at  any  rate,  C  7152. 
Allege,  V.  exempt  (lit.  alleviate),  C  6626; 

Alleggith,//-.  s.  alleviates,  2588. 
Allegeaunce,  s.  alleviation,  1871. 
AUowe,  V.  approve  of,  value,  5186. 
Almesse,  s.  alms,  C  6624. 
Al-only,  adv.  alone,  C  5819. 
Alosed,//.  noted,  famed,  2354. 
Al-out,  adv.  altogether,  2101,  2935. 
Al-outerly,  adv.  utterly,  C  6302,  7663. 
Alcwe,  V.  accept,  approve  of,  5175. 
Also,  coiij.  as,  C  67^. 
Amende,  v.  advance,  succeed,  C  5876. 
Among',  adv.  sometimes,  2325,  3241,3304. 
Amourettes,  s.pl.  sweethearts,  4755. 
Amyas,  a  curious  error ;    for  At  Myas, 

i.  e.  at  Meaux,  3826.     F.  text,  a  Miaus. 
And,  conj.  if,  2051,  4441. 
Anger,  s.  pain,  anguish,   1877 ;    Angres, 

pi.  torments,  2554,  3789. 
Angerly,  adv.  cruelly,  3511. 
Angre,  ger.  to  vex,  3526. 
Angry,  adj.  cruel,  2628,  3265. 
Anguissous,  adj.  anxious,  1755. 
Anker,  s.  an  anchoress,  a  female  recluse 

shut    up  either   in    a    cell    attached    to 

a    church,   or   living   under   a   religious 

rule  in  her  own  house,  C  6348. 
Anon-right,  adv.  straightway,  1778. 
Anoy,  s.  discomfort,  pain,  vexation,  1919, 

2099,  4404. 
Anoynt,//.  anointed,  1888. 
Apaired,//.  s.  injured,  C  7522. 
Apayed,  pp.  satisfied,  2854,  5631. 
Aperceyved,//.  s.  perceived,  C  6312. 
Aperceyving,  s.  perception,  C  6318. 
Apert,  adj.  open,  obvious,  C  6621. 
Apostlis  newe,  i.  e.  the  preaching  friars, 

C  6270. 
Apparence,  s.  mere  outward  appearance, 

5550  ;  evidence,  C  7660. 
Apparent,  adj.  distinct,  2583. 
Appert.  adj.  open,  C  6150.    See  Apert. 
Appose,  V.  oppose,   C  6555,  7146.     F. 

text,  oposer. 
A-queynt,  pp.  acquainted,  3080. 
Aqueyntable,  adj.  affable,  2213. 
Arace.  v.  pull  out,  1752. 
Arblasters,j.//.men  with  crossbows, 4196. 
Ares6neth,  pr.  s.  reasons  with,  argues, 

C  6220. 
Arest,  s.  rest  (for  a  spear),  C  7561. 
Arette,  v.  impute,  3327. 
Areyse.  v.  raise  up,  4361 ;  rouse,  C  7159. 
A-rowe,  adv.  in  a  row,  C  7606. 
Ascape.  v.  escape,  get  out  of  the  diffi- 
culty. C  6515. 


Asker,  s.  one  who  begs,  C  6674. 
A-slope,  adv.  aside,  awry,  4464. 
Assay,  s.  attempt,  3449,  quality,  temper, 

4350- 

Assayed,  pp.  tried,  proved,  2688. 

Asseth,  a  sufficiency,  5600. 

Assoile,  v.  absolve,  C  6364 ;  //.  explained, 
C  6557. 

Assoiling,  s.  absolving,  C  6412. 

Assured,  pp.  secured,  4309. 

Astat,  s.  state,  plight,  2416;  Astate,  con- 
dition, 4672,  C  6856. 

Astoned, //.  astonished,  3859. 

A-sundir,  adv.  diversely,  4477. 

A-swone,  in  a  swoon,  1736. 

At,  prep,  at  the  hands  of,  from,  C  6870; 
At  al,  at  all  points,  5249 ;  at  leeste  way, 
at  least,  C  5827  ;  at  wordis  fewe,  in  a  few 
words,  briefly,  2129. 

Attendith,  pr.  s.  attaches  itself,  apper- 
tains, 5309. 

Attour.  s.  array,  3718. 

Augustins,  s.pl.  Austin  Friars,  C  7461. 

Aumenere,  s.  purse  for  alms,  2271. 

Auntre.  v.  rejl.  venture,  2495. 

Avale,  V.  descend,  1803. 

Avaunced,//.  promoted,  C  6951 ;  helped, 
3468. 

Avaunt,  adv.  in  advance,  forward,  3959, 
4790. 

Avaunt,  v.  rejl.  boast,  4788. 

Avauntage,  s.  profit,  5808. 

Avenaunt,  adj.  becoming,  seemly,  2058  ; 
pleasant,  3679;  condescending,  4622. 

Aventure,  s.  chance,  fortune,  fate,  2118, 
4376 ;  case,  C  7308. 

Avouterye,  s.  adultery,  4954. 

Avysed,  i  //.  s.  rejl.;  Avysed  me,  ap- 
plied myself,  1807. 

Awayte.  s.  ambush,  4497. 

Awayted,  //.  watched ;  awayted  with, 
watched  by,  3066. 

Axe,  V.  ask,  C  6559. 

Ayeines,  prep,  against,  C  7178. 


Bachilere.  s.  young  knight,  2828. 

Bagge.  -f.  purse,  C  6834. 

Baillye,   s.   custody,   jurisdiction,    4217; 

enclosure,  C  7574. 
Balaunce,  s.  suspense,  4667. 
Balis,  s.  pi.  troubles,  sorrows,  4441. 
Bane,  s.  death,  4491. 
Baren,  pt.pl.  bare,  C  6243. 
Baronage,  s.  the   assembly  of  barons, 

C  5812. 
Bataile,  s.  host,  C  5849;  pi.  battalions, 

C  7348. 


Eomaunt  of  tfje  ISoee:  ^arts  b,  c. 


135 


Batayled,//.  battlemented,  4200. 

Bate,  s.  strife,  4235. 

Baud,  aJJ.  jolly  (lit.  bold),  5674. 

Bayly,  s.  bailiff,  C  6218. 

Beau-sire,  s.  fair  sir,  C  6053. 

Bede,  V.  stretch  out  (lit.  proffer),  1710. 

Bade,  //.  s.  subj.  might  pray,  C  7374. 

Bedels,  s.pl.  officers,  C  6812. 

Bagger,   s.   Beguin,    hence,    mendicant, 

C  7282  ;  Beggers,  Beguins,  C  7256. 
Begyne,  s.  Beguine,  C  7368. 
Bemes,  s.  pi.  trumpets,  C  7605. 
Berafte,    //.    //.    subj.    should    deprive, 

C  6669. 
Bern,  s.  barn,  5589. 
Besaunt,  s.  bezant,  5592. 
Besinesse,  s.  diligence,  3624. 
Bestial,  adj.  stupid,  C  6716. 
Bete,  pr.  s.  subj.  cure,  4441. 
Bialacoil,  i.  e.  Bial  Acoil,  Fair  Reception, 

2984,  2999,  301 1. 
Bigoon,  adj. ;  wel  bigoon,  well  off,  5533. 
Bigyns,  s.pl.  Beguines,  C  6861. 
Biheest,  s.  promise,  4446,  4474. 
Bihote,  V.  promise,  4446. 
Bihove,  s.  dat.  behoof,  2964. 
Bilafte,  i  //.  s.  remained,  3360. 
Bimene,    imp.  s.   refi.    bemoan    thyself, 

2667. 
Biset,  pt.  s.  employs,  5262. 
Sishet,  pp.  shut  up  (in  prison),  4488. 
Bit,//-.  ,f.  abides,  5330. 
Bitaught,  pi.  s.  commended,  4438. 
Bitrasshad, //.  betrayed,  3910. 
Blake,    adj.  pi.    black    (monks),    Bene- 
dictines, C  6695. 
Blende,  ger.  to   blind,  to  deceive,  3954; 

Blent,//,  deceived,  C  6652. 
Blerad,  //.  bleared,   dimmed,   deceived, 

3912. 
Blinne,  v.  desist  from,  C  6611. 
Blyve,  adv.  quickly;  as  bl.,  very  quickly, 

2799. 
Boden,  pp.  commanded,  2721. 
Boece,  Boethius,  5661. 
Book ;    Ihe  book,   i.   e.  the    Canon    Law, 

C  6385  ;  the  Bible,  C  6636. 
[Borders,  s.pl.  C  6911.     Beller  reading ; 

for  burdens.] 
Bordillers,  j.  pi.  brothel-keepers,  C  7034. 
Borowe,  f.  pledge,  C  7331. 
Bosarde,  s.  buzzard,  4033. 
Bote,  s.  remedy,  1760. 
Botes,  s.  pi.  boots,  2265,  C  7262. 
Botoun.  s.  bud,  1721,  1761,  2960. 
Bougerons,  s.pl.  sodomites,  C  7022. 
Bought,  //.  ,■  a  bought,  to  have  bought, 

4322. 


Bountee,   s.   kindness,   3147;    goodness, 

C  6597. 
Braide,  ger.   to   bestir    itself,  wake    up, 

C7128. 
Braste,  ger.  to  burst,  3186. 
Brede,  s.  breadth ;  on  br.,  abroad,  3635. 
Breken,  v.  disobey,  3478. 
Brenne,  v.  burn,  2475. 
Brenning,  s.  burning,  2727. 
Brere,  s.  briar,  C  6191. 
Brest,  V.  burst,  4107. 
Breve,  adj.  short,  2350. 
Brimme,  adj.  cruel,  1836. 
Brocages,  s.pl.  contracts,  C  6971. 
Brond,  s.  tire-brand,  3706. 
Burdens,  error  for  Borders,  C  6911. 
Burdoun,  s.  staff,  cudgel,  3401. 
Burnettes,  s.  pi.   dresses   made   of  fine 

woollen  cloth  dyed  brown,  4756. 
But-if,  cottj.  unless,  1962. 
Buxom,  adj.  obedient,  pliant,  4419. 
By,  prep,  in,  C  6616;  beside,  C  7032. 
By   and   by,   in   order,  2345 ;    precisely, 

4581. 
Bye,  V.  buy,  pay  for,  2052. 
By  tinge,  pres.  pari,  cutting,  C  7420. 


Caas,  s.  case,    plight,    3374;    pi.   cases, 

C  6759. 
Caleways,  s.pl.  soft,  sweet  pears  (which 

came   from  Caillou.x    in   Burgundy),  C 

7043- 

Calle.  i:  recall,  3974. 

Camelyne,  s.  camel's-hair  stuff,  C  7367. 

Can,  1  pr.  s.  (I)  know,  4796;  pr.  s.  under- 
stands, C  5872;  Can  him  no  thank, 
offers  him  no  thanks,  2112;  Canst, 
2/r.  s.  feelest,  4399. 

Caribdis,  Charybdis,  4713. 

Carmes,  s.  pi.  Carmelites,  White  Friars, 
C  7462. 

Cas,  s.  occasion,  C  7481. 

Caste,  V.  rejl.  apply  himself,  2031;  Cast, 
pr.  s.  casts,  4330 ;  considers,  5620  ;  Caste, 
pt.  s.  reJl.  set  himself,  i860. 

Castels  in  Spayne,  castles  in  the  air, 

2573- 
Casting,  s.  vomit,  C  7288. 
Catel,  .V.  property,  5376. 
Cause  ;  m  cause,  to  blame,  4525. 
Caytif,  s.  poor  wretch,  3554. 
Chace,  v.  chase  away ;  do  ch.,  caused  to 

be  chased  away,  C  7534. 
Chafe.  V.  irritate,  3685. 
Chamberere,  s.  chamber-maid,  4935. 
Chanoun,  .;.  canon,  3278. 


136 


(©lossartal  Entcx. 


Chapitre,  s.  chapter,  C  6532. 
Chapman,  s.  trader,  5591. 
Chargid.//.  i.  instructed,  2145. 
Chasteleyn,    s.  castellan,    governor    of 

a  castle,  C  6327. 
Chasteleyne,  s.  the  wife  of  a  chastelain 

or  governor  of  a  castle,  3740. 
Chastye,  ipr.  s.  reprove,  C  6993. 
Chere,    s.    countenance,    favour,    3952; 

appearance,  5486,  C  6474 ;  delight,  3805. 
Cherete,  s.  fondness,  3516. 
Chese,  v.  choose,  4426;  Chese  .  .  .  hem 

\Q.  pr.pl.  choose  for  themselves,  C  6230. 
Chevered, //.  shivered,  1732. 
Chevisaunce,  s.  resource,  remed\',  3337. 
Chevise,   v.    occupy    himself  (for    me), 

manage  (for    me),   settle    my   cause,   C 

6425. 
Chiche.  adj.  parsimonious,  5588. 
Chideresse,  s.  scold,  virago,  4266. 
Chinche,  adj.  mean,  avaricious,  C  5998. 

Nasalised  form  of  Chiche. 
Chinchy,  adj.  mean,  grudging,  niggardly, 

C  6002. 
Ciergis,//.  wax  tapers,  C  6248. 
Clarree.  s.  a   sweet  liquor  consisting  of 

a    mixture  of  wine,  clarified  honey  and 

various   spices,  as   pepper   and    ginger, 

&c.,  C  5967,  5971. 
Clepe,  V.  call,  C  5907. 
Clipsy,  adj.  eclipsed,  dim,  5349. 
Clomben,//.  climbed  up,  C  6933. 
Cloos,  adj.  close,  discreet,  C  6104. 
Close.  V.  enclose,  4372. 
Closer,  s.  enclosure,  4069. 
Cloth,  ,f.  dress,  C  6345. 
Colour,  s.  way,  manner,  C  6282. 
Come,  s.  coming,  C  7628. 
Compas,  s.  circuit,  1842;  circumference, 

4183  ;  Compace,  perfection,  3208. 
Compassen,    i   pr.  pi.  study,    observe 

ilnselv,  C  6932. 
Complisshen,  v.  accomplish,  2132. 
Comprende,  v.  consider,  include  (in  my 

explanation),  C  6633. 
Compte.  s.  counting,  account,  5026. 
Comunably,   adv.    commonly,    usually, 

C  7237. 
Comunely,  adv.  publicly,  4801. 
Comuntee,  s.  community,  common  pos- 
session, 5209. 
Concours.  s.  course,  result,  4360. 
Conestablerye,  s.  a  ward  of  a  castle 

under    the    command    of   a    constable, 

4218. 
Coninges,  s.pl.  conies,  rabbits,  C  7044. 
Conisaunce,    s.    understanding,    know- 
ledge, 5465,  5559;  acquaintance,  4668. 


Conjecte,  i  pr.pl.  conspire.  C  6928. 

Conne,  2  //•.  s.  subj.  mayst  be  well  in- 
structed, 2315. 

Consequence,  s.  result,  C  6448. 

Consolacioun,  the  '  Consolation  of  Phi- 
losophy,' 5661. 

Constreynaunce,  s.  constraint,  C  7438. 

Contene,  v.  remain,  2641 ;  rejl.  bear  him- 
self, 2248;  Conteyne.z'. contain  (himself), 
4923 ;  Contene,  //-.  //.  refi.  maintain 
themselves,  C  6805. 

Contrarie,  s.  perplexity,  4478. 

Contrarious,  adj.  hostile,  3354. 

Controve,  v.  compose  songs,  4249;  ger. 
to  invent,  C  7547. 

Contune,  v.  continue,  4354,  5332. 

Convay,^^/-.  to  accompany,  2428. 

Corage.  s.  mood,  temper,  4928. 

Cordileres,  s.  pi.  Franciscans,  (so  called 
from  wearing  a  girdle  of  rope),  C  7461. 

Cornewayle,  Cornouaille  in  Brittany, 
4250. 

Corumpable.  adj.  corruptible,  4856. 

Cos.  s.  kiss,  3663. 

Cost,  s.  coast,  place,  3931 ;  quarter,  2477. 

Cotidien,  adj.  quotidian,  daily;  as  s. 
a  quotidian  ague,  2401. 

Couchen.  pr.  pi.  impose,  C  6903. 

Countesses,  s.pl.  C  6860. 

Countours.  s.pl.  accountants,  C  6812. 

Coupe-g-org-e,  s.  Cut-throat,  C  7422. 

Couth,//,  known,  2000;  evident,  4213. 

Coveityse,  s.  coveting,  desire,  4129; 
covetousness,  5072. 

Covenable,  adj.  seemly,  fitting,  suitable, 
C  6020.  6752  ;  excellent,  C  7181. 

Covent.  s.  convent,  4904,  C  7380. 

Coverchief,  s.  kerchief,  head-covering, 
C  7369. 

Covert,  adj.  secret,  hidden  up,  C  6149. 

Coverture,  s.  concealment,  2172. 

Covyne,  s.  intrigue,  secret  plan,  3799. 

Coy,  adj.  quiet,  hidden,  4297. 

Crece.j.  increase,  progeny, 4875.  {Forteued 
crece  seems  to  mean  destroyed  progeny, 
i.  e.  abortion.)  See  crease  (=  increase) 
in  the  New  E.  Diet. 

Croce,  s.  crozier,  C  6470. 

Crownet,  s.  coronet,  3203. 

Cunne,  v.  shew;  cunne  him  maugree, 
shew  him  ill-w-ill,  4559;  I  pr.  pi.  can, 
C  5879;  pr.  pi.  know  (how),  C  6174; 
pr.  s.  subj.  be  able,  C  5992. 

Cure,  s.  charge,  1962,  C  6562;  care,  4222; 
cause  of  care,  2456;  heed,  C  7557;  aid, 
C6752;  jurisdiction,  3540. 

Curious,  adj.  diligent,  zealous,  C  6578, 
6590. 


2^omaunt  of  tfje  %om:  ^artg  b,  c. 


137 


Customere,  adj.  accustomed,  4936.    F. 

text,  coustumiere. 
Cut,  //•.  s.  cuts,  C  6198. 


Dagges,  s.  pi.  loose  tags  or  shreds  of 
cloth,  C  7260.  (I  can  find  no  exact 
account  of  the  fastening  here  referred 
to ;  I  suppose  that  the  dagges,  or  tape- 
like strips,  had  button-holes,  through 
which  the  hioppes  or  buttons  passed.) 

Daliaunce,  s.  talk,  2850. 

Dampning',  s.  damnation,  C  6643. 

Dar,  pr.  s.  dare,  6049. 

Daunce  ;  the  ohie  d.,  the  old  game,  4300. 

Daungere,  s.  resistance,  1932 ;  reluctance, 
2318;  power,  control,  2051. 

Daungerous,  adj.  shy,  reluctant,  back- 
ward, 2312;  hard  to  please,  2824;  cruel, 
3594.  3727- 

Daunte,  v.  conquer,  subdue,  3300. 

Daunting',  j.  taming,  4032. 

Dawed,  //.  s.  subj.  would  dawn,  2633. 

Dawes,  s.  pi.  days,  2838,  C  66i6. 

Debonairly,  adv.  graciously,  pleasantly, 
2382. 

Defaute,  s.  lack,  5789. 

Defenced, //.  defended,  4310. 

Defensable,  adj.  helping  to  defend,  4168. 

Defoule,  v.  trample  down,  C  6000. 

Defyle.  v.  bruise,  C  7317. 

Degree,  s.  rank,  C  7214 ;  manner,  C  7442. 

Deignous,  adj.  disdainful,  3593. 

Del,  s.  deal;  Dele,  Ijit,  least  thing,  5139; 
not  .  ,  a  del,  not  a  whit,  C  6897,  7433 ; 
never  a  del,  not  at  all,  C  6036  ;  every  del, 
every  whit,  C  6017. 

Delectacioun,  s.  delight,  4821. 

Deles  (Northern  form),  pr.  s.  distributes, 

5419- 
Deliciously,  adv.  daintily,  C  6729. 
Deliverly,  adv.  quickly,  1927,  2283,  3005. 
Delyces,  s.pl.  pleasures,  C  7281. 
Demeigne,     s.    possession,    ownership, 

5586;  Demeyne,  dominion,  rule,  3310. 
Demene,  v.  put  up  with,  5238. 
Depart,  v.  divide,  2367,  5279. 
Departing,  .f.  division,  4613. 
Dere,  v.  injure,  destroy,  4336;  //.  2100. 
Desert,  s.  deserving,  4269. 
Desperaunce,  s.  desperation,  1872. 
Desporte,  .n^f/'.  to  cheer,  to  divert,  2014. 
Despyt,  s.  aversion,  C  5996. 
Dever,  j-.  endeavour,  5299. 
Deviaunt,  adj.  divergent,  turned   away, 

4789. 
Devoid,  adj.  free,  4312. 
Devoided,//.  removed,  2929. 


Devyne,  v.  interpret,  3800. 

Devys,  s.  disposal,  1974;   will,  3621;    by 

devys,  to  judge  from  her  appearance  (?), 

3205.     (F.  text,  et  a  son  vis.) 
Deyned,   //.    s.    subj.;    him    deyned,    it 

appeared  good  to  him,  C  6950. 
Deynous,  adj.  disdainful,  3728. 
Deyntee,  s.  value,  2677. 
Diffyne,  v.  define,  4807. 
Dight,  V.  prepare,  4240. 
Discomfit, //I.  disconcerted,  4067. 
Discordaunce,   s.    disagreement,    4715, 

5208  ;  discordant  melody,  4251. 
Discorde.  ger.  to  disagree,  4716. 
Discreven,  2  pr.pl.  describe,  4803. 
Disdeinous,  adj.  disdainful,  C  7412. 
Disese,  s.  uneasiness,  5244. 
'Qi'&Q'&Q,  ger.  to  trouble,  3526. 
Disgysen,    v.    apparel,    2250;    Disgyse, 

I  pr.  s.  disguise,  C  6358. 
Dishonest,     adj.    unfair,    unreasonable, 

3442;  immodest,  4262. 
Disordinat,  adj.  inordinate,  4816. 
Dispendith, //-.//.  spend,  5681. 
Dispitous,   adj.   unmerciful,   spiteful,    C 

6162  ;   malicious,  froward,  2212,  3457. 
Displesaunce,  s.  displeasure,  3436. 
Disport,  J.  delight,  3468  ;  happiness,  2894. 
Disrewlily,  adv.  irregularly,  4900. 
Disseise,  v.  dispossess,  deprive,  (F.  des- 

saisir),  2076. 
Disserve,  v.  deserve,  3093. 
Disseyved,  //.  deceived,  C  6628. 
Dissolucioun,  s.  dissoluteness,  4898. 
Distincte,  v.  distinguish,  C  6199. 
Distoned,  adj.  out  of  tune,  4248. 
Ditee,  s.  discourse,  5286,  5652. 
Divyne,  s.  divinity,  C  6488. 
Do,  V.  cause  ;  do  make,  cause  to  be  made, 

2080;  pr.  s.  subj.  accomplish,  C  5869; 

Doand    (Northern),   pres.    part,  doing, 

2708  ;  Don,  pp.  put,  placed,  C  6564. 
Dole,    s.    lamentation,    mourning,    2956, 

4317.     O.  F.  doel. 
Dolven,  //.  buried,  4070. 
Dom,  s.  dumb,  2220,  2409,  2492. 
Dool,  s.  grief,  4480. 
Dool,  s.  portion  ;  halfen  dool,  half  portion, 

halving  (it),  2364. 
Doth,  //-.  s.  causes,  2772, 2786, 2790 ;  brings, 

5558 ;  gives,  1984. 
Double,  adj.  twofold,  1756. 
Doublenesse,    s.    double-dealing,    du- 
plicity, 2366. 
Doun,  come  down,  C  5868. 
Dout,  s.  fear,  2102. 
Doutable,  adj.  doubtful,  5413  ;  imperilled, 

unstable,  C  6274. 


138 


(§lo0sarial  Euticr. 


Doute,  V.  fear,  2023  ;  1  pr.  s.  2108  ;  2.  pr.pl. 
2079. 

Douting'.  s.  doubt,  C  6074. 

Draught,  s.  draughi,  bout,  act,  4869.  I*". 
text,  Car  viaint  n'i  trairoient  ja  trait. 

Drede,  s.  doubt ;  zvit/iouten  dr.,  without 
doubt,  2199,  2251,  C  6214;  Dread  (per- 
sonified), 3958,  5861. 

Drerihed,  s.  sorrow,  4728. 

Dresse,  v.  prepared,  1773;  pr.  s.  siibj.  rejl. 
set  himself,  C  6535. 

Dreye,  adj.  dry,  1743. 

Drough,  //.  J.  drew,  1725. 

Droune,  ger.  to  be  drowned,  4710,  5022. 

Druery,  s.  loyal  affection,  5064. 

Drye,  v.  suffer,  undergo,  4390;  endure, 
3105 ;  ger.  to  fulfil,  C  7484. 

Dulle,  I  pr.  s.  become  stupefied,  4792. 

Dure,  V.  last,  endure,  C  6841. 

Duresse,  s.  severity,  3547,  3570. 

Dwelling,  s.  delay,  2440. 

Dyamaunt,  s.  adamant,  4385. 

"DyAeTa.,  pt.pl.  died,  C  6245. 

Dyne,  v.  as  s.  dinner,  C  6500. 

E. 

Eche,  V.  add,  1994;  help,  aid,  4618. 

Effect,  s.  reality,  5486. 

Eft,  adv.  again,  1783. 

Eftsone,  adv.  soon  afterwards,  C  6094; 

Ettsones,  C  6649. 
Egre,  adj.  acid,  4179. 
Eg're,  adv.  sharply,  5474. 
Elde,  s.  old  age,  4885. 
Elengenesse,    s.    solitariness  ;     hence, 

sadness,  disquietude,  C  7406.     F.  text, 

soussi. 
Elis,  s.  pi.  eels,  C  7039. 
EUes,  adv.  otherwise,  in  all  other  respects, 

3429- 
Empressid, //.  pressed,  3691. 
Empryse,   s.    undertaking,    care,    2147 ; 

doings,  3508;  enterprise,  C  5825  ;  design, 

1972;    conduct,  action,  2186;   privilege, 

2008 ;  rule,  4905. 
Enchesoun,  s.  occasion,  2504, 3982,  4242. 
Enclyne,  v.  be  subject  (to),  respect,  bow 

down  (to),  C  6814. 
Encombre,  v.  disturb,  5434 ;  pr.  s.  impor- 

tiin-'s,  teases,  C  6675;   //-.  //.  perplex, 

44S2;  //.  annoyed,  C  7628. 
Enfaunce,  s.  infancy,  youth,  4288. 
Enforce,  v.  compel,'  C  6407;  pr.  pi.  rejl. 

endeavour,    C    6275 ;    //.    augmented, 

44  Q9. 

Eng'endrure,  s.  procreation,  4849. 
Engreveth,//-.  s.  displeases,  3444. 


Enhaunce,  ger.  to  exalt,  advance,  C  7246. 

Enlangoured,  adj.  faded  with  langour, 
pale,  C  7399. 

Enlumined,  //.  illumined,  5344. 

Enpryse,  j.  quickness  of  movement,  2636. 
Sec  Empryse. 

Enquestes.  s.  pi.  legal  inquisitions,  C 
6977. 

Ensure,  ipr.  s.  assure,  4850;  //.  C  7212. 

Entayle,  s.  figure,  shape,  3711. 

Entencioun,  s.  attention,  4701 ;  intent, 
C  6258 ;  diligence,  2027 ;  0/  e.,  inten- 
tionally, 2976;  //.  meaning,  drift,  C 
7170. 

Entende,  v.  pay  attention,  2153. 

Entendement,  s.  intention,  2188. 

Entent,  s.  mind,  2187;  purpose,  2488; 
disposition,  5696;  endeavour,  3906;  in- 
tention, design,  C  5811,  5869. 

Ententlif,  adj.  diligent,  careful,  2022 ;  adv. 
1720. 

Entermete,  v.  rejl.  intermeddle,  interfere, 
2966;  \ pr.  s.  rejl.  busy  (myself  with),  C 
6971. 

Entremees,  J.//,  entremets,  dainty  meats, 
C  6841. 

Entremete,  v.  interfere,  C  6635,  7233; 
ger.  C  6503 ;  ger.  rejl.  C  5946 ;  i  pr.  s. 
intermeddle,  interfere,  C  6498,  6840 ;  pr. 
s.  C  5921. 

Enviroun,  adv.  about,  3203,4163;  round 
about,  4203. 

Enviroune,  i  //-.  //.  go  about,  C  7017. 

Equipolences,  j.//.  equivocations,  equi- 
vocal expressions,  C  7076. 

Erke,  adj.  weary,  wearied,  4867. 

Ernes,  s.  ardour  (of  love),  4838. 

Ernest,  s.  earnest,  pledge,  3680. 

Ers.  5.  ])osteriors  (F.  cul),  C  7578. 

Espleyten,  v.  perform,  execute,  C  6174. 

Espye.  .f.  spy,  3871. 

Establisshihg',  s.  decree,  C  6369. 

Estate,  s.  state  of  life,  position,  4901. 

Estres.  s.  pi.  recesses,  inner  parts,  3626. 

Existence,  s.  reality,  5549,  C  7470. 

Expowne,^^/-.  to  expound,  C  7172. 

Eyth,  adj.  easy,  3955.    A.  S.  eatf. 


Fable,  s.  deceitfulness,  C  6602. 
Fade,  adj.  pallid,  faded,  2399. 
Fadome,  s.pl.  fathoms,  4159. 
Failed,  //.  as  adj.  wanting,  defective,  C 

7470. 
Fainte,  adj.  feigned,  C  7405. 
Fairhede,  s.  fairness,  beauty,  2484. 
Fallaces,  s.  pi.  deceits,  C  7077- 


BBkOmaunt  of  tfje  5^00e:  Parts  b,  c. 


139 


Fallith,  pr.  s.  impers.  befits,  4025  ;  belongs, 
C  6976. 

Falsen,  pr.pl.  deceive,  4833. 

Fand,  pt.  pi.  found,  2707. 

Fard,  imp.  s.  paint,  2285. 

Fardels,  s.pl.  loads,  bundles,  5683. 

Fare,  s.  welfare,  condition,  C  6498. 

Fare,  v.  depart,  vanish  away,  C  6045; 
pr.  pi.  go,  5564 ;  journey,  5509 ;  //.  gone, 
2710. 

Faute,  s.  fault,  defect,  3837. 

Fawe,  adj.  fain,  blithe,  C  6476. 

Fay,  s.  faith,  2155,  5106. 

Fee,  s.  property,  fief,  C  6044. 

Feers,  adj.  fierce,  3372. 

Feeste,  s.  encouragement,  5061. 

Fel,  adj.  cruel,  savage,  2211 ;  harsh,  4028; 
stern,  C  7342;   Felle,//.  painful,  3789. 

Felde-fare,  s.  field-fare,  5510. 

Fele,  adj.  many,  4446,  C  6038. 

Fele,  V.  perceive  (smell),  1844. 

Feller,  adj.  comp.  crueller,  4103. 

Felones,  adj.  pi.  evil,  wicked,  C  671 1. 
His  f.  iangclinges,  his  evil  pratings,  his 
injurious  talk.  Suggested  by  F.  Maugre 
les  felonesses  jangles  ;  where  felonesses  is 
a  plural  adjective  ;  see  Godefroy. 

Feloun,  adj.  cruel,  C  5998. 

Fere,  s.  fire,  2471,  5086. 

Fered,//.  fired,  inflamed,  5278. 

Fetisly,  adv.  neatly,  perfectly,  2267. 

Fetys,  adj.  well-made,  2088. 

Feynte,  adj.  feigned,  5563. 

Feyntyse,  s.  deceit,  guile,  2947,  2998, 
3492;  evasion,  1971. 

Fiaunce,  s.  confidence,  trust,  5481. 

Fil,  pt.  s.  fell,  condescended,  3437 ;  Fille, 
pt.pl.  found  themselves,  C  5813. 

Fit,  s.  mood,  5197. 

Flawme,  j.  flame,  3707. 

Flawnes,  s.pl.  flawns;  a  dish  composed 
of  new  cheese,  eggs,  powdered  sugar, 
coloured  with  saffron  and  baked  in 
small  tins  called  '  coffins ' ;  C  4042. 

Flayn, //.flayed,  C  7316.  Miswritten  slayn. 

Flemed,  //.  s.  exiled,  drove  into  exile, 
3052.  C  6781.     A.  ^.flyman. 

Floytes,  s.pl.  flutes,  4251. 

Foles,  gen.  fool's,  5266. 

Foly,  adj.  foolish,  4299,  5085. 

Fond,  adj.  foolish,  5367. 

Fonde,  v.  attempt,  5858. 

Foole,  adj.  foolish,  C  7539. 

Foon,  //.  foes,  5552,  C  6940. 

Foote,  V.  dance  formally,  2323. 

Foot-hoot,  adv.  instantly,  3827. 

For,  prep,  to  prevent,  4229;  for  fear  of, 
2365  ;  on  account  of,  2190. 


Forboden,  //.  forbidden,  C  6616. 

Force,  s.;  I  yeve  no  force,  I  care  not, 
4602;  of /.,  necessarily,  1796. 

Fordone,//,  undone,  4339. 

Fordrive.  //.  scattered,  3782. 

Fore'wardis,  forwards;  hemtes  f.,  hence- 
forward, C  7304. 

Forfare,  v.  perish,  5388,  5778. 

For-ofte,  adv.  very  often,  4876. 

For-peyned,  //.  distressed,  3693. 

Forsake,  z/.  refuse,  2822 ;  withstand,  1876. 

Forstere,  s.  forester,  C  6329. 

Fortened,  //.  destroyed,  4875.  (Or  per- 
haps '  oljstructed  ' ;  cf.  A.  S.  fortyman,  to 
shut  up.)     See  Crece. 

Forthenke,  v.  rue,  repent,  3957,  4060. 

Forthy,  conj.  because  ;  not  f.,  not  on  that 
account,  {^perhaps)  nevertheless,  4509. 

For-wandred,  //.  spent  with  wandering, 
3336. 

Forwardls,  s.  pi.  agreements,  C  7303. 

Forwerreyd,  //.  utterly  defeated,  2564. 

Porwery,  adj.  tired  out,  3336. 

For -'why,  wherefore,  1743. 

Forwoundid,  //.  sorely  wounded,  1830. 

Foryet,  -'.  forget,  3243 ;  pr.  s.  C  6538. 

Foryeve,  ger.  to  abandon,  give  up,  3438. 

Fraunchyse,  s.  liberty,  4906;  nobility, 
2007  ;  generosity,  3003  ;  Bounty,  3501 ; 
Freedom,  C  5865. 

Frere,  s.  friar,  C  7377;  Friar  Wolf,  C 
6424. 

Freres  Prechours,  s.  pi.  preaching 
friars,  i.  e.  the  Prechours,  or  Dominican 
friars,  C  7458. 

Fret,//,  fretted,  adorned, 3204 ;  set,  4705. 

Fretted,  //.  furnished,  lit.  ornamented, 

C  7259- 

Frouncen,/r.//.  shew  wrinkles,  C  7261 ; 

Frounced, /;).  wrinkled,  3137. 
Fyne,  v.  cease,  1797  ;   pr.  pi.  subj.  end, 

depart,  5356. 


Gabbeth,  pr.  s.  speaks   falsely,   lies,   C 

6700. 
Gabbing,  s.  lying,  C  7602,  7612. 
Gadring,  s.  accumulation,  5782. 
Garisoun.  s.  healing,  3248  ;  garrison,  4279. 
Garnement,  s.  dress,  2256. 
Garnisoun,  s.  fortress,  4204. 
Gate,    s.    way,    wise,    3332,    5167,    5230 

(Northern). 
Gentilnesse,    s.    kindness,   4605;    good 

breeding,  2005  ;  nobilitv,  5237. 
Gerner,  s.  garner,  C  5988. 
Gesse  ;  7vithoute  gesse,  doubtless,  2817. 
Geten,//.  gotten,  5701. 


140 


iglossarial  Ilnticx. 


Getingr,  s.  obtaining,  attainment,  3284. 

Gibbe,  Gib  (Gilbert),  a  cat,  C  6204. 

Ginne,  s.  warlike  engine,  4176. 

Ginneth,  pr.  s.  begins,  2154. 

Gisartae,  j.  a  weapon  bearing  a  scythe- 
like blade  fixed  on  a  shaft  and  provided 
also  with  a  spear-point  like  a  bayonet, 

c  5978. 

Giteme,£-er.  to  play  on  the  guitar,  2321. 

Glose,  V.  flatter,  5097;  />p.  explained,  C 
6890. 

Gloumbe,  v.  frown,  look  glum,  4356. 

Gnede,  s.  stingy  person,  C  6002.  (Mis- 
written  grede.) 

Go,  pp.  gone,  2423  ;  empty,  C  6834. 

Gonfanoun,  s.  gonfalon,  banner,  2018. 

Gospel  Perdurable,  The  Everlasting 
Gospel,  C  7102. 

Graithe,  v.  dress,  array,  C  7368. 

Graunt  mercy,  best  thanks,  C  7504. 

Gree,  (i)  s.  way  (lit.  grade)  ;  in  no  maner 
gree,  in  no  kind  of  way,  5743. 

Gree,  (2)  j.  favour ;  a^/^^/-^^,  with  favour, 
4574 ;  take  at  gree,  accept  with  a  good 
will,  1969;  in  gree,  in  good  part,  2306. 

Grete,  i  pr.  s.  weep,  lament,  4116  (North- 
ern). 

Greves,  s.p/.  thickets,  3019. 

Groffe,  adv.  face  downward,  2561. 

Groine,  pr.  s.  subj.  grumble,  murmur,  C 
7049. 

Grucchen,  pr.  pi.  subj.  grumble  at,  be- 
grudge, C  6465. 

Grucching,  s.  refusal,  C  6439. 

Grype,  v.  seize,  C  5983. 

Guerdoning,  s.  reward,  2380,  C  5908. 

Gyler,  j^.  beguiler,  5759. 

Gype,  -f.  frock;  perhaps  a  smock-frock 
(alluding  to  the  numerous  gathers  in 
the  front  of  it) ,  C  7262. 

H. 

Ha,  V.  have,  5569. 

Hade,  2pt.  s.  haddest,  2400. 

Halp,  pt.  s.  helped,  191 1. 

Halt,  pr.  s.  refi.  considers  himself,  4901 ; 

keeps.  C  7032. 
Hardement,  s.  courage,  1827, 2487, 3392. 
Harlotes,  s.  pi.  rascals,  ribalds,  C  6068. 
Harneis,  s.  armour,  gear,  C  7477. 
Harneys,  v.  refi,  dress,   equip    thyself, 

2647. 
Hat.  adj.  hot,  2398. 

Hatter,  adj.  comp.  hotter,  more  hotly,  2475. 
Haunt,  V.  practise,  4868 ;  ger.  to  haunt, 

frequent,  C  6601 ;  //-.  s.  subj.  practise,  C 

7029. 


Hauntingr,  s.  haunt,  abode,  C  6081. 
Hauteyn,    adj.  haughty,    C    6101;   /em. 

3739- 
Havoir,  s.  having,  4720. 
Haye,  s.  hedge,  2971,  2987. 
Hele,  V.  conceal,  2858;  ger.  2522;  pr.pl, 

C  6882. 
Hele,  J.  health,  4721. 
Hem,/ro«.  them,  2218. 
Hemmes,  s.  pi.  phylacteries,  C  6912. 
Hend,  adj.  ready,  useful,  3345. 
Hente,  ger.  to  seize,  3364;  //.  s.  ijy:), 

4092 ;    pt.   pi.    snatched,    C    7136 ;    //. 

plucked,  C  7644. 
Herber,  imp.  pi.  take  up  your  abode,  C 

7586;  2//.  s.  didst  harbour,  5107. 
Herbergere,  s.  host,  entertainer,  C  7585 ; 

pi.  5000. 
Herberwe,  s.  shelter,  lodging,  C  6201, 

7495- 

Herberwe,  v.  shelter,  lodge,  C  6145. 

Herde,  s.  shepherd,  C  6453 ;  pi.  C  6561. 

Herie,  pr.  pi.  honour,  praise,  C  6241. 
A.  S.  herian. 

Hertly,  adj.  true-hearted,  5433. 

Het,  //.  heated,  3709. 

Heten,  v.  promise,  C  6299. 

Hight,  pr.  s.  is  named,  C  6341 ;  pp.  pro- 
mised, 2803. 

Hoked,  adj.  hooked,  furnished  with 
hooks,  1712;  barbed,  1749. 

Hole,  adj.  whole,  complete,  5443. 

Holtes,  s.  pi.  plantations,  C  6996. 

Homager,  s.  vassal,  3288. 

Hoolly,  adv.  wholly,  1970. 

Hoomly,  adj.  homely,  familiar,  C  6320. 

Hoor,  adj.  gray-haired,  C  6335;  Hore, 
adj.  hoary,  gray,  3196;  //.  hoary  (a  fre- 
quent epithet  of  trees,  perhaps  with 
reference  to  trees  of  great  age),  C  6996. 

Hornpypes,  s.  pi.  musical  instruments, 
toinied  of  pipes  made  of  horn,  4250. 

Hostilers,  s.  as  adj.pl.  keeping  an  inn,  C 

7033- 
Hoteth,  pr.  s.  promises,  5422 ;  pr,pl.  5444. 
Housel,  V.  give  the  Host  (to),  C  6438. 
Hulstred,  pp.  concealed,  hidden,  C  6146. 
Humanitee,  s.  human  nature,  5655. 
Hy,  s.  haste;  iti  hy,  in  haste,  2393,  3591. 


Ich,pron.  I,  C  6787. 

If,  co>/j.  if  (i.  e.  if  the  matter  be  wisely  in- 
quired into),  4454. 
Imped,  //.  engrafted,  5137. 
Impes,  s.  pi.  grafts,  C  6293. 
Importable,  adj.  insufferable,  C  6902. 


Homaunt  of  tfje  ^ait:  Parts  b,  c. 


i4r 


In-fere,  adf.  together,  4827. 
Isse,  V.  issue,  1992. 


Jangrleth,  pr.  s.  prattles,  C  7540. 
Jangling',  s.  prating,  chattering,  C  5852  ; 

//.  idle  words,  C  6711. 
Jape,  s.  jest,  C  7519;  //.  tricks,  C  6835. 
Jape,  I  pr.  s.  mock,  scoff  at,  C  6471. 
Jolily,  adv.  after   a  jolly  sort,  C  7031 ; 

pleasantly,   2248;    nicely,   neatly,   2284; 

deservedly,  C  7664. 
Joly,  ady.  fine,  gay,  C  7248. 
Jolynesse,  s.  jolliness,  joy,  2302. 
Joweles,  s./>/.  jewels,  2092,  5420. 
Joyne,  i  />r.  s.  enjoin,  2355. 
Jupartye,  s.  jeopardy,  2666. 

K. 

Kenabe,  imp.  s.  comb,  2284. 

Kenne,  v.  show^  teach,  2476. 

Kepe,  s.  heed,  3475. 

Kepe,  V.  keep;    iepg  forth,  perpetuate, 

4854 ;   I  pr.  s.  care,  C  6440 ;  keep,  3476 ; 

care,  wish,  C  6083  ;  pr.  pi.  care,  C  6093. 
Kernels,  s.  pi.  battlements,  4195.    F.  text, 

les  croiiaus. 
Kerving.  pres.pt.  as  adj.  cutting,  3813. 
Kesse,  v.  kiss,  2006. 

Kid,  //.  made  known,  2172  ;  evident,  3132. 
Kirked,  adj.  crooked(?),  3137. 
Knet,  //.  knit,  fastened,  4700,  4811;  //. 

//.  fast  bound,  2092. 
Kne'we,  i  //.  s.  subj.  disclosed,  C  6090. 
Knopped,  //.  fastened,  C  7260.    A  knoppe 

is  properly  a  button ;  hence  knoppen,  to 

fasten  with  a  button. 


Laas,  s.  toils,  snare,  C  6029,  6648 ;   Lace, 
cord,  string,  C  7373 ;   net,  2792 ;    snare, 

5093- 
Laced,  pp.  entangled,  caught,  3178. 
Lakke,  2  pr.pl.  blame,  4804. 
Lambren,  s. pi.  lambs,  C  7013. 
Largesse,  s.  liberality,  2354  ;  C  5853. 
Las,  s.  net,  2790.    See  Laas,  Lace. 
Late,  ger.  to  let,   permit,  allows  3145,  C 

6676 ;  V.  let,  5574 ;  Lat.  pr.  s.  lets  remain, 

5493- 
Lauhwith,  pr.  s.  laughs,  2294. 
Lay,  s.  law,  religious  belief,  C  6749. 
Leef,  adj.  willing,  2335. 
Lees,   s.  pi.    lies ;    wUhouten   lees,  truly, 

3904,  5728. 


Lefiil,  adj.  allowable,  permissible,   5195. 

Lit. '  leave-ful." 
Leggen,  ger.  ease,  relieve,  5016.     (Short 

for  aleggen.) 
Letnes,  s.pl.  rays,  5346. 
Lemman,  s.  sweetheart,  C  6056,  6305. 
Lene,  v.  lend,  3053,  C  7026. 
Lening ;  in  letting,  as  a  loan,  2373. 
Lepand,  pres.  part,  running  (with  short 

jumps),  1928. 
Lere,  ger.  to  teach,  2143,  2149;  v.  teach,, 

5152;  learn,  2451,  4808. 
Lered,  adj.  learned,  C  6217. 
Lese,  V.  lose,  C  5915,  5924;  pr.  s.  2149. 
Lesing,  s.  lie,  falsehood,  2174,  4835. 
Let,/>r.  s.  leads  (his  life),  C  6111. 
Lete,  V.  cease,  2463 ;  leave,  C  6457 ;    let 

alone,  C  6556;  abandon,  C  6169;  allow, 

permit,   6458 ;    i  pr.   s.  leave,  C   6354 ; 

abandon,  C  6997;  pp.  let,  1791. 
Lette,  s.  let,  hindrance,  3756. 
Letten,   v.    hinder,   3590;    delay,    3940; 

stop,  1832 ;  cease,  2807 ;  desist,  1832. 
Letting,  s.  hindrance,  C  5931. 
Lettrure,  s.  literature,  writing,  C  6751. 
Leve,  V.  believe,  3303. 
Leve,  V.  live,  2336. 

Lever,  adv.  rather,  C  6793  I  ^"^  were  lever, 
I        I  had  rather,  C  6168. 
'  Lewd,  adj.   lay   (folk),   the   ignorant,   C 

6217. 
Lewedist,    adj.    super  I.    most    ignorant, 
i       4802. 

j   Leye,//.//.  lay,  lived,  C  6572. 
;   Liche,  adv.  alike,  equally,  4160. 
Ligging,  pr.pt.  lying  down,  4002. 
Likerous,  adj.  licentious,  4264. 
Likly,  adj.  similar,  4852. 
Lisse,  V.  abate,  4128;  ger.  to  be  eased,  to 

feel  relief,  3758. 
List,  s.  pleasure,  will,  1957. 
List,//-,  s.  wishes,  C  6139. 
Loigne,  s.  tether,  3382,  C  7050. 
Loke,  //.  locked  up,  2092. 
Long  ;  of  long  passed,  of  old,  3377. 
Longith,/r.  s.  befits,  2321. 
Loos.  J-.  renown,  reputation,  2310,  C  6103 ; 

ill  fame,  C  7081. 
Lorn.  pp.  lost,  4327,  4502,  4508,  C  5973. 
Losengeours,  s.pl.  deceivers,  2693. 
Loteby,  ,f.  paramour,  C  6339. 
Lough,  //.  s.  laughed,  C  7295. 
Loure,  pr.  s.  subj.  scowl,  C  7049. 
Loute,  V.  bow,  4384;  bow  down,  C  7336; 

pr.  pi.  subj.  bow  down,  C  6917. 
Lowe,  ger.  to  appraise,  i.  e.  to  be  valued 

at,  4532. 
Luce,  s.  pike  (fish),  C  7039. 


142 


(glossatial  Intiti. 


Lyflode,  s.  livelihood,  5602,  C  6663. 

Lyken,  i-.  please,  1854,  C  6131. 

Lyte,  adj.  little,  small,  2279,  3557  ;  adv.  C 

7551- 
Lythe,  aJj.  delicate,  3762. 

M.    • 

Maat,    adj.  bewildered,  overcome,   1739. 

See  Mate. 
Maistryse,  s.  strength,  dominion,  4172. 
Make.  ^er.  to  cause,  C  5931 ;  />r.  pi.  pro- 
pound, C  6186. 
Male,  s.  bag,  wallet,  3263  ;  money-bag,  C 

6376. 
Maltalent,  s.  ill-humour,  3438. 
Mangonel,  s.  a  military  engine  on  the 

principle   of  the  sling-staff   for   casting 

stones,  a  catapult,  C  6279. 
Mar,  adj.  greater,  2215 ;  adv.  more,  1854. 
Marchandise.  s.  barter,  C  5902. 
Mare,  adv.  more,  2709. 
Markes,//.  marks  (coins),  C  5986. 
Marreth,  pr.  s.  disfigures,  4679. 
Mate,   ad/,   distracted,    5099;    downcast, 

4671;  dispirited,  3167,3190.    See  Maat. 
Maugree,  s.  ill-will,  4399  ;  reproach,  3144 ; 

p't'p.  in  spite  of,  C  671 1 ;  matigre  youres, 

in  spite  of  you,  C  7645. 
Mayme,  v.  maim,  C  6620;  pr.  s.  wounds, 

5317.    See  Meygned. 
Maysondewe,  s.  hospital,  5619. 
Medle,  v.  mterfere,  3788 ;  Medle,  v.  refi. 

meddle;  ;«.  him  of,  deal  with,  C  6050; 

to  medle,  for  meddling,  4545. 
Meke,  v.  mollify,  3394 ;  have  mercy,  3541 ; 

Meked,  pt.  s.  lefl.  humbled  himself,  3584. 
Mendience,  5.  beggary,  mendicancy,  C 

6657,  6707. 
Mene,  s.  mean,  middle  state,  C  6527. 
Mene,  adj.  middle,  mean,  4844. 
Mene.  i  pr.  s.  bemoan,  2596. 
Menour,    Minorite,   Franciscan   friar,  C 
,  6338. 

Mes,  s.  at  good  mes,  at  a  favourable  op- 
portunity, 3462.     O.  F.  mes. 
Mete,  adj.  meet,  fitted,  1799. 
Mete,  V.  meet,  succeed,  4571. 
Mevable,  adj.  moveable,  4736. 
Meve,  V.  move,  incite,  2327. 
Mewe,  s.  coop,  cage  (a  falconry  term), 

4778. 
Meygned,  pp.  hurt,  maimed,  3356.    See 

Mayme. 
Meynee,  s.  household,  C  6870,  7156. 
Meynt,  pp.  mingled,  1920 ;  Meynd,  2296. 
Mich,  adj.  many,  2258,  5555. 
Micher,  s.  thief,  C  6541. 


Miches,    s.  pi.    small    loaves    of  finest 

wheaten  flour,  5585. 

Mis,  adj.  amiss,  wrong,  3243. 

Mischeef,  s.  misfortune,  C  6731. 

Misericorde,  s.  mercy,  3577. 

Mlsseying,  s.  evil-speaking,  2207. 

Mister,  s.  occupation,  trade,  C  6976; 
whatever  mister,  of  every  kind  of  occu- 
pation, C  6332. 

Mistere,  s.  need,  C  7409. 

Mis-wey,  adv.  astray,  4764. 

Mixens,  s.pl.  dunghills,  C  6496. 

Mo,  adj.  pi.  others  besides,  3023 ;  more 
(in  number),  C  5990. 

Mochel,  i2(^'. great,3ii7  ;  torn.,  too  much, 
3442- 

Moeble,  s.  moveable  property,  C  6045. 

Moeve,  v.  move,  i.  e.  prefer,  make,  C  6039. 

Moneste,  i/r..f.  admonish,  charge,  3579. 

Monyours,  s.  pi.  coiners,  C  6811. 

Mot,//-.  J.  must,  3784;  so  mote  I  go,  as  I 
hope  to  walk  about,  C  6591. 

Mcwe,  V.  be  able,  2644. 

Musard,  s.  muser,  dreamer,  C  7562 ;  slug- 
gard, 3256,  4034 ;  dolt,  C  7562. 

Mu^wls,  s.  pi.  bushels,  5590. 

N. 

Nathelesse,  nevertheless,  C  6195. 

Ne,  coiij.  unless,  4858. 

Nede,  adv.  necessarily,  C  7633. 

Nedely,  adv.  needs  must,  C  61 17. 

Neden.  v.  be  necessary,  C  5990. 

Nedes,  s.  pi.  necessities,  C  6174. 

Nedes,  adv.  of  necessity,  1792. 

Neer.  adv.  nearer,  1708.    See  Nerre. 

Neigh  it  nere,  v.  approach  it  more 
nearly,  2003. 

Nempned,//.  named,  mentioned,  C  6224. 

Nere,  were  not,  were  it  not  for,  2778 ; 
were  there  not,  2778 ;  had  it  not  been 
for,  C  7328. 

Nerre,  adj.  comp.  nearer,  5101. 

Neven,  v.  name,  C  5962 ;  recount,  C  7071. 

Nil,  //•.  s.  will  not,  C  5821,  6045. 

Nomen,  //.  //.  took,  C  7423 ;  //.  taken, 
5404- 

Noncerteyne,  adj.  uncertain,  5426. 

Nones,  for  the,  for  the  nonce,  occasion- 
ally, C  73S7. 

Nonne,  s.  nun,  C  6350, 

Noot,  I  pr.  s.  know  not,  C  6367. 

Noriture,  s.  bringing  up,  C  6728. 

Norys,  .c.  nurse,  5418. 

Not,  I  pr.  s.  know  not,  5191. 

Note-kernel,  s.  nut-kernel,  C  71 17. 

Noye,  J^.  hurt,  3772. 


Ifilomaunt  of  tl^e  5^o0e;  ^artg  b,  c. 


143 


Noyen,  ger.  to  vex,  4416. 

Noyous,  adj.  harmful,  3230,  4449. 

Noyse,  s.  evil  report,  3971. 

Nyce,  adj.  foolish.silly,  4262, 4877,  C  6944. 

Nycetee,  s.  foolishness,  5525. 

Nyghe,  v.  approach,  1775. 

O. 

Obeysshing-,  s.  submission,  3380. 

Of,  prep,  out  of,  owing  to,  3981 ;  con- 
cerning (Lat.  de),  4884;  off,  5470; 
(some)  of,  (part)  of,  1993.  Or  it  may 
mean  '  by,'  '  on  account  of.' 

Offense,  s.  discomfort,  5677. 

Of-newe,  adv.  newly,  afresh,  5169. 

Onlofte,  prep,  aloft,  on  high,  5503. 

Oon,  adj.  one,  4812;  in  ooti,  without 
change,  3779. 

Ostages,  s.pl.  hostages,  2064,  C  7311. 

Other-gate,  adv.  otherwise,  2158. 

Oug'ht,  adv.  in  any  way,  C  6096. 

Outake, //■«'/.  except,  4474. 

Outerly,  adv.  wholly,  utterly,  3489,  3742. 

Outrage,  s.  wrong,  2082,  2086;  scanda- 
lous life,  4927 ;  outrageous  deeds,  C 
6024  (mistranslated). 

Outrageous,  adj.  exceeding  great,  2602 ; 
ill-behaved,  2192. 

Outslinge,  v.  fling  out,  C  5987. 

Out-take,  prep,  except,  C  5819. 

Over-al,  adv.  everywhere,  3050,  3914. 

Overgo,  v.  pass  away,  3784;  pr.pl.  tram- 
ple on,  C  6821. 

Over-whelme,  v.  roll  over,  3775. 

Ow,  I  pr.  s.  ought,  4413. 


Palasyns,    adj.    pi.    belonging    to    the 

palace ;    ladyes  palasyns,  court  ladies,  C 

6862. 
Papelard,  s.  hypocrite,  deceiver,  C  7283. 
Papelardye,  s.  hypocrisy,  C  6796. 
Parage,  .f.  parentage,  descent,  4759. 
Par-amour,  with  devotion,  2830. 
Paramour,  s.  paramour,  lover,  5060. 
Paramo\irs,  adv.  with  a  lover's  affection, 

4657- 
Parceners,  s.  pi.  partners,  C  6952. 
Parcuere,  adv.  by  heart,  4796. 
Pardee,  V. pardieu,  4433,  C  5913. 
Parfay,  by  my  faith,  C  6058. 
Part,  f.  duty,  5032. 
Parte,  v.  divide,  5283. 
Party,  s.  part;  in  party,  partially,  5338. 
Parvys,   s.   room   over  a   church-porch, 

C  7108. 


Pas  ;  a  pas,  apace,  quickly,  3724. 

Passaunt,  adj.  surpassing,  3110. 

Passe,  V.  penetrate,  175 1. 

Patre,  v.  recite  the  paternoster,  C  6794. 

Pay,  s.  satisfaction,  C  5938;  liking,  taste, 
1721 ;  me  to  pay,  to  my  satisfaction,  C 
6985. 

Paye,  ger.  to  appease,  3599. 

Peire,  v.  damage,  C  6103. 

Peire  of  bedis,  s.  rosary,  C  7372. 

Pens,  s.  pi.  pence,  C  5987. 

Pensel,  s.  a  standard,  ensign,  or  banner, 
(particularly  of  bachelors-in-arms),  a 
pennoncel,  C  6280. 

Pepir,  s.  pepper,  (metaphorically)  mis- 
chief, C  6028. 

Perauntre,  adv.  peradventure,  5192. 

Percas,  adv.  perchance,  C  6647. 

Persaunt,  adj.  piercing,  2809;  sharp, 
4179. 

Pese,  ger.  to  appease,  3397. 

Pesible,  adj.  peaceable,  gentle,  C  7413. 

Peyne,  s.  penalty,  C  6626;  pain,  hard- 
ness, 2120;  up  peyne,  on  pain  (of  death), 
C  6617. 

Peyne,  v.  rejl.  endeavour,  C  7512;  pr.  s. 
reji.  takes  pains,  C  6014. 

Piment,  s.  spiced  wine  or  ale,  C  6027. 

Pitous,  adj.  excusable,  deserving  pity, 
4734;   merciful,  C  6161. 

Plat,  adv.  flat,  flatly,  1734,  C  7526. 

Pleyne,  v.  lament,  complain,  2299,  C  6405. 

Pleynt,  s.  complaint,  C  6012. 

Plight,  pt.  s.  plucked,  1745. 

Plongeth,//-.  s.  plunges,  5472. 

Plyte,  s.  affair,  C  5827. 

Poeste,  s.  power,  virtue,  2095. 

Pole,  s.  pool,  C  5966. 

Port,  s.  demeanour,  manner,  2038,  2192 ; 
Porte,  4622. 

Porte-colys,  s.  portcullis,  4168. 

Possed,  pp.  pushed,  tossed,  4479 ;  pp. 
driven,  4625. 

Potente,  s.  crutch,  C  7417. 

Poustee,  s.  power,  influence,  C  6533, 
6957,7679;  dominion,  C  6484. 

Povert,  ,(.  poverty,  C  6181. 

Prece,  ^er.  to  press,  4198. 

Predicacioun,  s.  preaching,  5763. 

Prelse,  i  pr.  s.  value,  appraise,  4830. 

Prese,  v.  press ;  pr.  s.  intrudes,  C  7627 ; 
pr.  pi.  intrude,  C  7629 ;  imp.  s.  endea- 
vour, 2899. 

Pressure,  s.  wine-press,  3692. 

Preve,  v.  prove,  4170. 

Proving,  s.  proof,  C  7543. 

Preyse,  i  pr.  s.  value,  esteem,  1983.  F. 
pris. 


•44 


#Io00arial  IntJei, 


Prike,  imp.  s.  gallop,  2314. 

Pris,  s.  esteem,  2310. 

Privetee,  s.  secret,  5526,  C  6878,  6882. 

Procuratour,  s.  a  collector  of  alms  for 

hospitals  or  sick  persons,  C  6974. 
Propre,  adj.  own,  C  6565,  6592. 
Provable,  adj.  capable  of  proof,  5414. 
Provende,  s.  allowance,  stipend,  C  6931. 
Prow,  s.  profit,  gain,  58oi6,  1940. 
Pryme  temps,  first  beginning,  4534 ;  the 

spring,  4747. 
Prys,  s.  praise,  1972;  price,  C  5927. 
Pugnaunt,  adj.  poignant,  keen,  1879. 
Pullaille,  s.  poultry,  C  7043. 
Pulle,   V.  pluck,   strip,   C  5984;   pr.  pi. 

flay,  strip,  C  6820. 
Puple,  s.  people,  rabblement,  C  7159. 
Purchas,  s.  acquisition,  C  6838. 
Purchaser!,  ^^r.  to  procure,  C  6607. 
Purpryse,  j.  park,  enclosure,  3987,  4171. 
Purveaunce,  s.  provision,  C  7326. 
Purvey e,^6'r.  to  procure,  3339. 
Put  pr.  s.  puts,  3556,  4444,  C  5949. 
Pyne,    s.    endeavour,    1798 ;    misery,    C 

6499. 
Pynen,  v.  torment,  punish,  3511. 

Q. 

Quarels,  s.  pi.  square-headed  crossbow- 
holts,  1823. 

Quarteyne,  adj.  as  s.  quartan  fever  or 
agu'",  2401. 

Qneme .  £-er.  to  please,  C  7270. 

Quenche,  v.  be  quenched,  5324. 

Queue,  f.  quean,  concubine,  C  7032. 

Querrour,  s.  quarry-man,  hewer  of  stone, 
4140. 

Quethe;  /  quethe  him  quyte,  I  cry  him 
quit,  C  6999. 

Queynt,  adj.  elegant,  2251 ;  curious, 
fanciful,  C  6342;  strange,  5199 ;  pleased, 
3079;  shewing  satisfaction,  2038. 

Queyntly,  adv.  neatly,  easily,  4322. 

Queyntyse.  s.  elegance,  2250. 

Quik.  adj.  alive,  3523,  4070,  5056. 

Quitly,  adv.  quite,  entirely,  C  5843. 

Quitte,  pt.  s.  rejlex.;  quitte  him,  ac- 
quitted himself,  3069;  //.  requited, 
3146,  6088;  made  amends  for,  2599; 
ri.l,  1852. 

Quook,  I  pt.  s.  quaked,  3163;  pt.  pi. 
3966. 

Quyte,  //.  as  adj.  quit,  C  5904 ;  free,  C 
5910;  entire,  2375. 

Quyte,  V.  acquit,  release,  C  6032;  fulfil, 
5032;  \pr.  s.  C  6412;  imp.  s.  2222,  4392. 


Racyne,  s.  root,  4881. 

Rage,    s.    rage,   spite,  3809;     malignity, 

venom,    1916;     madness,    3292;     in    r., 

mad,  4523. 
Ramage,  adj.  wild,  5384.     O.  F.  ratnage. 
Rape,  f.  haste,  1929. 
Rape,  adv.  quickly,  C  6516. 
Rathe,  adj.  early,  C  6650. 
Ravisable,  adj.  greedy  for  prey,  C  7016. 
Ravyne,  s.  plunder,  C  6813. 
Rebel,  adj.  rebellious,  C  6400. 
Recche;  ivhat  lecchith  ?;/f,  what  care  I, 

3447- 

Recreaundyse,  s.  cowardice,  2107,4038. 

Recreaunte,  s.  coward,  4090. 

Recured,  //.  recovered,  4920,  5124. 

Rede.  j.  good  advice,  3859 ;  Reed,  C  7328. 

Rede,  ipr.  s.  advise,  1932;  read,  1819. 

Reed.  s.  advice,  C  7328  ;   Rede,  3859. 

Ref reyne ,  ^^r.  to  bridle,  C  751 1. 

Reft,  s.  rift,  2661. 

Refte,  "2. pt.pl.  deprived,  3562. 

Refuyt.  s.  refuge,  escape,  3840. 

Rehete,  v.  cheer,  console,  C  6509. 

Reisins.  s.pl.  fresh  grapes,  3659. 

Relees,  s.  relief,  2612;  release,  4440. 

Relesse,  \pr.  s.  give  up,  C  6999. 

Religioun,  s.  religious  order,  3715 ;  mo- 
nastic life,  C  6155. 

Religious,  adj.  pious,  C  6236;  as  s.  a 
nun,  C  6347 ;  R.  folk,  monastics,  C 
6149. 

Remued,  pt.  s.  moved,  C  7432. 

Rendre,  v.  recite,  4800. 

Reneyed,  i  //.  s.  subj.  should  renounce, 
C  6787. 

Repeire,  v.  return,  3573,  4 131. 

Repreef,  s.  reproach,  4974,  C  7240. 

Repreve,  s.  reproach,  5261;  Reprove, 
upbraiding,  5525. 

Requere,  //■.  s.  subj.  request,  ask,  5233; 
pf>.  asked,  5277. 

Rescous,  s.  service,  endeavour  to  sup- 
port, C  6749. 

Resonables,  adj.pl.  reasonable,  C  6760. 

Resoun.  s.  correct  manner,  2151. 

Reveth.  pr.  s.  takes  away,  C  6254;  //.  s. 
bereaved,  4351. 

Reverte.  v.  bring  back,  C  7188. 

Revolucioun,  .f.  revolution,  turn  (of  for- 
tuni's  wheel),  4366. 

Reward,  s.  regard,  consideration,  3832. 

Re  we.  V.  rue,  be  sorry,  4060;  it  ivol  me 
reive,  1  shall  be  sorry,  5170. 

Reyne,  v.  rain  down,  fall  as  rain,  1822. 

Reynes,  Rennes  (in  Brittany),  3826. 


I^omaunt  of  tfje  ISoge:  Parts  B,  c. 


M5 


Ribaned,  //.adorned  with  lace  (of  gold), 

4752. 
Rlbaua,  s.  labourer,  5673 ;  //.  ribalds,  C 

7302. 
Ribaudye,    s.    ribaldry,     2224;     riotous 

living,  4926. 
Right,  adv.  just,  exactly,  5347;  quite,   C 

6398,  641 1 ;  ri^/ii  nought,  not  at  all,  2071. 
Rimpled,  adj.  wrinkled,  4495. 
Riveling',  pres.  part,  puckering,  C  7262. 
Rochet,  jr.  linen  garment,  4754. 
Rode,  .f.  dat.  rood,  cross,  C  6564. 
Rody,  adj.  ruddy,  3629. 
Roignous,  adj.  scurvy,  rotten,  C  6190. 
Rokingr,  pres.  part,    rocking,   quivering, 

trembling,  1906.     Cf.  Shak.  Lucr,  262. 
Ronne,  //.  advanced,  4495. 
Roser,  s.  rose-bush,  1789,  1826, 1833,  2967. 
Rought,    I  //.  s.  recked,   heeded,   1873; 

I  //.  ,f.  subj.  should  not  care,  C  7061. 
Row^e,  adj.pl.  rough,  1838. 
Rude,  adj.  as  pi.  s.  common  people,  2268. 
Ryve,  V.  pierce,  C  7161 ;  be  torn,  5393 ; 

Ryveth,//-.  s.  is  torn,  5718. 

S. 

Sad,  adj.  serious,  staid,  composed,  4627 ; 

//.  grievous,  C  6907. 
Sadnesse,  s.  sobriety,  discretion,  4940. 
Sailen,  v.  assail,  C  7338. 
Sakked  Freres,  Fratres  de  Sacco,  Friars 

of  the  Sack,  C  7462. 
Salowe,  adj.  sallow ;  but  read  falowe,  i.  e. 

fillow,  C  7392. 
Salue, x^i?/-.  to  salute,  2218  ;  pr.  s.  subj.  2220. 
Samons,  s.pl.  salmon,  C  7039. 
Sat.  //.  s.  impers.  suited,  3810. 
Sautere,  s.  psalter,  C  7371. 
Say,  ipt.s.  saw,  1722;  Sawe,  //.  .r.  subj. 

saw,  1719. 
Say    {/or  Assay),  v.  essay,    attempt,  en- 
deavour, 5162. 
Saynt,  adj.  girded,  girdled  (?),  C  7408. 
Scantilone,  s.  pattern,  C  7064. 
Scole,  s.  scholarship,  learning,  3274. 
Score,  s,  crack  (or  iiole)  in  a  wall,  2660. 
Scrippe,  s.  scrip,  wallet,  C  7405. 
Secree,  adj.  secret,  5257. 
Secree,  s.  secret,  5260. 
Secte,   s.  class,   category,   5745 ;  gen.   of 

(our)  race,  4859. 
Seden,  v.  bear  seed,  fructify,  4344. 
See,  pr.  s.  subj.  see ;   so  god  me  see,  as 

( I  hope)  God  may  protect  me,  5693. 
Seer,  adj.  sere,  dry,  4749. 
Seignorye,  s.  dominion,  3213. 
Sake,  adj.  sick,  5729,  5733;  //.  4829. 


Semblable,  adj.  similar,  C  591 1. 
Semblable,  adj.  as  s.  resemblance,  one 

like   himself,  4855;  //.   like   (cases),   C 

6759- 
Semblant,   s.    appearance,    disguise,   C 

6202;   (his)  hypocrisy,  C  7449;  seeming, 

3205,  3957. 
Sen,  coiij.  since,  1984. 
Sentence,  s.  meaning,  C  7474;  //.  opi- 
nions, C  5813. 
Sermoneth, //-.  s.  sermonizes,  preaches, 

C  6219. 
Servage,  s.  servitude,  4382,  5807. 
Serviable,  adj.  serviceable,  C  6004. 
Sette,  z/.fasten  (an  accusation), 3328  ;  Set, 

/;-.  s.  places,  4925,  4957  ;  //.  //.  besieged, 

C  7344  ;  //.  established,  2077. 
Seure,  adj.  sure,  4304. 
Seurere,  adj.comp.  surer,  more  secure,  C 

5958. 
Seynt  Amour,  William   St.  Amour,  C 

6781.     (He  wrote  against  the  friars  who 

advocated  the  Eternal  Gospel.) 
Shende,  v.  shame,  put  to  shame,  3116; 

ger.  to  injure,  2953 ;  //•.  .f.  ruins,  4776, 

5310;  //.  disgraced,  ruined,  3479,  3933. 
Shene,  adj.  fair,  3713. 
Shere,  /;•.  s.  subj.  can  cut,  shear,  4335; 

may  shave,  C  6196. 
Shet'e,  ger.  to  shoot,  1798;    Shet,  pt.  s. 

shot,  1727,  1777. 
Shette,  ger.  to  shut,  4224;   v.  shut  up, 

2091 ;  pr.  pi.   shut   up,  5771 ;    Shet,  //. 

shut.  4368. 
Shelving,  s.  demeanour,  4041. 
Shitteth,  pr.  s.  shuts,  4100 ;  Shit,//,  shut 

up,  2767. 
Shoon.  s.pl.  shoes,  2265. 
Shrewis,  s.  pi.  knaves,  C  6876. 
Shrift-fader,  s.  confessor,  C  6423. 
Shryve,  v.  hear  confessions,  C  6364. 
Sigh,  I  pt.  s.  saw,  1822. 
Sight,  I  //.  .r.  sighed,  1746. 
Sikerer,  adj.  comp.  safer,  C  7310. 
Sikerest.  adj.  superl.  securest,  C  6147. 
Sikernesse,  s.  certainty,  1935,  2365. 
Siklrly,  adv.  certainly,  C  6906. 
Similacioun,  s.  dissimulation,  C  7230. 
Simplesse,  s.  Simplicity  (the  name  of  an 

arrow),  1774;  simplicity,  C   6381. 
Sire,    s.    father;    sire    tie    dame,    neither 

father  nor  mother,  C  5887. 
Sith,  conj.  since,  1964,  4367,  C  6266. 
Sithen,  adv.  afterwards,  1999,  C  7130. 
Sitte,  //■.  //.  subj.  sit,  fit,  2267;   Sittand, 
pres.pt.  (Northern)  fitting,  2263  ;  Sitting, 
pres.  pt.  fitting,  suitable,  3654;  befitting, 

2309,  4675. 


F3 


146 


(ibssartal  Intei. 


Skaffaut,  s.  scaffold,  a  shed  on  wheels 

with    a    ridged    roof,    under     cover   of 

which     the     battering    ram    was    used, 

4176. 
Skile,  s.  reason,  3120,  4543;  avail,  1951. 
Slake,  V.  abate,  3108. 
Sleen,  o-fr.  to  slay,  C  7195 ;  pr.  s.  2590. 
Sleighe,  ddj.  sly,  cunning,  C  7257. 
Sleightes,  s.pL  missiles,  C  7071;  tricks, 

C  6371. 
Slo,  V.  slay,  3150,  4592 ;  ^er.  5521 ;  Sloo,  v. 

1953.  3523  ;  Slo,//-.  s.  subj.  4992,  5643. 
Slomrest,  2  pr.  s.  slumberest,  2567. 
Slowe,  s.  moth,  4751.     F.  taigne. 
Smete,//.  smitten,  3755. 
Snibbe,  v.  snub,  reproach,  4533. 
Sojour,  s.  sojourn,  4282;  dwelling,  5150. 
Solempnely,    adv.    publicly,    with    due 

publicity,  C  6766. 
Soleyn,  adj.  sullen,  3896. 
Sophyme,  s.  sophism,  C  7471. 
Sore,  adv.  closely,  strictly,  2055 ;  ardently, 

2075. 
Sote,  adj.  sweet,  4880. 
Soth-sawe,  s.  truth-telling,  C  6125,  6130, 

7590. 
Sotilly,  adv.  subtly,  4395. 
Soudiours,  s.pl.  soldiers,  4234. 
Spanishing',    s.    expanding,    expansion, 

3633.     O.  F.  espanir,  to  expand. 
Sparred,//,  s.  locked,  fastened,  3320. 
Sparth,  s.  a  battle-ax,  C  5978. 
Spered,//.  {/or  sperred) ,  fastened,  locked 

(F.  seitti  /a  c/e/),  2099. 
Sperhauke,  s.  sparrowhawk,  4033. 
Spille.  V.  kill,  1953;  destroy,  2162;  ger.Xo 

surrender    to    destruction,   5441 ;    //.   s. 

spoiled,  5136;  //.  exhausted,  4786. 
Spitel,  s.  hospital,  C  6505. 
Springe,  pr.  pi.  grow,  increase,  C  5988 ; 

pp.  advanced,  C  6954. 
Springoldes,  .5.  //.  catapults,  4191. 
Squared,  //.  cut  square,  4155. 
Squierly,  adj.  like  a  squire,  C  7415. 
Squyre,  s.  square  (carpenter's  square),  C 

7064. 
Stant,  pr.  s.  stands,  waits,  5004. 
Stark,  adj.  downright,  C  7292. 
Stede,  f.  place,  C  5898. 
Stille  or  loude,  silently  or  aloud,  under 

all  circumstances,  C  7532. 
Stinten,  v.  cease,  C  6849 ;  //.  stopped,  C 

6473- 
Stonde  forth,  ger.  to  stand  out,  persist, 

3547  ;  Stont, //-.  s.  stands,  consists,  5581  ; 

Stant,  pr.  s.  waits,  5004. 
Stounde,  s.  hour,  time,  1733 ;  //.  hours, 

2639. 


Stounde,  r.  (probably  an  error  for 
-u'ouiidt',  wound),  4472. 

Stoundemele,  adj.  momentary,  3784. 

Stoundemele.  adv.  hourly,  from  one 
hour  to  another,  2304. 

Stoutnesse,  s.  pride,  obstinacy,  1936. 

Streite,  adj.  close-fitting,  2271. 

Strene,  s.  strain,  breed,  4859.  A.  S. 
striona. 

Strepe,  v.  strip,  fleece,  C  6818. 

Streyne,  v.  constrain,  compel,  C  6406; 
pt.  s.  urged,  C  7631. 

Streyned- Abstinence, Constrained  Ab- 
stinence, C  7325. 

Stuffen,  pr.  pi.  provide  with  defenders, 
C  6290.     F.  text,  corent  les  murs  garnir. 

Suen,  V.  pursue,  seek,  4953. 

Suffraunce,  J.  patience,  submission,  3463. 

Suspecious,  adj.  suspect,  open  to  sus- 
picion, C  6110. 

Sustening,  s.  sustenance,  C  6697. 

Swelte,  2/r.  s.  subj.  die,  2480. 

Swete,  2  pr.  s.  subj.  sweat,  feel  heat, 
2480. 

Swink,  s.  toil,  labour,  C  6596. 

S'winke,  v.  labour,  C  6619;  ger.  to  toil, 
2151,  5685  ;  pr.  s.  toils,  5675. 

Swinker,  s.  toiler,  C  6857. 

Swinking,  s.  toiling,  C  6703. 

Swoning,  s.  swooning,  swoon,  1737. 

Sy,  i.  e.  if  (F.  si),  i.  e.  haphazard,  5741. 

Sythes,  //.  times,  2048, 4868  ;  Many  sythe, 
often,  2257. 

T. 

Take,  v.  lay  hold,  5351 ;  take  arms,  3529; 

hand  over,   C  7265 ;  v.  refi.  surrender, 

1947;  t.  0)1  ^(fw,  apply  to  themselves,  C 

6107  {¥ .Xe\i,  sur  ens riens n' en prendront)  ; 

pr.  s.  betakes,  commits  himself,  C  6442 ; 

//.   taken ;    him   take,  betaken    himself, 

C  7280;  Tan,//.  C  5894. 
Takel,  s.  weapon,  arrow,  1729,  1863. 
Tale,    r.   reckoning;    yeve  I  litel  tale,   I 

pay  little  heed,  C  6375. 
Talent,  s.  good  will,  inclination,  C  6134; 

fancy,    C   71 10;    longing,  3472;    desire, 

intent,  1716;  spirit,  disposition,  C  7674. 
Tan,  //.  taken,  C  5894.     See  Take. 
Tapinage,  s.  hiding;  in  tapinage,  sneak- 

ingly,  C  7363. 
Tatafwagges,  s.  pi.  fluttering  tatters,  C 

7259- 
Taylagiers,  s.  pi.  tax-gatherers,  C  6811. 
Tecche,  s.  fault,  bad  habit,  5166;  //.  C 

6517. 
Teched,  //.  s.  taught,  C  6680. 
Telle,  V.  account,  5053. 


'i^amaimt  at  t\)e  Hose:  ^arts  b,  c. 


147 


Templers,  s.  pi.  Knights-Templars,  C 
6693. 

Temprure,  j\  tempering,  mixing,  4177. 

Temps,  s.  time ;  at  prime  temps,  at  the 
first  time,  at  first,  3373. 

Tene.  ,<.  ruin,  blight,  4750. 

Tespye,  v.  to  espy,  3156. 

Than,  conj.  than  if,  4328. 

Thank,  s.  thanks,  4584 ;  (F.  text,  son  gre 
deseruir)  ;  good  will,  2698,  2700 ;  in  thank, 
with  thanks,  with  good  will,  2115,4577; 
Thankes, //.  thanks,  2036;  thy  thankis, 
with  thy  good  will,  2463. 

Thar,  adv.  there,  1853,  1857. 

Thar,  pr.  s.  impers.  needs ;  you  thar,  you 
need,  3604. 

Thee,  v.  thrive  ;  so  mote  I  thee,  as  I  hope 
to  thrive,  3086,  4841,  C  5899. 

Thempryse  (for  The  empryse),  the  cus- 
tom, 2286. 

Ther-geyn,  prep,  against  this,  C  6555. 

Thilke,  pron.  that,  2106,  C  5980. 

Thing,  s.  pi.  things,  property,  C  6670. 

Thinges,  s.  pi.  business,  doings,  C  6037. 

This,  for  this  is,  C  6057,  6452. 

Thought,  s.  the  object  of  thought  per- 
sonified (?),  2473.  (But  a  corrupt  read- 
ing ;  read  That  swete,  answering  to 
S'amie  in  the  F.  text.) 

Threste,  \pr.  s.  thrust,  C  6825. 

Thringe,  ger.  to  thrust,  C  7419. 

Thritty,  adj.  thirty,  4211. 

Throwe,  s.  moment,  1771,  3867. 

Thrust,  s.  thirst,  4722. 

Thurgh-sought,  //.  examined  thor- 
oughly, 4948. 

Til,  prep,  to ;  him  til,  to  him,  4594. 

Tiller,  s.  tiller,  husbandman,  4339. 

To-beten,  //.  belaboured,  C  6126. 

Tobeye,  to  obey,  3534. 

To-dr&we,  pp.  torn  in  pieces,  C  6126. 

Toforn.  prep,  before,  2969;  God  toforn, 
in  the  sight  of  God,  C  7198. 

Token,  pt.  pi.  took  (i.  e.  took  Christ  to 
witness,  appealed  to  Christ),  C  7122. 
(The  translation  is  entirely  wrong; 
hence  the  lack  of  sense.) 

Tolde.  pp.  {error /or  Told),  told,  C  6598. 

To-me-'ward,  towards  me,  3354,  3803. 

To-moche-Yeving,  Giving  too  much,  C 

5837. 
Ton,  the,  the  one,  5217  ;  the  toon,  5559. 
To-quake,  v.  quake  greatly;  al  to-quake, 

tremble  very  much,  2527. 
To-shake,  v.  shake   to  the  foundations, 

ruin,  C  5981. 
To-shar,  //.  s.  lacerated,   cut   in   twain, 

1858. 


To-shent,  //.  undone  ;  al  to-shent,  utterly 

undone,  1903. 
Touret,  s.  turret,  4164. 
Tourn,  s.  turn,  5470. 
Trace,  v.  walk,  go  about,  C  6745;  pr.pl. 

walk,  live,  5753. 
Transmewe,  v.  transmute,  be  changed, 

2526. 
Trasshed,//.  betrayed,  3231. 
Trechour,  s.  traitour,  C  7216 ;  cheat,  C 

6602. 
Tree,  j.  wood,  1747,  1808,  2408,  C  7061. 
Treget,  s.  trap,  snare,  C  6312;   trickery, 

guile,  C  6267,  6825. 
Tregetours,  s.pl.  tricksters,  C  7587. 
Tregetrye,  J-.  trickery,  C  6382;  trick,  C 

6374- 
Trepeget,  s.  a  military  engine  made  of 

wood,  used  for  hurling  large  stones  and 

other  missiles,  a  trebuchet,  C  6279. 
Trichoxir,  adj.  treacherous,  6308. 
Trist,  V.  trust,  4364;  //.  3929. 
Trouble,  adj.  troubled,  1755. 
Troubler,  adj.  comp.  dimmer,  less  bright, 

C  7116. 
Trowandyse,  s.  knavery,  villany,  3954. 
Trowe,  v.  believe,  C  6873. 
Truaunding,  s.  idling,  shirking,  C  6721. 
Truaundyse,  s.  idleness,  shirking,  C  6664. 
Truaunt,  j.  idler,  loafer,  C  6645. 
Tumble,  v.   cause   to   tumble,   cause   to 

perform   athletic  feats,  C  6836;  ger.  to 

tumble,  5469. 
Turves,  s.  pi.  sods  of  turf,  C  7062. 
Twinne,  v.  separate,  go  apart,  4813 ;  part, 

5077;  depart,  4367. 

U. 

Unavysed,  adj.  heedless,  indiscreet, 
foolish,  4739. 

Unbond,  pt.  s.  released,  C  6416 ;  //.  un- 
fastened, 4700 ;  opened,  2226. 

Unclosed,//,  untied,  unfastened,  4698. 

Unclosid,  //.  unenclosed,  3921,  3925. 

Undirfongith,  pr.  s.  undertakes,  5709. 

Unese,  s.  uneasiness,  trouble,  3102;  dis- 
comfort, 2596. 

Unhappe,  s.  mishap,  ill  fortune,  5492. 

Unhyde,  v.  unfold,  reveal,  2168. 

Unlefulle,  adj.  illicit,  4880. 

Unnethe,  adv.  scarcely,  i.  e.  it  will 
scarcely  be,  C  6541 ;  Unnethis,  hardly, 
5461. 

Unrelesed,  adj.  unrelieved,  2729. 

Unsperd,  //.  unbolted,  unbarred,  2656. 

Unthrift,  s.  wastefulness,  4926. 

Unwelde,  adj.  impotent,  feeble,  4886. 


148 


(^loggartal  Intitx. 


Up-caste,  />/.  s.  lifted  up,  C  7129. 
Updresse,  v.  set  up,  prepare,  C  7067. 
Up-right,  adv.  on  thy  back,  2561. 
Urchouns,  s.  pi.  hedgehogs,  3135. 
Utter,  adj.  outer,  4208. 


Vailith,  pr.  s.  avails,  5765. 
Valour,  s.  worth,  5236,  5556;  value,  5538. 
Vassalage,  s.  prowess,  courage,  C  5871. 
Vekke,  s.  old  woman,  hag,  4286,  4495. 
Vendable,  adj.  venal,  vendible,  saleable, 

5804. 
Verger,  s.  orchard,  3234, 3618, 3831, 3851. 
Vermayle,    adj.    vermilion,    scarlet-red, 

3645- 

Vilaynsly,  adv.  disgracefully,  3994. 

Vileyn,  s.  peasant,  yokel,  churl,  1990; 
\'ilayns,^i*//.  churl's,  1992. 

Vitaiile,  s.  victuals,  delicacies,  C  7044. 

Voide,  -u.  drive  away,  5164 ;  pr.  s.  removes, 
2833,  2845;  '"'/•  ^-  remove,  clear,  2283; 
imp.  pi.  put  away,  3571. 

Voluntee,  s.  will,  desire,  5276. 

Vouche,  pr.  s.  I  per.  vouchsafe ;  For  sauf 
of  cherlis  I  ne  vouche,  for  I  do  not 
vouchsafe,  among  churls,  2002.  (Or 
read  lo  for  o/.) 

Vounde,//.  (?)  well  found,  hence,  excel- 
lent, C  7063. 

W. 

Wacche,  j'.  watching,  lying  awake,  4132. 
Wade,  r.  wade,  go  about,  5022. 
Walkyng,  5.  walking  (?),  2682.    (Perhaps 

read  talking ;  F.  text,  purlers.) 
Walowe,  V.  toss  (or  roll)  about,  2562. 
Wanhope,  s.  despair,  4432,  4433,  4708. 
Wante,  v.  be  lacking,  2530. 
Ware,  s.  commodity,  C  5926. 
Warne,  v.  inform,  C  7657;  //.  s.  refused, 

C  5840 ;  pp.  refused,  denied,  2604,  3426, 

5245.  C  7502. 
Wawe,  s.  wave,  4712. 
Wayte,  ger.  to  beset  (me)  with,  to  plot, 

3938. 
Weder,  s.  storm,  4336. 
Weed,  s.  religious  habit,  C  6359. 
Welfaring,   adj.  well-favoured,  C  6866. 

V.  text,  bfles. 
Wel-Helinge,  s.  Good-concealment,  C 

5857- 
Wene,    s.   expectation,   2046;    witkouten 

luene,  doubtless,  2415,  2668,  2683,  4596. 
Wene,  v.  suppose,  2761;    (read  mak'th 

[him]  wene ;  ¥.  text,  Qu'il  se  cuide)  ;  pr. 


s.  subj.  imagine,  5672;  Wende,  1  //.  s. 
imagined,  4322. 

Wening,  s.  imagination,  2766. 

Went,//,  departed,  turned  away, C  6185. 

[Went,  pr.  s.  turns  aside,  C  6205.]  Sup>- 
plied  by  guess. 

Were,  j.  distraction  (F.  guerre'),  5699; 
withouten  were,  without  doubt  (a  char- 
acteristic expletive  phrase,  common  in 
Fragment  B),  1776,  2568,  2740,  3351 
3452,  4468,  5485,  5657,  5692. 

Were,  v.  wear  away,  devour,  4752 ;  ger. 
to  wear,  i.  e.  to  wear  away  (the  shore) 
4712 ;  pr.  pi.  C  6215  ;  pt.  pi.  C  6244. 

Weme,  v.  deny,  refuse,  3443,  C  6673 
ger.  3730.    See  Warne. 

Werrey,  v.  war  against,  oppose,  C  6926 
ger.  to  make  war  upon,  3251 ;  pr.  s.  wars 
against,  3699;    i  pr.  pi.  make  war,   C 
7018 ;    Werreyed,  pp.    warred    against, 

3917- 
Wery,  v.  worry,  strangle,  C  6264. 
Wethers,  s.  gen.  wether's,  sheep's,    C 

6259. 
Weyked,//.  as  adj.  too  weak,  4737. 
Wher.  conj.  whether,  2617,  5191. 
Whetted,//,  sharpened,  C  6197. 
Whitsonday,  s.  Whitsunday,  2278.    CL 

'  Garlands,  Whitsunday,  ujd.' ;    Brand's 

Pop.  Antiq.  s.  v.  Whitsun-ale. 
Whylom,   adv.   sometimes,   4355,   5350; 

formerly,  4123,  C  7090. 
Whyte  monkes,  s.  pi.  Cistercians,  i.  e. 

Reformed  Benedictines,  C  6695. 
Wlcked-Tonge  (F.  Malebouche),  C  7424. 
Wight,  s.  man,  creature,  C  5961. 
Wight,  adj.  active,  4761. 
Wilfully,  adv.  willingly,  4808,  C  5941. 
Willen,  V.  desire,  2482. 
William,  W.  Seint  Amour,  C  6763,  6778. 
Wimple,  s.  wimple,  3864.    A  band  usually 

of  linen  which   covered   the  neck,  and 

was    drawn   up   over  the  chin,  strained 

up  each  side  of  the  face,  and  generally 

fastened    across    the    forehead ;    called 

also  barbe,  gorget,  or  chin-cloth. 
Winde,   v.   turn    about,    1810;    escape, 

2056. 
Winke,  v.  sleep,  4568;  2/;-.  s.  stibj.  2348. 
Wis,  adv.  verily,  C  6433. 
Wite,  v.  know,  C  6105,  6208,  6939 ;  Wit,  v. 

3145.  5574;  Wist,  pt.  pi.  knew,  C  5864; 

"WisXen,  pt.  pi.  subj.  knew,  C  6087. 
Wone,  I  pr.  s.  dwell,  C  6143. 
Woning,  s.  dwelling-place,  C  6082. 
Woning-places,    s.  pi.  dwelling-places, 

C6119. 
Wonnen, //.//.  won,  C  6252. 


Bomaunt  of  tfje  5^o0e:  Parts  b,  c. 


149 


"Wood,  adj.  mad,  3138,  3776,  C  6263;  rag- 
ing, 1921. 
"Wook,  \  pt,  s.  kept  awake,  watched,  1877. 
"Woot,/r.  s.  knows,  5257. 
Worche,  v.  work,  cause,  C  6052. 
"Worche,  v.  deal  (with  what  they  have  to 

do),  C  6037.     MS.  G.  has  luorthe ;  Lat. 

ladies   worthe  =  let   ladies    alone.      The 

passage  is  obscure. 
Worchinges,  s.pl.  doings,  C  6585. 
Worth,  adj.  worthy,  C  7104. 
Wost,    2  pr.  s.    knowest    (thou),    4977; 

Wostow,  knowest  thou,  C  6075,  6373. 
Woxen,//.  grown,  C  7140. 
Wrapped,//*,  s.  subj.  should  wrap,  C  6260. 
Wratthed,  i  pt.  s.  made  angry,  4108 ;  //. 

enraged,  3097. 
Wreke,//.  revenged,  3362. 
Wrenche,  s.  turn,  trick,  4292. 
Wreying,  s.  betraying,  disclosure,  5220. 
Writ,  //-.  s.  writes,  C  6585. 
Wryen,  ger.  to  cover,  C  6684 ;  v.  disguise, 

C  6795  ;  cover  up,  clothe,  C  6819  (F.text, 

s'afuhlent) . 
Wry  the,  V.  twist,  4359. 
Wurching',  s.  machination,  C  6123. 
Wyte,   s.  blame ;    to  wyfe,   a   matter  of 

reproach,  3558. 


Yaf ,  //.  s.  gave,  2339,  4500. 
Yalt,  pr.  s.   rejl.   betakes    himself,  4904. 
See  Yelde. 


Yate,  s.  gate,  4230. 

Yates,  s.pl.  gates  {but  miswrittenforgmni, 

i.  e.  ways),  5722. 
Y-bake,//.  baked,  C  7048. 
Y-do,  //.  done;  have  y-do,   have  done! 

1941. 
Ye,  s.  eye,  4264. 
Yedest,  2//.  s.  wentest,  3227  ;  Yede,  pt.  s. 

went,  5151 ;  has  gone,  2585. 
Yeft,  s.  gift,  granting,  3664. 
Yelde,  v.  yield,  1933;  submit  (thyself),  C 

6283  ;  imp.  s.  yield,  1930. 
Yerne,  adv.  readily,  eagerly,  C  6719. 
Yerning-,  s.  affection,  C  5951. 
Yeten.  //.  poured  out,  5702.     Pp.  from 

A.  S.  geotan. 
Yeve,  \ pr.  s.  care,  regard,  C  6464. 
Yeving,  s.  giving,  C  5907. 
Y-fere,  adv.  together,  in  company,  3806. 
Y-holpe,//.  helped,  holpen,  5505. 
Ying,    adj.    young,    2208.     A    Northern 

form. 
Y-let,  pp.  hidden,  5335. 
Yliche,  adv.  equally,  alike,  3630. 
Yolden,  pp.  requited,  4556.     See  Yelde. 
Yore.  adv.  long  ago,  C  7599. 
Youth-hede,  s.  youthhood,  4931. 
Ypocryte,  s.  hypocrite,  C  6482. 
Yre,  J.  anger,  3174.     F.  te.xt,  ire. 
Y-sene.  adj.  visible,  C  6806. 
Yvel,  adv.  ill,  5238. 
Y-vris,  adv.  certainly,  2788,  5554,  5790;  C 

5825,  5896,  5915,  6879,  6932,  7400,  7564. 


THE   END. 


NEW    UNIFORM    AND    COMPLETE    EDITIONS 
OF    THE    POETS. 

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ALFRED,     LORD     TENNYSON,     POET     LAUREATE,    COMPLETE 
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COLERIDGE'S    COMPLETE    POETICAL  WORKS. 

Edited,  with  Introduction,  by  J.  Dykes  Campbell. 


MATTHEW    ARNOLD'S   POETICAL   WORKS. 

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PERCY    BYSSHE    SHELLEY'S    POETICAL   WORKS. 

Edited  by  Professor  Dowden.     With  Portrait. 


WILLIAM  WORDSWORTH'S    COMPLETE    POETICAL   WORKS. 

With  an  Introduction  by  John  Morlev,  and  Portrait. 

"  Mr.  Morley  has  seldom  written  anything  fresher  or  more  vigorous  than  the 
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MORTE    D'ARTHUR. 

Sir  Tho.\ias  Malory's  Book  of  King  Arthur,  and  of  his  Noble  Knights  of  the 
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ALEXANDER  POPE'S    POETICAL   WORKS. 

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Etlited,  with  Notes  and  Biographical  Introduction,  by  Rev.  W.  Benham,  B.D. 
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